Chapter 123

Jiang Mingyu furrowed his brows upon hearing from Jing Xingwang that Zhu Ge Yu had run into trouble, his heart instantly churned with turmoil. A cascade of thoughts flashed through his mind, plunging him into deep contemplation.

“Zhu Ge Yu ran into trouble? How is that possible?” His mind was a storm of confusion; he pressed urgently: “What exactly happened?”

His emotions were like a still, murky pond struck by a stone, sending ripples cascading outward.

He knew Zhu Ge Yu’s family was a prestigious clan in the state capital—what could possibly have befallen him?

Jing Xingwang sighed, his expression grave. He spoke in a low tone: “This matter is complicated—it starts with the Huang and Zhu families.”

Jiang Mingyu frowned, his voice tinged with suspicion: “Huang Chaoran and Zhu Tianxiang? Could it be them?”

Jing Xingwang nodded, a hint of helplessness in his gaze: “Yes, it’s them. You should know the Zhu family wasn’t born into wealth—they built their fortune through sheer business acumen.”

Jiang Mingyu nodded; during his time with Zhu Ge Yu, the man had mentioned his background. His father had hoped he’d pass the imperial exams and bring honor to the family.

Jing Xingwang continued: “Huang Chaoran has always seen you as his mortal enemy. Ever since you locked Zhu Tianxiang in prison and expelled him from the Inspector’s mansion, their hatred for you piled up like mountains.”

“Then rumors spread that Zhu Ge Yu was your student, and that you two jointly wiped out the bandits at Heifeng Ridge.”

“This only deepened the Huang and Zhu families’ resentment—they believed you stole their glory. So they allied with powerful merchants and launched a ruthless assault on the Zhu family.”

“The Zhu family’s trade routes were severed, their businesses crippled, and now the entire clan is in chaos.”

“I fear the Zhu family won’t survive this—they have no patron like you.”

Jing Xingwang’s tone brimmed with helplessness, as if mourning Zhu Ge Yu’s plight.

Jiang Mingyu grew angrier by the minute—he realized all this stemmed from his own momentary rage.

A fire of fury burned within him, no longer restrained.

“Fine then, Huang Chaoran and Zhu Tianxiang—you’ve truly lost your minds. I hadn’t planned to deal with you so soon, but you’ve handed me the perfect excuse!” His voice brimmed with seething rage.

“If that’s how it is, don’t blame me for being ruthless. Tomorrow, I’ll take Tu Kesiluo to the state capital and see what tricks you still have left.”

“If you refuse to repent, I’ll erase your families from the land of Da Feng!” As he spoke, righteous wrath seemed to swirl around him like flames.

Jing Xingwang hurried to urge: “Lord Jiang, you must be cautious. The Huang and Zhu families have deep roots in the state capital—they won’t let this go easily.”

Jing Xingwang also worried for Jiang Mingyu—he was, after all, Jing’s golden goose.

Jiang Mingyu snorted coldly, his eyes glinting with frost: “Don’t worry. When you return to the capital, tell Inspector Tang Cheng I’m going there on official business.”

“That way, no one can fabricate charges against me.”

As he spoke, his gaze carried a chill—he was clearly referring to Tang Cheng’an.

Jing Xingwang quickly replied: “Of course, of course, Lord Jiang, rest assured. It’s already late tonight—I’ll head back to the capital tomorrow to see the Inspector.”

Jiang Mingyu treated Jing Xingwang to a feast of fine wine and meat, and they chatted until night fell before parting ways.

Jiang Mingyu rode home alone, his slightly drunken mind filled with tomorrow’s tasks.

Thinking of how the Huang and Zhu families had bullied the Zhu family, the fire of his anger burned even hotter.

To rush to the capital and handle this, he first needed to arrange the city defense camp’s affairs.

Jiang Mingyu gazed at the Liu residence in the southern city under the night sky, and decided to temporarily entrust the city defense camp’s seal to Zhang Jiani.

Pushing open the Liu family gate, Jiang Mingyu saw Zhang Jiani and Liu Yifei laughing and chatting in the parlor.

Zhang Jiani’s brow furrowed the moment she saw Jiang Mingyu: “You corrupt official, what are you doing here?” Her tone remained cold and sharp.

Liu Yifei looked at Jiang Mingyu in confusion: “Lord Jiang, what’s the matter at this hour?”

Jiang Mingyu didn’t answer directly. Instead, he pulled the seal of the Commandant’s authority from his robe and placed it on the table before Zhang Jiani.

Zhang Jiani picked up the seal, eyeing it suspiciously: “What’s this? Are you quitting?”

Jiang Mingyu smiled helplessly—he thought this blunt woman was impossible to reason with.

He patiently explained: “Tomorrow, I’m going to the capital with Tu Kesiluo. The camp will be left unguarded. You’re scheduled to train the troops tomorrow—I’m entrusting you with the seal so you can command the soldiers. That way, I can rest easy. I considered others, but after much thought, you’re the only one I trust. I know this adds burden, but I hope you’ll understand.”

Zhang Jiani studied the seal in her hand, a sly smile tugging at her lips: “Oh? When did you learn to be polite? Since I already agreed to you, no need for more words—or Yifei wouldn’t approve.” She cast a pointed glance at Liu Yifei.

Liu Yifei blushed, whispering shyly: “Jiani, don’t say such things.”

Zhang Jiani pressed on, teasing: “What’s wrong with what I said? Didn’t you keep babbling last night about how kind Lord Jiang was? How he saved your life, how gentle and thoughtful he is, how utterly attentive? I’ve lost count of how many times you praised him...”

Hearing this spoken aloud before Jiang Mingyu, Liu Yifei was overcome with shame, her face burning crimson as she fled the parlor like a gust of wind.

Zhang Jiani watched her retreating back, unable to suppress a chuckle.

She turned—and found Jiang Mingyu staring intently at the spot where Liu Yifei had vanished.

Zhang Jiani’s smile vanished instantly. She snapped coldly: “You dare look at her like that? I’ve told you a hundred times—Yifei is my best friend. If you so much as think of harming her, I’ll make you regret it.”

Her hand gripped the sword on the table, the threat palpable.

Jiang Mingyu sighed inwardly—this woman’s heart was a bottomless well.

She could tease Liu Yifei without restraint, yet wouldn’t let him even look at her.

This self-incriminating, illogical behavior was beyond reason.

Zhang Jiani didn’t dwell on it. She cut straight to the point: “Hey, corrupt official, I’m taking the camp seal. But listen—I’m in charge now. Don’t meddle. If any of your soldiers dare interrupt me, I won’t spare you face—I’ll beat them senseless.”

She glared at Jiang Mingyu, bristling with menace—but added quickly: “I’m not reckless. I know what’s important. Go to the capital. I’ll train them properly—no chaos.”

Jiang Mingyu didn’t hesitate: “Fine. The seal’s yours—you’re in charge. If anyone disobeys, deal with them by military law. I won’t interfere.”

With the matter settled, Jiang Mingyu asked suddenly: “Miss Zhang, what do you think of Tu Kesiluo?” He wanted to arrange Tu’s future, lest trouble arise again.

Zhang Jiani blinked in confusion: “Tu Kesiluo? That lecher? Ugly as sin—what’s there to say? Hey, corrupt official, why are you asking? Are you bored out of your mind?”

Jiang Mingyu couldn’t help but smile—clearly, Tu Kesiluo’s path to winning Zhang Jiani’s heart was long and arduous...

He replied: “Nothing. Just making small talk.”

He thought: I may delay this matter, but I must settle Tu Kesiluo’s future.

With the business concluded, he gave a light laugh and left Liu Yifei’s home, stepping alone into the night.

But as soon as he left, Zhang Jiani stood alone in the empty hall, utterly bewildered.

The next day, Jiang Mingyu stood before the neatly lined-up fifty-thousand-strong army of the city defense camp and declared: “Men, I and Commander Tu will be away for several days. During this time, Miss Zhang will command your training—you will obey her orders!”

“Any slackers will face military law without mercy!”

No sooner had he finished than murmurs erupted: “Holy shit, a girl giving orders?”

“Yeah, what the hell does she know?”

“She’s hot though—if I could marry her, I’d get free martial arts lessons.”

Jiang Mingyu’s heart lurched—he turned to see Zhang Jiani’s face had turned black...