Chapter 47 - 47: Jiang Changbai Returns

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

No sooner had Zhao Fuqing’s words left his mouth than a deep voice echoed from behind. Whirling around, he was met with a punch square in the face.

“Big brother?”

“Changbai?”

The surprise return of Jiang Changbai lifted the spirits of the entire Jiang family.

Zhao Fuqing, nursing his aching cheek, was a mix of bewilderment and fear. He glared, snapping, “Jiang Changbai, what do you think you’re doing?”

“Today, I plan to teach you a lesson. You need to learn that the daughters of the Jiang family are not toys to play with.”

With these words, Jiang Changbai delivered another punch to Zhao Fuqing’s face. “Jiang Changbai, if you dare hit me again, don’t blame me for being rude.”

Blood now trickled from Zhao Fuqing’s nose. His eyes burned with rage, but all he received was a cold chuckle.

A fight erupted between Zhao Fuqing and Jiang Changbai.

Despite having martial arts training from a young age, Zhao Fuqing was no match for Jiang Changbai. Before long, he found himself on the ground.

“Your Highness?”

None of the attendants from the Huainan Mansion had dared to step in when Jiang Changbai began his assault. But seeing Zhao Fuqing down, they swiftly came to his aid.

Jiang Changbai looked ready to continue, but the Old Madam Jiang stopped him. “Changbai, that’s enough.”

Jiang Changbai seemed ready to continue his attack, but the Old Madam Jiang stopped him. “Changbai, enough.”

She hadn’t intervened when Jiang Changbai first struck out. After all, the Huainan Mansion’s actions had crossed the line. But she was afraid that if Zhao Fuqing got severely injured, it might lead to trouble for Jiang Changbai.

At his grandmother’s words, Jiang Changbai unclenched his fists. But his stare at Zhao Fuqing remained frosty. “Prince Zhao, heed my warning. My father and uncles will be back in the capital soon. Once they arrive, the Jiang family will visit the Huainan Mansion to seek justice.”

“Get out!”

With that, Jiang Changbai shot a cold glare at the attendants of the Huainan Mansion. They quickly helped Zhao Fuqing up and left the Jiang residence.

Once they were gone, Jiang Changbai approached the Old Madam, kneeling deeply before her. “Grandmother, your grandson is back.”

“It’s good to have you back…”

The Old Madam’s eyes filled with tears as she gazed at her eldest grandson. She hurried to help him up. “Stand up, let me take a good look at you.”

“Were you injured on this journey?”

As she spoke, the Old Madam inspected Jiang Changbai closely.

Jiang Changbai held his grandmother’s hand, comforting her with a smile. “Don’t worry, Grandmother, I’m fine. I know you worry about me, so I wouldn’t dare get injured.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Old Madam Jiang held onto his hand tightly, her eyes filled with emotion.

“Grandmother, don’t just focus on Big Brother and forget about us.”

Seeing the Old Madam’s emotional state, Jiang Sijin made a playful remark, earning her a playful scold from the Old Madam. “You little imp.”

“Sijin, where’s Huan Er?”

Only then did Jiang Changbai notice the absence of Jiang Peihuan.

Upon hearing his question, the laughter in Jiang Sijin’s eyes vanished, replaced by a flash of anger. “All because of that wretched Huainan Mansion.”

Jiang Sijin continued, “Our eldest sister got injured. Ye Xiao said her lungs were affected; she needs time to recover.”

“Grandma, I’m going to check on Huan Er for a bit. I’ll be back soon to keep you company,” Jiang Changbai said.

“Go on,” replied the Old Madam, giving a nod of understanding.

Everyone in the Jiang Mansion was well aware of the strong bond between Jiang Changbai and his sister, Jiang Peihuan. The Old Madam, after hearing Changbai’s words, let go of his hand, freeing him to tend to his sister.

After paying his respects to his grandmother, Jiang Changbai ran straight to the plum garden.

“Finally, he’s back.”

Watching Jiang Changbai disappear into the distance, Old Madam Jiang couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, shared by Zhou Rongfang and Liu Xiu.

Meanwhile, in the Plum Garden…

“Huan Er…”

Through a veil of drowsiness, Jiang Peihuan thought she heard her older brother’s voice.

“Huan Er?”

The voice grew clearer. Unable to resist, Jiang Peihuan opened her eyes. There he was, her brother Jiang Changbai, dressed in his military uniform, sitting by her bed.

“Elder Brother?”

She rubbed her eyes fiercely. Once she confirmed the figure before her was indeed real, she wrapped her arms around Jiang Changbai in a tight embrace.

His armor was uncomfortable against her body, but its solid presence confirmed that this wasn’t a dream.

In her previous life, Jiang Changbai had fallen in battle, and she had seen his lifeless body.

Now, in this life, she saw him alive before her. She couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. Her elder brother was alive – what a miraculous feeling!

“Huan Er, don’t cry. Rest assured, I’ve already dealt with Zhao Fuqing.”

“If I’d known he was the one who hurt you, 1 would have hit him even harder.”

“Elder Brother, you hit Zhao Fuqing?” she asked quickly, her melancholy momentarily forgotten.

Seeing the concern in Jiang Peihuan’s eyes, Jiang Changbai’s anger ignited once again. “That scoundrel dared to break his engagement with you and planned to divorce Ruyun. He deserved the beating.”

“Huan Er, don’t tell me you still have feelings for…”

“Elder Brother, 1 don’t harbor any feelings for Zhao Fuqing anymore. My concern is for you,” she interrupted him. At her words, Jiang Changbai let out a chuckle, “Don’t worry.”

“Elder Brother, our father’s significant military power has stirred jealousy among many. If the Huainan King’s Mansion holds a grudge against you over this, it could cause more trouble.”

“Our Jiang family has always been careful due to father’s power. Despite our restraint, we haven’t been able to win the current ruler’s trust. In that case, we might as well assert ourselves. At least it would bring some satisfaction.”

Jiang Changbai’s eyes held a clear understanding. Seeing this, Jiang Peihuan was shocked.

She had forgotten – her elder brother had always been a strategic thinker from a young age. He was more insightful than most. He was fully aware of the challenges the Jiang family faced.

Reflecting on the fate of the Jiang family in her past life, Jiang Peihuan held onto Jiang Changbai’s hand, “Elder Brother, there’s something I want to discuss with you.”

“What’s got you so serious?” he asked.

“Elder Brother, when father returns, we should try to persuade him to give up his military authority.”

“Huan Er, you’re suggesting father should relinquish his military power?” Jiang Changbai looked at her in surprise and confusion. He’d always known his younger sister was clever, but this was unexpected.

Standing firm, Jiang Peihuan continued, “Elder Brother, father loves this country deeply. But sadly, he’s now seen as a problem by the current rulers.”

“Wouldn’t it be better if he chose to give up his military authority voluntarily? It might give us a break, a moment of peace.”

“Huan Er,” Jiang Changbai countered, “this issue is not as simple as you think.”

He had initially decided not to involve his younger sister in such complex matters, but the sincerity in Jiang Peihuan’s plea forced him to rethink his decision..