The junior officers, seeing their general’s expression suddenly change, all crowded around, ready to see what the message said.
Jiang Xingyan crumpled the letter in her hand, her expression darkening. “All junior officers, return to your posts!”
“Yes, General!”
Only when the tent was left with just Yun Chunfeng and Huo Ci did she unfold the letter again.
The two of them moved to her side, one on the left and one on the right, and looked at it together.
Huo Ci: !
Yun Chunfeng: !
Jiang Xingyan rapidly sifted through her memories of the people and events she’d encountered since her rebirth.
To be familiar with both her and Huo Ci, and to possess such martial arts skill that even Xin Zhui couldn’t catch them…
The answer was already on the tip of her tongue.
“Ah Yan, is it the Second Prince?”
“Miss, it’s the Second Prince.”
Yun Chunfeng gently fanned himself with his feather fan, patting the drowsy Xiao Ya, who was full and sleepy.
Huo Ci looked up at Jiang Xingyan with pitiful, pleading eyes, like a big dog that had done something right and was hoping for praise.
Jiang Xingyan ignored him completely, locking eyes with Yun Chunfeng instead. Her gaze was appreciative and affectionate. “Brother Yun is really smart.”
Huo Ci: ?
Ah Yan, please, just treat me like a human!
I’m begging you, wuwuwu.
“Today, the moment the Second Prince saw your body, Miss, his eyes held the look of an old friend reuniting, mixed with the relief of a long-held wish coming true. His mind is meticulous. Having navigated the palace for so many years, he’s adept at reading people. I think he already suspected something was different about you back in Qingzhou and has been planning ever since.”
Jiang Xingyan rubbed her chin. “You’re right. Back then, I was severely injured and unconscious. He and Xin Zhui were the ones taking care of me. With his personality, seeing that I didn’t have a single wound on me must have definitely made him suspicious.”
She examined the letter again, but there was only that one cryptic sentence.
“He’s got leverage on me, yet he’s not using it to threaten me. Could it be that he just wants to scare me?”
Jiang Xingyan tossed the letter onto the table dismissively.
Even if she told someone outright, they wouldn’t believe it. The matter of switching souls was simply too outlandish.
Yun Chunfeng, however, breathed a huge sigh of relief.
What the Miss despised most was people scheming against her.
No matter what Xiao Zhenhuai was trying to do, he’d miscalculated. Did he think exposing the secret of the soul swap would give him power over the Miss?
How naive!
If the Miss hadn’t stopped him, he would have taught that man a lesson long ago. But considering the man was practically at death’s door anyway, he’d let it slide for now.
Huo Ci frowned, raising an objection. “I never really dealt with the Second Prince back in court, how could he have figured it out? Even if he’s incredibly observant and thought I wasn’t acting like myself, he should have had suspicions, like Xin Zhui. How could he be so certain it’s Ah Yan?”
“Who’s talking bad about me?” Xin Zhui lifted the tent flap and walked in.
He thought it was those junior officers gossiping again. To his surprise, it was the general himself. His face flushed bright red.
“What are you all talking about?”
Jiang Xingyan tilted her chin towards the crumpled letter on the table. “Read it yourself.”
Xin Zhui was both surprised and delighted, pointing at himself. “I… I really can?”
Did this mean Ah Xing considered him one of her own?
Jiang Xingyan shot him a look.
If there was one obvious flaw, it was him. Going on about “Ah Xing” or “General’s wife” all day, practically announcing to the world that she was someone else in a swapped body.
Xin Zhui was feeling pleased when his eyes landed on the letter’s contents. It hit him like a thunderbolt, leaving him frozen in place.
Huo Ci couldn’t bear to watch. Was this still his capable deputy, Xin Zhui? He looked like a complete fool.
“Alright, we’ll deal with things as they come. Since he hasn’t made any demands, we absolutely cannot lose our composure. From now on, in public or private, you will address me exactly as you address your general. Anyone who disobeys will face military justice.”
Xin Zhui, looking as dejected as a defeated sparrow, mumbled in agreement. “Yes, General.”
“Take this and burn it completely. Then come back so we can discuss whether the Iron Pagodas can be used by our Western Zhou to launch a surprise attack on Northern Luo.”
Xin Zhui’s head shot up, staring at Jiang Xingyan in astonishment. “I… I can be part of that too?”
Although Jiang Xingyan was extremely reluctant to admit it, this kid did have some quick wit. Back in Qingzhou, if it weren’t for him, she’d have drunk the Mengpo soup and been reincarnated by now.
“Go on, hurry!”
“Yes, yes! I’ll bring all the maps too!”
Watching Xin Zhui’s bouncing, excited retreat, Huo Ci gritted his teeth in frustration. Turning back, he had to face Yun Chunfeng’s sarcastic gaze. He was caught in the middle.
Huo Ci: Life is so hard!
“General Huo, the envoy from Great Xia will arrive in half an hour. His Majesty commands all civil and military officials to proceed to Guangyang Gate to welcome them. The palace banquet tonight allows for family members to attend. The General’s wife can wait in Weiyang Palace beforehand.”
Huo Ci was about to eagerly agree when Jiang Xingyan spoke first, her voice firm. “General Huo has already divorced his wife. It would be inappropriate for her to enter the palace again.”
Su Sheng was shocked.
They really divorced? That couldn’t be right; that wasn’t what was said before. But he was in a hurry to report back and didn’t dare speculate further. He left hastily.
With Qiu Yan and Chun Xue’s help, Jiang Xingyan slowly donned her most magnificent suit of Mysterious Iron Bright Light Armor.
Her posture was tall and commanding, her face as beautiful as jade, her bearing both striking and captivating in a uniquely contradictory way.
“Brother Yun, hold Xiao Ya and go straight to Weiyang Palace to wait for me. Xin Zhui, go straighten your attire again.”
Jiang Xing Yan’s mind was already strategizing how she would engage with Shangguan Luoyue that night. She didn’t notice Huo Ci’s dejected expression beside her.
“Ah Yan, weren’t we all supposed to eat, live, and go everywhere together?”
Jiang Xing Yan reluctantly spared him a moment of attention, looking at him seriously. “Alright then. But whose family are you considered now? Maybe you should just stand right in front of Shangguan Luoyue and let her know to seize this perfect chance to get rid of you once and for all.”
Huo Ci’s heart ached. He lowered his head, fighting back tears.
Now even Xin Zhui could stand openly by her side. Everyone except him. When clearly he was the one who deserved it most.
Jiang Xing Yan picked up the divorce papers. Tonight, at the banquet, she would finally make their divorce public!
Perhaps, the more people who knew, the better the chance they might be able to switch back.