Chapter 78 Chapter 78 "Just sleep at my place"...
The next morning, the sky was a little gloomy.
Jiang Ci did not delay at all and personally ordered his servants to carry the box full of amulets onto the carriage.
She also thought about the intense fighting on the front lines and the fear that military supplies might not be able to keep up, so she said to Wanniang, "The military doctors accompanying us may not have enough supplies this time. Let's bring more things, such as herbs, gauze, and wound medicine... There will inevitably be wounded on the front lines, and we should help them if we can."
When Wanniang heard this, a trace of worry flashed across her eyes, but she immediately responded, "Okay, young lady, I'll go get someone to prepare it."
Just as he finished speaking, there was a burst of hurried footsteps coming from the governor's mansion.
Jiang Huaice, without even getting dressed, draped only in his outer robe, hurried out of the mansion. He immediately spotted the carriage parked at the gate and Jiang Ci busily working. His expression suddenly changed, and he asked anxiously, "Jiang Ci! Where are you going?"
Jiang Ci turned around and looked at her father's anxious expression. A flicker of pity flashed in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination. She spoke calmly, yet with unquestionable certainty: "Dad, your daughter will do what she can."
Jiang Huaice's heart skipped a beat after hearing this. He grabbed Jiang Ci's arm and tried to drag her back to the mansion. "Come back here! You can't go! Your sister is coming today, so both of you stay home!"
Jiang Ci broke free from Jiang Huaice's hand, staring straight at him with an unprecedented stubbornness in her voice: "Dad, I can't do this! I can't wait for news at home. I can't let my husband fight on the front lines while I sleep peacefully at home!"
"Husband?!" Jiang Huaice was so angry that his beard stood up. He shouted angrily, "He divorced you, and you still call me husband? Aren't you ashamed? Go back!"
"It was a misunderstanding!" Jiang Ci explained harshly, his voice trembling slightly with excitement. "Dad, don't worry about this. I'm going today no matter what!"
Jiang Huaice snorted angrily and pointed at her, "You've been restless since you were a child, like a thorn in your butt. But today is a matter of life and death. On the battlefield, swords have no eyes. I can't let you do whatever you want, and I can't let you make the decision!"
Jiang Ci listened to her father's scolding, feeling mixed emotions. She knew her father was doing it for her own good, but at this moment, she couldn't back down.
She fell to her knees with a thud, her knees clacking heavily against the cold stone slabs. She tilted her head back, tears welling up in her eyes, but she fought hard to hold them back.
"Father, I'm not going this time just for Ji Yang." Her voice was hoarse, but every word was sonorous. "If you want me to go back, then... then carry me back horizontally!"
After saying that, she kowtowed three times to the ground in front of Jiang Huaice.
"Forgive my daughter for being unfilial. I cannot listen to you on this matter. The moment they agreed to fight for Liang Province, they were tied to Liang Province. I... I'm leaving!"
After saying that, Jiang Ci stood up. The supplies from Wanniang's side were also ready, and the servants loaded everything they needed onto the carriage.
Jiang Ci took one last look at Jiang Huaice, and that look contained too many emotions.
She didn't hesitate any longer and got on the carriage resolutely.
Jiang Huaice stood in front of the mansion gate, tears streaming down his face as he watched the carriage slowly drive away and eventually disappear at the end of the street. He stamped his feet violently, feeling that this separation was like a separation between life and death.
The carriage set off, and the morning breeze still carried the dampness and coolness of the night rain.
Jiang Ci sat in the carriage, his hands clasped around his knees, staring blankly at the misty sky outside the window.
Jiang Huaice's soft sobbing could be faintly heard outside the mansion gate. She felt sad, but did not dare to look back.
Wanniang sat aside, looking at her cautiously. Seeing that she was silent, she whispered, "Miss, the master...is worried about you."
After hearing this, Jiang Ci spoke slowly for a long while, "I know Dad loves me, but Stepmother, there are some roads I must take. Liangzhou is our root, and I can't just sit under the eaves and wait for others to fight for me."
As she spoke, she lowered her head and took a talisman, stroking it slowly with her fingertips, her eyes gentle yet resolute. "Sometimes, I really envy men, who can wield swords in battle without having to worry too much. But since I'm a woman, I can only sew this heartfelt love into these talismans, to support them, and to be no less than anyone else."
Wanniang's eyes were red, and she forced a smile and said, "Don't think too much, young lady. You can do much more than others. The master may be hard on the outside but soft on the inside, and we will definitely return safely."
Jiang Ci smiled, nodded slightly, and said no more.
The carriage traveled all the way to the streets of Liangzhou. The common people along the way knew that Jiang Ci was sending the amulet to the front lines, and they spontaneously came out to see him off. Some people handed freshly baked dry food to the carriage, and an old woman at the entrance of the alley bowed three times from a distance.
Someone whispered, "I just hope Miss Jiang returns safely, and our soldiers can also return safely."
Jiang Ci listened to these subtle wishes through the car curtains, feeling her heart grow calmer. She closed the car window, leaned her head against the wall, and closed her eyes.
After two days of bumpy ride, the carriage finally arrived at the frontline camp before dusk. The sky was gloomy, and the distant mountains were shrouded in dusk. In the twilight, the once peaceful town had already changed beyond recognition.
Jiang Ci lifted the curtain of the car, and the first thing he saw was devastation and scorched earth.
The city walls were broken, the battlements incomplete, and patches of charred remains were still smoking.
On the roadside, civilians were scattered and fleeing. Women clutched swaddled babies, and elderly men trembled as they clung to the walls, their faces trembling with fear, as if they were about to collapse. Several houses had collapsed roofs, their beams charred, and the lingering smell of recent war still lingered among the rubble.
Jiang Ci's heart suddenly tightened.
She took a deep breath, calmed herself, raised her hand to lift the curtain and got out of the car. Wan Niang followed closely behind her, frowning, and silently supported her arm.
The two walked through the mottled streets and headed towards the camp.
Ahead was a large camp surrounded by wooden stakes and hemp ropes. The defenders were surprised to see her unusual clothing but did not stop her. They hurried in to report.
Soon, a familiar figure walked out quickly. It was Lu Linchuan. When he saw Jiang Ci, he was surprised and asked in surprise, "Madam? Why are you here?"
Jiang Ci nodded slightly, his voice tired but firm: "Where's Ji Yang?"
Lu Linchuan put away his surprise and replied with a cupped hand: "The governor has taken a small group of people to explore the trail in the direction of Heyang. They should be back soon."
Hearing this, Jiang Ci finally breathed a sigh of relief, put his hand on his chest, and took a deep breath for a moment.
"I brought some things with me, including a talisman I made a few days ago and some medicinal herbs. Sima Lu, please send someone to unload them from the cart and distribute them to the army."
"As you command," Lu Linchuan agreed, and immediately ordered several soldiers to go and unload the goods.
Jiang Ci walked into the tent and sat down to rest, but his heart was still worried.
After waiting for a while, the sky outside gradually darkened, and torches were lit one after another. She listened to the sound of military bugles outside, her mind still unsettled. From time to time, she looked toward the door. After waiting for a long time, she finally got up and left the tent, walking all the way to the outer camp.
The night breeze was cool. She stood at the tent door, gazing into the distance. Thick clouds hung low, and the flames flickered. Suddenly, a group of wounded soldiers were carried back from the front. They were covered in blood, groaning constantly, and breathing weakly. They were sent to the eastern aid tent.
Jiang Ci immediately hurried over and saw two military doctors busy treating the wounded soldiers. Without hesitation, she rolled up her sleeves and stepped forward to help.
One of the military doctors turned around and saw her. He was immediately shocked and said, "Madam, please don't touch these. They are dirty!"
Jiang Ci looked calm, his voice gentle but firm: "I don't care, Wanniang, bring me some clean water."
Wanniang responded and brought water. Jiang Ci personally wet a handkerchief and squatted down to wipe the dried blood from a wounded soldier, carefully avoiding the wound, and then helped him clean away the dirt and rotten flesh bit by bit.
The military doctor was still surprised: "How could you, a woman,—"
"I know what to do." Jiang Ci interrupted him in a low voice, "You are too busy, I can lend a hand."
Her tone was gentle, but she was unyielding.
The tent was filled with the tang of blood and medicine. Jiang Ci's hands were stained with blood, but she didn't frown. She carefully wiped and treated each wounded person, trying to be gentle.
Just then, Ji Yang came back.
As soon as he entered the camp, he saw the familiar figure.
She stood by the fire, her hair slightly disheveled, her cuffs already soaked with blood, and was bending over to tend to the wounded.
"Jiang Ci?" His voice was low and hoarse, with a hint of lingering dust and surprise, and it came from behind her.
Hearing the voice, Jiang Ci slowly straightened up, turned around, and saw Ji Yang standing in front of the fire with a gloomy look in his eyes.
She threw the handkerchief in her hand into the basin, wiped the sweat off her face with her sleeve, walked forward, and said calmly: "I'm worried about you, and I want to do something."
Ji Yang frowned and said sternly, "You are fooling around. This is the front line, not the governor's residence. It's too dangerous. You need to go back immediately!"
Jiang Ci suddenly reached out and grabbed his sleeve tightly.
"I'm not leaving." She said with unprecedented determination, "I believe you can protect me, and I'm willing to stay here."
Her eyes were bright in the firelight.
Ji Yang looked down at her hands tightly clasping his sleeves, and remained silent for a long time.
After a while, he finally sighed, put his hand on the back of her hand, and whispered, "Then don't leave the camp."
Jiang Ci pursed his lips and smiled, with a twinkle in his eyes: "Okay."
Ji Yang and Jiang Ci walked side by side to an open space. The night breeze blew gently. Jiang Ci gathered his cloak closer and looked at the neat rows of military tents in front of him. He suddenly said, "Ji Yang, I brought you amulets embroidered for you by the people of Liangzhou."
Ji Yang paused, turned his head to look at her, with a moment of surprise in his eyes.
Jiang Ci looked at him, his tone gentle but firm: "You fought for Liangzhou, and the people of Liangzhou naturally care about you. I brought the amulet with me and wanted to distribute it to the soldiers. I hope they are safe on the battlefield."
Fire danced in her eyes.
Ji Yang's expression shifted slightly, and his brows softened. He looked at her and whispered, "You've worked hard... Thank you for thinking of them."
Jiang Ci shook his head slightly: "It's not just me, it's the people of Liangzhou as a whole."
As soon as she finished speaking, Ji Yang turned around and called the messenger from the army, saying, "Go, call all the commanders of each team. I have something to tell you."
Soon, the captains of each team arrived. Ji Yang stood in front of the tent, looking at them, and said in a deep voice, "Madam, you have brought with you amulets embroidered by the people of Liangzhou. I hope you will go to the battlefield and return safely."
After saying that, he turned around and looked at Jiang Ci.
Jiang Ci nodded, stepped forward and ordered someone to open the amulet box, and then packed the amulets neatly according to the teams.
The generals led the troops one by one. Although they said nothing, their eyes were solemn and they saluted with their fists clasped.
At this moment, a familiar voice sounded from outside the tent.
"Does our Hanbei Army still have a share?" Lou Qi walked in with his hands behind his back, his lips curled up in his usual rogue smile.
Seeing him coming, Jiang Ci smiled and nodded, "Of course. Liangzhou is in danger right now, and Dongyang and Hanbei are united. How could I leave you behind?"
Lou Qi turned around and ordered, "Go, call everyone over and take the amulet."
The Hanbei soldiers responded and left, and soon all the amulets were collected.
After everyone had left and the voices in front of the tent had died down, Jiang Ci took out two delicate amulets from his arms, carefully placed them in his palms, and handed them to the two people in front of him.
"This is for both of you. I embroidered it myself."
Ji Yang was stunned for a moment, then his expression changed slightly. He took his own piece and glanced at it, but his eyes darkened. He raised his head again, staring at Jiang Ci and asked, "Why did you embroider one for him?"
Lou Qi reached out and took the amulet in his hand. He lowered his head to examine it carefully, and raised his eyebrows slightly: "The winter jasmine in Youzhou? It's fragrant."
He brought the amulet to his nose and sniffed it. It had a faint feminine scent, but his expression seemed to be mixed with some seriousness. "Thank you, I will cherish it."
Ji Yang was immediately displeased and stretched out his hand to grab it: "No, his has to be given to me, he can choose from the box himself."
Lou Qi dodged to the side and raised the amulet above his head: "You are the governor of Dongyang, and you even want to fight with me for the amulet?"
Seeing the two about to quarrel, Jiang Ci raised his hand to stop them: "Stop it, I've embroidered one for Yin Shuang too. I'll give it to her when she comes back."
Upon hearing this, Ji Yang's expression relaxed slightly, as if he had compromised, but he was still muttering, "So, one for each of us three?"
"Yeah." Jiang Ci nodded, his eyes gentle. "This one of yours was the first one I embroidered."
Ji Yang lowered his head and looked at the amulet in his palm. It was a small tiger, not embroidered very neatly, but very vivid, just like the amulet she had given him in the past, the color and shape were imitated from that one.
He put it back in his arms, a hint of pride in his eyes and eyebrows: "Anyway... this one is unique."
As the night deepened, the camp gradually became quiet, with the occasional sound of dog barking and whistles in the distance.
Jiang Ci stood in the center of the camp, looking at the tents around him, and couldn't help but ask softly, "Where should I stay tonight?"
Ji Yang turned around and said in a natural tone, "The war is intense, and there are no extra tents available... You can sleep at my place."
Jiang Ci was stunned for a moment, then asked, "What about you?"
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