Chapter 58 Return to the Guard
After traveling for several days, the group finally returned to the garrison before the busy farming season.
Lin Changning's return home this time resolved a thorn in her side. With Lin Erniu dead, Lin Changqing's reputation ruined, and Lin Changxiao having lost a leg, she didn't believe they could stir up any more trouble.
The first thing I did upon returning was to report to the garrison and give the commander a briefing on the situation.
Lin Changning rushed back to the garrison without even changing his clothes and stood outside the tent. Qi Ming was on duty that day. Qi Ming stopped Lin Changning and gave the battalion commander a wry look.
"Xiao Liu, wait a bit before going in. The commander is currently receiving that group of noble young men from the capital. They're very difficult to deal with. Wait until they come out before you go in."
Lin Changning nodded and patted the dust off his clothes: "Understood, Brother Ming."
Qi Ming helped brush the dust off Lin Changning: "Hey kid, why didn't you tidy yourself up before coming over? You know our commander is very clean. With so much dust, be careful the commander doesn't smudge you later."
Lin Changning rolled his eyes: "I was in a hurry to come back, something came up."
As the two were talking, the tent flap suddenly opened, and three or four richly dressed young men came out, exchanging pleasantries. They followed the men out of the tent without a smile on their faces.
Based on Lin Changning's understanding of command, his mood at this moment was definitely not pleasant.
After the person came out, Su Qingyan came face to face with Lin Changning. Seeing Lin Changning's thin and frail appearance, then looking at Lin Changning's handsome and extraordinary face, and finally glancing at the waist badge of a centurion on Lin Changning's body, she raised an eyebrow and said:
"Prince Qi? So, he's good-looking, huh? Is he also one of your soldiers? He looks more like a pageboy."
The term "book boy" is not a flattering one. Many powerful and wealthy people in the capital are pretentious and like to choose handsome young men as their book boys. What they are really like in private is something only the person in charge knows.
Seeing Lin Changning's outstanding appearance, Su Qingyan couldn't help but think of the fact that Prince Qi was not interested in women, and subconsciously assumed that the two had some kind of unspeakable relationship.
The group looked at Lin Changning. Under their scrutinizing gazes, Lin Changning instantly understood what this refined-looking nobleman meant. He glanced at the commander, whose brows were furrowed in displeasure, and walked expressionlessly to the wooden stake in front of the tent where horses were tethered.
Lin Changning narrowed her phoenix eyes and looked coldly at Su Qingyan, who had mocked her. She clenched her fist and slammed it hard against the wooden stake. With a crack, the stake broke in the middle.
"Even the worst soldier like me is still much better than a pretty face!"
Su Qingyan's smile almost froze, and Li Jingzhou swallowed hard: "The young master's subordinates are really... wow, you can't judge a book by its cover."
Su Qingyan stopped smiling and cupped his hands in apology to Lin Changning: "I apologize. I am Su Qingyan, the eldest son of the Marquis of Zhongyong. I had no intention of offending you just now."
Whether it's offensive or not, you know in your heart. Lin Changning rolled her eyes and bowed to Qi Rong, who was beaming with joy: "Commander, things at home are settled. I have something important to report."
Qi Rong asked with a smile, "No rush, it's good that you're back. Is everything settled at home, Liu Lang?"
Lin Changning nodded: "Everything is in place."
Su Qingyan wasn't angry at being left hanging. She put on a smile and said goodbye to Qi Rong: "Young Master Qi, we have been very kind to you these past few days. The handover of the food and supplies has been completed, and we will be leaving today."
Please make yourself at home.
After Qi Rong finished speaking, he lifted the curtain and entered the tent. Lin Changning rolled his eyes at Su Qingyan, who had a forced smile, and then entered the tent as well.
Gu Jia sneered: "A mere centurion is so arrogant, he deserves to die! How could Brother Qi have such a person under his command!"
Li Jingzhou shrugged: "Didn't you see? His skills are superb. Talented people are often arrogant, which is normal. Besides, Brother Su's words were indeed somewhat disrespectful."
Su Qingyan sighed: "Alright, we're leaving today, so let's not cause any more trouble. I misspoke just now."
Qi Ming, standing to the side, also rolled his eyes. Was that just a slip of the tongue? He was just trying to smear the commander because he thought Xiao Liu was handsome.
After the person had walked away, Qi Ming spat on the ground: "Ugh! What a filthy thing, with dirty eyes and a dirty heart."
Lin Changning followed them inside. Qi Rong sat in the main seat and tapped the table, saying, "Sit down. Don't take what they said to heart. They're just scions of wealthy families from the capital, here to get some experience."
Lin Changning nodded and sat down: "I don't care. Commander, the lead has gone cold. The constable my second uncle bribed died suddenly the day before the interrogation. He only admitted to accepting bribes and refused to admit to colluding with outsiders."
"Was an autopsy performed? What did the magistrate say?"
Lin Changning pursed his lips: "The examination was done. The coroner said it was a stroke. There was no poisoning or other abnormalities. It seems he indeed died suddenly from illness. I asked the county magistrate and inquired about his life. This matter should have nothing to do with him."
My second uncle has already been beaten to death, so those behind him will probably be less vigilant. We currently suspect two people: a traveling merchant in the county and a slave trader who sells horses and slaves. However, there's no evidence yet to prove they have any connection to the Tartars. The county magistrate will keep an eye on things, and will send someone to notify us if there are any leads.”
Qi Rong pondered for a moment, then picked up a military book: "Hmm, well done. As long as the person is still alive, there's no need to worry about revealing your true colors."
After finishing their business, Qi Rong looked at Lin Changning hesitantly, unsure of how to begin.
The reason is simple: his younger brother is too noisy, and he really can't handle him. The eight or nine-year-old boy is like a walking encyclopedia of questions, chattering away these days and giving him a headache.
I heard from others that Liu Lang usually teaches the neighborhood children to read in his spare time, so teaching one more child shouldn't be a problem, right?
But wouldn't it be a bit presumptuous to bring this up so suddenly...?
Qi Rong hadn't prepared himself mentally, so Lin Changning, seeing Qi Rong's awkward and hesitant demeanor, asked first, "Is there anything else the Commander wants to say?"
Qi Rong blushed, a rare look of embarrassment on his face as he stammered, "Just call me Second Brother in private. Indeed, there's something I'd like to ask you, but I don't know if it's convenient for you, Sixth Brother."
"Second brother, you can say so."
Qi Rong sighed helplessly: "My younger brother, An'an, really likes you. He's been giving me a headache lately, so I hope you can take care of him when you have some free time."
Qi Rong covered his face with his book: "I really can't handle this anymore. An'an is well-behaved, but he has just too many problems. It's incredibly annoying at the end of the day. But he's not exactly mischievous. I can't hit him, I can't scold him. Before I can even say anything harsh, he'll come home and say I don't welcome him. Then he'll go home and continue to be a neglected little cabbage, driving me crazy. Sigh~"
After saying that, Qi Rong let out a long sigh. Lin Changning couldn't help but burst into laughter. It was really hard to imagine that a commander with outstanding martial arts skills and skillful military strategy would be troubled by not being able to handle a child.
Qi Rong looked at Lin Changning's overjoyed expression and said helplessly, "Sixth Brother, will you help your second brother or not? Give me a straight answer."
Lin Changning nodded with a smile: "I thought it was something important that made Second Brother so troubled. Fine, I'll take An'an to me when I'm off duty and on my days off."
Qi Rong breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if he had been relieved of a burden: "Then I'll leave it to you, Liu Lang. I won't work for nothing. You can teach him to read and write some more. I'll give him fifty taels of silver from my private treasury every month. When he receives his salary each month, I'll have Zhiqi deliver it to you."
Lin Changning was short of money. His second brother needed treatment for his leg, his younger brother needed to go to school, and he also needed to donate thirty taels to the clan every year. Just when he was sleepy, someone offered him a pillow. Lin Changning didn't refuse and generously said, "Then thank you for your generosity, second brother. I'm worried that we don't have enough money at home. Leave An'an to me, and I guarantee you will have a well-behaved and obedient younger brother."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
