Chapter 574: The Heavy Price of Victory!

eror Tianwu's retreat to Jiangnan is at least half her responsibility. However, the Emperor still cannot do anything about the Empress Dowager.If both their parents were dead, they should indeed liste...Everyone was startled and stood up. The Consort, addressing the servant woman harshly, exclaimed, “Presumptuous! Report whatever business you have at once, don't make such a commotion!”

The midwife immediately knelt down, fearfully replying, “Miss Lian, she woke up and rushed out, no one could stop her. She has already left the manor!”

"What Lian'er, Lian'er!" The second madam's legs went weak at that moment, and she cried out, "She must have gone to seek death! Quickly bring my Lian'er back to me!"

The onlookers also had grim faces, unable to help but blame this girl for being clueless.

At this time, she rushed out, it was impossible to seek death at all.

If you really want to die, just go home.

Whether it's by well or hanging, it's convenient.

Therefore, the most likely reason she went out was to find Duke Zhen Guo's mansion to break off the engagement, or to tell Marquis Xinting of her feelings, or to enter the palace and ask her aunt, the empress, to intercede with the emperor and revoke the imperial decree.

But no matter which one, it's not something a young lady like her could do!

Old Master Hou glared and ordered, “Go bring her back! At this time, isn't our family already embarrassed enough!”

Everyone immediately responded.

The madame of the prince still wanted to enter the palace, so the prince and the second master took their servants to look for her.

Only the second madam was unable to leave the house or enter the palace, she could only cry incessantly, which made the old marquis and his wife increasingly displeased.

The elderly couple only had two sons, both legitimate.

Ideally, brothers should treat each other with respect and support each other.

But the second couple always felt that they, as parents, were biased. They had the eldest son inherit the title and his daughter became the empress.

So, both the second brother and his wife were hoping to marry their daughter off to the Marquis of Xinting.

Even if she couldn't be as glorious as the Empress, at least she would be a Marchioness. In the future, she could sit on an equal footing with her own family.

Now, the couple's hopes have been dashed, and it seems that their peaceful days at home are coming to an end...

If Duke Zhen Guo were here right now, he would definitely be feeling extremely superior.

He only has one son, which is a blessing in disguise; at least there's no risk of sibling rivalry...

Before the gate of Lord Xin Ting's mansion, the chief steward kept peering out.

A doorman, smiling, approached and said, “Butler, why don’t you come in for some tea The Lord went to the wounded soldiers camp, he probably won’t be back anytime soon.”

"What kind of tea are you drinking!" The steward glared, exasperated. "Don't you think about the wounded soldiers in the camp They all followed the lord through thick and thin, and now they're either missing arms or legs. Who knows how much pain the lord is in"

Let me tell you, when the Master comes back, you all better serve him well. If anyone dares to make things difficult for him right now, don't blame me for getting rough!

"No, no!" the servant quickly assured him. "Don't worry, Master Butler, the Lord only comes back for a few days a year. We're so busy serving him that we wouldn't dare to inconvenience him in any way!"

"That's about right!" The housekeeper beamed, peering out again.

Just then, a carriage rushed over. His eyes lit up, thinking the Marquis had returned, but just as he was about to greet it, he realized it wasn't their own carriage at all.

He wondered who was visiting and tried to quickly dismiss them, but when the carriage stopped, a girl in purple robes stepped out.

This young woman looked to be about sixteen or seventeen years old, with beautiful features. But her eyes were red and swollen from crying for some reason, her hair was disheveled, and she appeared a little dishevelled.

The steward felt the young lady looked familiar, and wanted to ask her a few questions, but the coachman, who was eager for his payment, beat him to it. “Miss,” he said, “you haven’t paid your fare yet! It’s ten coins!”

The girl in purple raised her head to look at the plaque above the Hou Mansion, and upon hearing this, she became annoyed. She directly pulled a hairpin from her hair and threw it over, "Scram, you scoundrel!"

The coachman took the hairpin, glanced at it and whipped his horse, galloping away without a trace.

The head steward's mouth twitched involuntarily.

That was a hairpin inlaid with rubies, the cost of labor alone was ten taels of silver, not counting the materials.

This girl just threw it to someone else, she's... really wasteful!

In the future, whoever marries this girl will be truly unlucky.

As a result, the girl looked at him for a long while, then turned her head and said to him, "Where is your Lord Let him come out. I want to ask him why he won't marry me"

The steward's legs went weak and he almost tripped on the stairs!

This prodigal daughter, she's actually going to enter the Marquis' mansion!

He steadied his mind and carefully examined the young woman again, finally remembering that she was the eldest daughter of the second room of Duke Jiangning's mansion, the Empress's cousin!

Today, the Jiangning Marquis Mansion just received a marriage decree, and this girl came to cause trouble! How is this possible!

If someone who didn't understand the situation saw this, they would think that the Lord and this young lady were having a secret affair and abandoning their responsibilities!

He internally cursed, his face turning grim. He spoke loudly, "Miss Wu, don't joke around! Our Lord has been waging war outside and probably doesn't even know you. How can you say something about marrying him Besides, you were just betrothed today, so hurry back home and prepare for your wedding!"

A disheveled young woman stood before the gates of the Marquis's mansion, facing off against the head steward. This scene was definitely unusual, and it had already attracted scattered onlookers to peek curiously.

The steward deliberately made his words clearer, hoping that this Miss Wu would know better than to press on.

Unfortunately, Ms. Wu didn't appreciate it at all.

She lifted her skirt and was about to rush into the Hou Mansion, "I want to see the Marquis, why won't he marry me What is wrong with me"

The housekeeper was furious, this girl doesn't understand a word!

He quickly stopped her, but he didn't dare to pull the young lady. For a moment, he was very passive.

Just then, the Lord finally came back.

As soon as the carriage door opened, the Marquis jumped out first, followed by Li Lao Er.

The Lord's brow furrowed, and Li Lao Er's face was also not good.

People have always only seen victory, but they don't know how much it costs behind these two words.

Even though the Marquis meticulously planned every campaign and always led from the front, charging into battle himself, there were still casualties among his troops.

All day long they visited all the wounded, recording their names and selecting those who could be sent to Golden Beach.

Although the news was relayed at the camp of wounded soldiers by the Marquis a few days ago, hoping to ignite a spark of hope in their hearts to keep living.

But, these days some people are still finding ways to commit suicide.

Some were saved, and some... succeeded.

Among these wounded soldiers, some have parents and families. Providing them with more financial aid allows them to return home, marry and have children, at least having a support system and an escape route.

But more people have no family, or have families but are unwilling to take on another burden.

Perhaps aware of this, they chose to end their own lives with their own hands.

In their view, dying with dignity was always better than ending up begging on the streets and rotting in a gutter....

Li Lao Er was also feeling heavy-hearted. He really wanted to bring all the wounded soldiers back to Suijin Beach, but it was impossible.

With so many people's livelihoods at stake, it's important to discuss this with the family.

Otherwise, even if the village was willing to keep them, these wounded soldiers would not want to be nothing but idle bums who only eat and sleep all day!

He vaguely felt that about this matter, his niece might have a solution. He'd go home tomorrow and ask his niece first before saying anything more...the courtyard and build a fire. These people are good for nothing, just wandering around all day, coming back hungry to eat and sleep. Do they really think this place is their own!""Have the heart of...