After sending off Qin Chuqin, Gong Xiaohua found her young uncle in the pavilion in the back garden. At the moment, only he was sitting there drinking wine alone.
Gong Xiaohua walked over and sat across from him. She also poured herself a cup and started drinking.
"Is everything still stable in the army?" Gong Xiaohua asked.
"It's fine. With you not around, that young fellow He Lianyu has learned about 70-80 percent of your style of conduct," Li Zichen said with amusement.
"That's good then. I'll resume my official duties tomorrow."
"Don't you want to rest more?"
"No, there's no telling when the two countries Ye and Wei will start another war again. Also, before I left for the mission to Liang Country, I had already proposed the plan to Marshal to specially train the Xiyuan Army and the defending troops. In addition, His Majesty will probably not send me on any more missions now. I plan to start taking action after the new year. I also plan to train and unify the Xiyuan Army and the defending troops together. Uncle, what do you think?"
"Sounds good. It can save time and you won't have to run around everywhere. Having the two armies train together will also allow them to compete with each other and be more motivated. But the defending troops are usually responsible for guarding the city walls. There may be some dissenting opinions in the imperial court."
"I have discussed this with the Marshal and there are plans to deal with it. It shouldn't be a problem."
"Then that's good."
After talking about military affairs, the atmosphere became silent. Gong Xiaohua looked at Li Zichen wanting to say something but hesitating.
"If you have something to say, just say it."
"Uncle, are you worried about the marriage arrangement?"
Li Zichen frowned. Gong Xiaohua thought he was angry that someone had said something to her. She quickly explained, "According to the laws of Ye, women at 18 and men at 20 who are not married will have their marriage arranged by the imperial court. Uncle will turn 20 this year. I guessed you were worried about this."
"The laws of Ye also stipulate that those who participate in the military in other places can appropriately delay the marriage arrangement time."
"So Uncle, you can't be thinking of leaving the capital to participate in the military elsewhere?"
"Xiaohua, since you mentioned it, I won't hide it from you. I do have this intention."
"That won't do. With you alone outside and unable to fight, Maternal Grandfather and Mom will worry. I won't feel assured either."
"As a grown man, I can't be restricted by your worries. I should venture out on my own."
"Then am I to be left alone in the army? Besides, having Uncle around, I can feel more at ease in the army." She paused for a moment, glanced at Li Zichen's expression, and saw that he was struggling.
So Gong Xiaohua continued persuading, "Uncle, those are just excuses. I know you must be worried about me alone in the army too. And I accidentally saw the private look between you and Sister Qin just now. If you both have feelings for each other, why don't you go propose to the Qin family?"
Li Zichen's hand holding the wine cup paused, his face looked abnormal, but soon calmed down again. He changed the subject, "Nothing happened. But you don't usually seem so gossipy."
Gong Xiaohua ignored Li Zichen's attempt to divert the topic and persuaded, "Uncle, life is unpredictable. Why not grasp the present?"
Knowing that he couldn't fool Xiaohua, Li Zichen simply stopped arguing. He just murmured at the corner of his mouth, "Life is unpredictable."
Afterwards, looking at Gong Xiaohua, he said, "What about you then? Xiaohua, don't pretend to be strong in front of me. I know you're actually unhappy."
Gong Xiaohua fell silent, repeatedly stroking the rim of the wine glass with her thumb. Her eyes were lowered, and she said heavily, "I thought I wouldn't feel sad, but after leaving, I didn't dare stop. As long as I stop, I'll think of all his good qualities, him, he's really good."
So good that no matter what she did, he would unconditionally support her, indulging her; So good that as long as she turned around, she could see him silently guarding behind her.
In her past and present lives, she finally understood what it felt like to miss someone. She didn't know if she was right or wrong, but just thinking about serving a husband together with someone else, she could never do it no matter what.
Looking at the distressed Xiaohua, Li Zichen saw her reveal such a fragile side for the first time. He reached out and held Xiaohua's hand, comforting her, "Xiaohua, it will be alright. Everything will be alright."
Gong Xiaohua regained her composure and looked at Li Zichen sincerely, admonishing him, "Uncle, if possible, pursue your own happiness. Even if you fail, at least try it once."
"Alright." Perhaps it was Xiaohua's distress affecting him, or perhaps that line to at least try it once encouraged him and made him determined to fight for himself once.
The next day, Gong Xiaohua resumed her official duties. The first thing she did was to request an imperial edict from King Ye to conduct unified closed-door training of the Xiyuan Army and the defending troops for four months after the new year.
As soon as this request came out, there was opposition as expected.
"General Gong, these defending troops are responsible for the people's safety in the capital every day. How can they easily leave?"
"I will send a team to take turns guarding the capital city. I will also ask the Marshal to dispatch two more teams from other troops to assist in patrolling the capital."
"That won't do. Each troop has its own duties and secrets that cannot be exposed to people from other troops."
"They are only assisting with the patrols. My defending troops have civil officials to handle official business."
"More people means more leaks. What if someone divulges secrets?"
Military training is a common matter. Moreover, the confidential information in the army is supervised by dedicated personnel. How could it be leaked so easily, unless someone has malicious intentions?
Could you suspect the Marshal of malicious intentions? Everyone knows that the Marshal has His Majesty's utmost trust and is His Majesty's most trusted person. Even if His Majesty doesn't trust General Gong, he would trust the Marshal.
It was obvious that some people were deliberately making things difficult for Gong Xiaohua. The news that the Qin family was still backing Gong Xiaohua had already spread throughout the capital. They wanted to test whether the Qin family would still support her. What a bunch of worthless people.
"The training is under the jurisdiction of the Marshal for both the Xiyuan Army and the defending troops. The Marshal agreed to this proposal early on. Surely there are corresponding contingency plans. The various gentlemen are overreaching." Qin Chuyuan slowly said as he stepped forward.
"Master Qin is right. General Gong submitted this proposal to me before she was sent on a mission to Liang Country." The Marshal followed up on Qin Chuyuan’s words.
Then he turned to King Ye and saluted, "Your Majesty, with General Gong’s abilities, I have high hopes for her. Please grant this request, Your Majesty."
Seeing that the Qin family was still backing Gong Xiaohua and the Marshal appreciated her as well, no one dared to oppose anymore.
"Granted." King Ye replied.
After court, Gong Xiaohua deliberately waited outside the hall for a while, wanting to thank Qin Chuyuan, but he was surrounded by many people. She couldn't directly approach.
Just as she was about to walk around them and leave quickly, Qin Chuyuan came up to her.
"Waiting for me?"
"I just wanted to say thanks to you for what happened in the hall earlier."
"Mm."
After speaking, the atmosphere became silent. Qin Chuyuan turned to walk forward. Seeing Gong Xiaohua not following, he stopped and tilted his head asking, "Not coming?"
Only then did Gong Xiaohua catch up. The two walked in silence, one in front and one behind, neither speaking.
Not until they were out of the palace gates did Gong Xiaohua bid her leave, "Well, I'll be going first then."
After leaving the palace, Gong Xiaohua ordered people from both the Xiyuan Army and the defending troops to issue notices about the closed-door training after the new year.
After sending off Qin Chuqin, Gong Xiaohua found her young uncle in the pavilion in the back garden. At the moment, only he was sitting there drinking wine alone.
Gong Xiaohua walked over and sat across from him. She also poured herself a cup and started drinking.
"Is everything still stable in the army?" Gong Xiaohua asked.
"It's fine. With you not around, that young fellow He Lianyu has learned about 70-80 percent of your style of conduct," Li Zichen said with amusement.
"That's good then. I'll resume my official duties tomorrow."
"Don't you want to rest more?"
"No, there's no telling when the two countries Ye and Wei will start another war again. Also, before I left for the mission to Liang Country, I had already proposed the plan to Marshal to specially train the Xiyuan Army and the defending troops. In addition, His Majesty will probably not send me on any more missions now. I plan to start taking action after the new year. I also plan to train and unify the Xiyuan Army and the defending troops together. Uncle, what do you think?"
"Sounds good. It can save time and you won't have to run around everywhere. Having the two armies train together will also allow them to compete with each other and be more motivated. But the defending troops are usually responsible for guarding the city walls. There may be some dissenting opinions in the imperial court."
"I have discussed this with the Marshal and there are plans to deal with it. It shouldn't be a problem."
"Then that's good."
After talking about military affairs, the atmosphere became silent. Gong Xiaohua looked at Li Zichen wanting to say something but hesitating.
"If you have something to say, just say it."
"Uncle, are you worried about the marriage arrangement?"
Li Zichen frowned. Gong Xiaohua thought he was angry that someone had said something to her. She quickly explained, "According to the laws of Ye, women at 18 and men at 20 who are not married will have their marriage arranged by the imperial court. Uncle will turn 20 this year. I guessed you were worried about this."
"The laws of Ye also stipulate that those who participate in the military in other places can appropriately delay the marriage arrangement time."
"So Uncle, you can't be thinking of leaving the capital to participate in the military elsewhere?"
"Xiaohua, since you mentioned it, I won't hide it from you. I do have this intention."
"That won't do. With you alone outside and unable to fight, Maternal Grandfather and Mom will worry. I won't feel assured either."
"As a grown man, I can't be restricted by your worries. I should venture out on my own."
"Then am I to be left alone in the army? Besides, having Uncle around, I can feel more at ease in the army." She paused for a moment, glanced at Li Zichen's expression, and saw that he was struggling.
So Gong Xiaohua continued persuading, "Uncle, those are just excuses. I know you must be worried about me alone in the army too. And I accidentally saw the private look between you and Sister Qin just now. If you both have feelings for each other, why don't you go propose to the Qin family?"
Li Zichen's hand holding the wine cup paused, his face looked abnormal, but soon calmed down again. He changed the subject, "Nothing happened. But you don't usually seem so gossipy."
Gong Xiaohua ignored Li Zichen's attempt to divert the topic and persuaded, "Uncle, life is unpredictable. Why not grasp the present?"
Knowing that he couldn't fool Xiaohua, Li Zichen simply stopped arguing. He just murmured at the corner of his mouth, "Life is unpredictable."
Afterwards, looking at Gong Xiaohua, he said, "What about you then? Xiaohua, don't pretend to be strong in front of me. I know you're actually unhappy."
Gong Xiaohua fell silent, repeatedly stroking the rim of the wine glass with her thumb. Her eyes were lowered, and she said heavily, "I thought I wouldn't feel sad, but after leaving, I didn't dare stop. As long as I stop, I'll think of all his good qualities, him, he's really good."
So good that no matter what she did, he would unconditionally support her, indulging her; So good that as long as she turned around, she could see him silently guarding behind her.
In her past and present lives, she finally understood what it felt like to miss someone. She didn't know if she was right or wrong, but just thinking about serving a husband together with someone else, she could never do it no matter what.
Looking at the distressed Xiaohua, Li Zichen saw her reveal such a fragile side for the first time. He reached out and held Xiaohua's hand, comforting her, "Xiaohua, it will be alright. Everything will be alright."
Gong Xiaohua regained her composure and looked at Li Zichen sincerely, admonishing him, "Uncle, if possible, pursue your own happiness. Even if you fail, at least try it once."
"Alright." Perhaps it was Xiaohua's distress affecting him, or perhaps that line to at least try it once encouraged him and made him determined to fight for himself once.
The next day, Gong Xiaohua resumed her official duties. The first thing she did was to request an imperial edict from King Ye to conduct unified closed-door training of the Xiyuan Army and the defending troops for four months after the new year.
As soon as this request came out, there was opposition as expected.
"General Gong, these defending troops are responsible for the people's safety in the capital every day. How can they easily leave?"
"I will send a team to take turns guarding the capital city. I will also ask the Marshal to dispatch two more teams from other troops to assist in patrolling the capital."
"That won't do. Each troop has its own duties and secrets that cannot be exposed to people from other troops."
"They are only assisting with the patrols. My defending troops have civil officials to handle official business."
"More people means more leaks. What if someone divulges secrets?"
Military training is a common matter. Moreover, the confidential information in the army is supervised by dedicated personnel. How could it be leaked so easily, unless someone has malicious intentions?
Could you suspect the Marshal of malicious intentions? Everyone knows that the Marshal has His Majesty's utmost trust and is His Majesty's most trusted person. Even if His Majesty doesn't trust General Gong, he would trust the Marshal.
It was obvious that some people were deliberately making things difficult for Gong Xiaohua. The news that the Qin family was still backing Gong Xiaohua had already spread throughout the capital. They wanted to test whether the Qin family would still support her. What a bunch of worthless people.
"The training is under the jurisdiction of the Marshal for both the Xiyuan Army and the defending troops. The Marshal agreed to this proposal early on. Surely there are corresponding contingency plans. The various gentlemen are overreaching." Qin Chuyuan slowly said as he stepped forward.
"Master Qin is right. General Gong submitted this proposal to me before she was sent on a mission to Liang Country." The Marshal followed up on Qin Chuyuan’s words.
Then he turned to King Ye and saluted, "Your Majesty, with General Gong’s abilities, I have high hopes for her. Please grant this request, Your Majesty."
Seeing that the Qin family was still backing Gong Xiaohua and the Marshal appreciated her as well, no one dared to oppose anymore.
"Granted." King Ye replied.
After court, Gong Xiaohua deliberately waited outside the hall for a while, wanting to thank Qin Chuyuan, but he was surrounded by many people. She couldn't directly approach.
Just as she was about to walk around them and leave quickly, Qin Chuyuan came up to her.
"Waiting for me?"
"I just wanted to say thanks to you for what happened in the hall earlier."
"Mm."
After speaking, the atmosphere became silent. Qin Chuyuan turned to walk forward. Seeing Gong Xiaohua not following, he stopped and tilted his head asking, "Not coming?"
Only then did Gong Xiaohua catch up. The two walked in silence, one in front and one behind, neither speaking.
Not until they were out of the palace gates did Gong Xiaohua bid her leave, "Well, I'll be going first then."
After leaving the palace, Gong Xiaohua ordered people from both the Xiyuan Army and the defending troops to issue notices about the closed-door training after the new year.
