Chapter 44
Chapter 44
Wen Jian stood on the field embankment, looking at the nearby training ground where there was a lively atmosphere. In recent days, Liu Hu had been sending people to train these group of refugees, and some of them were tall and strong, learning exceptionally fast and displaying quite an imposing manner.
They claimed they wanted to spar with Liu Hu’s elite soldiers.
When Liu Hu heard about this, he came to find Wen Jian and asked for his opinion.
Wen Jian readily agreed for two reasons. First, he wanted to suppress the arrogance of this group of people and make them realize that they shouldn’t be so arrogant just because they had learned a few things. Second, he had his own ulterior motives and wanted to see if there were any talents among them.
The last time the new emperor came for a private visit, Wen Jian didn’t hide anything. He revealed all the matters concerning training the refugees to become peasant soldiers on the fort. He specifically mentioned it.
The new emperor listened in silence for a long time.
After a while, he stood in front of Wen Jian and almost gritted his teeth as he said, “Wen Jian, you really have talent!”
The tone of his words was difficult to determine whether it was praise or sarcasm.
Wen Jian’s back was already covered in sweat. By doing these things without reporting to higher authorities, he had indeed crossed the line. Although he justified it by saying it was to prevent barbarian invaders and bandits, even keeping the number of peasant soldiers within the border limit set by the fort, exceeding it would be considered raising troops without authorization. However, if the emperor wanted to find fault with you, then even if you had a hundred mouths, they would all be in the wrong.
On the forehead of Prime Minister Li, who was standing next to the new emperor, there was a faint layer of sweat, as he glanced at Wen Jian with a cryptic expression.
What a careless move!
How could this self-appointed person be brought under his command?!
Unexpectedly, a faint smile appeared on the corner of the new emperor’s lips, as he reached out and patted Wen Jian’s shoulder. “With barbarian invasions, unrest on the borders, and rampant banditry, it’s indeed necessary to have someone watch over the granaries of the Li family’s fort.” After a moment, he added, “Mr. Wen, act boldly. If someone dares to steal the grain, chop off that person’s head. If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility!”
Wen Jian didn’t want to dwell on the insinuations made by the new emperor. He only needed to know one thing: the new emperor needed someone like him to pave the way and help him regain military power from Zhu Sima.
Now that this person had been presented before him, regardless of what he thought, he had to immediately kneel down and express his sincerity.
Accompanying the emperor is like accompanying a tiger. He preferred to speak with practical actions.
Whether to believe his sincerity or not, it was up to the new emperor to discern.
Clearly, the recent actions of the new emperor showed that his heart leaned toward Wen Jian.
Wen Jian’s gamble had paid off.
Prime Minister Li’s expression changed when he saw the look in Wen Jian’s eyes.
The new emperor stayed at the fort and had dinner before leaving. Wen Jian, a seventh-rank official, enjoyed drinks with the emperor at the same table, while Liu Hu, a fourth-rank official, stood below the steps, guarding the safety of the new emperor.
This scene was inexplicably amusing.
“Mr. Wen, Miss Li is here,” Xiao Du whispered to remind Wen Jian.
Wen Jian’s thoughts were brought back by Xiao Du’s words. He furrowed his brow slightly and glanced in the direction where Miss Li was coming from.
The new emperor had left, but Li’s daughter seemed to be coming frequently. Today she brought him some food, and tomorrow she would ask him to accompany her to visit the wooden workshop...
Everyone in the fort noticed her attentiveness, and the astute Wen Jian saw it clearly in his heart.
Wen Jian intended to keep his distance from Miss Li. When he saw her approaching quickly, he whispered to Xiao Du, “Just let me know the result of the sparring.”
Xiao Du scratched the back of his head. “Sir, it’s not a solution to keep avoiding her like this.”
Wen Jian glanced at him sideways. “Do you have a good idea?”
Xiao Du pondered with a frowning face. “Actually, Miss Li is quite good. Which nobleman doesn’t have multiple wives and concubines? If you have Miss Li, you wouldn’t have to work from dawn till dusk in this fort. Prime Minister Li would surely ensure his son-in-law’s rise to success...”
Wen Jian interrupted him sternly, “Xiao Du! Others might not know, but you should know that I am a man with a wife.”
Xiao Du choked for a moment and said in a low voice, “But your wife always makes you suffer.”
Wen Jian was puzzled. “...How am I suffering?”
Xiao Du anxiously said, “She received your letters so frequently, but your wife only sends you a pitiful two letters in a month. I see how annoyed you get every time you read the letters. How can a wife always make her husband suffer? Besides, your wife is just a village woman...”
Upon hearing this, Wen Jian furrowed his brow deeply, barely suppressing the anger rising within his chest. He pointed his finger at Xiao Du in the air for a while before saying, “Xiao Du, I see you’re still unmarried, so I won’t hold it against you. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that! Let Miss Li marry whomever she wants...”
After he finished speaking, he turned around with a gloomy expression and walked away.
It was almost afternoon by the time Wen Jian had a chance to return to his room and rest for a while.
However, he couldn’t sleep soundly. He felt as if he were immersed in deep water and scorching flames, experiencing alternating moments of heat and cold. His head was dizzy...
Later, he felt someone holding his hand and a buzzing sound in his ears. Before long, a bitter taste filled his mouth, and then he descended into darkness.
——
“You say you’re that scoundrel Wen Jian’s wife?” Liu Hu looked at the woman sitting in the cart with confusion.
Ji Sang nodded quietly. “Yes.”
Liu Hu furrowed his brow. “He never mentioned it to me!”
Ji Sang smiled lightly and said, “You can ask Xiao Du by his side. He often accompanies me to deliver letters to my family.”
Liu Hu had heard about this matter before and suddenly clapped his hands. “So, those frequent letters were meant for you?”
“Yes,” Ji Sang confirmed.
Liu Hu slapped his hand backward and hurriedly said, “Open the gate! Lady Wen has arrived.”
After speaking, he couldn’t help but glance at Ji Sang a few more times.
Wen Jian came from Yuemoon Village, a village smaller than theirs. It was said to be so poor that they couldn’t even find brides. But this Lady Wen was truly beautiful, with smooth and tender skin that seemed like it could drip water. Her small face was delicate, and her clothes were of good quality, clean and elegant. She exuded a serene and gentle aura.
Yes, gentle and tranquil.
Liu Hu, a rough man, thought for a while and came up with this term.
Ji Sang got off the cart, paid the fare, and the carter drove the cart away.
Liu Hu found himself a little more talkative in the presence of such a beautiful woman. “Lady Wen, your timing is quite coincidental. Wen Jian got caught in the rain two nights ago and developed a fever. Xiao Du went to call Wen Jian for dinner in the evening and discovered it. He rushed out to find a doctor, but unexpectedly... happened to encounter...”
He paused in his words.
Tsk, he’d better not mention the fact that the youngest daughter of Lord Li sought a physician.
Ji Sang’s heart tightened, her dark eyes glanced over, and her steps unconsciously quickened. She heard Liu Hu continue, “But don’t worry, he took the medicine and is currently asleep. The physician said it’s due to excessive exertion and fatigue. Sleeping is a good thing for him.”
After hearing this, Ji Sang felt a slight sense of relief in her heart, but her pace didn’t slow down. She just wanted to see him as soon as possible.
Xiao Du fetched water in the courtyard and washed the sweaty clothes that Wen Jian had changed out of...
Suddenly, Liu Hu’s voice came from the entrance of the courtyard. Xiao Du abruptly stood up from the ground. “General Liu...” Then, he froze in place.
He looked at Ji Sang, his eyes instantly filled with surprise, and even his tone was brimming with joy.
“Lady?!”
“Lady! Why have you come?”
Ji Sang, who liked Xiao Du, intentionally lowered her voice and asked, “What? Xiao Du, are you not happy to see me?”
Xiao Du was on the verge of cheering. “Happy! Happy! Happy!”
After a moment, he hurriedly said, “Oh... no, it’s the General who’s happy. The General will be ecstatic to know you’ve come.”
Ji Sang chuckled softly.
Is it really that exaggerated?
Ji Sang didn’t know that Xiao Du had been with Wen Jian all this time.
When Wen Jian had a fever, he called out the name of his wife.
Xiao Du said, “Lady... please, go in and see the General. The General will be relieved once he knows you’re here. I’m sure his condition will improve.”
Pausing for a moment, a hint of tenderness crossed his face, and he said in a weak tone, “General, you’re in her thoughts.”
...
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