Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 176 Mobilizing Troops in Jiaozhi, The Past of the Sheng Family's Elder Branch

In mid-March, as the willows sprouted and a gentle breeze caressed their faces, Wang Ruoyu was personally escorted into the inner prison by the Sheng family at the beginning of the month.

Grandma Wang was devastated and spent her days racking her brains trying to find a way to help her escape.

Although Wang Shiping felt sorry for his younger sister, he also knew that helping prisoners escape from the inner prison was no small matter, tantamount to treason.

With his aunt's advice, he didn't become as obsessed with this matter as Old Mrs. Wang.

But it's not easy to refuse outright, so I can only make up various excuses to brush it off.

As for Kang Yuan'er, without Wang Ruoyu's support, and with Old Madam Wang worrying herself sick all day, how could she possibly spare any attention for her?

Aunt Wang was holding a grudge, so naturally she wouldn't give her a kind look anymore.

The plan is to find a noble concubine of good birth for Wang You once the storm has passed, so that the Wang family can have offspring.

Today, in the flower hall of the backyard of the Rongchang Marquis's residence.

Since learning about this, Kang Yoon-ah has been unable to eat or sleep, and her eyes are red and swollen from crying.

She knew her mother was ruthless and had taken several lives, but seeing her suffer in prison, she couldn't help but feel some grief.

Wang Ruoyu was ruthless and heartless towards her concubines and illegitimate children, but she always loved her own children dearly and never dared to criticize them.

Madam Li, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Rongchang Marquis's Mansion, put down her teacup, sighed softly, and said in a deep voice, "Yun'er, my Sheng family is not the kind of mean family that is opportunistic and sycophantic."

"Moreover, in the years since you married into the Sheng family, you have been filial to your elders, taught your children, and managed the household affairs perfectly."

"Your mother's suffering in the inner prison is her own sin."

"As long as you behave yourself and do your duty, neither Changwu nor your father-in-law will hold this against you, nor will they hold any grudge against you."

"The old lady of the Sheng family sent someone to tell you yesterday not to be confused, to have less contact with the Wang family and your sister, and to take care of your husband and children."

"Don't let her cause you to give up the wealth and luxury you have right now."

In Li's view, as long as Kang Yun'er doesn't do anything foolish, she naturally wants to treat her daughter-in-law as well as the eldest branch of the family, so that the household can be harmonious.

Many years ago, the Li family and the Sheng family had always been on good terms in Youyang and were considered a good match.

Sheng Wei originally proposed to marry the eldest daughter of the Li family, but because the scandal of the Sheng family favoring concubines over their wives was widely circulated, the Li family regretted their decision shortly after agreeing to the marriage.

However, unable to bring herself to break off the engagement, she arranged for her illegitimate daughter, Li, to marry into the Sheng family in place of her elder sister.

However, the eldest branch matriarch and Shengwei did not take their anger out on Li Shi. Instead, they treated her with great care and taught her how to manage the household affairs.

After the eldest son, Sheng Changsong, married a woman surnamed Wen, they did not have any children for four or five years.

The eldest son having no heir is no small matter that can be easily dismissed.

Most families had long been preparing to take concubines, and some even used the reason of childlessness, one of the seven grounds for divorce, to divorce their wives and remarry.

Despite her advanced age, the eldest daughter-in-law spent a fortune seeking medical treatment and medicine for her granddaughter-in-law, Wen.

Fortunately, fate smiled upon him, and a year before his death, he witnessed the birth of his eldest grandson, fulfilling a long-cherished wish.

Li always took her as a role model, and after becoming a mother-in-law herself, she learned everything from her.

"Thank you for your forgiveness, Mother. I am deeply grateful," Kang Yun'er replied softly, lowering her eyes.

After a moment, she spoke again: "But... I have another request, I only ask that you allow me to go to the inner prison to see you."

“My father has already written a letter of divorce, severing all ties with her. My daughter-in-law thought that seeing her one last time would be the best way to show her filial piety.”

"My daughter-in-law swears that she will not say anything out of turn, nor will she involve the Sheng family in the slightest. She will come back immediately after reading this and will not cause my mother any trouble."

Madam Li frowned slightly. After a short while, she looked at her trusted nanny and said softly, "Let Bian Mama go with you. This is a one-time thing."

"Thank you, Mother, for your kindness." Kang Yun'er bowed gracefully.

The Sheng and Wei families rose through the ranks, and her own mother was incredibly audacious, with irrefutable evidence of her crimes. She dared not plead for mercy, nor did she know who to plead with.

On the other side, at the Kang residence.

After Wang Ruoyu was taken away by the Sheng family, Kang Haifeng punished all the servants who had followed Wang Ruoyu in her misdeeds.

The concubines and illegitimate children in the inner quarters all breathed a sigh of relief.

Over the years, they all harbored deep hatred for Wang Ruoyu. If they made the slightest mistake, they would be slapped, forced to kneel, locked in the woodshed, and deprived of even a full meal. They lived in constant fear.

At this moment, in Su Xiaoniang's room, Kang Haifeng was half-reclining on a soft couch, leisurely sipping tea.

Years ago, when Wang Ruoyu poisoned a pregnant concubine in the inner quarters, he had considered divorcing his wife, but due to the power of the Wang family, he never dared to bring it up.

But things are different now.

The Wang family is too busy to care for themselves and can't squeeze any more profit out of them. With Wang Ruo and this arrogant and domineering poisonous woman gone, the Kang family will have the final say in everything from now on.

He turned to look at Su Xiaoniang sitting to the side and said slowly, "From today onwards, all the trivial matters of the inner quarters will be handled by you."

Su Xiaoniang nodded gently, "My lord, rest assured, I will do my best. However, there is something I must say."

"Go ahead and speak." Kang Haifeng was in a great mood, put down his teacup, and looked at her with a smile.

"The family's silver reserves are dwindling, and income is meager. Shouldn't you, my lord, consider your options? Since you can't become an official, why not ask your in-laws for help and start a small business?"

"Besides, Yan-ge'er's future will require a lot of money to secure, and there are still children in the family who need to get married."

She knew that Kang Haifeng had been enjoying a carefree life for many years and wouldn't be focusing on his family business anytime soon.

Su Xiaoniang's eyes flickered slightly, and she continued, "The Wang family originally did not agree to divorce her, but they are probably just waiting to see the master and the Kang family make a fool of themselves."

Upon hearing this, Kang Haifeng immediately sat up straight.

Because he used Wang Ruoyu's dowry, he has been unable to hold his head high in front of the Wang family for years.

He couldn't possibly divorce his wife only to be trampled on by the Wang family; otherwise, where would he put his face?

Kang Haifeng was not truly incompetent; he was not only younger than Sheng Hong when he passed the imperial examination, but he also ranked higher.

However, he was strictly disciplined by his grandfather and grandmother when he was young, and everything he did was done according to the rules.

After his grandfather's death, he finally chose to let loose after years of repression.

He raised his hand and touched his chin. "What you said makes some sense."

"I'll go to the Rongchang Marquis's residence in a couple of days and ask them to see if they can find a good family for Zhao'er."

Su Xiaoniang looked delighted and smiled, "Thank you, my lord!"

"I don't ask for wealth and status from Zhao'er's husband's family. I only ask that they have a respectable family background, be honest and upright, and treat her well. That would be enough for me."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Kang Haifeng nodded in agreement. He really liked his daughter, Kang Zhao'er.

Su Xiaoniang was a smart woman; otherwise, she would never have been able to safely give birth to two daughters and a son under Wang Ruoyu's care all these years.

Although Wang Ruo's poisoning of Wei Shuyi did not become public knowledge.

But secrets never stay hidden forever, and with the Kang family's sudden divorce, many busybodies began to inquire about the inside story. The Wang family's reputation was declining day by day.

Some former officials who still held onto their teacher-student relationship with Grand Tutor Wang began to distance themselves from the Wang family.

In mid-April, at the Imperial Palace, in the Wenhua Hall, several officials were gathered.

Gu Tingye, dressed in a purple official robe and with a jade belt at his waist, took the lead in bowing and said, "Ever since General Wei led his elite troops into the border, Jiaozhi has indeed become much more restrained. However, if we look back on the past years, they have always been fickle."

"As soon as the border is relaxed, they come back to plunder the border people."

"With the national treasury full now, we might as well take advantage of the situation and send a large army south to wipe out Jiaozhi, eliminating future troubles and freeing the border people from the harassment of war!"

Xu Pingyuan followed closely behind, "I second that!"

Han Zhang and several other civil officials exchanged glances but remained silent. They knew very well that the emperor before them was quite different from the late emperor, who valued harmony above all else.

Zhao Han's gaze narrowed slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he said slowly, "Jiaozhi is fickle and a major threat to the southwest. It must be eliminated."

"Otherwise, if the army marches north and pacifies Yan and Yun in the future, Jiaozhi will surely take the opportunity to rebel."

"Your Majesty is right. Your subject, Gu Tingye, is willing to serve as the Grand Marshal of the Southern Expedition and to expand the territory of the court!" Gu Tingye smiled and bowed deeply.

Seeing this, Zhang Fu couldn't help but snort, "Lord Gu, I haven't even spoken yet, what's your hurry?"

Gu Tingye straightened up, his smile unchanged.

"General Zhang, please don't argue with the younger generation. You have spent half your life on the battlefield with outstanding military achievements. Why bother going to such barbarian lands? It's more important to enjoy your retirement in the capital with your grandchildren."

"I am young and strong, and I am tough and resilient. It doesn't matter if I suffer a little."

"You greenhorn!" Zhang Fu glanced at him sideways.

Over the years, he has come to like Gu Tingye more and has offered him advice on many things.

Zhao Han looked at the two of them and chuckled softly.

"Let Gu Tingye handle the southern expedition. The Duke of Yingguo will remain in the capital. When the army marches north in the future, you will have plenty of opportunities to contribute."

"It's only been a short time since Consort De gave birth to Yan Ge'er. She will surely be worried about you day and night as soon as you arrive."

Thinking of Zhang Guifen, Zhang Fu could only bow respectfully and say, "Your subject obeys the decree!"

"By imperial decree, Gu Tingye is appointed Grand Marshal of the Southern Expedition, and Zheng Xiao is appointed Deputy Grand Marshal, leading the Shenji Battalion and 100,000 troops to set out in three months."

"He Hongwen of the Imperial Medical Academy is hereby appointed as the accompanying medical officer, leading ten imperial physicians, fifty medical assistants, and one hundred medicine boys. They must prepare medicines to deal with the miasma within three months, without any omissions."

"All soldiers on this mission are forbidden from eating raw food. All drinking water must be boiled and churned a hundred times. This is an ironclad rule."

"Any matter involving miasma must be handled in accordance with He Hongwen's orders. Anyone who disobeys will be dealt with according to military law."

As soon as she finished speaking, Qingyun responded respectfully, and Zhao Han then turned her gaze to Gu Tingye.

“The miasma is no small matter; it spreads rapidly. If any soldiers delay the prevention and treatment of the disease, we can act first and report later.”

"Although the elephant army of Jiaozhi is brave, it can be easily defeated by the sound of firearms exploding and smoke. Once startled, they may even turn around and break through their own formation."

"Your subject will certainly keep this in mind!" Gu Tingye replied solemnly, bowing deeply.

An imperial edict was issued ordering the mobilization of troops in Jiaozhi.

The Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of War, the Ordnance Bureau, and the Imperial Hospital were instantly bustling with activity.

Even at night, the lights are bright, and people move back and forth in the candlelight.

Upon receiving the imperial edict, He Hongwen immediately returned to his residence to pack his belongings, intending to stay at the Imperial Hospital for the next few days.

Inside the side room in the backyard.

Grandma He held her Buddhist prayer beads and gazed at him intently. “This trip to the Southern Frontier will not be like taking the pulses of princes and nobles in the Imperial Hospital.”

"The miasma is highly toxic, and the battlefield is dangerous. The Emperor has entrusted you with an important task. You must do your best, but you must also protect yourself."

"Wen-ge'er, you are the only bloodline left by your deceased father. Don't let anything go wrong."

He Hongwen bowed respectfully and said, "Grandmother, rest assured, your grandson understands."

"Does your mother know about this?"

“I’ve already said that,” He Hongwen said, then couldn’t help but sigh softly.

As expected, she started crying and sobbing, reluctant to leave.

Grandma He raised her eyes and said coldly, "She has always been short-sighted. She has servants to take care of her at home. You must not be distracted."

He Hongwen nodded gently. As he finished packing his clothes and prepared to leave, Cao Jinxiu, with red eyes, stepped forward.

To conceal the tattoos on her face from her exile, she let a strand of hair hang down in front of her forehead, giving her a pitiful appearance.

"Cousin, you won't be back for at least a year or two."

“My wife is fierce and domineering, and she comes to cause me trouble from time to time. Cousin, how am I supposed to live from now on?” Cao Jinxiu said, sobbing softly.

He Hongwen glanced at her lightly, without the slightest emotion, "If you behave yourself at home, she won't mistreat you for no reason."

"Don't forget, it was you who begged Mother to let you stay in the He family as a concubine. Besides, it is only natural for the mistress to discipline her concubines. You should think twice."

Cao Jinxiu hadn't expected him to be so blunt, and a hint of embarrassment flashed in her eyes. "Cousin..."

"It's getting late. The southern expedition is of utmost importance and cannot afford any mistakes. I need to go to the Imperial Hospital to oversee the repackaging of the medicinal materials."

After leaving those words, He Hongwen went straight away.

A few days later, inside Ninghui Hall, a wisp of green smoke slowly rose from the incense burner.

As soon as Wei Shuyi recovered, he eagerly took Xiaodie to the palace to meet Minglan.

She took Minglan's slender, fair hand and said softly, "Don't worry, I'm fine now. Your father has been taking good care of me these past few days, and he hasn't stopped giving me nourishing medicine every single day."

Upon hearing this, Minglan's eyelashes trembled slightly, and a hint of hatred flashed in her clear, doe-like eyes.

“Kang Wangshi is a woman who has committed many evils. My daughter specifically instructed the female officials in the inner prison to take extra care of her.”

"She must be suffering terribly during this period."

Xiaodie stood to one side and chimed in, "We have to torture her properly, otherwise even I, the servant, will find it hard to vent my anger."

Wei Shuyi looked at them and said with concern, "Don't go too far. It would be difficult to explain if she died in the inner prison. She is still the Empress's own aunt."

"Your Majesty is the most discerning of right and wrong. She has remembered all the times that Lady Kang has instigated the Lady to make mistakes."

“If she stays, she’ll be a menace to everyone except for Old Madam Wang. I can’t be soft on her.” Minglan said, then nestled into Wei Shuyi’s arms.

She knew perfectly well why Madam Kang had repeatedly made things difficult for them; it was simply because she felt that her mother, being a concubine, was not worthy of living a better life than her.

Wei Shuyi gently stroked her head, his eyes full of affection.

(End of this chapter)