IDWBE -Chapter 237 Brotherhood

“Are they soldiers too? But they can’t be ours from Sanhe,”

Wang Xiaoshuan said with absolute certainty. “Damn, their skills are too poor. Not a single one has internal strength. They flash their blades with so little ability—don’t they feel ashamed?”

For a moment, he even imagined that he alone could take them all on.

“You’re talking nonsense,” Wei Yishan gave him a sharp look. “If I’m not mistaken, they should be Jiang Kan’s men.”

“So they’re here to rescue Jiang Kan?”

Wang Xiaoshuan looked puzzled. “Jiang Kan’s already captured. What are they rescuing? It’s basically a suicide mission. That’s just foolish.”

Wei Yishan said, “If one day I were captured, would you come to rescue me?”

Wang Xiaoshuan shook his head without hesitation. “If money can solve it, sure. But life? Definitely not.”

“Sigh, I knew I wasn’t wrong about you.”

Wei Yishan sighed.

Looking up, he saw that the impostors pretending to be Sanhe laborers had all been caught—tied up, none escaping.

The southern provinces were under a blazing sun.

Sanhe, in contrast, was drenched in continuous rain.

Lin Yi stood at the doorway of the hall, staring absentmindedly at the rain falling from the sky. After taking the tea handed to him by Xiao Xizi, he turned to look at Jiang Kan, kneeling on the ground.

Taking a sip, he calmly said, “Jiang Kan?”

Jiang Kan coldly replied, “I will not change my name or identity. I am who I am. You, a prince of royal blood, need not trouble yourself with someone like me.”

“Stand up and speak,” Lin Yi smiled. “I’m not troubling you. You are troubling me.”

Jiang Kan stood without hesitation. “How should I take that, Your Highness?”

Lin Yi said, “Jiang Kan, Jiang Tijiu, you are a smart man. Why pretend to be foolish in front of me?”

Jiang Kan pondered briefly. “Your Highness, I have already informed Lord Shan Qi. I am willing to serve you! And if given a command, I will not shy from death.”

Lin Yi sighed. “You agreed so quickly… I’m a little intimidated.”

Jiang Kan had no words. Agreeing was wrong. Refusing was wrong. Either way, it seemed it would be his fault.

Lin Yi smiled. “However, there is one thing I admire. You have a good brother—foolishly risking himself to rescue you in Qinyuan City without knowing anything. Unlike my brothers, each one heartless, wishing I’d die.”

“What does Your Highness mean?”

Jiang Kan’s heart sank.

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Lin Yi spoke plainly. “Your brother impersonated a Sanhe laborer to enter Qinyuan City and save you, and he was captured. To be sure, he confirmed—yes, his name is Jiang Pei, your real younger brother.”

“Your Highness, have mercy!”

Jiang Kan fell to his knees. “It’s all unrelated to him. Please spare his life!”

“Spare him?”

Lin Yi smiled. “I truly wish to spare him. There’s no past grievance, no recent offense—killing him serves no purpose. But after careful thought, I find it inappropriate. Now that I am in open conflict with the newly enthroned emperor, being merciful to you is cruelty to myself. It’s human nature: the righteous die, the villain survives. Jiang, I hope you understand.”

“Your Highness, have mercy!”

Thud, thud.

Jiang Kan’s head struck the ground, blood flowing.

“You truly share a deep brotherly bond—excellent. I am a little envious,”

Lin Yi placed the tea cup in Xiao Xizi’s hands and paced the room, hands behind his back. “Don’t worry. In a few days, you and your brother will be reunited. And not just your brother—I will bring your parents, wife, and children as well. I’ll arrange the best school district house for you, ensuring your children’s schooling is taken care of.”

School district house?

Jiang Kan didn’t understand, but he kowtowed again. “Thank you, Your Highness!”

With his family in Lin Yi’s hands, he had no words of defiance.

“Good that you understand,” Lin Yi continued, “That old stubborn Wulin—you should take some time to guide him, so he truly realizes his mistakes and shortcomings.”

“I will do my best.”

Jiang Kan replied, bracing himself. Everyone knew he and Wulin were enemies. Seeing each other, they could barely restrain from fighting.

“Excellent,” Lin Yi waved to him. “You may go rest.”

“Yes.”

Jiang Kan stood, reaching the hall doorway, realizing no one was escorting him this time.

He was momentarily at a loss—where should he go?

Sun Chongde approached. “Lord Jiang, please. I’ll escort you out.”

“Thank you.”

Jiang Kan, dazed, followed Sun Chongde through the gates of the Prince Mansion.

Seeing the open sky, he could hardly believe it.

Jiang Kan asked, “Brother, what does this mean?”

Sun Chongde smiled. “Lord Jiang, the prince has arranged a residence for you at No. 30 West Street. You may go there yourself.”

He handed over a key and a piece of silver.

Jiang Kan looked incredulous. “Alone? No escort, no guide?”

Sun Chongde said, “If you fear getting lost, I can accompany you.”

Jiang Kan clasped his hands. “Thank you, young brother.”

The new gatekeeper still lingered, so Sun Chongde had to pat his shoulder. “Go bring two horses.”

He sighed. Since leaving, the gatekeeper’s quality had worsened—no vigilance at all, unlike when he had been the gatekeeper.

Jiang Chou brought two horses. After Jiang Kan mounted, Sun Chongde mounted as well, leading the way to West Street.

They stopped at the gate of a spacious residence.

Opening the door, Jiang Kan stepped inside. “This is…?”

The place was quiet—no soldiers, no constables—completely different from the government office residence he’d stayed in before.

Sun Chongde said, “Lord Jiang, wait a while. Soon, your family will join you. Living here will be ideal.”

“Thank you, brother.”

Jiang Kan finally understood—they weren’t afraid he would run. With his family in their hands, where could he go?

Sun Chongde said, “No need for thanks. If you manage the settlement silver carefully, it should last until the monthly allowance comes.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Jiang Kan looked at the silver, laughing and crying at the same time. As the commander of the Southern Province’s navy, he had never worried about money before.