Chapter 098
It was unexpected that the envoy of the Prince of England would come at this time, and what Chu Xiuming cared about most was how he was discovered only when he reached the city gate.
Chu Xiuming did not go to see the envoy of the Prince of England immediately, but asked someone to arrange for him to rest in the guest house. Chu Xiuming stood at the door for a while before turning and entering the house. Because there was no mirror, Shen Jin could only tidy up a little. When he saw Chu Xiuming, he asked, "Did something happen?" If it was not an urgent matter, no one would come to disturb Chu Xiuming after he returned from the conference room.
"The Crown Prince of England sent an envoy." Chu Xiuming had no intention of hiding anything.
Shen Jin looked at Chu Xiuming and said, "Let me see him first."
Chu Xiuming thought for a moment and said, "Okay."
Shen Jin covered his mouth and yawned, then he lay on Chu Xiuming's back and said, "What do you think the Prince of England thinks?"
Chu Xiuming simply carried Shen Jin on his back and walked around the room. The little guy yawned with his mouth wide open, but Dongdong's hand happened to reach into his mouth. His eyes, which were half closed, suddenly widened and he carefully moved back, opening his mouth wider, trying to spit out Dongdong's hand.
Dongdong woke up at some point, and tried to grab Xiaobit's teeth with his chubby hands. Xiaobit was frightened and quickly twisted his big butt to move backwards. Because Xiaobit didn't dare to shut up, Dongdong's hands were wet with his saliva. Dongdong rubbed his hands on his clothes and shouted, "Ah."
Chu Xiuming held Shen Jin from behind with one hand and said, "Hold tight."
"Okay." Shen Jin lay on Chu Xiuming's shoulders, holding his neck tightly with both hands. Chu Xiuming walked to Dongdong's side and squatted down steadily. Dongdong stretched out his arms happily when he saw Shen Jin. Chu Xiuming picked Dongdong up with one hand. Dongdong wanted to crawl behind Chu Xiuming and reached out to grab Shen Jin's head and hands. Shen Jin teased Dongdong happily. If it weren't for Chu Xiuming's strong arms, he would have been unable to hold him long ago.
Chu Xiuming simply sat on the ground, and Shen Jin knelt behind him. Dong Dong was a bit stubborn and didn't know how to take a detour. He kept trying to crawl over Chu Xiuming so that he could find Shen Jin. He kicked his calves very hard and grabbed anything he could get his hands on to climb up.
Shen Jin hid behind Chu Xiuming, appearing from his left shoulder and then from his right side to tease Dongdong. Dongdong opened his mouth slightly and widened his eyes. Every time Shen Jin appeared, he exclaimed in surprise. When Shen Jin hid behind Chu Xiuming again, he would look for her everywhere.
The whole family was together, and they had a lot of fun playing such a boring game. Dongdong was so tired from playing that he went to bed after dinner. Chu Xiuming and Shen Jin also went to bed early.
But their rest was completely different from Dongdong's. By the time Shen Jin really rested, his voice was hoarse. He didn't feel tired when playing with Dongdong in the afternoon, but now he couldn't even move a finger.
Chu Xiuming gently rubbed Shen Jin's waist and said, "Go to sleep."
Shen Jin wanted to glare at Chu Xiuming, but found that he had no strength at all. He could only open his mouth and bite his shoulder a few times. His cat-like strength didn't hurt Chu Xiuming at all, but he also knew that he had been a little harsh, so he just let Shen Jin vent.
Chu Xiuming waited for Shen Jin to calm down before he got up from the bed, poured a glass of water and brought it over. He helped Shen Jin up and fed her the water. Because the water had been heated by the heater, it was still warm.
Although they have been married for many years and just had an intimate moment, she still blushed when she saw Chu Xiuming naked. After drinking two cups, Shen Jin felt better. Chu Xiuming lowered his head and kissed Shen Jin on the forehead, "Go to sleep, I'll get you some water to wipe it off."
"Yeah." Shen Jin responded, hugged Chu Xiuming for a while, then lay back down, closed his eyes and went to sleep.
After Chu Xiuming rinsed himself with cold water, he put on his clothes and went to the small kitchen in the yard. Because of Shen Jin's instructions, there was no one on duty in the small kitchen at this time, but there was still hot water on the stove. Chu Xiuming scooped some and brought it back to the house. After mixing it, he wiped Shen Jin clean with a cloth and poured out the dirty water.
After making sure Shen Jin was asleep, he tucked her in, changed her clothes and walked out. Yue Wen had been waiting for a long time. Chu Xiuming nodded to Yue Wen and instructed An Ping, "Don't disturb Madam's rest. Ask Madam Zhao to make some chicken porridge and steam some milk buns for Madam."
Today it was Anping's turn to keep watch. Because Chu Xiuming and Shen Jin didn't like people being inside when they were around, they all stayed in the ear room next door. When she heard Chu Xiuming was about to leave, she came out.
"Yes." Anping responded respectfully.
Chu Xiuming then took Yue Wen to the meeting room, "What's the matter?"
Yue Wen whispered, "Group A sent back the news..."
Chu Xiuming narrowed his eyes and said, "I know. When it gets light, I'll go and ask Manager Zhao, Manager Wang, Zhao Duan, General Lin... to come over."
Yue Wen responded respectfully.
Chu Xiuming thought for a moment and then said, "Invite Xu Yuan as well." Xu Yuan was the one who was ordered to go to the mountains to burn the food and grass.
Yue Wen wrote it all down, and when he saw that Chu Xiuming had no other instructions, he asked, "General, do you want someone to make you something to eat?"
Chu Xiuming nodded and said, "Ask the kitchen to cook some noodles."
"Yes." Seeing that Chu Xiuming had no other instructions, Yue Wen retreated and went to the kitchen. Knowing that Chu Xiuming didn't want to disturb Shen Jin and the others, he went to the big kitchen and asked the people there to serve noodles to Chu Xiuming.
It was already dawn and the people in the kitchen had already started working. After hearing Yue Wen's words, they hurried to start cooking and also ordered a portion for Yue Wen.
Chu Xiuyuan, Chief Steward Wang and Steward Zhao all lived in the general's mansion, so they arrived the earliest. Zhao Duan lived closer to the general's mansion and rushed over without even having breakfast. General Lin, General Wu and General Jin arrived later, but the last one to arrive was Xu Yuan. He was in the military camp, and after Yue Wen delivered the message, he had to greet his superiors.
The noodles in the kitchen were prepared early. Chu Xiuming guessed that these people had not eaten yet, so he asked the kitchen to send a bowl of noodles to each person. The noodles were not as delicate as those made in the small kitchen in the main courtyard, but with the bone broth base, they were not much worse. This was Xu Yuan's second time here, and unlike the first time, he had a seat this time, at the very end. But even so, Xu Yuan couldn't help getting excited. This meeting room was the place where power was most concentrated in the border town.
After everyone had arrived, Chu Xiuming said, "I just got the news that the mountain is heavily guarded. The information they have been able to obtain so far is limited. However, the town closest to the mountain is rumored to be haunted. On the 15th night of every month, ghost soldiers pass through the border. I heard that a child in a nearby village found a silver ingot because of curiosity. However, on the third night, everyone in the village disappeared. According to them, it was because they offended the mountain god."
Zhao Duan frowned and said, "Nonsense. I'm afraid that the Crown Prince of England has to transport food, supplies and money to the mountains every month, and he's afraid that someone might find it unusual, so he deliberately spread the rumor. The child in that village probably saw something he shouldn't have seen, and the Crown Prince of England is afraid of being noticed, so he wants to make everyone really scared, so he did it on purpose."
Manager Wang narrowed his eyes and said, "I'm afraid it's easy to get in over there, but difficult to get out."
Chu Xiuming nodded. It was precisely because of this that the people in Group A spent a lot of effort to spread the news.
Manager Zhao asked, "What is the purpose of the envoy from the Prince of England coming here?"
Chu Xiuming crossed his hands on the desk and said, "I'm not going to see him for the time being."
General Jin frowned and said, "General, do you have other plans?"
Chu Xiuming nodded. "When this person came, it was just when Yue Wen was ordered to send Xue Qiao away. Xue Qiao also met this person."
Manager Zhao understood immediately, and Chu Xiuyuan asked, "Brother, then I will go and meet him?"
"Let Madam meet him." Chu Xiuming said directly without keeping anyone in suspense.
Manager Zhao and Chief Steward Wang looked at each other with some sympathy. General Jin and the others had also heard a lot about Madam. Thinking of the imperial envoys and Princess Ruyang, they felt that handing the matter over to Madam was a good choice.
Although Zhao Duan had seen how Shen Jin entertained Xue Qiao, Xue Qiao was different from this envoy. He opened his mouth to say something, but was pressed by Manager Zhao who was sitting next to him. Chu Xiuyuan laughed and said, "Leave it to my sister-in-law."
Chu Xiuming nodded and said nothing more, but told Zhao Guanshi about his plans for Princess Ruyang and Xue Qiao. Manager Zhao's eyes lit up and he said, "This is great. Xue Qiao also knows what to say and what not to say in order to survive. This way, she doesn't know anything, but she is unsure and it is easier for her to mislead the Prince of Ying. Princess Ruyang... With Marquis Zhongyi and his men in our hands, it will be even more beneficial for us when Princess Ruyang returns. With her identity, no one will suspect that she is a spy. It's just that Emperor Cheng is suspicious by nature and won't trust Princess Ruyang. After all, Marquis Zhongyi and his men are still in the border town."
However, they had already started laying the groundwork, and for this, they had given Marquis Zhongyi many military achievements, including Princess Ruyang's secret letter, the memorial requesting merit, and the people who were originally arranged by Emperor Cheng. Therefore, Emperor Cheng already believed that Marquis Zhongyi and his men had established a firm foothold in the border town. Although they could not compete with Chu Xiuming, with his strong support, Chu Xiuming was also afraid of Marquis Zhongyi. Even in the current situation, he dared not touch Marquis Zhongyi at all. This was why he was confident.
Everyone discussed it for a while, and Xu Yuan listened to everyone without saying a word. He had some doubts in his heart. He also knew the general's wife. The general's wife had been living and dying with them since she got married, and she also risked her life to protect the children in the border town. This made everyone respect and admire the general's wife. She gave everyone new clothes during the New Year and other festivals, and there were no other rumors about the general's wife. They all thought that the general's wife was just helping the general to manage the inner courtyard and do some chores. But looking at the attitude of everyone today, it seemed that it was not just that. I'm afraid that the general's wife did a lot of things when they didn't know.
"Xu Yuan, what do you think?" Chu Xiuming looked at Xu Yuan and asked.
Although Xu Yuan was thinking about the general's wife, he also listened carefully to what Chu Xiuming and the others said. Hearing this, he said, "I wonder what the general is asking about?"
Chu Xiuming asked, "How many people are you going to bring?"
Xu Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Ten people are enough, but we still need some cooperation from others."
Chu Xiuming nodded, "I'll tell you the contact information of those people in Group A."
Xu Yuan said respectfully, "I will definitely live up to my mission."
Chu Xiuming didn't ask any more questions, but just said, "Bring everyone back alive."
Xu Yuan stood up without answering the question. He just stood up and walked to the middle of the conference room and bowed respectfully.
This attitude expressed everything. He would rather die than not complete the mission. If possible, he also wanted to bring everyone back alive. However, Xu Yuan didn't even dare to guarantee whether he could come back alive.
Chu Xiuming did not ask any more questions. General Jin and the others sighed in their hearts. Even though they were used to seeing life and death, they still felt uncomfortable when facing this.
"Xu Yuan will come with me to the study room later." Chu Xiuming said, "Sit down first."
"Yes." Xu Yuan then returned to his seat and sat down.
After discussing some things, Chu Xiuming took Xu Yuan and Chu Xiuyuan to the study. After entering, Chu Xiuming handed a map to Xu Yuan. Xu Yuan took a look and found that it was the map around the mountain range. It was more detailed than the Apocalypse map hanging in the meeting room. Rivers and villages were all carefully marked. A man will die for his friend. Xu Yuan gently touched the map with his fingers and said, "Don't worry, General."
Chu Xiuming nodded and said, "Everyone sit down."
Xu Yuan waited for Chu Xiuyuan to sit down first before choosing a seat. Chu Xiuming spread out another map and said, "I won't ask how you plan to lead the people. You can choose these ten people yourself. When you evacuate, go from here..."
Chu Xiuming pointed at the map and said in detail, "I will bring people to meet you here when the time comes. After completing the mission, don't worry about anything else, just run towards here. It doesn't matter if there are many pursuers behind you. You just need to think about how to escape safely."
Xu Yuan frowned and said, "General, it's easy to be exposed if you say this..."
"It doesn't matter." Chu Xiuming said, "Prince Rui and Princess Rui have already escaped from the capital. I sent Shen Xi to pick them up."
Xu Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Actually, this is a good idea." In fact, as long as they are people in the border town, I am afraid that no one likes Emperor Cheng. If Chu Xiuming raises his arms and calls for action, they will not even care whether it is a rebellion or not, but will choose to follow Chu Xiuming directly into the capital. They do not think that guarding the border is hard, but they cannot accept that they and their friends use their lives and blood to guard the border and protect the people. When facing those jackal-like enemies, they still have to guard against the knives behind them.
In the eyes of all soldiers, betrayal is the most unacceptable.
"General, as long as you make up your mind, it'll be fine." Xu Yuan and the others had actually discussed privately why Chu Xiuming had endured it. It was not for Emperor Cheng, but for the people of the world. But now the Prince of Ying has appeared again...
Chu Xiuyuan's identity was a secret even in the border town, and only a few people knew about it, so it was normal that Xu Yuan didn't know about it. However, they were not prepared to tell it at this time. It was not because they did not trust Xu Yuan, but because knowing some things would be a burden to Xu Yuan.
Chu Xiuming said, "I have one more thing for you."
"General, please speak." Xu Yuan said respectfully.
Chu Xiuming said, "Let's go this time and see if we can find out which tribe those barbarians are from."
Although those people were collectively referred to as barbarians by Chu Xiuming and his group, they were from different tribes, and there were differences between them. Those differences were very subtle, and Xu Yuan naturally knew them and agreed.
Chu Xiuming lowered his eyes slightly and said, "Is there anything else that you are worried about?"
"I have other brothers in my family." Xu Yuan said, "So it's nothing."
Chu Xiuming nodded, "Remember to make a detailed registration for those who have been selected."
"Yes." Xu Yuan understood what Chu Xiuming meant. If they really died outside, Border Town would also make arrangements and take care of their relatives.
Seeing that Chu Xiuming had no other instructions, Xu Yuan said goodbye. Chu Xiuyuan went to see him off in person. When he walked out of the study, Chu Xiuyuan patted Xu Yuan on the shoulder and said, "Come back alive."
Xu Yuan smiled and said, "Yes, I will do my best to complete the mission and come back alive."
Chu Xiuyuan hummed, feeling a little down. Xu Yuan, on the other hand, had already figured out the plan. He was only 30% or 40% sure, but now it became 60% because they not only had the pre-arranged attraction but also Chu Xiuming was there to pick them up. All these made them safer. "Major General, there is something I don't understand."
"You say." Chu Xiuyuan said.
Xu Yuan asked, "Why did you and the chief steward Wang look so relieved after the general said he would hand over the envoy of the prince of Ying to Madam?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Xiuyuan said, "Because my sister-in-law is very reliable." After thinking about it, he told her about what happened to the imperial envoys after the border town was relieved. In addition, there was also the matter of Princess Ruyang and others. After all, Xue Qiao was involved in private matters, so it was not easy to say much. The fact that Chu Xiuyuan left the border town was even more of a secret, so it was also difficult to talk about.
Xu Yuan understood what he said and said with a smile, "It is a blessing for the people of Border Town to have a general's wife."
Not only Chu Xiuyuan and Xu Yuan were discussing this matter, but Zhao Duan was also asking Manager Zhao why he was not allowed to speak. Because Zhao Duan was also involved in some things, Manager Zhao explained it more clearly. Zhao Duan suddenly realized, "No wonder your expressions seemed full of sympathy at the time..."
Manager Zhao laughed and said, "There is always something that can defeat something else." For people like them, the general's wife is really like a nemesis. In fact, it is not only because Shen Jin likes to be straightforward, but also because there is Chu Xiuming standing behind him. One force can defeat a thousand tricks. This force is also very important.
Shen Jin, who was being talked about by everyone, was still sleeping soundly in bed. After Dongdong woke up, he was sent to Concubine Chen. Dongdong, Qingge and Baozhu were of similar age and could play together. They were surrounded by servants, so Concubine Chen would not be tired.
When Shen Jin woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. Chu Xiuming was naturally not in the room. After Zhao Ma and the others helped her wash and change her clothes and eat, Shen Jin went to Concubine Chen's place to talk to her mother for a while, and then stayed there to have lunch and take a nap. However, when she was sleeping soundly, she suddenly sat up, which startled Concubine Chen and asked, "What's wrong?"
"I seem to have forgotten what my husband told me." Shen Jin scratched his face and said.
Concubine Chen asked, "What's the matter? Don't delay it."
Shen Jin was not actually sleepy, she was just used to taking a nap, so she just didn't want to sleep now. She said, "My husband is a little busy, so let me help meet the envoy of the Prince of England and ask him if there is anything."
"Then go quickly." Concubine Chen said.
Shen Jin responded, called An Ping in to help her change clothes, and said, "Then I'll leave Dongdong here."
"Yes." Concubine Chen also stood up. Shen Jin felt that he had not slept with his mother for a long time, so he rested with Concubine Chen at noon. But now he could not sleep anymore. "If you are busy, just leave Dongdong with me. There is no difference between two children and three children. An Ning is here to help."
Shen Jin said, "I understand." However, Chu Xiuming was used to going to see his son first every night. If he came back early, he would play with his son for a while. If he really stayed with Concubine Chen, although Chu Xiuming would not say anything explicitly, he would glance at the small room where Dongdong slept from time to time, and it seemed that he was reluctant to leave.
Concubine Chen didn't say anything more. After Shen Jin finished dressing, she went back to the inner room. Then she asked Anping to tell Yue Wen to invite the envoy of the Prince of England to the living room.
Nanny Zhao was accompanying Shen Jin today, with her head down and silent, just like an ordinary old nanny.
Yue Wen brought people here quickly. The envoy sent by the Prince of England looked to be about thirty years old. He was wearing thick clothes but looked good. When he saw Shen Jin, his eyes flashed and he saluted respectfully and said, "I am Zheng Liang, here to see the princess."
Shen Jin laughed when he heard this, "Since we are in a border town, don't call me Princess."
"I am sorry for being rude, please don't be offended, Madam Marquis." Zheng Liang also spoke.
Shen Jin nodded and said, "It's okay, sit down."
"Yes." Zheng Liang then chose a seat and sat down. Yue Wen stood behind Zheng Liang. Anping brought tea and pastries and placed them before returning to Shen Jin.
Shen Jin asked, "Is there anything the Prince of England wants?"
"The Crown Prince has inherited the title of King of England." Zheng Liang's expression was submissive, but it was just an expression. He had intended to provoke and test her from the very beginning.
Shen Jin looked at Zheng Liang in confusion and asked, "Uncle Emperor actually issued an order to let the Prince of England inherit the title? Could it be that they have reconciled?"
Zheng Liang's expression froze for a moment. Anyone could tell that this was impossible. "The Crown Prince naturally does not need Emperor Cheng's consent to inherit the title."
"But the title of King of England was conferred by the imperial court, right?" Shen Jin frowned and said, "Why doesn't it require the imperial court's consent?"
"Because the current court is a fake one." Zheng Liang said righteously, "Emperor Cheng killed his father and brother. Such a wicked man..."
"Wait." Shen Jin looked at Zheng Liang and said, "In fact, whether it is the Emperor's uncle or the King of England, aren't their goals the same? If the King of England succeeded, I think they would have done something similar." Seeing that Zheng Liang wanted to say more, Shen Jin spoke directly, "Don't use the tricks outside to deceive me. We are relatives. My father has told me."
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