Chapter 633

Mid-fifth month,

more than ten days had passed since the Lu Long Zhao family was attacked.

Northern Liao,

Xijin Prefecture,

Changping County in the northwest direction,

in the county was the Liu family, a prominent clan whose descendants had been scholars for generations; it was a famous scholarly family in Northern Liao, and many members of the clan held positions in the imperial court.

Some days ago, after hearing the news of the Lu Long Zhao family being attacked, the Liu clan members in the county used the excuse of going into the mountains for an outing to move into a villa in the mountains to the west.

Because the head of the Liu family and the promising descendants had all followed the Northern Liao imperial clan to the Central Capital, the villa was mostly occupied by women and children.

In the mountains in summer,

it was still a bit sultry at noon,

but by night,

the temperature dropped,

and a somewhat cool night breeze blew through the mountain forest; as the leaves and branches slapped against each other, the sound sometimes resembled waves.

On the second floor of the wooden building inside the Liu family villa,

the Liu family young lady, who had previously been to the Xijin Prefecture polo field and met the Northern Liao Emperor Yelu Sun, was standing by the window, holding a poetry collection in her hand, staring blankly at the bright moon in the night sky, letting the cool night breeze blow against her cheeks.

A maid walked over with a thin cloak and said softly: "Da Niangzi, the Madam says dinner is ready, please go over to eat."

"Hmm."

The Liu family young lady responded, looked at the moon for a while longer, and then turned around to let the maid put the cloak on her.

After placing the poetry collection in her hand on the table, she led the maid and walked downstairs.

Arriving at the first floor,

the maid took down the lantern cover, lit the candle inside, and then put the cover back on.

Carrying the lantern, they left the wooden building,

and the Liu family young lady sniffed the scent of flowers and plants in the courtyard and sighed softly: "Sigh!"

After sighing, the Liu family young lady glanced at the maid beside her and said: "Have you heard any new news recently?"

"Replying to Da Niangzi, none. It is still the same claim that only a few people from the Lu Long Zhao family survived the slaughter."

It was no wonder this young lady was sentimental; it was truly because the noble young men and young ladies of prominent families she had seen in Xijin Prefecture were now, upon hearing the news, actually dead, their clan destroyed, and their family ruined.

Moreover, the Changping Liu family and the Lu Long Zhao family shared a common identity: both were Han noble families left over from the previous dynasty.

From the time they learned of the matter until now, the Northern Liao Yelu clan still had not given the court officials an explanation.

This inevitably made everyone feel a sense of shared grief.

Wrapping her cloak tighter,

the group soon arrived in the brightly lit hall.

"Grandmother, Aunt, Aunt-in-law, Sister-in-law."

After a round of greetings, the beautiful Liu family young lady sat down at the table.

Looking at the expressions of her relatives, the Liu family young lady felt some confusion in her heart.

Served by the maids, everyone had dinner.

While drinking the digestive beverage, the Liu family Old Madam waved her hand and said: "It's fine, you all go down."

"Yes."

The matrons and maids in the hall left one after another.

The Liu family's daughters-in-law and young ladies also kept only their own personal maids and matrons.

After these days, the people in the hall would no longer ask why the servants were dismissed.

Everyone just looked at a middle-aged woman sitting below the Liu family Old Madam.

This woman was the legitimate daughter of the Yutian Han family and the eldest daughter-in-law of the Liu family. The Yutian Han family was highly valued in both the civil and military circles of Northern Liao and also had maritime trade businesses, so their news was more well-informed than the Liu family's.

Madam Han looked at her personal matron at the door and nodded, signaling that the maids and matrons had already left the hall, and then looked toward the Liu family Old Madam at the head of the table.

Seeing the Liu family Old Madam nod, Madam Han took a sip of the beverage to moisten her throat and said: "The news that just came from my maiden family this evening..."

"Eldest Sister-in-law, is it related to the Lu Long Zhao family?" a woman asked urgently.

This woman had some kinship with the Lu Long Zhao family, so she was naturally more concerned than ordinary people.

"Yes." Madam Han was about to speak, but the personal matron standing at the door pushed the door open and walked out.

This change made Madam Han stop her words again.

A burst of indistinct conversation came from outside the hall.

A moment later,

Madam Han's personal matron walked over with a letter in her hand, bowed to everyone, and said: "Old Madam, ladies, an urgent letter sent by someone from our family's shop."

"It's the shop that does business with the Chai family," the personal matron added.

Madam Han signaled for the letter to be handed to the Liu Old Madam at the head of the table,

but the Liu Old Madam waved her hand and said: "I am old and my eyes are dim, I can't see clearly at night, daughter-in-law, you read it."

"Yes, Mother."

Madam Han reached out to take the envelope, opened it, and began to read.

After reading it, she stood up and handed the envelope to the Liu Old Madam, saying: "Mother, it is about the same as what we knew."

The Liu Old Madam took the letter paper, pressed it under her hand, and nodded: "Then tell them about it."

Madam Han sat down again and said: "My maiden family sent news saying that after the Lu Long Zhao family was attacked, out of several hundred people, only a few dozen women and children survived."

"Ah!? Only a few, a few dozen survived?" The woman who had just asked trembled, letting out an exclamation.

The sister-in-law and niece sitting beside her hurriedly comforted her.

The sister-in-law beside her hurriedly asked: "Is the news accurate? Where are the people? They didn't defect to the Jin State, did they?"

Madam Han nodded and said:

"Sister-in-law, the news is very accurate; our family's letter also has it."

"The people didn't defect to the Jin State."

"Instead, they took a sea ship and defected to the Great Zhou in the south."

Hearing this, everyone in the hall revealed expressions of surprise.

The Liu family young lady looked at Madam Han and said: "Aunt, we only knew before that several warships of the navy had gone missing; we thought they had been buried in the bellies of fish or had defected to the Jin State, I didn't expect..."

Madam Han looked at her niece and said: "Yes! The news says that they happened to encounter Great Zhou navy warships at sea, and under their escort, they went to the Great Zhou."

Everyone nodded repeatedly.

"So many days have passed since the incident, I suppose the Zhao family members have already arrived in Bianjing, right?" the Liu family young lady asked.

Madam Han nodded: "This is exactly what I was going to say next! According to the news that reached us, when the Lu Long Zhao family members arrived outside Bianjing city that day, hundreds of noble young men and young ladies from Bianjing went out of the city to welcome them!"

The Liu family young lady said in surprise: "Hundreds? Doesn't that mean that almost all the children of the noble and high-ranking families in Bianjing went?"

The Liu Old Madam said: "This is 'buying a horse's bones with a thousand gold,' doing it for people like us to see."

Madam Han nodded and said: "Later, these people entered the imperial palace to meet the Great Zhou Emperor! The Great Zhou government posted a notice saying that the young master of the Lu Long Zhao family not only received countless gold and silver rewards but was also directly added to the collateral genealogy of the Great Zhou imperial clan."

"Ah?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, exclamations arose in the hall.

"From now on, the expenses, schooling, and hereditary official titles of the Lu Long Zhao family's children will all be treated according to the Great Zhou imperial clan."

After finishing, Madam Han took a sip of the beverage.

"Aunt, then according to this, what should the Zhao family young master call the Great Zhou Emperor?"

"It seems he is to call him Grandfather."

That would make him the nephew of the current Imperial Prince Zhao Fang.

After the people in the hall discussed the Zhao family members in low voices, they talked about the current situation in Northern Liao.

Northern Liao now relied on the Mongol cavalry to confront the Jin State; although Yelu Ying was the Khatun of the Zhadalan tribe, it was not easy for her to punish the Mongol nobles.

The Lu Long Zhao family members had defected to the Great Zhou and were even added to the Great Zhou imperial genealogy; in the future, the Zhao family would likely be accused of colluding with the Great Zhou.

Listening to the family's discussion,

"Cough, cough."

Madam Han cleared her throat, and when everyone looked at her, she said: "My maiden family brother is now stationed in Xijing Datong Prefecture; according to the news he sent back, it is said that in the past few days, the Great Zhou's northwestern cavalry has been mobilizing constantly, and vanguard scouts have already entered our territory to investigate!"

There was another round of discussion in the hall.

"It seems that Great Zhou Emperor in the south is full of ambition!" the Liu Old Madam sighed: "How long has it been since Bai Gao was pacified, and they already dare to mobilize troops."

Madam Han nodded in agreement and said: "Mother, I heard from my maiden family brother that the Great Zhou officials sent to the former Bai Gao prefecture have quite remarkable abilities; they protect the borders, bring peace to the people, and are upright and honest, and their reputation is quite good."

"Sigh, the situation changes unpredictably; I hope the family descendants can pass through this safely!" the Liu Old Madam sighed again.

Everyone nodded repeatedly.

In fact, even if the Great Zhou were to attack and rule the region, they would still have to rely on local noble families like the Liu family.

After Madam Han nodded, she suddenly blinked and said:

"Oh, Mother! I forgot just now! I also heard that it seems the Jia family in Lu Long County was also affected by this incident, and many people in the clan died! It's a pity the Jia family didn't have relatives in the navy, their casualties were quite severe!"

The Liu Old Madam said in surprise: "This Lu Long Jia family was the former governor of the Nanjing Liushou Prefecture; although the head of the Jia family died of illness, the Jia family was highly valued and powerful before, how could even their family be affected? How did this matter turn out..."

The Liu family young lady said hesitantly: "Grandmother, perhaps those rebel troops saw the Jia family's courtyard was rich and magnificent, so..."

Everyone had another round of discussion.

Just looking at this discussion by the Northern Liao noble Liu family, one could see that the Great Zhou's "buying bones with a thousand gold" had a significant impact.

When the Northern Liao imperial court issued an official notice about the Lu Long Zhao family's matter and it reached Bianjing, it was already late in the fifth month.

This day,

at the hour of Si (after ten o'clock in the morning),

Jiying Lane,

Sheng family,

Shou'an Hall,

Sheng Hong, who had returned from the morning court, sat below in his official uniform, looking at the Old Madam who was gently shaking a round fan while sitting on a Luo Han chair, and said: "Mother, that is what the court gazette says."

The Old Madam nodded slowly, extended her round fan as an invitation, and said: "Hong'er, eat some chilled yogurt to relieve the summer heat first."

"Yes." Sheng Hong responded, picked up the porcelain bowl on the side table, and took two sips with the spoon inside.

"So, the Lu Long Zhao family has been designated as Northern Liao rebels colluding with our dynasty?" the Old Madam said, shaking her round fan.

Sheng Hong nodded repeatedly.

The Old Madam shook her head and said: "Treating subjects like this will make people feel cold-hearted!" Then she smiled: "However, it is a good thing for our dynasty."

"Mother is right." Sheng Hong echoed.

The Old Madam shook her round fan a few more times and said slowly:

"At the beginning of next month, Shulan will have her grand wedding."

"Although Wei Ge'er's wife has been in the capital for some days, Bianjing is full of high-ranking families, and Hua'er's father-in-law, your cousin, is currently being put to good use in the northwest. On the day of the happy event, who knows which official's wife might go to join in the fun."

"Your Aunt and I have discussed it, fearing that Wei Ge'er's wife won't be able to hold up the scene, so you and the Madam should also pay more attention."

Sheng Hong raised his eyes to look at the Old Madam and nodded: "Mother, your son understands. Shulan is Hua'er's cousin on her maiden side, and the wedding is being held in the capital! There will definitely be relatives and friends from noble families in the capital going to Wei Eldest Brother's place that day."

The relationship between the Sheng family's first and second branches was close.

The first branch even used the various kinship relations of the second branch to make their business very large. For example, when there were matters in the maiden family of Hualan's sister-in-law Xie Shi, or the families of the elder sister-in-law Pingmei and the younger sister-in-law Anmei, the first branch would send congratulatory gifts.

Now that Shulan was getting married, and it was to the Yu family, who were highly skilled in medicine, the Xie family, the Gu family, and the Huyan family would naturally not be stingy about sending congratulations to the Sheng family's first branch.

The Old Madam nodded and said: "Not only that! Old Physician Yu is highly skilled in medicine. Over the past few decades in Bianjing, how many noble people in high-ranking families have been treated by the old physician?"

Sheng Hong's eyes were full of thought, and he said: "Mother is right! I suppose on the day of sending the bride, Changwu himself might not be able to handle it, so Changbai must accompany him."

A smile appeared on the Old Madam's face, and she praised: "Not bad!"

Sheng Hong put down the porcelain bowl in his hand, stood up, and said: "Then, Mother, your son will go to Weirui Pavilion to instruct the Madam."

The Old Madam nodded with a smile.

After Sheng Hong bowed in salute, he bowed slightly and walked toward the outside of the hall.

After leaving Shou'an Hall,

Sheng Hong straightened his body, followed by Dongrong holding his official hat, and while stroking his beard, he walked toward Weirui Pavilion.

"The Master is here."

The announcement from the little maid at the door came.

Inside the room,

Wang Ruofu in the inner room looked at Liu Mama with some surprise, then stood up and walked toward the outer room.

"Husband, why have you come?"

Wang Ruofu asked with some confusion.

"Why, am I not welcome?" Sheng Hong frowned: "I naturally have something to find you for."

After Liu Mama tugged on Wang Ruofu's sleeve, she looked at the official uniform on Sheng Hong.

The tacit understanding of being together for decades made Wang Ruofu understand Liu Mama's meaning, and she squeezed out a smile: "Husband, why not change your clothes first?"

Sheng Hong nodded: "That's fine."

After changing into cool clothes served by Wang Ruofu, Sheng Hong leaned leisurely on the chair, fanning himself while repeating the Old Madam's instructions.

Looking at Wang Ruofu's somewhat unwilling expression, Sheng Hong's eyes flashed, and he continued with a smile on his lips:

"Mother said, Madam, you are a daughter of the Wang family, and our Hua'er is the second Madam of the Marquis's mansion. With you there, Eldest Sister-in-law will be able to hold up the scene."

Wang Ruofu straightened her body somewhat proudly and said with a smile on her lips: "Mother's words... are very reasonable. As a daughter-in-law, I naturally must obey."

After finishing, Wang Ruofu's eyes turned, and she said: "Husband, why not let my niece Yun'er go to the first branch's place that day too!"

Hearing this, Sheng Hong stopped fanning, looked at Wang Ruofu with some hesitation, and said: "Madam, you are still thinking of letting Yun'er marry over?"

Wang Ruofu looked at Sheng Hong and nodded: "I also know about Wei Eldest Sister-in-law; speaking of which, she won't be a wicked mother-in-law. Although Yun'er comes from an official family, but... the first branch is also a good marriage."

"We talked about going to see her before, but because we had to be busy with Shulan's wedding, we never had time. Why not take this opportunity to get it done!"

Sheng Hong took a deep breath and said: "Regarding this matter, I will go discuss it with Wei Eldest Brother in the next two days, and we will talk about it then."

Wang Ruofu hurriedly smiled: "Husband, you add one more sentence, Yun'er's dowry will not be lacking!"

Upon hearing this,

Liu Mama frowned somewhat painfully.

Sheng Hong felt even more unhappy in his heart; the matter of Wang Ruofu asking Kang Wangshi to help lend money at high interest previously surfaced in his mind again.

"Alright, nothing else, I won't eat lunch here."

Sheng Hong said as he stood up and walked out fanning himself.

Wang Ruofu was stunned, stood up, and looked at Sheng Hong walking out: "Ah? Husband, you this..."

Sending him to the door, Liu Mama standing on the side said earnestly: "Madam, you shouldn't have mentioned the dowry..."

Shading himself from the sun with his fan,

Sheng Hong walked quickly toward Linqi Pavilion.

The little maid at the door of Linqi Pavilion, upon seeing Sheng Hong, ran quickly toward the courtyard, and there was a faint sound of announcement.

When Sheng Hong arrived at Linqi Pavilion,

Lin Qinshuang was already standing at the door waiting with a smile on her face.

"Shuang'er, go into the room quickly, the sun is big." Sheng Hong said.

Lin Qinshuang shook her head with a smile.

Seeing this, a smile naturally appeared on Sheng Hong's lips.

When he got closer, Lin Qinshuang very naturally took the fan from Sheng Hong's hand and fanned him.

The two entered the room together,

and feeling the cool atmosphere in the room, Sheng Hong sighed comfortably.

After looking around, seeing the fabric and silver silk thread on the table in the room, Sheng Hong said: "Shuang'er, what are you busy with?"

Lin Qinshuang smiled, pressed Sheng Hong onto the Luo Han chair, walked to the table to pick up the things, and said: "These two days, Xueniang said that veils with tassels are popular in the capital, so I wanted to make one for... Fifth Da Niangzi and Sixth Da Niangzi."

Sheng Hong smiled: "Shuang'er has a heart. They both have their own biological mothers watching, you only need to make one for Mo'er."

Lin Qinshuang shook her head and said softly: "What are you saying, Honglang. I just hope Fifth Da Niangzi and Sixth Da Niangzi won't dislike it."

After the two were intimate for a while, it was time for the school to finish.

Soon,

Mo Lan and Chang Feng entered the room together.

"Father!"

Looking at the pair of children who entered the room, Sheng Hong nodded with a smile and said: "How was it in school today?"

While speaking, Mo Lan's personal maids Luzhong and Yunzai also followed in.

Among them, Yunzai was holding a beautifully crafted veil in her hand.

"This is..." Sheng Hong asked in confusion.

Mo Lan glanced at Lin Qinshuang, took the veil from Yunzai's hand, put it on her head, and with a look of liking, smiled: "Father, it was a gift from Wei Xiaoniang to your daughter, does it look good?"

Chang Feng on the side curled his lips; on the way just now, his sister had actually somewhat disliked this veil.

"Rong Feiyan? She was the first to wear it? It doesn't look that good!" This was Mo Lan's original words.

(End of chapter)