In the 16th year of Hongzhi, on the Shangyuan Festival, Xie Qian's residence in the capital.

Xie Qian's wife asked the servants and maids in the mansion to prepare the Lantern Festival lanterns, and cleaned them up inside and outside the mansion. When she arrived at the front yard, she felt extremely lonely.

Xie Qian was too busy. Even during the New Year, his work did not stop. There were countless officials who came to the mansion to give gifts during the Spring Festival. At that time, almost all the officials of the court believed that Liu Jian and Li Dongyang were in a semi-retired state, and it was only a matter of time before Xie Qian became the chief minister. The focus of human relationships is to get up early but not late. When will he not be attached at this time?

But Xie Qian had not returned home and the gifts were piled in the downward room in the front yard. Mrs. Xu did not dare to make any decisions.

Xie Pi did not perform well in the first year's examination and failed. He was ordered by Xie Qian to study behind closed doors. He didn't even dare to disturb his wife Shi Xiaojing on weekdays.

After all, Xie Pi was adopted by Xie Qian to his younger brother Xie Xuan. Now when others mention Xie Pi, they either mention Xie Pi's father Xie Qian, or say Xie Pi's mother Mrs. Lu.

Mrs. Xu was very depressed. I gave birth to her son, so why has nothing to do with me?

"I don't know how Jun'er is doing, so why don't I write a few more letters to come back." Mrs. Xu sat down, thinking the most about her granddaughter Xie Hengnu, who had been with her day and night.

Thinking of Xie Hengnu marrying Shen Xi, a smile appeared on Mrs. Xu's face.

The grandson-in-law was chosen by the granddaughter himself. Whether it is a wife or a concubine, granddaughter likes it more than anything else. In the first year, a letter from the family came back. Xie Hengnu said that everything was fine in the south so that the family members would not have to worry about it. Mrs. Xu would take out the letter to read it. As she looked at it, she couldn't help but wipe her tears.

Mrs. Xu wandered around the world. When she was at home, she had Xie Hengnu with her. Now she is alone, alone.

Xie Qian's concubine Jin Anren gave birth to four sons. These four sons are not old and study at home every day. Jin Anren has a son to take care of and live a fulfilling life. Xie Pi occasionally comes back and spends the night with Jin Anren. It is a lie to say that he is not lonely.

Because the eldest son Xie Zheng and his daughter-in-law were infected with smallpox and died early, Xie Hengnu, the granddaughter, was left behind, and Xie Pi adopted him again. Now even his daughter-in-law Shi Xiaojing is holding her son and going in and out with Mrs. Lu, as if she is the only one in the whole family.

"Madam, Madam, the master is back."

The servant said a word to Mrs. Xu, and she looked happy on her face. She waited at home for a day and finally waited for her husband to come back.

As soon as Mrs. Xu left the main hall, she saw Xie Pi walking over with a black look on her face and drooping her head. She was about to come forward to salute, but when she saw Xie Qian waved her hand and said disgustedly: "Why are you here? Go in, there are guests in the door."

Mrs. Xu was originally full of joy, but now she felt like a basin of cold water was poured on her head. Although Xie Qian did not allow her to stay, she went over to help her husband take off the cloak. After Xie Qian sat down, she handed the hot tea sent by the maid to her husband.

Xie Qian felt guilty about his wife. He has been with her for so many years and always put on this old face at home. Others are not used to it, but his first wife is used to it.

Xie Qian frowned: "Didn't you hear what I said?"

Mrs. Xu said aggrievedly: "Master, you are rarely back, so I will see you more."

Xie Qian straightened his back: "I am free from illness and disaster. I am waiting for me to discuss all the big and small things in the court. Everything goes well, what can I see? You..."

Looking at his wife's frustrated and resentful expression, Xie Qian was reluctant to scold him again, "If you want to see it, just look at it. After that, the guest will arrive and leave."

Mrs. Xu said happily: "Yes, Master."

After Xie Qian finished drinking a cup of tea, Mrs. Xu hurriedly asked the maid to get involved, and then asked, "Master, is there any news about Jun'er?"

When Xie Qian mentioned "Jun'er", he suddenly became angry, with a little anger: "There is no news about Jun'er, but his husband's affairs are a lot. Do you want to know?"

"Is it the news from Lord Shen? Master, if it's convenient, come and listen?" What Mrs. Xu is looking forward to every day is either that her husband can come back to accompany her, or that Xie Hengnu has a family letter. Now that her husband is by her side, if she can know the little news from Chen Xi and Xie Hengnu, she will be so happy that she can't sleep for a few days.

Xie Qianqian said angrily: "That boy, I have caused me trouble all day long. He was disturbed by the three Southeast provinces. When he arrived at the place, he was simply arbitrary. The memorials that impeached him would fill the cabinet tables."

Mrs. Xu thought she could get some good news from her husband, but she didn't expect to hear this kind of situation that made people feel nervous, so she asked tentatively:

"Then Master, can you... let Lord Shen return to Beijing as soon as possible? Isn't it good to teach the prince? The Master also came here like this... If Jun'er has free time, she can still go home to take a look."

Mrs. Xu didn't know much about the court, but only knew how Hanlin officials were promoted, because her husband taught the prince in the capital all year round. Later, for some reason, she went from being a lecturer in the East Palace to a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet in one day. Since then, she has been plagued by official affairs, so it is difficult for her to see her husband again.

Xie Qian said angrily: "Even if that boy Chen Xi comes back, Jun'er is still a married daughter. How can she go back to her parents' home casually? But..."

Xie Qian changed his subject, "This kid did something pretty. A few years ago, he led troops to fight against the bandits in the southwestern coastal areas of Guangdong. He made outstanding achievements. The news just arrived in the capital, and the court is planning to commend him!"

Mrs. Xu said in surprise: "Master, that's a good thing!"

"Is it a good thing? The vassal yamen reported that he had offended the Folang Jiren, which was the foreign vassal... His Majesty once asked him to exchange crop seeds with the Folang Jiren, but now it has caused disputes between the two countries. If the war starts, he will definitely not be able to take it away! Liu Shangshu will come to discuss this matter with me later." Xie Qian's face was gloomy.

Mrs. Xu had heard before that Chen Xi had made contributions to quelling bandits and was rewarded by the court, and she was still happy for Chen Xi. Now that she heard that Chen Xi might be punished, she couldn't help but feel heartbroken.

Mrs. Xu asked, "Master, then... can you help Lord Shen? Lord Shen is a good child. He is honest and honest in his official position and cannot rub sand in his eyes. Besides... he is our grandson-in-law!"

"Women, it's good to know some things. Don't guess what you want to do. It's just after discussing with Shangshu Liu. Please make your decision. When will it be your turn to speak out?" Xie Qian scolded with a dark face.

Mrs. Xu nodded perceptively: "What the master taught me is a lesson."

After getting along for a long time, Mrs. Xu understood that her husband only loved face. As long as she obeyed her husband's wishes and made her feel respected, she would give back to her.

Sure enough, Xie Qian waved his hand: "You retreat first, wait for the evening... call Pi'er and his wife and Anren over, and the whole family gathered together for a meal."

Mrs. Xu quickly reminded: "There is also Li'er."

Xie Li is Xie Pi's eldest son. Now he is over one year old. He usually cares about Mrs. Xu. After all, he is his own grandson. However, his adopted son is almost the same as the water he poured out. His daughter-in-law Shi Xiaojing rarely takes her baby grandson to the main house to see her.

"I know, I'll send someone to pass on the message." Xie Pi said.

Mrs. Xu was so happy that she was. When her husband came back, she had to stay for a family dinner together. When she learned about her grandson-in-law, she seemed to have made contributions, but she was a little troublesome to offend Folang Jiren. However, she believed that with her husband and Liu Daxia and others, her grandson-in-law would be safe.

When he could see his son, daughter-in-law and grandson at night, Mrs. Xu's depression suddenly became cheerful.

Xie Qian sighed and said a few words to his wife, which caused his sorrow for no reason. Xie Qian was not a ruthless person. He had been with his first wife for many years, and the relationship between husband and wife was always there. When he saw his wife, he was so happy because he came back, he couldn't help but start to worry about how his wife would pass the lonely and boring days on weekdays.

While thinking, Liu Daxia's sedan chair stopped at the door of the mansion. After receiving the butler's notification, Xie Qian went out to greet him in person.

Xie Qian and Liu Daxia came to the main hall together. The two learned from different channels that Shen Xi led 4,000 troops and horses in Guangdong Province to fight against bandits, but local reports were mixed.

The Ministry of Public Affairs, the magistrate of Guangzhou, and the magistrate of Leizhou wrote a special letter to Shen Xi, while the Political Envoy and the Censorate Office stated Shen Xi’s “three major crimes”, believing that Shen Xi disrupted the administration of officials and illegally traded salt and traded with the Folang Ji people and affected people’s livelihood. The crime of the Folang Ji people caused the rupture of the relationship between the two countries could start war at any time, and all the things could be dismissed from office.

As soon as he came to the study room to sit down, Xie Qian said angrily: "This kid is not at all steadily. His Majesty asked him to pacify the enemy. He was eager to send troops without even standing firmly, which led to the evil diplomatic relations with foreign countries. Isn't this obvious that the demographic is solid?"

Liu Daxia knew why Xie Qian was angry. The old ministers transferred Lu Heng to Guangdong Province as the Left Governor of the Republican in order to help Shen Xi smoothly pacify the bandits. As a result, before Lu Heng took office, Shen Xi could not wait to send troops, which made Xie Qian feel that Shen Xi was eager to make contributions.

Liu Daxia comforted: "Don't get angry. In my opinion, the reports from the local vassal departments and the vassal departments may not be true, and there must be other hidden information. Besides, what if the crime is committed by the Folang Jiren? Shen Xi defends his territory sovereignty, and has made contributions and no demerits, and things may turn around."

Xie Qian said angrily: "What's the turning point? What do you mean? Could you let him talk to the Folang Jiren? If he does something about selling his country and seeking honor, I will be the first to write a letter to him!"

Liu Daxia said: "Although the boats of Folang Jimen were strong and the cannons were sharp, they could not go ashore. Moreover, Shen Xi was in charge of the place. Folang Jimen was very afraid of it and did not dare to do anything wrong. However, Shen Xi took advantage of the opportunity of negotiating with Folang Jimen to promote the prestige of our Ming Dynasty!"

Xie Qian thought about it and the reason was reasonable, but he was still worried that Shen Xi would do whatever he wanted.

Liu Daxia asked: "How do you plan to file a petition for the Southeast to quell the bandits?"

"The local report is reported, everything is reported truthfully and will be handed over to Your Majesty's Holy Tribunal!" Xie Qian said, as if he was not concerned about it, and let Shen Xi "fatalize himself". (To be continued.)
Chapter completed!