Yun Yifan sat leisurely at the first seat in General Xiao's study, with a calm and composed look on his face. He glanced at his cousin with a smile on his lips and said, "It depends on your performance next, my good cousin."
General Xiao thought for a long time but couldn't figure out what these two were here for, so he just waited! When they were willing to speak, he just had to remain unchanged in the face of all changes.
Since Yun Yichen had arrived, he was ready to speak. In order for his father to return soon, he felt that it was worth making some sacrifices.
"Hey, General Xiao, I came here today to ask for a favor." After saying this slowly, Yun Yichen's mood calmed down. As the saying goes, everything is difficult at the beginning, as long as you get started, the rest will be much easier.
"General Xiao also knows that my father has been in the northwest for more than half a year and has not returned yet. Today in the palace, my uncle mentioned this matter and said that he planned to send someone to the northwest to pick up my father. My cousin and I agreed that General Xiao is the most suitable candidate, so I took the liberty to visit your mansion. I hope the general can agree to go to the northwest. My father and I and the Jing Palace will never forget the general's help today."
Yun Yifan could only secretly complain about being innocently dragged along, "Damn bad guy." He didn't even think about how his behavior of watching the fun and joining in the fun was any more noble than that of his cousin!
Is this still the taciturn, indifferent Prince Jing of the Prince's Mansion whom he knew? General Xiao tugged at his beard, feeling the pain. It seemed that this wasn't an illusion; the scene before his eyes was a real, true event.
"This old minister wants to know whether this is just your own opinion or the emperor also has this intention." This must be asked clearly. General Xiao knows very well who he should be loyal to.
"I am here to represent the attitude of my father. General Xiao, don't worry about this. As long as you agree, the decree will arrive soon." Yun Yifan stood up at the right time. He was worried that if he dared to just watch the fun without saying anything, his cousin would take action against him as soon as he walked out of the Xiao family's gate.
Do I have the right to refuse? General Xiao had a premonition that he would be the candidate for the Northwest trip. He would go. He was worried that if his youngest son didn't come back after a while, he didn't know what excuse he could find to comfort his old wife. Now he didn't have to worry about it anymore.
"This old minister is always at the service of the Emperor."
"I'll have to trouble Madam Xiao for her cooperation on this matter." Yun Yichen reframed the idea he had given the Emperor as the Emperor's own. After explaining, he tried to appease General Xiao, "Uncle Emperor knows that this matter will cause Madam Xiao to feel wronged, so the General, please feel free to ask for any compensation or requests you may have."
Yun Yifan looked at his cousin with a half-smile. Perhaps the only person who could be so generous to others and speak so righteously was the one in front of him.
This was naked revenge, revenge for his father forcing him to come to the Xiao family to ask for help. He said this deliberately to drag his father into the water. After more than ten years of getting along, Yun Yifan only realized today that the most sinister person had been lurking beside him all along. It was terrifying.
"I will definitely follow the emperor's wishes."
"Sorry for bothering you for a long time. We'll take our leave now." Yun Yifan stood up and said goodbye.
The two brothers walked outside side by side. When they reached the door, Yun Yifan was attracted by two paintings on the wall. One of them showed an old man and a little girl, a scene of grandparents and grandchildren having fun together, but the painting style was a little childish.
The other painting showed two elderly people, a man and a woman, sitting together drinking tea. Beside them were two small figures, clearly girls. This was a gift from Xiao Yao for General Xiao's birthday this year. The painting was much better than the previous one. In the corner of the painting was a line of neatly written small characters: "Through thick and thin, we stand together, supporting each other through thick and thin. To my most beloved grandfather, may you have this day every year."
"This is..." Yun Yifan silently recited the phrase "standing together through thick and thin, supporting each other through thick and thin". For a couple who have walked through decades of spring and autumn together, this phrase is both an affirmation and a blessing. It is so apt and vivid that even he, who has no wife and has never experienced love, was attracted to it.
Yun Yichen also saw the calligraphy and paintings on the wall. He knew that they were the works of the little girl. Don’t forget that he had read letters for General Xiao, so he had some impression of the little girl’s calligraphy and paintings.
"It's just a casual drawing by a child. Let's not mention it." General Xiao didn't want to mention his granddaughter in front of outsiders. Some things are better to be appreciated by oneself so as not to attract other people's attention.
Yun Yifan paused, looking at General Xiao's reaction. What else did he not understand? He didn't like others talking about his precious granddaughter, but could he hide her forever? Yun Can, that brat, is already obsessed with your granddaughter, but you, General, haven't noticed yet.
A few days after the Ninth Prince's visit, news spread in the capital that Madam Xiao had fallen ill due to longing for her son who was away on a journey. At the same time, the Emperor dreamed of Prince Jing, one missing his brother, the other worried about his son, so the Emperor ordered General Xiao to bring Prince Jing back to the capital.
Various speculations circulated in Kyoto, but most believed the Emperor was concerned about Prince Jing, and General Xiao's wife had already fallen ill from missing her son, so the Emperor issued this order out of compassion for his subjects. This order unexpectedly earned the Emperor a reputation as a benevolent and righteous ruler, caring for his brothers, and the Emperor rewarded Yun Yichen generously for it.
General Xiao was not as optimistic as the common people. When the emperor talked to him, he vaguely mentioned that this trip would be somewhat dangerous, and asked him to be careful, to ensure the safety of King Jing while protecting himself. For this purpose, he specially dispatched Xiao Jingtai to accompany him.
When the eunuch came to the house to read the imperial edict, Xiao Yao learned that her grandfather was about to go to the northwest, and that he only gave them six days to take care of everything. The house was in a hustle and bustle, making all kinds of preparations for General Xiao and Xiao Jingtai's trip.
Xiao Yao planned to make gifts for her grandfather and second uncle, but her embroidery skills weren't up to par, and writing and drawing weren't practical... Suddenly, an idea struck her. She quickly asked the maid to fetch Xiao Yuan, and the two of them closed the door and began to discuss...
Before leaving, General Xiao set up several banquets at home to entertain relatives, friends and old acquaintances. Mr. Tong was now free from official duties and smiled particularly brightly and happily.
"You old fellow, are you so happy to see me leaving? Humph, I don't know what you are so proud of. You will be going back to Suzhou in a few days. If you want to see my safety in the future, you can only look at my portrait. How pitiful!"
Master Tong was happy because his old in-laws were going on a long trip! This meant that his hope of taking his granddaughter away had increased countless times. When this hard and big stumbling block was gone tomorrow, his granddaughter, Xiao Ping'an, would belong to him and the Tong family.
"Why hasn't my granddaughter come out to meet the guests?" Mr. Tong stretched his head to look around.
General Xiao has been very busy these past two days. When his father-in-law reminded him, he remembered that he hadn't seen his precious granddaughter for quite a while. Could it be that the little granddaughter was angry because he was going out? Oh no! That wouldn't do. He had to go and comfort his granddaughter quickly.
"Ask someone to find my granddaughter." Because all the people coming today are relatives, and all the people sitting here with General Xiao are elders, there is nothing to be shy about.
"Grandpa, are you looking for us?" The two sisters, who had not yet finished preparing their gifts, had to put down what they were holding and walked to the front hall hand in hand when they heard that their grandfather was looking for them.
"Hello, grandfathers and grandfathers-in-law." Xiao Yao looked around and saw Old Man Wen, Lord Li, General Yuan... In short, all those sitting here were from her grandfather's generation.
"You are such a lazy little girl. You summed it all up in one sentence. It doesn't count. Call me again." General Yuan picked up his granddaughter and turned to tease Xiao Yao.
"Don't bully my granddaughter."
"Don't bully my granddaughter."
General Xiao and Master Tong spoke at the same time.
"Xiao Ruyi, your grandfather is too partial. Even though we are both granddaughters, he ignores you and only cares about your sister. Come back to the Yuan family with your grandfather today."
The in-laws are here to snatch my granddaughter from me. I have to tell the doorman not to open the door when the in-laws come to visit, General Xiao thought angrily.
"Grandfather loves my sister and me too, you see." Xiao Yuan raised his hand proudly and touched his face. Which grandfather would raise his granddaughter to be so chubby and plump? Grandfather loves his sister and himself the most.
General Yuan likes his granddaughter's open-minded and cheerful personality very much. On the other hand, if his granddaughter was a petty and competitive person, how could she get along with an outstanding child like Ping'an? So she is doing well now, really doing well.
"Ping'an, come here and let your grandpa see you." The little girl who attracted everyone's attention was his granddaughter. Master Tong was proud of her and felt very proud of her.
General Xiao disdained to argue with his in-laws. Humph, I feel sorry for you because you are going back to Suzhou, so I won’t argue with you. Today, I will lend you my granddaughter to hold for the time being.
"When your grandfather passes away, go to Suzhou with your grandpa, okay?" Master Tong whispered to his granddaughter.
Xiao Yao opened her eyes wide and looked at her grandfather with her mouth slightly open. When were we going to Suzhou? Why didn’t anyone tell her?
"What did you say to Ping'an? Look how scared the child is. Come, come to grandpa." General Xiao, who had been wanting to take action for a long time, stretched out his long arm and easily pulled his granddaughter into his arms.
"Tell grandpa what that bad old man said." General Xiao coaxed his granddaughter.
"No, my grandfather said that my cousin is getting married, so I was surprised." Two days ago, my grandmother told my mother that she would arrange her grandson's marriage before returning to Suzhou. Today, she just used this news to get away with it.
"So it's your grandson who's getting married. After he gets married, he'll give your Tong family a bunch of great-grandchildren. Wow, Old Tong, you'll be so lucky." General Xiao deliberately hugged his little granddaughter affectionately and tilted his head to anger his in-laws.
"Pathetic? I don't feel that way at all!" Master Tong, with his smile still on his face, secretly decided that after he kidnapped his granddaughter, he would never return her unless the in-laws came to his house and begged him eight or ten times. Let's see if he can still be so arrogant then, huh!
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