Chapter 750: Watch (Part 1)

Despite Xu Lingyi's repeated assurances, he failed to change the dowager's determination. In the end, everyone was really out of options, and Xu Lingyi had to go in person to deliver the badge and request to enter the palace to meet the Empress Dowager.

Neither the inner court nor the Cining Palace dared to be negligent. The sign was delivered at noon, and within an hour, Eunuch Lei personally led two eunuchs dressed in sixth-rank clothing to pick up the Madam. Xu Lingyi and Shiyi Niang accompanied the Madam into the palace.

Grandpa Sun Laohou came to visit unexpectedly.

"Entered the palace..." The old man was a little disappointed.

The fifth room was noisy for most of the night last night, and everyone had guessed the purpose of Lord Sun's visit.

Chief Steward Bai respectfully invited Lord Sun to sit in the outer study: "…He has been gone for almost an hour, he should be back soon!"

There are rules in the palace that dictate that meals are not eaten after noon. For the afternoon meal, each palace would make some snacks in the small kitchen to fill their stomachs. Under such circumstances, there was naturally no such thing as leaving any food for the palace. In addition, the inner palace had to leave the food, so it was time to leave the palace at the hour of You.

Lord Sun looked at the sky and went to the study accompanied by Chief Butler Bai.

Xu Sichen rushed over immediately.

"Grandfather, you are here." He hurriedly saluted Grandpa Sun and said, "I want to go to Guizhou with my sixth brother... He is only one year older than me, but now he is the Earl of Wujin and the general of Guizhou. I can't stay at home like this anymore. In the past, he couldn't even beat me in archery!"

Upon hearing this, Manager Bai immediately retreated quietly and closed the door for the grandfather and grandson.

"You are the eldest son, you can take care of me in the future.

Your father is not as good as your fourth uncle. When the late emperor was alive, he made great contributions in the wars. Now, he has made great contributions in recommending Gong Dongning... What will happen to your brother in the future?" Lord Sun asked Xu Sichen gently.

His grandfather, who had always supported him, stood on his mother's side this time, and Xu Sizhen was surprised.

He couldn't help but lower his head and think.

The room fell into silence.

Xu Sichen's expression gradually became depressed.

Lord Sun saw this and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

This time, he miscalculated. Who knew that this hesitation would lead to such a dramatic change?

First, the Tartars marched south, Fan Weigang was defeated, and Xuantong City was captured; Ouyang Ming was ordered to take charge of the army, but he was seriously injured and fell into a coma; the generals were replaced on the battlefield, and Gong Dongning was transferred to take charge of the seal; the emperor wanted to save Ouyang Ming's life, so he left 20,000 troops to let him chase Duoyan and get military merit, but he was ambushed by Duoyan

As a result, Xu Sijin was conferred the title of Wujinbo, while Ouyang Ming, the man the emperor wanted to help, was exiled with his entire family. Xu Sijin, who followed Ouyang Ming and waved flags, was fearless and called 3,000 guards from Yulinwei to chase Duoyan. The commander of Yulinwei was even more clever and handed over the troops to Xu Sijin... The development of the situation was so confusing that he had no time to make arrangements before he received the news that Xu Sijin had captured Duoyan alive.

If I had known this would happen, I would have been ruthless and sent Chen Ge'er to Guizhou as well!

Xu Sichen didn't think that much.

The same words, spoken by his grandfather who once sat high in the temple and made decisions on state affairs, would be more convincing to him than those spoken by his mother who only doted on her younger brother.

If anyone had to make concessions, it could only be him, the older brother.

"Grandfather," he raised his head and looked at Grandpa Sun with a resolute look, "I will stay at home and let my younger brother go to Guizhou with my sixth brother!"

Xu Lingyi knew the intention of sending Xu Sijin to Guizhou, and he was originally planning to send Xu Sichen there later. But when he saw Xu Sichen's childish face and thought that he only had this one daughter, and his daughter only had two sons, his heart softened, and he thought it would be better to wait a few years, until Xu Sijin had established himself in the barracks, and Xu Sichen was older and had learned martial arts better, then it would not be too late to go.

Even at this time, he still remembers to take care of his younger brother... Grandpa Sun nodded with satisfaction.

The sound of a woman crying came from the door.

The two looked in the direction of the sound and saw the Fifth Lady standing there wiping her tears.

"Mother," Xu Sizhen hurried over and took out a handkerchief and handed it to the Fifth Madam, "I was wrong, please stop crying!"

After hearing this, Mrs. Wu cried even more sadly.

The palm and the back of the hand are both flesh and blood. Cheng Ge'er is younger, so she pays more attention to him, but it doesn't mean that she doesn't care about the eldest son. The eldest son has always been more successful and capable than the younger son. Now that the eldest son has given up his bright future to the younger son, how can she not feel uncomfortable?

"Okay, okay, don't cry anymore!" Lord Sun said with a smile, "I'll discuss this matter with Marquis Yongping, you just wait for the news."

With my father in charge, everything will be arranged perfectly.

The Fifth Lady nodded, choking with sobs.

Chief Steward Bai reported through the curtain: "The old Marquis, the Fifth Madam, the Seventh Young Master, the Madam Dowager, the Marquis, and the Fourth Madam are back!"

The Fifth Lady quickly tucked the handkerchief into her sleeve and said, "Dad, please sit here for a while. Brother Chen and I will go to welcome the lady." Lord Sun nodded, and the Fifth Lady went to the Chuihua Gate, and Xu Sichen went to the main gate.

The Second Lady, Jiang, and Yingniang were already waiting in front of the hanging flower gate.

"I don't know what the Empress Dowager and mother said." The Fifth Lady chatted with the Second Lady with a smile.

"Everything has its pros and cons." The second wife said calmly, "Even if the emperor does not agree, after two or three years, we can use this as an excuse to transfer Jiang'er back to Yanjing. It may not be a bad thing. The emperor can't let others end their lineage!" She looked determined and obviously didn't take this matter to heart.

The Fifth Lady couldn't help but smile when she heard this: "Second sister-in-law is still far-sighted. We don't have such foresight as Second sister-in-law." But in her heart, what if the emperor doesn't allow him to be transferred back? I heard that those who are generals are more lucrative than those who are county magistrates or prefects in Jiangnan. What if Brother Jian doesn't want to be transferred back?

These words were just thoughts, but Jiang couldn't help but look at the Second Madam and admired her deeply in her heart.

While they were thinking about it, the lady's carriage stopped in front of the hanging flower gate. Eleventh Lady got off the carriage first, and then helped the lady out of the carriage.

When everyone saw the lady dowager, she was smiling so much that her eyes were narrowed. She not only did not look tired at all after entering the palace, but was full of energy and her face was flushed. It was obvious that the trip was worthwhile.

Everyone smiled and surrounded the lady as she entered the hanging flower gate.

"...I never thought that even Concubine Song would set her sights on our son, Jin." After returning to the room, the Dowager Lady was helped to change clothes by the Second Lady while she was talking to the Fifth Lady, Jiang, and Ying Niang about the situation of entering the palace with some pride. "She refused to leave even when the Empress Dowager signaled to her. She sat there and insisted that Eleventh Lady give her a clear answer. If the Empress Dowager hadn't told her to leave first, I'm afraid we would have to wait for some time before we could leave the palace."

"Empress Dowager Song!" The Fifth Lady looked at Eleventh Lady as if seeking confirmation, but the Second Lady said, "She is the Eighth Prince's biological mother, right? I heard that the Song family was originally a minor official in Pengcheng. Because their daughter was beautiful, she entered the palace and was favored, so she was appointed as the Pengcheng Commander-in-Chief. I'm afraid it's not very suitable, right?" As she spoke, her eyes fell on Eleventh Lady.

Eleventh Lady could only smile bitterly: "The Empress Dowager personally escorted us out of Cining Palace. When we knelt down to say goodbye, the Empress Dowager told me to visit Zhou's family more often when I have time. Madam Zhou came to the palace a few days ago to talk about the marriages of several cousins, and also mentioned that I had not visited Zhou's family for some time."

Some things can only be understood but not expressed in words.

The Second Madam and the Fifth Madam were both stunned.

The old lady waved her hand dismissively, "Don't worry, the decree won't come down until after the Chinese New Year anyway. Let's spend these days choosing a marriage for Jin'er." As she spoke, an expression of longing appeared on her face, "Then let the Empress Dowager find a marriage for Jin'er, and we'll hold his marriage in a grand manner. Maybe next Chinese New Year I'll be able to hold my grandson again!"

The eight characters haven't even been written yet, and you're already talking about your grandson!

Eleventh Lady was a little amused and helpless.

The old lady turned around and asked the second lady, "Tell me, should I dress up and buy two new clothes? Then I can follow Shiyi Niang to find a wife for Qin'er!"

"Of course!" The Second Lady coaxed the Grand Lady, "You have passed by more bridges than we have walked on roads. With your help, Jiange's marriage will be a sure success."

"That's what I thought, too!" The old lady nodded unhumbly, and said, "I've thought about it. Concubine Song is definitely not a good choice. The Zhou family is not good either. There is the Empress Dowager in the middle. When a couple lives together, there will always be times when their upper lips touch their lower lips. If the daughter of the Zhou family relies on the fact that this marriage was arranged by the Empress Dowager, wouldn't our Jian'er be at a disadvantage..." The old lady stroked her head, "I need to think about this matter carefully!" Eleventh Lady looked at the old lady's embarrassment and smiled, "Marry a wife for her virtue. As long as the woman has good character, that's enough. Our Jian'er is not a perfect person..."

"We are not in front of outsiders, we still need to be polite and modest!"

The lady said with some displeasure, "I think there is nothing wrong with our son Jian. He is not only handsome, but also filial and considerate, gentle, polite and generous. Wherever he goes, he never forgets to bring gifts for his family..."

One's own children are the best, and this is particularly evident in the lady.

Eleventh Lady had no choice but to nod in response and go back to tell Xu Lingyi about it.

Xu Lingyi laughed and asked her, "How about letting Zhongran be the matchmaker?"

"Aunt?" Eleventh Lady was stunned.

"He wants to start his own household in the future, so it's best to find a daughter of a military family." Xu Lingyi pondered, "It doesn't matter how high her family background is, but she must be capable, have good character, and have many brothers."

Brothers fighting tigers, father and son go into battle. Being born as a general means that everyone in the family is serving in the military camp. As long as it is not a mess, Xu Lingyi can help support a few people. When the time comes, Xu Sijin has his uncle to help him. With one person, he has the power, and others will be wary of him. A few points.

"I'm afraid that the girl will also be a man who wields swords and guns." Eleventh Lady was a little worried, "Jian'er has an impatient temper and he doesn't like to be treated harshly..."

"When the time comes, you and Sister Zhen will take a good look at it." Seeing that Shiyi Niang agreed in principle, Xu Lingyi smiled and said, "I will write a letter to Zhong Ran later and ask him to help worry about it."

Before he finished speaking, a servant came running in: "My Lord, Madam, Mo Zhu, who is with the Second Young Master, has returned to the capital. He said that he came to greet you and Madam on the orders of the Second Young Master, and to bring something to the Sixth Young Master. He just arrived, and the steward asked me to report to the Lord and Madam."

Due to the failure of the war in the north, the imperial court was afraid that the Japanese pirates in Fujian would take the opportunity to launch a sneak attack, so it blocked the news from Jiangnan. By the time Xu Siyu learned that the people from Guizhou Dusi were ordered to go to Xuantong and wrote to inquire about the details of Zheng Ge'er, Zheng Ge'er had already captured Duoyan, and then the news began to spread.

Judging from the date, Xu Siyu might have just heard about the surrender of prisoners at the Meridian Gate.