Chapter 65: Dialogue and Visitors [Thank You for Your Support! Grateful! Deeply Grateful!]

“Yes, Mother.”

“It was a fast relay horse from Bianjing that alerted Yangzhou officials, saying Bai Gao brazenly launched troops and surrounded our Great Zhou’s horse-breeding grounds at Lingzhou, while the Northern Liao, with wolfish ambitions, pressed toward Suizhou.”

“Hmm, earlier you mentioned Bai Gao is ruled by an Empress Dowager? Sending troops to Lingzhou—this Empress Dowager seeks to establish authority and consolidate power within Bai Gao.”

“Mother’s insight is profound.”

In the main hall, Hualan placed two teacups on the table before her grandmother and father.

Sheng Hong continued: “The court, upon receiving the news, dispatched seasoned generals from the capital to the front lines; they should now be fully prepared.”

“Yes, merely containing the Northern Liao at Lingzhou won’t suffice—we must raise large conscripts from Hebei’s two circuits and Jingdong’s two circuits to threaten the Northern Liao’s left flank.”

“Mother’s judgment is divine. The Zhongjing Marquis and Yongchang Marquis have already departed.”

“Then what of the northwest front? Is the situation clear?”

“It’s said the Duke of Ying and Marquis Gu have gone north; no word yet from the Western Army—Xu’s cousin is among them.”

“On the battlefield, swords and spears show no mercy—ah, I pray he achieves glory and avoids any mishap!”

“Mother speaks truly.”

Sheng Laofuren gazed at the table, stroking the lid of her teacup, then paused before speaking:

“Also! Lingzhou is our Great Zhou’s most vital horse-breeding ground—the court will spare no effort to hold it.”

“The war won’t end quickly—discuss with the Prefect and warn the Yangzhou gentry in advance.”

“This war is a gold-gobbling beast—it will devour mountains of silver! The court will surely impose and raise taxes. Have them prepare early.”

“Yes, Mother. I understand.”

Sheng Hong turned to leave, but Sheng Laofuren added:

“Also, visit the Wuyi Alley side with the Prefect. If the Bai family leads by example, many matters will become easier.”

“I was just thinking the same. Then I’ll take my leave.”

Sheng Laofuren nodded.

Without changing clothes, Sheng Hong ordered horses and carriage ready—he would pay a visit to the Prefect’s residence.

Weirui Pavilion.

Chang Bai was studying a map, estimating the scale of the northern conflict after hearing his elder sister’s news.

Though young, he already bore the weight of state affairs.

The next day, Yangzhou’s government issued a proclamation: Bai Gao had wantonly provoked border incidents, killed border civilians, and sought to seize Lingzhou; the court had already dispatched troops north.

Anyone spreading rumors would be detained; those guilty of serious offenses would be treated as spies.

Yangzhou’s public opinion instantly cleared—young scholars in taverns loudly denounced Bai Gao’s wolfish ambitions, and stories about the Bai Gao Empress Dowager became popular.

The Sheng household,

Lin Qige,

Xueniang whispered to Lin Qinshuang: “Little Lady, the Master says the north has erupted into war.”

Hearing this, Lin Qinshuang’s eyes widened in panic: “What? War? Is the world falling into chaos?”

“The Master’s expression seemed normal—probably no major crisis.”

“Forget his expression—go, collect all outstanding silver and interest, stockpile it. If things turn dire, we’ll flee south.”

“Yes, Little Lady.”

The side courtyard,

Sheng Hong’s concubine Wei Shuyi sat by the window, embroidering under the light.

The window’s glow draped her in a silken veil.

Xiaodie was not in the room; only a little girl, over five years old, stood nearby.

Wei Shuyi stretched, then picked up a peach pastry from the table.

“Xiao Tao, come.”

“Thank you, Little Lady.”

Xiao Tao chewed the pastry, her eyes closing in delight.

The curtain at the door was pushed aside; Xiaodie hurried in, breathless:

“Little Lady, the servants say the north has erupted into war.”

Wei Shuyi paused, then said: “Drink some water first. Do you know where?”

“They say it’s the north—the Great Zhou’s horse-breeding lands.”

After a moment’s thought, Wei Shuyi said:

“The north is far from us—between us lie Hebei East, Jingdong East, and Huainan East circuits. A thousand li away—it has nothing to do with us.”

She resumed her embroidery.

“Ah? So far away? I thought the fighting was coming closer!”

“Just rumors spreading by word of mouth. How are your embroideries selling?”

“Yes, Little Lady. Several shops are fighting over your pieces.”

“Don’t let anyone know.”

Xiaodie smiled: “Yes, Little Lady. While visiting the embroidery shop, I heard something else.”

Wei Shuyi turned back to embroidering a handkerchief: “Go on.”

“They say your mother-in-law’s Xu family has someone honored by the Empress.”

Wei Shuyi stopped her needle, listening to Xiaodie.

When Xiaodie finished, Wei Shuyi sincerely said: “How wonderful.”

She resumed embroidering the handkerchief.

Whether she meant Pingmei, Xu Zaijing, the Empress’s honor, or simply having both parents alive—she didn’t say.

Bianjing,

After the initial slight chaos,

once familiar with the situation, Bianjing buzzed with activity again.

Major wine houses and taverns added a new act, similar to storytellers,

but instead of novels, they recited official court bulletins printed by the Tongzheng Si.

The most eagerly awaited news, naturally, was the northern war—the Grand Secretaries and senior ministers knew the people’s concerns.

Thus, every bulletin carried news, large or small, of the northern front.

This was how they controlled public opinion.

In response to the bulletin’s northern war reports, southern opera troupes had already commissioned learned scholars to compose songs celebrating victories, and were rehearsing them.

To have a new piece ready when the war ended.

This trend quickly spread through Bianjing.

Then from Bianjing to every corner of the Great Zhou.

The first adapted tale was of the Duke of Ying, whose wisdom uncovered the Northern Liao’s treachery and captured a general under the Southern Court’s Grand King.

Military families detoured carelessness and especially detoured declaring certain victory while holding overwhelming advantage.

That is, they detoured opening champagne before the match ended.

Thus, the Zhang family had warned the southern opera troupe: wait until the outcome was settled before performing.

Days passed in circles,

one day after the Duke of Ying’s fifth daughter sent an invitation, the Duke’s carriage arrived at the Yongyi Marquis Xu household.

The Duke’s carriage entered the Xu household, accompanied by the Duke’s female attendants and young servants.

Inside the inner courtyard, Sun Shi welcomed them with her daughter-in-law and two daughters.

First out stepped a slightly plump stewardess, who escorted the elaborately dressed, gold-and-jade-adorned Zhang family’s fifth daughter from the carriage.

The girl stepped down, bowed slightly to the Xu family:

“Sister-in-law, spring greetings; elder sisters, your beauty be well; Lady, may you be blessed.”

The stewardess behind her bowed as well.

“Your beauty be well.”

“Oh my, Fifth Daughter, I’ve never met you before—come, let’s go inside.”

The group entered the inner courtyard’s main hall.

Xie Shi walked beside the stewardess and asked softly: “May I ask your surname, Madam?”

“This old woman’s surname is Fan.”

“Ah, so you’re Madam Fan. Please, come in.”

After a short while in the hall, Sun Shi instructed the two Meis to look after Fifth Daughter, then left with Xie Shi, letting the girls play together.

Madam Fan accompanied the three girls to Pingmei’s courtyard.

“Sister Anmei, I’ve heard many sisters say your little lynx is adorable—may I see it today?”

“Of course. That little thing is in my sister’s courtyard.”

As they spoke, Fifth Daughter heard the lynx’s piercing cries from the courtyard—sharp and mournful.

Around the moon gate, she saw a golden-furred lynx confined in a cage, lying on a silver bed.

Nearby, on a table, stood a small water basin.

The lynx, wailing desperately, saw the three approaching and instantly quieted—its cries softened into a high-pitched, sweet trill.

If Xu Zaijing were here, he’d surely say: “Oh? This little thing has two faces.”

Only when Zhang Fang drew near did she see that the little wild cat had a finely woven crimson ribbon around its neck, with a silent little bell hanging beneath it.

Beside the little bell hung a small gold plaque, engraved with the character “Xu.”

“Wow, so adorable,” Zhang Fang nearly had pink hearts sparkling in her eyes.

“Fang, there are fish in that small water jar—you can feed them to it; it loves them most.”

In front of outsiders, Pingmei still carried herself with composure; she whispered to Fan Mama: “Fan Mama, why hasn’t Duke Prefecture hired a wild cat to keep Fang company?”

“There was one before, but it died of old age when Fang was little; she fell ill from crying, and a Daoist said not to get another wild cat—so we never did.”

“Fang is a kind-hearted girl; seeing this, I’m at ease.”

“Miss Ping, I think this wild cat has been hungry since morning?”

“It was my little Wu’s idea—he feared the wild cat might run off if Fang arrived and spoil the mood.”

As the two spoke, voices came from beyond the wall.

It was Xu Zaijing leading Zheng Xiao to play in his own courtyard.

Thank you all for your support—the editor says to keep submitting for recommendations!

All kinds of support welcome!

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(End of Chapter)