Chapter 207: First of All! I, Rong Rong Xian, Have Not Offended Anyone [Many Thanks to Everyone]

"Let our beloved ministers first examine the origins of these Bai Gao warriors severely injured by the Xu family's Fifth Young Master; only then shall we discuss other matters."

Grand Tutor Lu, standing nearby, said, "Your Majesty, this old servant's eyes are dim and blurred; uh, might I..."

"Very well, you all look on; you, come forward and read."

An imperial eunuch attending closely to the Emperor inside the hall hurriedly bowed, accepted the document, and began to read aloud:

"Bu Zhou Tianhuan, of the Bai Gao Weifu Army Command, age twenty-seven; slew the Northern Liao imperial clansman Prince Yelu Jing in formation and routed three thousand Northern Liao cavalry. Legs broken, arms shattered; the medical officer's verdict: crippled."

"Weimu Boming, of the Bai Gao Zhuoluo Army Command, age twenty-nine; experienced in many battles, once captured alive three 'Fuqian' (commanders of a thousand households) of Wusizang, causing Wusizang soldiers and generals to turn pale at the mere mention. Both arms: useless."

"Suo Shan, of the Bai Gao Jianing Army Command, age thirty-four; meticulous in thought, skilled in defensive warfare, having many times covered the retreat of the main Bai Gao army and withdrawn unscathed. Severe head injury, fractured sternum."

"Mi Mu Tuoxia, of the Bai Gao Shenyong Army Command, age twenty-five; a cavalry commander, fierce and fearless, once fought alone on horseback against Great Zhou cavalry, killing dozens and withdrawing unscathed. Lumbar vertebrae severed; incurable."

"You Lian Nu Baili, of the Xiping Army Command, age thirty-one; Deputy Commander of the First Babei Imperial Guard. The Babei Army under his command excels in mountainous thrusting attacks and ambushes. Fractured shoulder bone, fractured thigh bone; difficult to heal."

"Mie Mi Chusheng, of the Baotai Army Command, age twenty-two; Commandant of the Bai Gao Iron Falcon Heavy Cavalry. Origins currently unknown. Dislocated spinal bones; the imperial physicians are helpless."

Hearing the eunuch's voice, the Duke of Britain and his colleagues around him, especially the noble military generals, exchanged several glances, and all shook their heads in disbelief.

Seeing the expressions of the Duke of Britain and the others, Minister Minister Huangfu, standing nearby, asked in a low voice, "Duke, why are you and the several lords shaking your heads?"

The Emperor looked over, but showed no sign of displeasure; instead, he waved his hand, indicating that the Duke of Britain should speak.

Understanding His Majesty's intent, Minister Li, seeing the Duke of Britain remain silent, asked in a low voice:

"Duke?"

"Minister Li, their Lordships the Marquises and I merely find it incredible: what sort of person would arrange these future pillars of the Bai Gao military within their diplomatic envoy?"

Seeing the bewildered expressions of the civil officials, the Duke of Britain continued:

"Honored Ministers, young Wei Xiao officers who have survived multiple battles, whether difficult or easy, are the most precious asset of any army, for they were bought with human lives! Such young generals have witnessed the cruel slaughter of the battlefield; their abilities, fortune, and intellect are all of the highest order."

"Furthermore, judging by the battle achievements of these Bai Gao Wu Shi, each is undoubtedly the elite of their respective Bai Gao Army Commands. If allowed to temper themselves for a few more years—perhaps not even that long—even now, if any one of them were drawn out to lead troops against our army, they would become a major trouble for our Great Zhou."

"And as the years pass, once placed within military formations of tens of thousands, the role these individuals play will only grow greater."

Old General Zheng, standing nearby, also spoke:

"Yet now, these men have suffered such bone injuries; some may not even be able to mount a horse. Even if they recover, come rainy or damp weather, the pain will be unbearable; their suffering is beyond words."

The Duke of Britain sighed, glanced at Old General Zheng, and nodded, saying:

"Yet they were actually stuffed into a diplomatic envoy merely to guard that Bai Gao Prince; truly..."

"If so, while one cannot say the Bai Gao generals lack successors, the damage they have suffered must surely be considerable?"

Hearing the Emperor's question, the many military generals nodded one after another.

The Emperor behind the Master Yuan spoke in a deep voice: "This matters little; know that the little Emperor of Bai Gao has died, and this Prince being protected is the one most likely to ascend the throne."

Just as the Emperor finished speaking, an eunuch hurried in from outside the hall, knelt, and reported, "Your Majesty, that Prince of Bai Gao, due to poison on the sleeve-arrow, although the imperial physicians did their utmost to detoxify him, the poisoned arrow penetrated the brain; he has succumbed to his severe injuries!"

Upon hearing these words, the officials and nobles inside the hall exchanged glances and immediately began offering their advice.

With such a situation arising, Great Zhou must guard against retaliatory attacks from Bai Gao; pulling one hair moves the whole body, and the situation in Northern Liao requires even greater attention.

Soon, several Great Zhou messengers rode horses swiftly along the Great Zhou relay roads, heading toward the Western Army and the North.

Meanwhile, envoys from Northern Liao and Wusizang released homing pigeons from the guest quarters.

Nan Jiang Tang Lane.

The Rong residence.

In the gatehouse at the main entrance, the stove fire roared loudly.

Seeing Xi Bu, a female servant of Rong Rong Feiyan, wearing a lined jacket of white fur-trimmed light green brocade, stood at the doorway, taking small steps as she constantly peered outward.

Beside her stood a scruffy boy of eight or nine, diligently holding the door curtain for her while secretly stealing glances at Seeing Xi Bu's fair, tender cheeks.

Feeling the boy's gaze, she looked over; the boy immediately averted his eyes.

The middle-aged gatehouse steward, returning from outside the main gate, shook his head and said:

"No one was seen. Miss Seeing Xi Bu, when the young attendants return, we servants will quickly escort them to the inner courtyard; why must you continue waiting here in the cold?"

"Uncle Luo, it is truly because the Miss urges so urgently; as a humble servant, I cannot sit comfortably and wait."

"Miss Seeing Xi Bu is indeed loyal."

Seeing Xi Bu bowed slightly to thank him for the praise.

The scruffy boy nearby said, "I'll go watch by the roadside."

With that, he left the warm gatehouse, braved the cold wind, and went to the roadside to look out.

Half a quarter-hour later, after wiping the snot frozen from the cold and blowing warm air into his hands, the boy turned his head upon seeing someone running quickly down the lane.

The boy ran to the gatehouse at the main entrance and said:

"Sister Seeing Xi Bu, the people from the manor have returned."

Seeing Xi Bu hurried to the main gate, walking alongside the young attendant who had been sent to gather news and talking as they went.

Soon, the articulate young attendant, panting heavily, explained the matter clearly.

As Seeing Xi Bu walked quickly toward the inner courtyard, she paused at the second gate.

After speaking a few words with the matron in charge of the second gate, she turned and pointed toward the main gate in the distance; at that moment, a scruffy boy quickly pulled his head back.

Soon, the matron arrived at the main gate holding a handkerchief allocated for the use of the matrons; after speaking a few words with the gatehouse steward, she said, "Here, boy, this is for you to wipe your snot."

Looking at the handkerchief sent from outside in the matron's hand, the scruffy boy stared in astonishment.

"Boy, as someone who has walked this path before, I must still say one thing: do not indulge in beautiful dreams."

Steward Luo said with considerable sighing.

Huixue Courtyard.

Inside the courtyard.

The female servant Seeing Xi Bu, with a serious expression, carrying the evening chill, hurried quickly into the study.

Rong Rong Feiyan, who was holding a flower and staring blankly, heard the sound; she withdrew from her reverie of seeing Xu Xu Zaijing whipping his horse through the busy market, a memory recalled from the carriage on the roadside, and upon seeing Seeing Xi Bu, she said:

"Why so late! Why did he whip his horse in the bustling market? Have you investigated clearly?"

"Miss, our family's young servant followed him to Pan Lou; upon entering, he bumped into our Young Master's young servant, and after some inquiry, learned it was Xu Han Wulang's cousin, Jing Biao Ge, and the envoy from Bai Gao."

"After Xu Han Wulang accepted the challenge, the Imperial Guards sealed Pan Lou; the young servant could not get out and could only wait."

"When our young servant left, Xu Han Wulang had already been ushered into a carriage and sent to the palace."

Listening to Seeing Xi Bu's detailed description, Seeing Seeing Ningxiang, standing nearby, glanced worriedly at her own Miss.

After pondering for a moment,

"Tell Father and Mother that I miss my elder sister; ask them to submit a petition to the palace."

"Miss! This is inappropriate, isn't it?"

"Go! Bring my cloak."

Very soon,

the Rong family's carriage exited the main gate,

causing Rong Rong Xian, who had come to Huixue Courtyard wishing to speak a few words with his younger sister, to find no one there.

On the road to the palace, there were many sedan bearers and carriages moving with hurried steps.

Arriving at the side gate of the Imperial City, the palace attendants, seeing it was a petition from the Rong family, who were currently in high favor, quickly ushered Rong Rong Feiyan inside.

Entering the hall where Consort Rong resided, Rong Rong Feiyan skillfully handed her cloak to a palace attendant, then passed through a curtain to see her own elder sister on the bed, contemplating a piece of supreme-quality jade.

"Yan'er, what made you think of coming to the palace today?"

Looking at Consort Rong, whose bright and delicate colors had become much more restrained today, instead gaining much of the lazy, maternal soft glow, Rong Rong Feiyan blinked her eyes and said:

"Elder Sister, why are you wearing last year's clothes?"

"I found them comfortable, so I didn't have the palace make new ones; with the silver saved, I let Rong Xian Ge'er add to the oil funds at Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries. Early this morning, I even sent him to personally supervise the setting up of porridge sheds. Hmm? Yan'er?"

Seeing Rong Rong Feiyan's eyes pause slightly in surprise, Consort Rong's gaze hardened, and she said, "Something is wrong! Did you see your elder brother somewhere else?"

"I..."

Meeting her elder sister's gaze, Rong Rong Feiyan nodded.

"Summon someone!"

"Your Ladyship!"

"Go, have Hou Fu Chang interrogate Rong Xian Ge'er's coachman and young servants in great detail; find out exactly what he did today!"

"You came to the palace just for this matter?"

Hearing her elder sister's question, Rong Rong Feiyan hurriedly nodded.

"Alas, if Rong Xian Ge'er were as sensible as you, I, as his elder sister, could rest much easier."

"Elder Sister, when I came to the palace today, I saw many carriages entering on the road; what is happening?"

Consort Rong's expression turned serious: "The Xu family boy has caused trouble."

The words had just left her mouth when a palace attendant at the door reported:

"Your Ladyship, this servant has returned."

"How was it? Did Your Majesty punish the Xu family boy?"

"This servant inquired; His Majesty held a long bamboo plank, stayed inside the hall for quite a while, and then came out holding the bamboo plank."

"Surely he wouldn't beat the Xu family boy until he was injured?"

"Replying to Your Ladyship, His Majesty is most benevolent; moreover, the Xu family boy practices martial arts daily without cease, and since he was young, his hands have been covered in calluses, so he should not be injured."

Recalling previous events, Consort Rong nodded.

After a while, another palace attendant returned to report:

"The Xu family boy has been punished by being made to kneel inside the hall; this servant asked carefully, and the eunuchs did not hear sounds of beating palms or beating the back."

Hearing the palace attendant's reply, Rong Rong Feiyan blinked her eyes.

"Send someone to deliver a meditation cushion; do not let his knees get injured."

"Your Ladyship, the Empress has already sent three eunuchs; they delivered the Imperial Prince's favorite horse cushion."

"Elder Sister, what is wrong?"

Seeing Consort Rong's face full of surprise, Rong Rong Feiyan asked.

Consort Rong explained the situation.

After listening, Rong Rong Feiyan blinked her eyes once more; not only her eyes, but her entire person unconsciously relaxed greatly: 'With the Empress protecting him so, he should be safe.'

Consort Rong glanced at her without thinking too much, for her heart was full of admiration for the Empress, admiring that the Empress could actually bring herself to persuade her only son to give up his most beloved possession.

After staying in Consort Rong's hall for another half an hour and having dinner, Rong Rong Feiyan left the palace.

Returning to Nan Jiang Tang Lane, when Rong Rong Feiyan entered Huixue Courtyard with Seeing Xi Bu, she could still hear her own elder brother's wails.

Seeing Seeing Seeing Ningxiang standing in wait at the courtyard gate, Rong Rong Feiyan asked, "Why is my elder brother screaming so loudly this time?"

"Miss, it is a eunuch from the palace administering the punishment, not the Marquis."

"Oh."

Having arranged the state affairs of Great Zhou, the Emperor returned to the Empress's hall.

The candlelight inside the hall was bright,

yet all was quiet; the eunuchs and female officials standing in attendance breathed ever so lightly.

When the Emperor entered the bedchamber and saw his son on the bed, just as he was about to smile and ask a question, Zhao Fang suddenly sat up and cried out in delight:

"Father Emperor!"

The Emperor felt Zhao Fang's concern and joy for him, so he spoke in a tone so heartfelt it seemed ready to melt with sweetness:

"Fang'er, were you waiting for Us?"

"Mm!"

"Good child!"

"Father Emperor, you are back! Brother Jing he..."

Seeing the Emperor's smile freeze and his expression change, the Empress beside him chuckled.

The Emperor, taking advantage of the situation while sitting on the Empress's couch, tilted his chin up with a tsundere air and said:

"I will immediately order the Chief Palace Attendant to cancel Brother Jing's dinner, hmph!"

Zhao Fang looked at the Empress with eyes full of plea, calling out in a low voice:

"Mother Empress..."

The Empress helplessly rolled her eyes at the Emperor in secret, then pointed to her own cheek.

Zhao Fang's eyes lit up,

and then, understanding the hint, he scrambled up, moved to the Emperor's side, hugged the Emperor's cheeks, and planted a big

"Mwah."

The Emperor lifted the Imperial Prince into his arms, tapped the other cheek that hadn't been kissed with his index finger, and said:

"Mwah."

Seeing the Emperor's cheerful and tsundere demeanor, the Chief Palace Attendant beside him hurriedly lowered his head, hiding the emotion in his eyes—a sigh that times were different now—took a deep breath to disperse the feeling, and then glanced in the direction of the hall where Xu Xu Zaijing was located.

In the relay stations from Bianjing to the Northwest and the North,

only fine horses were raised;

that night, changing horses but not riders, urgent messages were delivered by relay runners at maximum speed into the hands of the major generals of the Western Army.

The next day,

at the frontline where Great Zhou faced off against Bai Gao,

inside the Western Army's main tent,

the message delivered by the relay runner, now in the hands of Cao Zhao, the fourth son of the Cao family, and Zhang Zhang Fangshun, the second son of the Duke of Britain,

was compared against the decoded secret letters from carrier pigeons,

after which the Western Army's alert status, already heightened since midnight, was raised another level; more Western Army scout light cavalry braved the severe cold, pushing forward to serve as the Western Army's eyes and ears, standing guard and keeping watch at various points.

At noon, another batch of letters arrived;

Zhang Zhang Fangshun, having finished issuing all military orders, looked at the content of the letter and, with eyes full of shock, said to Cao Zhao:

"Si Lang, I am starting to believe what you said."

Cao Zhao, looking completely bewildered, asked: "Believe me about what?"

"About what you said regarding the Xu family child wiping out a squad of elite soldiers in Yang Zhou."

"Oh, how did this come about?"

"Look here, that General Mi Mu Tuoxia was beaten into serious injury right here in our Bianjing!"

"Who? General Mi Mu Tuoxia? How could he possibly be in Bianjing! He..."

Cao Zhao looked at the content of the letter and slowly cut off his words; after reading for a while, he said softly: "In this state, he certainly cannot ride a horse anymore; without him, the others of the Divine Brave Army Command, heh."

Having said this, Cao Zhao patted Zhang Zhang Fangshun and said: "I will go inform the other several Commanders."

Bianjing, Fengle Tower.

The Shopkeeper in the tower, with an attitude of utmost respect, invited Qi Heng up to an elegant room on the second floor;

surrounded by underfloor heating channels that consumed enormous amounts of fuel daily, the temperature inside the tower was just right;

soon, several Young Masters from noble families who had received invitations arrived at Fengle Tower, and amidst calls to friends and summoning of companions, a gathering of poetry and wine was set in motion.

Although Qi Heng was still young, his parents were noble, and several other sons from ducal families treated him with much flattery.

"Heng-ge'er, this is my younger sister."

"Little Duke, this is my female cousin."

"Cousin, this is my ninth sister."

Facing the noble young ladies who had come along with their elder brothers, Qi Heng treated people with courtesy; though not yet grown, his gentle warmth already displayed the graceful bearing of a refined gentleman.

As Qi Heng's brows and eyes flowed with movement, his smile was like a spring breeze, making more than one noble young lady feel that Qi Heng was interested in her.

After the greetings were concluded, a wine-tasting and poetry-recitation contest began.

When the banquet reached its climax, Qi Heng spoke to everyone about the events at Pan Lou the day before;

through a series of dialogues, clarifications, and rumor-refutations, at least those attending this poetry gathering now understood the true circumstances of the matter.

The idle rumors about fighting bravely over a courtesan gradually dissipated.

At the Bai Gao embassy lodge,

because his grandfather was unwell, Yu Yu Huguang, who had been treating his grandfather, was smiling; he listened to the Physician hired by Bai Gao speak while shaking his head.

When the Physician finished speaking, Yu Yu Huguang said: "I wonder, Physician, from where does the basis for your words come?"

"From Senior Medical Officer Yu's 'Direct Decisions on Vital Organ Syndromes'!"

"Then do you know what my surname is?"

"What does your surname have to do with this? May I ask your honorable surname?"

"No honor needed; my surname is Yu. The Senior Medical Officer you speak of is my grandfather."

"Let us proceed according to what you said."

Looking at the many wounded from Bai Gao lying on the ground, Yu Yu Huguang smiled faintly.

"You are fortunate."

Quyuan Street,

Hou Fu of Marquis Marquis Yongyi,

Xu Xu Zaijing smiled as he looked at his elder brother and sister-in-law at home,

Sun Shi, standing to one side, said, "Duan'er, take them back first; I have words to speak with Jing'er."

"Yes, Mother."

Just as the crowd was about to withdraw from the front hall of the Mistress's courtyard,

"Sheng Hualan, stop there; come stand here."

Sheng Hualan lowered her head and moved to stand behind Sun Shi.

Xu Zaizhang sighed, turned, and went into the study.

Sun Shi turned back into the bedchamber, soon emerged holding a long strip of bamboo,

"Kneel!"

Sun Shi, with a stern face, spoke to Xu Xu Zaijing.

"Thump—"

Xu Xu Zaijing knelt on the ground cleanly and decisively.

"Extend your hand!"

"Slap! Do you know your mistake?"

Looking at Sun Shi, Xu Xu Zaijing recalled what Mama Dan had said on the way to Sun Shi's courtyard upon returning to Hou Fu today:

Sun Shi had been so worried about him she had barely eaten!

Seeing the tears welling in Sun Shi's eyes from anger, knowing Sun Shi truly cared for him in her heart, Xu Xu Zaijing, moved and concerned, said to Sun Shi:

"Mother, have you not eaten?"

"You!"

"No, Mother, what I mean is, have you not eaten your fill?"

"Slap! You little rascal."

Seeing that Xu Xu Zaijing's hand had taken two strikes from the bamboo ruler, yet his palm, covered in thick calluses, showed no change in color, Sun Shi's tears suddenly fell.

She resentfully pointed a finger at Xu Xu Zaijing,

then Sun Shi turned away, wiping her tears, and entered the bedchamber.

Sheng Hualan, standing nearby, frowned and glanced at Xu Xu Zaijing: "Little Five, you truly are!"

'Unable to speak properly.'

Having said this, she walked into the bedchamber to comfort her mother-in-law.

For the next four or five days, Sun Shi did not utter a single word to Xu Xu Zaijing.

At the Imperial Palace Bureau in Bianjing,

Hearing Zhao Zhao Meifeng, looking at the intelligence delivered by homing pigeon from the Northern Liao Kingdom in his hand, exchanged glances in astonishment.

No more tonight.

Thanks to alan for the 1500 reward; the author is trying hard to write more, but with year-end visits to relatives, so...

Thanks to Hunchen Siji for the 100 reward.

Thanks to Yuzhangzi for the 100 reward.

Thanks to hudqzhaohuix for the 10 monthly votes.

Many thanks to all readers for your support with monthly votes and recommendation tickets! Bowing again!

If there are any typos or awkward passages, please, esteemed readers, do not hesitate to point them out!

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(End of Chapter)