Chapter 225: The Joy of Nanny Rong

Du Ruo told Jiang Li about the old monster in detail.

As expected, Jiang Li quickly thought of that person too, "Could it be that this old monster has some connection to Mei Ruxi?"

Mei Ruxi was a eunuch.

But at the same time, he was also an out-and-out medicine man.

Because of long-term immersion in medicinal substances, his bone density and skin delicacy far exceeded those of a normal person, and his healing ability was astonishing.

Very similar to the old monster.

However, there were also differences; Mei Ruxi appeared to be a great villain and evildoer, but his methods were gentle. Even those decent women he defiled were mostly willing to have relations with him, and he had never personally killed anyone.

The old monster was the opposite; innocent and harmless on the surface, but actually vicious to the extreme.

Du Ruo suspected that the true mastermind behind the bandits might not be some bald man, but this old monster.

Otherwise, how could one explain why those ordinary refugees were able to use poison needles?

The young couple talked as they walked, and before they knew it, they had reached the foot of the mountain.

On the open ground of the encampment, the soldiers were drilling.

Seeing Jiang Li, the three leading centurions' eyes lit up simultaneously, and they excitedly surrounded him:

"Brother Jiang, you've finally returned. How was it? You didn't get hurt, did you?"

"Brother Jiang, I've heard all about it. Yugui Shan, which our thousands of men couldn't take, you went out and wiped out their nest directly. Too awesome!"

The oldest one patted Jiang Li on the shoulder and laughed heartily, "Well done, Brother Jiang! With your talent and martial arts, it's a waste to be a head constable. Why not come serve in our army? You would definitely achieve great things!"

The few of them spoke one after another, almost praising Jiang Li as the reincarnation of Erlang Shen.

Jiang Li cupped his hands toward them, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant.

"You all overpraise me. This successful bandit suppression was not my merit alone; Brother Wang and Constable Lin also contributed quite a bit."

He paused, then added, "Actually, the greatest credit goes to you, military brothers. If you hadn't scouted the path in advance, the three of us rushing in recklessly would have just been delivering our heads."

The three centurions looked at each other; none of them were fools, and they all knew it clearly.

If one were to talk about merit, naturally Jiang Li's was the greatest.

Wang Buji and Lin Ruonan had already said upon returning that they had listened to Jiang Li's command the whole way, which was why they were able to rescue all the hostages and retreat unscathed.

Jiang Li saying this was just to save face for these soldiers.

One of the centurions snorted, "Brother Jiang, don't comfort us. What scouting? It was clearly sending us to die."

"Exactly." Once someone started, the other two followed suit in complaining, "It's all the fault of that dog-shit General Renyong. He doesn't know anything, just knows how to act tough, harming so many of our brothers."

"What can we do? Who told him to be born well? His mother is the Prefect's own younger sister, and his cousin is the dignified Prince Yu. If he tells you to go die, do you dare not go..."

For a time, they got more and more worked up, each one filled with righteous indignation.

Jiang Li didn't know whether to leave or stay, so he just stood there in silence.

Du Ruo glanced behind them and began to cough forcefully.

*Cough, cough, cough-cough-cough! *

Unfortunately, it was too late.

"What are you saying? What are you all saying about me?" Shen Jing Bin walked over with his hands behind his back, his face looking ugly, "A bunch of grown men, gossiping like old women behind my back. Since you're so free, why not go to the mountaintop and help clean up the corpses?"

He glared fiercely at those centurions, "Still not going!"

The three dared to be angry but didn't dare speak, responded with grievance, and soon led their men up the mountain.

The Jiang Li couple also prepared to leave.

Shen Jing Bin called them to a halt, "Head Constable Jiang, please stay. This General still has words to say to you."

Jiang Li looked at him steadily, waiting for him to speak.

Shen Jing Bin's gaze fell on Du Ruo, who was to the side, "Men are talking business, women should avoid it. Lady Du, you might as well go back first."

Du Ruo frowned, then looked at her husband.

Jiang Li smiled, "Apologies, my wife and I have been separated for a long time and it feels like a new marriage; I really don't want her to be more than three feet away from me. General Shen, if you have anything to say, just say it directly."

Shen Jing Bin couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Just an ugly wife, and he treasures her like this? Has he never seen a real woman?

Fine, if they won't avoid it, then they won't. Anyway, Du Ruo would know sooner or later.

"It's like this: I heard that in this bandit suppression, Head Constable Jiang alone cut off nearly two hundred heads, which shows his martial arts are outstanding."

Shen Jing Bin raised his chin, his tone one of bestowing a favor, "It just so happens that I lack a powerful guard by my side. I was thinking, this head constable job of yours isn't very interesting and doesn't pay much. Why not follow me back to Fengyang Prefecture? How about it?"

This was somewhat unexpected.

Jiang Li and Du Ruo looked at each other, and Du Ruo smiled.

"Then I wonder what price General Shen intends to pay to hire my husband?" she asked curiously.

"Naturally, I won't treat Jiang Li poorly. I've inquired; for a head constable's monthly salary, I will give Jiang Li ten taels a month. How about it? That's generous enough, right?"

Du Ruo nodded, "That is indeed generous."

Ten taels of silver a month, that's over a hundred taels a year; for an ordinary farming family, it truly counts as a high salary.

But for the current Second Branch of the Jiang Family, it wasn't worth mentioning.

Just from the bets they won earlier, they had several thousand taels, not to mention the chili business about to make its debut, which was a long-term, steady income.

A mere ten taels of silver, how could Du Ruo take it to heart?

She smiled and didn't say anything more.

This kind of thing wasn't up to her; the head of the household had to speak.

Jiang Li refused quite directly, "Many thanks for General Shen's kindness, but Fengyang Prefecture is too far, and I cannot bear to be separated from my wife."

Shen Jing Bin was speechless. Could this be 'children's love, hero's short breath'?

"Fine, fine, your wife can come along too. The Commandery Princess's manor doesn't mind feeding one more person."

He thought for a moment and said, "Just let her be a managing nanny. Satisfied now?"

Du Ruo: "..."

Nanny your sister, this lady is only seventeen years old this year, okay?

Jiang Li's tone also turned cold, "I'm sorry, I have a sickly mother-in-law at home to support and young siblings to raise; I really cannot go far."

Shen Jing Bin was immediately displeased.

What does that mean? Pushing your luck, are you? Still want me to help raise your whole family, are you?

"I'm telling you, Jiang Li, everything should be done in moderation. My kindness is also limited."

Jiang Li didn't want to waste any more time with this megalomaniac, so he cupped his hands, "I am covered in blood and filth, so I will return to wash up first. Farewell."

After saying this, he called Du Ruo, and the couple walked straight toward the tents.

Shen Jing Bin's face changed, and he quickly chased after them, "Stop!"

Jiang Li paused his steps.

"Does General Shen have any other business?"

Shen Jing Bin stood in front of Jiang Li, staring at him intently, and lowered his voice, "Jiang Li, I warn you, don't think you're all-powerful just because you suppressed a few bandits. If you dare to compete with me for credit, I will definitely not spare you!"

So that was it.

The couple suddenly realized.

No wonder Shen Jing Bin suddenly wanted Jiang Li to be his guard. Jiang Li had merit in this bandit suppression, and by rights, there would be rewards from above.

Once Jiang Li was no longer a head constable in the Ya Men, but one of Shen Jing Bin's men.

Then all the credit and rewards would be counted toward Shen Jing Bin, and Jiang Li would only be an invisible person.

What a great scheme!

Jiang Li curled his lips coldly, "What is not mine, I disdain to snatch; what is mine, no one can take away. If General Shen is not convinced, feel free to bring it on."

Shen Jing Bin was furious, "You ungrateful..."

Before he could finish, he suddenly froze, his eyes staring straight ahead.

The next second, only a *thud* was heard, and Shen Jing Bin fell stiffly onto the rough ground, like a dead fish.

Du Ruo glanced around and quickly hid the anesthesia needle tube in her sleeve.

Done!

Damn it, she had long wanted to poke this self-righteous piece of trash to death.

Didn't he want her to be a managing nanny? Being a managing nanny is one thing, but the joy of Nanny Rong...

... is still something that can be experienced.

Du Ruo gave her husband a wink, and then began to act.

"Someone come! General Shen has fainted! Help!" ===== CHAPTER 226 =====