Chapter 119: How could the Ruan family stay out of trouble?

Chapter 119: How could the Ruan family stay out of trouble?

Since the incident, the Ruan family had been enveloped in gloom, causing Madam to fall ill from anxiety. Her condition only began to stabilize after news came that Qingzhou's injuries had improved.

Today, upon receiving the imperial decree appointing Qingzhou as the deputy general of the Jiangnan garrison, the old lady was both overjoyed and apprehensive. When Qing Huan came to visit her, she wiped her tears and sighed, "Is this what they call 'good luck after a bad break'?"

Qing Huan embraced her grandmother. "Qingzhou's achievement of placing in the top three of the martial arts examination has brought honor to our family. But he might have to stay in Jiangnan for a long time, which could make you sad again, Grandmother."

The old lady let out a long sigh. "What does it matter? I'm getting on in years. Once Qingzhou settles down and starts his own family, I'll move to Jiangnan to help them take care of my great-grandchildren."

At this, the grandmother and granddaughter shared a smile.

Before coming, Qing Huan had worried that her grandmother might strongly oppose Qingzhou's entry into officialdom due to the recent incident. Seeing her grandmother so accepting was a relief.

The old lady was well aware of their concerns. To be honest, serving the emperor is like walking on thin ice. Although she was old, living in the capital, she could still sense the current political climate.

The rivalry among the princes was clear, and the fight for power was perilous. These matters were far removed from a merchant family like the Ruans.

But now, Qing Huan had been personally granted the title of First Rank Lady of the Imperial Court by the emperor and was the mistress of the prime minister's residence...

Qingzhou had also caught the emperor's eye during the martial examination and was appointed as the deputy general of the Jiangnan garrison.

Given these circumstances, how could the Ruan family stay out of trouble?

**

As night fell, the Ruan residence glowed with light, and the festive mood chased away the earlier gloom.

However, Qingzhou's room was unusually quiet. He lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Whenever he heard footsteps outside, he turned his head, only to find they were just passing servants.

Disappointment slowly filled his eyes, and the excitement he had felt upon receiving the decree earlier in the day began to fade.

At this time, his junior sister would usually be by his side, checking on his condition—taking his pulse, massaging him, or simply sharing stories from their journey to the capital...

The sudden quiet in the room left him feeling hollow.

It seemed Zi Ning was really mad this time.

Just as Qingzhou was feeling remorseful, he heard footsteps approaching. A faint smile appeared in his distant eyes. He had thought his junior sister's temper would cool off.

The door opened, and Qingzhou propped himself up to sit. When he saw who had entered, a look of disappointment involuntarily crossed his face.

Ji Lingchuan chuckled at the sight. "What's with the face, kid? That disappointed to see us?"

"Brother Ji, brother-in-law."

He An noticed Qingzhou looked better. "You'll be returning to Jiangnan in a couple of days. The long journey will be exhausting. If you're not fully recovered yet, I can discuss with Senior Xu to delay the departure by a few days."

"No need, let's stick to the original plan."

Ji Lingchuan frowned. "You've changed your tune quickly. Just a while ago, you were reluctant to return to Jiangnan. Now that you've been appointed, you're eager to go. Isn't that a bit too obvious?"

"Whether sooner or later, I'll have to go back. Might as well go earlier." He didn't want his junior sister to misunderstand anything further.

He An nodded.

Qingzhou, concerned about the progress of the case, asked, "Brother-in-law, how are things at the Ministry of Justice? Have they found any clues?"

"The situation is a bit complicated." He An poured two cups of tea and pushed one toward Ji Lingchuan. "The court is in turmoil, and the capital's politics are tangled. Your posting to Jiangnan is a blessing in disguise."

Qingzhou Ruan understood what his brother-in-law was implying and speculated, "Brother-in-law, are you suggesting that the incident at the martial examination grounds might be related to the royal family?"

He An didn’t deny it.

Ji Lingchuan, ever the impatient one, said, "It's hard to say at this moment, but going to Jiangnan isn’t just about living a peaceful life. Jiangnan is Dongzhao’s wealthiest region. Holding Jiangnan is key to keeping the country stable."

Ji Lingchuan added with a teasing tone, "The future is uncertain. If you regret it now, it’s still not too late."

He An added, "Once you take the job, you’re in the game. Qingzhou, you should think this through."

"Brother-in-law, I was wrong to keep my participation in the martial exam from you, but now that I’ve achieved the top three, I have no regrets."

He An replied, "Good. Once you’re in Jiangnan, make sure to learn the ropes."

**

After leaving Qingzhou Ruan’s room, Ji Lingchuan wondered, "Why didn’t you tell him you pulled strings to get him that Jiangnan post?"

The Emperor had planned to assign Qingzhou to the city guard. However, with Pei Chong in the Ministry of War and also serving as a commander in the city defense army, if Qingzhou were placed under his command, he would be constantly constrained.

The Ruan estate’s pathways were lit up, and the banquet in the front courtyard was almost ready. You could faintly hear the lively chatter.

He An, with his hands behind his back, said, "I didn’t do this just for Qingzhou. Over the past five years, the influence of the four major families in Jiangnan has gradually declined. The Zhou and Feng families, who were merchants, are now under the control of the He and Qin families. If this keeps up, the He family might end up running Jiangnan."

Ji Lingchuan nodded, "Looks like the Crown Prince isn’t ready to back down."

Ruan Qinghuan walked her grandmother to the main hall and only then did she see Chu Li, realizing that He An had returned early today.

Chu Li handed over a gift—a finely crafted iron sword: "This is a gift that Ji Lingchuan and I chose for Qingzhou. I left it in the carriage earlier, and when I went to get it, I couldn’t find the Prime Minister or Ji Lingchuan. Why don’t you come with me to give it to him?"

As she spoke, she linked arms with Ruan Qinghuan, "Let’s go."

Ruan Qinghuan teased, "If you give it, it’s from you. If Ji Lingchuan gives it, it’s from him. But if both of you give it together... what does that mean?"

Chu Li’s face turned red right away, "I call you sister-in-law affectionately, and yet you take every opportunity to tease me."

When they reached the backyard, they ran into He An and Ji Lingchuan heading towards the front hall. Chu Li let go of Ruan Qinghuan and ran over, throwing the sword into Ji Lingchuan’s arms, "You’re so scatterbrained, getting me teased by sister-in-law."

Ji Lingchuan, confused, handed the sword to He An, "Prime Minister, could you do the honors and deliver it?"

Chu Li was tactful. Recently, the Prime Minister had been busy with the case, leaving early and returning late. Today, he finally came back early, and the two must have things to discuss.

"What are you waiting for?" She tugged at Ji Lingchuan’s sleeve, "Since we’re here today, let’s go see Madam."

Even though He An looked calm and serious, Ruan Qinghuan noticed a hint of fatigue in his eyes, "Dinner will start soon. Let’s go back and rest for a while."

He An did not object and walked back with her.

He had always felt guilty about Qingzhou’s situation, "If I had paid more attention to the martial examination, Qingzhou wouldn’t have suffered this ordeal."

"It’s not your fault. He was determined to enter officialdom through the martial examination. Not just you, no one in the family knew about it, which shows how resolute he was."

Ruan Qinghuan’s mood was somewhat low, "I’m just worried about what’s next for the Ruan family..."