Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 810 Urgency
When Li's mother heard the news, her heart sank.

This news came from the Northwest through layers of reporting, not from those deliberately fabricated rumors. The memorial was placed in the Secretariat, and no one could say: this is false.

Since the beginning of this dynasty, no military general has ever been identified as having staged a mutiny and ended up with a peaceful death. How could a matter that has escalated to the point of court affairs be resolved so easily?

The He family is in deep trouble now. She doesn't even know how the madam will react when she hears the news. She was originally planning to invite He Langjun's parents to Bianjing for a reunion, but now...

Mother Li couldn't help but sigh.

"How are the two camellias in the greenhouse that Madam mentioned yesterday?"

Suddenly interrupted from her thoughts, Li's mother was momentarily stunned before saying, "It's...it's about to bloom."

Xie Yuyan then asked, "Will we be able to move into the main house in a couple of days?"

Mrs. Li replied, "The camellias cultivated in the manor this year are exceptionally beautiful."

She had been thinking of accompanying the lady to see the flowers, as both the lady and her sister loved camellias. But now that this had happened, would seeing camellias trigger painful memories for the lady?

Thinking about this, Madam Li pondered for a moment. Madam Xie wasn't without thought; perhaps she wanted Madam Xie to compare the camellia to the He family? Although the flowers bloomed later, they would bloom even better, thus comforting the lady.

When Li Mama looked at Xie Yuyan's calm expression again, she inexplicably seemed less flustered: "This servant understands."

Seeing Li Mama's serious expression, Xie Yuyan said, "I didn't mean anything by it, I just wanted to make Madam happy. Madam doesn't need anyone else to persuade her."

No matter who you are, seeing something you like will always make you feel a little better.

Madam Lin is more insightful than anyone else.

Li's mother suddenly realized that she hadn't really understood Xie Niangzi before; it turned out that Xie Niangzi was a very straightforward and insightful person.

When you're with someone like that, don't overthink things, and similarly, don't try anything funny in front of her.

The two talked as they arrived at the main house. Xie Yuyan entered, bowed to Madam Lin, and sat down to the side. Mother Li then told them the news from the Northwest.

Madam Lin didn't say much, only saying, "I'll write a letter to the He family in a little while!"

Mrs. Li responded.

Xie Yuyan looked at Madam Lin: "You've taken a lot of trouble these past few days, Madam."

Madam Lin smiled and said, "Before, the father and son were never seen, and the house was really lonely. Recently, with you all keeping me company, I am so happy every day."

Xie Yuyan smiled and said, "When we return home, we will often come over to talk to Madam."

When Madam Lin saw Xie Yuyan's clear eyes, the smile within them rippled like waves on a lake. This child usually gave people a cold and distant feeling in her actions and words, but if she were willing to coax someone, just a few words could make that person feel as sweet as if they had drunk honey water.

“But we can’t see each other every day,” Madam Lin said, taking Xie Yuyan’s hand. “Now that I think about it, setting your wedding date for next spring is really too late.”

This was the result of discussions between Madam Lin and Madam Zhang. There were too many things to prepare, and they were afraid of causing A-Yan any hardship. The earliest they could do it was March of next year.

It's too late to say, but all in all, it's only been a little over three months.

Who's in such a hurry to get a daughter-in-law? When the Wang clan heard the news, they even wanted to interfere with the wedding date. Madam Lin retorted, "What business is it of yours if my family gets a daughter-in-law? Your sons are all getting married, but you haven't even come to ask me if I'm suitable."

Having said that, who would dare to insist? Otherwise, what would they do if Madam Lin said "no" to any of them when they were about to get married?
As for whether Wang Bingchen would be laughed at, Madam Lin didn't care. After all, her husband had argued with many people for the sake of the new policies and was quite thick-skinned.

Madam Lin placed the Buddhist prayer beads from her wrist onto Xie Yuyan's wrist: "I won't say much else, but there's one thing: you can't take any more risks, and you need to take good care of your health."

Xie Yuyan replied, "Madam, please take care of yourself and don't worry too much."

“I only have one heart,” Madam Lin said, looking at Xie Yuyan. “I don’t know who to worry about, so I’d rather not think about it at all. I wish I could just take a nap and wake up in March.”

The two talked for a while longer before parting ways.

After Xie Yuyan left, Li Mama stepped forward and said, "This servant can see that Madam and Young Master both truly like Lady Xie." Madam Lin smiled and said, "Such a good girl is going to marry into my family. I'm not stupid, how could I not like her? From now on, the future of our family will depend on her, not on this old man like me."

"I'm just worried."

Fearing the weather might change, they braved the wind and rain to walk outside.

When news came from the Northwest, Ayan showed no concern whatsoever. Why? Because she and Yan Ge'er had long anticipated this day. They wouldn't stand by and watch He Tan be schemed against, so from this moment on, they would shoulder even greater responsibilities and dangers.

……

Funing Hall.

The Empress Dowager looked at the civil and military officials in the room.

The military unrest in the Northwest is an urgent political issue that needs to be addressed.

"Have all the memorials from the Northwest been delivered?" the Empress Dowager inquired. "Did everyone give the same answer? Did He Tan suddenly lead his troops away from the military camp?"

The Privy Councilor requested to retire, and the Privy Council is now being managed by the Deputy Privy Councilor.

The Deputy Privy Councilor stepped forward and said, "Several chief stewards and military commanders have not yet submitted their memorials."

As soon as the Deputy Privy Councilor finished speaking, an imperial censor stepped forward and said, "Not all officials in the Northwest can send memorials to the capital in time. Everyone has their own duties, and only a few people know the inside story. But it is a fact that He Tan mobilized troops without the court's permission and fought with the garrison of Da Shun City, isn't it?"

"Isn't this enough to convict him of treason? If anyone has objections, we might as well bring He Tan to the capital for questioning, find out the cause and effect, and see if he has a legitimate reason."

This statement was already quite neutral, and everyone looked at each other and nodded.

"What if he refuses to go to the capital?"

Another voice sounded.

Before anyone else could speak, the censor sneered, "If the military officers refuse to be summoned, then there's no need to interrogate them. The court can simply send troops to quell the rebellion."

These words sparked another round of discussion among the officials.

The Minister of War stepped forward: "Your Majesty must make a decision soon. The matter in the Northwest is of utmost importance. Your Majesty is ill, and if the Western Xia takes the opportunity to invade again, the court may find it difficult to cope."

The Empress Dowager finally put down the memorial in her hand and looked at Wang Bingchen: "Why isn't Prime Minister Wang saying anything?"

Wang Bingchen stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I am related to the He family by marriage and should avoid suspicion."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand: "There's no need for such formalities at a time like this. I just want to hear Minister Wang's opinion."

Wang Bingchen remained silent for a moment before saying, "The military affairs in the Northwest are of paramount importance. The He family has always been relied upon by the Great Liang and has repeatedly made contributions to the Great Liang. Before clarifying the situation and questioning He Tan, we cannot easily convict him."

The censor looked at Wang Bingchen: "Can you guarantee that He Tan did not plot a rebellion? If chaos breaks out in the Northwest and causes a great disaster, can you take responsibility?"

All eyes turned to Wang Bingchen. An official from the Secretariat was about to step forward to speak when the Empress Dowager waved her hand and said, "What Minister Wang said makes sense. We cannot speak of treason. I will send an imperial envoy to the Northwest immediately to investigate the situation and send the news back to Bianjing. We will then decide what to do."

After the Empress Dowager finished speaking, she stood up and said, "I still have to tell His Majesty about today's affairs of state, so let's disperse for now!"

The Empress Dowager lifted her foot and walked towards the inner hall of the Funing Palace. The censor and several officials looked at each other in bewilderment, then turned and left.

The footsteps faded into the distance, and the Empress Dowager lifted the curtain and walked to the Emperor's bedside. Her expression gradually became solemn: "The Northwest is in chaos; they no longer listen to the court."

Although she prevented He Tan from being convicted, as long as the memorial about "military rebellion" was submitted, they would have a reason to lead the army to quell the rebellion.

The troops have moved, what's next?
Is he going to storm into the palace and issue his own edict to succeed to the throne?

The Empress Dowager sensed the urgency; their time was running out.

(End of this chapter)