Jiang Xingyan sat at the stone table in the front hall, posing the same questions she had used to test Wang Qi to the maids and servants selected by the slave traders.
Aside from a few particularly vicious ones who, for their own prospects, were genuinely prepared to lethally strike down an innocent person nearby—even having thought about where to bury the body—whom Jiang Xingyan directly had driven out and registered as ‘base-status’, ensuring they could never rise again, most of the remaining candidates still possessed a conscience.
Even if it meant not working in the General’s manor, they absolutely refused to commit heinous acts.
Jiang Xingyan sighed inwardly: Mother-in-law really went to great lengths to gather all those monsters and demons before. It’s true, like master, like servant.
Satisfied, she allocated five maids and ten errand boys to the separate residence. She also picked over a dozen strong, capable men to follow Wang Qi’s arrangements, patrol the manor, and guard the household.
She went through the cooks, laundresses, gardeners, handymen, and others, exhausting herself in the process.
Finally, she spent a large sum to purchase five dead soldiers.
One was to stay in the side courtyard to promptly report on Yin Zhu and Li Yishu’s movements.
One was to stay in the main courtyard, keeping a close watch on Old Madam Huo, Bao Zhu, and Yu Zhu.
One was to stay in the separate residence. Even though the incident of Bao Zhu barging in to snatch Little Ya wouldn’t happen again, it was better to be safe than sorry.
The remaining two, Jiang Xingyan assigned to Yun Chunfeng.
His body was frail, he lacked the strength to truss a chicken, yet his mind held brilliant strategies and secrets of heaven. He needed constant protection to prevent ill-intentioned people from harming him.
After finishing the allocations, Jiang Xingyan stretched lazily and only then noticed Huo Ci, who had returned at some unknown time.
Qiu Yan and Chun Xue followed behind him.
The two women curtsied to her. Seeing the General’s manor completely revitalized and knowing it was their Young Lady seeking revenge for them, they couldn’t hide their excitement: “Young General!
We’ve left messages for Xia Feng and Dong Yang, who are out on tasks.
Elder Brother Wang Fu has returned to wait outside the military camp.”
Wang Fu?
Hmm. One brother ‘Wang Qi’ (Prosperous Rise), the other ‘Wang Fu’ (Prosperous Fortune). Quite fitting, quite fitting.
Jiang Xingyan nodded to them, signaling they should return to the separate residence and wait for her.
Wang Qi is really perceptive. Didn’t even need me to say it, he knew to bring my four seasonal maids back to me. Truly promising talent.
The slave traders, holding a thick stack of deeds of sale, left, profuse with thanks.
After all, a deal where you exchange more people for fewer and don’t have to pay the difference wasn’t something one encountered every day.
The new staff, under Wang Qi’s guidance, took up their respective duties.
The General’s manor radiated a fresh, upward-bound vitality.
Jiang Xingyan had barely glanced in Huo Ci’s direction when Yun Chunfeng intercepted her attention.
“General, the hour grows late. I have imposed for a full day and should take my leave.”
Jiang Xingyan instantly dismissed Huo Ci and hurriedly stopped Yun Chunfeng: “State Preceptor, don’t rush off! You haven’t stayed for the evening meal yet.”
Yun Chunfeng shook his head with a faint smile, his expression actually carrying a trace of dejection.
“Seeing the General’s manor so lively, with a complete household and family, I feel rather out of place. It’s better if I know my place.”
Jiang Xingyan’s face fell: “Who said the State Preceptor is out of place?
I originally wanted to invite the State Preceptor to stay overnight at the manor, but I feared disturbing your quiet cultivation and thus didn’t voice it. Instead, you’ve found fault with me for it.”
Yun Chunfeng feigned immense alarm: “How could I dare? Does the General truly not find me a bother?”
Jiang Xingyan pretended anger: “What kind of talk is that! If the State Preceptor continues being polite with me, you’re treating me as a stranger!
Look, even Little Ya is tugging on your sleeve, not letting you leave.”
Little Ya: ?
Uncle said he’d give Little Ya candy, but he’s holding it in his hand and it’s gone.
Mother, Little Ya is just looking for the candy.
Yun Chunfeng smiled wryly: “Since the General’s hospitality is so hard to refuse, I dare not decline further. I shall do as the General says.”
Jiang Xingyan breathed a sigh of relief and began pushing Yun-ge’er’s plain wheelchair towards the separate residence: “Might I ask if the State Preceptor has any dietary restrictions? I’m particularly fond of a dish called ‘Shadow Puppet Beef’. I’ll have the cook prepare it later.”
“I leave everything to the General’s arrangements.”
Huo Ci stared blankly at the retreating backs of the two, discussing as they walked away, and clenched his fists.
So I’m just that unimportant, am I? Just fetch me back and dump me here?
“I object!” he shouted indignantly, quickly stepping forward to grab Jiang Xingyan’s sleeve.
“Military affairs are busy. How can the State Preceptor be absent?
It would be better to return to the camp early to oversee matters and ponder strategies against Bei Luo.
Don’t forget your duties while wallowing in comforts!”
Yun Chunfeng gave a bitter smile, looking up apologetically at Jiang Xingyan: “It seems your honored wife does not welcome me.
I should still leave, lest I incur dislike.”
Jiang Xingyan’s face was stern as she firmly gripped the wheelchair, preventing Yun Chunfeng from moving.
“Fine. This is your home; you have the final say.
Since you can’t tolerate guests, I’ll leave too.
Attendants, summon Qiu Yan and Chun Xue to return to the military camp with me.”
Huo Ci panicked and hastily changed his tune: “N-No, husband, this humble wife merely heard in the camp that battle with Bei Luo is imminent and wanted to remind the State Preceptor, that’s all. I meant nothing else.
The General’s manor is the home of husband and I! If husband wishes to entertain a colleague, I naturally welcome it.
But I’m afraid having him stay overnight might be… inconvenient.”
As he spoke, Huo Ci’s cheeks flushed crimson.
He was deliberately trying to show Yun Chunfeng that he was the legitimate husband bound by marriage contract to A’Xing.
Yun Chunfeng was, at best, just a colleague or playmate.
Although Yun Chunfeng’s expression remained unchanged, the sudden tightening of his hand on the wheelchair didn’t escape Huo Ci’s notice.
Huo Ci took the wheelchair from Jiang Xingyan, putting on an obedient and submissive demeanor.
“Husband, shall we arrange for the State Preceptor to stay in the main courtyard or the side courtyard?”
So the separate residence isn’t even an option, is it?
Yun Chunfeng used his feather fan to hide his expression, unable to force a smile, barely containing the boiling killing intent in his heart.
He truly feared he might lose control and strike, painting the spot with Huo Ci’s blood.
Jiang Xingyan gave Huo Ci a look that words could hardly describe—he was actually starting to vie for favor and act jealous.
A great general, and this is all the ambition you have?
“Wouldn’t it be more convenient if you slept in the antechamber?”
Huo Ci couldn’t believe his ears.
The words felt like shards of blades, piercing his heart one after another.
It hurt so much!
Even breathing became painfully difficult.
“The State Preceptor will sleep in the side chamber of the separate residence, closer to me.
If urgent military news requires a return to camp tonight, it will be easier to notify him.”
Huo Ci exploded. What damn urgent military news! Unless Bei Luo marches on the capital tonight, okay!
“Husband—”
“Enough. It’s settled. Cease your noise.”
Jiang Xingyan pushed Yun Chunfeng away, gradually disappearing around the corridor corner.
She left Huo Ci standing alone, filled with both regret and dejection.
Even without Yun Chunfeng looking back, he could sense that victorious expression.
He walked dejectedly through the noticeably changed atmosphere of the General’s manor, too distracted to care about the surroundings.
How can I get A’Xing to forgive me!
Even just giving me a fair chance to compete with Yun Chunfeng would be good!