Chapter 264: A Painful Choice

After finishing his discussions with Tuke Tuke Siluo and the others, he dismissed them. Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood alone inside the official residence, faintly hearing the sighs and grievances of the common people outside, recounting the various crimes of Liu Liu Jiayi's tyrannical rule. His eyes narrowed sharply as he gazed toward the distant Jingcheng, his resolve firming to seize this place and rescue the people from suffering.

In stark contrast to the lavish official residence, outside the courtyard the people could not make a living, with wails of misery heard everywhere. Liu Liu Jiayi amassed exorbitant taxes and stockpiled grain, only to oppress the people further. Seeing this, a surge of hot blood rose in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's chest—this war concerned not only himself but also the livelihood of ten thousand people. He swore that one day he would eradicate this corrupt rule and let the people live happy, prosperous lives.

He walked out of the official residence to see the streets teeming with people, all commoners forced into desperation by Fei Hou and Liu Liu Jiayi. Some dragged tattered luggage, some hugged crying children, some leaned on broken crutches, and some bore bloody wounds; all displayed expressions of despair and helplessness. Their eyes held no light, only the shadow of death. Their mouths held no laughter, only the sound of wailing. Their bodies possessed no food or clothing, only the pain of hunger and cold.

Looking at these pitiful people, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt a sharp pang of pain in his heart.

He saw a little girl blocked by a bully; her clothes were torn, exposing her tender body. Terrified, she said, "Please let me go. I have done nothing wrong. I just want to go home to find my father and mother."

The bully sneered wickedly, "You little wench, still wanting to go home to find your father and mother? Do you know where your father and mother are? We have already killed them; their corpses lie right here on the street. You might as well come quietly with us; we will give you a happy death."

The girl cried out, "Don't lie to me! Don't kill me! I don't want to die; I want to live! I want to see my father and mother!"

Impatiently, the bully said, "Cut the nonsense. What use is there in keeping a poor ghost like you alive? You only bring trouble to Great Feng. Today, you must come with me."

As he spoke, he reached to draw the knife at his waist to take the girl away. Seeing this scene, Jiang Jiang Mingyu was filled with uncontrollable rage. He rushed forward, snatched the knife from the bully's hand, and with a single stroke severed the man's head. He told the little girl, "Little sister, do not be afraid. I am here to save you. Quickly find a safe place to hide; I will protect you."

The little girl looked at Jiang Jiang Mingyu in terror, unable to believe he was real. Trembling, she asked, "Who are you? Why do you want to save me? Are you not afraid of retaliation?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu spoke gently, "I am Jiang Jiang Mingyu. I am here to overthrow Great Feng. I do not fear his retaliation because I have a powerful army; they all fight for the happiness of the people. Rest assured, we will soon attack Jingcheng, eliminate Fei Hou, and let you live good lives."

Hearing this, a glimmer of hope flashed in the little girl's eyes. Gratefully, she said, "You are our savior; you are our hero. I bless you; may you achieve Zao Ri Cheng Gong soon, filling this world with justice and peace."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled and said, "Thank you for your blessing, little sister. Go quickly; I still have matters to attend to." With that, he returned the knife to the little girl so she could protect herself. Turning, he walked toward Liu Liu Jiayi's official residence, silently vowing in his heart, "Fei Hou, your end has come. I will make you pay in blood and hold you accountable for all the sins you have committed."

Time passed quickly, and the sky gradually darkened. Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood alone in the courtyard of the Inspector's residence, gazing up at the sky full of bright stars, thinking of Liu Liu Yifei, whom he had not seen for a long time.

Liu Yifei's face appeared in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's mind, like the bright, pure moon on the horizon, hazy yet causing deep longing. These days of separation felt as long as an eternity to Jiang Jiang Mingyu. He often stared blankly at the moonlight on the horizon, silently chanting in his heart, "Liu Yifei, where are you now? We agreed that once we capture Jingcheng, we would hold a grand wedding and never be separated again. Does that beautiful future also linger in your dreams?"

At this moment, Jiang Jiang Mingyu was even more consumed with worry. He sensed that Liu Yifei had already arrived with Li Goudan's army to rendezvous, and the excitement in his heart was beyond words; he only hoped to reunite with his beloved soon. At that time, he would finally have a true home in this world.

Thinking of this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but curl the corners of his mouth upward, his eyes revealing a gentle smile. He knew that his original family had long since left him during this journey of transmigration; his closest parents and siblings held no hope of reunion in this life. Only Liu Liu Yifei remained his sole reliance in this world.

A long-forgotten surge of emotion washed over his heart, leaving Jiang Jiang Mingyu slightly dazed, his eyes moistening slightly. Just then, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's figure arrived silently before him, yet Jiang Jiang Mingyu remained completely unaware.

"Brother Jiang, what are you thinking about?" Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's voice pulled Jiang Jiang Mingyu's thoughts back to reality.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu snapped out of his reverie, forcing a faint smile. "Nothing. Why are you still awake so late?"

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi countered, "You are thinking about Liu Yifei, aren't you?" Her tone carried a hint of hidden bitterness.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sighed and smiled helplessly. "I am just thinking about family. You and Liu Yifei are both my most important friends; after not seeing each other for so long, you should miss her too."

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi gave a bitter smile. "That's right; she is my best friend. But as long as you two are not married, I will never give up. This is my own choice."

Just as Jiang Jiang Mingyu was about to persuade her, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi stopped him. "It's late; go rest early." With that, she turned and left, quickly disappearing into the night.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu let out a long sigh, gazing at the bright, pure moon in the sky, his heart filled with mixed feelings. That distant moon was like his happiness at this moment—unattainable. The past flowed like water; he could only immerse himself in it, following this cold, brilliant moonlight to forge his own future.

Liu Yifei would soon meet him, yet Zhang Zhang Jiaqi still lingered in his heart.

No sooner had Zhang Zhang Jiaqi left than Tuke Tuke Siluo, equally unable to sleep, approached carrying a pot of wine.

"Have a drink?" He placed the wine pot in his hand, along with two cups, on the stone table not far in front of Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu did not stand on ceremony; he sat directly opposite Tuke Tuke Siluo. "Good, let's have a drink."

Already distracted and unsettled, Jiang Jiang Mingyu now felt an even stronger desire to drink a few cups to soothe his soul.

Tuke Tuke Siluo filled both their cups, clinked his against Jiang Jiang Mingyu's, and with a gulp, drained it in one go.

Only after seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu finish his wine did he ask with concern, "I saw my sister-in-law just leave your side; she didn't look very happy. What happened?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled bitterly again, but he hid nothing, recounting everything that had just happened to Tuke Tuke Siluo exactly as it occurred.

After listening, Tuke Tuke Siluo refilled Jiang Jiang Mingyu's cup. "Big Brother, what did I tell you? My sister-in-law has had her eye on you for a long time. Now that the goddess has feelings, it depends on whether you, the Prince of Xiang, have feelings in return?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu drank another cup, glanced at the moon in the sky, and spoke with a tone full of helplessness. "I have already promised Liu Yifei that she is the only one for me in this life. This matter... sigh..." The rest of his words turned into a sigh.

Tuke Tuke Siluo, however, dismissed it lightly. "Big Brother, I really suspect if you are even from this world. In this world, having three wives and four concubines—is that even an issue? Let alone three wives and four concubines; given your current status, marrying ten or eight of them would be perfectly reasonable."

"Miss Liu indeed has deep feelings for you, but think about it: my sister-in-law, a young Miss, has followed you on campaigns south and north. Amidst daily swords and blades, she has never uttered a single complaint. Are you being fair to Miss Liu? Are you being fair to her?"

Tuke Tuke Siluo shook his head and sighed; he knew Jiang Jiang Mingyu was a stubborn person who would not easily change his mind.

"Big Brother, doing this will only cause pain to both yourself and my sister-in-law. Don't you feel there is an indescribable fate between you?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu fell silent; he dared not deny that he and Zhang Zhang Jiaqi indeed shared a special bond. From their very first meeting, there had been an inexplicable attraction between them.

They had experienced countless life-and-death trials together and shared countless moments of joy; the tacit understanding and trust between them was something he shared with no one else.

He had once wavered, once wondered: if he could let go of Liu Yifei and be with Zhang Jiaqi, would that be another kind of happiness?

But whenever he thought of Liu Yifei, of everything she had sacrificed for him, of her tear-filled eyes, he found himself unable to make such a choice.

He loved Liu Yifei; he had promised her he would protect her forever. He could not betray her, nor could he let her down.

He could only bury his feelings for Zhang Jiaqi deep in his heart, keeping them as the most beautiful memory of his life.

He raised his head, looking at Tuke Tuke Siluo with determined eyes.

"I know you are doing this for my own good, but I cannot do it. I cannot hurt Liu Yifei, nor can I hurt Zhang Jiaqi. I can only choose to leave her, let her forget me, and find her true happiness."

Tuke Tuke Siluo shook his head helplessly; he knew Jiang Jiang Mingyu was a stubborn person who would not easily abandon his principles.

"Big Brother, doing this will only leave both yourself and my sister-in-law with regret. Don't you feel there is a regret of missed opportunity between you?"