Chapter 321 – Youthful Days with Thin Spring Robes (Part 4)
The people of Langya are talented and the land is blessed, with a thriving commerce and an abundance of good things. Coincidentally, Jiang Pengji had been studying in Langya for three years, and the Stepmother wrote to ask for Jiang Pengji’s help in preparing, signaling the Liu Residence’s regard for this illegitimate daughter and this marriage.
Since Liu Zhi was busy with his duties in Chongzhou, he had no time to help send off the illegitimate daughter, so naturally, this task fell onto Jiang Pengji’s shoulders.
Of course, even if Liu Zhi had the time, he wouldn’t give the illegitimate daughter such grandeur, not to mention that she wasn’t even his daughter.
Ta Xue sighed, “The Young Master treats the Second Young Lady really well.”
Hearing this, Jiang Pengji smiled but remained silent.
Would she really be nice to a half-sister she had never met?
Tsk, tsk, a weasel paying a New Year’s visit to a chicken—what good intentions could that have?
The illegitimate sister marrying Wu Ma Jun was definitely not a good thing.
Watching Ta Xue’s graceful figure leave, Jiang Pengji subtly furrowed her brow, while the audience in the live stream was drooling.
【Old Driver Alliance】: What a pity! If the streamer were a boy, such a delicate beauty could have been taken into the room!
【Farmer Spring Water a bit Suspicious】: #Nose Picking, the streamer isn’t that kind of person. Do you think everyone thinks with their lower half?
【Panda Aah Aah】: Sigh, I think it’s a pity too. Such a good beauty should instead grow up with the streamer. Rather than marry and be spoiled by the men of this era, it’s better for the streamer to protect her. I believe no one could be better than the streamer.
Faced with a string of sentiments, Jiang Pengji chuckled silently.
What was that saying again?
A green bamboo snake’s mouth, a yellow wasp’s tail in battle… some blessings are just not meant to be enjoyed.
Just as she was pondering, Ta Xue, who had already left, entered the room again, bowing and saying, “Young Master, Wei Ci has come to deliver a greeting card.”
“Zixiao? What’s he doing here at this hour?”
Jiang Pengji furrowed her brows, secretly pondering Wei Ci’s purpose for visiting.
In her three years at Langya Academy, her interactions with Wei Ci had been minimal; he had his own circle of friends, and Jiang Pengji never took the initiative to join in. Plus, he often went out for weeks visiting relatives and friends, so they rarely crossed paths.
More than half a month ago, she vaguely heard students at Langya Academy mention that Wei Ci was out again. Calculating the time, he must have just returned—why would he come to her residence to deliver a greeting card? Thinking this, she didn’t keep him waiting long and went straight to the flower hall to see Wei Ci.
Jiang Pengji sat down in the host’s seat, smiling as she said, “What a rare guest. Zixiao actually took the initiative to come to my humble abode.”
Three years had passed, and now Wei Ci was in his early twenties, looking even more refined than three years ago.
Perhaps due to traveling, he appeared to have slimmed down somewhat; wearing his green attire, it seemed a little loose on him.
Hearing the teasing, Wei Ci covered his mouth with his hand and cleared his throat.
His voice was a bit hoarse, carrying a hint of nasal tone; it seemed he wasn’t just tired from the journey, but also a bit unwell.
“Were you feeling chilly, or something? Why didn’t you find a doctor to take a look?”
Wei Ci shook his head, steadying his breath and suppressing the urge to cough. Yet, the pallor on his face indicated that he wasn’t in great shape. He said, “I’m fine, just caught a slight chill a few days ago, feeling a bit under the weather.”
Jiang Pengji nodded, waiting for him to express his purpose for visiting.
Wei Ci’s visit indeed had its motives.
“Lan Ting, I heard you’re preparing to send the illegitimate sister off to the capital to marry?” At least, being classmates at the academy, Wei Ci addressed Jiang Pengji more casually, following the others in calling her by her courtesy name. “If you can postpone this, please do try.”
Jiang Pengji was puzzled and asked, “Zixiao saying so, surely there’s a reason. What’s the matter? Why can’t I go?”
Wei Ci said, “Three years ago, the Official Master sent troops to assist Nansheng. On the surface, it seemed like we were retrieving our own land, repelling the Southern Barbarians along with other nations, but in reality, the Southern Barbarians had no intention of destroying Nansheng. They merely took the opportunity to retreat, occupying the captured prefectures to recuperate and plot their next moves. At the same time, it was a vicious ploy to sow discord…”
Jiang Pengji replied, “I know about this situation—the Southern Barbarians halted their aggression not because they were truly defeated, but to give Nansheng a breather and simultaneously undermine the aiding forces from the other four countries, stirring up their interests, waiting to profit from the conflict…”
While the other four countries sent troops to help Nansheng defend its last territory, they weren’t doing charity; sending military aid came at a cost. After Nansheng was defeated, they faced all sorts of demands from the Southern Barbarians, with land being ceded repeatedly, while also having to provide benefits to the troops sent from the other four countries. It appeared that the other four countries were extending a helping hand, but they had their own intentions at heart.
Initially, the Southern Barbarians were fierce in their attacks, uniting against a common enemy, but later, once their aggression ceased, the unity among the internal reinforcements fell apart.
This matter was widely known, but each kingdom painted a picture of peace, justifying their opportunism and managing to fool many naive individuals.
“But how is this related to me sending off the illegitimate sister?”
Wei Ci was momentarily speechless, lowering his gaze, his expression showing some silence.
Jiang Pengji waited patiently for him to speak.
“After the spring plowing season, the Southern Barbarians are bound to make significant moves; Nansheng… is likely to fall. Next, Dongqing will face a predicament, caught between the southern and northern enemies.” Wei Ci continued, “With external threats so apparent, internal issues are plenty. The situation in the capital is extremely grim, almost reaching a point of panic. Meanwhile, people are still indulging in their own pleasures, oblivious to the changing world outside, deeply engaged in internal conflicts. The four princes have grown up, each with their own backing, and the struggle for the throne blends with the increasingly severe factional struggles. If you go to the capital, I worry you might not return.”
In a rush, Wei Ci dropped the formalities and referred to himself directly.
Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow, “Not return?”
“Don’t underestimate those external relatives and palace eunuchs; when they go mad, no one can escape.”
Jiang Pengji calmly played with the teacup in her hands, “What you say, I’ll think carefully about. However, regarding the matter of sending off the illegitimate sister, even if it leads to a den of dragons and tigers, I must go. Wealth and honor lie at the edge of danger, I do not know how those external relatives and rootless eunuchs collude, but rest assured, such useless fellows cannot touch a single hair of mine!”
Wei Ci pursed his lips, his expression growing complex.
Suddenly, Jiang Pengji remarked, “I’m not that weak.”
“I know.”
“Then you can relax and wait to see the show.”
To others, the capital might appear to be a den of dragons and tigers, but to her, it was undoubtedly the beginning of her adventures across the land.
Wei Ci sighed softly and suddenly recalled something. “Changshou Wang returned to his territory two years ago. He seems to be behaving, but in reality, he harbors malicious intentions. If he’s summoned to lead troops into the capital, Lan Ting, you must be careful! This person… has ambitions for the throne, and the Official Master’s four princes may not be able to outplay him.”
