Chapter 60: “Don’t You Like It?”

Chapter 60 "You don't approve?"

Jiang Congyan was both amused and exasperated, "I haven't even said anything yet and you're already making that face. Do you not trust my decision?"

He Zhou clasped his hands in apology, "I wouldn't dare."

Jiang Congyan waved her hand, not wanting to argue further.

"How have Luo Qi and Meng Yao been feeling these days?" she asked, her voice somewhat low.

Back then, fifty-two people followed her north. Now three comrades had sacrificed their lives, and over a dozen were seriously injured, six of whom had lost limbs and could no longer fight. They must be deeply troubled.

He Zhou lowered his gaze, his expression darkening a bit, "They're managing. These days they've been actively cooperating with Physician Zhang's treatments. They're just worried they can no longer serve you, my lady."

He had actually overheard them discussing what to do next more than once. The lady is kind and benevolent, so of course she wouldn't abandon them. But...they were disabled after all. Even if they recovered, their fighting ability would be greatly diminished, and they could no longer kill enemies and earn merits.

Jiang Congyan lowered her eyes. This was perhaps the fate of most soldiers in this era.

Generals die in countless battles, and soldiers return after many years. Countless lives are ground down like grain in the mill of war.

The Liangzhou Imperial Guards were brave and skilled in battle. When surrounded by the Jie, they suffered few casualties. It was when Wudati Hou suddenly doubled back to ambush them that they were overwhelmed by the Xiongnu cavalry because they were outnumbered. Plus, they fought desperately, risking their lives to protect her without regard for their own lives, resulting in heavy losses.

Fortunately, Zhang Fu's superb medical skills and the ample medicine she had brought allowed them to save the lives of the seriously wounded in time. But some had their leg bones crushed by horse hooves, others had their arms slashed by swords. They could never fully return to their former condition.

In that situation, the number of casualties wasn't actually that high. But these Imperial Guards had followed her from Liangzhou to Chang'an, then from Chang'an to the royal court, traversing thousands of miles, never abandoning her, remaining loyal to the end. She couldn't treat them as mere subordinates. They had chosen to follow her, so she had to take responsibility for them.

In this era, there was a clear distinction between the gentry and commoners. Ordinary soldiers were just commoners conscripted into the army, not even from poor families. The court's compensation for fallen soldiers was merely a token sum. Sometimes even this meager sum was embezzled by higher-ups. Those warriors died in vain, with no one to care for their families.

The Marquis of Liangzhou was generous with compensation for soldiers' deaths and injuries. But sometimes the situation was such that the military funds allocated by the court were insufficient, and there simply wasn't that much money and provisions. The Liangzhou army's top priority was maintaining military strength to resist the barbarians, only then could they attend to compensation matters. Still, the Marquis did his utmost to care for the orphans of fallen soldiers and find ways to settle the disabled.

Later, when Jiang Congyan developed industries that brought in considerable profits, and opened up the Qu Yao supply line for grain purchases, she managed to ease some of the Marquis's burdens. But it still wasn't enough.

She couldn't support an army of tens of thousands, but supporting a few dozen people was within her means.

She said to He Zhou, "I've been thinking and have two ideas."

He Zhou stared intently at the lady.

"First, send them back to Liangzhou to reunite with their families. I'll continue to subsidize their households so they don't have to worry about making a living. Second..."

Before she could finish, He Zhou jumped to his feet, forgetting all decorum.

"My lady, no!" he said urgently, his young face full of anxiety and fear.

"We swore an oath to follow you, my lady, and never return to Liangzhou!"

He knew this was a sensitive issue. If he really brought this news back, he'd be lucky to escape without a beating.

They had actually discussed this privately before. He had asked Luo Qi and the others if they would be willing to go back to Liangzhou if the lady sent them. At the time, everyone shook their heads. Unless the lady no longer wanted their service, they would stay by her side even if it cost them their last breath.

Seeing how agitated he was, Jiang Congyan quickly beckoned for him to sit back down, "Calm down. This is just my first idea. If it's not acceptable, hear out my second plan."

Only then did He Zhou suppress his anxiety and look carefully at the lady.

"Second, I was thinking that since they can no longer fight, they should retire from the battlefield and form a merchant caravan."

"A merchant caravan?"

Jiang Congyan nodded.

She had been pondering this matter for a long time. The grasslands lacked resources, and Tuo Baxiao had established a trade route with Liang. If she wanted to develop industries in Xianbei territory, she would inevitably need various supplies. So, it made sense to establish her own trade caravan.

She used to have a trade caravan, but it only operated within Liang. After all, she hadn't considered doing business with the Xianbei at the time. Even now, trading between Xianbei and Liang was still risky.

A trade caravan usually meant wealth and supplies, making it a prime target. Liang and Xianbei territories didn’t fully border each other. When passing through Guyuan, Qiang or Jie bandits could easily raid, causing the caravan to lose both people and goods.

But she needed to open this trade route.

As it happened, Tuo Baxiao also wanted to trade with Liang.

It was summer now, and in another month or two, autumn would arrive. By then, the cattle and sheep would be at their fattest, and Tuo Baxiao would surely send a team to the border for trade.

"We’re just rough men. This trade caravan... we might not handle it well," He Zhou scratched his head, his mind momentarily blank.

Jiang Congyan: "I’m not asking you to manage it. I’ll send Ruo Lan over later. You just need to guard the caravan."

Though injured, they still had some combat ability. More importantly, their battlefield experience—like scouting, terrain knowledge, and enemy tactics—could play a significant role in ensuring the caravan's safety. Moreover, as the team grew, they would become her most steadfast support.

"So, you want them to act as escorts?" He Zhou summarized.

Jiang Congyan: "...You could say that."

She continued, "Setting up a trade caravan is a big deal for me. Besides you Imperial Guards, I’ll recruit some mixed-blood Xianbei later. You will also need to help me train them."

As elite Liang soldiers, training others came naturally to them.

He Zhou understood. The lady was aiming for something big, not just giving them an easy job.

"They will definitely choose the second option!" He answered without hesitation.

Retiring or staying with the lady to achieve something great—they would undoubtedly choose the latter.

Jiang Congyan also thought they would choose the second path, but she still considered whether some might want to return home to reunite with their families, hence proposing the first option.

"Alright, go back and ask each of them carefully. If they choose to stay, start preparing the trade caravan as I’ve said."

"Thank you, my lady!" He Zhou stood and clasped his fists.

When he returned and told the injured brothers about the lady's plan, they indeed chose the second option without hesitation. Hearing that the trade caravan would become very important in the future, they were all invigorated and became much more proactive in their recovery.

Previously, the lady had not made a decision, only telling them to focus on healing. They had plenty of food and drink, but their minds were restless. They knew the lady wouldn't mistreat them, but they feared she might assign them some idle task. Now, they could keep serving the lady and maybe even accomplish something big.

In the evening, Tuo Baxiao indeed came to her early again.

When it was time to sleep, Jiang Congyan didn’t give him a warm look this time, turning her back to him and lying on the inner side of the bed.

Tuo Baxiao waited for her to finish washing before he went to wash. It wasn't that he didn't want to wash together, but she had a stern expression and her refusal was firm.

And... the bathtub was indeed too small now.

He quickly rinsed off and climbed into bed.

It was summer, and the quilt was light. She lay on her side, the pale pink silk quilt gently draped over her waist, outlining a slender and delicate curve, as graceful and smooth as the neck of a fine white porcelain vase, extremely eye-catching.

The man swallowed as he lay beside her, his large hand following the graceful curve of her waist, turning her to face him.

Only two thin candles burned in the room, casting a soft, hazy light through the gauze curtains of the canopy bed. The girl's fair cheeks glowed with a jade-like luster in the dim light, as if reflecting a gentle radiance. Her dark pupils and faintly colored lips added a touch of coolness, like a celestial being descended to the mortal world.

Tuo Baxiao's heart stirred, feeling that no matter how he saw her, she was always beautiful.

He wrapped his arm around her and leaned in for a kiss.

Before he could get close, Jiang Congyan's soft palm pressed against his chin, pushing him away with force.

Although her strength was no match for him, he still stopped, puzzled. "What's the matter now?"

Knowing she valued cleanliness, he had scrubbed himself thoroughly, ensuring he didn’t smell.

"I don't want this tonight."

"Why?"

How dare he ask why! Had he already forgotten his outrageous actions last night?

Jiang Congyan was furious. Her face turned icy, her anger evident, as if frost had settled over her expression.

"I'm not feeling well."

Tuo Baxiao’s expression froze. "You don't like it?"

Jiang Congyan: "..."

"What gave you the impression I enjoyed it?"

She pushed up her sleeve, thrusting her wrist in front of him, and demanded through gritted teeth, "Who did this?"

Tuo Baxiao looked and indeed saw a faint blue mark on her snow-white wrist, clearly fingerprints.

The man was silent for a moment, his pupils shifting as if recalling his actions from the previous night.

Back then, she had tried to escape, pushing him away, so he had pinned her wrist to the pillow...

He hadn’t realized how much force he’d used, and he’d even held back, but the overwhelming pleasure had dulled his senses, leaving him craving more.

"How about I go easier on you tonight?" he murmured softly.

"..." Was that what she meant?

Jiang Congyan doubted he could think of anything else, and she knew better than to trust a man’s sweet talk in moments like these. Once he lost control, he’d do whatever he wanted.

Initially, she’d assumed Tuo Baxiao was only drawn to her looks and didn’t truly care for her, but after spending time together, she’d changed her mind slightly, guessing that he might have some affection for her, especially on the night she was abducted by Wudati Hou, when he showed a complex emotion, and she even sensed a bit of his nervousness and fear. But now she doubted it, as ever since they arrived at the royal court, he seemed obsessed, clearly fixated on her body. Especially after marriage, all he seemed to care about was bedding her every night, focusing solely on his own satisfaction and leaving her utterly exhausted.

"My body still aches all over. I don’t want to," she said, turning her head and body away, leaving only her back facing him.

Tuo Baxiao grew impatient and forcefully turned her around, his large hand gripping her waist.

Through the thin silk of her nightgown, he could feel the softness and slenderness of her body, reigniting his desire.

"Are you sure it’s a no?"

He leaned in, his lips brushing her cheek, his hot breath tickling her ear like a crawling insect, and his hand on her waist gave a suggestive squeeze, constantly moving.

Years of martial arts training had left his skin rough and calloused, his fingers hardened like iron. Through the thin silk, Jiang Congyan could clearly feel the hardness of his fingers, like iron tongs.

She seized his wandering hand and dug her nails into him, snapping, "Keep your hands to yourself!"

Tuo Baxiao: "..." Can’t even touch my own wife anymore.

He still wouldn't give up, trying to coax her into agreeing, but Jiang Congyan remained firm, chiding him for his overbearing actions the night before.

Tuo Baxiao found himself at a loss. Midway, he could still pass off coaxing her for more as playful banter, but now, before even starting, her frosty attitude made it clear that any coercion would be out of line.

No one dared to defy him, except for her.

With a deep breath, he finally drew her tightly into his embrace, marking his frustration with a fierce kiss before gritting his teeth and saying, "Tomorrow, you can't refuse me."

Tonight they would rest, and by tomorrow, things ought to improve.

Jiang Congyan lowered her eyes, allowing him to hold her tightly, her entire body nestled in his embrace.

She was unsure if the current situation was for better or worse. Clearly driven by desire, having restrained himself all night, he surely wouldn’t go easy on her tomorrow.

Yet, in some respects, compared to other men, he was still tolerable. He didn’t take her refusal as a blow to his pride, merely a source of mild frustration.

Some men would never tolerate a woman’s refusal, firm in the belief that a wife must heed her husband’s every word.

Even her dearly regarded elder cousin, whose integrity was unimpeachable in the eyes of others, still carried the chauvinism of this era. He pampered his wife in trivial matters, yet reserved the crucial decisions for himself. Yet, his love for his wife was genuine, and she found contentment in their harmonious, seldom contentious union.

Jiang Congyan refrained from advising her cousin’s wife on conduct or imposing notions of gender equality, for her cousin’s wife, this constituted her happiness.

Whether conscious suffering outweighs blissful ignorance is debatable. Each must forge their own path.

At times, she questioned if this era had subdued her spirit. The egalitarian marital dynamics assumed in modern society were scarcely found here. Thus, amidst scores of ten or twenty, a man rating forty or fifty seemed passable to her, hinting at potential for improvement.

Yet, even an ascent to sixty or seventy... was that cause for celebration?

Jiang Congyan’s mind swirled with these disjointed reflections, uncertain of their purpose, perhaps mere whimsical ponderings.

Enough; a day’s respite is preferable to none. Better this than daily endurance.

She quietly stayed in the man's arms, her back against a warm wall, not as comfortable as lying alone, but she had to make do.

The night was very quiet. In the middle of the night, Jiang Congyan suddenly woke up for some reason. She just opened her eyes and stared at the dark bed canopy, not speaking. The man seemed to catch the change in her breathing, tightening his arm around her, his chin brushing against the top of her head, and softly asked, "What's wrong?"

His voice was slightly hoarse and unclear, not as sharp as usual, having woken up sensing her change.

Jiang Congyan suddenly thought of her grandmother. She had slept with her grandmother for two or three years as a child, and her grandmother would often ask about her condition at night, noticing every little change.

Jiang Congyan shook her head, "Nothing, maybe just a bit thirsty."

Hearing this, Tuo Baxiao let go and sat up, then got out of bed, barefoot on the carpet, took the insulated copper pot wrapped in a cotton towel from the small side table, poured a large cup of water, and returned to bed.

"Drink."

He handed the cup to her. Jiang Congyan was stunned for a moment, then reached out to take it. But the candle in the room had burned out, and the night was too dark. She only saw a vague outline, groping forward, but bumped into the man's hand.

He moved slightly, the water in the cup swaying gently, fortunately not spilling.

Then she heard a low, amused chuckle from the man in the quiet night, somewhat joyful and mischievous.

Jiang Congyan: "..."

She carefully reached out again, but her hand was enveloped by the man's palm.

"Don't move, I'll feed you."

The man's long arm wrapped around her slender shoulder, pulling her close to him.

His night vision far surpassed hers, and his senses were razor-sharp. Even in such dim light, he could move freely and accurately brought the teacup to her lips without a hitch.

He had fed her water before, but she had been too exhausted and drowsy to feel anything. Now, fully awake, she suddenly felt a twinge of awkwardness.

"Why aren't you drinking?" Seeing her motionless, the man urged.

"Th-thank you!" Jiang Congyan quickly snapped back to reality.

Not wanting to appear overly delicate, she steadied his hand with hers and lowered her head, taking small sips.

The copper kettle's insulation was good, and the water, freshly boiled before bedtime, was still warm, just right for drinking.

"Do you Central Plains people still care about etiquette at times like this?" the man suddenly asked with a laugh, clearly poking fun at her earlier remark.

Jiang Congyan didn't know how to respond, so she simply focused on drinking until she had drunk most of the cup.

Tuo Baxiao asked, "Do you want more?"

She shook her head gently, then, after a couple of seconds, realized he might not see her in the dark. Just as she was about to add a verbal response, she felt the bed slightly rebound as the man moved away from her.

His senses were truly sharp.

Tuo Baxiao was also a bit thirsty. He picked up the copper kettle, refilled the cup, and gulped down several mouthfuls of water.

In the quiet of the night, the sound of his swallowing was loud and clear, gulp after gulp. Just from the sound, one could easily picture his bold, unrestrained nature.

After drinking, they lay back down. For some reason, Jiang Congyan suddenly found it hard to sleep and couldn't help but recall how he had gone to pour water without hesitation.

She couldn't see clearly, but her mind seemed to vividly conjure his every movement.

The man noticed her restlessness. "Not sleeping?" he asked, his large hand laden with implication as it mischievously pinched her waist.

Jiang Congyan arched her back in response and angrily twisted the skin on the back of his hand.

"Behave yourself."

"You're the one not sleeping," the man said innocently.

"..."

Even if she wasn't sleeping, she was just lying there quietly, not bothering him. It was he who was taking the opportunity to stir things up.

But with his antics, the delicate emotions she had been nursing were interrupted. Jiang Congyan couldn't be bothered to engage with him and closed her eyes, trying hard to fall asleep.

Seeing her silent, Tuo Baxiao rested his chin on the top of her head, holding her close and inhaling the subtle fragrance wafting from her, finally feeling a sense of contentment.

The next day, Wen Yu, readying to return to Chang'an, bid farewell.

In truth, he could have left a couple of days earlier, but he had lingered until the issue concerning the craftsmen was resolved before taking his leave.

Wen Yu had been of great help in securing the craftsmen, and Jiang Congyan felt profoundly grateful. She personally saw him off from the royal court.

"Princess, there's no need to go further. Your presence here alone is already an honor for me."

Once they were beyond the Rouge Lake area, Wen Yu reined in his horse, dismounted, and bowed to Jiang Congyan.

Jiang Congyan also controlled her reins and, with Si Zi's help, she dismounted.

"Such a short distance is scarcely worth mentioning," Jiang Congyan said with a faint smile. "With this parting, I wonder when we shall cross paths again, my lord."

Wen Yu smiled but remained silent.

"Before we part ways, I have something to give you, sir."

"Oh?"

Jiang Congyan glanced at Si Zi, who then produced a letter from her robe.

Jiang Congyan took it, and Wen Yu's gaze fell on the letter between her fingers.

The envelope was made of white paper, pristine and delicate, with a smooth finish. Even the paper used by renowned calligraphers and painters was no finer, yet she used it solely for writing letters.

Jiang Congyan held the envelope with both hands and presented it forward. "This is a letter I’ve written for you, sir. If you have aspirations in the Western Regions, this letter will greatly facilitate your travels in Liangzhou."

She spoke casually, but Wen Yu sensed that this letter was far from ordinary.

The princess was the sole descendant of the King of Chu and the late Princess of Chu, and the Marquis of Liangzhou doted on her immensely. Others had previously believed that this favoritism was simply the doting of an elder on a young daughter, indulging her in food and clothing, nothing major. But now, Wen Yu was almost certain that the princess had accomplished significant things during her years in Liangzhou.

From just the three months between Chang'an and the royal court, based on his observations, he knew the princess was exceptionally intelligent, with broad vision, courage, and methods that were all admirable. Could such a lady have been idle before? No, certainly not.

Her influence in Liangzhou might far surpass that of the Zhang family’s young master.

All these complex thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant, but Wen Yu did not hesitate. He quickly composed himself, bent down, and respectfully accepted the letter with both hands.

"Your servant thanks the princess."

"I was worried that my letter might not be delivered, but fortunately, you do not disdain it," Jiang Congyan joked.

Wen Yu: "The princess is jesting."

The Marquis of Liangzhou, commanding a hundred thousand strong soldiers, holds a letter as significant as an imperial edict.

Perhaps he had been waiting for this letter all along.

Seeing that he had accepted the letter, Jiang Congyan was relieved, but then she instructed Si Zi to bring out the remaining letters.

"Since you're heading back to Chang'an, could you deliver a few letters for me?"

"No need to worry, the letters are light and won't be much of a burden."

Wen Yu: "..."

Is she already putting me to work?

Jiang Congyan looked at him with a smile.

It wasn't that she didn't have anyone to deliver the letters, but the journey from Chang'an to the royal court was long and infrequent. Since Wen Yu was going back, it wouldn't hurt to have him deliver some less important messages. Moreover, it would be good for him to get to know the ropes; from now on, he would be part of her circle.

Wen Yu, being very intelligent, likely guessed her underlying intentions. Ultimately, he respectfully accepted the letters, "Your Highness, rest assured, I will deliver the letters."

His expression was serious, but his voice had a hint of gritted teeth.

Finally, Jiang Congyan gave him some food and essential emergency medicines, mainly for treating diarrhea, vomiting, high fever, and some external injuries to stop bleeding.

Wen Yu did not refuse out of politeness. The journey back might not be peaceful, and he knew that the renowned physician under the princess was highly skilled. These pills would be hard to come by outside, possibly worth a fortune.

He couldn't help feeling a bit emotional. The princess was indeed thorough and generous in her actions, yet she had been bestowed by the emperor to the Prince of Mobei...

After the farewell, Wen Yu set off with his entourage.

Jiang Congyan watched them gradually disappear into the distance. The group looked so small against the vast grassland and endless blue sky, as if they had stepped into a historical scroll. She suddenly felt a sense of melancholy—wasn't she equally insignificant on this vast land?

Her emotions were still heavy when a clear call suddenly reached her ears.

"Yo!"