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Not long after the morning court session ended, the news of Zhao Wenkuan from the Zhao family and two other officials with real power in the Zhao family being demoted and criticized by the emperor spread like wildfire.
When the news reached the Qin family, it was almost time for lunch.
The main members of the Qin family currently staying in Chang’an City are Old Madam Qin, Qin Heng, the couple Qin Sanlang, Qin Sheng, and several younger children. At this time, the Marquis of Pingxi, Old General Qin, is guarding the border, while the second and fourth sons of the Qin family are stationed at the border with their families. The fifth son of the Qin family died on the battlefield two years ago. The siblings do not have the same mother. Only the eldest son Qin Heng and the youngest son Qin Sheng are born to Old Madam Qin, and Qin Sheng is the late child of Old General Qin.
Old Madam Qin has been in poor health since she was young. She and Old General Qin grew up together and naturally became a couple after reaching adulthood.
Due to Old Madam Qin’s weak and sickly body unable to endure the hardships of the border, after marriage, she allowed Old General Qin to take a concubine to take care of his life there. The second, third, fourth, and fifth sons of the Qin family, along with another daughter, are born to the concubine. Qin Heng and Qin Sheng both refer to the concubine as “Second Mother” and show great respect to her.
Although not blood-related, the siblings have a good relationship. Perhaps accustomed to life and death on the battlefield, they do not have internal conflicts like other families.
Qin Heng and the couple Qin Sanlang were also stationed at the border before. However, this year, Old Madam Qin fell seriously ill, so Old General Qin asked his eldest son to return to the capital to serve his mother, and he returned. The couple Qin Sanlang were sent back by Old General Qin two months ago because Nie Yunniang was pregnant again, so the couple returned to Chang’an City to rest and take care of their stepmother.
Qin Heng and Qin Sanlang walked out of the front courtyard study and headed towards the Qingfeng Courtyard.
During meal times at the Qin family, if everyone is at home, they eat together, making it lively.
As they walked and talked, Qin Sheng caught up with them halfway.
Qin Heng saw his attire of a warrior’s robe and sweat, and casually asked, “Did you just come back from outside? Where did you go?”
Qin Sheng avoided the question and said lightly, “Nowhere. Can Mother start dinner? I’m a little hungry.”
Qin Sanlang, who remained silent beside him, raised an eyebrow. The Sixth was acting strange, something was going on.
The three brothers arrived at Qingfeng Courtyard, and Nie Yunniang directed the servants to set the table.
The brothers inevitably discussed the major events that happened at the morning court. Being a family of warriors, their rules were more relaxed, no such regulations like “no talking while eating, no talking while sleeping”. Of course, they would be more careful outside, but at home, they were more casual.
Upon hearing this, the one who reacted most strongly was Nie Yunniang. She couldn’t help but exclaim, “No way, is this Lu Desheng that terrifying?”
Old Madam Qin nodded, “This man is indeed formidable.”
In just one morning, Lu Desheng single-handedly brought down three powerful officials from the Zhao faction. Not to mention, Zhao Wenkuan was the Minister of Rites, a third-rank official! Additionally, the Minister of Rites was one of the nine great ministers, ranking high among them, and currently, the relationship between Da Li and the various foreign tribes on the border was tense, making the Minister of Rites, who handled matters like welcoming guests and court gatherings, particularly important. Although he did not bring him down completely, he was demoted by half a rank and remained in office, which was already impressive. You must know, the chief official of the Censorate, the Grand Censor, was only a third-rank official, while Lu Desheng was just a Censor in the Censorate.
This incident, while not crippling the Zhao family, would at least take them a year or two to recover.
Qin Sanlang said softly, “Lu Desheng is truly in the emperor’s favor.”
Qin Sheng, in a good mood, picked a chicken leg for his mother, while he himself picked a chicken neck and chewed on it with relish. Tsk, evil people need to be defeated by evil people, and now when I hear it again, I still feel a sense of satisfaction, what’s going on?
“Wait, there was a setback in the marriage between the Xie and Lu families, Zhao Yutan was the culprit, but A Shen also helped the tyrant! If it weren’t for A Shen rescuing the wrong person…” Nie Yunniang said worryingly, but before she finished, she was interrupted by Qin Sheng.
“Third Sister-in-law, if you don’t know idioms, don’t use them randomly. Besides, it wasn’t just me who rescued the wrong person, didn’t Xie Zhan also fail to recognize his fiancée?”
“That’s not important. What I want to say is, do you think Lu Desheng will hold a grudge against our Qin family because of this?” Nie Yunniang was quite nervous.
“No,” her husband, Qin Sanlang, answered her with certainty. Lu Desheng wasn’t crazy; he wouldn’t keep making enemies.
Nie Yunniang nodded. “Then I’ll rest easy.”
“Is the purpose of Imperial Censor Lu’s impeachment of the Zhao family to warn them and stop them from getting involved in the marriage between the Xie and Lu Families?” Old Madam Qin asked, her appetite waning.
“No, quite the opposite,” Qin Heng slowly analyzed. “Judging from Lu Desheng’s relentless attack on the Zhao family in court today, there must be some unknown details. It seems the Xie family has already made a choice, and the Lu Family has noticed, which is why they’re striking a blow against the Zhao family.”
“Eldest brother, you mean the Xie family has hinted at backing out of the marriage with the Lu Family?” Old Madam Qin asked.
“That’s a strong possibility.”
“Wow, then our A Sheng has a chance!” Nie Yunniang’s voice couldn’t hide her excitement. If Second Miss Lu were to choose A Sheng over Xie Zhan, she could laugh out loud for three hours.
Old Madam Qin nodded. “Let’s wait. Imperial Censor Lu doesn’t seem like someone who can easily swallow that.”
Qin Heng also said, “It all depends on how the Lu Family decides.” They had previously analyzed that the power to decide whether or not the marriage between the Xie and Lu, full of civil officials and scholars. Scholars value their reputation above all else. Anyone who wants to pursue an official career or make achievements in their career will avoid being tainted. If the Xie family breaks off the engagement, it would be a stain on Xie Zhan.
Qin Sheng: “I’m full. You guys keep eating.”
Throughout the meal, Qin Sheng’s expression remained unchanged, relaxed from beginning to end. Qin Heng and Qin Sanlang both noticed this.
Qin Heng asked him, “Did you go horseback riding again in the suburbs?”
Qin Sheng nodded. “Is there something wrong?”
Qin Sanlang gave his elder brother an inquiring look. This was about his future marriage! Did he not understand from beginning to end, or had he already seen through the twists and turns? Their father had arranged for his elder brother and him to return to Chang’an for a rest, not only because they had things to do and needed to be recalled from the border, but also because they had another task: to train the sixth brother, specifically in terms of strategy. In terms of martial skills, he could basically crush him and his elder brother.
Qin Heng smiled. “A Sheng is very intelligent.” When he grows up, he will surely surpass his elder brother.
Qin Sheng rolled his eyes at his two brothers.
“What are you guys talking about?” What kind of riddles are you playing? Nie Yunniang asked in confusion. She felt like she was missing something.
Qin Sanlang turned his head and glanced at his wife. Well, the person who didn’t understand anything from beginning to end was right here.
“Yunniang, don’t mind them. Come, eat some meat.” Old Madam Qin served her daughter-in-law a piece of good meat. As for what the Qin men were saying at the dinner table, she listened if she understood, and if she didn’t, she didn’t bother to figure it out.
After serving her daughter-in-law, Old Madam Qin thought for a moment and served Qin Sheng a piece of chicken breast. After hearing their analysis, she was very happy and decided to encourage her youngest son.
Qin Sheng looked at his mother in confusion. Hadn’t he already declared he was full? Why was his mother serving him food now? Oh well, his mother just loved him too much. She always felt he wasn’t full. He might as well eat this piece of meat. He could still eat a little more, just as a snack.
Old Madam Qin took the opportunity to educate her youngest son. “A Sheng, if you’re fortunate enough to marry Second Miss Lu, you have to be good to her, you know?”
Cough, cough! Qin Sheng was choked on his own saliva and coughed non-stop. He mentally grumbled, “Mother, can you stop suddenly blurting out such frightening words? And now, do I eat this piece of chicken or not? It feels like I’m selling myself if I do.”