Chapter 197: Piao Qi Jiangjun

After Yun Sui Feng fell that year, the Dingyuan Army was almost a name in name only. Three years later, the then‑renowned officer Meng Yuan succeeded him, and His Majesty appointed him Piao Qi Jiangjun, stationed at the eastern border of the northern frontier.

Although Meng Yuan was not as god‑like in command as Yun Sui Feng, he could still be called a generation‑defining Grand General, with brilliant battle achievements.

His daughter Meng Qian, innately clever and strong in martial skill, became famous in her youth and was praised as the future Yun Sui Feng, with great expectations placed upon her.

However, Meng Yuan and his daughter have been stationed in the north these years, returning to Xiliang City only when duty reports require it.

On this day, the north gate of Xiliang City was thrown open, the majestic troops returned to the capital in formation, drawing countless townsfolk to watch.

Ye Residence, Mudan Yuan

"Huanhuan, I'm back!"

From outside the gate came a clear yet excited voice; upon hearing it, Ye Huanhuan's eyes flashed, and a strange curve lifted at the corner of her mouth.

"When we see her later, did you remember exactly what to say?"

The maid nodded: "Miss, rest assured, I remember every word without error."

As the words fell, a slender, upright figure pushed the door open and entered.

The person appeared dashing, eyes bright as lamps, a face not the pale of a daughter's mother but a healthy wheat‑colored hue. Wearing a quiver‑style coat and black boots, his stature was like a pine, and the cloak on his back added to his cool, handsome look.

"Qianqian, you're back!"

Sitting on the bed embroidering women's silk work, Ye Huanhuan lifted her eyelids, and a trace of excitement surfaced on her pallid face.

When Meng Qian saw Ye Huanhuan's face, her expression froze, "What's wrong with you? Why is your complexion so pale?"

Ye Huanhuan hurriedly lowered her head and, a bit flustered, replied, "Nothing, nothing at all!"

"What exactly is going on? Huanhuan, we've been close sisters for years; what else are you hiding from me?"

The maid beside them flashed a glance and replied, "Miss Meng, my lady's condition is all because of Ye Qingran!"

"Ye Qingran?" Upon hearing the name, Meng Qian's brows knit, clearly showing she held no goodwill toward her.

She is the general's daughter, and the person she has ever most respected is not her own father, the Grand General of the Cavalry, but the former Female War God Yun Sui Feng, General Yun.

Her lifelong dream is to become a Female War God like her.

But what she never expected was that such a prodigiously talented and stunning female general would give birth to a worthless daughter like Ye Qingran.

She lacks a Spiritual Root, so she cannot cultivate, and on top of that she is restless, secretly conceiving a child with a Wild Man at a young age, utterly disgracing the face of the person she most respects.

Therefore, the person Meng Qian despises most in her life is Ye Qingran.

"What did she do?"

"Nothing, Qianqian, it doesn't concern sister; sister didn't do it on purpose…"

The phrase "didn't do it on purpose" inevitably provokes speculation.

"Speak!" Seeing Ye Huanhuan unwilling to speak, Meng Qian pointed at her maid and ordered.

"Miss Meng, during the time you were away, Ye Qingran was utterly unrestrained, flaunting that she is the daughter of General Dingyuan, bullying Miss Two and Miss Three at will, even forcing the lord to sever his paternal relationship with her, publicly humiliating the lady. That was not all; she publicly dismissed Crown Prince, and knowing that Miss intended to marry the Crown Prince after the Mid‑Autumn Festival, she deliberately enticed the Crown Prince... Moreover, Commander Zhou of the Old Dingyuan Units and his soldiers, seeing my lady's excellence, repeatedly recommended my lady as the new commander of the Old Dingyuan Units, and in a fit of anger Ye Qingran crippled one of Commander Zhou's arms."

Regarding what the maid said, Ye Huanhuan was very satisfied. Given Meng Qian's level of disgust toward Ye Qingran, she would unquestionably believe these words. Even if they were exposed someday, since she didn't utter them herself, she would claim the maid was over‑protective of her mistress, adding embellishments, thereby shifting all responsibility cleanly away from herself.

She and Meng Qian get along well, but that's because she has deliberately cultivated the relationship over these years. Meng Qian is straightforward; due to a strict upbringing, she has few friends, so she takes the initiative, becoming one of Meng Qian's few friends. She does this solely because Meng Qian's status holds great utilitarian value for her.

Ye Qingran dealt with Zhou Meng and gained the Dingyuan Army's trust; she was worried there was no chance to confront her, and now the Grand General of the Cavalry is returning to the capital, which for her cannot be said not to be a good opportunity.

Doesn't Ye Qingran think she's strong in martial force? Didn't she prove herself in the Old Dingyuan Units? Then she'll use Meng Qian against her, making the two clash like snipe and clam, while she reaps the benefit as the fisherman on the shore!

It must be said, Ye Huanhuan's calculations are very loud.

Grand General of the Cavalry Meng Yuan, now a personally appointed Protector of the Nation by His Majesty, is the top among current military officials, holding high rank and great authority. As Meng Qian is his legitimate offspring, her status is naturally exceedingly noble, and coupled with her own excellence, her standing in Xiliang City is almost proudly unrivaled.

"This Ye Qingran, truly a different person after three days, worthy of a fresh look!" Meng Qian clenched her fist, laughing in anger at those words.

"Huanhuan, wait, I will avenge you!"

Meng Qian said this and strode out of Mudan Yuan, inquired, learned that Ye Qingran was out playing with two children, and immediately sneered.

She knew of Ye Qingran's past premarital pregnancy, and was surprised she actually gave birth and brazenly took the children outside—was she not ashamed enough?

A fierce blaze of anger burned in Meng Qian's chest, crying out for the great hero she idolized. General Yun, the Female War God, met a short, beautiful life, dedicating it to the nation—what did he receive in return?

"Ye Qingran, this time I won't teach you to be a person; from now on... I won't bear the Meng name!"

Meng Qian bit her back molar, and the words seemed forced out between her teeth.

On the main street, Ye Qingran walked with two children, followed by Han Xing Leng Yue. Ye Qingran cradled the deeply sleeping Xiao Bai, while the noble, aloof Mysterious Moon Silver Wolf trailed behind, like a valiant Guardian Beast.

Such a grouping, in the eyes of passing pedestrians, seemed already commonplace.

Nevertheless, each time they saw it, they couldn't help turning their heads countless times.

There is no other reason; this combination is too unique, and its looks are too striking!

Ye Qingran needs no introduction; the title of Xiliang Cheng First Beauty is well earned, and those two children inherited the National Master's handsome looks and noble temperament, surely bewildering countless women. Though Han Xing Leng Yue is not as breathtakingly beautiful as Ye Qingran, she is still a rare beauty.

Xiao Bai is cute and plump, pink and bouncy; the little silver is noble and aloof, radiating a strong aura.

Walking down the street, the effect is no different from causing a scene.

Oh, I forgot, there's also that little sparrow Xiao Huihui, which besides being gray and ugly has no other distinguishing features...

"Tsk tsk tsk, Ye Qingran is so beautiful! Her temperament is just too good, right?"

"The National Master's two sons are also so cute! Especially the one eating candied hawthorn sticks, I want to take him home and hide him, ying ying ying~"

"What kind of divine pairing is this?"

……

On the broad Xuanwu Street, due to the powerful influence of this grouping, countless people either stopped or glanced back repeatedly, causing severe traffic congestion.

"Miss Ye, you're out playing with the children again?"

Even some bold individuals, familiarly greeted Ye Qingran.

Ye Qingran showed a friendly smile, "Yes, the children kept nagging to go out, so I took them for a walk."

Seeing Ye Qingran so easy‑going, others couldn't help laughing, "Miss Ye, the National Master's two children are so close to you; those who don't know would think they were your own!"

"Indeed, children are the most sensitive; Miss Ye must be a good person, otherwise they wouldn't be so attached to you."

"From now on, when Miss Ye gets married over there, we'll become one family!"

……

Watching the topic gradually go off track, Ye Qingran couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth.

Marry into Guoshi Fu?

Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.

Oh right, ever since I had Wuhen help with the acting, I haven't had a chance to put it into practice; tomorrow I must definitely invite Wuhen out, stage a scene, flaunt some affection, and make the National Master eventually give up that resolve!

Ye Qingran thought this, and suddenly a figure appeared before her, blocking her way.