ried. The city gate immediately became a chaotic mess.Li Lao Si protected the crowd and quickly retreated.Jia Yin never expected it to be so bloody. She was terrified and shrank her neck, hiding behin...Similarly, the rest of the officials also shared this idea.

For a moment, an eerie silence descended upon the hall.

But soon, Wen Yushi stepped forward and declared loudly: "Your Majesty, I disagree with Wang's proposal."

It is well known that there was some friction between General Li's family and Lord Wang's family, which caused quite a stir in Kyoto.

"Now that General Li has been handed over to the Dali Temple under Lord Wang's jurisdiction, there is a risk that Lord Wang will take revenge personally."

Wang Zechen snorted coldly and rushed to say, "Wen Yishi, your relationship with the Li family is well-known to all. You defend Li Qiusheng like this, aren't you suspected of harboring him"

Wen Yu Shi smiled and said, “So, in order to avoid suspicion, I didn't say Li Qiu Sheng was innocent. Everything has to wait until after the investigation.”

Though I dare stake my head that General Li is absolutely innocent, I also believe the Emperor will rule fairly and not allow certain villains to succeed!

"You..." Wang Zechen still wanted to retort.

The Emperor spoke up, interrupting their debate. He turned to the Marquis of Xinting and asked, “This incident happened within the Northern Expeditionary Army. While you have provided testimony from soldiers, it is unconvincing at present. How do you suggest we proceed”

When the officials heard this, they secretly glanced at Marquis Xinting, all envious of the emperor's great trust in him.

After some thought, Xinting Hou said to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, Li Qiusheng did nothing wrong. However, the Chen family’s suspicions are understandable and an investigation is reasonable. But arresting and imprisoning Li Qiusheng was unnecessary.”

If he were imprisoned, the entire populace of Xindu would likely believe that Li Qiusheng was guilty. This would damage the reputation of the Li family!

"I suggest suspending Li Qiusheng's duties and having him reflect in seclusion. Your Majesty should dispatch someone else to investigate until the truth is revealed, and then reinstate Li Qiusheng's position."

The Emperor nodded, and the courtiers also felt that this was a reasonable solution.

Chen Chuan is dissatisfied!

His son died, yet the killer can stay at home in comfort, enjoying good food and drink as they await the New Year!

He crawled two steps, and was about to cry out again when the Marquis of Xinting spoke.

"Your Majesty, the new recruits have been in camp for a while now and are starting to resemble seasoned soldiers. I suggest granting them a three-day holiday to return home and visit their families. It would surely comfort their elderly relatives who miss them dearly."

The Emperor immediately said, “Carry out my decree! During the New Year, we must be prepared for trouble from the barbarians in Jiangbei. It's not a good time to take leave. Now is just the right moment!”

The officials seemed unable to believe it, their eyes fixed on Marquis Xinting, none of them expecting him to take the initiative to give the new recruits a holiday!

Remembering the nagging of the elders at home, and the wives wiping their tears from time to time, the officials were all overjoyed and quickly knelt down to express their gratitude.

"Thank you for your graciousness, Your Majesty!"

For a moment, the Qiankun Hall was in complete uproar, as this grace was exceptionally lively.

Chen Chuan, wedged in the crowd, and Wang Zechen, with a sullen face, even if they wanted to insist on arresting Li Qiusheng, it was impossible.

The Marquis of Xiting, with just three days of vacation, easily shattered the neutrality of the court officials!

Seeing the ministers' joy, the Emperor also smiled and directly ordered the Ministry of War to thoroughly investigate Chen He's cause of death.

The Minister of War accepted the order without any sign of difficulty on his face.

Chen Chuanhen gritted his teeth.

He wasn't stupid; it was clear the Ministry of War wasn't prepared to put in any real effort.

After all, Marquis Xin Ting commanded the Northern Expeditionary Army, his power was immense, and the Ministry of War didn't dare to offend him easily.

Now that Marquis Xinting is openly protecting Li Qiusheng, how could the Ministry of War possibly find him guilty!

The Emperor, perhaps feeling that the matter had been resolved very satisfactorily, ordered court to be dismissed and then, in high spirits, invited Marquis Xinting.

"I have acquired a golden birdcage, would you like to come and see it with me"

If someone else were to hear this, they would certainly agree readily.

But it was Xinting Hou who received the invitation. “Thank Your Majesty for your kindness, but the new soldiers need a break, and the veterans will surely be restless if they see this. I must return to the camp immediately.”

The Emperor hadn't expected such a straightforward rejection, and he was taken aback for a moment, his expression turning rather sour.

But he didn't say anything, just waved his hand and went back to the inner palace.

The civil and military officials all turned their heads and walked out, occasionally glancing back at Marquis Xinting. They really didn't know what to say.

Luckily, Marquis Xinting was the emperor's cousin and had truly fought valiantly, earning a distinguished reputation. Otherwise, had someone else been in his place, they would have long since reported to the King of Hell.

He actually dared to refuse the Emperor's invitation...

But soon they cast the matter from their minds, all eager to get home and spread the good news.

For the past few months, our children have been enduring hardships at the military camp, and their parents and elders at home have been filled with worry, unable to eat or sleep well either.

Now, the children are finally coming back. This is simply a bigger happy event than Chinese New Year.

Every household is bustling with activity, cleaning their homes, preparing delicious meals that children will love, and new clothes and shoes.

And on the second day, as soon as the city gates opened, countless carriages thronged to the military camp by the river.

After gathering with their respective masters, they frantically ran back to the new capital.

Soon, the sound of crying rose from each and every household's doorstep.

The Jia family courtyard was the same.

Old Madam Jia held her grandson tightly, wiping tears as she looked him up and down.

"Grandma's precious little Dun, let Grandma have a look, you've lost weight, you've lost so much weight! Oh dear, Dun has suffered."

Lady Jia's eyes were also red with tears, she grabbed her son's hand and wouldn't let go.

Fearing that the moment he let go, his son would vanish immediately.

A child walking thousands of miles makes a mother worry, let alone her son joining the army. Who can guarantee when he might be facing real swords and guns against barbarians

Now that she could see her son standing before her, he had grown taller and stronger. With a simple, honest smile, her heart finally felt at ease.

Mr. Jia the Elder and Mr. Jia the Younger stood to one side, not daring to approach.

Mrs. Jia Er then advised, "Mother, elder sister-in-law, it's cold outside, why don't you come in Dun'er is on a three-day holiday and has plenty of free time to talk."

Both Madam Jia and Madam Jia Da nodded, hurriedly pulling Jia Dun's hand into the room.

The maidservant brought up tea and refreshments, all of Jia Dun's favorite things.

Baozhu held a box in front of her brother and showed off, "Brother, I made a good friend. Her name is Jia Yin sister."

"Jia Yin sister opened a dessert shop on the commercial street, selling all kinds of delicious treats. These are all my favorites, I especially asked someone to buy them this morning."

"Bro, try this! If you like it, I'll have them buy more."

Jia Dun'er patted his younger sister's hand and said with a smile, "Thank you, Baozhu. I'll eat anything you make. Keep your silver for yourself and don't buy things for me."

"When your brother returns from his military campaign with honors and wealth, I will save up enough silver to buy you a dowry."

The Jia family members were surprised. Before they could say anything, Baozhu cried out, "Brother, you used to lie to me and gamble away my silver, saying that girls are like spilled water once they leave the house, and their dowry is just a cheap gift to outsiders! Now how come you're different"

Jia Dun flushed and replied, "Brother, I was ignorant back then. Please don't hold it against me. Now things are different, and I will always treat you well in the future."

Grandma Jia held her grandson's hand and praised him incessantly.

"Good, good! Granny's precious grandson finally sees the light! He used to be led astray by those bad influences, but now he's a sensible young man."as wrong to blame you. Mothers always say that once a daughter gets married she's like water spilled—there's no going back, and there's certainly no point in coming back to her parents' house and taki...