Chapter 740: Picking Chestnuts (Part 2)

The next morning, Shiyi Niang and Xu Lingyi were having breakfast when Denghua hurried in: "My Lord, General Gong just sent a letter!"

Xu Lingyi took it in a hurry, took a look, and said bitterly: "Yan Duo's whereabouts were discovered near Yulin the morning before yesterday. He has ordered Ouyang Ming to lead 10,000 soldiers to Yulin. Qin Ge'er will accompany him as a co-magistrate. There is no need to go to Chen Ge Lao's place!"

The further west we go, the closer we are to the grassland and the farther we are from Datong. The greater the possibility that Duoyan will leave smoothly. If we don't pursue her, there will be no chance!

They wanted to stop Jiange'er, but it was too late!

Eleventh Lady sighed deeply: "Man proposes. God disposes. I hope that Brother Jin can understand his situation and cooperate with Ouyang Ming. With Ouyang Ming in front, people will pay less attention to him."

Compared to the emperor's high-profile protection of Ouyang Ming, Jiang'er was more low-key.

Xu Lingyi thought so too. He showed an admiring look and said, "After dinner, I will go to Wang Li's place. Some things are more convenient for them to handle." Eleventh Lady nodded and kept an eye on the news from Yulin.

On the second day of June, Ouyang Ming and his party caught up with Yan Duo in Qinhe, not far from Yulin. Just when Ouyang Ming thought Yan Duo was within his grasp, suddenly more than 20,000 Dazi cavalrymen emerged... Xu Lingyi's knuckles turned white as he held the letter paper. "20,000 Dazi... does that mean that those Dazi who escaped from Datong did not return to the grassland at all, but hid near Datong and waited for an opportunity to act?"

The person who came to inform Xu Lingyi was Hu San, a close follower of Gong Dongning. He was about 27 or 28 years old, very calm, and deeply trusted by Gong Dongning. Xu Lingyi's gaze made him a little breathless, and he nodded with difficulty, not daring to look at Xu Lingyi's expression.

"What's the situation now?" Xu Lingyi asked Hu San after a long while.

Hu San said carefully: "Lord Ouyang killed 8,000 enemies and was seriously injured. He is now unconscious." His voice was low but clear, "Lord Xu took the 3,000 troops of Yulin Guard to chase after them!" At this point, Gong Dongning's iron-green face suddenly appeared in Ming San's mind when he was about to leave, and Gong Dongning's hoarse voice also rang in his ears. "...Marquis Pingyong was very kind to me and gave me his favorite youngest son. Not only did I fail to take good care of the child, I also lost him... If I hadn't received the military order, I would have gone to Yanjing to apologize to Lord Xu in person. When you go, remember to kowtow to Lord Xu on my behalf and tell him. I will go to apologize to him after I hand over the seal of marshal. When the time comes, Lord Xu will decide whether to beat or scold me, and he will not be unwilling at all." He shuddered and said hurriedly, "Marquis, our master sent the most capable and battle-savvy Lieutenant General to chase after them with the most talented cavalry in the army. I believe that good news will be reported in a few days..."

Before he could finish his words, Xu Lingyi waved his hand slowly at him: "Although we were ambushed by Da Zi, we were defeated in the end. Only by catching Yan Duo can we redeem ourselves. Even if we chase him, he probably won't come back with you!"

Hu San looked up at Xu Lingyi in surprise.

Xu Lingyi had a blank expression on his face, but a trace of sadness flashed across his eyes.

Hu San felt uncomfortable when he thought of the anecdotes about Xu Lingyi's firmness and decisiveness that were circulating in the military camp. Although he knew that he was overstepping his authority, he still couldn't help but said, "My Lord, that won't happen. Lieutenant General Li is not only good at fighting, but also good at speaking. He will definitely be able to persuade Lord Xu to go back. Otherwise, our Lord would not have let Lieutenant General Li go. Our Lord also said that the general leading the army this time is Lord Ouyang, and Lord Xu is just a Tongzhi. Even if he is wrong, it is Lord Ouyang's fault. Lord Xu will lie by our Lord's side for a few years, and when there is movement in the northwest, we will go to them for a comparison. We just need to get this place back." If it were normal times, Xu Lingyi would definitely not say anything to someone like Hu San. But today, what Nineteen had been doing had changed. When he returned later, how would he face Eleven, who was looking at him eagerly... He felt relieved for a moment.

"You don't know, Brother Jian is a strong-willed child..." He stammered, "As long as there is a glimmer of hope, he will not give up. Moreover, your master has sent Lieutenant General Li to lead all the cavalry in the army... He will not go back no matter what!"

Hu San Bu Tong fell silent.

Being by Gong Dongning's side, he had some understanding of Jiange'er's personality.

"Okay, you've worked hard day and night. Go down and have a rest!" Xu Lingyi waved his hand and ended the conversation.

Hu San bowed respectfully and retreated quietly.

Xu Lingyi sat on the big kang by the window in the study, staring blankly at the green duckweed in the glass vat on the windowsill. When it got dark, he took a long breath, put the letter in a box beside him, and got off the kang. After taking only two steps, he turned back, put the box containing the letter in the most inconspicuous small compartment in the lower right corner of the antique shelf, and returned to the main room.

Different from the loneliness of the previous days, the main room was brightly lit today. Maids, daughters-in-law and old women walked briskly under the bright red lanterns, and their eyes and brows were filled with joy.

Xu Lingyi was stunned.

Han Xiao had already come out to greet him: "My Lord, please come in quickly! Madam has been waiting for you for a long time!

Xu Lingyi's heart tightened.

Could it be that Eleventh Lady knew something?

The thought flashed through my mind, and I felt myself being paranoid again.

If Eleventh Lady knew about Jiang'er's affairs, why would the house be filled with such a festive atmosphere?

While thinking, he nodded lightly at Hanxiao and strode into the inner room.

Eleventh Lady was leaning on the pillow on the kang by the window, speaking something to Amber tenderly. Hearing the noise, she turned her head with a hint of embarrassment between her brows: "The Marquis is back!" Amber hurriedly stood up and saluted Xu Lingyi, and called Leng Xiang in to help Xu Lingyi change his clothes.

Eleventh Lady lay on the bed without moving.

Xu Lingyi was slightly stunned, and walked over and sat beside the bed: "What's wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?"

"No!" Eleventh Lady's face flushed, and she looked a little unnatural. "I'm fine!" She added, "My Lord, go change your clothes quickly! I'll have the maids serve the meal."

Xu Lingyi caught a glimpse of Amber and smiled.

"What's going on?" Xu Lingyi looked at Amber suspiciously.

Amber glanced at Shiyi Niang, half-knelt down with a smile and saluted: "Congratulations, sir, congratulations, sir, the lady has just been diagnosed with pregnancy!"

Happy Clinic...

Xu Lingyi was stunned for a long while before he responded: "Really, really!" His voice was a little panicked.

Jin Ge'er is already in his teens, and he had given up hope a long time ago, but he never expected that he would actually have it... It felt a bit like regaining what he had lost, and he felt even happier.

"Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?" He couldn't help but touch her abdomen. "Is there anything special you want to eat?"

Xu Lingyi thought of her discomfort when Huai Jiange was a child, and there was some worry in his tone.

"No talent!" Shiyi Niang's face was very red. "If it weren't for Amber reminding me, I wouldn't have thought about it. I have been worrying about Jing'er these days!" Thinking of this, her expression became serious. "Is there any news from Jing'er? According to the date, there should be a letter from Yulin."

"I haven't received any news yet! I'll tell you as soon as I have any." Xu Lingyi tried his best to make his voice sound as calm and soothing as usual, "Are you really not feeling unwell anywhere?" He changed the subject, his hand gently stroking Shiyi Niang's abdomen, "Mom, do you understand?" His voice was very gentle.

Amber looked at it, signaled to the servants in the room, and retreated quietly.

"Not yet!" Eleventh Lady lowered her eyelids, "I don't know how to explain this to my mother... Zhuang Ge'er is running away..."

Xu Lingyi smiled and held Shiyi Niang in his arms: "What's there to be embarrassed about? There are many uncles who are younger than their nephews. This shows that our family is large and prosperous!"

Hearing him say "Uncle is younger than nephew..." Eleventh Lady said, "Maybe it's a girl! The last time I was pregnant with Jian'er, I didn't feel comfortable for a single day, but I don't even know I'm pregnant with this one!"

"My daughter is great!" Xu Lingyi didn't care: "My daughter is my little treasure. It's so sweet to have a daughter!" "I think so too!" Eleventh Lady's tone was full of longing, "God must have thought that Jian'er was too naughty, so he compensated me with an obedient one!" Xu Lingyi laughed, feeling chilled in his heart.

In order to pursue Duoyan, Jiange'er went into the grassland and his whereabouts are unknown... The child they have been waiting for for so many years, has not come early or late, but Shiyi Niang is pregnant at this time... Could it be that God has pity on their empty knees and is compensating them.

As soon as the thought came to his mind, his heart ached like a knife. But he didn't dare to show it in front of Shiyi Niang, and even smiled and talked to her: "Be careful, if Jian Ge finds out, he will come to question us. He has never thought that he is stubborn!"

Thinking of her son's frowning face, Shiyi Niang laughed, and then worriedly said, "Tell me, if Jian'er knew that he was going to have a brother or sister soon, would he feel a little disappointed?"

"Why would he feel sad?" Xu Lingzhen asked in confusion, "He has a younger brother or sister, and now has someone to support him. How could he feel sad?"

Jin Ge'er has always been doted on. If she had a younger brother or sister, her energy would definitely be dispersed and she would pay less attention to him... However, what Xu Lingyi said made sense. In this world, having many children means more blessings. Maybe Jin Ge'er would be very happy if he knew about this!

"Should we write a letter to Jian'er?" Shiyi Niang said with a smile, "so that he won't be surprised when he returns home."

"Write tomorrow!" Xu Lingyi remained calm. "Eat first, then go pay respects to mother and burn incense for our ancestors."

Eleventh Lady nodded, but she was thinking in her heart how to tell Jiang'er about this if he came back!

Within a few days, everyone knew that Eleventh Lady was pregnant.

Mrs. Lin, Mrs. Huang San, and Mrs. Zhou all came to see her. Eleventh Lady had to entertain them with wine and food. The house was bustling with people coming and going for several days.

Eleventh Lady became suspicious.

How come none of the people who came to see her asked about Jiange'er?