Chapter 293 Jiaojiao
Ji Wensheng sneered: "None of that matters anymore. What matters is that the Emperor has already agreed."
Jiang Ling couldn't imagine how devastated Cheng Jiaojiao would be upon hearing this news.
She longed for freedom from a young age, diligently honed her martial arts skills, and always envied women who could go to the battlefield to fight the enemy.
She has always believed that women are no less capable than men.
If women were ever allowed to go to the battlefield, she would definitely sign up without hesitation.
Now, however, she is to be married off to an enemy country as a princess for political reasons, sacrificing her lifelong happiness for a brief period of peace on the frontier.
At that time, home will no longer be home, and enemy will no longer be enemy.
If the two countries go to war, it will be worse than killing her.
Jiang Ling composed herself: "When will the marriage alliance delegation depart?"
"Ten days later."
Fortunately, it wasn't too late.
She paused for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Mr. Ji, I'd like to ask you for a favor. I'd like to purchase some special raw materials, such as saltpeter and sulfur, in large quantities, and they need to be of high purity. Do you have any connections?"
Jiang Ling gave him a list of all the raw materials needed for gunpowder.
Ji Wensheng's eyes flashed with surprise. He didn't understand how Jiang Ling, who had just been worried about Cheng Jiaojiao, could suddenly be discussing business again.
He didn't immediately inquire about its purpose, but pondered for a moment before saying, "The government strictly controls saltpeter, and sulfur is also largely controlled by the imperial court. Large quantities, high purity... are indeed difficult to obtain. However, since Miss Jiang needs it, I will do my best. I have some connections in the south, near the mining areas, perhaps I can find a way, but the price..."
“Price is not an issue,” Jiang Ling said decisively. “The key is that the product must be of high quality, fast, and discreet.”
“I understand.” Ji Wensheng nodded solemnly. “I will handle this personally and try my best to keep it a secret.”
After a moment of silence, Ji Wensheng finally couldn't suppress his curiosity and cautiously asked:
"May I ask one more question? What does Miss Jiang intend to do with these?"
"As long as a country's military strength is strong enough, there is no need to consider the means of marriage alliance."
Ji Wensheng repeated the sentence to himself, then realized: "You want to use these... to make weapons?"
Jiang Ling did not deny it.
She originally intended to use gunpowder to negotiate with Qin Zhao in exchange for not participating in either side's conflict.
But now, she has decided to use the gunpowder formula to persuade Cheng Jiaojiao not to go on the marriage alliance.
After seeing Ji Wensheng off, Jiang Ling turned to Xiao Ran and said in a deep voice:
"Xiao Ran! Prepare the carriage immediately, we're heading to the capital right away!"
Although Xiao Ran didn't know the specifics of what had happened, seeing Jiang Ling's unusually grave expression, he guessed that something serious was going on. Without hesitation, he immediately responded:
"Yes, Sister Jiang! I'll go hitch up the carriage right away!"
"Sister, I want to go too!" Xiao Yi also sensed that something was wrong and tugged at Jiang Ling's clothes.
Jiang Ling patted his head, her tone softening slightly but still firm: "Little Yi, be good, this time won't work. The capital is far away, and the situation is complicated. You stay home and help Sister Xiao Qiu take care of the workshop and shops, okay?"
After calming Xiaoyi down, she quickly went upstairs to the second floor, took out the notebook containing the gunpowder formula that she had translated and illustrated from the safe, wrapped it in oilcloth, and kept it close to her body.
The carriage was quickly prepared, and Xiao Ran drove it herself.
Fortunately, the weather is hot now, so there's no need to bring much. Jiang Ling only brought the simplest luggage.
Jiang Ling then instructed Xiao Qiu and Zhao Sixi: "I'm entrusting the workshop to you. If there's any news from Young Master Ji, tell him to wait for my return. While I'm away, make sure to keep a close eye on the shop and prevent any trouble."
"Don't worry, Miss Jiang, we will do our best!" Xiao Qiu and Zhao Sixi replied in unison.
Half an hour later, the carriage had left Ping'an County and was speeding towards the capital.
Jiang Ling sat in the carriage, her brows furrowed.
The ten-day deadline passed in the blink of an eye, and she still had many things she hadn't had time to do.
I hope everything is still in time.
In any case, we should see Jiaojiao first and check on her condition.
"Xiao Ran, go faster!" she couldn't help but lift the carriage curtain and urge.
"Sister Jiang, hold on tight!" Xiao Ran responded, cracking her whip and urging her horse on. The whip cracked in the air with a crisp whistle.
Now that we're on the official road, the smooth surface has made the carriage much faster.
The carriage sped along without stopping.
Even for lunch, Jiang Ling would just grab a quick bite in the car.
As evening approached, we finally arrived in the capital.
Beijing remains a bustling metropolis, teeming with traffic and people.
Pedestrians hurried along the street, and occasional whispers could be heard, mostly about the reconciliation between the two countries and the marriage of the eldest daughter of the Cheng family.
Jiang Ling didn't stop for a moment and went straight to the Marquis of Wu'an's residence.
The entrance to the Marquis's residence was heavily guarded, with many more guards than usual, their expressions solemn.
Jiang Ling gave her name, and the guard, seeing that she claimed to be a friend of the prince and had an extraordinary demeanor, quickly went in to inform him.
Before long, the Cheng family's steward hurried out, his gaze lingering on her for a moment with a hint of surprise, before he respectfully ushered Jiang Ling inside.
"Miss Jiang! Please!"
The old steward had long heard of Jiang Ling, but he had no chance to meet her when she came to the capital last time. This time, he finally had the opportunity to see her in person.
I just didn't expect her to be such a young, beautiful, approachable, and down-to-earth girl.
"Are Young Master Cheng and Miss Cheng in the manor?" Jiang Ling asked anxiously as she quickly followed him inside.
The steward replied in a low voice, "Miss Jiang, the young master went out on business early this morning and has not yet returned to the manor. We have already sent people to look for him. Miss is in her own courtyard."
Jiang Ling thought for a moment: "Are there any elders in your family?"
"The old lady and the lady are both in the courtyard."
Jiang Ling stopped in her tracks, hesitating slightly: "Then..."
Logically speaking, as a junior and visiting for the first time, she should first pay respects to the elders.
The steward noticed her hesitation and said, "I have already consulted with Madam, and she said that Miss Jiang is no ordinary guest, so we can skip these formalities. In addition, Miss misses Miss so much, so I can take Miss directly to her courtyard."
Jiang Ling breathed a sigh of relief.
The butler led Jiang Ling through the courtyard to Cheng Jiaojiao's boudoir.
The courtyard was quiet, so quiet it seemed no one was there. There was an unusual stillness about it, and even the maid dared not breathe too loudly.
The woman in the courtyard went to inform them.
After receiving permission, she led Jiang Ling inside.
Pushing open the door, one sees Cheng Jiaojiao sitting alone on the embroidered stool by the window, gazing at the twilight sky outside, her figure slender and silent.
Hearing footsteps, she slowly turned around.
Cheng Jiaojiao's face was calm, and the expected scene of swollen eyes and haggard appearance did not appear.
He even gave her a very faint smile, but there was no real joy in his eyes.
"Sister Jiang, you've finally come to see me." She stepped forward, took Jiang Ling's hand, and said calmly, leading her to sit down.
"Please sit down. It's been so long since I've seen you. I have so much to tell you."
The maidservant served tea, and the woman nodded in acknowledgment before leaving.
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