But what?
The three people present all turned to look at Zhu Yuan, their hearts pounding with nervousness.
Zhu Yuan didn't keep them in suspense and said frankly, "General Xiao has now been ordered to return to the capital and has already sided with the Third Prince."
His words caused a huge uproar. Everyone was shocked. Qu Huaiyuan couldn't control his emotions and said, "How can this be! If General Xiao leaves now, then... then won't Xinyang Prefecture fall?"
It should be noted that Yang Wang's army had already captured most of Xinyang Prefecture, but because General Xiao held on tenaciously, Yang Wang and the Northern Hu people were unable to continue their advance.
"Now that General Xiao has returned to the capital, what about the people imprisoned there...?"
A group of grown men, reminiscing about their past life in Xinyang Prefecture, almost burst into tears.
After two years of famine, the imperial court finally distributed grain to relieve the disaster, but unexpectedly, the country was struck by war.
Their people have probably already perished under the enemy's iron cavalry. How can they bear to watch so many innocent people die in vain!
Seeing their ashen faces, Zhu Yuan felt a pang of sympathy and offered a few words of comfort: "You don't need to worry. Besides General Xiao's heroic fight, there are many experienced veterans in the army. They are more than capable of resisting the Northern Hu people."
The group did not calm down after his words; they remained preoccupied.
Zhen Wanwan brought several cups of homemade milk tea into the house, which immediately dispelled the heavy atmosphere.
"Everyone should try my newly made milk tea!"
With her sharp eyes, she noticed her older brother's long face and asked in confusion, "Brother, what's wrong?"
Just a moment ago he was all smiles about becoming the village chief, how come his expression changed so quickly?
Noticing Grandpa Zhen's hint, Zhen Fugui forced a smile and said, "It's nothing! My face got stiff from smiling just now, I'm just relaxing!"
Ignoring Zhen Wanwan's surprised expression, he took a sip of the milk tea and exclaimed with delight, "This drink is really delicious!"
He originally intended to distract Zhen Wanwan, but unexpectedly, he was influenced by the milk tea.
Smelling the faint aroma of milk, Tianbao's little mouth went straight for the milk tea straw, but just a second before it touched her lips, Zhuyuan ruthlessly pulled it away.
"You're too young. I see there are beads inside. You can't drink it!"
Hearing Zhu Yuan's refusal, Tian Bao pouted and gave up, continuing to play with the toy on her own.
Zhen Wanwan wanted to step forward to stop her, but Zhu Yuan beat her to it and gently told Tianbao, "Sweetie, this milk tea has pearls in it, little kids can't drink it~"
Qu Huaiyuan smiled and took a sip of milk tea, saying, "Zhen Niangzi's cooking skills are getting better and better. I was already thinking about her lemonade from a while ago, and now this milk tea is delicious too!"
No one can resist milk tea!
Zhen Wanwan smiled modestly and said, "Not at all! It's just an ordinary trinket!"
As she spoke, she glanced at Zhu Yuan, who was seated on the throne, then at the three people on either side, and said softly, "Daddy! My little darling misses you terribly and is making a fuss. Could you go out and soothe her for me?"
Grandpa Zhen had just taken a sip of his milk tea with a frown and put it on the table when he heard Zhen Wanwan's words. How could he not respond?
"Okay! I'll go right away!"
As he spoke, he apologized to Zhu Yuan, saying, "My lord, please rest here for a while and make yourself at home. Come back after you have finished your meal!"
Zhu Yuan said calmly, "Uncle, please make yourself at home!"
Grandpa Zhen's back pain was gone, and he straightened his back and went out the door, ready to go out and coax his grandson.
Zhen Fugui scratched his head, feeling very uncomfortable facing the powerful aura of Zhu Yuan. He made up an excuse and left.
Besides the mute Tianbao, only Zhen Wanwan, Zhuyuan, and Qu Huaiyuan remained in the room.
Qu Huaiyuan's mood was somewhat heavy after being interrupted by Zhen Wanwan, and he became a little absent-minded during the event.
"Brother Qu! I just went to see Aunt Qu, and she's looking for you!"
Qu Huaiyuan paused, then stood up apologetically, saying, "I hope you won't take offense, Strategist. My elderly mother has poor eyesight, and I must go down to take care of her..."
"It's alright! Taking care of the elderly is the priority!"
Before leaving, Qu Huaiyuan paused for two seconds as he passed Zhen Wanwan, but ultimately said nothing and turned to leave.
Only Zhen Wanwan and Zhu Yuan were left looking at each other, but the atmosphere wasn't awkward.
Thinking of her plan, Zhen Wanwan sat on the other side of Zhuyuan with a smile, playing with a toy in her hand for a while.
"Sir, you're too kind. Why give Tianbao so many toys? She's still young; she'll get tired of them after a couple of plays. Why waste money?"
Looking at the exquisite little gadgets in front of me, I see that they are all items that children like nowadays, and they are all made of solid wood and are formaldehyde-free toys.
It's okay if Sweetie puts it in her mouth to grind her teeth.
While playing with the child, Zhu Yuan said, "I'll change her when she gets tired of playing with it."
As for money, Zhu Yuan didn't care at all.
These are toys that he searched for a long time and scoured the entire Guangling County to find.
I've heard that kids love these little things!
Zhu Yuan is good to the child, so Zhen Wanwan has no objection. Besides, she has something to discuss with Zhu Yuan today.
She took out the items she had prepared for opening the shop, placed them one by one in front of Zhuyuan, and carefully explained the effects of each item.
Qu Huaiyuan, with his mind preoccupied, returned to the house and saw Aunt Qu leaning on her cane, slowly making her way forward.
"Mother! Let me help you!"
Hearing her son's familiar voice, Aunt Qu sighed and said, "Alas! It's all my fault for being so useless, needing you to take care of me every day!"
Qu Huaiyuan frowned in displeasure and complained, "Why are you saying these things again! I'm your son, isn't it my duty to take care of you?"
"Your mother knows you're filial..."
Qu Huaiyuan helped Aunt Qu sit down in a chair, then skillfully tidied up the house, picking up anything on the floor that might trip her.
Listening to her son's busy voice, Aunt Qu sighed, "I've been a burden to you. If it had been earlier, if I hadn't minded this or that, you would probably be married by now, and I would be holding my grandson!"
Qu Huaiyuan had become immune to Aunt Qu's indirect pressure to get married.
"With my looks and qualifications, I shouldn't go around ruining other girls' lives!"
Those who follow him will have neither a house nor money, and their career paths will be almost ruined. What future is there to speak of?
Seeing her son so self-destructive, Aunt Qu's heart ached.
Suddenly remembering what Zhou's second daughter-in-law had said, her heart stirred, and she hesitated before tentatively asking, "Son! Do you have a girl you like? Although our family isn't wealthy, we still have enough money to get you a wife!"
Before the famine, she had saved up all the tuition fees her son received from teaching.
During the two years of famine, she couldn't bear to withdraw all her money, so the family's savings were barely enough to get her married.
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