Chapter 397: Announcement of the

Imperial Decree The eunuch bowed slightly, saluted to the Qin family, then cleared his throat and began to convey the emperor's will.

The whole thing happened very suddenly, but everyone immediately straightened their posture.

This is, the emperor's imperial decree?

Qin Shu felt a little uneasy. How could a decree coming at this time bring good things?

"Everyone of the Qin family listens to the imperial decree!" The eunuch's voice was loud and clear, echoing in the empty hall.

Everyone stood respectfully.

"The emperor has ordered that the second son of the Qin family will soon set off for the border to protect the country's peace. The emperor is compassionate and has ordered him not to go to the barracks before going to the border."

The second son raised his head in shock when he heard this. However, the eunuch did not stop there. He turned to Qin Qixuan, with a look of scrutiny and admonition in his eyes.

"In addition, the emperor also mentioned that Qin Qixuan, the eldest son of the Qin family, is talented and skilled in martial arts, and is the pillar of the country. But the emperor also hopes that you can always remember your identity and responsibilities, and not be too arrogant, so as not to cause unnecessary trouble." Although the eunuch's words were euphemistic, the meaning of admonition was self-evident.

Qin Qixuan was shocked when he heard this. The emperor was warning and admonishing him.

No matter what Qin Qixuan was thinking, he did not show any emotion at this time, but responded respectfully.

"I will remember the emperor's teachings and will abide by my duty."

Seeing this, the eunuch nodded slightly to show his satisfaction. He bowed to everyone again, and then slowly left the hall.

Everyone in the Qin family looked at the eunuch's back as he left, and they all understood that this was not only the emperor's oral instruction, but also a warning to the Qin family.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the hall was as heavy as a frozen ice layer. There was no sound, and only the rustling sound of the breeze blowing through the treetops outside became clearer.

Everyone's breathing seemed to be deliberately slowed down, for fear of breaking the heavy silence.

Qin Shu's eyes wandered between her two sons, and she felt mixed emotions. She looked at the second brother, whose usually resolute face was now filled with shock and confusion, with indescribable emotions flashing in his eyes. She knew that the shock in the second brother's heart was far more than that, and the emperor's decree was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue for him.

On the surface, the emperor's words were out of sympathy for the second brother, allowing him not to work too hard before going to the border, but Qin Shu was able to keenly capture the deep meaning of it. This clearly undermined the second brother's military power in the capital, making him subject to control everywhere and unable to move freely as before.

The second brother knew in his heart that the root of all this was what happened in the Jinnan Palace last time. Although that matter seemed calm on the surface, the emperor's anger had never subsided. Now, this decree is the emperor's warning and warning to their Qin family.

Qin Xixi, who was standing aside, opened her mouth slightly after hearing the eunuch's words, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she couldn't make a sound. She was full of doubts and puzzlement.

[Why would the emperor punish Zhao Shuo'er and Zhao Zemo so seriously for something that they didn't pursue? He wouldn't be like this before, right? ]

Xixi knew in her heart that the emperor had always been tolerant of the Qin family before, but this time he was so decisive, which made her feel very puzzled.

Qin Shu could naturally feel the deep meaning of the emperor's words. A complex emotion flashed in her eyes, including helplessness and dissatisfaction with the emperor, as well as worry about the future of the Qin family. But she knew that this was not the time to complain, and she had to face it all calmly.

Helian Shi saw Qin Shu's complex expression and felt distressed.

As an important official in the court, he knew that as long as he came forward to plead for the Qin family, the emperor would definitely give the Qin family face.

"I will go to His Majesty and explain it to him clearly. Maybe things will turn around..." Helian Shi said as he turned around and left.

However, before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Qin Shu. Qin Shu shook her head lightly, with a trace of fatigue and determination in her eyes.

"Thank you for your kindness, General Helian, but there is no need to mention this matter again. I am already very satisfied with this result. The second brother is just not allowed to go to the barracks before going to the border, not demoted. This is already the greatest tolerance for our Qin family."

Helian Shi wanted to say something else, but seeing Qin Shu's firm eyes, he finally closed his mouth. He understood that Qin Shu's decision was not an impulse, but a decision made after careful consideration, and he could not change it.

The second brother also stood up at this time, with a bit of guilt and self-blame on his face, and his eyes wandered between Qin Shu and Helian Shi.

"Mother, General Helian, I was too impulsive and got into such trouble. I will remember this lesson and will be more careful in the future."

The second brother remembered that Helian Shi didn't seem to know the whole story, so he quickly explained to him.

"Last time, the Zhao family suddenly took Miss Wen away. We were worried about her safety, so we decided to visit the Jinnan Palace at night to rescue Miss Wen. Because the incident happened suddenly, we had to mobilize the troops in the barracks... I was too reckless and didn't consider the consequences carefully. I shouldn't have involved my brothers in the barracks."

As soon as the second brother finished speaking, the atmosphere around him seemed a little heavy. However, Helian Shi did not blame Lao Er too much. His eyes stayed on Lao Er for a moment, and then he shook his head gently.

In fact, Helian Shi had heard about Lao Er's previous behavior a long time ago. As a general in the army, every move in the barracks could not escape his eyes. The reason why he did not punish Lao Er was because he felt that although Lao Er's actions at the time were impulsive, his starting point was to save people, which was not wrong.

"No problem." Helian Shi said lightly, with a hint of tolerance and understanding in his voice, "You are also trying to save people, which is understandable. However, you still have to be more careful in the future."

Helian Shi's words made Lao Er's guilt a little less. He looked at Helian Shi with gratitude, then nodded to show that he understood.

Helian Shi shook his head and remembered another thing.

"By the way, this time when we go back to the border, you will take the troops back, and I will stay in the capital for a while... But now, the most important thing is for us to celebrate the Lantern Festival happily together."

Helian Shi changed the subject, and everyone remembered that today was still the Lantern Festival.

Now if we are worried here and can't find a solution, it is better to celebrate the Lantern Festival well as Helian Shi said.

Little Xixi also suddenly spoke at this time, blinking her big eyes.

"Second glutinous rice balls! I want second glutinous rice balls!"

This made everyone laugh out loud, and the haze in their hearts was much less.

Qin Shu even smiled and wanted to serve Xixi glutinous rice balls.

"Little gluttonous cat, mommy will go get some glutinous rice balls for Xixi now!"