Chapter 5, let us cease.

Shang Jie had a longstanding discord with Madam Shen, the grandmother of Shen Tiantong, since her youth. Upon hearing that Shen Tiantong, accompanied by the Shu King Gu Qiubo, was coming to the General's residence to study the arts, she couldn't help but murmur to Jiang Zhen: "The Shen family has been civil officials for generations; do they not look down upon military generals? Why are they here to study the arts? Could it be that the Shen family's literary champions aspire to have martial champions as well?"

"I want to protect you, naturally I will protect you. What do others have to do with me?" Jiang Zhen secretly broke into a sweat. It was said that Madam Shen had an interest in him back in the day, but he had never even seen her clearly. Afterward, they each married and had families, with no connection between them. Now that everyone is of a certain age, is the madam still jealous?

Shang Jie, upon hearing Jiang Zhen's words, was caught between laughter and tears. She shot him a sideways glance and said, "I am merely complaining a bit; I do not truly intend to make things difficult for those children. Yet you are defending them."

The queen's family is the Shang family, and Shang Jie is the queen's cousin. Moreover, the current crown princess is also from the Shang family. Emperor Chongzhao fears that once he departs, the General's Residence, holding military power, will align with the Shang family, turning the court into the Shang family's domain. Therefore, it is essential to suppress the General's Residence at this moment. Without the support of the General's Residence, the Shang family would be like a toothless tiger, posing no threat.

Brother Bai has been frail since childhood and cannot withstand the cold wind My mother does not allow him to come, fearing that he might have an accident Jiang Xuan laughed and said He indeed wanted to sneak along, but with so many people around, how could he possibly keep it a secret

"Who said I embroidered it myself?" Jiang Xuan was now anxious, jumping up and down as he said, "As a dignified man, how could I possibly take up a needle and thread? Don't speak carelessly."

He Yuan saw Jiang Bai looking sulky and smiled, saying: "Xiao Bai, you just want to go out for a stroll. Why not come with me to the He residence? It has been over two months since I last saw your maternal grandmother"

Jiang Zhen also understood Shang M.hetushu.com's emotional entanglement, and smiled, saying: "Shen Liubai and Shen Tiantong are the companions of the King of Shu, so they naturally have to come to the General's residence. Although they are from scholarly families, they also practice martial arts in their spare time. While their skills may not compare to Xuan Ge'er and Qing Ge'er, they still appear quite formidable and can be quite intimidating! If you are still angry about what happened back then, secretly call Xuan Ge'er in and let him know that when he fights against Shen Liubai and Shen Tiantong next time, he should not hold back and give them a good beating. Let them understand that the grievances their grandmother caused you back then will now be repaid through them."

Gu Zhengchong also stepped out from behind the weapon rack, shook his clothes, and said: "We have not seen him embroider the pouch with our own eyes, so we should not jump to conclusions immediately"

Looking around to ensure no one was present, the noble lady quietly said to He Yuan: "This year the weather is particularly cold, and the Emperor has fallen ill again. Your father visited the palace the day before yesterday and observed the Emperor's condition. He only said that the Emperor could last at most another six months. After the New Year, I fear there may be changes in the court. You must remind Hua An to be cautious in all matters."

"If you dare to protect outsiders, just watch me..." Although Shang Jie is aging, her skills remain sharp. In this moment, she effortlessly pushes General Jiang Zhen Tang onto the bed.

At this moment, Jiang Bai had just arrived at the He residence with He Yuan. Upon seeing her, Tang Zicui immediately grabbed her and said, "Now that school is on break, Xin Ge'er has been mentioning wanting to go to the General's residence to find you to play, so your arrival is just perfect." Saying this, she led Jiang Bai to join He Xin and his companions for some fun, allowing He Yuan and Gui Jie to converse freely.

"If you want to see it in person, that's easy." Shen Tiantong clapped his hands and said, "Let's sneak a look at the sewing room. Those who love embroidery always end up going to the sewing room to get needles and threads."

In August, the General's Residence received an imperial decree, summoning Jiang Xuan and Jiang Qing to the palace to serve as companions to Crown Prince Gu Zhengchong. Additionally, from the Shen Residence, Shen Liubai and Shen Tiantong were selected to accompany Prince Gu Qiubo of Shu.

Upon hearing that he was going to the He residence, Jiang Bai's expression brightened a little. His grandmother had many small trinkets, and every time he visited, he could always get one or two interesting items, which were even more novel than those bought outside. Moreover, his grandmother had a wealth of unheard stories that captivated listeners, making the idea of going to the He residence quite appealing.

I wonder why the number of guards escorting the imperial grandchildren to the general's residence for their studies is increasing. So it turns out to be like this. He Yuan couldn't help but sneer at this moment, "It seems that the people from the palace do not trust the general's residence, using the excuse of escorting the imperial grandchildren for their studies to keep an eye on the general's residence. The court values civil over military affairs, and it is not without the emperor's tacit approval that everyone suppresses the military generals. The Mo family has already been suppressed, is it now the turn of the Jiang family?" The court values civil over military affairs, and it is not without the emperor's tacit approval that everyone suppresses the military generals. The Mo family has already been suppressed, is it now the turn of the Jiang family?

I have seen Shen Tiantong twice, and he is indeed no less than Shen Yuan of the past. I heard that the Second Prince has already sent word that after the New Year, he will summon Shen Tiantong to the palace to serve as a companion reader for the King of Shu. Naturally, the Crown Prince will summon the sons of the Shang family or Xuan Ge and Qing Ge to serve as companion readers for the King An, and this time it cannot be avoided

Jiang Xuan noticed that Gu Qiubo misunderstood that the purse was embroidered by him. In a moment of panic, he blurted out: "It really wasn't embroidered by me, it was..." Oh no, how could he almost reveal Xiaobai just because someone probed him? At this moment, Jiang Xuan cleared his throat and said: "In any case, it wasn't embroidered by me." With that, he walked away.

Due to Emperor Chongzhao's illness, news gradually spread among the various households, and during the New Year celebrations, they dared not celebrate extravagantly. The General's residence was particularly low-key, and the New Year was observed hastily. By March, Emperor Chongzhao had passed away. During the period of national mourning, Gu Zhengchong and others naturally observed the mourning and no longer came to the General's residence to learn the arts. By May, the Crown Prince ascended the throne, changing the country's name to Renyuan. At that time, the Crown Prince's consort, Shang Ruzhen, was made Empress, and Gu Zhengchong was appointed as the Crown Prince. To prevent the Shang family from gaining too much power as relatives of the Empress, the court favored the sons of the Shen family to counterbalance the Shang family.

Jiang Ju nodded and said: "If the Emperor intends to suppress the Shang family, he naturally needs to favor the Shen family to maintain balance. The Shen family is the maternal family of the Second Prince's consort. Although they have always been low-key, ever since Shen Yuan resigned from his official position and returned to his ancestral home with Li Qian, several young talents have emerged. Currently, Shen Yongyang from the first branch and Shen Yongshun from the third branch are serving as officials in the court. It is heard that Shen Yongyang's eldest son, Shen Tiantong, has also been intelligent since childhood, comparable to the Shen Yuan of yesteryear. In contrast, the younger generation of the Shang family lacks any outstanding figures, which is indeed disappointing."

It was said that Gu Zhengchong, Gu Qiubo, and others did not see Jiang Bai following them for the hunt, and could not help but ask Jiang Xuandao: "Why hasn't Brother Bai come along?"

Unknowingly, it is the end of the year again. Jiang Xuan has replaced his old pouch with a brand new one. Gu Qiubo, upon seeing this, quietly pulled him aside and said: "Xuan Ge, this pouch of yours is indeed more attractive than the one you had last year. However, compared to mine, it still seems rather coarse." As she spoke, she took off her own pouch and placed it next to Jiang Xuan's, comparing the two. With a chuckle, she added: "It's one thing for a boy like you to enjoy embroidery, but to actually embroider a pouch for yourself to wear is quite..."

Sister Gui and He Yuan were conversing, while Jiang Zhen was in the study speaking to Jiang Ju: "The Mo family has already fallen, but there is still the Shang family; how could the Emperor not be wary?"

Although Jiang Bai wanted to secretly follow Jiang Huan'an and others out for hunting, she was too young, and the maids were keeping a close watch on her, leaving her no opportunity to sneak out. She could only watch helplessly as Jiang Xuan followed Jiang Huan'an and Jiang Huakwan out, feeling frustrated and stamping her feet.

The selected companions for reading, including Gu Zhengchong and others, still went to the General's residence to study the arts every mid-month. Shen Liubai and Shen Tiantong, as companions of Gu Qiubo, also accompanied them to the General's residence. Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne and the situation is settled, the various princes are no longer afraid of choosing the wrong side, so they naturally want their sons to establish connections with the crown prince Gu Zhengchong at the General's residence. Consequently, the Marquis of Anping and the Marquis of Zhennan each sent their grandsons to the General's residence to learn martial arts. Upon hearing the news, Tang Zhicui naturally encouraged He Ci to send his eldest son He Xinzhi to the General's residence as well. Thus, the General's residence became a bustling place filled with royal grandsons and nobles. Since they were all boys around ten years old, they momentarily disregarded status and addressed each other as brothers in a chaotic yet lively manner.

I said, "Your mother is too cautious, raising him like a girl." Gu Qiubo shook his head and said, "After the New Year, the palace will select companions for study, and I still want him to be my companion. With his physique, I fear he won't be able to endure it."

"If it wasn't embroidered by you, then who else could it be? Your mother used to be a skilled embroiderer who participated in the North-South Embroidery Conference, renowned for her exquisite needlework. She could embroider beautifully even with her eyes closed, so it is impossible for her to have made such an ugly purse. If you say it was embroidered by the embroiderers in your household, that is even less likely. Which household would hire an embroiderer who makes purses that look so terrible? If you claim it was a little maid who made it for you, that too is impossible. With such poor craftsmanship, how could a little maid have the audacity to present it, let alone have you wear it at your waist?" Gu Qiubo, who had held back these words for a year, finally let them all out and sincerely advised, "Xuan Ge'er, as boys, we should naturally be practicing with guns and swords, reciting books and practicing calligraphy. Embroidering purses is a girl's task; let us refrain from it!"

I said, Xuan Ge is full of vigor and spirit, and he certainly would not have an interest in embroidery. If anyone has an interest in such things, it must be Bai Ge without a doubt, do you believe it now?" Shen Tiantong emerged from behind the weapon rack, smiling as he said, "Although Bai Ge is Xuan Ge's identical twin brother, his demeanor and speech are entirely reminiscent of a young lady, which looks quite awkward. This pouch must have been embroidered by him without a doubt.