Chapter 69: Ji Province Part 1

Ji Province connected to the north with Great Qi’s vital border fortress, Border City, which was guarded by heavy troops year-round. However, the northern wilderness was barren, the land poor, and droughts sometimes struck, often leading to deficits with various hidden dangers lurking. No one wanted to come to such a place.

Yet Ji Province served as a back door to Border City. If Border City faced a crisis, Ji Province could send troops to support it.

The Emperor had transferred Yuan Man here to stabilize and consolidate the current situation. Though the place was poor and harsh, it was far from the Emperor’s reach, offering great freedom.

After transferring from Border City, she had bought a modest three-courtyard house in a remote spot. After cleaning it up, it barely qualified as a home. It couldn’t compare to the grand, majestic Yuan Mansion with its winding corridors, but at least it was her and Asu’s home.

When she had been a garrison commander in Border City, she was younger than the local generals, but fortunately, her straightforward nature and lack of concern for trifles had allowed her to bond closely with her subordinates, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

When transferred to Border City, several female generals had followed her. Yuan Man welcomed them all, especially since she had no acquaintances here and found it inconvenient to act alone. Now with capable subordinates, things were easier.

That three-courtyard house became their home.

By the time Xun Changqing arrived, it was already evening. Summer brought much yellow sand, and dust flew outside Ji Province City. After entering the city, she looked as if she had crawled out of a sand pile, with dust covering her hair and clothes.

Yuan Man had received the news early and waited at the city gate for several days before finally seeing her. Years later, that little kid had not only grown up but sat on her horse with a heroic poise. Her peach-blossom eyes, dusted with fine particles, appeared even more alluring. She smiled and went to greet her. “Xun Changqing, you’ve grown up. You could get married now.”

Xun Changqing spotted the person at the city gate and immediately dismounted. “Yuan Man, cut the nonsense. You still haven’t told me if you’re the one getting married or doing the marrying.”

Yuan Man had shed her usual armor, and her long robe accentuated her feminine grace. Gazing at Wei Lingci, who stood coldly elegant in white on the horse behind, she wondered inwardly. She didn’t mention Wei Lingci in her letter. Why did she come too? But a guest was a guest. She smiled and greeted them. Seeing Wei Lingci also dismount, she pulled Xun Changqing aside to the shadows by the city gate.

She peeked back at Wei Lingci in the distance and muttered, “Did you bring any silver? Why did your master come?”

Xun Changqing shot her a glare. “If you’re not welcoming her, then I’ll go back.”

“No, no, little ancestor. I’m just curious. Besides, your master knows about us.” Seeing her about to leave, Yuan Man quickly grabbed her with both hands and pleaded, “A guest is a guest. I welcome her with open arms. But right now, lend me some silver. You know my salary here is pitifully low. I don’t want to wrong Asu, and I dare not ask my father. I’ll repay you once I get my pay.”

Yuan Man’s build took after her father’s, making her taller than her peers. Xun Changqing, not yet of marriageable age, was a head shorter. Now, with Yuan Man hugging her entirely, their bodies pressed close. Xun Changqing had just been joking earlier, but now trapped in her embrace, she panicked and pried at her fingers, whispering lowly, “My master’s right there. Don’t hug me. Something will go wrong.”

Yuan Man was strong and used brute force, leaving Xun Changqing unable to break free. To avoid Wei Lingci noticing, she urgently stomped on her foot. Yuan Man yelped in pain and finally released her.

Xun Changqing straightened her clothes and glanced at Wei Lingci, who looked leisurely. Only then did she relax and say directly, “How much silver do you need? I brought some, but I don’t know if it’s enough.”

Ji Province was vast, but its borders were all mountains, save for a small, obscure town to the south. To the north lay Border City at the border between the two countries. It wasn’t prosperous, but the folk were simple. Preparing for a wedding shouldn’t cost much.

“Don’t worry. A few thousand taels of silver will do,” Yuan Man said, kicking her foot—her toes still ached—but since Xun Changqing agreed to lend the money, it was good news.

Xun Changqing paused in shock and looked back at Wei Lingci, who stood elegantly like an immortal. She tugged at Yuan Man’s collar. Marriage didn’t seem like what she imagined. “A few thousand taels enough?”

The city gate bustled with people coming and going. As the highest local official, Yuan Man was recognized by the commoners. Seeing her chatting at the gate, they glanced over curiously. Yuan Man signaled them to move farther away. Suddenly hearing Xun Changqing question if the silver was enough, she chuckled inwardly and teased, “The borrower complains it’s too much, the lender says too little. As expected of a princess. How much do you think a wedding costs? Ji Province isn’t the Imperial Capital. I’ll buy some wedding goods, and that’s it. No need for extras.”

Xun Changqing knocked on Yuan Man’s head and lowered her voice. “You didn’t prepare betrothal gifts?”

Yuan Man looked stunned. “Asu didn’t say she wanted those things…”

“Then why borrow silver from me?”

“To buy stuff and furnish the house.”

Their conversation seemed to be on different tracks. Xun Changqing sighed helplessly and dropped the topic. Betrothal gifts optional? She turned back, fetched silver from the saddlebag, and handed it to several other women dressed like Yuan Man in fitted military attire, their faces wheat-colored, clearly from the army.