74 To Save

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"XiaoJie.. we have arrived."

"En."

XuanRong opened her eyes when she heard the coachman's words. She could not help but reach her left hand and raise the curtain to see the residence. XuanRong saw an enormous gate at the center with two guards standing on both sides. Looking at the familiar place, she could not help but feel a sudden warmth enveloping her entire body.

'Maternal grandfather, Rong'er is back!'

XuanRong pulled back her hand and released the curtain. She looked at YuShang who was still holing the Chen family's token and ordered, "go out and present the token. Tell the guards that I am here to visit my maternal family after returning from Lu Shan."

"Yes, XiaoJie, this servant understands."

When YuShang heard XuanRong's words, she nodded and left the carriage. Since she grew up inside the Chen's residence, YuShang knew those guards guarding the gate. She slowly walked towards the two and smiled. The guards immediately recognized her since she was one of the selected few who were trained to protect the only granddaughter of their old Master. Without the effort of presenting the token, XuanRong had been granted access to enter. The guards even enthusiastically welcomed her like they were welcoming a great ancestor.

"….."

XuanRong did not know whether to laugh or to cry. She did not know if the security of the Fu[1] is somewhat lacking or not.

Shouldn't they confirm her identity first?

What if she was not the real one and was spy sent by the enemies?

'Hah… Never mind.'

She did not know that because of YuShang's appearance, her identity had automatically been identified by them, coupled with the presence of An Wei who reappeared at the side of the carriage.

"This old servant greets Xuan XiaoJie."

When XuanRong went out of the carriage and entered the Chen residence, she was greeted by the old housekeeper.

"En. How have you been, Housekeeper Sa?"

"This old servant's old bones are still functioning properly, Xuan XiaoJie."

Hearing Housekeeper Sa's words, XuanRong mouth curved upward. She was glad to see Housekeeper Sa once again.

"Seems like Housekeeper Sa is still as energetic as ever. I bet you are still able to receive a new young concubine. Would you like me to find one for you?"

XuanRong teased while smiling widely.

When Housekeeper Sa heard her, he anxiously shook his head, wiping his sweat.

"Please spare this old servant. Xuan XiaoJie should know what will happen to this old servant once my wife hears your words."

YuShen and YuShang laughed then they heard Housekeeper Sa's words. It was not a secret in the entire Chen Fu that Housekeeper Sa was a henpecked husband. XuanRong also could not help but laugh when she heard the old man's words.

"Ai. No need to fret. I am only joking."

XuanRong once again laughed happily. She was really glad that she came back to life and meet again those people who were dear to her. Although in her previous lifetime she was arrogant, she was very caring towards those people who also cared for her. It could be said that she was a naïve girl who always followed her heart. If she liked someone, she would unconditionally trust them but if she did not like the person, she would not force herself to like that person, making her look arrogant and haughty.

"Is grandfather here? I wanted to visit him and the rest of the family. It has been a while since I saw my maternal uncles[2] and my maternal cousins[3]."

Housekeeper wang shook his head.

"Old Master is still in the palace for the court session. Eldest Master and Third Master are currently at the border. While Second Master is with the Old Master. Fourth Master is currently with the Young Masters hunting in the nearest forest. The family knew that Xuan XiaoJie will be visiting the Fu and the Young Masters were trying to hunt animals for the feast later."

"Oh."

XuanRong indeed told the Chen family that she would visit the Fu later, but she decided to come early to discuss something important with her maternal grandfather. She had forgotten that he still had to attend the court's morning sessions.

"Then, where are my maternal aunts in law[4]? Since all the males in the family are away, I would like to visit first my maternal aunts in law."

"Eldest Chen Furen[5] is currently with Second Chen Furen's courtyard. They are currently drinking tea together after visiting Fourth Chen Furen. Fourth Chen Furen is currently with a child so the Furens from the two branches were always visiting her."

XuanRong nodded. Her eyes darkened when she heard that her fourth maternal aunt in law was currently pregnant.

When she returned to the capital in her previous life, her Fourth JiuMu was also pregnant. Unfortunately, she died after giving birth prematurely to her maternal younger cousin[6]. Her BiaoDi also did not make it and died few minutes later. The entire Chen Fu was heartbroken and her Fouth JiuJiu almost lost his soul when he found out that her Fouth JiuMu and BiaoDi died.

Thinking of the past, XuanRong sighed in regret. She could still not forget when she saw her Fourth JiuJiu cried in front of his wife and son's corpse. After that, he became a human without a soul. Like a mechanical being, her Fourth JiuJiu returned to the battlefield. There, he wasted his life, entering war without any rest until he became exhausted and was killed in the end. After receiving the report, her maternal grandfather puked blood and went into coma for five days. After that incident, everything changed and was not the same again.

After thinking carefully, XuanRong made a decision. She had to save her Fourth JiuMu and BioDi in order to save her Fourth JiuJiu from becoming a waste.

"Then, I would like to trouble Housekeeper Sa and send me to Fouth JiuMu's courtyard first before I go and pay respect to Eldest JiuMu and Second JiuMu. I am quite worried to Fourth JiuMu's health."

When Housekeeper Sa heard XuanRong's words, he could not help but smile. He was deeply touched by XuanRong's care.

'Indeed, old master's love for her was not wasted. Although she is called Xuan XiaoJie by many people, her heart still carries the Chen family.'

--------

Xu Ji Mo angrily massaged his head. He glared at his subjects who were bickering each other.

"Your Majesty, if we really implement the new tax law, many people would be affected! The commoners will not be happy. The drought is coming and for sure, some families would not be able to survive. What would those people do if we would increase the tax this time?"

"Harump! Nonsense! Your Majesty, do not listen to those people who only think of themselves! The commoners should provide help to the country! They are our citizens. They are living happily because the country is trying their best to shield them from any harm. It is their responsibility to share the burden of the country! Please, Your Majesty, think carefully!"

Xu Ji Mo slapped the table and stood up.

"Enough!!"

"What's the use of arguing?! Zhen[7] wanted you to think of better ideas and not bicker like children! Ha.."

Xu Ji Mo sat and once again massaged his head. His eyes wondered around the officials standing below him and saw Chen Zi Tao.

"My dear General, what can you say about it? Should Zhen increase the tax of the commoners or not?"

The entire courtroom went silent. Those officials who were bickering a moment ago was not looking intensely at Chen Zi Tao, waiting for his answer.

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[1]. residence

[2]. (JiuJiu)- Brother of your mother

[3]. (BiaoGe)- son of your maternal uncle older than you

[4]. (JiuMu)- The wife of your mother's brother.

[5]. Wife of the First Branch of Chen Family

[6]. (BiaoDi)- son of your maternal uncle younger than you

[7]. (I)- the way Emperor address themselves

[Unedited Chapter]