Su Rong had been listening to their conversation and found Zhou Gu’s policy to ease the suffering of the people quite commendable.
It was not just the 30,000 Nanping troops from the Imperial Court, or the Eighteen Camps, that held out in Nanping City. It was also due to the unity of the people and the military in the city, withstanding the Jibei Army.
No matter how much compensation the court provided, it was justifiable.
After discussing important matters with Zhou Gu, Ning Chi turned to notice that Su Rong looked a bit pale and weak, asking her, "Hasn’t your injury healed yet, Lady Su Qi?"
"I’m almost recovered, but I still can’t use martial arts." Su Rong smiled at him, "You’ve had a hard time these days, Young Master Ning."
Ning Chi shook his head and laughed, "It was indeed tough, but to survive and achieve this outcome, I think it’s worth it. Lady Su Qi, you might not know, but we all thought that there might not be a tomorrow. Who could have possibly thought that we’d live to see this day?"
After he finished, he spoke with admiration, "The eagle we raised was impressive. If it hadn’t acted as a messenger, we wouldn’t have been able to communicate between the inside and outside of Nanping City, and we wouldn’t have been able to coordinate well with the two of you."
Su Rong grinned and said, "Indeed, although it took years of effort to raise that creature, it really proved useful." She paused, "However, it is best if those who know about this messenger keep quiet and do not spread the word."
Ning Ze understood her concern. Once news of an eagle being used as a messenger spread, its novelty would spark astonishment, but it would also mean that people would be on their guard whenever they see a flying eagle—especially during times of war—and it might become useless.
He immediately assured, "Don’t worry, Lady Su Qi. Very few people know about this, and I will remind them sternly." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎
Su Rong nodded and said, "Thank you, Young Master."
Ning Chi’s injuries were extensive, and over the past few days, he had sustained yet more on top of his old ones. As they were talking, Su Rong noticed blood seeping from his wounds. She advised him, "We can take it from here. You should go find a doctor to bandage your wounds, Young Master Ning!"
Looking down at his bloodied body, Ning Chi wanted to say that he could still hold on.
Zhou Gu put out his hand to hold back Su Rong, "You go with him to rest at the Marquis Nanping Residence. Leave this place to me." After he finished, he waved to Ning Chi.
Hearing that, Ning Chi stopped declining, "After you, Lady Su Qi."
From a distance, Jiang Zhu saw a woman. She was draped in a thick cloak, but it could not hide her slender figure. From afar, he could not see her face clearly, but he knew she was a frail young lady, no matter how he looked at her.
Jiang Feng also gazed alongside him, asking, "Brother, is that Lady Su Qi, the Nanchu Princess?"
"It should be." She was carried by Zhou Gu and descended from his back. When did Zhou Gu, the son of the Duke Residence, ever get close to a woman? The hottest rumors about him involved the Duanhua Princess whose advances he rejected and Lady Su Qi who proposed to annul their engagement. He shunned the former despite the long distance and reportedly refused to cancel the engagement with the latter.
Jiang Feng said quietly, "She looks like a young girl."
She was about the same age as his sister.
Jiang Zhu laughed slightly, "She’s still young. Princess Zhenmin passed away at just sixteen."
Jiang Feng nodded in agreement, "Brother, are we going over now?"
"Let’s go." Jiang Zhu naturally wanted to go, eager to meet his future liege. After a few steps, he saw Jiang Feng following and stopped him, "You don’t have to go. After all, she is not your liege."
Jiang Feng: "..."
His brother could really be annoying.
Jiang Zhu advanced towards Su Rong swiftly. Seeing Ning Chi leading Su Rong to part ways with Zhou Gu to enter the city, he approached and paid his respects, "Lady Su Qi, I am Jiang Zhu."
Su Rong halted, looking at him. The young man was as covered in blood as Ning Chi, but he could not hide his scholarly manner. She recalled Zhou Gu’s mention of the men wishing to pledge allegiance to her. She nodded, "Master Jiang."
Upon hearing her soft and clear voice, Jiang Zhu immediately bowed again, "I am unsure whether Brother Zhou has mentioned to Lady Su Qi that I wish to lead some of the men from the Eighteen Camps to pledge our allegiance to you. I ask for your shelter."
Su Rong smiled and gracefully raised her hand to stop him from bowing further. "Master Jiang, there’s no need for such formalities. Zhou Gu mentioned it to me. He praised your intelligence and flair. Instead of staying in Daliang to visit the Eastern Palace, you choose to lower yourself to join me. I am deeply honored. Thank you, Master Jiang, and all the brothers for thinking highly of me. How could I possibly not accept you?"
Jiang Zhu let out a sigh of relief, revealing a genuine smile, "I sincerely pledge my allegiance and promise to assist loyally. May Lady Su Qi be prosperous and successful. I vow not to serve two masters in my lifetime."
Su Rong chuckled, "Master Jiang, your words are too heavy. I am a princess, and I can promise you a prosperous future. If things change in the future, I will help you find another worthy master."
Jiang Zhu was taken aback and then laughed heartily, sharply responding, "Alright."
With her referring to him as ’Master Jiang’, there was a distancing effect, but by calling him ’Brother Jiang’, it was clear acceptance of him as one of her own.
Ning Ze was standing on the city building and spotted Su Rong. Excitedly, he shouted, "Lady Su Qi, Lady Su Qi!"
His voice sounded as if he was suddenly filled with strength and confidence, resonating through the air.
Following the sound, Su Rong looked up and recognized Ning Ze only after scrutinizing for a moment. She waved back at him.
Ning Ze, the fool, waved back excitedly, leaning over and almost plunging off the city walls in his exuberance. Zhang Mao caught him just in time, preventing him from falling off the wall.
Ning Ze, still shaken, patted his chest and turned to Zhang Mao, "Brother, thank you. You saved my life again."
He shuttered at the thought of falling to his death and becoming a laughing stock. That would have been a wrongful death.
"You’re welcome." Zhang Mao released his hold on Ning Ze.
Ning Ze grabbed Zhang Mao by the arm, "Let’s go. I’ll take you to meet Lady Su Qi."
Zhang Mao nodded, but when Ning Ze pulled him forward he winced in pain and his leg began bleeding profusely.
Ning Ze turned around when he felt Zhang Mao’s unsteady force and remembered his leg was injured. He immediately called for help, "Quick, help him! Help me get him down from here."
Someone came and immediately carried Zhang Mao.
Zhang Mao was reluctant to meet Su Rong in such a disheveled state, but then he thought, he had already been captured and stopped by her once before. If there were such a thing as disgrace, it was already behind him. So, he didn’t stop Ning Ze.
Ning Chi and Jiang Zhu followed Su Rong into the city. Hearing Ning Ze’s shout and noticing the two figures atop the city’s gate, Ning Chi sighed and briefly told Su Rong about Zhang Mao’s story.
Su Rong had already heard about it from Fen Ling and nodded, "Alright, I get it."
Jiang Zhu asked from the side, "Lady Su Qi, can you handle this Zhang Mao?"
Su Rong replied, "Yes."
Jiang Zhu nodded in response.
Ning Chi spoke to Su Rong, "Zhang Mao does seem to be genuinely devoted to us. Thanks to him, we have also held up in the fight over the city building today. He saved Ning Ze once and injured his own leg seriously. But this man, who has betrayed his own kindred and turned against his own family, could his character be problematic?"
After finishing, he added, "What I mean is, if he can betray even his closest kin, will there come a day when he might turn against you, Lady Su Qi?"
Su Rong chuckled, "When a person only has one path ahead, for some, the will to live becomes paramount. But when a person has multiple paths to choose from, they can start discussing character and integrity. So, if I dare to take him in, I am not afraid of this."
Ning Chi found her argument reasonable and agreed, "You are right, Lady Su Qi."
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