Looking at Xu Zhi's posture, it was as if she wanted to give away all her wealth. It wasn't that she felt sorry for the things, but she felt sorry for Xu Zhi's current state.
But if he stopped her, he was afraid Xu Zhi would overthink it, so he could only stay by her side and watch her take out each item and tell Chen Zhaoci what it was and who it was for.
Xu Zhi held the ginseng she was going to give to the old lady, thought for a moment, and said to Chen Zhaoci, "Mother, I think I shouldn't send this over. You can find an opportunity to send it to Grandmother later. If she asks about it, I don't know how to explain it to her."
Zheng Boyuan's affairs are still being kept secret from the matriarch. Even when people come to pay their respects during the New Year, the family repeatedly reminds them not to let anything slip to the matriarch.
Chen Zhaoci held Xu Zhi's hand and said, "Xiao Jiu, don't be like this. Boyuan is an upright child. Everything he has done can stand the test of time. He will definitely come back safely."
Xu Zhi couldn't care less about anything else right now. These past few days, she had been pondering what kind of outcome Zheng Boyuan would ultimately have. After meeting Zheng Boyuan just now, she suddenly started to think about the worst-case scenario.
If Zheng Boyuan's home is really going to be raided because of something, I will naturally go with him through thick and thin. But what about all the things in the house?
Xu Zhi wasn't someone who cared much about things, but when the time came, she felt that she should give these things away as soon as possible. It was better to have them in the hands of her own family than to have them confiscated later.
Seeing that Xu Zhi was still fiddling with the things in her hands, Chen Zhaoci pulled Xu Zhi to sit on the edge of the kang and said, "Xiao Jiu, listen to me. You can put these things here with your mother for now. If you want to give them to someone later, you can do it if you are in the capital. If you are not in the capital, your mother will help you deliver them, okay? What will your family think if you give things away like this?"
Xu Zhi sat there in a daze for a while after hearing this. Chen Zhaoci pulled Xu Zhi into his arms and said softly, "Your parents are here for you. Don't worry, we'll make sure Boyuan comes back safe and sound."
Xu Zhi pouted, unable to hold back any longer, and hugged Chen Zhaoci's waist, letting out a good cry.
The girls from the Xu family who got married later, those who heard the news returned on their own if they could, and those who couldn't sent their trusted servants back with them. Xu Zhi stayed at home with peace of mind, waiting for news from Zheng Boyuan.
After the first month of the lunar calendar, the weather grew warmer and warmer. The Ministry of War still hadn't reached a conclusion on Zheng Boyuan's matter. Every morning court session, there would be a heated argument about Zheng Boyuan's case. Everyone felt that the argument was pointless, but some people still wouldn't let it go.
That day, Xu Rao returned from his official duties and was invited by the Marquis to the study in the front courtyard.
The Marquis asked Xu Rao, "Shouldn't there be a conclusion to Boyuan's matter by now? It's been so long, and the Ministry of War's prison is so dark that even good people are going to die inside."
“Father, he should have returned long ago, but some people haven’t come forward yet. His Majesty’s intention is to put it on hold for now. After all, Boyuan has already suffered once, so let’s just wait until the person who should come forward does. Father, don’t worry. When the sun is out during the day, Boyuan can come out and bask in the sun. Zhaoci can’t go in, but Uncle Yu has already gone in to check on him. Boyuan’s health is recovering well.”
The Marquis nodded, finally feeling a little relieved. Thinking about the future arrangements for Zheng Boyuan, he asked, "Where should we put Boyuan now that he's back? He can't go back to Wuzhou."
Xu Rao felt somewhat irritated, thinking that he still hadn't reached an agreement with Prime Minister Feng on this matter. He said, "Father, Prime Minister Feng and I still have some disagreements on this matter."
The Marquis listened and said, "Tell me about it, and I will listen."
"My son wants Boyuan and Xiao Jiu to find a secluded place to stay for a few years. Boyuan's health still needs to be properly restored. Prime Minister Feng, on the other hand, wants Boyuan to go to a prosperous place."
After pondering for a long time, the Marquis said, "Why do you want to send Boyuan to a remote place? Remote places are suitable for recuperation, but they are not suitable for personal development. It will be very difficult for him to achieve any political success there."
Xu Rao said with some helplessness, "This is probably the source of the conflict between my father, Prime Minister Feng, and me. Bo Yuan's health is not good. What use is his great political achievement? Bo Yuan is now only nineteen years old. He rose through the ranks by military merit and can only stay in the army. What can he do if he goes to the local area?"
The Marquis had an idea and said, "Then what do you think about letting Boyuan go home to prepare for the imperial examination? He's still young, and it's not too late for him to start from scratch."
Xu Rao gave a bitter smile and said, "Father, do you think I haven't thought of this approach? I asked Boyuan before, but he was unwilling."
The Marquis stroked his beard and comforted him, "There's always a way to solve this, so don't worry."
The peach trees in the garden were sprouting small buds. Xu Zhi changed from her thick cotton coat to a padded jacket. She unpacked and packed her luggage, patiently waiting at home.
Xu Yao's husband, Lin Zhining, brought their daughter, Jue'er, to the capital. Since Zheng Boyuan's matter was still unresolved and Xu Yao was unwilling to go back, Lin Zhining simply bought a three-courtyard house near the Marquis's residence in the capital. After a simple renovation, Xu Yao moved in with her child.
After settling in, Xu Yao took Xu Zhi to play around at her family's house. These days, Xu Zhi had lost a lot of weight and grown quite a bit taller. Standing next to the tall Xu Yao, she was actually a bit taller than Xu Yao.
After returning from Xu Yao's house, Xu Zhi waited at home until, on a sunny day, she was notified to go to the Ministry of War to pick up Zheng Boyuan and take him home.
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