Chapter 261: Closing the Doors to Guests [Deep thanks to everyone for your support

Inside the hall, Gu Tingyu bowed to the Emperor.

Only after the Emperor nodded did he speak:

"Old General, from the perspective of the younger generation, this Bohai Great Yuan Kingdom will likely survive until the spring of next year!"

Hearing this, the Grand Ministers all stroked their beards and nodded, believing Gu Tingyu agreed to notify the Jin Kingdom to join forces in attacking Liao.

In the back of the hall, several middle-aged generals, such as General Gan, all frowned as they looked at the noble scion Gu Tingyu.

The Duke of Ying exchanged a look with the sincere-eyed Gu Tingyu and continued to gaze at the map of the Jin Kingdom.

However, Old General Bo frowned and asked in confusion: "Why does the Eldest Young Master say this? The Jin Kingdom's military force is extremely formidable..."

As he spoke, he saw the Duke of Ying measuring the map with his hand. The old general, who had spent his life in the saddle, immediately understood.

With a smile of relief and helplessness at the "waves behind pushing the waves ahead," he said:

"The Eldest Young Master is right!"

"Minister Bo, why has your view changed so drastically?"

Seeing the Emperor's puzzled expression, Old General Bo bowed and said:

"Your Majesty, this old minister was muddled and neglected to consider the timing."

Upon hearing this, some of the Grand Ministers showed surprise, while others looked confident, as if they had already considered this matter.

"The Jin Kingdom and Northern Liao are located in the north. In a few days, it will be freezing and snowing. It is unwise to mobilize troops for war when the weather is so cold."

Gu Tingyu nodded.

Subsequently, the hall summoned several officials who had served as envoys to Northern Liao. After some deliberation by the Great Zhou's civil and military heavyweights,

they ultimately submitted that Northern Liao and the Jin Kingdom would likely launch a campaign against this self-proclaimed Bohai Great Yuan Kingdom around March of next year.

This meant that around March of next year, Northern Liao would have no time to attend to the west.

The Emperor nodded.

When he looked up,

he saw Zhao Fang at the hall entrance, peering in at him.

The expression in the Emperor's eyes gradually deepened:

"Then, my ministers, let us discuss the matter of the Bai Gao Kingdom."

Xu Zaijing had not gone downstairs at the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Gathering at the polo field.

On the second floor, Madam Wu had set up a screen; on one side were Xu Zaijing, Liang Liu Lang, and others,

and on the other side was Chai Zhengzheng, who also hadn't gone down, as well as the Zhang family's Fifth Da Niangzi who had arrived late.

Gu Tingye had been chased downstairs by Madam Bai. While Gu Yuan Erlang was still wandering around,

several prominent families from Bianjing had already come to speak with Madam Bai.

They weren't just asking about Gu Yuan Erlang, but also Gu Tingyi.

Madam Sun, having nothing to do, joined Madam Bai at the side of Madam Wu, who was leaning against the railing, pricking up her ears to listen to how Madam Wu was praising the various young ladies and gentlemen being asked about.

But when the relatives of the Han family, the Duke of Han, came to ask, Madam Wu also wore a smile,

yet no matter who the Han family asked about, Madam Wu would always show a thoughtful expression and couldn't even say three sentences.

When others asked about the situation of a certain child of the Duke of Han's family, Madam Wu would smile and only say she didn't know.

When Gu Tingyi returned and went up to the second floor, Chai Zhengzheng told her about the families that had been asking about her, causing Gu Tingyi to cover Chai Zhengzheng's mouth.

Madam Chai watched her laughing daughter and took a sip of tea.

At this moment, after Madam Wu finished speaking with a certain Madam, she looked at Madam Chai.

Madam Chai understood and stood up to walk over.

Madam Wu smiled from the side: "Sister, this is Madam Lin of the Zhu family, the Earl of Chengping. She is inquiring about the Cheng family's young ladies."

Upon hearing this, Madam Chai hurriedly nodded to Madam Lin.

Madam Lin said: "Elder Sister Wu, why don't you tell us about them?"

"Fine! I will!"

Madam Wu said:

"The Earl's family has two sons and one daughter. We are talking about the eldest son born of a concubine, who is currently serving in an office under the Ministry of Works and has learned a fine craft."

"He respects his parents and loves his younger siblings!"

"There are quite a few families who have entrusted me to ask the Zhu family's young master to make jewelry for them!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Chai smiled and nodded: "Then I wonder which young lady from my maiden family you have taken a fancy to?"

Madam Lin pointed from afar at the Cheng family's young ladies strolling along the small path:

"The one near that pink peach-blossom chrysanthemum, wearing the pink bodice."

Madam Chai squinted, shook her head slightly, and beckoned to Chai Zhengzheng:

"Zheng'er, come take a look and see which cousin of yours that is."

Chai Zhengzheng walked to the railing, took a look, and said: "It's the Seventh Sister."

After identifying her, when Chai Zhengzheng turned back, she nodded to the two Madams, Sun and Bai, and incidentally glanced in the direction of Xu Zaijing.

At this time, Xu Zaijing had a few chrysanthemum petals on his head and was watching Liang Han pinning a flower for his servant.

For some reason, Xu Zaijing, who was tilting his head in Chai Zhengzheng's field of vision, twitched his ear.

After one glance, Chai Zhengzheng returned to her seat.

Madam Chai then gave a general account of Cheng Qiniang's situation.

Madam Wu saw the fleeting doubt in Madam Lin's eyes, looked at Madam Sun, and said:

"Madam, this cousin of the Seventh Cheng young lady is married into the Viscount Zhu family, and the Zhu family's maternal uncle is the Marquis Yongyi Xu family."

Following Madam Wu's words, Madam Lin looked toward Madam Sun.

Madam Sun nodded.

"Also, Madam, do you know the sworn younger brother of my sister's youngest son? He is the eldest grandson of the Lu family."

Madam Lin's eyes widened in surprise as she asked:

"The Lu family of the Duke of Lian?"

"Yes!"

Subsequently, Madam Lin smiled embarrassedly: "Oh, I didn't expect there to be such a connection!"

Seeing Madam Lin's demeanor, Madam Wu guessed her thoughts: If one really had to pull at the threads in Bianjing, who didn't have some impressive relatives?

She then said:

"This Madam Ni of the Zhu family can..."

Listening to Madam Wu's words, Madam Lin understood.

Madam Ni and the Cheng family, especially the branch of Cheng Qiniang, were not just ordinary cousins with no interaction.

There was genuine affection between them!

The Zhu family was also close relatives with the Xu family,

and the Xu family and the Lu family...

Madam Wu said:

"Madam Lin, I must say your eye for people is good!"

"Without these few words from you, how could I have known all this!"

Hearing this, Madam Wu pressed her advantage and asked:

"Then, sister, what do you think?"

Madam Lin said embarrassedly:

"It's not for me to say; it depends on the elders of the Cheng family."

Madam Bai, who was on the side, watched the process of the two Madams talking.

She whispered in Madam Sun's ear:

"This Madam Lin is truly concerned for the official career of her son born of a concubine."

Madam Sun nodded. If she were afraid of the eldest son born of a concubine being too capable, she certainly wouldn't be so attentive.

As for the aunt who married Cheng Qiniang into the Chai family, providing a dowry was one thing, but she couldn't provide much help in terms of an official career.

Hearing Madam Wu's words on the side, "Feel free to bring your legitimate sons and daughters to play when you have time,"

Madam Sun and Madam Bai exchanged a smile. The three Madams had all thought of the same thing:

Take a look at the Zhu family's children; what if there was someone of suitable age among the relatives?

In the field, families were visiting relatives and friends.

There were also marriages that were settled without Madam Wu's introduction.

There were also those like Madam Lin who had an interest and would have the adults of the two families discuss it further later.

The Chrysanthemum Appreciation Gathering outside Jinming Pool continued.

Around noon,

several families had already received news that their masters had been summoned to the palace.

When the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Gathering dispersed in the afternoon,

many families already knew about the events that had occurred thousands of miles away in Liaodong.

In the evening,

when Xu Zaijing was eating with his brother, sister-in-law, and mother,

the gatekeeper delivered a calling card, and a maid announced from outside the door:

"Madam, the son-in-law and the eldest young lady have arrived."

Hearing this, everyone who was eating looked toward the door in surprise.

"How did they come?"

Hearing Madam Sun's surprised question, Zaihang and the others also hurriedly offered their seats.

Gu Tingyu and Pingmei each performed their bows and took their seats.

Pingmei sat beside Madam Sun, and seeing Madam Sun staring at her, she said embarrassedly:

"Mother, you are going to have another grandson or granddaughter."

The Xu family: Ah?

"Brother-in-law, congratulations!"

"Ah, sister, are you pregnant again?"

"Good news!"

Madam Sun looked at Pingmei with a mix of relief and worry; Pingmei's previous childbirth had been extremely dangerous.

"Mother-in-law, there is one more thing; tomorrow, your son-in-law must leave the capital."

Hearing Gu Tingyu's words,

Madam Sun waved her hand toward the surroundings,

and the maids in the hall left one after another.

After Mama Zhu nodded at the door,

Madam Sun asked: "What is the matter that is so urgent? Can it be said?"

Gu Tingyu nodded and said:

"Your son-in-law has received an imperial order to coordinate with colleagues from the Provisions and Carriage Departments under the Ministry of War, together with officials from the Waterways Department under the Ministry of Works."

He looked at the Xu family and continued:

"To dredge the post roads leading to the military prefecture where my father-in-law is stationed, and to increase the transport troops and naval forces along the way. In addition, your son-in-law wishes to take the Huyan family's Jiong Ge'er with him."

After hearing this, everyone in the hall looked at each other.

Madam Sun held Pingmei's hand, took a few deep breaths, and nodded:

"Good! Take care of your safety along the way and look after your own health."

"Yes, Mother-in-law."

"Eat!"

After the meal,

Madam Sun, arm-in-arm with her two daughters-in-law, accompanied the Xu family to see Gu Tingyu and his wife to the main gate.

Watching the lanterns hanging on the carriage disappear into the night, Madam Sun said loudly:

"Close the doors! No more guests!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 262 =====