Chapter 172 Arrival (Part 1)

After leaving the palace and getting on the carriage, the lady asked in a low voice: "What did the Empress talk to you about?"

Eleventh Lady succinctly told the Madam Dowager about their conversation: "... For such a big matter, Your Majesty is bound to be hesitant from time to time. Please don't blame me for acting on my own."

She looked at the lady with some uneasiness.

The lady sighed and patted her hands: "You said it very well. But remember, too much talk leads to mistakes. Don't take risks like this again in the future."

After all, she was only fourteen years old, and she convinced the Empress with just one move. She couldn't help feeling proud, which would be bad for her in the future.

Eleventh Lady was greatly relieved to see that the Lady Dowager did not blame her.

After all, I did this without your consent...

As the thought came to an end, the carriage had already reached the gate of the Xu residence. The two of them changed to a small oil carriage with green curtains and went to the dowager's place. The third master, the fifth master, the second lady, the third lady and the fifth lady were already waiting. When they saw the two of them, they crowded around. The third lady asked anxiously, "What happened to the Empress?"

The lady did not answer the question and said, "Please sit down and talk!" She then said to Shiyi Niang, "You should go back and change your clothes." Then she was helped by Madam Du to go into the inner room to change her clothes.

Everyone looked at Eleventh Lady.

The lady didn't say anything, so how could she say anything?

At this moment, she was very grateful to the lady for letting her go back to the house to change her clothes to avoid being surrounded by these people and asked about the situation.

Eleventh Lady bowed to the people in the room, then turned back to her room. Unexpectedly, Xu Lingyi was waiting for her in the room.

She immediately told Xu Lingyi briefly about what happened in the palace.

Xu Lingyi raised his eyebrows after hearing this: "You are so brave. You dare to say that I can do whatever the Empress Dowager tells me to do! If she really asked me to kill the Queen Mother, would I really do it?"

Brothers working together can break iron. The Xu family has the ambitious Second Lady, the smart Fifth Lady, and the steady and loyal Third Master, who has now solved the Empress's worries. If everyone can stick together, the Xu family will surely be able to get through the storm.

Eleventh Lady was in a good mood.

I know it myself, how could Xu Lingyi not know it?

She thought Xu Lingyi should be in a good mood. He was probably joking with her. So she smiled and said, "My Lord, you are a man of great military and literary talents, and you are also very righteous. I think this little thing won't be a problem for you!"

Xu Lingyi was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

This guy is really scary when he has a stern face!

Fortunately, I wasn't scared...

Eleventh Lady couldn't help but smile as she looked at him.

"Go change your clothes quickly." Xu Lingyi looked at his wife with a smile in his eyes, "So we can go to mother's place together."

Eleventh Lady bowed and was taken to the clean room by Binju. After she had packed up, she and Xu Lingyi went to the old lady's place.

The Madam had just left the clean room and was being served tea by the Third Madam. When she saw the two people coming in, she asked the maid to bring two more chairs and everyone sat down again according to age. The maid served tea to Xu Lingyi and Shiyi Niang. The Madam then said, "Don't worry, everyone. The Empress just caught a cold and is well now."

Everyone present was a smart person. No one believed it and all of them looked nervous.

Eleventh Lady couldn't help but sigh as she watched.

The Second Madam smiled and stood up after hearing this: "Mother must be tired after going to the palace to see the Empress early in the morning. Since the Empress is fine, let's leave!"

The lady nodded slightly.

The Third Lady looked anxious. She quickly winked at the Third Master across from her. The Third Master frowned slightly and turned his head away. Looking at the others, they had all stood up.

She gritted her teeth and said loudly, "Wait a minute."

Everyone in the room looked at the third lady in surprise.

The third master even shook his head at the third wife.

The Third Madam saw it clearly, but everyone's eyes were on her. She had to shoot the arrow on the string, so she simply said, "Mother, Brother Shang will be twelve years old next year. I think we should open a separate courtyard for him in the outer courtyard..." As she said this, she glanced at the Madam Tai timidly, "Brother Shang had chickenpox that year, and I felt sorry for him, so I kept him for a year. Now he is getting older, and there is Sister Zhen in the inner courtyard. It's not a good idea to keep him any longer."

The lady pondered and said, "You are right. The boy is getting old, and it is time for him to open a yard of his own..."

The third lady's face turned pale when she heard this.

What happened during this period of time, although no one told her explicitly, she had a vague guess. Today, the lady-in-law entered the palace, and she took this opportunity to return to her parents' home and talked to her sister-in-law about family matters. The sister-in-law told her a lot of things. She had a clearer understanding of the current predicament of the Xu family. She originally wanted to wait and see, but now it seems that she can't wait any longer. The Third Madam openly mentioned that Xu Sijian should open a separate courtyard, but in fact she was asking whether the Third Master could be sent out - if he was sent out in the spring, there would naturally be no need to go to great lengths to set up another courtyard for Xu Sijian in the outer courtyard; if he could not be sent out, given Xu Sijian's age, he would definitely not be able to stay in the inner courtyard.

It's inappropriate to ask such a question at this time...

With a flash of thought, Eleventh Lady understood what Third Lady meant.

She hurriedly and secretly pulled the corner of Xu Lingyi's clothes.

After hearing what the Third Lady said, Xu Lingyi understood her meaning, but the Lady was talking to him, so he couldn't interrupt. At this moment, Eleventh Lady pulled his sleeve, and he couldn't help but smile in his heart.

Eleventh Lady seems to be getting smarter and smarter...

As he thought about it, he turned his arm and grabbed the hand that was pulling at the corner of his clothes.

Eleventh Lady was very surprised, and then very embarrassed.

What does he mean?

What if the lady saw it?

He struggled to pull his hand back.

But he held it tightly, and he couldn't pull it back after several attempts. Just as he was getting anxious, he heard Xu Lingyi's calm voice: "Mom, I think we can discuss this matter later! The New Year is coming soon, and there are so many things to do."

When they heard Xu Lingyi speak, everyone looked over.

When Eleventh Lady saw this, she immediately smiled and stood dignifiedly behind Xu Lingyi, letting him hold her hand.

Xu Lingyi's words were undoubtedly telling them that there was still hope for this matter.

The eyes of the Third Master and the Third Madam lit up when they heard this. The Third Madam immediately smiled and said, "Since the Marquis has said so, we will listen to him."

Xu Lingyi smiled slightly, quickly loosened his hand around Shiyi Niang, then brushed his clothes and told Shiyi Niang lightly: "Let's go back first so that mother can go to bed early." With that, he walked out with his head held high.

Eleventh Lady bowed hurriedly to the people in the room and followed them.

Along the way, Xu Lingyi's face was stern, which made Shiyi Niang wonder if everything that happened just now was just her illusion. However, she did not notice that Xu Lingyi's mouth curled up slightly when she was not paying attention.

…

Because everyone ate in their own rooms, after dinner, Xu Siyu and Zhe Ge came to greet Xu Lingyi and Shiyi Niang. Just then, the three concubines came to greet them. Everyone sat down around Xu Lingyi and Shiyi Niang. Xu Lingyi tested Xu Siyu's homework like last time. Knowing that he had been studying since his teacher La Bajie closed the school, Xu Lingyi was very happy.

"Take a break for a few days. Talk to grandma."

Xu Siyu responded respectfully.

Xu Lingyi's gaze fell on Brother Zhe.

Zhe Ge shivered and took a step towards Shiyi Niang.

Xu Lingyi sighed and said helplessly: "It's getting late, let's all go!"

The three concubines, together with Xu Siyu, Zhen Jie'er and Zhe Ge, bowed and bowed before returning to their rooms.

Shiyi Niang told Xu Lingyi that Zhege was playing shuttlecock and skipping rope with the little maid every day: "... He has had deficiencies since he was young. By moving like this, his body will gradually become stronger. Although it is said that it is important for a gentleman to cultivate knowledge in the world, physical health is more important. Some things cannot be rushed. Wait until next year to hire a teacher to enlighten him, and he will get better slowly."

"That's the only way!" Xu Lingyi smiled bitterly.

Eleventh Lady asked him, "Did Lord Hou wash up here or go to the past?"

According to the schedule, he should stay at Madam Wen's place.

Xu Lingyi said: "I will rest here today."

With so many things going on at home and outside, he was obviously in no mood - he should have stayed at Aunt Qin's place a few days ago. He went there once, and stayed here the rest of the time. Moreover, she went to the palace to see the Empress today, so she should have something to say to him.

Eleventh Lady asked someone to tell Madam Wen that the Marquis had something to do today and would not be there. Then she made the bed and helped Xu Lingyi get into bed.

Xu Lingyi first carefully asked about the Empress's mood. Knowing that the Empress was much better, he sighed slightly.

Maybe she heard that the Empress called her aside to ask about her medicine, and then asked her about her medication during this period.

"Dr. Liu said it would take several months to see results. I don't feel anything right now."

Xu Lingyi instructed her: "You must take the medicine carefully according to what Dr. Liu said. Don't be careless."

Of course, Eleventh Lady did not dare to be careless.

Who can guarantee that there won't be a chance... If she really is pregnant, it would be very dangerous at her age and in her current condition. If she can be treated with medication, her chances of survival will be much greater.

She nodded seriously.

Xu Lingyi hesitated for a moment, then suddenly said, "I will be back later tomorrow... to talk to the emperor."

It seems that he has made up his mind to play the sympathy card.

Eleventh Lady naturally encouraged him: "This way, Master Hou can rest at home before the New Year? I don't have to get up at an ugly hour every day!"

Xu Lingyi couldn't help laughing when he heard this: "It won't be as convenient to do things after I resign."

It means that when officials leave, their deeds get cold!

A person who has tasted power and gives it up suddenly will definitely feel a sense of loss.

Eleventh Lady deliberately made a joke: "Now that you are an official, I don't feel that it is convenient for me to do things. On the contrary, I feel that it is extremely inconvenient. I want to tidy up the yard in the spring, and plant pomegranate trees and magnolia trees in front of the hall... It is very convenient for me to have you at home."

She had to avoid hiring people to repair the yard. If she had any requests, she could only tell the craftsmen through the manager, which was not as convenient as communicating directly with Xu Lingyi.

When Xu Lingyi heard what she said, he couldn't help but laugh: "You want me to resign just for this!"

Eleventh Lady continued to talk nonsense with him: "That's right. I thought about it carefully and found that being an official is a complete loss-making thing. Not to mention getting up early every day and the kitchen staff having to prepare two breakfasts, just talk about the salary and expenses..." She counted the accounts for Xu Lingyi, "Just the social interactions are not cheap. If I don't work as an official anymore, I can choose not to socialize..."

Xu Lingyi's frustration about resigning as an official eased a little as he listened to his wife's nonsense!