Chapter 731

Chapter 738: Taking Chestnuts (Part 1)

As the commander-in-chief, Gong Dongning should be relatively safe by his side!

Elevenniang let out a long sigh of relief and turned her attention even more to the front-line war reports.

After the Dragon Boat Festival, reports from Ganzhou arrived stating that Gong Dongning had defeated over ten thousand enemy troops and used the captured warhorses to train new soldiers. Three thousand cavalrymen rushed to Datong with lightning speed, killing two thousand enemies, while another twenty thousand Tartar forces retreated toward Jiayu Pass, lifting the siege on Ouyang Ming. By mid-May, another victory was reported: Gong Dongning left the Sichuan Regional Military Commission’s troops to guard Ganzhou and personally led the Guizhou Regional Military Commission’s forces to Datong, where they encircled and eliminated over twenty thousand Tartars.

Lord Xu was overjoyed: "By bypassing Xuantong to advance on Datong, cutting off the Tartars’ retreat, and then joining forces with Ouyang Ming to attack Xuantong—this will not only reclaim lost territory but also avert the threat to Yanjing." He then called out to Deng Hua, "Present my credentials. I must go to the palace." His voice was filled with cheer and vigor.

He hadn’t sounded this animated in ages.

Elevenniang also smiled. "Does this mean the war is likely to be won?"

Lord Xu nodded, sitting by the bed and speaking softly to her, "That’s why I need to enter the palace—I must persuade the Emperor to let Gong Dongning command the three armies. Otherwise, having two commanders in one army will surely lead to complications."

In such a situation, the Emperor should agree to Lord Xu’s request!

Elevenniang felt considerably more at ease.

Lord Xu gently tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear and said tenderly, "The weather is lovely today. Would you like to sit in the back garden?"

Since that day, she had been feeling unwell.

He knew it was emotional distress and hadn’t summoned a physician. He let her sleep when she wanted to, and when she was awake, he allowed her to do needlework or read, accommodating her in every way. Despite this, she grew paler by the day.

Perhaps it was because she had been too repressed before, but now, with her sudden relief, she actually felt tired. Elevenniang sank into the large bolster. "I want to sleep for a while!" She felt lethargic and listless.

Lord Xu gazed at her pale, almost translucent complexion, his eyes filled with affection. "Then sleep for a while. Jiang Shi and Yingniang can manage the household affairs." As he tucked her quilt, he couldn’t help but reassure her, "Gong Dongning also mentioned in his letter that Jin Geer is sharp—he grasps things quickly and comprehends thoroughly. Gong Dongning likes him very much and now has him helping with organizing documents!" Worried she might not understand the significance, he explained further, "What Jin Geer is doing now is comparable to a Grand Secretary’s duties in the cabinet—he compiles documents from all military offices and garrisons for Gong Dongning to review, then distributes Gong Dongning’s instructions back to them. It may seem trivial, but it allows him to understand both major and minor military affairs, learning a great deal that will be very helpful for his future." He added, "Since the Tartars have succeeded this time, the northwest will likely remain unstable for the next few years. After the war, Gong Dongning will probably be made Vice Minister of War and appointed Commander of the Right Army of the Supreme Military Commission to stabilize the northwest. He also intends to keep Jin Geer with him for several years to mentor him before gradually letting him take on independent responsibilities."

The implication was that Jin Geer would not go to the battlefield this time, nor would he strive for military merits—there would be plenty of opportunities in the future.

"Minister Gong’s arrangements are most considerate." Elevenniang felt even more at ease, and her expression brightened.

Seeing this, Lord Xu’s lips curled into a slight smile, and his voice grew even softer. "Then rest for a while. When you wake up at noon, we’ll have lunch together, alright?"

Elevenniang murmured in assent and turned over to sleep.

Lord Xu sat quietly for a while before rising softly and heading to his study.

Elevenniang slept deeply and woke to find the sun already setting in the west. It was well past the noon meal.

"Why didn’t you wake me?" she asked Leng Xiang, who was helping her dress.

"His Lordship was debating whether to rouse you, but then a eunuch from the palace came, summoning him to the palace immediately," a young maid brought in a copper basin as Leng Xiang wrapped a large cloth around Elevenniang’s chest and helped her roll up her sleeves. "His Lordship told us not to disturb you."

Elevenniang washed her face. "Then His Lordship must not have had lunch either."

"Yes!" Leng Xiang replied as Han Xiao brought in a bowl of bird’s nest congee.

Perhaps from lying down too long, her body still felt weak.

After having the bird’s nest congee, Elevenniang settled back beneath the blankets. "Tell the kitchen to have a meal ready for His Lordship’s return."

Han Xiao acknowledged and left.

Shortly after, Lord Xu returned from the palace. Without changing out of his court robes, he first sat by Elevenniang’s side. "Still sleeping? Have you had lunch?"

"I have!" Elevenniang smiled. "I heard you didn’t have time for lunch before going to the palace. You must be very hungry? Go change into something comfortable, and I’ll have the maids serve the meal." Seeing her in good spirits, Lord Xu smiled and turned to go to the changing room.

Eleven Lady, however, was secretly puzzled.

Why did Lord Xu's smile seem a bit forced? Could it be that his business at the palace didn’t go smoothly?

Her heart clenched again.

After Lord Xu finished his meal, she said softly, “What did the Emperor say about Gong Dongning’s matter?”

Lord Xu’s expression stilled momentarily.

Eleven Lady continued, “Although I will worry, you, my lord, have always been a man of your word. If you tell me, it will save me from hearing rumors and gossip elsewhere and feeling even more anxious.”

Was she cornering him?

Lord Xu smiled helplessly but had to admit she had a point.

“The Emperor has left ten thousand soldiers from the Dengzhou, Ninghai, Jinan, and Pingshan garrisons of the Shandong Regional Military Command under Ouyang Ming’s command, while all the remaining forces are to be led by Gong Dongning.” Eleven Lady was stunned but quickly understood. “Is the Emperor giving Ouyang Ming a chance to redeem himself through military service?”

“Out of four hundred thousand troops, two-thirds were lost,” Lord Xu said gravely. “Only by achieving military merits can Ouyang Ming possibly avoid the death penalty.”

Even with the Emperor protecting him like this, it was still only a “possibility”… Eleven Lady felt her heart grow heavy and suddenly thought of Fan Weigang. “What about Lord Fan?”

Lord Xu’s expression darkened. After a long pause, he said, “If he had chosen to stand with Xuantong to the end, his past mistakes might have been overlooked. But now…” He shook his head with a bitter smile.

Eleven Lady’s heart leaped. “My lord, do you know Fan Weigang’s whereabouts?”

Lord Xu remained silent for a moment before replying in a low voice, “He committed suicide!”

Eleven Lady gasped. After a while, she asked doubtfully, “Why haven’t we heard any news about it?”

Lord Xu’s voice grew even softer. “One of his close aides came to see me, asking me to plead with the Emperor on his behalf, hoping that his family would not be held responsible.”

Eleven Lady couldn’t help feeling melancholy. “Every emperor prefers his own officials. If it were during the previous emperor’s time, he might have been given a chance to lead ten thousand troops and redeem himself through merit!”

Lord Xu also felt somewhat emotional. “That’s why I sometimes think—either stay well clear of the sidelines and avoid getting involved in court struggles, or have the ability to manipulate situations at will and remain influential across multiple reigns.”

Eleven Lady, seeing his concern for the nation and its people, couldn’t help but smile. “How many reigns has my lord experienced?”

“Three!” Lord Xu, seeing her in a rare good mood, decided to tease her a little, his tone carrying a hint of pride. “From Jianwu to Yonghe to Xining, I can be considered a veteran of three reigns.”

Eleven Lady, looking at his dark hair, couldn’t hold back a laugh.

Lord Xu seized the opportunity to pull her up. “Come on, get up. Have something to eat, and then let’s go pay respects to Mother together!”

“Mm!” Eleven Lady agreed, leaning against his shoulder with a smile.

Her body felt soft and pliant, and her entire demeanor softened, unlike her usual aloofness.

Lord Xu smiled, kissed her cheek, lifted her horizontally, and carried her to the large kang bed by the window to help her put on her shoes.

This was a first.

Eleven Lady felt a bit embarrassed. “I can do it myself!”

Lord Xu simply smiled at her. “Lift your foot!”

Footsteps of a young maid could be heard outside. “My lord, madam, dinner is served!”

Eleven Lady hurriedly put on her shoes and gave him a sidelong glance.

Lord Xu smiled from where he stood.

The atmosphere in the room grew warm and tender.

The maids, older female servants, and other female attendants all breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Leng Xiang even reported to Amber, "Madam and Lord Xu have reconciled!"

Amber’s face turned cold. "When did Madam and Lord Xu ever quarrel? Madam was simply worried about the sixth young master. Don’t talk nonsense."

Leng Xiang quickly lowered her head. "This servant was wrong. I won’t dare again!"

Amber gave a satisfied "hmm," but her eyes drifted toward the main chamber. There, she saw Eleven Niang wearing a lake-green *ling* silk gown and a goose-yellow *jiao* cloth vest, with ruby-inlaid gold earrings dangling from her ears, walking out side by side with Lord Xu, chatting and laughing softly.

Eleven Niang hadn’t felt like dressing up lately. It seemed the storm had finally passed!

Amber couldn’t help but break into a smile.

The Elder Madam was also delighted to see Eleven Niang. "Your complexion looks much better!"

Eleven Niang smiled and refilled the Elder Madam’s teacup.

"It’s good that you’re feeling better!" The Elder Madam didn’t drink the tea but instead picked a cherry from the crystal plate. "With you unwell, we couldn't properly celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival." She turned to the second madam and said, "How about we go boating at Liufang Dock tomorrow? I haven’t been boating yet this year!" She said, almost childlike.

The Elder Madam wasn’t as strong as she used to be, so if she went boating, she would need sturdy older women to accompany and care for her.

The second madam glanced at Eleven Niang as if seeking her opinion. "Shall we go boating tomorrow?"

"Great! Wonderful!" Before Eleven Niang could respond, the fifth madam jumped in cheerfully. "Everyone’s been feeling on edge and cooped up these past few days. Let’s take advantage of the good weather and have some fun!"

Eleven Niang, however, thought the weather was too hot. But since everyone else wanted to go, she naturally went along with it, agreeing with a smile. She asked Jiang-shi to arrange the boating trip. On the day of the outing, she sat in the pavilion, cooling herself with a hand fan, watching the second madam, fifth madam, Yingniang, Xian Geer, Cheng Geer, Ting Geer, and Zhuang Geer rowing cheerfully on the lake.

A gentle breeze brushed by, and she couldn’t help but squint contentedly.

It was already midsummer. Though the wet season in the northwest arrived late, it should have come by now.

Once the grass grew lush, it would be the prime grazing season. If they missed this season, they would miss the entire year. With Gong Dongning reporting frequent victories, those Tartars must be eager to return to their home. That meant this war should soon come to an end!

This lifted Eleven Niang’s mood further.

Jiang-shi, who was attending to her, noticed her mood and smilingly offered a blue-and-white porcelain stemmed fruit plate filled with water caltrops and lotus seeds. "Mother, these were sent from Nanjing. Please try some!"

Eleven Niang smiled and took a water caltrop.

Just then, excited shouts from Ting Geer and Zhuang Geer echoed across the lake.

Xian Geer had rowed the boat into a patch of lotus flowers with his two nephews, and the two little ones were busy picking lotus blossoms!

Jiang-shi asked Eleven Niang with a smile, "I’ve heard that Lord Gong has been winning one victory after another. Is Sixth Uncle coming home soon?"

In front of the Elder Madam, no one dared mention that Gong Dongning had been appointed as the commander of the Right Military Governor’s Office and was leading troops from the Guizhou Regional Military Commission in battle at Xuan Tong.

Eleven Niang nodded, her smile widening. "Yes, Jin Geer will be home soon!"