In the first instance, some were promoted, some passed away, and others experienced a time travel.

Sheng Hong recalled the gentle kindness of Aunt Wei from the past, and his heart ached deeply. He said with a sense of shame, "I originally intended to send her to the lady, but the maid has also fallen ill these past few days, and the lady's place is in disarray. I plan to wait a few days until the lady is free before sending her over."

Sheng Hong was taken aback and bowed, saying, "Please guide me, Mother."

Sheng Hong murmured, "It is all the son's lack of filial piety, unable to manage his wife."

"That is indeed something to congratulate the master on. It is well known that the position of governor is often held by those of the fifth rank, yet you, a sixth-rank official, can serve as a governor of a province. This is not only due to the merits accumulated by your ancestors but also thanks to those who have supported you." said Lady Sheng.

"It has not been in vain for you to endure all these years outside. Rising from the sixth rank is the most difficult; once you pass this hurdle, you can be considered a middle-ranking official. This time, where do you expect to be promoted to? Do you have any confidence in your heart?" Old Lady Sheng spoke in a flat tone, without any fluctuation.

Old Lady Sheng said, "Do not blame yourself; I am aware of your filial piety. There is no need to blame your wife either, for I am not her legitimate mother-in-law and have no need to put on airs. In the past three days, with visitors coming and going, she has grown tired and I have become annoyed. You need not worry about others saying you are unfilial; I have had a reputation for many years, and many people know my temperament. Keeping some distance like this makes everyone feel more comfortable"

"What my mother said resonates with me as well. I recall when I first arrived in Quanzhou, I found the climate in this Lingnan region to be hot and the people rather rough. Although it is not entirely an uncivilized land, it seemed devoid of refinement. To my surprise, the weather here is favorable, the people are simple and honest, and being close to the coast brings the benefits of fishing and salt, as well as convenient shipping. While it may not be as affluent as Jiangnan, the people here are quite prosperous. After living here for a few years, I have grown somewhat attached to it," Sheng Hong said with a smile.

Sheng Hong wept and said: "What does it have to do with the old lady? It is all due to the son's lack of virtue. A mother's heart is like a clear mirror, and every word strikes at the son's core. The son is simply afraid of the wife... that is why he has indulged her a bit too much, breaking the rules. The son deserves to die a thousand deaths"

Sheng Hong stood with his head bowed, a look of fear on his face: "I regret not heeding my mother's words back then, which has led to today's calamity. It is all due to my lack of virtue that has caused unrest in the family"

"What my mother said was that my son had been worried about his performance evaluation for the past few days. Now that the weight on his mind has been lifted, he can take some time to organize things, starting with the incident involving the maid and the old woman on the day Aunt Wei gave birth." Sheng Hong's tone was calm, but it was evident that he was quite angry.

No, I am already half buried in the ground. If it weren't for the commotion this time, I wouldn't involve myself in this matter. From now on, everything on my side will remain the same; let your wife pay her respects three times a month. You manage your own affairs; your own family has its own principles. I will simply continue to quietly chant Buddha's name and eat vegetarian food.

"With the blessings of our ancestors, my son has received an excellent evaluation this time, and the official decree for his promotion is expected to be issued by the end of the month." At this moment in early summer, Sheng Hong was dressed in a light ochre silk summer shirt, speaking with great respect

Madam Sheng's expression slightly brightened; after a pause, she continued, "Very well, secondly, given the current situation at home where there is no distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, what do you intend to do about it"

"Indeed. Therefore, at this moment, not only must you refrain from making any noise, but you also need to keep this entire family steady. We should travel to Dengzhou for your appointment in calmness. Once the imperial decree arrives and you have received the official seal, we can settle our family in Shandong, and then you can take your time to express your grievances."

Sheng Hong was taken aback, drenched in sweat, and thought: "Fortunately, the old lady understood and managed to stabilize the Wei family in time, allowing my son to have no worries behind him"

With a loud thud, Sheng Hongpu knelt down before Old Madam Sheng, tears streaming down his face as he lamented, "My son deserves to die a thousand deaths for bringing so much unhappiness to my mother, causing her heart to feel constrained with no place to express her grievances. I am an unfilial son, an unfilial son."

Those interested may explore the Ming Dynasty's vernacular stories such as "San Yan Er Pai" and "Jin Ping Mei," as well as compare them with Qing Dynasty works like "Dream of the Red Chamber" and "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio." One will discover differences in the status and living conditions of women between the Ming and Qing Dynasties. "The Travels of Lao Can" may be somewhat late Qing and not very representative, while "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," "Water Margin," and "Journey to the West" were written in the Ming Dynasty, but it is relatively difficult to find the social context of that time, so they will be briefly referenced.

Sheng Hong took a deep breath and said, "Mother, please see clearly. When I returned and saw Aunt Wei's bloodied corpse, along with the child who was suffocated in your womb, my heart was already filled with unbearable regret. The servants dare to act so recklessly only because there are no strict rules to restrain them. When the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked; the root of all this naturally lies above. I have made up my mind to rectify the family conduct."

Old Lady Sheng also laughed and said: "Indeed, I have lived in the north my entire life, and even the beautiful Jiangnan is a place I would not wish to go. I never expected to become accustomed to Quanzhou; here the mountains are high and the emperor is far away, life is leisurely. Before I leave, I will sell this large residence and acquire a small villa with beautiful mountains and waters, which will not attract attention and will serve as a place for my retirement in the future"

Sheng Hong stood up, feeling restrained and not daring to respond. Madam Sheng glanced at him, her voice carrying a hint of coldness: "You do not dare to speak of her, nor can you say anything about her; it is merely that your own conduct is improper, and you are being rebutted by her words. Initially, you broke the rules yourself, indulging a concubine to the point where she acted with the same airs as the legitimate wife. I can imagine what the wife must have said—how is it? When there is nothing going on, it is always the concubine who raises the children; now that their biological mother has passed away, they suddenly remember this nominal legitimate mother? One cannot blame the wife for being angry. I will not concern myself with past matters; I only ask you two questions, and you must answer honestly."

"This plan is excellent; my son finds it wonderful and will take action on it right away," Sheng Hong said with a smile.

Madam Fang did not dare to accept the gift, she turned slightly and said: "Then this old woman will speak at length. The mother of Lady Lin and the old lady originally knew each other in the boudoir, and to speak of it, they had only met a few times; they were not particularly closer than the other sisters in the boudoir. After each married, they had no further contact. I have served the old lady since I was young, and I know this matter very well. Later, her husband's family acted improperly and fell into disgrace. Although they were not executed or had their property confiscated, their household fell into decline. That year, the head of the Lin family passed away, and she had no sons. For a time, she had no support, and she lived a miserable life with her daughter. Before she died, she sought out the old lady, pleading that for the sake of their past friendship in the boudoir, the old lady would take care of her daughter. Her relatives were all like wolves and tigers, and they would harm the girl. The old lady is a person who practices vegetarianism and recites Buddhist scriptures, with a heart that is the most kind and benevolent. Thus, she agreed and brought Lady Lin into the household. In those years, the old lady treated her as if she were her own daughter, providing her with the best food, clothing, and necessities, and she would often mention preparing a dowry for her to find a good husband.

"No, it cannot be checked now." Unexpectedly, Old Lady Sheng outright rejected it. Sheng Hongqi was puzzled: "Old Lady, why is that? Are we to condone these unruly servants?"

"Very well, very well, just these two sentences from you are enough," said Old Lady Sheng, feeling somewhat relieved. Knowing Sheng Hong's character, she refrained from saying more and nodded repeatedly. "If you wish to hold your official position for a long time, our Sheng family desires to have a lasting lineage, we must govern our household strictly. One must understand that calamities often arise from within, and many prominent families tend to decay from the inside. We must take this as a lesson."

Sheng Hong, a police officer, remarked: "Thanks to my mother's reminder, my son nearly made a mistake. If we were to settle down in Quanzhou, by the time we were to sell people, the whole province would know. Once we reach Shandong, with people scattered far and wide, how would we deal with those few troublesome slaves? Who among outsiders would know the details?"

Firstly, this agricultural novel is set in a fictional dynasty, the Great Zhou, where most customs and systems are modeled after the Ming Dynasty society. Due to the many controversies surrounding Ming customs among historians, certain aspects of this text may lack rigor, and I kindly ask everyone not to delve too deeply into them

First, regarding Aunt Wei's situation of having two lives in one body, do you intend to let it pass without consequence, or do you plan to take a life in exchange?

Old Lady Sheng fell silent, seemingly lost in thought. After a while, she said, "It is hard to speak of great principles or not, but it is about fulfilling the marital bond with your father. It would not be right to let his grave be desolate after a hundred years. Fortunately... you have made some progress." Her voice grew faint and gradually became inaudible.

"Is it merely a matter of domestic unrest?" Old Lady Sheng raised her voice slightly, "I did not expect you to be so foolish; do you not realize that this matter could escalate significantly!"

Sheng Hong did not dare to speak, and the hall fell into a moment of silence. After a while, Sheng Hong said, "Mother, your spring and autumn are in full bloom, and you will surely enjoy blessings that last for generations. So, please do not worry and take good care of yourself." As he spoke, he looked around and could not help but frown, saying, "Mother, this place is too plain; it resembles a hermitage. Mother, listen to your son: even the elderly women in ordinary families eat vegetarian and recite Buddhist scriptures, yet they still arrange their spaces in a lively manner. Why must you be so hard on yourself? If others see this, they might think your son is unfilial."

Seeing this, Sheng Hong appeared flustered and urgently said: "Mother, please take care of yourself. The achievements I have today are entirely due to your upbringing. If it were not for your great righteousness back then, I would merely be living a mundane life in the countryside at this moment. I must still honor you, my mother."

Sheng Hong eagerly said, "Mother, please speak. Whether it is two sentences or even a thousand or ten thousand sentences, I will answer without fail."

Old Lady Sheng was extremely strict with her rules. As she spoke, not a single maid or servant in the room made a sound. The mother and son exchanged a few words, and Sheng Hong attempted several times to bring up a matter, but hesitated and withdrew each time, causing the atmosphere in the room to grow cold again. Old Lady Sheng glanced at him, gently stirring the tea leaves in her cup. The housekeeper, perceptive as she was, quietly signaled the maids and servants to leave the room, personally ushering them to the second room and giving a few instructions to several first-class maids before returning to the main room to serve. Just then, she heard Old Lady Sheng speaking: "...You finally decided to speak. I thought you intended to keep this old woman in the dark until the end."

Old Lady Sheng appeared somewhat fatigued, leaning against the backrest of the soft couch, her eyes gently closing, her voice gradually weakening. In the corner of the room, on a sandalwood table, there rested a purple copper qilin incense burner, quietly emitting wisps of fragrant smoke resembling cloud patterns

Mother Fang gently said: "Originally, both the Madam and the Old Madam were not like today. I remember when the Madam first entered the family, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were quite warm and polite to each other. However, after that incident, it seemed as if the Old Madam deliberately sought to embarrass the Madam. Raising Miss Lin was to provide the Master with a concubine. Later, when the Master married Concubine Lin, she bore children and lived a life even more respectable than the legitimate Madam. The Madam inevitably directed her resentment towards the Old Madam, and their interactions diminished significantly. The Old Madam's heart truly turned cold."

Upon hearing this, Sheng Hong's face turned slightly red, seemingly embarrassed. Mama Fang sighed and continued, "Who would have thought that this Miss Lin is quite a determined person? She rejected several families we found for her, yet secretly had an affair with the master. The old woman speaks without decorum, so please do not take offense, Master. We, the old lady, were completely in the dark about this whole matter. It was only when the madam came crying in a fit of anger that the old lady realized the girl she had raised was so lacking in propriety."

Old Lady Sheng seemed somewhat impatient and lightly waved her hand: "These trivial matters should not concern you, my lord. With your promotion imminent, you must focus on making the necessary arrangements. As the Prefect of Quanzhou for these years, you have encountered many insightful individuals. Before you leave, you must extend your courtesies. We all operate within the same official circle, and whether today or tomorrow, we will meet again. It is important not to alienate your colleagues; it is best to part on good terms."

Old Lady Sheng said, "The liveliness is in the heart; if the heart is desolate, no matter how lively the decorations are, they are of no use, merely the ears of a deaf person, just a display."

The Wei family is also quite decent; upon learning of the news of Aunt Wei's death, they did not cause much of a stir. They only wished to reclaim Aunt Wei's body for burial, which I naturally refused. The Wei family even declined the extra silver I offered, stating that they had no face to accept money earned from their daughter's sacrifice. They only asked that I take good care of Ming girl, for which they would be immensely grateful. Seeing that family in such despair, I felt a pang of sorrow.

Old Lady Sheng took a deep breath and slowly said: "What is there to be idle about? Does she want Ming girl to be held or carried? There are plenty of maids and servants at home; whatever needs to be done can be instructed, it just requires a bit of thought. If she keeps making excuses and refuses to take care of Ming girl, she is probably trying to gain an advantage."

Old Lady Sheng straightened up from the zitan soft couch: "I originally did not involve myself in matters, nor did I wish to speak out and annoy others. Whom you favor is of no concern to me, and I have never inquired about the affairs in your room. However, in recent years, your behavior has increasingly crossed the line. Go outside and ask around; which family treats their concubines as you do? You give her face and consideration, provide her with a residence and shop, and now she has children of her own, only lacking a formal title. What makes her any less than a legitimate daughter-in-law? By blurring the lines between legitimate and illegitimate, you are disrupting the rules, which could lead to family disaster! Well, well, today it has finally escalated to the loss of life, a bloody scene with one corpse and two lives. How will you explain this?"

"It is essential to calculate carefully; how can we let such a treacherous person in our household go unpunished? Today, she has harmed Aunt Wei and my flesh and blood for a whole month, and tomorrow she could target others. Such a person cannot be tolerated in the Sheng family!" Sheng Hong replied through clenched teeth.

That is natural; the list of gifts from several esteemed uncles in the capital has already been prepared. Please have Mother review it.

When Sheng Hong heard his mother speak, he quickly said: "Whatever Mother has to say, she has devoted herself to the Sheng family for many years, serving her mother with utmost dedication, and to me, she is like a family elder. Please feel free to speak your mind."

Most contemporary agricultural novels are modeled after the vernacular tales of the Ming and Qing dynasties, as the customs and habits of these two periods are indeed quite similar. Recently, in order to write, I reviewed some materials and discovered that there are actually significant differences between the Ming and Qing dynasties in terms of women's status and the inner household. When time permits, let us discuss this further.

The gong of the hour had just struck, and the lights in the Sheng residence of Quanzhou were gradually being lit. In the main hall of the west wing, there sat an elderly woman with graying hair, her hands wrapped around a prayer bead necklace. Dressed simply, she seemed somewhat out of place amidst the surrounding wealth and elegance. At that moment, seated at the lower end of the room was none other than the head of the Sheng family, Sheng Hong.

The author has something to say

After Mother Deng wrapped a hot towel around Sheng Hong, and after serving tea, Old Lady Sheng continued, "Setting aside moral principles and human feelings, you must also consider that you are now in your thirties, and while your career may not be entirely smooth sailing, it has certainly been relatively free of major setbacks. Among those who took the imperial examination with you, how many have had a similarly smooth path? Many are still enduring hardships, envious of your success, waiting to point out your mistakes, and that is not without reason. Moreover, Aunt Wei is not a maid bought by our family; she comes from a respectable family, originally from Jiangnan, where they valued education and farming. She was meant to be the legitimate wife of someone, and had her family not fallen into misfortune, she would never have consented to be a concubine, no matter how poor they became. Now, she has been in our household for less than five years and has met a tragic end. If someone with ill intentions were to use this incident to stir trouble, inciting her family to create a scene and accuse you of mismanaging the household and disregarding human life, could you still expect to be promoted smoothly?"

Over the years, the master has become increasingly astute in handling affairs, making decisions independently. Remember this: the friendship of a gentleman is as淡如水, money must be used wisely, and etiquette must be thorough. One should neither be servile nor arrogant, yet maintain closeness. Those old officials have spent their entire lives in the political arena, honing their keen insight. Over the years, they have looked after you, not only out of the affection they had for your father while he was alive but also because of your own efforts, which is why they are willing to lend their support. As Lady Sheng spoke a bit more, she became somewhat breathless, and the housekeeper beside her immediately brought a teacup to her lips, gently patting her back.

Madam Sheng cast a meaningful glance at Sheng Hong: "You have served as a deputy magistrate in Quanzhou for several years, and everyone knows you well. The women in your family have had frequent interactions with the locals, and many of your maids, servants, and workers were bought from the area. If there is any disturbance in your household, how could others not be aware? Although you maintain good relations with most of your colleagues, it is difficult to ensure that there are no hidden resentments against you. You have just lost your concubine, and immediately afterward, you are making a grand effort to reorganize your servants. This is akin to the saying 'there's no silver here,' clearly indicating to others that your household is in disarray"

"Esteemed matriarch, it has been many years since my son has spoken heartfelt words with his mother. Today, after this conversation, he feels a great sense of clarity. In the future, managing the household will rely heavily on your guidance, and it is essential that he frequently seeks your counsel." Sheng Hong sincerely stated.

Upon hearing the last few sentences, Old Lady Sheng let out a faint cold laugh, remaining silent as she gently blew on her tea bowl. Seeing this, Mama Fang stepped forward and said, "The master is kind-hearted, how could the old lady not know? This matter has been dragging on for some years; if it is not clarified, life will not go smoothly for everyone in the future. As an elder, there are some things the old lady cannot say. Today, allow this old woman to take the liberty of speaking clearly to the master, and I hope the master will not take offense."

Sheng Hong urgently said, "What did Mother say? What does it mean to not be a proper mother-in-law? Mother is the legitimate wife of Father, the rightful matriarch, and has bestowed upon us the gift of life. All of this, and more, is the fault of the son and daughter-in-law. Mother, please do not say such things."

Sheng Hong had just gotten up, yet his forehead was already swollen and red. Old Madam Sheng sighed and said, "I understand that when you were young, you relied on Aunt Chun for support, and life was not easy. At that time, I couldn't even take care of my own son, so I was unaware of the unscrupulous behavior of the servants who deceived and mistreated you, causing you to suffer. Now, your wife is not a generous person, which is why you are always worried that Aunt Lin and Feng Ge'er will be wronged, allowing the servants to bully them and causing them to endure grievances. You have provided them with property and land for security. How could I not know your good intentions? That is why I have kept my eyes closed and my mouth shut, pretending to be deaf and mute for these years, treating myself as a living dead person.

Sheng Hong's face was filled with shame as he repeatedly bowed, saying: "What my mother taught me is that it is all the son's fault. The son is foolish, always thinking that she, being alone, relies on me for shelter, which is truly pitiful. She chooses not to be a proper lady outside, but would rather be my concubine. I cannot help but feel some pity for her, especially since she comes from the old lady's household, which is certainly more respectable than that of an ordinary concubine. However, I did not realize that loving her would lead to harm, making her increasingly unaware of her own position. The son truly acknowledges his mistake."

Old Lady Sheng took out a handkerchief to wipe the corners of her eyes. Mama Fang personally brought in a teapot from outside to refill the water, adding water to the two delicate porcelain tea bowls, carefully covering them with their lids, and sighed, saying: "Aunt Wei is a kind-hearted person, and the girl she raised is pitiful. Ever since her aunt passed away, she has been in a daze for two days, completely confused. Since she woke up these days, she has been dazed and silly, not even speaking a complete sentence. The other day, I was sent by the old lady to check on her, and I only saw the maids and servants outside laughing and playing, while there was not a single person inside to attend to her. As soon as I entered, I saw the girl had actually gotten out of bed by herself to pour herself some water! A child no more than four or five years old, a little one who couldn't even reach the table, was standing on a small stool, tiptoeing to hold the tea bowl and drink water. It was truly pitiful!" Mama Fang also began to wipe her tears.

Sheng Hong was overwhelmed with shame, his face flushed and ears red, unable to utter a word

"Do not keep saying 'a thousand deaths, a thousand deaths.' If you die, who will we, the orphans and widows, rely on?" Old Lady Sheng gestured for the housekeeper to bring a chair for Sheng Hong, helping the still tearful Sheng Hong to sit down

"Geng Shishu has already written to inform that it should be the governor of Dengzhou." Sheng Hong has always been a cautious person, but upon mentioning this matter, he could not help but show a look of joy.

As he spoke, he repeatedly bowed his head. Old Lady Sheng closed her eyes and raised her hand towards Mama Fang, who hurried to assist Sheng Hong. Sheng Hong refused to rise, continuously apologizing. Old Lady Sheng said, "You may get up now; as a grown man, you are not very clear about these matters within the inner chambers. Get up, for how can a mother and son harbor grievances overnight?"