Chapter 18 Chapter 18 I will definitely give you a decent death...
The sun had not yet set, but the lights in the house were already on. A yellow light swayed quietly, illuminating the needlework on the desk clearly.
Jiang Ci's fingertips moved lightly, finishing the last stitch. She lowered her head and carefully checked it, confirming that the stitches were flat and tight, and then nodded with satisfaction. The amulet was small in shape, with the corners embroidered with fine gold thread and a tiger head embroidered in the middle.
There is childishness hidden in the ferociousness, with round fangs and distracted eyes.
"Okay," she whispered, standing up.
The wind blew in the courtyard, the shadows of the locust trees slanted, the light was getting dim, but the sky was not yet completely dark.
The door was not bolted, so she pushed it open and walked in. Books were neatly arranged on the desk, and armor was displayed against the east wall. Next to it was the battle clothes worn during the expedition, which Yue Bai had prepared in advance and neatly stacked, with both inner and outer layers. The scent of sandalwood still lingered on the collars.
Jiang Ci walked over, took out the amulet from his arms, bent down and carefully sewed it on the inside of the lapel of his inner garment. Every stitch and thread was embroidered very firmly, and the position was hidden very deeply. It was almost impossible to detect it unless you looked for it deliberately.
There were footsteps behind her, and Wanniang came in and asked in a low voice: "Miss, why don't you just give it to the governor? After all, you made it yourself."
Jiang Ci didn't even raise his head, but stroked the small ball of dark cloth with his fingertips, his tone gentle but firm:
"With his personality, if he knew I embroidered this for him, he would definitely call me superstitious. Rather than being ridiculed in front of him, it's better to hide it quietly. If he doesn't know, he will wear it obediently."
When Wanniang heard this, she couldn't help but laugh: "Miss, you do have a way. The governor never has a single good word to say."
Jiang Ci's eyes remained unchanged, and he spoke softly but firmly: "But in this chaotic world, if he is not safe, Liangzhou... no one will be able to protect him."
After saying that, she stood up, her eyes swept over the military uniforms, and whispered, "I hope he can return safely."
It was late at night, and the lights in the house were warm yellow. Jiang Ci had just asked Wanniang to put the food on the table when a familiar sound of footsteps came from outside the yard.
A moment later, Yue Bai stepped into the room, clasped his fists, and said, "Madam, the Governor has important matters to discuss at the Military Governor's Office today, and has decided not to return tonight. He will be heading to the military camp early tomorrow morning, and with the battle imminent, he probably won't be back for a while."
After hearing this, Jiang Ci paused, a trace of contemplation flashing in her eyes. She nodded and said softly, "I understand."
Just as he was about to get up, he suddenly remembered the amulet he had sewn himself, but he hadn't seen him put it on yet. Just as he was about to ask, he heard Yue Bai continue:
"I have returned to the mansion to fetch some clothes for the governor. Madam, do you have any other instructions?"
Jiang Ci smiled slightly, hiding the emotions in his eyes, and said gently: "Nothing else, I just hope he returns safely soon."
Yue Bai nodded: "I will pass it on."
Before leaving, he added, "The day after tomorrow at noon, the soldiers will set out for battle, and their families will gather on the north main road to see them off. If Madam wishes to go, you can take a detour through the back gate of the mansion."
Jiang Ci listened quietly and replied softly, "I understand."
Yin Shuang cautiously stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Young lady, will you go to see the governor off the day after tomorrow?"
Jiang Ci was lowering his head and gently brushing the wrinkles on his sleeves. He raised his eyes when he heard the words, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips. The smile was not frivolous, but rather carried a sense of calmness and confidence.
She replied softly, "Of course I will go."
After a pause, she glanced at the dim lights outside the window, and her tone suddenly became more teasing:
"And we have to go there in a grand manner. Let him know, and let the entire Dongyang Army see it."
"He is Ji Yang, and there are people at home who are looking forward to his return."
Yin Shuang was stunned for a moment, then smiled softly: "If the girl goes, I'm afraid she will be very eye-catching."
The next morning, outside the north gate of Fengdu.
At daybreak, the city gates had just opened and several horse-drawn carriages carrying goods drove out one after another.
A slightly mottled carriage covered with gray cloth slowly approached, looking inconspicuous.
The driver was the Liangzhou driver who had delivered a letter to the Dongyang Marquis's residence yesterday. He was dressed in a short coarse cloth robe and looked nervous. His palms holding the reins were slightly sweaty. The horse he was riding seemed to sense his master's anxiety and neighed incessantly, with a chaotic sound of hooves.
In front of the city gate, Dongyang soldiers lined up for inspection, and the atmosphere was solemn.
The deputy general was on patrol, holding a list of names. He glanced at the carriage, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he raised his hand to signal, "Stop it."
The driver hurriedly pulled the reins and said with a forgiving smile, "Sir, I'm from Liangzhou. Yesterday I went into the city to deliver something to the Dongyang Marquis's residence. This is my way back... This is the customs clearance disc." He handed over a wooden plaque, "The Governor's wife ordered me to deliver some things back home."
"Madam Governor?" The deputy general raised an eyebrow and glanced at the carriage. Sure enough, there were several bags inside. He asked, "What are they filled with?"
The driver hesitated for a moment before carefully pulling out a letter from his bosom and offering it with both hands: "This is... a letter from my wife to the governor."
The deputy commander took the letter without opening it, then turned and ordered, "Search the car."
The accompanying soldier searched the back of the car and found a tightly wrapped letter at the bottom of a bundle of clothes. It was sealed without a name, and only a few numbers were written on it:
"Hand it over to the Xiliang army."
The deputy general's expression darkened, and he ordered his men to carefully open it. A crudely drawn map was spread out in the morning breeze.
The map marked several locations of military deployment in Dongyang, important land and water routes, and even had small words written in one corner saying "can be attacked by water".
There was also a letter written in beautiful handwriting, the words of which hinted at a strategic plan:
"...Although this move is not the right one, it is for the benefit of the people of Liang Province. I hope the general will take this into consideration and implement the plan accordingly. If this is accomplished, Liang Province will be safe. I am deeply grateful."
The deputy general's expression suddenly changed, and he shouted coldly: "A document of treason!"
The driver's face turned pale instantly, he fell to his knees and kowtowed: "It's not me! It's not me! I'm just a messenger, I can't read... I really don't know-"
The deputy general said sternly, "Arrest him and bring him back to the barracks for strict interrogation! Report this to the commander-in-chief immediately. This matter must not be leaked!"
Several soldiers stepped forward, took the man away with weapons, rolled up the letter and the blueprint, and the group quickly returned.
As evening approached, the sky grew dark, and the Dongyang camp was filled with a murderous atmosphere.
The deputy general hurried into the camp, lifted the curtain, knelt down, and presented the letters and the roughly drawn map with both hands.
"Commander!" he whispered, "I have found this."
Ji Yang was standing in front of the map. Upon hearing this, his eyes shifted to the familiar handwriting, and he froze. He walked over, took the letter, and unfolded it.
His hands were already trembling slightly before the page was fully unfolded.
It was a letter written in a handwriting that couldn't be more familiar.
Graceful and steady, every stroke was exactly the same as what she wrote in her notes.
He couldn't make out the words, and he didn't want to read them anymore. He felt a sudden blackness in front of his eyes, as if struck by thunder. He clutched the edge of the paper, his knuckles turning white, and stood there in silence for a long time.
The generals around him lowered their heads and remained silent, not daring to make a sound.
Lu Linchuan sensed something was wrong and took a step closer, frowning slightly: "Lord?"
Ji Yang turned around abruptly, slammed the letter onto the table, and growled, "I should have listened to you! I should have chopped her to pieces!"
The words were like thunder, and the atmosphere in the tent suddenly became stagnant.
Lu Linchuan was startled. He raised his hand to pick up the letter and unfold it, his brows gradually becoming serious. After he finished reading the map and the letter, his expression also became very complicated.
Ji Yang turned to look at the kneeling deputy general, and asked with suppressed anger: "Where is the driver?"
"I brought it and am holding it outside."
"Bring it in."
A moment later, two soldiers pressed the driver into the tent. He was pale, trembling all over, and fell to his knees. "General, spare me... I don't know, I really don't know what's in that letter..."
Ji Yang stepped forward and asked coldly, "Tell me clearly, was that letter and that picture handed to you by her personally?"
The driver kowtowed repeatedly, "Yes, yes... I was loading the cart in the backyard of the mansion that day. The package was personally handed to me by the lady, who said it was for my old father back home. She also handed the letter to me in person, and told me to be careful on the road..."
"Governor, please spare my life, I'm just an errand boy!"
"I can't read, I didn't know there was such a thing inside!"
Ji Yang stood still, his face so gloomy that it looked like water could drip out of it. His gaze grew colder and colder, like an ice knife that could penetrate his bones at any moment.
"Lock him up."
The deputy commander responded immediately and led the driver away. No one else in the tent spoke.
Lu Linchuan sighed slowly, put the letter back on the table, and said softly, "My lord, Madam is a cautious person. It's not like she would easily hand over such a letter of treason to such a rough man."
Ji Yang did not answer, but his lips moved slightly, but he said nothing in the end. He just turned around abruptly and overturned the table beside him. Tea cups, chess pieces, and letters fell to the ground one after another. The other people in the camp did not dare to breathe.
Just as Lu Linchuan was about to say something else, Ji Yang suddenly turned around, grabbed the cloak on the back of the chair, and with a wave of his arm, wrapped the cloak around his shoulders.
"Prepare the horses," he whispered, his tone like a knife cutting through the night wind.
"Don't wait until the military affairs are discussed?" Lu Linchuan raised his eyebrows and asked.
Ji Yang seemed not to have heard it. He walked out of the tent with sharp steps. His back was cold and gloomy. As he walked quickly towards the stable, he raised his hand to loosen the corner of his cloak and inserted his sword diagonally behind his waist.
"My Lord..." Lu Linchuan took a step forward, but stopped trying to persuade him. The figure was like thunder and fire, a murderous aura surging around him, and no one could stop him.
In a moment, the horse was led out, Ji Yang jumped on it, and shook the reins.
The warhorse neighed loudly, raised its iron hooves, and rushed out with its commander wrapped in the twilight wind, heading towards Fengdu City.
Outside the camp, flags fluttered in the wind, clouds of dust billowed into the evening mist. Everyone watched the figure disappear into the distance, their expressions solemn.
At this time, the lights in the Dongyang Marquis Mansion were dim.
Jiang Ci sat before a bronze mirror, a jade hairpin in his hand, gently stroking his hair. Yin Shuang came in with a few bundles and carefully spread out her favorite outfits on the couch.
"Girl, these are the ones you wear most often." Yin Shuang said.
"Bring me the moon-white one." Jiang Ci raised his eyebrows, and Yin Shuang picked it up in response. The silk fell like flowing water.
Jiang Ci stood up, gently draped his clothes in front of him, and took out a mutton-fat jade hairpin. He carefully compared the left and right sides of his bun, and suddenly turned to ask Wan Niang: "Which side do you think looks better?"
Wanniang covered her mouth and chuckled: "Girl, this reminds me of you when you were in Zichuan, you still had the heart of a little girl."
Jiang Ci also smiled, sat back in front of the mirror, lowered his head and stroked the hem of his skirt: "But in the blink of an eye, I am no longer a little girl."
She paused, her eyes wandering over her reflection in the mirror, and suddenly smiled, "I want him to be able to spot me among the crowd tomorrow."
Yin Shuang inserted the last butterfly hairpin and couldn't help but sigh, "If the governor saw you, he would probably be a little moved by you."
Jiang Ci didn't respond, but just slowly straightened his sleeves, but a hint of tenderness quietly rose at the corner of his lips.
The night was dark and the lights in the house were still warm. Jiang Ci was just holding an embroidered hairpin and smiling at himself in the mirror when he suddenly heard heavy footsteps coming from outside the yard. Before he could react, the door was kicked open with a bang.
Ji Yang stormed in, his face sullen and cold. His gaze was as sharp as a knife, and he approached without hesitation, pulling Jiang Ci up from the table.
Before Jiang Ci could stand firmly, Ji Yang held her wrist tightly. She screamed and Ji Yang let go of her hand. Jiang Ci fell to the ground, her coat slipped off her shoulders, her pearls and jade scattered, and her hair was disheveled.
Wanniang and Yinshuang wanted to come up and ask what was wrong, but when they saw Ji Yang's expression, they were so scared that they knelt on the ground.
She looked up at him, only to see his eyes filled with rage, as cold as a frosted sword. He threw a letter in front of her and shouted coldly:
"Look for yourself."
Jiang Ci was stunned and picked up the letter with trembling hands. She recognized the paper and the pen, but she did not recognize the content hidden between the lines.
A map, the deployment of troops, waterways, breaches... her writing was as fluent as hers, but it was not written by her.
"I didn't write this." Her voice was hoarse, as if it was squeezed out from her chest.
"You didn't write it?" He bent down suddenly, clamped her chin, and asked fiercely, "Do you know that treason is a capital crime?"
Jiang Ci's breathing suddenly stagnated, his eyes went white, and his voice trembled: "I didn't..."
"Enough!" He shouted like thunder and pushed her away. Jiang Ci tried to lean back and knocked over the table beside her. The teacup rolled over and the tea soaked the corner of her skirt.
Her heart seemed to be soaked by the scalding water, burning with pain.
She suddenly stood up, her voice trembling but she refused to lower her head: "You refused to investigate, and you refused to listen to my explanation, and you just assumed it was me?"
Her voice suddenly rose, and a painful light flashed in her eyes. "You married me, but it was just a delaying tactic. I accept it. You don't believe me, but I accept it! But I want to say, if I wanted to destroy you, why would I collaborate with the enemy? I could just stab you in your sleep."
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she was too stubborn to utter a word of pleading. She stood up bit by bit, her fingertips still stained with the scattered embroidery thread.
Ji Yang gritted his teeth and looked at her, his face livid. He then turned around and asked in a deep voice, "Are the things sent from Liangzhou still there?"
One of his personal guards responded, "Reporting to the Governor, all those who were delivered to the palace yesterday have been placed in the side courtyard as arranged by the Madam."
Before he finished speaking, Ji Yang had already stepped out of the hall quickly, his footsteps heavy and fierce, and his robes rustling.
Jiang Ci's heart suddenly tightened, and he felt vaguely uneasy. He stood up abruptly and chased after him. His sleeves were blown by the wind, and he almost fell down.
"Ji Yang!" she called him, her voice trembling slightly.
He never looked back and never stopped. Jiang Ci gritted his teeth and chased after him, while Yin Shuang and Wan Niang followed closely behind, their faces full of panic.
Under the cover of night, the side courtyard was quiet. A carriage loaded with cloth bags and book boxes was parked quietly by the wall, and several servants were busy preparing things.
Ji Yang approached, his brows as hard as steel, and with a glance, he said in a cold voice: "Bring the oil."
The guards didn't hesitate and immediately fetched kerosene. Jiang Ci quickly caught up with him and stopped him, breathing heavily, "What do you want to do?"
Ji Yang tilted his head to look at her, his eyes as cold as the night, and every word he spoke was like a knife: "Do I need to ask for permission from a criminal who collaborates with the enemy for anything I do?"
Without waiting for her to respond, he waved his hand, lit the torch, and ordered, "Water."
Kerosene splashed onto the cloth bag and wooden box. With a gurgling sound, a tongue of flame shot up. The flames instantly devoured the cloth, books, clothes, dry food, spices... and the box of medical skills she had temporarily put there because she had no other place to put them.
"No!" Jiang Ci screamed and rushed forward. Just as he was about to rush over to save the box of books, he was stopped by Ji Yang's personal guards and held tightly with his arms.
She looked at the pile of items from Liangzhou, which were buried in the sea of fire bit by bit. Tears fell silently and her body trembled uncontrollably.
Wanniang knelt on the ground and begged: "General, please let the girl go, these are just..."
Ji Yang turned a deaf ear to him, suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Jiang Ci's wrist with such force that he almost threw half of her shoulder off.
He threw her violently, and Jiang Ci lost her balance and fell in front of the scorching flames. She supported herself on the ground with her hands, her body glowing red in the flames, and her fingertips gripped the soil and rocks tightly.
"This is your Jiang family—" He leaned over, got close to her ear, and growled every word, "You owe me!"
Jiang Ci looked at the leaping flames in the fire, and seemed to see again the figure of her mother sewing clothes under the locust tree in her hometown, and the image of her father laughing and holding her, and she was swallowed up by it.
Her hair was slightly disheveled, sweat was on her forehead, and tears could not stop falling from her eyes. Behind her, Wanniang and Yinshuang rushed over to protect her, their voices choked with sobs: "Girl, don't cry..."
Ji Yang stood in front of her, his eyes cold and sinister.
"Jiang Ci." His voice was low, cold, slow and cruel, looking down on people like a Shura judge.
"Compared to what your Jiang family has done to me, you deserve this little bit of suffering."
The blazing fire illuminated half the sky and also clearly showed the tears on Jiang Ci's face. She wiped away her tears and her expression calmed down.
He ordered coldly, "Come here—tie her and her two personal maids up and send them to the prison at the Governor's Office!"
The guards outside the courtyard rushed in, and Yin Shuang screamed, "Miss!" Wan Niang knelt on the ground and begged for mercy, but was dragged away.
Jiang Ci said nothing and let the man hold her captive.
But when she was pulled out, she looked back at Ji Yang.
There was no resentment or hatred in that look, only desolation.
Ji Yang watched her being taken away and said to her, "I don't have time to listen to your quibbling! Do you think I'll be fooled by a few words from you?!"
"I'm leaving for battle soon. When I return, I'll give you a dignified death!"
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