Behind the Old Duke stood an old nanny. She was the servant of the Old Madame of the Duke of Zheng. She was also a wise old woman.

These past few days, the heir had always come to the old duke's place early in the morning to have his morning meal.

A few days ago, the maidservant left behind by Jinyi Village Lord who knew how to cook would only silently retreat to the outer room after delivering the morning meal. She would only come in when the old duke summoned her.

However, ever since the heir came to the old duke's place to have his morning meal, this maidservant led the servants to lay out the food and stood by the table without leaving.

When the heir came in, her eyes seemed to fall on the heir and she only cared about following him around.

The old servant scoffed at such obvious intentions.

These days, the old servant had also arranged for people to follow Ming Yan when she wasn't paying attention and learn a thing or two from her.

But who knew that the little girl was also a scheming person. Every time she cooked, she would chase the people around her out of the kitchen and lock the door from the inside. She would rather be burnt by the smoke and fire than to guard every secret recipe and not let anyone else get their hands on it.

After listening to Ming Yan's introduction, the old duke waved his hand at her. "You may leave."

"Ah?"

Ming Yan still hadn't reacted. She said in a daze, "It's better to let this servant serve the duke as he eats. Usually at Duke Jing 'an's estate, Village Lord is most satisfied with this servant's service."

The old servant sneered. She didn't forget to mention Jinyi Village Lord at this time. Why didn't she mention Village Lord when she was talking about the delicacies earlier?

The Old Duke suddenly frowned and looked at Ming Yan. His pair of eagle-like old eyes were sharp and immediately made it impossible for people to hide.

Ming Yan couldn't help but shiver and quickly lowered her head and retreated.

The old duke glanced at Ming Yan's back. That young lady left her incompetent maidservant to an old man like him. What, was she using an old man like him as a touchstone?

He wondered if that young lady was satisfied.

The old duke recalled the day when he was unconscious and Chu Lian persuaded him to eat. He found it more and more interesting. It seemed like he really had to see what this young lady was capable of.

Not long after the grandfather and grandson finished their meal and the servants took away the plates, Lord Protector Zheng also arrived.

Seeing that his son was at his father's place, Lord Protector Zheng frowned. "What time is it? Why haven't you gone to the Directorate yet? Your grandfather has just recovered, so you're not allowed to disturb him in the morning!"

Young Master Zheng grinned and ran away like a wisp of smoke.

The Duke of Zheng's household had only one son for three generations, so the upbringing was actually very strict. Although Crown Prince Zheng was favored, the Duke of Zheng was very strict with him.

He was now seventeen years old, and the servants in the courtyard were all manservants. He didn't even have a servant, and he was still a proper virgin.

High Duke Zheng had long seen that the maid that Jinyi Xiangjun left behind, who knew how to cook, had impure intentions. How could he give her the chance to interact with his son?

High Duke Zheng looked at his son and pointed to the seat next to him.

"You're here. Have a seat. How's it going?"

Lord Protector Zheng picked up his teacup and took a sip. He nodded and said, "Father, I have done what you asked me to do."

The old duke leaned back in his chair and played with two walnuts in his hands. His eyes were slightly closed, and he looked very satisfied.

High Duke Zheng paused and said, "Father, why did you think of the third son of the He family? Even if Mother and Matriarch He are old friends, the matters between our two residences have never interfered. If Father feels that you've received a favor from Jinyi Xiangjun, you'll have plenty of opportunities to repay this favor in the future."

High Duke Zheng shook his head. "To me, this is just a small effort. Just treat it as a benefit to that lass.

Don't worry, I won't interfere with the matters of Duke Jing 'an's estate in the future. "

Hearing his father's promise, High Duke Zheng finally let out a sigh of relief.

Although his father had an illustrious reputation, he had retired from the imperial court. If he interfered too much with these matters, it would definitely attract criticism from others.

In the evening in the northern Liang Province, golden light shone down on the yellow grasslands. Although it was a bitterly cold place, the scenery was so magnificent and vast that it opened one's heart.

Not far away, the golden light fell on two people, one in front of the other, leaving long shadows on the yellow grasslands.

The cold wind blew past, causing the two people's robes to flutter. From afar, it looked like they were standing at the edge of the red sun, walking step by step towards the warm red sun that was their last hope.

Lai Yue quickened his pace and caught up to his master in a few steps. He didn't join the army in the northern border with He Changdi. Instead, he stayed in Liang Province to help He Changdi with some matters.

Today was the military's break, so he brought the things his master needed to the entrance of the military camp.

Only when he arrived at the military camp did he find out that his master had been promoted.

He went from a general leading a hundred soldiers to a colonel leading five hundred soldiers.

Although it was only an increase of four hundred soldiers, it could be considered a qualitative transformation.

To put it nicely, a general was an army of soldiers. To put it bluntly, he could only be considered an elite soldier leading a hundred soldiers. However, a colonel was different. If one really looked at it, there were ranks.

Of course, He Changdi, who was now an infantry colonel leading five hundred soldiers, couldn't be compared to a cavalry colonel like Colonel Guo. However, he was still considered a mid-level officer, a secondary sixth-rank.

It should be known that in a situation where there was no war, it was quite difficult for soldiers to be promoted, especially under a strict general like the Duke of Lu.

It was almost impossible for such a wonderful thing to happen.

Lai Yue was elated. His master's efforts hadn't gone to waste. Third Young Master lived up to the reputation of Duke Jing 'an's family of generals.

If he wrote a letter to the capital about this, Matriarch He would be very happy!

If Third Young Master could be promoted again, Third Young Mistress might even have a rank and become a Lady of Nobility.

Thinking of this, the corners of Lai Yue's mouth couldn't help but curve up. However, when he saw that his young master was still as cold as ever, he felt a little confused.

Lai Yue circled to his master's side. "Third Young Master, where are we going? It's rare for you to have a break. Don't you want to go back to the small courtyard in the city to rest?"

He Changdi raised his head slightly and looked at the few shabby tents that seemed to be floating in the distance. He didn't answer Lai Yue's question. Instead, he asked, "Is there a letter from the capital?"

Lai Yue had been with He Changdi for many years and understood that he didn't want to talk about it. He tactfully didn't ask further. "According to the time, the letter from the capital should be arriving in the next two days."

He Changdi nodded and fell silent again.

For the rest of the journey, he didn't say another word. Instead, Lai Yue's heart was in a mess. He didn't know what was going on with his master. Didn't he get promoted?

Why did he still have a sour expression on his face, as if everyone owed him a few thousand taels of silver?

In the small theater.

In the small dark room.

He Sanlang: Let me out, let me out!

Xue Shanlan (cracking the whip): What are you shouting for?

He Sanlang: Xue Shanlan, if you don't let me out, I'll kill you!

Don't you know that I've been reborn?

Xue Shanlan: What's the rush? I'm your mother. What don't I know? I just locked you up for a few chapters. How can you do big things in the future if you can't keep your cool?

He Sanlang (drawing his sword): Big things? My wife is running away with someone else. Are you going to compensate me?

Xue Shanlan (carefully moving his sword away): … Alright, I'll be merciful and take you out for a walk.