Chapter 120

Jiang Mingyu tugged the reins, his eyes filled with confusion: “Miss Zhang, what is it?”

He didn’t understand why this woman, who usually treated him with icy indifference, had suddenly come to him of her own accord.

Had he offended her somehow?

But after carefully recalling, he couldn’t think of anything he’d done wrong.

As for the title “dog official,” he was used to it by now—she wasn’t the first to call him that.

Zhang Jiani bit her lower lip, looking slightly embarrassed: “Um… you saved Yifei. I should properly thank you.”

As she spoke, a faint blush rose on her cheeks, stirring something in Jiang Mingyu’s heart.

He hadn’t expected this proud, haughty woman to have such a shy side.

He couldn’t help but want to look at her longer, only to find she had already lowered her head.

Jiang Mingyu’s heart tightened—was she hinting at something?

He quickly steadied his emotions and kept his tone calm: “Miss Zhang, just say what’s on your mind.”

“You suddenly acting like this—I’m truly unaccustomed to it.”

He ventured cautiously.

Hearing this, Zhang Jiani’s temper flared; she lifted her head and glared at him: “Do you think I wanted to find you?”

“If you hadn’t secretly mobilized troops for Yifei, I wouldn’t have bothered with you at all—ungrateful fool.”

She snapped angrily.

Jiang Mingyu instantly understood—she had come to confront him.

His heart sank, yet he felt a pang of helplessness.

He’d only wanted to rescue his dear friend Liu Yifei; he never imagined it would drag him into so much trouble.

He knew his actions had been reckless—but if it were Zhang Jiani in his place, what would she have done?

He couldn’t help asking: “Miss Zhang, if it were you, what would you have done?”

Zhang Jiani hesitated at his question.

She genuinely admired Liu Yifei; though they rarely spoke, they were friends.

If it were her, she might have made the same choice.

But she refused to admit she’d wronged Jiang Mingyu—after all, she still had plenty of grievances against this dog official.

After a moment’s thought, she snorted: “Of course I’d save Yifei.”

“But I wouldn’t mobilize troops so recklessly like you did.”

“Do you know how much trouble this causes the City Defense Camp?”

“What if the enemy discovers Shangmu’s weaknesses?”

“What if your superiors find out you moved troops without authorization?”

“What if…”

Jiang Mingyu’s head throbbed; he cut her off: “Enough, enough, Miss Zhang, stop.”

“I know I was wrong. Don’t scold me anymore.”

“If you came to me, it wasn’t just to argue, was it?”

“What do you actually want?”

He asked, growing impatient.

Seeing his attitude, Zhang Jiani grew even angrier.

She’d come hoping for a sincere conversation, but he was being so obtuse.

She sneered: “You really are an insensitive fool.”

“I came to offer to lead the City Defense Camp troops for you—yet you’re so ungrateful.”

She dropped a revelation meant to shock Jiang Mingyu.

Jiang Mingyu’s eyes widened: “Really?”

He’d never imagined Zhang Jiani, who’d stubbornly refused before, would suddenly agree.

This was utterly unexpected.

He wondered if he’d misheard.

And for some reason, Tuxesiluo’s soft-faced expression also brightened with intense excitement.

He seemed to already see his plan succeeding.

But Zhang Jiani reverted to her haughty demeanor: “Fine, if you don’t want it, forget it—I’m not begging you.”

“If you hadn’t secretly mobilized troops for Yifei, I wouldn’t have bothered with you at all—ungrateful fool.”

With that, she turned her horse around to leave.

Jiang Mingyu couldn’t let her go—he rushed to block her: “Miss Zhang, wait!”

“Happiness came too suddenly—I’m just stunned, that’s all, nothing else.”

“With Miss Zhang aiding the City Defense Camp, it’ll be like adding wings to a tiger, effortless, a breeze…”

Sensing his words turning absurd, Jiang Mingyu quickly clamped his mouth shut.

Zhang Jiani rolled her eyes with clear impatience: “Dog official, where do you get all this nonsense?”

“Tell me—once I join the City Defense Camp, what exactly do you plan to make me do?”

At the mention of business, Jiang Mingyu grew serious: “Just now, I saw your archery—excellent, almost a hundred paces, piercing the target.”

“The City Defense Camp’s archers are short a commander—would you consider taking the post?”

He asked cautiously.

Haughty Zhang Jiani shrugged indifferently: “Whatever you need. I’m just repaying you for saving Yifei.”

“Tomorrow morning, I’ll report to the City Defense Camp—have your soldiers ready.”

Jiang Mingyu couldn’t be happier: “Excellent! I’ll notify them right away.”

Jiang Mingyu looked at Zhang Jiani hesitantly, speaking softly: “By the way, Miss Zhang, I just called Liu’s girl Yifei—so… could I call you Jiani?” His voice carried the awkwardness of overstepping.

Zhang Jiani raised her hand and lightly tapped the hilt of her sword on the saddle, smiling: “If you don’t want to live, call me whatever you like.”

Though her words were a threat, her tone and expression were relaxed, showing no anger at all.

Jiang Mingyu felt his neck tighten; he coughed awkwardly: “Better stick with Miss Zhang—it’s more respectful. Yes, respect.”

“Respect between people is vital, isn’t it, Miss Zhang?” He forced a nervous smile, trying to cover his earlier blunder.

Zhang Jiani shook her head slightly, amused: “Respect is important, but you saying it like that makes it awkward.”

Her tone carried a lightness, as if the whole scene meant nothing to her.

After Zhang Jiani left with Liu Yifei, Tuxesiluo slapped his thigh, ecstatic like a dog who’d found a bone: “Wonderful! Wonderful!”

Jiang Mingyu jumped, thinking: What’s with this guy? He’s shouting like he wants the whole world to know he’s acting like a madman.

Jiang Mingyu frowned: “Hey! Why the sudden yelling? You sound like a cat with its tail stepped on—I’m going deaf!”

Tuxesiluo chuckled sheepishly, scratching his head: “I’m just happy for you, my lord.”

Jiang Mingyu sized him up, as if seeing right through him: “Oh? Come on, out with it—have you taken a fancy to Miss Zhang? Spill it!”

Tuxesiluo’s face turned as red as a boiled lobster; he stammered incoherently.

Jiang Mingyu burst out laughing: “Alright, alright, I guessed wrong, right? Your face is as purple as dried seaweed! I was going to ask Yifei to speak for you—but clearly, no need. Hah!”

Tuxesiluo hurriedly protested: “My lord, you misunderstand! I’d never dare think of a lady like that! Please don’t let them get the wrong idea!”

Jiang Mingyu grunted: “Fine, since you’re not interested, I won’t meddle. But honestly, Miss Zhang’s quite pretty—her fierceness even suits you, adds charm.”

Tuxesiluo mumbled: “Um… my lord, I actually do like Miss Zhang.”

Jiang Mingyu spread his hands: “Then go after her! I’m not stealing your woman. But what do you mean by ‘like’? She draws her sword at you daily—don’t you get tired of fighting?”

Tuxesiluo’s eyes gleamed: “My lord, you don’t understand—when she kicked me that day, the suffocation was exquisite! I was utterly enchanted. She must be my wife!”

He continued, beaming: “Then she pressed her sword to my throat—I felt like I was floating to heaven! When she called me ‘lecher,’ I didn’t feel anger—I felt warmth, closeness, like the first spring sunlight.”

Jiang Mingyu rolled his eyes: “What the hell? She kicked you right in the heart? Are you some kind of pervert? ‘First spring sunlight’? Seriously? If you’re with her, you’ll never see next spring.”

He warned: “With your build, you’ll be chopped into pieces before she even notices you.” He was both concerned and worried for Tuxesiluo’s happiness.

Tuxesiluo grabbed Jiang Mingyu’s hand tightly, babbling: “My lord, can you understand how I feel?”

Jiang Mingyu jerked back, realizing his wrist was firmly held: “Hey! Let go of my hand! Whether you win her or not is your business—don’t drag me into it!”

Tuxesiluo stood his ground stubbornly: “If you don’t help me speak to Liu, I won’t let go!”

Two grown men wrestling on the street drew stares from passersby: “What’s going on with those two officials?”

“I heard Lord Tu has been infatuated with Lord Jiang for days—this must be true!”

“This is great news for Shangmu—but why does it feel so strange?”

“What’s strange? Lord Tu can’t bear children, but what else is he lacking compared to a woman?”

Hearing the word “bear children,” Jiang Mingyu’s face flushed crimson; he wanted to vanish into the ground. He shouted desperately: “Alright, alright, brother! I’ll do it right away! Let go of my hand—you’re ruining my reputation!”

Tuxesiluo still wouldn’t release him: “First, swear you’ll speak for me!”

Jiang Mingyu begged: “I swear! I’ll fulfill every demand—just let go of my hand!”

Back at the prefectural office, Jiang Mingyu ground his teeth, thinking: I’m not done with you, you masochist.

At that moment, the gatekeeper reported that Che Ting had been brought in; Jiang Mingyu exhaled deeply and drained his cold tea: “Take me to him at once—I can’t stand this anymore!”

Jiang Mingyu thought to himself: Finally, I can set this awkwardness aside—for now.