The little ancestor of the family

Chapter 388 Noble Lady Qi

A group of people followed the mother and daughter.

Leng Qingyu had known the truth about Xiao Huaian's fake death for a long time, and didn't think there was anything wrong when they met.

But Lu Changqing had a lot of questions in his mind, and he wanted to ask but didn't dare to speak.

After drinking a cup of tea, Lu Changqing finally couldn't hold it in any longer and asked, "Am I the only one in this family who doesn't know that my brother-in-law is still alive?"

After he finished speaking, he looked up to confirm with a few people.

Ye Xinran shrugged, expressing helplessness.

Leng Qingyu looked at her daughter and ignored him.

Even Ding Qiao and Zhang Qian smiled apologetically, saying that although they knew, they couldn't say it.

"So you all knew about this? And you kept it from me alone?"

Lu Changqing repeated it again in disbelief.

It looked like an abandoned puppy, pitiful and ridiculous.

Ye Xinran looked helpless, thinking about how to comfort her brother, and then she heard Fan Qingzhou say, "If you don't know, then you don't know. It doesn't matter. I don't even know when he died!"

Lu Changqing raised his head and looked at the old man he didn't know, and finally found a sense of identity.

The old man continued, "Sometimes, being kept in the dark is not a bad thing. Maybe everyone wants to protect you."

Ye Xinran nodded quickly: "Yes, the incident happened suddenly at the time, and I was afraid that someone might be spying on me in secret, so I didn't tell anyone."

Lu Changqing had no choice but to accept this reality.

"Anyway, it's great that my brother-in-law is alive. There will be one more person to protect my sister in the future."

Xiao Huaian nodded, "Don't worry, I'm here, no one can bully your sister."

……

After drinking tea, Leng Qingyu took a few people to see the newly built houses and arranged for Fan Qingzhou, Ding Qiao and Zhang Qian to live in one courtyard, and Ye Xinran and Xiao Huaian to live in another courtyard.

There was another empty yard, Leng Qingyu pointed and said, "The bamboo garden over there is the largest, leave it for your three children."

"Thank you...Mother-in-law."

Xiao Huaian thanked him.

The fact that Leng Qingyu was still thinking about his three children while building the yard shows that he really treats them as a family.

This gave him a rare sense of belonging.

Although I won’t live here often in the future, no matter when I come back, I will have my own room here, and this place will always be my second home.

"Huaian, when will you arrange to bring the three children over?"

Since three children were mentioned, Ye Xinran took the opportunity to raise this question.

Judging from Xiao Huaian's appearance, he will definitely live in the capital in the future, so it's time to bring those three children over.

"There's no rush for this. Once things are settled here, it will be the same if we take them over."

"The three children you are talking about are your eldest brother's orphans?" Fan Qingzhou suddenly asked.

Xiao Huaian nodded.

"The children have suffered a lot with me over the years, but fortunately they are all very sensible."

"But why three?"

Fan Qingzhou narrowed his eyes.

On the way back to Beijing, Xiao Huaian also told Fan Qingzhou a lot of things that happened in the past few years. He mentioned his eldest brother's children, but never said how many there were.

This was the first time that Fan Qingzhou knew that Xiao Huaian had three children.

"Whose child is that?"

Fan Qingzhou continued to ask.

When he asked this question, the people around him all fell silent.

Leng Qingyu even stopped and stared at Xiao Huaian carefully.

One more child?

Isn’t this child Brother Xiao Huaian’s?

Why haven't I heard Xiao Huaian mention it before?

Xiao Huaian didn't say anything. Leng Qingyu looked at her daughter again. She was a little worried that her daughter might feel sad as she thought.

However, after seeing Ye Xinran's expression, Leng Qingyu breathed a sigh of relief.

Ye Xinran did not look anxious or sad.

Instead, he was indifferent, as if he had known about this for a long time and was just waiting for Xiao Huaian to explain it to him.

"Forget it, forget it. Let's not ask about the couple's affairs. It doesn't matter if they have three or five children. As long as Xinran likes them, we can afford to raise ten or twenty."

Lu Changqing was a little unhappy when he heard this, "Mom, could it be that you all know the truth and are hiding it from me?"

Fan Qingzhou raised his beard and snorted, "How can that be possible? There's also me, an old man! Now we both don't know!"

"We two really share the same pain!"

The relationship between Lu Changqing and Fan Qingzhou seemed to have become closer.

Xiao Huaian didn't care about other people's attitudes. When Fan Qingzhou asked this question, he looked at Ye Xinran nervously at the first moment.

He didn't expect that his master would expose this matter so quickly.

He wanted to tell Ye Xinran the truth about this child, but not under such circumstances.

Seeing that Ye Xinran didn't seem angry, Xiao Huaian finally felt relieved.

Ding Qiao was watching anxiously from the side.

Find your former master yourself. He was such a smart person, why didn't he seize the opportunity in Northern Xinjiang and tell him everything he had hidden before?

At that time, his master would forgive him no matter what he said.

But having waited until now to say it, the outcome is really hard to predict.

"Xinran, about the matter of the child, Xiao Huaian spoke with some difficulty."

Ye Xinran looked around and said with a relaxed expression: "Didn't mother say that one or two more are insignificant? As for the other things, I want you to find a time to tell me in detail."

"must!"

Xiao Huaian nodded quickly.

……

After the room was set up and everyone washed and changed their clothes, dinner was ready in the kitchen.

Leng Qingyu specially had someone prepare a few seafood dishes, including steamed shark fins, slippery fish fillets, garlic prawns, as well as the Zui Xiang Lou chef's specialties, braised lion's head, emerald chicken, pearl duck, stuffed goose feet, and Ye Xinran's favorite desserts, such as milk candied pear soufflé, a full table of dishes.

After everyone was seated according to their seats as host and guest, Leng Qingyu raised his glass to welcome Ye Xinran, Xiao Huaian and others.

“You all suffered a lot on this trip to the Northern Frontier.

We in the capital have no way of knowing what is really happening over there, but each of you is a warrior of our Daliang.

Although today is a family dinner, I would like to thank you on behalf of the people of Daliang."

After saying that, Leng Qingyu drank the wine in the glass.

Everyone drank the wine in the glass with Leng Qingyu, and Leng Qingyu continued: "As a mother, I am very happy for your return and arrival. I can't say more. Let's drink this glass for our gathering today and for a better life in the future."

After saying that, Leng Qingyu covered his face with his sleeves and drank up the wine in the glass again.

After two glasses of wine, everyone's face flushed and the atmosphere at the dinner table became relaxed and comfortable.

Fan Qingzhou and Lu Changqing sat together. They hit it off immediately and drank a glass of wine. Then they started talking about what they had seen and heard during the past few days.

At the dinner table, everyone talked about something interesting and laughed heartily. The happy noises overwhelmed all the unhappiness in our hearts.

At this time, in the palace.

Golden wine glasses and exquisite dishes were placed in front of everyone.

Although there were dozens of people in the hall, everyone was quiet, even breathing quietly, for fear of disturbing the person sitting in the seat of honor.

"Prince Rui, you just said that Xiao Huaian was seriously injured and couldn't come to the banquet?

But I clearly saw him riding a horse, with a strong posture, and even holding a woman in his arms. "

The emperor's voice was old and cold. Prince Rui looked up and saw that the emperor seemed much older than when he left.

“Your Majesty, Xiao Huaian was injured by a sharp sword while fighting the enemy in the northern border.

This cannot be faked. As for why he galloped away with the woman in his arms, I think it might be because his wound had worsened and he was afraid of losing face in front of the emperor, so he left quickly!"

King Rui spoke with such confidence that it was obvious that his words were false, but it was impossible to refute them.

The emperor sneered, "So it's getting worse? Looks like we need to send an imperial physician to take a good look at him.

If Prince Rui hadn't told me, I would have thought he was dissatisfied with my reward!"

Prince Rui said quickly, "Thunder and rain are all grace from the emperor. As a subject, how dare I be dissatisfied with the emperor? Please forgive him this time for his dedication to the court and to protect the northern border."

The emperor remained silent.

None of the deputy generals below dared to speak.

They all saw how desperately Xiao Huaian fought on the battlefield in Northern Frontier.

But in the palace, all the blood shed and the injuries suffered were not worth mentioning. The emperor could wipe out all a person's merits with just a few words.

Is this the reward for their bravery in killing the enemy?

The wine in the glass has gone cold, and the white fat on the dish has solidified.

The depression in their hearts has overshadowed the excitement of coming to the palace to receive rewards, making everyone feel disappointed.

The emperor seemed to be exhausted and left the table halfway through the celebratory wine.

The rest of the people were also uncomfortable. After a few drinks, someone finally said, "If I had known this would happen, I would have stayed in the camp and drank with my brothers."

"That's right, at least the wine is hot and the meat is hot."

Someone else silently added, "The heart is also warm."

Seeing someone talking, everyone gradually became bolder.

"This is my first time in the palace. This place is really beautiful, but I still think my own little home is better. At least it's not lonely."

"That's right!"

"Oh, it's great that you can come. There are so many people who want to come but can't!"

"I was so scared after coming here that my calves became cramped. I won't dare to come here next time."

"okay!"

King Rui was afraid that they would say something inappropriate after drinking, so he stopped them and said, "Have you all finished drinking? If you have, we should leave now."

After saying this, King Rui drank the cold wine in one gulp and placed the glass heavily on the table.

When the chief eunuch saw Prince Rui was about to leave, he hurried over to persuade him, "Your Highness, the Emperor just said that all the soldiers should drink to their heart's content and not leave until they are drunk!"

"Although the wine in this palace is good, we cannot be greedy. Under my command, I do not allow them to be greedy and make mistakes. So let's stop drinking today. Thank you for your hard work, eunuch."

Hearing King Rui say this, everyone pushed away the tables in front of them and stood up.

"Please send someone to take these subordinates of mine out of the palace. I have something else to report to the emperor, so I will not go with them."

"Okay, I'll make arrangements right away."

The chief eunuch immediately called two people to take everyone out of the palace, and he himself led Prince Rui all the way to the emperor's bedroom.

The emperor did not rest, but sat at the desk reading a book.

Seeing King Rui coming in, he pointed to the seat opposite him and said to King Rui, "Come and sit down."

King Rui sat down and saw a teacup in front of him. The tea in the cup was at the right temperature.

He picked it up and took a sip before saying, "The emperor must have known that I was coming."

Emperor Yongfeng put down the book in his hand, looked at Prince Rui and said, "Prince Rui, you have worked hard on this trip."

King Rui said nothing.

Waiting silently for what the emperor would say next.

Then the emperor said, "I know you are unhappy and blame me for not rewarding Xiao Huaian."

Prince Rui said quickly, "I dare not. I know that the emperor must have a reason for doing this, but I don't know if the emperor can give me some advice as to why."

"Because his aunt disagrees."

Yongfeng Emperor Road.

"Lady Qi came to me half a month ago and begged me, saying that she didn't want Xiao Huaian to have any official position in the court."

"Qi Guiren?"

King Rui frowned.

In recent years, the emperor rarely mentioned Concubine Qi in front of him.

Especially after the Xiao family got into trouble, this Noble Lady Qi seemed to have disappeared from the harem, and no news about her has ever been heard.

According to the eunuch in charge, Concubine Qi herself requested the emperor to arrange for her to be sent to Cuiyuxuan for punishment.

Since moving in, Concubine Qi has been burning incense and worshipping Buddha every day, praying for peace and prosperity in Daliang, and copying scriptures every day to pray for the emperor.

King Rui asked:

“As far as I know, although Concubine Qi and Xiao Huaian’s mother are sisters, after they got married, one of them lived in the capital and the other in the northern border, and they rarely interacted with each other.

When the Xiao family got into trouble, she immediately distanced herself from the matter and never showed any concern for Xiao Huaian. So why is she doing this now?"

Emperor Yongfeng said slowly: "Lady Qi sincerely worships Buddha every day, and finally moved the Buddha. According to her, the Buddha once appeared in her dream and said that Xiao Huaian and Daliang are not compatible, and if he serves in the court, it may bring bad influence to Daliang.

That's why I didn't reward Xiao Huaian according to his merits.

Since he and Daliang are not on good terms, there is no need for him to serve in Daliang.

Apart from the official position, I can give him any reward he wants.

That was my original plan to invite him to the palace today."

The emperor said it as a matter of course, as if he had done his utmost.

Prince Rui smiled and said, "Your Majesty knows that wealth and fame are not important to Xiao Huaian. What he wanted from the beginning was just the innocence of their Xiao family."

"I have already asked someone to investigate the Xiao family's affairs," Emperor Yongfeng said perfunctorily, "but now the Kesi tribe has been wiped out, and there is no way to verify what happened before. I can't assume that the Xiao family did nothing wrong just because of his contribution."