Chapter 181

Jiang Xiaomu

Jiang Xiaoyu

Xiao Yu

Empress

Capital

Golden Throne Hall

Imperial Palace

Hope Prefecture

Blade-wielding Imperial Guard

She lifted the corners of her mouth slightly.

"Jiang Aiqing," the Empress's clear voice rang out in the hall.

"You seem a bit absent-minded, don't you?"

Jiang Xiaomu's heart jolted; he quickly snapped to attention, bowed, and said, "I dare not, Your Majesty."

"Oh? Is that so?" the Empress looked at him with a half-smile.

"Then I ask you, what did the Minister of Revenue just say?"

A bead of cold sweat appeared on Jiang Xiaomu's forehead; he had been lost in thought just now—how could he remember what the Minister of Revenue said?

"Your... Your..."

He stammered, unable to get a word out for a long while.

The Empress didn't press him, waved her hand, and said:

"Never mind, I know you have something on your mind."

Jiang Xiaomu felt even more uneasy—could the Empress have noticed his dissatisfaction?

"Jiang Aiqing, do you miss your family?"

The Empress suddenly asked.

Jiang Xiaomu's heart stirred; he thought of his sister Jiang Xiaoyu, far away in Wangzhou.

Since arriving in Jingcheng, he had heard no news of his sister, and he had constantly worried about her.

He said softly, "I truly miss my younger sister."

The Empress smiled faintly and said:

"I have already sent people to bring your sister to Jingcheng; she is now settled, and you may visit her anytime."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaomu froze, his heart filled with surprise and joy.

He never expected the Empress to be so considerate of her subordinates, secretly arranging for his sister to be brought to Jingcheng.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"

He knelt excitedly on the ground, his voice trembling.

The Empress gave a light smile, handed him a slip of paper with an address written on it.

"Go, and return soon."

Jiang Xiaomu took the slip as if it were a priceless treasure, hastily thanked her and took his leave.

He ran all the way, wishing he could sprout wings to fly to his sister's side.

The address was for a small courtyard in the southern part of the city; Jiang Xiaomu arrived at the gate, took a deep breath, and gently knocked on the ring.

"Who's there?"

A clear voice came from inside the courtyard—it was his sister Jiang Xiaoyu, whom he had dreamed of day and night!

"Xiao Yu, it's me!"

Jiang Xiaomu shouted excitedly.

The courtyard gate creaked open, and a petite figure appeared in the doorway.

Seeing Jiang Xiaomu, Jiang Xiaoyu froze for a moment, then tears welled in her eyes as she flung herself into his arms, crying out:

"Brother! It's really you! I've missed you so much!"

Jiang Xiaomu held his sister tightly, his heart full of warmth.

He gently patted her back and said softly:

"Xiao Yu, be good, don't cry—brother's here now."

The brother and sister sat down in the courtyard and exchanged their innermost feelings.

Jiang Xiaoyu told Jiang Xiaomu that she had been brought here by people sent by the Empress, who had cared for her meticulously, leaving her without want for food or clothing.

"Brother, what are you doing here?"

Jiang Xiaoyu asked.

Jiang Xiaomu simply told his sister that he had become an attendant of the imperial guard.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaoyu's face showed worry.

"Brother, serving a ruler is like serving a tiger—you must be careful!"

Jiang Xiaomu smiled, patted her head, and said, "Don't worry, brother knows what he's doing."

The siblings talked until deep into the night before Jiang Xiaomu reluctantly left.

Returning to the Imperial Palace, Jiang Xiaomu lay in bed but couldn't fall asleep.

His mind was full of doubts; he felt that something was about to happen.

The next morning, Jiang Xiaomu arrived at the Golden Throne Hall full of energy, ready to begin a new day.

However, as soon as he stepped inside the hall, he sensed that the atmosphere was unusually solemn.

The Empress sat high on the dragon throne, her face grim enough to seem to drip water; in her usual dignified gaze, a touch of anxiety now appeared.

"Your Majesty, what has happened?"

Jiang Xiaomu asked cautiously, a vague sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

The Empress took a deep breath and slowly said:

"Bincheng... something has happened."

"Bincheng?"

Jiang Xiaomu's heart jolted; Bincheng was an important port city of the Great Qian Dynasty, its location extremely important.

"Could it be that sea raiders have invaded?"

"More troublesome than sea raiders."

The Empress rubbed her forehead, her tone weary.

"Rebellion. The city's garrison has been turned, and now almost the whole city has fallen into rebel hands."

"What?!" Jiang Xiaomu stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

"How is this possible? General Li, the defender of Bincheng, has always been loyal; how could he..."

"I also want to know why." The Empress's tone full of helplessness.

"But now is not the time to assign blame; the urgent task is to send troops to suppress the rebellion and retake Bincheng."

Jiang Xiaomu immediately clasped his hands and said:

"We can dispatch troops to quell the rebellion!"

The Empress, however, shook her head and sighed:

"How could I not know?"

"But... there are few usable generals left in the Imperial Court, and the northern border war is pressing."

"General Zhao and General Wang are tied down, and the southern border has also broken out with plague."

"We need the experienced General Sun to hold the fort; as for the other generals..."

The Empress did not continue, but Jiang Xiaomu already understood her meaning.

The remaining generals are either mediocre and incompetent or harbor ulterior motives, and cannot be entrusted with important tasks.

"Must we... just watch helplessly as Bincheng falls?"

Jiang Xiaomu felt extremely anxious.

The Empress fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked:

"Jiang Ai Qing, how much do you know about the situation in Bincheng?"

Jiang Xiaomu pondered briefly, then replied:

"I know a little about Bincheng; its terrain is complex, easy to defend but hard to attack."

"Moreover, the city has many civilians; a forced assault would likely cause heavy casualties."

"Exactly." The Empress nodded.

"Therefore, I need someone who is both brave and wise, and familiar with the local situation, to handle this."

Jiang Xiaomu's heart stirred; could it be...

"Jiang Ai Qing," the Empress's gaze fell upon Jiang Xiaomu, filled with expectation.

"Are you willing to make a trip to Bincheng for me?"

Jiang Xiaomu knelt again without hesitation and spoke loudly:

"I would not shirk even ten thousand deaths!"

Finally, a relieved smile appeared on the Empress's face.

"Good! I knew you would not disappoint me! Tomorrow morning, you will set out for Bincheng; you have full discretion."

"I obey the decree!"

Jiang Xiaomu's heart surged with excitement; this was not only a challenge but also an opportunity.

If he could successfully quell the Bincheng rebellion, he would not only render great service to the Great Qian Dynasty, but also further strengthen his standing in the Empress's heart.