Chapter 363: 1
Editor:Â Atlas Studios
However, Xia Tong sneered and said, âThis is just your excuse. Every time you buy something, you let Jialue choose first before itâs Zijinâs turn. Itâs clearly something that Zijin likes, but you ask him to give it to Jialue. Heâs clearly the younger child and the legitimate son, but he has to give in to Jialue in every way. Have you thought about him? Seeing as these servants at home flatter the strong and trample on the weak, my boyâs been bullied by those servants since he was youngâŠâ
Fan Siwen said impatiently, âHow can he be bullied when youâre the matriarch of the family head? If anyone was bullied, itâs because Jialue. Donât think I donât know that he tricked Jialue into bullying Haoran several times when they were kids. Otherwise, how could it be so coincidental that I witnessed the scene the moment I came back?â
Feeling a lump in her throat, Xia Tong shouted, âWhy didnât you say anything when Jialue bullied the two of them in private? If he hadnât bullied them in private, could Zijin have entrapped him? If you would stand up for him, would he need to spend so much effort? Youâre his father. How old was he back then? He wasnât even five years old. Arenât you ashamed? You criticize that Qi Feng isnât worthy of being Xiuyuanâs father, but I really donât think youâre much better than him. From how I see it, you and Qi Feng can be best buddies. Youâre both bastards who dote on your concubines and neglect your wives!â
After saying that, she smashed the things in the study room.
Fan Siwenâs face was ashen. He sat there with a dark expression and glared at Xia Tong.
However, the people outside were already used to it. They would find it strange if Master and Madam didnât quarrel every day.
Although Fan Siwen had a huge argument with his wife, he still prepared to defend Qi Xiuyuan tomorrow.
If this was Qi Xiuyuanâs matter alone, he might have been perfunctory about it. However, this was a matter that involved Qi Xiuyuanâs entire clan, and he was, unfortunately, part of it. Therefore, for the sake of his wives and children, he could only risk his life to protect Qi Xiuyuan. At the very least, he could not let him be convicted of the crime of rebellion.
Source: novgo.co
However, thinking of the Emperorâs reaction, the possibility of conviction of this crime was rather low, provided that Qi Feng wasnât a burden.
The others were also making preparations. The pro-war faction abandoned their previous grudges and joined forces to ask the Emperor to support General Yuan and Qi Xiuyuanâs military operations.
On the other hand, the anti-war faction joined forces to request the Emperor to withdraw General Yuan and Qi Xiuyuan, as well as activate the negotiation mechanism with the Jin Kingdom to minimize the losses. As for how to deal with General Yuan and Qi Xiuyuan, they were divided into two factions. One faction thought that by sending out troops against the orders, the duo was just eager for glory and that this didnât count as a rebellion. However, the other faction firmly believed that the two of them wanted to rebel.
Everyone had prepared their own words. In the end, when everyone arrived at the Hall of Supreme Harmony the next day, the Emperor actually said that he was sick, so he was taking a three-day break.
After resting for three days, when they reached a conclusion and the order arrived in the north, everything would be settled. The anti-war factionâs expressions were extremely ugly.
However, the pro-war faction laughed out loud. Although the Emperor did not explicitly consent to sending out troops, this was him tacitly agreeing to General Yuan and Qi Xiuyuanâs actions.
Only Yan Chong and a few important ministers left the court uneasily with a frown.
âThe Emperor is clever. Heâs planning to settle scores later.â Yan Chong sighed.
Yan Du said hesitantly, âFather, should we remind General Yuan?â
Yan Chong shook his head. âDo you think that General Yuan doesnât have any channels to know about such a huge matter? Now, we can only hope that they can defend the counties they conquered. If they can defend it, with the peopleâs support, the Emperor wonât be too ruthless in settling scores. If they fail to do so, Iâm afraid the world will be in turmoil again.â
Yan Du was also worried.
At this moment, Qi Haoran still didnât know that his father was screwing over his older brother again. Then, the Emperor dug an even bigger pit at the back, waiting for him to fall in. He was sitting in Wu Jinâs room and looking at the pale-faced Wu Jin in disdain. âItâs just a cold and youâve been so sick for so long. Isnât your physique too poor?â
Wu Jin felt wronged. âIâve never gone out on such a cold night since I was young.â
âAlright, alright. I know credit goes to you this time.â Qi Haoran waved his hand and said, âNow that Iâm here and your father is at ease, rest and recuperate in peace. Your father wonât punish you anymore.â
However, his fatherâs heart was aching after donating so many things. And whenever his heart ached, he would torture his son.
Wu Jin stole a glance at Qi Haoran but didnât say anything.
As the room was filled with the smell of medicine, Qi Haoran was impatient to sit there for long. Thinking that his goal of condolence had been achieved, he patted Wu Jinâs shoulder and said, âRest well. When you recover, Iâll bring you out to play. I guarantee that youâll be able to run barefoot in the snow for a month.â
Wu Jinâs face turned even paler, but Qi Haoran didnât notice it. Feeling that his mission of comforting Wu Jin was accomplished, he waved his hand and left.
Looking at his departing back, Wu Jin heaved a sigh of relief. Then, he was conflicted. He didnât know if he should recover from his illness quickly or continue to be sick.
Qi Haoran had just walked out when Wu Shancai welcomed him with a smile. âFourth Young Master, Iâve troubled you to come and see my sonâŠâ
Qi Haoran forced a smile and said, âYoung Master Wu has contributed greatly to the battle to defend the city. Itâs only right that I come to see him.â
âNo, no. This is what he should do.â The smile on Wu Shancaiâs face deepened. He lowered his voice and asked, âFourth Young Master, do you know when General Qi will return?â
âI donât know. Iâve never asked about Big Brotherâs schedule. Magistrate Wu, why are you asking?â
âNo, nothing. Iâm just concerned. Isnât it almost New Yearâs Eve? I think even if weâre fighting a war, we have to let the soldiers have a good New Year, right?â
Qi Haoran fell silent and ignored Wu Shancaiâs probing eyes. He said directly, âSir, you can just manage the government affairs. You donât have to worry about the matters in the military camp.â
However, after returning to the carriage, Qi Haoran became depressed. Mu Yangling asked curiously, âWhatâs wrong with you? Why are you so tired after only going in for a while?â
âMany soldiers died in this war. Some of their homes are here, and some are very far away. In the past, even if they couldnât go home, they could send some things back.â
Mu Yangling was silent for a moment before saying, âThere are bound to be casualties in a war. This is unavoidable. In order to end the war, unless youâre willing to be slaves, youâve got to continue reclaiming your homeland and build the entire country to be strong and prosperous. Only then can you avoid war again.â
Qi Haoran was at a loss. âWeâre powerful and prosperous. Weâre not afraid of external forces, but Your Majesty and the Imperial Court wonât agree to let us do this. This is the Guo Familyâs world.â
Mu Yangling fell silent as well. The atmosphere in the car instantly became stuffy. Fei Bai, who was outside, sensed that the atmosphere was strange and reduced his presence even more.
When they got out of the car, Qi Haoran said, âThatâs too far away. Letâs just focus on what we have to do now.â
âSuch as?â
âFor example, giving compensation to the families of the soldiers who died in battle, as well as giving some supplies to the families of all the soldiers who went to war. Even a catty of rice and noodles is good.â
Mu Yangling stopped in her tracks and asked, âDo you know how many soldiers you have? This is a lot of money.â
Qi Haoran scratched his head and said, âBorrow from Zijin first? Then pay him back with my dividends later?â
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