“However, matters in officialdom are not purely black and white. Although Jianshen performed good deeds, the unknown origin of his money invited unified impeachment from the civil officials and suspicion from His Majesty, ultimately leading to the painful loss of his position as the Great General of Northern Pacification.”
“Jianshen must have pondered this outcome deeply beforehand, and the strategists and advisors at his side surely warned him as well. Yet he did it anyway—why? Simply because he could not bear to watch the common people starve to death.”
The moment Wen Ya recalled the casualty numbers from past disasters, she could not help but sigh with regret. As for this disaster, being able to properly settle all the disaster victims made Gu Jianshen a true hero.
Jiang Ning nodded silently. With such selflessness to help others, he certainly could not be a bad person at heart.
The problem, however, was that she was the one expected to be the villain. If Gu Jianshen ended up executing her, he would merely be eliminating a threat to the people.
Looking at her, Wen Ya spoke again: “Furthermore, to speak of something directly relevant to you, Little Sister—your background is not entirely pure.”
Jiang Ning’s heart tightened. “Sister knows as well?”
Wen Ya broke into a smile. “Little Sister was presented by someone else, not brought in as a concubine personally by Jianshen.”
The distinction between the two was obvious.
Jiang Ning covered her face. “It seems I’ve played the fool again.”
Wen Ya shook her head. “If you didn’t have this precise temperament, I’m afraid you truly wouldn’t have passed Jianshen’s assessment. The fact that Jianshen allowed you to continue residing here in Qingxiang Residence means he accepts you. So, rest your heart and do not be afraid.”
Wen Ya was truly a good person.
Against such a gentle and kind person, Jiang Ning simply could not bring herself to strike.
Jiang Ning remained silent for a moment before asking, “Sister, do you have any enemies?”
Wen Ya was somewhat surprised by Jiang Ning’s question, but she answered her nonetheless: “I do.”
A flicker of resentment flashed across Wen Ya’s eyes. “Marquis Pingchuan, Situ Wei, who sold out his son for glory, and Princess Taiping, Song Yu, who takes by force and trickery. Four years ago, they forced my fiancé, Situ Nan, to his death.”
Situ Nan.
Jiang Ning had seen him before; his portrait hung right inside Wen Ya’s bedroom. However, this was her first time hearing about the grievances involved.
Prince Jing and Princess Taiping were imperial siblings. The pressure on her to poison Wen Ya likely had Princess Taiping pulling strings from behind as well.
With a look of utmost seriousness, Jiang Ning said, “Sister, you must be extremely careful recently. I fear someone might try to harm you.”
Wen Ya froze slightly. “Someone ordered you to act against me?”
Jiang Ning: “…”
Jiang Ning’s mind went blank for a brief moment.
What did it mean to be a daughter of a noble house? It meant being cultivated from childhood, possessing talent, insight, and cunning far beyond ordinary people.
When it came to household struggles or court intrigue, she wouldn’t even survive half an episode.
She had simply struck gold to encounter such a warm-hearted primary wife.
Revealing a gentle smile, Wen Ya asked, “Did Little Sister wear herself down to this state precisely because of this matter?”
Jiang Ning felt like crying. “Sister, how can you still manage to smile?”
Wen Ya replied, “Isn’t this what Little Sister taught me? ‘Smiling makes everything A-okay’—did Little Sister forget her own words instead?”
Indeed, smiling made everything A-okay. There was always a way out, the ship would naturally straighten at the bridge, and one should take things as they come without placing too much pressure on oneself—being happy was what mattered most.
When she had just time-traveled, Jiang Ning was a fearless young calf, living freely and carefree. Even the depressed Wen Ya had been infected by her spirit, displaying more and more smiles with each passing day.
Now, she herself had forgotten it instead.
Jiang Ning broke into a laugh and lamented, “It goes to show that one’s environment really exerts a massive influence.”
Jiang Ning pulled out the packet of medicinal powder and said, “It’s this stuff. They wanted me to put it into your tea.”
Wen Ya examined it for a moment without touching it, then said, “Keep it put away first.”
Using the excuse that Jiang Ning’s illness had worsened, Wen Ya invited Jiang Cheng back once more.
After identifying the medicinal powder, Jiang Cheng suddenly burst into laughter and said, “Madam, His Lordship’s body is in peak condition; he doesn’t need this kind of stuff to spice things up.”
Jiang Ning: “…”
Wen Ya: “…”
Wen Ya and Jiang Ning were instantly dumbfounded, plunged into supreme embarrassment.
So, this medicinal powder was that kind of stuff?
Her face flushing bright red, Wen Ya politely saw Jiang Cheng off again.
Treating this packet of powder like a terrifying monster, Wen Ya repeatedly urged and instructed Jiang Ning: “Sister must preserve her purity for her beloved. You may swallow this powder yourself or toss it away, but under no circumstances should you use it on Sister. Sister’s constitution is weak; enduring this by force would cost half my life.”
Knowing it wasn’t poison, Jiang Ning felt a immense weight lifted off her shoulders. Rarely seeing Wen Ya so flustered, she smiled cheekily: “But if I don’t spike the tea, I won’t be able to report back.”
Wen Ya shivered and said, “A few days ago, Mother sent a letter saying she missed me. I shall return to my family’s estate to stay for a few days.”
That very day, Wen Ya actually returned to her family’s estate.
Now, instead of Jiang Ning hiding from Wen Ya, it was Wen Ya hiding from Jiang Ning.
Jiang Ning knew full well that this was an act of kindness on Wen Ya’s part. With Wen Ya away from home, she had a valid excuse to stall for time.
Regardless of whether it was poison or that stuff, Jiang Ning would never pour it into Wen Ya’s teacup anyway.
What raised questions, however, was why they wanted to drug Wen Ya to make her consummate her marriage with Gu Jianshen.
What was their goal?
It couldn’t possibly be that Gu Jianshen’s mother brought in Prince Jing’s line just to urge them to produce a grandchild, right?
Gu Jianshen was twenty-eight years old, married without children; kids of his peers were already attending academies. Gu Jianshen’s mother was certainly anxious, but she would never establish a connection through Prince Jing.
Therefore, the underlying motive warranted deep thought.
As the sun set in the west…
Jiang Ning no longer spent her days in terror; her appetite returned fully. After dinner, she strolled around the estate to stretch her limbs after being cooped up for days.
Walking up to the entrance of the martial arts training ground, she spotted someone inside wielding a red-tasseled spear. The movements were crisp, neat, fierce, and handsome.
Jiang Ning immediately leaned against the doorframe to peek inside.
She had never seen this handsome, toned guy before; he was likely a guard who had returned with Gu Jianshen from the north.
A man who knew martial arts was truly handsome. She wondered if he could fly over roofs and walk on water like in martial arts novels?
Seeing the person inside, Yan’er’s heart leapt into her throat, and she urged in a low voice: “Concubine Jiang, stop playing around and let’s leave quickly! Master doesn’t allow us to approach the martial arts training ground.”
Jiang Ning hadn’t seen such an eye-pleasing man in a long time; whenever she closed her eyes, she kept seeing Gu Jianshen’s rough face. She needed to take this chance to cleanse her eyes, so how could she be willing to leave so soon?
“Ahem—”
A cough sounded from inside.
Jiang Ning followed the sound and looked over, spotting a rough man standing right beside the weapon rack. He was looking at her and let out another cough.
It was Gu Jianshen!
He was warning her!
Jiang Ning went completely numb. Screaming silently, she covered her face and sprinted away as fast as her legs could carry her, not daring to linger for another second.
Looking at her adorable appearance, the rough man unwittingly let a smile spread across his face.
Gu Jianshen, who had been practicing with the spear, came to a stop. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a woman outside the door sprinting away wildly, running in a chaotic, crooked manner as if chased by a fierce ghost—she appeared to be the maid beside Jiang Ning.
Looking over at the guard captain, Zhang Tao, standing beside him, the man was grinning ear to ear.
Speaking of which, Zhang Tao had remained single to this day without taking a wife.
Gu Jianshen asked, “You like her?”
Zhang Tao waved his hands in panic and bowed his head. “This subordinate does not dare harbor improper thoughts.”
Gu Jianshen let out a light snort and said, “Tell me the truth—do you like her or not? You have followed me through life and death, blocking blades for me multiple times on the battlefield, and I remember every bit of it. You are no longer young; it is time for you to start a family.”
Greatly encouraged, Zhang Tao immediately fell to his knees and pleaded, “My Lord, this subordinate indeed likes her. I beg Your Lordship to bestow her upon me!”
Ever since the day he saw Jiang Ning’s pitiful, tear-stained appearance like a rain-drenched pear blossom, he had been unable to get her out of his mind. His heart kept itching; he wanted so badly to hold her, bully her a little, and make her cry truly for him.