Chapter 92: Aftermath

Chapter 92: The Aftermath

"What does His Majesty plan to do with us?"

"Nothing for now, but the Fourth Prince got it pretty bad."

Jiang Huailiang clicked his tongue.

"That boy is as stubborn as an ox, insisting he acted alone. The censors have been censuring him heavily, tsk..."

Jiang Wan stood up to leave, but her father quickly stopped her.

"It's almost dark. Where are you going?"

"I'm going to check on him—"

"Check on what? He's the emperor's own son, and the empress is there too. Fifty strokes won't be fatal anyway."

Pulling his daughter back and pressing her into a chair, Old Jiang finally offered some reassurance.

"Stop worrying. It's a good thing he's taking a public punishment. Our family doesn't have grand ambitions anyway; we're not counting on you to achieve greatness. His reputation is tarnished now, which is better for both of you in the long run. That boy isn't stupid at all. By stepping up to shoulder the blame for the Crown Prince, do you think his brother will treat him poorly once he ascends the throne?"

"Oh, Dad!"

Jiang Wan stomped her foot in frustration.

"I'm not worried about whether he has the brains to compete for anything in the future. I'm worried he might be sabotaged by someone! Even if the Crown Prince is brotherly toward him now, what about the Song family waiting in the wings? Do you think they'll tolerate Li Chengxiu, a legitimate imperial son, in the future?"

"I know."

Jiang Huailiang looked at his eldest daughter and made a promise.

"It's true that Li Laosan has his father-in-law's support, but your dad is still alive, isn't he? Would I just stand by and watch Old Fourth fall into a trap?"

"You have a plan?"

"Of course."

Old Jiang stroked his thick beard, clearly pleased with his ability to successfully pull his future son-in-law out of trouble.

"In a few days, the emperor will issue an order for the Fourth Prince to serve as a junior officer under me and accompany me to Dongling Prefecture. We won’t let Old Fourth stay in the capital where he’s an eyesore. Once the Crown Prince’s position is secure, Old Fourth can also earn some military merits to bolster his standing. Then everything will be easier to handle."

Jiang Wan wasn’t very familiar with court politics, but if her father said so, there must be a reason. Still, she couldn’t help but feel a little worried.

"Dad, are you going on another campaign? You’re already a duke—is it appropriate for you to command troops again?"

"For now, it’s fine."

Jiang Huailiang was pleased with his daughter’s sharpness.

"Although there are others in the court who could lead the army, none are as suitable as I am. For one, it reassures the emperor. For another, with the mess you’ve stirred up this time, it’ll help downplay my military successes a bit. And, Wan Jie’er, our family isn’t in a position to step back just yet."

Although Old Jiang wasn’t well-educated, he had a keen insight into the world and his own position.

"Your father is a military man. I don’t understand the so-called 'art of governance' that the civil officials talk about. But I know that I, the Duke of Ling, am the emperor’s shield and his sword. It’s true that we have a connection, but I must remain useful and trustworthy to him. Only then can I protect our family and ensure our lasting stability."

Jiang Wan nodded in understanding.

"As long as you know what you’re doing. History is full of examples where great achievements aroused the ruler’s suspicion—there’s always a reason for it. As a military family, it’s harder for us to secure a good future compared to civil officials."

"Exactly! I originally hoped you three would apply yourselves to study well and steer our descendants toward the path of civil service. But from what I’ve seen, only the Second Daughter seems to have a knack for studying. You and the Third Daughter are not up to it!"

Jiang Wan blinked awkwardly.

What could she say? As a science major in her past life, she had already done pretty well mastering the convoluted classical Chinese that gave her a headache. Asking her to quote from books like the Second Daughter, discussing state affairs, was indeed a bit of a stretch.

Jiang Huailiang chuckled at his eldest daughter’s rare display of embarrassment.

"If you’re not cut out for studying, so be it. I never planned to force you. This time, I’ll take Old Fourth out to broaden his horizons. You stay home and help your mother keep an eye on the family, understand?"

"Don’t worry about us when you’re away. Just make sure to protect yourself. Don’t give us any reason to worry."

"Hey, since when did you become so much like your mother? Nagging at the drop of a hat. You weren’t like this before."

"Before, I preferred deeds over talk. If you’d rather I go back to that, I can."

To be honest, being dragged by her mother every day to learn etiquette, social norms, and the intricacies of interactions among nobles and officials was nearly enough to make her sick! If she weren’t the eldest daughter, responsible for upholding the Jiang family’s dignity, Jiang Wan would have long since thrown in the towel and shirked her duties.

"Don’t! If you want to slack off, just say it outright. Don’t pin it on your dad. Your mother would kill me later!"

"What nonsense are you spouting in front of our daughter again?"

Speak of the devil, Xu Shi pushed the door open and entered.

"It’s dinnertime. Why haven’t you two come over yet? Do I have to invite you three or four times?"

"Who said that? I was just filling in Eldest Daughter on the situation outside. We’re coming now."

"Dad, let’s hurry. The food will get cold."

Old Jiang and Xiao Jiang quickly stood up from their chairs and prepared to leave.

"Wait a minute."

Xu Shi frowned at their words.

"What situation outside is important enough for you two to discuss behind closed doors? Let me hear it."

"Dad~~"

Jiang Wan quickly imitated the coquettish tone of the Second and Third Daughters, dragging out the end of her word. Jiang Huailiang turned his face away, avoiding his daughter’s gaze.

"Calling me 'Grandpa' won’t help. Your mother is the one in charge here, remember? Since she’s asking me directly, I can’t cover for you. You’re on your own!"

"Dad, what kind of close father-daughter relationship do we have if you’re selling me out so easily?"

"Heh heh heh, better you than me."

"What on earth is going on?"

Xu Shi shot a sharp glance, and the father-daughter pair immediately straightened up. Jiang Huailiang stroked his beard obsequiously, putting on a guileless smile.

"Darling, listen to me, this really has nothing to do with me. It was all Wan Jie’er who caused this mess—no, wait, actually it’s not our girl’s fault either. The main culprits are those two sons of the Li family…"

"Get to the point! No rambling!"

Seeing how visibly guilty the two looked, Xu Shi’s expression grew stern. Realizing there was no use letting her father hem and haw, Jiang Wan decided to confess herself.

"Mother, here’s what happened."

She selectively shared what she could, stumbling through the explanation from beginning to end. Aside from the agreed-upon secrecy about the dream, she laid everything else out.

Furious, Xu Shi poked Jiang Wan’s forehead hard.

"Is this how I usually teach you? When dealing with such sensitive matters, you must handle them discreetly. Who in the world does it as out in the open as you two?"