"Young lady, you don't have to be polite. It's getting late. Why don't you stay here for dinner today?" Huo Tang hurriedly turned aside to avoid her courtesy and changed his voice.
"No need, our youngest brother is still waiting for us. He has to go back early. Thank you, Butler Huo, for the hospitality." Jiang Hexi naturally refused and explained softly.
"Farewell."
With the intervention of the General's Office, He Jinbao was escorted to jail in less than two days. Even Xingniang's aunt was beaten thirty times by the county magistrate, not to mention Old Man Wu who was sentenced to be beheaded.
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The decline of the He family made everyone applaud and praise the general's righteousness.
Only Jiang Hexi looked at the mountains in the distance silently, frowning and saying nothing.
In the palace with red bricks and green tiles, painted pillars and carved beams, the huge floor is covered with soft pure white fur carpets, and the faint scent of sandalwood lingers in the magnificent palace.
A man in black is leaning over a luxurious and graceful old woman surrounded by pearls and emeralds, gently tapping her shoulders.
"Why are you so considerate today? Do you have anything else to ask for?" Queen Mother Huo said bluntly.
Huo Jingchen stiffened for a moment, then pretended that nothing happened and continued to squeeze the old queen mother's shoulders, saying warmly: "My aunt misunderstood Wu Jing. Wu Jing just thought that he hadn't seen his aunt for a long time. He felt guilty and uneasy and wanted to do his best to show his filial piety.
."
"Don't do this, the Ai family doesn't know about you? You've always looked like this when you asked the Ai family for something since you were a child. Tell me! What happened again?" Empress Dowager Huo did not believe Huo Jingchen's lies and exposed it directly.
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Huo Jingchen touched his nose and felt embarrassed, but when he thought of the difficult incident two days ago, he could only tell the truth: "Auntie, didn't my grandmother and mother force me to go to the chrysanthemum appreciation feast a few days ago? Mother took a fancy to it.
The eldest granddaughter of Prime Minister Zhao, but I don’t want to get married yet, my aunt, you are the only one who can save me now."
"The eldest granddaughter of Prime Minister Zhao? Is she the girl named Zhao Xu?" Queen Mother Huo asked doubtfully.
Aunt Qiu on the side immediately leaned over and responded: "Yes, Master, she is the woman in red who followed Mrs. Zhao to greet you a few days ago."
"Oh! The Ai family has remembered. She is a rare beauty. She has good looks and a good temperament. She is a perfect match for you." Empress Dowager Huo suddenly realized, patting Huo Jingchen's hand and said with a smile.
"Auntie, don't be happy anymore, please save me!" Huo Jingchen knew that she wanted to laugh at him, so he said helplessly.
Queen Mother Huo didn't want to get involved in this matter. Instead, she agreed very much and said slowly: "You are not young anymore. Your grandmother and mother always complained in front of the Ai family that you refused to get married. The Ai family thinks this is a good thing.
This woman from Zhao Xiang’s family is worthy of you, not bad.”
"Auntie, I'm going back to Jingzhou next year, why should I get married?" Huo Jingchen reminded him kindly when he saw that the Queen Mother Huo was pretending to be confused.
Empress Dowager Huo raised her eyebrows and said: "Why are you going to Jingzhou! The Beidi people have already signed the letter of surrender. What are you going to do there?"
"Yes! My eldest son, Jingzhou is remote and a bitterly cold place. Wouldn't it be better for you to stay in the capital? This will save the master and the old lady from worrying!" Aunt Qiu advised earnestly.
"It's just that the Ai family thinks the emperor is confused. He actually agreed to let you go to that place and went there for two whole years! This time, no matter what, you have to stay in the capital for me. The Ai family doesn't want to miss you every time.
Figure." Empress Dowager Huo became extremely angry when she thought that he went to Jingzhou without telling her two years ago.
Huo Jingchen became increasingly helpless and patiently explained: "Auntie, this Beidi has always been ambitious, how can it be willing to surrender and surrender? Besides, the situation in Jingzhou is not stable yet, how can it be stabilized in a short while?"
"Then let someone else go. You're not allowed to go anyway!" Queen Mother Huo also knew that she couldn't persuade him, so she simply said ruthlessly.
"Auntie, I came here to help you, why are you still siding with my grandmother and the others?" Huo Jingchen couldn't tell whether to laugh or cry when he saw the Empress Dowager Huo's helpless appearance.
Empress Dowager Huo stretched out her hand and nodded Huo Jingchen's head, saying, "Others are thinking about how to claim credit in front of the emperor and how to get promoted in the court, but you are always thinking about running to that bitter cold place!"
"Auntie, Jingzhou is part of Dasheng. Although it has always been poor, as long as it is governed with care, it may not be able to become the second Yangzhou." Huo Jingchen put away his carelessness and said in a serious tone.
Looking at the firm and familiar eyebrows in front of her, Queen Mother Huo was slightly stunned, and couldn't help but think of that stunningly talented and beautiful figure in red.
"Aunt, although Xuzhou is barren, it is still a part of prosperity. As long as it is governed with care, it may not be able to become the second Yangzhou."
After a moment of silence, Queen Mother Huo reluctantly suppressed the astringency in the corners of her eyes.
"That's all. Children and grandchildren will have their own blessings. If you want to go, you can go to the emperor and your grandmother's place. The Ai family will tell you!" Thinking of her old friend, Empress Dowager Huo felt very sad and sighed.
Although Huo Jingchen didn't understand why Queen Mother Huo suddenly agreed so easily, it was a good thing after all. He immediately smiled and said: "Thank you, great aunt, for making it happen."