Chapter 8, Murdering the Husband

Wen Zheng felt somewhat displeased, but still said: "What instructions does Mother have?"

Wen Chenxi felt a bit tired, so she sat down on the couch to rest. Liu Chengfeng smiled at Wen Chenru and asked, "What copper basin?"

Liu Chengfeng had long been on guard against this girl. As soon as Wen Chenru moved, he had already retreated and quickly shouted, "Not good, the second young lady has attempted to murder her husband"

A glimmer of understanding flashed in the old official's eyes as he smiled and said, "I understand, I have a distant relative named Liu Chengfeng, a family of impeccable reputation"

Liu Chengfeng chuckled and said, "To murder one's brother-in-law, in simple terms, is it not just to murder one's husband?"

Wen Zheng listened to the old lady's words and pretended to go for tea, neither affirming nor opposing.

Wen Zheng, the commanding officer, was almost equivalent to the head of the Southern Town Prefecture. The three divisions of the Southern Town Prefecture all looked up to him. When his sedan chair arrived, the officers accompanying Jin Chun Dao at the entrance could not help but stand tall. As Wen Zheng descended from the sedan chair, the officers all said in unison: "Greetings, Sir"

This feeling cannot be described as particularly good, nor can it be said to be bad. Liu Chengfeng does not wish to continue residing in the Wen family; it is not that he possesses any pride, but rather that he dislikes being constrained by so many rules.

The hall fell silent in an instant

The old lady smiled faintly and said: "Since the morning light's illness has been cured, I can finally rest assured. However, this grandson-in-law is now considered a member of the Wen family. Now that he has lost his official title, we cannot possibly ask him to return to the writing desk, can we? You are his father-in-law, so it would be better to casually arrange a position for him in the town government office."

Wen Chenru pouted and said: "What could he possibly do? Sister, you are still unwell, what is the point of doing embroidery? Forget it, I will go out for a walk, it is too stuffy to be cooped up here."

Wen Chenruo's small chest was already heaving violently, clearly infuriated. Her silver teeth clicked together, and her hands were clenched into fists as she exclaimed in a fit of rage: "I thought it was for my sister's treatment, but it turns out you were just toying with me, you scoundrel. Come and take your life!"

The old lady sighed and continued, "In any case, I have accepted this grandson-in-law. As for what you just said, do not bring it up again in the future. There is one more matter that I need you to handle."

This bookworm, let him fend for himself in the thousand households office, and when he suffers in the future, he will eventually know to retreat. With this thought in mind, Wen Zheng picked up the document, broke the seal, and leisurely began to read through it.

Wen Zheng walked out timidly, and as he exited the old lady's room, his face suddenly turned ashen. Just then, a servant was speaking quietly with a maid under the eaves. Wen Zheng shouted, "I keep you all, so you can engage in illicit affairs here?"

Wen Zheng's expression gradually softened a bit. He picked up the teacup and leisurely took a sip of tea before saying: "There is a person with the surname Liu, who is said to be quite capable, named Liu Chengfeng. He comes from a respectable family. Let him fill the vacancy in the Inner West City. However, when you go to the Historical Affairs Office for the recommendation, do not mention that I recommended him; just say he is your distant relative."

Returning to the bedroom while chatting with Wen Chenxi, Wen Chenru unexpectedly arrived early in the morning. Chao Liu Chengfeng, in a huff, said: "I have been carrying the copper basin for two days; what is the purpose of this copper basin?"

Wen Zheng coughed lightly and said: "Mother, let us take our time discussing this matter. After all, Chenxi has just begun to recover from his illness, and it is essential for someone to be by his side to care for him. Moreover, he is a scholar, and he may not be able to handle matters related to the prison. I will think of another solution."

The old lady smiled and said, "This is more like it. It's getting late; you should go to class. I don't need you to attend to me."

The old official quickly responded, "I will visit the Historical Records Office shortly. May I ask if there are any further instructions from you, my lord?"

After conversing for a while, Liu Chengfeng assisted Wen Chenxi in returning to rest

In the past, when seeking a son-in-law, it was a matter of desperation, and one could not afford to be overly concerned. However, now upon reflection, it feels somewhat embarrassing. Wen Zheng is now afraid that others will associate him with Liu Chengfeng, and if he were to arrange for Liu Chengfeng to join the guard, he cannot imagine how people would laugh behind his back

Wen Chenruo glared at Liu Chengfeng in response, her eyes blazing with anger, and said fiercely: "You want me to stand under the eaves holding a copper basin."

In a certain sense, Liu Chengfeng can be considered a temporary worker who has been officially recognized, becoming a legitimate son-in-law of Wen Jia. Those in the household who previously showed him disrespect now dare not defy him.

It is merely... aesthetically pleasing... and nothing more...

Wen Zheng was subjected to a barrage of scolding, and could only submissively reply, "Yes, I will take care of it right away." He was particularly deferential to the old matriarch, and at this moment, seeing her show signs of genuine anger, he had lost even the last bit of words to defend himself.

Wen Chenruo's face flushed with anger, and she said with a frosty expression, "Nonsense, how dare you speak so deceitfully!"

The South Town Government Office and the Imperial Prison are adjacent to each other. On the main street in front, there are hardly any pedestrians. Even when an occasional passerby comes by, upon seeing the deep and terrifying Imperial Prison and the South Town Government Office, most tend to lower their heads and quicken their pace.

Liu Chengfeng and Wen Chenxi emerged from the matriarch's sitting room. Along the way, the servants and maidservants approached from a distance to pay their respects, addressing Liu Chengfeng as 'son-in-law.' Compared to before, their attitude towards Liu Chengfeng was much more respectful. Liu Chengfeng thought to himself that these people's ears and eyes were quite sharp; it was likely that the matriarch's change in attitude towards him had already spread throughout the household.

Upon being reminded by Wen Chenruo, Liu Chengfeng finally appeared to understand, saying: "Oh, so that's what it is. I just thought that Chenruo looked very nice holding the copper basin."

The old lady sat cross-legged on the couch, resting her wind staff across her knees, and slowly said: "This grandson-in-law is not as hopeless as you say. It is said that reading and medicine are closely related. At such a young age, he possesses such remarkable skills; he must have good knowledge as well. It is just a pity that his official title was revoked; otherwise, our Wen family might have truly produced a successful candidate for the imperial examination."

The old lady sat steadily on the couch, yet her murky eyes held a sharpness that seemed to penetrate the hearts of others. Casually glancing at Wen Zheng, she said lightly: "How could I not know what you are thinking? You are afraid that this grandson-in-law will lose your reputation, hmph, what a ridiculous thing! Have you ever considered that I also come from a humble background? I only had you after marrying your father. If you disdain Chengfeng, why not disdain me as well? This matter needs to be resolved quickly; I will ask you about it in a few days. It is truly embarrassing to have a perfectly good son-in-law idling away at home. Furthermore, I see that his intentions are not bad; he treats Chenxi well, is knowledgeable, and understands medicine. What more is needed to qualify as a brocade-clad captain or a member of the emperor's personal guard?"

Wen Zheng paid them no mind, simply walking steadily through the hall, familiar with the route, and arrived at the main hall. After a moment, an old official came over to deliver the reports from the Beizhen Prefecture regarding the illegal activities of the captain, general, and officials. In addition, the Nanzhen Prefecture was also responsible for compiling intelligence from various regions, which was quite significant.

Wen Zhengxian leisurely took a sip of hot tea. Normally, at this time, he would begin reviewing the documents. However, today was quite unusual; he lightly placed the teacup on the desk, casually picked up an unopened document without breaking the seal, and indifferently asked, "Is there a vacancy at the Beizhen Prefectural Office recently"

The Jinyiwei consists of three offices in total: the Historical Affairs Office, followed by the Southern and Northern Town Offices. The Historical Affairs Office oversees the official documents, transcription, archiving, and the onboarding of Jinyiwei personnel. The Southern Town Office is dedicated to military law, while the Northern Town Office serves as the executive body. As a Deputy Commandant, it is certainly not an issue to pay a visit to the Historical Affairs Office.

Wen Zheng listened with a furrowed brow, truly fearing that what he dreaded would come to pass. In fact, this time, as Wen Chenxi was getting married, he, as the Deputy Commander of the Jinyiwei, was at least a person of some standing. Now, having taken in such an obscure son-in-law, he found it difficult to hold his head high in front of his colleagues. In the Wei office, there were many daughters of thousand-household leaders who married into noble families, yet he, as the Deputy Commander, had brought in a scholar who had no official title at all.

Wen Zheng said lightly: "Nephew?" His brows furrowed tightly, displaying a hint of anger as he said: "What does Liu Zhongxia from the inner west city take the garrison for? Today he brings in a nephew, and tomorrow he will bring in a nephew by marriage. This is the imperial army, not a place for Liu to distribute rations and take heads. Go to the Historical Office later and inform them, just say that Liu Zhongxia's nephew is not allowed to enter."

The reason Wen Zheng is reluctant to personally recommend and * map * the book is that he fears Liu Zhongxia, the thousand-household, will be dissatisfied. Although with Wen Zheng's status, Liu Zhongxia would not dare to act against him, it is nonetheless awkward for him to suddenly intervene after just having sternly reprimanded Liu Zhongxia for employing personal connections.

Upon hearing the words "embroidery," Wen Chenru would run away quickly, completely avoiding it.

On the other hand, the old lady instructed Wen Zheng to find a job for Liu Chengfeng. Wen Zheng had no choice but to comply. However, within this garrison, he was reluctant to arrange for Liu Chengfeng to be close to him; naturally, the farther away, the better. It was best if no one knew about their relationship as father-in-law and son-in-law. In the future, if this bookish fellow caused any trouble in the Jinyiwei, he would not have to be implicated.

The servants and maids were taken aback, hurriedly kneeling to apologize. Wen Zheng let out a cold snort and swept out of the house.

The two exchanged banter, teasing each other, which made Wen Chenxi, sitting on the edge of the couch, unable to help but smile and say, "Alright, alright, it's as if this family is made up of enemies. Chenruo, your brother-in-law has things to do later, so come over and keep your sister company while she embroiders"

When asked, of course, it was the old official who was organizing documents for Wen Zheng. The old official quickly replied, "In response to the esteemed official, there is indeed a vacancy at the Qianhu Office in the Inner West City of the capital. A certain captain has passed away without any heirs to inherit his position. The Qianhu official of the Inner West City has already reported this to the Beizhen Prefecture, presumably hoping to have his nephew take over the position."

Wen Zheng smiled faintly and waved his sleeve, saying: "Go ahead, come back with a report sooner."

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Unlike the North Town Prefecture, the South Town Prefecture has few officers. However, the stone lion standing at the entrance, with its fierce and menacing gaze, instills a greater sense of awe in everyone.

Although it was daytime, the room was dimly lit, so the young maids lit several oil lamps. The flickering flames of the lamps cast a rosy glow on the old lady's face