Chapter 318: Going Outside The City
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Jiang Peihuan was completely unaware of the events transpiring within the palace.
Due to her arrival, the epidemic in the military camp was effectively controlled.
She instructed the soldiers to be treated based on the severity of their symptoms. Those with mild symptoms, after undergoing treatment, were essentially cured.
With this progress, Jiang Peihuan proposed going outside the city.
“Huan Er, why do you want to leave the city?” Jiang Changbai couldn’t hold back his question upon hearing his sister’s intention, even before Xiao Nanye could respond.
Knowing of her pregnancy, Jiang Changbai had hoped that she would return to the capital to recuperate. But he knew her temperament too well and understood that she would not be easily dissuaded.
Hence, he had been by her side these days, ensuring she did not overexert herself.
Hearing her mention of venturing outside the city, his eyes reflected clear disapproval.
“Elder brother, the soldiers in the camp have been well-treated, and soon, all will be healed. The city’s residents can gradually seek medical treatment, but the people outside the city have no such options.”
“Hasn’t it been said that rebels have risen in various places in Anzhou? In these times, who can the people outside the city rely on?”
“By going outside, I can at least provide them a glimmer of hope, saving whoever I can. Otherwise, even if we heal everyone inside, the infection might still spread.”
“I’ll go with you,” Xiao Nanye whispered.
He wanted to protect Jiang Peihuan from harm, but as a military commander, he also had to consider the wellbeing of all the people.
Unable to stop her, the best he could do was to accompany and protect her.
But when he offered, Jiang Peihuan refused, “No, you can’t go.”
Seeing his puzzled expression, she explained, “You are the commander, and unless there’s a special situation, you cannot leave the camp.”
In the end, Jiang Peihuan set out for the outskirts of the city, accompanied by Han Feng.
Watching them depart with evident concern, Han Feng whispered to Xiao Nanye, “Master, rest assured. I will ensure the queen’s safety.”
“If anything happens to her, don’t bother returning,” he responded coldly.
“Yes.”
Upon leaving the city, Jiang Peihuan directed Han Feng to head west, where most of the populace resided.
Just outside the city gates, she saw several emaciated figures. The sight filled her eyes with complexity.
In her reincarnated life, she initially only wanted revenge and to protect her family. However, over time, her aspirations grew. If possible, she wished to do her best to safeguard even more people.
After all, the people of Qi Kingdom were the very ones her parents were willing to give their lives for.
“My Queen, someone’s approaching.”
As their carriage approached a narrow path, Han Feng whispered.
Jiang Peihuan responded faintly, then reached for the whip at her waist.
“Who is it?”
Accompanying Han Feng’s voice was the clashing sound of blades.
Hearing it, Jiang Peihuan immediately pulled back the curtain.
The men Han Feng had brought were skilled fighters, and they showed no signs of panic upon confronting the approaching figures.
But soon, Han Feng realized something was wrong. Many people were approaching, and they weren’t from just one group but several gangs of bandits from nearby mountains.
When he recognized this, Han Feng immediately warned Jiang Peihuan, “Queen
Cheng, these men seem to have come prepared for…, watch out!”
Before he could finish, a shadow lunged directly at Jiang Peihuan.
She saw the approaching figure and promptly lashed out with her whip, stopping the assailant a meter away.
“That’s a pretty good whip,” a voice remarked, startling Jiang Peihuan. The voice clearly belonged to a child, yet the man before her was middle-aged.
“However, you’re no match for me,” the child-like voice continued. The man then lunged at Jiang Peihuan with a dagger in hand.
During their confrontation, Jiang Peihuan quickly realized that she was outclassed by the man’s bizarre and superior martial skills.
The strange man looked amused, “Young lady, you’re quite skilled.”
“Too bad you’ve met me today,” he added, as his dagger aimed for Jiang Peihuan’s belly.
Jiang Peihuan could’ve countered, but she wouldn’t risk the child in her womb, so she sidestepped. The dagger then landed at her neck.
“Stop, or I’ll kill her!”
“Queen Cheng!” Han Feng, amidst fighting others, caught sight of this and exclaimed. Without hesitation, he ordered, “Everyone, stop!”
Both Jiang Peihuan and Han Feng were soon bound and immobilized, not only physically but also through pressure point techniques, rendering them as vulnerable as ordinary people.
An hour later, they were removed from the carriage and locked in an underground cell. When they arrived, Jiang Peihuan was blindfolded, so she wasn’t sure of their exact location, but she had her suspicions.
Once they were locked in the cell, her blindfold was removed, revealing the bizarre man.
“You aren’t a local bandit, are you?” Jiang Peihuan asked, her tone more assertive than inquisitive.
When the man heard Jiang Peihuan’s words, he was stunned and then laughed softly.”Does that matter?”
“Of course it does. I need to know why you’ve captured me.”
“It’s simple. I captured you to kill you. But I won’t just kill you directly; I intend to torture you first.”
“Do you realize she is the Queen of the Cheng Mansion? If you harm her, our master will ensure you won’t have a burial place,” Han Feng said menacingly.
He was almost in despair, having just been entrusted by his master to protect Jiang Peihuan and now facing this predicament.
The bizarre man, however, laughed off Han Feng’s threat, “Young man, I know who your master is. Xiao Nanye is formidable, but I’m not afraid of him.”
“Sir, I must admit your skills are admirable. However, there’s one thing I don’t understand.. If you already know who 1 am, why bring trouble upon yourself?”