YM778.TV Chapter 62 - 62: Father And Daughter Conversation
“Indeed, Mother.”
“Grandmother, let me escort you back.”
Jiang Peihuan stepped forward and offered gently, as she saw Old Madam Jiang leaving with the support of Nanny Xu’s hand.
Old Madam Jiang’s eyes sparkled with warmth and amusement. She patted Jiang Peihuan’s hand tenderly before uttering, “I’m aware that you miss your parents dearly. Head to your mother’s courtyard.”
“Grandmother, let Nanny Xu make some chestnut cakes. I’ll go over and eat later.”
“Young miss, don’t worry.. I’ll prepare them as soon as we get back,” Nanny Xu promptly assured, before Old Madam Jiang could respond.
Jiang Peihuan nodded with a smile, “Thank you, Nanny Xu.”
After observing Old Madam Jiang’s departure, Jiang Peihuan proceeded to Xue Yan’s garden, known as Yanlin.
This garden, the largest within the Jiang Mansion aside from Old Madam Jiang’s Chrysanthemum Hall, was named by Jiang Hong.
“Mother, why are you standing here waiting for me?”
Upon reaching the entrance of Yanlin, Jiang Peihuan saw Xue Yan standing there, out of her military attire and donning a light purple dress. Her long hair elegantly bundled up with a silver hairpin. This gentle appearance belied her role as a battlefield-hardened female general.
“Your elder brother and sister are already inside. I thought I’d wait for you here.”
“Then let’s go in quickly.”
“Father, please help me find a fine horse as soon as possible. Preferably like elder sister’s ‘Lie Feng.\'”
Just as Jiang Peihuan and Xue Yan entered the living room, they found Jiang Sijin clutching Jiang Hong’s sleeve, pleading.
“How could I forget about your horse? I brought you a Ferghana Horse from Hangu Pass. Go and see if you like it.”
“Really? I’ll go see it right away.”
Upon hearing Jiang Hong’s words, Jiang Sijin darted off enthusiastically. Catching sight of Xue Yan and Jiang Peihuan entering, she exclaimed, “Mother, Eldest Sister, I’m off to see my horse!”
“Be careful and slow down.”
Xue Yan couldn’t help but remind her when she saw her running away quickly.
Quietly sipping tea, Jiang Changbai sat on a chair nearby. Observing the situation, he put down his tea and proposed to Jiang Hong and Xue Yan, “Father, Mother, I’ll ensure Sijin stays safe.”
“Go, don’t let her get hurt.”
“Got it.”
Jiang Changbai also left after speaking. As he passed by Jiang Peihuan, he affectionately tousled her hair.
Jiang Peihuan, looking at her now tousled hair, sighed slightly.
“Huan Er, you’ve been shouldering a lot during my absence,” Jiang Hong gently acknowledged, seeing Jiang Peihuan pay him her respects. She shook her head in response, “It’s not hard on me, Father. The real hardship is on you and Mother.”
“Huan Er, your elder brother has informed me about the medicine and the letter you sent him.”
“But, there’s something I need to clarify. Is it true that Uncle Meng Yi poisoned your brother? What could be his motive for such an act?”
Despite the growing distance between Jiang Hong and Meng Yi, their longstanding bond left Jiang Hong in considerable distress.
Upon seeing the sorrow in her father’s eyes, Jiang Peihuan’s heart wavered. However, the memory of Jiang family’s fate in her previous life stiffened her resolve.
Turning to Jiang Hong, she spoke, “Father, Uncle Meng might have served by your side for many years, but he has long been a man of Prince Qing.” “Prince Qing?”
“Huan Er, are you sure it’s the Prince Qing and not the Emperor?”
The latter question came from Xue Yan. Initially, when they discovered that Jiang Changbai’s poisoning was orchestrated by Meng Yi, Jiang Hong and Xue Yan had surmised Meng Yi was a man of the Emperor.
But now, hearing Jiang Peihuan’s assertion that Meng Yi served Prince Qing, both parents looked on with surprise.
Spotting their astonishment, Jiang Peihuan affirmed with a nod, “This information came directly from King Cheng himself, so there is little reason to doubt its veracity.”
In her previous life, Xiao Junhao had openly admitted Meng Yi was his follower. However, Jiang Peihuan couldn’t disclose this to her parents, choosing instead to attribute the information to Xiao Nanye.
Hearing this, Jiang Hong couldn’t resist inquiring, “Huan Er, when did you and King Cheng develop such a close relationship?”
“Father, my relationship with King Cheng is not what you’re imagining,” responded Jiang Peihuan hastily, noticing her father’s odd look.
Seeing the strange expression in her father’s eyes, Jiang Peihuan quickly spoke up.
Jiang Hong was about to add more, but Xue Yan interjected, “Huan Er, your elder brother mentioned you wish for your father to relinquish his military token. Is this true?”
“Yes.”
Upon hearing this, a grave seriousness marked Jiang Peihuan’s eyes. She faced Jiang Hong and Xue Yan, voicing sternly, “Father, your reputation in the military has been growing due to your years of warfare. Rumors that the Qi soldiers only recognize their general and disregard the military token have reached the Emperor’s ears.”
“Although the Emperor’s rewards have been generous, you have also become a thorn in the side of the ministers. Therefore, I believe you should seize this opportunity and return the military token to the Emperor.”
“Huan Er,” responded Jiang Hong, his eyes reflecting bitterness, “I have pondered on what you said, but have you considered one thing? Even if I return the military token to the Emperor, it might not be sufficient to quell his suspicions.”
He continued, his voice imbued with a bitter undertone, “Our family is renowned for its bravery, and I achieved fame at a young age. Serving the Emperor has been my lifelong duty. I never thought that the Emperor, whom I’ve been serving since my youth, would come to distrust me. It is disheartening, but such is the fate of those whose accomplishments overshadow their masters.”
“Father, surrendering your military token, even if it doesn’t completely eliminate the Emperor’s suspicions, can at least display your sincerity.”
“Brother Hong, I think Huan Er’s idea is right.”
“I’ll need to give this some serious thought,” he replied. “For me, surrendering the military token is simple, but it implicates many people. I have to consult your grandmother, your second uncle, and your third uncle about this matter.”
Upon hearing his response, Jiang Peihuan chose to remain silent. She had faith in her father’s judgement.
While Yan Lin was quiet and peaceful, Zhou Rongfang’s Fang Garden was in a state of uproar.
“Why did you pull me away just now?” Zhou Rongfang demanded.
“If I hadn’t dragged you away, would you have preferred me to stand by while you quarreled with our sister-in-law? Regardless of anything else, she’s your elder, and you ought to show her some respect.”
“Respect?” Jiang Yuan, do you even have a shred of conscience left? Look at Xue Yan. She’s already an imperial lady of the first rank. Then look at me. We’re both married into the Jiang family, yet why am I still essentially a commoner?”
Upon seeing Zhou Rongfang’s green-eyed jealousy, Jiang Yuan’s expression turned stern. “Our sister-in-law has been beside our brother, fighting battles for many years, achieving countless merits. This imperial title wasn’t handed to her on a platter; she earned it herself..”