Chapter 446 - 268
Because of Mr. Hu’s scheming, Zhao Minghua had the idea of bringing Chun Nuan to the Capital.
However, since the Xiao family was ordered by the Emperor to return to their native place, whether or not they could return to the Capital remained a question.
For this reason, Zhao Minghua specially looked through the related laws.
He brought back the law codes since the beginning of the dynasty and locked himself in the study room to study them.
"Young Master, are you going to take the imperial examination too?"
Qingsheng served tea and water, utterly shocked; his young master sat at the desk for two hours without moving.
Honestly, over the years, he had always served the young master and had never seen the young master so studious.
"..."
Zhao Minghua glanced at Qingsheng, rolled his eyes at him, and let him figure it out himself.
Then he continued to bury his head in the law codes.
Qingsheng... Fine, fine, I won’t disturb the young master from becoming a top scholar.
Because of this, he also specially went to the kitchen to instruct the cook to make some nourishing soups to boost the young master’s brain.
Zhao Minghua locked himself in the study for three days, went through all the law codes since the beginning of the dynasty, and saw no clear regulations related.
However, there were many clauses clearly stating: Exiled families, except for mass punishment, do not punish married daughters.
This means that once a woman is married, her honor and disgrace are bound to her husband’s family.
So, Nuannuan could enter the Capital.
Of course, Zhao Minghua is not an impulsive person; for this matter, he specially went to visit Xia Guangcheng.
"I suggest you remain calm and do not make any moves for the time being," Xia Guangcheng said. "Because your father-in-law and others are still in the Northern Desert."
If it were merely about bringing Chun Nuan into the Capital, it wouldn’t be a problem; no one would care about which inner household woman it is.
However, once Chun Nuan arrives in the Capital, there would be social interactions, and gradually people in the Capital would remember Doctor Xiao, and those with intentions would remember the Xiao family’s people who were exiled to the Northern Desert...
In every matter, intentions can’t withstand being manipulated; wanting to support you naturally leads to achievement; wanting to pull you down can also be premeditated.
With Xia Guangcheng’s words, Zhao Minghua understood the complications involved.
Seeing that Xia Guangcheng hesitated to speak further, Zhao Minghua couldn’t guess what he intended to say.
After seeing Zhao Minghua off, Xia Guangcheng sighed deeply.
Some matters, indeed, he couldn’t say.
But as a loyal minister informed of the Emperor’s condition, Xia Guangcheng knew that the current situation of the Emperor was not optimistic.
Since the beginning of spring, he often experienced shortness of breath and occasionally suffocating symptoms, and several Imperial Physicians from the Imperial Hospital were helpless.
The Emperor himself sensed that the situation was not good, and many affairs began to be handed over to the Crown Prince.
Just yesterday, he summoned me to inquire about the situation at the frontier.
The Crown Prince is young, he is worried that if something happens to him, the Crown Prince might not be able to stabilize the situation, leading to internal and external troubles losing the empire established by ancestors.
Xia Guangcheng and the Emperor talked in the Imperial Study Room for an hour, during which the Emperor called the Imperial Physician twice and took medicine three times.
It’s said that each type of medicine was different.
When the Imperial Physician was summoned, the Emperor did not ask Xia Guangcheng to avoid, emphasizing trust.
Indeed, Xia Guangcheng is a pure minister, without ambition, young and capable.
Subsequently, he clearly told Xia Guangcheng to assist the Crown Prince and have him guard the frontier.
This matter made Xia Guangcheng feel uncomfortable.
Previously, being sent on a campaign meant just going, as he was a lone person, with no ties except for his elderly mother.
Now, being sent on a campaign means separation from his wife and children, something he is unwilling to endure.
Nevertheless, a man’s aspirations should be broad; as a General, enjoying the Emperor’s salary means sharing the Emperor’s concerns, and since the Emperor already has the intention of sending him to the frontier, he has to fulfill this duty.
It’s estimated that during tomorrow’s early court meeting, this matter will be brought up in court, and by then, Xia Guangcheng has to take the initiative.
Returning to the inner courtyard, he looked at Chunyu, filled with reluctance to part.
"What’s wrong, husband?"
Old married couples can sense even slight changes, and Chunyu could tell.
"..."
Xia Guangcheng held her in his arms, stroked her hair with his large hand, and remained silent for a long time.
He was reluctant but it wasn’t convenient to tell her now, which would only make her worried and anxious.
"Husband..."
What’s unspeakable?
It made Xiao Chunyu feel even more uneasy inside.
"Just met Zhao Minghua."
"What happened?"
Zhao Minghua is Nuannuan’s husband, why would meeting him make her husband feel down: "Did something happen in Shu City?"
At the thought of this possibility, Xiao Chunyu panicked.
"No, don’t worry," Xia Guangcheng quickly replied: "Zhao Minghua wanted to bring the second sister to the Capital, I dissuaded him."
"This isn’t the right time to enter the Capital," Chunyu also quickly said: "It was right for you to persuade him against it."
Why would Zhao Minghua suddenly want to bring the second sister to the Capital?
"Yeah, isn’t Zhao Minglang taking the exams next year? If he passes, then the Zhao family moving to the Capital could be an opportunity, without appearing too conspicuous."
With Xia Guangcheng’s suggestion, Xiao Chunyu felt her husband was very smart.
Who says a military general has only strength and no brains?
Her husband is a talented man with both courage and wisdom.
"I hope Second Young Master Zhao can pass, then we can see the second sister."
"He can," Xia Guangcheng said, then swallowed his words again.
Even if Zhao Minglang doesn’t pass, that person probably won’t be on the throne for long, and once the Crown Prince ascends, the Xiao family will have their day.
After all, both the Empress and the Crown Prince are deeply aware of who has been protecting the Crown Prince’s life.
The same remedies prepared by the Imperial Hospital had a drastically different effect.
Every time Panpan enters the palace, she would slip food to the Crown Prince, and as long as Panpan gives something, he will eat it; if Panpan takes a break and doesn’t go to the palace for a while, the Crown Prince will undoubtedly have issues.
So, once the Crown Prince ascends, the Xiao family will be summoned back to the Capital at the first opportunity.
At that time, Chun Nuan’s return wouldn’t stand out.
That night, Xia Guangcheng was deeply troubled, and Xiao Chunyu didn’t know how to comfort him.
Experience told her not to exhaust the man when he’s dealing with issues.
The next morning, Xia Guangcheng went to the early court, and Chunyu fell into a deep sleep.
When she awoke, she saw Xia Guangcheng.
"Husband, not busy today?"
"Not busy." Holding Xiao Chunyu’s hand, he was full of reluctance: "Yu’er, I must go to the frontier."
"To war?"
Xiao Chunyu was startled, full of worry.
"No, to guard," Xia Guangcheng said: "There are disturbances at the frontier, the Emperor is worried, so he has dispatched me to guard."
The Emperor is concerned that once any unexpected changes occur, internal and external forces might attack.
Internally, he can arrange everything; externally, he can’t reach.
Therefore, sending the loyal and devoted Xia Guangcheng to the frontier.
"When can you come back?"
Though he had yet to set off, Xiao Chunyu’s heart was already leaving with him.
"Not sure."
Xiao Chunyu’s heart grew heavier.
"Can I take the children and follow you?"
Xia Guangcheng shook his head.
"This time, it’s not possible."
No one knows how the situation will develop.
If they take the children, naturally they would also have to take Panpan, which the palace wouldn’t agree to.
For the Crown Prince, Panpan was essentially a lifesaver; it was impossible to take them to the frontier.
Leaving Panpan alone in the Capital was also not an option, and Xiao Chunyu would not be at ease.
"Husband..."