CHAPTER 325: CHAPTER 325: THE GRAND WEDDING (PART 5)

Xiqiu brought in the yam and date cakes that were warming on the stove, and poured him a cup of hot tea: "It’s a bit inconvenient to go to the kitchen now. You can have this first, and if it’s not enough, I’ll figure something out." Fourth Master Xiao didn’t touch the pastries on the table, only took a sip of the tea. Xiqiu sat across from him and asked, "Did the Liaodong General Huang Da come to the Capital with you?"

Fourth Master Xiao shook his head, his expression inscrutably deep: "The Emperor might build border walls along the Liaodong line, so he probably won’t be able to return to the Capital for a while."

Xiqiu’s furrowed brow relaxed a bit. It was originally Huang Da who criticized Fourth Master Xiao for impulsively leading the troops to pursue Dai Qin. If he had also come to the Capital, the matter would surely be brought up again. Even if facts now proved Fourth Master Xiao was not wrong, any investigation might still have significant effects on his reputation. Since the Emperor decided to overlook the matter and not pursue it, it showed the Emperor’s protection and trust of Fourth Master Xiao, which exceeded her expectations.

Fourth Master Xiao looked at her with an appreciative gaze and nodded, "The Emperor also has many unavoidable reasons." He then recounted the events after the incident involving the Second Prince.

That day, the Second Prince was forced out of the city by two factions led by the Third Prince. With no choice, they had to feign his fall off a cliff. Fourth Master Xiao then hid him in an official’s villa in Jiwei Mountain, returned to the city to settle Min, and without pause, took the Second Prince to Dezhou to discuss restoration matters. The ships robbed on the Canal at the time were to gather military funds and supplies, but that money was far from enough to support the enormous military costs. At this time, the Teng Family, conducting canal transport in Tongzhou, approached them, offering to provide two million taels of silver. Though he was reluctant, the Second Prince had no more options and immediately agreed to the conditions proposed by the Teng Family in exchange.

Subsequently, the Teng Family indeed provided two million taels of silver to the Second Prince, who then operated in secret and contacted Old Madam Shen of the Wuchang Marquis Mansion in the Capital. Old Madam Shen, together with Lu Wenzhong of the Five Cities Military Department and Deputy Commander Han Cheng of the Imperial Guard, served as insiders, opening the city gates and palace gates that night. Old Madam Shen arranged for the family guards to assist Fourth Master Xiao in controlling the Third Prince Mansion... That’s how they successfully stormed the city and captured the Third Prince to seize the throne.

And the most crucial point was, Emperor Dezong had long established a testament, which Old Madam Shen held back. This was why even though the Third Prince was ready for everything, he still hesitated for half a day without ascending the throne. After the Second Prince entered the Capital, Old Madam Shen burned the testament in front of him. In gratitude, the Second Prince promised to make Shen’s daughter the Empress.

Therefore, ever since the Princely Heir Shen went to Liaodong, Fourth Master Xiao was well aware of the Emperor’s intentions. No matter whose credit this military merit was, it had to be attributed entirely to the Princely Heir Shen.

Xiqiu listened quietly and questioned, "Knowing this, why did you take the risk of pursuing Dai Qin?"

Fourth Master Xiao looked at her with a smile and said, "Dai Qin has been in my hands since June!" Xiqiu was again taken aback, making it clear that everything they knew was merely an atmosphere created by Fourth Master Xiao for the Princely Heir Shen, letting people believe this military achievement was hard-earned, allowing him to become the future Imperial Uncle more justifiably and without dispute!

Xiqiu burst into laughter!

Two days later, the Emperor held the captive presentation ceremony and a grand banquet in Taihe Palace, openly rewarding the Princely Heir Shen for his loyalty and bravery, proclaiming him as the talent of the era, conferring him the title of Former Army Commander and Prince Consort, while Fourth Master Xiao, for his meritorious leadership, was only rewarded with ten hectares of good fields and ten thousand taels of silver.

With the conferment announced, not a word was uttered by officials and military commanders, but the people in the Capital were abuzz with chatter, though ultimately, it was only a silent resentment with no one daring to openly question the Emperor’s decision. A few days later, the Emperor had Dai Qin executed and displayed outside the Meridian Gate, then declared a general amnesty; coinciding with good news arriving from the harem—Consort Chen reported being pregnant, surely a grand joy for the Emperor’s firstborn. The next day, the Emperor issued an Imperial Decree, conferring Consort Chen as the Empress and posthumously honoring the original Second Prince Consort as Empress Jiade, to be buried in the Imperial Mausoleum.

The Shen Family suddenly became the Imperial Uncles of the era, prestigious beyond measure, with Old Madam Shen, Princess Changting being celebrated for her wise recognition of talent and righteousness for the nation by sending herself to the battlefield, becoming a cherished story!

However, the then prominent Xuanning Marquis Mansion quietly re-negotiated the marriage date of Grand Commander Xiao and the sixth daughter of the Baoding Tong Family, set for the second day of November.

Xiqiu leaned against Madam Xia’s shoulder, her voice soft as she asked, "Does Father know about the dowry issue?" Madam Xia stroked Xiqiu’s back, nodding with a smile, "At first, he was somewhat displeased... but the son-in-law is always well-intentioned, the First Master... he understands in his heart." Her voice sounded somewhat odd.

Xiqiu looked up at Madam Xia, and sure enough, saw her cheeks blushing. Seeing Xiqiu looking at her, Madam Xia’s face turned completely red, like an orchid in bloom, as she lightly scolded Xiqiu with a glance, which made Xiqiu laugh behind her sleeve.

Madam Xia could understand, and Xiqiu was very happy. She clung to Madam Xia saying, "Both I and Seventh Brother hope to have a younger brother or sister... It would be helpful in the future, and the mansion would be much more lively!"

Madam Xia was slightly stunned, looking at Xiqiu with an earnest and excited expression as she asked, "Does the Sixth Miss genuinely hope to have a younger brother or sister?"

Xiqiu smiled and nodded: "Indeed!"

Madam Xia’s eyes flickered slightly, switching the topic to ask: "Have you seen the dowry companions from the third household, what do you think?"

"Not bad." Xiqiu thought of Nanny Qian bringing the dowry companions from the third household to speak to her: "They are all carefully selected slaves from the manor, each is good at farming, Miss can meet them, and if unsatisfied, they can be returned."

Xiqiu nodded slightly, her gaze falling on the six people standing in front of her, heads bowed. Nanny Qian pointed to the very short and thin, dark-skinned person standing on the left and introduced, "This is Jin Dairui, who was originally from the Tongzhou Treasure Store Manor." Then she introduced the other three, one called Zou Bochang, another called Zhu Sancheng... Their wives stood behind them.

Xiqiu glanced at them briefly, and without saying much, just nodded: "Thank you, Nanny Qian, the wedding is still a few days away, please help settle them in."

Nanny Qian was slightly surprised that the Sixth Miss just glanced casually without asking questions and acknowledged them. A thought flashed through her mind, and she smiled: "Then I will take them down first."

The six people below bowed their heads and followed Nanny Qian out one by one.

Xiqiu didn’t inquire because she wanted to give Nanny Qian some face. For these people to stand before her, who knows how much effort had been made behind the scenes. Since Nanny Qian finally brought them here, they must have their strengths. Besides, the First Master had already seen them, her raising any objections might offend the First Master.

It’s better to remain silent and say nothing, waiting till they move to the Marquis Mansion. Her two fields and a courtyard would need someone to manage them, and these people would eventually be involved.