Chapter 93

CHAPTER 93

An Zeyou kept his promise. The next day after breakfast, he brought Jiang Bingzhong and Jiang Bai in. "You must have things to say to Lord Jiang, so I'll take Jiang Bai out to play."

With that, he closed the door.

Jiang Bingzhong examined her closely. "Mo'er, seeing you safe, I can rest easy." His expression was a little despondent. "I don't want to burden you any longer. I plan to leave with Bai'er tomorrow."

"Where will you go?" Jiang Mo tightly grasped Jiang Bingzhong's sleeve, tears welling in her eyes. "Father, I don't want you to leave."

Seeing his daughter's tears fall, Jiang Bingzhong's heart ached. "Don't cry, don't cry, you're still in the month after giving birth, you mustn't cry."

He guided Jiang Mo to sit down. "Mo'er, Bai'er and I can't hold you back any longer. I only know carpentry, I don't know martial arts and have no official position, and I'm unable to do anything for you. From the time you took my place in the marriage, Duke Qingguo has used us to threaten you. If it weren't for us, you would have escaped the capital long ago, and none of what happened later would have occurred. Now, An Zeyou wants to trap you again, and there's no telling if he won't use us to pressure you in the future. If Bai'er and I leave, you won't be constrained by others. This time we'll go to Jiangnan. We probably can't return to Xiling County. Once we settle in a nearby town, we'll leave a message for you at the old courtyard."

"I won't leave with An Zeyou, Father. Please be patient for a few more days." Jiang Mo's heart was anxious. What she longed for was never wealth or status; she just wanted her family to live peacefully.

Jiang Bingzhong stroked her shoulder. "Mo'er, your father is useless, not a good father. I've made you suffer so much."

"No, no." Jiang Mo cried and shook her head. Her father was the best father in the world. He had always tried his best to fulfill her wishes and supported her in whatever she wanted to do. Just because he was a minor official who couldn't stand up to the powerful nobles and couldn't take her away, did that make him a bad father?

The one who did wrong was never her father. Why should he bear this consequence?

"I don't want you and A Bai to leave. What if I miss you?"

"Mo'er, I know you have His Majesty in your heart, and you have given birth to his son. But it's a shame you weren't meant to be together. His Majesty thinks you are dead; he will grieve for a few days, but soon he will fill his harem and gradually forget you. Don't think about His Majesty anymore. Young Master An treats you well, but your heart isn't with him. Don't worry too much. An Shengwu is plotting rebellion. Even if Young Master An takes you back to the Northern Domain, he probably can't watch you every moment. You can find an opportunity to escape. If we go to the Northern Domain with you, you'll have to worry about us, making it harder to leave."

Jiang Bingzhong smiled and drew Jiang Mo into his arms. "Don't worry, your father has enough travel money. We'll wait for you in Jiangnan."

Though he spoke this way, he was still very worried. But reason told him that if they didn't leave, they would only be a burden to their daughter.

Jiang Mo wanted to beg him to stay, but Jiang Bingzhong cut her off. "I've made up my mind. We'll leave tomorrow. You don't need to see us off. Just believe that we will meet again soon."

With those words, Jiang Bingzhong didn't stay longer. He turned and left. It wasn't that he was heartless; he could no longer hold back his tears. He didn't want his daughter to see his fragility and reluctance.

Watching her father's retreating figure, Jiang Mo sat dejectedly on the stool. In her heart, she knew that everything her father did was for her sake.

If her father and brother followed her to the Northern Domain, An Zeyou would surely use them to control her. She knew her father's decision was correct, but she still felt miserable. She would not see her beloved or her child in this life, and she didn't know if she would ever see her father and brother again.

She had originally thought An Zeyou wouldn't let her father and brother leave easily. To her surprise, he didn't stop them, gave them ample travel money, and escorted them out of Su City.

Three days after her father and brother left, An Zeyou wanted to take her back to the Northern Domain. Jiang Mo stated her wishes once more. An Zeyou refused to listen, taking a firm stance. Not only did he disagree, but he also increased the guards. She didn't dare bring it up again and had to go along with his plans.

Leaving Su City, they only traveled half a day before reaching the Northern Domain.

As soon as they stepped into the territory of the Northern Domain, a group of riders came to meet them.

Jiang Mo lifted the carriage curtain and saw a dashing female general at the front of the line.

The woman dismounted and walked up to An Zeyou, circling him and sizing him up. "The water of the capital really nourishes people. How did you turn into such a pretty boy? By the way, you sent word that you were bringing a woman back. Where is she? Let your Big Sister have a look."

An Zeyou's excitement and tearful eyes were swept away by An Jinzhi's remarks, as if he had never left for ten years but only been away for a few days.

"Big Sister has become even more beautiful. I brought lots of gifts from the capital for you. You can pick what you like."

An Jinzhi walked over to Jiang Mo's carriage. "Let's talk about those later. Is this the girl in the carriage? Won't you invite her out?"

An Zeyou hesitated. After all, Jiang Mo wasn't here willingly. He was afraid she might say something unpleasant and anger his sister.

"Miss Jiang is timid. Don't scare her. It's not too late for you to meet at the welcome banquet." He was thinking that at the welcome banquet, he would explain everything clearly—Jiang Mo's identity, his feelings for her—he wanted to hide nothing. If he wanted to be with Jiang Mo, his greatest wish was to have his family's blessing.

"General." Jiang Mo stepped out of the carriage. An Jinzhi caught sight of Jiang Mo and felt a shock, "Did you just step out of a painting?"

She patted An Zeyou on the shoulder, "You lucky dog. No wonder you'd bring her even when fleeing for your life—she's truly a beauty of the ages."

Jiang Mo curtsied to An Jinzhi, "I've long heard the General's grace described by Master An. Seeing you today, you're truly the equal of any man."

"What's your name? You speak pleasantly, I like it." An Jinzhi's gaze lingered on Jiang Mo's face, "No wonder my second brother is so smitten; even I can't look away."

"To answer the General, my name is Jiang Mo. Jiang as in the river, Mo as in the jasmine flower."

"Such a gentle name." An Jinzhi tapped An Zeyou's arm with the hilt of her sword, "Father has also arranged a match for you with a daughter of a wealthy family in the city. Be careful with what you say at the welcome banquet."

An Zeyou's heart tightened, "Sister, actually, Miss Jiang's identity is special. I will explain everything to Father at the banquet. If he gets angry, you'll have to speak up for me."

An Jinzhi glanced at Jiang Mo, "You didn't go and steal the wife of some noble young master from the capital, did you?"

"Quit guessing, Sis. Miss Jiang can't be exposed to the wind. Let's go into the city quickly." An Zeyou took off his cloak and wrapped it around Jiang Mo, guiding her back into the carriage.

An Jinzhi muttered to herself, She's pretty, seems pleasant, but she's a bit delicate.

The carriage soon stopped in front of the An residence. An Zeyou lifted the curtain and saw his father, mother, and brother waiting for him at the gate. The closer he got to home, the more nervous he became—it had been ten years, and he was both excited and anxious. He gripped the hem of his clothes and stayed in the carriage.

Jiang Mo noticed his tension and said softly, "Go on. Look how much they're looking forward to it."

An Zeyou took a deep breath and nodded. He took Jiang Mo's hand, then thought better of it and let go. "The wind is strong outside. Don't come down."

Jiang Mo nodded and watched An Zeyou step out of the carriage, embracing his family with tears. She was genuinely happy for him—he, who had been away for ten years, had finally returned home.

An Zeyou's mother looked very pale, probably still unwell. An Shengwu appeared much older than in his portrait. An Zexin, An Zeyou's older brother, had a woman beside him holding a boy of two or three years—presumably his wife and son.

The family seemed harmonious and joyful. Jiang Mo recalled the bustling streets and the peaceful lives of the people after they entered the city. If only they could stay like this, putting political struggles aside.

The people at the gate gradually entered. A maidservant helped Jiang Mo through the back door into the An residence.

Just as she entered the room, An Zeyou arrived.

"I sent word home early that I would bring you back. Mother prepared this room specifically for you. Take a look and see if you need anything. It's not as grand as the prince's mansion, let alone the Kunming Palace, but if you want anything, just say so."

Jiang Mo had expected An Zeyou to place her outside the mansion, not bring her directly into the An residence. "I don't care what you told your parents. We are only ordinary friends. I still hope you can put me up elsewhere."

The maidservants tidying the room exchanged glances. The lady of the house said that the second young master brought back a woman he had his heart set on and intended to marry. But it seemed more like the young master was pressuring the girl.

"Jiang Mo, in this life, I will never marry anyone else. My mind is made up. Whether you agree or not cannot change my decision. You may not love me, and we don't have to get married, but I have to make my position clear to everyone."

An Zeyou didn't avoid the servants. "Take good care of Miss Jiang. If anything happens to her, you will be severely punished."

The servants put down their work and bowed to An Zeyou, "Yes, Second Young Master."

He gently stroked Jiang Mo's head, "Change your clothes and freshen up. In half an hour, I'll take you to the welcome banquet."

"Can I not go?" Jiang Mo quickly said. "This banquet is just for you—it's a family affair. It's not appropriate for me to attend."

An Zeyou was not angry. He simply looked at Jiang Mo. "If you don't attend today's banquet, I will invite Father and Mother here to see you."

Jiang Mo had no choice and dared not refuse him again. However, she had a plan. Earlier, An Zeyou had told An Jinzhi that he would reveal her identity at the banquet. Old General An would surely not tolerate her. Since An Zeyou wouldn't let her go, she would find a way to make the general let her go.

It was September, and the autumn in the northern frontier was clear and crisp. The night breeze was gentle, and the temperature was pleasant. In the open space before the main courtyard, the banquet had been set. When An Zeyou brought Jiang Mo, An Zexin's family and An Jinzhi were already seated. At the seats of honor, An Shengwu and Madam An had not yet arrived.

Just as Jiang Mo sat down, a deep voice came from the courtyard gate: "Zeyou, my son, ten years away, you must have forgotten the taste of our northern frontier's strong wine. Today, you'll drink to your heart's content with your father."

An Zeyou stood up and bowed. "Then, Father, you can test your son's tolerance for alcohol."

An Shengwu approached and caught sight of Jiang Mo, visibly delighted. "You rascal, no wonder you brought her along even while fleeing. I doubt there's a woman in the entire northern frontier more beautiful than her."

Jiang Mo glanced at An Jinzhi—truly father and daughter—they said the same thing.

An Shengwu walked to the main seat, spread his arms, and announced, "Let the banquet begin."