Xing Muzheng’s eyelid twitched slightly.
Wang Yong, who had come down with Xing Pingchun, immediately realized something was wrong and began furiously winking and signaling behind Zhen Hao—but Zhen Hao had no time to look back.
“I am Zhen Hao, honored to be Marquis Xing’s sworn younger brother. I’ve long heard of the famed Miss Feng—renowned for both her talents and beauty. Now that I finally meet you, I see it’s all true. You and my sworn brother are truly a match made in heaven!”
Zhen Hao had returned to the capital before Xing Muzheng, due to other assignments. By the time Xing Muzheng finished his campaign, Zhen Hao had already been reassigned to Minghu as commander of the navy and hadn’t seen him since. He’d only heard rumors that Xing Muzheng had met a talented lady on the way back and intended to take her as his equal wife. Judging by the timing, the end of Xing Muzheng’s mourning period, and how he now treated this woman with such rare attention, Zhen Hao naturally assumed this was the newly favored wife.
Qian Jiaoniang wasn’t angered by the mistake. Instead, she smiled lightly and said, “Lord Zhen is exactly right—I think so too.” Xing Muzheng and Feng Yuyan—weren’t they a match made in heaven?
Zhen Hao thought to himself: This talented lady doesn’t seem too modest. But before he could continue, a sharp pain shot through his ankle—someone had clearly kicked him hard.
Why did he ever accept such a troublesome sworn brother?! Xing Muzheng said coldly, “Your sister-in-law’s maiden name is Qian. She is my only wife.” He emphasized the word “only.”
Zhen Hao’s usually sharp mind faltered. Qian? Did he get the name wrong? But no—wasn’t one of the three great talented women of the time named Feng, given name Yuyan? And what did he mean by only?
Behind them, Wang Yong and Ah Da were contorting their faces in frustration—if this guy didn’t wise up soon, not even the gods could save him.
Xing Pingchun came over and stood beside Qian Jiaoniang, curiously eyeing this flashy “uncle.” Zhen Hao finally noticed the frantic signaling from Wang Yong and Ah Da, then caught sight of the boy’s face—nearly identical to Xing Muzheng’s.
He immediately understood.
The original wife. The only wife.
A cold sweat broke out across Zhen Hao’s back. Clearly, something had changed—this must be the original wife, and clearly, the only wife Xing Muzheng acknowledged.
Zhen Hao instantly bowed deeply. “My deepest apologies, I actually got Madam’s surname wrong. I truly deserve a beating! My elder brother often told me his wife may be from humble origins, but she is wise and brilliant, a true woman of talent. I’ve long admired you by name—today is my great fortune to meet you in person. Madam, you clearly possess great magnanimity. Please don’t hold it against me.”
Qian Jiaoniang hadn’t expected Zhen Hao to be able to recover so smoothly from his blunder and couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “Lord Zhen, you are truly amusing. How could I possibly blame you?”
Zhen Hao bowed again and again. “Madam, you flatter me. Your kindness and generosity leave me in awe!”
Now that it was clear she was the Marquis’s wife, Local Commander Liu hurried forward to offer his respects as well. Qian Jiaoniang returned the salute with calm dignity. Though her position was awkward, as Xing Muzheng had said—since they had not officially divorced, she was still the Marchioness. Besides, Xing Muzheng stood taller than her—if the sky were to fall, he’d be the one to hold it up. She might as well take this opportunity to enjoy the feeling of being a noble lady.
Xing Muzheng beckoned Xing Pingchun over. “My son, Pingchun.”
Xing Pingchun placed both hands together at chest level and bowed his head. “Pingchun greets all uncles and elders.”
Compared to when he’d greeted Xie Zhang earlier, Xing Pingchun was now much more composed.
Local Commander Liu and Zhen Hao quickly returned the greeting.
Seeing Xing Pingchun’s composed and well-mannered demeanor, Qian Jiaoniang exchanged a smiling glance with Qingya.
Local Commander Liu then introduced the prefect of Minghu and other officials to pay their respects. Zhen Hao, standing to the side, secretly wiped away a cold sweat. Ah Da sidled up to him and whispered, “Pretty Zhen, you really got lucky this time—otherwise you’d have gone from ‘Pretty Zhen’ to ‘Ugly Zhen.’” “Pretty Zhen” was everyone’s nickname for Zhen Hao, because despite being a grown man, he was obsessed with looking good.
“What exactly happened? Didn’t the Commander not care about his original wife?” Zhen Hao asked quietly. Being away from the Commander’s side lately, he was clearly out of the loop.
“I can’t explain the whole thing right now,” Ah Da whispered back. “Just remember this—don’t offend the madam. That’s the most important thing!”
Local Commander Liu invited Xing Muzheng to review the navy. Xing Muzheng declined politely, saying he had already laid down his arms. But Local Commander Liu replied that this was an imperial order.
It turned out that earlier this year, when Zhen Hao mentioned that Xing Muzheng might attend the birthday celebration in Yongan, Local Commander Liu had submitted a request to the court to move the naval inspection from June to November. At the time, the emperor was not yet in seclusion and personally approved it in writing, stating that since Xing Muzheng would be passing through Minghu, he could review the navy and then report back to the capital.
Xing Muzheng had been intrigued by the cannon earlier, so upon hearing this, he no longer declined. He turned to Qian Jiaoniang and said, “I’ll take Chou’er with me on board. Let Zhen Hao escort you to his residence. We’ll spend the night there.”
Qian Jiaoniang nodded. Local Commander Liu quickly added, “This humble official had also hoped to host Lord Marquis and Madam at my humble abode, but knowing Lord Marquis and Chief Zhen are sworn brothers, and you haven’t seen each other in a long time, I will simply prepare a small banquet and humbly ask you to honor me with your presence tonight.”
Xing Muzheng declined out of courtesy, but Local Commander Liu insisted repeatedly. Finally, unable to refuse such hospitality, Xing Muzheng nodded in agreement.
Zhen Hao, eager to redeem himself, said cheerfully, “Rest assured, Brother. I will escort Sister-in-law safely back to the residence. I’ll make sure everything is perfectly arranged—she won’t even have reason to frown!”
Xing Muzheng said, “Your sister-in-law has been feeling unwell these past few days. She didn’t finish a bowl of medicine on the ship. When you get back, help her prepare it. If she wants to rest, don’t let your back courtyard disturb her.”
Qian Jiaoniang gave Xing Muzheng a look.
Zhen Hao could hardly believe the level of detail Xing Muzheng was giving. When had he ever been this attentive?
After finishing the instructions, Xing Muzheng pulled Zhen Hao aside and lowered his voice: “When we get back, I’ll deal with you properly. If you open your mouth without thinking again, you’ll be in even more trouble.”
Zhen Hao’s charming face instantly turned bitter. At this moment, he had only one wish:
“Just please don’t hit my face!”
Zhen Hao summoned a canopy carriage, personally placed the mounting step, and invited Qian Jiaoniang to board. Turning his head, he was surprised to see Ah Da and Wang Yong both holding the horses. He lowered his voice and asked, “Aren’t you two going with the Commander to the ship? I’ve even saved a few shells for you to play with.”
“Commander told us to stay and protect the Madam,” Ah Da said.
Zhen Hao asked, “What, he doesn’t even trust me?”
“This has nothing to do with trust,” Wang Yong said. “The Marquis just can’t rest easy when it comes to Madam.”
He turned to Xing Pingchun, who was bringing Qian Jiaoniang over, and said, “Chou’er, your Uncle Zhen says there are cannon shells on the ship. You should go fire one later.”
Xing Pingchun gasped, “Really? Mother, mother, can I fire a cannon?!”
Qian Jiaoniang lifted the curtain. “Your father is reviewing the navy—it’s a very serious matter. Don’t mess around on the ship. If you want to fire a cannon, you must first ask your father and Local Commander Liu. And be very careful—not to hurt anyone.”
“I got it, Mother! I’m going!”
Xing Pingchun ran back to Xing Muzheng, who stood not far off. Xing Muzheng gazed at Qian Jiaoniang for a moment, then turned and walked toward the warship, surrounded by officials and officers.
Inside the carriage, Qingya sat behind Qian Jiaoniang, looking out the window as she spoke in a soft voice: “The more beloved the Marquis becomes, the more he cannot go against imperial orders. That’s why I’m sure this matter won’t succeed.”
Qian Jiaoniang’s gaze lingered on the group’s departing figures. “Why?”
“Too much merit threatens the throne,” Qingya said slowly, word by word.
Qian Jiaoniang turned her head back.
Qingya said gently, “The Marquis is now famous and powerful. His retirement from military life was likely a way to protect himself—you understand that, don’t you?” After all, when the Marquis was poisoned, Qian Jiaoniang never considered reporting it to the court—perhaps for fear of causing more complications.
“The more famous one is, the more cautious one must be. Everyone knows the Emperor’s decree is sacred and unchangeable. If the Marquis were to openly defy an imperial edict, what would the imperial court think? They’d wonder if Xing Muzheng no longer respects imperial authority. And once suspicion takes root, it’s very hard to uproot.”
Qian Jiaoniang let the curtain fall and was silent for a moment. “That’s what I thought too. But…”
“Sister-in-law, are you seated comfortably inside?” Zhen Hao’s cheerful voice called from outside, interrupting their conversation. “Your little brother is your coachman today—I guarantee you won’t feel a single bump on the road!”
Qian Jiaoniang opened the carriage door and saw that Zhen Hao, in his green embroidered robe, had shamelessly taken the coachman’s seat and had just accepted the whip from the stable hand. She said, “Lord Zhen, you’re dressed so finely. Isn’t it a waste to be driving a carriage like this?”
Zhen Hao turned back to her with a roguish grin, full of charm. “To drive for a beautiful sister-in-law—what’s one robe? If anything, this outfit’s lucky to have the honor.”
Qian Jiaoniang smiled. “Lord Zhen certainly has a way with words. The moment you speak, I feel at ease.”
“That’s because I always speak from the heart. And if Sister-in-law doesn’t mind, don’t call me ‘Lord Zhen.’ Just call me Ah Hao—that’ll be the happiest thing to happen to me all day.”
Zhen Hao’s mouth really was dipped in honey—smooth talk flowed effortlessly from his lips. He and Xing Muzheng were like night and day. It was a mystery how these two ever became sworn brothers. Yet despite his overly familiar tone, Zhen Hao didn’t come off as frivolous. On the contrary, he was quite likable.
Thanks to his chatter, Qian Jiaoniang’s journey to the Zhen residence was far from dull. Laughing all the way, she soon arrived.
The Zhen family was quite well-known in Minghu Prefecture. For generations, they had been in the silk business, owning the largest silk estate in all of Minghu. The high-quality silk they produced was directly supplied to the Imperial Weaving Bureau for royal use—they were official merchants of the court. But despite the imperial connection and immense wealth, merchants were still just merchants, the lowest class of people. Old Master Zhen racked his brain trying to have someone in the family become an official, but none of his sons had the aptitude for studying. Ironically, the youngest illegitimate son, Zhen Hao, slipped away quietly and joined the army. Everyone thought he had died out there, but to their astonishment, he returned in glory—not only as the Admiral of the Minghu Navy, but also as a former general under the Grand Commander Xing Muzheng, with whom he shared sworn brotherhood!
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