BXBX NOVEL Chapter 51 - 51: Increase the Security
“Hmph, got away quick, didn’t they?”
Jiang Changbai watched the departing master-servant duo, his eyes still sparked with annoyance.
Just then, Deputy General Liu hurried into the plum garden.
As Deputy General Liu had always been responsible for the General’s Mansion security, hearing the disturbance, he immediately came over to the garden. Seeing Jiang Changbai standing in the courtyard, he hastily came forward and saluted, “Young General?”
Deputy General Liu was more accustomed to addressing Jiang Changbai as the Young General, given his previous military tenure.
“Did someone breach the General’s Mansion, Young General?” Deputy General Liu asked softly after saluting Jiang Changbai.
“Just a petty thief,” Jiang Changbai answered dismissively. “I’ve chased him off.”
“A petty thief?” Liu’s eyes widened in surprise. In the capital, everyone knew that the General’s Mansion was populated with martial arts experts. Even the guards had some skill, so common thieves would never dare target the estate.
Noticing Deputy General Liu’s surprised expression, Jiang Changbai cleared his throat and instructed in a low voice, “Moving forward, make sure to increase security, especially around the ladies’ gardens.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You can leave now, get some rest.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Are you not heading back to rest, Young General?” Deputy General Liu asked, noticing Jiang Changbai seating himself in the courtyard.
“No problem, it’s still early. I’ll sit here for a while. You go on and sleep,” Jiang Changbai replied nonchalantly.
He had a nagging worry. What if King Cheng returned? He needed to be here, just in case.
Outside the wall.
Han Feng, after much effort, finally caught up with Xiao Nanye. Seeing Nanye mount his horse, he blurted out, “Master, are we just leaving like this?”
“What else?” Xiao Nanye retorted coldly from atop his horse.
Rubbing his nose, Han Feng quickly suggested, “It’s late. Perhaps we should head back.”
“Master, tomorrow is the Eldest Princess’ birthday banquet. Your gift isn’t ready yet.”
“Take something from the storeroom when we get back…Wait, there’s a banquet at the princess’s mansion tomorrow?” Xiao Nanye suddenly turned to look at Han Feng.
Seeing his master’s thoughtful expression, Han Feng involuntarily took a couple of steps back before finally nodding.
“After we get back to the mansion, find a valuable gift and send it to the Eldest Princess’s Mansion. Have the princess send an invitation to the Jiang Mansion.”
Yes, sir.”
Thinking about seeing Jiang Peihuan again tomorrow brought a smile to Xiao Nanye’s face. His mood had taken a clear turn for the better.
As dawn broke, the quiet life of the plum garden started to stir.
“Eldest Young Master?”
Yue Er had intended to go to Jiang Peihuan’s room early. As she approached the courtyard, she noticed a figure on the stone bench.
It was only when she recognized Jiang Changbai that she held back her surprise.
Jiang Changbai had spent countless nights on the battlefield, often sleeping in the open, so falling asleep on the bench wasn’t unusual.
Hearing Yue Er’s voice, he opened his eyes, casting a glance at the lightening sky. “Dawn already?” he mumbled, standing and stretching his arm.
As he spoke, Jiang Changbai stood up and moved his arm.
Yue Er, seeing this, offered a respectful bow before asking, a touch of amusement in her voice, “Eldest Young Master, what brings you here so early?”
He looked as if he’d just awoken.
“I was merely strolling. It should be about time Huan Er is awake. Let her know I have something to discuss with her.”
“Understood, I’ll go see if the young lady is awake.”
When Jiang Peihuan had heard the sounds outside, she had roused from her sleep. As Yue Er entered her room, she asked, “What’s happening outside?”
“The Eldest Young Master is here, Miss.”
“Big brother?”
“From what I observed, it seems the Eldest Young Master has spent the entire night outside.”
As Yue Er shared this information, her voice dropped to a hush. Jian Peihuan’s eyes widened a bit in surprise.
After Jiang Peihuan freshened up, she directed Yue Er, “Please invite my Big Brother in.”
“Yes, Miss.”
The moment Jiang Changbai walked in, Jian Peihuan noticed that he was still in the clothes from the previous evening. Thinking back to last night, she felt a spark of realization.
She might just know why her big brother had spent the entire night in her courtyard.
“Big brother, is there something you need from me?”
Once Jiang Changbai had taken a seat, Jian Peihuan turned to address him.
There was a touch of hesitance in Jiang Changbai’s eyes. After a few seconds of thought, he looked at Jian Peihuan, “Huan Er, what’s your opinion of King Cheng?”
“Huan Er, King Cheng maybe handsome, but he’s also of high stature. Being with him might lead to a complicated life. You’re a calm soul, not suited for a complex family life.”
Before Jiang Peihuan could respond, Jiang Changbai found himself advising her.
Hearing this, Jiang Peihuan couldn’t hold back a soft laugh. She turned to her big brother and chuckled, “So, Big Brother, did you spend an entire night in my garden just to give me this piece of advice?”
Seeing the smile in Jian Peihuan’s eyes, Jiang Changbai’s eyes revealed some awkwardness, but he quickly revealed a serious expression.” You’re still laughing. I saw King Cheng come out of your room last night.”
Upon seeing the amusement in Jiang Peihuan’s eyes, Jiang Changbai’s face colored with a hint of embarrassment, which was quickly replaced by a serious demeanor. “You find it funny? Last night, I spotted King Cheng leaving your room,” he pointed out.
At these words, Jiang Peihuan’s smile faded, and she replied softly, “Big Brother, my relationship with King Cheng isn’t what you imagine it to be. Moreover, I currently have no intentions of getting married, so you need not worry.”
Hearing Jiang Peihuan’s disinterest in marriage, Jiang Changbai felt relieved.
She nodded obediently. “Don’t worry, Big Brother, I’ll heed your…”
“Miss?”
Before Jiang Peihuan could finish, the door was suddenly pushed open by Lu Er. Yue Er, standing aside, frowned at the intrusion. “The Eldest Young Master and the Eldest Miss are in conversation. What’s the rush?”
Hearing Yue Er’s admonishment, Lu Er quickly moderated her tone. “I apologize, Miss. I know I was wrong.”
“It’s fine, just remember to be more mindful next time. Impatience might be overlooked here, but elsewhere, it could cause problems.”
“So, what’s the urgent matter that made you rush in?”
Keeping in mind Lu Er’s circumstances from her past life, Jiang Peihuan decided not to be too hard on her. After giving her a brief reprimand, she let the matter rest.
Regaining her energetic demeanor, Lu Er approached Jiang Peihuan, grinning. “Miss, we received an invitation from the Eldest Princess’s Mansion. They are inviting us to a banquet.”
Jiang Peihuan looked surprised at the news.
The Eldest Princess wasn’t fond of large gatherings, thus her semi-centennial celebrations typically only included a select few princes and princesses, seldom ministers.
In her past life, the Jiang family hadn’t been invited to the Eldest Princess’s celebration.
“Huan Er, your injuries haven’t fully healed. Perhaps it’s best not to attend,” Jiang Changbai suggested, less concerned about the event and more worried about her well-being.
However, Jiang Peihuan was quick to object, “No, Big Brother, I wish to attend..”