The number one spendthrift woman in the capital actually brings glory to her entire family?

The next morning, just as dawn broke, an imperial eunuch arrived at the palace to deliver a decree, ordering Sikong Jin to immediately enter the palace to see the emperor.

Sikong Jin followed Eunuch Wang to the front of Emperor Dayong's study.

"Lord Sikong, please wait here for a moment while I go in and inform His Majesty."

"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Wang!"

Sikong Jin smiled and bowed, while Eunuch Wang smiled and then quickly went inside.

A biting wind swept through the corridor, making Sikong Jin shiver. She glanced up at the sky; it was overcast, and it looked like it was about to snow. Sikong Jin kept rubbing her hands together, pacing back and forth in the corridor. However, after waiting for a long time, no message came from inside asking her to come to see him.

Meanwhile, inside the Imperial Study, Emperor Yongle was casually sipping a steaming cup of tea. Eunuch Wang, observing his expression cautiously, hesitated for a moment before whispering, "Your Majesty, Lord Sikong has been waiting outside for quite some time. Should we summon him now?"

Not daring to disturb Yuki's enjoyment, Eunuch Wang had no choice but to lower his voice and speak with a forced smile.

Emperor Da Yong then stopped what he was doing, a sharp glint of cold light flashing in his deep eyes. He took another sip of tea, then looked up with a hint of realization. "Oh? He's here? Summon him in!"

Only then did Eunuch Wang breathe a sigh of relief. "Yes, Your Majesty!"

He retreated swiftly.

Sikong Jin outside felt like she was about to freeze to death. Her thin body could barely withstand the dry, cold chill. She secretly circulated her internal energy to barely expel some of the cold from her body.

"Lord Sikong, His Majesty requests your presence!"

When Wang Gonggong's shrill voice rang out, Sikong Jin cursed Xing Qiyu inwardly. Her lowered eyelids concealed the fleeting gloom in the depths of her eyes. Then, she put on her professional smile, straightened her robes, and strode inside.

"Your humble servant, Sikong Jin, greets Your Majesty with longevity and peace!"

Sikong Jin bowed respectfully.

Emperor Dayong put down his teacup with a smile and said to Sikong Jin in a friendly manner, "Ajin, you've arrived. Are you surprised that you sent Eunuch Wang to summon you to the palace so early? Come, have a seat!"

Sikong Jin was terrified. "This humble official dares not. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness. This humble official is willing to do everything in my power to serve Your Majesty!"

Emperor Da Yong's slightly furrowed brows immediately relaxed, and he smiled, "As expected of the good son of the Grand Commander Sikong, like father, like son, truly excellent! No wonder Hua'er took a liking to you; such an outstanding talent, wouldn't it be a pity to miss out?"

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. I am unworthy of such praise. May I ask where I may serve Your Majesty?"

Sikong Jin clasped his hands in greeting, but inwardly cursed, 'That wretched old fox! I knew it was no good from your nonsensical laughter. You kept me waiting outside for so long while you drank fine tea inside. It was obviously intentional. Just you wait, you'll be crying soon enough!'

He thought this to himself, but wore a respectful smile on his face.

“Ah Jin, since you ask, I won’t beat around the bush. Are you aware of the famine and panic that broke out in the northwest a while ago?” Emperor Dayong’s sharp gaze was fixed on Sikong Jin.

Sikong Jin paused for a moment, frowned and thought for a while, then stepped forward, clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, wasn't this matter entrusted to the officials of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War to handle together?"

"They've been incompetent. Not only have they failed to control the spread of famine, but a riot has also broken out on the northwestern border. The situation there is critical and urgent. I received a report from the border the other day about the worsening situation," Emperor Da Yong said worriedly, his face grim. "You handled the investigation into the changes in the capital quite well. I'm very satisfied. You are truly talented and capable of shouldering heavy responsibilities; you are a rare talent. And now, the court is in turmoil, with this incident in the northwest. I'm afraid you will have to take on a major role again. What do you think? If I entrust this matter to you, are you confident you can handle it well?"

As soon as Emperor Dayong finished speaking, Sikong Jin was taken aback, and a look of difficulty appeared on her delicate face.

"Don't worry, since I've sent you to handle this matter, I'll naturally make preparations for you. You don't need to worry about manpower or money. What I need is for you to resolve this matter in the most effective and best way. Otherwise, if this famine is allowed to spread unchecked, it will have a very adverse impact on my Great Yong."

Sikong Jin remained silent for a long time before speaking with some trepidation and hesitation, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance, and I am worried that I may not handle it properly... Moreover, disaster relief requires a lot of relief grain. Once the famine breaks out in the Northwest, grain prices in the Northwest and Southwest regions will skyrocket, which is a huge expense. There is also a severe shortage of various winter clothing. As Your Majesty has said, the situation there is so complicated that I and a few others may find it difficult to manage... Therefore, I am afraid I cannot..."

As Sikong Jin spoke, the Emperor of Dayong kept his eyes fixed on her, not missing a single expression on her face. However, no matter how he observed her, all he could see was Sikong Jin's anxious and uneasy demeanor, clearly lacking confidence.

At this moment, Emperor Dayong had some thoughts in mind. He smiled and reassured her, "Ajin, you are too modest. I believe in your abilities. Alright, this matter is settled. You will be in full charge. I will immediately issue an edict appointing you as the Grand Commander of the Northwest Army and concurrently the Inspector General of the Northwest Expedition, leading the four battalions of the First and Second Regiments of the Four Banners Army. I also grant you the authority to act expediently. You must immediately proceed to the Northwest border to investigate and resolve the uprising and famine on the Northwest border. There must be no mistakes! The imperial edict shall be issued immediately!"

The authoritative and unyielding voice fell, causing Sikong Jin to tremble. Looking at the resolute expression on the Emperor's face, he had no choice but to kneel on one knee and say heavily, "Yes! This humble official will do his best and will never fail Your Majesty's expectations!"

This old man actually assigned her four battalions of the Four Banners Army. As far as she knew, the four battalions of the first and second regiments of the Four Banners Army had a total of 40,000 men. They were the elite of the entire Four Banners Army and had strong combat power. They were trained by her father, Sikong Qi, with great effort and were almost one of the most powerful elite forces in the Sikong family!

Wouldn't it be a waste of talent to send them out for disaster relief like this?

Would Sikong Shu possibly agree?

However, it must be said that the cunning Xing Qiyu used a strong and ruthless drug. Only in this way can the friction between them be provoked. Such a good army has fallen into her hands, and she naturally does not intend to return it. However, would the Sikong Mansion be willing to let these elite troops return to her hands so easily?