NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 94
...
The traitorous posts arrived swiftly.
The time for the banquet came even faster.
Who posts in the afternoon and attends a dinner in the evening?
How hasty.
As if rushing to be reborn.
Usually, one posts and then attends a dinner two or three days later.
That way, people can pack up and flee.
Or allow the clothing, jewelry, and watercolor shops in the county town to earn a bit more profit.
After all, the ladies and wives must purchase new items when going out as guests.
Each household was busily preparing.
In comparison, Old Lady Jiang's womenfolk had it better.
After all, they had experienced great turmoil before.
Old Lady Jiang's attire was more solemn than usual, choosing a deep-colored gown with winding lotus patterns - very dignified.
Jiang Huaisheng did not make any special effort to dress up. He wore the same dark satin robe as usual, adding a cloak when going out.
Jiang Wan deliberately dressed plainly, not to look attractive, but chose clothes slightly older and shabbier than usual. Her entire appearance was low-key, removing all jewelry and using deep-colored powder to darken her complexion.
At such a banquet, trying to stand out would be courting death.
Jiang Rong hid in her room, afraid of being called out, not even daring to see them off.
Mrs. Jiang was pregnant and resting in bed to stabilize the pregnancy after a recent fright.
Three generations of the Jiang family went out together.
Although they did not dress up specially, their guards were unlike others'.
If not for the Jiang guards' different attire from the traitors, one might mistake them for traitors too.
They looked very formidable.
When Old Lady Jiang arrived, the County Magistrate personally came out to welcome her.
The esteemed County Magistrate acted like a small waiter at the Pure Wind Winery, standing by the entrance to greet and send off guests.
He dared not complain and had to plaster a smile on his face.
Since he could not bear to commit suicide, he could only force a smile.
He welcomed Old Lady Jiang and her family inside to be seated.
And introduced the identities of the traitors - oh no, Master Gong, Young General Zi, and Young Lord Zi.
From the county side, Young General Zi, the second adopted son of General Zi Lu, had also come.
The Jiang family had an impressive background, with one daughter even being the Seventh Prince Consort. They did not understand the power struggles and factions in the capital, but to the County Magistrate, they were considered royalty and seated accordingly.
Upon the introduction, Gong Qichi looked at them curiously.
So this was the Old Lady who drove the Long Tian brothers out of the family?
And this Jiang Huaisheng was Jiang's elder brother?
This family did not seem too intelligent, yet lived extremely well with fine robes and shoes, clearly from a wealthy family of means.
Following behind her grandmother, Jiang Wan looked towards the arrivals. She was somewhat startled, nearly losing composure.
The man with thin mustaches seated there would later become an important minister in court.
After her uncle ascended the throne, he would be given an important position.
But now, he was actually a traitor.
And seated next to the traitor was a young boy with a serious expression. Jiang Wan glanced at him and moved on.
Upon hearing the County Magistrate's introduction, the young boy was the only legitimate son of the traitor Zi Lu.
Jiang Wan understood somewhat.
In her dream, the traitors rebelled but the ultimate winner was the current Seventh Prince, her uncle.
It was said that the traitor's only son died, driving the traitor mad with rage, killing many of his subordinates. The traitors' den turned on itself, leading to defeat.
However, the serious-looking man seated next to the young boy made Jiang Wan startled again.
This man was actually Zi Lu's adopted son, but she recognized him as the trusted aide of the Crown Prince.
In other words, the trusted aide of her uncle the Seventh Prince's eldest son.
Jiang Wan did not expect that by attending a traitors' banquet,
She would encounter so many familiar faces from the future.
She had not even entered the capital, yet glimpsed the changing tides of the realm.
The prelude to the great shifts unfolding before her eyes.
In this life, she would walk proudly by his side.
...
Since Old Lady Jiang had arrived, they were likely the last guests expected.
Yet the traitors still showed no signs of starting the banquet and seemed to be waiting for someone else.
Who in Ming County could have a more prestigious status?
Or was the head traitor still to come?
The crowd grew slightly impatient from the wait.
Jiang Wan sat calmly, occasionally exchanging a few words with her grandmother.
When she glanced up, she coincidentally met the gaze of Young General Zi seated next to the young boy, causing her to nervously show a small smile.
The young lady carried herself with dignity, respectful to her elders with perfect posture, slender wrists, and an elegant appearance.
Zi Ganjiang, Zi Lu's adopted son, was from a poor background before being taken in by Zi Lu.
For his bravery in battle, he was granted the name "Ganjiang" (Valiant General).
He looked down on these young ladies from prestigious families, finding them too weak and their shrill cries annoying.
Yet today, he noticed a young girl in the crowd who seemed quite different. She had some tricks up her sleeve, deliberately darkening her face and dressing plainly without overly ornate accessories.
But being a young lady, her slender neck and wrists still showed a snowy white complexion.
When he looked over, she seemed slightly afraid yet still showed him a shy, warm smile.
For some inexplicable reason, that single smile struck his heart.
He felt a flutter, suddenly recalling his adoptive father's recent question about taking a wife.
Zi Congheng spoke up: "You go ahead, don't mind me. I won't wander off."
He sat by the window with Hei Ta guarding behind the Young Lord.
The young boy showed no expression, gazing out the window.
The streets were empty and quiet.
The snow-covered ground was muddied by trampled footprints.
Suddenly, a lively group approached.
He immediately spotted the chubby little girl being carried in someone's arms.
Her face was flushed red from the cold, yet she smiled like a blossoming flower.
She looked prettier than his longevity tortoise, with two perfectly aligned little teeth.
...