The delicious breakfast soothed her stomach and also helped Hong Xiaoduo clear her head.
After they finished eating, before the other families arrived, they called the six children over.
"You already know the general situation. Among these families who came, are there any family members of the four of you? If so, whose are they? Without seeing them and without conducting a blood test for you, we can't know the results."
Therefore, you should also be mentally prepared so that you won't be disappointed and saddened when it turns out that the person in question is not your family.
Also, when they arrive, none of you should show yourselves. Only after I have done the blood kinship test and confirmed which of you is related to me will I allow that person to come out and meet me.
"You can find a suitable spot and check on them. Have they all remembered it?" Hong Xiaoduo instructed.
"Mother, we understand," the group replied in unison.
"Mother, should we also leave?" Tianquan asked, remembering the question.
"You two don't need to, but it would be best if you went with the others." Hong Xiaoduo didn't know why she made this arrangement; that's just what she thought, and she said it naturally based on her feelings.
At this moment, Mr. and Mrs. Gong Wei, who had hurriedly gone to the government office to arrange some important matters and then rushed back to see Hong Xiaoduo and the others off, learned the general outline of the matter from their son after entering the courtyard.
Upon hearing this, the two also felt it was a good thing, as it would save Hong Xiaoduo and the others from having to travel around so much.
Moreover, for the two of them, it would be good if their son stayed even one more day.
At noon, Hong Xiaoduo finally got to eat the dishes she had ordered. Tianxuan remembered that she had mentioned before that she wanted a beef version of sweet and sour pork. So, when she went to buy ingredients today, she bought them and made it. Watching her keep going, the smile on Tianxuan's face never disappeared.
Duobaoge's estimated time was quite accurate; Hong Xiaoduo had just put down her chopsticks when those families arrived.
"Take your time eating," Hong Xiaoduo said immediately when she saw that everyone else was about to put down their chopsticks.
After saying that, he walked out.
"Wouldn't it be inappropriate if we didn't go and greet them?" Dou Suyi said to her husband in a low voice, somewhat worried.
Because Hong Xiaoduo had told the two of them that among the families who came, there was a second-rank censor, a second-rank prefect, a fifth-rank prefect, and the lowest-ranking official was a fifth-rank county magistrate.
There is another one with an even more special identity: the current emperor's uncle, the Prince of Yi, who is enfeoffed in the southwest.
Even without this prince, it would have been appropriate for Gong Wei, a second-rank official, to personally receive those families.
“Listen to Miss Hong, what she said makes sense. These people who came here are all here on personal matters. We just captured the enemy's city, and we have so many important things to deal with every day. We don't even have time to spend more time with our son.”
The important business is ahead; we still need to set up defenses later.
"If we have the chance later, we should treat them to a meal." Gong Wei knew his wife's concerns.
Although he was never good at socializing in officialdom and disdained doing flattery, it would be a bit unreasonable not to show his face when these people came here.
However, Gong Wei also knew that since Hong Xiaoduo had said that to him, she must also know that he and the generals in the city were not having an easy time right now.
Dou Suyi agreed with her husband's reasoning.
It's not that he doesn't want to watch over his son, but he runs around delivering meals to the couple. They will definitely have to eat lunch at the government office.
Although the enemy country has not yet taken any action to retake the cities and has even sent people to Fengliang Kingdom for peace talks, this does not mean that Yunwu Kingdom is truly willing to give up these two cities.
The main reason they haven't taken any action to capture the city is that the supplies and provisions of the dozen or so large camps near Red Willow City and White Stone City have been completely looted.
Not only is morale in disarray, but the Ministry of War of Yunwu Kingdom is also in a state of chaos. In the short term, they have no chance of retaking the city.
The decree from the emperor in the capital arrived a few days ago. The emperor was overjoyed at the victory over the enemy and the capture of two enemy cities, and immediately awarded him and his generals a great merit.
The imperial edict said that the rewards for the three armies would arrive soon.
Let Gong Wei take charge and quickly strengthen the city's defenses here.
His Majesty's attitude was very clear: these two cities would not be returned to Yunwu Kingdom.
Therefore, Gong Wei was able to lead his generals and soldiers to redeploy defenses and establish borders in Baishi City and Yunwu Kingdom with peace of mind.
This is no small matter; it requires speed and the deployment of appropriate troops in key locations.
Compared to such an important matter, not receiving those important figures seems to be really nothing.
Standing outside the courtyard gate, seeing a long line of carriages and the people getting off, I realized I had overlooked something: I shouldn't have waited for them here.
Although it was said to be five households, they had come from a long distance and were all of special status, so it was impossible that they only brought one or two drivers and attendants.
Look, there are more than a dozen carriages in one glance. Each carriage has a driver, a group of guards, and a few servants.
"Master Huang, please help us find a larger inn to settle them in. If one isn't enough, try two. They can pay for it themselves," Hong Xiaoduo said quickly as she watched the person dismount and walk towards her.
Fortunately, Master Huang received the news and rushed over to meet him; at least it was someone he knew.
"Gentlemen, please don't rush to get off the carriage. This place isn't very convenient. Let's find another place to talk to Miss Hong." As expected of a branch master of Duobaoge, Master Huang understood Hong Xiaoduo's meaning and immediately turned around and said loudly.
The tone was that of an announcement; there was no need to be cautious or hesitant to discuss the matter, regardless of the other party's status.
Hong Xiaoduo looked at the carriages closest to her, and some people were even leaning halfway out of the carriages. After hearing what Master Huang said, she immediately retreated back into the carriage.
Among their entourage, someone relayed Huang Tangzhu's words to the carriages behind them. Of all the people whose faces she could see, not one showed any displeasure.
"Is Duobaoge's reputation really that intimidating?" Hong Xiaoduo asked Huang Yixing in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, Master Huang suppressed a laugh and leaned towards her, lowering his voice as he said, "Young Lady Hong, you've guessed wrong. The reason they're acting this way isn't because of our Treasure Pavilion, but because they're afraid of you, Young Lady Hong."
"Afraid of me?" Hong Xiaoduo thought for a moment and understood what was going on.
They're probably afraid of upsetting me and making me stop helping them recognize the child!
Moreover, Minister Wei, who was the first to acknowledge the child, set a precedent by his attitude towards her.
Furthermore, there was her helping the Emperor clear the Empress's name, and her assisting the court in receiving foreign delegations, after which the Emperor persuaded her to stay as a lady-in-waiting.
Before these families decided to come looking for her, they must have tried to find out as much information about her as possible, wanting to know more about her, her personality, her preferences, and so on.
Thus, even though these families were of high status and had traveled a long and arduous journey, they dared not show any dissatisfaction when they heard that she had found a temporary place to settle them, at least not openly...
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