dognovel Chapter 62: He likes a woman who has a fiancé?
Chapter 62: He likes a woman who has a fiancé?
Li Zhijing realized what was happening.
He quickly cupped his hands and said, "My mother is currently ill. I beg you, Grand Tutor, to show mercy."
Duan Zhian picked up the bamboo stick in his hand and gently tapped Li Zhijing's shoulder, saying with a hidden meaning, "I didn't do anything, why should I be lenient?"
His smile was kind yet tinged with danger, as the bamboo strip rose and fell on Li Zhijing's shoulder.
The entire Pingnan Marquis's residence was under his oppressive presence, and no one dared to speak. Wen Qian stared intently at the bamboo stick in his hand, fearing that he might strike Li Zhijing's face if he was displeased.
Duan Zhian noticed her gaze and stopped what he was doing.
"You were scared by me?"
He turned to look at her, and the oppressive feeling immediately dissipated, replaced by a relaxed smile.
Wen Qian remained silent, timidly.
He tossed aside the bamboo stick and took out something else, placing it in her hand: "I forgot to get you some medicine at the shop earlier. If I see any scars again, you'll be punished again."
These words were clearly meant for everyone in the Marquis's household.
The words were simple, yet they sent chills down one's spine.
"Thank you, Grand Tutor." Wen Qian bowed.
"What did you call me?"
"Uncle..."
He then smiled again: "I have important matters to attend to in the palace. I'll come to see you another day."
After he finished speaking, he walked towards the gate. Marquis Pingnan bowed to him, but he didn't give him any further attention.
Li Zhijing watched his retreating figure, then turned her gaze back to Wen Qian's scarred hands and the medicine bottle she was clutching.
My feelings were a bit complicated.
Duan Zhian left the mansion.
A guard rushed forward to report: "Grand Tutor, I have just learned that among the people who went to Fengyu Pass this time, there is also Miss Jiang's fiancé."
Duan Zhian was somewhat surprised: "Miss Jiang has a fiancé?"
"Yes, his name is Xiao Hengzhi."
He squinted, his keen intuition telling him that something was amiss.
Ning Zhi has always been a man of propriety. From childhood to adulthood, he has always been clear about his goals and would never allow himself to get involved in matters of romantic love.
But he actually called a woman who was engaged a friend?
Something was wrong; his keen intuition told him that Ning Zhi seemed to have other intentions.
Duan Zhian shook his head slightly and took out a letter from his pocket. This was a letter he always carried with him, and he never expected it to come in handy today.
"Send this letter to the Jiang residence and have Miss Jiang pass it on to the Crown Prince. Also, tell her that I have a plan for the Fengyu Pass incident, and that she should just wait. And remind her that if she gives false information about the Third Prince, then no one will be able to save the Jiang residence."
"Yes."
The guards were quick and efficient, and soon arrived at the Jiang residence.
Jiang Wan had been keeping tabs on Duan Zhi'an's whereabouts. Upon seeing the newcomer, she immediately stepped forward and asked, "Does the Grand Tutor have something to say?"
"The Grand Tutor said that Commander Jiang will be able to return home soon, but a decision will have to be made after the Third Prince's matter is resolved. Also, please ask Miss Jiang to pass this letter on to His Highness the Crown Prince."
The guard handed over the letter.
Jiang Mian was puzzled. If Duan Zhi'an had a letter, why didn't he give it directly to Ning Zhi, but instead had her pass it on?
But before she could ask, the guard had already left.
As dusk fell, a servant hurriedly announced that His Highness the Crown Prince had arrived and that all the ladies of the household should temporarily evacuate.
Granny Xu and her maidservants hurried from the doorway to the backyard to avoid them.
Looking at the letter in her hand, Jiang Mian suddenly realized that Duan Zhi'an had anticipated Ning Zhi's visit to the Jiang residence and had asked her to deliver the letter.
Ning Zhilai must be referring to the matter of the Xumi Bird delivering the message last time.
But what is the contents of this letter? And why must she be the one to deliver it?
A servant came over and called to her, "Second Miss, His Highness the Crown Prince is waiting for you in the front courtyard."
"Oh, I see."
Jiang Mian took the letter and walked around the corridor to the front yard.
Ning Zhi looked very anxious, pacing in the courtyard. As soon as he saw her coming, he hurriedly went to greet her.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince." Jiang Mian bowed.
“Miss Jiang, I have come here today specifically to apologize to you.”
"apologize?"
"Yes, I've been accompanying the Empress Dowager at Zhuoyue Manor these past few days, and only today did I learn about your releasing the Xumi Bird to deliver a message to me, but..."
Jiang Mian thought to herself, "So Ning Zhi didn't get to see the letter from the Xu Mi bird."
She sighed, "Your Highness need not blame yourself. It is all up to us. I am just worried that if my father loses this battle, the Emperor will punish the Jiang family. After all, the Emperor's mind is unpredictable... That is why I wanted to ask Your Highness for help."
Ning Zhi naturally knew that even if Jiang Xun didn't die in battle, he would still be convicted of a serious crime.
However, as long as Jiang Xun was not eliminated, the position of Grand General could never be filled by his confidant.
But to his surprise, he heard today that Xiao Hengzhi had also gone to war. Fengyu Pass is dangerous, and even if Xiao Hengzhi has some skills, he would probably face a nine-out-of-ten chance of death on the battlefield.
So as soon as he heard the news, he rushed to the Jiang residence.
For no other reason than that I couldn't help but want to come and see her.
When the Jiang family falls into ruin and Xiao Heng dies in battle, Jiang Man's best option will be him.
......
“Oh, right,” Jiang Wan interrupted his thoughts, “The Grand Tutor just sent me a letter, asking me to pass it on to His Highness.”
Jiang Mian handed him the letter.
Ning Zhi frowned and opened it with a puzzled look.
The letter read—
"Those who achieve great things are free from personal feelings for their children and loved ones, and do not let love and affection interfere with their duties."
Ning Zhi ran his fingers along the edge of the letter, reading the short line of text over and over again.
He had been taught by Duan Zhi'an since childhood, respected him, and never disobeyed him. Under Duan Zhi'an's planning, he secured his position in the Crown Prince's palace.
Countless times when his emotions were wavering, Duan Zhian always managed to pull him back on track with a few words.
Duan Zhian is always right.
But this time, he felt that the Grand Tutor must be wrong.
Jiang Wan did stir his heart, but he was also well aware of what he was doing.
Now that the Third Prince is eyeing him covetously, his position as Crown Prince might be handed over at any time. He needs a Crown Princess who can help him in court, and Jiang Wan, as a concubine, is enough to offer him some solace.
Having a crush on someone is one thing, but marrying someone is another.
He chuckled to himself, thinking that the Grand Tutor had never even been with a woman, so naturally he wouldn't know these things.
"Your Highness?" Jiang Mian called softly.
Ning Zhi's thoughts were pulled back, and she put away the letter, her expression calm as usual.
"Did the letter mention something important? Why did Your Highness suddenly smile?"
"It's nothing. It was during a game of chess with the Grand Tutor that he explained how to play one particular move..."
Jiang Wan nodded. She remembered that Ning Zhi was a highly skilled chess player and had indeed learned from Duan Zhi'an.
"Miss Jiang."
"Ok?"
"If you have some free time today, would you like to accompany me for a walk in the streets?"
Jiang Mian looked at the sky. The sun was setting, and a dim ray of sunlight on the horizon made her feel inexplicably oppressed and breathless.
She nodded: "Okay, let's go for a walk to clear our heads."
......
It was just past dinnertime, and many people were strolling around the streets.
The night market vendors' calls rose and fell, children played in the streets, and many people chatted in the teahouses, with bursts of laughter occasionally drifting through the air.
The scene of the fire that destroyed the lantern festival is no longer visible. Only the towering pavilion in front is still being repaired.
Jiang Mian casually remarked, "I wonder when we'll be able to go in again..."
Ning Zhi noticed that her gaze remained fixed on the Drunken Sound Pavilion ahead and asked, "What is Miss Jiang thinking about?"
"I'm wondering when the Drunken Sound Pavilion will reopen. There are still many things I want to go in and figure out."
"Haven't they found the person who stole the horses last time?"
Jiang Wan shook her head.
The two were walking casually when suddenly, a voice called out to a vendor ahead, banging on a gong and drum, which attracted a lot of attention in the market.
"Look at this! It's being sold off cheaply!"
The sound of gongs and drums was incessant, and soon a crowd gathered around.
"What are they selling? It's so lively here."
Ning Zhi said, "We'll know once we go and take a look."
The two hurried over, and Jiang Mian curiously stepped forward. Through the crowd, she saw a black steed with a sleek coat and an imposing presence.
She recognized him only vaguely, and she struggled to squeeze to the front of the crowd.
Upon seeing it clearly, she was shocked—
Isn't this the horse that was stolen from Yuezhu Ridge before?