Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family-Chapter 1086 - 1085: Zhao Yuanlang’s Decision

Contrary to Liu Sisi’s expectation, Zhao Yuanlang had already seated himself at the main seat early, and to his right was a small table that remained unoccupied.

Liu Sisi and the others hurried forward to pay their respects but were directly summoned by Zhao Yuanlang instead.

"Ruyu, why have you only arrived now? Come, come quickly over here, sit! We can talk in detail after we’re seated," Zhao Yuanlang greeted Liu Sisi with a smile and beckoned her to join him at the table.

It was only then that Liu Sisi realized that her seat was notably placed at the head of the table.

Just as she sat down, from the doorway came the announcement, "The Princess of Xixia Country has arrived!"

Zhao Yuanlang immediately became overjoyed, "Let’s go, let’s go welcome the Princess of Xixia Country together."

As he spoke, he had already left his seat and was heading outside.

Liu Sisi quickly got up and followed him.

No sooner had Zhao Yuanlang stepped outside, Lin Xiner, leading a group of people, had already entered from outside. Seeing Nan Tianzong standing right beside the other party, Liu Sisi was initially overjoyed! Then she felt her heart slowly sinking.

Lin Xiner’s words once again echoed in her mind.

Had her brother truly agreed to her request for her sake?

As she was lost in thought, Zhao Yuanlang had already taken Lin Xiner’s hand and walked in, meeting Liu Sisi’s surprised gaze head-on.

Zhao Yuanlang immediately burst into hearty laughter, "Ruyu! Come, you join us too."

As he spoke, he returned to his place and sat down.

Liu Sisi, still unable to grasp the situation, instinctively looked towards her brother, Nan Tianzong.

Nan Tianzong gave her a slight nod followed by a shake of his head, then silently passed by her to his own seat.

Realizing the situation, Liu Sisi quickly followed.

Zhao Yuanlang turned his head to observe Liu Sisi and Lin Xiner for a moment, then glanced at Nan Tianzong beside them. A fleeting look of surprise crossed his face before he burst into laughter once more.

"It’s a joyous and rare occasion for our family of three to reunite today—it’s a matter worthy of celebration by all. Tonight, let us drink to our hearts’ content. Nobody leaves sober!"

Liu Sisi subconsciously looked at Lin Xiner, whose eyebrows momentarily furrowed before she picked up a wine cup from nearby and took a small, concealing sip.

"I am deeply honored by His Majesty’s generous hospitality," Lin Xiner said.

Liu Sisi felt a wave of panic and instinctively searched for Di Yelei’s whereabouts, only to find that he was seated diagonally across from her, in a position much further back.

As she looked his way, he cast her an encouraging glance, which inexplicably settled Liu Sisi’s tumultuous emotions. freewёbnoνel.com

Chou Chou, seated next to Di Yelei, was eagerly devouring the food, oblivious to the tense atmosphere pervading the county.

On the contrary, YingEr, sitting beside her, was sitting upright, her fingers gripping her skirt hem so tightly they turned white, afraid to make even the slightest movement.

Liu Sisi, having calmed herself, gently tugged at YingEr and gave her a reassuring smile.

YingEr hurriedly returned the smile, took a deep breath, picked up her bowl and chopsticks, and cautiously placed a piece of dessert into her mouth.

Zhao Yuanlang, however, laughed heartily and said to Liu Sisi, who was just withdrawing her chopsticks, "Ruyu, do you have anything you wish to say to your mom?"

Was he eager to proclaim it to the world?

Liu Sisi snuck a glance at Lin Xiner, indeed noticing that her frown had deepened.

Quickly, she stood and made a respectful greeting, "Ruyu has been blessed with the care of my uncle and aunt from a young age, and for that, I am immensely grateful. Without their adoption back then, I do not know where Ruyu would be wandering now."

Perhaps I would no longer even be in this world, right?

Her words immediately drew the attention of many, focusing their gazes upon her.

Even Zhao Yuanlang himself was stunned for a moment before hurriedly shifting the topic and addressing everyone, "That is true, a son’s duty to his parents can never compare to a parent’s nurturing grace. In the future, you must show them great filial piety. Come now, let us all eat up. Courtier Di, you need to drink a few more toasts!"

Di Yelei immediately stood up, holding his wine cup and giving thanks to His Majesty, "I, the minor official, thank Your Majesty."

"And Brother Luo, Marquis Yongwu, you both must also drink a few more. You all know that the credit for this matter belongs to several among you. Once I return to the capital city, I will certainly reward each of you again..."

"I, the minor official, thank Your Majesty."

Once again, a chorus of thanks echoed around.

Liu Sisi shrunk back, trying her best to minimize her presence.

Even so, she could still distinctly feel the gazes of everyone falling on her.

After the third round of wine, Zhao Yuanlang slowly put down his wine cup, glanced at Di Yelei, and then said, "Everyone should understand, the Princess of Xixia Country has come here seeking to borrow troops from my Great Zhao Country. After much consideration, I have decided to entrust this matter to Courtier Di. Not only is Courtier Di a valiant general of my Great Zhao Country, he is also Ruyu’s husband. Accompanying Xin’er to Xixia to resist the ethnic groups, I am full of confidence! Here, I wish Courtier Di an early return and to turn calamities into blessings!"

Di Yelei was very surprised!

He quickly looked up at Zhao Yuanlang, then at Lin Xiner next to him, and stood there, speechless.

Liu Sisi’s expression also turned pale in an instant.

Zhao Yuanlang was actually sending Di Yelei to support Xixia? What did this mean?

Di Yelei quickly recovered, hurriedly stood up and bowed, "I, the minor official, receive the decree and give thanks for the grace."

Liu Sisi could no longer hear any other sounds; a rumbling noise echoed in her ears. It took a great effort to recover from the shock, feeling her whole body trembling.

Until the end of the banquet, her complexion had not recovered.

Zhao Yuanlang laughed heartily, "Courtier Di, you need not worry about other things. This time your mission to Xixia represents the Great Zhao Country’s support of Xixia’s horsemen. You may choose whichever soldiers and generals you need, all at your discretion. What do you think?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generous grace."

Once again seated in the carriage returning to the mansion, everyone could not help but let out a long sigh of relief.

Finally back at the manor, everyone gathered in the flower hall, none yet suggesting rest, staring at Di Yelei in silence.

In the end, it was Di Yelei who cleared his throat to break everyone’s contemplation, "Let’s all speak up, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

Who could have any thoughts on this matter?

"Prefecture Princess Luo, you have been studying military strategies by Prince Luo’s side since you were young. What is your perspective on resolving this matter?"

Prefecture Princess Luo had not expected to be called upon and quickly stood up, "His Majesty has dispatched Old Master Marquis to Xixia for several reasons. With matters as they are, all we can do is choose a few brave and skilled brothers to accompany us, which could, at the very least, add a few protections for our lives."

Was this an agreement for Liu Sisi to accompany them?

"So be it, wanting to withdraw from the court at this point is obviously not feasible. However, we can certainly bring along a few familiar hands, thinking of it as practice."

While the new maids and pageboys each had their own advantages and obeyed orders, they excelled at following directions.

"That’s all trivial matters; what’s important is for this long journey to Xixia, it’s essential to have capable deputies by our side. Who do you think should accompany us on this trip?"

Di Hongyuan promptly took out a list and discussed it with Di Yelei.

Liu Sisi watched that earnest face, her mind going blank.

Di Yelei’s departure for Xixia, it was uncertain when he would return.

——

Sisi is about to enter the final map, and the main storyline of this text is nearing its conclusion. The countdown to completion begins. It is expected to end by the end of this month, but a few days’ delay or advance might occur.

Thank you, everyone, for your company along the way, for growing with Sisi, for sharing joy and sorrow together.

Sisi is a woman of gentle feelings, and some friends may prefer a strong and fierce female protagonist. Here, Craft Paper recommends my new work, "The Fierce Woman’s Farming: A Mountain Man’s Wife Addiction". Follow the fierce woman as she grows!