Upon arriving at the main courtyard, Cen Xiao told Yang Cui about the situation in the mansion. There were no servants here; the work of servants was done by the disabled people Yang Cui had just seen. They used to be Cen Xiao's soldiers, and the injuries on their bodies were from battles.
They were all from the area around Kyoto. When they were discharged from the army, Cen Xiao didn't give them any money, but arranged for them to work in the mansion. He paid them wages every month. Although it wasn't much, it was enough to support themselves and not be a burden on their families.
There were also some wounded soldiers who had been discharged, and they lived far away. Cen Xiao would give them a sum of money so they could go back to their hometowns.
There are more than 30 disabled people in the general's mansion, some of whom are only children. Cen Xiao took it upon himself to let their parents come to the mansion to work as well.
Also, Qiao Mai, whom they met when they entered the house, was the only relative of the veteran Qiao Shu, so Cen Xiao asked her to work in the mansion as well.
“Without soldiers fighting on the battlefield, without them protecting our country, where would our peaceful days be? Husband, you did the right thing.” Yang Cui truly felt that Cen Xiao was very magnanimous and responsible, and had great love in his heart.
Yang Cui added, "Once we've settled down in a while, we'll see what kind of business we can start. We'll specifically look for these retired veterans; we can't let the heroes who defended our country worry about making a living."
Upon hearing this, Cen Xiao pulled Yang Cui into his arms and said, "Wife, how lucky I am to have met you!"
"Don't try to sweet-talk me, I'm not doing this for you."
Cen Xiao chuckled. He knew that Yang Cui did this partly for him and partly because she also had a sense of patriotism.
*
The next morning, Yang Cui and Cen Xiao dressed up and took their three children to the palace.
Perhaps because they were curious about the palace, the three children seemed very excited, but Yang Cui was different; she was nervous.
"Don't be nervous, I'm here for you," Cen Xiao said, holding her hand.
"I'm afraid of embarrassing you."
Cen Xiao gazed at him tenderly: "You are my pride."
"Yes, godmother, you are our pride."
"Mom, you are our pride."
The children chimed in.
Upon arriving at the palace gate, the family disembarked from the carriage, and Yang Cui and the children, guided by the eunuchs, went to the Jiaofang Palace.
Cen Xiao then went to the Imperial Study to meet the Emperor.
"You still know to come back!" The emperor threw the memorial in his hand onto the table.
"Your Majesty, I am filled with trepidation."
"You're terrified? What are you terrified of!" the emperor cursed. "A dignified first-rank general like you actually... actually became someone's live-in son-in-law, and a divorced woman at that! You're really something!"
“I don’t feel ashamed. Yang is a very good person. Besides, I am also a second-time bride. I think Yang and I are a match made in heaven.”
"A match made in heaven? You're really going to infuriate me! Do you know that Duke Qiu came to me a few days ago asking for a marriage decree? Is Xuan girl really not as good as Lady Yang?"
Cen Xiao knew that the emperor was testing him, so he said, "Your Majesty, I am a son-in-law and have no right to take a concubine. I also do not intend to take a concubine. Please grant my request."
"Is the Yang family really that good?"
Yes, she is fine.
The emperor was taken aback. Who would praise their own family like that?
Then the Emperor threw the book "The Villainous Female Supporting Character" in front of Cen Xiao: "If she is really as good as you say, how do you explain this book? Do you know that Xuan'er is making a scene at home, threatening to commit suicide? Now the whole capital is saying that Xuan'er is vicious, and that she has repeatedly and secretly harmed Yang Shi for your sake?"
Cen Xiao's expression remained unchanged as he said, "She has indeed hurt my wife many times."
The emperor was taken aback and asked, "Really?"
Cen Xiao then told Qiu Mingxuan the truth about what she had done, but omitted some details, such as what happened to Luo Yanfen.
After listening, the emperor remained silent.
Cen Xiao added, "It's just that we lacked evidence, so my wife and I didn't do anything to her, otherwise..."
"Since there's no evidence, don't make wild guesses. Perhaps it has nothing to do with Xuan'er at all. She's the Duke's only child and your sworn sister. Don't let a misunderstanding damage your relationship." The Emperor spoke gently, appearing earnest. But how much sincerity was in his words, only he knew.
“As long as she behaves herself and does not harm my family, I will naturally recognize the old Duke as my adoptive father and take care of him in his old age.”
The implication was that he would not acknowledge Qiu Mingxuan as his godparent.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor knew that Cen Xiao had a strong opinion against Qiu Mingxuan, and that the Qiu and Cen families would naturally not be able to unite in the future. The Emperor felt much more at ease about Cen Xiao.
However, he feigned anger: "Let's go to the Jiaofang Palace. I want to see what charm this Yang woman has that has made you, someone who never gets close to women, so infatuated."
*
At this time, in the Jiaofang Palace.
"This humble woman greets Your Majesty the Empress."
The Empress had assumed that Yang Cui, being from the countryside, would be unfamiliar with etiquette and manners, but to her surprise, Yang Cui and her children's manners were impeccable.
"Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Don't be so formal. General Cen is the Emperor's adopted son, so I am practically your adoptive mother. Please sit down."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Yang Cui then led the children to sit down at the lower end of the table.
The Empress kept observing Yang Cui. Yang Cui's temperament and appearance really surprised her. She was no less beautiful than the noble ladies of the capital.
The Empress's gaze then shifted to the children: "Is this child General Cen's nephew?"
Yuan Qiu stepped forward confidently: "Your Majesty, I am Yuan Qiu, and I am currently General Cen's nephew."
"What's the meaning?"
“If he treats my godmother, who is also my aunt, well, then he is my uncle and I am his nephew. I will respect and love him. But if he treats my aunt poorly, then I am my aunt’s son and have nothing to do with him.”
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