IDWBE -Chapter 454 A Deal Is a Deal

“Father,” Jiang Zhen suddenly raised her head. “Do you also think this is a good thing?”

Seeing her grave expression, Jiang the Butcher asked cautiously, “Did something happen?”

He simply couldn’t understand—how could entering the palace to serve Consort Yuan not be a good thing?

That was Prince He’s own mother!

How many people longed for such an opportunity and never got it?

After draining her cup in one gulp, Jiang Zhen set it down and sighed. “Father, I’ve only begun to understand officialdom these past few years. It’s not as simple as you think. Many clever people end up undone by their own cleverness.”

“I may not be educated,” Jiang the Butcher replied, “but I’m not brainless either. If there’s something, just say it. Even if I don’t understand, it won’t be your fault.”

Jiang Zhen suddenly said, “The waters and soil of Jiangnan truly nourish people. I didn’t stay long in Jinling, yet I’ve grown fairer and plumper—perhaps even taller.”

He blinked, confused. “Girl, stop beating around the bush. Just tell me. Don’t leave your old man uneasy.”

“Father, don’t you see?” she gave a bitter smile. “Jinling is the most prosperous city in the realm. As Chief Constable of the Provincial Administration Office, I lived comfortably there. I kept to myself, stayed out of Ankang’s murky waters. But Cao Xiaohuan recommended me, and Lord He Jixiang issued the order. I had no choice but to come.”

“Cao Xiaohuan recommended you?” Jiang the Butcher exclaimed.

“Lord Xing Keshou once said: ‘In this world, friendships require gold; without gold, bonds aren’t deep.’ I never shared gold with Cao Xiaohuan, but I don’t think she’d push me into the palace just to roast me over a fire for no reason. Perhaps I offended her unknowingly.”

“Cao Xiaohuan…” He frowned. “She’s no ordinary woman. She and Zhou Xun are quite arrogant now. How did you offend her?”

“If I offended her, so be it,” Jiang Zhen said coldly. “If she treats me this way, I’m not someone easy to bully.”

After a pause, he said, “Harmony brings wealth. Let it go if you can. We’re from the same hometown. I still have some face before her—how about I go speak to her?”

All his life, Jiang the Butcher had never known the meaning of fear.

He lived by Prince He’s words: ‘Treat life and death lightly—if you don’t accept it, fight.’

But this concerned his daughter. He had to be careful.

From the bottom of his heart, he hoped she would choose peace.

“As Chief Constable of Jinling, she didn’t even give me face,” Jiang Zhen replied coolly. “What good would it do for you to go?”

His face flushed red. “Back in the day, she called me Big Brother! If she dares be heartless, I’ll beat her!”

“Father, you’re talking nonsense again,” Jiang Zhen said bluntly. “With your mediocre skills, even if you could win—which you can’t—she’s an official. If you hit her, I couldn’t save you from prison.”

Embarrassed, he laughed awkwardly. “That woman’s always been troublesome. I never knew what Jiao Zhong saw in her. Good thing he’s opened his eyes now.”

Jiang Zhen asked curiously, “Jiao Zhong broke it off with her?”

“Of course,” he grinned. “He’s Commander of the Prince’s Guards—powerful, wealthy. Why worry about finding a wife? Cao Xiaohuan isn’t bad, but not a good match. At her age, who knows if she can even bear children? He should find a young maiden.”

“Watch your words, Father,” Jiang Zhen said sharply. “And leave my affairs alone. You’re not young anymore. You’ve earned plenty. The north is bitterly cold. Why not return to Baiyun City and accompany Mother?”

“Return?” He hadn’t expected that. “I’m not even fifty. I can endure hardship for years yet.”

“You’re only worried about Jiang Lin,” she said gently. “Father, you won’t like this—but you’ve spoiled him. He’s not young, yet he’s neither accomplished in letters nor martial arts. His life will likely remain ordinary. If he can live peacefully, that’s already good.”

“He’s still your brother,” Jiang the Butcher said awkwardly, though he knew she spoke truth. “You’ve made something of yourself. I’m not worried about you. But he… your mother and I must worry more.”

“Father, return to Sanhe,” she said quietly. “I promise you—so long as I live, Jiang Lin will be safe.”

Her father worked so hard not for her, but to secure wealth for his son.

“I believe that,” he smiled. “You’re a Ninth-Grade martial expert now. Protecting him is easy. If he can’t enter the Prince’s residence as a guard after graduation, nor join the army, he’ll help me in business.”

“Transfer the supplier quota,” Jiang Zhen said firmly. “He can’t handle it.”

“You haven’t even let him try!”

She snorted. “You know your son’s nature. The wealth you’ve built is enough for him to live comfortably. If you force more and it collapses, rebuilding will be impossible.”

He fell silent, words stuck in his throat.

“If you truly care for him,” she continued, “return to Sanhe and arrange his marriage. Perhaps your grandson will have promise.”

If her brother had even a little ability, their father wouldn’t still be laboring at this age.

Jiang the Butcher rubbed his bald head. “That… makes sense.”

For all his life’s pride, he’d never imagined raising such a son.

Perhaps, as she said, his hope lay in his grandson.

“Parents who love their children plan for the long term,” Jiang Zhen said. “If you truly love him, let him marry and live a normal life.”

He sighed.

Yes.

Loving his son meant accepting he was ordinary.

Perhaps forcing expectations would ruin him.

If not the son, then the grandson.

Generations without end.

Jiang Zhen looked at her father and felt a pang.

He never considered that she, too, bore the Jiang surname.

Why couldn’t a daughter bring honor to the ancestral hall?

Moonlit Night

Snow still fell.

In a narrow alley, Lin Yi stood with his neck tucked into his collar, watching a slender figure approach in lantern light.

“I’ve waited so long the flowers have withered,” he grinned.

“You and that silver tongue,” Guan Xiaoqi laughed, pulling her boots free from thick snow. “Aren’t you afraid of robbers?”

“This is Ankang, the realm’s finest city,” Lin Yi boasted. “Which robber wants to die?”

He trusted not the city’s safety—but Jiao Zhong and the guards hidden in the dark.

She glanced at the low doorway behind him. “This is the house you found?”

He pushed the gate open and gestured grandly. “Please!”

“Then I’ll take a look.”

“Two bedrooms, one hall, kitchen, bath—and a complimentary grand garden! Guaranteed satisfaction!” he said like a salesman.

Inside, she was surprised—no snow in the courtyard.

“The owner is thoughtful,” she murmured, breathing in the fragrance of blooming plum blossoms.

The door opened. Tan Fei, stooped in worn grey cotton, stepped out smiling.

“This is the owner,” Lin Yi introduced.

“Miss, ask whatever you’d like,” Tan Fei said.

“How many rooms?”

“Come see.”

Warmth enveloped her upon entry. “You have a heated kang?”

“In Ankang’s cold, could one survive without it?” he chuckled.

“You’re not local?”

“I came with the Regent’s army from Sanhe.”

“A military household?”

He smiled. “Sanhe has no such term now—just soldiers on stipend.”

After touring, she asked eagerly, “How much rent per month?”

Tan Fei hesitated. He’d meant to sling an arm around Lin Yi and offer a discount—but lost the nerve. Calling Prince He “brother”? That’d shorten his lifespan.

Instead he said, “Three copper coins a month. Keep it well. When you leave, others won’t bargain it down.”

She hesitated. “If you’re gone, whom do I pay?”

Turning toward Lin Yi, Tan Fei said carefully, “Could you help collect it?”

“Of course! Small matter,” Lin Yi laughed.

Guan Xiaoqi felt something off. These two didn’t seem like equals.

Then she asked boldly, “If I buy it—including furniture—how much?”

“One tael of silver,” Tan Fei replied after pretending to think. “Everything stays.”

“Truly?”

“The journey back is long. I need travel funds. It’s a fair price.”

Before she could answer—

“Deal!”

“Father!”

She turned to see Guan Sheng at the doorway, smiling warmly.

“How could I rest easy with my daughter out at night?” he said, nodding toward Lin Yi.