The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 996: Chapter 973: Glory Amidst Chaos 41

This was the first time Xiao Yuan revealed ambition in front of Xiao Jin and Xiao Ling.

The two took a long time to digest it before they accepted it.

Xiao Ling clenched his fist, ”Let’s do it. Anyway, we are exiled here, and it’s impossible to return for a lifetime. We might as well go all out. If we succeed, it will be a great fortune.”

Xiao Jin took several deep breaths to suppress the panic in his heart.

After the initial shock, Xiao Ying was also calm.

”Fourth Uncle, on our way from the Capital to the Southern Yi, we’ve faced life and death several times. What’s there to hesitate about now?”

His words completely dispelled Xiao Jin’s concerns, ”Alright, then let’s do it. Third Brother, whatever you say.”

Xiao Yuan smiled, raised his glass, and clinked it with the two of them.

He drank the wine in his cup, ”The Marquis Guangning’s Mansion is not like our Duke Ping Mansion. They have quite a network among scholars. Moreover, several sons of the Marquis are also scholars with considerable talent. I’ve thought about it before, wanting to form an alliance through marriage with their family. This time, I’ll have you go...”

Xiao Ling blushed as he listened.

Xiao Ling was aware of Miss Yuan, the legitimate fourth daughter of the Marquis Guangning’s Mansion.

He had a good relationship with the sons of the Marquis Guangning’s Mansion and naturally knew a lot about the Yuan family. That fourth young lady was beautiful, talented, a good girl with excellent qualities.

Xiao Ling had secretly admired that fourth young lady before, but he knew he was not worthy and dared not show any sign of it.

Now that Xiao Yuan suggested having him marry Miss Yuan, he naturally was willing.

Xiao Yuan glanced at Xiao Ling, a smile appeared on his face, ”Go back and get ready, set off the day after tomorrow.”

After sending off Xiao Jin and Xiao Ling, Xiao Yuan summoned Xiao Ying, ”This time, to support the people of the Marquis Guangning’s Mansion, take some men and horses. These days, I haven’t just been training village soldiers, but also some personnel.”

As he spoke, Xiao Yuan clapped his hands, ”Come out.”

A tall, brawny man with a beard stepped out from the inner room, kneeling slightly at the sight of Xiao Yuan, ”Dong Da greets the master.”

Xiao Yuan pointed to Dong Da and introduced him to Xiao Ying and Xiao Song, ”This is Dong Da. He offended a powerful young master and was sentenced to beheading. Unwilling to accept it, he fled and became a rebel. Later, he gathered a group and became mountain bandits. They have quite a few men, and this time, they’ll escort you there.”

Dong Da stood up and saluted Xiao Ying with cupped fists, ”Greetings, Young Master.”

Xiao Ying hurriedly supported Dong Da with both hands, ”What Young Master, I should call you Uncle Dong. This time, for the support of the Yuan family, I hope Uncle Dong will take good care of us.”

Dong Da chuckled twice, ”Rest assured, Young Master. Our brothers will protect you with all our might, not letting any harm come to you.”

”I appreciate it.” Xiao Ying cupped his hands and bowed deeply to Dong Da, who was so startled that he quickly sidestepped to avoid it.

At this time, Anning entered the room with a smile.

Seeing Dong Da, she nodded at him with a smile, ”Brother Dong is here, how timely. I just made some nice food, you must stay for a meal today.”

Dong Da immediately replied, ”Thank you, Madam.”

Anning waved her hand, ”There’s no need for thanks. Sit down, I’ll have someone clear away the leftovers and bring in new dishes.”

Xiao Hui quickly went out to ask Mrs. Xu for help in clearing the table.

Xiao Fu and Xiao Yun brought over newly made dishes and arranged them on the table.

Anning also sat down, ”How is Sister-in-law? I heard you have two kids at home, are they well? If you’re willing, why not send the kids over, my husband and I may not be good at much, but we can at least teach children. We should educate our kids well; at the very least, they should learn to read and not be ignorant.”

Anning seemed to have thought of something else: ”By the way, I remember Sister-in-law has some back pain. I just made some ointment the other day, which should alleviate the pain if applied to the area. Brother Dong, please bring some to your sister-in-law.”

Her gentle and kind words moved Dong Da deeply.

”Madam, truly... I feel unworthy of your kindness. I also thank Madam on behalf of my family. After safely escorting the Marquis Guangning’s family here, I’ll send my two little ones over. Madam, please guide them. If they’re obedient, have them do some chores; if not, you may discipline them as needed.”

”Ah, you speak so openly.”

Anning raised her glass, ”Come, let me toast you, Big Brother.”

Xiao Yuan chuckled and shared a drink with Dong Da.

Xiao Ying, sitting beside Anning, observed her conversation with Dong Da, then glanced at Xiao Yuan, seemingly understanding something.

Xiao Hui quickly came over to pour more wine.

Once Dong Da had left, Xiao Yuan brought Xiao Ying and Xiao Song into the study, while Anning asked Mrs. Xu to clear the table, and she took a few girls back to practice calligraphy.

Xiao Hui wrote for a while, then returned to her own room, with Xiao Yin following quickly behind.

Xiao Yin entered Xiao Hui’s room, climbed straight onto the bed, took off her shoes, pulled the quilt over herself, and sighed comfortably, ”Sister Hui, what were Father and Fourth Uncle discussing in the room just now?”

Xiao Hui laughed as she sat down, ”They were just talking about how the Marquis Guangning’s Mansion was exiled, wanting Fourth Uncle and Sixth Uncle to take Brother to support them.”

Xiao Yin frowned as she listened, ”That’s all? They didn’t say anything else?”

”What else could they say?” Xiao Hui playfully poked Xiao Yin’s forehead, ”By the way, Father said for you and me to go to his study tonight. He wants to teach us some other things.”

”Ah?”

Xiao Yin’s mouth hung open in surprise, ”I’m still young, learning so much is tiring.”

”Then tell Father that.”

Xiao Hui shook her head, stood up, and took a piece of pastry for Xiao Yin, ”Mother just made this pastry, try it.”

As Xiao Yin ate the pastry, she pondered thoughtfully.

Their family had been in Southern Yi for almost half a year. In that time, Xiao Yin had learned a lot. And after arriving here, she had carefully observed the things Xiao Yuan and Anning were doing. Xiao Yin had a bold idea.

But the idea was so bold that it felt like dreaming.

However, today, some things confirmed her idea.

One was the matter of the Marquis Guangning’s Mansion, and the other was that man, Dong Da.

Xiao Yin wasn’t actually a child; she was an adult in modern times. She managed to go from an orphan to a good college on her own through diligent study, proving she was intelligent.

After coming here, the environment of the Duke Ping Mansion taught her many things.

Then, following Anning, Anning was tirelessly teaching them, imparting much knowledge to Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin was a smart child, and even if she was an average person, with such mentors as Anning and Xiao Yuan, both seasoned ’foxes,’ she would learn a lot.

She observed that Xiao Yuan frequently went to the county, seemingly having a good relationship with the current county magistrate, and he managed to get a Ninth Grade official position. Now, with the training of village soldiers, Xiao Yin suspected Xiao Yuan was ambitious.

Furthermore, considering the current disasters and chaos in Da Qi, with the court inactive, it’s a sign of impending chaos in the world.

If chaos ensues, it could be a time when various warlords rise up.

Xiao Ying thought her parents had the qualifications to compete, judging by the things Xiao Yuan did, he was constantly making covert preparations.

At this moment, going to provide support for the Marquis Guangning’s Mansion was to pull them onto their ship.

After all, the Duke Ping Mansion had a martial background, her Fourth and Sixth Uncles could both become great generals conquering the world. However, to succeed, they also needed strategists and civil servants, and the arrival of the Marquis Guangning’s Mansion would undoubtedly fill this gap.

Thinking of these things, Xiao Yin was extremely excited.

She felt she was witnessing history.

She also thought if her parents truly succeeded, she would become a princess of the new dynasty, and her status would be entirely different then.

If she became a princess, life would be smooth and effortless. She could then indulge herself in making money and perhaps even keep a few pretty boys...

Just thinking about it made Xiao Yin drool with delight; this would be the good life.

Xiao Hui didn’t know what Xiao Yin was thinking.

She was contemplating managing the household servants for Anning in the future and teaching her younger brothers and sisters well, so Xiao Yuan could pursue his ambitions freely.