In the fourth year of the Jintai era, Han Mingjiang returned to Youzhou City.
Because General Qi was old and had retired from the military, the imperial court transferred him back to serve as the commander of the garrison troops in Youzhou and three nearby prefectures. He returned with 30 retired soldiers.
This time, instead of bringing them back to Peach Blossom Spring, they went directly to the grain and fodder base of the garrison in Youzhou Prefecture.
That same year, Han Yisong, who had returned with Han Mingjiang, was transferred to the capital and appointed as the deputy commander of the Shenji Battalion, in charge of training the use of firearms and carrying out secret missions mainly assigned by the court and the emperor.
Thus, Han Mingjiang's family returned to Youzhou City, while Xue Nizi took her daughter Tiantian back to live in Peach Blossom Spring.
Although the garrison commander had a general's mansion, Xue Nizi wanted to be with Li Lanzhen and also wanted to take good care of her.
The daughters-in-law are increasingly grateful to Li Lanzhen. They feel completely at ease with her and can act cute and charming. Of course, Li Lanzhen learned this phrase from when she was jokingly scolding the children.
Xue Nizi also wanted to spend more time here taking care of and loving Han Yibo.
With his wife and children living in Peach Blossom Spring, Han Mingxiang returned home during his rest time to reunite with his family.
Li Lanzhen pondered the changes in her family's positions. The Emperor and the Emperor Emeritus valued her family too much. Li Lanzhen herself had full granaries, cattle, sheep, and pigsties, and chickens, ducks, and geese all over the mountains, which gave her an abundance of food.
Han Mingxiang and Han Yinan also wielded significant influence in the imperial court.
Secondly, Han Mingjiang guarded the three prefectures of Youzhou and commanded 50,000 troops, Xue Bao had 20,000 troops, and Han Yisong's Shenji Battalion also commanded 6,000 elite soldiers.
If that were the case...
Cough cough, I almost choked on my own thoughts.
Well, it's just a thought, just a thought. In both my past lives, I, Li Lanzhen, have always been a law-abiding citizen.
Don't try to guess about matters concerning the imperial family; you'll never understand no matter how much you try.
On the 29th day of the Lunar New Year that year, all of Li Lanzhen's children and grandchildren returned to Peach Blossom Spring, making it a year of great reunion.
The Emperor Emeritus's courtyard was also filled with joyous reunions, as the current Emperor, Li Ruihao, and Princess Linglong also arrived at Peach Blossom Spring.
Su Chen, Xuan Shen, and Bai Houpu also spent the New Year with them.
After the New Year's Eve dinner, the three brothers Han Mingxiang, Han Mingjiang, and Xue Bao, along with the two younger brothers Han Yinan and Han Yisong, went to pay their respects to the Emperor Emeritus and the Emperor.
It took them more than two hours to return, and they went straight to Li Lanzhen's courtyard.
During this time, Li Lanzhen asked her question.
Han Mingxiang smiled and said to Li Lanzhen, "Mother, have you forgotten the principle of 'If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them'?"
What a fine example of "trusting people without reservation"!
Li Lanzhen looked at her children and grandchildren solemnly, "Since the Emperor trusts you, then do your jobs well and share the burdens of the court."
You must always remember that you rose from humble beginnings on the edge of a field and gained everything you have today because of the Emperor's favor.
Of course, as long as you maintain your integrity, live an honest and upright life, work diligently, and have a clear conscience, that's all that matters.
After saying that, he thought for a moment and added, "But you must also remember that you are yourselves, not anyone's shadow puppets."
When doing things, you must have a sense of proportion. You are my dear children and grandchildren, you are your daughters-in-law's support, and you are your children's pillar of strength.
What will happen to them if you're gone?
That night, Li Lanzhen talked to them a lot, about the principles of being a ruler and his subjects, as well as the responsibilities of being a father and elder brother.
The children went back to their respective homes. Han Yibo went back to his own home, and only Shuiwang and his sister were left in Li Lanzhen's yard.
The child was already asleep.
Li Lanzhen stood in the courtyard, gazing at the starry sky, and murmured to herself, "Hello, moon, hello stars, can you see my world?"
Isn't that country more prosperous now? What's there to ask? Absolutely!
After speaking, he stood still, looking dejected, and all of this was observed by Xuan Shen.
He had come to pay his respects to Li Lanzhen and also to make pills in the space, but he didn't expect to see Li Lanzhen like this.
Xuan Shen was very flustered because it was the first time he had seen Li Lanzhen. She was an extraordinary person, unlike any of the other women there.
But now, he sensed a heavy sense of loss and loneliness emanating from Aunt Li Lanzhen.
"Auntie, I've come to see you." Xuan Jian saw Li Lanzhen and quickly called out as she turned to go back into the house.
"Oh, it's Xuan Shen. Come in." Li Lanzhen wasn't as warm and casual as usual; she seemed a little absent-minded and distracted.
Xuan Shen placed a bundle she was carrying on the table. Li Lanzhen glanced at it and said, "Why bring any gifts? Just come. Don't be so formal."
“This is a good thing, I brought it to you as a gift. Open it and take a look.” Xuan Shen smiled mysteriously.
"What good stuff is it that's all mysterious?"
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