CHAPTER 315: CHAPTER 315: EACH OTHER (4)

Tong Shen Zhi achieved excellence in the Imperial College examination and was appointed as an editor, staying at the Hanlin Academy. The responsibilities of an editor involve drafting edicts and decrees, compiling historical books, and assisting lectures on the classics. Within the Hanlin Academy, talents like Tong Shen Zhi are reserved by the court, waiting for them to accumulate sufficient experience and political acumen. After ten or twenty years, these individuals are very likely to become the backbone of the future court, pillars of the nation, and candidates for high office!

The First Master appeared very pleased, sent a letter to the Second Master, and invited the Second Lady over. The whole family gathered around for a meal. The First Master drank a lot of wine, and during the meal, he looked at Tong Shen Zhi with a gaze that was both comforting and somewhat pensive. Xiqiu was also happy for Tong Shen Zhi, and Madam Jiang was so pleased that she personally cooked several dishes. When she sat down at the table, she watched Tong Shen Zhi with an expression that couldn’t hide her admiration and affection!

Everyone at the table seemed very happy, after all, there was a new hope for the Tong family’s future... Apart from the person in question, he remained calm and composed, regardless of what others said, responding succinctly and sparingly.

This left the others speechless.

The matter of the First Master staying in the capital had not been settled yet. Xiqiu didn’t know the details, but it certainly wouldn’t be easy to accomplish.

Xiqiu was resting on the rose bed, and Chunliu sat next to her, speaking softly: "I’ve heard that after almost half a year, she’s been very proper all along. Nanny Cai is usually a difficult person, never letting go once she has a point. But now she says she wants to adopt her as a goddaughter..."

Xiqiu raised her eyebrows slightly, smiled, and said, "How did she respond?"

Chunliu replied, "She refused, saying that she’s cursed, having brought misfortune to her parents, and she couldn’t bear to bring trouble to Nanny Cai, who has been so kind to her!" The refusal was tactful yet inoffensive!

"Not bad!" Quickly adapting to her work environment and gaining the trust of her superiors is not easy, especially since the kitchen is the busiest place, and the maids there are mostly long-time servants of the mansion. They tend to be difficult to serve because they’ve previously served the lady or other masters, especially like Nanny Cai, who, although clear-headed, talks endlessly after drinking. Bihuai served her well and gained her favor, clearly putting in a lot of effort.

"Did she come to you for a chat or ask you to do something?" Xiqiu asked calmly.

Chunliu thought for a moment, nodded, then shook her head in denial: "She did talk, but she didn’t ask this servant to do anything, always smiling at everyone..."

"Understood." Xiqiu nodded secretly. Even though she was sent to the kitchen by plan, she didn’t think of asking for help to move to another place. It seems she either didn’t see through the intention or genuinely decided to work conscientiously: "Keep an eye on her, and let me know if anything happens."

"Understood, miss." Just as they were talking, Nanny Lai and Chunyan hurried in. Without bothering to wipe the sweat from her face, Nanny Lai, looking pale, said to Xiqiu, "Sixth Miss, the Liaodong war report has arrived!"

The smile on Xiqiu’s face suddenly vanished, and she sat up to ask Nanny Lai, "What does it say?"

"It’s an urgent report from the Liaodong General Huang Da, coming in a rush to the capital... Reportedly, more than a dozen horses dropped dead during the journey," Nanny Lai said, vividly recalling the scene and, still frightened, continued: "The news spread quickly in the capital, saying that the Grand Commander ignored the opposition of the generals and recklessly led a team of three thousand soldiers deep into the grasslands... and both he and The Princely Heir Shen have been out of contact for half a month..."

It seemed as if the room temperature dropped suddenly. Chunliu’s teacup fell to the ground with a bang, and the color drained from her face. She looked nervously at the Sixth Miss, only to see Xiqiu sitting there with a cold and furrowed brow, asking, "Are you sure this news came from the palace?"

Nanny Lai was taken aback, showing an uncertain expression: "This servant is not sure. My husband heard it on the street, where everyone was saying... saying Grand Commander Xiao and The Princely Heir Shen must have gotten lost in the grasslands, and it’s rumored that there is a pack of wolves on the grasslands, hundreds and thousands attacking people and livestock."

Xiqiu frowned and looked up at Chunyan, saying, "Go check if the First Master has returned?!" Chunyan nodded and quickly left the room, returning after a short while, replying, "The First Master just left the mansion, saying he left in a hurry!"

Could it be that the First Master also heard the news?!

Unsure of the rumor’s authenticity, Xiqiu privately did not believe it. Knowing Fourth Master Xiao’s conduct, he might likely venture alone, but he would never take The Princely Heir Shen along.

Previously, she didn’t understand why the Emperor suddenly sent The Princely Heir Shen to Liaodong before the new year. Later, she heard from Tong Shen Zhi that it was because a legitimate daughter of the Wuchang Bo Mansion was selected into the palace last year as a First-rank Princess Consort. That time, 42 concubines were added to the harem, but Ren Zong had not yet chosen an Empress...

What this implies is self-evident. Either Ren Zong was not genuinely selecting, or he already had someone in mind, just waiting for the right time to announce the Empress’s selection!

And this person is very likely Consort Chen, so The Princely Heir Shen, Shen Ji, is very likely to become the future Imperial Uncle. Ren Zong sending Shen Ji to Liaodong was not to aid Fourth Master Xiao but to truly gain military merits, adding chips for the future Empress, currently Consort Chen!

Such insider information she could guess, and Fourth Master Xiao could not possibly be unaware. It’s impossible that he would take the future Imperial Uncle on an adventure.

Nanny Lai, seeing that Xiqiu didn’t speak, thought she was frightened and nervously held her hand, advising: "Sixth Miss, you’re right, this might just be a civilian rumor, completely unreliable..." She began to regret rushing in to tell Xiqiu this news.

"I’m fine!" Xiqiu waved her hand faintly, stood up from the chair, and furrowed her brows at Nanny Lai, saying: "It would trouble you to do something."

Nanny Lai seriously nodded, saying: "Miss, please instruct." Xiqiu then said: "Do you know the Wuchang Bo Gong Mansion? Could you trouble yourself to watch the gate and see who goes in and out today. If you can chat with the gatekeepers, even better."

Nanny Lai was taken aback, immediately understanding Xiqiu’s intention to verify the truth of the matter, knowing that Wuchang Bo Mansion’s reaction would be the best proof. Without a second thought, she nodded and said: "I’ll go right away!"

Nanny Lai left, and Chunliu and Chunyan, distressed, said: "Miss, why don’t we find the Eldest Young Madam, and have her send a servant to inquire with the Young Master in the Academy. Didn’t you say the Young Master’s work involves writing Imperial Decrees and approving memorials? If this matter is true, the Young Master should know immediately, right?!"

Consulting Tong Shen Zhi for confirmation was indeed the best approach, but if this matter was true, the court would be in chaos at the moment. Even if Madam Jiang sent someone to inquire, they might not be able to see Tong Shen Zhi or get a response!