Chapter 156 Returning Home
"Zhao Saiyuan?" The Great Chu Emperor felt that the name was very familiar, and suddenly remembered, "Is it the noble lady's father?"
"In reply to your Majesty, that's right." Marquis Dingguo naturally answered respectfully.
The Great Chu Emperor thought of what Song Qingyan had told him about the noble lady, and couldn't help but feel a little distressed. Now that she was gone, he had to consider her parents more. He immediately agreed: "The position of Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War is vacant, so let's arrange for him to go there."
After leaving Yu's study, Marquis Dingguo told Zhao Saiyuan about the matter.
Zhao Saiyuan had never wanted to work hard in the military camp to gain experience, but he did not expect that after returning to Beijing he would be appointed as a third-rank assistant minister of the Ministry of War. This was really a piece of good luck.
Naturally, I am very grateful to Marquis Dingguo.
Zhao Saiyuan naturally wanted to go home early to see his wife and children.
However, Shen Xiao followed Marquis Dingguo and his son to the Marquis's mansion.
At this time in the Marquis' Mansion, the female members were still chatting in the main hall of the main courtyard, and the head of the second house, Song Zhangying, walked in from outside.
"I see someone from the palace outside. It turns out that the Imperial Concubine has returned home." Song Zhangying was in the officialdom after all, and he was more reliable in dealing with matters of face than his wife. "I pay my respects to Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine. I wish Her Majesty good health and longevity."
As the saying goes, don't hit someone who smiles at you.
Seeing Song Zhangying like this, Song Qingyan also stood up hurriedly: "Second Uncle, don't be polite, please take a seat quickly."
His eyes drifted towards a box in the hands of the boy behind him. That box looked like a sword case.
"Why are you here, second brother?" Xiao knew that Song Zhangying rarely came to this courtyard when the marquis was away. It was strange to see him here today. Could it be that he also knew that Qingyan would return home today?
"I went out for a banquet today and got a good sword." Song Zhangying said as he ordered the servant behind him to come forward and open the sword case.
Because there were only women in the hall and Song Zhangying himself was not good at martial arts, he did not open the sword.
Judging from its appearance alone, it is indeed a good sword.
Song Qingyan was suspicious, could it be such a coincidence that Wanwan was talking about this sword?
"Sister-in-law knows that I am not good at martial arts," Song Zhangying said sincerely, "A sword always goes with a hero, so it is most appropriate to give it to my brother."
Although Song Zhangying was a little stupid, unlike Guo Yu, he had great respect for his brother, so he sent the sword to the main courtyard as soon as he got it.
【It turns out that I did it with good intentions but ended up doing something bad. 】
[But there is a secret that mother must not know. This Song Zhangying is not the old lady’s biological son. The concubine is just looking for a sucker to raise a child for her.]
[The old lady saw that this was her own nephew, so she didn't expose him. She kept him by her side as a concubine's son, so he had a certain status after all.]
[I wonder if my grandparents know about this! ]
Song Qingyan really didn't know about this. It turned out that such a thing happened in her family.
As they were talking, Butler Zhao came in again in a hurry: "Madam, Madam, the master is back."
Seeing that Butler Zhao was still in the breathless state as before, Lu Xingwan couldn't help but complain.
[This housekeeper Zhao looks to be no more than 40 or 50 years old, how come his health is so poor, even worse than my grandfather! ]
[Butler Zhao should exercise. It would be better if grandpa can take Butler Zhao to exercise after he comes back. ]
Song Qingyan agreed very much.
But it turned out to be true. After Duke Dingguo resigned from office, he had nothing to do at home, so he started training the younger generation.
Butler Zhao also could not escape from the "clutches" of Marquis Dingguo.
Everyone came out to greet them, and according to the rules, Song Qingyan stood in the middle.
But rules are rules, and Marquis Dingguo brought his son and Shen Xiao to pay their respects to the Imperial Concubine.
Before her father knelt down, Song Qingyan hurried forward to help him up: "Father, why do you have to do this? His Majesty has said that father does not even need to kneel before His Majesty. You are kneeling to your daughter like this, aren't you embarrassing her?"
Song Qingyan's words were full of coquettishness.
Shen Xiao was surprised that the Emperor of Great Chu actually gave Marquis Dingguo the right to be exempted from kneeling. In this case, he did not overstep the boundaries by not kneeling when he saw Shen Ning just now.
But Lord Hou did not say it to his face.
I'm afraid it's to save the Empress's face and also to save face for myself.
Thinking of his sister Shen Ning, Shen Xiao couldn't help but pinch the Bodhi bracelet in his sleeve, but he couldn't hold it firmly and dropped it to the ground.
Everyone's eyes were focused on the object on the ground. Song Qingqi stepped forward and picked it up. "This is the Bodhi bracelet you asked someone to make a few days ago. Why didn't you give it to the Empress?"
Shen Xiao scratched his head embarrassedly. Now he was not sure whether his sister would still want his Bodhi string.
"This is my first time meeting Princess Yong'an, and I want to give this to her," Shen Xiao looked at Princess Yong'an in Song Zhuo's arms and liked her very much, not to mention how many stories he had heard about Princess Yong'an in the border areas before, "I wonder if Your Majesty..."
Seeing him like this, Song Qingyan couldn't help but smile and said, "Hussar Shen was never so polite to me before."
Shen Xiao smiled heartily, and even looked at Song Qingyan shyly: "Deputy General Song didn't dress like this before."
Upon hearing this, Song Qingyan flew forward and drew out her eldest brother's sword: "Shen Xiao, let me see what progress you have made in these years?"
Seeing Song Qingyan like this, Shen Xiao also became interested. He just said, "Then I'm sorry." Then he drew his sword and stood opposite Song Qingyan.
Song Qingyan seems to have an extremely high talent in swordsmanship. In the entire Western Camp, I'm afraid that only Song Qingqi can fight with her. Even Marquis Dingguo may not be able to beat her.
Seeing that Song Qingyan was still willing to fight with him, Shen Xiao naturally felt envious.
Song Qingqi snatched Song Qingyan's sword away, and his face became a little stern: "Qingyan, today is not appropriate."
"Brother!" Song Qingyan only showed her childish temper in front of the Song family.
Shen Xiao knew that he was also reckless, and hurriedly bowed: "Let me rest today, and I will ask Your Majesty to teach me another day."
Seeing Shen Xiao say this, Song Qingyan had no choice but to give up: "I will fight you another day."
Shen Xiao promptly handed the Bodhi bracelet to Jin Xin: "I heard that there were auspicious signs in the sky when Princess Yong'an was born. This bracelet is perfect for Princess Yong'an."
"Thank you, Guard Shen." Song Qingyan personally took the things and handed them to Wanwan.
It's not that she didn't hear what her elder brother said just now, but since Shen Xiao had made this decision, it was not convenient for her to say anything more.
However, Lu Xingwan took the bracelet with great interest.
[Wow, it's polished so beautifully! ]
[Shen Xiao, is this a gift for the Empress? Why are you reluctant to give it away? It's a bargain for me! ]
Song Qingyan secretly complained in her heart: Yes, you are really lucky.