Chapter 363: 1
Editor: Atlas Studios
However, Xia Tong sneered and said, “This is just your excuse. Every time you buy something, you let Jialue choose first before it’s Zijin’s turn. It’s clearly something that Zijin likes, but you ask him to give it to Jialue. He’s 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 boy’s been bullied by those servants since he was young…”
Fan Siwen said impatiently, “How can he be bullied when you’re the matriarch of the family head? If anyone was bullied, it’s because Jialue. Don’t think I don’t 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?”
Feeling a lump in her throat, Xia Tong shouted, “Why didn’t you say anything when Jialue bullied the two of them in private? If he hadn’t bullied them in private, could Zijin have entrapped him? If you would stand up for him, would he need to spend so much effort? You’re his father. How old was he back then? He wasn’t even five years old. Aren’t you ashamed? You criticize that Qi Feng isn’t worthy of being Xiuyuan’s father, but I really don’t think you’re much better than him. From how I see it, you and Qi Feng can be best buddies. You’re both bastards who dote on your concubines and neglect your wives!”
After saying that, she smashed the things in the study room.
Fan Siwen’s 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 didn’t 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 Xiuyuan’s matter alone, he might have been perfunctory about it. However, this was a matter that involved Qi Xiuyuan’s 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.
However, thinking of the Emperor’s reaction, the possibility of conviction of this crime was rather low, provided that Qi Feng wasn’t 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 Xiuyuan’s 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 didn’t 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 faction’s 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 Xiuyuan’s actions.
Only Yan Chong and a few important ministers left the court uneasily with a frown.
“The Emperor is clever. He’s planning to settle scores later.” Yan Chong sighed.
Yan Du said hesitantly, “Father, should we remind General Yuan?”
Yan Chong shook his head. “Do you think that General Yuan doesn’t 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 people’s support, the Emperor won’t be too ruthless in settling scores. If they fail to do so, I’m afraid the world will be in turmoil again.”
Yan Du was also worried.
At this moment, Qi Haoran still didn’t 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 Jin’s room and looking at the pale-faced Wu Jin in disdain. “It’s just a cold and you’ve been so sick for so long. Isn’t your physique too poor?”
Wu Jin felt wronged. “I’ve never gone out on such a cold night since I was young.”
“Alright, alright. I know credit goes to you this time.” Qi Haoran waved his hand and said, “Now that I’m here and your father is at ease, rest and recuperate in peace. Your father won’t punish you anymore.”
However, his father’s 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 didn’t 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 Jin’s shoulder and said, “Rest well. When you recover, I’ll bring you out to play. I guarantee that you’ll be able to run barefoot in the snow for a month.”
Wu Jin’s face turned even paler, but Qi Haoran didn’t 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 didn’t 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. “Fourth Young Master, I’ve troubled you to come and see my son…”
Qi Haoran forced a smile and said, “Young Master Wu has contributed greatly to the battle to defend the city. It’s only right that I come to see him.”
“No, no. This is what he should do.” The smile on Wu Shancai’s face deepened. He lowered his voice and asked, “Fourth Young Master, do you know when General Qi will return?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never asked about Big Brother’s schedule. Magistrate Wu, why are you asking?”
“No, nothing. I’m just concerned. Isn’t it almost New Year’s Eve? I think even if we’re fighting a war, we have to let the soldiers have a good New Year, right?”
Qi Haoran fell silent and ignored Wu Shancai’s probing eyes. He said directly, “Sir, you can just manage the government affairs. You don’t have to worry about the matters in the military camp.”
However, after returning to the carriage, Qi Haoran became depressed. Mu Yangling asked curiously, “What’s wrong with you? Why are you so tired after only going in for a while?”
“Many soldiers died in this war. Some of their homes are here, and some are very far away. In the past, even if they couldn’t go home, they could send some things back.”
Mu Yangling was silent for a moment before saying, “There are bound to be casualties in a war. This is unavoidable. In order to end the war, unless you’re willing to be slaves, you’ve got to continue reclaiming your homeland and build the entire country to be strong and prosperous. Only then can you avoid war again.”
Qi Haoran was at a loss. “We’re powerful and prosperous. We’re not afraid of external forces, but Your Majesty and the Imperial Court won’t agree to let us do this. This is the Guo Family’s world.”
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, “That’s too far away. Let’s just focus on what we have to do now.”
“Such as?”
“For 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.”
Mu Yangling stopped in her tracks and asked, “Do you know how many soldiers you have? This is a lot of money.”
Qi Haoran scratched his head and said, “Borrow from Zijin first? Then pay him back with my dividends later?”