Seeing Yi Qing looking solemn, Xiao Tian couldn't help but say, "They should mean no harm. I'll go back and have a look."
"Yi Qing, you should go back and check too," Mrs. Fan stood up and said. "They've come from afar to pay homage to Jing Han. Don't give them any excuse to take offense."
Yi Qing nodded. "Okay. I'll bring Baozi here tomorrow. Please come again. If you're worried about what others might say, just say your legs aren't good and you're helping me."
Mrs. Fan smiled. "Okay. Hurry back. But don't push yourself. Let others help you entertain them. Don't let anyone offend you."
When she said "others", she couldn't help but glance at Xiao Tian, but the latter ignored her.
Watching Yi Qing and Xiao Tian leave, Ran Ran couldn't help but say, "Mom, don't you think that Guard Xiao is hostile towards us?"
Mrs. Fan couldn't hide her worry in her eyes, but she said, "Don't talk nonsense."
"Clearly he is," Ran Ran said. "Does he like my sister - in - law?"
Mrs. Fan reached out to cover her mouth. "Such words can't be spoken casually."
"Mom..." Ran Ran pushed her mother's hand away. "Sister - in - law is so young and kind - hearted. We can't let her stay single for my brother's sake all her life. But I don't think this Xiao Tian is a good match. He's not a good person."
Hearing her daughter's words, although Mrs. Fan scolded her, she became even more determined in her belief - even if it might misunderstand Yi Qing, she had to say that Xiao Tian was not a good man.
"Anyway, he's just not a good person," Ran Ran stamped her foot. "Next time I'll tell sister - in - law."
Mrs. Fan originally wanted to scold her, but then she thought that Ran Ran was closer in age to Yi Qing. Maybe it would be better for her to test Yi Qing's attitude.
"One thing though," Ran Ran added. "He seems to be quite good to Baozi."
Mrs. Fan fell silent.
She didn't force Yi Qing to remain loyal to Xiao Jing Han, but she hoped that there would be someone who would truly love her grandson.
"But Mom," Ran Ran bit her lip. "I really don't understand. Didn't they say that Xiao Tian was my brother's capable subordinate? How could he have feelings for sister - in - law?"
Out of respect for the dead, Xiao Tian should respect Yi Qing, rather than having this kind of relationship with her, right?
Mrs. Fan said, "We're new here. There are many things we don't know. We'll understand in the future. Your sister - in - law is a good person and has had a hard time. You mustn't..."
"Mom, I know."
As for Yi Qing and Xiao Tian, when they returned and hadn't even gotten off the carriage, they heard a commotion at the door.
Yi Qing secretly peeked out through the curtain of the carriage - Goodness, there were at least four or five hundred people. They were all gathered at the door, looking like a mob.
Xiao Tian frowned and said, "Don't get off. I'll go down and check first."
"Okay."
Yi Qing wasn't very worried because she saw Lu Tianzuo and Chang Yuanzhi there. Everyone's faces showed grief, not the intention to cause trouble.
She was thinking, was it really okay for these people to come so blatantly?
Shouldn't they be guarding Licheng? Did they have the emperor's edict to enter the capital now?
If not, the nature of this matter would be serious.
She even suspected that because Xiao Jing Han didn't receive the treatment he deserved after his death, they were here to cause trouble out of dissatisfaction.
After Xiao Tian got off, she didn't know what he said to them. Then she heard Chang Yuanzhi shout in his rough voice, "The lady is back. Everyone step back. Don't offend the lady."
Yi Qing: "..."
She felt so pressured!
But the people outside had already bowed their heads and saluted her in unison. She couldn't pretend to be dead.
Yi Qing was so angry with Xiao Tian in her heart, but she still had to act gracefully. She slowly got off the carriage and returned the salute to everyone.
"Lady, please go in first," Xiao Tian said expressionlessly.
Up until now, everyone still maintained their saluting postures, and no one even glanced around.
Yi Qing looked at their travel - worn appearance - many of them had torn shoes on their feet, and their battle robes were not very clean. One could imagine how difficult their journey was. An indescribable emotion welled up in her heart.
These people should all be loyal followers of Xiao Jing Han.
Even after his death, this respect hadn't disappeared. Instead, it had turned into care for his family.
"Guard Xiao, please invite everyone into the mansion," Yi Qing said. "Tell the butler to open all the rooms in the outer courtyard for everyone to rest. Rent an inn next door and make arrangements with the restaurant..."
"Yes," Xiao Tian replied indifferently.
Yi Qing nodded to everyone and hurried in.
She had never shed tears for Xiao Jing Han, but looking at his loyal subordinates, the scene that had deeply shocked her in Licheng emerged in her mind. Her eyes even became a little moist.
- The Xiao Family Army was an undefeatable iron army, and Xiao Jing Han was their soul.
But now...
What was more sad than a hero's decline was a hero's fall on the battlefield, wrapped in horsehide.
Yi Qing didn't dare to imagine what kind of great grief these people were carrying to mourn their spiritual pillar.
But she wouldn't take all their respect for granted. This was their respect for Xiao Jing Han. So she would entertain them on behalf of Xiao Jing Han and... comfort them.
Xiao Tian entered with her. As soon as Yi Qing sat down, she asked, "What are they doing in the capital?"
Xiao Tian didn't answer. He looked at her seriously, as if he wanted to see through her true thoughts.
"Did they just come to pay homage, or are they dissatisfied with the emperor's arrangements?" Yi Qing asked again.
"I don't know."
Yi Qing: "..." "You don't know? Didn't you ask just now?"
What a useless person.
"Do you think such words can be said in public?"
Yi Qing was speechless. "Who asked you to say it in public? Couldn't you whisper to Lu Tianzuo and the others?"
"Qiao Ye thought the same way, and that's why Prince Zhen escaped once."
Yi Qing was left speechless.
Was everyone as gifted as Baozi? This person was too cautious. It wasn't an exaggeration to say he was overly suspicious.
"What do you want to say?" Xiao Tian stared at her intently.
"If they just came to pay homage, that's the best. If they're dissatisfied with the emperor's arrangements, try to persuade them to leave. The person is already gone. What's the use of posthumous fame? Well, even if it's useful, it's not worth the living sacrificing their lives for it, right?" Yi Qing said. "I believe that if Xiao Jing Han knew in the underworld, he wouldn't want his loyal subordinates to follow him down there."
Xiao Tian said, "No matter what happens, it has nothing to do with you."
"I've received so many benefits from Xiao Jing Han. Doing something for him can ease my conscience," Yi Qing said. "Don't stay here with me. Go out and see what they really want. Discuss with Lu Tianzuo and Chang Yuanzhi how to comfort them. If you really can't comfort them..."
"Then what should we do?" Xiao Tian was very eager to hear her answer.
Yi Qing didn't disappoint him. She said, "Then I'll have to sell you to the emperor to atone for their sins. I hope the emperor will show mercy."