Chapter 940: Chapter 936: A Year of Abundance (6)

Madam Jiang watched coldly from the side, but couldn’t conceal her sadness. If she couldn’t have children, she thought she could take in a maid who birthed a child and raise it as her own. She had it all planned out, but never imagined that the issue lay with Jiang Shilin...

Her life was destined to be childless. Someone she carefully chose became nothing but an empty promise in the end.

After interrogating Madam He, she confessed that she never was pregnant; she had merely misstimed her cycle and later couldn’t maintain the lie, thus joined Madam Mei to stage a play to drive the lady away...

Madam Jiang, listening to this, was overwhelmed with anger and immediately had Madam He bound and sent off to the villa.

Jiang Shilin listened, tears fell from his eyes, realizing all the faults in their relationship were his alone...

Thud!

Jiang Shilin felt a sweetness in his throat and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Second son." Old Madam Jiang rushed over to support Jiang Shilin, seeing her son’s pale, hollow face gazing at the headboard, unresponsive to any call.

The Jiang family was in turmoil as Xiqiu was escorting Tong Quanzi and Biwu out of the mansion: "There’s plenty of time, don’t rush. Remember to write to us once you arrive."

Tong Quanzi acknowledged and said to Xiqiu, "I’ve spoken to a master at the gym who agreed to come to the mansion to teach Zhi martial arts. This master is broad-minded and excels in martial arts. He’s ideal for teaching Zhi."

"Got it, I’ll have Tiancheng personally go to the gym and invite him!" Xiqiu replied.

Zhi bid farewell to Tong Quanzi reluctantly, saying, "...When I grow up, I’ll go to Liaodong too!" Tong Quanzi pinched Zhi’s nose and laughed, "Great! I’ll be waiting for you in Liaodong." After speaking, he and Biwu boarded the carriage, while Second Madam sobbed into Madam Jiang’s arms.

The carriage clattered out of the mansion gates, as Biwu poked her head out, waving vigorously: "Madam, I’ll definitely return in three years."

Second Madam was shocked, looking in confusion at Xiqiu, who smiled helplessly: "She means Quanzi will return to the capital for his duty..."

Only then did Second Madam relax.

The day after Tong Quanzi left, Siliu gave birth to a fair-skinned daughter, and Qingshan excitedly returned to describe to Xiqiu: "The little sister looks like her mom, so pretty!"

Xiqiu chuckled, instructing Chunliu to gather many items for Qingshan to take back. Coincidentally, Fourth Master Xiao entered, his face beaming with joy, looking as light-hearted as she hadn’t seen him in a long time. Xiqiu couldn’t help but share in his happiness, welcoming him and asking, "What’s made you so happy?"

Chunliu and Qingshan withdrew quietly.

Fourth Master Xiao sat on the couch edge and pulled Xiqiu into his arms with some force, kissing her cheek with a smack, and laughingly asked, "Guess what?"

Xiqiu pondered a moment, then asked, "Did any news come back from Fujian?" Fourth Master Xiao shook his head, "This is even better news."

"Even better news?" Xiqiu giggled and shook her head, "I don’t know; Fourth Master, don’t keep me in suspense, tell me."

Fourth Master Xiao chuckled and replied, "Your father was promoted to East Pavilion Scholar, entered the Cabinet as Minister of Ministry of Industry, and Lord Wu was promoted to Chief Cabinet Minister."

Xiqiu froze, standing up from Fourth Master Xiao, in disbelief, "Really?" Fourth Master Xiao nodded, smiling, "Tomorrow, take the two children to pay a visit to your father and congratulate him."

Xiqiu was overwhelmed with joy, almost losing her composure. First Master had struggled from a Secondary Fifth Rank Prefect to a seventh-rank Minister of the Six Departments; after much difficulty, he finally achieved success. She hugged Fourth Master Xiao and kissed him, incredibly moved, "Thank you, Fourth Master."

Fourth Master Xiao paused, enjoying her initiative but still asked, "Why thank me?"

"If not for Fourth Master’s help, how could my father smoothly enter the Cabinet?" She was tearfully happy for First Master and also for Tong Mansion. Previously, others remembered Tong Mansion for producing three scholars, and it was labeled as a scholarly family; now, it truly lives up to its name.

Fourth Master Xiao laughed heartily, hugging Xiqiu, "I only gave it a little push; if your father didn’t have talent, even with my help the Emperor wouldn’t agree and the cabinet ministers would have objections, so no need to thank me!"

Though he said this, Xiqiu knew that advancement in government was typically about seniority, but everyone knew one crucial truth: networking is key in politics. Truly, as the saying goes, having connections at court makes being an official easier; that’s the reason!

"There’s one more thing," Fourth Master Xiao said after a pause, his tone softened, "Last year’s auspicious snow promised a bountiful year without reports of snow disasters from any regions. The Emperor, delighted, decided on a hunting expedition outside the border in March on a whim."

"Hunting?" This was the first time she’d heard of such a thing. The Great Zhou Dynasty was established by horseback but the ancestors were not born outside the border. Though hunting was a precedent set by the ancestors, it was rare. She didn’t understand why the Emperor suddenly decided on this whim.

Fourth Master Xiao explained, "At the start of the year, Wenhua Hall added a Martial Arts Instructor. The Emperor was displeased seeing the Eldest Prince weak, unable to even hold a bow, thus prompting this idea."

Xiqiu furrowed her brows: "Are you heading outside the border to prepare first, Fourth Master?"

"I don’t need to go," Fourth Master Xiao responded calmly, "Han Cheng volunteered for the task and will set off these days to arrange matters." Xiqiu nodded, and as Fourth Master Xiao shifted the conversation, he added, "However, the Emperor specifically requested to bring Min along."

Bringing Min along?

Xiqiu was stunned.