Chapter 171 Mine
Jiang Qingning savored the taste carefully and suddenly realized that He Ning always seemed to inadvertently choose cakes with a few more points for Qingxi. This unintentional preference could not be ignored.
Jiang Qingning's heart couldn't help but stir with subtle waves. She realized that He Ning might have quietly developed strange feelings for her sister.
However, thinking back on their only interaction, which was just a quick meeting in Jiang Qingning's yard last month, how could it be enough to quietly tilt one's heart?
This sudden worry was like a dark cloud covering the sun, making Jiang Qingning's mood instantly heavy.
Emotions in the world are complex and changeable, especially in this deep mansion. One wrong step can lead to a complete failure.
Thinking of Qingxi's innocence, Jiang Qingning felt mixed emotions and decided to protect his sister and not let her get involved in this emotional whirlpool easily.
"Nothing, sister was just distracted for a moment."
Jiang Qingning looked at Jiang Qingxi, her eyes filled with both tenderness and determination. "Xi'er, I have something to tell you. Your coming-of-age ceremony will be in a month. I hope you can go out as little as possible during this time, especially if there are any men from outside the Ning Pavilion visiting you. You must avoid them."
"Don't worry, I'm doing this for your own good. You'll understand everything in the future."
When Jiang Qingxi heard this, a hint of confusion flashed in his clear eyes, but he keenly caught the seriousness in his elder sister's tone.
Although she didn't understand why, she knew that everything her sister did was for her own good, so she smiled warmly and agreed sweetly:
"Don't worry, sister. Xi'er understands. During this period, Xi'er will stay in her room and learn the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, waiting for the coming-of-age ceremony."
"Although it may be that music, chess, calligraphy and painting obey me..." Jiang Qingxi sighed sadly.
Looking at his sister's innocent smile, Jiang Qingning's worries were not completely dispelled.
But at least at this moment, she could build a temporary barrier for Qingxi to prevent her from suffering any harm.
It was late at night, and the light was faintly glowing in the halo of light from the lanterns under the eaves.
The entire courtyard was silent, with only the sound of footsteps tapping gently on the bluestone slabs.
Jiang Qingning subconsciously slowed down his pace and looked towards the tightly closed window of the west wing.
A faint but steady warm yellow candlelight shone through the window paper, like a tiny star.
When she left during the day, her sister's clear voice, in which she promised never to go out, was still ringing in her ears. Now, looking at the quiet light, Jiang Qingning's heartstrings, which had been tense all day, finally relaxed a little.
No matter what, her sister's safety is her most important bottom line at this moment.
"Miss, would you like some food?"
Shisu came forward, worry in her eyes.
Jiang Qingning shook his head, with a lingering sense of fatigue between his brows, and whispered: "No need, prepare some hot water, I'm very tired."
Zi Su retreated in response.
Jiang Qingning walked into the inner room alone. Only when she took off her hairpins and outer clothes and let the warm bath water wrap around her tired limbs did she truly allow herself to calm down.
The mist blurred the face in the bronze mirror, which was too beautiful and too cold.
Thoughts are like smoke, drifting away in wisps.
The next morning, the sky was just beginning to turn pale. Jiang Qingning, wearing a cloak woven from elegant morning mist, set out on a journey fifty miles outside the capital.
The mountain road is winding, the forest is lush, and the morning breeze is blowing gently, bringing with it the unique freshness and coolness of the mountains. It seems that even the air is filled with an undercurrent that is about to boil.
To her, the mine was not only a source of wealth that she had accidentally purchased with extraordinary vision three years ago, but also a pure land in her heart that had not been polluted by the world.
At that time, she was a woman who had been floating in the business world for many years. With her extraordinary wisdom and courage, she turned this seemingly barren mountain range into rolling gold and silver, winning herself a huge capital that was enough to shake the government and the public.
However, she did not stop there, but secretly recruited and trained a team of warriors here, all of whom were extraordinary and loyal.
Time flies, and the mine today is no longer comparable to what it used to be. It is not only a base for Jiang Qingning to bide her time, but also a strategic location for her to train her troops and prepare for battle.
In this valley carved by time, most of the soldiers live there, all of whom are former subordinates of Jiang Qingning's father, brother Jiang Baichuan and Jiang Qinghuai.
Back then, the two Jiang family generals were famous, guarding the frontier and making outstanding contributions. However, due to the rise and fall of imperial power, they were demoted one day and their glory was gone.
As the Jiang family's power declined, the generals who had sworn to follow them to the death were also not spared, either being demoted or resigning from their posts out of despair. However, in this seemingly hopeless moment, Jiang Qingning's tenacity illuminated their hearts.
Over the years, when they gradually learned about the hardships and perseverance that Miss Jiang had faced in the capital, an indescribable loyalty and passion boiled in their hearts. They gave up their comforts and traveled thousands of miles to join her, vowing to protect this person with a sense of justice in her heart.
"Even if we have to follow you through fire and water, even to the point of rebellion, we will do it!"
Every resounding oath echoed across the valley, shaking people's hearts.
There was determination and resoluteness in their eyes, which showed their unconditional trust and support for Jiang Qingning, as well as their repeated challenges and struggles against unfair fate.
Thoughts return.
When her figure appeared on the winding stone path leading to the valley bottom, someone first spotted her, and an excited, distorted shout cut through the clamor of the valley: "The young lady is back!"
In an instant, the valley exploded as if cold water was thrown into boiling oil.
"Miss!"
"It's the eldest lady!"
"The young lady is back!"
Cheers surged from all directions like a flood that broke through a dam. The soldiers who were training on the parade ground suddenly stopped, turned around and cast their fiery gazes towards the figure high up.
More people poured out of the barracks, including old soldiers with gray hair and beards, men as strong as mountains, and women holding children. Their faces, which were marked by the mountain wind and labor, were now filled with pure and undisguised excitement and joy.
"Miss, how are you!"
"We are waiting to welcome the young lady!"
The sound waves became louder and louder, converging into a soul-stirring force.
Jiang Qingning stood on a high place, facing the sound waves that almost drowned her. Something deep in her eyes was burned by this burning emotion and vibrated slightly.
She raised her hand and slowly pressed it down.
"Everyone." As soon as the two words came out.
The roaring noise like a tsunami miraculously died down quickly with her simple action, leaving only countless pairs of eager eyes and countless violently beating hearts.
Jiang Qingning's gaze slowly swept across the face below.
These were the comrades who shared life and death on the battlefield with her father Jiang Baichuan and brother Jiang Qinghuai, and the brothers who protected each other with their flesh and blood.
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