Immortal-Inviting Tower, third floor.
"Hong'er, why go this far?"
Grief welled up in Old Madam Xie's heart. Her aged face was covered in tears as she supported Xie Hong with one hand, weeping so hard she could not speak.
Xie Hong remained calm, his tone resolute. "Mother, with the family suffering such a calamity, how could I stand aside?"
Madam Zhao's face was pale, tears brimming in her beautiful eyes. Like pear blossoms drenched by rain, she mournfully said, "My lord, if you leave, how are this widow and her children meant to carry on?"
Xie Hong turned away decisively. "I am only going to the Academy to study. Mother and Madam need not worry excessively."
At those words, Old Madam Xie could no longer contain her grief. "Once you go to the Academy, I fear it will be difficult for you to return again?"
Xie Hong comforted her, "Second Brother will return to Bianjing before long. Mother, rest easy."
Nearby, Madam Yuan feigned sorrow, yet the delight in her eyes could not be concealed.
The reason was this!
News had just arrived from the Great Qi army, shaking the entire third floor.
Taking advantage of the Gathering of Beauties Banquet at the western border, Xie Ling had dealt the Great Sui enemy army a crushing defeat in Zhuya Commandery.
One battle had slain a hundred thousand enemies and recovered the lost territory.
At such joyous news, Chancellor Su had been overjoyed and directly restored Xie Ling's title—Marquis Dingyuan.
An edict had been issued for him to return to the capital at the beginning of the year.
Upon hearing this news, the members of the Nine Great Surnames on the third floor all wore complicated expressions.
Some were shocked, some delighted; every face bore a different look.
It should have