Chapter 15
“Wenshan, you’ve spent nearly ten years at the borderlands. It’s been hard on you.”
After seeing off Wangxuan, the matriarch hosted a welcome banquet, though only the heads of the two households and their primary and secondary wives were allowed at the table.
“To defend the nation’s borders, hardship is nothing worth mentioning,” Zhao Wenshan said with a cupped fist salute.
“Haha! I heard that under General Chen’s command, you led a thousand riders to shatter the Northern Wasteland’s army of ten thousand. Who in the court hasn’t praised your accomplishments?” Xu Zheng said with a smile.
Zhao Wenshan shook his head. “All credit belongs to General Chen. I was merely following orders.”
“You’re too modest, Wenshan,” Qin Ruhai said as he raised a toast to Zhao Wenshan. “And now that you’ve returned to the capital, it just so happens that the position of Deputy Minister of War is vacant—”
“Brother-in-law,” Zhao Wenshan interrupted, “the emperor makes appointments. How can we presume to speculate? I will await the emperor’s orders.”
“Haha, of course, of course! Let’s drink, then,” Qin Ruhai said quickly, realizing he had overstepped. He raised his cup again to smooth over the awkwardness.
“Today is truly a joyous occasion,” the matriarch said cheerfully. “Wenshan has returned, Qingwan has an Innate Sacred Body, and our Xuenuo possesses the Innate Sword Bone. Truly, heaven smiles upon our Xu and Qin households.”