After the whole family was swept away, I lay down flat

Chapter 614: Generous Ma Shangyi
Ma Yumei's nephew got the news from Ma Shangyi and was so excited that he brought a valuable gift and personally visited Ma at the Hai family.

He also wanted to become a relative of the Ma family on the grounds that both families had the surname Ma.

Ma Yumei's nephew was also in the army when he was young, but he retired early due to health reasons and became a civilian staff. Now he is old, with many children and grandchildren, and even his great-grandchild is about to be born. Although he is only a sixth-rank official, he is highly regarded by the Zhou family. He is also a figure in Chang'an City and holds real power. Although Ma's natal family was once more prosperous than his, there are not many family members who can show off. If they can be connected with his family, many clansmen will benefit.

Therefore, before Ma herself realized anything was wrong, her uncle Ma had already asked the clan leader and elders to come to the house and establish relationships with Ma Yumei's nephews and nieces. They were very cordial and kept calling them "uncle", "uncle" and "clan brother".

Seeing this, Ma felt extremely bored. She gave her brother face and stepped back, leaving the stage for her brother and the elders to perform. She only talked to Ma Shangyi in private to discuss sending people to Zhili next spring.

It is said that Ma Yumei's nephew wanted to go to Shanhaiguan and Yongping Prefecture in person, but he was old, and his sons and grandsons refused to let him go, so he reluctantly gave up the idea and sent his idle grandson to do it. He wanted his grandson to leave immediately, but Ma Shangyi persuaded him again: "It's winter, and the road is not easy to walk. Why bother the child? Let's wait until next spring. Next spring, some of us will go to the capital, and we can travel together and take care of each other on the road." Ma Yumei's nephew changed his mind.

After sending the two Ma family members away, Ma Shangyi sighed, "Yumei's brother was thinking about her before he died, and left a will, asking his children and grandchildren to remember to find her, whether she is dead or alive, there must be an explanation. Now that there is finally a clue, her nephew is naturally eager to find her. He is also an old man, and he is also worried. If he can't find Yumei before he dies, he will not be able to explain to his father in the future."

Ma understood this feeling very well, and comforted Ma Shangyi, saying, "We will send someone too. Madam Mei has always wanted to find a husband for her goddaughter in Yongping Prefecture. She is in poor health, and she would not have the energy to look for someone else in the last few years. Her goddaughter must have married in Yongping Prefecture. I will ask the Hai family to help inquire, and there will be news. Don't worry, old sister. Madam Mei has been famous in Shanhaiguan and Yongping Prefecture for a few years. Even after more than 30 years, there are still people who remember her!"

Ma Shangyi smiled and said, "She is an outstanding person among the sisters. If it weren't for the treacherous concubine who was so cruel and ruthless and wanted to kill our queen, she would not have taken the risk to protect her master. Our queen was ambushed that time and fell ill for many days before she woke up. She always regretted that she couldn't protect Yumei in time. If the queen knew that Yumei's whereabouts were, she would definitely be happy..."

However, although the person has been found now, he died more than 30 years ago, which is also a great pity...

When Ma Shangyi thought of this, she couldn't help but feel more hatred towards the culprit back then.

Ma watched her expression change anxiously. She really wanted to say a few good words for her adopted son, but she was afraid that she had not thought of Hai Chang'an's true identity and that if she said anything, she would remind him instead. Therefore, she did not dare to speak.

I don't know if Ma Shangyi saw what was on her mind. After a moment of excitement, she quickly calmed down and put on a smile again: "Yumei, I suddenly remembered that your maiden name seems to be Yumei. No wonder Yumei looks at you differently. Your name is so similar to hers, you have a deep affinity that no one else can compare to!"

This time, Ma Shangyi no longer asked Ma to call her "Auntie". She just asked her to come to her house more often, saying that she and Ma Yumei grew up together. Although they were not blood relatives, they were as close as siblings. Since Ma was Ma Yumei's student and had a similar name to hers, they had a deep bond. She was also her sister. They should love each other more in the future.

Ma was still a little confused, but Ma Shangyi had already taken her hand warmly and started chatting about family matters. As they chatted, Ma Shangyi asked Ma about her arrangements for the family: "Our Jiao brother is not young anymore, and now he is studying in the Wei School. I heard that his grades are very good, and the teachers all praise him! I also heard that when your family was in Suzhou, Hai Dushi was too busy with official duties, so he would ask his grandson to help out. Even General Zhou San praised Jiao brother for his ability. So Jiao brother is both civil and military, knows how to do practical things, and has experience. After studying in the Wei School for another two years, he can directly join the army. Starting from a small soldier is too much of a waste of talent. He should at least be a small flag, right? I just don't know what your family thinks? What position do you and Hai Dushi want your child to have in the future? Will he join the Experience Department like Hai Dushi, or try the Judgment Department?"

Ma couldn't help but take a breath.

Xiaoqi is a rank 7. If Haijiao starts from the rank 7 when he joins the army, then his future will be much smoother. You know, even Hai Xiya, a veteran, has worked hard in the Northwest Frontier Army for more than 30 years and was promoted to the rank 7 in the past two years.

Ma Shangyi is worthy of being the empress dowager's confidant. Her family and friends all have deep roots in the Northwest Frontier Army. She can arrange an officer position for Haijiao with just a word of her mouth, and let him choose the Experience Department or the Judgment Department. She is truly kind and generous.

Ma couldn't help but struggle inwardly.

After struggling for a long time, she took a deep breath and declined politely, "Thank you for your kindness, elder sister. It's better for our Baoshun not to seek a job in Chang'an. I have discussed with the master and decided to let Baoshun concentrate on studying and gaining experience in Chang'an. When we return to our hometown, we will find a future for him in Zhili. Otherwise, if he has established a firm foothold here and cannot move easily for the sake of his future, and we leave, won't our flesh and blood be separated by thousands of miles?"

Ma Shangyi raised her eyebrows: "Have you changed your mind again? Didn't you say the other day that you wanted your children to settle down in Chang'an and even discuss marriage here?"

Ma blushed and said guiltily, "I was inconsiderate and didn't think it through. I just wanted to stay with my family and live in my hometown. But our master is also worried about his hometown. He has been away for more than 30 years and doesn't know how the graves of my parents-in-law are. Although the eldest son's behavior is annoying, my mother-in-law treats us well. We must go back and pay our respects. This is the duty of a son and daughter-in-law."

Ma Shangyi said, "If you just want to go back home to worship your parents, that's easy. When Hai Dusi retires, I'll make arrangements for you. But you don't have to stay in Zhili and not come back! Chang'an is your hometown, your relatives and friends are all here, and the local customs and food are to your liking. Don't you want to stay here and retire?"

How could Ma not want to? But she thought that the concerns of her husband and grandson were quite reasonable. It was easy for her to stay in Chang'an to retire, but what about the future of the younger generation? Hai Chang'an had always been filial to her, so she couldn't just ignore the life and death of this son, right?
She originally thought that with the Duke of Zhenguo around, Hai Chang'an could teach in Weixue for a few years. People in Chang'an would know his character and would not vent their anger on him because of the Chang family.

As a result, the Mei Lady incident happened. Now, not to mention Mei Lady's nephew who had just joined the Ma family, and the relatives of other murdered palace maids, even Ma Shangyi, who had always gotten along well with her, rekindled her hatred for the Chang family. The Chang family can enjoy wealth and luxury in the capital, but Hai Chang'an is right under the noses of the victims!
Life is at stake. Ma can no longer hope for luck.

(End of this chapter)