Chapter 303: Sun Jingrong

"Stop! Everyone stop!"

Kong Zhangyu ran over, panting, and slapped Steward Jia across the face the moment he reached him!

"Who gave you permission to be disrespectful to the Young Xie Xie Niangzi?"

Steward Jia took the blow without a sound, immediately lowering his head and cupping his hands.

Kong Zhangyu, appearing "furious," ordered: "Take Jia Quan back to the Wang Fu and give him twenty lashes!"

Two guards stepped forward, taking Jia Quan away one on each side. Kong Zhangyu then shifted to a respectful expression and bowed toward the ox cart:

"Today's incident was entirely due to my lax supervision, which led to a subordinate acting without decorum and offending the Young Xie Xie Niangzi's carriage. My guilt is immense. I am filled with trepidation. Upon returning to the manor, I shall immediately report this to the Prince, severely punish this wretch, and request my own reprimand. I hope the Young Xie Xie Niangzi will calm her anger..."

Xie Xinghan said coldly: "That is your affair. Return to the manor."

Kong Zhangyu had not expected that even under these circumstances, Xie Xinghan would not deign to exchange a few polite words with him. As expected of the Chen Jun Xie clan, their airs were truly grand... Of course, she was also too young, unable to see the situation clearly, and ignorant of the times. He immediately said:

"The Prince has extended a sincere invitation, why must the Young Xie Xie Niangzi—"

"If there is sincerity, send a formal invitation."

Xie Xinghan spoke no more and picked up her book to read again. Xiao Ning shook the bell, the cart curtain fell, the axle creaked, and surrounded by the Xie family guards, the ox cart set off directly.

Kong Zhangyu narrowed his eyes and waved his hand. The Wang Fu guards retreated, and he himself stood to the side to yield the path to the ox cart. As the cart passed by him, Kong Zhangyu cupped his hands and said:

"Respectfully sending off the Young Xie Xie Niangzi. An invitation will be presented shortly; I hope the Young Xie Xie Niangzi will not decline."

After speaking, he immediately said in a casual tone:

"Come, escort the Young Xie Xie Niangzi's carriage back to the manor."

The Wang Fu guards swarmed out to "escort" the Xie family caravan.

Xiao Ning glanced out the window and felt something was wrong:

"Madam, how dare they..."

Xie Xinghan put down her book, feeling a chill on her body:

"Xiao Ning, we may not be able to go to Yong'an."

"Ah..."

Xiao Ning was filled with trepidation. From her mistress's expression, she realized something had happened—a very serious matter!

"But fortunately..."

Xie Xinghan's delicate brows relaxed slightly, as if a frozen lake were rippling with a glimmer of light under the sun.

Xiao Ning was immediately encouraged and hurriedly asked: "Fortunately what?"

Xie Xinghan did not speak. From the actions and attitudes of Steward Jia and Kong Zhangyu, she had already guessed a few things. In this situation, she still chose to be firm because, in this isolated city, her status was her most important bargaining chip! To show weakness now would be to lower her own status; not only would it fail to settle the matter, but it might invite more covetousness and contempt.

Her father had said that if an eagle is injured and cannot fly for a time, it must spread its wings even wider and put on a show of readiness to fight. Only then can it deter wild dogs and keep them from easily stepping forward to tear at it. Those who belittle themselves are belittled by others; those who value themselves are valued by others. Therefore, she had to be firm with Kong, Jia, and the others—not just firm, but firmer than usual.

However, her father had also said that going too far is as bad as not going far enough; extreme rigidity is easily broken. Firmness must have its limits and one must assess the situation. Refusing a proud slave before the cart was a matter of self-respect, but if she refused to go after the Prince of Badong's invitation arrived, that would be cutting herself off from the times. No matter how high her family status, she could argue for reason, but she could not go against the tide. This final step would eventually have to be taken. Otherwise, it would not be deterring wild dogs, but provoking a tiger's might.

Although she had to go, Xie Xinghan did not feel there would be any danger. Even in the worst-case scenario—that the Prince of Badong wanted to rebel—there was no need to do anything to her; at most, she would be held as a hostage. Although her reason told her not to be afraid, she was still somewhat afraid.

But fortunately, he did not return to Jingzhou...

Xie Xinghan could not help but feel a bit fortunate that Wang Yang had not returned. Although Wang Yang was of the Langya Wang clan, his family background was not prominent. Most importantly, he was a man of the Eastern Palace. Coming to Jingzhou, he was likely targeting the Prince of Badong. If the Prince of Badong really rebelled, he would certainly not let him go!

Fortunately, fortunately...

Little Xie quietly breathed a sigh of relief...

Let's go, the further away, the better...

"Sister! I've run to all the places you told me to, phew! Nothing happened, don't worry! Give me some tea! Oh my, it's already cooled! Sister is still the most thoughtful!"

Inside the Le residence, Xie Xie Niangzi Le's cousin, Sun Yan, an assistant official at the Prefecture Office, stormed in, sat down, and drank from a large tea bowl like an ox.

Xie Xie Niangzi Le said to the maids: "You all go down."

"Sister, let's spend the Double Ninth Festival at our mountain villa this year. I had the garden tidied up last month, specifically following the 'Autumn Mountain Banquet Painting' you drew last year. I cleared a large chrysanthemum plot on the east slope. The farm manager came to report a few days ago that now—"

Seeing that the servants had already exited, Xie Xie Niangzi Le interrupted: "Talk about the main business first."

"Actually, there's nothing much. I've asked around. It really is the barbarians. They appeared fifteen miles outside the city, and it seems they even hit a guard post. Now they don't know where they're hiding, and they're searching for them. The Commandery troops have also gone to search. As long as safety is ensured, the city gates will be opened. I estimate it'll be just these few days. These barbarians have real guts. After robbing people, they robbed the diplomatic mission. They just quieted down a few days ago, and now they've actually run to the edge of Jiangling. Isn't this courting death?! And those garrison troops, what are they eating? How did they let them in..."

"You said the Commandery troops went to search, which Commandery troops?" Xie Xie Niangzi Le asked.

"The Commandery troops in the city, of course."

"The Nan Commandery troops?"

"Yes."

"So which unit is responsible for patrolling the city now?"

"Uh... I'm not sure."

Xie Xie Niangzi Le frowned: "Didn't I tell you to go look?"

Sun Yan hurriedly said: "I went, I really did! But they're managing things strictly now. I couldn't get into the camp office or the Commandery office. The officers I'm familiar with aren't there either; I guess they led the Commandery troops out of the city. Oh, and the Sima's office, I really didn't go there, because I met the Yin family's fifth son on the road. He said his father and Sima Xi went to the Wang Fu together, along with Jiang Yu, Zhou Yan, Yin Tancan, and the others. The upper echelons of the Prefecture and Office, and the heads of each bureau basically all went. The Prince has always been lazy about seeing subordinates, but this time he's gathering the civil and military officials. It seems he's been angered by the barbarians and wants to do something big... If we're going to fight this time, it'll definitely be a big fight! I guess they're preparing first, and once the Imperial Court's decree arrives, the main army will set out. I hope it doesn't ruin the Double Ninth banquet... Sister, hurry and let Gao come back. If they really use troops against the Yongning barbarians, Yongning Commandery will be the front line—"

Xie Xie Niangzi Le steadied her mind and cut off her cousin's words: "What about the treasury? How is the treasury?"

"I went to the treasury and granaries, but like I said, they're managing things strictly now, I couldn't get close, but it didn't look like there was anything unusual..."

Xie Xie Niangzi Le pondered silently. A moment later, she continued to ask: "You didn't see Yu Qianlou?"

Xie Xie Niangzi Le actually wanted her cousin to see Yu Yi, but with Yu Yi's temperament, her cousin would absolutely not be able to see him. Even if her own husband went, Yu Yi might not see him. So she settled for the next best thing and had him see the eldest son of the Yu family.

Sun Yan said in surprise: "I didn't see him, Sister, how did you know?"

"Did you enter the Yu residence?"

"I didn't go in. The whole alley where they live is sealed off, with soldiers guarding it. I asked where they were from, and they wouldn't answer, but they definitely aren't Commandery troops, nor are they from the Prohibition or City Bureau..."

"How do you know?"

"Otherwise they wouldn't dare talk to me like that! The leader is very arrogant, doesn't give anyone face. A little soldier (a derogatory term) actually dared to rebel against me. If it weren't for you giving me instructions, Sister, I would have whipped him already! It's fine, wait until the Commandery troops return to the city, and you'll see if I don't deal with him..."

Sun Yan was getting angry as he spoke, while Xie Xie Niangzi Le's expression became colder and more solemn. She slapped the table, and Sun Yan immediately fell silent.

"Are the things I told you to prepare ready?"

"They're ready, but Sister, what exactly are you..."

Xie Xie Niangzi Le stood up:

"You go home immediately, notify every household, close the doors and lock them. The manor must be strictly secured, increase patrols, guard against the night, and do not be negligent. The water jars and sandbags under the corridors must be doubled to prevent fire..."

Sun Yan was greatly astonished:

"Sister, what are you doing? Don't worry, the barbarians can't break in, I guarantee it! They aren't good at attacking cities, even if they luckily win one or two battles, they can't amount to anything—"

Xie Xie Niangzi Le's gaze did not look at Sun Yan, but toward the window, murmuring:

"I'm afraid the chaos in Jingzhou is not from without, but from within..."

Sun Yan became even more confused: "From within? How from within? Could it be there are barbarian spies in the city?"

"Nan Commandery is both the Commandery seat and the Prefecture seat (the county office of Jiangling County, the Commandery office of Nan Commandery, and the Prefecture office of Jingzhou are all combined in one city, so at that time this city was called Nan Commandery City, also called Jiangling City, and also called Jingzhou City). The Commandery troops patrol the streets and alleys, investigate illegal acts, arrest thieves, and keep the neighborhoods peaceful. Their duties are only within the Commandery seat, not like the Commandery troops of other commanderies who manage the defense of the entire commandery and also have the responsibility of field combat and suppression. Now that only a small group of barbarian bandits has appeared ten miles outside the city, why is it worth mobilizing the Commandery troops out of the city? Even if they were to increase manpower for a search, they should mobilize county laborers and garrison troops, not mobilize the Commandery troops."

Sun Yan had never understood military matters and didn't care about them. He didn't know that the duties of the Commandery troops had such a saying. However, his cousin had always known more, so what she said shouldn't be wrong, but...

"Sister, why did you say it was a small group of barbarian bandits? Did you hear some news?"

"I didn't hear anything. At a time like this, even if I heard it, it might not be credible. But if it were a large group of barbarian soldiers, how could they approach Jiangling without anyone knowing? And how could they only hit one guard post?"

"This... perhaps to stabilize people's hearts, they suppressed the news and deliberately downplayed it?"

"Why are there soldiers guarding outside the Yu residence? The Nan Commandery troops aren't there, so where did the soldiers come from?"

"Perhaps borrowed from some military bureau? Maybe sealing the alley is for some other matter?"

"Do you know why they mobilized the Commandery troops out? Why didn't they leave a team of Commandery troops to seal the alley?"

Sun Yan shook his head blankly.

"Because the Nan Commandery troops are all locals. They have always feared the noble clans, and the officers are mostly subordinates of the noble families. They are not only connected in spirit but even linked in interests. So last time when the students went on strike, Liu Yin sent the Commandery troops to suppress them, but when they encountered Yu Yi and the others blocking the road with their carts, they didn't even need to get off their carts, and the Commandery troops didn't dare to move. So mobilizing the Commandery troops and replacing them with outside troops—what they are guarding against might not be the barbarians, but the noble clans."

"Guarding against the noble clans? Who would guard against..."

Sun Yan stood up halfway through his sentence. A horrifying thought entered his mind, making his hair stand on end instantly!

If... if there were no barbarian soldiers at all???

"It's it's it's it's it's re re re—"

Sun Yan's face changed in fear, and his whole body trembled.

"Don't talk nonsense, things aren't clear yet. You go home immediately, do as I say, and don't go out these few days—"

"But but but if it really is re... what's the use of guarding the house? No matter how many guards there are, they can't withstand an army!" Sun Yan was about to cry!

"What you have to withstand is not the army, but once the city falls into chaos, there may be chaotic soldiers and evil bandits setting fires and looting. You also have to guard against the inside of the house, servants taking advantage of the chaos to cause trouble and steal property."

Sun Yan's mind was in chaos, his soul was gone.

Xie Xie Niangzi Le gave a cold shout:

"Sun Chao Sect! You are the eldest grandson of the Sun family's main branch. The safety of the whole family is tied to you! Even if you are afraid, you must grit your teeth and stand straight! Get home immediately and hold the door for me!"

Sun Yan subconsciously wanted to straighten his back, but the immense fear seemed to have drained all his strength. Not only did he not stand straight, but his shoulders slumped even more, and he said with a crying tone:

"Sister, I really can't... I I can't hold it..."

Xie Xie Niangzi Le's tone softened, and the previous coldness quickly turned into a gentle tolerance, carrying a reassuring power, she said firmly:

"It's okay, I'm still here. As long as you do as I say, I guarantee the Le and Sun families will be safe."

Sun Yan felt a warmth in his heart, his soul settled, as if he had found a backbone, and he immediately bowed to show his loyalty!

"I will listen to everything Sister says! The whole Sun family, only follows Sister's orders, and looks to you for guidance!"

"Go."

Sun Yan clenched his fists and went out. After walking a few steps, he suddenly remembered something and exclaimed: "What about Brother-in-law?!"

Sun Jingrong's gaze was calm, and she asked back: "A husband from the Taiyuan Sun clan, a direct son of the Yuyang Le clan, what could happen to him?"

——————

Note: Actually, there are readers being deceived by pirated copies again! But this time it's upgraded. The cover is an AI-generated image with copy paper added. I'm speechless. Before the physical book is on the market, whatever is online, whether it's the design or the printed copy, is fake. Due to scheduling reasons, the release has been moved to early September. I will tell everyone when it's out. If I haven't told you, it means it's not on the market yet. I've said this before, why are people still being fooled? Didn't you notice that the publisher on the pirated cover doesn't exist? Before the release date and channels are announced, if anyone is fooled again, I will!!!

Just comfort the little fool who was fooled, otherwise what else can I do...

I've been a bit busy these few days, perhaps the updates will be unstable? But it's not certain... Of course, even if it's really unstable, it's only a delay of one day... ===== CHAPTER 304 =====