General's Mansion
When Yao Yunnian saw his wife returning to the mansion, he stepped forward to greet her. However, he only saw Yao Yao following behind his wife.
His eyebrows shot up. Pointing at the empty space, he asked, "Where... where... where is she?"
Madam Yao gave him a disdainful look. "Kun'er seems to have had another episode."
Yao Yunnian pouted disapprovingly. "Madam, how can you talk about Kun'er like that?"
Madam Yao picked up the teacup and took a big gulp. "She somehow met the Empress Dowager. Now she's following the Empress Dowager and refuses to leave. Just now, she almost got into a fight with Yao'er. Isn't this exactly the same as what happened two years ago?"
"What? The Empress Dowager! Is Kun'er okay? Has she been locked up? This won't do. I have to go to the palace and talk to His Majesty." General Yao was about to rush out in a hurry.
Madam Yao grabbed him. "You'd better think about what to do!"
"The Empress Dowager wasn't angry. Instead..." Yao Yao didn't know how to describe it for a moment.
"Instead what? Hurry up and say it!" General Yao was extremely anxious. A thin layer of sweat had broken out on his dark forehead.
"Instead, she dotes on younger sister?" Yao Yao said this word uncertainly.
Now it was Yao Yunnian's turn to be stunned. What did "dote" mean?
He looked at his wife, hoping for a definite answer.
"Kun'er seems to be very familiar with the Empress Dowager. She wants the Empress Dowager to do everything for her. Strangely enough, the Empress Dowager didn't refuse. She took whatever Kun'er stuffed into her hands."
"Moreover, younger sister didn't leave the Empress Dowager's side even for a moment last night." Yao Yao added.
"Bad!" Yao Yunnian slapped the table.
The Empress Dowager was backed by the Shi Mansion. Currently, the Shi Mansion was in a strange situation.
Everyone had long noticed the Shi family's ambitious plans. Since Kun'er was now so close to the Empress Dowager, it was inevitable that some people would wonder if there was any connection between his General's Mansion and the Shi family. If so, his General's Mansion would also be dragged into this terrifying whirlpool of disputes.
Over the years, he had always adhered to loyalty and was loyal to the emperor. If people now mistakenly thought that he had switched sides, God knows what might happen.
"What shall we do now!" Yao Yunnian let out a worried sigh.
As a couple for many years, Madam Yao naturally knew what he was worried about. She could only pat her husband on the back, offering silent comfort.
"The Empress Dowager is not the National Master. Madam, you must bring her back tomorrow. This matter can't be delayed."
"I know, but I'm afraid Kun'er won't be willing. You know her."
Yao Yunnian lowered his head and pondered for a while. "We may have to wrong Kun'er this time."
"Father, you don't mean to..." Yao Yao's voice was slightly shocked.
"Now this is the only way. Otherwise, we don't know what will happen."
Madam Yao seemed to have guessed what he meant. She lifted her sleeve and started to wipe away her tears. "My poor Kun'er. Why is she so silly?"
She had always hoped that her youngest daughter could live a peaceful life. Kun'er was just a naive girl who shouldn't be involved in these things.
"Of course, it would be best if we could bring her back." But they all knew it was unlikely. If it were possible, Yao Kun wouldn't have followed Huo Qizhou for two years.
"Perhaps we should talk to the people from the Shi Mansion. They're in the limelight now. Naturally, they don't want to be targeted at this critical moment and have no peace. If we ask them to talk to the Empress Dowager and cooperate with us, maybe this matter can be resolved." Yao Yao suggested.
The Shi family was already under everyone's scrutiny. After this commotion, people would probably think that the Shi family was about to make some big move again. They would be restricted in everything they did, and naturally, they didn't want this to happen.
Yao Yunnian thought this was a good idea. If the Shi family talked to the Empress Dowager, it would be easier for them to spread the message they wanted without so many concerns.
So, while it was still early in the night, he quickly wrote a letter and sent a servant to the Shi Mansion to deliver it to Shi An, the elder brother of the Empress Dowager.
After all, everyone knew that the three Shi brothers doted on their sister. The possibility of reaching an agreement with Shi An was greater.
In fact, Yao Yunnian had made the right choice. Among the older generation of the Shi family, some only saw small gains and thought it wasn't a bad thing to have a connection with the General of Huaihua's Mansion. They planned to let things develop. Of course, not everyone was so muddle - headed.
After receiving and reading the letter, Shi An immediately wrote a reply, agreeing to Yao Yunnian's suggestion. He told him not to worry and just go ahead with the plan. He would talk to the Empress Dowager.
After receiving this letter, the Yao General's family breathed a sigh of relief. They immediately ordered people to handle this matter that night.
"Yao'er did a good job. You're just like your father, smart." Yao Yunnian stroked his small beard and smiled.
Madam Yao gave him a disdainful look. He could never be serious for long. The matter wasn't completely resolved yet, and he was already joking.
Yao Yao nodded helplessly and quickly bid them good - night before returning to her room. She didn't want to watch her parents' strange way of getting along.
The next day, there was new gossip among the common people. It was said that the second Miss Yao had another episode. Just like two years ago, she couldn't recognize people and had been following the Empress Dowager.
Surprisingly, the Empress Dowager didn't get angry. She thought this illness of the second Miss Yao was quite interesting and wanted to observe it for a while, so she let her follow.
Shi An thought that his sister might be waking up soon, so he rode his horse out of the Shi Mansion. Along the way, he heard the common people talking about this.
General Yao was really quick. He didn't want to have the slightest connection with the Shi family.
It was understandable. Everyone with a discerning eye could see the current situation of the Shi Mansion and wouldn't want to get involved.
Although the Shi Mansion seemed prosperous and powerful now, it was also very dangerous. All parties were watching. One small mistake could lead to the downfall of the entire Shi family, and they would be swallowed up without a trace.
Shi An smiled self - deprecatingly.
This was the cruel reality. He wanted to get out of this situation, but it wasn't that easy.
Shi Muyuan was still in bed. Since it was a day off and there was no morning court, she naturally wanted to have a good sleep. However, she didn't expect her elder brother to come. She had no choice but to get up obediently to wash and dress.
When she arrived at the inner hall, Shi An had been waiting for a while. Shi Muyuan rubbed the soft flesh on the tip of her nose sheepishly. "Big brother, why did you come?"
Shi An noticed Yao Kun behind her. Yao Kun was a head taller than Shi Muyuan, with a cold and aloof temperament and a cold expression. She was the little girl who always stared at people.
Yao Kun didn't understand anything. She just thought this person was so good - looking, just like the beautiful sister. But why was he staring at her? Her gaze kept shifting between Shi An's and Shi Muyuan's faces.
Shi Muyuan also realized what was going on and took the initiative to ask, "Big brother, did you come because of Yao Kun?"
The little girl had somehow climbed into her room early in the morning and was guarding by her bed. She had almost been scared to death when she woke up. The swear words on the tip of her tongue were forced back when she saw the little girl's innocent eyes.
Shi An nodded. "If the Shi Mansion and the Yao Mansion become friendly, some people will make wild guesses. If they think it's inappropriate and suddenly take action against the Shi family, it will be troublesome."