es."Mu looked at them, "Alright, alright, they're gone anyway, why get angry""Come eat, it's a hot day and your brother-in-law and sister-in-law worked hard to make this meal. Don't let it get cold."Z...Chapter 1192: Meritorious Service, Exceptional Ability

When they reached outside the city, Tanna saw what Fang Jinxiu had left for her and became even more certain of her elder sister's meaning.

They also didn't want Zong Bai to stay in the capital.

"When were these things delivered to you"

The envoy replied, "My lord, three days ago someone suddenly came to the inn and knocked on the door. When we opened it, there was a carriage at the entrance. There was no one in the carriage, only all sorts of seeds."

"There's another silver piece."

The emissary's people brought out a square wooden box. Tanna opened it, and inside was piled high with silver bills—all the largest denominations.

At this time, Wu Niang stepped forward and said another piece of news, "Your Highness, there is something that the subordinate has been keeping from you. Lady Zhuge had the subordinate sell Yuan Ke Lai a few days ago."

"Originally, the subordinates thought that the wine shop also belonged to Lady Wu Hou, and we were all following her coattails. They thought she was just in a hurry for money and didn't take it seriously."

At that time, Tana and the Beijang delegation had already agreed to return to Beijang together. She thought she would never come back to Daxixi capital city again. She might as well sell the tavern; it wouldn't matter anyway since she wouldn't be seeing it again.

At this moment, seeing this box of silver notes, Wu Ma still didn't understand anything. The Marquis's wife sold the guest house to make money, and not only did she give all the money from selling the inn to the Prince, I'm afraid she also put in some of her own money.

Otherwise, how would there be so much money.

Fang Jinshi really gave Tanna all the silver she could spare, including the gold Zong Yu had given her before, and she also exchanged it for silver notes to make it convenient for Tanna to take away.

Money is not the most important thing to her, as long as she has space in hand, she can get money anytime.

Tana was moved to tears. Beneath the silver note, there was a slip of paper with the words:

"Zong Bai's dowry."

Tana giggled, moved to tears by Fang Jinshi's actions.

She closed the lid and hugged the box tightly to her chest, making a silent vow in her heart that she would not disappoint Zong Bai, nor would she betray Jinxiu sister's kind intentions.

"Your Highness, it's getting late. Let's set off."

Tana nodded, wiping away the tears from her eyes with her hand, her expression instantly becoming much more resolute.

"Well, let's go home."

She would take Sister Jinxiu's gifts back to bolster the northern border, and one day she would make sure that the people of the northern border would never again be looked down upon by others.

Meanwhile, at the residence of Marquis Wuding, Mrs. Mu discovered that her two sons were missing early in the morning. She and her daughter searched the entire house high and low, but to no avail. Old Madam Wu, seeing their predicament, sarcastically mocked them.

"It's because of you guys holding me back that those two weasels left."

In my opinion, those two white-eyed wolves must have seen the officials coming soon and ran away.

"Hmph, now you're just like me, all alone."

Since she entered the Hou Mansion, Old Madam Wu had been confined to her courtyard and forbidden from leaving. While Mu Shi restricted her freedom, she did not mistreat her.

She never lacked anything, from three meals a day to four seasons' worth of clothing.

In a sense, Old Madam Wu had achieved a comfortable life without worrying about food and clothing. However, someone as greedy as her would never be easily satisfied.

Madam Wu not only failed to cherish the present moment, but her hatred for the Mu family grew even stronger in her heart.

Normally, Mu wouldn't appear before her, let alone allow her to see him. Old Madam Wu had harmed their family so terribly; she had no obligation to care about how she was doing in the mansion, whether she was happy or lonely.

Today, if it weren't for finding Zong Bo and Zong Yu passing by Wu Lao Tai's yard, she wouldn't have had the chance to anger them.

Mrs. Mu was used to being good-tempered, and upon hearing this, she didn't want to bother with Old Madam Wu either. She just wanted to turn around and leave, but Yu Lian couldn't bear it.

“How can we compare to your lonely plight My father went to the capital decades ago and never even considered bringing you all to enjoy prosperity. My second uncle abandoned you at the gates of the marquis' mansion without a backward glance, and my third uncle is even worse! He never truly treated you as his own flesh and blood.”

“My mother isn’t lonely at all. I swear on my life, my older and younger brothers would rather die than abandon her. They are far more filial than your three sons.”

"Even if things get really bad, I still have my mother by my side. What about you Do you have anyone"

"If it weren't for my mother's kindness, you would have been begging on the streets long ago, and wouldn't even be able to stay in the Marquis' mansion to eat and drink without worry"

"Shout all you want, I'll have you thrown to the big sister right now to fend for yourself!"

Mrs. Wu's face tightened, and she instinctively closed her mouth. Upon hearing that Jade Lotus wanted to throw her out to fend for herself, her arrogance instantly dissipated.

"You, you little wretch! I'm your grandmother, how dare you!"

Even though Old Madam Wu was scared, she still tried to put on a tough front.

Just then, Zhao Yunni suddenly ran over nervously to find the mother and daughter.

"Madam Dowager, Miss Yulian, something's wrong. People from the palace have come again."

Yulian's brows furrowed tightly.

"Will this ever end Is the one in the palace just that idle, sending people to our house whenever they have nothing better to do"

"What's the reason this time"

Zhaoyun hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"I don't know exactly why, but this time they brought a carriage and parked it right in front of the Hou residence."

Both Mu Shi and Yulian knew they were about to be taken into the palace as hostages, but they didn't know exactly when.

"Let's go." Mu shi understood what was going on and walked resignedly towards the hall.

Yulian pulled her mother's sleeve.

"Mother, aren't we going to look for elder brother and second brother It's too strange for people to come to the palace at this time."

Mu smiled wryly.

"Don't look any further, your older brother should have left."

To avoid hurting their feelings, he chose to leave quietly.

If he were still at home, the palace wouldn't be in such a hurry to send someone to escort them into the palace.

"Where's the second brother"

As soon as Yulian finished speaking, Zong Bai appeared in the distance and waved to the two of them.

"Mother, Yulian, it's time for us to depart."

Long He had spent so many years in the Zong family, he was the person outside the family who knew them best, besides being close in age to Zong Bai, he was the perfect candidate to impersonate him.

When Mu Shi saw that her second son was still there, she let out a breath of relief.

Yu Lian hurriedly followed, because Fang Jinshi had already mentally prepared her family for what was to come. They all knew what would happen next, so they didn't react much to the news of being held hostage in the palace.

After following Zongbei, Yulian still puzzledly asked him.

"Big brother is going to war and left home quietly, it's fine that no one can find him, what are you doing out so early"

Chang He was taken aback by the question, luckily Jin Yu appeared at the door just then.

Seeing Jin Yu Mu and Jade Lotus, Zong Bai was instantly forgotten.

"Jin Yu! How did you get here"

A maid dressed in gold and jade approached Mu Shi, her side. She walked up to Mu Shi's side and helped her up.

"Grandma, my husband and I have discussed it, and I will accompany you to the palace."

Mu's disapproval was evident in her furrowed brows as she declined the offer of a drink with a single word.

"What are you joking about You barely made it to where you are now, why would you want to go to the palace with us"

"It's right to live a good life outside. Hurry and give the Zhao family an heir."

Jin Yu shook her head stubbornly, her eyes gradually turning red.

"Grandmother, both Jin Yu and I know. Everything Jin Yu has achieved today is because of you and Madam. No matter where you go, Jin Yu will always be with you."

"And my husband also said, with me here, Your Majesty will be more considerate and won't be too harsh on you."

Once Zong Yu left, Zhao Yun became one of the few generals within the court who could shoulder the responsibility. Although young, he had distinguished military achievements and remarkable abilities.

Fu Shangyuan had the intention to heavily utilize Zhao Yun, so Jin Yu's status as the wife of a young general from the Zhao family was indeed useful in the palace.they couldn't afford a full meal. They were still willing to watch the excitement at other people's homes.That old woman still couldn't get over herself, wanting to pry something out of Fang Jinshu's...