It wasn't that he didn't trust his subordinates. It was just that the matter was of great importance, and he wanted as few people as possible to know about it. He never expected that the Iron - Blood Loyalty Token would reappear, causing the tragic deaths of his brothers.
Yi Qing walked over and leaned against Xiao Jinghan. "You're not a god. You couldn't have known this would happen. They won't blame you."
Xiao Jinghan put his arm around Yi Qing.
"Why didn't you say anything when you lost the token?" Yi Qing asked curiously.
"At that time, I had already told Tie Ying to retire. We used symbols to communicate, so this matter was put on hold."
Yi Qing remembered the symbols Baozi had once drawn on the wall. "Why did the token reappear at this time? Was it because too much time had passed and they were sure you were really dead, or did they know you were alive and took the risk to use it before the news reached Li City?"
"I don't know either." Xiao Jinghan had just learned about this matter.
After hearing what Xiao Jinghan said, Yi Qing thought it was better to be a widow. It was so much simpler. Once his identity was revealed, all sorts of troubles came swarming in.
"Don't worry, though. I'll handle these things." Xiao Jinghan rested his chin on the top of Yi Qing's head. "I'll arrange some secret guards for you. Don't wander around on your own."
What he was most worried about now was Yi Qing.
"I'm so afraid of death. You can rest assured."
Xiao Jinghan gave a doting smile. This was indeed true.
"By the way, send a few more people to keep an eye on the Marquis of Huai'en's mansion." Yi Qing suddenly said.
"Why?" Xiao Jinghan knew that Yi Qing didn't really care about her father.
"Once your identity is revealed, all sorts of villains will appear. In others' eyes, the Earl of Yi'an and the Marquis of Huai'en are our closest relatives. They won't miss this opportunity." Yi Qing said crossly.
Xiao Jinghan thought it made sense. "The title of the Marquis of Huai'en was originally exchanged for by the military merits of the Duke of Di. Now that he's divorced your mother and the emperor doesn't like him either. If there's a chance, we might as well deprive him of his title and drive him out of the capital."
"That would be great." Yi Qing couldn't tolerate any sand, not just in her eyes.
Xiao Jinghan left early and returned late, while Yi Qing prepared for the flower - viewing banquet hosted by the princess. Although it would save her some trouble if she didn't attend, since others were the hosts, there would be some inconveniences.
"Madam, there will be many elders at that time. You need to learn all these etiquettes." Sang Sang looked at her lazy - looking madam.
"Isn't it just walking? The jewelry on your head shouldn't move. I'll just not wear hairpins with tassels. The clothes shouldn't move. I'll wear narrow - sleeved ones. What does 'the jade pendants jingle' mean? Do I have to carry musical instruments with me?" Yi Qing was almost annoyed to death.
"I think so too. The women in your capital are so troublesome. Let's go back to Tianlang Stockade." Xue Miao'er fanned the flames on the side. Forcing her to learn these things was worse than killing her directly.
Sang Sang stood there not knowing what to say. Her madam had said she wanted to learn these things, but now she was getting bored after just starting. As a servant, she didn't know what to do.
"I won't learn anymore." Yi Qing leaned back on the recliner. "Anyway, I'm already married."
The last time Yi Qing went and cried, the Di family reflected at home. Bai Yutang had been accompanying her, saying that she was also doing it for her daughter's sake. She thought so too, but she didn't dare to come and argue with Yi Qing.
On the day of the princess's flower - viewing banquet, the Di family came to the general's mansion early in the morning. Yi Qing hadn't even gotten out of bed yet.
"Madam, the old madam is here." Sang Sang entered the room and bowed.
"Old madam?" Yi Qing was a bit confused. "When did an old madam appear in the general's mansion?"
"Madam Di." Sang Sang corrected.
"What's she here for?"
"Probably to pick you up for the flower - viewing banquet."
Yi Qing thought of Bai Yutang. With her temper, she should just beat up someone like Bai Yutang directly. But unfortunately, the only person she cared about cared about Bai Yutang's father. This relationship was too complicated.
"Got it." Yi Qing rubbed her right temple. It seemed that a twitching right eye was not a good omen.
"What dress does madam plan to wear today?" Sang Sang stood in front of the wardrobe.
Yi Qing usually didn't care much about her clothes. She just dressed for comfort. But Xiao Jinghan had made many clothes for her, and the Di family had also sent a lot. Her wardrobe was full.
" That beige one." Yi Qing casually pointed at one.
She didn't like wearing such complicated clothes with embroidery, beads, and jade. This dress looked relatively simple, with narrow sleeves and a straight front. The headdress that went with it was also relatively simple. It was low - key yet luxurious.
"Should I go out and tell Madam Di first?" Sang Sang saw that her madam didn't seem to be planning to go out.
"Go ahead." Yi Qing wanted to catch Bai Yutang's tail quickly. This was really annoying.
The Di family looked around. Last time her father was there, so she wasn't embarrassed. But if she met Xiao Jinghan today, she didn't know what to say.
"Is aunt worried about the general's wife?" Bai Yutang saw the Di family's expression.
"No." The Di family forced a smile.
Seeing that the Di family didn't want to talk about this, Bai Yutang was well - behaved and didn't say anything more.
When the Di family saw Yi Qing come out dressed up, her eyes lit up. In her memory, Yi Qing was a skinny little girl. The next time they met, she was like a hedgehog with thorns all over her body. She could anger people to death in just three sentences. She had never seen her like this before.
"Qing'er looks really nice." The Di family raised her hand, then put it down a bit dejectedly.
Yi Qing walked over directly and took the Di family's arm. The Di family looked flattered.
Yi Qing didn't have any problem calling the Di family mother. She just wasn't used to it. But now the identity of a step - mother was useful, so she might as well use it.
"What if I anger someone at the banquet? It's my first time attending such an event." Yi Qing looked worried.
"Who dares to be angry with you? Your mother won't allow it." The Di family looked at Yi Qing sideways, with only Yi Qing in her eyes and heart.
"Mother also knows that I have a bad temper." Yi Qing looked troubled.
"Don't worry. You're a first - rank imperial - conferred lady. In the capital, except for a few first - rank imperial - conferred elders, no one dares to provoke you." The Di family said confidently.
The Di family's title of first - rank imperial - conferred lady was also exchanged for by the military merits of the Duke of Di. It had nothing to do with the Marquis of Huai'en.
As the mother and daughter were talking, they left Bai Yutang on the side. Bai Yutang followed gently and meekly, looking very gratified at their mother - daughter affection.
When they came, Bai Yutang and the Di family took the same carriage. As they left the general's mansion, Yi Qing took the Di family's arm and got directly into the general's mansion's carriage. Bai Yutang also followed.
"I want to talk to my mother about some private things. Miss Bai, please go to the carriage in front." Yi Qing didn't want Bai Yutang there.
Hearing what Yi Qing said, Bai Yutang looked a bit aggrieved but magnanimous. She even slowed down her bow.
Only then did the Di family remember Bai Yutang. "Yutang is timid..."
"I didn't sleep well last night. Madam Di, please go to the carriage in front. I'll take a nap." Yi Qing said as she got into the carriage.
The Di family stood there awkwardly. Just when Yi Qing had become a bit closer to her, how could she make Yi Qing angry?
Seeing the Di family's expression, Bai Yutang said, "Aunt, let's go to the carriage in front. It's more important for the general's wife to sleep." The implication was that the Di family, as a mother, wasn't important to Yi Qing.