Chapter 961: The Plan Remains the Same

called Jia Li, and Brother Mao is now called Jia Kang. They'll be on our family register, so they won't be delayed from studying or taking the imperial examinations." 。Besides, I've replaced most of...Mr. Feng was a frequent visitor to the Li family, and he was quite familiar with Jia Yin. So, everyone exchanged greetings for a few moments before inviting him to sit down and offering him a cup of hot tea.

Feng Gonggong took two sips, then urged, “Your Highness, the Emperor asks you to enter the palace immediately. I happened to be free, so I took on this task and made this trip.”

Everyone was confused and didn't know what urgent matter the emperor had.

The lord rose to change his garments. After a day outside, his robe was covered in dust and unsuitable for entering the palace.

Li Laoer then asked, "Grandfather, do you know what the Emperor is up to It's almost nightfall, and yet the Marquis still has to enter the palace"

Old Master Feng shook his head. He truly didn't know, but he still comforted the crowd, "I really don't know what the Emperor instructed the Marquis to do, but today the Emperor is in a good mood. This afternoon, he even took a stroll in the Imperial Garden with the Third Princess."

"The envoys from eight countries have entered the capital to pay tribute. This is an honor that Tianwu has not seen in many years. The Emperor is delighted, perhaps discussing some details."

No one dared to ask further and just chatted idly.

Soon, the Lord tidied himself up. Jia Yin also personally packed a box of snacks for Elder Feng, coaxing him into walking with the Lord with a smile.

At this time, the sun had already set in the west, and the world was covered with a light orange hue, which looked very beautiful in the courtyard.

People disliked the stuffy feeling inside, so they moved to the eaves of the corridor to chat.

Jia Yin couldn't stay still, so she found a ball and played with her nephew and the maidservants.

Two wicker rectangular baskets were placed on either side of the yard, serving as goalposts.

Everyone was divided into two teams, and they all tried their best to kick the ball into the other team's basket.

Wan'er was in charge of the Earl's Mansion. Although her rules were stricter than those at Sui Jintan, she never skimped on the servants' food, clothing, and lodging, nor did she punish them easily. Therefore, the servants were livelier and bolder than those in other households.

Especially those maids and handmaidens around the age of ten, who had just been bought back recently, were entrusted to the older women to learn etiquette and skills. In fact, they weren't given much work to do.

At this moment, the master, Jia Yin, personally led them in play, and they felt more at ease.

Thus, in the courtyard of all four directions, because of a small ball, it soon became lively.

The children's laughter and shrieks, punctuated by cheers of victory, made the spectators under the eaves laugh along.

Aibei snuggled beside Xi, her eyes full of wonder and joy.

She whispered to her husband, "Our home is so good, our home is lively."

Jia Xi held her hand, his face full of pride and complacency, and replied, "Wherever my sister is, it's always so lively. I'll take you back to Suijin Beach when I have the chance, and you'll see even livelier places."

Lao Er and his several brothers were sitting together, and they couldn't help but sigh, "It's still better to have more children at home. This lively atmosphere is the true way to live."

"Yes, when autumn comes, just bring them back." Li Lao San also sighed, missing his mother in his heart. It had been half a year since they parted ways.

Li Laosì advised, “According to the arrangements in the capital, we will set off in half a month. Once we return victorious and the situation stabilizes, we won't have to fear anything.”

Under the big tree in the corner of the garden, Mu Xu bit on a twig, his eyes following the girl who was jumping and laughing joyfully, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.

Occasionally, birds would fly over the courtyard, landing curiously on treetops to watch the commotion. However, a branch would shoot out, startling them and causing them to fly away immediately.

The bird's angry protests rang out incessantly, yet it dared not linger.

Mu Xu looked back at the courtyard, a smile returning to his eyes.

Nobody can disturb him enjoying the pleasures of life!

Each time he looked like this, he would feel that living wasn't so bad...

When night finally fell, Jiayin and the children, big and small, were exhausted, their faces aching from smiling and their voices hoarse from shouting.

Thus, the match finally came to an end.

Whether they were victorious or defeated, the maids and servants were rewarded with sweets, which inevitably brought smiles to their faces. They wished that their master would hold competitions for them every day.

Wanting to prevent the children from catching a cold, Wan'er quickly took them downstairs to bathe and change their clothes.

The kitchen prepared chicken soup dumplings for the masters as a late-night snack.

After all, dinner was eaten early and we played for so long that my digestion is almost complete.

Everyone ate a bowl and then dispersed to rest.

Jiayin remembered her godfather going to the palace and, with half-dry hair under a cloak, went to find Mu Xu.

Because he was at home, Mu Xu didn't need to have secret guards, so he lived in the ear room with Zheng Yi and a few others.

They were also quite familiar with each other, having worked together on business trips and shared both joys and hardships. They had endless things to talk about in their daily lives.

Seeing Jia Yin approach, Zheng Yi was quite surprised. But when it came to Mu Xu, they had no idea where he had gone.

Jia Yin frowned, but she didn't ask any further.

Actually, she didn't know that Mu Xu was in the study of the Hou Mansion at this moment.

Just as the Lord had come out of the palace, Mu Xu threw a hot towel at him, hands holding it up respectfully.

The Lord wiped his face, looked up to see him smiling cheekily, and asked, "Why did you come here Is there something the matter"

Mu Xu replied, "It's nothing major, just that I'm afraid the County Princess is worried about you entering the palace. I came to ask, and I'll go back and tell her, so the County Princess can rest assured."

The lord's deep eyes sized him up for a long while, then chuckled softly.

"Back then, you were reluctant. Now, you're so devoted."

Mu Xu blushed slightly and coughed twice before replying, "I am the county lord's guard. It is my duty to act quickly on her behalf."

The Lord no longer pressed the topic, saying, "The Emperor summoned me to the palace because of the upcoming northern campaign. The original departure date was in half a month, but it has been moved up to six days from now."

Mu Xu frowned and asked, "The main army hasn't moved, but the grain and grass are proceeding first. With such a sudden advance, given the inefficiency of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household Affairs, I fear there will be delays."

The Lord doesn't worry, he replied, "The emperor will issue an imperial decree and send people to supervise. Even if it's a bit slow, it won't be much slower. Besides, when we get to Jiangbei, we can still loot the barbarians' supplies for replenishment, fighting with war."

Mu Xu's lips curled in disdain. He had absolutely no good impression of the court.

If he hadn't met the Marquis back then and helped him out, settling his worries, he might have staked his entire life on bringing down the Heavenly Martial court.

The Marquis saw something in his expression and, after some thought, advised, “When the country suddenly fell and we had to hastily move the capital, there were indeed many shortcomings. But the Emperor and the court have done their best to take care of the people. Don't harbor too much resentment in your heart.”

Now, you've let go of your worries and only think about how to live a good life. Just don't disappoint the expectations of your deceased loved ones.

Mu Xu lowered her eyes, changed the subject, and asked, "Lord Hou, can I go on an expedition with you I haven't killed enough barbarians yet!"

The Marquis couldn't help but laugh and blurted out, "Are you willing to leave Xindu"

Mu Xu hesitated for a moment, then quickly changed his tune, "I wouldn't bear to part with it. I was just saying it casually."

The lord laughed, waving his hand to dismiss the person. "Go back," he said. "Wait for me to return from my campaign, and then you'll give me an answer. Although we haven't reached the agreed-upon time, if you have no intention, leave early."

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