Chapter 696 – The Overprotective Lord
“Let me get this straight. The argument between Han Mei and your subordinate started because your subordinate mistook Han Mei for Xie Qian?”
Yang Jian admitted it with some embarrassment, mumbling the explanation.
Jiang Pengji spoke candidly, “But I’ve heard from my father that Aunt Xie has already passed away due to severe postpartum hemorrhage.”
Yang Jian replied seriously, “How could a junior like you understand the grievances of our elders?”
He didn’t believe Xie Qian was that type of person. How could he possibly sell his wife for glory?
Moreover, Wang Huijun had entered the late emperor’s harem a year after Xie Qian’s death, by which time his body had already rotted away into mere bones.
Who could stop a widow from remarrying?
Did they really think that the deceased Xie Qian pushed his wife onto the late emperor’s arms?
That was preposterous!
However, Li Yun’s appearance proved that Xie Qian was not dead and had remained lively for over twenty years, which left Yang Jian somewhat shaken.
Jiang Pengji continued, “I once heard from my wet nurse a bedtime story about souls that have no homes, restless and full of malice, jealous of the living and lingering amidst human splendor. They often lurk by the dying, seizing the moment when someone is just about to die to take over their body and escape back to the living world… It’s an unrealistic story, but both Buddhism and Taoism believe that people possess souls… What do you think, Captain?”
Yang Jian stared dumbfounded, “That’s just an absurd and gibberish tale.”
“It is indeed just a story, but have you heard the news before Aunt Xie’s delivery? How did people comment on her? From what I know, she and my mother were known as the ‘Two Beauties of Langya’, brilliant and stunning, the finest of their time… She had an extraordinary memory; even texts that were difficult to recite, she could memorize flawlessly…” Jiang Pengji learned about Wang Huijun partly through her own research and partly through Liu Zhi, “With such an intelligent woman, if Xie Qian truly had malicious intent, do you think she would obey her husband or seek assistance from her family? The Xie clan is indeed formidable, but does the Langya Wang clan really sit on their hands?”
Wang Huijun was almost the most outstanding noble girl of the Langya Wang clan, their pride, their face to the outside world.
And yet?
Wang’s daughter would first submit to the wrath of the late emperor and then climb into the emperor’s bed, ultimately colluding with Changshou Wang?
She had entangled with all three royal brothers and didn’t even mind the bad taste?
Even if Xie Qian was shameless, Wang Huijun wouldn’t just let it slide, and the Langya Wang clan wouldn’t ignore it.
“A person cannot suddenly change their character without reason. Aunt Xie suffered no trauma; she simply gave birth to a child. The midwife claimed she bled excessively after giving birth and was unable to survive. Yet she did not die; she simply woke up with a completely altered temperament… Xie Qian suspected the supernatural but unexpectedly became the target of harm… I learned these details from my father…”
Yang Jian frowned. According to Jiang Pengji’s explanation, aside from the added supernatural elements, the logic seemed coherent.
“Why are you telling me all this?”
Jiang Pengji’s eyes sharpened, “Han Mei respects his master greatly and adores his teacher’s wife whom he has never met. Because Xie Qian did not clarify, Han Mei cannot ascertain his blood relationship with him based solely on my father’s words. But a master is a master; once a teacher, always a father. No matter how this matter turns out, the reputations of Xie Qian and Wang Huijun are already ruined. Han Mei won’t be happy about it. My words carry little weight, but I’m sharing this with you just to request that you manage your subordinates’ loose lips before everything is clarified, rather than believing every rumor!”
Only the bear cubs at home should be punished by their own family; outsiders prattling about is one thing, but bullying is another matter entirely.
Yang Jian understood and chose not to dwell on Jiang Pengji’s rudeness.
As they left the secluded area, Li Yun and Yang Jian’s subordinates waited outside, anxious.
Upon seeing the two come out, everyone rushed over.
“Let’s go back. We’ll consult the captain another day.”
Jiang Pengji’s face bore no signs of joy; not exactly sad, but certainly disappointed. One could imagine she felt thwarted.
On the way back, Li Yun and Dian Yin obediently followed behind, heads down, one big and one small, looking like two kids who had gotten into trouble.
“The situation has been settled. We should have less contact with Yang Jian and his people in the future.”
Yang Jian himself had spoken, and Jiang Pengji wouldn’t create trouble for herself.
“Yes, we obey the Lord’s orders.”
Feng Zhen sensed the surrounding low atmosphere and coughed lightly.
“Lord, I’ve already probed that person and they hesitated, then agreed.”
Jiang Pengji: “…”
Speaking of which, she just watched Yang Jian teach Li Yun a lesson, and then she pulled Yang Jian aside for a separate lecture. How much time had passed in between?
How did Feng Zhen manage to successfully hook up with the target and persuade them to jump ship?
Jiang Pengji felt somewhat impressed with Feng Zhen and lowered her voice.
“Your lord is still stuck in Wanzhou, yet you’re already thinking about how to fight across rivers.”
“Preparation is essential to prevent unexpected events,” Feng Zhen shamelessly replied.
Due to inferior shipbuilding technology, once water battles began, encountering those naval forces would most likely end in disaster.
Most of Dongqing’s territory is inland, but there are places reachable through rivers.
If enemies were to seize control of the river defense in the future, how would this battle be fought?
Rather than sharpening the knife when the battle is upon them, it’s better to prepare in advance.
It wasn’t easy to come across a talent for naval forces, if they didn’t figure out a way to poach them, would they wait for another capable person to discover this talent?
“Fair point… A little foresight is indeed a good habit.”
Jiang Pengji recalled the topographical map of Dongqing, realizing that if she wanted to covet the territory of the Cangzhou Meng Clan, she would inevitably face river defenses.
Cangzhou has a unique terrain, a battleground long fought over, easy to defend but hard to attack. One could rely on natural defenses in retreat and utilize the complex river networks in attacks, making it hard for ordinary armies to conquer. It’s also a significant point of connection between Dongqing and the other two countries – a national gate of critical importance. Three significant defense lines: Han Chang Pass, Zhanjiang Pass, and Yumen Pass. If Jiang Pengji wished to expand her territory, it was undeniable that she would have to go through Cangzhou.
If they started training sailors now, it could certainly be useful in the future.
A landlubber would be more useless in water than a fish out of water, but having merely three thousand skilled sailors could potentially destroy enemies ten times their size!
“Since that’s the case, does the lord have any rewards in mind?”
“Of course, rewards are possible. Just to be clear, there are no drinks or beauties here… So, what reward do you want?”
Feng Zhen: “…”
Lord, you still smell strongly of alcohol, yet you claim there’s “no wine”? You clearly drank it all yourself.
After a long pause, he could only stifle his words.
“I haven’t thought of anything yet, so let’s hold off for now.”
Jiang Pengji couldn’t help but chuckle silently; Feng Zhen’s pitiful expression was simply too amusing.
The talents Feng Zhen had gathered hadn’t joined them yet, and Jiang Pengji didn’t even know if they were round or flat.
Yang Jian felt frustrated about losing, yet a bunch of subordinates thought he was the victor, almost causing internal injuries.
