Second Marriage

When the fighting broke out in Datong again, the news was rushed to the Imperial Court, causing an uproar.

“Your Majesty, this war has been out of control since the defeat of Marquis Ningyuan. His Majesty still has not issued an order to hold him accountable. How will His Majesty explain it to the people?”

“What the Minister of Rites has said is really interesting.” The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guards shot a faint glance over there. “Victory or defeat is common on the battlefield. You have asked His Majesty to hold Marquis Ningyuan accountable more than once. Why don’t you ask the Minister of War what we call stabilizing the morale of the army? If Marquis Ningyuan is held accountable today, then will you ask His Majesty to hold the next general who loses accountable tomorrow? If everyone is held accountable, then who will lead the army? Will it be you, Minister of Rites?!”

No one thought that the commander of Embroidered Uniform Guards would speak up at this time.

All the ministers knew that Embroidered Uniform Guards were the emperor’s minions, and were also the emperor’s spies and gossip spreaders. For the most part, they represented the Emperor’s intentions.

At this moment, the emperor’s closest commander had spoken, and all the ministers who had wanted to support the complaint quickly remained silent to wait and see what would happen next.

The reality of their present situation was really what the commander of Embroidered Uniform Guards said. The ministers felt a chill run through them- if the generals were held accountable, who was going to be forced to fight on the frontlines?

Thus, everyone looked at the Minister of War.

The Minister of War’s head was hanging and he looked entranced as if he had no idea that an important war was being discussed in the Imperial Court.

As everyone looked at the Minister of War, it was even more difficult to continue the discussion. The Minister of Rites, however, still clung to his ways and pushed his suggestion again, “Your Majesty, even if you do not hold anyone accountable, you should send troops stationed around there to support the border. If we lose the border, then we will be in a critical situation!”

As he said that, the old man fell to his knees in tears and cried out.

The emperor looked coldly at his subjects. His face gradually showed some impatience, but then he smiled again.

The emperor suddenly started to laugh, frightening them all even more. They were wondering what the emperor’s thoughts were, and whether he was confused or something else.

“Zhen has already ordered for the army to be supported.” The emperor continued to laugh. He left these words to the ministers staring at him as he stood up and departed. They all looked at one another in dismay and utter embarrassment.

Soon, the critical situation in Datong spread throughout the capital.

On the day Huijing went back to her maternal home after she got married, she felt much more comfortable sitting in the carriage when she heard the people speak out against the Marquis Ningyuan Residence.

Before she got married, her mother told her that Madam Li was confused, and that she needed to immediately beat down the arrogance of her mother-in-law. Otherwise, the Li Family might cause trouble for her.

She did what her mother said. On the first day after serving tea, she brought out the arrogance of someone who was the Emperor’s relative, so that the Li Family could see clearly that even if she did not have the title of County Princess, they would not be allowed to look down on her.

When the Li Family and the relatives saw her imposing attitude, they did not dare to falter, and spoke to her cautiously.

But none of this made her happy, even if she did marry the man she liked. Who would have known that her husband did not touch her at all on their wedding night. Instead, he drank until he was unconscious, leaving her simply fuming all night.

It was the same on the second day, so how could she be happy?

When it was spread that the bride was married, but the marriage had not been consummated, she felt embarrassed to see anyone. And her husband who slept beside her would mumble another woman’s name.

Hatred grew in Huijing’s heart, but her mother told her that she must be gentle and considerate in front of her husband. In this way, when Li Qingzhi’s stone heart would heat up and he forgot about the little wench of the Xiao Family, he would naturally be in harmony with her.

For this reason, Huijing held back her anger even though she was brimming with it. She was almost at her limit today. Although Li Qingzhi accompanied her back to her maternal home when she expected him not to, he always wore a cold face. It was clear that she was the one who had been wronged, so how could she not be falling apart emotionally?

But she at least found her outlet when she heard the negative news pertaining to the Marquis Ningyuan Residence.

“Wasn’t it said that the Marquis Ningyuan Residence was unsealed? How can there be trouble at the border? It looks like the situation is so unfortunate. Fortunately, my mother has good foresight, or else, Husband, you would still be affected today.”

Huijing used a handkerchief to cover her smile as she spoke to drag the Xiao Family through the mud.