Around midday, Prince Duan’s carriage set off to return to the border.
The grand procession headed toward the only city gate of Nanruo, with commoners along the way watching respectfully as they passed.
In the world today, the Kingdom of Ning stood alone as the dominant power. Its emperor, Xiao Yun, excelled at surprise attacks and seizing cities and territories. Even during his military training days, he had never failed to conquer, striking fear into the hearts of city defenders. After ascending the throne at eighteen, he led his troops personally on campaigns, and wherever his army went, cities fell without exception. In just a few short years, he unified the Central Plains, his momentum of invasion and expansion unstoppable, leaving neighboring countries in a state of constant anxiety.
Nanruo, which had always been militarily weak, managed to enjoy a brief period of peace in the cracks between powers, relying not only on its advantageous terrain but also entirely on three individuals.
The first was the current emperor, diligent in governance, caring for the people, and fostering recovery. The second was General Huo, who guarded the border and protected the homeland.
The third was Prince Duan, who was only eighteen years old.
Prince Duan was exceptionally talented in literature and scholarship, having gained a reputation for brilliance in his teens. He was gentle, humble, courteous, and respectful toward talented individuals, and he maintained good relations with the world’s foremost estate, the Miluo Mountain Estate, with connections spanning the entire realm.
Two years ago, when the Kingdom of Ye sent an army of two hundred thousand to attack Nanruo, Prince Duan, then only sixteen, single-handedly borrowed more troops than Ye possessed, forcing the inexperienced Ye army to retreat in disgrace and becoming the laughingstock of neighboring nations.
There were even rumors that Prince Duan was the future young master designated by the old master of the Miluo Mountain Estate.
The Miluo Mountain Estate was a sacred place in the hearts of the common people, and being its master meant possessing unparalleled popular support, something everyone in the world coveted.
Whether the rumors were true or false, Prince Duan’s various achievements had made him the most renowned and sought-after man in the capital for a time, his fame even surpassing that of the emperor, whose appearance was said to rival that of the Emperor of Ning.
The bustling streets were filled with noise and activity. At the same time, no one noticed a carriage engraved with the Miluo insignia passing unimpeded through the city gate.
…
Inside the carriage, Jiang Huaichu sat upright, occasionally turning a page of the Four Books of Military Strategy.
Two figures in black knelt beside his legs, having reported in meticulous detail the movements of various factions in the capital that day, and now waited silently for orders.
Jiang Huaichu set down the book, his slender fingers parting the curtain slightly as he gazed at the capital of Nanruo, hidden behind the hazy spring scenery. After a long while, he finally said, “After I return, if anyone in the capital makes any suspicious moves, do not bother investigating—eliminate them without exception.”
In this command, the gentle and refined demeanor was gone, replaced only by the cold ruthlessness and lofty arrogance unique to royalty.
“Yes!”
“If His Majesty suffers even the slightest harm—”
“We will offer our heads in atonement!”
Jiang Huaichu chuckled softly. “What would I do with your heads?”
The two were overwhelmed by his unexpected kindness, blushing with embarrassment. “We will definitely protect His Majesty!”
Jiang Huaichu was left alone in the carriage.
The carriage jolted slightly, and Jiang Huaichu pressed his throbbing temples, closing his eyes to rest.
His journey here had to be traced back to a month ago.
A month earlier, at the Miluo Mountain Estate.
After being well-fed and cared for by Jiang Huaichu, the old master danced around for a while before drunkenly grabbing Jiang Huaichu’s hand. “Huaichu, do you want to be the young master?”
Jiang Huaichu was taken aback. “You misunderstand. I have no such intention. I serve you only because I admire you.”
“…” The old man’s expression froze, as if realizing he had asked the wrong question. “Then, do you want all of Miluo’s intelligence networks within the Kingdom of Ning and the military tally in this old man’s hands?”
Jiang Huaichu hesitated for a moment before nodding this time.
The world’s number one manor, Miluo Manor, is openly a sacred place in the hearts of the common people and a sanctuary where officials and nobles seek medicine and immortality to prolong their lives. In secret, it is the largest and most tightly-knit intelligence network organization in the entire world, with informants spread across every corner of various countries, holding leverage over countless individuals. From the imperial palace to the most remote villages, it can almost be said that wherever there are people, there are traces of Miluo spies.
With all the intelligence networks and covert agents within the territory of Ning, he would be able to learn of the movements within the court and among the people of Ning at the earliest opportunity, ensuring the safety of Nanruo.
Moreover, there was also the Military Tally.
Miluo Manor had over two hundred thousand private troops.
The old man finally smiled with satisfaction, humming twice: “Promise me one request, and everything I mentioned will be yours to play with however you wish!”
Jiang Huaichu did not speak immediately.
Beining was the world’s greatest nation in every sense—whether in terms of land, population, or military might. The value of Beining’s intelligence network was thus self-evident.
Jiang Huaichu spoke frankly: “Whatever request the Old Manor Master has, Huaichu will certainly do his utmost to fulfill it. However, this gift is far too generous. I fear I may not be worthy of it.”
The Old Manor Master beamed, growing more and more satisfied with the person before him.
On the surface, the young prince had a gentle disposition, but when it came to crucial matters, he was never ambiguous. He knew what he wanted and did not hesitate or conceal his intentions, avoiding any unpleasantness.
“Hehe, aren’t you curious? Don’t be nervous! I’m not foolish; I know how you’ve treated me. Why would I make things difficult for you?”
Jiang Huaichu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and steadied the swaying Old Manor Master: “Please speak.”
“I just want you to bear a child for my Xiao family.”
Even someone as composed as Jiang Huaichu was struck as if by lightning upon hearing such a statement. He stared in shock at the Old Manor Master, who was over ninety years old, his face paling as he forced a smile and said, “…Old Manor Master, are you serious?”
The Old Manor Master was the world’s foremost medical expert. It was he who had cured Jiang Huaichu’s body in the past. Moreover, on Jiang Huaichu’s fifteenth birthday, the Old Manor Master had privately gifted him all of Miluo’s intelligence networks and covert agents within Nanruo. Jiang Huaichu had always treated him like a grandfather…
“Don’t misunderstand, don’t misunderstand! It’s not me, the old man! I had too much to drink and didn’t explain clearly. I didn’t scare you, did I…?”
Jiang Huaichu managed a strained smile: “It’s fine.”
“I’m still a virgin and have no descendants. Your family has shown immense kindness to Miluo Manor, serving it faithfully for sixty or seventy years. In a few years, when I pass away, Miluo will certainly be handed over…” The Old Manor Master glanced covertly at Jiang Huaichu, “…to someone else.”
“It’s just that, firstly, Miluo Manor is stationed within Nanruo’s territory. Although our relationship is harmonious now, there’s no guarantee that my Miluo descendants and the future emperors of Nanruo won’t come into conflict and turn against each other. Secondly, that scoundrel Xiao Yun is so formidable—who knows if he might attack Nanruo? Although I haven’t returned to Beining for sixty or seventy years and have no ties with that little brat, I am still the ancestor of the Xiao clan. When the time comes, it would be difficult for me to take action to protect Nanruo and oppose him…”
Jiang Huaichu said gently, “I understand. I would never put you in a difficult position.”
“That’s not what I meant! Don’t be upset!”
“It’s precisely because of this matter that I often ponder, and in the end, I realized that it would actually be best if you bore a child with Xiao Yun.”
Jiang Huaichu was once again struck with utter horror.
Bear a child with Xiao Yun…
The old manor master, however, paid no heed to his feelings and continued with high spirits: “When the time comes, I’ll just hand over my Mi Luo Manor to your child to play with. He’s of the Southern Zhuo royal family; at the very least, he won’t destroy Southern Zhuo. That way, if Xiao Yun really attacks, I’ll have a justifiable reason—after all, he’s my Xiao family’s good boy. What’s wrong with an old man protecting his own child?”
“Besides, no matter how much of a scoundrel that rascal is, he wouldn’t fight his own child’s maternal uncle for territory, would he? Your Southern Zhuo has lived in peace for centuries, never seeking to dominate the world, just wanting to stay in its own corner. Now, with the emperor’s precious younger brother even bearing his child, would he be such a beast as to still attack? Would he have the face to look at his own offspring?”
Jiang Huaichu stiffened all over. At this moment, all his upbringing was devoted to maintaining a dignified and composed appearance.
He rarely interrupted others, but now he spoke coldly: “If I really were to have a child, I would never use it to threaten him.”
The old manor master was taken aback, his face full of shame: “Old me spoke out of turn, sorry, sorry. I’m not even as good as you—truly senile, too presumptuous. I forgot that when the time comes, both sides would be fathers, and the child would suffer caught in the middle, with you two being enemy nations… Ah, really.”
“In that case, good boy, you carry and give birth—then it’ll be completely yours. We don’t need him! We won’t even tell him. We’ll carry and raise it in secret, not asking for a thing from him. If he wants to fight, let him. Old me will back you up, sending him back where he came from.”
Jiang Huaichu was momentarily lost in thought.
Carrying a child could exchange for Mi Luo’s intelligence network in Northern Ning, secure Mi Luo Manor’s eternal protection of Southern Zhuo, and ensure Southern Zhuo’s peace for a century.
It was just carrying a child, nothing more.
The old manor master finally felt at ease, still enthusiastic: “You’ve never seen him, but that rascal is devilishly handsome. With your looks, aside from that little scoundrel, only your elder brother is worthy of you… Ah, pfft, I said it backwards.”
Jiang Huaichu: “…”
“Don’t worry, if he doesn’t even like you, then he’s truly beyond saving.”
The old manor master remembered something and sighed, his high-spirited tone fading: “Huaichu, heaven has been unkind to you. Although you never say it, old me knows. With your temperament, you must be thinking of spending your life alone, but old me can’t bear it. It’s fine not to have a companion by your side, but you should at least have a child to keep you company. The reason old me is so happy is because you often come to play with me. Seeing how well you got along with those children before, you must really like and want one.”
Jiang Huaichu remained silent, his expression faint.
He did like and want a child very much, but with his body, he had never planned to have one.
“Go back and think it over carefully. I only dared to say this because I’m drunk, but it’s all sincere. Just nod, and I’ll hand over Northern Ning to you right away. Hehe, truth is, old me just wants to play with your child…”
…
Jiang Huaichu quietly opened his eyes, lifted the curtain, and gazed across the towering mountains and ridges toward the direction of Northern Ning.
He had no grudge against Xiao Yun; he only wanted a child of his.