Chapter 905

Ningrong Street, Count's Prefecture, Second Gate Inner Courtyard.

At dawn, the sky was bright, and the grass and trees in the garden were lush, still covered with a thin layer of mist, revealing a sense of ethereal elegance.

Daiyu, with her maid Hearing Zi Juan, walked on the small path in the garden, her steps light, her figure graceful, heading toward Yingchun's courtyard.

She wore a light blue embroidered jacket with a floral pattern on the collar, a tooth-white pleated skirt with plum branch patterns, and a pomegranate-red front-opening velvet cloak.

The blue phoenix hairpin on her ink-black hair swayed in the morning light, flashing with gorgeous treasure light from time to time.

Daiyu's gait was nimble, and she walked quite fast. The velvet cloak on her body was graceful and moving, fluttering in the morning breeze.

Hearing Zi Juan followed and was left behind by Daiyu for a while. She said, "Young Lady, walk slower. It's just dawn, and there is dew on the ground. Be careful not to slip."

Daiyu smiled and said, "Do you think I'm still like before, panting if I walk a little fast? Now that I can walk faster, I naturally don't need to walk slowly. Second Sister is probably already up and waiting."

Count's Prefecture, Yingchun Courtyard.

Yingchun got up early in the morning and had just finished washing. Sheyue's movements were nimble and quick, helping Yingchun comb her hair, put on hairpins and flowers, and wear jewelry.

The maid Xiuju carried a black sandalwood carved jewelry box and took out a gold phoenix hairpin with pearls and silk, which was brilliant, luxurious, exquisite, elegant, and atmospheric.

Sheyue smiled and said, "Young Lady, this hairpin is a rare item. I saw you wear it during the New Year. Today is not a festival, why do you want to wear it?"

Xiuju smiled and said, "Sheyue Sister hasn't been here long and doesn't know the Young Lady's temperament. This hairpin was a gift from Cong Sanye to the Young Lady; it's not just for festivals."

"Every time Cong Sanye encounters something good, whether it's passing the examination, being promoted, winning the top honor, or returning home from an imperial mission, the Young Lady takes it out to wear."

"If you see the Young Lady wearing it more this year, it means Cong Sanye is getting more and more successful this year. Since those old relatives and female guests came to congratulate her yesterday, the Young Lady naturally has to wear it."

Sheyue smiled and said, "So that's the reason. Before I came, I always heard that the Young Lady loved her brother the most. Cong Sanye is truly blessed."

"But what kind of official position is the Commander of the War against the Mongols? Is it bigger than the Supervisor of the Firearms Office? Xiaohong came to report the news yesterday, saying that those old relatives and female guests were very enthusiastic."

Just as Sheyue finished speaking, she saw Daiyu come in with a smile, followed by her maid Hearing Zi Juan.

She smiled and said, "I have heard Third Brother mention this matter. The Regional Commander of the war against the Mongols is the Governor, held by Marquis Pingyuan Liang Chengzong. The deputy commander is the second-in-command in the military."

"Cong Sanye of the Shi family is the Commander of the War against the Mongols. I heard Xiangyun mention it in her spare time. Cong Sanye now guards the Love Shenjing and defends the Jiumen, commanding tens of thousands of troops."

"I think Third Brother being the deputy commander is probably about the same. But Third Brother is proud enough. It doesn't matter if he is a big official or not; as long as he is safe, that's enough."

Daiyu walked behind Yingchun and looked at Yingchun in the mirror, who was radiant, beautiful, gentle, and lovely. The gold phoenix hairpin with pearls and silk on her bun was dazzling.

She sighed and said, "Second Sister, this gold phoenix hairpin with pearls and silk is truly good to look at when worn. It's a pity Third Brother is not at home and doesn't have this eye-blessing; it's truly a pity."

Yingchun smiled and said, "Where has he not seen this? But sister's words touched my heart. Third Brother is proud enough. Contentment brings happiness. I just want him to be safe."

"Yesterday, Third Aunt of the Shi family said that Third Brother only took two thousand troops to fight against tens of thousands of remnant Mongol cavalry. My heart beat violently when I heard it, and even my legs were soft."

"Others see him as a general on an expedition, commanding thousands of troops, thinking how majestic and amazing it is, but they don't know how dangerous it is to fight on the battlefield. I've heard many things about Grandfather's generation."

"Our Grandfather was fine, but when the old Grandfather of the Ningguo Prefecture went on an expedition, it is said that he almost lost his life. Thanks to his trusted personal guards who dug him out of the pile of dead people."

"Every time I think of the knife marks on Third Brother's rhinoceros armor, my heart jumps with fear, and I sit and stand uneasily. We are not by his side, and I really don't know what dangerous things he has encountered."

"I, this sister, have no ambition. I don't want him to fight on the battlefield and risk his life for any merit. I would rather he be a scholar in the Hanlin Academy, going out early and returning late; that would be the best."

As the two were chatting, Xiangyun and Xing Xiuyan came in and said, "Although we all think so, Third Brother is such a person that the family can't keep him."

"He is not Baoyu. Even if he doesn't want to, others will call him. In the end, he will have to gallop in the four seas. He is not an ordinary person, so he naturally has an extraordinary fate."

Daiyu couldn't help but smile and said, "Yun Sister, you have been very strange lately, even your way of speaking is different. It actually makes some sense. Have you really grown up?"

Shi Xiangyun's pretty face flushed inexplicably, and she said, "I'm just talking nonsense; how could I say anything that makes sense? Although we all want him to be at home, it's useless in the end."

"As long as there is an imperial edict from the Emperor, he can't stay at home. Let's not gossip anymore. I heard there are many guests coming today. Later, Grandmother will send someone to urge us."

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Since yesterday's morning court, the news that Chen Ruichang was the main culprit of the military secret leak, Chen Yi was impeached and dismissed from his position as commander, and Count Weiyuan Jia Cong succeeded him as commander spread rapidly.

The guards at the Jiumen of the Love Shenjing were becoming increasingly strict. Except for the flow of military grain and information, commoners were forbidden from entering or leaving the city, and relevant news could no longer be transmitted outside the city.

The Duke of Qi's prefecture received the news of the morning court. It is said that the prefecture was already in chaos. A servant had ridden out of the city, but he and his horse disappeared before reaching the city gate.

Three days ago, the Governor of the War against the Mongols, Liang Chengzong, led twenty thousand border troops and successfully arrived at the Beisan Pass to take command. The morale of the imperial army against the Mongols rose greatly.

Under the current situation, Chen Yi could not be the deputy commander and governor, which had become the public opinion of the court. Otherwise, national law and public sentiment would be hard to maintain, and the justice of the world would be even more damaged.

Even with Liang Chengzong in command, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao still did not relax his vigilance. Although Chen Ruichang was only Chen Yi's second grandson, he could no longer be considered a descendant of the legitimate line.

The heir of the Duke of Qi's prefecture was the General of Majestic Might, Chen Ruiwen. Even if Chen Ruichang was sentenced to death, it would not affect the inheritance of the Duke of Qi's bloodline, but there might be accidents.

Due to the involvement of Chen Yi's crimes, whether he would be dismissed from office, or demoted or stripped of his title as punishment, could not be easily decided for a while, and the imperial court had no conclusion.

Chen Yi was the deputy commander of the war against the Mongols. Even with Liang Chengzong in command, Chen Yi still had many confidants in the military, so the necessary precautions could not be ignored.

Therefore, before sunset yesterday, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao ordered the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Xu Kun, to personally lead five hundred Embroidered Uniform Guards to leave the city overnight and go to Yuanzhou to summon military generals for appointment and dismissal.

Compared to the sorrow of the Duke of Qi's prefecture, the Rongguo Jia family was full of joy. After yesterday's morning court, old relatives and nobles came to congratulate them one after another.

Jia Mu was suddenly happy when she heard such good news. Her grandson could climb to the high position of deputy commander at such an age, which was naturally very decent.

At the same time, she felt a little emotional in her heart. Although there were many Jia family descendants, Jia Cong's luck was truly incomparable. Compared to him, Baoyu and Jia Lian were too weak.

But this thought only flowed for a moment and was not taken to heart. Because Jia Cong's official power was hot, the Jia family rose with the tide, and other descendants would naturally be better protected.

Jia Mu didn't care much about how Jia Cong got the position of deputy commander. Those noble ladies said he fought one against ten and killed in all directions, and Jia Mu just listened happily.

Yesterday, the old relatives and nobles who attended the morning court, such as Niu Jizong of the Duke of Zhenguo's prefecture, Liu Fang of the Duke of Liguo's prefecture, and officials close to Jia Cong, ordered their female relatives to come and congratulate them.

After the news spread today, I'm afraid there will be more guests coming. After all, Jia Cong climbing to this military position at this age is not just a simple promising future.

Officialdom follows the trend, relatives and friends flatter and show favor, and human relationships and worldly affairs have always been like this. Only when the gates of a wealthy family are bustling can it be considered a sign of prosperity.

Moreover, there is another reason why there must be many guests coming today. According to the imperial court's practice, yesterday's morning court's imperial edict appointed Jia Cong as deputy commander.

Because it involved the change of military generals and to deal with the rapidly changing war situation, this appointment would definitely be handled quickly. According to the imperial court's practice, the edict would likely be issued today.

According to the Great Zhou's official system, as Jia Cong's military rank rose, his civil rank would also rise with the tide, and the latter's promotion was even more eye-catching.

Because no matter how fierce the war against the Mongols is, it will always come to an end in a year or a half. Only the position of Jia Cong's civil rank represents the future fortune of the Rongguo Jia family...

…………

When Yingchun, Daiyu, and the other sisters entered Rongqing Hall, only a short while had passed, and the wife of Marquis Zhongjing had already come to congratulate them and pulled Xiangyun to chat.

She smiled at Jia Mu again: "Aunt, I'm afraid the threshold of the prefecture will be flattened these days. Even I have to come to visit every day. It's truly one happy event after another."

"When I left home this morning, the Master also told me that Brother Cong is succeeding to a military position. These things are all urgent. I'm afraid the imperial edict will be issued today."

"Now Brother Cong is not at home. In case someone from the palace comes to issue the edict, there must be a male in the family to receive it on his behalf. It's better to invite the eldest brother over early so that someone can preside over the scene."

Jia Mu said: "What you said is reasonable. Now there is only an old woman like me in the family, along with a bunch of young ladies and daughters-in-law. If someone from the palace comes to pass the edict, we won't be able to handle the scene."

"Isn't it said that Brother Cong fought the remnant Mongols outside the city and has now won and retreated? He is already at the doorstep, why hasn't he come home to take a look, so we can worry less?"