Chapter 80 Chapter 80 "I won't take the imperial examination," Ji Yanlang...
Ji Yanlang never had any suspicions, because the reason why he was able to comfort Fang Ying so confidently yesterday was because he knew that his father-in-law would not ask him such an embarrassing question to his face - if it were him, he would rather ask indirectly first rather than directly ask his son-in-law if he had any "unspeakable secrets".
But he really didn't expect that his father-in-law would be so anxious to call Fang Ying back to ask.
"It was just for the sake of convenience. He had already taken leave this morning to see my uncle off. He probably figured you'd be going to the camp, so he took advantage of your absence to ask me first. I did as you asked, feigning ignorance and profound surprise."
Seeing Fang Ying feigning surprise while speaking, Ji Yanlang couldn't help but laugh, "And what did my father-in-law say?"
"He pondered for a moment, then said that perhaps you were working for the King of Qin, and that the people in the yamen didn't know about it, so they spread rumors, making him think you were being tricked. He told me to wait until I got back to the yamen and ask about it, and everything would be clear. He also said he was just asking me casually, and told me not to ask about you when I got back. He also lectured me about asking too much about a man's affairs outside of his own home."
"Father-in-law has found a good excuse for me." Ji Yanlang smiled while holding onto the low table. "I'll tell my father-in-law the same thing next time."
Fang Ying smiled and said, "Think it over first. Don't mention me or I'll get punished."
Ji Yanlang smiled and nodded: "I won't bother. Don't worry, I'll find a chance and mention it casually. I don't think my father-in-law will ask too much."
Not to mention asking in depth, Fang Ying suspected that her father had no time to care about him now. He was only thinking about Zhou Congshan and hoped that he would not tell anyone about him, otherwise the King of Qin would find out and use him as a scapegoat. Her father probably didn't take it to heart, as it was a small matter like her son-in-law going to Kaifeng Prefecture to report a swindler.
"I left my parents' home. Seeing it was still early, I went to sit with Sister Zhou for a while." Fang Yingshun explained his whereabouts. "I mentioned a few of my concerns to her last time, and I didn't expect her to take them so seriously. When we met this time, she told me that she would recommend an imperial physician to us in a few days, and we could come and ask for his advice."
Ji Yanlang raised his eyebrows when he heard this, and his first question was, "Last time? The last time you went to the Zhou residence was before we went to the Yue family on our day off, right?"
"Yes." Fang Ying didn't know why he asked this question, thinking he had forgotten, so she reminded him, "You met me on the road that day..."
Unexpectedly, Ji Yanlang snorted, nodded, and said, "Yes, I met you on the road that day, but you didn't tell me a word."
Fang Ying: “…”
"Afterwards, you told your mother-in-law and your second sister-in-law..." Ji Yanlang sighed, "If I hadn't seen you write that and asked about it, would you still be hiding it from me?"
"..." Why did this person care about this? Fang Ying blinked and explained, "I didn't mean to hide it from you, I just didn't know how to start..."
"That's not what you said the other day." Ji Yanlang pretended to be wronged, "You clearly think I don't understand and can't help."
Fang Ying: “…”
Yes, she did say that...how could I have forgotten?
Seeing her speechless, Ji Yanlang added, "I don't have anything to be dissatisfied with, but Princess Zhou isn't married yet. She's just a young lady in the boudoir. What does she know? Why are you willing to tell her first?"
Is he competing with Zhou Congshan for favor? Fang Ying looked at Ji Yanlang's expression, which was half joking and half serious, as if he really cared a little, so she explained seriously: "I just talked to Sister Zhou, and I didn't mean to ask her for help."
After she finished speaking, she saw Ji Yanlang was about to speak, so she asked, "Are you going to ask again why she confided in her first instead of you?"
Ji Yanlang nodded, and Fang Ying looked at him: "Don't you think that some things are easier to talk about with friends? I didn't know what to do at the time. I couldn't think of a way to relieve my worries. I felt that telling you would only add to your troubles..."
"Silly." Ji Yanlang stretched out his arm and took her hand. "You and I are one. Your worries are my worries. Why do you add to my troubles?"
Fang Ying thought that might not be the case, but she didn't show it on her face. She lowered her eyes and said, "But as a wife, it's my duty to ensure that my husband has no worries..."
"As a husband, you should also make sure your wife is free from worry!" Ji Yanlang took over the conversation. "You have never been a dogmatic person. I don't believe you would take such words as the golden rule."
“…” This person is not easy to fool now.
Seeing Fang Ying was speechless for a moment, Ji Yanlang paused and said, "I know you must have some concerns. If you don't want to tell me what they are, then forget it. But I want to tell you that in my heart, we are husband and wife, walking hand in hand and in the same boat. I am happy to listen to all your worries and sorrows. Between you and me, there is nothing to worry about."
Fang Ying raised her eyes and saw Ji Yanlang looking at her with focused, sincere eyes, and a hint of tenderness. She couldn't help but soften her heart and nodded gently.
Ji Yanlang's lips curled up, a smile quickly leaping onto the corners of his eyes and eyebrows, but he said, "I don't expect you to be the first to tell me, but at least..." He frowned deliberately, "Don't fall out of the top three, right?"
Fang Ying laughed: "Are you taking the imperial examination? You have to be in the top three."
"I'm not taking the imperial examination," Ji Yanlang said seriously, "I'm only taking the exam for the number one scholar in your heart."
Fang Ying: “…”
This guy is really talking nonsense now!
However, these few jokes did dilute the slightly strange atmosphere. Fang Ying asked someone to come in and change the tea. Suddenly, he thought of something and asked, "The emperor has been away from the capital for more than ten days, right? Is there any news of his return?"
"There's no news of returning to the capital, but there are rumors of moving the capital." Ji Yanlang snorted. "Moving the capital?" Fang Ying was surprised. "Didn't they say that Luoyang's grain transport system is blocked and it can't support the army and civilians?"
Ji Yanlang said, "Yes, so the person who proposed this proposal also mentioned disarmament."
"Who? We want to reduce the army before Youyan is recovered? The emperor will never agree to it."
"I heard that the emperor is also interested, so he will stay in Luoyang for a few more days." Ji Yanlang paused for a moment and continued, "However, with the emperor's great talent and strategy, he will not be satisfied unless he recovers Youyan."
"Yes, but this matter is very strange. Moving the capital is such a big thing, and it was just a suggestion from someone, so how come it was reported back to the capital so quickly? Did the government ask the ministers to discuss it in court?" Fang Ying asked thoughtfully.
"If that's the case, the news wouldn't just be 'passed around'. It's probably just a private discussion." Ji Yanlang said, moving closer and lowering his voice. "And there's something even stranger. Rumor has it that the person who proposed this was Prince Wei."
Fang Ying's eyes widened. "How dare he bring this up?" Without waiting for an answer, she continued, "It's indeed even stranger. Since it was Prince Wei who proposed it, it must have been a private discussion between father and son, and they didn't summon any important officials to discuss it in court. So... someone deliberately passed this news back to..."
She raised her finger and pointed in the direction of Kaifeng Mansion. "Are you anxious?"
Ji Yanlang smiled and gave her a thumbs up: "My lady, you are very smart."
The King of Qin was not formally appointed as the crown prince, but was appointed as the mayor of the capital as usual. Therefore, the intention of King Wei in proposing this proposal was obvious - if the capital was moved to Luoyang, Kaifeng Prefecture would no longer be the capital, and the mayor of Kaifeng Prefecture would lose the meaning of being the crown prince. King Wei himself might be able to use the merit of moving the capital to compete for the position of the mayor of Henan in the new capital.
"Things are still unclear. Prince Wei wouldn't be so foolish as to release the news himself... Am I overthinking it? Why do I feel like someone is deliberately trying to sow discord between the brothers?"
Ji Yanlang shook his head: "I think so too. But I can't think of anyone who would do that."
Yes, the emperor only brought Prince Wei on the western tour, and the other princes stayed in Bian Jing. "Could it be that the news was spread by people who did not want to move the capital so that the King of Qin could persuade him?" Fang Ying guessed.
"That's possible."
This was all the information Ji Yanlang knew, and it was difficult to draw a conclusion. He could only wait and see whether the King of Qin would take any action, or whether there would be any new news from Luoyang.
However, they did not expect that before either side could make any movement, there was an urgent military report from the north - the Hu army split into two groups and marched south, heading straight for Zhenzhou.
Ji Guangting, the head of the Ji family, is currently stationing troops in Zhenzhou. Upon hearing the news, everyone in the family is worried.
"Just rest assured, mother. Father has elite soldiers under his command. There are also brave generals and elite soldiers stationed in Guannan, Dingzhou and other places. If the Hu cavalry dares to come, we will take advantage of our leisure time and defeat them completely." Ji Yanlang coaxed Li with a smile.
Mrs. Li knew that the Hu cavalry were brave but not good at sieges. She also knew that after the previous defeat, the emperor had guarded against a Hu counterattack and had stationed heavy troops in several important border towns. This time, the odds of victory were very good. So, after hearing her son's words of comfort, she smiled and agreed, "Yes, we will definitely defeat them."
The next day, when the women came to pay their respects, she told them this again to reassure them, "The two armies haven't even started fighting yet, so there's no reason for us at home to panic. We have guests today, so let's all be spirited, entertain them well, and show some appreciation to our fourth lady."
Today is a holiday, the day when the Duke of Ju comes to visit. When the female relatives heard this, they all looked at Ji Si Niang, who was blushing, and responded with a smile.
Li asked them to disperse first and go back to pack and dress, leaving only Ji Si Niang behind to give her a few more instructions.
Fang Ying and Yue Qing'e went to take care of household chores together, then returned to their rooms to change into clothes for meeting the guests. They waited for someone outside to report that the guests' carriage had arrived outside the mansion, and then went to the second gate together to greet them.
Although the guests this time were their granddaughters-in-law, the Duke of Ju's wife personally brought her two daughters-in-law to visit as a sign of respect. However, as Ji Guangting was not at home, the only male guests were Liu Erlang, Liu Silang and the ten-year-old Wulang from the second wife.
The three brothers Ji Yanlang greeted the wife of the Duke of Ju, and after exchanging greetings with the Liu brothers, they asked them to take a seat in the front hall first. The three female relatives were then taken in by Fang Ying and Yue Qing'e to meet Li.
It was the first time she met these three people. She saw that the wife of the Duke of Ju was indeed very young. When she walked with her two daughters-in-law, those who didn't know her would just think they were of the same generation. She had a friendly appearance and a soft tone of voice. In comparison, her eldest daughter-in-law, Liu Silang's mother, seemed even more difficult to get along with.
I don’t know if Ji Si Niang can serve her mother-in-law well if this marriage really happens.
The group soon arrived at the main courtyard. Li stood at the door holding Ji Si Niang's hand to greet them. After the host and guest exchanged greetings, they sat down, served tea, and introduced themselves to each other. Then, the wife of the Duke of Ju smiled and said that her three grandchildren had also come and wanted to come in to pay their respects to Li.
Li readily agreed and sent for the invitation. The Ji family women retreated behind a floor-length screen. Fang Ying took advantage of the opportunity to grab Ji Si Niang's hand. She noticed that despite the scorching heat, her fingers were icy cold and her palms were sweaty. She was clearly very nervous. She leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, Fourth Sister. My second sister-in-law and I just saw her at the second gate. She was very pretty and refined."
Ji Si Niang's face turned even redder, but she was obviously relieved.
An saw this and wanted to come over to ask, but footsteps were heard outside, so she had to stop and wait for someone to come in.
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