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

A cold smile, barely reaching her eyes, flashed quickly. It seemed everything was progressing steadily as planned. All she had to do now was pack her things and wait quietly.

Of course, she had long expected that Sikong Shu would talk to her, but she didn't expect that the old man would be so impatient. She had just finished lunch when someone from the manor came to tell her that the head of the Sikong family was in a hurry to see her.

When she arrived at Sikong Shu's study at a leisurely pace, she could feel the fiery atmosphere emanating from within from a distance. She raised an eyebrow and walked in calmly.

Before she could even get her footing, something flew towards her with a 'whoosh'. Sikong Jin instinctively raised her hand to catch it, and with a 'splash', a cluster of silvery water splashed up, followed by a 'bang' as the flying teacup shattered on the ground.

A cold glint flashed in Sikong Jin's eyes. The burning pain in her left hand made her frown. She looked down at her throbbing left hand and saw that it was completely red, clearly burned, and the fiery pain was crystal clear...

She gave a self-deprecating smile, lightly flicked her hand, and tucked it into her sleeve. A fleeting glint of gloom and ruthlessness crossed her lowered eyes before she regained her usual composure. She raised her head and looked at Sikong Shu's old face, which was as gloomy as the sky before a storm, and a smile appeared on her face.

"What's wrong with the head of the family? Why do you look so angry? Did the old lady and the others lose money at the Hilton again? Sigh, you know, it turns out that women can be so terrible when they get hooked on these little things. I heard that the third madam lost more than five thousand taels yesterday. It's unbelievable. Even gamblers aren't as extravagant as her. She truly lives up to her reputation as a member of the Sikong Mansion. She's so generous when she makes a move!"

Anger burned in Sikong Shu's aged eyes as he coldly stared at Sikong Jin, saying in a sinister tone, "Well, Sikong Jin, you've really grown bold, daring to agree to this! Don't you understand what Xing Qiyu is thinking? You're determined to be an enemy of our Sikong family, aren't you? How could you do such a thing! Are you trying to anger this old man to death? Huh?"

"Oh?" Sikong Jin was taken aback, quickly putting his hands in front of his chest, his face filled with fear and innocence. "My lord, are you referring to the matter of the Emperor sending me to the Northwest to quell the rebellion and provide relief to the famine-stricken people? I also said that I am not capable of undertaking such a heavy responsibility. Perhaps you could trouble yourself to ask the Emperor to withdraw the imperial edict? I really have no confidence... Look, this is the imperial edict... Please, my lord!"

As he spoke, he reached into his sleeve in a panic, trembling as he pulled out the imperial edict that Eunuch Wang had brought him. He then nervously placed it on the table in front of Sikong Shu, his face looking very pale.

Sikong Shu tried hard to see any falsehood in Sikong Jin's face, but all he could see in Sikong Jin's bright eyes was humble pleading and panic.

"My lord, the environment there is so harsh that it's virtually impossible to quell the riot and resolve the famine. His Majesty has entrusted me with such a heavy responsibility; I'm afraid I'm..."

"Hmph! Now that the imperial edict has been issued, do you think this is a joke? Sikong Jin, Sikong Jin, what exactly are you trying to do? To be used as a pawn by others, to turn against your own people, can't you use your brain more flexibly? Think about your family, your father and mother!"

Sikong Shu was furious. That old fox Xing Qiyu actually dared to threaten him and use the Zhongzhou Association to talk to him. What was hateful was that he had no reason to refuse and had to bite the bullet and agree!

They've really got a knack for trying every possible way to drag him down with them. Liu Changyue, Yang Hong, you just wait and see. If I don't show you what I'm capable of, you'll forget how powerful I am!

Sikong Jin looked at Sikong Shu dejectedly, "Can't you think of a way? My lord, I am terrified! Otherwise, you could recommend Lord Sikong Rui to the Emperor. He is reliable and steady in his work, and he is sure to be able to shoulder this important task!"

“Sikong Jin, I told you before that there is a conflict between our Sikong family and the royal family. Now Liu Changyue is trying every means to push our Sikong family into the limelight. Don’t you think about yourself? Don’t you think about Sikong Mo and your mother?”

"My lord! I am terrified. My loyalty to my family is as clear as heaven and earth, as clear as the sun and moon!"

"Hmph! The sun and moon bear witness? If that's the case, why can't I see even a trace of loyalty in you? Have you been wanting to wrest military power back from me all along? As a member of the family, have you ever considered the family's interests? Your previous behavior doesn't seem like loyalty to the family at all, Sikong Jin. Have you grown wings and think you can do whatever you want?"

Sikong Jin did not utter a word in rebuttal to Sikong Shu's stern rebuke. She simply listened silently, a mocking sneer flashing across her cold, silent eyes. Enduring the pain in her hands, she clenched and unclenched her fists repeatedly, a humble smile gracing her pale face.

"Yes, Your Excellency is right! But I have no such intention. I hope Your Excellency will see through this. I am as loyal to my family as I am to my father, and I would gladly die for them."

Sikong Jin suddenly spoke calmly, her small face full of sincerity tinged with a touch of sadness, "However, I'm afraid I'm not as great as my father. I've always been clear about my likes and dislikes. Even within the family, I believe that inviolable principles should be paramount. Otherwise, where is the dignity of the family?"

Sikong Shu understood the meaning of Sikong Jin's words very well. On the one hand, she was referring to Sikong Qi's matter, and on the other hand, she was referring to how they used connections to achieve their goals.

I never expected that Sikong Jin's personality would change so quickly. When he left the capital for Malan City, he was so timid and cowardly. He never dared to say no to anything Sikong Shu said. But now, more than half a year after returning to the capital, there is no trace of him at all!

Sikong Shu stared at Sikong Jin for a long time before slowly taking out a token from his sleeve, casually tossing it to Sikong Jin, and coldly saying, "This is a military tally, you can take it!"

Sikong Jin reached out and took it, examining it closely. Sure enough, it was exactly the same as the military tally that Sikong Qi had previously possessed.

"The Northwest is a wild and desolate land, close to the Great Wilderness. The environment is harsh, the terrain is complex, and it is extremely dangerous. Moreover, bandits and outlaws often ambush and rob people on the road. Be careful! When your father was your age, he often led the Flying Cloud Iron Cavalry through there and deep into the Great Wilderness. He should have left behind a lot of valuable things, such as maps. Go back and take a look. Now get out!"