[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-top-scholar-of-da-ling":3,"chapter-the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-167":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Top Scholar of Da Ling",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2289002,4475,"Chapter 167: The Twin Sisters of the Tigress","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-167",167,"\u003Cp>After handling the affairs of the workshop, Jiang Mingyu bid farewell to Liu Yifei and returned alone to his residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was silent, broken only by the rustling of his turning scrolls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He focused intently on scribbling on the scroll, frowning occasionally in thought, then furiously writing on the paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the window, several passersby chatted about recent events.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They spoke of how Jiang Mingyu suddenly stormed into the workshop and slaughtered the merchants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The merchants’ corpses were thrown into the river; the stench of blood lingered in the air for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some feared the act was too cruel, but others argued that Jiang Mingyu’s decisive action had made the people far more obedient—no one dared to defy him anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This gossip spread widely through the streets and alleys of Yasmu Regional Military Commissioner’s territory; people all said Jiang Mingyu was a ruthless, formidable man—a dangerous character who should not be provoked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he now controlled Yasmu Regional Military Commissioner’s territory; anyone wishing to oppose him would likely pay a heavy price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some opportunists had already fled the area the moment Jiang Mingyu rebelled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Jiang Mingyu paid no mind; he was lost in his own world, writing with undivided focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu was deeply absorbed in drafting the proclamation, his brush soaked in ink, flowing smoothly across the paper, when suddenly a dusty, disheveled Tuxeslu burst through the door, startling Jiang Mingyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuxeslu’s hair was wild, his face marked with footprints, his white robe caked in dirt—he looked utterly worn out. Jiang Mingyu immediately set down his brush and asked with concern: “Brother, what happened to you? Didn’t you go to see Jiani? How did you end up like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuxeslu wore a complex expression and chuckled bitterly: “Big brother, don’t ask. The more I talk, the more tears I’ll cry.” With that, he plopped onto the chair, his eyes nearly red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him like this, Jiang Mingyu grew even more suspicious and pressed: “What exactly happened? Tell me—what’s going on?” He leaned forward, clearly eager for gossip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuxeslu hesitated, then spoke: “Big brother, I didn’t want to say it, but since you insist... I went to see Jiani, and she suddenly flew into a rage—kicked me out the door. I landed face-first in the dirt, and that’s how I ended up like this. Her kick was terrifying—if I hadn’t blocked it with my hand, I might’ve died.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu frowned immediately: “Jiani is usually so gentle. What did you do to make her so furious?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuxeslu grabbed the teacup beside him and downed two gulps before speaking with a grimace: “Big brother, I never imagined I’d have a little sister-in-law...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little sister-in-law? Jiang Mingyu was baffled. As Tuxeslu, face dark, recounted the whole story, he finally understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuxeslu had gone straight to the camp after entering the city to find Jiani, but Li Goudan told him Jiani had received good news and gone home. Without hesitation, Tuxeslu rushed to Jiani’s house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the courtyard, Tuxeslu saw a back figure and assumed it was Jiani—he crept up to hug her from behind. But the woman suddenly swung her sword, barely missing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuxeslu thought Jiani was joking, but the woman was highly skilled—she shattered his jade crown with a single strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Zhang Jiani’s furious voice rang out: “You idiot, what are you doing?!” Then she kicked Tuxeslu hard, sending him flying far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuxeslu continued sheepishly: “Later I found out the woman was Zhang Jiaqi—Jiani’s twin sister. She’d been wandering outside, and when she heard Jiani was getting married, she rushed back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I had no idea she’d returned—I accidentally ran into my future little sister-in-law. What bad luck! Now I’ve angered Jiani and offended my future little sister-in-law—my life is even harder.” Tuxeslu looked utterly defeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seriously, both sisters are tigresses—especially Zhang Jiaqi, even fiercer than Jiani. If I hadn’t dodged fast, she’d have sliced me open with that sword.” Tuxeslu growled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu couldn’t help laughing: “Ha! You were so careless, caused such a mess—you’re truly unlucky. But you’d better learn to tell the sisters apart from now on. Otherwise, you’ll face both your future wife and her sister together—and that’ll be worse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuxeslu covered his face and groaned: “Big brother, I’m already miserable—don’t scare me anymore! I swear I’ll never mix them up again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smirked teasingly: “Alright, I was just joking. But don’t lose heart—explain things to them slowly. Anyway, I hope you mend things with both sisters soon and get through this storm safely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu suppressed his laughter, comforted Tuxeslu a little, then asked: “Your little sister-in-law just returned from outside—do you know how the situation in the Da Feng Empire stands now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since Tuxeslu killed Tang Cheng’an, communication between Yasmu Regional Military Commissioner’s territory and the outside world had been cut off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Jiang Mingyu had been busy seizing cities and territories—he had no idea what had happened beyond during this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuxeslu sighed helplessly: “After Jiani kicked me out, how would I know where my little sister-in-law came from? I haven’t even seen her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu shook his head in disbelief: “Forget it—asking you is useless. Go change your clothes. Later, I need you to accompany me to the Zhang household.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuxeslu was confused, but Jiang Mingyu then explained about posting the bidding proclamation. Though puzzled, Tuxeslu could only nod in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, Jiang Mingyu arrived at the Zhang household with Tuxeslu and saw a woman who looked exactly like Zhang Jiani laughing with Liu Yifei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two were affectionate—clearly close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu stepped forward and greeted: “You must be Miss Zhang—I’ve heard much of you! I’m here on urgent business and hope for your assistance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman bowed in return: “It’s Lord Jiang—you flatter me! Whatever you need, just say it—I’ll do my best.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu quickly changed the subject: “Jiaqi, where did you return to Yasmu from? How is the situation in the Da Feng Empire now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi replied politely: “I returned from Guizhou. Governor Chen Yutong launched his rebellion earlier than you—he’s now taken control of the entire province. The emperor’s ten-thousand-man army sent to suppress him has already arrived at Guizhou’s gates.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right now, many regions—Qingzhou, Liangzhou, and others—are rising in support of your rebellion. Outside the capital, the entire Da Feng Empire is in chaos.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu was greatly encouraged and was about to laugh, but Zhang Jiaqi’s expression turned grim: “But I must tell you some terrible news.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s heart lurched: “What news? Did the rebellion in Guizhou fail?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiaqi spoke somberly: “No, not that. I heard Emperor Feihou has grown even more insane—he has issued an edict summoning a massive army to crush all rebel forces across the land!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu and Liu Yifei both paled. Zhang Jiaqi continued: “I just heard that the newly appointed Dukedom of Cangzhou, Ruan Chen, is leading a ten-thousand-man army and has already set out—they’ll likely reach Cangzhou soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three stared at each other, hearts pounding with dread. The situation was about to turn completely around...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu mused: “The situation is urgent—we must discuss a strategy quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1192,"2026-06-20T03:28:17.113Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8f98d836a3dcda6b825884db7f6287388b159ad1dd7cd174aebc301fa4a8af4e","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-168","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-166",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]