Chapter 621 I am your son

The snowstorm has not yet completely ended, and foreign tribes in the northeastern border have invaded, but we were prepared in advance and did not break through the defense line, so the foreign tribes were blocked at the border.

Despite this, many civilians along the border still suffered casualties.

When Zhulan heard the news, she was very worried about Wu Ming. The information she got was passed on, and a lot of it was not accurate. She asked Zhou Shuren, but Zhou Shuren didn't understand either.

Zhou Shuren was optimistic. "The foreign tribes have missed their chance because they failed to break through the defense line during this winter raid. As long as we hold on during the winter, we will have the initiative in the spring of next year. This war will be over, and victory will bring us stability for the next ten years."

Zhu Lan said, "I don't know how many lives were lost in the war."

Zhou Shuren consoled them, "Last year, our army's equipment was updated, and our combat effectiveness has been greatly improved, so the casualties will be less."

Zhulan looked strange for a moment. If the secret had not been discovered last year, the imperial court would not have had the money to replace the soldiers' equipment. She said quietly, "Speaking of which, our wings are really strong. It seems that it has indirectly changed many things."

Zhou Shuren also thought so. He analyzed it in his mind more than once. If there had not been last year's unexpected wealth, the emperor would not have the confidence to decide the outcome. Although there would be a battle sooner or later, it would not be next year.

The next day, Miss Yao came to say goodbye, "I don't know when I'll see you again when I return to Beijing. I'll leave everything to you, Auntie."

Zhu Lan asked, "Will County Lord Shen come back to Beijing with us?"

Yao Yao did not hide it, "Yes, my brother has already left for the border, and my father is worried about his unborn grandson, so he sent someone to come and invite him personally this time."

If it weren't for her father's tough attitude, she and her sister-in-law really would not have returned to the capital. They had planned to delay it as long as possible, but unfortunately her father insisted that they go back.

Zhulan thought that Yao Wenzhe did not stop Yao Zheyu from leaving because he wanted to hold on to County Lord Shen. The baby in her belly was very dangerous. "Although the road back to Beijing is open, there are still refugees. You should be more careful when you return to Beijing this time."

Yao Yao smiled and said, "Prince Shen has sent his personal guards to follow us, so we will be safe on the road."

Zhu Lan smiled. She had forgotten that County Master Shen's brother was here. "That's good."

Yao Yao sighed in her heart. The days away from home were the easiest. Even though her sister-in-law had many rules, she was still very comfortable. But when she returned home, it was like being in a cage and she could no longer control herself.

Yao Yao left, and Mrs. Song went out to see him off in person. Yao Yao walked with his head lowered, listening to the footsteps in front of him, he raised his head and was stunned for a moment, then reacted and bowed slightly.

Mrs. Song was surprised, "Master Shi."

Shi Qingju politely asked, "It's been a long time since we last met, Granny Song. How are you?"

Mrs. Song smiled and said, "Everything is fine. Thank you for your concern. The master and mistress will be very happy when you return."

Shi Qing was also happy. After being away for a long time, he came to Zhou's house again and realized how much he missed this place. "I won't bother my mother-in-law to send her off."

Mrs. Song smiled and said, "Okay."

Yao Yao didn't say anything and didn't look at him for long, but she remembered Mr. Shi after just a few glances. She had heard of Shi Qing but didn't take him to heart. When she saw him again, she recalled him carefully and then smiled. Mr. Shi had nothing to do with her, so she didn't need to think too much about it.

In the main courtyard, Zhulan was delighted to see Shi Qing, "You're back."

Shi Qing's mouth curled up a little, "I arrived in the capital before the heavy snow, and wanted to come back after making arrangements, but I didn't expect the heavy snow to block the city. Now that the road is open, my nephew came over."

Zhu Lan looked at Shi Qing's confident look and said with a smile, "You are now the head of the family, congratulations."

Shi Qing narrowed his eyes and said, "My nephew is where he is today because of your cultivation."

Zhulan was moved. Shi Qing had changed a lot. She didn't know what kind of training he had gone through in the past year. "I, an old woman, won't talk to you anymore. Chang Lian and the others must have heard the news. You must have a lot to talk about after not seeing each other for a long time. Go ahead."

Shi Qing stood up and said, "My nephew will leave first."

"good."

Shi Qing went out. Zhulan looked at the gifts on the table and opened it. The jade carvings were arranged in pairs. Zhulan signaled Liuya to put them away.

In the courtyard of the third room, Chang Lian and Meng Jie surrounded Shi Qing. Chang Lian said, "I won't ask you anything else. I just want to know where you ranked in the exam."

Shi Qing, "You know I can't be in the top three, fifth place."

Meng Jie smiled and said, "Chang Lian, this guy is a strong competitor of yours. You have to work hard next year, or you won't end up not even making it to the top two."

Chang Lian felt depressed. He was under a lot of pressure. He might not even make it to the second place. "The competition this time was really fierce."

Meng Jie drank his tea and said, "You should be glad that He Shu didn't participate. It would have been more intense if he had participated."

Chang Lian was silent. He didn't have the younger brother's talent for studying. The few days of achievement he had were all due to hard work. Compared to He Shu and the overly smart Shi Qing, he was considered stupid. "You missed one thing. Fortunately, Chang Zhi didn't participate."

Shi Qing had been away for quite a while. He was in a semi-closed state. Apart from the constant news from his family in the capital, there was not much news from Jinzhou. "Who is He Shu? Is he very powerful?"

Chang Lian paused for a moment, then said, "Ah, a very powerful man, Wu Ning's fiancé, who withdrew because of something that happened."

Shi Qing smiled and said, "Then I am considered half-son-in-law to Mr. Zhou."

Miss Wu has been raised in the Zhou Mansion and is considered half a lady of the Zhou Mansion.

Chang Lian looked at Shi Qing and chuckled in his heart, "Yes, he is half a son-in-law."

In the capital, in the Queen's bedroom, Zhang Jinghong had a high fever that night after he saw the man who looked like his father. He was in a daze for several days. Although he recovered from the illness, he felt cold in his heart. He did not believe his guess, so he needed to test it.

The female official came out quickly and said, "The Queen is not feeling well. Fifth Prince, please go back."

Zhang Jinghong felt chilled to the bone. He had been so busy that he had forgotten how long it had been since he last saw his mother. He rarely saw her before, but he could still see her. He had seen her once on New Year's Eve, and he hadn't seen his mother since then. Was it so obvious?

He was full of calculations, but overlooked many things. He broke out in a cold sweat on his back. In his nightmare, the Crown Prince's elder brother's disgust under pressure and the fierce look in his father's eyes reappeared in his mind. He stood up in panic and knocked over the tea set at hand.

The female official was stunned, "Fifth Prince?"

Zhang Jinghong's eyes were red. "I want to see the Queen Mother. Queen Mother, I am the fifth child. Please meet me."

In the back hall, the queen was playing with her granddaughter with an embroidered ball. When she heard the shout, she didn't even turn her head. The female official beside her quickly retreated, "Fifth Prince, please don't make any noise."

Zhang Jinghong pushed aside the female official who was blocking his way. He wanted to move forward but couldn't. His mother's substitute female official was skilled in martial arts, so he didn't dare to fight her in her palace. He knelt on the ground in frustration, "Mother, I am your son!"

One hour later, there is another chapter

(End of this chapter)