Chapter 191: A Wise Ruler’s Choice

Chapter 191: A Wise Ruler's Choice

A fool, Ye Jiangbai thought to herself, shaking her head inwardly. Does she believe everything people tell her? If someone were to play a cunning trick, would she obediently fall into their trap?

The porcelain bottle in her sleeve felt unexpectedly heavy, and Ye Jiangbai's jaw tensed as a hint of hostility flashed in her eyes.

Upon returning home, Chang Nian began attending to the affairs that Feng Jingxian had entrusted to her. Ye Jiangbai, sipping her tea leisurely nearby, commented, "Your Highness is too lenient in your dealings."

"Hmm?" Chang Nian turned back, puzzled.

"The military pay is too generous," Ye Jiangbai pointed out, tapping on the document in Chang Nian's hand. "We're currently preparing for battle, not in the midst of one. With so much food and supplies stockpiled, aren't you just nurturing idle soldiers? At this rate, it won't be long before our provisions run short."

"That won't happen," Chang Nian denied, shaking her head. "I've calculated it. The old grains transported from various regions are enough for them to eat until the end of the year, let alone the harvests in autumn. Brother also said that we can't skimp on the soldiers' wages during wartime; otherwise, they'll hold grudges, and we won't win battles."

"Brother?"

"General Beichang," explained Chang Nian. "He treats me like his own sister, so I naturally call him Brother."

Rolling her eyes, Ye Jiangbai forced a smile. "Your Highness's skill in winning people's hearts is impressive."

"What are you insinuating?" Chang Nian glared at him. "If you have the ability, call him 'brother' and see if he follows you."

"I don't need it!"

Chang Nian curled her lips, finding this person truly arrogant, not even sparing a glance at a mighty general like Beitang Miao.

She would rather be humble and have her soldiers fight for her, valuing each and every one of them. They needed ample provisions, and their losses must be compensated. Tomorrow, she would find time to visit the military camp.

When midnight struck, Chang Nian remained awake with a lamp lit. After a while, she heard a soft knock on her window sill.

She got up and opened the window, but no one was there. Instead, she found a slip of paper with the words "outside the mansion's entrance".

"You still have to go out?" Ye Jiangbai, draped in his robe, lounged lazily on a cushioned bench. "There might be an ambush, you know."

Chang Nian examined the note repeatedly before responding, "I'll still take a look."

"Your Highness seems determined to walk straight into the jaws of death. I can't stop you," Ye Jiangbai harrumphed. "Have a safe trip, no need to see you off."

Chang Nian nodded, took her cloak, and prepared to open the door.

"Wait," the person behind her called out again, his voice cold. "Take Ye Liang with you. You won't know the way."

Softening inside, Chang Nian turned back at him with a smile. "Didn't you say you were going to leave me alone?"

"Who said I'm worried about you? Your maid has always held a grudge against me. If you didn't return, she'd surely suspect that I was up to something and glare at me with her menacing eyes," Ye Jiangbai said nonchalantly. "I'm afraid of having nightmares."

This man, could he not just plainly say he was worried about her? He needed her alive to restrain Prince Wu, so there was no harm in admitting it straightforwardly. His awkwardness made her feel uneasy.

Tongue sticking out, Chang Nian grabbed her cloak, opened the door, and left with Ye Liang in tow, heading outside the estate.

No sooner had she left the mansion than the footsteps trailing behind her became those of two individuals.

Chang Nian turned back, the corners of her eyes twitching. "What is it?"

With a composed demeanor, Ye Jiangbai wrapped himself in a cloak and said, "I can't sleep anyway, so I might as well accompany you. Don't worry, I'll hide well."

Chang Nian: "..."

She laughed through her anger and turned back to face him, standing before him and looking up into his eyes as she asked, "Are you afraid that someone might plot against me?"

Ye Jiangbai harrumphed twice but did not respond.

"You've made Ye Liang so worried that he had to come himself. I suppose that means you're quite concerned about me?"

He turned his face away, looking up at the moon, still not answering.

Chang Nian felt a twitch in her teeth. She reached out and pinched his arm, then flung her cloak back and continued walking forward.

Without hesitation, two sets of footsteps followed closely behind her.

Strangely, Chang Nian felt an inexplicable sense of security. Looking at the empty street ahead, she thought that even if there were really ambushes waiting for her, she would no longer be afraid.

However, it turned out that Ye Jiangbai had overestimated the situation. At the intersection in front of the Marquis's residence, only one person stood there.

Both Ye Liang and Ye Jiangbai had concealed their presence. As Chang Nian approached, she was about to ask whose messenger this was, why they didn't dare enter the Marquis's residence, but when she saw clearly, she realized it was Yao Zhongye.

Chang Nian was astonished. "Lieutenant Yao... came personally?"

Yao Zhongye looked haggard, with a scruffy beard, suggesting he hadn't slept well in days. Upon seeing her, he immediately knelt down and bowed his head three times to her.

"I am forever grateful to Your Highness for saving my entire family!"

With this bow, Chang Nian understood that Yao Chongye was truly ignorant.

"Vice Commander Yao, please rise and speak," Chang Nian helped him up. "As you're not under my command, such an extravagant gesture is not appropriate."

"Your Highness deserves it," Yao Chongye said with reddened eyes. "If not for Your Highness, I would have remained oblivious while my family suffered the most brutal punishments, perhaps even drowning myself in the pleasures of the palace... My son is only five years old, bright and talented. If he were to die because of me, I could never live with myself."

Yao was not lying—Yao Chongye doted on his son immensely.

Sighing, Chang Nian said, "You betrayed Duke Wu for Prince Wu, but he did not save your family. It seems like your future path will be a difficult one."

Yao Chongye's gaze dimmed. "I realized it the moment I received the letter from home. The prince only sees me as a pawn to eliminate Duke Wu, disposable when no longer needed. Although he still puts on a facade, I know it's impossible for me to regain his favor."

"Loyalty is the most precious trait for a commander. Once disloyal, never to be trusted again. As a vice commander, you should understand this principle. Why were you swayed?"

"Your Highness is unaware," Yao Chongye sighed. "If Prince Wu had tempted or coerced me, I would never have committed such deeds. It was simply impossible to defy the head of our clan..."

The head of the Yao clan was none other than Minister Yao. Chang Nian was surprised. "Didn't he always support Duke Wu?"

Yao Chongye shook his head. "The Duke is known for his unpredictable temperament and cruel nature. Many who serve him live in constant fear. Minister Yao wished to marry his daughter to the Duke for reassurance, but since the Duke steadfastly refused, he was forced to consider other options."

Chang Nian paused and slightly turned his head to glance at the quiet alley behind him. He wondered if Yao Chongye would have any chance of survival if that person overheard their conversation.

She quickly tried to soften the blow with her translation: "In other words, you wouldn't have betrayed the Duke if not for the Lord's order?"

"Yes," Yao Chongye sighed. "Who would betray a master like the Duke of Guo?"

Such a prospect brought a sigh of relief to Chang Nian, who patted her chest contentedly. Just as she was about to compliment Ye Jiangbai for his astute observation, he continued, "After all, should one betray, it would result in the execution of the entire family, and one's own fate wouldn't be any better. Only a fool would rebel against him."

Chang Nian: "..."

The night breeze suddenly turned chilly. She clutched her cloak tightly, narrowing her eyes as she thought bleakly, How blind people are not afraid of steep cliffs, ignorance truly is fearless...