CHAPTER 149: CHAPTER 149: BEHEADING AND EXECUTION OF THE NINE GENERATIONS

"Madam Li, are you implying that if I drive you away, my son’s future will be affected?" Meng Yao asked calmly.

Madam Li assumed she had been intimidated by her words and nodded with smug satisfaction.

Her expression was arrogant, mixed with a touch of disdain as if saying ’good that you understand’.

Meng Yao laughed, "I only know that the imperial examinations are held by His Majesty to select talents for the Court, and how one’s future turns out is in His Majesty’s hands. I was unaware that Madam Li held control over one’s future. As a commoner, I am terrified that Madam Li surpasses His Majesty."

Madam Li’s complexion changed instantly, but Meng Yao had no intention of letting her off the hook so easily and continued, "Sister Qian, and all the ladies present, you must not go against Madam Li in the future. She even surpasses His Majesty; if we anger her, we won’t even know how we die."

"I did not mean that! That’s not what I meant!" Madam Li hastily explained, fearing that such words could be exploited, putting her Li Family under suspicion of rebellion, leading to execution and extermination.

These ladies present have often been lenient with Madam Li, but it doesn’t mean they have accepted her willingly.

Today everyone came together, and equality was expected.

Yet Madam Li arrived with an air of superiority, pressing down on them.

This caused resentment among them.

So although they knew Meng Yao deliberately twisted Madam Li’s words, none of them spoke up in her defense.

"Meng, you venomous woman!" Madam Li glared with anger.

The commotion naturally drew the attention of the village chief and Zhao Dahe nearby.

Zhao Dahe bowed respectfully, "Excuse me for a moment."

Meng Yao was among these women’s social circles; the village chief worried she hadn’t experienced such an occasion before and might cause unpleasantness, so he followed along.

The others who brought their ladies hurriedly followed behind as well.

No need for Meng Yao to explain; the ladies present retold the sequence of events one after another.

Families originally intending to ally with Member Li discreetly distanced themselves.

Member Li angrily glared at his wife, then hurriedly apologized with a forced smile to Meng Yao, "Madam Zhao, please be forgiving and don’t take it out on my wife. She is accustomed to exerting authority in the inner quarters, so threats come easily. Rest assured, I will teach her proper manners once we return."

"Member Li, I’m afraid this isn’t something that can be brushed off by teaching manners. Madam Li’s words were heard by all the ladies present," Zhao Dahe spoke calmly, "How could an inner quarters wife make threats about my son’s future?"

The implication is that Madam Li has backing.

Moreover, the underlying message is that this backing indeed has the power to affect others’ futures.

The backing of the Li Family isn’t a secret.

Hence, Madam Li’s words indirectly implicated the Magistrate of Qingzhou.

Member Li broke in cold sweat; although he paid respects generously to his cousin, his cousin wouldn’t protect them in such public matters for his own reputation.

If someone exploits this situation, his cousin’s official rank might not be affected, but their family will undoubtedly pay a price.

"You foolish woman." Member Li lifted his hand and slapped Madam Li hard, making her head tilt to one side, causing several hairpins to fly off.

Madam Li had never been treated like this in all her years of marriage to Member Li.

Fury and grievance surged simultaneously, "Li Wanshan, you hit me, how dare you!"

Things got a bit chaotic at this point.

Madam Li usually appeared gentle and weak, but no one expected her explosive strength.

Member Li looked stout, but his fighting ability was weak.

In her anger, Madam Li was quite ferocious; when everyone finally separated them, Member Li’s face was scratched up.

The Li Family’s servants nervously supported their two masters in leaving, their faces covered in dirt.

At this point, no one held Madam Li’s words against her any longer.

The village chief quickly gathered everyone, and the crowd resumed mingling as if nothing had happened.

This little episode seemed to ring an alarm bell for everyone, prompting each person to speak more courteously, focusing firstly on avoiding enmity. As the young Zhao son had a bright future, time was on their side.

Meng Zhu and Li Baixia arrived late.

As soon as Li Baixia arrived, he was called by Li Chang’an to help deal with those people.

Li Baixia had traveled extensively over the years and was unfazed by such occasions; moreover, knowing some people there, he managed to create an excellent atmosphere among the male guests.

Meng Zhu’s situation was even better. Upon learning she was Zhao Dahe’s aunt, the ladies courteous towards her engaged in friendly chatter.

For women of this age group, topics like cosmetics no longer held much interest. Therefore, they discussed their children and husbands the most.

How successful their husbands were, how accomplished their children.

Meng Yao chimed in just the right amount, allowing these ladies to rekindle the illusion that she was easy-going.

"Madam, madam, I’m here," a clear voice emerged distinctly from the clamor, piercing Meng Yao’s ear.

Meng Yao glanced outside, seeing Wen Nuan squeeze through the crowd and enter the courtyard.

The young girl carried a bundle in her arms, her forehead slightly sweaty and her nose red, dressed differently than back in the county, now in young lady’s attire.

Their agreement was that Wen Shu’s name appeared on the scholar roll, and she would serve as Meng Yao’s maid for a few years.

Seeing her standing here meant Wen Shu’s name was indeed on the list.

"Wen Nuan, how did you get here?" Meng Yao rose, personally holding her hand and leading her inside.

"Someone in the village came to Fengyang Town, so I got a ride. After reaching Fengyang Town, I asked for directions to Shanghua Village and ran here," Wen Nuan replied cheerfully. "I brought some sauce beans and sauce cubes made by my mother for you. I heard from the government officer, young master is the top scorer, and my brother asked me to congratulate you and the young master from him; he ranked eleventh."

Eleventh place isn’t bad at all.

Considering the environment Wen Shu faced in the exam hall...

"I also congratulate you," Meng Yao said. "You traveled a long way here, you must be exhausted. I’ll have Xiaohua take you to rest for a while."

"I’m not tired," Wen Nuan insisted.

"Be good and take a proper rest," Meng Yao said softly.

"Alright," Wen Nuan agreed obediently, willing to follow whatever the Madam instructed.

Zhao Xiaohua came over to take Wen Nuan away.

These ladies were full of curiosity from Meng Yao and Wen Nuan’s conversation; they easily deduced Wen Nuan’s brother must also be a scholar, performing quite well.

Eleventh place, assuming normal performance in provincial and national exams, should be promising.

Thus, someone immediately began inquiring about Wen Shu indirectly.

Meng Yao didn’t hold back information, as associating with them wouldn’t be detrimental for Wen Shu.