Chapter 343 Becoming from Your Enemy to Your Sword!
Jiang Qizheng and Madame Tao Junior got pregnant at a similar time. So, their due dates were close.
Madame Tao Junior who went into labor first died in childbirth. So, everyone in the Jiang Family couldn’t help being anxious when Jiang Qizheng was in labor at this moment.
Poor Qiu Yelan became a scapegoat for Qiu Feng’s absence and Madame Tao gave her an earful in public, “I know that Qizheng’s husband is close with your brother. But he has been in the west for almost a year. He isn’t here for his first kid! I wouldn’t blame him if he had seniors to take care of things for him. Thank G.o.d Qizheng has us. Otherwise, she would go through this alone!”
Actually, Madame Tao had already known that Qiu Feng went to the south halfway instead of going to Xijiang to help Qiu Jinglan. And he was nowhere to be found!
She wanted to cover for Jiang Qizheng by complaining to Qiu Yelan.
After all, Jiang Qizheng was so loved before she got married that she was crowned a princess. However, the man she insisted on marrying disappeared without notice. And she had been staying at her maiden home since she was pregnant. Her husband still didn’t show up when she was in labor. How could she face others if there was no good reason?
Qiu Yelan scolded Qiu Feng inwardly and apologized for Qiu Jinglan, “Jinglan didn’t expect that Qizheng would be pregnant. He wouldn’t have asked Qiu Feng for help if he had known. The western savages were so vicious that people in Shazhou were miserable! Qiu Feng couldn’t bear to see them suffer.”
“Alas, he is good for everything but his heart is too soft!” Madame Tao didn’t mean to give Qiu Yelan a hard time. So, she let it go when Qiu Yelan gave her an excuse, “But it’s reasonable since he used to be a knight-errant! Alas, he helped those people, but his wife and kid suffered the consequences. When he comes back, I need him to apologize to Qizheng properly before he takes her back!”
They teamed up to finish the show and then waited in anxiety.
Luckily, although Jiang Qizheng was depressed for a while after she got married, she was young and in good health. She gave birth to a son smoothly after struggling for half a day.
Madame Tao was relieved. She pulled herself together to check the baby and say a few nice words. And then she instructed Madame He to handle the following things and went back to rest in a hurry. She was still grieving over the dead Madame Tao Junior. She might be ill if she didn’t get enough rest.
While Madame He was making arrangements for Jiang Qizheng, Qiu Yelan also went back to her room to see An after sending her blessings. Jiang Yashuang went back from the East Palace and was thrilled to have a nephew. He showered and changed his clothes before going to see the baby.
However, he was frowning when he came back. He sent the others away and discussed with Qiu Yelan, “Our nephew was born. But we still don’t have news on Qiu Feng. It’s not okay!” He was furious about Qiu Feng’s disappearance. So, when he mentioned Qiu Feng in private he didn’t refer to him as his brother-in-law.
“I think so too. But we can’t find him. What should we do?” Qiu Yelan sighed, “We can’t let everyone know that we’re looking for him for Qizheng’s sake! Looking for him secretly isn’t so effective!”
“Can we ask your brother for help?” Jiang Yashuang muttered, “He knows Qiu Feng well. Maybe he can figure out where Qiu Feng is?” He remembered that Qiu Jinglan played tricks on Qiu Feng like a fiddle when he was in Jing City.
Qiu Yelan was puzzled and asked, “Why didn’t you ask my brother for help before?”
“I mentioned it to him once. But you know he has a lot on his hands. So, I didn’t tell him all the details.” There was a look of guilt on Jiang Yashuang’s face, “But now our nephew has been born. We need to know if Qiu Feng is still alive. If he doesn’t plan to come back, Qizheng shouldn’t keep wasting her time on him!”
Jiang Yashuang’s face went dark after saying all that!
Qiu Yelan also felt that Qiu Feng was over the line this time. Jiang Qizheng was wrong to force him to get married. But was it irresponsible of him to leave without saying goodbye? It was better for him to leave before getting married! Luckily, the seniors adored Jiang Qizheng. So, she could keep it a secret. Otherwise, the gossip would drive her into a corner if the truth leaked out!
“Write my brother a detailed letter!” Qiu Yelan wasn’t in the mood of pleading for Qiu Feng. She sighed, “Is there any news about Xijiang? I didn’t expect Kuang to have so many backup plans. Have they found Kuang Qingwu?”
“No!” Jiang Yashuang shook his head. Kuang Shihan died in the war at the beginning of the year. However, his plots had been uncovered before the government could confer a posthumous t.i.tle on him. It was said that he colluded with the western savages to start the war and helped his son perform military exploits. But he was defeated because the western savages screwed him!
So, it was impossible to confer a posthumous t.i.tle on him. Moreover, Kuang Shihan’s existing t.i.tles and official positions were deprived. His son was sent to Jing City on charges of killing his mother. However, the team was attacked halfway and Kuang Qingwu was rescued. Afterward, he led his men to attack the Western Army several times. The Western Army was caught off guard and he knew the Western Army very well. So, a few generals were hurt!
How could the Western Army suffer in silence? They sent people to track down him and meanwhile reported to the government. But the operation didn’t go well. They still hadn’t found Kuang Qingwu until now. And they suffered losses during those encounters!
“It’s probably because Kuang still has influence over the army. Those soldiers aren’t trying their best.” Qiu Yelan sneered, “Otherwise, how can’t they catch Kuang Qingwu since he is still in Shazhou which is the Western Army’s territory? Maybe he is living in the house of one of the generals right now!”
She didn’t know that her a.s.sumption was right.
It was already snowing heavily in early autumn in Shazhou.
Looking at the falling snow in the yard, Kuang Qingwu pulled his clothes open and gulped spirits. Feeling the sting in his stomach caused by spirits, he couldn’t help but throw his head back and exhaled a heavy breath.
At this moment, Kuang Qingwu was very different from the elegant image of himself six months ago.
He had a full beard and looked tough. His eyes were as sharp as knives. There was no trace of a gentleman he used to be in Jing City. Instead, he looked like an indigenous bandit in Shazhou.
“Young master, Mr. Leshan is here!” A soft voice came from behind. Kuang Qingwu turned around and saw a young maid bowing. He could see the most beautiful curve on a woman from her current pose.
“Serve him tea in the Flower Hall. I’ll be there in a minute!” However, Kuang Qingwu just glanced at her indifferently and then instructed coldly.
The maid showed a slight look of disappointment. But she still answered with respect, “Yes, Young master!”
“I heard that you fell off the horse on this trip.” In the Flower Hall, Ren Ziyong was in a blue gown and was elegant as always. He looked at Kuang Qingwu and asked, “Are you hurt?”
Kuang Qingwu neglected his question and cut to the chase, “Who does Qing Jinglan want to kill this time? Does he want me to do it soon?” After he killed his parents, he was accused of killing his mother and was sent to Jing City. He thought it would be his doom. He didn’t expect that Ren Ziyong would free him on the way.
Ren Ziyong explained why he did that, “I was your master after all. Besides, you have nothing to do with the former Prince’s death!”
However, he was caught again shortly afterward.
It wasn’t because Ren Ziyong went back on his promise. It was because without help and supply he couldn’t get far with the money Ren Ziyong gave him.
Ren Ziyong saved him again with strings attached. He advised Qiu Jinglan who caught Kuang Qingwu, “Young master, you want to take over the Western Army. There are many things you want to do but you can’t do in person. However, you can let Kuang Qingwu do those things for you!”
Qiu Jinglan agreed after pondering for a long time. So, Kuang Qingwu went from being Qiu Jinglan’s enemy to being a sword.
He and Qiu Jinglan’s men had been moving around in Shazhou and making surprise attacks in these months. They removed the obstacles in Qiu Jinglan’s way of taking over the Western Army in the most direct way.
He knew that the day Qiu Jinglan reached his goal would be the day he died. He was alive only because he was useful to Qiu Jinglan. But it wouldn’t affect Qiu Jinglan much even if he refused to be his sword. His allegiance just made it easier for Qiu Jinglan.
However, since he agreed to be his sword, who knew what would happen in the future?
Kuang Qingwu had played his role well so far. He was silent, quick, determined, and efficient. He developed the qualities of a competent subordinate who would satisfy his superior in a short time.
It was just like his disinterested and direct question at this moment.
“The Jiang Family wanted to send their two G.o.ddaughters to serve young master at the beginning of this year. He politely refused by saying that he just avenged his family and wanted to mourn the former Prince for a few months,” Ren Ziyong cut to the chase, “Half a year has pa.s.sed by now. The Jiang Family is probably going to mention it again. You need to kill them on their way here! Young master doesn’t hope two spies stay around him!”
“I see. Let me know when it’s time.” Kuang Qingwu asked flatly, “Anything else?”
“Take care of yourself. In case of leaving any sequelae,” Ren Ziyong looked at him indifferently, “You can tell Yuan Yong if you need any medicinal material. He is from Tianya and is the most loyal one to young master among all the subordinates in the Western Army! Make yourself at home at his place. And of course, don’t hold a grudge.”
He stood up as soon as he finished talking and left hastily!
Kuang Qingwu stared at his back for a long time. An abnormal flush appeared on his face. He wobbled and then lifted his sleeve to cover his face. He spat out a mouthful of blood!
“Young Prince!” Zheng came in to serve him stealthily after Ren Ziyong left. He approached in a hurry after seeing that.
“I’m fine,” Kuang Qingwu languidly pushed his hands away and said in low voice, “Don’t call me Young Prince anymore. That man’s t.i.tle has been removed. I’m no longer a young prince. Refer to me as young master from now on!”
Zheng agreed with hesitation. And then he asked with care, “Shall I ask for a doctor?”
“No!” Kuang Qingwu said coldly, “I coughed blood on purpose. The maid will see it when she washes my clothes. She will report this.” His eyes were deep, “I pretend to be calm every time I meet with Ren Ziyong to show that I’m not scheming enough. Otherwise, how could I fool Qiu Jinglan?”
What Ren Ziyong said seemed to remind him to take care of himself and not to worry about bothering Yuan Yong. But he meant to remind him that Yuan Yong was loyal to Qiu Jinglan and he should do his job without thinking otherwise.
“But since you gave me this chance…” Kuang Qingwu washed his mouth with the tea that Zheng handed to him. His looks were vicious, “Even though you’re on guard against me while using me, I still can make you regret it!”