Chapter 81 Western Campaign Against Bandits

Chapter 81: Western Expedition to Suppress Bandits

Hao Li was brought before the Second Prince, Xiao Jinyu.

Xiao Jinyu had always prized talent. Upon seeing Hao Li's extraordinary strength, he felt he'd struck gold and promptly decided to send him to the military camp of his maternal grandfather, the Marquis of Wuding, to undergo the most formal and grueling training.

There, Hao Li would diligently learn martial arts such as archery, horsemanship, and the use of various weapons like swords, spears, and halberds.

Although Hao Li had an enormous appetite and a rather simple, straightforward nature, he was far from being a blockhead. He was a quick study and made rapid progress, which greatly satisfied Xiao Jinyu.

Xiao Jinyu personally visited her to express his gratitude, his joy evident: "This Hao Li is truly a promising talent! I am immensely grateful that General Xia was willing to give up such a rare treasure!"

Xia Yan, strictly following Jiang Shuning's instructions, made no mention of Hao Li being a purchased slave. She merely stated lightly, "He is a fierce warrior I carefully selected from under my father's command, specifically to present to Your Highness. I noticed you were in need of a capable guard by your side, so I recommended Hao Li, hoping he can share your burdens."

"Miss Xia, you truly understand me, always planning things on my behalf!" Xiao Jinyu gazed at her with eyes burning with intensity. "I don't even know how to thank you!"

Xia Yan's cheeks instantly flushed with two shades of pink. She lowered her head shyly: "It is enough that Your Highness understands my intentions."

Xiao Jinyu laughed heartily and patted her shoulder: "If you were a man, I would surely share drinks with you and swear brotherhood!"

Upon hearing this, the smile on Xia Yan's face froze abruptly, and a sour ache rose in her heart.

Did he truly believe that nothing beyond brotherly affection was possible between them?

The news that Jiang Shuning had used Xia Yan to introduce Hao Li to the Second Prince, Xiao Jinyu, soon reached the ears of the Fourth Prince, Xiao Lingchuan.

Ling Feng was indignant: "That Hao Li is powerfully built, exceptionally brave, and a military talent found once in a hundred. It's truly baffling that Miss Jiang didn't keep him for Your Highness but instead handed him over to the Second Prince! Especially since Your Highness not only sent Ling Wu to protect her in secret but also repeatedly aided her from the shadows..."

Xiao Lingchuan's peach blossom eyes remained calm, his tone indifferent: "Ultimately, she remains far too naive."

She was single-mindedly focused on preventing the extraordinarily gifted Hao Li from being recruited into Xiao Xiuzhan's service as he had been in her previous life.

But how could she understand that the loss of a Hao Li or an A Meng could not shake Xiao Xiuzhan's foundation, let alone easily take his life?

In their previous life, he and Xiao Xiuzhan had engaged in open and covert struggles for years, surviving countless life-and-death battles, only to barely achieve a balance of power.

He understood better than anyone that to bring about Xiao Xiuzhan's demise, it would not be achieved by removing one or two underlings.

As the Lunar New Year approached, banditry ran rampant in the Western Yu region.

On official roads and along the canals, merchants and travelers were often stripped clean by bandits.

Men who encountered the bandits were brutally killed on the spot, while women were forcibly abducted. Their methods were heinous and shocking.

The matter caused an uproar in the court and among the populace, with widespread complaints from the common people.

If this gang of fierce bandits was not uprooted and completely eradicated, the court would have no way to answer to the people of Daye.

The Emperor was furious and ordered the formation of a bandit-suppression army to directly attack the bandit stronghold in Western Yu, determined to completely eliminate the bandit scourge.

As in her previous life, the Third Prince, Xiao Xiuzhan, volunteered to lead the western expedition to suppress the bandits.

When the news reached the Prime Minister's residence, Jiang Yaozhen immediately became extremely agitated.

The "medicine" given by Xiao Lingchuan had taken effect; the sores on her face had already faded.

She hadn't expected this thunderbolt of news before she even had a chance to meet the Third Prince again.

She hurried to Laifu Tavern for a secret meeting with her mother.

"Mother, please accompany the Third Prince to Western Yu! His mission to directly attack the bandit stronghold is extremely perilous. I fear something might happen to him!" Jiang Yaozhen said urgently.

Her mother gestured in response: "Western Yu is a long journey, requiring two months for a round trip. I must seek the antidote from the Fourth Prince each month. I'm afraid I cannot travel that far."

"What are we to do then? If something were to happen to the Third Prince, wouldn't all our years of planning come to nothing?" Jiang Yaozhen was frantic with worry.

Mother and daughter had long staked all their bets on Xiao Xiuzhan. They had originally intended to use Xiao Lingchuan's power to help him contend for the throne. Who would have thought this descendant of Nanyue would be so profoundly cunning? Not only had he not fallen under their control, but he had also outmaneuvered the mother and daughter, trapping them completely.

Now, her mother was forced to work for Xiao Lingchuan, and Jiang Yaozhen had become a vulnerable point he could use for leverage.

The mother and daughter hated Xiao Lingchuan to the core, hoping only that Xiao Xiuzhan would one day ascend the throne so they could break free from these shackles.

But now, with Xiao Xiuzhan personally leading the expedition to suppress the bandits in Western Yu, his life hanging in the balance, how could Jiang Yaozhen feel at ease?

Her mother gestured to comfort her: "The Third Prince is blessed with great fortune. He will surely overcome danger and return safely."

Even so, Jiang Yaozhen remained unsettled.

Returning to the Prime Minister's residence, she saw Jiang Shuning leaving with Ling Wu, carrying items for worship and looking hurried.

At this time, who was she going to pay respects to?

Suspicion arose in Jiang Yaozhen's heart. She called for a carriage and quietly followed them.

She discovered Jiang Shuning heading directly to the Jiang Family Ancestral Hall.

To avoid being detected by Ling Wu, she circled to a side door of the hall and stealthily followed Jiang Shuning inside.

Inside the ancestral hall, Jiang Shuning knelt before the memorial tablet of Jiang Tianen, her expression solemn and devout.

"Elder Brother, the Third Prince's journey to Western Yu is surely doomed! When that time comes, you can rest in peace in the netherworld!"

After saying this, she poured a cup of clear wine onto the ground and respectfully kowtowed, her movements pious and dignified.

This scene sent chills down Jiang Yaozhen's spine, a sudden cold dread rising from the depths of her heart.

Why would Jiang Shuning say such things before Jiang Tianen's spirit tablet?

Could it be that she intended to harm the Third Prince?

She must not be allowed to succeed!

Not daring to delay, Jiang Yaozhen immediately left the ancestral hall, put on her veil, hurriedly boarded her carriage, and headed straight for Chunxiang Tower.

After Ning Xiang entered the palace, the Third Prince, Xiao Xiuzhan, had promoted another top courtesan at Chunxiang Tower named "Hongying."

This woman's dance was enchanting, her charm innate; every movement could sway a person's heart.

Upon arriving at Chunxiang Tower, Jiang Yaozhen employed her old trick, directly leaping in through a window.

Xiao Xiuzhan was thoroughly enjoying the dance performance. Seeing her enter veiled, he assumed the sores on her face had not yet healed, and a flicker of annoyance passed through his eyes: "What are you doing here? Chunxiang Tower is not a place you can come and go as you please!"

Jiang Yaozhen's mother had been a songstress at Chunxiang Tower in her youth and was intimately familiar with its layout.

Jiang Yaozhen possessed a detailed layout map of Chunxiang Tower, making entry and exit naturally easy for her.

"This subject has important news to report," she said, slowly removing her veil to reveal her flawless, smooth face.

Seeing that the terrifying sores on her face had disappeared, Xiao Xiuzhan's expression immediately softened.

He waved for Hongying to leave, then said with a smile, "Second Miss Jiang, speak freely."

"Your Highness, my elder sister, Jiang Shuning, still harbors deep resentment over the death of our elder brother, Jiang Tianen, even blaming all the responsibility on Your Highness. Today, I accidentally overheard her in the ancestral hall, before our elder brother's spirit tablet, uttering such treasonous words as, 'The Third Prince's journey to Western Yu is doomed!' I fear my sister may intend harm against Your Highness. I beg Your Highness to be extremely cautious and vigilant!"

Hearing this, Xiao Xiuzhan burst into loud laughter, his tone contemptuous: "Your sister is not treasonous; she's just a fool talking in her dreams! How could this prince be easily harmed by her kneeling before a spirit tablet and uttering a few curses?"