Chapter 727

Chapter 734: Urgent Decree (Part 2)

The issue of land enclosure remained unresolved, and now Xuantong Prefecture was facing urgent military threats. No one could guarantee that someone might not set their sights on the Elder Madam. It was the perfect time for the Elder Madam to accompany the Second Aunt to the Western Hills estate and avoid both crises.

"Thank you, Second Aunt!" Lord Xu bowed to the Second Aunt. "I’ll trouble you to accompany Mother to the Western Hills estate for a while."

The Second Aunt nodded and turned to enter the house.

"Let Xu Sijie and Yingniang take Ting Geer and Zhuang Geer along to stay for a few days as well," Eleven Miss suggested as she walked side by side with Lord Xu on the bluestone-paved pathway. "It’ll make things livelier!"

"You arrange it," Lord Xu replied. "I’ll likely be very busy these days!" After a moment of thought, he added, "This matter should be handled sooner rather than later."

Eleven Miss agreed. Upon returning home, she summoned Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie along with their wives. "Jie'er and Yingniang will take the children to accompany Grandmother and Second Aunt to the Western Hills estate; Zhun'er will go to Second Aunt to determine an auspicious date for departure and oversee the preparations for the stay. Se Se will remain here to help me host guests, and Yingniang will assist the children with packing their trunks." She then gave separate instructions to each: "Zhun'er, send more guards to the Western Hills estate to ensure no one disturbs Grandmother. Jie'er, attend to Grandmother there so she doesn’t feel bored and decide to return early."

Minister Chen’s proposal to reclaim the granted farmlands of the nobility and high-ranking officials had already spread throughout Yanjing, and everyone was worried about it. Without these lands, only those with official posts or titles would receive annual stipends. Those without positions or titles would have no income. As a result, only Lord Xu, Xu Lingkuan, Xu Sizhun, and Xu Sijin would receive stipends, reducing the family’s income by at least nine-tenths. This was even more dire for families that relied solely on a title.

Everyone in Yanjing was watching how Zhou Shizheng and Lord Xu would respond. Even lacking political awareness, they knew this was no easy matter.

Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie both agreed and went about their tasks.

The Elder Madam, thinking it was the Second Aunt’s idea and delighted to have the talkative Yingniang along with Ting Geer and Zhuang Geer, immediately agreed with a smile.

The Second Aunt wasted no time and set the departure date for two days later.

Packing trunks, selecting maids, matrons, kitchen staff, and night watchmen to accompany them—Jiang Shi was swamped with tasks. After finally sending off the Elder Madam and the others, she had to rearrange the night watchmen, maids, and matrons for cleaning duties. Just as she caught her breath, the ladies managing household affairs from various households—the Lady of Yongchang Marquis, the Lady of Weibei Marquis, the Lady of Zhongshan Marquis, the Lady of Duke Dingguo’s estate, and even the Lady of the Dingnan Marquis estate of the fifth wife’s family, along with the usually distant Wang family of the Zhennan Marquis Household—came visiting from time to time. Serving tea and meals, seeing off guests, and entertaining the young madams who accompanied their mothers-in-law kept Jiang Shi on her feet constantly. Yet, from the fragments of conversation she overheard, she understood: the northwest war was intensifying, military funds were short, and the emperor had decided to reclaim all granted lands of the nobility to cover the expenses. The ladies were testing each other’s positions, hoping the various marquises and earls would submit petitions simultaneously to create an appearance of collective outrage.

"Madam Tang, rest assured, this isn’t an issue affecting just one family," Eleven Miss repeatedly emphasized. "Even if our marquis usually stays out of such matters, he cannot remain silent this time."

Madam Tang sighed. "This time, the ministers have gone too far. Are they trying to cut off our livelihood?"

"Even a cornered rabbit will bite. Especially when they’re trying to cut off our means of survival."

The gaunt but still sharp-tongued wife of the Prince of Zhennan’s heir sneered, "The emperor says the northwest war is urgent and the national treasury is empty? Chen Zixiang reforms every year, introduces new policies every year, so how did he manage to empty the treasury? Now he expects us to clean up his mess? Since when was such a thing so convenient?"

Chen Zixiang was Minister Chen’s given name.

Madam Tang remained silent, but her eyes shifted thoughtfully.

The wife of the Prince of Zhennan’s heir glanced swiftly at Madam Tang before smiling and taking her leave. "Now that I have your assurance, Madam, I can report back to our marquis. I shall take my leave now. When you have some free time, please visit us. After all, our families are connected by marriage."

Eleven Miss smiled in agreement and personally saw the wife of the Prince of Zhennan’s heir to the door.

Upon returning, Madam Tang also rose to leave. "Our marquis suggests submitting the petition when there’s news of a victory in Xuantong Prefecture. The emperor will be in a better mood and more likely to agree." She added, "I also need to visit Madam Zhou."

"That’s a good idea," Eleven Miss said, escorting her out. "I will relay your words to our marquis."

Madam Tang nodded and left.

Jiang Shi helped Eleven Miss sit down in the inner room and hesitantly said, "Mother, as Madam Wang mentioned, the court has frequently implemented new policies over the years. Even during the previous emperor’s reign, it happened more than once. The state is prosperous and powerful, all thanks to Minister Chen. Now the emperor claims the national treasury is empty—could it be an excuse? If the emperor is determined... will submitting a petition really help?"

Eleven Miss smiled. "Before Madam Wang said these words, had you thought of this?" Her tone was as gentle as a breeze.

Jiang Shi grew bolder. "I had considered it!"

"You see, you thought of it, Madam Wang thought of it, and naturally, others have too," Eleven Miss said with a smile. "So why are they all sending their wives to visit and making private agreements? They’re waiting to see which family can’t hold back and steps forward first! Se Se, our family has always maintained a middle-of-the-road approach—we don’t lead, but we don’t lag behind either. Knowing when to step forward is an art." She added,

"Se Se, remember my words. Our family is among the nobility and high-ranking officials. As long as we avoid mistakes, our wealth and status will remain secure for generations. We are not an official’s family that values ‘dying for remonstrance.’ Even if no one in the family holds office, such a reputation could still earn us respect."

Jiang Shi broke out in a cold sweat and bowed and assented.

Liu Hong, the Commander of the Rear Army from the Five Military Commissions, was appointed as the General of the Western Expedition and led a hundred thousand troops to Xuantong to assist Fan Weigang in resisting the enemy. As if mocking the nobles scrambling like ants on a hot pan, for half a month, only bad news came from Xuantong.

Ren Kun, the son of Princess Changning, was the first to impeach Minister Chen for deceiving and misleading the emperor, questioning how the national treasury ended up empty after implementing new policies, and demanding the restoration of the old tea tax system. Marquis Zhongshan followed suit, impeaching the Vice Minister of Revenue, Li Ting, for embezzlement. Then, the husband of Princess Suiping impeached Xing An, the Gentleman of the Palace Secretariat in the Ministry of Revenue, for accepting bribes and corruption. Minister Chen, Li Ting, and Xing An all submitted memorials to defend themselves... When the emperor received the news that Xuantong had fallen, he threw the memorial in the face of Princess Suiping’s husband: "While I am exhausting myself to preserve our ancestors' legacy, you are here squabbling over petty gains!" He immediately issued an edict to confiscate all the bestowed lands of the noble families before the start of winter. When the news spread, the nobility was in an uproar. Several elder princesses dressed in mourning clothes wept and wailed outside the eastern gate, demanding to go to the Fengxian Hall to mourn the previous emperor... The capital was in chaos, and people were restless.

For several days, Xu Lingyi would sit up and lean against the headboard after Lady Eleven fell asleep, staring out the window as the sky gradually lightened.

But Lady Eleven was not asleep either.

Zhou Shizheng had come to see Xu Lingyi a couple of days earlier, accusing him of not stepping up at a critical moment. He left in a rage before Xu Lingyi could explain.

She had only pretended to be asleep to give him space to think.

Seeing him stay awake night after night, she grew worried and finally sat up, wrapping herself in a quilt. "My lord, are you still thinking about what Lord Zhou said?"

"No," Xu Lingyi said with a smile, pulling her into his arms. "We grew up together. He was just trying to goad me. If he were truly angry, he would ignore me, not come to the house to scold me!"

Lady Eleven rested her head on his chest. "Then are you worried about the confiscation of the bestowed lands?"

"At a time like this, who has the mind to confiscate lands?" Xu Lingyi shook his head gently. "Until the war is settled, no one will oversee this matter. As long as it hasn’t started, there’s room for negotiation."

Then it must be the war in Xuantong that worried him.

Lady Eleven did not want to bring it up.

Just as everyone has a raw nerve, military affairs were Xu Lingyi’s.

"Then what is my lord worried about?" She sat up and smiled at him. "Please get some sleep, my lord. If you stay awake, I cannot sleep well either."

Xu Lingyi looked at her deeply, smiled, and agreed, obediently lying down.

Lady Eleven held him tightly around the waist.

Instead of responding with his usual warmth, Xu Lingyi gently stroked her hair absentmindedly.

Lady Eleven quietly stayed by his side, waiting for him to fall asleep, but even when she heard the young maids outside beginning their morning routines, Xu Lingyi had not closed his eyes.

This couldn’t go on.

Lady Eleven instructed Amber to prepare ginseng tea for Xu Lingyi and brought it to his study herself.

Xu Lingyi was surprised and smiled at her.

Lady Eleven had never been this attentive before. She lowered her head to tidy his desk and urged him, "Drink it quickly. It will taste unpleasant if it gets cold."

Xu Lingyi sat in the armchair nearby and sipped the ginseng tea.

Deng Hua hurried in. "My lord, Prince Yong is here!"

Both husband and wife were surprised.

What was he doing here at this hour? Or perhaps he had come with a message from the emperor!

After a moment’s thought, Xu Lingyi said to Lady Eleven, "I’ll be back shortly."

Lady Eleven saw him out of the study.

"Uncle, you need not be so formal with me," Prince Yong said. Dressed in a plain sapphire robe with cloud and dragon patterns, his phoenix eyes bright as stars, he smiled as he spoke, already reaching the center of the courtyard. "Opening the main gate is troublesome. If the emperor finds out, he will scold me for idling about and wandering around all day... You could have just opened the side gate for me!"

Xu Lingyi smiled and stepped forward to greet Prince Yong.

Prince Yong didn't wait for him to finish bowing and held his arm: "Uncle, there's something I'd like to discuss. Let's talk inside!"

Lord Xu and Prince Yong went to the small study.

Eleven Niang had already stepped aside.

Prince Yong had visited frequently in recent days and particularly favored the reclining chair in Lord Xu's study.

He casually took a seat in the chair.

"Uncle, the Emperor has already issued an edict appointing Ouyang Ming to replace Liu Hong as the General for the Western Expedition, heading to Xuantong immediately. Let's bring Jin Geer back. I'll speak with Ouyang and arrange for Jin Geer to assist with transporting supplies and provisions. Once he earns military merits, he'll certainly receive his share of honors. Bestowing a title like marquis, earl, or duke would be a piece of cake."

"This... isn't quite right!" Lord Xu refused without hesitation. "His mother would absolutely never allow him to go to Xuantong. I appreciate your kindness, but we'll have to wait for another opportunity to ask for Your Highness's help in planning something for him."

Upon hearing this, Prince Yong suddenly understood and laughed: "Uncle, are you afraid the battle might be lost?" He chuckled and continued, "Don't worry. This time, the Emperor has deployed 400,000 troops from Shandong and Shanxi. Those Tartars only have around 80,000 to 90,000 men. Our soldiers could just spit at them and drown those Tartars!"