webnovelfull Chapter 174 He came back with his men
Chapter 174 He came back with his men
Ning Zhiwei walked into the main courtyard and saw that all the women of the Ning family were there.
"Hello old lady, hello all the ladies."
Madam Ning asked her to sit beside her with a smile on her face, and asked about her health, "Zhiwei, you didn't sleep all night? Don't work too hard, your health is more important."
"Yes." Ning Zhiwei was too polite and not friendly enough.
She was different from other girls in the Ning family. She did not grow up in the Ning Mansion in the capital, and was not familiar with these female relatives. After the accident, she ran around everywhere and they did not have much time to spend together.
Relationships take time to develop.
Old Madam Ning thought of the incident at the banquet, then looked at the calm girl in front of her, and sighed silently in her heart.
"How is the situation now?"
Speaking of this, Ning Zhiwei added a few more words, "We have basically controlled the situation. Men and women are being held separately for a few days. We'll see what happens next."
Only if these people are under control, the people below will be like a pile of loose sand and unable to accomplish anything.
Madam Ning listened silently. After an unknown amount of time, she sighed softly, "You are a man of great achievements, and I dare not interfere with you. It's just... I miss Xiao Qi so much that my heart is in turmoil. I just want to see him as soon as possible. I am no longer ill, but I wonder when I can leave?"
Ning Zhiwei paused for a moment, then smiled as if nothing had happened, "I can't leave for now. If the old lady is in a hurry to leave, I will arrange for someone to take you there first."
"I'll chase you after I've made arrangements here."
The women looked a little uneasy. They were worried that she would not go with them.
Madam Ning hesitated to speak, "This... Mingzhou is the Lu family's territory after all. Their fighting is their business. We should not get too involved. This is a taboo for the court."
"Yes." Ning Zhiwei looked respectful, but did not change his mind. "Luo Sanniu and Fang Ping are still out on business. When they come back, let them escort the old lady and her group to the northwest. One of them is a retired general you trust, and the other is an old member of the Ning family who has lived in the northwest for many years. They are both good people."
No one can stop her from doing what she wants to do.
Madam Ning looked at her deeply and said, "You are tired too. Go back and rest."
Ning Zhiwei stood up and said, "Everyone should have a good rest."
As soon as she left, the room became lively. Mrs. Ning frowned, "Grandma, does she not care whether we live or die?"
Madam Ning glared at her unhappily, "Shut up, what nonsense are you talking about? She is too busy to take time off to see us off. She has more important things to deal with. She has already arranged some staff for us."
The fourth young master Ning's wife doesn't trust others, and none of them are as capable as Ning Zhiwei. "What else is more important than returning to the northwest safely?"
Others were not happy. "We have to take care of the mess of the Lu family. Otherwise, what should we do if the imperial court blames us?"
"Killing Marshal Lu, an imperial official, is a big deal. Someone has to be held responsible. She should run away now and clear herself of the charges. What is she waiting for?"
"She has her own ideas, we just don't understand them."
Madam Ning was annoyed by their quarrels. "Everyone, please leave. The eldest daughter-in-law, please stay for a while."
The women left one after another, and Madam Ning bowed and said, "Mother, let your daughter-in-law help you go to bed."
Madam Ning stroked her eyebrows and asked, "What do you think of this child Ning Zhiwei?"
Madam Ning helped her put her hair down and murmured for a moment, "She is intelligent and loyal, decisive in killing, and has a strong character."
Madam Ning sighed softly, "Alas, she is good in everything except... she is too obsessed with power. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?"
She was a very strong woman. She refused to accept the infant Ning Zhiwei, which is why she was taken to the northwest by General Ning.
She has a strong desire for control, and for so many years she has been the respected ancestor who is the center of attention. Everyone surrounds her and acts according to her mood.
Ning Zhiwei would only respect her but would not listen to her.
Madam Ning's heart was as clear as a mirror, but people are kind-hearted. Ning Zhiwei came to the door to rescue Ning Wenyin and brought her up carefully. Just for this favor, she was determined to support Ning Zhiwei for the rest of her life.
Children are always the weak point of parents.
"Old Madam, please don't think too much. Your children and grandchildren will have their own blessings. No matter what happens, it won't be worse than your whole family being thrown into prison and left to languish."
Madam Ning was silent for a long time.
Ning Zhiwei didn't mention it to anyone. She went back to her room and fell asleep immediately. She was exhausted after not sleeping all night.
She didn't know how long she had slept before she was woken up by Shaoyao, "Miss, something happened."
"What's wrong?" She took the handkerchief and wiped her face, trying to wake herself up.
"Lü Jimei has returned with his men and is challenging us outside the city gate."
Ning Zhiwei knew every word, but didn't understand them when they were put together.
"Where did he get his troops? If he had troops, he wouldn't have been chased for thousands of miles. Could it be that Su Mingjin gave them to him?"
She stood up and said, "Let's go and take a look."
The city gates on all four sides were closed and no one could enter or leave. Rong Jing and Zhou Hongye stood at the city gate, while Lu Jimei and a group of people were shouting below.
"Rong Jing, Mr. Zhou."
They both looked over. Rong Jing came over and looked at her face with concern. "Why are you up? Have you eaten?"
Ning Zhiwei shook his head slightly. How could he care about eating? "Why did he come here to kill us? Where are the garrisons outside the city?"
"Ning Xiaohu has taken over. No one is allowed to leave the barracks without your order."
Her bedtime instructions were for all troops to stay quiet, the city gates to be closed, and the people in the city to stay inside and not go out. This was the best way to prevent unrest.
Unexpectedly, Lu Jimei brought his men back to fight.
Rong Jing said softly, "Don't worry, I'll have someone bring Lu Jifang over here, and we'll fight poison with poison and let them kill each other."
Ning Zhiwei raised an eyebrow, "Are you planning to make Lu Jifang a puppet?"
"It depends on his performance this time." Rong Jing said calmly, "Since we don't want the court to find out, we have to put someone in front of the stage."
When the late emperor was in power, if two provincial governors moved around frequently, they would be suspected and punished.
Ning Zhiwei was thinking about the descendants of the Lu family. There were not many males in the Lu family, only four. In addition to the eldest son Lu Jimei and the youngest son Lu Jifang, the middle two had a facial injury and a crippled foot, both of them were disabled, and officials could not have disabilities.
So, there is not much room for choice.
She leaned over and looked down. Seeing her, Lu Jimei was as excited as if she had been injected with chicken blood. "Jingning County Princess, you killed my father for no reason. The hatred for killing my father is irreconcilable. If this hatred is not avenged, my 100,000 troops in Mingzhou will not agree."
OK, Ning Zhiwei understood as soon as he heard this. The other party wanted to take over the army and wanted the position of the lord of Mingzhou.
No wonder he was willing to take risks to fight back, as he sought wealth and honor through danger.
"Are these your soldiers from Mingzhou? Why do they look like bandits and thieves?"
They are not regular troops at all, and I don't know where they came from. It's a bit of a joke.
Lu Jimei had no experience in leading troops, and he relied entirely on a general to support him.
He shouted loudly, "Listen, soldiers in the city. You are soldiers of Mingzhou and members of the Lu family. Princess Jingning killed your lord. Why don't you kill her and avenge your lord?"
"All soldiers, listen up. I issue this order in the name of the Lord of Mingzhou. Kill the Lord of Jingning County and Rong Jing, and you will be rewarded 100,000 silver and promoted three levels."