Chapter 368: Chapter 8: Who Outmaneuvered Whom (Part 2)
Not long after Princess Yonghe married into the Tartar, Qin Shidao of the Northwest Governor was transferred to the Capital to serve as a Deputy Minister of War. Liu Daneng, the son-in-law of the Qin Family and Commander of the Hami Guard, was promoted to Northwest Governor.
The current Emperor’s actions could be likened to hitting the Qin Family with a stick and then giving them a sweet date, one that was nauseatingly sweet.
People said the Qin Family struck a good bargain, but little did they know the family was utterly disgusted from top to bottom.
In the study of the outer courtyard of the Northwest Governor Mansion, Qin Shidao looked at his brother-in-law and friend Liu Daneng with a smile, "I misjudged you; I didn’t expect you to have such a talent for being able to navigate all quarters!
The Qin Family compromised repeatedly, yet we were still outmaneuvered by the Emperor! How could I have thought of him as a fool?"
Liu Daneng let out a bitter laugh, "At this point, even if I were to say I’m not with the current Emperor, I wouldn’t believe myself, but I really am not.
The late Emperor always wanted to take a portion of the Northwest Army power from the Qin Family, but this matter could only be achieved gradually, hence my involvement.
Perhaps even the late Emperor did not expect his successor to be this decisive!
After more than twenty years, just when I too thought I was really a good friend and a good brother-in-law, things have come to this point.
But I swear, I never thought of replacing you, and I know nothing about our niece’s matter."
Despite Qin Shidao’s ethereal face, an expression of indifference remained, "So what? Are you trying to set up a banner of integrity after being a whore?"
Liu Daneng’s complexion changed. Even though he had been in a high position for many years and had earned his military merits, Qin Shidao’s words were rather harsh.
But remembering something, Liu Daneng suppressed his grievances and almost pleaded, "At this point, I don’t ask for your forgiveness, only that you do not tell Yunzhi the truth. I am sincere with Yunzhi, and the children are innocent!"
Qin Shidao glanced at him, "Who’s not innocent!" After saying this, he left the study.
At this moment, Liu Daneng truly regretted it.
...
In the main room of Liu Mansion in Hami County, Susu, holding Mantou, watched the busy maids and servants. After greeting Mrs. Qin, she said reluctantly, "We have only been close to Aunt for a short while, and now you have to leave!"
Mrs. Qin took Mantou from her hands and smiled, "Oh, I just saw him during the first birthday grab, and he’s grown so much in just a few days! Mantou, call Grandma!"
Mantou shyly looked at his mother, then, seeing Susu smiling at him, he leaned into Mrs. Qin’s arms, "Grandma!"
Mrs. Qin lovingly held Mantou for a while, unwilling to let go, and sat on the Arhat couch with him, instructing a maid, "Bring up the lychees brought in yesterday, and pick out two plates of honey melon and grapes sent from the manor."
Upon hearing this, Susu hurriedly said, "Save them for Sister An and Sister Zhen. Yesterday, the plate of lychees you sent was gulled by this little troublemaker before we knew it, so I dare not let him eat today!"
Mrs. Qin waved her hand, "A plate with just over ten pieces wouldn’t even fill the cracks between his teeth. If he doesn’t eat it, you can; it’s not anything precious."
Susu laughed, "Only you would say it’s not precious. Even in the Capital, families below Third Rank can’t eat them!
Especially when brought to the Northwest, the manpower and resources spent cost enough to buy a lychee grove in Lingnan."
Mrs. Qin chuckled ironically, "Why worry so much, after all, this is imperial grace!"
Susu quickly responded, "Aunt Qin is right, isn’t it imperial grace indeed!" while giving Mrs. Qin a look.
Mrs. Qin, too, aware that the walls have ears, sighed inwardly and, seeing Susu’s expression, smiled and changed the subject.
"I haven’t congratulated you yet; so young, and already a Third Rank Lady!"
Susu laughed, "It’s all due to the nurturing of Uncle and the Governor!" This was indeed an unexpected joy.
Susu initially thought that even if Hong Sheng were promoted, it would be half a rank at most, given his youth.
Who knew he was directly elevated to Third Rank, assuming the role of Commander of the Hami Guard?
Only recently did Susu learn from Old Madam’s letter that quite a few people pushed for it besides Prince Ke.
The most startling thing was even Prince Gong exerted effort. Thinking of Hong Sheng’s darkened face a few days ago, Susu found it both amusing and infuriating.
Even after having a child, he still harbored such senseless jealousy!
Aunt Qin pointed at Susu and laughed, "Don’t try to dodge, with the Governor Mansion just two days away from Hami, once we are settled, we’ll have someone fetch you and your son to stay for a few days, and don’t say no!"
"I haven’t been to the Northwest Capital yet. After your invitation, no need to come fetch us. Just send a letter, and I’ll bring Mantou myself!"
Mantou sat obediently in Mrs. Qin’s lap, listening to his mother’s conversation with his grandma. Upon hearing Susu call his name, he quickly reached out to her, "Mom, hold me!"
Fearing he might fall, Mrs. Qin quickly handed him to Susu and playfully scolded, "You heartless little one, your grandma is leaving, and you don’t even seem to miss her!"
Once in his mother’s arms, Mantou flashed a few rice teeth, pulled out a pine nut candy from the pocket of his clothes, and reached towards Mrs. Qin, "Grandma, eat!"
Mrs. Qin pretended to take the candy but seeing the lack of hesitation on his face, laughed, "Grandma won’t eat; Mantou can have it!"
"You should eat it; it’s a token of his filial piety," chimed Susu.
Hearing this, Mrs. Qin paused, then quickly accepted it with a laugh, "So sweet, thank you, Mantou, for thinking of Grandma!"
Sure enough, Mantou grinned from ear to ear!
Mrs. Qin then turned to Susu, "Now I can finally be at ease! From observing small details, one sees the bigger picture, Mantou has been well taught by you!"
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Susu replied, "Not as good as you say; I’m just afraid he might be spoiled into a playboy."
After having a meal at the Liu Mansion, Susu and her son lingered for some time before returning home.
Upon returning, they found Hong Sheng had already come back from the camp, which puzzled Susu, "Why are you back so early today?"
"There was nothing much today. The Commander went ahead to the Governor Mansion for the handover, and I was left in charge at the camp.
The people below are all unruly, and I had no patience to deal with them!"
As Hong Sheng spoke, he took over his sleeping son and laughed, "Eating and sleeping all day like a little piglet!"
Susu gave him a sidelong glance, "Is that how you talk about your son? He’s still little! Weren’t you eating and sleeping all day at his age?"
Gently kissing his son, Hong Sheng said, "When I was his age, my father was already gone, and my mother barely had enough milk for me. She spent every day trying to fill my belly, and had no time to grieve!"
Susu was taken aback; she had never heard Hong Sheng talk about his past, not even about his time as a bodyguard.
She never imagined that her father-in-law had passed when Hong Sheng was so young!
"My father died hunting, and back then, no family in the village was wealthy; my old mother had to climb the mountains just to feed me. By the time I was three, even she was gone.
As a child, I vowed never to become a hunter, but with hunger gnawing at me, I still ended up in the mountains!"
Perhaps sensing the somber mood, Hong Sheng laughed, "But the luckiest thing in my life was this strength that allowed me to trade a wild boar for a wife; this was the best deal I ever made!" he said, holding Susu with his other hand.
As the sun set in the west, looking at her beside him and the child in his arms, Hong Sheng felt that his life was complete!
