Chapter 43: Chapter 43: The Young Master Is a Woman 43

Back at the He Family, the face-loving He Zheng’an cried loudly. After seeing everyone, he finally calmed down and slept, but he did fall ill.

Ah Chen settled everything and went to the He Family. He Zheng’an had mostly recovered, though he still looked a bit thin.

There were people talking outside about He Zheng’an, but he ignored it this time and stayed home every day, not wanting to go anywhere.

Sometimes he followed the elders of the He Family, other times he clung to Ning Yuxin, and before long, he was carrying He Yunlong on his shoulders, running around the yard. Although he’d suffered so much, his spirits were remarkably high.

“This time doesn’t seem like a bad thing,” Ning Yuxin said to Ah Chen. “The smiles on my in-laws’ faces have increased, and Long’er having a father who loves her more is good.”

The only thing was, He Zheng’an had become clingy. He insisted on sticking to her, even when she was entertaining herself.

Fortunately, he was obedient. When told to be quiet, he would quietly sit aside and watch her write and paint. At first, it was a bit uncomfortable, but it got better after a few times.

What she appreciated the most was He Zheng’an’s interaction with their daughter; he was genuinely trying to be a good father. Just for this, she was willing to treat him better.

“Ah Zhen, thank you this time,” Ning Yuxin said, “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known what to do.”

If it weren’t for Ah Zhen, who would have found that place?

It was heard that it involved a second-grade official of the court, which the He Family couldn’t afford to offend.

“Sixth sister, what are you saying? Helping each other is what siblings should do, and besides, I should take care of you.”

Ning Yuxin’s eyes reddened; she hadn’t expected she could rely on her maternal family. She was no longer just a tool for her father to forge alliances.

Ah Zhen said, as long as she was doing well.

“I think your calligraphy and paintings are excellent. Are you interested in letting others appraise them?” Ah Chen suddenly brought up, “I happen to have a study room under my name. If you don’t want to expose your real identity, you can use a pen name. Such good calligraphy and paintings would be wasted just being kept in the room.”

Ning Yuxin was stunned. Her father had taught them daughters to follow the rules, adhere to the three obediences and four virtues, and not show themselves in public. Yet Ah Chen was saying her artworks should be appreciated by others.

She was tempted.

How could she not want it? She also wanted to be appreciated, to be recognized.

She could accept He Zheng’an accompanying her, watching her write and paint, partly because of He Zheng’an’s compliments.

He said her calligraphy was the best he’d seen, and her paintings were also the best.

She became greedy, wanting more praise, wanting to showcase her talents to more people.

“Then I should use a pen name?” Ning Yuxin said a little shyly. This was an opportunity she didn’t want to miss. “Let it be Lady Xishan.”

Why Lady Xishan?

Because she wanted the viewers of her calligraphy and paintings to know clearly that she was a woman.

Ah Chen laughed out loud, “Alright.”

She called someone to fetch a good jade piece and immediately engraved a seal for Ning Yuxin. Seeing Ning Yuxin delightedly stamping all her works with the Lady Xishan seal.

At this moment, Ning Yuxin felt something was different.

As if she had been reborn.

Soon, the study room under Ah Chen’s name featured the works of Lady Xishan, and Ning Yuxin received a lot of praise.

Some conservative people looked down on her because of her gender, but many more were impressed by her works.

She had been prepared for this. Using the name Lady Xishan would certainly bring some controversy and gossip from those conservative people.

The situation turned out better than she had imagined. Some people called her restless, but they couldn’t criticize her works, which didn’t bother her much.

“Ha, these nonsense critics probably can’t write such good calligraphy or paint such beautiful paintings themselves, and feeling inferior to Yuxin, they become angry out of humiliation.”

“Such people are just jealous, calling grapes sour when they can’t eat them.”

“Always pointing fingers at others’ identities; if I encountered them, I’d really want to check how morally upstanding they are in private!”

“Damn it, I’m really getting angrier the more I think about it; I want to go after them…” He Zheng’an grumbled angrily.

Previously, he didn’t want to publicize Yuxin’s talents or have them talked about.

But seeing so many people praise Yuxin, he felt proud. Hearing those who didn’t comment on the works but criticized her made him feel furious.

He, the eldest son of the He Family, hadn’t been out to beat anyone in a long time.

Yuxin was amused. Seeing He Zheng’an about to storm out, she quickly pulled him back.

Words belong to others; those insignificant comments should be left to them.

She was a bit angry, angry with those who looked down on her because of her gender, but with He Zheng’an voicing his anger for her, she mostly felt relieved.

The situation on the commissioner’s sixth sister Ning Yuxin’s side was completely resolved.

Ah Chen shifted her focus to her elder sister Ning Yulan. Over these days, she had selected some people and had others subtly test them; they all seemed quite good.

These past few days, she took Ning Yulan to meet the candidates.

Now, as the Commandery Prince of Ning Cang, whether she had an ambiguous relationship with the current emperor or not, her title as the Commandery Prince of Ning Cang was earned through her own efforts. There were plenty interested in forming an alliance with the Prince Ning Mansion, so Ning Yulan really could pick as she pleased.

After a few days, Ning Yulan selected someone, and once they met, both sides were very satisfied, and by the next month, they were married. Even after marriage, Ning Yulan could come back to live if she wished. The reason she chose this family was that they didn’t mind.

Not long after Ning Yulan got married, the second sister Ning Yumei went out, wanting to see the world, and probably wouldn’t return for a while. Every ten days, Ah Chen would receive her safety letters, as well as her insights and experiences from different places.

Traveling far and seeing a lot, anything could happen.

Ning Yumei had vanquished mountain bandits, helped the weak, exposed corrupt shops, and unwittingly solved several cases, even uncovering corrupt officials. The matters escalated to Ye Ji, who recognized her achievements by naming her the Traveling Patrol Officer, allowing her to address such issues more efficiently on her travels. This was earned by Ning Yumei herself, and under Ye Ji’s firm support, no one could oppose it.

Jiang Weiming was still getting beaten. Ah Chen wouldn’t visit every time, but whenever he got better, her people would beat him again, and afterward, she would write to Ning Yumei about the situation.

Ever since Ning Yumei became the Traveling Patrol Officer, Jiang Weiming felt uneasy both awake and asleep, even in his dreams.

The situation with the commissioner’s third sister deserves mention. Years passed, and she had two more daughters. Because she didn’t worry, Ah Chen’s people took care of things, so she was in very good health.

Her in-laws were still on the estate of the Prince Ning Mansion. They looked after the crops, vibrant with life. Instead, because the estate’s conditions were excellent, with a balanced diet, and regular checkups by doctors, their health was excellent.

In contrast, Ah Chen’s third brother-in-law, Fan Wenjue, didn’t fare as well.

He had some talent, his official position didn’t rise quickly but it did rise somewhat. After handling official duties each day, he still had to return home to transcribe books to build their family wealth. After all, he had five daughters, meaning five dowries, and who knows when he’d have a son. Thinking of this made him feel faint.

His hand holding the brush trembled as he sighed deeply.

Was he so useless as to only have daughters?

“Husband, it’s time to rest,” Ning Yutao came over and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Staying up late copying these is bad for your eyes and health. Besides, we have another task.”

She leaned closer to Fan Wenjue, “We don’t have a son yet, you must take care of yourself.”

Fan Wenjue swallowed hard, “What if the next one is also a girl?”

“Then we’ll raise her. My husband has the capability for that. You’ve already saved enough dowries for the first and second daughters; who can compare to you in being a good father to daughters, right?” Ning Yutao’s eyes were filled with admiration. “I promised to give you a son, and I will definitely give you one.”

Fan Wenjue was buoyed by her praise; yes, that was his commitment.

Soon, his heart tightened again.

Facing his still beautiful, even more so than a few years ago, wife, Fan Wenjue wasn’t concerned about her ability to bear children; he was worried about his own health.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep