On the way back from the assassination attempt, to the current controversy in the court, Gong Xiaohua knew that someone didn't want her to live, or didn't want her to serve as general.
Were some people beginning to be wary of the military power she would hold in the future?
If it were her previous Gong Family lineage, a small general from a minor family without stable roots, it would be negligible.
But now on the surface she was already Qin Family's wife, and the people behind were worried that with the Qin Family's support behind her back, her future development would be limitless, and it would give the Qin Family wings like a tiger.
Thinking of this, Gong Xiaohua frowned, was it the Emperor's intention, or was she unknowingly caught up in the struggle for the heir apparent?
"General Gong, there are state laws and family rules. Violating the law should be held accountable, but I as the ruler of a country, must honor my word. Let's do this, I confer you as the fourth-rank General Who Spreads Might, in charge of the Western Garden troops in the Capital City. The matter of beheading Gao Hu and promoting commoners will not be pursued further."
As soon as these words came out, whispers were heard from the ministers in the hall;
The group of the Sixth Prince were gloating;
Qin Chuyuan's expression was unreadable.
Lord Li wanted to speak for Gong Xiaohua, but seeing Qin Chuyuan, he didn't say anything as if he had thought of something.
Seeing the reactions of the people in the hall, Gong Xiaohua keenly realized that the Western Garden troops must not be a good place to go.
However, no matter how bad, it was conferred by the Emperor, she could only accept: "Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty."
Guo Fan and the two others promoted by Gong Xiaohua were very happy to see that not only was the General conferred as a fourth-rank general, but the Emperor also did not revoke their colonel positions.
Although they didn't know what those ministers were whispering about, who cares, after all their commander was conferred a fourth-rank general, how bad could it be.
"Very good, announce my decree. Confer Gong Xiaohua as General Who Spreads Might, and record all the merits she petitioned for, whether commoners or children of prestigious families, reward them all according to merit."
"Your Majesty is benevolent." The ministers echoed.
The group of the Sixth Prince saw that Gong Xiaohua was transferred to the Western Garden troops, and considered their goal achieved, so they did not pursue the matters of the others.
After the court session, people came up one after another to thank Gong Xiaohua, until only Gong Xiaohua and the four colonels behind her, Qin Chuyuan, and Lord Li were left.
After getting acquainted with each other, they left the palace together.
"Xiaohua, do you know what kind of place the Western Garden troops are?" Lord Li asked.
"I guess it shouldn't be a good place to go."
"That's right. The so-called Western Garden troops are commonly known as the rascal troops. At first the Western Garden troops were formed by the court specifically to support those hereditary noble sons, right."
"As you know, these people usually don't obey orders and fool around every day. The Emperor also turns a blind eye. "
"Over time, the dregs eliminated from other troops were also all sent to the Western Garden troops, and these people who were sent became followers of the children of prestigious families. Thus, the Western Garden troops were called the rascal troops. Every day they would just check in at the barracks, then lead a group of people to wander the streets. Usually they are not sent to the battlefield, let alone establish achievements."
"To put it bluntly, although your fourth-rank general position is senior, you have no real power and little chance of promotion, it's just a high-salary position."
"That can't be, isn't the Emperor duping people, that won't do, I have to go find the Emperor to talk about this!" Guo Fan said.
After speaking, he turned around and prepared to go to the great hall.
"Stop." Gong Xiaohua stopped him.
"I'm afraid this was the Emperor's intention from the beginning. Pestering him further will only anger His Majesty."
"But this is unfair."
"What's unfair about it, at least it's still a fourth-rank general, it's just hard to train the soldiers. You have to change this impulsive personality of yours in the future."
"I understand." Guo Fan said dejectedly.
"Thank you for helping resolve my confusion, My Lord." Gong Xiaohua thanked Lord Li after admonishing Guo Fan.
"Xiaohua, do you know why Prince Chuyuan and I did not speak for you when the Emperor appointed you as general of the Western Garden troops?"
"Why?"
"One, although the Western Garden troops consist mainly of children of prestigious families, with Chuyuan around in the Capital City, no one would dare truly harm you; two, if you have the ability to turn the useless Western Garden troops into a real regular army, then you will have an extremely powerful army with strong background that no other army can compare to, but it will be very difficult."
"Alas, I thought you would be valued when you came back this time, I really don't know what the Emperor is thinking anymore, he's becoming more and more incomprehensible."
"In any case it's not good intentions, but he underestimates our commander too much, training some dandy sons should be a piece of cake."
"You seem to have a lot of confidence in your commander."
"Of course, you know the two princes of Wei Country right, their status is not low, but they were obediently whipped by our commander."
"You really whipped them?" Lord Li asked incredulously.
And the corners of Qin Chuyuan's mouth also secretly turned up.
"How could I pretend to whip them?" Gong Xiaohua retorted.
"Our commander, capable in martial arts and killing enemies in battles, and capable in solving food problems. Whether they are nobles or not, she can still make them obedient."
"Alright, stop talking nonsense here, it's getting late, you should all go back." Arriving at the Gong residence gate, Gong Xiaohua said to the four colonels.
"Commander."
"Call me General Gong from now on."
"Alright, General Gong, don't worry." The few had solemn expressions as they bid farewell with a salute.
After the few left, Lord Li also bid farewell and left.
Leaving Qin Chuyuan and Gong Xiaohua facing each other awkwardly.
"Cough, regarding your petition on military farming last time, His Majesty summoned the ministers to discuss it, and they had different opinions, His Majesty could not decide, and they finally unanimously decided to wait and see the results at Xu Mountain before making a decision." Qin Chuyuan broke the awkwardness and said.
"Hmm, it's not surprising that it wouldn't go so smoothly. It's getting late, I'll get going first."
"Where are you going?" Qin Chuyuan hurriedly stopped her and asked.
"Of course going home."
"Which home?"
"The Gong residence!"
"Then I'll go with you."
"What for?"
"We're married, I'm now the Gong Family's son-in-law."
"But this is fake."
"Except you and me, others don't think so."
"Suit yourself."
As soon as Gong Xiaohua entered Wuyi Alley, she was escorted all the way to the Gong residence by the surrounding neighbors.
At this time, the big gate of the Gong residence was wide open, and sounds of lively laughter and chatter came from inside, with occasional conversations drifting out.
"Grandpa, Grandma, you didn't see, the streets were crowded with people today, and cousin was riding a horse, walking alongside the Crown Prince, it was so impressive."
The voice was going through puberty, it was her youngest cousin, Wu Xiaonian.
"Good, good, our Gong Family has produced an amazing figure." The two Gong seniors with toothless grins were laughing with eyes squinted into lines.
After expressing apologies to the various neighbors, Gong Xiaohua and Qin Chuyuan entered the courtyard and closed the big gate.
"Dad, Mom, I'm home."
Hearing Gong Xiaohua's voice in the yard, Madam Gong rushed out first. Seeing her son-in-law had come too, she greeted with excitement mixed with some restraint: "Xiaohua, young master, why are you back, shouldn't you go to the Qin residence first?"
