Chapter 119 My Husband, Still So Shameless
"I cannot agree with what my second grandfather said!"
Xiao Jinghong's sudden appearance brought silence to the tranquil house.
The expressions on everyone's faces immediately changed.
Third Master Xiao Shen paused slightly, then sat calmly in his chair.
Xiao Xuanshuo's previously serious expression softened.
Xiao Wang, who had just spoken in a deep voice, stopped and frowned as he looked at the figure outside the door.
Lord Xiao, however, remained calm and unaffected, beckoning with his hand:
"The arrival of the stunning beauty was just in time."
“A major event occurred in Shu Prefecture last night, and I am currently discussing with them how to handle it.”
Xiao Jinghong walked straight over, greeted them one by one, and said, "I already learned about this from my eldest sister."
As she spoke, she sat down next to Old Marquis Xiao, saying, "If it has been confirmed that the Liu family was responsible, there is no need to rush into action."
Lord Xiao looked at Xiao Wang, who had remained silent, and nodded with a smile, "Tell me your thoughts."
Xiao Jinghong stated bluntly, "A dispute between the Xiao and Liu families in Shuzhou is of no benefit to the Xiao family either."
She knew it very well.
Both the Xiao family and the Dingyuan Army need time to recuperate.
A direct confrontation with the Liu family at this moment would inevitably cause chaos in Shu Prefecture.
The Xiao family itself was also not at peace.
This would affect the trade, causing further setbacks for the Dingyuan Army, which had just been restored to its original structure.
Upon hearing her words, Xiao Wang frowned.
“Jinghong, you are also a member of the Xiao family, so you should know how difficult it has been for the Xiao family to survive to this day.”
"Not to mention the distant past, in the last ten years we have successively repelled the barbarian army and launched expeditions to Vaishsa. We shed blood and tears, and only then did our Xiao family achieve what we have today."
"But how has the Liu family treated us?"
"They instructed the Illusionary Sound Sect to steal medicinal herbs and even established the Linglan Pavilion in Shuzhou, intending to destroy my Xiao family's medicine hall."
"After going through countless hardships, Wan'er finally joined forces with Baicaotang to revive the pharmacy. But the Liu family sent people to Baicaotang, trying to kill my Xiao family again."
"If we don't fight back, what will outsiders think?"
His words were reasonable and well-founded, and every word was written from the Xiao family's perspective, so there was certainly a reason for them.
Even Xiao Xuanshuo was somewhat tempted after hearing this.
In the past decade, several members of the Xiao family have died on the battlefield, all for the sake of protecting Shu Prefecture and guarding the territory of the Great Wei.
But some people not only showed no gratitude, they even came to bully us.
This situation would anger anyone, let alone the Xiao family, which has a history of two hundred years.
However, after listening to what Xiao Wang said, the old Marquis Xiao and Xiao Jinghong exchanged a glance, both understanding what was important at the moment.
No matter what, Shu Prefecture must not be thrown into chaos!
Lord Xiao waved his hand and said, "It's not the right time yet."
Xiao Wang slammed his cane on the ground. "When will that be the right time? Should we just wait for them to destroy the Xiao family?"
His face wasn't particularly old, but the nasolabial folds around his mouth gave his thin face an air of authority even without anger.
Xiao Jinghong glanced at him and said calmly, "If Second Grandfather really thinks that way, he can go directly to Jingzhou."
Xiao Wang was taken aback, his slightly cloudy eyes looking at her. "You think I wouldn't dare?"
"If Second Grandfather agrees, Jinghong will send you there today!"
"you……"
"Alright, everyone shut up."
Before the two could say anything more, Old Marquis Xiao raised his hand to interrupt, his gaze turning to Xiao Wang:
“I understand that you are thinking of the Xiao family, but this matter cannot be handled impulsively.”
"Give me three days. If Left Envoy Liu does not give me an explanation, then you can do this."
Xiao Wang withdrew his angry glare at Xiao Jinghong and snorted, "You say three days, then it's three days. If the Liu family doesn't come by then, I will definitely bring the people from the Punishment Hall to demand an explanation."
After saying that, he got up and walked outside.
Just then, Xiao Jinghong spoke up calmly, "Second Grandfather, there is something I must say."
Xiao Wang stopped in his tracks.
"The Hall of Punishments belongs to the Xiao family, not to your or any other person's private army."
Xiao Jinghong looked at him calmly, "Grandfather is still alive, so he should be the one to call the shots in this family."
Xiao Wang glanced at her, his expression shifting between light and shadow.
"If General Jinghong is dissatisfied with what I have done, he may convene a clan meeting and dismiss me from my position as head of the Punishment Hall!"
Without waiting for Xiao Jinghong to speak again, Xiao Wang strode away.
Seeing this situation, it can be considered that the dust has settled.
Third Master Xiao Shen stood up and said with a smile, "Eldest brother, I'll listen to you on this matter."
"But don't be angry with the second son. He's in a bad mood right now. Even I can't stand what the Liu family has been doing lately."
Lord Xiao glanced at him and said, "Knowing he's angry, aren't you going to go and try to persuade him?"
"Okay, I'll go right away."
Xiao Shen smiled and nodded at Xiao Jinghong, then left the quiet residence.
Xiao Xuanshuo bowed silently and did not linger any longer.
Within a quarter of an hour, only Lord Xiao and Xiao Jinghong remained in the quiet residence.
A moment of silence.
Lord Xiao asked with a smile, "How is the progress on the border trade?"
Xiao Jinghong calmly replied, "Everything is fine."
"In the contract we made with the mountain tribes, they were responsible for dealing with people from the martial arts world, while we were responsible for the pressure from the imperial court and the powerful families and merchants from the neighboring Zhou family."
"The profits will be split 30/70, with them taking 30%."
The old Marquis Xiao's smile widened, "That's good then."
"Once the trade market is established, people from Shuzhou, Jingzhou, Guangyue Prefecture, Xizhou, and Youzhou will come."
"At that time, you will receive them on my behalf and try your best to reserve a shop for them in the trade market."
Xiao Jinghong nodded.
This was something she and the old man had discussed long ago, so there's no need to say more.
But thinking of the Liu family's affairs, she couldn't help but ask, "The Liu family from Jingzhou has sent people here. Why didn't you tell me?"
Lord Xiao paused, then sighed, "I thought that since I was still in good health, those people would restrain themselves."
"I didn't expect them to be in such a hurry."
"It's only been a month since my birthday banquet, and they've already sent people to test me. They're being a bit too hasty."
After a moment's thought, Xiao Jinghong asked seriously, "Do you need me to take action?"
Lord Xiao chuckled and waved his hand, saying, "The situation is far from that point yet."
He paused briefly, then decided to say a few more words:
"Several major battles have caused heavy losses to my Xiao family, which has shown those people a certain possibility."
“They are not unaware that ‘even a starved camel is bigger than a horse,’ but they smelled the fish and were tempted by greed.”
"But they forgot that the Xiao family has been able to stand strong for two hundred years, and that has never been because of the Dingyuan Army."
Lord Xiao glanced at the gloomy rain outside the hall, his smile unchanged, and said:
"You don't need to worry about this matter. Focus on the border trade first."
Xiao Jinghong nodded silently, "Jinghong understands."
Lord Xiao withdrew his gaze and looked at her with satisfaction, saying, "With you supporting the Xiao family, I feel much more at ease."
"This is what my granddaughter should do."
"Whether it should be done or not, I know. In the vast Xiao family now, I can only trust you and Wan'er, and a handful of others."
"Wu Ge is still young, so I can only ask you to bear with him."
As he spoke, a smile returned to his face, and he asked, "Have you seen Chen Yi since you came back this time?"
Xiao Jinghong was slightly taken aback. "I've seen him before."
"So? Can you see any difference between him and before?"
"Who is grandfather?"
"Of course he's talented but keeps his abilities hidden. Haven't you noticed how much he's changed in the last few months?"
Meeting the gaze of the old Marquis Xiao, Xiao Jinghong shook his head somewhat awkwardly.
Aside from being able to write poetry, having beautiful handwriting, and understanding some principles, she really couldn't see anything else.
Seeing this, Lord Xiao did not ask any further questions, but simply instructed, "Once the matters concerning the trade are settled, you should return to your residence for a while."
"After all, you're husband and wife now, you should spend more time together, maybe next year..."
He didn't finish speaking, but Xiao Jinghong already understood the meaning behind his words.
Her face flushed instantly, even the area around her eyes turned red.
"Grandfather, I still have things to do at the trade market, so I'll head back now."
After saying that, Xiao Jinghong walked out of the quiet house without looking back.
His hurried manner made Old Marquis Xiao laugh with a hint of pleasure.
This made Xiao Jinghong even more shy, and she quickened her pace as she held up her oil-paper umbrella.
But when she arrived at the front yard, she also turned around and glanced at the location of Chunhe Garden.
I could vaguely hear Chen Yi and Pei Guanli talking.
"Brother-in-law, did you write a letter to Sister Jinghong?"
"hold head high."
"The poems you wrote?"
"You saw it?"
"No, I heard it from Sister Jinghong reciting poetry. Something about long-lasting love, morning and evening, or something like that?"
"Silly, you can't even hear the whole thing. The line is 'If love between two people lasts forever, why should they be together every day and night?'"
"Wow, what a beautiful poem! Brother-in-law, write one for me too..."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinghong could no longer listen.
One step into the air, leaping across half the city.
My husband... is still so shameless.
(End of this chapter)
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