Even Chickens and Dogs Ascend to Heaven

Because Zhao Yuanxun originally intended to be a military general and was well-versed in military strategy, but his poor health prevented him from pursuing that path. Now, although he is not particularly skilled in either literature or martial arts, he is at least proficient in both, possessing some knowledge in both areas.

Based on this, when Wu Huaisi arrived, the emperor and his minister carefully considered the matter and finally decided on the position of Assistant Director of the Ministry of War, Subordinate Fifth Rank official.

However, this position is currently occupied. If anyone were to be transferred now, whether it be Xiao Ge, Wu Huaisi, Zhao Yuanxun, Zhao Ruxi, they would all be impeached by the censor. Zhao Yuanxun can only take office after the year-end evaluation of officials and the appointment of the person in this position as a prefectural assistant prefect.

Xiao Ge told Noble Consort Cen the news and asked her not to spread it.

Noble Consort Cen went to ask for an official position on behalf of the Earl of Suiping in order to do Zhao Ruxi a favor.

Otherwise, once Zhao Ruxi gives birth to a son, Xiao Ge will Gao Xing and will naturally think of Zhao Yuanxun, thus promoting him to a higher rank and bringing him to the capital. Later, when Xiao Lingyan the throne, Zhao Yuanxun, as the Empress's father, will be directly promoted to Marquis Cheng'en, enjoying immense prestige. There will be no need for her to ask for this favor.

Upon receiving the news, she sent someone to Gusu to inform Lady Zhu of Zhao Ruxi's pregnancy and also subtly revealed Zhao Yuanxun's promotion, but fearing that the situation might change, she did not disclose the specific official position.

The Lady Zhu family was naturally overjoyed to hear this good news.

After reminiscing for a while about Zhao Ruxi's pregnancy, Lady Zhu said, "Your Highness is so kind. Otherwise, I would be in a difficult position. With Miss Xi pregnant, I, as her mother, naturally have to return to the capital to take care of her. But I can't leave you and your mother behind either; I'll inevitably be worrying about both sides and running back and forth."

"Now that she's sent this message, things are much easier for us. Mother will come back to the capital with me. When you, Lord, go to the capital to report on your duties at the end of the year, have someone pack up your valuables and take Young Master Tai back with you. After the imperial decree is issued, you can have the servants come back to pack the rest of your things. That way, it won't be so troublesome."

The old lady spent her entire life in the capital. Although she moved to Gusu, Zhang Shun's wife and several other officials' wives often came to keep her company, she still preferred the capital.

Now that she knows she's going back to the capital and won't need to leave again, she's Gao Xing.

Her only worry was Zhao Jingtai: "But Young Master Tai was doing well in the academy, and now that he's gone back to the capital, I don't know where he should study next."

At this point, Zhao Yuanxun laughed, "Mother, why are you still worried about this? Before, our family had no power or influence, so we couldn't get into the Imperial Academy. Now that your granddaughter is the Consort of the Prince of Qi, if she lets her own younger brother study at the Imperial Academy, who would dare to disrespect her?"

The old lady's worry turned to joy. "Yes, yes, yes. Now that he's in the Imperial Academy, Libationer Peng and the other teachers will surely take good care of Young Master Tai for Miss Xi's sake. We don't need to worry about Young Master Tai going astray with those aristocratic scions."

Once the arrangements were made, Lady Zhu began packing. She packed up everything she, the old lady, and Zhao Yuanxun and his son that they no longer needed, along with most of the servants in the mansion and the gifts from several officials' wives. The total amount filled more than a dozen carriages, and they chose an auspicious day to set off.

If only Madam Lady Zhu were to travel, it would be inconvenient for Zhang Shun to see her off. However, since the old lady was also setting off to return to the capital, Zhang Shun, who had always acted obediently and sweetly in front of her and referred to himself as her nephew, got up very early and led his wife and children to the city gate before dawn to see the old lady off.

Upon returning, he remarked to his wife, "It seems the Earl of Suiping is about to Gao Sheng again."

"Oh? How did you know?" Madam Zhang asked.

"Didn't you see that the old lady and Madam Zhao brought back a lot of things to the capital? It seems they received word that they wouldn't be coming back, so they emptied most of the mansion."

Madam Zhang was silent for a moment, then sighed, "You've been in this position for several years now, and you haven't been promoted at all. Lord Zhao, on the other hand, has risen through the ranks without holding any official position, thanks to his daughter. This time, he might even be promoted higher than you."

Zhang Shun shook his head, sighed, and laughed, "Didn't you see? There are plenty of people who want this position. It's only because I have a good relationship with the Earl of Suiping and have been looking out for him that I've been able to stay here for the past two years. Otherwise, I would have had to give up my place long ago."

Madam Zhang's eyes widened.

"Then... then... now that they're leaving, doesn't that mean you'll be transferred elsewhere?" she asked in alarm.

Zhang Shun nodded, then shook his head, and sighed, "Who knows? Minister of Ministry of Personnel Wu Huaisi is Consort of the Prince of Qi's senior brother, and His Highness Prince of Qi dotes on Consort of the Prince of Qi. Perhaps Prince of Qi and Lord Wu will consider that I have been protecting the Earl of Suiping for the past two years and give me a better place to go."

He glanced at his wife. "So don't be like those shallow-minded people who only cherish their sons like their lifeblood and treat their daughters like dirt. Who says bringing honor to the family depends on male offspring? Look at the Earl of Suiping, raising a good daughter has made even his chickens and dogs rise to heaven."

Madam Zhang blushed slightly and quickly said, "I've been much nicer to our girls these past two years."

Their family has always favored sons over daughters, spending all their money and energy on the boys. As for the girls, they were simply provided with food and clothing, without much thought or effort. Once the girls reached a suitable age and married into a family of similar means, their mission was accomplished.

Now that her granddaughter is in her generation, Madam Zhang is still the same as always. Even when her daughter-in-law wants to spend money to hire a female tutor for her granddaughter's early education, she's still unhappy.

But ever since Zhao Yuanxun arrived, and especially after Lady Zhu and the old lady came to Gusu, the couple's ideas changed.

Zhao Ruxi was overjoyed at the return of the old lady and Lady Zhu to the capital. She chatted with them for a long time and then invited them to have a meal at the Prince of Qi's Residence before letting them leave.

"You're not so bored now that your mother-in-law is back," Xiao Lingyan said with a smile when he returned home that evening.

"Sigh." Zhao Ruxi sighed.

Ever since she became pregnant, a large group of people, from Noble Consort Cen down to Qingfeng and Nanny Yan, have prevented her from leaving the mansion.

Although she was a homebody, the thought of having to stay at home for the next year made her extremely depressed.

Although the Prince of Qi's Residence is large and the scenery is beautiful, even the most beautiful scenery can become tiresome after a month or two.

She could take a hard line and leave the mansion. But if anything happened to her, Xiao Ge and Noble Consort Cen, unable to do anything to her, would inevitably target the servants.

Therefore, she couldn't act willfully and had to stay obediently in the mansion.

"It's not good for you to practice calligraphy and painting all day long," Xiao Lingyan. "I've found you a Go master to teach you how to play, which will help you pass the time."

Zhao Ruxi's eyes lit up immediately.

She has good logical thinking skills and is very interested in playing Go. She studied Go at the Beining Women's Academy and did well. She also earns points when she wins a game.

However, because learning this skill requires specialization and playing chess with a high-level player is necessary to improve one's skill and earn more points, and she was busy all day long at that time, it was better to practice calligraphy and painting to earn more points than to find someone to play chess with, so she put this aside.

Now that I have the time, I might as well pick up this hobby again.