Chapter 19 Qin Family's Response
Chapter 19
Shortly after the morning court session ended, news spread that Zhao Wenkuan and two other powerful officials of the Zhao family had been demoted and reprimanded by the emperor.
When the news reached the Qin family, it was almost time for lunch.
The Qin family members currently remaining in Chang'an City primarily include Madam Qin, Qin Heng, Qin Sanlang and his wife, Qin Sheng, and several of the youngest children. At this time, General Qin, Marquis of Pingxi, is stationed at the border, and the second and fourth sons of the Qin family, along with their families, are serving alongside them. Qin Wulang died on the battlefield two years ago. Furthermore, these siblings do not share the same mother. Only the eldest son, Qin Heng, and the youngest son, Qin Sheng, are Madam Qin's children; Qin Sheng is General Qin's late-born son.
Mrs. Qin's health had been poor since she was a child. She and General Qin were childhood sweethearts, and they got married naturally after they came of age.
Because Madam Qin's frail health couldn't withstand the hardships of border life, she arranged for him to take a concubine after their marriage, and General Qin brought her to the border to care for him. The second, third, fourth, and fifth sons of the Qin family, as well as another daughter, were all born to her. Qin Heng and Qin Sheng both called each other "Second Mother" and treated her with respect.
Although they were not born of the same mother, the brothers had a very good relationship. Perhaps because they were used to seeing life and death on the battlefield, they did not fight among themselves like other families.
Qin Heng and Qin Sanlang were also living on the border before, but this year, Madam Qin was seriously ill, so General Qin asked his eldest son to request permission to return to the capital to serve his mother, and he returned. Qin Sanlang and his wife were sent back by General Qin two months ago because Nie Yunniang was pregnant again, so they were asked to return to Chang'an to rest and take care of their stepmother.
Qin Heng and Qin Sanlang came out of the study in the front yard and walked towards Qingfeng Courtyard together.
When the Qin family eats, if everyone stays at home and eats together, it will be lively.
The two of them were talking as they walked, and halfway through, they were caught up by Qin Sheng from behind.
Seeing him sweating in his traditional Hu clothing, Qin Heng casually asked, "Did you just come back from outside? Where have you been?"
Qin Sheng evaded the question and said, "I didn't go anywhere. Is dinner ready at mom's place? I'm a little hungry."
Qin Sanlang, who had been silent on the side, raised his eyebrows. Something was wrong with Xiaoliu.
When the three brothers arrived at Qingfeng Courtyard, Nie Yunniang directed the servants to start serving the meal.
The brothers inevitably talked about the important events that happened in the morning court. As a military general, the rules were relatively loose, and there was no such rule as "don't talk while eating or sleeping". Of course, they would be more careful when they were outside, but they were much more casual at home.
Upon hearing this, Nie Yunniang reacted most strongly. She couldn't help but gasp in surprise, "Isn't this Lu Desheng really that terrifying?"
Madam Qin nodded and said, "This man is indeed amazing."
In just one morning, Lü Desheng single-handedly brought down three powerful officials from the Zhao clique. Not to mention Zhao Wenkuan was the Minister of Rites, a third-rank official! Furthermore, the Minister of Rites was already a highly ranked and trusted official among the Nine Ministers. With tensions now high between Dali and the foreign tribes beyond the borders, the Minister of Rites, who oversaw matters like guest receptions and court meetings, became even more crucial. While he wasn't deposed, he was demoted half a rank, which was already quite impressive. Remember, the head of the Censorate, the Grand Censor, was only a third-rank official, and Lü Desheng was just a censor within the Censorate.
In this battle, the Zhao family was not seriously injured, but it would take at least one or two years to recover.
Qin Sanlang said quietly, "Lv Desheng is in the emperor's heart."
Qin Sheng was in a good mood and picked up a piece of chicken thigh for his mother, while he picked up a piece of chicken neck and chewed it with relish. Tsk, the evildoers will be punished by the evildoers. Why is it that I still feel good when I hear it again?
"Wait, there were twists and turns in the marriage between the Xie and Lu families. Zhao Yutan is the culprit, but A Sheng also helped the evil. If A Sheng hadn't saved the wrong person..." Nie Yunniang said worriedly, but she was interrupted by Qin Sheng before she finished her words.
"Third sister-in-law, if we don't know idioms, we shouldn't use them carelessly, okay? Besides, I'm not the only one who saved the wrong person. Didn't Xie Zhan also fail to recognize his fiancée?"
"This is not important. What I want to say is, do you think Lu Desheng will vent his anger on our Qin family because of this?" Nie Yunniang was very nervous when she said this.
"No." Her husband Qin Sanlang answered her question with certainty. Lu Desheng was not a madman who kept making enemies.
Nie Yunniang nodded, "Then I'm relieved."
"Is the purpose of Censor Lu impeaching the Zhao family to warn them and prevent them from interfering in the marriage between the Xie and Lu families?" Madam Qin felt a little unsatisfied.
"No, quite the opposite." Qin Heng also slowly analyzed: "Judging from Lu Desheng's actions this morning in trying to destroy the Zhao family, there must be something hidden that we don't know. I'm afraid the Xie family has already made their choice, and the Lu family noticed it, so they launched a heavy blow against the Zhao family."
"Boss, from what you said, the Xie and Lu families have expressed their intention to cancel the engagement?" Mrs. Qin asked.
“That’s very likely.”
"Wow, then doesn't our Ah Sheng have a chance?" Nie Yunniang's voice could not hide her excitement. If Miss Lu Er abandoned Xie Zhan and chose Ah Sheng, she would laugh three times with her hands on her hips.
Madam Qin nodded. "Wait. Censor Lu doesn't seem like he can handle that."
Qin Heng also said, "Everything depends on the Lu family's decision." They had previously analyzed that the Xie family didn't have the final say on whether to cancel the engagement. The Xie family was a prominent aristocratic family, full of civil servants and scholars. Scholars valued their reputation, and reputation was paramount. Anyone who wanted to pursue a career in the government, or achieve success in it, would not easily allow themselves to be tainted. The Xie family's proposal to cancel the engagement would be a stain on Xie Zhan.
Qin Sheng: "I'm full, you guys take your time eating."
During this meal, Qin Sheng's expression did not change at all. He was very relaxed from beginning to end. Qin Heng and Qin Sanlang saw all of this.
Qin Heng asked him, "Going to the outskirts of the city to race horses again?"
Qin Sheng nodded, "What's the matter?"
Qin Sanlang gave his eldest brother a questioning look. This matter concerned his entire life. Did he not understand it from beginning to end, or had he already seen through all the twists and turns? Their father had arranged for both his eldest brother and himself to return to Chang'an for rest and recuperation. Besides their own urgent matters requiring them to evacuate the border, they also had another mission: to train Xiaoliu, specifically in strategic thinking. In terms of force, Qin Xiaoliu could practically crush him and his eldest brother.
Qin Heng smiled and said, "Asheng is very smart." When he grows up, he will definitely surpass him as the eldest brother.
Qin Sheng rolled his eyes at his two brothers.
"What are you talking about?" Nie Yunniang asked doubtfully, feeling as if she had missed something.
Qin Sanlang turned around and glanced at his wife. "Well, here's the one who didn't understand the whole thing."
"Yun Niang, ignore them. Come and eat meat." Mrs. Qin picked up a piece of good meat for her daughter-in-law. As for what the men of the Qin family said at the dinner table, she would listen if she could understand it, and she was too lazy to think about it if she didn't understand it.
After serving the dishes to her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Qin thought for a moment and served Qin Sheng a piece of chicken breast. She was very happy after listening to their analysis and decided to encourage her youngest son.
Qin Sheng looked at his mother in confusion. Hadn't he just declared himself full? Why was his mother still giving him food? Never mind. His mother loved him too much and always felt he wasn't full. He might as well eat the meat. He could still eat a little more anyway, so he could just consider it a snack.
Mrs. Qin took the opportunity to educate her youngest son, "Ah Sheng, if you are lucky enough to marry the second daughter of the Lu family, you must treat her well, understand?"
Ahem—Qin Sheng was choked and coughed non-stop, complaining in his heart, "Oh my god, could you please not say such scary things out of the blue?" And then, should he eat the chicken in the bowl or not? It felt like he was selling himself if he ate it.
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