Chapter 99
Chapter 99: Escorting Jiang Sijin to the Military Camp
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“If your father were to actually borrow money from Lin Ruhai, it would probably infuriate him to death.”
...Upon hearing this, Xue Yan burst into laughter. Jiang Hong didn’t chuckle, but a smile flickered in his eyes.
“Well do as Huan Er suggests,” he declared after a pause.
“Mother, why hasn’t Sijin shown up today?” Jiang Peihuan, aware of Jiang Changbai’s departure for the military camp, glanced at Xue Yan as Jiang Sijin was noticeably absent.
“Eldest sister?”
Suddenly, Jiang Sijin’s voice echoed from the hall’s entrance.
Instinctively turning around, Jiang Peihuan saw a distinct change in Jiang Sijin’s appearance. Her long hair was bound high, she wore plain cloth attire, and her wrists were tightly fastened. Seeing her in such a state, Jiang Peihuan remembered that she was headed to the military camp.
“Are you leaving for the camp today?”
“If she goes during the day, it might stir trouble. So, after some thought, your father and I decided she should go at night,” Xue Yan explained.
She then turned to Jiang Sijin, “Have you packed everything?”
“Yes, everything’s ready,” Jiang Sijin confirmed.
“Then have your meal. After dinner, Deputy General Liu will escort you to the camp. This journey to the camp was your decision. If you turn back midway, I won’t let it slide.”
“Father, rest assured. 1 won’t do anything to tarnish your honor,” Jiang Sijin replied, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Jiang Peihuan, looking at the young girl beside her, turned to Jiang Hong, “Father, I’ll escort Sijin to the camp later.”
“Wouldn’t you… Very well, go ahead,” Jiang Hong started to protest, but upon receiving a pinch from Xue Yan, he quietly acquiesced.
The news of Jiang Sijin’s departure to the camp had not been made known to the rest of the Jiang family, hence only the family from the main house accompanied her.
“Remember, once at the camp, heed your brother’s words and don’t cause a scene,” Xue Yan couldn’t help but admonish her youngest daughter.
Jiang Sijin climbed onto her horse and looked down at Xue Yan and Jiang Hong, “Father, Mother, you needn’t worry. 1 promise not to let you down.”
Then, turning towards Jiang Peihuan, she said, “Sister, let’s go.”
“Alright.”
After bowing to her parents, Jiang Peihuan mounted her horse. Deputy General Liu and the others trailed behind them.
The military camp was ten kilometers away from the outskirts of the city. They did not make a sound along the way and rode their horses in the direction of the military camp.
As they neared the entrance, Jiang Peihuan heard the distant thump of horse hooves.
Initially, she believed that Jiang Changbai had sent someone to escort Jiang Sijin, but as they closed the distance, the sounds of conflict reached her ears.
Although it sounded like a fight, it was actually a one-sided suppression. Han Feng alone had kicked more than ten people off the horses.
“Master, it’s Eldest Miss and Third Miss.”
When he heard the sound of horse hooves, Han Feng thought that it was the other party’s reinforcements. It was not until he saw Jiang Peihuan at the front that Han Feng looked at Xiao Nanye behind him with surprise.
Catching sight of Jiang Peihuan’s face, the man spurred his horse, Zhui Yun, and quickly made his way to her.
Pulling up alongside her, Xiao Nanye quietly asked, “What brings you here?”
Jiang Peihuan’s gaze fell upon the men Han Feng had unseated. She had assumed that Xiao Nanye had once again found himself the target of an assassination attempt, yet these men were clearly not skilled assassins.
Seeing Jian Peihuan’s eyes, the man said softly,” These people are just bandits around here.”
Hearing this, Jian Peihuan was a little surprised.
At that moment, another person approached — Prince An, whom she hadn’t seen for some time.
Dismounting, Jiang Peihuan greeted him with a bow. “Prince An, it’s been a while.”
“Please rise, Miss Jiang. You’re engaged to my imperial uncle, after all. In three months’ time, I’ll be calling you ‘aunt’. From here on, there’s no need for formalities.”
Xiao Junmo, who’d watched her greet, promptly intervened.
Jiang Peihuan only smiled, not offering any words in response.
She then turned to Xiao Nanye and shared her purpose. “I’m escorting Sijin to the military camp.”
“Third Miss is going to the military camp?”
Upon hearing Jiang Peihuan’s words, surprise flickered in Xiao Nanye’s eyes. He looked at Jiang Sijin in curiosity.
Jiang Sijin, picking up on Xiao Nanye’s expression, laughed. “My eldest sister was already on the battlefield at my age. Me joining the military camp now could be considered late.”
“But I’ve heard the military camp can be quite harsh. Are you sure you can withstand that hardship, little miss?” Xiao Junmo chimed in, hearing their conversation.
His words ignited a spark of anger in Jiang Sijin’s eyes. “Who do you think you’re looking down on? I—”
“Sijin, don’t be disrespectful,” Jiang Peihuan interrupted.
“Hmph.”
Anger still simmered in Jiang Sijin’s eyes, but at Jiang Peihuan’s admonishment, she held her tongue, simply snorting at Xiao Junmo in contempt.
The latter touched his nose and retreated into silence.
“Your Highness, Prince An,” Jiang Peihuan began, “Sijin’s manners may be a bit rude, but it’s simply her nature. I hope you’ll forgive any lapses in decorum.”
“Miss Jiang, no need for such formality. 1 misspoke,” Prince An replied humbly. “Aren’t you all headed to the military camp? It’s getting late, allow me to escort you there.”
Upon hearing Xiao Nanye’s words, Jiang Peihuan simply nodded. However, as she was about to mount her horse again, she noticed the people on the ground starting to kowtow. “Please, King Cheng, have mercy!”
“We… we didn’t know it was you. If we did, not even a hundred times our courage would have been enough for us to dare rob you.”
“Imperial Uncle, what should we do with these people?”
“The crime of robbing innocent people is punishable by death. Han Feng, handle them.”
Upon hearing Xiao Nanye’s instructions, Han Feng immediately drew his sword. Seeing this, the men on the ground started to panic and kowtow more frantically. “Spare us, King Cheng…”
“Hold on.”
Han Feng was about to carry out the execution, but at Jiang Peihuan’s command, he stopped.
Jiang Peihuan turned to Xiao Nanye and said softly, “Just killing them seems too lenient. Let them serve in the military camp instead. The kitchen needs helpers and so does the stable. This could give them a chance to redeem themselves.”
“We’re willing to serve in the military camp. We’ll do anything.”
Upon hearing Jiang Peihuan’s proposition, the men hastily agreed.
Xiao Nanye didn’t say anything in response. Instead, he nodded.” Alright, we’ll do as you say.””
Half an hour later, they all arrived at the entrance of the military camp.
Jiang Changbai was already waiting for them at the camp’s gate. Seeing the large group of people, he was taken aback. “Your Highness King Cheng, Your Highness Prince An, what brings you here?”
“Big brother?”
Jiang Peihuan dismounted her horse and quickly narrated the incidents they encountered on the road. After listening to his sister, Jiang Changbai nodded and directed his men to escort the bandits into the camp.
Next, he turned his attention to Jiang Sijin. “Are you sure you want to join the camp? This is your last chance. If you’re having second thoughts now, you can still accompany Huan Er….”