The evil forces roaming the heavens

Chapter 1291 People from Jinling Arrive, Mother and Daughter Reunite!
Ningguo Mansion, Jia Family

Inside the main room, maids served pastries and ginseng tea.

After taking a sip, Xue Baochai looked at Zhang Cheng in surprise.

She hadn't expected the Ningguo Mansion to be so extravagant, even their tea contained ginseng.
Seemingly sensing something, Zhang Cheng smiled and said, "My mother needs to rest, so the ginseng tea is for her. Even I, as her son, can only enjoy it temporarily!"

He made a joking remark, to which Zhang Cheng smiled.

Upon hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Aunt Xue exclaimed, "Jue-ge'er is truly filial, unlike my wretched son!"

"Aunt, there's no need to say that. I'll find a way to handle Brother Wenlong's matter! However, regarding the compensation for the Feng family, you still need to make the decision yourself; it's something that can't be avoided!"

Looking at Aunt Xue in front of him, Zhang Cheng knew, of course, that she wanted to save the idiot.
But if the Feng family's matter cannot be resolved, even if Zhang Cheng brings Xue Pan out, he will still be in trouble.

"Compensation is not a problem, as long as my son can be released!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Aunt Xue couldn't help but feel grateful.

"Besides compensation, please also give me the maid he kidnapped! After all, that's the main reason, and she's not an orphan; she was just abducted!"

Addressing Aunt Xue, Zhang Cheng slowly introduced himself.

"this!"

Staring at Zhang Cheng in astonishment, Aunt Xue never expected that she would now have to hand Xiangling over.
Looking at Aunt Xue with amusement, Zhang Cheng picked up his teacup and said, "If Aunt is unwilling, that's fine too. After all, Brother Wenlong has an uncle who is the military governor of the capital. Why don't we let him think of a solution?"

"No, no, no, Jue-ge'er, it's just a mere maidservant, how could your aunt not want her? I'll have someone send her over right away, as long as that wretched child is safe!"

After giving instructions to the servants behind her, Aunt Xue picked up her teacup and said, "Sister, I am so grateful to you this time!"

"No need to be so polite, we're all old friends, there's no need for such formalities!"

Seeing Aunt Xue's expression, Jia Liu quickly began to explain.

Just then, a pretty young woman was brought in. Seeing a slight red mark between her brows, Zhang Cheng immediately smiled and said, "Brother Wenlong, you really have a good eye!"

"Jue-ge'er is joking. If it weren't for this matter, he wouldn't have ended up in the imperial prison!"

Hearing Zhang Cheng say that, Aunt Xue felt somewhat embarrassed.
Xue Pan and Zhang Cheng are not that far apart in age, at most a few months younger, yet Xue Pan has already joined the army in Liaodong and achieved great fame, while his own son is still spending his days in brothels. It's truly infuriating to compare people like that!

"Come here, let me take a good look at you!"

Zhang Cheng waved to Xiangling and smiled.
Looking timidly at Zhang Cheng, Xiangling glanced at Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai not far away.
Go, don't be afraid!

When she spoke to Xiangling, Aunt Xue immediately gestured for her to speak.
When Xiangling arrived in front of Zhang Cheng, she stood rooted to the spot, looking like a frightened little animal.
"what's your name?"

With a smile on his face, Zhang Cheng asked Xiangling a question.
"Xiangling, this is the name Miss gave me!"

Upon hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Xiangling quickly replied.
"No, your name isn't Xiangling, it's Zhen Yinglian. You're from Suzhou. Your father's name is Zhen Shiyin, and your mother's name is Feng."

Just as Zhang Cheng slowly opened his mouth, Xiangling, with tears streaming down her face, said, "I think I've remembered something."

"Mother, do you remember the letter that came from our relatives in Jinling a couple of days ago?"

Zhang Cheng smiled as he addressed Jia Liushi.

"Jue-ge'er, could it be that..."

Looking at Jia Jue in surprise, Jia Liu was taken aback.

“That’s right, I asked my relatives to search for her, and finally found her mother!” Zhang Cheng said with a smile, “Don’t cry, your mother is in the manor!”

By waving his hand, Zhang Cheng had someone bring Feng Shi out.

A short while later, a slightly older-looking woman emerged and stared at Xiangling in astonishment.

Stepping forward in disbelief, Madam Feng examined her closely and asked, "Is it you? Yinglian? Is it really you? My daughter?"

Kneeling on one knee, Madam Feng looked at Xiangling and couldn't help but cry.
Over the years, a great fire destroyed the Zhen family. Zhen Shiyin, in his search for his daughter, eventually became a monk. Feng Shi, after returning to her parents' home, was not welcomed, but she continued to yearn for her daughter.
It wasn't until half a month ago, when someone from the Jia family in Jinling came and said they had news of her daughter, that Madam Feng rushed to the capital!

Are you my mother?

Looking at Feng Shi before her, Xiangling couldn't stop her tears after saying those words, and murmured, "You seem to have changed!"

"Yes, I am your mother, I am your mother, my poor child!"

Holding Xiangling in her arms, Madam Feng couldn't help but cry out, trying to release the pain she had endured for so many years.

Seeing this scene, Jia Liushi and Aunt Xue couldn't help but wipe away their tears.
Seeing that Xiangling had been found to her mother, Xue Baochai said, "Brother, you are truly a living Buddha for finding the daughter of the Feng family!"

"I just did what I was supposed to do, and besides, my brother doesn't believe in Buddhism!"

Smiling at Xue Baochai, Zhang Cheng then turned his head and said, "Brother Wei, go get my token and say hello to the Northern Garrison Commander!"

"Okay, Uncle!"

Jia Wei bowed to Zhang Cheng and then turned and left.

Inside the Dragon Head Palace,

The retired emperor, who was playing chess, had a gloomy expression on his face.

Because another battle report about the Western Regions had appeared, and it was personally delivered to him by the Emperor.

With a cold expression, he pounded the table; the retired emperor could no longer contain his anger.
The Great Qian Dynasty was established after the Ming Dynasty, but in terms of backbone, it never surpassed the Ming Dynasty, precisely because it suffered a major defeat in Liaodong.

Although Zhang Cheng led his troops back, he failed to reclaim Liaodong. Furthermore, the Rus' people were repeatedly encroaching on the border, which angered the retired emperor.

"Father, the situation is dire. If we wish to continue the war, I fear we are outmatched! Unless we send a small force of elite troops or a powerful general to lead a direct assault on the heart of the enemy, otherwise..."

Looking at the retired emperor, Emperor Hongde couldn't help but smile.
He wasn't worried about the Rus' people; after all, once the Emperor Emeritus left, he could simply close the gates and release Jia Jue.

But the retired emperor is different. What he cares about most now is his reputation before and after his death. The Russians are playing this game, aren't they just stabbing him in the heart?
"Dai Quan, go and summon Jia Jue to the palace for an audience!"

The retired emperor threw away the chess piece in his hand and roared angrily.

"Yes, sir, I'll go right away!"

Upon hearing the Emperor Emeritus's words, Dai Quan turned and left.
Seeing the retired emperor's actions, Emperor Hongde laughed.
Because he had long wanted to take action against the military officers, but the retired emperor had always stopped him, so the Hongde Emperor was powerless to do so.
But now, the Rus' people are practically pointing their fingers at the Emperor Emeritus and cursing him. Emperor Hongde doesn't believe he can still tolerate it!
Is his military merit more important now, or his reputation before and after his death?

Ningguo Mansion, Jia Family

When Xue Pan was brought back, he was completely listless, because the imperial prison was simply not a place for a human being.

Seeing Xue Pan's pitiful state, Aunt Xue quickly went over to check on him. Fortunately, he wasn't missing any arms or legs.
But just then, Jia Wei walked in and said, "Uncle, the Emperor Emeritus summons you!"

Upon hearing this, the people inside the room were also taken aback for a moment.
Zhang Cheng straightened his qilin robe and stood up, smiling slightly, "Mother, Aunt Xue, I have other matters to attend to. We'll talk again later!"

(End of this chapter)