Tianliangyuan

What exactly happened in Chapter 405?

Xie Xiaolin usually didn't concern himself with these household matters, but since he spoke up now, Madam Lin naturally didn't dare to argue and could only timidly lower her head and submit.

Xu Zhaozhao remained indifferent, thinking to herself that this Lin family member was just idle all day long. If she dared to interfere in her affairs again, no matter who she was, she would have to learn a lesson!

Xie Xiaowei also reprimanded in a low voice, "Can't you just quietly enjoy your tea?"

Xu Zhaozhao's ears twitched slightly, and then she looked towards the doorway.

Zisu said urgently, “Reporting to the young master’s wife, Steward Xu ran all the way into the Duke’s mansion, saying that he had something urgent to report and is now waiting outside.”

"Is it possible to say what it is related to?"

"North."

Xu Zhaozhao's expression instantly turned solemn. She stood up, bowed, and quickly left.

Ms. Kobayashi muttered under her breath, "No manners!"

Xie Xiaowei, who was standing next to her, glared at her and scolded in a low voice, "Don't make things worse!"

The couple spoke very quietly; at least the old lady and the people from the second wife's side couldn't hear them.

Before Xie Xiaolin had even finished half of his tea, Zisu hurriedly turned back.

"Reporting to the Duke, the Heir Apparent's wife requests that you come to the study immediately to discuss matters. She has also sent someone to invite the Marquis and General Xu Junfeng, who are on leave today."

Xie Xiaolin's expression changed slightly, and he instantly realized that something was wrong.

"Mother, I take my leave."

Before the people inside could react, Xie Xiaolin had already left, leaving only the half-cup of tea still steaming.

At this moment, Ms. Lin dared to speak loudly.

"Tsk, what are you doing? Why can't you just say what's on your mind instead of making it sound like you're doing something wrong?"

Xie Xiaowei couldn't take it anymore: "Shut up! My niece-in-law has already sent someone to invite the Marquis, something serious must have happened. And that maid just mentioned the north, could there be a war?"

Xie Xiaocheng frowned as well: "It's really hard to say about this. But the message from my niece-in-law's manager probably means that something has happened to their own caravan in the north, right?"

Yu looked bewildered: "Does Zhaozhao have any caravans in the north?"

Xie Xiaocheng was taken aback: "I don't know!"

The old lady also looked bewildered: "I've never heard of that, but wasn't Zhao Zhao's caravan heading south with Princess Leyang? I haven't heard of any in the north either."

Kobayashi curled her lip: "Let's stop guessing here and just go ask them directly, shall we?"

Xie Xiaowei glared at her: "How do you ask? If it were something you could tell, why would your niece-in-law call your elder brother out alone?"

Madam Yu nodded: "That makes sense. If it's truly a matter of state, it's not something we can discuss casually."

Kobayashi rolled her eyes: "How could it be state affairs? That Manager Xu under her, isn't his name Xu Zhuzi? What state affairs would he have to do with that!"

Although it doesn't sound nice, it seems to make some sense.

Xu Zhuzi was just a minor manager in charge of business; how could he possibly have any state affairs to report?

The old lady thought that since her son and grandson were both military officers, she had to find out the truth, regardless of whether it was true or not.

"Someone, go and wait at the front, and keep an eye on the movements outside."

"Yes, old lady."

Soon a maidservant returned with the news.

"Reporting to the old lady, just now, the Duke took that Steward Xu into the palace, and Marquis Anxin went with him. The young general of the Xu family has been invited to Jinxiu Garden for a talk."

They've entered the palace?

Everyone's expression turned serious. Something big must have happened, otherwise why would they be going to the palace?

How could a mere steward be qualified to enter the palace?

"Mother, I'm afraid this is a serious matter. Should we call my niece-in-law over and ask her about it?"

Before Yu could finish speaking, Xie Xiaocheng rejected the idea.

"No! This is a very important matter. Since my niece-in-law didn't say anything just now, it's possible that the information is uncertain. Going to the palace now would only allow us to gather information from several sources before drawing a conclusion. So, it's right that my niece-in-law didn't say anything. Similarly, we can't ask her either; that's the rule."

Kobayashi, who had originally been thinking of calling for help, immediately wilted upon hearing this.

The old lady nodded. She was a worldly person and knew that some things shouldn't be asked casually.

The young maid was sent to the front yard to wait for news, but she didn't dare to disturb the Jinxiu Garden.

About fifteen minutes later, the little maid came running back. She was panting heavily when she entered the room and couldn't speak for a while.

Ms. Kobayashi said irritably, "Why are you in such a hurry? You can't even speak now."

Xie Xiaowei frowned: "You should say less."

"Madam, the Marquis just sent someone back with a message, asking the Heir Apparent's wife and General Xu to come to the palace immediately. When I came here, the two of them had already ridden into the palace."

Kobayashi's eyes widened: "You went on horseback?"

"Yes, the person who came to deliver the message was also running all the way; they looked very anxious."

Ms. Kobayashi originally wanted to say that a lady of noble birth should not be so rude, but after meeting the master's gaze, she swallowed her words.

Now the whole family is even more restless.

The young maid returned to the front courtyard to wait for news, and half an hour passed in the process.

Xie Xiaocheng was also getting anxious: "It's been so long, why haven't we received any news yet? Could it be that war is really about to break out?"

The old lady also looked worried, but she still said slowly, "Calm down, don't rush. Whether or not there is going to be a war, we must be prepared. Our Xie family has received the favor of the late emperor and His Majesty. If the court needs us, we Xie family men will naturally have no choice but to do our duty!"

"That's what mother said."

After a while, the tea had been changed three times, and the little maid finally ran back.

"Reporting to the old lady, the young master's wife has sent Miss Zisu back with a message."

The little maid ran all the way back. She had just finished speaking when Zisu came in. She was about to bow when the old lady stopped her: "Speak quickly."

Zisu didn't waste any time: "Reporting to the old lady, the young master's wife ordered me to come back and tell you that some uncertain forces have appeared in the northern part of Daxing. The Duke and the young master should stay in the palace to discuss matters. In addition, the young master's wife said that the eldest and second young masters should also be prepared. This time, the task of logistics and supplies should not be given to the Cui family again."

Zisu spoke the last sentence in a very low voice, and since there were no servants left in the room, everyone naturally understood what was going on.

Ms. Yu even stood up in nervousness.

Xie Xiaocheng understood his niece-in-law's intention and quickly replied, "Alright, alright! Do you still want to go to the palace?"

"This servant is ordered to wait at the palace gate."

"Alright, if you see your young mistress, be sure to tell her that we know everything and will arrange things according to her wishes."

"Yes, Second Master, then this servant will take her leave."

Now things became clear.

Before leaving, Zisu raised her hand to support the agitated Madam Yu, reminding her, "Second Madam, please don't get too excited. The Old Madam still needs your care here."

No one saw the small note slip into Yu's hand.