Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 802 - 661 We Have Everything You Want

Chapter 802: Chapter 661 We Have Everything You Want

At the same time, Mrs. Liu was staring blankly at the vermillion gates before her, along with the plaque that read ’Fen Yang Prince Mansion.’

In accordance with Jin Dynasty’s protocols, the gates of a County Prince’s Mansion should span the width of three rooms, with an additional door on each side, and outside the mansion gate, there should be stone lions, lamp posts, a horse post, a mounting stone, with a screen wall facing the gate, among other things.

The gate that Mrs. Liu was looking at had clearly just been refurbished in the last couple of days; the smell of paint was heavy, and the floor and wall tiles were freshly laid.

"This was just finished yesterday," Li Sihai explained energetically at her side, "The Prince originally had no such intention; he didn’t even want the title of County Prince. However, in the past two days, the inner court sent someone here, saying they would renovate the prince’s mansion, and all expenses would be borne by the inner court. The Prince didn’t agree, and only let them replace the gate and repair the outer wall."

Behind Mrs. Liu, Su Zhaojun, who was heavily pregnant, couldn’t help showing admiration in her eyes and nodded slightly.

She thought of her brother-in-law, who, since reforming from his wayward ways two years ago, had not only demonstrated world-shaking talent and soared to great heights, but his temperament had also changed from the past.

Neither arrogant in success nor discouraged in defeat, neither overjoyed with gain nor worried with loss, he had not been bewildered by his sudden high position — these were the marks of a true statesman and a great general.

"Why has my son become a County Prince now?"

Mrs. Liu murmured before turning to look at the line of carriages to the side and the large crowd waiting outside the side entrance.

She couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows, "Are all these people here to see Xuan at the prince’s mansion?"

The Earl’s mansion they usually were in was also bustling, but compared to this place, it seemed minor in contrast.

"Indeed!"

Li Sihai’s face shone with pride, "Now, the Prince is not only the current Cifu, but he also controls the Dudu’s mansion, and he is the Chief Fuzheng Minister designated by the late Emperor. Even the current Grand Secretary has to yield three points to us. Those wishing to see the Prince now are indeed countless. You don’t know, even this alley has been renamed ’Fen Yang’ alley."

There’s a saying that seven-rank officials tread carefully at the chancellor’s door, and as the housekeeper of the prince’s mansion, Li Sihai’s status was extraordinary. He was now experiencing the taste of being flattered and enjoying the commanding presence where everyone revolved around him like he was the moon among the stars.

If it weren’t for his son, Li Dalu, reminding him time and again, and if Li Sihai himself were not innately honest and responsible, he could have been making a fortune just from accepting red envelopes, with a daily income of at least three thousand taels of patterned silver.

According to Jin Dynasty’s protocols, the housekeeper of the prince’s mansion could also become an official registered with The Court, ranked as an 8th-rank official—though he wasn’t sure if it were true.

However, Mrs. Liu’s focus was different; she looked towards the direction of the alley entrance, "I see several matchmakers over there; why haven’t you let them in? This isn’t very nice; people might say we’re bullying others by flaunting our power."

She noticed that at the entrance of the alley, there were about a dozen middle-aged women dressed like matchmakers being pushed away and driven back by a group of the prince’s mansion guards wielding fire and water sticks.

Li Sihai glanced over and his expression turned a bit odd, followed by an awkward laugh, "It was Luo Xiaowei from inside the mansion who decided this; she said these people are very unsightly, stating that they should not be allowed to come near this alley by half a step.

But these matchmakers are indeed very annoying; ever since the Prince was granted his title, the very next day, this place was swarmed with hundreds of matchmakers, making such a fuss it was unbearable."

"Luo Xiaowei, you mean Xia Nanyan, right?"

Mrs. Liu reacted very magnanimously, her expression complex, "I’ve heard your master talk about her, she is the adopted daughter of Marquis Zhen Dong, Duan Dong, and the daughter of Imperial Censor Xia, the Xunjian Yushi. Imperial Censor Xia is a great and loyal official who pleaded on behalf of the people at the risk of his own life, and his daughter is naturally distinguished and noble.

It is said that during the recent palace coup, this girl nearly lost her life for Li Xuan, with her black hair turning white overnight. She is a good child."

As she spoke, she continued walking deeper inside.

At that moment, a girl hurriedly ran over from behind.

It was Leng Yurou. She hurried to Mrs. Liu’s side and bowed deeply, saying, "Yurou pays her respects to Madam!"

Her expression contained a trace of surprise, "Madam, when did you arrive in the Capital? Why didn’t you send a message ahead of time?"

Su Zhaojun explained with a solemn face, "This was a sudden decision. Two days ago, General Tingtian from Master Chenghuang’s side came to our mansion, saying we should take precautions and hurry to the Capital.

Some people cannot do anything against your younger uncle, so they might turn their sights on Earl Chengyi’s mansion."

The Chenghuang she mentioned refers to the one in Nanjing.

At this time, Tingtian Ao poked its head out from behind the two. It leapt gracefully over the threshold, with an utterly listless and dejected demeanor.

Mrs. Liu then held Leng Yurou’s hand, saying, "What Madam? Call me mother, haven’t I always treated you like my own daughter? And now that you’re the leader of Shenqi Union, why are you still prostrating yourself before others so easily?"

Then she changed her tone and continued, "Rou’er, didn’t I ask you to come to the Capital to keep an eye out and find a suitable match for Li Xuan? Yunrou, have you found anyone this past year?"

Leng Yurou’s face instantly stiffened. Since arriving in the Capital, she had been keeping most of her watch on the workshop; where did she have the time to keep an eye on Li Xuan?

Leng Yurou was quick to react, promptly dismissing the odd look on her face, "Mother, there are plenty who would be fitting matches for Li Xuan. I’ve seen so many I’m going cross-eyed. They are all paragons of virtue and beauty, ladies of outstanding talent and looks. If you are not satisfied with them, then there are Dragon Snake, Kylin, mother, you can find any kind you want."

Mrs. Liu was taken aback, wondering what on earth the girl was talking about.

Just then, a thunderous rumble of galloping horses sounded from outside the prince’s mansion.

As Mrs. Liu turned to look, she saw Li Xuan striding in with a dragon’s step and tiger’s gait, entering the mansion.

"Mother, why didn’t you inform me when you and sister-in-law came to the Capital?"

Li Xuan’s tone suddenly paused as he noticed Tingtian Ao ’crawling’ on the ground from the corner of his eye.

"Tingtian?" he couldn’t help but ask with a solemn expression, "Does this mean that mother’s arrival in the Capital was ordered by the Chenghuang?"

The reason he felt at ease leaving Mrs. Liu and the others in Nanjing was because of Qiu Qianqiu and the Chenghuang.

Tingtian Ao was a Divine Beast under the Chenghuang; theoretically, it shouldn’t be able to leave south Zhili.

If it was here, there must be serious trouble.

Tingtian Ao leaped to Li Xuan’s shoulder and spoke in a lethargic voice, "Actually, there’s no serious problem, just taking precautions. The master sensed someone was targeting Nanjing and your family, and they are not without strength.

However, Qiu Qianqiu has recently made a great breakthrough. According to what my master says, Qiu now possesses the might of the era when Zhu Mingyue first took charge of the Liudao Division, and Yu Jie turned the tide at the Tumu Fort.

His alliance with my master is enough to face any formidable enemy. But should a battle ensue, their power might not be sufficient to fully protect Earl Chengyi’s mansion, so the master sent me to escort your mother and sister-in-law to the Capital for temporary refuge."

Having said this, Tingtian Ao shook its tail and gazed at Li Xuan with eager eyes, "Li Xuan, are you by any chance in need of a dog by your side?"