Tianliangyuan

Chapter 324 The Zhang Siblings

Although the matter in Yongzhou has been resolved, some negative effects still linger.

Xu Han and the others have not returned yet. They need to confirm over there that the garrison soldiers can quickly assemble in wartime and have sufficient combat power before they can come back.

Xu Han did not return, but Xie Xiaolin returned with his concubine, Xiao Songshi, and a group of personal guards.

As a daughter-in-law, Xu Zhaozhao naturally had to go and greet them.

After Xie Xiaolin returned, he kowtowed to the old lady to pay his respects, only to find that Xie Zheng and Xie Xiaowei were missing.

Where is Zheng'er?

Xu Zhaozhao stepped forward: "Reporting to Father, my husband is on duty in the Taiji Hall."

Xie Xiaolin also knew about the Yongzhou riots. Previously, someone had tried to incite the people to cause trouble in the capital, but fortunately the court discovered it early, so nothing bad happened.

Therefore, Xie Zheng's presence at the Taiji Hall at this time demonstrates the Emperor's trust in him.

Knowing what was going on, Xie Xiaolin simply nodded. He assumed his fourth brother was handling official business at the government office, so there was no need to ask any further questions.

But Madam Song asked in a low voice, "Has the master's letter been delivered?"

This is a question directed at Jia, who is standing to the side.

Madam Jia nodded: "We received it a few days ago. So the household has already made arrangements. The main courtyard is all ready, and you can move in directly, sir."

Madam Song frowned and subconsciously glanced in Xu Zhaozhao's direction: "Does the young master also know that the master is coming back today?"

Lady Jia couldn't respond to this, because she understood that it was a complaint about the young master not asking for leave beforehand.

Xu Zhaozhao glanced over expressionlessly, then looked at Xie Xiaolin: "Father, you must be tired from your journey. You should go back and rest. My husband will not return to the manor until before dinner. If His Majesty has any urgent matters to attend to, the time will be uncertain."

"Alright."

Xie Xiaolin was careless and oblivious, completely unaware that Xiao Song's question was malicious.

The old lady and Madam Yu both glared at Madam Song with a hint of disgust, but out of respect for Xie Xiaolin, neither of them reprimanded her.

But this kind of ignoring was a great humiliation in Xiao Song's eyes.

Xu Zhaozhao's disregard for her, in particular, made her feel extremely humiliated.

Xu Zhaozhao couldn't be bothered with a little Song woman. People who can't see their place will die a miserable death sooner or later.

Xie Xiaolin turned to leave, but after a couple of steps he came back: "Mother, I also brought back a brother and sister, the sons of an old friend. Now that their parents have passed away, I was thinking of letting them stay in the mansion for a few days, and then I will find an opportunity to take them back to the clan."

These days, anyone who achieves something will care a lot about their family.

Those who can be considered old friends of Xie Xiaolin must be of extraordinary status.

So Ms. Yu nodded in agreement and promised to take good care of the siblings.

Xie Zheng and Xie Xiaowei returned for dinner.

Therefore, the evening became a welcome dinner for Xie Xiaolin.

Neither Xiao Songshi nor Jiashi were qualified to attend such an important occasion.

It's not that they weren't qualified; it's just that they had to drink in a separate room, just like the other concubines.

Because of their different statuses, their allowances and benefits naturally differ.

Therefore, the dishes and wine on the tables of Madam Song and Madam Jia were different.

Madam Song had spent several years in Jizhou with Xie Xiaolin, where she always considered herself the mistress of the house. Now that she had returned to the mansion, she was suddenly brought back to her original status, and the difference in her feelings was too great.

But she was helpless.

Because in Jizhou, although there was no proper mistress to overpower her, everyone knew that she was just the Duke's concubine, and the conditions there were harsh, so there were only a limited number of people she could order around.

Besides, Xie Zheng was there a few years ago, so she didn't dare to show too much.

It wasn't until Xie Zheng was transferred back to Beijing that she suddenly felt that the sky in Jizhou was bluer and the clouds were whiter.

Unfortunately, this good life didn't last long, and she returned to the capital with her husband.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Xie Xiaolin will only hold a nominal position, and will publicly say that he is using this opportunity to recuperate.

For military officers, this was a perfectly normal arrangement.

Just like Xu Han, apart from being the Right Guard General, he would shirk his duties whenever possible, and would never accept any other assignments from the Ministry of War.

The difference is that Xu Han is still the Right Guard General, which means he holds military power.

Xie Xiaolin's purpose in returning to Beijing this time was very clear: to pave the way for his son and nephews.

He's over forty, there's no need for him to work so hard.

Moreover, after years of fighting, he did indeed have many hidden ailments.

I will take this opportunity to recuperate properly, hoping that my lifespan will not be hindered.

That evening, Xie Zheng brought up the matter of taking care of his father's health.

Xu Zhaozhao nodded. Although she didn't understand medicine, she did understand pharmaceuticals.

"Please have two imperial physicians come tomorrow to examine my father's pulse. As long as the imperial physicians prescribe a medicine, I can make the most effective medicine here."

"Yes. Your father values ​​you highly."

Xu Zhaozhao looked up: "Where did you get that idea?"

“When my father was in Jizhou, he used the pills you prepared, and they were very effective. Moreover, because of your pills, many soldiers were saved. Therefore, my father has always felt that although you are a woman, you are also a hero.”

Xu Zhaozhao raised an eyebrow, surprised that her father-in-law's values ​​were actually quite sound.

Since that's the case, I wouldn't mind helping him take care of his health.

The brother and sister that Xie Xiaolin brought back were children of a soldier under Xie Xiaolin who died on the battlefield a few years ago. Not long after, his wife also passed away, leaving behind only these two children.

Because of the long distance and the fact that the children were not very old, Xie Xiaolin had them live in Jizhou City for a long time.

Now that Xie Xiaolin has returned to Beijing, he naturally brought them back with him.

After reviewing the information, Xu Zhaozhao's impression of the brother and sister was actually quite ordinary.

It's not exactly good, but it's not bad either.

The main reason is that I haven't had any experience with it before.

The older brother's name is Zhang Wu, and the younger sister's name is Zhang Yan. They are very ordinary names. The older brother is now fifteen years old, which is an age when he can support his family.

"My lord, this Zhang Wu also studied for a few years, so later, in order to take care of the two siblings, the Duke arranged for him to work as a clerk in the army, so that he could earn some income every month. But after all, it was not a proper official position, so when the Duke resigned this time, they came back with him."

"Have you found out about the Zhang family?"

Xu Zhuzi quickly replied, "The Zhang family's ancestral home is Zhangjia Village in Lantian County. I've inquired around, and it's about twenty li away from your Yunqi Mountain Villa."

It's not too close, but it's not particularly far either.

"Zhangjia Village? Is this a clan?"

"Reporting to Master, everyone in Zhangjia Village is surnamed Zhang. The village is doing well now, with no worries about food and clothing."