Chapter 79 Revenge for the Murder of the Mother
Southern border.
Xuanyuan Jing was looking at the generals who were beaten and lying on the ground.
"Who else is dissatisfied?"
The general standing by bowed.
"We are convinced and willing to follow the Regent as our commander-in-chief from now on."
The generals lying on the ground got up, knelt on one knee and bowed to Xuanyuan Jing.
Xuanyuan Jing looked at them and spoke sharply.
"This king knows that you have followed Gu Xiu for many years and have fought side by side on the battlefield. However, Gu Chuan first killed General Wude and then colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country on the battlefield in the northern border, nearly killing hundreds of thousands of soldiers."
"In terms of merit, the Gu family has indeed made contributions. The imperial court has always favored the Gu family over the years. However, treason is a serious crime punishable by extermination of all nine clans. The emperor is merciful and, considering the merits of the Gu family, has spared the nine clans from suffering."
"You are all battle-hardened heroes who have defended our country. I believe you can distinguish right from wrong and continue to protect the border, the people of Xuanyuan, and your families."
The generals responded in unison upon hearing this.
"I, your humble servant, will swear allegiance to the Regent until death, guard the border, and defend Xuanyuan!"
Xuanyuan Jing nodded with satisfaction, glanced at everyone, and continued speaking.
"General Chen is also a veteran. From now on, when I am not in the southern border, military affairs will be handed over to General Chen."
Upon hearing this, everyone bowed to General Chen.
"General Chen."
General Chen stepped forward, bowed in return, and looked determined.
"Everyone, from now on we will be guarding the southern border together and serving Xuanyuan. I hope you can give us your guidance."
Watching General Chen chatting with the soldiers, Xuanyuan Jing stood up and walked away.
Jiang Yuan followed him.
"Your Highness, we were able to subdue the Gu family army so quickly, thanks to the list provided by the princess. I never thought that the princess, who is far away in the imperial city, would know so much about the relationships between the soldiers in the southern border."
Upon hearing this, Xuanyuan Jing remembered that Xiao Fu had come to the Regent's Palace the night before he left and handed over a list.
"Regent, thank you for your help in the Gu family's affairs. Fu Guang also knows that the Regent agreed to deal with the Gu family army this time because of Fu Guang. Fu Guang does not like to leave, so he will not see you off. Fu Guang has a list here that records the identities and relationships of the soldiers in the southern border. I hope it can help the Regent."
As the memory faded, a smile appeared on Xuanyuan Jing's lips.
“She always has the ability to surprise people with something unexpected.”
Jiang Yuan looked at the smile on Xuanyuan Jing's lips. It was amazing that the prince could actually smile. Didn't he usually have a cold face?
"Your Majesty, why do I feel that you treat Miss Xiao very differently?"
"This Miss Xiao is resourceful and beautiful. Although she's divorced, her status isn't quite worthy of the prince..."
Xuanyuan Jing spoke in displeasure upon hearing this.
"Shut up."
"Divorce is just her past, it's not her fault."
Protecting it right now? Jiang Yuan's eyes were filled with surprise, and he immediately agreed.
"Yes, yes, that's all in the past."
"The princess is wonderful in every way, but it's the Gu family who doesn't know what's good for them."
"But Your Highness, the Crown Prince, Prince Rong, and the Fifth Prince are all eyeing the Princess. If you are truly attracted to her, then you should quickly propose marriage. Only when you marry her will she be yours."
Thinking of Xiao Fuguang's attitude towards marriage, Xuanyuan Jing glanced at Jiang Yuan.
"I want you to be more talkative."
Inside the Xiao family mansion, funeral preparations were being made in full swing.
Lin Qingwan suppressed her grief and directed her servants to carry out various matters in an orderly manner.
Xiao Fuguang knelt in the mourning hall, burning paper money with a numb look in his eyes.
The Xiao family didn't have many friends, and at Old Lady Yao's banquet that day, everyone knew that Xiao Fuguang had offended Concubine Yao, so not many people came to the Xiao family to offer their condolences.
The fifth prince lit a stick of incense for Madam Xiao and squatted down beside Xiao Fuguang.
"Princess, the dead cannot be resurrected, please accept your condolences."
Xiao Fuguang acted as if he didn't hear anyone talking and continued to put paper money into the basin numbly.
Seeing this, Lin Qingwan hurriedly stepped forward and knelt down to pay her respects.
"Please forgive the Fifth Prince and help Fu Guang. She is overly sad and mentally unstable. Please..."
The fifth prince hurriedly raised his hand to support him.
"Young Madam, please stand up quickly. This prince understands everything."
"Given the relationship between this prince and Miss Xiao, there's no need to apologize."
"These days, this prince is staying in the prince's mansion outside the palace. If there is anything you need, Madam, please send someone to tell me."
Lin Qingwan hurriedly spoke with red eyes and a grateful look on her face.
"Thank you, Your Highness the Fifth Prince."
Suddenly there was a loud shout.
"The Queen has arrived."
"The prince has arrived."
Lin Qingwan hurriedly took Xiao Fushu to pay her respects.
"Greetings to Her Majesty the Queen, and to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
The queen spoke hurriedly with a sad face.
"Hurry up and don't be so polite. The prince and I are here to see Madam Xiao off."
Soon the maid lit the incense and the prince stepped forward to take it.
"Madam Xiao, have a safe journey."
What a great honor it is to be able to have the crown prince burn incense to you.
Lin Qingwan hurriedly thanked him.
The queen looked at Xiao Fuguang who was kneeling on the ground, walked forward, slowly squatted down, and spoke with a distressed look on her face.
"Fuguang, my dear child, you must be more patient. If your mother saw you like this, she would be heartbroken."
Reach out and take Xiao Fuguang's hand.
"Fuguang, in my heart, you are like my daughter. If you have any grievances, I will help you."
Xiao Fuguang looked at the queen with empty eyes and remained silent.
Lin Qingwan hurriedly explained again.
"Empress, please forgive me and help her... She's been extremely sad. She hasn't eaten or drunk anything these past few days and has been kneeling here crying. She's not in a good mental state and won't respond to anyone who speaks to her. I didn't mean to..."
The queen looked even more distressed when she heard this.
"Young Madam, there's no need to explain. I understand everything."
Then he took the handkerchief handed to him by Nanny Fang and wiped the tears from the corners of Xiao Fuguang's eyes.
"Fuguang, I understand your grief over losing your mother, but are you going to be so depressed?"
"This is completely different from the Fu Guang I know."
Seeing that Xiao Fuguang remained indifferent, the queen reached out and hugged her.
"Child, let me hold you."
Then he leaned close to her ear.
"Since you can't bear the pain of losing your mother, why should you bear the hatred of killing your mother?"
There was finally a hint of hatred in Xiao Fuguang's eyes. He looked at the queen, waiting for her next words.
The Queen met her gaze and patted her hands.
"Child, you are so smart, how could you not figure out the strangeness of this?"
"Some people are born bad. If they can't get you, they will destroy you. Instead of being numb here, why don't you think about who your Xiao family has offended? Or who you have offended?"
"Mrs. Xiao loves you so much, how could she bear to abandon you children and go back?"
The Crown Prince was discussing this matter with the Fifth Prince.
"Why is Fifth Brother here too?"
The fifth prince bowed.
"Your humble servant greets His Majesty the Crown Prince. I am here to offer a stick of incense to Madam Xiao."
Thinking about how he wanted to go home at the banquet but was always stopped by Concubine Yao, and that he was able to go home only after Prince Rong arrived at Yao's house, Xiao Fuguang looked at the queen with questioning eyes.
"What does the Queen know?"
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