Chapter 735

Chapter 742: Presenting Prisoners of War (Part 2)

The Xu residence was bustling.

Xu Lingkuan, Xu Sizhun, and Xu Sijie were all in the outer courtyard helping to receive guests, while Fifth Madame and Yingniang assisted Eleven Miss in entertaining guests in the inner courtyard. Jiang Shi arranged the banquet and directed the maids to serve tea and water, while the matrons settled the accompanying maids and servants to rest. It wasn’t until nightfall that the guests gradually dispersed, and a semblance of peace returned.

Eleven Miss leaned wearily against the large cushion by the window. Amber entered with a steaming bowl of warm goat milk: "Madam, His Lordship is still speaking with Lord Wang in the small study. It seems their conversation may take a while. Fifth Madame has accompanied Third Madam, Eldest Young Madame, and Third Young Madame to see the elder madam. After paying their respects, they will likely return soon. You must be exhausted—please rest early!" She added with a smile, "Everyone knows you are expecting now. Even if there are small breaches of etiquette, no one would consider it impolite."

Having just woken up to the news of Jin Geer being granted the title of Earl, and with Princess Jiangdu, Lady Zhou, Madam Huang, and others arriving one after another, Eleven Miss hadn’t had a moment to ask for details. There were many things she was unclear about and wanted to inquire Amber. Smiling, she pointed to the stool by the heated bed: "You’ve been busy all day—rest for a while too. We can chat now!"

Amber smiled in agreement and sat on the stool, casually picking up the rattan basket of sewing thread under the heated bed. She carefully smoothed out a few loose threads, tied them into slipknots, and placed them back into the basket.

Eleven Miss asked about Chang’an: "Have you heard any news of him?"

At the time, her mind had been solely preoccupied with Jin Geer, and she hadn’t had the chance to ask about him.

"Chang’an has benefited greatly from our Sixth Young Master’s success," Amber said with a smile. "It’s said he stayed by the Sixth Young Master’s side throughout, and he was also present during the capture of Duoyan. The Marquis of Xining praised his loyalty and specifically requested he be rewarded with the title of commander of a thousand households. The Emperor has already approved it. After the captives are presented at the Meridian Gate, the Ministries of Personnel and War will issue official documents. By then, we’ll have to address Chang’an as Commander Wan!" She added cheerfully, "Even Master Gong has been enfeoffed as a hundred-household commander and can retire with glory! As for our eldest married daughter's husband, having secured such a future for Master Gong, he will surely become a man of considerable influence in Cangzhou!"

Everyone had survived the ordeal and now had bright prospects ahead. Eleven Miss shared in their joy.

"That’s wonderful, truly wonderful!" she said with a smile. "If anything had happened to Chang’an, how could I ever face Binju?" She then asked, "How is she doing?" Even if Binju hadn’t known earlier, she would have found out when Eleven Miss instructed Amber to send Wan Daxian and her to Yulin.

"Sister Binju cried for a full day and night upon hearing that the Sixth Young Master was missing and there was no news of Chang’an," Amber replied. "When she finally calmed down, she went to Ciyuan Temple and knelt before the Bodhisattva, praying for the safety of the Sixth Young Master and Chang’an. When Abbess Jining learned of this, she came out to comfort Sister Binju, saying that the Sixth Young Master was destined for great fortune and that Chang’an, by staying with him, would surely overcome any danger. Sister Binju became even more devout—not only did she become vegetarian, but she also made a vow: if the Sixth Young Master and Chang’an returned safely, she would donate five hundred taels as offerings and hold forty-nine-day prayer services." Amber chuckled. "When she received the news yesterday, Sister Binju was overjoyed and could hardly speak coherently. She came to pay her respects to you, but you were still asleep. She said she needed to go to Ciyuan Temple to fulfill her vow first and would come early tomorrow morning to greet you."

As a mother herself, Eleven Miss understood Binju’s feelings perfectly.

She smiled and instructed Amber, "Prepare five hundred taels in silver certificates tomorrow. When Binju arrives, give them to her to take to Ciyuan Temple—consider it my contribution to her offerings."

Amber agreed cheerfully.

Eleven Miss then asked about Huang Xiaomao and Liu Erwu.

At this, Amber’s expression darkened.

Eleven Miss’s heart sank. "What’s wrong? Did something happen to them?"

Amber nodded, her eyes glistening with tears. "They said something happened at Seven Sons Dam..." She paused mid-sentence, afraid of upsetting Eleven Miss, and quickly added, "His Lordship has already sent Manager Zhao to Huang Xiaomao and Liu Erwu’s families with a thousand taels of silver for each. He also said that if any descendants of the Liu or Huang families wish to serve in the residence in the future, they will be given priority. If they encounter any difficulties, they can also seek help from Steward Bai."

Eleven Miss felt a pang of sorrow, and tears streamed down her cheeks. "Please keep the matters of the Liu and Huang families in mind. If the arrangements in the outer courtyard are inadequate, come and let me know."

Amber nodded repeatedly. Seeing Eleven Miss’s tears continue to fall, she hurriedly turned to fetch a warm towel and handed it to her, trying to lighten the mood: "While you were asleep, the Emperor visited!"

Eleven Miss recalled the words she had heard in her half-dreaming state.

So it hadn’t been her imagination!

"Upon hearing that the Sixth Young Master was missing, the Emperor was also deeply concerned," Amber said softly, taking the towel from Eleven Miss. "He even made a private visit to see His Lordship. When he learned that you were unconscious and His Lordship was caring for you, the Emperor set aside formalities and went directly to the hall. It’s said he even apologized to His Lordship." She shared a lighthearted anecdote from the residence: "Steward Bai even asked His Lordship yesterday if the teacup the Emperor used and the chair he sat on should be enshrined in the ancestral hall!"

Eleven Miss, however, could not bring herself to smile. She leaned back against the cushion, melancholy.

Seeing this, Amber also sobered and asked softly, "Madam, shall I have the maids bring water for you to wash up? The weather is quite hot—a bath will help you feel cooler."

Eleven Miss nodded. Amber quietly instructed the maids to prepare water and assist with changing clothes and making the bed. She stayed until Eleven Miss had settled down, then took her sewing and worked by the light of the standing lamp in the hall.

It was the third night watch when Xu Lingyi returned.

Amber hurried to greet him.

"How is Madam today?" Since Lady Xu woke up, the couple hadn't had a proper chance to talk. Lord Xu asked Amber.

"She had a bowl of bird's nest soup at noon, a bowl of red rice congee in the evening, and also ate two vegetable buns..."

Being able to eat is good!

Lord Xu entered the room.

Lady Xu was lying on her side, fast asleep.

The lamplight illuminated her jade-like face, giving her a serene and peaceful beauty—unlike the previous days when she would sob in her sleep even with sedative incense burning.

Watching her, he felt a sense of relief. After washing up, he quietly got into bed. He wanted to hold her as usual but was afraid of waking her. If she asked about Jin Geer’s matter... if he answered truthfully, she would likely be unable to sleep again; if he didn’t answer, she might feel deceived when Jin Geer returned later... After much thought, he laid out the bedding beside her and gently slipped in.

Lady Xu was a light sleeper. As soon as Lord Xu got into bed, she woke up.

Earlier, he had kept Jin Geer’s news from her. After Jin Geer returned safely, he left for the outer courtyard without a single word of explanation. Now, back in the room, he was sleeping separately from her, like the Chu River and Han border...

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but hmphed coldly to herself, simply ignoring him.

The next day, when Lady Xu woke up, Lord Xu had already risen early without waiting for her. He was sitting on the large heated brick bed (kang) by the window in the western side room having breakfast. When he saw her, he said indifferently, "You’re awake," then instructed her: "While you were unconscious, the Empress Dowager and the Empress both sent eunuchs to inquire after you. Princess Jiangdu, Consort Yong, and Consort Shun also came personally to see you. Now that Jin Geer is safe, you should pay your respects at these households..."

Lady Xu nodded in agreement and sat on the kang opposite Lord Xu.

Leng Xiang hurried in with the bird's nest soup.

A young servant ran in: "Marquis, Prince Yong is here!"

Lord Xu was somewhat surprised and muttered, "So early." Then he nodded to the servant, quickly finished the two buns in front of him, and said to Lady Xu, "Enjoy your meal," before hurrying to the outer courtyard.

Lady Xu responded with an "mm," calmly continuing her breakfast.

Lady Wen, beaming, and Qiao Lianfang, with an indifferent expression, came to pay their respects.

"Our Sixth Young Master is truly remarkable," Lady Wen said, as always exaggerating even the smallest praise to flatter Lady Xu. "I think aside from those founding meritorious lords who were granted titles of earl at fifteen for military achievements, our Sixth Young Master is likely the first in the Great Zhou dynasty to achieve this."

Qiao Lianfang forced a smile and echoed, "Sixth Young Master is definitely the first." Perhaps unaccustomed to such words, her tone came off a bit stiff.

Lady Xu politely exchanged pleasantries with them: "That’s also thanks to Master Pang recommended by our eldest son-in-law. Otherwise, how would he have such skilled martial arts?"

Lady Wen beamed like a flower.

Jiang Shi and Yingniang brought the children over.

With guests present yesterday, everyone had little chance to talk. Today, with only family around, they chattered excitedly, praising Jin Geer, the atmosphere as lively as during New Year celebrations.

A young maid came in to announce: "Binju is here!"

As Lady Xu’s personal attendant, she was a respected figure in the Xu household. Both Jiang Shi and Yingniang treated her with courtesy, congratulating her on Chang'an’s imminent promotion to commander of a thousand households. Her son’s turnaround from misfortune to joy was something she couldn’t—and didn’t want to—hide. She thanked Lady Xu for Jin Geer’s support and mentorship. When Lady Xu asked about her affairs at Ciyuan Temple, Amber brought out the banknotes. The conversation was filled with laughter and cheer, adding to the festive atmosphere.

By afternoon, news arrived that the presentation of captives at the Meridian Gate was scheduled for the first day of the seventh month.

She would soon see her son!

Lady Xu was both startled and delighted. She instructed A Jin and Sui Feng to tidy up the courtyard, summoned the seamstresses to make clothes for Jin Geer, and went with Amber to the kitchen to have ingredients like dried abalone and sea cucumber prepared early for future banquets... Jiang Shi busied herself attending to everything.

Yuan Baozhu's wife also wore a beaming smile.

Yuan Baozhu couldn’t help but tease his wife: "With the reward of ten taels of silver from the Elder Madam, you certainly work with much more efficiency now!"

Upon learning that Jin Geer had been granted the title of Count, the head stewards and managers were each rewarded with twenty taels of silver, while those like Yuan Baozhu received ten taels each.

"You're so stubborn!" Mrs. Yuan retorted, shooting her husband a glare. "I'm just overjoyed for the Fourth Young Mistress!" Her expression softened as she continued, "With the Sixth Young Master now holding a title, he will naturally branch out on his own in the future. This means the Yongping Marquis title is practically guaranteed to Xu Sizhun."

Such thoughts, however, could not be spoken aloud.

Yuan Baozhu teased his wife, "Don’t forget, Her Ladyship is carrying another child!"

"He’ll be even younger than Ting Geer!" Mrs. Yuan laughed. "By the time he grows up, our Young Lord will already be firmly established!" She then let out a soft sigh. "Who would have thought it would turn out like this in the end?"

She was full of emotion.

Yuan Baozhu remained silent.

When the family lives in harmony, all affairs will prosper. With each of the Xu brothers having their own promising future, the Xu family would surely thrive even more!