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

After the Ming King withdrew, the study became eerily silent.

Sikong Jin remained standing there, trembling with fear, while Sikong Shu had a somber expression, his sharp and piercing gaze sweeping over Sikong Jin. He remained silent for a long time, his powerful aura creating a sense of oppression.

A slight unease appeared on Sikong Jin's delicate face. She looked up cautiously at Sikong Shu from time to time. If you looked closely, you could see that her feet were trembling slightly.

After a long silence, Sikong Shu withdrew his sharp gaze, his tone quite serious, "You have quite the nerve, making me have to invite you time and time again? You've gotten too big for your britches after just one victory, becoming arrogant and complacent? You are the commander of the Sikong family, and you are loyal to the Sikong family. Even if the Emperor summons you back to the capital, wouldn't your first thing upon returning be to report to me?"

Sikong Jin quickly bowed and replied with some apprehension, "Yes! I know I'm guilty! It was my oversight, but I had no intention of disrespecting the head of the family. I am utterly loyal to the Sikong family, as heaven and earth can attest!"

"Loyalty? Then let me ask you, what was written in the secret edict the Emperor gave you? You've been in Malan City for half a year, have you ever reported anything about the situation there to your family? If I hadn't sent people to summon you time and time again today, when did you plan to come to see me?"

Sikong Shu's tone was sharp and imposing, demonstrating his authority as the head of the Sikong family.

"Please understand, Master, His Majesty merely summoned me back to the capital for a birthday banquet; he had no other intentions. My deputy and his entourage had traveled a long and arduous journey and arrived in the capital starving. I believe that, in accordance with the fourth principle of the Master's code of conduct—that the Master of the Sikong family should be friendly, considerate of his subordinates, kind and benevolent, possess the talent to pacify the internal affairs and the strategy to repel external enemies—I believe that everything I have done is for the sake of the family's reputation."

Sikong Jin's tone was still somewhat fearful, but a hint of innocence and grievance could be heard in it. "My lord, although Generals Mei and Meng, and Strategist Zhu, have served under my father for many years, they were directly promoted and transferred from the Royal Military Command and the Ji family's military headquarters. We must be even more careful. Recently, because the Emperor's birthday banquet is approaching, all the post stations are fully booked. To show the family's encouragement to the meritorious soldiers, I have arranged for them to stay at the Hilton Hotel, one room per person, with food, drink, and lodging all provided by our Sikong family. I believe that this will provide a profound spiritual boost to the many family officers and soldiers, encouraging them to make meritorious contributions at all costs. The effect will be immeasurable..."

Sikong Jin recounted incessantly the benefits she had gained from her brilliant decision to the Sikong family head. However, the Sikong family head listened silently, his expression shifting between ease and gloom, his sharp gaze changing several times. After a long while, he finally couldn't help but interrupt Sikong Jin—

"So, you're saying you're doing all this for the good of the Sikong family?"

Sikong Jin removed his official hat, gave a slight gentlemanly bow, and said with an innocent and pure smile, "Sikong Jin is willing to guarantee with his personal integrity that you, the head of the family, believe in my loyalty to my family. In my eyes, the family's reputation is the highest honor, the family's consciousness is the highest consciousness, and the family's interests are above all else."

Her delicate face was full of sincerity. Even the head of the Sikong family was taken aback by Sikong Jin's impassioned declaration of loyalty. Looking at the familiar face in front of him, he felt a little strange. He felt that there was something wrong with Sikong Jin, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

News of the great victory at Malanpo reached the capital, shocking the court. The emperor immediately summoned Sikong Jin back to the capital, and as a cunning old fox, he could not possibly be unaware of the imperial family's intentions.

The Emperor's desire to weaken the power of these three families has been a long-standing one. If it weren't for the existence of the Central Plains Society, the royal family would have already taken action against one of these three families.

"The entry of family members into the court has always required a family vote. Even if it is the Emperor's decision to return to the capital, theoretically, it should be my Sikong family who should go to summon you. But now the royal family went directly. Can't you see what that means?"

Sikong Shu stared at Sikong Jin with suspicion.

"Yes! Master, I understand! Since His Majesty thinks so highly of me, I will do my utmost to protect my country and defend the people of Da Yong, even if it means shedding my last drop of blood!"

"Sikong Jin! Don't you dare talk nonsense to me! You idiot, the royal family is deliberately using you as a pawn, with the spearhead aimed at our Sikong family, do you understand?"

Sikong Shu's old face darkened, and he couldn't help but fly into a rage.

Sikong Jin was filled with fear. "How could that be? My lord, you don't need to test me. I would never doubt the loyalty of my Sikong family to the royal family. You are loyal to the royal family, and the royal family has shown great favor to my Sikong family. We are interdependent, and our friendship is the most sincere one forged through centuries of bloody battles. I would never doubt the ulterior motives of the emperor and my lord. The friendship between my family and the royal family is a lasting and beautiful one..."

'Bah! '

Before Sikong Jin could finish speaking, the usually calm and collected head of the Sikong family couldn't help but tremble. He grabbed the teacup beside him and hurled it at Sikong Jin, shamelessly cursing, "You damned Sikong Jin, you brainless idiot, you moron! Get out of here! I never want to see you again! Get out!"

Sikong Jin leaped aside, narrowly avoiding the flying teacup. Still shaken, she stared at the shattered teacup on the ground, then looked up at the enraged Sikong family head, and stammered, "Yes! Yes! This humble official will get out of here! Get out immediately! Get out right now!"

With that, he retreated in a flash, as fast as a thunderbolt!

"Ma Heng, get your ass in here!"

The angry voice of the Sikong family head rushed out, and Ma Heng, who was guarding outside the door, immediately rushed in in a panic. He saw a dejected Sikong Jin coming out with his tail between his legs, looking utterly defeated. Ma Heng looked at him with pity and asked with concern, "Third Young Master, are you alright? The family head, he..."

Sikong Jin looked up at Ma Heng and smiled nonchalantly, "Brother Ma, the patriarch is too excited to see me after so long. Why don't you go in and talk to him?"

……

Inside the study, as soon as the head of the Sikong family saw Ma Heng enter, he immediately asked, "Ma Heng, how much does it cost to stay at the Hilton Hotel for one night?"

"If you include three meals a day, it should be around one hundred taels."

"How many rooms did Sikong Jin book in total?"

"Oh, sir, the fourth young master just reported that the third young master has booked twelve rooms at the Hilton Hotel. Moreover, he sent someone to reserve them three days ago, intending to stay for a month... Sir, what's wrong?"

"Sikong Jin, you little rascal! Spendthrift! Fool..."

……

Hearing the foul curses coming from inside the house, Sikong Jin's delicate face froze slightly, and a cunning smile flashed across her eyes.