Chapter 283: Jiang Minghuai Returns To The Capital
Jiang Kui had a smile on his lips, rubbing the teacup in his hand. “It’s just a bit regrettable. His Majesty was too merciful toward them.”
The Second Prince’s face immediately darkened.
“Father Emperor doesn’t know what he’s thinking. Wei Chang did such a treasonous thing, yet he was merely thrown into the heavenly prison, still retaining his position as Crown Prince. Has he gone senile?”
After speaking, his face was full of anger.
He had originally thought that as long as Wei Chang entered the heavenly prison, everything he had previously enjoyed would return to his own hands.
But during this time, for some reason, Emperor Qin was still as indifferent toward him as before, showing not much more enthusiasm, and many affairs had not been handed over to him.
None of this was as he had envisioned, which was one of the reasons for his anger.
Jiang Kui also could not figure out Emperor Qin’s unusual behavior this time, and his gaze became profound.
But thinking that Jiang Minghuai was about to return to the capital, he paid no attention to other matters.
“His Majesty has his own considerations. For the things the Crown Prince did, His Majesty will naturally make a judgment.”
“It’s been so long, and Father Emperor hasn’t made a single move. His position as Crown Prince is still retained. Does he plan to let him off?”
This was also the point that puzzled Jiang Kui, and his brows furrowed tightly.
“Yeah, what exactly does His Majesty want to do?”
“This palace doesn’t care what he wants to do. After doing such a treasonous thing, he still wants to be Crown Prince? He’s dreaming.” The Second Prince said hatefully.
Jiang Kui gave him a sidelong glance but said nothing.
**
“Crown Princess, now many officials in the imperial court are impeaching the Crown Prince, asking His Majesty to depose the Crown Prince and establish a new one.” Yushui furrowed her brows tightly as she told Jiang Ruanxi all the information she had heard.
“Mm, I know.”
Jiang Ruanxi drank her tea, her eyes full of profundity.
“What should we do now?” Yushui asked somewhat anxiously.
Jiang Ruanxi set down the teacup and said indifferently, “Do nothing, just wait.”
Seeing her so calm and composed, Yushui didn’t say anything more.
Ever since returning from the Dali Temple, Jiang Ruanxi had changed.
She always felt a bit unfamiliar, with a heavy-hearted appearance.
She wanted to say something but didn’t say more.
Suddenly remembering something, Yushui hesitated to speak but still said it.
“Crown Princess, this servant heard that your birth father, General Jiang Minghuai, has returned to the capital.”
Jiang Ruanxi was stunned, lifting her eyes as her gaze became sharp.
“When did this happen?”
Yushui was startled by her gaze.
“J-Just now.”
Jiang Ruanxi hadn’t expected Jiang Minghuai to return to the capital so quickly. It seemed that what she would face would be a tough battle.
“I know. You can go down first.” Jiang Ruanxi wanted some quiet and indifferently instructed Yushui to leave.
“Yes.”
After Yushui withdrew, Jiang Ruanxi’s brows and eyes grew increasingly sharp.
**
In the capital city.
The streets were lined with crowds on both sides, everyone craning their necks as if watching some grand spectacle.
Nearby, people were discussing animatedly.
“I heard that before General Jiang left the capital, he was a prominent figure in the capital, one of the most handsome young men. So many years have passed; I wonder if General Jiang is still as dashing as before.”
“The border has such harsh winds and sands; he probably isn’t.”
“A handsome man won’t become ugly no matter how much wind and sand he endures. I believe he’s even more full of masculine charm now.”
“Ahhh.”
Suddenly, cries erupted from ahead.
Everyone’s gazes turned sharply in that direction.
Ahead, there were over a dozen men in armor, tall and robust figures, riding on horseback.
In the middle, a carriage was slowly following.
The man at the forefront of the horses had distinctly chiseled features. Though his face bore traces of wind and frost, it was clear he had been a handsome man in his youth.
Now, it was enhanced with the charm of a mature man.
“Ah, it’s General Jiang!”
No one knew who shouted it in the crowd, and then voices rose one after another.
The deputy general beside Jiang Minghuai had a smile on his lips and said proudly, “General, it seems your prestige is as great as ever.”
The deputy generals around him had been by his side for twenty years.
Jiang Minghuai looked straight ahead and did not reply.
His brows were tightly furrowed, lost in thought.
“Whoa.”
Suddenly, a group of horsemen appeared ahead. Jiang Minghuai pulled tightly on the reins, stopping his horse, but he did not dismount. He looked down from above at the people not far away.
Eunuch Li said nothing and stepped forward to announce loudly, “General Jiang, by His Majesty’s decree. General, after your long journey back to the capital, first return to the Jiang Manor to see your family. This evening, His Majesty will host a welcome banquet for the general in the palace.”
Jiang Minghuai seemed not to take Eunuch Li seriously, merely giving a faint “mm” and kicking his horse’s belly to pass by him.
Eunuch Li’s face was very unsightly, and the hand at his side was clenched tightly.
He had served in the palace for so many years; who didn’t give him some face? Yet Jiang Minghuai gave him no face at all in public.
But no matter what, he had served by Emperor Qin’s side for many years and knew to consider the bigger picture, so he did not show it.
He composed himself and said to the person inside the carriage, “Eldest Prince, His Majesty is waiting for you in the palace. Please come with this servant to enter the palace.”
After a long while, two coughs came from inside, followed by a hoarse voice, “Thank you for your trouble, eunuch.”
The crowd erupted in an uproar, not expecting that Wei Ran, the Eldest Prince, had also returned.
But thinking of the Empress’s state funeral now.
Although there were rumors that the Empress had done very excessive things, they were just rumors without actual evidence.
So even though she had died, Emperor Qin still gave her a burial with state funeral specifications.
And Wei Ran, as the prince stationed in his fief, usually could not return, but for such a major event, he certainly had to come back.
They quickly figured it out and lost their great curiosity.
The carriage slowly headed toward the palace, with occasional coughs coming from inside from time to time.
When Jiang Minghuai arrived at the Jiang Manor gate, Madam Wei had been waiting for a long time.
Upon seeing him, a smile appeared on her face as she walked toward him.
“General, you’ve finally returned.”
Jiang Minghuai dismounted, took Madam Wei’s hand, and patted it. “Madam.”
Madam Wei’s eyes grew moist. If not for the surrounding crowds, she would have wept with joy.
“We’ll talk about everything once we’re in the manor.” Jiang Minghuai led Madam Wei’s hand into the Jiang Manor.
Once inside the manor, Madam Wei knew this return of Jiang Minghuai was no small matter, so without much small talk, she said directly, “General, the Crown Princess is actually that bitch Jiang Ruanxi?”
Jiang Minghuai took a sip of tea before saying faintly, “Mm, I know.”
“I never expected that bitch to still be alive. Now that you’re back, you must avenge our Xue’er. She was killed by that bitch Jiang Ruanxi.”
Speaking of Jiang Xuerou, tears streamed down Madam Wei’s face.
