Chapter 925: with translation of chapter title

Xiao Yuanhang furrowed his brows slightly: "His Majesty, because of the former empress, hates this kind of inner-courtyard scheming."

Minister Yuan, I'm afraid he's done for.

The Prince means, will His Majesty punish him?

Xiao Yuanhang shook his head: "Not now."

He lifted the tea cup and took a sip: "Miss Yuan's affair, at bottom, is merely an inner-courtyard scandal, not enough to warrant a court inquiry."

But His Majesty will keep this account.

He put down the tea cup: "If Minister Yuan incurs another fault, he'll likely not escape combined penalties."

Cheng Ru'an nodded silently: "With such an affair in the inner courtyard, Minister Yuan can be considered unfortunate for his household."

Although it's not his fault, it's also his failure to manage his household strictly.

Xiao Yuanhang took his wife's hand: "To marry a virtuous wife—our household has a worthy wife, a blessing many envy."

Cheng Ru'an's face flushed: "The Prince has also learned to tease people now."

Xiao Yuanhang rose, embraced his wife: "Rest now."

Mm.

The next day, afternoon.

Tuan Tuan and Gongsun Yue were poking at Little Gold, watching it spin; Xiao Feifei and Snow Tuan crouched nearby, occasionally stretching out a paw.

A servant came: "Princess, someone from the Song Residence requests your presence."

Upon hearing, Tuan Tuan sprang with energy, jumped up and ran out: "Second Uncle, hurry! Xiao Yueyue, help me feed them!"

Got it! Don't worry!

Consort Yun watched her retreating figure and shouted: "Tuan Tuan, don't run so fast!"

Xiao Er followed behind her, the corner of his mouth involuntarily turning up.

The two entered the Song Residence, and Tuan Tuan bounced into the rear courtyard's moon gate.

At a glance they saw Song Shujun sitting on a stone bench, dazed.

"Older sister!" Tuan Tuan cried out crisply.

Song Shujun startled awake, turned and rose, a smile appearing on her face: "Tuan Tuan's here? Come over quickly."

Tuan Tuan ran up to her: "Older sister, what are you thinking about?"

Song Shujun gently shook her head: "Nothing, just stared blankly at the flowers."

Did the teacher just leave? Why are we so late today!

"Tuan Tuan!" Song Zhulin came running, sweat covering his head, holding a bamboo ball: "This morning, my family already had several groups of people come!"

Tuan Tuan blinked: "Why are they here?"

Song Zhulin was about to speak when Song Shujun's face turned red, and she hastily stopped him: "Zhulin, don't talk nonsense."

Song Zhulin stepped back: "They're here to propose for older sister! Quite a few families! Grandfather only left after seeing them, so today we're late."

"Proposal?" Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up instantly, she lifted her little face to look at Song Shujun: "Older sister! Are you getting married?"

Song Shujun's face flushed almost to burning, she twisted her handkerchief repeatedly, her voice thin as a mosquito's hum: "Just... just came to ask."

Xiao Tuanzi grabbed Song Shujun's sleeve, face full of excitement: "Getting married is lively!"

When my seventh uncle got married, they hung a huge red silk at the gate and set off lots of firecrackers!

The more she spoke, the more enthusiastic she became, her two little hands gesturing nonstop: "The bride's outfit is beautiful, with a red veil on her head! Of course, my seventh uncle is handsome too!"

Song Shujun laughed and cried at once, the flush on her face deepening.

Song Zhulin stared, eyes wide: "Really? That sounds fun!"

"Of course!" Tuan Tuan proudly shook her little head: "When older sister gets married, I'll definitely come!"

Song Shujun's face lowered to her chest, she reached out and tapped Tuan Tuan's nose: "You, you're late today; we won't recite poetry—go play with Zhulin."

"Great!" Tuan Tuan took Zhulin's hand: "Let's go kick a ball!"

Song Shujun watched the two little figures holding hands run away, the flush on her face gradually fading.

Xiao Er stood outside the moon gate, listening quietly; seeing Tuan Tuan run off, he turned, about to leave.

Behind him, Song Shujun's voice sounded: "General Xiao, please stay."

Xiao Er's feet halted, his two large hands unconsciously clenched.

Although he hadn't personally witnessed yesterday's Hundred Flowers Banquet, he had already heard the gist from Tuan Tuan.

Now Miss Song's fame spreads through Jingcheng, suitors coming to propose are endless; as a rough martial man, I really shouldn't linger longer in this rear courtyard.

He turned back, clasped his fists: "Miss Song, you are now a renowned talent in Jingcheng; I ought not to overstay, so..."

"General Xiao," Song Shujun interrupted him, "whether those people propose or not has nothing to do with me."

Xiao Er stared for a moment, then lifted his eyes to her.

Song Shujun lowered her head, voice trembling softly: "I... I really like hearing about the battlefield things you talk about."

Today, could you please tell me again about the Xibei Daying?

She paused: "Just a little will do."

Xiao Er's mouth opened and closed repeatedly, his face full of difficulty, yet he couldn't squeeze out that "no" from his throat.

He forced himself to speak: "Miss Song, what I speak of are merely rough martial matters; last time I even made you cry, truly..."

"I'm not afraid." Song Shujun interrupted him again.

She lifted her gaze to him, her eyes showing no hint of evasion.

Xiao Er's heart jumped at her look, and he involuntarily shifted his gaze.

He stepped to the stone table and sat down heavily: "Then I'll continue."

He paused: "However, if Miss sheds tears again, don't blame me."

That day, when Miss started crying, on the way back to the residence my lady asked me all the way, "Did I say something that scared you?"

"Tuan Tuan really is a good child." Song Shujun gave a faint smile, sat opposite him, lifted the teapot, poured a cup of tea for him, and gently pushed it in front of him.

"You speak, it's fine."

Xiao Er lifted the tea cup and drank it dry: "Last time we talked about the epidemic…"

Song Shujun listened quietly and did not shed tears again.

As she listened, she lowered her eyelids and softly said, "So war is not only the golden spears and iron horses on the battlefield."

Xiao Er was stunned for a moment, "What else besides these? I don't think I said anything else!"

Song Shujun poured her another cup of tea: "General Xiao speaks so well, I still want to hear more."

Xiao Er's face flushed, he lifted the tea cup and drank it in one gulp: "Alright, then we will quietly enter Jingcheng…"

That night, Tuan Tuan slept soundly.

In Jingcheng, the Treasury Office's storeroom suddenly ignited into a raging fire; the wind fanned the flames, spreading outward, and a nearby block of residences also caught fire.

The Water Dragon Bureau poured out like a swarm, and the townsfolk were startled awake from their sleep, carrying buckets and basins; men, women, old and young all joined the effort, busy for most of the night.

By dawn, the fire was finally extinguished, but the Treasury storeroom had turned into a ruin, and countless houses on both sides had collapsed.

During the morning court, the great hall fell silent, the officials held their breath and bowed their heads.

"I have heard," Xiao Jieyun said, his face as still as water, "the great fire last night burned the Treasury."

"Should we burn my Zichen Hall tonight?"