Chapter 331

Madam Sun looked at her curious daughter and sighed, not knowing whether to be happy or worried:

"Sigh!"

"Madam Wu didn't send any posts!"

Hearing this, Anmei looked at her mother with some surprise in her eyes.

Madam Sun continued: "She came in person, helping several wealthy families inside and outside Bianjing to inquire."

Anmei nodded:

"That's more like it!"

Then she asked excitedly:

"Mother, which families are they? Is the Rong family among them?"

Looking at her mother and sister-in-law, who were looking at her with some reproach, Anmei hurriedly covered her mouth.

"You're already married, why do you still speak so recklessly?"

Sun Shi said, tapping Anmei on the head, and continued:

"The Rong family's affairs are mostly decided by Imperial Consort Rong now; if they really wanted to ask our family's intentions, they would summon your mother, me, into the palace!"

Anmei nodded.

Sun Shi looked at Anmei and said: "You're already a mistress of a household, pay attention to your speech in the future!"

"Mother, isn't this inside our own home! How would I say such things outside!"

"Hmph! Who knows if you have a gatekeeper on your mouth! If you really ruined a girl's reputation, see if I don't beat you!"

"Your husband is going to the north this month, did he tell you?"

Hearing Sun Shi's question, Anmei put away her smile and nodded:

"He told daughter; he said it's a matter of these few days, and he should be leaving slightly later than Eldest Brother."

Sun Shi nodded and then lifted her chin toward Mama Zhu.

Subsequently, the maids and mamas in the hall were all led out, and even Xu Xingdai was carried away by his wet nurse.

Inside the room, there were only Sun Shi, Xie Shi, Sheng Hualan, and Anmei.

Sun Shi held Anmei's left hand and stared closely at Anmei.

Anmei was baffled by the look, then Anmei awkwardly pulled at her collar with her right hand, glanced at Sun Shi, and said: "Mother, what's wrong?"

Sun Shi ignored the bruises she saw, turned her head to look at her two daughters-in-law, and said:

"An'er, there are only female relatives in the room; Mother asks you, how long has it been since your period passed?"

Anmei glanced at her two sisters-in-law awkwardly, bit her lip, and said coyly:

"It came three days before the wedding."

Xie Shi and Sheng Hualan exchanged glances, the two sisters-in-law counted on their fingers, and after exchanging glances with their mother-in-law, they nodded.

Sun Shi looked at the neck under Anmei's collar, where there were a few bruises, and Sun Shi said earnestly:

"An'er, you don't know when your husband will be able to return once he leaves, but war is dangerous, you..."

Listening to Sun Shi's somewhat blunt words that followed, Anmei, who had always been somewhat thick-skinned, quickly blushed.

Sun Shi looked at Anmei with annoyance and continued:

"This period is just right; marital intimacy is a proper matter, don't be reserved! Only after you have a child can you take root in the Huyan household!"

Anmei nodded sheepishly; actually, with her husband's style, it seemed she didn't need Mother's instructions.

Xie Shi said: "Fourth Da Niangzi, these are Mother's golden words!"

Sheng Hualan, on her slightly plump face, also said with a blush: "Sister, just listen to Mother! This is what Old Madam He said!"

Anmei looked at her two sisters-in-law.

After giving her two daughters-in-law an approving look, Sun Shi said earnestly:

"An'er, I see that your husband also cherishes you in his heart!"

"So, An'er, don't look at a man's age; you also have to coax him more! Praise him more, pick faults less!"

Anmei said coyly: "Mother, aren't you asking me to flatter him!"

Sun Shi gently patted Anmei's hand: "He cherishes you, what's wrong with saying nice things?"

It was just that Xu Zaijing wasn't here; if he were, he would definitely interject: "Sister, this isn't called flattery, this is called maximizing emotional value!"

Not knowing what Anmei thought of, the corners of her mouth smiled, and she pretended to nod reluctantly.

"And!"

Sun Shi said solemnly: "Is the spring shirt you were supposed to make for your little brother finished?"

Anmei nodded: "It's finished! According to your words, Mother, I used the best material!"

Sun Shi nodded and said: "Remember to send it to your brother! Don't disbelieve it!"

Anmei: "Oh! How would daughter dare to disbelieve! The two sons of the old Marquis of Xiangyang are right there!"

"By the way, Mother, Eldest Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law!"

"I just found out, guess what wedding gift my mother-in-law gave them after my sisters-in-law got married?"

Sun Shi and her daughters-in-law talked for a while, and when they heard it was a sea-going ship, they were all somewhat surprised.

Sun Shi said: "Speaking of sea transport, An'er, you and your two sisters-in-law can talk about your eldest sister!"

"What's wrong with my sister?"

Anmei said, looking at her mother, Sun Shi, in confusion.

Sun Shi smiled, exchanged glances with her two daughters-in-law, and said:

"On the night of your wedding, your sister sent Qingzhi back!"

"She said that Old Master Bai in Yang Zhou, grateful for your brother-in-law earning a title for Madam Bai, took it upon himself to transfer six salt farms and one-fifth of the sea-going ships of the Wu family to your sister's name."

Anmei: "Ah? I thought the sea-going ship my mother-in-law gave was already a lot; I didn't expect Madam Bai to be even more generous than her..."

After finishing, Anmei secretly thought that she shouldn't show off the jewelry her mother-in-law gave her.

Outside the study,

Qingyun and the servants of Zaiduan and Zaizhang were keeping watch in the courtyard.

In the study,

Xu Zaiduan sat behind the table,

Xu Zaijing and Zaizhang sat to the side, listening to military matters that only camp-level commanders and above could hear.

Seeing Hu Yanjiong stood in front of a map, pointing and gesturing over a winding great river, speaking a few words from time to time.

"Just wait a month, when the Jin Kingdom, Northern Liao, and that so-called Great Bohai Kingdom really start fighting, this place!"

Seeing Hu Yanjiong pointed to a spot on the map and said: "This place will be caught in a pincer attack by our Great Zhou's water and land forces! Within..."

Xu Zaijing hurriedly waved his hand and said: "Brother-in-law, you can't speak recklessly!"

Seeing Hu Yanjiong was stunned and nodded.

At this moment, voices came from outside the door.

Just as the people in the study stood up, Gu Tingyu pushed the door open and walked in with a smile.

"Everyone is here! Eldest Brother, what were you just saying?"

Zaiduan looked at his eldest brother-in-law with a smile, walked out from behind the table, and said a few words with a smile.

After listening, Gu Tingyu gave Xu Zaijing an approving look and said:

"Little Five is right; although the Bai Gao civil strife has led to the destruction of the royal clan and many military generals have been implicated! But, one cannot casually speak about exactly how many days it will take to win."

After finishing, Gu Tingyu also gave Seeing Hu Yanjiong an approving look and said:

"Jiong Ge'er, you are heading to the front line just half a month after your wedding; His Majesty already knows about this matter!"

"He praised you twice."

"Work hard!"

Seeing Hu Yanjiong hurriedly bowed in salute.

The group talked for a while longer in the study, mostly discussing the sons of other meritorious families under Marquis Yongyi, such as the Cao family and the Zhang family.

"By the way, Jing Ge'er, do you still remember Yelu Ying?"

Hearing his eldest brother-in-law's words, Xu Zaijing nodded and said: "Naturally I remember, he, cough, that person's younger brother, wasn't that who I sent back!"

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing picked up the teacup, sniffed the tea aroma, and took a sip.

Seeing Hu Yanjiong looked at the two playing riddles with some curiosity.

Gu Tingyu nodded, looked at Xu Zaijing, who was tasting tea with his eyes closed, and continued:

"Hmm, now this matter has spread throughout Northern Liao; Yelu Ying is a woman..."

"Pfft! Cough, cough, cough!"

Xu Zaijing spat out a mouthful of water and coughed violently for a while.

Xu Zaijing caught his breath, thinking of the wrestling posture he had with her before, and said:

"Brother-in-law, who did you hear that from, cough, cough?"

Gu Tingyu said: "News just sent back from the Imperial City Division!"

"Before, during the great war between Northern Liao and the Jin Kingdom, only Yelu Ying's route won, but she did not receive a heavy reward!"

"Do you know where she was sent?"

Xu Zaijing and everyone in the room shook their heads.

Gu Tingyu said:

"She was sent further north of Northern Liao to patrol the various Mongol tribes!"

"It's called patrolling, but actually she was chased to the north; her personal guards, Zha Ye, lost more than half!"

"Jing Ge'er, do you know why?"

Xu Zaijing pondered for a moment and said hesitantly: "Is it because she is a clansman of the Northern Liao Empress?"

Gu Tingyu smiled, pointed at Xu Zaijing, and said: "Correct! But did you think of those two dragon colts in your family?"

Xu Zaijing nodded and asked: "Then, how did the news that Yelu Ying is a woman spread?"

Gu Tingyu said:

"Now she is the Khatun (Empress) of the Mongol Zhadalan tribe."

"Leading the Zhadalan tribe, she defeated the main force of Northern Liao's Northwest Route Pacification Division."

Xu Zaijing hesitated: "Northern Liao's Northwest Route Pacification Division, wasn't that once led by Yelu Ying's uncle? How could... alright."

What Yelu Ying defeated was actually... the part of the Northwest Route Pacification Division that was loyal to the Northern Liao imperial court.

Gu Tingyu continued: "By the way, now she is called Yelu Ying, the 'Ying' of heroic and spirited."

Xu Zaijing nodded and said:

"If you put it that way, Yelu Ying has rebelled against Northern Liao; if she intervenes when our Great Zhou attacks Bai Gao..."

Gu Tingyu said:

"Now Yelu Ying is sharpening her weapons and horses, confronting the Wugu Dilietong Military Division, and has no time to look west."

"Is there anything else you want to ask?"

After saying so much, Gu Tingyu also picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"Brother-in-law, is she pretty?"

Gu Tingyu held back a mouthful of water and didn't spit it out; he glanced at Xu Zaijing and said: "You were so close to her before, don't you know if she's good-looking?"

Xu Zaijing scratched his head and said:

"Who has nothing better to do than stare at other men!"

"Hiss, now that I think back carefully, she should have a woman's face with a man's appearance."

Gu Tingyu nodded.

Xu Zaijing continued: "Then, why did Yelu Ying have nothing better to do than dance for the Rong family girl..."

The people in the room looked at each other.

After finishing these things, everyone drank tea and chatted about other things, focusing on Gu Tingyu examining Xu Zaijing and Xu Zaizhang's studies.

"This line of reasoning, did Scholar Zhuang tell you?"

Xu Zaijing nodded.

At this moment, Qingyun outside the door said: "Everyone, Madam says the banquet is already set, please take your seats."

Cups were exchanged at the banquet.

End of the *Shen* period (after 5:00 PM),

The Huyan family's carriage drove out of the Xu family's main gate.

On the carriage,

Anmei looked curiously at the very sober Seeing Hu Yanjiong and asked softly:

"Husband, didn't Eldest Brother-in-law and Little Five pour you any wine?"

Seeing Hu Yanjiong smiled and said:

"Eldest Brother and Third Brother wanted to, but Little Five blocked them."

"He said..."

Anmei looked over curiously: "Said what..."

Seeing Hu Yanjiong whispered something into Anmei's ear.

Anmei patted Seeing Hu Yanjiong several times in shame and annoyance.

When Anmei and Seeing Hu Yanjiong returned to their own residence, the sky was already somewhat dark.

"Mistress, you go ahead and take off your hairpins and jewelry; I'm going to the study for a while."

"I chatted with Brother-in-law today about the northern situation, and we should make more plans; I'm going to do some calculations."

Anmei nodded.

First quarter of the *Hai* period (around 9:00 PM),

Seeing Hu Yanjiong walked into the main room, rubbing his somewhat sore neck.

The food he ate in the afternoon had already been digested, and he was somewhat hungry.

Looking at the steaming meat porridge on the table, as well as the crystal-clear pickled cucumbers to the side, he smiled, sat before the table, and ate slowly.

When he put the spoon into the empty bowl,

Anmei, wearing pajamas, walked out, stood behind Seeing Hu Yanjiong, and slowly began to massage his neck.

"Mistress, hiss, where did you learn this skill?"

"Learned it from Aunt's cousin-in-law Ni; her master is very impressive!"

"Hmm!"

A quarter of an hour later, Seeing Hu Yanjiong said: "Then I'll go wash up."

Anmei said "Hmm."

When Seeing Hu Yanjiong entered the bedroom, he saw Anmei holding a towel, carefully wiping a peony jade carving, and then carefully placing it into a precious wooden box.

Seeing this scene, Seeing Hu Yanjiong smiled slightly.

This peony jade carving was a gift he won for Anmei at Jinming Pool.

Late second month,

In the dim early morning, it was still somewhat cold,

Xu Zaijing placed the iron spear in his hand into the room by the racecourse.

Outside the room, the sounds were chaotic.

From time to time, there was the sound of metal objects colliding and the snorting of horses,

"This needs to be tied tightly! If you can put this small water bag inside your chest, do it; that way, when you drink, the water won't be so icy."

There were also the instructions and voices of Uncle Yin and several veteran personal guards.

Xu Zaijing walked out of the room,

Looking at his brother standing beside his mount, he walked over, tightened his brother's saddle girth again, and patted the horse.

Following the group to the main gate,

Under the warm light of the hanging lanterns,

Sun Shi stood beside the gate, holding her eldest daughter-in-law's hand on one side and holding Sheng Hualan on the other,

Looking at her eldest son walking over,

Sun Shi took a deep breath; ever since Xu Zaijing became sensible, she had become accustomed to such scenes.

But her husband going on an expedition and her eldest son going on an expedition were, after all, different.

"Take good care of yourself!"

"Yes, Mother!"

Inside the gate passage,

Under the faint light of the lanterns, Alan and Xunshu hugged each other tightly.

Knowing where his father and brother were going to attack, Xunshu, who was very skilled at treating horses, was sent by Xu Zaijing to his brother's side.

After the two spoke a few words in Northern Liao language, seeing Xu Zaiduan get on his horse in front,

Xunshu also stepped on the stirrup and mounted his mount.

"Alan, take good care of Young Master... and the dragon colts."

"Rest assured!"

Elsewhere, there were several other personal guards' families talking.

"Let's go!"

The group left the main gate.

"Mother, you all go back!"

After finishing speaking, only the sound of horseshoes touching the ground came.

The sound faded away, turned the street corner, and only then did everyone return to the courtyard.

End of the second month,

Canal wharf,

Xu Zaijing accompanied his mother and sister again to see off Seeing Hu Yanjiong, who was leading the Huyan family's sons and many newly built ships.

Before leaving,

Seeing Hu Yanjiong also introduced several men who were previously in the Huyi Navy.

Naval soldiers, some followed Seeing Hu Yanjiong to seek fame and merit; others could not leave the capital to fight because of their family and parents.

When Xu Zaijing was preparing to return,

He happened to see Qiao Jiulang strolling on the wharf with his servants.

Seeing Xu Zaijing... and the men introduced by Seeing Hu Yanjiong beside him, his eyes lit up!

He said to the servant beside him: "Go, tell Sixth Young Master, we have enough people!"

After finishing, he approached Xu Zaijing.

After some conversation, Xu Zaijing only then learned that Liang Han's idea of making money at Jinming Pool before had actually been granted by His Majesty...

(End of chapter)