Chapter 235: Eat My Ass! [Bowing in thanks for everyone's support! Bowing once more!]

Lady Ningyuan Hou Fu

Fuyao Court

Youqing held a few slips of paper and read them carefully,

"Young Master, regarding the businesses, residences, and families of those who have kinship ties with the Prince of Yan and the Qiu family, retainers of the Prince of Yan's Wang Fu, this is all I could find out."

Gu Gu Tingyu set down the writing brush in his left hand, picked up the paper on the desk and examined it carefully, then gave it a gentle blow.

"Mm, Youqing, pick out a few bolts of fine brocade and jade pieces from the storeroom, and send them along with this letter to the Prince of Yan's Wang Fu. Use the invitation card of our Lady Ningyuan Hou Fu."

"Yes, Young Master."

After rinsing his writing brush, Gu Gu Tingyu strolled leisurely out of the study and came to Bai Shi's courtyard.

Bai Shi, who was playing with her eldest grandson, glanced at him: "Is it written?"

"Mother, it's written."

"Mm, come look at your son."

Meeting Xu Xu Pingmei's somewhat grateful gaze, Gu Gu Tingyu walked over with a smile.

"Oh, look, he's happy to see Papa."

Hearing Bai Shi's words, Gu Gu Tingyu looked at his son, and sure enough, the boy was grinning with his milk teeth showing.

"Oh, by the way, Yu'er, these past few days I've been watching that Nanny Kong teach the girls—she really has a way about her. The young misses from those two families she's taught have changed so much!"

"Mother, you want to invite her over?"

"It's time Yi'er learned some manners too."

Gu Gu Tingyi, who was playing chuiwan in the back courtyard, scrunched up his nose.

North of Xiangzhou city,

Rong Rong Xian, drenched in sweat, fanned himself with his clothes under a tree,

The sweat running down made his wounds sting,

But wiping the sweat and touching the wounds also hurt.

"I should have waited until my wounds healed before coming out."

"This, this is way too hot, why can't I even see a village nearby! This young master is dying of thirst!"

"Young Master, how about we just go back!"

A look of hesitation appeared in Rong Rong Xian's eyes, then he looked around.

"Young Master?"

The Rong family's young servant, seeing his young master's blank stare, followed his gaze and noticed some round things in the low-lying fields in the distance.

Looking at those watermelons, they seemed very sweet, and the young servant's throat bobbed as he smacked his lips.

"Go, pick one and bring it over for this young master."

The young servant immediately ran quickly toward the melon field.

Rong Rong Xian was very thirsty, so he didn't wait, and led his horse along as well.

In the melon field,

The young servant called out: "Young Master, Young Master, this one's ripe."

Saying so, the young servant stood up, looked around and said: "Where are the people watching this melon field?"

"Who cares, if no one's here we can eat our fill for free."

And not far away,

There were seven or eight youths whose skin had been tanned dark by the sun, wearing only trousers, walking along while being whipped with a tree branch by an old man wearing a conical hat to shade himself from the sun; the old man also kicked them at random.

"Told you to go down to the river! Crack!"

"Hiss!"

"Told you to go down to the river! Crack!"

"Ouch!"

"Grandpa, I won't dare next time!"

"Next time? I won't beat you to death. Crack!"

"Hiss."

The old man was about to hit the next one,

When the boy immediately burst into tears

"Grandpa, I was wrong."

The old man hatefully raised the tree branch, but ultimately didn't bring it down, and switched to a kick instead.

Just as he was about to shift his target, the boy hurriedly said:

"Grandpa, someone's stealing melons!"

The old man looked and said:

"Thieving rascal, really stealing melons. You three are the sturdiest, crouch down and go this way, ambush them by the horses! You five, come with me."

Half a quarter-hour later,

Rong Rong Xian sat on the ground and let out a satisfied burp,

"Ptooey."

A watermelon seed was spat out by him.

"These melons, why don't they taste as sweet as the ones in the palace, burp."

"Young Master, it's really delicious, hehe."

"No ambition."

Before the words had even left his mouth, someone in the melon field suddenly shouted, "Catch the melon thief!"

The master and servant were startled, quickly got up, and ran out of the melon field.

"Get on the horse, get on the horse!"

"Young Master, we have money."

"Get on the horse first, then we'll talk!"

Just as the master and servant exited the melon field and approached their horses,

three sturdy youths suddenly charged out from the nearby bushes and lunged straight at them, grabbing them around the waist.

Rong Rong Xian and his servant were thrown until they were dizzy and disoriented.

A moment later,

the old man arrived with several others; looking at the youths who were bare-bottomed, exposing their genitals, and using their own trousers to bind the captives, he nodded:

"Well done."

Right after the praise, the old man said:

"Tsk, why were you so ruthless? You've swollen their faces!"

Looking at Rong Rong Xian on the ground, the old man said:

"Hey, hey, hey, young master, don't cry, what are you crying for?"

Seeing Rong Rong Xian's condition, the youth exposing his genitals looked at his companions and said:

"You shouldn't have hit his face."

"Before my uncle left, this is exactly how he taught us; besides, he was already injured before."

"My uncle said to apply what you learn flexibly."

After much effort, the old man finally calmed Rong Rong Xian down, at which point Rong Rong Xian's young servant said:

"Old sir, we have money; consider the melons bought."

Looking at Rong Rong Xian's mount and attire, the old man sighed and said:

"Go back to the fortress and fetch some medicine to reduce swelling and relieve pain."

"Young master, please come with me."

With his bonds loosened, Rong Rong Xian followed behind, arriving beside a melon-watchers' shed.

The old man exchanged a few words with Rong Rong Xian; upon hearing that Rong Rong Xian intended to join the army, those several youths looked at him with obvious disdain, their meaning clear: You?

"May I ask which family in Xiangzhou the young master belongs to?"

The young servant nearby said rather proudly:

"Old sir, we are from the Hou Fu of Hou Fu Chang in Bianjing."

The old man nodded, uttered an 'oh,' and then asked, "Your honorable house is..."

The young servant: "Uh..."

"My elder sister is Imperial Concubine Rong, Your Majesty's most favored consort."

Seeing the surprised expressions on the faces of the surrounding youths, Rong Rong Xian snorted rather proudly and said:

"I see that your actions are quite methodical; why not join the army under me, Rong Rong Xian? I guarantee you a promising future, how about that?"

"We already have our uncle's command to join; why would we follow you?"

The youths said rather proudly.

"Young master, do not take offense; our family also has some connections in Bianjing; our clan leader bears the surname Zhu, and my maternal uncle is Marquis Marquis Yongyi, who is currently raising his banner in the north."

"What?!!"

Rong Rong Xian nearly jumped up, grabbing the old man's arm and speaking affectionately:

"Old sir, so your family are relatives of Marquis Marquis Yongyi's household? I, I, and Brother Jing, we are closer than biological brothers!"

The old man wore an expression as if he had never heard of such a person.

"You don't believe me? Surname Zhu, is he called Zhu Zhu Qinghu, does he look..."

Listening to Rong Rong Xian's description, the old man's expression gradually changed.

Half a quarter-hour later, the old man exclaimed with a sigh:

"So this is a case of floodwaters washing over the Dragon King's temple! Come, come, let's return to the fortress for a meal."

When patrol riders along the official road were searching for people,

Rong Rong Xian was already dead drunk in the Zhu Family Fortress, speaking with tears streaming down his face:

"Uncle-grandfather, you don't mind if I call you uncle-grandfather, do you? You don't know, I, Rong Rong Xian, was slapped yet refused to yield! Qiu Qiu Keli, that damned scoundrel, I'll screw his ass, daring to speak of me, speaking of my sister..."

"Brother, I call you brother, that doesn't skip a generation, does it? Look, this corner of my eye was hit by the Marquis of Ruyang's family, this corner of my mouth by the Marquis of Jinghai's family!"

"Drunk? How could I, Rong Rong Xian, be drunk! Another bowl... *urp*~~~~"

On the road back to Bianjing,

the traveling group was exhausted enough to suffer greatly,

with some horses already collapsed from fatigue, sold by Brother Qingyun to a roadside shop.

Brother Qingyun bought long-veiled hats and conical hats to block the sun, handing the long-veiled hats to the two Misses who had been rescued.

At exactly You Hour (after 6:00 PM),

the Bianjing imperial army cavalry, caring not at all for their horses' stamina, had already found Brother Qingyun and the rest of the group.

They immediately escorted them back to the capital.

Once they entered Jingcheng,

Brother Qingyun and A-Lan prepared to return to Marquis Marquis Yongyi's Hou Fu, but were stopped by the young master of the Gao family, who bowed politely to block their path.

"Young Master Gao, what is this..."

Looking at Brother Qingyun, that member of the Gao family hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself.

Ah Lan looked at this man with confusion, while Brother Qingyun, understanding the situation in his heart, said:

"Young Master, rest assured; our Marquis Marquis Yongyi's Hou Fu knows nothing."

"Thank you, brave warrior; in days to come, my Gao family will surely present generous gifts."

Having spoken, the Gao family Young Master looked back, and a woman wearing a veiled hat walked over, saying with a somewhat dry throat:

"Please ask a noble servant of the Hou Fu to deliver a verbal message to the Duke of Qi's residence for this humble woman, saying..."

"Miss, do you know Young Master Chai Jin?"

The veiled hat shook violently.

Brother Qingyun said: "Young Master Chai and my Young Master became friends at first sight; this humble one will go immediately to deliver a message to Young Master Chai Jin."

"Thank you, brave warrior; once you reach the Chai residence, you need only say the two words 'Zheng Zheng'."

At the Chai family residence,

not far from Nan Jiang Tang Lane,

and even closer to the palace gates than the Rong family's home.

Without even changing his clothes, Brother Qingyun arrived before the heavy gates where lanterns bearing the character 'Chai' hung.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Soon, the gatekeeper steward ran quickly to the second gate.

In less than half a quarter-hour, Chai Jin and Chai Bo, disheveled and improperly dressed, ran out, grabbing Brother Qingyun's arms on either side and saying:

"Are these words true? Has Zheng Zheng come to Bianjing? Where is she?"

"Both Young Masters, do not be anxious; by now, she should already be inside the palace."

"Saddle the horses! Quick!!!"

The Chai family steward nearby said: "Young Masters, like this, we cannot enter the palace!"

Subsequently, the two quickly changed their clothes, patted Brother Qingyun on the shoulder, mounted their horses, and galloped toward the imperial palace.

A little later,

in Xingguo Ward,

at the Duke of Qi's residence,

Princess Princess Pingning, also appearing slightly anxious, boarded the Qi family carriage and, looking at Qi Heng who was sitting in a daze, said:

"Heng-ge'er, get up quickly!"

"Mother, why are you in such a hurry?"

Princess Princess Pingning said:

"Heng-ge'er, once you enter the palace and see your cousin from the Chai family, remember you must perform well, do you understand?"

"Yes, Mother."

At the bandit stronghold on Golden Sheep Mountain,

Buzz~

Buzz buzz~

Flies that loved the stench of blood flew back and forth over the rotting flesh and bloodstains.

In the distance,

clerks of the Qizhou Imperial City Bureau were holding torches and lanterns, organizing the corpses.

Some people were using water skins to feed water to the bandits who had been thirsty for most of the day.

Their legs had been broken by others, leaving them sitting on the ground; their arms were tied to their sides, forming a circle, and their mouths were covered while their eyes were blindfolded.

These bandits were completely unable to move and could only sit idly waiting for death.

"Since when has the Bianjing Imperial City Bureau become so formidable? Looking at these wounds, tsk, truly brutal."

"Fortunately, they are on our side; otherwise..."

"If we have the chance to recruit a few of them over, perhaps they could save our lives."

"Have you counted? How many living people plus corpses in total?"

"Around one hundred and seventy."

At this moment,

outside the stronghold gates, a group of riders arrived at this place,

and Zhao Zhao Meifeng, riding his horse with a face numb from the journey, displayed his Imperial City Bureau waist token.

Subsequently, he led a group of people into the stronghold,

Zhao Zhao Meifeng frowned,

held up a torch to look around in all directions, and finally stopped by the wall where the corpses were laid out,

picked up an arrow shaft from the ground, thick as a middle finger, and examined it carefully,

while Gao Gao Yunqing behind Zhao Zhao Meifeng said:

"Chief, why does this look so familiar?"

Zhao Zhao Meifeng did not speak, but used the arrow shaft to poke at the arrow hole left in the wall.

Gao Gao Yunqing said: "Hiss, so deep; just like before in Yang..."

Zhao Zhao Meifeng waved his hand to cut off his words:

"Just knowing is enough."

After swallowing a mouthful of saliva, Gao Gao Yunqing followed behind Zhao Zhao Meifeng and whispered:

"Chief, could it be that the Hou Fu's personal soldiers did this?"

Hearing Zhao Zhao Meifeng, he walked along, constantly poking into the arrow holes while examining the corpses' injuries, saying:

"Mm, that's about right."

Then he inspected the armor and weapons on the ground; looking at the sturdy, fierce corpses lying there, Zhao Zhao Meifeng touched the dead man's palm.

Gao Gao Yunqing imitated him, saying:

"Tsk, these fellows trained hard enough; they're far more formidable than that bunch outside Yang Zhou."

Zhao Zhao Meifeng looked at the Northern Liao armor on the ground and nodded:

"Now things are going to get very lively."

What Great Zhou gave to the Jin Kingdom was not Great Zhou armor, but imitations of Northern Liao armor;

thus, even if seen, Northern Liao would assume it was loot captured after a previous defeat, with helmets and armor discarded,

yet now it has appeared within Great Zhou territory.

At this moment, a clerk from the Imperial Bureau of Qizhou arrived and reported:

"Leader Zhao, those soldiers from Yanzhou are just outside the stockade."

"Let them in; once inside, have them disarm, and I will question them one by one."

"Yes."

Having spoken, Zhao Zhao Meifeng lifted his chin; Gao Gao Yunqing hurried off to fetch tables and chairs to prepare for taking records.

After a while,

Zhao Zhao Meifeng stood before his former colleagues, who were kneeling on the ground, stared into their eyes, and asked lightly:

"Speak up; who among you just went to deliver a message to Prince Yan's Fu?"

Inside the Imperial Palace,

within a slightly low-lying Piandian,

Zhao Zhao Zilong sat with an amiable expression before Prince Yelu Sun.

"I trust Young Master Prince Yelu must already know something."

Prince Yelu Sun said with a calm expression:

"Naturally, I know."

"Then what are your thoughts?"

"Previously, our Northern Liao joined Bai Gao in attacking Great Zhou's horse-breeding grounds; now Great Zhou engages in trade with the Jin Kingdom. I have nothing to ponder."

"Young Master Prince Yelu is broad-minded; then shall we discuss the military situation between Northern Liao and the Jin Kingdom?"

"."

"You also know that even if you do not speak, we have channels within the Jin Kingdom to find out."

"Ask away."

You hour, exact mark (6:00 PM)

Xingguo Ward

Gu Gu Tingyu's personal attendant, Youqing, arrived at Fuyao Courtyard.

"Young Master, the letter and the items were not delivered."

Gu Gu Tingyu frowned, asking: "What? They refused to accept them?"

"No, Young Master; Prince Yan's Fu has been surrounded by the Imperial Army."

"What?"

Gu Gu Tingyu's face filled with shock; then he calmed himself and said:

"Go, take my father's name card, seek out old acquaintances in the military, and find out exactly what is happening."

"Husband, what is wrong?"

Hearing Xu Xu Pingmei's voice, Gu Gu Tingyu smiled and said:

"Nothing. By the way, Da Da Niangzi, aren't several of Da Da Niangzi's cousin Zhu Zhu Qinghu's life-and-death comrades serving in the Imperial Army?"

"They are; they were bullied quite badly by that Physician Yu for many days, but now they have mostly recovered and have already begun their duties."

After Gu Gu Tingyu explained the recent events clearly, he said:

"Ask them as well, to see what the reason is."

"Very well; I will immediately send Sister Qingzhi to the Zhu family, and then ask Sister-in-Law Ni to inquire."

"Qingxia, summon Sister Qingzhi over."

"Yes, Wu Da Da Niangzi."

Jinghai Hou Fu

The whole family was eating dinner,

when the Lady of Jinghai Hou, Lady Bao, said:

"Wife of Han Wulang, come, come sit beside me; ordinarily I feel you and I share a spiritual connection; you know what I want to eat even better than I do myself."

Lady Pan's face went blank for a moment; then, clutching her handkerchief, she approached Lady Bao, squatted, and performed a bow, saying:

"Mother-in-law."

"Come, let that clumsy Guan Guan Pozi step aside; you do it."

After a servant woman had tied up Lady Pan's sleeves,

she smiled, picked up a piece of fish meat with her chopsticks, and said:

"Yes, Mother-in-law. Your daughter-in-law remembers that you love eating this mandarin fish the most."

"It is too fishy."

"Oh, then please eat this spiced and fermented pork intestine."

Ignoring Pan Da Da Niangzi, who was holding a slice of meat with her chopsticks, the Lady of the Marquis of Jinghai said:

"Wife of Gu Dalang, regarding your brother from the Bao family, my nephew, when will he be promoted to Commander of the Left Flank?"

Xiao Bao Da Niangzi, wife of the eldest son of the Marquis of Jinghai's main branch, replied, "Mother-in-law, they say it will be within these few days."

"Good, good! When the time comes, we must prepare congratulatory gifts! Isn't that right!"

The Da Da Niangzi of the third and fourth branches of the Hu Yan family all agreed.

Hu Hu Yanhai, father of Hu Yan Jiong and Commander of the Tiger Wing Naval Forces of the Imperial Guard, looked with some heartache at his wife standing and serving dishes; he wanted to speak but was stopped by Pan Da Da Niangzi's glance.

The Old Lady of the Marquis of Jinghai shot Pan Da Da Niangzi a sideways glare and said:

"It's cold; do you have no sense?"

Pan Da Da Niangzi did not point out that the spiced intestines with fermented rice were meant to be eaten cold; instead, she squatted down in a bow and said:

"Yes, Mother-in-law."

Pan Da Da Niangzi hurriedly put down the meat slices and picked up some green vegetables with her chopsticks:

"Mother-in-law, you..."

"Still eat that meat slice."

Maintaining a stiff smile on her face, Pan Da Da Niangzi continued to pick up the spiced intestines with fermented rice.

Lady Xiao Bao said:

"Let me ask you, sister-in-law, do you truly not understand, or are you deliberately making things difficult for Mother-in-law? Does she not love what she loves, and you do not know?"

"Now that you have secured business for your own brothers, is your tail going to stick up into the sky?"

"Do not get too full of yourself; Brother Bao is about to be promoted!"

"Some people just refuse to accept kindness; if it weren't for your Pan family, how would our Hu Yan family have lost so much income!"

"You are a daughter-in-law of the Hu Yan family, yet you do not consider your husband's family and are always thinking of your natal home!"

"In my opinion, the marriage arrangement between our family and that Xu family should just be dissolved."

The Da Da Niangzi of the third and fourth branches of the Hu Yan family exchanged a glance, and in the meeting of their eyes, a tacit understanding was conveyed:

'Only if it is dissolved will the fifth branch lose such backing as the Marquis Marquis Yongyi outside, and then they can be manipulated by the main branch.'

Hu Hu Yanhai put down the chopsticks in his hand and looked at his eldest sister-in-law.

He then looked at his father and eldest brother; his chest heaved several times, but ultimately he said nothing.

The smile vanished from Pan Da Da Niangzi's face; after placing the meat slice into the Old Lady of the Marquis of Jinghai's bowl, she continued to pick up the mutton from the gourd soup,

"Mother-in-law, be careful; this mutton is somewhat hot."

The Lady of the Marquis of Jinghai continued:

"Wife of Han Wulang, the imperial edict has assigned duties to your branch, but regarding some business, you must still show consideration for the Bao family and—Hiss!! Do you want to scald me to death?"

"Slap!"

The Lady of the Marquis of Jinghai stood up, slammed her chopsticks onto the table, and slapped Pan Da Da Niangzi across the face:

"Do you intend to murder your mother-in-law?"

Pan Da Da Niangzi immediately covered her face, with crystal-clear tears swirling in her eyes; since childhood, she had never suffered such humiliation!

But, Mother-in-law was an elder; if she talked back, it would be unfilial disobedience.

Hu Hu Yanhai suddenly stood up and said:

"Mother, what exactly are you doing?"

"Han Wulang, when Mother disciplines her younger sister-in-law, she naturally has her own considerations; sit down."

Hu Hu Yanhai, with a stern face, looked at his eldest brother, then turned to the Marquis of Jinghai:

"Father?"

"Tomorrow, your fifth branch must sort out the canal transport shares allocated to you by the third and fourth branches and hand them over to your eldest brother."

"Father, you could have just told me this directly; why go to such lengths?"

"Once meat is in the mouth, who is willing to spit it out," Lady Xiao Bao said, curling her lip.

"Thump, thump."

The Lady of the Marquis of Jinghai sat down and tapped her rice bowl, meaning for Pan Da Da Niangzi to continue serving dishes.

"Why are you crying? Mourning the dead? Forget it; I cannot use a daughter-in-law like you; go kneel in the ancestral hall."

Without even glancing at Pan Da Da Niangzi, the Lady of the Marquis of Jinghai continued, "Everyone eat; do not let her ruin your appetites."

Hu Hu Yanhai stood up, his chest heaving unpredictably:

"Eat?"

"Eat my foot!"

"Crash! Clatter!"

"Ah!"

After kicking the dining table over, Hu Hu Yanhai ignored everyone else, directly took Pan Da Da Niangzi's hand, and left the place.

"You unfilial scoundrel! Rebellious son!"

"You wretched thing, where do you think you are going?"

Hu Hu Yanhai stopped walking and said:

"I am going to the ancestral hall to kneel."

"You sinful couple! Wait until I submit a memorial to the Court of the Imperial Clan to prosecute you for the grave crimes of disrespecting your mother and being unfilial to your mother-in-law!"

"Mother, feel free to go! Let us see whether your memorial is more important, or Your Majesty's assignment!"

"You!"

Just as he was about to walk out, a woman, supported by others, arrived in the hall.

With a shrill and mournful voice, she cried out: "Auntie, Sister, our family's master has been captured!"

"What?"

"Who dares to capture our young master!"

This Da Da Niangzi of the Ruyang Hou Fu, looking at the mess in the hall, was also somewhat startled, unsure whether to ask what had happened to the Hu Yan family or to speak of her own family's affairs.

Hu Hu Yanhai was about to continue leaving for the ancestral hall when he was pulled back by Pan Da Da Niangzi.

Seeing the look of curiosity in his wife's eyes, Hu Hu Yanhai cast a sideways glance at the group in the hall, then stopped at the doorway.

"Take your time and explain!"

"Boohoo, today the Master did not return to the residence, nor did the personal soldiers or young attendants come back to report, so I sent a household steward to inquire outside the camp gate."

"As a result, the Tianwu Army's encampment had already sealed its gates; one could neither enter nor exit."

"That steward was clever enough; he used silver to ask the soldiers at Xuanhua Gate and Dongshui Gate, and only then learned that our people had been bound by the golden-armored, golden-spearred Imperial Guards from the palace and taken into the city."

Speaking thus, this Da Da Niangzi began to weep.

The Lady of the Jinghai Hou asked with a panicked expression:

"Th-th-this, what exactly is happening! Is it that someone is jealous of our Ruyang Hou Fu's promotion and is maliciously framing us?"

The Da Niangzis of the third and fourth branches were not of high birth; although they had relatives in Bianjing, no one could find anyone to ask clearly why the Commander of the Imperial Army was being arrested.

Because their rank and connections were insufficient.

Lady Xiao Bao looked at everyone in bewilderment:

"This... who do we go to ask! Eunuch, you..."

Marquis Hu Yan, recalling that on the day court adjourned, only those from the Ruyang Hou Fu had followed beside him, sighed and said:

"Then I shall sell my old face and go ask."

Saying this, he stood up.

In Marquis Hu Yan's line of sight, his youngest son and daughter-in-law had already walked far away.

On the road to the ancestral hall,

Hu Hu Yanhai asked: "Does it hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt. Sigh."

"What's wrong?"

"Ever since our family received this assignment from Your Majesty, Mother-in-law and Sister-in-law's tempers have become increasingly vicious! I've never seen them like this before."

"Then do you know how much income the eldest branch has gained in these past few months?"

"How much?"

"Hmph, merely by converting the furs, ginseng, and eastern pearls given by the Jin Kingdom into silver for the state treasury, the eldest branch pocketed quite a bit of the price difference. Do you think everyone is like you, foolishly letting the Pan family buy at market price?"

Pan Da Da Niangzi naturally knew how many good things from Liaodong such state actions by the Jin Kingdom had provided!

But from now on, all of this will belong to the fifth branch!

"In the future, we must still offer some fine treasures to the palace."

"Indeed, that is so."

"Husband, how is it that whenever that Xu family young man beats someone, our branch profits?"

"This... it must be a fortunate coincidence."

"I don't care about anything else; I must marry Xu Anmei, and I will definitely give the Xu family a satisfactory betrothal gift and wedding!"

After Pan Da Da Niangzi finished speaking, her eyes darted as she said:

"How about this: we don't go kneel; instead, we say we're going out to gather intelligence for the family?"

"Whose family are we going to?"

"Of course, the Liang family!"

When the couple, accompanied by the personal soldiers of the Huyi Army, arrived beneath the large plaque of the Yongchang Hou Fu belonging to the Liang family, they were informed: "Wu Da Da Niangzi has gone to Quyuan Street."

"Should we still go look for her?" Hu Hu Yanhai asked.

"Go, go talk to our future in-laws, and while we're at it, tell the Xu family what our Jiong-ge'er is busy with."

The soldiers of the Imperial City Bureau had already left the Prince of Yan's Wang Fu.

Inside the study,

"Your Highness, what does it mean that the soldiers of the Imperial City Bureau said they were going to Jin Yangshan?"

"You are my advisor; why are you asking me?"

"This subject is terrified!"

"Hmm, in this Prince's view, it is likely that someone has noticed something; let them go and investigate!"

"Your Highness, your wisdom is nearly demonic, your thoughts swift as lightning! This subject is foolish and actually failed to consider this point. If they go to investigate, surely everything will appear normal."

"Correct! By the way, are the Imperial Guards of the Northern Liao's heartland truly as brave and fierce as you described?"

"Your Highness, this subject witnessed it with his own eyes!"

Just as the two were speaking,

a steward from the Wang Fu came hurrying over and shouted at the doorway:

"Your Highness, an imperial edict has arrived from Bianjing; please receive the edict."

After the inner official Eunuch Huai Bao finished reading the imperial edict aloud,

the Prince of Yan lowered his head to accept the edict, his mind suddenly connecting it to Jin Yangshan, then he said:

"This humble prince will depart for the capital tomorrow!"

(Send someone tonight to check on the situation at Jin Yangshan!)

The inner official Eunuch Huai Bao glanced at the Imperial Guards beside him and said softly:

"Your Highness, it would be best to depart immediately!"

Hearing this, the Prince of Yan's expression turned solemn as he said, "Then this prince shall go change his clothes."

Eunuch Huai Bao said, "Someone come. Attend to His Highness while he changes."

"You! How dare you!"

Eunuch Huai Bao bowed deeply and said, "Your Highness, this is Your Majesty's order; under no circumstances may you leave the sight of this servant and the several officers of the Right Battalion."

The Prince of Yan cast a glance toward the advisor at his side, signaling him to assemble the Wang Fu personal guards.

That advisor hastily retreated from the room,

and looking at the courtyard full of armor-clad, blade-wielding men travel-stained from the road, sizing up these Bianjing Imperial Guards from head to toe, he scratched his face and muttered to himself:

"Just now, what did His Highness say? Hiss—"

Barely had he finished speaking when a burly imperial guard bound him with rope.

That afternoon, several batches of palace imperial guards, galloping madly out of the city on horseback,

threw the whole of Bianjing into utter chaos.

All sorts of rumors, some true and some false, spread about.

In Jiying Lane,

at the Sheng family residence, within the Shou'an Hall.

Wang Wang Ruofu, having spent half the day in the sweltering heat gathering news, was parched and hoarse;

after taking a refreshing sip of iced su-luo, Wang Wang Ruofu let out a comfortable sigh and said:

"Mother, I went to the Feng family and asked; something huge has happened~!"

The Old Lady looked at her kindly and said, "Wu Da Da Niangzi, speak slowly."

"I am not clear on the details, only that the Marquis of Ruyang's household was bound by palace imperial guards and taken into the palace."

Sheng Hong frowned and said, "What? Impossible! The master of the Bao family is about to take a step upward; the Ministry of Personnel is already processing the procedures—how could he be bound and taken into the palace!"

Wang Wang Ruofu tilted her head and said, "Hah! The nephew of a first-branch relative of the Feng family serves as a Dutou at Xuanhua Gate; with his own eyes he saw it—could he be wrong!?"

"This..."

Lady Sheng said, "Did they not say there were two other batches heading east? What were they sent to do?"

"Mother, the classmate of my natal family's sister-in-law's nephew has entered the Hanlin Academy; this afternoon he was before Your Majesty. He dared not speak too clearly, only that one group went to fetch someone, and the other to proclaim an edict."

At this moment, a young maid came to announce:

"Old Lady, Sister Cuichan has returned."

Hearing this, the Old Lady, with a look of puzzlement, said, "Let her in."

When Sister Cuichan entered the Shou'an Hall with a grave expression, she presented the flat wooden box she held in her hands:

"Old Lady, this is something the Da Da Niangzi of Hou Fu instructed this servant to deliver."

Mama Fang hurriedly passed it over.

The Old Lady broke the sealing wax on the wooden box, then broke the sealing wax on the letter envelope inside the box, and by the light of the candle scanned the lines at a glance.

Wei Wei Shuyi, standing behind Wang Shi, exchanged a glance with Mama Liu as she watched Lord and Lady Sheng craning their necks before her.

After finishing the letter, the Old Lady directly placed it upon the candle flame to ignite it, then put it into the incense burner; in less than a moment, it turned to ash.

Seeing this scene, everyone knew the matter was serious.

Sheng Hong said, "Mother?"

With a solemn countenance, the Old Lady said:

"Sister Cuichan, go back and tell your Da Da Niangzi that this old woman understands."

"Yes, Old Lady."

Having spoken, Sister Cuichan bowed separately to the Old Lady and to Lord and Lady Sheng, then withdrew.

Immediately afterward, the Old Lady said:

"At once notify the steward of the Sheng family's first branch here in Bianjing! For our second branch, Wu Da Da Niangzi, sever all ties with any shops in your dowry, and all businesses under Hong'er's name and that of your concubine, provided they have any connection to the Bao family of the Marquis of Ruyang, the first branch of the Marquis of Jinghai, or the Prince of Yan's Wang Fu! Prepare all account books and documents for inspection; do not let any go missing."

Wang Wang Ruofu looked at the Old Lady and said, "Mother, then what about my natal family—"

"Send someone at once to notify them, lest unnecessary trouble arise."

That evening,

on the streets of Bianjing, the number of young attendants and servants from various households suddenly increased.

In Xingguo Ward,

at the Lady Ningyuan Hou Fu,

Gu Gu Tingyu had not yet received a reply from the Zhu family

when Bai Shi summoned him to the main mother's courtyard and showed him the letter the Xu family had sent via Seeing Seeing Qingcao.

After Gu Gu Tingyu finished reading the letter,

he fell into deep thought for quite a while,

then suddenly recalled the scene that day when he had gone to Xu Xu Zaijing's study to ask questions,

whereupon Gu Gu Tingyu lifted his head, looked at Xu Xu Pingmei, and said, "I've been played by that boy Jing-ge'er!"

In the imperial palace,

guided by the lanterns held by inner eunuchs,

Princess Princess Pingning brought Qi Heng to the Piandian beside the Empress's sleeping quarters.

"Princess, Miss Chai is inside."

Princess Princess Pingning smiled and nodded, and was just about to push the door open

when a low roar came from within:

"Chai Zhengzheng, you've already revealed your identity! How dare these people from the Prince of Yan's faction kidnap you? What is he trying to do!?"

"Perhaps it is the Chai family's gold and silver?"

A slight quiet fell within the hall.

"I'd say there's an eighty percent chance this is another case of a hero saving a beauty."

Inside the room, several people heard the voices outside the door, glanced at one another, and Chai Bo asked, "Who is outside?"

Princess Princess Pingning looked at Qi Heng with pride, then pushed open the door.

Outside, Qi Heng cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Greetings, Cousin Brother and Cousin Sister."

Chai Chai Zhengzheng looked at Princess Princess Pingning, recalled for a moment, then squatted to offer a bow, saying, "Greetings, Cousin Aunt."

Then she looked at the youth beside Princess Princess Pingning and asked, "Are you Heng-ge'er?"

Xu Xu Zaijing sat quietly in the Xu family's front reception hall,

listening as his mother and Wu Wu Daniang discussed the events of the past few days,

listening until Wu Wu Daniang was utterly stunned, glancing at Xu Xu Zaijing several times.

Her eyes were full of affection; she wished dearly that Xu Xu Zaijing were her own son.

"Good, good, I must hurry home to settle all the business matters cleanly. Sister, this time, I thank you."

"Da Da Niangzi, Pan Wu Daniang of the fifth branch of the Hu Yan family and the master of the fifth branch have arrived."

Sun Shi hurriedly said, "Sister, please stay and receive the guests with me."

Wu Wu Daniang nodded without the slightest hesitation, saying:

"Very well. You, go back and tell the household to immediately have the Marquis dispatch a steward to settle the affairs of those families mentioned just now."

"Yes, Da Da Niangzi!"

Soon, Pan Wu Daniang entered the front hall leading Hu Hu Yanhai.

Pan Wu Daniang did not fear exposing her family's shame; she spoke bluntly of their ordeals over the past few days,

as well as Hu Hu Yanhai's behavior of overturning the table tonight.

This left both Da Da Niangzi staring in dumbfounded shock.

Naturally, Sun Shi concealed nothing; nowadays, with the heavy burden resting on the fifth branch, the court would likely not make any major moves against them.

But as for the main branch and the Bao family?

Pan Wu Daniang let out a deep breath and said, "They brought it upon themselves."

Wu Wu Daniang asked with concern, "Let me ask you, Sister, are you and the Pan family in the fifth branch completely clear? If there are any issues, it would be better to be honest with Your Majesty."

Hu Hu Yanhai, standing to one side, cupped his hands and said:

"To be perfectly honest, the furs and freshwater pearls my wife and I collected from the Jin Kingdom were all purchased by the Pan family at market price or even at a premium! The silver obtained was then turned over to the national treasury. Because of this matter, my wife has received no small amount of resentment from the Pan family."

Sun Shi and Wu Wu Daniang looked at Pan Wu Daniang with complete astonishment.

"You two, do not look at me like that; I was merely loyal to state affairs."

Xu Xu Zaijing, standing to one side, was also filled with deep admiration.

"By the way, do you know what my Jiong-ge'er is busy with nowadays?"

Looking at the two curious Da Da Niangzi, Pan Wu Daniang said:

"Nowadays he has entered the hinterlands of the Jin Kingdom and is catching falcons for our family's An-je'er! News came a few days ago that he caught one, along with a pair of wild geese!"

Sun Shi's face lost its color as she said:

"This child! How did he go to the Jin Kingdom! Is this not sheer mischief? How could you agree to this!?"

"Why should I not agree? As long as he can marry your An-je'er, I think even if you asked him to become a matrilocal son-in-law, he would be willing!"

Wu Wu Daniang teased, "Let me tell you, Sister Pan, you only dare say such things in front of someone who has three sons. If her family truly had only daughters, would you still dare?"

"I wouldn't dare! I only have one son."

Hearing Pan Wu Daniang's instant reply, everyone burst into laughter.

Suppressing their mirth, Wu Wu Daniang said, "In the coming days, your family will likely face hard times. If you need any help, just let us two know."

Sun Shi also nodded with a smile.

After seeing Wu Wu Daniang and Pan Wu Daniang off,

Xu Xu Zaijing went to the horse racing grounds, where the Xu family's horses were eating with somewhat listless spirits.

Amidst the green smoke of mosquito-repelling incense, the lame stable hand was massaging the horses with a pained expression.

At Lady Fu Changhou Fu,

Mother Rong arrived at Rong Rong Feiyan's courtyard with a face full of sorrow and bitterness,

"Rong Feiyan, enter the palace again and beg your sister; ask Your Majesty to send people to find your brother again! He has lived in luxury since childhood; who knows what hardships he might be enduring now!"

"I understand, Mother."

Thanks to Yu Yu Huguang for the donation of 1500!

Thanks to everyone for your vote support!

I am going to do a rough proofread now,

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

(`) Heart fingers

Love you all.

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(End of Chapter)