Chapter 1816 – Unsettled Feelings
“Jiang Zhao’s last capital relocation was indeed to Pingfeng, right?”
Jiang Pengji asked Wei Ci, who had maintained a mysterious smile since the meeting ended, leaving her feeling quite unsettled.
Wei Ci replied, “Everything is arranged by fate… Pingfeng has a continuous terrain and an intact dragon vein; it’s truly a land of fortune.”
In the previous life, the ministers were also clamoring, ultimately choosing Pingfeng, and now the unfortunate Pingfeng couldn’t escape the fate of a name change.
Jiang Pengji took a deep breath and said, “Zixiao, you’ve changed; you’re getting a bit twisted in your humor.”
Could it be that all men become like their fathers when they grow up?
Wei Ci, well-versed in the art of flattery, sighed, “It’s because I can’t bear to see our Lord embark on another expedition, a separation of one or two years.”
Even though Wei Ci’s twisted humor had nothing to do with her expedition, Jiang Pengji still enjoyed hearing him say this, warming her heart.
However…
If Wei Ci were to find out what she was doing, he’d probably feel cold inside.
Jiang Pengji wrapped her arms around his neck, the two embraced quietly under the empty corridor, with the sunset casting intimate shadows of their closeness. She took a deep breath, suppressing the twinge of guilt rising from within, clearing her mind, leaving only a resolute determination.
“If I were to go on an expedition, wouldn’t you truly want to stay in other places? Everywhere is short on people; would you really waste precious time in the rear?”
Wei Ci’s absence from the military was not Jiang Pengji’s request, but his own, as the child was in the rear, and he needed to look after her. This reminded her of what the idle folks used to joke about: while she was out earning a living, Wei Ci played the role of the capable housekeeper in the rear.
:з
In reality, the big steward was actually Xu Ke.
But Wei Ci’s sacrifice was not less than Xu Ke’s. With the wars underway for several years, he was essentially giving up the chance to excel in the literary rankings at the very last moment.
With Wen Zheng and Old Master Sun holding strong rankings thanks to previous battle accomplishments and the fierce reputation of Zhong Zhao, their points remained in the top three. Unless something unexpected occurred, their standings were secure. After that, the competition would become fierce. Wei Ci had once told her he wanted to climb the literary rankings upon being reborn, yet now he chose to give up?
Jiang Pengji felt moved but didn’t want Wei Ci to make career sacrifices for her and the child.
After all, she wasn’t one of those idle folks who needed a husband to sacrifice his work to take care of the family.
Wei Ci said, “This isn’t wasting time; taking good care of the two princesses is the most important thing.”
Jiang Pengji gazed into Wei Ci’s eyes.
In the sunset’s glow, she felt the man before her seemed to detect what she was planning, making him insist on staying.
Yet…
How could that be?
Jiang Pengji chuckled, burying those thoughts deep inside her heart. When she previously discussed her true feelings with Wei Ci, she had indeed mentioned the existence of the system’s main body, but it was just brushed over. In Wei Ci’s understanding, the system was a powerful entity but had not surpassed human boundaries. If he were to learn that thing approached what he knew as “deities,” he would undoubtedly worry, which was far from his current state of ignorance.
Did Wei Ci truly have no awareness?
Of course, he did. After all, he was her partner across two lifetimes; how could he possibly be oblivious?
However, he wasn’t sure what she intended to do and could only strive to help her achieve her goals.
In this regard, he and Qi Guanrang were alike.
Only that the former was flashy while the latter was low-key and reserved.
Accustomed to the other’s subtle machinations, Wei Ci replayed his experiences since his rebirth multiple times, gradually realizing something was off. Wanzhou… was probably the second most dangerous place after the front lines. With their two daughters still here, how could he leave?
Qi Guanrang was helping her reclaim Zhong Zhao, and he hoped to assist her in eliminating a formidable nemesis.
But…
He merely hoped it wasn’t that person; otherwise, their leader would likely be quite distressed.
As the family dined, Jiang Pengji dismissed the servants, allowing Wei Ci to approach their daughter.
Though it was said he was getting closer, he still maintained a certain distance befitting their roles, never forgetting the power dynamic even for a moment.
“Our lord doesn’t allow maidservants to serve at the table; Princess Lian is still young, and while Princess Yan is steady during meals, she still needs care.”
Jiang Pengji said, “You haven’t fed me a single bite! Why should these two little ones get to be first?”
The Old Commander paused, his hand gripping the wooden spoon, casting a long sigh at Jiang Pengji.
The eldest daughter couldn’t understand their flirtatious banter, but she certainly did.
Couldn’t they consider her feelings before getting flirty?
Eating wasn’t enough; now she had to witness their lovey-dovey antics too?
Wei Ci could only smile in resignation, cradling Princess Lian as he seated her on his lap.
“Scary, that…”
The eldest adored Wei Ci the most. Other maidservants and housemaids had to seek permission even to assist her, while Wei Ci was an exception.
Jiang Pengji realized her daughter was quite the aesthetician.
When Wei Ci fed her, her appetite was one and a half times her usual.
The eldest pointed at the rice porridge and exclaimed, “I want more!”
Wei Ci then used a small fan to cool the porridge before feeding her carefully.
By the end of the meal, the eldest was round with a full belly, while Wei Ci hadn’t gotten much to eat before leaving.
The Old Commander stared at the rosy-cheeked eldest and remarked coolly, “Shouldn’t you reconsider your plans?”
“Why?”
The Old Commander said, “Wei Ci probably knows I’m not his daughter by now.”
Initially, Wei Ci enjoyed holding the Old Commander, but at some point, he had begun keeping a steady distance.
This distance wasn’t just between a lord and minister; it was between a man and a woman.
Jiang Pengji said, “Let’s explain after everything ends; telling him now would only harm him.”
The Old Commander shot her a glance. “You’ll be single sooner or later.”
How could such rubbish find a date? Did the matchmaker forget to bring their reading glasses?
“Those favored have nothing to fear; Zixiao understands my plight, and I appreciate his compassion and understanding. This kind of tacit understanding that doesn’t require verbal communication, how could you possibly understand?” Jiang Pengji’s words were decidedly provocative, but she shifted tones, adopting a tone akin to delivering a last wish, “Commander, I entrust Zixiao to you.”
Jiang Pengji’s demeanor suddenly grew serious, and her grave expression rendered the Old Commander speechless.
“You’ve asked me to protect your daughter, and you’ve asked me to protect your husband. But what about you?”
Jiang Pengji sighed heavily, saying, “Only one of me and the system can survive; only if the system loses can Zixiao and the children be safe. I had initially prepared for the worst, such as if our whole family perished together, but the Old Commander provided me with a new perspective.”
As the poker game reached the point where everyone revealed their cards, who would win or lose depended on the next moves. Jiang Pengji had staked herself, Wei Ci, and their two children, even the entire Jiang dynasty’s fortune; if she couldn’t reel out the system’s main body and eradicate it, her cards would truly be empty.
Perhaps the Federation was considering this as well, hence arranged for the Old Commander to cover her back.
If she were to fail, wouldn’t there be the Old Commander to step in and finish the job?
“So, you’ve even accounted for me in your plans.”
Jiang Pengji smiled and said, “Just that once; I genuinely entrusted my life and future to you.”
Either Jiang Pengji would turn the tables or she would fall prey to the Heavenly Brain.
As she accelerated her steps toward unifying the world, the Heavenly Brain was getting increasingly restless.
After over a decade of intricate setups and deception, she was fed up.
Why should such a dangerous entity continuously occupy her confidant’s position? Can you imagine how suffocated her heart felt?
