Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family-Chapter 1093 - 1092 Dream Shattered

Why would Officer Cao Senior come to Marquis Yongping’s Mansion?

He is an elder of three dynasties, already of advanced years, and seldom attends the early morning session, yet he has come to the mansion...

Could it be that there is an important matter?

Thinking of this, Liu Sisi hurriedly instructed her maid, "Please invite Officer Cao Senior in quickly."

As she spoke, she also gave the three people in the center of the scene a stern look, hesitating for a moment before instructing, "Chou Chou! Don’t speak so disrespectfully! It is fortunate that your Second Brother did not take you to task. You must remember this caring gesture."

"But..."

Chou Chou wanted to say more but was silenced by a glare from Liu Sisi and reluctantly swallowed his words, still wearing a sullen expression.

Liu Sisi then faced Di Xuan and his wife directly, "Xuan’er, no matter what, you are ultimately your dad’s eldest son! You represent the face of Marquis Yongping, your dad. Before conducting yourself, think more of your dad! Think thrice before you act, and plan well before you move!"

Di Xuan’s face suddenly changed. Liu Sisi had seldom spoken so harshly to him in recent years. The moment these words came out, they made it especially hard for him to retain his dignity, especially since every word Liu Sisi said was sensible; he could not even find an excuse.

So, his complexion grew even worse.

"Yes, Xuan’er will heed mom’s advice."

"Let’s go, we shall exit the manor together to personally welcome Officer Cao Senior!"

Liu Sisi said no more and, not caring whether the few people behind her had followed, she proceeded to the mansion’s gate.

At the entrance, Officer Cao Senior was being helped down from the carriage by two old women.

Liu Sisi quickly stepped forward, "Officer Cao Senior graces my humble abode with your presence, making me feel unworthy, deeply ashamed! Please come inside quickly."

"Well said! I come here today because I have something to tell the Princess."

Years passed, and now Officer Cao Senior had grown even older! His voice trembled greatly as he greeted Liu Sisi.

Liu Sisi quickly went forward to help him up personally, "Thank you for making the effort to come in person, Officer Cao Senior. Please, come inside quickly."

She then welcomed the entire group inside.

Di Xuan also walked up to Officer Cao Senior’s side to help him.

Officer Cao repeatedly cast scrutinizing looks at him. Not until they were seated, with host and guest properly arranged, did Officer Cao point to Di Xuan, "This young master is..."

Liu Sisi was somewhat at a loss, "Oh! This is my eldest son, Di Xuan. He has been away in remote areas for some time, it’s only natural that Officer Cao Senior does not recognize him. Xuan’er, won’t you quickly greet Officer Cao Senior?"

Di Xuan flicked his sleeve and stepped forward to salute, "Di Xuan greets Officer Cao Senior."

Officer Cao Senior moved slightly, turned his head to look at Chou Chou on the other side, then suddenly realized!

"Ah, it is him! Some time ago, I did hear some things about him through hearsay, saying that he had been living at Prince Luo’s Mansion on his mom’s side. Is this the person in question?"

Officer Cao Senior’s blunt words made Liu Sisi quite embarrassed. His words were certainly quite direct!

Di Xuan’s face turned iron blue immediately.

"Officer Cao Senior jokes! I heard that Officer Cao Junior has also been living by Navy’s side; could it be there is some story behind that?"

Officer Cao Junior did not take the civil route, instead, he became Navy Secret Commander.

As Di Xuan said this, his words clearly carried a hint of accusation, causing Liu Sisi and Chou Chou to change their expressions instantly. Even Thirteen beside them widened his eyes.

"Ha ha! Young people indeed have vigor! Very good, very good..."

Officer Cao Senior, shaking his head with a wobble, did not continue speaking; instead, he chuckled twice, a quick flash of regret passing through his dim, elderly eyes.

Liu Sisi hurriedly coughed twice: "Officer Cao, your vast experience is renowned; my son is inept in conversation, I beg you not to take it to heart..."

"No harm done, no harm done! Our Great Zhao needs such people who dare to speak and act!"

Officer Cao waved his hand to interrupt Liu Sisi’s words and brought up his visit’s purpose: "The reason I’ve come to disturb you at the mansion today is actually by command of His Majesty, to relay a certain matter."

Liu Sisi quickly sat up straight: "Officer Cao is here by imperial mandate. Please wait just a moment, Princess Yu will prepare the fragrant altar and then kneel to receive the Imperial Decree and listen to the sacred edict!"

"That won’t be necessary, His Majesty only wished for me to relay a few verbal instructions to the Princess."

Officer Cao glanced at the people in the center of the scene, but he refrained from speaking further and, instead, picked up the teacup and leisurely blew on it.

Liu Sisi’s eyes darted around before she looked back at the few people beside her and made eye signals to them.

Chou Chou hurried away. Di Xuan wanted to stay, but seeing Officer Cao Senior’s unmoving posture, he clenched his fists and turned to leave.

Liu Sisi quickly rose and personally refilled Officer Cao Senior’s tea: "Officer Cao, does His Majesty have orders for Princess Yu?"

Beyond this question, Liu Sisi truly did not know what matter could be so secretive to require Officer Cao to act with such mystery.

Officer Cao looked at her and sighed, putting down the teacup, "You probably haven’t heard yet. Ah...," Officer Cao leaned in a bit closer, whispering, "After the early morning session, a secret message came from over there in Xixia. It said that the Marquis Yongping went missing during a battle against the Tartars in Xixia and, to this day, his whereabouts remain unknown, and his life or death is uncertain!"

His fingertips tapped forcefully on the table, the regret in his eyes intensifying.

Once someone went missing on the battlefield, it often meant they were no longer alive.

Although the secret message did not explicitly state it, the implication was quite close.

Boom!

Liu Sisi’s head buzzed with noise!

There was a moment of blankness in her mind, and her body swayed, nearly collapsing to the ground.

Her face turned deathly pale, not a hint of color remaining: "Officer Cao, you are joking with Princess Yu, aren’t you?"

A few people listening secretly outside nearly jumped up; in particular, Chou Chou almost rushed in but was pulled back by Di Xuan.

After hesitating, Officer Cao still steeled his heart and shook his head: "Princess Yu, this matter was personally conveyed to me by His Majesty after summoning me to the palace. His Majesty sent me because he was concerned that the Princess could not withstand such a shock. I’m laying all my cards on the table to the Princess!"

"The Marquis rode deep into enemy’s heartland against the troops of the Tartars. Whether it’s the horsemen from Xia Country or the subjects of my Great Zhao, everyone can only search for the Old Master Marquis in secret, and are not daring to openly seek him on the enemy lines. Therefore..."

Officer Cao’s eyes showed a hint of pity: "The real chance of finding him is almost negligible..."

These words shattered the last hope in Liu Sisi’s heart!

She suddenly slumped onto a chair, speechless.

The sky seemed to be falling!

Officer Cao sighed: "His Majesty’s intention is to keep this matter under wraps for now, and not to announce it publicly. On one hand, to continue the search for the Marquis Yongping actively, and on the other, it is hoped that the Princess can adapt to the current changes as soon as possible..."

With one less man at home, suddenly there was a lot more to face.

Liu Sisi sat silently in place, staring at a point in the void, not taking in any of Officer Cao’s advice.

After a while, she lifted her head, staring at Officer Cao: "Officer Cao, I’ve made my decision. I will go to Xixia! I will go find him, alive I must see the person, dead I must see the body!"