Chapter 55 Countermeasures
Jiang Wan was a little surprised.
"Li Chengxiu's mother is quite clever. She gave up on status, but still managed to keep the power of the army in her hands. From this perspective, it's not such a big loss."
"She is indeed a very shrewd and capable woman."
Xu nodded and shook her head.
"Rules are just rules. If you don't follow them properly, you'll suffer a lot in the future!
Besides, the Zhao family wasn't the type to be easily dealt with, so there was bound to be a quarrel between the two families. Alas, in the final analysis, it was all the men's fault, and it made it difficult for the two ladies to move.
This assassination plot is bound to cause a huge uproar in the Li family!"
Jiang Huailiang heard the disapproval in his wife's tone and could only quietly try to save face for his sworn brother.
"This situation was forced upon him. The Emperor didn't want this to happen, and he's not the kind of person who would be heartless and disloyal.
He has feelings for Mrs. Qiao, but Mrs. Zhao has done him a favor!
Now that Madam Qiao was to be the Empress, he couldn't explain it to Madam Zhao. He also couldn't bear to let Madam Qiao suffer any more if he allowed Madam Zhao to be the mother of the country.
Not to mention that they are also involved with the Zhao and Qiao families, so that’s why they are in this situation now, alas…”
Just thinking about it, Jiang Huailiang felt a headache for the emperor.
"The situation in the capital can't be described as lively right now; it's almost a mess! The Zhao family has a group of supporters, while the Qiao family also has a group of people who rely on them. The two sides are fighting fiercely, and they can't wait to fight every day they see each other!
I intervened in two fights while I was there, and both sides came to me to speak for justice. You said this is a family matter, but it's also a state matter, and if it's a state matter, it's also involved with the Emperor's family affairs.
How could I dare to say anything in there? So, I had no other choice but to find an excuse to hide back in Maocheng.
Turning his head to look at his clever wife, the man asked for advice in a measured tone.
"Sister Yu, please stop glaring at me, Sister Yu."
Under his wife's glare, he compromised and changed his words, and negotiated with her in a low voice.
"You said I should stay in Trade City for a few more days, and then go back after they've figured out the dispute in the capital. Is that okay?"
Mrs. Xu frowned and looked at her husband.
"How can the emperor allow you to delay any longer?"
"I guess he's looking forward to it! You don't know how miserable he is right now. If I shove all his wives and children in front of him again, do you think he'll go crazy?"
"It's not impossible. A delaying tactic is still a tactic. Sometimes things can be resolved by taking it slow. Perhaps the Emperor can come up with a solution that satisfies both sides."
Xu herself didn't believe this statement, so how much could Jiang Huailiang believe it? He just wanted to delay it for a while and buy more time for the emperor.
The rules agreed upon by his parents helped Jiang Wan to roughly understand some of the things that were unclear in his mind at that time.
"Dad, did Li Yanxiu reveal the news that his eldest brother was seriously injured just to tell our family and let you find a way to avoid trouble?
After all, you and the Emperor are sworn brothers, and there aren't many legitimate elders in the Li family. If there's a dispute in his family, won't you be involved?
This time, Li Yuanxiu suffered a great loss, but Li Yanxiu was fine. Now Li Chengxiu has been called back. Will Madam Zhao think that Madam Qiao was responsible for this?
Do you think about this situation?"
The Jiang couple looked at each other. They couldn't say that their daughter's worries were wrong, as it was indeed possible.
"How about I just get sick? When Li Yuanxiu is rescued, I will recover. What do you think, wife?
Anyway, under the current circumstances, they can't possibly set off to Beijing. Let's wait and see!"
After hearing her husband's response, Mrs. Xu thought for a moment and nodded helplessly.
"Then you can be sick tonight. Tomorrow I will go to the Li residence to apologize and send some medicine as a token of my appreciation."
After all, the eldest son of the Li family was carried back today, and even she, who almost cried to death, heard the servants report it, so it was even more impossible for other families not to know about it.
When others come to visit, you certainly cannot pretend to be deaf and dumb.
"Okay. But remember, my wife, if the Li family doesn't tell you the extent of Li Yuanxiu's injury, don't ask around."
"I want you to explain such a small matter?"
After discussing all the important matters, Mrs. Xu finally remembered to worry about her daughter's miserable state.
"Wanjie, go back and wash up first. You must be hungry, right? I'll have someone bring you some food. Eat and drink well, then have a good sleep. Tomorrow you'll have another great day!"
"Mom, do grandpa and grandma know that I'm in trouble? Should I go to Baosong Hall first to kowtow and report that I'm safe? And what about the second and third brothers..."
"Don't worry about it. Your father and I will take care of all these things. I'll go to Baosong Hall now. The second and third sons are also there. Go back now and wash up, eat well and have a good rest. If you have anything to say, we can talk about it after you wake up tomorrow."
"Okay. Then, Dad and Mom, I'll go back to my room first."
Jiang Wan obediently stood up and bowed to take his leave.
After being busy all day, I was really hungry and tired.
Jiang Huailiang immediately followed his daughter's movements, stood up, and walked out.
"Wife, you should take a rest first. I'll go tell my parents. And by the way, tell those guys under your command not to expose me again!"
The father and daughter walked out of Anranju, one in front and one behind.
Jiang Huailiang dismissed the servants and carried his daughter back to the courtyard, lantern in hand. On that autumn night, a crescent moon hung in the sky. Though dim, it did its best to guide the lost child home.
The father and son walked on the stone road. When no one was talking, they could occasionally hear one or two cicadas calling in the trees.
"Dad, are you sure that the sixth child in the Li family is that little girl?"
Jiang Wan yawned sleepily and chatted with her old father. Then she saw her tall and strong father nodding his big head.
"What's so uncertain about that? Boys and girls look different, how can they be confused?
You've asked me this several times, why are you still asking?
Isn't the sixth child of the Li family Li Jie'er? The fifth child is Li Jingxiu, whom you should have met. But you probably haven't met the younger ones.
But it doesn’t matter. With the grandsons of the Zhao and Qiao families around, no other family can make it.”
Jiang Huailiang looked down at his eldest daughter and asked uncertainly.
"Did you hear something again?"
Jiang Wan didn't say anything.
Some words that shouldn't be said will not be believed by anyone, and will only cause you a lot of unnecessary trouble. It's best to keep your mouth shut.
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