Chapter 82 Chapter 82 "Brother!"
Going to Changling and going to Yingjun are two completely different directions, one is to the north of Jiankang and the other is to the west of Jiankang.
After Xie Yun and his group left the city gate, they headed north without any hesitation.
Because Xie Yun's leg injury had healed, he did not take a carriage on this trip, so the speed of travel was much faster. At this rate, they could reach Changling two days earlier.
In the afternoon, after Prime Minister Xie sent away the eunuchs who came to visit the emperor, A-Mao received the report and entered the house.
"Prime Minister, Acchu and his men have returned. They witnessed the Seventh Young Master's journey to Changling with their own eyes, and none of his followers were missing along the way."
Ah Mao felt that the Prime Minister was being too cautious regarding the matter of the Seventh Young Master. Everyone in the palace knew that the Seventh Young Master was not interested in women, so how could he be so obsessed with a female guest whom he had not been with for long? Besides, the Seventh Young Master always listened to the Prime Minister.
"Well, go away. Qilang is a good boy, I was overthinking it." Xie Li's expression softened when he heard the report. It didn't matter even if he went to Ying County, Shu Jian was still there.
Although Qilang has a cold temperament, he always has respect for his elders.
"I also hope that the woman who loves to read my collection of essays can return safely to her hometown."
Xie Li said with a smile.
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Ban Jiang lived in the somewhat remote northern suburbs of Ying County, and the manor was named after her, called Jiang Garden.
"Mrs. Zhang, look, that Wu Fort in front is from Jiang Garden. Madam Ban had it specially built a year ago."
Xie Yuan pointed to a two-story Wu Castle and asked Zhang Jingxian to look at it, and said that the eldest son had ordered that there would be patrols here day and night, and no outsiders were allowed to approach.
He was the person assigned by the elders of the Xie family to lead the way. He was familiar with the situation in Jiang Garden and was said to have had dealings with Mrs. Ban.
After meeting the elders of the Xie family, Zhang Jingxian, Shu Jian and others took a short rest and then asked Xie Yuan to lead them here.
Zhang Jingxian couldn't wait any longer because she had gained hope. She really wanted to make sure that her cousin was there.
Shu Jian feared that the night would drag on, and that Mrs. Ban had chosen to flee after hearing the news. Given what the eldest son had done, he was bound to bring Mrs. Ban back to Jiankang and hand her over to the Prime Minister for punishment.
If she had been more sensible, she could have survived. If she had dared to resist, Shu Jian would have killed her immediately. There was no doubt from the story told by the Xie family elders that this woman was the one the King of Donghai had placed with the eldest son.
Shu Jian was not optimistic about how many of the thousands of people were in Ying County now, but he did not say it clearly. He just stared at the tall Wu Castle.
"They even built a Wu Fort. If there were anyone inside, they would have spotted us by now. Ah Xian, hold your bow and arrow. Don't hesitate when necessary."
Zhang Jingxian nodded and clenched the short bow in her hand. They didn't bring many people with them on this trip, and if they all fought together, they might not be a match for the people in Wu Castle.
She felt that Mrs. Ban was not just a beautiful girl as the elders of the Xie family said. The fact that the elders of the Xie family hated her but could do nothing about it proved that Mrs. Ban had real power in Jiang Garden.
Xie Yuan's words are another piece of evidence. When the eldest son of the Xie family was in Jiankang, the huge Jiang Garden was managed by Mrs. Ban.
Otherwise, this Wu Castle could not be built at all.
They slowly approached, with Xie Yuan at the front. He raised his arm and waved to the people on Wu Fort, then displayed the Xie family's flag.
Not long after, the side door of Jiang Garden opened.
Xie Yuan narrowed his eyes and recognized a person's face. He turned around and told Zhang Jingxian and Shu Jian, "The person who came is Rushan, who is deeply trusted by Mrs. Ban."
Zhang Jingxian followed his gaze, her mind went blank, her fingers trembled uncontrollably, and the bow and arrow fell to the ground without being held firmly.
Entering the mountains, a familiar name.
What he saw was a face that was familiar and that he missed so much, a face that was shaped like his uncle's resolute face, and eyes that were exactly the same as his aunt's, but a little narrow.
The person who came over was the cousin she had been looking for in both lives.
"...Brother." Zhang Jingxian's lips parted slightly, joy rushing through her mind and heart. Her voice grew louder as she called out again, "Brother!"
After walking out of Jiang Garden, the first person Zhang Rushan looked at was Xie Yuan, a person he had met a few times. It was not yet time for the eldest son to return, and he had a bad feeling.
However, before he could take his eyes off Xie Yuan, a woman's voice exploded in his ears like thunder.
At this moment, Zhang Rushan thought he was hallucinating. He looked at the girl in blue standing next to Xie Yuan, his pupils suddenly shrank, and he did not react for a long time.
How could it be Ah Xian? The person who came was Ah Xian?
No, that's impossible. Ah Xian should be in Xishan Village now.
However, his eyes clearly reflected Ah Xian's appearance, the determined gaze, the beautiful features, and the long hair tied up with only a hairband, which was almost unchanged from when he left more than four years ago.
It's really her.
Zhang Rushan reacted quickly, strode forward, and ignoring the surprised looks of the people around him, opened his arms, and somewhat awkwardly embraced her in his arms.
It was a hug after a long separation, with a reassuring strength.
"Brother, I finally found you."
Zhang Jingxian almost burst into tears. Four years ago, when he left the village with the conscription official, he did the same thing and hugged her awkwardly.
"Ah Xian, after I leave, you will take on the responsibility of being the eldest daughter in the family. Don't cry, I will be back."
The last words he had said to her still echoed in her ears. At that time, she was terrified. The war was relentless, and Zhang Jingxian thought she would never have the chance to see her cousin again in this life.
They were cousins in name, but they had lived and eaten together for many years, and she had long regarded her cousin, who was three years older than her, as her own brother.
My cousin was only eighteen years old when he was conscripted.
Zhang Jingxian had countless questions to ask, but in the end, she only said one sentence, "I came here on the orders of the Prime Minister, but I didn't expect to meet you, brother. You should be serving somewhere else."
Hearing this, Xie Yuan and the others, who had been bewildered by the reunion of siblings, finally understood the answer. It seemed that not only was this female guest close to the Prime Minister, but even her cousin served the Xie family, and for some unknown reason had followed the eldest son to Ying County.
However, since Ashan is her cousin, things will be much easier.
Zhang Rushan is not clear about his cousin's identity change and the reason for her appearance here, but he is just like his name, like a mountain, silent and reliable.
He let go of Zhang Jingxian and handed her the bow and arrow that had fallen to the ground. He said only a few words, "I came here as planned."
As to whether this arrangement was reasonable or not, no one could tell except Zhang Jingxian and Shu Jian.
For example, Xie Yuan.
With a smile on his face, he congratulated Zhang Jingxian and Zhang Rushan on their reunion, and tentatively said that they wanted to meet Mrs. Ban.
"Ashan, your sister is a formidable guest, so I don't need to introduce her. This is Uncle Changshi, the Prime Minister's right-hand man. I'm sure you've heard of him. Even in the presence of the eldest son, he must respectfully address her as Uncle."
Zhang Rushan calmed down and bowed to Shu Jian. "So it's Uncle Changshi. Could you please wait here for a moment while I report to my wife and then invite Changshi in?"
"Well, thank you for your help." Shu Jian stroked his beard, looked at the calm-looking young man, and nodded with a smile.
It was such a pleasant surprise that Xiao Axian found her cousin so quickly. His previous worries were unnecessary.
Looking at it this way, the cousins look somewhat alike, with both having a clear look between their eyebrows.
Zhang Rushan turned around and walked back. After taking a step, he turned his head and looked at his cousin who was staring at him eagerly. As if to reassure her and as if to relieve her of a heavy burden, he whispered, "They are here too."
Zheng Qi, Liu Chuan's brother Liu Cang, Daniu's cousin Liu Xie, and many others, all those who were taken away from Xishan Village are still alive.
Zhang Jingxian suppressed the urge to cry and nodded repeatedly to her cousin. She knew, she knew that her cousin, like her uncle, was the backbone of the family.
The opened side door was not closed again, like a gate connecting the nearby blood vessels.
Zhang Jingxian suddenly felt that everything she had done was worth it. Even the man who framed her and forced her to leave Xishan Village seemed less troublesome.
But at the same time, she almost inevitably recalled her past life.
In her previous life, had Xie Yun known her cousin's whereabouts long ago? The eldest son later died, and Ying County was the ancestral home of the Xie family. If he had just moved his fingers, it would have been impossible for him not to find his cousin.
But he didn't say a word, and refused her inquiry on the grounds that military secrets should not be inquired about. He watched coldly as she was frightened for her cousin.
This is definitely not the love of one person for another. True love has no secrets and will not calmly watch another person worry all the time.
Zhang Jingxian's heart sank even more. What was wrong with her? She had decided to forget him but couldn't help but weigh the good and the bad, this life and the past life, the sincerity and the pretense.
This is not good.
She closed her eyes and tried to erase his expression and words from her mind. Even if he appeared in front of her again, she would remain calm and treat him as a stranger.
…
About a quarter of an hour later, Zhang Rushan came back, and this time a gorgeous woman was walking in front of him.
She was wearing a red silk dress and had a graceful figure. She seemed to have no bones when she walked. She had a charming face that looked to be around twenty years old, with charming eyes and eyebrows.
Mrs. Ban, Ban Jiang.
Zhang Jingxian whispered her name in her heart, and when she walked in front of her, she bowed to her according to etiquette.
"Meet Mrs. Ban."
Ban Jiang looked her up and down, covered his mouth with his hands and smiled softly, "I can't believe that a big, clumsy guy like Ashan has such a smart sister like you. I was stunned when I heard it."
"Brother, I am not the only sister." Zhang Jingxian explained to her in a serious manner that he has two lovely sisters and an honest brother at home.
So many people are looking forward to my brother's return home.
Ban Jiang smiled without saying anything, a dark shadow flashed in his eyes. No matter how many people there were in his family, Ashan and the other people in Jiangyuan were destined to stay here for the rest of their lives.
The only ones who can leave are the dead, as long as they are not afraid of the evil spirits that want to take their lives chasing them back to their hometown.
In silence, Zhang Jingxian understood the threat on Ban Jiang's face. She secretly glanced at Lord Shu Jian, and Shu Jian nodded slightly at her.
"Madam Ban, the eldest son has caught a cold and is unable to get up. The Prime Minister has decided that Lord Shu Jian will take over this place."
Zhang Jingxian made it clear directly that the son of the Xie family, whom Ban Jiang relied on, was no longer useful, and Jiang Garden would have to have a new owner in the future.
Hearing this, Ban Jiang's smile froze. It had only been four years, and Xie Ping was already ruined? She thought he could hold on for a few more years.
"My husband has caught a cold? I was wondering why my chest has been aching so badly these past few days. Ah Shan, come on, help me get back home to rest."
Soon, Ban Jiang covered her chest with her hands, looking shaky, and asked the man next to her to help her back to the room.
Seeing this, Shu Jian's eyes turned cold and he said loudly, "This is Jiang Garden, but it is also Ying County."
In the small Jiang Garden, not to mention how many people were originally servants of the Xie family, outside of Jiang Garden, the entire Ying County was under the influence of the Xie family. Ban Jiang could hide for a while but not forever.
On the contrary, if she delayed the opportunity, her fate would only be worse. It would be better to quit while she was ahead and obey the Prime Minister's orders. The Prime Minister was kind and could give her a way out.
Shu Jian's words were clear and easy to understand. Ban Jiang's beautiful eyes couldn't help but droop, as if she was weighing the pros and cons.
There were no thousands of people in Jiang Garden as she claimed. In fact, there were only a few hundred people. Some of them died, and some were assigned to other places. Now there are only one or two hundred people left.
However, this old man came here on the order of the Prime Minister, and most likely knew her background. He wanted to take her back to Jiankang, so how could she survive?
"Mrs. Ban, I have some herbs with me that can heal heartaches. Why don't you sit down and talk to me?"
During the stalemate, Zhang Jingxian spoke in a soft and gentle voice.
She smiled at Ban Jiang and actually took out the homemade medicine powder from her body.
This gesture of goodwill slightly lowered Ban Jiang's guard. She raised an eyebrow and glanced at the clumsy big guy, thinking that thanks to her help over the past four years, he was able to protect himself and the dozen or so villagers.
It's only natural to repay a favor by asking his sister to help him, right?
"Uncle Changshi is my husband's elder, and he has come here on the orders of the Prime Minister. How dare I neglect him? Please come in. I will welcome him."
Ban Jiang relaxed and expressed his intention to retreat.
At this point, Zhang Jingxian felt an unprecedented sense of relief. Almost there, almost there, one step closer.
She shook the colored string on her wrist with her cousin, then went back to him and told him that it was bought for her by her uncle. Taking the opportunity, she slipped her uncle's reply letter into his hand.
"Brother, everything is fine at home. We can eat the bean cakes made by my aunt when we go back."
Autumn is the season for bean harvest.
As Zhang Rushan listened to her story, he also remembered the sweet and soft taste. He raised his head, not daring to ask how his cousin, who should have been eating bean cakes at home, became a guest alone and how she came here.
Ah Xian, you must have suffered a lot.
He was conscripted four years ago, and his mother had never gotten over her anger. How did she ask for her mother's forgiveness afterwards?
Zhang Rushan suddenly hesitated and seemed to be hesitant to speak.
Zhang Jingxian looked at Uncle Jian who was not paying attention to them and explained to him quietly, "Brother, don't let your imagination run wild. I'm here because of... a noble person."
"I saved that noble man, and in order to repay my kindness, I had the opportunity to come here."
Although Xie Yun had deceived her and concealed the news about her cousin in his previous life, and had forced her before, he never broke his promise in this life.
She was grateful to him for this.
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The author has something to say: Kisses, Xie Yun will appear in the next chapter.
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