novelaction Chapter 397 (127 words added)
Chapter 397 (127 words added)
Xue Ruanruan took out all the grain from her spatial storage, piling it up like a mountain. Looking at the overflowing display, she made up her mind. While the manor appeared calm on the surface, undercurrents were surging, and various factions were waiting for their chance to act. She decided to use this grain to solidify her position within the manor.
Xue Ruanruan first had some of the grain sent to the kitchen to be made into delicious pastries and dishes, which were then distributed to the servants in the mansion. The servants, naturally grateful for the treat, praised her for her kind heart. Next, she had some grain sent to the old lady, saying it was specially prepared for her and that she hoped the old lady would take care of her health. The old lady looked at the grain with a satisfied smile, and her attitude towards Xue Ruanruan became even more amiable.
The concubines who had always opposed her were filled with jealousy and hatred upon seeing her actions. One of them couldn't help but speak ill of her behind her back, but this was overheard by an informant planted by Xue Ruanruan. Xue Ruanruan remained calm and collected, only subtly exposing the concubine's misdeeds at a family banquet, causing her to lose face in front of everyone. From then on, everyone in the household treated Xue Ruanruan with even greater respect and awe.
Thinking of her father and eldest brother's uncertain fate, and her second brother leading 100,000 Xue family troops to resist the Xiongnu, Xue Ruanruan was filled with worry. Just as she was deep in thought, news arrived that her second brother had suffered a defeat on the battlefield. Xue Ruanruan's heart tightened; she knew what this meant for the Xue family. She immediately summoned the advisors in the manor to discuss countermeasures, and at the same time, used the resources in her spatial dimension to allocate a batch of herbs and supplies to be sent to the battlefield. Those concubines she had always suppressed, seeing an opportunity, began to spread rumors throughout the manor, saying that the Xue family's fate was sealed and that Xue Ruanruan was merely putting on a brave face. Upon learning this, Xue Ruanruan did not panic. She calmly stood in the main hall of the manor and recounted the glory and responsibility of the Xue family throughout the generations, her words sincere and resounding. She also announced that she would personally go to the battlefield to support her second brother. The servants in the manor were moved by her courage and sense of responsibility and all expressed their willingness to follow her. Seeing this, the concubines dared not act rashly again. Xue Ruanruan packed her bags, took supplies and some trusted followers, and resolutely embarked on the road to the battlefield. She had only one belief in her heart: to save the Xue family from this perilous situation. She didn't know whether her father and eldest brother were alive or dead. She also thought of her second brother fighting valiantly on the front lines; the fate of the Xue family army was now uncertain. At this moment, an urgent letter arrived in her hands—it was sent by her second brother. The letter said that the Xue family army was running low on supplies, the Xiongnu offensive was fierce, and if supplies weren't replenished in time, the entire army risked annihilation. Xue Ruanruan was extremely anxious; she knew how important the Xue family army was to the Xue family. She decisively decided to send most of the remaining grain in her storage space to the front lines to support her second brother. She kept it a secret from everyone in the household, secretly arranging for reliable people to transport the grain to the front lines. However, this matter was discovered by some scheming concubines, who attempted to sabotage the grain transport. Xue Ruanruan was well-prepared; she cleverly set a trap, causing her concubines to suffer the consequences of their actions. Ultimately, the grain was successfully delivered to her second brother, greatly boosting the morale of the Xue family army, which successfully repelled the Xiongnu attack. Just as the Xue family army had temporarily stabilized the situation, undercurrents were swirling in the court. A treacherous minister slandered the Xue family to the emperor, claiming that the Xue family, with their powerful army, were plotting a rebellion by transporting the grain. The emperor, already wary of the Xue family army's strength, became suspicious upon hearing this and ordered the Xue family army to immediately return to the capital.
Upon receiving the imperial edict, the second brother knew it was a trap, but he couldn't disobey the emperor's command and had no choice but to withdraw his troops. Xue Ruanruan was frantic with worry upon hearing the news; she knew that if the Xue family army returned to the capital, they would be in grave danger. Therefore, she hurried back to the capital, intending to enter the palace and meet the emperor.
After entering the palace, Xue Ruanruan, with her intelligence and eloquence, explained the Xue family's loyalty to the emperor and cited the family's illustrious military achievements for the court throughout the generations. The emperor's doubts were somewhat alleviated. However, at this time, the Xiongnu invaded again, and the border was in dire straits. Xue Ruanruan seized the opportunity to petition the emperor to allow her second brother to lead the Xue family army once more to relieve the border crisis. After careful consideration, the emperor finally granted her request. The Xue family army once again went to the battlefield, while Xue Ruanruan continued to plan for the Xue family's future in the capital. Through this righteous act, Xue Ruanruan gained even greater prestige both within her household and at court.
She couldn't stand by and watch her father and brothers fall into danger. At this time, she heard that someone in the court was maliciously impeaching her second brother, accusing him of holding too much power and plotting rebellion. Xue Ruanruan's heart tightened; clearly, someone wanted to destroy the Xue family. She knew that if she didn't act quickly, her second brother and the Xue family would be doomed. Xue Ruanruan decided to take the initiative. She meticulously prepared a detailed document, detailing her second brother's achievements on the front lines, the Xue family army's dire situation, and the impeacher's sinister intentions. She took the document to the palace to meet the emperor. In court, she was neither servile nor arrogant, presenting the document and delivering a passionate speech in defense of her second brother. Her words were reasoned and well-founded, causing the emperor and ministers to reconsider the matter. Those who impeached her second brother tried to argue their case, but Xue Ruanruan was prepared. She presented substantial evidence, leaving them speechless. Ultimately, the emperor uncovered the truth and severely punished those who had maliciously impeached her. Her second brother's name was cleared, and the Xue family army received more support and supplies. Xue Ruanruan once again used her wisdom and courage to resolve the Xue family's crisis, establishing even greater prestige in the court and her household. Upon learning of the accusations of poor command and wasted provisions, with some even attempting to kill her second brother, Xue Ruanruan was furious, but she quickly calmed down. She knew the impeachers were well-prepared and couldn't be careless. She secretly sent people to investigate the mastermind behind the impeachments, while simultaneously carefully studying the details of her second brother's operation and gathering evidence.
In the imperial court, the impeachers argued vehemently, demanding severe punishment for the second brother. Xue Ruanruan calmly stepped forward, first presenting detailed battle reports from her second brother's campaigns, clearly recording the deployment and results of each battle, effectively refuting the claim of poor command. Next, she produced detailed accounts of grain usage, proving that the grain consumption was reasonable.
The impeachers, undeterred, began to engage in sophistry and unreasonable arguments. Xue Ruanruan sneered and presented the evidence she had gathered, accusing the impeachers of having vested interests with the enemy and attempting to frame loyal officials. The court was immediately in uproar, the emperor was furious, and ordered a thorough investigation of the impeachers. Ultimately, the impeachers were severely punished, her second brother's reputation was restored, the morale of the Xue family army soared, and Xue Ruanruan became the undisputed backbone of the Xue family. Enraged, Xue Ruanruan decided to go to the palace to plead for her second brother. She meticulously prepared materials on her brother's military achievements at the front, as well as the news of the Xue family army's victory over the Xiongnu after the recent grain delivery. Upon entering the palace, Xue Ruanruan delivered a passionate and reasoned speech, refuting the impeachments with sound arguments. The emperor, impressed by her courage and eloquence, reconsidered the impeachment. Just then, news arrived from the front lines that the Xue family army had once again decisively defeated the Xiongnu. The emperor was overjoyed, not only dispelling his doubts about his second brother but also richly rewarding the Xue family. Those ministers who had impeached his second brother, seeing this, all lowered their heads and dared not utter a word. Xue Ruanruan, through her wisdom and courage, once again resolved the Xue family's crisis, further solidifying her position within the household and deterring those with ill intentions from easily provoking her.