After hearing this, Hong Yingrong frowned and said after a moment of contemplation, "This matter is of great importance. We all know everything about Yan Boxi. If he is still alive, perhaps Eunuch Chen Jin in the palace can find some clues."

Xue Zhongfu said no more and just looked at his mother and brother quietly.

Xue Jiyan continued, "Mother, I know this matter is of great importance, so I came back to report as soon as I got the news."

Upon hearing this, Hong Yingrong's eyes flashed with understanding. "It seems that if Yan Boxi is really still alive, he must have come back prepared."

In fact, she never questioned whether Mother Han had recognized the wrong person. To be able to send such precious golden thread lotus to the Marquis' Mansion and not want to reveal her identity, she must have an unusual connection with the Marquis' Mansion.

Xue Zhongfu also interrupted at this moment, "Mother, if Yan Boxi really comes back, will it be a blessing or a curse for our Xingyuan Marquis Mansion?"

Hong Yingrong glanced at him and said calmly, "If it's a blessing, it's not a disaster. If it is a disaster, it's inevitable. Our Xingyuan Marquisate has always been involved in Yan Boxi's affairs. It was me who originally handed the Spring Examination questions for his ceremony to Eunuch Chen."

Xue Zhongfu fell silent after hearing this. He knew that his mother was telling the truth. The dispute between the Xingyuan Marquisate and Yan Boxi was no longer something that could be simply summarized as grievances.

He said in a deep voice: "Mother, I will also send more people to find out the whereabouts of Yan Boxi. If he really comes back, we must at least know his purpose."

"Zhongfu, you have always been steady and prudent in your work, so I, your mother, am naturally relieved. However, Yan Boxi's whereabouts are secretive, so it may be difficult to find out about him."

"Don't worry, mother. I will do my best no matter what."

At this moment, Nanny Zhao hurried into the Xiangyun Hall, holding a letter in her hand. "Madam, Eunuch Chen Jin from the Imperial Ceremonial Bureau has sent a letter."

Hong Yingrong took the letter, opened it and her expression changed slightly.

She looked up at Xue Zhongfu and Xue Jiyan, and said solemnly, "Eunuch Chen Jin asked in his letter whether our Xingyuan Marquisate had a blueprint of the Xingyuan Army Tiger Talisman, or whether I had seen one and could draw it."

Xue Zhongfu and Xue Jiyan were greatly surprised when they heard this.

They knew that the tiger talisman drawings were of utmost importance to the Xingyuan Marquis' Mansion, and only the Xingyuan Marquises of all generations were qualified to keep them.

Now that my eldest brother Xue Yuanchu has requested to be exempted from the throne, the blueprint should be kept safely by my mother Hong Yingrong.

"Mother, why did Eunuch Chen Jin suddenly ask about this?" Xue Zhongfu asked puzzledly.

Hong Yingrong sighed softly, "I don't know either. But I think this might be related to Yan Boxi's return. As you know, the Tiger Tally represents military power and is an important cornerstone of the court's stability. If Yan Boxi is indeed still alive and has some plans, then the Tiger Tally is likely one of his targets."

Xue Jiyan frowned and said, "But the tiger talisman blueprint has always been a secret of our Xingyuan Marquis Mansion. How did Eunuch Chen Jin know about it?"

"Is there anything that the Imperial Household Department can't find out?" Hong Yingrong speculated. "Maybe they know some relevant clues."

Xue Zhongfu pondered for a moment and then said, "Mother, since Eunuch Chen Jin has asked about this matter, should we tell him the truth?"

"This..." Hong Yingrong hesitated for a moment. "The importance of the tiger talisman blueprint is self-evident. If we leak it easily, it will probably cause unnecessary trouble. However, if we keep it secret, Eunuch Chen Jin might misunderstand that we are intentionally concealing the truth."

Xue Jiyan suggested, "Mother, we can tell Eunuch Chen Jin that the Tiger Tally blueprints do exist, but only the Xingyuan Marquises of past generations are authorized to know about them. Although my eldest brother is no longer the Crown Prince, you can still keep the blueprints in your safekeeping. This way, we can make our stance clear without revealing too many secrets."

Hong Yingrong nodded after hearing this. "Ji Yan is right. This matter is of great importance, and we must handle it with caution. Eunuch Chen Jin holds a special position in the court. We cannot offend him, nor can we easily disclose secrets."

She pondered for a moment, then wrote a tactful reply, expressing the Xingyuan Marquisate's loyalty to the court while also alluding to the sensitive nature of the tiger talisman blueprint. At the end of the letter, she invited Eunuch Chen Jin to meet at her residence to discuss the matter.

After writing the letter, Hong Yingrong handed it to the steward Xue Zhong and asked him to deliver it to the Silijian.

Xue Zhong took the order and left. Hong Yingrong turned to Xue Zhongfu and Xue Jiyan and said, "You two should also prepare. When Eunuch Chen Jin comes, we must deal with him properly."

Xue Zhongfu and Xue Jiyan responded in unison, with solemn expressions on their faces.

The mother and her two sons discussed for a while about Xue Huichun's upcoming wedding next month, and then went back to the courtyard to rest.

After Hong Yingrong returned to the Prajna Hall, she immediately instructed Madam Zhao to prepare some precious medicinal materials, such as ginseng, deer antlers, etc.

At the same time, he sent a visiting card to General Weiyuan's Mansion, intending to go there in person to express his gratitude.

After all, the Empress Dowager Shoukang had helped treat the victims by sending golden thread lotus to the Imperial Hospital. Furthermore, Xue Shanqiu was now living in Ci'an Palace, so she should personally express her gratitude, regardless of both reason and emotion.

However, Hong Yingrong had deeper considerations in mind.

She clearly remembered that the words "Weiyuan General's Mansion" were printed on the tiger talisman drawing, which might hint at some inside stories that she had not yet understood.

Therefore, she hoped to take this opportunity to get some information from General Ding Dayong and resolve the doubts in her heart.

In the past few days, a series of events have made Zhao Ma feel quite uneasy.

Before settling her down at night, Nanny Zhao gently removed the hairpins from Hong Yingrong's head and carefully combed her hair.

"Madam, you have a lot more white hair this year." Nanny Zhao said softly, while skillfully hiding the few conspicuous white hairs among her black hair and combing them neatly.

Hong Yingrong sighed softly, "Yes, time is merciless. The main thing is that Yuanchu has been away from home for more than half a month. I don't know how he is doing now. I am always worried."

Madam Zhao quickly consoled her, "Don't worry, Madam! Once the eldest young master is settled in the barracks, he'll definitely write to let you know he's safe. Besides, the eldest young master is serving as a steward, and with the old marquis's prestige in the army as a safeguard, I'm sure no one will trouble him."

"I hope so." There was a hint of uncertainty in Hong Yingrong's tone.

Madam Zhao noticed Hong Yingrong's concern for the eldest son, "Old Madam, you still love the eldest son the most. Otherwise, the palace has sent people to ask you many times whether you have submitted a petition to appoint another prince, but you have always delayed and prevaricated."

"I only hope that the eldest son can understand your painstaking efforts, turn over a new leaf, and return home to reunite with his family soon."