Chapter 96 Baolin Dies
Jiang Yingli felt a little exhausted and rested for the whole afternoon while Xiao Chenglan handled government affairs in Changqing Palace.
Fu Wanquan brought the person up as instructed, "Your Majesty, he is here."
Xiao Chenglan looked at Jiang Zhao who was being escorted into the palace.
Jiang Zhao knelt in the hall with a confused and uneasy look on his face, not understanding the reason why His Majesty had left him alone.
"Why didn't you speak today? Your sister is very sad. She thinks you are blaming her." Xiao Chenglan asked.
Jiang Zhao swallowed hard and lowered his eyes.
"I'm afraid that if I speak, Empress Chongyi will soften her heart."
Xiao Chenglan's sharp eyes finally softened a bit, but he still looked at Jiang Zhao sternly.
"Hmph, as the saying goes, good shoots come from bad bamboos, and it certainly seems to be true for you two. Since you are kind-hearted, I will pardon your exile to Youzhou as a slave and send you to the southwest border camp instead."
Jiang Zhao was stunned.
In the past, he had thought about joining the army, but his father and mother hoped that he would become a scholar and enter the officialdom.
Although he was not terrible at studying, his level was just average, neither good nor bad. He could not stand out in the imperial examinations where there were so many talented people.
But even though he knew it clearly in his heart, he could not influence his parents' thoughts.
Because his parents were so obsessed with him becoming an official that they were almost crazy.
"Your Majesty...I, a commoner, can I really go to the border camp?"
Seeing Jiang Zhao's yearning, Xiao Chenglan's voice became more serious and he warned:
"I advise you not to overthink this. The southwest's environment is harsh, not as bad as the Central Plains, let alone the capital. Moreover, you are going to the southwest border camp, where unrest, hunger, and cold are common."
"Besides, those soldiers in the barracks have their own rules. You are a criminal and a mere soldier, so you are bound to be tortured. In other words, maybe one day, you will die there."
Jiang Zhao certainly knew what the border troops meant, but he had no intention of backing down.
"I know that Your Majesty is willing to give me this opportunity. It is the best opportunity for me to gain experience. I am already grateful!"
"Have you really thought it through?" Xiao Chenglan asked again.
Jiang Zhao said firmly, "Your Majesty, I have made up my mind. Please grant me your approval!"
Xiao Chenglan's eyes fell on him, and a hint of approval flashed in his eyes.
"Not afraid of death, that's good."
"Then do you know why I give you this opportunity?"
Jiang Zhao thought about it and said uncertainly: "Is it because of...Empress Chongyi?"
"Yes, I know you have some talent. If you can achieve merit in the future, I will naturally reward you accordingly. If your achievements can reach the level of being granted a title of nobility or a general, you will be a great help to your sister, and even your sister's children."
Jiang Zhao was a little surprised. Your Majesty, you actually thought so far.
My sister, and...my sister's child.
Yes, his sister is isolated and helpless in the palace. Now that he has this opportunity to make great achievements, of course he must do his best to seize it.
Jiang Zhao became more determined in his inner thoughts and bowed three times to Xiao Chenglan.
"I, your Majesty, will not let you down!"
Xiao Chenglan nodded lightly, but a different emotion flashed in his eyes.
"I'll be frank. I haven't told your sister about this. If you die in the southwest camp, I'll just assume you're useless and died in Youzhou. You'll never see your sister again in this lifetime."
Jiang Zhao didn't say anything, just nodded and clenched his palms.
No, he will not die in the southwest. He will definitely return to the capital, be the most powerful brother in his sister's eyes, and become his sister's support.
Xiao Chenglan's gaze fell on Jiang Zhao.
There is still youthfulness between the young man's eyebrows.
Thinking of this pair of siblings, Xiao Chenglan sighed softly, and thousands of words turned into two light words.
"Go ahead."
At night, when Xiao Chenglan returned to Changyang Palace, Jiang Yingli was already asleep.
He sat beside the couch, quietly looking at her sleeping face.
Jiang Yingli unconsciously stretched her hand out of the quilt, and the sleeve of her pajamas slipped down, revealing a piece of her white wrist.
Xiao Chenglan was about to put her hand back into the quilt when his eyes were suddenly attracted by the bracelet on her wrist.
The two emerald green bracelets were not made of top-quality materials, and the jade color was not clear, but when worn on Jiang Yingli's wrists, they were indescribably pleasing to the eye.
The darker bracelet was the one he gave to Jiang Yingli on the night he brought her back to the palace.
Although the Prince Su's Mansion was in decline at that time, it was still more than enough to buy a high-quality bracelet. However, he still gave this one as a gift because it was one he bought a long time ago.
That night he finally got what he wanted and gave it to her legitimately.
Although Jiang Yingli later owned countless pieces of jewelry with exquisite workmanship and high quality, she still did not take off the bracelet.
She really, really likes him.
Xiao Chenglan's fingertips brushed across her wrist, his eyes filled with morbid attachment.
But gradually, his eyes stopped and became deeper.
He pinched the other bracelet and slowly took it off Jiang Yingli's hand.
His eyes fell on the bracelet, and beneath his calm expression was surging paranoia.
Forget this one.
Even if it’s a gift from my younger brother, I can’t do that.
Only him, only him.
Jiang Yingli woke up in a daze.
Noticing her movements, Xiao Chenglan suppressed the sickly emotion in his eyes, smiled gently, and said softly, "It's my fault for waking you."
Jiang Yingli naturally stood up and hugged him, her voice filled with the dazed sound of someone who had just woken up.
"What is your Majesty looking at that bracelet for?"
"Nothing, I just thought that since Jiang Zhao has left the capital, I should put this bracelet away for now, so that you won't be sad when you see it."
Jiang Yingli took a look at the bracelet. Although she was reluctant to take it off, she felt that what His Majesty said made sense.
"Okay, then put it in the box."
Xiao Chenglan smiled.
"You lie down, I'm going to take a shower and will be back in a moment."
Jiang Yingli held him tightly and refused to let go. "Your Majesty, please take me with you. I don't mind washing again."
Xiao Chenglan paused, his smile deepening.
"Okay." Xiao Chenglan picked up Jiang Yingli steadily, his eyes fixed on her face, never moving away for a moment.
He is becoming more and more clingy, what a good baby.
**
After the morning meeting the next day, the palace maids from Jinxiu Palace stopped Jiang Yingli in front of Roufu Palace.
The palace servant knelt down and delivered the message, "Empress Chongyi, Xu Baolin from Jinque Pavilion has been saying that he wants to see you."
Jiang Yingli's eyes were indifferent. "No, I'm busy and don't have time."
After saying that, Jiang Yingli left.
After the Xu family was sentenced to death, His Majesty gave Xu Nianya poisoned wine.
She never drank.
Today is the third day and also the final deadline. If she doesn't drink, she will die even more miserably.
It seemed that she wanted to see her one last time before she died.
However, whether she wanted to repent or cry out in grievance, it had nothing to do with her.
She didn't bother to listen to a word he said.
In the evening, Lian Qiao hurried in from outside the hall and whispered in Jiang Yingli's ear:
"My Lady, Xu Baolin of Jinque Pavilion has passed away."
Jiang Yingli continued to paint the picture, and her pen didn't even pause when she heard the words.
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