Chapter 399: Worried sick for Jing-ge'er [Many thanks! Bow again! Owed

Duke Qi's Prefecture

Back courtyard

Inside the room,

Wreaths of blue smoke drifted from an exquisite incense burner.

"Swish."

The sound of turning pages rang out, making the room feel even quieter.

A moment later,

The page-turning stopped halfway.

Seeing this, the personal mama beside Princess Pingning said softly, "Go, see what's happening in the front courtyard. Why is it so noisy?"

"Yes!"

A young maidservant to the side answered in a low voice and walked out quickly and quietly.

After the young maidservant left,

The commotion outside grew even louder.

"Clap!"

Princess Pingning slapped the book in her hand onto the table.

The maidservants serving in the room held their breath one after another.

"Your Highness, this servant will go take a look."

The personal mama to the side spoke up.

Princess Pingning smoothed her sleeves and stood up from her chair: "No need, I'll go see for myself! It's truly lawless today!"

As she spoke,

Princess Pingning led her people outside.

Just as she reached the corridor after leaving the room,

The young maidservant who had just left hurried over, stepping over the threshold and shouting, "Your Highness! Your Highness!"

Princess Pingning took a deep breath, lifting her chin to look at the young maidservant.

The personal mama to the side saw that the usually clever maidservant was being so reckless; not daring to look at Princess Pingning's expression, she was about to reprimand her.

But before the words could leave her mouth, the young maidservant stopped before them, lowered her head, and said crisply, "Your Highness! The gatekeeper in the front courtyard said that just now, someone on horseback rode past the street shouting that the Bai Gao Kingdom has surrendered."

"What?"

Princess Pingning's eyes widened, and she said with an ugly expression:

"You are all veterans in the Duke's Prefecture; how dare you spread such rumors into the courtyard!"

"Make the front courtyard gatekeeper roll in here!"

"Yes!"

The young maidservant curtsied and hurriedly turned to run toward the front courtyard.

Before long,

Princess Pingning had reached the inner second gate and sat down on a folding chair brought by a maidservant.

The Qi family's gatekeeper followed behind the young maidservant with his head lowered, walking quickly over. Seeing the mama beside Princess Pingning, the gatekeeper hurriedly bowed his head.

"Good! You've really grown capable; now you dare to spread any kind of talk into the courtyard!"

The gatekeeper hurriedly bowed and said tremblingly, "Your Highness, this small one wouldn't dare. It's just that the cavalryman shouting looked like he was delivering a military report."

"This small one didn't dare to believe it lightly, so I just sent our family's servant to check outside the palace gate. Who knew that those in the courtyard heard the words..."

Watching the bowing gatekeeper finish his words, Princess Pingning shook her head in disbelief.

After thinking for a moment, she said, "You didn't see wrong?"

"Replying to Your Highness, I didn't see wrong! This small one has seen it a few times! And I remember clearly, not long after the Duke went to Yang Zhou, the cavalry that brought letters to our house looked just like this!"

Princess Pingning stood up and said, "Prepare the carriage, I'm going into the palace!"

Marquis Ningyuan's Prefecture

Back courtyard,

In the main hall,

Bai Shi sat on the Arhat chair at the head, looking at the invitation in her hand, with Pingmei and Cui Mama standing to the side.

On the chairs below, the two Da Niangzis of the Gu family's fourth and fifth branches were sitting there with full smiles on their faces.

Seeing Bai Shi place the invitation in her hand on the table,

The fourth branch's Da Niangzi smiled and said, "Big Sister-in-law, what do you think of this family's young lady? She's beautiful and sensible! Before, when I went back to my maiden home, oh my~ no one said anything bad about this girl!"

Bai Shi looked at the invitation on the table, smiled, and said, "The girl is indeed not bad! But look at Tingye's age!"

"I see that the marriage arrangements for Tingbing and Tingyang are still being discussed and haven't been settled. Why don't you two sisters-in-law also consider this girl?"

"Ah, this..."

Hearing this,

The fourth branch Da Niangzi's smile froze on her face.

The fifth branch Da Niangzi pinched the handkerchief in her hand, squeezed out a smile, and said, "That works too. When I have time, I'll go to Fourth Sister-in-law's maiden home to take a look!"

Bai Shi nodded with a smile.

After chatting for a few more sentences about this and that, the fourth branch Da Niangzi looked at Bai Shi with a guilty conscience and said, "Then, Big Sister-in-law, we'll head back first!"

"Go ahead! Pingmei, see them out!"

"Yes, Mother."

"Fourth Aunt, Fifth Aunt, please."

Pingmei said with a smile.

After leaving the main hall,

On the road,

The fourth branch Da Niangzi looked at Pingmei and said, "Dalang's wife, is your maiden brother..."

Pingmei interrupted, "Fourth Aunt, my maiden younger brother is even younger than Ye-ge'er! For such a good girl, it's better to prioritize the uncles."

As they spoke, Pingmei accompanied the two aunts to the courtyard gate.

"Two Aunts, this niece will see you off to here."

"Mm-hmm!" The fourth branch aunt gave a few perfunctory nods and walked forward.

After walking a few steps, she discovered that the fifth branch aunt was still by Pingmei's side.

Seeing the fourth branch Da Niangzi look back, the Gu family's fifth branch Da Niangzi smiled and said, "Fourth Sister-in-law, I still have something to do, you go back first!"

Fourth branch Da Niangzi: "Hmph!"

Then she flicked her sleeves and left directly with her maidservants.

Seeing the person walk far away, the fifth branch Da Niangzi looked at Pingmei and smiled ingratiatingly.

Pingmei: "Fifth Aunt, if you have something to say, just say it."

The fifth branch Da Niangzi nodded with a smile again: "Pingmei, ever since you married into the Gu family, I knew you were a good one!"

"Fifth Aunt, you flatter me!"

"It's just that, now that Marquis Yongyi is far away in the Northwest, are there any vacant positions in the army? My maiden brother also wants to achieve merit."

"Fifth Aunt, there should be! But Father is quite strict in governing the army. My maiden younger brother went to the army, and in his letters, he said he started as a small soldier."

"Ah? Pingmei, you aren't joking with Aunt, are you? How could a child as good as Jing-ge'er..."

Looking at Pingmei's serious eyes, 'Fifth Aunt' laughed sheepishly and said, "A fierce general must rise from the ranks; Xu Hou is truly far-sighted."

"Fifth Aunt, you speak too solemnly."

"Then, Pingmei, there's one more thing..."

The fifth branch Da Niangzi smiled embarrassedly: "You also know that Aunt's maiden home has a few concubine-born nieces who are now of marriageable age. If Xu Hou has any good Captains in the army, perhaps they could take a look!"

Hearing this, Pingmei's expression changed as she looked at the fifth branch Da Niangzi and said, "Fifth Aunt is far-sighted; this niece will tell my maiden father!"

"Good! Good! Then we'll chat again later!"

Pingmei nodded with a smile.

At this moment, the servant sent by the Xu family gatekeeper ran over from the main gate. After bowing to the departing fifth branch Da Niangzi, he walked to Pingmei's side: "Young Lady, just now this small one saw a military messenger ride past, saying that the Bai Gao Kingdom has surrendered!"

Pingmei was stunned: "Bai Gao, surrendered?"

"Yes! This small one heard it clearly at the gate!"

Pingmei nodded and said: "Go, return to the Xu family and ask!"

The servant answered and left.

Pingmei walked into the courtyard in confusion. After walking two steps, she stopped and turned to look at Qingxia beside her: "How long did Husband say it would take before?"

"Young Lady, Master said it seemed like it would take another half a year before the Bai Gao Kingdom could possibly be beaten into surrendering."

Pingmei continued walking: "Husband is always accurate in his calculations; what happened this time... Bai Gao has surrendered, can Father, Big Brother, and Little Five return to the capital now?"

"Yes, Young Lady!"

Pingmei nodded, her footsteps becoming much lighter.

Returning to the Gu family Matriarch's courtyard,

Bai Shi's grandsons and granddaughters had already been brought out.

Listening to the good news Pingmei said with a smile,

Bai Shi clapped her hands happily and said: "How long has it been since Jing-ge'er left, and there's already such huge good news! Good!"

"Mother! Why does it sound like you're saying this great victory has some inevitable connection with Little Five?"

Bai Shi smiled and exchanged a look with Chang Mama: "Isn't that the case?"

Seeing Pingmei shake her head in confusion, Bai Shi took the eldest grandson from Qingzhi's hands and said: "Sigh~ We don't know whose husband was saved by Jing-ge'er! Right, Xing-ge'er?"

Pingmei was left between laughter and tears, and hurriedly changed the subject: "Mother, the marriage arrangements for the fourth and fifth branches' children, are they still not settled?"

Bai Shi nodded and said: "These two years, His Majesty has been expanding the military and preparing for war, and this year he even campaigned against Bai Gao! And the Marquis Prefecture is, after all, a military noble family that helped found the dynasty, and has intricate connections with the military."

"These days, many people have begged the fourth and fifth branches, and they've received quite a lot of gold and silver gifts, which has made them a bit carried away."

"Naturally, they also look down on the marriage arrangements discussed before."

"Speaking of marriage, Pingmei, your father has achieved such merit; your mother might be busy again for a while."

As she spoke, Bai Shi looked at the invitation on the table.

"Right, tell the house steward to hurry and prepare the fireworks!"

Hearing Bai Shi's instructions, Pingmei said: "Mother, rest assured, this daughter-in-law will send people to the Lu family and Li family now. The fireworks public office will definitely not be lacking our family's fireworks."

South of the Imperial City

Outside Xuande Gate

In front of the huge square where the Lantern Festival is held every year,

After the cavalry reined in their horses at the palace gate, they shouted: "The Royal Army has won a great victory, Bai Gao has surrendered!"

Rong Xian, who was on duty at Xuande Gate today, walked quickly toward the cavalry with a look of surprise.

After taking the golden token from the cavalry's hand and verifying it, Rong Xian waved his hand to signal his comrades to move the roadblocks aside and shouted: "Gold! Prepare the horses!"

As he spoke, Rong Xian took the bamboo tube containing the letter, which was tightly sealed, from the cavalry's hand and sprinted toward the gate tunnel!

Rong Xian's comrade helped the cavalry down from the horse's back and said: "Brother, the Keyi Gate fortress was just broken two days ago; how could the Bai Gao Kingdom surrender in just these few days? What happened?"

The cavalryman got off the horse tremblingly, his legs a bit weak, and said: "I don't know either. After receiving this golden token, I only confirmed it three times with the previous comrade before whipping the horse and coming here regardless of my life."

"Brother, rest well. The one who brought the Keyi Gate victory report a few days ago received quite a lot of reward money!"

The cavalryman cupped his hands and said: "I'll treat you brothers to wine when the time comes."

Inner Court,

Outside Zichen Hall,

Rong Xian leaped off his horse,

Holding the bamboo tube in his hand and shouting "The Royal Army has won a great victory, Bai Gao has surrendered," he was led by a eunuch toward the inner court.

Passing through corridors and halls,

Just as the eunuch was about to lead Rong Xian to the place for transcription,

The Emperor and Zhao Fang happened to come out of Funing Hall.

Rong Xian, dressed in the armor of the Imperial Guard, immediately attracted Zhao Fang's attention.

"Father, it's Xian-ge'er."

"Rong Xian, come here!"

The Emperor shouted toward the distance.

"How did you get into the inner court?"

Looking at Rong Xian's smiling face as he walked over quickly, the Emperor asked.

Rong Xian shouted: "Your Majesty! Your Highness! Urgent military report, saying we won, Bai Gao has surrendered!"

The Emperor originally had a smile in his eyes, but seeing the bamboo tube Rong Xian was holding, he couldn't smile anymore.

Zhao Fang shook his head and said: "Xian-ge'er, just now in the hall, I just looked at the map. Xingqing Prefecture and Keyi Gate are not close; how could it be so fast!"

The Emperor nodded. The army first has to set up camp outside Xingqing Prefecture, and second, clear the surroundings! Even if there were insiders in the city opening the gates, after entering the city, the army might still have to fight street battles; it couldn't be this fast!

Rong Xian said: "Your Highness, the cavalryman who came to deliver the letter shouted just that!"

Soon the bamboo tube was handed to the Emperor's hand.

After the Emperor looked at it, he handed the bamboo tube out:

"Open it for me!"

The Emperor said urgently.

The head eunuch beside the Emperor hurriedly stepped forward, and a moment later took out the letter from the bamboo tube.

The Emperor couldn't wait to unfold the letter and read it.

Reading ten lines at a glance, the Emperor's expression went from disbelief to incomprehension, and then to uncontrollable joy.

"Hahahaha!"

The Emperor laughed and touched the hair of Zhao Fang, who was lowering his head to read the letter.

As he laughed, there was actually some moisture in the Emperor's eyes.

After Zhao Fang finished reading, he hurriedly retreated a step to the side, cupped his hands, and bowed: "Father, the unfinished business of the ancestors has finally been completed in your hands!"

The Emperor looked up at the sky, composed himself, looked at Zhao Fang, and said: "Let's go! Today, we father and son will go together to tell your mother the good news!"

"Invite Consort Rong and the others in the palace to go to the Empress's hall together!"

"Also, order the Carriage Department to reward the relay stations along the way,"

The eunuch answered.

After speaking, the Emperor felt that Rong Xian looked very pleasing to the eye, and said: "Tomorrow, I will change your outfit."

Rong Xian to the side was stunned, and instantly understood that he might be promoted, so he hurriedly bowed: "Subject, thanks His Majesty for the great grace!"

Rong Xian bowed and waited for the Emperor and his son to leave.

After returning to Xuande Gate,

Rong Xian touched his helmet with his hand and said: "Where is the brother who delivered the letter just now? Let him wait; after I go off duty, I'll treat him to wine!"

"Yanei, what about us?"

"Come together!"

In the Empress's hall,

Empress Niangniang was sitting on a chair,

On the table in front of her was a map exuding the fragrance of ink.

Turning her head to glance at her daughter who was playing with a rag doll, the Empress smiled.

Then she said to the female official to the side: "Continue."

The female official answered and continued speaking: "Niangniang, here is the Keyi Gate fortress, and here is Xiping Prefecture where Marquis Tuoxi is."

Empress Niangniang nodded and said: "This Lingzhou has been captured, but we still have to cross the Yellow River!"

"Niangniang is right, but now that Marquis Yongyi is fighting from the north to the south, it won't take long..."

"Mother!!!"

Zhao Fang's voice came.

The little princess hugged the rag doll in her hands and looked toward the hall entrance with a smile: "Royal Brother!"

The Empress raised her head and looked at the Emperor and her son with a smile.

"Mother! Look quickly! The golden token urgent report just sent from the Northwest!"

"Bai Gao Kingdom, has surrendered!!!"

The Empress looked at the Emperor in disbelief. After receiving an affirmative nod, she read the letter with a posture similar to the Emperor's.

After reading it, the Empress said softly: "Hiss, did Jing-ge'er pass this news to my father?"

"How long has Jing-ge'er been at the front line, and there's been a decisive battle outside the city and an earthquake..."

The Emperor picked up the little princess and kissed her, saying: "He's encountered all the good things."

The Empress looked at Zhao Fang, who was taking the little princess from the Emperor's arms, with a smile on her face, and muttered to herself: If you didn't have a son, you wouldn't have the heart to campaign against Bai Gao.

No matter what happened to the Bai Gao Kingdom, it would just be disaster relief, not surrendering to Great Zhou.

Soon, Consort Rong also brought the little princess to the Empress's hall.

There was another report from a palace servant, saying that Princess Pingning requested an audience.

Amidst the bustle,

Zhao Fang squeezed to the Empress's side and asked a few questions in the Empress's ear.

The Empress just shook her head, looked at Zhao Fang, and said: "Fang-er, this is still far from enough."

Zhao Fang was suddenly a bit dejected.

Looking at Princess Pingning's puzzled expression, the Empress shook her head and said:

"Sigh, Fang-er has worried sick for Jing-ge'er."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 400 =====