Xing Zhao and Guo Silang stood together. They hadn't seen each other for a long time, so of course they had to joke with each other this time.

"I almost forgot to congratulate you on your promotion to deputy commander. How is it? Is this position comfortable for you? Do your subordinates listen to you? Are they secretly trying to trip you up?"

Xing Zhao's series of words made Guo Silang raise his head high and snort coldly.

"Oh, you finally remembered that you have a brother like me? I thought you were Gao Fei from the Xing family and looked down on our Guo family."

"What are you talking about? What does the Xing family's Gao Fei have to do with me? If I were really the kind of person who changes with the wind, would my cousin still let me stay in the general's mansion?"

"Then isn't he in Wangzhou, out of reach?"

Seeing that he was about to argue, Xing Zhao immediately jumped up.

"Hey, are you having a blast today? Why are you holding on to me? If I were really the kind of person you said I was, why would I come here today?"

He looked at everyone in the Earl's Mansion, and the meaning could not be clearer.

Although Concubine Xing and Empress Yan had not had a direct confrontation, everyone could see that the momentum between the two families was not right, so the Xing family was unwilling to send anyone, or they were unwilling to make their first appearance at the Du family.

When Guo Silang heard Xing Zhao's words, he felt that they made sense, so he suppressed his temper towards the Xing family and stopped talking.

Xing Zhao patted his shoulder and explained softly.

"You and I cannot choose where we are born, and we cannot interfere with the decisions of the elders in our family. What I have done for the Xing family over the years has been worthy of this family name, so Xing Zhao will no longer be bound by the Xing family name in the future. I want to be myself again."

"What's the meaning?"

"Of course I'll go find my cousin and join the army. I'm already in my thirties, but I've never had a day of relaxation. Now when I think back, the happiest and most comfortable days were those years in the Gu family army. So I think a place where men live together is more suitable for me. I don't need these anymore."

Guo Silang was greatly shocked by what he said. He really didn't expect Xing Zhao to make such a decision, so he didn't reply for a long time.

"Why, are you frightened by my feat?"

Xing Zhao looked calm, but Guo Silang frowned and asked.

"Will the Xing family agree? Didn't your uncle and his family all go to Beijing?"

"My parents can't control me, let alone them."

There was a fearlessness in his words, which made Guo Silang a little unsure of how to respond.

He had some thoughts in his mind. He originally planned to talk to his sixth sister-in-law today and send the message through Liu Xun. But if he told Xing Zhao and asked him to deliver the message directly, would it be more appropriate? However, the risk would be much greater.

As for the next emperor, no matter who the Guo family supports, they may not necessarily support Concubine Xing and the Seventh Prince, but Xing Zhao is naturally a member of the Xing family, so there are a lot of problems here.

Should he trust Xing Zhao or take precautions? Guo Silang was wavering now. When he was thinking about what to do next, he saw Ping'er coming over.

He is now in high spirits. His wife gave birth to a big fat boy, and his mother takes care of them every day. Although he is not a favored person in the court, he has the position of Duke and the support of the Li family, so he is still very respected.

"Uncle Zhao, Eighth Uncle, what are you doing standing here? Grandfather Du's birthday banquet is about to begin, hurry over."

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but Guo Silang didn't say them in the end. He took this opportunity to change the subject.

However, his ability was not enough to hide from Xing Zhao's eyes, so he naturally noticed that he was hesitant to speak.

Speaking of which, Xing Zhao was also very curious about what Guo Silang wanted to say to him at this time, but the occasion was not right, so he couldn't continue to ask, and could only take it one step at a time.

Most of the people present today came for the Du family's reputation.

When Mr. Du raised his glass to celebrate, everyone also sincerely congratulated him on his 60th birthday. Xing Zhao was sweet-mouthed and spoke directly to Mr. Du.

"Uncle Du doesn't look like a man in his sixties. I wish you a long life like the evergreen pines on the southern mountains, and happiness like the long flowing water of the East China Sea."

As soon as he opened his mouth, Master Du smiled. He looked like Maitreya Buddha to begin with, and the good life he had enjoyed in recent years made him more generous and plump, so when he smiled, his face didn't have any wrinkles. Instead, it was shiny, like a round longevity peach, which was very interesting.

"Okay, thanks for your good words, I will be his immortal pine for once!"

Tai Ge'er next to him has also learned a lot of poetry from the teacher. How could he not appear at this time? So he imitated Xing Zhao and clasped his fists to congratulate.

"Don't say it's too late, the sky is still full of rosy clouds. Brother Tai wishes grandpa good health and a bright future."

"Okay, Brother Tai is thoughtful."

After he finished speaking, the other children also rushed to say auspicious words. Although Yun Ge'er and Yan Jie'er were two steps late, they still brought a cup of milk tea and then respectfully congratulated Mr. Du on his birthday.

There is no mistake in the poem, post, content, and read the book on 6, 9, and bar!

"I wish my grandfather always smiles and all his wishes come true."

"Chengcheng, as long as you are all fine, grandpa can do anything!"

Du Jingxiang felt a little sad as she saw the children seemed to have grown up a lot. She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and was teased by Du Jingyi.

"Sister, why haven't you changed your crying habit yet? If you don't change it, when Yun'er's new wife comes home, she will be curious about why this mother-in-law is so crying."

"You little bitch, you only know how to frame me. Mother, you should take care of it!"

Mrs. Du was happy to see her two daughters talking and playing as before. When people get older, like their age, wealth and glory become passing clouds. The most important thing is that the family is happy and harmonious.

So he hit him on both sides, and then pretended to be angry and said.

"You are making fun of us, aren't you? You two are mothers, but you still act like this. Aren't you afraid that your children will follow your example?"

Sister-in-law Liu and Xue Niang were also covering their mouths and laughing. The other ladies were envious of the close-knit family.

The Du family's birthday party certainly couldn't compare with the Li family's in terms of grandeur, but it was still held in a lively manner. Du Jingyi originally came to the banquet happily, but after meeting Guo Silang for a while, his expression didn't look so good.

Mrs. Du was still a little surprised and asked quickly.

"What's wrong? Are you cold?"

Du Jingyi shook his head, but was afraid that his mother would worry, so he still forced himself to speak.

"It's just a pity. It would be nice if the general was here at this time." (End of this chapter)