After the initial astonishment, tension filled the entire court.
Did the Xie family run away?
Despite Xie An handing over the Black-Clad Guard token and the Xie family's complete departure from the capital, no one truly knows the depth of the Xie family's power.
"Investigate! Find out where they all ran off to, and re-send escorts. If the Xie family isn't properly exiled, kill them on the spot!"
Emperor Hui slowly issued the imperial edict.
Leng Luo knew that His Majesty regretted not killing the Xie family.
They didn't kill her at the time because Xie Zhaozhao's contributions to the northwest campaign against Wei were too great, her contributions to disaster relief in the south were too great, her contributions during the earthquake were too great... her contributions were too great!!
Also because Yin Jin'an used the Yin family's military token to exchange for Xie Zhaozhao's safety before he died!
This was also because Xie Anfeng produced 150,000 Xuanyi Guard tokens.
He couldn't kill him in front of everyone, and it wasn't appropriate for him to do so.
The crown prince looked up at him uneasily: "Father, will the Xie family return to the capital?"
Emperor Hui patted his hand with a smile: "If they dare to come back, I will execute their entire clan on the spot."
The crown prince visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
Emperor Hui suddenly asked the Minister of War, "The military tally of the Yin family army has been handed over. Have you gone to receive it? What is the situation?"
The Minister of War replied, "The military tally that Marquis Xiaoyao handed over was only the military tally of the Yin family army that Duke Xun had given him before his death. The soldiers under the seven generals have already been incorporated into the Military Affairs Department; however, the troops under Marquis Xiaoyao's own command have not been handed over."
"What's the meaning?"
"When the family was divided, the Marquis of Xiaoyao received two retainers: General Wang Fen and the military genius Chu Zhongtian. The troop mobilization seals of these two individuals are not within the scope of the Yin family army's troop mobilization that has been handed over."
Emperor Hui immediately tightened his grip and asked, "Where are the troops Wang Fen commanded? Is Chu Zhongtian still at the Imperial Arsenal?"
The Vice Minister of War immediately replied, "Because the military tally has not been handed over, I am not authorized to inquire about the whereabouts of General Wang Fen. However, Chu Zhongtian and others have gone to escort the coffin for Marquis Xiaoyao!"
Emperor Hui did not immediately understand the meaning of escorting Yin Jin'an's coffin; he thought it was simply being sent to the Yin family's ancestral tomb near the capital.
"Investigate where the Marquis of Xiaoyao's token is. Go to the Marquis's residence and look for it," Emperor Hui ordered. "When Chu Zhongtian returns, tell him to come see me immediately."
"Yes!" the Vice Minister of War replied respectfully.
Leng Luo stood to the side without saying a word.
There was a discrepancy in the conversation between His Majesty and the Ministry of War; their statements about "Chu Zhongtian returning" differed.
His Majesty was unaware that the coffin of the Marquis of Xiaoyao had gone to a very far place.
Waiting for Chu Zhongtian to return?
It's hard to say whether he'll come back.
Therefore, Chu Zhongtian and Wang Fen's families are in trouble...
With the topic of the military tally over, someone brought up Zhou Shaoyu's marriage.
Xie Zhaozhao is gone. Shouldn't His Highness Jingchen be left alone in his empty room?
"Your Majesty, I believe that Prince Jingchen should be formally registered in the Imperial Register and given a title as soon as possible," said Minister of Rites, Lord Yue.
The head of the Imperial Clan Court also submitted a memorial, saying that the Imperial Observatory had chosen a new date to issue Zhou Shaoyu a jade register and suggested that he be granted the title of king.
Emperor Hui nodded and said, "Jingchen accidentally fell off his horse. Once he is better, we will get these things done."
"His Highness's illness does not prevent the imperial edict from being submitted."
The Imperial Clan Court felt that Zhou Shaoyu's injury would not affect his inclusion in the Imperial Register.
Once this matter was settled, people immediately started talking about the important task of having more children. Since His Majesty was old and the Seventh Prince was too young, the responsibility of having more children fell on Zhou Shaoyu's shoulders.
Emperor Hui ordered the Ministry of Rites, the Palace Attendants' Office, the Imperial Clan Court, and other departments to hold a talent selection for Zhou Shaoyu in the capital. All eligible noblewomen were to be reported, and one principal wife, two secondary wives, and several concubines were to be selected...
Hanako Katsu lowered her head and looked meek, while the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court were very proactive.
At noon, Leng Luo returned to the Imperial City Guard, summoned someone, whispered a few words to him, and the person hurriedly left.
Qingpu Garden.
Zhou Shaoyu brought Zhou Qiheng over and played with his son.
The little guy never cries; his eyes and brows bear the marks of his parents and grandparents.
Emperor Hui tried to find the shadow of Consort Yun and himself in the child's face, while Zhou Shaoyu tried to find the shadow of Xie Zhaozhao in Zhou Qiheng's face.
As they were talking, Nanxing said that Leng Luo had sent someone.
Zhou Shaoyu handed the child to the wet nurse and spoke with her for a few words. He learned that His Majesty might take Wang Fen and Chu Zhongtian's families hostage. He immediately told Nanxing, "Immediately take General Wang Fen and Chu Zhongtian's family away and put them in Lao Ding Village first."
Nanxing sent someone to inform him, and Zhou Shaoyu continued to play with the child, regardless of whether Zhou Qiheng understood or not, he kept imparting knowledge to the baby.
"Remember, your mother's name is Xie Zhaozhao. She is the best and most beautiful woman in the world. People call her Guanyin Face!"
"Grow up quickly, and we'll go find your mother together."
The baby couldn't understand either, and just kept blowing bubbles.
Not long after, Nanxing came to report that Miss Li from the Duke of England's mansion had come to visit.
Zhou Shaoyu was stunned for a moment. Who was Miss Li?
Nanxing explained, "She is the eldest daughter of the Duke of England's family, a close friend of the Madam, and Li Yunmu's younger sister, from the top circle of noble ladies in the capital."
Who is Miss Li's husband's family?
"She's not married yet. She hasn't found a suitable husband yet, which has delayed her marriage."
"There is no woman in the yard. Tell her not to come again."
"She said she was checking on the young master on behalf of Miss Xie."
Tell her the child is not at home.
After Nanxing rejected Li Ranran, Li Ranran returned to the car with her face covered by a veil, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Upon returning to the Duke's mansion, the Duchess of Yingguo heard from the servants that Li Ranran had gone to Qingpu Garden to visit Xie Zhaozhao's son without even entering the gate. The Duchess of Yingguo was so angry that her face turned pale.
"She's quite capable. Her best friend was divorced, and she didn't go to see him off; the entire Xie family was imprisoned and exiled, and she didn't go to see them off; after they left, she went to see their son..."
Do you think I'm a fool?
The Duchess of England said to her maid, "Tell the steward that from now on, the young lady must report to me before going out."
The old woman said, "Madam, you and the Duke should have a good talk. The eldest young lady is not young anymore, and it's not good for her to stay in the manor like this all the time."
“How could I want this? I’ve introduced her to so many families, but she just won’t accept them! People who don’t know better would think I’m their stepmother.”
Li Yunmu was disobedient, but he managed to become a duke by clinging to the Xie family's coattails, which is quite an achievement.
When the Duke of England returned from the palace, his wife told him about Li Ranran's unauthorized visit to Qingpu Garden, which infuriated her.
The Duke of England said, "I will first find Ranran and ask her what she thinks. If she can really get married, then I will have done right by my deceased father and mother."
The Duchess did not inquire about how the Duke of Yingguo and Li Ranran discussed things. However, the Duke of Yingguo went to the palace to request His Majesty to bestow his sister's hand in marriage to Zhou Shaoyu as his principal wife.
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