It didn't take long for the cousins to arrive. Qin Yining and Qin Huining went to the Flower Hall with their sisters to chat and laugh. Although Qin Huining was not very popular, the scene was not awkward.
In the blink of an eye, it was noon. The old maid came back and asked Duchess Ding, "Old Madam, lunch is ready. Should we put it in the warm room?"
Duchess Ding said, "Put it in the warm room. Remember to go to the outer courtyard and ask the men to come back."
"Yes."
The women talked and laughed together as they went to the warm room. When they arrived at the gate of the courtyard, they happened to meet Duke Ding, who came in with his grandchildren.
The girls saluted in unison. Eldest Cousin Sun Yu, Fifth Cousin Sun Jie, and Eighth Cousin Sun Qin also saluted the women. They exchanged greetings with their cousins and then entered the room.
The warm room was as warm as spring. The food was ready, and the fragrance of the food was appetizing. Duchess Ding said with a smile, "Remove the screen. There are no outsiders. Duke, do you want to eat alone with your three grandchildren? Don't you envy us for having so many people here? "
Duke Ding said with a smile, "You know me well. Although I envy you, you have already given the order without me saying anything."
Everyone laughed when they heard this.
Duke Dingguo and Duchess Dingguo entered the banquet first and sat at the head of the table. Madam Sun sat beside Duchess Dingguo, leaving two seats for Eldest Aunt and Second Aunt. Eldest Cousin, Fifth Cousin, and Eighth Cousin sat next to each other on the right side of Duke Ding.
As for the young girls, they naturally sat at another table.
Eldest Aunt and Second Aunt held the serving chopsticks and were about to serve the dishes. Duchess Ding said with a smile, "Let's have a small reunion meal today. I don't want you to set rules. You can also sit down."
The two sisters-in-law wanted to refuse, but Duke Ding said with a smile, "Just listen to your mother."
Although Duke Dingguo was gentle, he was the head of the family. When he spoke, no one would disobey him. First Aunt and Second Aunt also joined the banquet.
Big families were particular about not talking while eating. During the meal, the slight sound of plates hitting each other could be heard.
After the meal, the servants served everyone to rinse their mouths and moved them to the parlor to take a seat. The atmosphere became lively.
Duke Ding stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Sister Yi, are you used to living here these days?"
"Grandpa, I'm doing well. Mother is always considerate of me and takes good care of me. Huining has also taught me a lot of things that I didn't know before. Now, I can adapt to my current life," Qin Yining answered obediently.
When the Sun Clan heard this, they felt very comfortable.
Qin Huining looked up at Qin Yining in surprise. What was she trying to do now?
Duke Dingguo smiled and said, "That's good. It's your mother's blessing that you and Sister Hui are so friendly. If there's anything you need, or if you encounter any difficulties that you can't help with, just send someone to tell your grandmother. "
"Yes. Thank you for your concern, Grandfather. "Qin Yining bowed gratefully.
Duke Dingguo smiled and waved his hand, indicating that she could sit down and there was no need to be reserved.
Qin Yining sat down next to Qin Huining in the empty seat next to her. She looked calm and at ease, as if there was no discord between the two of them.
Qin Huining's whole body was tense. As long as Qin Yining was by her side, she felt uncomfortable all over. She had to force herself not to show any clues and make a fool of herself.
Although Duchess Ding was worried about the outside world, she could still keep her composure.
On the other hand, Second Aunt was really worried about her husband and children. She couldn't help but ask hesitantly, "Father, how's the situation in Xi Hua City?"
Duke Dingguo thought for a moment and said solemnly, "The two armies in Xi Hua City are at war. Pang Zhixi is using tricks. We haven't gained any advantage for the time being."
Everyone's hearts sank when they heard this.
However, Second Aunt comforted herself and said with a smile, "Although we haven't gained any advantage, at least our men are still safe and sound."
The relatives who stayed behind could only hope for this simple extravagant hope.
Duke Dingguo sighed and said, "I can only blame myself for being old. Otherwise, I would have to go to Xi Hua City and take down Pang Zhixi's prestige! "
"Grandfather is old but strong. It's just that you don't need to go out for the time being," Fifth Cousin Sun Jie said with a smile.
Eighth Cousin Sun Qin frowned and said, "Actually, the war is only one part of it. What's infuriating is Da Zhou's arrogance. Their empress dowager is sick with a cold. How could they have the nerve to send someone to inform us? Why? They invaded us and want us to find a doctor to treat the empress dowager? The whole world had become their family's! But the emperor is actually in a hurry to find a famous doctor! This is simply … "
"Eighth Brother, be careful with your words," Eldest Cousin Sun Yu reprimanded softly.
Only then did Eighth Cousin remember that there were other cousins around. He smiled awkwardly.
Qin Yining lowered his eyes and listened to this from the side. He felt as if a big stone was pressing down on his heart. The emperor was so muddle-headed. He only knew how to be lovey-dovey with the demon empress. He even schemed against his subjects behind their backs. However, he never thought that the imperial court would band together to fight against foreign enemies.
Dayan, the common people had such a muddle-headed emperor. If they expected him to straighten his back and be strong, they might as well expect him to die early!
Just when the room was silent, a servant's voice suddenly came from outside.
"Duke Dingguo, Chief Steward Wang from the palace is here to deliver the imperial edict! He's in the front yard right now! "
Another imperial edict!?
Duke Dingguo hurriedly ordered people to set up an incense table. The whole family went to the front yard to kneel and receive the imperial edict.
Chief Steward Wang's expression was solemn. He slowly unfolded the bright yellow imperial edict and said in a clear voice,
"By the will of the heavens, the emperor decrees: The empress dowager of Da Zhou is ill and has found a famous doctor to cure her illness. He has consulted the Hanlin Academy's assistant lecturer, Sun Yu, who is resourceful, intelligent, and brave. He is worthy of great use. He is specially conferred the title of 'Count An' and rewarded with a thousand taels of gold. He is to go to Da Zhou to treat the empress dowager's illness. By the emperor!"
The courtyard was silent …
Chief Steward Wang's sharp voice was like a knife scraping through everyone's heart.
Duke Dingguo's body, which was kneeling on the ground, trembled. He raised his head and said, "Chief Steward Wang, what is this?"
Chief Steward Wang sighed softly and said, "Duke Dingguo, please don't blame this servant. This servant is also acting under the imperial edict. This servant will tell you the truth. You know that an envoy from Da Zhou has come, right? Just now the envoy had an audience with His Majesty, saying that the Great Zhou's doctor gave their Empress Dowager a prescription. To cure the Empress Dowager's headache, she must eat the brains of the smartest people in the world. "
Speaking of this, Chief Steward Wang also had tears in his eyes, but he held them back and lowered his voice, "The envoy from Da Zhou said to the emperor by name, 'I heard that there is a person in your country who is very good at writing declarations. He is the smartest, so I want him.' The emperor agreed …"
At this point, First Aunt had already fainted. Her cousins were so scared that they cried and hurriedly pinched her between her thumb and index finger. Second Aunt supported Duchess Ding, who was trembling all over. Everyone's face was as pale as a ghost.
Qin Yining clenched his fists and supported the trembling Sun Clan. He stared at Chief Steward Wang, who was delivering the imperial edict, and wanted to say something.
At this time, Duke Dingguo only felt that his head was buzzing, and his old voice became hoarse. "This, how can this …"
"Duke Dingguo, the emperor has decreed that in order to appease Da Zhou and protect Dayan, this is also a helpless act." Chief Steward Wang sighed and held the imperial edict with both hands to Sun Yu, who had been silent all this time. "Lord Sun, please accept the imperial edict."
Sun Yu's expression didn't change at all. Instead, he turned around and went to First Aunt to support his mother, who had just woken up.
"Mother, don't cry."
First Aunt's eyes were red, and she grabbed Sun Yu's hand hard. "Son, my son, don't go, let's not go! We can't accept this imperial edict! Don't go! You're not allowed to go! "
Sun Yu's eyes were filled with tears. He hugged his mother in his arms to comfort her and patted her back. "Okay, okay, mother, I won't go."
However, the imperial edict had already arrived. What should they do if they didn't go?
Everyone panicked.
Qin Yining's mind turned quickly. He grabbed Sun Yu's sleeve and lowered his voice. "Cousin, accept the imperial edict first. Let's discuss the rest at length and then think of countermeasures!"
Qin Yining's face was full of tears. He also said in a low voice, "Yes, yes, yes. Da Zhou's mountains are high and the road is long. Who would recognize what you look like? When the time comes, we'll find someone to replace you!!"
The words of the two vaguely gave everyone hope.
Yes, in the face of danger, they were all panicking.
First Aunt nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, accept the imperial edict first. Let's think of a way!"
Duchess Ding and the Sun Clan also breathed a sigh of relief.
However, Sun Yu smiled and slowly stood up. "I, Sun Yuanming, am a man of indomitable spirit. I am righteous and upright. Grandfather, grandmother, mother, I don't want to drag out an ignoble existence."
He turned around and walked quickly to Chief Steward Wang. He sneered and flipped the imperial edict to the ground.
"Da Zhou's bandits invaded my country, killed my people, and deceived my country's emperor! They want my brain to cure their illness?! In their dreams! I'll smash it to pieces rather than give it to them! "
As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly slammed into the base of the platform on the side!
Immediately, with a bang, red and white splattered everywhere. Blood stained his green robe, and his thin body fell under the steps.
"Ah!!"
"Brother Ming!"
"My son!!"
No one expected Sun Yu to be so fierce.
Duchess Ding, First Aunt, and Second Aunt all screamed and fainted.
The girls were so scared that they hugged their heads and cried. Some fainted on the ground. The scene was a mess.
Fifth Cousin and Eighth Cousin threw themselves on Sun Yu's body. They beat their chests and stamped their feet, crying bitterly and shouting his name …
Duke Ding trembled all over. He looked at the body of his favorite grandson and the mess on the ground. Suddenly, he pulled the corners of his mouth and forced a smile.
"Good, good, Brother Ming, you are a man of my Sun family. You are a man with a backbone. Grandfather didn't love you for nothing! Grandfather didn't love you for nothing … "Speaking of this, Duke Ding was already in tears. He threw himself on the ground and cried loudly.
Chief Steward Wang wiped his tears with his sleeve and said anxiously, "Duke, what should we do? If His Majesty blames us, what should we do?"
At this time, Duchess Ding had been woken up by Bing Tang's silver needles. She sat up with the help of Qin Yining and the Sun Clan. Hearing this, she sneered.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
