Chapter 2, Apricot Forest

Jiang Zaichu nodded and smiled: "I will definitely come."

The old man also looked back at him and said with a smile, "If it weren't for you, I would have long been stripped of my official position and imprisoned for saying that."

Jiang Zaichu, who originally had a calm expression, now spoke with a hint of a smile, saying: "It is of no concern."

"Enough, I am well aware that the Shen Ce Army has previously defeated the Xiongnu." The emperor interrupted him with some displeasure and directly moved on to the next topic

Aunt is teaching me to recognize characters, "A Zhuang explained earnestly, "She insists that I am wrong

This is mine! The short man reached out to snatch it, but unfortunately, he was not tall enough and his arms were not long enough, so he could not reach it. He could only flail his arms and shout, "There are some loose coins in here, all of which are mine!"

"Miss, please help me judge this matter. This young master is falsely accusing me of stealing his purse." The short man, seeing someone arrive, perked up, "My purse contains five taels and three coins of silver. If you don't believe me, count it yourself!"

However, it was not her intention to make Jingyun's face alternate between red and white. Upon turning her head and seeing Jiang Zaichu, she was quite pleased: "Brother Jiang, it has been a long time since we last met"

Then let us part here. The young girl waved her hand to the little fellow who was standing not far away counting ants, "Azhang, we are leaving"

Jing Yun slightly turned her head, somewhat surprised, and saw the young lady, amidst her busy schedule, turning back to respond: "I will definitely come, I will definitely come!"

This scene is strikingly similar to yesterday's black-clad man charging through the crowd. The officer shouted loudly while running out, "Surround this place, it is him! It is them!"

Jingyun smiled lightly, her tone filled with disdain, "Is it just you?"

Jiang Zaichu's brows suddenly relaxed, "You need not speak so politely."

Before Weisang could speak, a group of people rushed into the courtyard, with Xiao Rang leading the way

Zhou Jinghua paused for a moment, and when he turned around, he saw that the window was open

The officer looked at the young man and woman, and in his heart, he did not necessarily believe they were assassins. However, today, Lord Zhou had given orders for a city search, ostensibly to capture assassins, but in reality, it was an opportunity to extort wealthy families, a tacit understanding among them. Seeing that these two were dressed remarkably well, he began to entertain such thoughts, and his expression grew increasingly fierce: "Bring your young master out."

After all, coming from a noble family, although she was unclear about the difference between His Highness and the elder brother, A Zhuang still stood up with great courtesy and performed a proper bow, saying: "Your Highness"

Running along the quiet long street, the "female ghost" cursed inwardly, having already familiarized herself with the layout of the Jin Chun Lou early on. She had originally intended to merely scare him, but did not expect him to be so terrified of death, bringing so many guards just to visit a brothel.

At this moment, Vissang's heart seemed to be racing like a startled deer, as she experienced the first stirrings of youthful affection, and the one she cherished also reciprocated her feelings, which perhaps was the most beautiful thing. She always believed that as long as her father agreed, there would be nothing in this world that could separate her from him.

She walked straight into the inner room, and indeed, Jiang Zaichu was sitting by the desk, calmly reading a book with a scroll in his left hand. He was dressed in nothing more than a plain robe at home, yet his features were strikingly beautiful, far more splendid than his simple attire. Upon seeing her enter, he looked up with a warm smile at the corners of his lips and said, "What brings you here?"

"Hello, what do you want?" The young girl turned to the short man.

In such a noisy manner, not far from the city, we indeed saw the apricot grove in full bloom, a distant expanse of pale white and pink, rising like the evening glow, suddenly reflecting the rosy cheeks of the young girl

The young general appeared quite fatigued after a night of rushing about. Vissang called out to him and asked, "General, are you looking for my father so early?"

"I won't go, I won't go—" Zhou Jinghua trembled all over, "You, you go find someone else"

In the courtyard, a man with his face still bandaged with cloth, possessing a strong physique and a fierce expression, said fiercely: "Not a single one of the three assassins is to be spared, kill them all!"

The short man chuckled, reaching out to grab the purse. Just as his hand was about to touch it, the young girl swiftly took it first and pondered, "This matter cannot be settled so easily. Young master, you are not from around here, are you?"

I know you are going to talk about him. His lips were pressed thin and sharp, and he said in a faint tone, "But do you intend to compare him with me?"

Never

Weisang did not decline either, chuckling softly: "Then follow me."

Weisang arrived at Yuchi Street and gently knocked on the door

The young girl is dressed in a pale yellow jacket and green pants. Perhaps fearing that the pant legs are too wide and would hinder her movement, she ties two red strings at the cuffs, creatively attaching two small silver bells, which jingle as she walks. She bends down, patiently prying open the chubby little creature's paws, smiling as she says, "If you keep causing trouble, I won't take you out to play next time."

Weisang gritted her teeth. This week, Jinghua, relying on being the emperor's nephew, has been committing acts of tyranny here, extorting the people's wealth. If he truly intends to resign... She rolled her eyes, but then heard her father sternly say: "Don't cause me any more trouble, do you hear me?!"

Last year and this year, droughts have been relentless. I visited many villages, and every household is struggling to even have plain congee. Jiang Zaichu pondered and said, I will explain this to His Majesty, and if it can be avoided, let it be avoided

However, there are vendors selling them on this street. The little boy looked at the row of stalls selling wild peach blossoms and wild pear blossoms, then gazed at the distant city gate, truly feeling that his aunt was being unreasonable

Jiang Zaichu made move after move, seemingly oblivious to it all

"Jiang Zaichu, you have reached the age to get married, so tell me, do you have someone you like?" In truth, Weisang was also unsure where she found the courage to say such a thing.

He casually brushed aside: "I will go change into another outfit." His tall figure walked into the inner hall, but then he turned back and said, "Weisang, why not stay at the residence for dinner?"

The little boy hummed twice and turned his head.

The fierce Shura on the battlefield instantly transformed into a gentle caress, and he felt a sense of relief he had never experienced in his life. Just a single word, yet it carried a promise as heavy as a thousand pounds: "Good"

Although this poem by Taibai is somewhat exaggerated, it is not far from the truth. It is only natural that as the journey becomes more arduous, the scenery becomes increasingly magnificent, making it well worth a visit

In her gaze, there was shock, as well as a hint of uncontrollable disgust

Then, what about the most beautiful woman in the capital

At this point, the matter of tracking down the assassin came to an inconclusive end, and until leaving the Shu region, Zhou Jinghua did not dare to mention a single word about it again

Weisang held the cup of wine in his hand, yet did not drink from it. Instead, he heard the woman beside Jiang Zaichu softly exclaim: "Young master, this injury... it must have been very painful at the time, right?"

The female ghost was led by him, feeling her body lighten, and she involuntarily swept towards the wall

Weisang, however, was quite alert and casually placed the small bundle behind her, pretending to be indifferent as she said: "It's nothing, just some cosmetics and lipsticks from the girls." As she spoke, she noticed a vendor selling incense by the roadside and moved closer, saying: "Let me take a look at this incense."

When Jingyun opened the door and saw her, he couldn't help but frown and said, "Miss, what brings you here today?"

Your Majesty, this is also because you were afraid that after your death, Jiang Zaichu would have no one to rely on, which is why you arranged a marriage for him with Yuan Weiyan, isn't it

Only Jiang Zaichu remained in the elegant room, lazily leaning against the desk, until Jingyun returned, the rhythmic sound he had created for the qin performer still resonating in his hands

Yuan Hao was momentarily taken aback as he looked at the official robe he was wearing, and suddenly broke into a bitter smile

I have come from Kyoto to Jiangzai, where my family has been engaged in the silk brocade business. May I ask how you are addressed, miss

"Yes, there was an assassin attack last night," Zhou Jinghua hurriedly explained

The servant brought up two or three simple dishes, along with two bowls of noodles. Weisang looked around and asked, "Where is Jingyun?"

Her voice was both light and soft, and she refused to look at him. Jiang Zaichu felt a pang of both bitterness and itchiness in his heart, and after a moment of daze, he finally spoke: "Is it my fault for keeping it from you?"

The little doll looked at the two people in confusion, tilted its head, and sat still.

After circling around two times, they arrived at the entrance of a tavern. Just as Wei Sang was about to step inside, Jiang Zai Chu paused for a moment, and Jing Yun, with an awkward expression, kindly reminded her: "Miss Wei, this is, ahem, a flower house"

He spoke for a long time, and Weisang listened in a daze, instinctively wanting to retort: "But Zhou Jinghua—"

"You can only go out now." The man in black, amidst his busy schedule, patted her face, causing the white powder to fall layer by layer. The smile in his eyes deepened as he said in a low voice, "Follow me closely, do not be afraid."

Moreover, the Shen Ce Army was trained by me personally, and has fought against the Xiongnu for three years with few defeats. With the Emperor leading them, it is unlikely that anything will go wrong

The young man smiled politely and said, "What the young lady said is quite true"

No sooner had the words left his lips than a series of heavy knocks echoed from outside the door

However, today the old lady changed her tone and did not nag her, but simply said: "Quickly go to the lord, the heir has sent a letter."

Weisang was taken aback: "Does the emperor know about this?"

Jiang Zaichu glanced at Jingyun in a slow and measured manner, stopping her from saying any more sarcastic remarks, and comforted her by saying: "Everyone is safe and sound, and you need not be upset."

With every movement and stillness, his heartbeat unexpectedly quickened in sync with the tinkling sound of the silver bell

It is evident that the affairs of this world are truly absurd and play tricks on people

"Shh, keep it down! Do you want your aunt to get scolded to death?" Vissang quickly stuffed a piece of pastry into the little one's mouth, "Let's talk after this is over."

It is naturally not surprising that the six ministers and other high-ranking officials are among them. The Emperor's personal expedition requires the Ministry of War to mobilize the military forces of the entire nation, while the Ministry of Revenue has been busy for over a month, continuously coordinating the supply of food and provisions. However, a young man stands quietly among them, his official attire indicating that he is a sixth-rank official. In this gathering of first-rank dignitaries, his qualifications and rank are indeed quite insignificant. Yet, he stands a little farther from the Emperor, his posture upright, and on his handsome face, which even carries a hint of scholarly demeanor, there is an expression of utmost solemnity.

Oh? Azhang looked up and said happily, "Is it big brother?"

At the beginning of the year, while reporting in Beijing, it happened that Prince Ning returned from the northern expedition. He saw His Highness walking in the main hall dressed in black armor among the ministers. Although young, he bore a calm demeanor, with steady footsteps. However, the overwhelming aura of killing intent surrounding him made it impossible for him to maintain his gaze.

Jiang Zaichu was momentarily taken aback; the incense sold by the roadside was of the kind used by ordinary households, made rather crudely, with a strong and pungent aroma, far inferior to the faint and elegant scent of jasmine that lingered around her. Yet, she could not understand why she felt so excited.

The Marquis of Shu, Han Wenjing, upon learning of this matter, immediately rushed over to bring His Highness the Prince of Ning into his residence. After a brief expression of gratitude, His Highness no longer declined the offer.

Weisang listened to his remarkably calm tone, yet she faintly sensed a hint of something unusual. She knew he was not a man who liked to fuss over trivial matters. In many respects, he was far more carefree than the average person, but this time, he seemed to be somewhat concerned.

He quietly helped her down and said softly, "I will take you here, hurry back."

The young man glanced with a hint of surprise, accepted the thanks, and then saw the person lying on the ground covered in dust. He smiled and said, "I see this young man is also a victim of a moment's lapse in judgment; perhaps he is waiting for money at home as well. Miss, why not let it go?"

Weisang, however, was not afraid; he stuck out his tongue and eagerly said, "Father, today I caught a little thief outside the city!"

The young man merely waved his hand and continued to gaze in that direction

Jiang Zaichu was neither surprised nor did he try to keep her. After she looked around and went downstairs, she still kept her head down, as if she were engrossed in studying the wine cup in her hand. Jingyun, however, lazily stood up and asked, "Where can I relieve myself?"

Jiang Zai briefly recalled and said, "Is that so?"

The city is brightly lit, and it seems that many people are coming and going. On this night, Wei Sang also did not sleep well.

Jingyun suppressed a smile and said, "You are indeed reckless; with such mediocre skills, you dare to become an assassin."

Yan Fei's originally calm expression suddenly turned pale, yet she pressed her lips tightly together and remained silent

"Never." Jing Yun, straightforward and candid, saw through his thoughts at a glance, "Your Highness is referring to that young lady, isn't she? I believe she has long been forgotten."

The little one immediately fell silent, its round eyes scanning the surroundings, looking up pitifully. Although it dared not cling to the thigh anymore, it was still tempted and held back for a long time before asking: "Aunt, is there anything to eat over there?"

The emperor has gone out, and for the time being, there is no one to manage the situation. Jingyun lowered her gaze, concealing a trace of worry, and said, If he returns victorious, that would be one thing, but if he suffers defeat, I fear that His Highness may also bear the blame for the inadequate supply of provisions.

Miss Han, my residence in the capital is likely even larger than your noble family's mansion

In an instant, this spring, the building is brightly lit, and the sound of hurried footsteps can be heard outside the door

"That's not right." The larger one lightly tapped a finger on the little doll's forehead.

The young man, however, loosened his grip, feeling that it was meaningless to continue arguing over this matter, and said with a faint smile: "It's just a few taels of silver, so let's just let it go."

The imperial edict has not yet officially arrived in Jinzhou, yet Prince Ning has already appeared before the various factions in Jinzhou in such an awkward manner

After taking a few steps, the young girl slowed her pace and curiously glanced towards the depths of the forest.

My father is too busy to take care of me now. " Wei Sang, with his keen eyes, noticed the mud stains on his official robe and couldn't help but ask, "Did you fall?"

The emperor let out a few cold laughs, and a murderous intent arose in his heart. However, the royal family's usual restraint and cunning prevented him from voicing that desire. He knew that at this moment, he still could not take action

The young girl timidly stepped forward to help him remove his clothes, serving him as he lay on the bed, her cheeks flushed to the point of bursting: "My lord, I will go and blow out the candles."

He did not wield any weapons, and many of the pursuers bypassed the person in front, charging towards the two of them. The man in black struck with fists and feet, leaving the guards sprawled on the ground, rolling about in a scene too tragic to behold

Weisang secretly rolled her eyes and calculated with her fingers that she had almost listened to it several times every month, and could nearly recite it: "... The Young Master's wife is in poor health, and the Young Master is not here. If something were to happen to the Young Master’s son, how would you explain it to the Marquis?"

Yan Fei was momentarily taken aback, then broke free from the Emperor's grasp and knelt down, earnestly saying: "It must be that my brother has once again spoken words of transgression, I beseech Your Majesty to forgive him"

Hearing the increasing footsteps behind her, the torch illuminated half of the street, while ahead lay a dead end, leaving her uncertain of where to go. She was running out of strength but dared not stop. Suddenly, she saw a shadow rushing towards her, and her heart sank. With her limited skills, if there were more people ahead to block her, escaping would become exceedingly difficult

The young man, whose tone was desolate at that time, was unaware of how his later years would unfold in a grand and tumultuous manner

The female ghost looked around and, coincidentally, not far away was the side gate of the Hou residence

The eerie silence in the imperial study lingered, and for a moment, no one dared to speak. Until the emperor calmly remarked: "Haoxing, the cavalry of Liaodong has been stationed at the border for over a hundred years. Although the Shence Army has won a few battles, in terms of morale and strength, it still cannot compete with them."

Old Lord Hou's hands trembled slightly, yet he never reached out to take it. He only said: "The Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions are prosperous, and the taxation has always been on par with that of Sichuan. May I ask, Prince Ning, although the Emperor is personally leading the campaign, have the taxes over there been changed?"

Jingyun held a hint of sarcastic amusement at the corners of her lips as she pulled Weisang into the room, proudly surveying the guards in the courtyard, and coldly declared: "Who dares to come in and try?"

The little thief scurried away, and the young girl turned to the young man, cupping her hands in a gesture of respect, and said apologetically: "My lord, this place in Shu is not actually a land overrun by thieves; it is merely an exception that you encountered today... Perhaps it is because you are dressed too well and are here all alone." She ran her fingers through her hair and smiled with her eyes crinkling, "In any case, if you happen to encounter these scoundrel thieves again, there is no need to be polite with them; just report them to the authorities."

Until late at night, the Xiaochao meeting finally concluded. The Minister of Personnel, the foremost Confucian scholar of the time, Wang Tinghe, walked to Yuan Hao's side and said softly: "Young man, you revealed too much brilliance today"

At this time, the official residence of the transport commissioner in Jinzhou has been newly renovated. As Jiang Zai took office, he issued an imperial decree stating that the tax rate in Shu would be changed from ten to one to five to one. Upon receiving the decree, the Shu marquis remained seated for a while, only gasping in surprise and saying: "Your Highness, my Han family has guarded the Shu region for generations. Although Shu is known as the land of abundance, the court has never imposed such heavy taxes."

Due to his extravagant spending, the madam in the building chased after the two men, laughing and saying: "Gentlemen, do come again next time"

The Emperor had only been in power for two years when he dared to mobilize such a large military force, which was also due to the fact that in the third year of Yuanxi, the Jin army had achieved a great victory against the Xiongnu at the border. For half a year, there had been a standoff at the frontier, with dozens of battles fought, all without defeat. Prince Ning, Jiang Zaichu, who was then the governor of the border, gained fame throughout the realm as a result. The Xiongnu cavalry, known for their bravery, would retreat a hundred miles upon seeing Prince Ning, and the soldiers even secretly referred to him as "Gemo Hong," meaning "Black Asura." The Emperor intended to leverage the prestige of this victory to lead a large army to completely eliminate the threat posed by the Xiongnu.

Jiang Zaichu sat to her right, glancing at her with a faint smile in his eyes, "How about we travel together next time?"

Wei Sang, feeling anxious, quickly took it and read it. Before he could reach the last line, he exclaimed in anger: "Did we not just win a victory? Why does the emperor still want to personally lead an expedition against the Xiongnu? Even if he wants to lead, why should we provide money and supplies? And why does my elder brother have to accompany him?"

Jiang Zaichu did not show much surprise, but casually asked the beauty beside him: "Is Lord Zhou leaving here after nightfall?"

"This old thief, why didn't they let the assassin kill him cleanly!" Vissang said resentfully in a low voice

Jingyun did not respond immediately; although he understood the implication of Weisang's question, he found himself unable to answer.

The emperor grasped her delicate chin and said sternly, "A sixth-rank official dares to speak to me in such a manner; your Yuan family is indeed quite bold."

Uh... the girl was slightly annoyed, what chubby doll and skinny doll, it was already quite difficult for her to remember these few sentences

Perhaps aware that Princess Jiahui was at the residence, Prince Ning's footsteps appeared somewhat hurried. Upon seeing Weisang, the corners of his lips curled slightly: "Why has the princess come here? Does the marquis know?"

Perhaps it was because I heard my father mention matters in the capital in the afternoon at home that I learned he once had an excellent marriage prospect—his fiancée was the renowned young lady of the Yuan family, and the two had been childhood sweethearts.

The officer's face turned stern as he shouted: "Draw your weapons!"

The young girl pulled the little one and ran quickly, and upon reaching a large apricot tree, a dispute indeed broke out. A tall young man had his back to them, firmly holding the hand of a short, dark-skinned middle-aged man across from him. The short man was shouting "unjust" while his eyes darted around, clearly looking for an opportunity to escape

Yupei moved a little closer, and with a gentle swipe of the dagger, a long cut appeared on Zhou Jinghua's face in an instant, blood oozing down. She smiled softly and said, "It has been a year since I last saw you, my lord. Why not come with me?"

At this moment, the young girl excitedly squeezed between the two, smiling and asking, "What happened here?"

On this night, there was no moonlight; amidst the pitch-black darkness, there was an unsettling atmosphere. He somewhat disheartenedly rose from the young girl, just about to call for a servant to light the candles, when suddenly a long piece of fabric floated in through the window.

Indeed, there sat a girl in the room, appearing to be merely thirteen or fourteen years of age, her features not yet fully developed, yet her beauty was already beginning to show. At this age, a young girl naturally has not yet revealed her charm; she simply has a slender waist and delicate skin. It was indeed in accordance with his own taste, and Zhou Jinghua, satisfied, stroked his beard without saying much, extending his arms.

Before his words had finished, a hidden weapon shot out from the window frame. Although it was fast, its aim was not very precise. He did not mind and casually deflected it, but unexpectedly, it adjusted its trajectory and struck him squarely in the center of his brow. This blow was indeed both swift and fierce, causing Jing Yun to grimace in pain. On this very day, he encountered Wei Sang, a young girl who stared wide-eyed at the red mark on his brow, genuinely surprised: "Why are you behaving like a girl and getting yourself marked?"

The young man slightly curled the corners of his lips, thinking to himself that this girl was indeed young; such decisiveness was truly quite bewildering. He did not say much, merely smiled faintly and said, "Quite fair indeed"

Before she could finish her words, Jiang Zaichu had already blocked her in front, obstructing her line of sight. With his right hand resting behind him, he said lightly: "Zhou Jinghua, who are you planning to take action against?"

I do not know. According to Your Majesty's sacred decree, we should have come here to handle matters in May

Yupei'er waved her hand holding the dagger vigorously at him, but Zhou Jinghua was truly stunned with fear, disregarding everything, and shouted loudly: "Help! There is a ghost!"

Jiang Zaichu slightly closed his eyes, as if he had not heard: "Lord, please accept the decree."

However, after a long delay, Zhou Jinghua personally led a group to pursue them, standing at a distance and jumping in anger, shouting: "Kill without mercy!"

Jiang Zaichu looked at her ridiculous behavior and changed his address, smiling as he said: "Brother, let us go in and take a look."

The young gentleman was momentarily taken aback and said, "I truly do not know how much silver there is here. It might be around six or seven taels."

I haven't seen it yet either, let's go together. The young lady said while being supported by her, "Ah Zhuang is greedy, you mustn't indulge him all the time."

The people's grievances are boiling, what shall Your Highness do?

Old Lord Hou, however, did not praise his daughter as he usually did, but sighed and said: "The tax burden is increasing daily, and the people of Shu are living in great hardship, which is why banditry is on the rise... Alas."

Aunt, I want to eat hot cakes..." The delicate little boy's eyes turned red as he clung to the girl's leg, refusing to let go, "I want to eat barley dumplings..."

Not correct

Jingyun then realized that today she had deliberately dressed in male attire, wearing a blue shirt and adorned with a waist ornament of white jade, looking just like a young gentleman. He was about to speak, but was interrupted.

Your Highness, it is still better to be cautious...

The spring of the fourth year of Yuanxi was destined to be a restless season

Jiang Zaichu shook his head, as if foreseeing this matter, and did not speak

Men from Shu are often of shorter stature, and due to their outdoor labor, their skin tends to be darker. This young gentleman appears to have come from the Central Plains, with a slightly lighter complexion, yet not as pale as those frail men from the Central Plains she has seen before. His pair of phoenix eyes are slightly upturned, calm and gentle—surely her father would exclaim, 'This young man looks spirited.'

Jiang Zaichu subtly averted his gaze, yet in his heart, he could only remember turning around

"Birdie, birdie" - a child's voice

"Little sister, the doctor has been giving me acupuncture every day these past few days, and my eyes have improved a lot." The young lady smiled slightly, "You can keep an eye on A-Zhuang for me, and I will thank you on behalf of my sister-in-law."

The man in black paused for a moment, then whispered, "The commotion is too loud; the defense commander of Jincheng has also brought people here..."

What should I do? The female ghost, with a sorrowful expression, asked, "Is there no way to escape?"

Weisang was taken aback for a moment and silently glanced at him: "I am very grateful for your kindness regarding that matter. However... I also do not wish to hide it from you; I can no longer be friends with you as I did before"

Yet it was unexpected that at this moment, this "assassin" had actually captured Prince Ning

Emperor Jinming, disregarding the opposition of the ministers in court, insisted on launching a campaign against the Xiongnu. The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue urgently mobilized troops and gathered supplies nationwide, dispatching 200,000 elite soldiers within a month, claiming to have an army of 500,000, and personally leading the expedition.

Jiang Zaichu turned his head slightly, and upon hearing her speak so earnestly, he suddenly found it hard to suppress a laugh. He cleared his throat and asked, "How do you intend to bear this?"

Indeed, the imperial decree will arrive next month," sighed the old marquis, "The emperor is determined; the provisions and financial support for this expedition will be taken from us.

"Bah, shameless little thief! Stealing from others and still daring to turn the tables, you have brought disgrace upon us Shu people!" The young girl placed her hands on her hips, "If this money pouch truly belongs to you, how could you not know that it is made of the finest brocade, worth at least ten times five taels and three coins!" She stepped on the little thief's chest, turned around, and returned the silver and money pouch to the young gentleman, "Here, this is for you. Make sure not to lose it next time."

Aunt, you sang it wrong..." The little child raised their head in dissatisfaction

The emperor slowly extended his arms, and the gentle and meticulous Yan Fei helped him change out of his court attire. As her hands encircled his waist, he suddenly seized her chin with great force.

"One of them was injured, perhaps we can find some clues," Xiao Rang explained thoughtfully, though a hint of disdain was concealed within his handsome brows

He leaned forward and gently flicked Vison's forehead with his middle finger, confidently saying, "I have my own methods"

Jingyun felt a bit embarrassed and vaguely said: "The most beautiful woman in the capital? I have never heard of her before"

Although reprimanded by the emperor, Yuan Hao Xing did not appear particularly dejected; he merely shook his head gently. A trace of disappointment crossed Wen Xiu's face, as he was well aware of the emperor's true thoughts. The emperor was reluctant to lead the Shence Army himself... One reason was to prove that what Prince Ning could accomplish, the emperor could also achieve; as for the second reason, it was likely that the emperor did not have much trust in this group of confidants personally trained by Prince Ning

Having bypassed the side corridor, Visang nearly collided with another maid approaching from the opposite direction. In truth, it was her own recklessness, yet the maids immediately knelt to the ground, all bowing their heads and saying: "Your Highness."

"Naturally, it is silver!" The short man reached out to take the silver coins from her left palm

The young master casually remarked: "I left the military token in the capital. Although my royal brother knows that my sick leave is a pretext, in reality, I am out enjoying the mountains and waters. He is pleased to see me this way and will not blame me"

It is merely the will of fate that plays tricks on people

Yuchi Street is the most bustling street in Jincheng, where vendors carry food and call out their wares along the way. Shopkeepers open their doors, and passersby casually enter to enjoy tea and wine. From morning till night, the sounds of people fill the air

Although dusk has fallen, the last glimmer of light has not yet faded

Yuan Hao's expression remained unchanged: "Although the cavalry of Liaodong has a century of fame, the ones they have been fighting against are the Jurchens from beyond the pass. The Jurchens have a fighting style that is vastly different from that of the Xiongnu. Now, Your Majesty is personally leading the campaign against the Xiongnu, and the Shence Army is well-versed in the enemy's tactics"

He had merely been gently probing, but upon seeing her reaction, a sudden warmth surged within him

"My son's friend has come specifically to visit him," Jing Yun replied politely

Jiang Zaichu said lightly: "When I first entered Jinzhou, the city was quite bustling, yet I do not know what Master Zhou is searching for at this moment? He has stirred the entire city into a state of chaos."

At that time, they all used pseudonyms, but later on, when they thought back, it turned out that the moments they spent using pseudonyms were the times when they treated each other with the most sincerity

What enables this is not luck, but an invisible yet fearsome force behind the Yuan family. Since the founding of the Jin Dynasty, there have been two major power factions: the military officials represented by Jing and the civil officials represented by Yuan, which have continued to this day. Yuan Haoxing's father is the Grand Scholar of the Imperial Academy. Although this position holds no real power, the Yuan family's disciples are spread throughout the world. As a leader among young scholars, Yuan Haoxing commands a strong following.

Now, she is the favored consort of great favor.

"My nephew," the young girl said with a shy smile, "I brought him out for a spring outing"

"Then who is this woman?" The person looked up and down at Weisang, a malicious smile on their face

The young girl picked several branches of apricot blossoms. Just as she was about to enter the city, her little nephew, feeling somewhat tired, sat down on the ground to rest, but refused to get up.

Weisang ambiguously said: "Find something."

Zhou Jinghua was momentarily taken aback, feeling that the fabric looked somewhat familiar. After a while, he realized that it was the brocade pattern that the deceased concubine Yupei, who had already passed away in the residence, used to enjoy embroidering.

Brother Jiang, it is said that the roads in Shu are difficult, more difficult than ascending to the heavens. Although I am from Shu, I have never traveled them. Is it truly that perilous?" Wei Sang's mind conjured up a scene of danger, feeling a slight sense of regret.

Ah? Wei Sang was momentarily taken aback, only then realizing the meaning of his words. Her cheeks turned as red as a cooked shrimp, and her usual eloquence vanished completely, leaving her to gaze at him in a daze.

Jiang Zaichu rubbed his brow and said softly: "The taxes are heavy, and I am well aware of that. However, this is not a normal situation during wartime. Once the Emperor returns, the taxes will certainly be exempted"

Noticing her surprised gaze, Jiang Zaichu lowered his head and picked up a strand of noodles, softly saying: "They were all comrades who shared the same meals and slept together for three years. When I was with them, I only feared that I might issue a wrong command, which could lead to the death of thousands. Now that it is someone else... I am just a bit worried."

Although the emperor has been in power for two years, the empress dowager still wields immense power. At that time, sending a nephew here was precisely because they recognized that the position of the transport commissioner in Jincheng was a lucrative one. Zhou Jinghua, over forty years old, lives a life of luxury and comfort, and although he is still in good health, he is holding a beautiful woman in his arms. He then noticed someone approaching cautiously, asking, "I wonder if the Ning Wang is easy to deal with?"

"I am indeed free, but let me take the lead this time," Jiang Zaichu pondered, "However, I am not familiar with this splendid city, so please choose the place, young lady."

Wei Sang choked slightly and said: "Aren't you the one sent by the court?"

After reading the letter, the blush on the face of the Crown Princess gradually faded, as if she found it hard to believe: "How could the court be so absurd?"

In the past, his gaze towards her was gentle and warm, but at this moment, the intense emotions hidden within surged forth, perhaps out of fear that she might be frightened and reject him, subtly tinged with anxiety and fragility

Jingyun took a few steps forward and coldly looked at the newcomer: "What are you?" With that, he kicked the person in the chest, sending him out of the doorway.

Jiang Zaichu let out a gentle sigh and said apologetically, "I am truly sorry for having concealed this from you earlier, Miss."

He lived alone in the eastern garden of the Marquis's residence. In recent days, officials from Shu have been arriving in an endless stream, and after receiving them in turn, it has indeed consumed a considerable amount of energy. This afternoon, His Highness the Prince of Ning finally grew weary, leaving Jingyun to handle it alone while he went out.

As long as the court provides even a glimmer of hope for survival, the people of Shu will always manage to endure and work hard, even to the extent of being described as "submissive in adversity." However, this time, Jiang Zaichu, as the imperial envoy and newly appointed transport commissioner on his inspection tour, was met with the throwing of refuse by the populace, indicating the depth of public outrage. Furthermore, had it been his predecessor Zhou Jinghua, he would likely have relentlessly reported this to the court, resulting in further exploitation of the Shu region.

"Last night, Lord Zhou was assassinated. After a night of investigation, all three assassins have still managed to escape." Xiao Rang stepped forward a few paces; he had known Wei Sang since childhood and did not shy away from the matter, "Now he is furious, claiming that he will seal the city and search every household for the assassins."

Really?" Wei Sang smiled broadly and hurried towards the front hall, which made the old lady shake her head repeatedly and sigh.

Someone attempted to assassinate Lord Zhou last night, alas, that esteemed lord is currently in the marquis's study, refusing to comply

A Zhuang looked up and glanced around, feeling dejected: "Alright."

Yet I am fortunate; in three years' time, I met a group of brothers in that place. The living conditions and food there are not as exquisite as at home, and every day we face life-and-death matters. However, everyone is broad-minded and never schemes against one another. When it comes to fighting for our lives, we trust each other with our lives; when we have leisure time, we gather around the stove to drink and eat meat, living quite happily.

Because this Miss Yuan was once betrothed by the late emperor to Prince Ning's wife

Indeed, not far away, a black-armored army was galloping towards us, their torches illuminating half of the night sky. The young general at the forefront, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, hurried towards the scene of the incident.

A strong fragrance of dogwood wafted through the air, reminding Zhou Jinghua of the day she took her own life, which was precisely on the Double Ninth Festival. The scent of dogwood filled the residence, and her vision darkened, nearly causing her to faint.

Even the most lively and daring girl from Shu is now left with a blank mind; after much effort, she finally manages to utter a sentence, only to nearly bite her own tongue. She hears herself say in the softest voice: "Then you should ask my father."

As night fell, Zhou Jinghua, the transport envoy of Jinzhou, listened to the most popular tunes of the time, casually chatting with his colleagues. The madam of the establishment seized the opportunity to approach him, whispering with a smile, "Lord Zhou, how long has it been since your last visit? I have specially reserved a young lady for you."

Zhou Jinghua felt a chill run down his back. Despite being shrewd and calculating, he could not think of any excuse at that moment. He simply wiped his sweat and, with a half-crying, half-smiling expression, said: "I have disturbed Your Highness; I truly deserve to die a thousand deaths."

In fact, I amーー

Your Highness, you have led troops outside for three years, facing life and death, and have only just driven the Xiongnu out of this border. You have returned to court for merely a month, and yet His Majesty treats you this way—us, we, the subordinates, cannot accept it!" Jingyun said resentfully, "Indeed, it is true that when the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked!

Gugu Chicken

"You are someone sent by the court whom I dislike." He lightly curled the corners of his lips, his eyes bright and clear, "But Miss Han, you do not dislike me."

Weisang clenched her fists, filled with both anger and regret, wishing she had not been so impulsive yesterday... or perhaps had not been so soft-hearted, and had simply killed him instead... The old lady finished combing her hair and instructed the maidservants to serve breakfast, feeling that the princess was quite obedient today. After helping her rinse her mouth, she left with satisfaction.

At this moment, Wei Sang had no mind to joke with him. With a heart full of worries, and having come to this point, after much contemplation, she realized that there was only one last resort left. She steadied her mind and said to Jiang Zaichu: "Brother Jiang, I am truly sorry that you are unable to conduct business due to this. However, there is no need to worry; the trouble from yesterday was caused by me, and I will take full responsibility for it."

However, Jiang Zaichu was not in Jinzhou, and the new tax decree had already been issued, which indeed led to widespread public discontent. He could not avoid going out to appease the people.

The old woman pressed her down onto the chair and sighed, "Little ancestor, you must not go out to play these days, it is chaotic outside, and assassins are being captured everywhere"

"Are you hurt?" She exclaimed, "You, will you come home with me?"

After the court disperses, the young emperor is left with only a few people.

The young lady of the heir apparent fell silent for a moment, gazing at the pure white letter on the table, and softly asked: "Father, what does the heir's letter say?"

Han Weisang stared blankly at him, "You are the newly appointed Transport Envoy, His Highness Prince Ning of the Jin Dynasty?"

Weisang fell silent, suddenly realizing that the prince of the Great Jin Dynasty, the younger brother of the current emperor, was indeed living a difficult life. With one misstep, he could find himself in a situation where he was neither accepted by the inside nor the outside.

Aunt, I want to go out to play—" The little one finally started to resist, kicking and stomping their small legs while making a fuss

On that day, the Marquis of Shu hosted a banquet at his residence and invited King Ning to join. Since the former official Zhou Jinghua had not yet departed and the transport commissioner’s residence had not been renovated, the Marquis of Shu insisted on inviting King Ning to stay at his residence first. King Ning modestly declined for a moment but then agreed.

Your Highness, Jing Yun seemed to be deep in thought, "Can you see the silver bracelet worn by that young master? The totem on it is the Golden Crow"

Before she could take even half a step, she was forcefully pushed down onto the bed by Zhou Jinghua. He impatiently tore off her clothing, revealing the underdeveloped breasts of a young girl under the light. Zhou Jinghua squinted his eyes and reached out his hand, unceremoniously squeezing them.

Before Jingyun could even ask, the leader arrogantly stepped in, surveying the surroundings, and finally scrutinizing the two of them: "There were assassins in the city last night, and it seems they were headed this way. Have you seen anything?"

The longing for the distant: "One day, I too shall have the opportunity to take a walk there, and my life will not have been in vain."

Upon the visit, that person immediately became alert, "You three, could it be that you are the assassins from last night? Where is your young master? Is he ill or injured?"

After three rounds of drinks, Zhou Jinghua began to feel somewhat fatigued and went to the back room first

"Hmph, if we do not clarify the matter, would it not lead you people from the Central Plains to think that my Shu region is a land of savages, devoid of the teachings of propriety and music?" The young girl glared at him, proudly raised her chin, and with a flourish opened her purse, revealing indeed five taels and three coins of silver.

Old Lord Hou stood by the window with a gloomy expression, stroking his grizzled beard. Upon seeing Wei Sang's attire, he was immediately displeased: "Have you slipped out again?"

Zhou Jinghua heard that the assassin had been captured and hurried to the scene, only to find the young man standing there, imposing and dignified. He couldn't help but feel a sense of confusion, which quickly turned into anger: "Take action!"

At a glance, Wei Sang saw the Young Master’s Consort standing behind the maidservants, smiling at him: "Princess, the Young Master has sent a letter."

The young princess smiled lightly, and sunlight streamed in from her side, filtering through the corridor and casting a gentle light on the emerald bamboo, creating a soft and beautiful contrast that accentuated her profile. Wei Sang gazed in a daze and couldn't help but praise, "Sister, you are truly beautiful"

The bride at the riverbank wears a frown, while the daughter at the river mouth gazes with autumnal eyes

Just as she was about to turn her head to take a glance, another person emerged, pressing close to her ear and whispering, "Quickly follow me"

Weisang, feeling dejected, found it difficult to refute his savior and merely said: "I never intended to be an assassin; I was just thinking that he was about to leave, and I had to scare him a little."

Sigh, I wanted to come find you a few days ago, but there were some matters at home that truly prevented me from coming out. " Weisang originally sighed, then turned to smile brightly, "Fortunately, I was able to come out for a stroll today, and by such coincidence, I ran into you on the street.

Weisang quickly selected some fragrant herbs, paid for them, and placed them into a small bundle, feeling quite satisfied as she said, "Now everything is complete." Jiang Zaichu noticed that she had chosen only those with strong scents, such as sweat-repelling grass and fruit of the dogwood, and with the small bundle filled with various bottles and jars, he slightly furrowed his brow. Unaware of any oddity, Weisang turned to Jiang Zaichu and smiled, saying, "Brother Jiang, are you free today? I invite you to go drink some wine."

A line of officials below listened attentively, each harboring their own thoughts, contemplating how to curry favor with the newly arrived superior. As for the one before them, they certainly could not afford to offend, for upon returning to the capital, he might be even more helpful in providing support and promotion.

The female ghost furrowed her brow, knocked Zhou Jinghua unconscious with a punch, and then, before the guards arrived, leaped out of the window.

I just don't understand. After much effort, we have driven the Xiongnu to the northern desert, and it is just the right time for us to recuperate during these years. Why is he so stubborn? It would only lead to the suffering of the people and the depletion of resources. " Jingyun said angrily, "Moreover, whether our emperor can fight is still a question. Isn't it just to prove that he is stronger than you, Your Highness?"

He did not answer, but sighed and said: "My mother left before my father, and just a couple of days later, my father also passed away. My aunt's son inherited all the family assets, yet my aunt has always been uneasy about me. Therefore, she sent me to a distant place to manage a very risky business. If there is the slightest mistake, I will not be able to return."

Jingyun still stands, her posture upright and unwavering.

She hurriedly stood up and saluted: "I have met His Highness, Prince Ning." At the same time, she lightly kicked her nephew.

As they walked side by side back to the city, his steps were still steady, while she bounced along next to him like a little rabbit

He has brought people to search everywhere, and I am afraid they will find this place. "Vaisang said anxiously, "Why not—

A song titled "Washing the Stream Sand" truly captures the fluctuating thoughts of a woman. Even Jiang Zaichu seems to listen with great focus, while only Jingyun observes coldly from the side. She notices that although Weisang is sitting quietly, her mind is restless, and her gaze wanders, seemingly pondering something. Before long, she stands up, cupping her hands and saying: "Esteemed brothers, I have some matters to attend to at home, so I must return early today. How about next time, I host and invite you both for a drink."

The young girl was in a state of inner turmoil when she saw His Highness, the Prince of Ning, emerge after bathing and changing his clothes. His dark hair appeared to have been merely wiped, casually falling behind him, and he carried a pleasant scent of damp spices. With his sword-like brows and starry eyes, he seemed like a relaxed and languid young man she had never encountered before.

"I said this money bag is mine, right?" The short man chuckled and reached out to take it

Jiang Zaichu and Jing Yun are not accustomed to such places, inevitably feeling a bit reserved, while Wei Sang is quite familiar and playfully asks the beautiful woman pouring the wine: "Why is it so quiet today?"

Perhaps sensing that he had been staring for too long, Weisang averted his gaze, took a hasty sip of tea, and asked: "Have the taxes been collected?"

Jing Yun cast a sidelong glance at her, only to see that her eyes and brows were filled with curiosity, unable to help but smile: "Next time, why not go and see for yourself?"

Jing Yun stood quietly, her voice soft yet filled with intimidation: "You are intent on killing without distinguishing right from wrong—I want to see if there is still any law in this world!"

Zhou Jinghua spat with a smile: "You are quite well-informed." He squinted and pondered for a moment, "I have only met Prince Ning a few times, and I do not know his temperament. However, being a young man who has just returned to court after winning a victory in the north, a bit of arrogance is to be expected."

By the time Avi and Jiang Zaichu entered the city, Jingyun had already bought several bags of hot cakes for the little one, enjoying them with sour plum soup. Avi was originally about to sit down, but upon glancing at the time, suddenly jumped up: "Azhang, let's go, let's go! If we delay any longer, we will be grounded!"

"Will Jiang Zaichu's attack on the Xiongnu result in many deaths?" I do not know when it started, but whenever the two are alone, Weisang no longer addresses him as Your Highness, but simply calls him by his full name.

I recognize these three characters, "Jin Chun Lou."" Wei Sang turned her head, a hint of cunning flashing in the corner of her eye, "This place is famous in Bashu, the young ladies sing beautifully, and the pastries are delicious. I specifically brought the two of you here to experience it."

The warm breeze gently sweeps through the streets of Chengdu, where every household is adorned with colorful decorations. The elegantly dressed girls hold flower branches in their hands, their steps light and graceful

In Wei Sang's heart, however, there were thousands of ants gnawing away, making him restless. It was not until evening that he found an opportunity to slip out. The streets were indeed under martial law; even the pedestrians passing by were all with their heads down, hurrying along.

Standing there in contemplation for a while, she finally turned around and tentatively said: "Father has confined me to my quarters, Your Highness, could you... cough, take me and A-Zhuang out for a stroll?"

Do you understand this sentiment? The young girl took the little boy's hand, humming a song, "Azhang, be good, Auntie is singing for you."

Having just taken a bite of food, Jiang Zaichu fixed his gaze on the young lady beside him and suddenly remarked: "I have heard that the son of Marquis Shangjing has reached the age for marriage, and Marquis Shangjing is currently searching far and wide for a suitable official's daughter."

Thin lips, phoenix-like eyes, and slanted long eyebrows—he truly resembles that person, yet the expression contained within those eyes is distinctly different. He is more ferocious than that person, exuding an impatient and compelling aura

Yuan Hao paused his steps and looked at the elderly man who was shaking his head slightly, "I only seek to have a clear conscience"

The gentle spring breeze blew over, lightly stirring the strands of hair and the corners of their clothes. Weisang thought of Jiang Zaichu from that story, and suddenly felt a pang in his heart. If he were to be described as someone above all others, in reality, he was merely a prince who had to live cautiously under the suspicion of the emperor and empress dowager; compared to himself, who lived under the protection of his father, brothers, and sisters-in-law, he truly felt much more constrained.

This rather unpleasant tale of "the elder brother seizing the younger brother's wife" has become a royal secret known to all. Although he is aware of the intricacies involved, he would never dare to utter another word about it

"Little brother, it seems you can no longer walk?" The young gentleman squatted down and said kindly, "Before I came here, I had heard that the young lads of Shu are skilled in traveling. Today, seeing it for myself, it is nothing extraordinary, quite similar to the young girls of the Central Plains. How about I carry you instead?"

Jiang Zaichu smiled faintly: "Upon arriving here, you are the first friend I have made. You have deliberately distanced yourself from me, and I have little to say. I will just heed the wishes of the princess."

The tall young man remained calm: "If you return my money pouch, I will not report this to the authorities, and we can settle this matter, is that acceptable?"

Jiang Zaichu was fully aware that the region of Shu had been plagued by continuous droughts and floods over the past two years, yet he still acted in this manner, which can only be seen as aiding the tyrant. Weisang clenched his fists, unable to express whether he was more enraged by the emperor or by Prince Ning.

I see, it seems they want to make one last profit before leaving

As for the regulars, the beauty smiled, "Generous and open-handed, but unfortunately, she is about to leave her post soon"

It is better not to know; let us keep everything low-key. Do not let others know our whereabouts. The young master smiled and said, "I can still enjoy this carefree and unrestrained life for another month or two"

Jing Yun, however, had easily knocked down five or six people to the ground, paused, and looked down at the bruised and battered officer: "Do you want me to hit you again?"

At this moment, Yuan Hao was still unaware of how this seemingly unimportant decision would profoundly impact the fate of the Jin Dynasty. Yet, looking back on it more than a decade later, this iron-blooded minister, later known as the Black-Clad Chancellor, could only remember that night when the stars in the sky above the imperial city flickered strangely, evoking a sense of unease.

Weisang could not afford to delay him for too long and returned to her room alone. The maid came to assist her with her grooming and, seeing her rummaging through the furniture in search of something, exclaimed, "Oh dear, Your Highness, what are you doing this time?"

Weisang dumped all the bottles and jars in his arms onto the table and said hesitantly, "These are medicinal herbs."

Fortunately, Jiang Zai has returned at this moment

It turns out that the roundabout way was to ask this

"During a journey, I encountered a robber and was slashed with a knife." Jiang Zaichu said casually, "It happened a long time ago."

The Marquis of Shu was taken aback for a moment, then glared fiercely at his youngest daughter: "My daughter has always been unruly; I hope Your Highness can be magnanimous."

The young girl smiled, her eyes curving at the corners.

The young girl watched the two people walking away, shook her head and smiled: "This little fool, truly cannot be provoked!"

The young girl was dressed in a pale yellow jacket and bright green trousers, the colors being extremely vivid and radiant. He suddenly recalled her smile from earlier, as if thousands of soft red hues from the horizon and dozens of miles of evening glow had poured into the corner of his eye, truly bright and charming, sparkling with brilliance. Only such colors could complement such a smile.

It is as if the thinnest glass has shattered, or the most magnificent sunset has vanished into darkness. One day, they will have to face the reality of each other—when that day comes, I hope I will be the first to speak. At the very least, this is the sincerity within my reach

Weisang sneaked to the side door with Azhang, and the door was indeed ajar.

The guards behind him were perplexed, yet they also knelt down in a flurry.

It was probably because they were afraid that I would take root there, so I was called back home and came to this place

Zhou Jinghua suddenly caught sight of this handsome and aloof face, which was coldly gazing at him, and his mind exploded with a loud bang

However, when she turned around, a row of bright arrows lit up behind her, "Be careful!"

In this way, she wanted to express her anger towards him, yet she also felt that she was being unreasonable.

Jingyun's expression was somewhat peculiar as she leaned down and softly whispered something in Jiang Zaichu's ear

"The emperor would never listen to you." Weisan also wore a worried expression, "What are we to do about this?"

The color of her eyes shifted, and the young lord's consort chuckled softly: "Don't say such flattering words, trying to gloss over things."

A trace of an inscrutable cold smile appeared on the emperor's face as he extended his hand to help the trembling Consort Yan: "This matter does not concern you; you are with child. Please rise."

Ah... haha! Vissang was suddenly poked at the core matter, feeling somewhat guilty, "The ladies will be watching."

When I was very young, I lived with my mother and father, and at that time, he arranged this property for me. My mother was not the legitimate wife, but my father treated us very well, to the extent that my stepmother always felt that I would take away her son's inheritance. He gazed at the lush green willow branches and said slowly, "My mother is not someone who likes to compete, nor has she ever thought that way. But my father loved her too much, or perhaps he was afraid that if he left early, both of us would eventually be bullied."

When Prince Xiao first entered Jinzhou City, he indeed concealed his identity. It was precisely at the moment when Prince Xiao was in great distress that the princess came to his aid. However, Prince Xiao had not yet had the opportunity to reveal his identity, which instead startled the princess. "Prince Ning pursed his thin lips, looking at Zhou Jinghua, who was following closely behind, with a smile that was neither a smile nor a frown: 'I must thank Lord Zhou for this.'"

In front of him stood a row of crossbowmen, their bows drawn taut, ready to act at the sound of a command

Lord Zhou? Is it the Transport Envoy Lord Zhou?" Wei Sang's eyes twinkled, as if he found it quite novel, "Will Lord Zhou also come here?"

I sent him to take care of something. Jiang Zaichu appeared at ease, "Let's eat first."

"Why are you being so reckless?" Weisang exclaimed anxiously, "They have gone to fetch reinforcements, and they will definitely come in to check. Brother Jiang's arm is still injured!"

Ah, Vissan is well aware that this is the very contradiction she has with him

"Sister-in-law, if you keep embroidering like this, you will go blind!" Wei Sang exclaimed anxiously, his eyes reddening. The skill of the Young Master's wife in Shu embroidery is truly unmatched by many in this world; those intricate techniques, akin to dragonflies skimming the water, are beyond the grasp of most embroiderers. Yet, she can master them with just a glance. Over the years, all the tribute offerings to the Emperor and Empress Dowager have been personally crafted by the Young Master's wife.

The young man nodded and said, "So it originates from here."

It was his first time in Jincheng. Having nothing to do, he strolled into the grove of apricot trees and encountered Han Weisang

Hello, how much silver is there in this money bag

Minister of War Jing Junzheng discussed with the Emperor about which elite troops to dispatch as the Emperor's direct army, "... thus the elite cavalry from Liaodong will be summoned into the borders..."

Weisang smiled in agreement, and as she spoke, the girl singing adjusted her strings and began to sing softly and melodiously

Only that shadow swept past, yet it collided with the pursuing soldiers behind with a clatter.

Suddenly, a soft sound of footsteps was heard behind him. When Weisang turned around, he saw His Highness, Prince Ning, standing behind him with his hands clasped behind his back, wearing a faint smile. It was unclear how long he had been listening to Weisang and A Zhuang's playful conversation.

The young lady of the heir quickly concealed her look of concern and hurriedly bowed to the old marquis, saying: "Father, the letter states that the Empress Dowager has taken a liking to the ornamental koi from the tribute. I will go and make a few more pieces. The heir will surely have a more comfortable time over there..."

Lord Zhou is very generous to his subjects The Prince of Ning smiled and waved his sleeve as he entered the sedan chair

In the fourth year of the Yuanxi era, the Jin Emperor issued an edict, appointing Prince Ning, Jiang Zaichu, to proceed to the Shu region as the Transport Commissioner of Jinzhou for both water and land. He assumed office in May, overseeing the transportation of the requisitioned grain, fodder, and taxes, as well as the supply of brocade to the court, and similarly taking on the supervisory role in the Shu region.

Jingyun, however, showed a hint of concern: "If Your Majesty were to find out that you quietly ran out..."

Uh?

"Sister-in-law, be careful on the steps." Weisang carefully guided his sister-in-law over a step and said with great enthusiasm, "I think my elder brother will be back soon, right? I wonder if he found the things I asked him to bring from the capital."

The old woman had indeed been waiting by the tree for a long time. She scrutinized Weisang for quite a while before finally reaching out to embrace Azhang, shaking her head and saying: "Your Highness, you can go out to play by yourself, and the Marquis won't say anything, nor will I. But you even took the young master out with you..."

... is resting in the inner room

For some unknown reason, His Highness Prince Ning, who has always been calm and rarely angry, has darkened his expression this time and returned to the inner room without saying a word. Jingyun, still unaware of what had displeased him, muttered, "What is so good about the women of Shu? They are far inferior to the gentle and virtuous ones of our Central Plains."

"Are you worried about your brother?" He reached out, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, and smiled, saying, "Don't worry, he is accompanying the emperor on the campaign, and as the heir of the Marquis of Shu, the emperor merely wants to keep him close to urge your father to gather more provisions. He will certainly not let him fall into danger. Moreover..."

Jingyun smiled faintly and said, "I will go take a look"

Old Lord Hou let out a bitter laugh: "Sichuan has always been known as the Land of Abundance, with rich grain and resources, yet its military strength is weak. If we do not exploit this place, where else can we obtain military funds? When they asked your elder brother to supervise the tribute to the capital, they must have already made this plan.

Weisang, however, did not respond, but anxiously asked, "What about Brother Jiang?"

A Zhuang, however, did not like the adults sitting there so stiffly. Feeling bored being held by Jiang Zaichu, he struggled a few times and went to play under the tree by himself. Weisang watched his retreating figure, pondering that it was indeed a good opportunity to leave. Just as he was about to stand up, His Highness Prince Ning slightly lowered his eyelids and sighed, saying: "Are you really planning to part ways like this? After all, you have a bond with the young lady that is worth a life."

"If you don't get up, I won't buy you any cake!" The girl became angry and simply sat down, "We won't go back either!"

Therefore, it can be said that the emperor is still at fault. Visan puffed out his cheeks and spoke candidly

Although it is known that he is here to exploit on behalf of the court, it is also understood that his original intention is not so; he was compelled to come this time.

Yan Fei was taken aback and raised her gaze towards the Emperor

Let's go, we will pick some branches!" The girl took her nephew's small hand and quickened her pace

Weisang hurriedly clasped his hands in greeting to Jiang Zaichu and Jingyun, and said anxiously: "See you next time"

The man in black lowered his head to look at his arm, gently breaking off the arrow shaft, and said nonchalantly, "It's nothing." After a pause, he finally expressed a sense of helplessness and said gently, "Please don't act recklessly next time."

The sound of unsheathing swords echoed, and the sharp ice blades glinted in Weisang's eyes. She retreated behind Jingyun, her heart racing as she witnessed the sudden conflict; he had already knocked the leading officer to the ground. In her panic, she thought: if this continues, with their numbers, they will surely break into the inner room... If only they could see his right arm...

He seemed oblivious, speaking softly without a care.

The family of the Crown Princess is a prominent clan in Shu. She is delicate and gentle in appearance, with a mild and magnanimous temperament, which makes Wei Sang quite fond of her. However, her health is not very good, and after giving birth to the heir, she rarely goes out. In the residence, it is Wei Sang who takes his little nephew around causing mischief.

Jingyun chuckled and teased, "Are you saying I am reckless?"

Weisang followed Jingyun to the door, and as soon as it was opened, there was indeed a group of guards, armed with long knives, knocking loudly at the door

Weisang, out of curiosity, stretched her neck to look, and Jiang Zaichu had already nonchalantly covered the area around his wrist with his sleeve. She only managed to catch a glimpse of a very deep and long scar above.

February 15, the spring season is at its peak, and the grass and trees are covered in green

Unfortunately, women, the Yuan family, and even the world, all still belong to me

Xiao couldn't help but laugh, "Don't talk nonsense, if your father hears this, you'll get punished again"

Jiang Zaichu resides in a small courtyard at the end of Yuchi Street in Jincheng. The charm of this courtyard lies in its three-tiered depth, with elm trees planted in both the front and back courtyards, their dense branches and leaves shading most of the courtyard. On ordinary days, sitting under the trees to read or play chess is truly tranquil, embodying the intention of seeking serenity amidst the bustling city.

The young master stopped her, waved his hand, and the previously silent Jingyun quickly stepped forward: "Your Highness—"

Weisang Huo ran stood up: "Have they really come to investigate?"

The might of a single sword, its edge gleaming, yet she caught sight of the scar above his wrist, and could not help but be taken aback, saying: "You—"

In my view, the so-called assassins are merely a handful of individuals. Lord Zhou still enjoys considerable support from the people in Jinzhou. Jiang Zaichu spoke with considerable depth of meaning

Upon this thought, he felt a shiver run through his entire body and shouted incoherently, "Come, come someone..."

Weisang's face turned pale upon hearing this, and when the boss brought her favorite scallion oil noodles, she couldn't even bring herself to take a bite

Weisang slammed the table and angrily said: "His own misconduct and the hatred it brings upon him are common occurrences. Why is he looking for my father?"

Oh, alright. Vissang replied, but when he turned back, he exchanged a glance with Jingyun, and in each other's eyes, they saw heavy dark clouds

"Pah, you wrongfully accuse me of stealing money!" The short man spat fiercely, "You little pretty boy, just because you dress and carry yourself like a wealthy young master, you cannot slander others without reason!"

Jiang Zaichu focused his gaze and realized it was a poem, the first line being... "Goose, goose, goose." He chuckled softly, slightly raising his eyes, and saw Weisang sitting across the stone table, but she no longer exhibited her usual ease; instead, she subtly revealed a sense of vigilance and distance.

Before the words had left his mouth, arrows flew in like rain, and suddenly a short sword appeared in the hands of the man in black, who swiftly deflected the arrows with a flick of his wrist.

Weisang, in a fit of anger, went to the Transport Office, saying, "The Emperor is going to war, and has taken my elder brother as a hostage, imposing a heavy tax of five to one on us. Does he not regard us people of Shu as human beings!"

Due to her own physical condition, the heir's wife always hoped that her son would grow up lively and strong. She was well aware that Weisang took him running around everywhere. Therefore, she silenced the nurses and sometimes spoke a few kind words in front of the old marquis. The heir's wife, both openly and covertly, always supported Weisang

Before the words were fully spoken, a white figure had already floated before him, with withered long hair cascading down, holding a cold, sharp blade in hand. The face was pale, and a long red tongue was protruding, softly saying: "My lord, you have found a new love, yet you have forgotten about Yupei, haven't you?"

Who is this young master?" The young man asked politely, a gentle smile playing at the corners of his mouth

Jiang Zaichu patiently answered, noticing that she was holding a small bundle in her hand, and could not help but ask: "What has the young lady purchased?"

Weisang did not stand on ceremony with him; as soon as he entered, he requested a private room on the second floor and casually ordered a beautiful singer to perform, with three attendants accompanying him.

"You also sent me here to supervise the collection of grain and conscription; isn't this intentionally provoking resentment from the people of Shu?" Jingyun had not finished speaking when Baizi had already lost. Jiang Zaichu, feeling disinterested, brushed aside the chess game and asked, "Has anyone come to look for me in the past few days?"

Weisang's body hair stood on end as he gritted his teeth and turned around: "Mother."

"Hurry up and go in," Wei Sang said as he nudged A Zhuang. The two of them were sneaking in when they suddenly heard a heavy sigh.

On that day, he was playing chess by the stone table, attacking and defending himself, engaged in a fierce battle when suddenly there was a commotion outside the door. Jiang Zaichu raised his eyes slightly and saw Jingyun walking in, looking not displeased: "The Emperor is going to lead the expedition himself"

Jiang Zaichu smiled faintly, then reached out to pat her head, but sighed and said, "Let each accept their fate."

"Sister-in-law, I am here to assist you," Wei Sang signaled for the maidservants to rise, moved to the side of the Young Master’s wife, and reached out to support her. "Did elder brother mention when he would return?"

Although the garden of the Hou residence is not as grand as the Imperial Garden, and is even smaller than the gardens of his own residence in the capital, it excels in its exquisite design. Jiang Zaichu walked along the path, admiring the unusual bamboo and peculiar stones, when he suddenly noticed a large and a small figure sitting in a stone pavilion under a large willow tree ahead. There were no maids or attendants around them, yet the two were quite lively, and even from a distance, their commotion could be heard.

He did not recognize Jiang Zaichu, only seeing Weisang standing there, and quickly half-kneeled and said: "Your Highness."

As dawn broke, she could no longer wait to rise and happened to encounter the armored city defense commander, Xiao Rang, in the front courtyard

As the Marquis of Shu accompanied His Highness Prince Ning out of the small courtyard, he deliberately cast a glance at his daughter. Wei Sang, feeling guilty, instinctively shifted to the side. Jiang Zaichu, maintaining a composed demeanor, took this scene in silently, then bent down to enter the carriage, seemingly casually remarking: "Your Highness, the princess is likely still in a daze at this moment"

Jiang Zaichu stood up, but his right hand remained behind him, and he said with a faint smile: "I am fine"

They sat at a street-side eatery, waiting for the owner to serve the noodle soup. Jiang Zaichu looked at her worried expression and pondered for a moment: "The strategic tactics of the Xiongnu are far inferior to those of the Central Plains, but their cavalry's striking power is overwhelmingly strong. As soon as the soldiers of the Central Plains face them, they are often overwhelmed by the momentum and consequently lose."

In this vast empire, it is likely that only she would call him this way—during the time of the late emperor, it seemed that very few addressed him in such a manner. However, Jiang Zaichu, who was regarded as the "Black Rakshasa" by the Xiongnu tribes, gladly accepted her form of address, even feeling that when she uttered these three words, her tone was light and carried an intimacy that others could hardly reach

Zhou Jinghua only felt his legs go weak, and with the last bit of strength, he drove back the archer. He turned around and gave that officer a hard slap, then knelt on both knees: "Your Highness, Your Highness..."

Weisang obediently nodded, but began to ponder in her mind

Ah—" The girl did not have time to call out to him, stamped her foot, "Why are you walking so fast!"

My son and I

"Miss, I live on Yuchi Street. If you have time, you may come to find me, and we can explore the beautiful city together." Jiang Zaichu stood up and called out after the girl's retreating figure.

She let out a sigh of relief, but when she turned her head, she saw that the man in black had an arrow still lodged in his arm, blood oozing out.

"Well, Ning Wang is the transport envoy sent by the court, but I am not. I am merely your friend whom you met outside the city in Xinglin." His voice was firm and quite serious, "Do you think I particularly enjoy the title of transport envoy? Being sent here to collect grain and tax, which farmer or merchant here does not curse Ning Wang? But the taxes are set by the court; they merely pass through my hands before being sent off. Whether it is a thousand taels or ten thousand taels, does it have anything to do with me?"

With the longbow drawn taut and the arrow on the string, Weisang suddenly took a step forward: "Stop, I am—"

The beauty covered her face with a smile: "Young master, you are unaware that Lord Zhou has reserved this building for tonight. Many regular guests are already aware of this. Since they are not satisfied with just drinking, they simply decided not to come this afternoon."

Weisang unconsciously twirled the strands of her hair that hung down. She knew that every word he said was correct, but... they still could not interact as they did before. With her eyes lowered, she stood up without saying a word, wanting to take her nephew and leave.

"I was scared to death, I was afraid you had already been captured by that old thief." At this point, Weisang finally felt completely relieved, with cold sweat still dripping from his forehead, "Last night, I... I truly apologize."

The young girl rolled her eyes and then turned to look at the young gentleman. As soon as their gazes met, she secretly praised him in her heart, for this gentleman was truly handsome

The emperor gazed repeatedly at her snow-white and delicate nape, his expression shifting between gloom and brightness, and suddenly said: "He insists that I take the Divine Strategy Army with me, what about you? Are you still thinking about that person?"

Jingyun saw her small face turn red with anger and said slowly: "Your Highness, if you knew that before we arrived here, the court had set the tax rate for Shu to be four to one, and it was His Highness who changed it to five to one, perhaps you would not be so furious with him, would you?"

"Jingyun, you always say that the girls from the Central Plains are beautiful, so what exactly are the beauties of the capital like?" Weisang cautiously changed the subject and asked.

But at that time, she did not know that the true rulers of all this were not just the two of them, but also the emperor far away in the capital, who was daily complained about by her yet had never met her, as well as the countless subjects in this world

"It’s nothing." The young master came to his senses and said, "Jingyun, the Marquis of Shu is still unaware that we have arrived here first, right?"

Ah? It's you? The young girl jumped up and even pulled her little nephew, saying, "What a coincidence?"

The girl pinched his cheek: "Look here, everyone is holding branches of flowers. Shall we go out of the city to that apricot grove and pick a few good branches of apricot blossoms for your mother?"

Weisang chuckled and simply chose not to speak further

Yuan Hao, at a young age, gained fame throughout the world. After achieving success in the imperial examination and becoming a censor, the first official he impeached was the powerful Yang Wen, the Minister Yang. Scholars from across the realm jointly supported him, and in the end, he truly succeeded in bringing down Minister Yang.

She turned her head; although the man in black was masked, his pair of eyes were narrow and bright, shimmering as if they had absorbed the starlight from the vast sky

... ...

Outside the courtyard, there was a sudden clamor of footsteps, and someone kicked open the study door: "What is it? Get out here!"

Do not make noise, let us go watch the excitement

The two faced each other until a gentle male voice broke the silence: "Miss, we meet again."

"Hmph, whether it is or not, I will know just by looking. " The man fiercely drew out a half-length knife, "Are you allowing it or not?"

Jiang Zaichu's chopsticks paused for a moment, seemingly taken aback by her question. However, as the saying goes, when soldiers come, generals block them. His voice was steady and solemn as he replied, "I had not encountered it before coming to Jinzhou; however, upon arriving here, I did."

Moreover, what?

How many people are there in the family

"Yes, indeed, I was also concerned that Your Highness might be disturbed upon your arrival in this place. In light of this, it seems I have acted excessively," Zhou Jinghua hurriedly said, "I will have the prohibition lifted immediately."

The young girl gently flipped her palm, and with a swift motion of her right hand, delivered an elbow strike. With a loud clap, she knocked the man to the ground

You... the young girl puffed her cheeks, glancing at the little thief and then at the elegantly poised young man before her, ultimately releasing her foot, "Get lost! Don't let the young lady catch you again next time!"

"Sir, how can one intrude upon a private residence?" Jingyun moved lightly, positioning herself in front of the man, "We are both individuals from the Central Plains; how could we possibly be assassins without cause?"

"Never mind." Prince Ning picked up the little one and placed him on his lap, flipping through the comic book he had thrown aside, and asked in confusion, "What is this?"

He initially believed that after achieving success on the battlefield, he would be able to return and marry a beautiful woman; however, she ultimately entered the inner palace, while he was sadly relegated to this place

The little fellow immediately sat up straight and said, "I'm not tired at all, I can walk." After saying this, he swung his chubby legs and almost ran towards the city gate.

Isn't the first beauty the young lady of the Yuan family?" However, Weisang did not intend to let him off easily and pressed on, "Is she really as beautiful as the rumors say?

A large and a small figure gradually walked away, while the young man remained standing in place. Not far away, someone hurriedly approached and softly asked: "Your Highness..."

By the way, how is the business doing

Before the words had left his mouth, a clear and melodious voice came straight in.

Zhou Jinghua dazedly raised his head, only to see the young girl standing there in a daze. He suddenly realized that in this grasp, he had not only caught Ning Wang but also the precious daughter of the Shu Marquis, Princess Jiahui. Despite his usual domineering behavior, he could not help but break out in a cold sweat.

The emperor indeed intends to extract every last drop from this place. The Marquis of Shu took the imperial edict and said softly, "Let me bear the burden of this taxation sin. I only hope that upon your return from the campaign, Your Majesty will show compassion for the people of Shu... What sin have the common folk committed?"

He glanced at the young master's complexion and then said, "I will go keep an eye on the young master"

Weisang shook his head: "No, it is not because of that. But you are the transport envoy sent by the court, my lord"

Jiang Zaichu lowered his gaze for a moment, his voice pleasant yet cold: "Before coming here, Your Majesty issued me orders to mobilize troops in Sichuan and Shaanxi. My lord, I do not wish to take that step. What sin have the common people committed?"

"Uncle Shangjing and my father are quite good friends," Weisang casually remarked, "I also know Brother Shang." She lifted her head and met Jiang Zaichu's gaze, which held a hint of deeper meaning, and suddenly her cheeks flushed red. She shook her head and said, "However, I do not know about the things you mentioned."

The capital city, the Imperial Study.

Many years later, Jiang Zaichu still remembered the day they first met

Weisang felt a bit guilty for a moment and stammered, "This Jinzhou city is so large, who knows what the assassin looks like?"

The young girl spread her hands and said: "I am not an official, nor do I understand how to adjudicate cases. I only know that you two are entangled with each other. Therefore, I will separate the money bag and the silver, and each of you can take one. Is this fair?"

Is that so? Jiang Zaichu concealed a trace of disappointment and gently placed a black stone down. "Neither the retired Grand Tutor nor Sima could persuade him?"

She nodded vigorously, confusedly being pulled into the alley. However, after just a few steps, the person stopped and said helplessly: "How is this a dead end?"

"Aunt, pick it!" The chubby boy became anxious, jumping up to try to reach the branch, "After picking, let's go buy some cake to eat"

The young man, however, was not angry. With a gentle flick of his right hand, he caught a money pouch from the long sleeve of that person and said in a deep voice: "What is this?"

"My surname is Han, um, you can call me Awei." Awei looked him up and down, "Young Master Jiang, you truly are here for business. May I ask where you are staying?"

The sister-in-law appears delicate, yet when faced with adversity, she is stronger than anyone else. For a moment, Weisang did not know what to say and could only change the subject, saying: "Father, I have heard that Zhou Jinghua will soon be leaving his post, and the new transport officer will arrive in May, but I do not know who it will be."

The chubby child rides a white horse, the white horse jumps high, the chubby child wields a broadsword, the broadsword is wielded skillfully... The young girl paused, perhaps having forgotten the words, and mumbled a few lines: "... the chubby child falls into the sea."

The young man's eyes glimmered with a smile, yet the crisp sound of the tinkling grew increasingly distant, gradually fading into the spring scene of the apricot blossoms, ultimately becoming unattainable.

He spoke clearly about the affairs of the emperor, yet his tone was as leisurely as discussing family matters. Weisang listened intently, stopped in his tracks, and softly asked, "What happened next?"

Weisang absentmindedly twirled a strand of long hair around her finger and then suddenly realized, "Huh?"

"Jingyun, be quiet!" The young master’s expression turned stern as he looked at his subordinate's discontented face, but he ultimately softened his tone, "The way of the emperor has always been like this. I have no intention of competing with him for this world; even if I take a leisurely approach, I can still live my life in peace."

Jiang Zaichu stood behind Jingyun and, upon seeing her, smiled faintly and said, "Miss."

As soon as he entered the room, he changed his demeanor and, scratching his head towards Jiang Zaichu, said, "Young Master, I couldn't hold back and ended up taking action."

As more and more people gathered, the man in black turned around and wrapped his arm around the waist of the female ghost, chuckling softly, "Let's not play with them anymore, let's go."

Jiang Zai's initial contemplation was briefly interrupted, and a hint of tenderness emerged in the smile at the corners of his lips: "Since the princess has spoken, I shall do my utmost."

Jiang Zaichu nodded slightly, instructing Jingyun to settle the accounts, and then rose to leave

Your Majesty, the cavalry of Liaodong is inferior to the Divine Strategy Army

"Your Highness? Are you alright?" The young man who had rushed over earlier noticed him standing still and felt a bit anxious

From this top-down perspective, he could clearly see the girl's expression twisted in pain, yet she was trying her best to endure it, not daring to show it—this somewhat sadistic pleasure always made Zhou Jinghua feel as if he were at the pinnacle of power. Just as he was reveling in this, the candle suddenly extinguished with a whoosh

Sometimes, however, one may stay overnight

"Call me Your Highness." Vissang coughed heavily.