Chapter 196: Capturing Meng Yi
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Without waiting for Meng Yi to say anything, Jiang Peihuan continued, “My father has treated you generously, and your rank and reputation were earned through my father. You…”
“Shut up!”
Before Jiang Peihuan could finish speaking, Meng Yi coldly interrupted her.
With darkened eyes, he glared at Jiang Peihuan and Jiang Changbai and bitterly said, “For all these years, I’ve been serving under Jiang Hong. Although 1 have contributed significantly, I’ve always been picking up the leftovers that he didn’t want.”
“When it comes to military achievements, the entire Qi Kingdom thinks of Jiang Hong. 1 clearly contributed as much as him, so why should I always be inferior to him?”
Hearing Meng Yi’s words, Jiang Changbai was stunned.
But Jiang Peihuan’s eyes remained calm.
At this moment, a mocking laugh sounded from the side. It was from Xiao Nanye. Seeing him, Meng Yi’s eyes revealed a trace of surprise.
He thought Xiao Nanye had already died, but here he was, standing perfectly fine before him.
“So, just because you yourself are incompetent, you’re jealous of the Great General. Is this the reason you betrayed your master?” Xiao Nanye’s voice was not loud, but every word seemed like a slap to Meng Yi’s face.
He looked at Xiao Nanye, his eyes full of resentment.
Seeing the look in his eyes, Xiao Nanye suddenly smiled. However, the disdain in his smile grew even stronger. “Let me ask you, if you were to lead the army alone, could you manage? Do you know how to arrange formations? Can you command? Can you mobilize and comfort your soldiers?”
Without waiting for Meng Yi to reply, Xiao Nanye continued.
With every question from Xiao Nanye, Meng Yi’s face turned a shade darker.
Xiao Nanye’s disdain was very obvious in his eyes. Looking at Meng Yi, he said softly, “You’re just from a humble background, and even your martial skills were learned in the army. Without the Great General’s support, you’d forever be nothing but a foot soldier. Do you really think that war doesn’t require brains?”
“With a brain like yours, what can you do other than scheming against the people who trust you?”
Xiao Nanye’s words were very harsh, but Meng Yi couldn’t come up with a rebuttal.
Jiang Peihuan and Jiang Changbai, who were standing on the side, were surprised by Xiao Nanye’s words, especially Jiang Peihuan. She didn’t expect this man to have such a sharp side.
“People like you don’t deserve to live.”
As his words fell, Xiao Nanye turned to Han Feng and commanded, “Kill him and feed him to the dogs.”
“Yes.”
Hearing Xiao Nanye’s voice, Han Feng immediately drew his dagger.
He had never defied Xiao Nanye’s orders, so now, with dagger in hand, he was already moving towards Meng Yi.
Seeing this scene, Meng Yi subconsciously tightened his grip on his sword.
Noticing his movement, Xiao Nanye mockingly spoke, “What, are you going to resist?”
“I’ll tell you the truth: not only you, even if I killed your entire family, the Emperor wouldn’t say a word to me. Do you believe it or not?”
Xiao Nanye’s words were arrogant and domineering, but Meng Yi knew it was the truth.
If there was one person whom Emperor Qi Ming doted on most, it was certainly this younger brother of the emperor, Xiao Nanye.
At this time, Han Feng had already reached Meng Yi’s side, but suddenly, a clear voice called out, “Wait.”
Hearing Jiang Peihuan’s voice, Han Feng subconsciously stopped what he was doing.
Jiang Peihuan did not look at Meng Yi but turned her eyes to Xiao Nanye, “Killing him this way will bring unnecessary trouble. Let’s take him back to the capital, Jingdou, and let His Majesty deal with it.”
“Fine, we’ll listen to Huan Er.”
When Xiao Nanye looked at Jiang Peihuan, the coldness in his eyes instantly vanished, replaced entirely by warmth.
Seeing Xiao Nanye’s sudden change of face, Jiang Changbai couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
Han Feng, on the other hand, was already very accustomed to this scene.
The few of them brought Meng Yi back to the camp.
On the third day, Xiao Nanye was preparing to return to the capital. Although the wounds on his body had not fully healed, they didn’t affect his ability to ride a horse, so Jiang Peihuan didn’t say anything.
After all, King Chujiang was already dead, so it was logical to return to the capital.
Since it had already been agreed to bring Jiang Cheng back to the capital, he was there when the army set out. But beside Jiang Cheng, there was an additional woman, the eldest illegitimate daughter of King Chujiang, and Jiang Cheng’s biological sister, Jiang Yan.
When Jiang Peihuan saw Jiang Yan, her eyes revealed a hint of amazement.
There were many daughters of noble families in the capital with outstanding appearances, but so far, Jiang Peihuan had not seen one who could compare to Jiang Yan.
Seeing Jiang Yan’s face, Jiang Peihuan suddenly understood why Jiang Cheng had brought his sister with him.
“Greetings to King Cheng,” Jiang Yan, upon seeing Xiao Nanye, immediately stepped forward to pay her respects.
Although Jiang Yan was extraordinarily beautiful, Xiao Nanye only gave her a brief glance, then turned to Jiang Peihuan and said, “Huan Er, my wounds have not yet healed. Will you accompany me in the carriage?”
In fact, Xiao Nanye was already able to ride a horse, but he wanted to spend time alone with Jiang Peihuan, so he had Han Feng prepare a carriage.
Jiang Peihuan initially wanted to refuse, but seeing the anticipation in the man’s eyes, she nodded.
Seeing her nod, Xiao Nanye’s eyes were full of smiles. He entered the carriage first and then extended his hand to Jiang Peihuan.
Holding the man’s wrist, Jiang Peihuan climbed into the carriage.
Standing next to Jiang Cheng, Jiang Yan, watching this scene, had eyes full of surprise and complexity.
After Xiao Nanye and Jiang Peihuan had entered the carriage, Jiang Yan and Jiang Cheng got into the one behind.
“Sister, are you really sure about this?”
After getting on the carriage, the smile on Jiang Cheng’s face disappeared. His eyes were filled with worry as he looked at Jiang Yan.
Seeing the look in his eyes, Jiang Yan spoke softly, “We do not know whether we will live or die on this journey to the capital. This face of mine has no other use. If it can bring you a sense of peace, I am willing.”
“Sister, don’t talk like that,” Jiang Cheng said, his eyes full of pain upon hearing Jiang Yan’s words.
He was King Chujiang’s illegitimate son, and his mother had long been tormented to death by the queen of Chujiang. If it weren’t for Jiang Yan’s care, he would have died long ago.
Therefore, when he knew that Jiang Yan wanted to go back to the capital with him, Jiang Cheng was very much opposed.
Seeing how upset Jiang Cheng was, Jiang Yan’s eyes were filled with a smile and gentleness. She reached out and patted his shoulder. Jiang Yan said in a low voice, “Our father is dead, but his affairs have caused the surrounding feudal lords to become restless. At this time, the Emperor must want peace. Therefore, the emperor might spare our lives when we enter the capital.”
As she spoke, Jiang Yan brought up Xiao Nanye and looked at Jiang Cheng. Jiang Yan said in a low voice, “1 heard that King Cheng is very favored by the Emperor. If we could…”
“Sister, don’t even think about it,” Jiang Cheng interrupted, reaching out to cover her mouth before she could finish her sentence..