Chapter 618 - 396: Troubling My Husband to Be My Scapegoat

Chapter 618: Chapter 396: Troubling My Husband to Be My Scapegoat

The situation in Yan City was escalating. The Right Minister, an old man, had been treated like dirt underfoot, which only stoked his fury. He wasn’t just pressuring the Ministry of Justice to thoroughly investigate the cause of the fire; he now wanted to investigate everything related to the granary.

When the Left Minister sent a memorial to the imperial court, he hadn’t expected the situation to develop like this. He immediately sent another follow-up memorial.

Xie Linlang sensed the sudden shift in the situation outside. She immediately halted her original plan, deciding not to pass the message to her mother-in-law. Instead, she carefully weighed the pros and cons of the matter.

She recalled the letter her brother had sent her. If the granary fire was truly meant to prevent a war with Beiming, then who was the person behind it all?

They even dared to plot against the Right Minister. What about her own father-in-law?

Xie Linlang didn’t understand the affairs of the court, but she knew one thing: it wasn’t the first time her husband had been tasked with supervising the transport of provisions. If war broke out this time, that duty would likely fall to him again.

The mastermind behind this was capable of burning down a granary. Who could say they wouldn’t dare to intercept the provisions?

Life had been decent since she married Ji Yunting. Their marriage had been the result of numerous schemes, and their relationship after the wedding was very different from that of other couples.

Xie Linlang had no desire to become a widow. After thinking it over and over, she decided to ask Ji Yunting to come see her when he returned to the manor.

Ji Yunting returned to the manor exhausted. Because the Emperor was intent on going to war with Beiming, the workload at the Ministry of War had suddenly multiplied. Although he only held the title of Chief, he was responsible for a great deal.

Upon returning to the manor and hearing that Xie Linlang had requested his presence, he paused, then changed direction and headed toward his own residential courtyard.

Xie Linlang heard the sounds outside and immediately rose to greet him. Seeing Ji Yunting had returned, she quickly had the servants help him change and wash up. Once he was settled, she handed him the tea she had prepared.

The still-warm tea entered his mouth, and Ji Yunting felt a bit of the tension leave his body. He set down the teacup, looked up at Xie Linlang, and said with a smile, "You were in such a hurry to have me come over. What’s happened?"

Xie Linlang dismissed all the servants around them. Only then did she say softly, "There is something I need to tell you, but I’m afraid I might just be overthinking it. Yet, if I don’t tell you, my heart will be full of anxiety and fear..." She sighed. "But since it concerns your safety, I had no choice but to ask you to come."

Ji Yunting was taken aback. He looked at Xie Linlang and said, "Well, this is a surprise. Is there really something that could trouble you this much?"

Ever since Xie Linlang had married into the family, he had been observing her discreetly. She was, in fact, a very clever woman. His mother had made things difficult for her on numerous occasions, yet she always managed to find a way to handle it perfectly.

Moreover, she handled all matters related to him with great care and reliability. After being married for so long, Ji Yunting had grown accustomed to having her by his side. He felt at ease entrusting the household affairs to her.

So now, seeing the troubled look on her face, he was genuinely curious. He rarely saw her in such a state.

Xie Linlang nervously clutched a handkerchief as she looked at Ji Yunting. "I’ve heard some things about the outside world from my brother, and I know the situation in Yan City has become a huge mess. It just suddenly occurred to me... people are saying the granary in Yan City was burned because someone doesn’t want the Emperor to go to war with Beiming. I don’t know if that’s true or not. But there’s one thing I do know. If a war really does start, you’ll likely be the one transporting the provisions again. What if someone tries to sabotage the provisions you’re transporting? You are my husband, my whole world, the one I’m supposed to rely on for the rest of my life. The mere thought of it terrifies me."

At first, Ji Yunting didn’t take it seriously, but as Linlang spoke, his expression gradually grew solemn.

Seeing the look on Ji Yunting’s face, Xie Linlang’s heart pounded even harder. Cold sweat beaded on her palms. She walked over to him and gripped his hand tightly. "Why don’t you plead illness?"

Ji Yunting felt the small hand holding his tremble, its palm damp with sweat. Looking at Xie Linlang’s pale face, he could see the worry and fear in her eyes were genuine.

He squeezed her hand in return and chuckled softly. "If I were to retreat at the first sign of trouble, I might as well give up being an official. Besides, even if it’s true, I won’t be afraid. Since we’ve thought of this possibility, I can find a way to deal with it."

Xie Linlang wasn’t convinced. Her husband was a scholar; how could he possibly be as formidable as those military officers? But she couldn’t say that out loud. She could only phrase it delicately. "I know you are clever and capable, my husband. You’re only aloof when it’s a matter that doesn’t concern you. But you are my husband, the person closest to me. I’m just so worried I can’t think straight. Please don’t laugh at me."

Ji Yunting gazed at her intently. "How could I laugh? Your concern for me only moves my heart."

"Then how about I ask my brother to hire some skilled guards? They can accompany you when you leave the capital, alright? Otherwise, my heart will be in my throat the whole time."

"It’s not yet certain whether there will be a war. It’s too early to talk about this now. Don’t worry. If that day truly comes, I will speak to your brother myself," Ji Yunting said with a smile.

Xie Linlang let out a small sigh of relief and took the opportunity to nestle into Ji Yunting’s embrace, murmuring softly, "Then you have to promise you won’t deceive me."

"Of course," Ji Yunting agreed, tightening his arms around her to soothe her heart.

Ji Yunting had lunch with Xie Linlang. When he learned his father had returned to the manor, he said to Linlang, "You should get some rest. I’m going to see Father."

Xie Linlang understood that Ji Yunting was surely going to tell his father about her suspicions. She tugged on his sleeve, a little embarrassed, and said, "This is just the speculation of a simple woman like me. If you tell Father, will he scold me for confusing you and spouting nonsense?"

Ji Yunting smiled. "Don’t worry, I won’t say the words came from you."

Xie Linlang immediately beamed at Ji Yunting, her smile like a blooming flower. "Then I’ll really be troubling you, my husband, having to cover for me like this."

Watching her smile, Ji Yunting couldn’t help but smile back. He reached out and gave her cheek a gentle pinch. "You should go back inside. I’m leaving now."

"Alright." Xie Linlang didn’t go back inside, but instead watched him leave.

Halfway there, Ji Yunting turned back and saw that Xie Linlang was still watching him. He smiled, then turned and walked away for good.

Only after Ji Yunting was out of sight did Xie Linlang return to her room. The smile vanished from her face, replaced by a frown. ’From the sound of it, if Your Majesty appoints him as the Transportation Officer, he’ll definitely accept.’

’He’s a good man in every way, but he’s just too principled. Anyone else who knew of the danger would surely find a way to avoid it, but not him.’

Xie Linlang pressed a hand to her chest. She would never admit that it was precisely this quality in Ji Yunting that made her want to plan more and more for his sake.

Their marriage had clearly started as one of convenience, but as time went on, she was genuinely starting to feel what it was like to build a life together.

After much thought, Xie Linlang decided she still needed to let her brother know what was going on. She would briefly explain her suspicions and the fact that Ji Yunting was going to discuss it with the Left Minister.

If the Left Minister got involved because of this, she feared it might affect Yun Zhao’s grand undertaking. It was better to prepare in advance.