"General, there are people from the palace coming to the gate."
Qi Jingxuan had just returned to his study when Xu Yunchuan came to report.
"What is it?"
"Never disclosed!"
"I'll go greet him personally." Qi Jingxuan said, standing up and walking towards the door. "Eunuch Li, a regular guest, please come in and have a seat. Go and make him a cup of tea."
"You're too kind, General Qi."
"Please have a seat, Eunuch Li. What brings you here today?"
"When you returned to the manor the other day, the assassins who tried to kill you were found. They were sent by the Whiplash Kingdom. Not only you, but several generals in the city were also injured to varying degrees. It seems that they have been lurking on the border, trying to kill the generals so that our Jiang Dynasty will have no one to fight. The king sent me to tell you to get married as soon as possible, and after the marriage, go to the battlefield with the son of the Duke of Jing."
"Isn't that my brother-in-law? Why would they send him?"
"General, you are a wise man, how could you not understand this?"
"Please enlighten me, Eunuch Li."
"The Duchess of Jing is Princess Qingyu, whose maternal family is powerful. His Majesty has no sons yet, and several princes' sons are all eager to seize the throne. The son of the Duke of Jing has neither official title nor academic honors, so he naturally wants to take a gamble. Even if he cannot inherit the throne, at least he will have academic honors and become a prince, which will be both prestigious and profitable. Since you are already engaged to Jiang Mengyi, husband and wife are one, and you should have a long-term vision and consider things carefully. Alright, General, I won't say any more. This old servant has delivered His Majesty's decree. General's future is limitless. This old servant congratulates you here."
"Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch Li. Please accept this small gift. Have some tea before you leave."
"General Qi, I won't drink the tea or accept the gifts. In the future, I hope General Qi will speak well of me at the Duke of Jing's residence. Please don't see me off, I'll take my leave." With that, Eunuch Li departed.
It seems Qi Jingxuan has had a tough time; he's only been back for a few days before heading out to war again. Watching Eunuch Li's departing figure, Qi Jingxuan was filled with mixed emotions. Since they don't understand each other, perhaps it would be better to live as each other.
"I have to go to my mother's place. Ruan Yumu's body belongs to me, and she can't suffer too much." With that, Qi Jingxuan walked towards his mother's courtyard and asked Xu Yunchuan to get a pair of imperial jade earrings from the warehouse for his mother to wear.
As I walked into my mother's courtyard, I could hear Granny Yun talking to a few maids about how much the concubine had changed recently. "That bitch, she's the one who hit me on the head. She used to act all docile, but now that the general is back, she's acting like she wants to turn the place upside down. She hasn't even come to pay her respects these past two days. It's really strange."
"Did he jump into the water and get water in his brain too?"
"What are you saying, Xiao Li!" Qi Jingxuan immediately shouted at them.
"General"
"General"
"Greetings, General!"
"You are not allowed to talk about our master behind his back. If I find out again, I will sell you all off. Granny Yun, where is Mother?"
"Uh, uh, uh, chanting scriptures in the side room. I'll inform them right away. Madam, the General is here!" When Granny Yun saw the General's angry expression, she couldn't help but tremble. Sure enough, people who do too many bad things become frightening.
However, Qi Jingxuan felt incredibly pleased. Usually, Granny Yun would bully him in the backyard, but now that he had become a general, everyone treated him with utmost respect. He was very satisfied with everyone's respect and his vanity was overflowing.
"Xuan'er, you're here! Your mother was just reciting scriptures for you, hoping you'll marry a proper wife and have many children soon!"
“Mother, these are the jade earrings I selected for you from among the gifts bestowed upon you by His Majesty.”
“Oh? Xuan’er, you’re so thoughtful. This jade is obviously a precious item. Granny Yun, please keep it safe for me. Xuan’er can wear it on his wedding day.”
"Mother, regarding the matter of having children, I have my own opinion. Please do not give the ladies and concubines contraceptive potions. There are already rumors in the army that I, as a general, only know how to fight, but am incapable in matters of the bedroom, Mother!"
"Xuan'er, what do you mean by that?"
“Mother, Heaven is watching what people do. I am away fighting for many years, so please be lenient with matters concerning the inner quarters. I need to go to my study to handle some business. I will take my leave now.”
"Xuan'er!"
Qi Jingxuan got up and left after saying that.
"Granny Yun, what did that vile woman Ruan Yumu say to Xuan'er?"
"Madam, this old servant did not hear anything. However, the General stayed at her place last night. Perhaps it was the influence of his pillow talk."
"You sly fox, you really have some skill. Xuan'er has never spoken to his mother like this before."
"Then, Madam, what about this contraceptive soup?"
"Stop for a moment. Didn't you hear what Xuan'er said? There are rumors circulating in the army. If it's true, how will that save face for the Great General? Isn't he going to marry his principal wife in a few days? Go and promote Lüling to a concubine, and find a few more maids and two secondary consorts. If she gets pregnant, I won't have to do anything. Go and do it quickly."
"Yes, Madam."
"Madam, speaking of concubines, I can recommend someone to you. Qi Shuwu's concubine, Liu Ruyan, has a younger sister born of the principal wife, who is only 15 years old, in the prime of her life. Moreover, the household is in dire financial straits, and Liu Ruyan has helped a lot over the years. If we were to marry Liu Ruhua into the family, wouldn't our financial burden be relieved? After all, her father is the richest man in Jiangnan. A merchant's daughter marrying into our Qi family, becoming sisters with the princess, would certainly not be considered a disservice. What do you think?"
"Shang Ke, go to Liu Ruyan's courtyard and inquire whether her younger sister is already engaged. If not, make arrangements as soon as possible. Xuan'er may have to go out again at any time."
"Yes, Madam."
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