The general kneels on the washboard again

Cao Jin took Yue Niang to the Duke of Xingguo's Mansion.

Because Cao Jin always acted sternly in front of Jiang Yunxiao, he deliberately sent Jiang Yunxiao outside to ride a horse.

The people along the way were concerned and kept asking, "How did you become so thin? Did they skimp on your food?"

Cao Jin's concern was genuine, which made Yue Niang feel a little uncomfortable.

"Thank you, Auntie."

Ever since her grandmother passed away, she almost forgot what it feels like to be cared for by her family.

Cao Jin felt even more distressed because of her understanding: "You must have suffered a lot these years. I went back and asked Yun Xiao carefully, and only then did I know what you went through during your time in Yunzhou."

After all, Cao Jin was a descendant of a military family, and the Duke of Xingguo had a peaceful inner house without concubines competing for favor, so he naturally scoffed at such dirty things in the harem.

"If it were me, I would chop it into pieces and feed it to the dogs." Cao Jin made a chopping motion.

Yue Niang was amused by her: "Aunt, Brother Yun Xiao's personality is really similar to yours."

Cao Jin curled his lips and said, "Who asked him to be like me? I actually hope he can learn more from his father and be more steady. We still have the ability to protect him now, but..."

Cao Jin didn't continue: "Forget it, forget it, let's not talk about these things. I heard Yun Xiao say that you like to eat fish, so I specially asked them to prepare it. If they don't give you food in the future, you can come to your aunt."

"Thank you, aunt." Yue Niang didn't know what else to say except thank you.

At this time, Cao Jin also changed the subject: "Yue'er, did you receive the invitation to the chrysanthemum viewing banquet I sent you a few days ago?"

"No." There was no need to think about it, it must have been withheld by Tian.

Cao Jin took out a brand new note and handed it to Yue Niang. "Ignore them. I heard you're engaged to Prince Cheng. Yue'er, what's your birth date?"

Yue Niang was puzzled. "When Mother was alive, she and the late Imperial Concubine Xue arranged a marriage between Yue'er and His Royal Highness Prince Cheng. Why are you asking this, Aunt?"

Cao Jin said, "Prince Cheng is now almost twenty years old, and I've heard a little bit about his marriage recently. I heard that he went to Yongfu Temple a few days ago to have his fortune told. Master Hongshan personally told him that his destiny lacks water, and he needs to find a woman with a water destiny."

This is the reason why Xun was written as Xun. Yue Niang smiled and told Cao Jin her own birth date.

Yue Niang knew that she was not born under the element of water.

Cao Jin couldn't laugh. Instead, he was extremely worried. "Although the current emperor has many children, only the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng are favored now. I'm afraid some other family has set their sights on the position of princess and wants to compete with you. How can you still laugh?"

Yue Niang soothed Cao Jin's emotions: "Aunt, if anyone wants to take it, then they can. Besides, the current emperor is a man of his word. Even if someone wants to take it, I'm afraid it will be very difficult."

But if the Fu family wants to take it, it will definitely be very cheap.

Cao Jin only heard the previous part and nodded affirmatively: "Yes, besides, our Yue'er is so beautiful, which man would not like her?"

The two chatted casually and soon arrived at Yongqing Lane.

Yongqing Lane is located outside the imperial city, above the Second Ring Road. The houses here are more spacious and bright, which is very different from the door-to-door houses in Yuegui Lane.

The Mansion of Duke Xingguo even has a large courtyard with five entrances and exits.

Cao Jin led Yue Niang in through the southwest gate, which led to the backyard without having to pass through the front hall or the hanging flower gate.

Jiang Yunxiao also followed in: "Mother, I made an appointment with He Ba and the others to go fishing today. Anyway, now that I have my sister Yue'er, you don't need me, so let me go out and play."

The He Ba that Jiang Yunxiao mentioned came from a Go family. The late emperor loved playing Go, so their family was once prominent in the palace, but now they have long since fallen into decline.

"You are not allowed to go." But before Cao Jin could finish his words, Jiang Yunxiao disappeared.

Cao Jin stamped his feet in anger: "I'll deal with this little bastard when he comes back."

But this time, Cao Jin didn't wait long.

Jiang Yunxiao came back just after dinner.

I'm holding a lot of anger.

At this time, Cao Jin was asking the doctor to take Yue Niang's pulse.

Jiang Yunxiao came in angrily: "I'm so angry, I'm so angry."

Cao Jin taunted him, "The sun is rising from the west today? Why is our young master back so early?"

Jiang Yunxiao sat down at the table and took a big sip of water: "I'm so pissed off, those rascals."

Looking more closely at Jiang Yunxiao's clothes, hem of his trousers was torn in several places.

Cao Jin was so angry that he picked up the stool next to him and rushed over: "You little bastard, are you fighting again?"

Jiang Yunxiao was indeed beaten. He ran from the house to the outside, hiding while saying, "Mother, please don't blame me today."

"I don't blame you? You think you're right to fight with others? Your father will be back in a couple of days, let him fight with you to your heart's content."

"No, mother, they were the ones who said Sister Yue'er was here first."

Hearing this, Cao Jin put down the stool in his hand, and Yue Niang also came out from the inner room.

Cao Jin sat on the stool in his hands: "What did they say?"

Jiang Yunxiao regained his previous indignation. "They said that Master Hongshan from Yongfu Temple said that Prince Cheng's destiny lacks water, and he needs to find a princess with a water element to assist him, otherwise he will die young. They also said that Sister Yue'er's birth chart indicates an early death, so she's not the best candidate for princess."

Jiang Yunxiao took the glass of water that Jiang Hu handed over and said, "Based on that double-faced Ling Xun, is he worthy of Yue Niang? What do you mean by premature death? I think he will die young."

Cao Jin also followed suit and said indignantly: "He deserves a beating, a severe one."

Afraid that Yue Niang would be upset, he hurried over to comfort her: "Yue'er, don't listen to their nonsense. Prince Cheng is a rational person and won't be so easily provoked."

The doctor finished writing the prescription and came out. "Madam, I see that the young lady has been feeling worried lately, and may also be suffering from insomnia. But it's nothing serious. Please just follow this prescription and boil it."

Cao Jin took the list and said, "Okay, you can go first." He also dismissed the maids and servants in the courtyard. Yue Niang asked, "Brother Yun Xiao, do you know which family said these things?"

Jiang Yunxiao blurted out: "It should be a branch of Master Xue's family. As for which family it is, I really don't know."

Grand Tutor Xue was the grandfather of Prince Cheng.

Cao Jin said seriously, "Prime Minister Xue is a loyal and dedicated man, but he is old after all, and his younger generation has no one to support the family business. I am afraid he has other ideas."

As soon as I said it, I realized I had said something wrong.

Seeing her frightened expression, Yue Niang quickly said, "Don't worry, Auntie. There's no one else in this courtyard right now."

Jiang Yunxiao looked at Yue Niang as if nothing had happened: "Sister Yue'er, why are you like nothing has happened? Your position as princess is about to be lost."

Yue Niang looked at Jiang Yunxiao who was fighting with others for a word, and felt a different emotion flowing in her heart.

"Brother Yunxiao, you should change your clothes and apply some medicine quickly."

Cao Jin pulled Yue Niang into the house and said, "Don't worry about him. He's been used to fighting since he was a child, so he's very thick-skinned."

Jiang Yunxiao followed gloomily: "Mother, I am your biological child."

After chatting and laughing, Cao Jin prepared a cart of gifts for Yue Niang to take back, and took Jiang Yunxiao to personally send Yue Niang back.

In the carriage, Cao Jin said, "Yue'er, it doesn't matter if you don't marry into the palace. As long as you are healthy and happy, that's all that matters. Your mother must wish for you too."

"I know, aunt, I never dreamed of such a marriage myself; it is what is destined to happen."

Seeing Yue Niang so calm, Cao Jin finally felt relieved, but he couldn't help but remind her: "Let them say those unpleasant things outside, we just close the door and don't listen."