The Favoured Medical Princess: 256 Tuogu

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"Good news! Good news! Great victory in southern Xinjiang!"

A good news of a three-thousand-mile rush resounded through the streets of the royal capital as the horses galloped past, and then spread throughout the royal capital, all the way to the royal study.

"Okay! Okay!"

The smile on the emperor's face could not be concealed. Since he came to the throne, there have been many big and small events, especially in the past two years, there have been frequent wars. It is rare to have such a happy event, which really makes him ecstatic.

Great victory in southern Xinjiang! Although the Southern Barbarians have not yet retreated completely, Xiao Yi led his troops to capture two cities occupied by the Southern Barbarians in one fell swoop, and cut off their supply lines, which was enough to severely weaken the Southern Barbarian army.

This was Dayu's first major victory after the war with Nanman.

The emperor looked at the good news and became happier and happier. He read it over and over several times and said overjoyed: "Ayi really did not disappoint me. Well done! What a great job!"

Eunuch Liu said jokingly from the sidelines: "It's thanks to your emperor's good knowledge of people that I have achieved this great victory! It is really a blessing for me."

"Hahaha." The emperor laughed and said, "You are the only one who can speak."

Along with the good news, there was a letter from Xiao Yi. The emperor opened it in a good mood. After reading a few lines, he was amused. This excerpt has Xiao Yi's usual style, and it shows off how wise and powerful he is in defeating the southern barbarians. The emperor became more and more cheerful as he watched. He smiled and said to Eunuch Liu, "Huairen, look at this kid, he doesn't know how to be humble."

Eunuch Liu pretended to look down and said in agreement: "Prince Xiao is sincere."

"When I first sent him to southern Xinjiang, I was worried. After all, A Yi has never been on the battlefield since he was a child. I was afraid of what to do if the sword has no eyes... However, A Yi is really I was not disappointed." The emperor said happily, "In the final analysis, this Southern Xinjiang Army was created by the old Zhennan King. It was just that this Zhennan King was confused and it was difficult for him to take into account the overall situation. Those barbarians invaded arrogantly. This Ayi is the legitimate heir apparent. This time, there will naturally be a leader among all the others. What do the southern barbarians have to fear?"

If Xiao Yi asked for credit for the soldiers in this article, or humbly gave all the credit to the emperor, the emperor would inevitably be worried, thinking that he would have more motivations by going out. However, Xiao Yi did not mention the merits of other soldiers. Although he was showing off himself, he did not sound proud and complacent. Instead, he seemed like a junior showing his ability to his elders. This made the emperor very happy. .

The emperor also unknowingly assumed the identity of his elders. He felt that Xiao Yi was worthy of being a child he had raised, and that he was able to make great achievements in his first expedition.

"Reward! It must be a big reward." Emperor Long Xin said happily, "Well... A Yi is not in the capital, so let's reward Yue girl! Huairen, please help me think about it, what is there? It can be rewarded. I remember that I just paid a tribute to a few Dongzhu earlier. The little girl should like this kind of thing..."

The emperor was interested and simply asked Eunuch Liu to fetch the book from the private treasury and personally selected many things. Not only were the rewards given to the Zhennan Prince's Mansion, but also to the Princess Yongyang's Mansion. Although Xiao Yi didn't mention it, the victory report clearly mentioned the meritorious soldiers, and even Fu Yunhe's name was on it.

When the rewards were delivered to Zhennan Palace, Nangong Yue was about to go to the study room in the front yard. After hearing this, she went to receive the order first.

Great victory in southern Xinjiang!

Nangong Yue curled her lips, she knew that A Yi would never be defeated. In his previous life, he fought all the way from southern Xinjiang to the royal capital and controlled the entire Dayu. How could he lose to this mere southern barbarian?

After seeing off Eunuch Liu, Nangong Yue asked Lily to register all the rewards in the treasury, and specially took out the East Pearl, planning to give it to Lin next time she returned to Nangong Mansion. She was in a good mood and rewarded all the servants with a silver nugget. Everyone in the palace was overjoyed. They felt that it was really different to have a mistress in the palace. There were new clothes and rewards. Everyone There are still two days of rest in the month, and it’s been a great day.

The servants in the mansion all had spring breezes on their faces, as if they were celebrating the New Year.

Nangong Yue took Baihe Baihui to the study room in the outer courtyard. At this time, Zhu Xing was already waiting outside the study room. When he saw her coming, he bowed respectfully.

Nangong Yue raised her hand to avoid the ceremony, entered the study room on her own, and sat behind the desk.

As soon as she sat down, Zhu Xing hurriedly reported back: "Concubine, we have found out. The aunt of the step princess is indeed surnamed Niu. The Niu family is a son of the Fang family. The step princess' aunt was originally a member of the Fang family. The third master's maid was later adopted as his wife. After giving birth to a bastard, she was raised as his aunt, and then she gave birth to the step princess. This aunt only gave birth to their brother and sister, and later she was no longer favored. It wasn't until the princess married into the palace to fill a house that she changed her mind."

That day, after returning from Zhuangzi, Nangong Yue asked Zhu Xing to investigate the matter.

Although the royal capital is thousands of miles away from southern Xinjiang, there are still some old people from southern Xinjiang in the Zhennan Palace, and it is not difficult to find out some news.

Nangong Yue tilted her head slightly and asked, "So, that manager Niu is really the uncle of the step princess?"

"It should be true." Zhu Xing hurriedly replied: "...My subordinates have sent people back to southern Xinjiang, and there will be definite news in a few days."

Nangong Yue thought for a while and asked directly: "How many people did the old prince leave behind in total? I once heard the prince mentioned that there should be more than just the four of you."

"More than that." A trace of sadness appeared on Zhu Xing's face, "The old prince left a total of twelve confidants for the prince. But in the end, only the four of us were left alive to see the prince."

Nangong Yue continued to ask: "Is there ever a big manager?"

"There is indeed a great steward. Steward Shen has been with the old prince for twenty or thirty years and has always been in charge of the old prince's property. After the old prince passed away, Steward Shen died faithfully for the Lord..."

"Martyred for the Lord?" Nangong Yue said with a slightly stern look, "Please tell me carefully."

Zhu Xing tried his best to recall and said: "...Since the old prince passed away, Manager Shen has been guarding the old prince's tomb. Until the first anniversary of the old prince, he bumped into the old prince's tomb and died. The Lord."

Nangong Yue lowered her eyes and thought deeply, then suddenly said: "The woman at Liuhe Village said that Manager Niu came there a year after the old prince left and replaced the original manager."

"Yes..." Zhu Xing nodded blankly at first, then reacted suddenly and blurted out, "Prince Princess, could it be..."

Nangong Yue said calmly: "The old prince has been left alone. If Manager Shen is a loyal servant, he should take care of these properties for the prince. After all, the prince was still young at that time. However, he left the old prince alone. He ignored his life and instead committed suicide and martyred himself a year after the incident. Don’t you think this is very suspicious?"

Zhu Xing was sweating profusely. Recalling that time, they all grieved for the martyrdom of Manager Shen Da, but they never thought that this would be artificially arranged...

Nangong Yue let out a long sigh. Obviously, since the death of Manager Shen Da, there are fewer people who can take care of Xiao Yi's property.

When Nangong Yue first looked at the account books, she felt a little strange. Since the old prince left so much property to Xiao Yi, why didn't he leave a trustworthy person to take care of it for him? Otherwise, he would not have deceived his master just because his family has not asked him for many years. In fact, the old prince indeed retained the right person, but it was a pity that he was killed before he could personally hand over these properties to Xiao Yi.

If the manager of Shen Da was still there, this should not be the case now.

Nangong Yue asked thoughtfully: "How many people know about the old prince's entrustment of orphans?"

"The old prince was afraid that there would be disputes over these properties, so he asked the five elders of the Xiao family to be the middlemen. But the prince and the step princess should not know." Zhu Xing said, "The old prince once had a problem I told you that until the prince gets married, these properties will be returned to the prince in front of the prince and the five clan elders."

Nangong Yue asked again: "Who has been keeping these house and land deeds all these years?"

"They were all placed in Dafeng Bank. We took them out when we came to seek refuge with the Crown Prince."

"So, no one has ever asked about it all these years?"

Zhu Xing nodded shamefully and said: "After the royal capital was handed over to the prince, Cheng Yu was in charge, and later it was handed over to me."

Whether it is Cheng Yu or Zhu Xing, they have all come down from the battlefield. When it comes to marching and fighting, they will not lose to others, but when it comes to taking care of general affairs and cleaning up accounts, they are really blind. .

They were waiting for the Crown Princess to take over all this.

"I understand." Nangong Yue nodded clearly and said, "According to my guess, someone should have revealed the matter of entrusting the orphan to the step princess." Therefore, the step princess took advantage of Xiao Yi's young age. , get involved in these industries.

In addition to Liu Hezhuang, I don’t know how much else she knows, let alone how much she has intervened.

Liu Hezhuang alone makes so much money go into the hands of Xiao Fang every year, and it also leaves Xiao Yi with an infamy that he cannot clean up! What a good plan! Maybe he wanted to wait until Xiao Yi became notorious so that he could legitimately seize his throne.

It's a pity that her calculation was wrong.

Nangong Yue suppressed the anger in her heart and asked calmly: "Is there any news about Butler Niu and Zheng Zhi?"

"Manpower has been sent to look for them. People have been posted along the way from the royal capital to Southern Xinjiang. As long as they dare to return to Southern Xinjiang, they will not escape from our grasp."

Nangong Yue nodded, remembered something again, and asked: "By the way, does Manager Shen still have family members?"

Zhu Xing replied: "After the big manager Shen left, it was up to the prince to release the slaves of their whole family."

"Ask someone to search for it. If you can find the nephew of the manager of Shen University, you can ask him if he is willing to come to the royal capital."

Zhu Xing was a little surprised and asked: "Is the Crown Princess going to use them?"

"Our house is now short of a big steward to take care of the general affairs. Since the old prince trusts Shen Da as steward so much and entrusts Gu Gu, maybe his nephew can also be used." In Nangong Yue's view, Tuo Gu is often just They will choose those who are truly loyal. Not only must they be loyal to themselves, but their family members must also be loyal. Otherwise, how can they entrust their beloved grandchildren to their care? She paused and said, "However, I have to see for myself if I want to use it."

Zhu Xing bowed and responded, "Yes. Crown Princess."

"That's it for now."

Nangong Yue stood up and returned to Fufengyuan.

She still has a lot of account books to look through.

Last time, she only focused on checking the accounts. As for other details, such as Liu Hezhuang's change of manager, she didn't pay attention to it. Now she needs to take a closer look to see if she can get any clues from it.

Since Xiao Fang dared to stretch out her hand so long, it would be really unreasonable for him to think of a way to stomp her hand!

Nangong Yue cheered up and ordered to Baihui: "Today, let the small kitchen prepare a golden Buddha's hand roll, a hibiscus fish bone, Changchun soup and emerald white fungus for me. You can take care of the rest." If you don't eat enough, how can you have the strength to fight with them? She thought for a while and then said, "It's a great day today. Everyone in the house will add a meat dish and let the big kitchen cook it."

"Yes, Crown Princess." Baihui responded with a smile, "Those little maids will definitely be very happy."

Since Nangong Yue came back from Liuhe Village, she locked herself in the small study for most of the day and didn't even come out, even for dinner. In the next few days, she was in a bad mood and brooded all day long, which made Baihui really worried. Seeing that she finally cheered up, she couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief and quickly ordered a second-class maid to take care of it.

The whole family is overjoyed, everyone is smiling, wishing that there would be good news every day.

And this good news from southern Xinjiang also affected the entire royal capital.

Because of the successive battles, even though they were all far away on the border, they still affected people's hearts to some extent. As soon as the good news came out, the people who were a little worried all breathed a sigh of relief and rushed to tell the news. The entire royal capital The atmosphere became lively just overnight.

Even the conversations in restaurants and teahouses were all about the victory.

Everyone said confidently, "Dayu will win."

Xiao Yi's letter was also delivered to the royal capital a few days after the good news came.

As soon as she got the letter, Lily ran into the house happily. Before anyone arrived, the voice came first, "Prince Concubine, there is a letter from the Crown Prince. Please take a look!"

If she was babbling like this on a normal day, Baihui would scold her with a frown, but today, in view of the prince's letter, she didn't argue with Baihe.

"Give it to me quickly."

Nangong Yue, who was looking at the account book, stood up overjoyed and quickly took the letter, with a look of joy on her face.

Great! A Yi's letter finally arrived.

She opened the envelope. In addition to a piece of writing paper, there was also an envelope hidden inside. She glanced at it casually and found that the second envelope contained a letter from Fu Yunhe, so she Putting it aside for the time being, he read Xiao Yi's letter with a smile on his face.

In the letter, Xiao Yi first spent half the length of the letter telling her feelings about her longing, and then wrote eloquently about what he had done in southern Xinjiang during this period. By the way, he also mentioned Xiao Fang How did he send a woman over, how did he retaliate by throwing an oiran to Xiao Luan, and how did he praise himself for being brave, brave and good at fighting, and how he defeated the southern barbarian army and defeated it.

At the end, he emphasized that everything was fine with him in southern Xinjiang, he was not injured or sick, and asked Nangong Yue to stay in the capital with peace of mind. Don't worry about him, but remember to miss him!

Nangong Yue gently stroked the powerful handwriting on the letter. She seemed to see the young man strategizing and fighting on the battlefield, and the smile at the corner of his mouth became a little thicker.

Although she knew that Xiao Yi would be fine, she didn't feel completely at ease until she received this letter.

After Nangong Yue read it several times, she carefully put it into a mahogany box with her own hands. Since Xiao Yi went to Southern Xinjiang, Nangong Yue has carefully treasured every letter from him, and will take it out and read it again from time to time... By the time she fills the box, Xiao Yi should be back.

Nangong Yue locked the box with a crooked eyebrow and put it aside.

Then, Nangong Yue looked at Fu Yunhe's letter, her eyes flickered slightly, and after thinking for a moment, she told Lily to get ready to drive to Princess Yongyang's mansion.

When the concierge of the Princess Mansion saw Nangong Yue's visit, he quickly opened the side door, welcomed her Zhu Lun Chai into the mansion, and immediately sent someone to report Yong Yang and Fu Yunyan.

In Wufu Hall, in addition to Yongyang, Mrs. Fu happened to be chatting with Yongyang in Dongci. When the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law heard that Nangong Yue was coming, they were a little surprised. Nangong Yue had just submitted a post yesterday, saying that it was You will come to visit tomorrow, why did you come today? Nangong Yue had always known etiquette. Although she was close to the Princess Mansion, it was very rare for her to come rashly like this. Yongyang hurriedly sent her maid Hongxian out to greet her.

As soon as I finished speaking, I heard Fu Yunyan's lively and crisp voice coming from outside the house: "Ah Yue, I thought you would only come tomorrow. You don't even know that I have been extremely bored these past two days. If it hadn't been for me Mom didn’t allow me to go out, so I went to play with you a long time ago.”

This child... Mrs. Fu shook her head secretly. These are already engaged people, and they still think about it all day long. She thought to herself that Liu Niang was not young anymore and had only gotten married within a year or two. Being a daughter-in-law was not as comfortable as being a girl at home. Everything could be done according to her wishes, but she still had to temper her temperament.

While thinking, the two of them walked in affectionately, hand in hand. Seeing the affectionate look between them, Mrs. Fu couldn't help but smile in her eyes. Nangong Yue is her future sister-in-law, and it would be great if they could get along happily.

After they bowed to Yong Yang and Mrs. Fu and sat down, Nangong Yue took out a letter and told her intention: "Grandma Yong Yang, Aunt Fu, Yue'er took the liberty of coming a day early. This is Fu's letter. Third brother’s letter from southern Xinjiang arrived today together with Ayi’s letter.”

As soon as I heard that it was a letter from Fu Yunhe, the women of the three generations of the Fu family in Dongcijian were all happy. Mrs. Fu's eyes even shone with tears, but she immediately turned her head and wiped away the tears, thinking : Children are all debts. This brat finally remembered to write a letter.

Fu Yunyan was sitting next to Nangong Yue. Without Yongyang's instructions, she happily took the letter and delivered it to Yongyang herself.

Yongyang looked at the familiar handwriting on the envelope, raised his lips with pleasure, and told Fu Yunyan: "Liuniang, please help grandma read it."

Fu Yunyan was naturally disrespectful. He couldn't wait to open the envelope, took out the letter inside, and read it loudly.

Fu Yunhe's letter was not as lengthy as Xiao Yi's. It only contained a few sentences, mainly to report that he was safe and to ask about his grandmother and parents' health. He did not mention anything about the battlefield.

Knowing that he was safe and sound, Mrs. Fu breathed a long sigh of relief. On the other hand, she secretly complained that Fu Yunhe's letter was too short.

Not only Mrs. Fu was dissatisfied, but Fu Yunyan was also dissatisfied, muttering: "Grandma, mother, third brother's letter is too perfunctory. Not to mention how many battles he fought and how many enemies he killed... …”

It was okay if she didn't say anything. Once she did, Mrs. Fu's face turned even more ugly. Fu Yunyan shrank his shoulders and did not dare to say any more.

Nangong Yue took a sip of tea and helped Fu Yunyan with a smile: "Liu Niang, I want to go to Yaowang Temple in the future. Do you want to go with me?"

"Okay." Fu Yunyan replied without thinking. As long as she could go out, she would be full of energy. "I just happened to go to ask for the peace charm for the third brother!"

After hearing this, Mrs. Fu said thoughtfully: "I heard that the peace talisman and lotus in Yaowang Temple seem to be very effective."

"The fortune from Yaowang Temple is said to be very good, but I plan to go and fulfill my wish." Nangong Yue said with a smile, "Before Ayi went on the expedition, I went to Yaowang Temple to ask for a peace charm for him, and now I have won the battle. , I thought it would be better to go to the temple to fulfill my wish."

Mrs. Fu is also a believer in Buddhism and hurriedly agreed: "Ah Yue, you are doing the right thing. Since you have prayed to the Bodhisattva, you should go and fulfill your wish." Then she suggested to Yongyang, "Mother, why don't we do the same? Ah Yue, let’s go to Yaowang Temple together and pray for brother He’s peace. Also pray for him and Ah Yi.”

"Yes, yes!" Fu Yunyan said with joy, "Mom, grandma, let's go together! Go and pray for my brother and the others, and wish them an early victory in the war and their return."

Yongyang was also moved and looked at Nangong Yue with a smile: "Ah Yue, you don't mind having me and your Aunt Fu, do you?"

Nangong Yue raised her lips and said with a smile: "Grandma Yongyang, Yue'er's welcome is not enough... let's go together."

In this way, early in the morning on the third day, Nangong Yue's Zhu Lun Chai arrived at the Princess Mansion first. After meeting Yong Yang and the others, they set off together to Yaowang Temple.

Although the Yaowang Temple is small, the incense has always been strong. However, there are not many pilgrims in the Yaowang Temple today, and it feels empty.

As soon as they saw two red wheel chariots parked outside the temple, the monks in the temple knew that a distinguished guest had arrived. Immediately, a young novice monk of eight or nine years old came up to him. He clasped his hands together and recited a Buddha's name, and said: " Several donors, the main hall of the temple is temporarily closed today. I wonder if the monk can guide the donors to the side hall?"

Yongyang has always been generous and said nonchalantly: "Little master, then take us to the side hall."

Fu Yunyan didn't care either. To her, worshiping the Bodhisattva meant seeking peace of mind. It didn't matter which one she worshiped.

Only Mrs. Fu frowned. It was a rare occasion for them to come to Yaowang Temple to offer incense, but the main hall was closed. It always made people feel as if the Bodhisattva had turned them away, which was probably not a good sign...

Brother He is a life-threatening person in southern Xinjiang. How come it is so rare to come to offer incense and pray for blessings that something like this happens!

Mrs. Fu just glanced at her. Aunt Mo behind her immediately understood what she meant and asked with a smile: "Little master, why is this hall closed? Is there something important that your temple cannot do today?"

The little novice monk was used to seeing the faces of pilgrims on weekdays, so he hurriedly explained: "Several donors, today because the old lady of the Zhang family is performing rituals in the main hall, we can only temporarily close the main hall. Please forgive me!" ”

Nanny Mo thought of something and asked again: "Mrs. Zhang? Could it be that she is from Master Zhang's house?"

"It turns out that the donor also knows about it." The little novice monk secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that they knew each other, so that they would not be different from each other inside and outside. There is always a first-come, first-served approach to this matter.

While talking, the little novice monk had already led them to the side hall, and was then sent by Aunt Mo to guard outside the hall.

Seeing that there were no outsiders around, Mrs. Fu couldn't help complaining in a low voice: "Mother, this house has been really up and down recently. Now they are doing some rituals in Yaowang Temple, and now they are performing rituals at the four city gates. Porridge..." Is it possible that he still wants to win over the people? ...That’s not right. Who can you please by giving out porridge? It’s those ignorant people who say good things about the Zhang family. Even if the emperor hears about it, he will probably laugh it off at most.

Yongyang's face turned gloomy, but he didn't say anything.

Whether it's a way of doing things or giving porridge, it's not like other families have never done it before. It's just that the Zhang family happens to be the third prince's maternal family, so every move they make becomes eye-catching.

No one cared about this topic very quickly. Everyone burned incense and prayed to Buddha devoutly. Mrs. Fu even specially asked for a lottery ticket, which was a positive one. Mrs. Fu suddenly beamed with joy, as if her heart suddenly felt at ease. Since even the Bodhisattva has spoken, Brother He will definitely come back from southern Xinjiang safely! As a mother, she doesn't want her son to be proud of his family, she just wants him to be safe.

After everyone finished offering incense, they left the side hall. Mrs. Fu was about to ask Aunt Mo to follow the young monk to donate some incense money, but she saw two familiar figures in front of her walking slowly towards this direction. Come.

The visitors were an old one and a young one. The older one was an old woman in her fifties, with her gray hair neatly combed into a bun and wearing an autumn-colored mandarin; the younger one was A girl of fourteen or fifteen years old, it was late autumn at this time, but she was dressed quite thinly, plain white, with only a few silver plum blossoms embroidered on the hem of her skirt.

The girl carefully supported the old woman and walked to the side hall.

"I have met Her Royal Highness the eldest princess, and I have met the Crown Princess!" The old man and the young man respectfully saluted Yong Yang and Nangong Yue.

"Mrs. Zhang, no courtesy." Yong Yang said lightly.

After Mrs. Zhang and the girl in white beside her stood up, Mrs. Zhang introduced: "Your Highness, this is my granddaughter Yi Lin... Sister Lin, I haven't given you my regards yet."

Zhang Yiren took a step forward and saluted again: "Greetings to Your Highness." Her voice was soft and soft, as if she was holding her throat back. Fu Yunyan shuddered and couldn't help but Zhu quietly exchanged a look with Nangong Yue.

Yongyang looked at Zhang Yiren casually, especially the way she was dressed. If she hadn't known that Mr. Zhang and Mrs. Zhang were both alive and well, and that Mr. Zhang had been dead for many years, she would have almost thought that the Zhang family Is there some kind of funeral... A flash of light flashed in Yongyang's eyes, thoughtfully.

She complimented politely, then took off the bracelet on her wrist and gave it to the other person.

Following that, Zhang Yiren turned aside and paid her respects to Nangong Yue. Nangong Yue rewarded her with a jade pendant. She was blessed again and said softly: "Thank you, the Crown Princess. I have long heard from my cousin that the Crown Princess is very generous." Extraordinary, as soon as I saw him today, he truly lived up to his reputation, making Yi Lin admire him very much."

"Thank you, Miss Zhang." Nangong Yue said with a smile.

Zhang Yijin has two noble cousins, one is the second princess, and the other is Princess Mingyue. In comparison, Zhang Yijin is just the daughter of a third-rank official, and her status is really not high. In the final analysis, Mr. Zhang is just more valuable than his elder brother, and their Zhang family has insufficient background.

Madam Fu also rewarded Zhang Yili, while Fu Yunyan got a jasper finger ring from Madam Zhang.

After a lot of effort, both parties finally greeted each other and recognized each other.

Mrs. Zhang said to Yongyang again: "Your Highness, I just learned from the monks in this temple that a distinguished person came to worship the Buddha, so I came to pay your respects to Your Highness. In the past few days, I have invited eminent monks from the temple to the main hall. By doing this, I have disturbed His Highness’s interest in worshiping the Buddha. Please forgive me.”

"Mrs. Zhang is too polite." Yongyang said, "Everything is on a first-come, first-served basis. Mrs. Zhang doesn't need to worry too much."

"Thank you, Your Highness." After Mrs. Zhang blessed her again, she left.

The grandfather and grandson left again. Looking at the direction they left, it was obvious that they were going back to the main hall...