Jiang Yifan furrowed his brow tightly, momentarily silent.
The hooves of two horses clattered as they walked down the road, while two people who should have been very close remained silent, lost in their own thoughts.
After a long time, Shi Yu, who was following behind, glanced at the almost motionless figures of the two and felt somewhat anxious. He saw his Eldest Son finally move, turning his head towards the young lady.
"What we’re doing is actually very dangerous. Although I think we have a high chance of success, there’s always the risk of something going wrong. If things change unexpectedly, I hope Ah Yan you can stay safe under the protection of the Duke. I was thinking earlier that if it comes to that, I might secretly send you back to your parental home."
Jiang Yifan paused, adding, "It shouldn’t be considered sending you back to your parental home. We could part ways again, or I might dismiss you back to your family. Count it as my fault, but this is a long-term plan, and I can’t just sit by as the years pass and His Highness’ enterprise fails, while you marry into another family."
Ye Xinyan turned to glare at him—this bastard. When Jinrong bound her to this ship, he hadn’t shown any concern. And now he’s worried? Isn’t it a bit too late?
All the people who worked with her are dead. Does living alone have any meaning or joy?
"Since you know it’s dangerous, why get involved at all? Is it worth risking your life for wealth and glory?" Ye Xinyan said coldly. She could return to her parental home and perhaps Duke An could genuinely keep her safe. But what about Jiang Yifan’s family; where could they hide?
It’s simply bringing harm to others and oneself.
Facing Ye Xinyan’s glare, Jiang Yifan remained calm and said, "Just like Uncle Zhao wanting to go to the battlefield, beyond seeking achievements and proving his worth, there is also the dignity and responsibility of him as a General Officer of the court. It is the same for His Highness. As a prince, he could certainly remain uninvolved, seeking only his personal well-being and a leisurely life.
However, if he wants to earn glory for his Royal Mother, that is also his responsibility to her. More importantly, if a man has the capability to bring peace to the land and prosperity to the people but stays hidden in shadows, only caring for his safety and joy throughout his life, he can’t be called a true man."
Ye Xinyan was speechless, "So, is this what you think too?"
Meeting Ye Xinyan’s gaze, Jiang Yifan smiled and said, "Of course, as a man, one should strive to bring order to the world within his lifetime, to be someone who stands tall with righteousness. Of course, also to earn a prosperous future for his wife and children."
This sounds a bit melodramatic, doesn’t it?
Ye Xinyan looked at Jiang Yifan incredulously. Did she really witness an aspiring young man who consciously loves his country, home, and people?
Also, how come his look and last words sound a bit off? Where are his wife and children that he dares to make such bold boasts standing here?
Jiang Yifan shifted his gaze to the distance and continued, "Ah Yan, don’t blame His Highness for dragging you into this struggle. Had it been any ordinary woman, they might have lived a peaceful life, but you are different. You can do many things for the world; though you are a woman, you can still bring prosperity to the people and peace to the realm.
Not to mention raising cattle and patent rights, just laying down this track itself shows that using new machinery in engineering can reduce the need for many recruits. If all the country’s projects can be , just this alone can let over half the people rest, create new values, and save the court a considerable amount of expenditure."
"Ah Yan, this is a matter of great merit," Jiang Yifan said, smiling at Ye Xinyan. How fortunate he is to marry such a woman.
Ye Xinyan didn’t feel comforted.
Damn, this high praise is... quite alarming. Is she really that important? Not only does she feel overwhelmed, but even a bit guilty.
Speaking of which, she simply told the people in this world about the things she had seen and interacted with before. As for the actual operations, they were done by the people of this era. She... really hadn’t done much upon reflection?
Thinking made her feel even guiltier?
Reflecting on her time from a thousand years later, she was just an ordinary person, working overtime day and night, struggling much more than now. Despite facing fierce competition and working hard, only a small step could be made forward. Reaching the pinnacle of life was utterly impossible; at best, she could win a minor promotion and a salary raise.
As a successful person able to fight hard among her colleagues, she could merely gain a sense of achievement at alumni gatherings, which was largely due to graduating from a second-tier university.
Among the masses, she was still an ordinary salaried class, nothing more.
Yet, the comrades from the Time-Space Administration Bureau didn’t despise her for being mediocre. They worked hard to bring her here, letting her truly enjoy what it means to reach the pinnacle of life.
Considering all she was complaining about, is it becoming overly pretentious?
Look at Jiang Yifan; he’s a true peak figure. If this were modern times, he’d be far beyond her reach in several lifetimes. Yet a figure like him is being criticized by her here.
Perhaps it’s not right to be so pretentious.
With wisdom accumulated over millennia, paving a golden path for her to reach life’s pinnacle, sigh, thinking , the pressure of reaching life’s pinnacle seems pretty intense too?
No, what she was entangled with before seemed to be... that Jiang Yifan is a scheming man who hides many things from his wife. How did his words get her off track?
Even if he is a pinnacle figure, such faults should not be overlooked!
Ye Xinyan, getting back to herself, immediately returned to fight mode, her face cold as she said to Jiang Yifan, "What we’re talking about seems unrelated to this. What we’re discussing is, if you hide things even from those closest to you, how can anyone trust you?"
Closest person? Hearing this, Jiang Yifan was bewildered for a moment before comprehending.
He responded helplessly, "Ah Yan..." How did we get back here, "Do I have to keep no secrets from you?" That’s truly difficult, but if he doesn’t agree, it seems he can’t pass this checkpoint.
"Yes." Ye Xinyan said firmly, though she’s not unreasonable, "I’m not saying report every trivial matter, but there should be no hiding of major issues. Conversely, I won’t keep secrets from you either."
Jiang Yifan felt warm inside once more—Ah Yan is indeed a good girl, not someone unreasonable. Ah Yan’s way of treating him suggests this requirement isn’t overly demanding.
"Yes, yes, yes, I understand, I can do that." Jiang Yifan nodded quickly, fearing Ye Xinyan might retract her words.
However, Ye Xinyan’s next words left him wide-eyed, unable to react for a moment.
"Besides, there are two essential requirements for a husband where I come from," Ye Xinyan said.
At this time, Jiang Yifan hadn’t realized what he was about to hear, nodding rapidly, "Yes, yes, Ah Yan, speak, speak."
To show the seriousness of her words, Ye Xinyan even lifted her Veil Cap, looking seriously at Jiang Yifan, "The first rule: The wife is always right."