Chapter 5

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiurun quickly spoke before him: “Brother has already declined the mansion allocated by the minister of rites. Later, we are going to choose and buy a residence. Please, General Shen, bring the key to the money box.”

Shen Yong never expected that in the short time he was absent, the siblings would take the initiative to decline the mansion arranged by the Great Qi minister of rites.

Two ignorant children!

He immediately frowned and said, “Why didn’t you two ask me before making such a decision? For the expenses on this journey, where do you think the money comes from? In order to prepare for the annual tribute to the Great Qi, the emperor has already given everything, and the national treasury is very empty. Originally, there wasn’t much set aside for you two princes, and what’s left is not enough to buy a mansion. It’s simply wishful thinking!”

As soon as these words were spoken, Jiang Zhi felt guilty. He realized that he shouldn’t have let his sister decide on her own, adding a burden to the emperor. If there’s not enough money, how can he write a letter asking for more?

But this talk could deceive Jiang Zhi, not Jiang Xiurun.

She listened calmly to Shen Yong’s complaints and then said, “If I remember correctly, when Father left, he rewarded us, the siblings, with one hundred taels of gold. And as we traveled along the roads, passing through the countries of Liang, Yan, and Chen, the prices were similar to those in our Bo kingdom. Because we couldn’t tolerate their local food, we brought our own dried meat and dry cakes. General Shen, you are a bit more particular; every time we arrived somewhere, you would send guards to buy a whole sheep to eat. On the way, we had about five sheep in total, which, in terms of gold, is less than one piece. Moreover, when you took on your duty, you also had additional travel funds. How did you end up spending most of the money we set aside for buying a mansion?”

This calculation was not like that of a pampered princess in the palace. It was more like a shrewd merchant, meticulously counting on an abacus and carefully keeping accounts.

Shen Yong didn’t expect this princess, usually pampered in the palace, to be so knowledgeable about worldly matters. He was momentarily speechless. However, taking advantage of being far from Bo country at the moment, the two princes had no real power, so he arrogantly said, “Young master, you have been living in the palace for a long time. How would you know about prices? I said I spent it, so I spent it!”

Jiang Xiurun smiled. With her eyebrows redrawn to look more masculine, she resumed the appearance of a young man. The way she slightly lifted her chin was both lazy and proud. She said, “General Shen, do you really think that being in Qi territory away from Bo Kingdom makes you indisputable? In the inn behind me, there are envoys from various countries. If you keep obstructing us, do you believe I will kneel in the middle of the street, holding onto your legs, begging you not to withhold our money? Will this great joke not reach the ears of my father? My father, who values his reputation so much, will he believe the absurd story that you bought five sheep and spent a hundred pieces of gold!”

After saying this, Jiang Xiurun suddenly rushed forward and grabbed Shen Yong’s thighs, pretending to cry.

Shen Yong didn’t expect this mischievous behavior from the princess, completely ignoring royal etiquette. He was frightened and quickly said, “Young prince, there’s no need for this. The money has indeed been spent. I’ll make up for it with my personal funds, and you will have it!”

Just then, a voice came from behind Jiang Xiurun: “Since that’s the case, let me testify for the two princes of Bo country. Please, General, don’t break your promise!”

Jiang’s siblings turned around to see that it was Liu Pei, the prince of Liang country.

It turned out that he also came to this eatery for a meal and had been listening to the joke for, who knows, how long.

Shen Yong also recognized this prince from the neighboring country, Liang. The words had already been spoken, and there was no turning back. In the end, he could only obediently hand over the key and give one hundred tael of gold to the two siblings of the Jiang family.

He couldn’t help but curse inwardly. He thought it would be an easy job, but it turned out to be so troublesome! First, there was the incident of the princess tampering with state documents and changing gender, and then his plan to enrich himself privately fell through. Now he had to return to the Bo kingdom as soon as possible and secretly send someone to kill this woman to vent his anger and silence her!

Muttering to himself, Shen Yong left in frustration.

Jiang Zhi also realized at this moment that General Shen’s earlier act of crying poverty was quite deceptive. Currently, the border between Bo country and Liang country is peaceful, making them practically neighboring countries with no issues. Therefore, after Shen Yong left, he turned around to express his gratitude to Liu Pei.

Liu Pei smiled and bowed, saying, “This is just a small effort; there is no need to thank me. It’s the boldness of Young Master Jiang that is truly admirable.”

Jiang Xiurun raised her eyes to look at him and noticed that the prince’s eyes were fixed on her eyebrows, with a slight smile on his lips.

Liu Pei was tall and well-mannered, though not as stunningly beautiful as Feng Liwu. Still, he exuded an elegant charm. If judged solely by appearance, he seemed to be a modest young master, without a hint of the cunning and deceitful nature required to swallow neighboring countries and contend with the Qi country, as seen in later historical events.

She knew the meaning behind his gaze, clearly mocking her significant change in appearance. However, if women could paint their eyebrows and eyes, why couldn’t men groom themselves a bit before meeting a monarch?

Jiang Xiurun, having no fondness for someone from a nation that had forgotten her homeland, merely waved her sleeve and clasped her fists in a gesture of gratitude.

However, Jiang Zhi and Liu Pei got along quite well. When Liu Pei suggested that, in a few days after they were settled, he would bring friends to visit the Jiang residence, Jiang Zhi readily agreed.

Although Jiang Xiurun frowned upon hearing this, she did not intervene.

In her previous life, her brother lived a difficult life, lacking proper clothing and necessities. In the bustling city of Luo’an, he was ignored, and he had no recognition among the prominent figures in the envoy’s quarters.

Their paths had never crossed.

Most of these envoys were those who could inherit the throne. Coming to Luo’an City, rather than forming alliances as envoys, was more like coming to study.

For example, Liu Pei’s mother was Princess Huashao of the Qi kingdom, a legitimate sibling of the current emperor of the great Qi. So, coming to the Qi kingdom as an envoy was more like visiting his grandfather’s house.

Due to his mother’s connections, he was also acquainted with the nobility in the capital of the Qi kingdom, ensuring a continuous stream of invitations to various events in the following years.

In her past life, Jiang Xiurun’s brother had never had the opportunity to interact with such influential figures.

Jiang Xiurun hoped that her brother in this life would change and not be as conservative as in the previous life. Although she knew that Liu Pei was a future threat to swallow Bo Kingdom, at this moment, the wolf had not yet grown its claws and fangs. If her brother could get to know more people through him, it would be beneficial.

After confirming the date with Liu Pei, the siblings went to Shen Yong’s place to pick up the money box.

Shen Yong intentionally left a few trusted subordinates as escorts for the envoys. He secretly instructed them with a few words and then set off for his return journey with a disgruntled expression.

Before leaving, he cast a fierce look at Jiang Xiurun, alerting her.

The conniving Shen Yong would not easily give up. Moreover, these escorts he left behind were not very reliable; they would be replaced sooner or later.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiurun first went with her brother to see the residence she had planned.

It was an old mansion in an ancient alley with a small courtyard. Despite its modest size, the house was well-maintained, and the furnishings inside were complete.

The reason Jiang Xiurun chose this place was that in six months, a renowned scholar, Master Li, would establish a school nearby. At that time, the prices of houses in the adjacent lanes would skyrocket, attracting students from various countries.

listening to the quiet reading from the window, reciting the classics against the wall.

This kind of mansion, full of the fragrance of books, was the place that Meng’s mother had moved for three times.

(T/N: This is a Chinese idiom from the word’mèng mǔ sān qiān’  . These words are used to illustrate the importance of the environment to people.)

Her brother, only two years older than herself, was at the age of thirst for knowledge. If he could study with the great scholar to learn the principles of governing and being a person, it would undoubtedly bring about significant changes.

The price of this residence was not high at the moment. With the front and back yards, a small garden, and a well-equipped stable on the west side, it cost only twenty gold.

This price was expected to increase five or six times in the future. Jiang Xiurun didn’t even bother to negotiate. She straightforwardly signed the contract with the previous owner, went to the local government to transfer the deed, and stamped it with the official seal.

After completing the deed procedures, Jiang Xiurun instructed the guards to move their belongings into their respective rooms.

After settling their belongings, she called the local servant and prepared to choose two maids.

The servant guided her to the slave market, allowing her to make the selection herself.

However, she ignored the ones with delicate features and finally fixed her gaze on a pair of rather robust-looking sisters. The elder sister was fine, but the younger one had a prominent birthmark covering half of her face, making her appearance somewhat coarse.

Jiang Xiurun stared at her for a while and then asked the servant about the situation of these two sisters.

The servant didn’t expect these two sisters to be bought by anyone and hurriedly explained when the young master inquired. According to him, these sisters had escaped from the neighboring Hui kingdom due to famine. Their parents had died from hunger and illness, and they had resorted to selling themselves to bury their family. As long as someone was willing to pay a small amount of money, they could sign a contract.

Without waiting for the servant to finish, Jiang Xiurun said, “It’s them.”

These words surprised both sisters. After all, this finely dressed guest was supposed to be selecting maids. For girls like them, who came from the countryside due to famine, they were usually no more than rough servant girls tasked with fetching water and firewood.

Jiang Xiurun paid the money and took the two shabbily dressed girls back to her residence.

The elder sister, named Bai Ying, was assigned to attend to her brother’s daily life, while the younger one, named Bai Qian, was left for herself.

Bai Qian was clearly more bold and straightforward than her sister. After changing into new clothes, she respectfully asked, “May I ask, young master, why did you choose such an ugly person like me as a maid? Isn’t the young master, as the son of a noble, afraid of being ridiculed? ”

Jiang Xiurun thought: Even if I visit the slave market every day, I might not find someone as unique as you!

Two coins amounted to only five taels of silver, yet she managed to buy Bai Qian, the future renowned female general who would dominate various countries. This was something Jiang Xiurun had never expected before leaving.

This future general, who would become the right-hand woman of the Crown Prince of Great Qi, a fearsome blade sweeping through nations, was currently in a destitute state. If it weren’t for the red birthmark on her face, Jiang Xiurun might not have recognized her.

Of course, Jiang Xiurun couldn’t reveal that in the future, Bai Qian would participate in the martial arts exam as a woman, beating a group of men and becoming the top scorer, eventually becoming the general who revitalized the nation.

So, she just smiled and said, “I believe in my ability to judge people.”

Bai Qian didn’t ask further. Instead, she skillfully arranged the room for Jiang Xiurun and organized her clothes. When she saw a few fat mice running swiftly along the path, without waiting for the guards to react, she stomped down with her eight-inch foot, smashing the fleeing mice to pieces.

The guards exchanged puzzled looks, thinking that this woman seemed a bit wicked.