Upon hearing Jiang Huaichuan’s name, Wu Ling’s eyes lit up.
In her previous life, Jiang Huaian had been the Great Yu Dynasty’s foremost war god, yet even someone like him had lost an arm fighting the Northern Di and nearly perished on the battlefield.
Jiang Huaichuan’s combat prowess was far inferior to Jiang Huaian’s.
If he were the one sent this time…
He might not even have a chance to return alive to the capital!
The more Wu Ling thought about it, the more excited she became. Clutching Lin Shuang’s lapel, she pretended to be serious and nodded emphatically.
Receiving this affirmation, the emperor lightly tapped his finger on the military map.
His gaze darkened slightly.
In terms of strategy and combat ability, Jiang Huaichuan was far inferior to Jiang Huaian.
However, since Wu Ling had specifically named him to confront the Northern Di, perhaps Jiang Huaichuan could truly repel them.
This would also serve as a test—to see whether Wu Ling was truly an Auspicious Omen.
After a long pause, he said calmly, “Draft the edict.”
“Command Jiang Huaichuan, the second son of the Duke of Zhenguo’s household, to assume the post of Northern Commander effective immediately. In three days, he shall lead troops northward to reinforce the border.”
Wu Ling’s heart raced wildly, and she could barely suppress her laughter.
Success!
Once Jiang Huaichuan set foot on the battlefield, it would be a fight for survival!
Although there had been some minor disruptions in this lifetime, things were finally back on track.
Let Jiang Huaichuan be the beginning.
The downfall of the Jiang family was now within sight.
Let’s see how Jiang Xiu would protect that freak then!
[So what if she’s not the legitimate daughter? Destiny is on my side!]
…
When the imperial edict reached the Jiang household, Jiang Xiu happened to be present as well.
She had originally come to discuss with her father the matter of settling retired soldiers on the estate’s farmlands. In the midst of their conversation, the palace edict arrived.
All members of the Jiang family knelt to receive the decree.
Jiang Huaichuan, dressed in plain blue everyday attire, accepted the edict without the slightest hesitation.
“Your servant receives the decree.”
Jiang Xiu felt a chill run down her spine.
Why had this duty ultimately fallen upon the Jiang family?
Fu Fu had been dozing off in Xing’er’s arms, but upon hearing the name Jiang Huaichuan, her eyes snapped open.
[Second Uncle is going to the front lines?]
[Even Eldest Uncle lost his right arm when he went…]
[It must be that wretched child Wu Ling again.]
A wave of cold dread washed over Jiang Xiu.
The other members of the Jiang family present had clearly also heard Fu Fu’s inner thoughts.
Jiang Huaian’s father’s expression darkened almost imperceptibly.
Jiang Huaian himself stood up abruptly.
“Father, this edict should have been meant for me.”
“If I hadn’t claimed a few days ago that my old injury had flared up, it wouldn’t have fallen to Huaichuan.”
He looked at Jiang Huaichuan, guilt weighing heavily in his eyes.
“I’ve failed as an elder brother.”
Then he turned to face his father.
“Father, tomorrow I will enter the palace and inform His Majesty that my old injury has healed and I am fit to lead troops north.”
“This duty should have been mine. It shouldn’t have fallen on Huaichuan.”
The room fell into sudden silence.
Jiang Xiu’s eyes reddened instantly.
Jiang Huaichuan patted Jiang Huaian on the back and forced a lighthearted laugh.
“Father, Eldest Brother, it’s not as if I’ve never been on a battlefield before.”
“Maybe I’ll be lucky.”
Jiang Huaian’s father closed his eyes briefly. He had long heard about the situation at the border.
For generations, the Jiang family had been loyal and righteous. Before hearing his granddaughter’s inner thoughts, no matter how perilous the battle, he would have fought to the death without a second thought! Never once had he considered retreating!
At this moment, he would certainly have declared: Those of the Jiang family should serve the nation and its people. Even if we die on the battlefield, it would be an honor for the Duke of Zhenguo’s household.
He had never feared, never retreated…
But ever since learning of the tragic fate of the Jiang family’s complete annihilation, he had lived in constant dread.
The emperor’s paranoia was well-known, but to think he would exterminate the Jiang family over the words of a child who hadn’t even grown teeth yet.
His chest felt as if weighed down by a thousand-pound boulder.
Heads hung on the city walls, bloodlines severed…
Could it be that the Duke’s estate was truly destined to be destroyed in his hands?
Fu Fu furrowed her little brow at the tense atmosphere.
【One rushes to offer an arm, the other rushes to offer his life.】
After saying this, Fu Fu couldn’t help but sigh.
【If only my demon army were this loyal.】
【That bunch of cowards—if they hadn’t failed me at the critical moment, why would I have fallen short in the Nineteen Layers of the Demonic Path!】
【Who exactly framed me?】
【A bunch of useless fools, they truly infuriate me!】
She took a moment to calm herself.
【Enough, enough. Mother’s family matters are more important.】
【Second Uncle must go. Defying the imperial decree is not an option, nor is sending someone else. If Eldest Uncle’s illness were so easily cured, the emperor would know he was feigning it.】
【I have a treasure. Tomorrow, I must make sure Mother gives it to Second Uncle.】
【Ah, but how to give it to him?】
Everyone present watched Fu Fu quietly, gratitude in their eyes, yet unable to say a word.
Jiang Xiu had long since warned them not to let Fu Fu know they could hear her thoughts.
In the end, it was Father Jiang who broke the silence.
“Huaichuan, accept the decree and head north!”
Jiang Huaichuan nodded solemnly. “Yes.”
Jiang Xiu lowered her gaze to look at Fu Fu in her arms, her heart heavy all the while.
…
By the time they returned to the Loyal Marquis Estate, the night had grown deep.
The lights in the distant courtyards gradually dimmed, and the lanterns beneath the corridor swayed gently in the night breeze.
Jiang Xiu, utterly exhausted from these past days, succumbed to drowsiness and fell asleep leaning against Fu Fu’s small bed.
Xing’er also kept watch in the outer room, dozing lightly with her head resting on the table.
The room fell silent.
Fu Fu slowly opened her eyes.
The tiny milk dumpling lay swaddled in her blankets, but her gaze gradually darkened.
【Finally, they’re all asleep.】
She struggled to move her little hand, attempting to crawl off the bed.
However, having been born not long ago, she was utterly incapable of such a large movement.
【Useless body!】
【Once I return to the Demon Realm, the first thing I’ll do is seal away this humiliating memory.】
【It infuriates me! Truly infuriates me!】
【Enough, enough.】
She closed her eyes and forcibly drew out the scant Demonic Qi remaining in her dantian.
The temperature in the room suddenly dropped several degrees.
The quietly burning candle flame flickered violently, dimming for a moment.
Fu Fu painstakingly used her Demonic Qi to slice her fingertip.
A tiny drop of blood seeped out.
The moment the blood droplet appeared, an extremely faint hum resonated through the room.
Fu Fu’s pitch-black eyes fixed on the air before her.
【Come out.】
【I know you’re not completely shattered.】
A wisp of black mist slowly coalesced in front of her.
A moment later, a palm-sized mirror tumbled out from the black mist.
The mirror’s surface was pitch black, bearing no resemblance to what a divine artifact should look like. Instead, it resembled a scrap of tarnished copper pried from beneath someone’s stove.
Fu Fu fell silent for a moment.
【…】
【You’re in worse shape than I am.】
The mirror trembled slightly.
【Enough, enough…】
【I’ll give you a bit more Demonic Qi. When the critical moment comes, don’t you dare fail me.】
Frowning, Fu Fu forced out a second drop of blood from her fingertip.
Her little face instantly paled a shade.
She slowly guided the blood droplet toward the mirror’s surface. The moment it made contact, the originally pitch-black mirror instantly regained a glimmer of light.
Reflected in the mirror was the image of a tiny milk dumpling.
Fu Fu curled her lips into a somewhat satisfied smile.
[Not bad at all. My appearance is truly pleasing to the eye.]
The next second, the Mirror of the Mortal Realm fell into Fu Fu’s arms with a soft thud,
emitting an almost imperceptible chuckle.
She wanted to scold the Mirror of the Mortal Realm, but forcing herself to squeeze out blood had completely drained her strength.
The little milk dumpling’s eyelids drooped bit by bit.
Before falling completely asleep, she still clutched the Mirror of the Mortal Realm tightly.
[Second Uncle.]
[This time, I’ll give you a cheat.]
[If you dare die again…]
[I’ll never forgive you.]
…