After hearing this, the Marquis stroked his beard and pondered for a long time before saying to Xu Rao, "If that's the case, His Majesty must have already made arrangements. If he doesn't want us to interfere, then we shouldn't interfere. Anyway, Boyuan is in their hands now. I think His Majesty will eventually give us an explanation."

Xu Rao nodded, but in his heart he was thinking, he had to give an explanation. This whole family had worked themselves to the bone for their family's affairs, and he still had a son in his care. How could he not give a proper explanation?

After pondering for a while, the Marquis asked Xu Rao, "What do you think His Majesty will do with Boyuan?"

Xu Rao smiled and said, "Father, the emperor's heart is unpredictable. How could I possibly know what the emperor is thinking? We shouldn't go around asking around now. We should just stay home and wait for news. The best course of action is to remain calm and wait for things to change. Otherwise, if someone with ulterior motives takes advantage of the situation, things will go wrong."

Zheng Boyuan's arrest and imprisonment in the Ministry of War during the Lunar New Year became the biggest news in the capital. His wife, Xu Zhi, the ninth daughter of the Yongning Marquis's family, guarded the gate of the Ministry of War every day, providing much fodder for gossip among the people of the capital.

Several days had passed, and Xu Yao hurriedly returned to her parents' home in the capital from Gaoqing.

Having returned without prior notice, Madam Ning was surprised to see Xu Yao, who looked travel-worn, and said, "Didn't you say you weren't coming back this year? Why are you back now? You're back by yourself, but where is Jue'er?"

Xu Yao was focused on getting on her way and didn't care about anything else. When she saw a teacup on the table, she poured herself a bowl of hot tea and gulped it down. Only then did she feel much better.

Seeing Xu Yao's appearance, Ning quickly poured her another cup and said, "Oh dear, I'm asking you a question. Tell your mother quickly, is there something you need that's causing you to rush back?"

Xu Yao drank another cup before saying, "I rushed back as soon as I heard about my ninth brother-in-law's situation. Mother, this is a big deal for our family. How could I not come back?"

Upon hearing this, Ning's face darkened, and she said, "Oh, you mean this? I thought it was something serious. Your third uncle and third aunt seem quite calm, so I guess it's nothing."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yao said seriously, "Mother, Ninth Sister is always guarding the gate of the Ministry of War. Her husband is locked up in the Ministry of War's prison. How could nothing have happened to him? I've heard that the Ministry of War's prison is not a place that ordinary people can enter, and once you're in, you can't get out easily. I've discussed it with Lin Zhining. I'll bring the silver notes first, and Lin Zhining will come over after he's arranged things at home."

Upon hearing this, Ning said in surprise, "You left the child at home and came here alone with the silver notes? A-Yao, you're already married." Xu Yao gave birth to a daughter last year, nicknamed Jue-jie'er, who is only six months old now.

Upon hearing Ning's words, Xu Yao said very seriously, "Mother, even if I am a married woman, I am still a daughter of the Xu family of the Yongning Marquis's Mansion. Ninth Sister and I are sisters. It's unreasonable for me, as the older sister, to pretend I don't know if my sister is in trouble. Jue'er is being well taken care of by her wet nurse at home, so please don't worry, Mother. Alright, I'll go wash my face first and then go see Grandmother."

Ning grabbed Xu Yao and said, "Your grandmother doesn't know about this yet. You married so far away, and now you're suddenly back. Doesn't that make your grandmother worry? Hurry up and wash up. After you're done, I'll take you to see your third aunt. Your third uncle should be back from his official duties by now."

Xu Yao thought for a moment, nodded, put her arms around Ning's neck, and said with a smile, "Oh, my mother is so thoughtful."

Ning laughed and scolded, "Go away, you're a mother now, and you're still acting like a child with me."

Xu Yao said seriously, "Mother, what you said is inappropriate. So what if I'm married? Even if I'm seventy or eighty years old, I'm still your daughter. It's only right that I act coquettishly in front of you."

Watching Xu Yao's cheerful figure disappear into the distance, Madam Ning couldn't help but sigh softly. It seemed that her youngest daughter was living a good life. When her sisters encountered difficulties, her husband didn't hesitate to send money from afar to help them. After getting married and having children, she became even more lively and seemed to be living a very comfortable life. Madam Ning felt that she could finally rest assured about her daughter who had married far away.

Ning took Xu Yao to Chen Zhaoci's courtyard. It wasn't time to set the table yet. When Chen Zhaoci saw Xu Yao arrive, she said in surprise, "Oh my, why did our fourth aunt come so suddenly? Come quickly, come quickly. Third aunt, look, your Jue'er must be six months old now. Did you bring her along?"

Xu Yao smiled and let Chen Zhaoci hold her hand. After they sat down, Xu Yao said, "A few days ago, Lin Zhining and I heard news from the capital. Lin Zhining asked me to bring the silver notes I had on hand first. He wants to arrange things at home and raise some money to get her out of jail. Third Uncle, Third Aunt, Lin Zhining and I both think that right now we shouldn't be stingy with money. Getting her out of the Ministry of War's prison is the most important thing."

As Xu Yao spoke, she placed the carved rosewood box she was holding on the table. Chen Zhaoci and Xu Rao looked at each other for a while, and then Xu Rao said, "Fourth Sister, how many silver notes did you bring with you?"

Xu Yao said embarrassedly, "We have to prepare for spring plowing before the New Year, which has cost a lot of money. The only money we have at home is 100,000 taels. My mother-in-law told me to take it with me first, saying that she can help raise some more, and then Lin Zhining can bring it over with us."

Ning was also surprised that Xu Yao had brought so many silver notes, and her eyes widened in astonishment.

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