Chapter 113: Returning to the Capital, a Bowl of Hot Noodle Soup

"Wang Han, Fang Yun Dong, these two manors are now entrusted to you."

"After a moment's thought, she looked at the tall, burly person and said, 'I don't mind you watching out for each other.'"

'"But I hope you remember, you are people of the Regent Prince's Manor; outwardly you need fear no one, inwardly I want your loyalty."'

"She bit down hard on the two words 'loyalty'."

"In an instant, Wang Han and Fang Yun Dong knelt down, saying, 'We would not refuse even ten thousand deaths.'"

"Jiang Yun Chu said nothing, turned and got onto the carriage; later she did not open the curtain, but her indifferent voice, with a hint of coldness, said, 'I don't trust promises; let the future prove it.'"

"The carriage went far away; after a long while, the two exchanged a glance before standing up."

"Wang Han watched the departing carriage, already out of sight, yet still gazing into the distance."

'"General, won't you recognize me?" Fang Yun Dong looked at Wang Han, not…'

"Looking at Ning Chengyan."

"That's right, Wang Han, that's Ning Chengyan, the Regent Prince who disappeared for several years, the ever‑victorious general of Da Ning who never loses a battle."

'"Not yet the time."'

"Revealing their identities now would only bring them danger; many matters remain unclear, and he hasn't yet figured out how many people were involved in the past events."

"Fang Yun Dong said nothing, merely asking helplessly, 'Then I'll go to that manor.'"

'"Hmm…"'

"Ning Chengyan nodded, saying, 'Pull out all the nails in that manor.'"

'"From now on, if there's any stir at the manor, besides reporting to me, report immediately to the manor."'

'"General, do you like the Princess Consort?" Fang Yun Dong, having thought of something, smirked and edged closer to the general.'

'"Otherwise, why would you care so much for the Princess Consort?"'

'"I never thought of sending a report of this situation to the manor before."'

"Ning Chengyan smiled, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes; if Jiang Yun Chu saw it, she would notice that his aura had completely changed, exuding a decisive, lethal resolve—one that would not regret dying on the battlefield."

'"She is very smart, also a person worthy of trust; if…"'

'"Then the manor would truly be entrusted to her."'

"But thinking of her somewhat pale lips, he let out a soft sigh—his Princess Consort is a little frail."

"On the return journey, the twelve children were split between two carriages; the carriages were insufficient, so people from the manor were sent ahead to the relay station to purchase more."

'"Big brother, I feel like I'm dreaming," the second brother said, grabbing the eldest's sleeve, his face full of excitement.'

"The eldest looked at the children and said, 'If we go to the battlefield we might die, but we cannot be deserters.'"

'"We can flee to save our lives in times of disaster, but not on the battlefield."'

'"We were rescued one by one by those soldiers; our lives were bought with theirs, so from now on we will take their place on the battlefield."'

"This child is precocious and has always protected the younger ones, forming a habit of being the older brother."

"The Princess Consort's eye cannot tolerate a speck of sand."

"These people can survive only by relying on the manor, relying on the Princess Consort."

"The Princess Consort is the master; they are the servants."

"The Princess Consort's orders are what they must do."

'"Big brother, we understand," the third brother nodded; the younger ones were still a bit confused, but the older few had grasped the meaning of the indenture contract.'

"Here, Jiang Yun Chu leaned against the carriage's backrest, holding her waist, feeling the jolting ride, somewhat helpless."

'"Princess Consort, there's a relay station ahead; should we rest?" the shadow outside called.'

'"Replenish dry rations, change horses, keep going," Jiang Yun Chu's voice said flatly.'

'"Yes." The shadow hurriedly replied.'

"This is already the third day; the stomach pain hasn't eased, if anything it's intensified, and even her waist feels like it might break."

'"Princess Consort, your health," Jiang Er approached, seeing Jiang Yun Chu's pallid face, and anxiously asked.'

"Jiang Yun Chu smiled, saying, 'I'm fine; I'll be better in two days.'"

'"Are you getting used to riding in the carriage?" she asked gently.'

"While changing horses, no one could sit inside the carriage, so everyone got out."

'"Mm-hmm, I've never ridden in a carriage," Jiang Er's face showed some excitement; from childhood she had never ridden a carriage, only the village donkey cart, and she had always watched others ride with envy.'

"Jiang Yun Chu looked at her excited expression, which was unlike the old‑fashioned air she had at the manor."

"She said nothing; from now on, Jiang Er will walk the rest of the way on her own."

'"Princess Consort, the carriages have been changed, the water skins are full, and the dry rations have been bought," the shadow reported upon returning.'

"Jiang Yun Chu nodded, glanced at the sun overhead, and estimated the time."

'"Let's press on; we'll rest outside Jingdu at midnight, then when the city gates open we'll head straight to the manor." Jiang Yun Chu added, "Remember to remind me to buy more candied haws."'

"As she left, she promised Ning Hanmo and Yue Yue."

"On the way back, she will definitely bring them candied haws."

"The journey went smoothly, except for her waist feeling like it might break and occasional stomach pain; otherwise she hadn't encountered anyone annoying enough to make her unwilling to kill."

'"I'll get out and walk a bit."'

"Just as they entered the capital city, Jiang Yun Chu spoke up."

"Looking at the street, people came and went; some had already set up vegetable stalls and stands early in the morning, especially the noodle stalls, which were now packed with customers."

'"Miss, what would you like to eat?" seeing Jiang Yun Chu approach, an old woman smiled and asked.'

"They entered through the North City gate in order to buy candied haws."

"If they had entered through the East City gate, there would be no one selling candied haws there."

'"Old lady, is there anyone selling candied haws nearby? I'm in a hurry to buy some," Jiang Yun Chu asked with a giggle, her whole body feeling weak, her face pallid, looking rather frail.'

Hey, miss, you finally asked the right person. Over there, that household—did you see it? It's called Zhang Lao San; his family's skill at making candied haws is superb. We neighbors, whenever a kid gets a craving, we go buy from him.

But his legs are bad, he doesn't go out to peddle; only we neighbors know, and when we go over, he'll make them for us. The aunt enthusiastically introduced it all.

These are all neighbors; Zhang Lao San's life isn't easy either—he limps on one leg, can't go out to peddle, so he hopes these neighbors will exchange a bit of grain for his candied haws.

Otherwise, how would he get by?

Okay, thank you, aunt, give me twenty bowls of noodle soup.

How much? The aunt thought she had misheard; a young lady from a respectable family, just now saying how much?

Aunt, there are others in my family who have gone to settle things; just give me twenty bowls of noodle soup, this is copper money. She handed over the copper coins; just as she had been listening to the aunt speak, quite a few people around had finished eating and left, five copper coins per bowl of noodles.