Chapter 232 Life and Death (Part 1)

The royal banquet was a feast for the eyes, and the fireworks in the night sky were dazzling. But as a participant, Eleventh Lady only hoped that it would end soon. She could not be the center of everyone's service like the emperor and the empress, nor could she receive special favors like the lady-in-waiting. Standing in the cold wind and watching the fireworks with an empty stomach was a sad thing, not to mention that she was still thinking about the three Xu Siqin brothers at home.

After finally making it to the beginning of the tenth day of the tenth month, the emperor and the empress went back to the inner court to rest, and then everyone could leave. The road was full of fireworks and crowds of people, and it took half an hour to get home. The old lady and Shiyi Niang felt like they were falling apart, but only Xu Lingyi was still in high spirits and full of energy.

Amber followed the Third Master and the Third Madam to greet Eleventh Lady. Seeing this, she immediately went up to her and helped her up while whispering, "Madam, don't worry. The three young masters are all resting in the Madam's room."

Eleventh Lady took a long breath, cheered herself up, and went back to the house with the lady dowager. She went to see the three people with her own eyes, and only then did she feel relieved and went back to the house with Xu Lingyi.

She immediately told him how the Imperial Concubine had been reprimanded and how she had met Ren Kun's wife, Jiang Jinkui.

Regarding Jiang Jinkui's matter, Xu Lingyi smiled and said, "There is nothing we can do about it. We are all entangled in our own affairs, and there will always be a time when we will meet. Just be neither humble nor arrogant." As for the reprimand of the imperial concubine, he smiled and said, "I have heard about this as well. It seems that the emperor is hinting at those historians. However, the lights will not be turned off until the 17th day of the first lunar month. The emperor should not express his opinion before then. Even if there is something, it will be three days later."

Eleventh Lady nodded, made the bed and went to bed with Xu Lingyi. The next morning, she went to the dowager's place early in the morning. When she met Xu Siqin and Xu Siyu who came to pay their respects to the dowager, she smiled and told them about their plan to pretend to be servants and go out to watch the lanterns: "... I was afraid that you would not obey. I didn't expect you to be a gentleman who keeps your promise. You really stayed at home yesterday." She didn't say that this was Xu Siyu's idea. The dowager was stunned.

Xu Siqin's face was already red: "It's our fault. Fourth Auntie has made me feel ashamed." Xu Siyu just smiled faintly. The Third Lady brought Xu Sizhen to greet the Taifu. The Taifu suppressed her confusion. After the Third Lady left, she sent the children to play in the room of the brother, and then asked Shiyi Niang: "...Such a big thing, why didn't you come to discuss it with me?" Shiyi Niang explained the whole process: "...Because I promised the children, if I go back on my word, it would be insincere. If I don't agree, it would be a bit harsh." Then she told the Taifu the arrangement at that time.

She chose this time to say it for a reason. The lanterns for the Lantern Festival would not be turned off until the 17th day of the first lunar month, so there were still two days left. If Xu Siqin and his men really gave up on this plan, then she would say this to the old lady to make her smile. But if Xu Siqin and his men did not give up on this plan, the last two days would be the best opportunity - the people who were watching them would inevitably relax when they saw that they had been behaving so well; secondly, the time limit agreed upon by everyone was the Lantern Festival, and no specific day was agreed upon. If they went out, it would not be considered a breach of promise. On the contrary, Eleventh Lady also took advantage of this. She wanted to keep the 15th day of the first lunar month and then tell the story. Firstly, she did not break her promise to the children. Secondly, the old lady would feel that she did not follow the children and act recklessly. Thirdly, if she told the old lady about this, she could shirk responsibility if there were any mistakes. The old lady nodded slightly.

After all, Shiyi Niang is new, so some things cannot be done too much. This is just right. It not only saves the children's face, but also does not indulge them. Shiyi Niang's consideration is so detailed that the lady is relieved. "It is the greatest virtue to admit one's mistakes and correct them." She thought about it and decided to lift Shiyi Niang up. "Since they want to go out and play so much..." She told Madam Du, "Go and call Chief Steward Bai in, and ask him to send someone to serve the three young masters to go out and stroll around the lantern market."

This result surprised Eleventh Lady very much, and she hurriedly ordered Amber to tell Xu Siqin and others the news.

The children who got the news all ran out, some bowed and thanked, some jumped and laughed, and Zhe Ge rolled into the arms of the lady, saying, "I want to go, too! I want to go, too!"

Xu Siqi pulled Shiyi Niang's skirt and stood aside, giggling.

Anyone could go except Brother Zhe. In all likelihood, the lady would not agree.

Eleventh Lady thought about it and hugged Xu Siyi. Then she heard the firm voice of the lady in her ear: "You stay at home and accompany your mother and fifth brother."

Zhe Ge pouted in disappointment and stared at Shiyi Niang, but did not dare to retort.

Eleventh Lady just pretended not to see it.

When she lowered her head, she saw a flash of sneer on Xu Siyu's face out of the corner of her eye.

Xu Lingyi, who knew the decision of the Madam, did not object. After thinking for a while, he only asked the chief steward Bai to send more people and act carefully. The third master also nodded slightly: "Boys, reading ten thousand books is not as good as walking a thousand miles. You should go out more often." The third Madam was very worried and her face turned pale: "It's a mess outside. What if you bump into something? I think it's better to stay at home. Let Uncle Wu buy fireworks and set them off at home, isn't it the same?" Xu Lingkuan volunteered to go with them: "I'm here, don't worry!"

In this way, the third wife's words were naturally ignored, and Xu Lingkuan accompanied Xu Siqin.

Xu Siyu and Xu Sijian went to the street to watch the lanterns, while Zhuge and Xu Siqi followed Shiyi Niang to make glutinous rice balls at home.

Xu Siqi was very happy. He made the glutinous rice balls into various shapes, one after another, and could not stop.

But Brother Zhe kept pouting and looking unhappy.

Eleventh Lady counseled him, "Brother Jian said that this was the first time he had ever gone out to the street to watch fireworks. When you were your age, you couldn't even think about it because you had never done it before. You are different. The eldest, second, and third brothers have all gone out for a walk, so there is a precedent. When you are their age, you can also go out for a walk."

When Zhe Ge heard this, his eyes lit up: "Yes, yes!" Then he happily went to make glutinous rice balls with Xu Siyi.

"You're wrong. Tangyuan is round!" He tried hard to correct Xu Siyi.

Xu Siyi, however, ignored him and wrapped it however he wanted.

Children should have divergent thinking. If it was Xu Siyu who said this, Shiyi Niang might ask, "Who said that Tangyuan must be round?" But the one who asked this question was Zhege, who will inherit the title in the future. It is better to be lenient than to be too treacherous.

Eleventh Lady smiled and patted Xu Siqi's head: "He is not sensible, he needs to be taught slowly."

When Zhe Ge saw that she was speaking for him, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly and he nodded heavily.

In the afternoon, they cooked glutinous rice balls in Shiyi Niang's small kitchen. The three concubines and Shiyi Niang did not force them, but everyone in her room had a share.

Madam Wen was smart. She smelled the fragrance and brought her maid to ask for some glutinous rice balls. She also said, "It would be so lively if the eldest lady was here."

Eleventh Lady immediately said, "The Madam has already instructed Chief Steward Bai to send someone to pick up Zhen Jie'er tomorrow morning.

When Zhe Ge heard this, he cheered for joy.

Aunt Qin came over with her maid: "I heard there are dumplings to eat."

Shiyi Niang said nothing and asked Luyun to bring the stool and serve the glutinous rice balls to Aunt Qin.

Everyone was laughing and talking, but there was no movement in Qiao Lian's room.

In the evening, Xu Lingyi came back from Prince Shun, holding a sweet white porcelain teacup filled with Tieguanyin tea. He sat wearily on the big pillow and took a long breath, "The New Year is finally over."

Eleventh Lady covered her mouth and smiled, then helped him to the bed.

As a result, the next afternoon, she heard the news that the emperor had dismissed Xu Lingyi from his post as Grand Commander of the Five Military Commandery.

At that time, the Third Lady was planning her New Year's stay with the Dowager Lady, Eleventh Lady was sitting beside them listening, and the Fifth Lady was eating an apple.

"…Fourth brother is on his way to take over with Jiang Fei!" Xu Lingkuan, who came to report the news, looked a little frustrated.

The lady said nothing, but picked up the teacup and took a sip in silence.

"So fast." The Fifth Lady was shocked, with half an apple in her mouth. "Are there any members of the Imperial Guard following us?"

"That's not the case." Xu Lingkuan said unhappily.

"What is the charge?" the third lady asked cautiously.

Xu Lingkuan said nothing.

The Fifth Lady quickly swallowed the apple and said, "Of course it's because of his bad character. If that were the case, the Imperial Guards would have been waiting by the side to arrest him and put him in jail." As she spoke, she looked towards the Eleventh Lady.

Eleventh Lady pondered and said, "They only said that the post of Grand Commander of the Five Military Commandery would be dismissed, but what about the post of Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince? Was it dismissed?"

Xu Lingkuan showed an expression of sudden enlightenment, and said in high spirits, "No, no. Only the post of Grand Commander of the Five Military Command was removed. The rest was left unchanged."

Eleventh Lady wanted to go to the palace to watch the fireworks on the Lantern Festival, but Imperial Consort Ou was not invited...

She felt that Xu Lingyi's strategy worked: the emperor's heart was leaning towards the Xu family.

But this is just a guess after all. In the end, I still have to meet Xu Lingyi and ask him clearly before I can be sure.

She thought so in her heart, but a smile filled her eyes unconsciously: "Your Majesty was originally planning to resign from the post of Grand Commander of the Five Armies Commandery. Now his wish has come true. Your Majesty does not need to worry about your Majesty."

The lady listened and nodded slightly.

Life is full of ups and downs, it’s good that Eleventh Lady can think like this.

The Fifth Lady also breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good, that's good." The Marquis is still young, and the Emperor didn't kill him with one blow. There will always be opportunities in the future. "It's just right to take this opportunity to rest at home." She said obediently.

The third wife looked at everyone, wanting to say something but stopping herself. Then, when the third master went back to his room to change clothes in the afternoon, she asked her husband, "Will there be any repetitions in our affairs?"

"Don't worry!" The Third Master comforted the Third Lady, "Even if the Emperor doesn't miss the Marquis, he will definitely miss the Empress!"

"I hope so!" The Third Lady muttered. Qiu Ling came in and said, "Madam, the eldest lady has returned home."

"Hurry up!" The Third Master urged the Third Madam, "We should stay at home for two or three months at most, so as not to upset the Madam when we leave."

The third lady hurriedly tied the sash for the third master, and the two of them went to see the lady-in-waiting.

As soon as they entered the hall, they heard a burst of cheerful laughter coming from the inner room. When they entered the room, they saw that the big kang by the window was piled with paper boxes of all sizes. Xu Lingkuan, Shiyi Niang, Wu Furen, and Xu Siqin and his brothers were all sitting around the kang of the old lady, all smiling at Zhen Jie'er who was leaning against the old lady's side. She was wearing a small lake-colored jacket and was talking about something with a smile on her face.

Seeing them come in, Zhen Jieer hurriedly greeted them: "Third uncle, third aunt."

The Third Master laughed and stepped forward to pay his respects to the Madam. Before he could say anything, a servant ran in and said, "The Marquis is back!"

Everyone was stunned.

The curtain was opened with a "swish" sound, and Xu Lingyi strode in.

Seeing his gloomy face, everyone's heart skipped a beat. The old lady hurriedly moved to the edge of the kang and slipped on her feet, saying, "Old Four, what happened?"

Xu Lingyi's eyes swept across and fell on Shiyi Niang's face.

"Eleventh Lady," he said in a low voice, with a hint of worry, "Wang Lang is dead!"

—End of Chapter—

Upon hearing the news of Wang Lang's death, Shiyi Niang was stunned for a moment. Wang Lang was dead? How did he die?

Thinking of what he did to Shi Niang, and thinking of Shi Niang's temper... It couldn't be Shi Niang... The thought flashed through her mind, and she suddenly felt dry-mouthed. You know, in this society it's okay for a man to beat a woman, but if a woman kills a man, eight or nine out of ten times she will be killed. Shi Niang, don't do anything stupid! You know, they are all concubines, and unless they can prove that Wang Lang was at fault, the Luo family will definitely not stand up for them. She couldn't help but look at Xu Lingyi. But she saw Xu Lingkuan on the opposite side jumped up with an "Aiya": "Wang Lang is dead? When did it happen? How did he die?"

Seeing his wife looking at him anxiously, Xu Lingyi paused and said, "It happened in the afternoon at twilight hour. He drank too much and had a conflict with someone. Someone from Shuntian Prefecture knew about the relationship between our two families, so he sent someone to tell me." His words were concise, without a single unnecessary word. Eleventh Lady felt something was wrong, as if Xu Lingyi was avoiding something.

But when she thought that this matter had nothing to do with Shi Niang, she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to ask in detail, the old lady asked anxiously, "Has the murderer been caught? Should the Wang family send someone to express their condolences?"

"The one who reported the case was... the boss. The assailant was caught on the spot." Xu Lingyi was a little hesitant when he said this, but he quickly regained his usual gentleness and calmness. "When a person dies, it's like a light goes out. Before, I was afraid that Xiao Wu and Wang Lang would get involved. Now that Wang Lang is gone, our two families are no longer in a relationship.

"In-laws, we should send someone to express our condolences. But it's late today, and the Wang family just received the bad news, so they are in grief. Let's send someone tomorrow!"

The lady nodded, looking sad: "Wang Lang is an only son... The Wang family is probably in despair right now." As she spoke, as if she remembered something, she asked Shiyi Niang, "Did he leave any children?"

Shiyi Niang shook her head: "No!" She thought of Shi Niang's experience, and Jin Lian's miscarriage... I wonder if Wang Lang thought of these when he died? Did he regret it?

"This child..." The lady's eyes darkened as she heard this and she shook her head and sighed.

The Fifth Lady advised the Grand Lady: "Wang Lang has been spoiled to the point of not knowing how high the heavens are and how deep the earth is. He has always been very timid. If you take him to walk by the river, his shoes will definitely get wet. This is just bad luck for him."

"What do you know? It is the most painful thing for an old person to send off a young person." The lady said with tears in her eyes.

When Madam Du saw this, she hurriedly handed over a handkerchief: "Madam, what are you doing? You are so sad when all the gentlemen are around you!" "Yes, yes." Seeing this, the Third Madam hurriedly and attentively offered tea to the Madam, "Drink some hot tea, you will feel better." "Don't be sad, grandma!" Several children also came forward to comfort the Madam. The Madam took Madam Du's handkerchief and wiped her eyes, then took the Third Madam's tea. Seeing several children looking at her worriedly with their little faces raised, her heart suddenly warmed up. "When you get older, you tend to be sad about the passing of time." She took a sip of hot tea, "It's getting late, let's all go! If there is anything, we can talk tomorrow."

Everyone agreed and left. Aunt Du helped the Madam to wash and dress. "Do you want me to send someone to ask about the Marquis?" "No need." The Madam sighed, "It's too late to say more now. Let the fourth son calm down first. When he thinks it over, he will tell me."

Mother Du nodded and helped the lady change into her sleeping clothes.

Xu Lingkuan walked to the house in silence. Madam Wu looked a little worried and nudged him with her elbow: "What's wrong?" Xu Lingkuan said nothing, went to wash up in a depressed mood, and went to bed lazily. Madam Wu thought for a while, pouting and leaning over: "Lingkuan, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling uncomfortable? Otherwise, I'll let Songxia accompany you?" Songxia was a second-class maidservant beside Madam Wu. Since Xiaolan and the others became concubines, she became Madam Wu's personal servant. She was also a beauty with peach eyes and almond cheeks. "No need!" Xu Lingkuan looked unhappy, stretched out his arms and held Danyang in his arms, "I didn't expect Wang Lang to die!" It turned out to be because of this. After all, the two were childhood friends. He was also a soft-hearted person. Thinking of this, the Fifth Lady stopped thinking about the matter of serving the emperor in the bedchamber, and leaned her head on her husband's shoulder, saying faintly, "Yes! No one expected it. To be honest, I didn't like him when I was young. I always felt that the way he looked at people was creepy. I always felt that he was restless and would cause trouble one day. But I didn't expect that he would lose his life at such a young age. I just don't know what will happen. Who is the murderer? Do you know that he is the son of the Duke of Mao's mansion? Wang Lin is so unlucky to have such a brother. It has not been easy for her to stay in the Jiang family these years. She has to please the elders, respect the younger ones, and take care of the young ones. If it weren't for this brother holding her back, she wouldn't have been like this..." Xu Lingkuan listened to the Fifth Madam's chatter, touching her head from time to time, but his mind was drifting to faraway places.

When the fourth brother lectured him for the nonsense between him and Wang Lang, he was submissive on the surface, but he didn't take it seriously in his heart. He ran away when he saw his brother lecture him... Now thinking about it, it's all thanks to the fourth brother, otherwise, I don't know how many ridiculous things I would have done... Shuntian Prefecture sent someone to tell the fourth brother what happened just now. It seems that he wants to hear his opinion. I wonder if the people of Shuntian Prefecture know that the fourth brother was dismissed? If they know, I don't know if they will be so attentive in the future? Although this matter has little to do with the Xu family, it is related to the fourth sister-in-law's family after all. If Shuntian Prefecture doesn't give any face, the fourth sister-in-law will lose face in her family, but the fourth brother will have a big face in front of the fourth sister-in-law. We have to find a way to help Fourth Brother.

I just don't know who the murderer is?

Unfortunately, I just heard the news of Wang Lang's death, and I was so shocked that I forgot to ask my fourth brother who was the murderer...

Thinking of this, he sat up suddenly, and the movement was so large that he almost threw the Fifth Lady off the bed. "Sibao, Sibao," Xu Lingkuan called the name of his personal servant, "Go to Shuntian Prefecture early tomorrow morning to ask who killed Wang Lang?" The servant left in response.

The Fifth Lady could not help but pull his sleeve and said coquettishly, "The Marquis told you not to interfere in Wang Lang's affairs, so why did you get involved?

Before she could say anything, Xu Lingkuan said, "Isn't it because I want to help my fourth brother?" The Fifth Lady was furious when she heard this. She didn't believe that he was trying to help Xu Lingyi at all. "Does the Marquis still want you to step up?"

Xu Lingkuan couldn't say that he was worried about the power of Shuntian Prefecture Governor, and didn't take Xu Lingyi's words to heart, and said nonsense: "When something like this happens, there is naturally strength in numbers. The government is also afraid of watching..." The Fifth Lady was speechless. When has the government ever been afraid of having too many people? He wanted to help Shiyi Niang! She listened to her husband's nonsense, pulled the quilt, turned over, and slept with her back to Xu Lingkuan.

…

At this moment, Eleventh Lady was helping Xu Lingyi to iron his feet.

"Besides dismissing the post of Grand Commander of the Five Military Commandery, did the Emperor... say anything else?" He was a little worried. Xu Lingyi closed his eyes and leaned back on the recliner, his expression somewhat grim.

"I said ..." But nothing happened.

Eleventh Lady hesitated for a moment, wiped her hands with a handkerchief stacked on a small stool beside her, sat on the golden stool next to the recliner, and whispered to him, "What did you say?" A warm breath with a faint rose scent filled his face. He opened his eyes and saw a pair of bright eyes.

He smiled faintly: "The emperor summoned Wang Jiubao to Beijing." The emperor asked Wang Jiubao to go to Beijing. The Wang family and the Qu family are enemies. . . .

Eleventh Lady pondered and said, "So, the emperor is on our side."

Xu Lingyi nodded, with a faint smile in his eyes: "Although the Liang elders were against it, Chen elder remained silent. So the emperor decided to send Prince Xuan Jiubao to the capital to discuss the lifting of the maritime ban."

Chen Ge is always the chief assistant. If he keeps silent, there will be 60% chance of success.

Eleventh Lady did not expect that Elder Liang would object: "Didn't Elder Liang come to see you during the Chinese New Year?"

Xu Lingyi laughed at himself: "He was just trying to test my opinion. I didn't want to get involved. I was also wary of Yu who had sent Wang Jiubao's letter to me without him." He practiced Tai Chi with him for a long time, but he didn't express his support for lifting the ban on sea trade.

It seems that the ministers and people in the court have different ideas about whether to lift the maritime ban, and the matter is quite complicated.

Compared to this matter, she was more worried about the Qu family's actions: "Since the emperor has summoned Wang Jiubao to the capital, the Qu family should also take action, right?"

"How could it be so fast?" Xu Lingyi said, "This time the Emperor made a very sudden decision. And his attitude was very strong. He directly took the imperial edict prepared by the Ministry of Personnel and asked several ministers to distribute it to various departments. Several ministers were caught off guard and argued for almost an hour about Wang Jiubao's entry into the capital and the lifting of the sea ban. In the end, it was Minister Chen who stepped in and the matter was settled. I just found out about it, not to mention the Qu family in Fujian - they at most sent a capable person to stay in Yanjing for a long time. To make a decision, they still need to listen to the opinions of Fujian."

Eleventh Lady nodded.

Xu Lingyi said: "We should make good use of this. But it is not convenient for me to show up. You know, there is Ouyang Ming beside the emperor! I am afraid he is always watching me! Rather than being caught by him, it is better to wait for Wang Jiubao to come to Beijing. I think Wang Jiubao must be willing to show his strength and let the emperor and the ministers in the court believe that he is fully capable of competing with the Qu family." This is like a pledge of allegiance. Wang Jiubao has no way to refuse. Shiyi Niang smiled bitterly. Politics is really not something that everyone can afford to play.

"As for Ouyang Ming," Xu Lingyi sneered, "I can take this opportunity to see how he reacts."

Eleventh Lady was stunned.

How did this get to do with Ouyang Ming?

"When the fifth prince died, he asked Ouyang Ming to accompany the eldest prince to worship the ancestors, and asked me to accompany the empress and the third prince to the Western Hills." Xu Lingyi looked up at the blue-green and gold-painted Cheng Chen, "He treated the eldest prince as the crown prince, and was also preventing me from getting too close to the eldest prince. Since I can see it clearly, then how could Ouyang Ming not see it? If he can't see it, then he is not worthy of being the future emperor's attendant."