The Humble Family’s Daughter Has A Spatial Pocket!
Chapter 780 - 698, Sigh_1

Chapter 780: Chapter 698, Sigh_1

Observing Xiao Yechen who could only walk with the support of his personal eunuch, and Luo Honghao with his somber face, lost in thought, the onlooking officials all swiftly exited the palace gates.

It’s not enjoyable watching the Imperial Family’s drama, for one could easily get burned if not careful.

Yan Zhigao also made a hasty departure, flanked by the Minister of Revenue and Sun Chang.

Once the crowd had dispersed, the Minister of Revenue asked Yan Zhigao in a low voice, "How did your family raise such children? How come their martial abilities are so impressive!"

Clearly, Luo Honghao’s martial prowess was considered exceptional by all, for if it weren’t so, he would not have been appointed as the Commander of the Capital Guards so young, regardless of his illustrious background.

Yan Zhigao fell silent for a moment, "We didn’t do anything special, just made sure they were always well-fed." Seeing that the Minister of Revenue and Sun Chang were glaring with eyes wide open, he nodded assertively, "Really, from their childhood to now, they have never gone hungry in our home."

The Minister of Revenue stared deeply at Yan Zhigao, and looking into his sincere eyes, even he, who prided himself on his discernment, was somewhat puzzled if this man was putting on an act of ignorance.

Seeing that the Minister of Revenue did not pursue the matter further, Yan Zhigao let out a sigh of relief, "My lord, I haven’t seen my son and nephew for a long time. I shall take my leave now."

The Minister of Revenue waved his hand, "Go ahead." After Yan Zhigao had left, he squinted his eyes and muttered, "I originally thought the Yan Family had no solid foundation, but who would have thought, they’ve established themselves."

With Yan Wentao and Yan Wenkai, both fourth-rank Jinling Guard Commanders, ordinary families indeed would not dare to recklessly confront the Yan Family.

...

Yan Residence.

By the time Yan Zhigao returned, Yan Wentao and Yan Wenkai had already met with the family, and were now being engaged in conversation by Old Madam Yan.

Upon seeing Yan Zhigao, both stood to pay their respects.

Yan Zhigao nodded, chatted briefly with the women of the household, and then took Yan Wenxiu and his brothers to the outer courtyard study.

After everyone had left, Han Xinran smiled and said, "Both younger brothers truly have an impressive presence."

Old Madam Yan immediately beamed, "The children of our Yan Family are all exemplary."

Glancing at Yan Yishuang and her sisters beside her, Han Xinran thought to herself that the members of the Yan Family were indeed good-looking. Smiling, she added, "Indeed, my mother also told me recently that our younger sisters are so pretty that they’ll surely marry into good families one day."

Upon hearing this, Madam Li’s smile faded somewhat, remembering her visit to the Han Family and the sense of superiority they had subtly displayed, whether intended or not.

She could feel that both Old Madam Han and Madam Han looked down on her and her mother, regardless of their warm demeanor, the unintentional disdain in their actions was unmistakable.

Madam Li glanced at her daughter-in-law, who had returned to her maternal home several times in just over half a month of being in the capital...

Whatever Han Xinran said next made Old Madam Yan burst into hearty laughter.

Thinking of her little grandson, whose looks were as delicate and refined as carved jade, Madam Li’s displeasure eased somewhat. Well, for the sake of her grandson, she would be more understanding.

The study at the front courtyard.

Yan Zhigao and Yan Wenxiu were flipping through two Jinling Guard Commander tokens.

After a while, Yan Wenxiu looked at his younger brothers and said with a smile, "Now, both of you hold the rank of fourth-grade officials, while I, as your older brother, am still nothing."

Yan Wentao promptly spoke up, "Big brother, although the fourth brother and I have advanced a step earlier, it’s merely because we were at the right place at the right times, such as the Eight Princes’ rebellion and the turmoil at the Northern Frontier – it was just a matter of chance."

Yan Wenkai, who was carefree by nature, chimed in, "Big brother, aren’t you taking the imperial civil service examination this spring? Once you’re named on the Golden List, naturally you can take office and become an official. With your capabilities, catching up to us will be a piece of cake."

Yan Wenxiu chuckled, shaking his head, "Alright, I was just joking. What’s with you two, trying so hard to console me?"

With that, his smiling expression became serious.

"You’ve come this far by risking your lives, I’m truly happy for you," he said.

Yan Zhigao silently looked at his three children, his heart brimming with satisfaction.

The children had grown up, and now they could all help him shoulder burdens.

Thinking of the Minister of Revenue and Sun Chang, who had clearly become much warmer to him at today’s banquet, Yan Zhigao couldn’t help but sigh with emotion, he was now able to bask in his children’s glory.

Yan Wenkai, "Big brother, when will the spring imperial examination results be posted?"

Yan Wenxiu smiled, "In a few days, I guess."

Because of the great victory in the Northern Frontier, people’s attention was focused on the triumphant troops returning to the capital, and so the spring imperial examinations had received much less attention.

Yan Wenkai laughed, "Then I’ll go check the results for you."

After talking about the imperial examinations for a while, Wentao asked, "Big brother, are Big Brother Dong and the others doing alright?"

Yan Wenxiu glanced at Wentao, knowing that his younger brother was more eager to inquire about the Zhou Family. Upon mentioning this, Yan Wenxiu’s expression turned somewhat grim, as Yan Zhigao also let out a sigh.

"The Dong Family got entangled in the Duke case and has been stripped of their marquisate," he said.

Hearing this, Wentao and Yan Wenkai widened their eyes in shock, "How could that be?"

Yan Wenxiu sighed, "The Duke case implicated many, and the Emperor abhors the Eight Princes Party to the extreme, giving strict orders to the investigators, not to erroneously release a single person."

"As a result, almost all those involved were arrested and thrown into the Ministry of Justice’s prison."

Wentao, "Is everyone unharmed?"

Yan Wenxiu nodded, "The Dong Family was rather fortunate; they didn’t find any evidence linking them directly to the Eight Princes Party. However, because they indeed had communications with confirmed members of the party, their titles were revoked, and their estate was confiscated."

Yan Wenkai breathed a sigh of relief, "At least they are unharmed. Where is Big Brother Dong and his family living now? Were they ordered to leave the capital?"

Yan Wenxiu shook his head, "No, the Dong Family is now living in South City." He paused, then continued, "If you want to see Yuanxuan, I advise you to wait awhile, he might not want to meet us at the moment."

Yan Wenkai frowned, "Big Brother Dong isn’t someone who is easily defeated, is he?"

Yan Wenxiu, "...He’s divorced now."

Upon hearing this, Wentao and Yan Wenkai were at a loss for words.

Yan Wenxiu, "It was Yuanxuan who initiated it. It’s fortunate that he had been married for less than half a year and they had no children. He said he didn’t want to hold back the young lady."

Wentao and Yan Wenkai sighed together in unison.

After a moment of silence, Wentao couldn’t help but ask, "What about the Zhou Family, are they alright?"

Yan Zhigao glanced at his nephew, "Vice Minister Zhou is still locked up in the Ministry of Justice’s prison."

Yan Wenkai hurriedly asked, "How did the Zhou Family also get involved?"

Yan Wenxiu, "Actually, after the Duke Residence was raided and decimated at the end of last year, the matter seemed to have settled down. However, this year, the Ministry of Justice accidentally uncovered a list of names of those who worked for the Eight Princes during an interrogation, and Vice Minister Zhou’s name was on it."

"Because of the Northern Frontier conflicts, they hadn’t had time to interrogate him all these years, and he’s been kept in prison ever since."

Wentao frowned, "With Vice Minister Zhou arrested, are the other members of the Zhou Family alright?"

Yan Wenxiu, "The heir to the family has come to the capital. Besides Old Master Zhou falling ill, the others are relatively fine."