It is very likely that the invasion of the enemy country in northern Xinjiang was due to the poor grain harvest in the entire north due to the drought last year. At present, it is the time of winter and spring, and there is still fertile land in the south that can produce grain and transport it to various places to relieve the disaster, but there is not much grain growing in the vast barren land in northern Xinjiang, and it is said that the enemy country can not even guarantee enough forage for war horses to eat.

The generals who guarded Beiwangcheng, including General Xiao Ruan, who came from the Huguo Mansion, wrote to the imperial court, explaining the various phenomena that had occurred on the border and their analysis, speculating that the invasion of the northern kingdom was really possible, and that it should have occurred before the arrival of summer. Although the towns in the border area seem to be relatively stable now, the situation will deteriorate more and more as the food in the north is further consumed, and the imperial court should increase the troops in the north as soon as possible to strengthen the defense, just in case.

The news came out, not only the court was slaughtered, even inside and outside the capital was also gossip all over the sky, once there were rumors that the enemy army had been less than 500 miles away from Beijing, making people panic, and even a rich businessman's family believed it was true, and the family packed up their luggage and prepared to flee to the south, and the price of grain in the market also rose to three or four times the usual amount for a while, causing a greater panic, the 95 supreme in the palace was furious about this, and issued an order to strictly prohibit the court officials and various ministries and institutes from leaking the military information in the northern Xinjiang, and even forbade anyone to spread rumors in the capital, and violators were immediately beheaded. There is no need to be sent for trial. In this way, seven or eight people were cut one after another, and the situation was slightly alleviated, and the Luo family and other imperial merchants urgently transported a large amount of rice and grain from the south to stabilize the price of grain, and the market gradually returned to calm. But even so, the officials and people in the capital still couldn't suppress the panic in their hearts, and they listened to the latest situation in private.

Although the northern Xinjiang is far away from the capital, but because the Huaijiang River flowing from the edge of the capital, the source is in the northern Xinjiang, from the north of the city to the south into Beijing, usually only need to take a boat down the river for more than ten days, once the enemy army captures the important town of the north of the city, to stop them from marching to the capital, the difficulty is greatly increased, so the stability of the north is extremely important to the people in the capital. Under such circumstances, not only did the emperor urgently summon the officials of the military department and a group of idle generals at home into the palace every day to discuss countermeasures, but even ordinary officials and wealthy families began to find ways to climb to the homes of military generals in their families in order to listen to the latest news on the frontier.

In the Shilang Mansion, because of being a civil official, Master Gu did not serve in the Ministry of War, and because of his daughter's "illness", he had been on leave for a long time, and he did not have the opportunity to participate in the discussion of the imperial court, and now it is still in the New Year, and the yamen has not yet opened the yamen to do business, he can't even use his position to inquire about the news, so he can't help but be anxious.

Wen Yi was not idle. She still remembers the experience of her previous life, because of the relationship between Pingyang in the south, she no longer remembers when the imperial court fought with the enemy, but she still remembers that in the summer and autumn of this year, there will be several major battles in the northern Xinjiang, although there are dangerous situations, the army of the imperial court still successfully resists the invasion of the enemy army. She even remembered that Liu Dongxing made contributions in these major battles, so he became a senior general at a young age. However, she also remembered that when Liu Dongxing was discussing marriage with herself, she was described as disfigured and disabled, although at the moment she had doubts about the credibility of Duan Kerou's words, but just looking at the fourth uncle and fourth aunt when they talked to her about this family business, the flickering eyes of the weak heart, knew that even if the matter was not entirely true, it was also successful.

Although things have changed a lot in this life, and Liu Dongxing has no signs of joining the army, she still doesn't dare to take it lightly. How could she sit idly by and watch him suffer as she considered his fiancé?

The matter was urgent, and she couldn't take care of it anymore, so she took advantage of the New Year's greetings to go to Mrs. Luo Si to say goodbye, and then inquired about the situation in the frontier.

Master Luo Si was guarding near Beiwang City, so Mrs. Luo Si knew some news, and when she saw Wen Yi's anxiety, she comforted her and said: "Although there are a lot of rumors outside, it sounds like the enemy army is going south immediately, but in fact, it is not to this point. Our lord wrote back last month, saying that the enemy army raided the border towns from time to time, and they were all squads of dozens of people, and they were not elite, and there was a lot of damage when they encountered stronger people. At this time of year, there will always be a small number of enemy troops going south, this year is just because there was a drought in the north last year, it seems that there are more, the military and civilians in the northern Xinjiang have long been accustomed to it, and they are not flustered. ”

Wen Yi didn't dare to breathe a sigh of relief when she heard this, she knew that there would be a big war in Northern Xinjiang this year, but she couldn't say it directly to Mrs. Luo Si, so she had to say: "Godmother, this news was said when my godfather came back with a letter last month, could it be that the situation was not serious at that time, but the situation has changed now?" Although the enemy army goes south to plunder every winter and spring, the frontier guards jointly write a letter asking the court to increase troops, is it not a rumor? ”

Mrs. Luo Si frowned slightly and sighed: "Maybe, but the military situation is important, and our master can't say too much in the family letter...... It's just that since he said so, presumably the matter is not serious, some things, we are far away in the capital, everything is heard from others, naturally it is not as clear as they are immersed in the scene. Now all we can do is to take care of the family and not let him be distracted. After a pause, she showed an indifferent smile, "Since he went to the north, I guessed that there would be a day when there would be a war, this is his responsibility as a soldier, I, as a wife, can't be by his side, all I can do is to take care of the child at home and wait quietly for him to come back." ”

Wen Yi was stunned, and suddenly felt a little ashamed. She was worried about Liu Dongxing, who might go on the expedition, but she forgot that her godmother's husband was already on the border, and if the two armies fought, wouldn't he be more dangerous? But he couldn't understand his godmother's worries, and he only knew that he came to inquire about the news for his own selfishness...... Wen Yi blushed, bowed her head and said, "Godmother, I'm sorry, I shouldn't worry you." ”

Mrs. Luo Si's eyes widened in surprise, and then she smiled: "Silly boy, what's so embarrassing about this?" Who in the capital isn't worried about this now? At your young age, it's natural for you to feel scared. If I hadn't been close to my godmother, I wouldn't have begged for me. She took Wen Yi's hand affectionately, "If someone else asks, I may even say that I don't know, after all, the Holy Lord has already issued an order." But you and I have different feelings than others, and I will not hide it from you. Don't worry, good boy, there will be no danger in the capital. ”

Wen Yi blushed again, hesitated for a moment, and then plucked up the courage to say: "There will be no danger in the capital, and there must be no danger in the northern Xinjiang." It is said that there are 100,000 enemy troops, but I don't believe it, doesn't it mean that the drought in northern Xinjiang is serious, and even the forage for war horses is insufficient? So how can they afford to raise 100,000 sergeants? The people sent to the border towns to plunder are only small groups of people, which shows that they are not strong enough. The rumors of the 100,000-strong army must have been deliberately released by the enemy in order to confuse the public. The defense of the northern frontier is strong, and it will never be defeated by the enemy, and the godfather will be safe. At least as far back as she can remember, the war that year was a thrilling one. Fourth Master Luo is not stationed in Beiwang City, which is facing the enemy head-on, so there may not be much risk.

Mrs. Luo Si was very happy when she heard this: "Although I don't understand this, but your words sound very reasonable, so I will accept your auspicious words." When your godfather returns triumphantly, my godmother will invite you over for dinner."

Wen Yi smiled and gossiped with her for a while, and played with the two *** for a long time, and the guests and hosts were happy, before saying goodbye and leaving. Two days later, Fang went to visit Mrs. Lee. This time, she was a little more relaxed, Master Li was not at the border, and she had a lot less scruples when she spoke.

Mrs. Li knew that she was quite interested in Liu Dongxing, so she had to make a few jokes, and then she said: "He will only take the martial arts examination next month, even if he is admitted to the martial arts examination, he may not be able to catch up with the army." Besides, Northern Xinjiang is not an ordinary place, and it is impossible to send it there unless you have a certain level of qualifications and are sure of reliability. Now stationed in Beiwang City is General Xiao Ruan, he has always been very strict in governing the army, he is an ordinary son of a noble family, if he does not have real skills, it is impossible to rely on the strength of his family, he will be accepted by him to do things, let alone a new jinshi. Most of the new recruits who came out of this section were to be sent to serve in the localities, and they also happened to exchange the veterans stationed in various places and send them to the north. Instead of worrying about what you have or not, you should worry about how you and your fiancé will marry him when the time comes. ”

Wen Yi's face turned red, and she was so ashamed that she didn't know what to say, but at the same time, she was secretly relieved. According to Mrs. Li, it is probably impossible for Liu Dongxing to be sent to northern Xinjiang, and she has never heard that he was born in martial arts in her previous life, so she guessed that Liu Dongxing in this life was probably because of the relationship of finding another way out and did not join the army, so the situation at this time was very different from that in her previous life. Although in this way, he will not be able to make a name for himself as he did in his previous life, but at least he is safe. Wen Yi chanted the Buddha in his heart, as long as he can be safe and sound, his future is a little worse, so what does it matter?

After getting the letter, Wen Yi was in a good mood when she returned to Shilang's Mansion. But before she could return to the room, Mrs. Yu hurriedly summoned her.

"Dongyang Hou Mansion wants to open a Lantern Festival?" Wen Yi's eyes widened, "At this time?" ”

Old Madam Yu nodded, signaled Ruyi to send the post over, her eyes were dark: "Right now, the people in Beijing are panicking, and the saint has made an order to hold a lantern festival on the night of the Lantern Festival and have fun with the people." This is also to reassure the people. Not only the Dongyang Marquis Mansion, but also several palaces and public mansions have to hold lantern festivals. The Hou Mansion of Dongyang sent a post, saying that it was to let his eldest lady get together with friends before leaving the cabinet, so he only held a small lantern festival in the garden, and invited a few young ladies who had been in and out of the house to be guests, and then his family was the east, and invited some relatives and friends to eat and drink, which was slightly easier than others. His home is in the post...... I only invited you to ......."

Wen Yi was reading the post, and when she heard this, she paused slightly, and her mind flickered, and she raised her head and smiled: "Really?" It's a pity, I thought I'd be able to get two sisters as companions. ”

Old Madam Yu's expression softened a little: "Guests are as they please, this is also a helpless thing, who let their sisters not have that blessing, and met Miss Du before the holy decree of canonizing the crown princess was issued?" ”

Wen Yi didn't respond, but looked at Wen Xian, who had been sitting quietly on the side, with a smile on her face: "Fifth sister also received the post, right?" Luwangfu has always loved to be lively, and he will definitely not miss such a grand event. ”

Wen Xian pursed her lips and lowered her eyes, Wen Juan on the side replied bluntly: "Luwangfu does have a lantern festival, but it has never sent a post over, and there are two days before the Lantern Festival. ”

Since Lu Wangfu sent someone to inquire about the mystery on the day of the tea party, he has not invited Wen Xian to the door again, can't they really see any clues? Wen Yi glanced at Old Madam Yu, who looked a little displeased on the seat, and didn't understand why the other party hadn't explained it to Wen Xian. At present, everyone in the capital is concerned about the situation in northern Xinjiang, and after settling down, the marriages of the children of the royal palaces will be decided one after another. Instead of being disappointed and sad at that time and delaying the marriage, it is better to hint to Wen Xian as soon as possible, so that she is not psychologically prepared at all.

At this time, Wen Ya suddenly smiled and said: "Speaking of which, the fifth sister and the sixth sister have not received the post, the Lantern Festival is about to arrive, if it is not for the urgent decree of the saint, the families will not delay until this time to send the post, and if you can't receive it today, there will really be no more." Could it be that Lu Wangfu forgot about the fifth sister? ”

Wen Juan turned back angrily: "You don't talk nonsense, what kind of place is the palace?" The steward there has always been an old man, how could he forget his sister? ”

"Then I don't know." Wen Ya blinked, with an innocent expression, "I'm young, naturally no one invites me, in the past, when my sisters went to other people's homes as guests, I was really envious, I didn't expect to be able to celebrate the festival with my sisters this year."

"You ......" Wen Juan stood up suddenly, but was interrupted by Old Madam Yu's angry shouting: "What does it look like to be noisy?" Where have you learned the rules and etiquette? Why don't you sit me down? Eleven girl, you don't have to say a word, don't be a fool for everyone else"

Wen Juan responded angrily and sat down, while Wen Ya was a little reluctant, showing a sarcastic smile while saluting. Wen Xian sat silently all the time, and the whole person became more and more gloomy. Wen Yi put away the post, just as if she didn't know anything, and turned to other gossip, and after a while, she returned to the room.

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, before evening, she got into a carriage and went to the Hou Mansion in Dongyang, and when she arrived at the gate of the Hou Mansion, it was already sunset.

Two or three carriages had been parked in front of the Hou Mansion, and many of the Hou Mansion's mothers-in-law gathered in a circle to welcome the visitors into the mansion. Wen Yi watched from a distance and guessed that the carriages must be filled with female guests. Since others arrived first, she was not in a hurry, but ordered Tomallow to tell the coachman to let others go first.

While waiting, suddenly there was a sound of horses' hooves, and after a while, someone was making a loud noise in front of the Hou Mansion. Wen Yi listened, it seemed that someone was shouting that he was not allowed to approach and collide at will, and someone was shouting and scolding, reporting that his master was the prince of King Kang, and the people of the Hou Mansion were not allowed to be rude.

As soon as Wen Yi heard that it was the prince of King Kang, he frowned. That tricky and willful young dignitary, why did she run into it again? Could it be that there is such a guest among the guests invited by the Hou Shizi of Dongyang?