Chapter 146 - 145: A Doomed Romance (First Update)

Chapter 146: Chapter 145: A Doomed Romance (First Update)

The crowd looked at Nanny Zhou in terror, as if only at this moment did they confirm that they were serious.

Zhao Shaohua secretly gritted her teeth and decisively said, "Alright, we’ll cooperate with you. I also hold responsibility for Zhen’s death. If we can find out who killed her, Mrs. Yu can ask anything of me."

Although Chen Xi was full of dissatisfaction, after being whipped, she dared not say anything more.

Most of the others in the room followed the lead of these two, and seeing that they did not resist, no one else dared to either.

Nanny Zhou nodded in satisfaction and said, "Young Madam Zhao has a clear sense of reason. No wonder our Fifth Lady often praised her in front of the madam. Please, ladies, follow this old servant."

Having said that, she turned and directly took a left, walking into the corridor outside the room.

Zhao Shaohua pressed her lips together and quickly followed.

The others looked at each other for a moment and then followed as well.

Liu Fuyue and Guo Liuyun, as usual, followed Zhao Shaohua, while Chen Xi and Shen Zhiyi trailed behind them, maintaining a small distance.

Xu Jing and Xu Ya walked at the back.

Xu Jing maintained an indifferent demeanor. Naturally, she could sense Xu Ya sneaking glances at her, but regardless of whether Xu Ya recognized her or not, she dared not make trouble at this time, so Xu Jing chose to ignore her completely.

Though she was rather unlucky tonight, the only comforting thought was that her foot had significantly healed after more than a month of careful recovery, allowing her to walk normally and avoiding too much embarrassment in a place with no one to assist her.

Walking ahead of her, Chen Xi kept muttering curses under her breath, and Xu Jing, behind her, vaguely caught her words—

"The offspring of bandits remain bandits, even if they’re dressed in silk and satin, dining on gourmet food, they can’t change that inherent bandit nature. Her daughter is the same, no matter how gracefully and kindly she pretends, at her core, she’s still lowly..."

Xu Jing looked at Chen Xi’s back with a thoughtful expression.

Just then, perhaps concerned about neglecting Xu Jing, Zhao Shaohua turned back to walk beside her and whispered, "I’m sorry, Doctor Xu. I didn’t mean to involve you in this. I never expected Mrs. Yu to be so stubborn..."

Xu Jing shook her head, indicating Zhao Shaohua shouldn’t worry about her matter, and said, "There’s something I want to ask Young Madam Zhao. I’ve heard that Mrs. Yu’s family is from a military family in Jizhou..."

Jizhou, a frontier town in Great Chu.

Zhao Shaohua paused, having heard the faint muttering of Chen Xi earlier and, knowing Xu Jing must have heard it too, glared fiercely at Chen Xi ahead, saying, "Mrs. Yu’s father is the Commander of the Jizhou Garrison. My father told me that Mrs. Yu’s father formerly served as a military general under the Beiting Jiedu Envoy. After the uprising of King Wu, most of the military power of the Beiting Jiedu Envoy was taken back by the court. Now, the position of the Beiting Jiedu Envoy is more a nominal role, and its soldiers were absorbed into the court’s fold, leading to Mrs. Yu’s father being transferred to Jizhou.

You shouldn’t pay heed to those saying Mrs. Yu’s ancestors were bandits, even if it were true, it was long ago and has nothing to do with Mrs. Yu and Zhen today!"

Xu Jing raised an eyebrow slightly but said nothing.

She somewhat knew who was aiding Mrs. Yu in this matter; they were likely people Mrs. Yu brought from her family.

Given such a background, it’s no wonder Mrs. Yu acts so boldly.

Soon, Nanny Zhou led them to an open space by a pond.

The mansion was elegantly and grandly decorated, and from Zhao Shaohua’s words, Xu Jing learned that this was the Wang Family’s estate in the suburbs.

It was nighttime, and the open area was lit up, making the small patch of ground bright. A small and exquisite riverside annex was built by the pond, for people to rest after enjoying the garden.

To everyone’s surprise, several people were already standing in the open area, most of whom were men.

Walking side by side with Xu Jing, Zhao Shaohua immediately recognized one of them and exclaimed, "Jiang Erlang, why are you here?"

Among them, a man in a dark blue narrow-sleeved robe, who was facing away looking at the pond, responded and turned around.

He was a very handsome lord, appearing in his twenties, with sharp eyebrows and striking features. His fox-like eyes gave an impression of gentleness and affection, and his lips habitually curled slightly.

It was clear that the other women knew him too, looking astonished. Chen Xi couldn’t help but say, "Jiang Erlang, you’re the Commander of the Heavenly Martial Army. How could Mrs. Yu, no matter how capable, capture you as well!"

Commander...

Xu Jing discreetly glanced at this man.

She remembered that Xiao He also had the title of Commander, and out of curiosity, she once asked Cheng Xianbai, learning that a Commander was an officer in charge of an army.

The Great Chu’s military was organized into camps, units, armies, and garrisons.

A hundred soldiers made a camp, five camps made a unit, five units made an army, and ten armies made a garrison.

A garrison would have a Chief Commander, and Commanders were one rank below the Chief Commander, a fourth-grade military general, overseeing over a thousand soldiers. For someone of Xiao He and Jiang Erlang’s age, it was quite an achievement to be a Commander.

Jiang Erlang raised his eyebrows slightly, seemingly surprised at their presence. He soon smiled and said, "I’m not captured. I was invited here by Mrs. Yu."

Invited by Mrs. Yu?

Seeing everyone’s shocked expressions, Jiang Erlang said, "I owed Mrs. Yu a favor before. A few days ago, she sent me an invitation to meet here at the Wang Family’s suburban estate tonight and requested I come alone.

Once I arrived, I realized I had been outmaneuvered by Mrs. Yu."

Everyone looked enlightened.

With Jiang Erlang’s abilities, it was impossible for Mrs. Yu to forcibly take him, hence she used this method.

Zhao Shaohua frowned, looking at him, "But why would Mrs. Yu invite you? I remember you had no connection with Zhen... that is Fifth Lady Wang."

Let alone no connection, these two had no overlap whatsoever.

Mentioning Fifth Lady Wang, Jiang Erlang’s expression remained unchanged, clearly having guessed why they were trapped here.

Jiang Erlang smiled helplessly, "I am just as confused. After talking with Wu Sanlang and the others, I surmised that Mrs. Yu called me because I had passed the location where Fifth Lady Wang disappeared on the day of the incident."

Zhao Shaohua furrowed her eyebrows more deeply, "I recall Jiang Erlang was only passing by on your way to the capital, near the place where we were enjoying the snow. How could Mrs. Yu even..."

Before she finished, an irate male voice interrupted, "You never know what that madwoman will do next! I was enjoying myself with my brothers at Gui Xiang House when we were drugged and brought here! If Jiang Erlang hadn’t stopped me, I would have torn this place down!"

The speaker was another young lord with a bloated face.

Looking at his prematurely puffy under-eyes, one could imagine how indulgent his lifestyle was.

Xu Jing had already noticed him earlier and couldn’t help but glance up at the sky.

What day is this? Why are all these notorious characters showing up?

Though the original soul had only met this man once, her disgust left a strong impression.

Thus, Xu Jing recognized him at once—the third young master of Marquis Wushun’s manor, Wu Sanlang, Wu Youbing, indeed the ill-fated match her father once tried to push upon her!