Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 253 - 170: Do Not Discuss National Affairs_1

Chapter 253: Chapter 170: Do Not Discuss National Affairs_1

In the dimly lit cabin, under the faint glow of an oil lamp, my little mother was embroidering flowers onto a small piece of plain silk, "exploring" new stitching techniques. Qian Yixiu sat quietly beside her mother, watching intently.

Despite the tightly closed windows of the small cabin, the laughter and ruckus of the young masters teasing Monkey Brother in the main hall could still be heard, rising and falling in waves. Huo Liren, in particular, was constantly provoking Monkey Brother, louder than anyone else. That bear of a child was just a hothead looking for trouble.

Monkey Brother was afraid only of her and the Little Monk; he didn’t even take Qian Yeejin seriously. Worried that these rambunctious boys would antagonize Monkey Brother past the point of no return, and things would end badly, Qian Yixiu stood up and went to the main hall.

As soon as she entered the main hall, she saw the piece of soy-sauce pork Monkey Brother was holding fly out, taking everyone by surprise, including Wan Dazhong.

Seeing the pork slap against Huo Liren’s forehead before falling into his wine bowl, leaving a black greasy smudge on his brow, the crowd was initially stunned, then burst into roaring laughter.

When Monkey Brother grabbed a handful of peanuts and was about to throw them again, Qian Yeejin quickly stopped him.

Huo Liren, now angry, got up with the intention of hitting Monkey Brother, shouting, "You naughty monkey, dare to hit me? I’ll chop you up right now."

Li Zhiyong held him back and said, "Look at the state of you, botherin’ with a monkey."

Monkey Brother got even angrier upon hearing this, his face turning purple, screaming weirdly, and stood on a stool ready to throw a bowl at him, but was firmly held and calmed down by Qian Yeejin and Qian Yixiu.

Liang Jinzhao said to the yelling Huo Liren, "A monkey doesn’t know any better, but don’t you? And let me tell you, this monkey was saved and taken care of by my master for over two months, and it was my junior brother who entrusted the Qian family to look after him."

Upon hearing this, Huo Liren had no choice but to sit down again, huffing with displeasure. Song Huaijin filled his bowl with wine, trying to smooth things over, "Big Brother Huo is a Seventh-rank Official now, you can’t lower yourself to the level of a monkey."

Qian Yixiu also persuaded Monkey Brother to sit on the Luohan bed, then she picked up a bowl from the table and filled it with some meat and vegetables that he liked and set it on a small table for him, coaxing him to eat.

Li Zhiyong glanced at the monkey, then cast a look in the direction of the eastern chamber, and asked Liang Jinzhao in a lowered voice, "Brother Liang, is Little Master Hongji’s background really as the rumors say?"

Huo Liren was no longer angry, his eyes blazing with the flames of gossip as he looked towards Liang Jinzhao.

Liang Jinzhao smiled and said, "You said it yourself, it’s just a rumor, how could it be true? My junior brother was found by my master during his travels, lying on the grass in the mountains just a few days after his birth, with a colorful fierce tiger guarding him. The moment my master picked him up, the child stretched out his hand and grabbed the Buddha Beads around my master’s neck and wouldn’t let go. My master liked him very much and felt he had a connection with Buddhism, so he took him as his closed-door disciple."

"Is that really the case?" Huo Liren was still somewhat incredulous.

Liang Jinzhao nodded, "That is the truth, whether you believe it or not, there’s nothing I can do."

Huo Liren then asked in a hushed tone, "Brother Liang, Brother Song, I heard that there is someone in the court starting to advocate for the vindication of Prince Ning—is that true?"

Li Zhiyong also said, "Now that we are far from Capital City, some news simply doesn’t reach us. Just share some with us, brothers."

Liang Jinzhao replied, "I’m not too clear on the details either. Previously in Capital City, I seemed to hear that someone had petitioned the Emperor, trying to speak on behalf of Prince Ning. But many Ministers opposed it, claiming that the evidence of Prince Ning’s ’fratricide’ was conclusive..."

"Conclusive my ass; it’s just that Prince Ning’s Yue family isn’t prominent and he doesn’t have strong backing, so he was made a scapegoat," Huo Liren cursed. "If you ask me, the Emperor must also know that those several families could have harmed the Former Crown Prince. Unable to find the real culprit, and annoyed at Prince Ning for not protecting the Former Crown Prince effectively, he thus severely punished Prince Ning. Now that his anger has subsided, he’s probably thinking of summoning Prince Ning back to Capital City."

Liang Zhaojin hurriedly said, "Brother Huo, you mustn’t speak carelessly. If someone with ill-intent hears this, it’s grounds for beheading. Your father once exerted himself for Prince Ning and, out of the Emperor’s mercy, there wasn’t an excessive reckoning. If you continue to spout such words, wouldn’t you be inviting disaster upon your father?"

Huo Liren chuckled, "I’m just saying it in front of you guys. I won’t talk nonsense outside." And with that, he stopped talking.

Li Zhiyong said, "It’s a pity about the Former Crown Prince, passing away so young. If he had lived and ascended to the throne successfully, it would have been a blessing for the people of Daqian."

Song Huaijin said, "The Emperor is wise; he must also think so, which is why after the Former Crown Prince’s death, he was so enraged, taking it out on Prince Ning and even executing some guilty Ministers."

Wan Dazhong, who had drunk a bit too much, was not only red-faced but his eyes were somewhat red as well. After draining the wine in his bowl, he laughed and said, "Though I’m but a humble commoner, I also know not to discuss state affairs. It seems the young lords are quite happy with their drink today."

Li Zhiyong smiled and said, "We haven’t seen Brother Liang and Brother Song for two or three years, and we drank a few extra cups in our joy."

Listening to this, everyone burst out laughing and changed the subject.

In their conversation, Qian Yixiu was uninterested in everything except for the title "Prince Ning," which again reminded her of Ma Mian’s words.

She originally thought this title had nothing to do with her, and of course, it still didn’t. However, among those present, perhaps some would have a bright future ahead for having aligned themselves with the right side.

She carefully observed Huo Liren, this stubborn young rogue’s father, thinking that his insight was indeed quite sharp. From some of his words, it was clear that he and his son were deeply loyal to Prince Ning.

Qian Yeejin had previously accepted a task from Qian Sangui and Lady Wu, which she hadn’t had the chance to mention. Seeing everyone calm down, she finally took the opportunity to speak.

Worried that Cheng Yue next door might overhear, she lowered her voice and asked Li Zhiyong and Huo Liren, "Little General Li, Little General Huo, I heard that you both have fought in the North?" Seeing the two men nod, her eyes brimming with tears, she continued, "My own father also fought in the North, but unfortunately, he never returned. Neighbors who returned said my father went missing in the last great battle. We want to know how my father went missing, my father’s name is Qian Manjiang..."

Li Zhiyong replied, "The last great battle should be the ’Song River Campaign,’ right? If it’s that campaign, indeed some people went missing. That battle was led by General Zhao, and your father must have been under his command. Liren and I were in a different camp, so we didn’t know your father."

Seeing Qian Yeejin extremely disappointed and on the verge of tears, he added, "That campaign was exceptionally brutal, as the Tartars wanted to use the battle to reverse their decline, deploying their elite and ferocious troops. The battlefield was near the Song River, and during the battle, a sudden torrential rain fell, with reinforcements arriving much later than expected. Both the enemy forces and the weather severely tested our soldiers. The battle lasted for three days and nights, and we finally held on until reinforcements came, defeating the enemy and even killing Dajin Country’s commanding general, Fifth Prince Wanyan Ahlv. However, during the battle, due to the torrential rain, some soldiers’ bodies were swept into the Song River..."