Chapter 21: The General’s Little Pampered Wife

Chapter 21: Chapter 21: The General’s Little Pampered Wife

Watching Ji Xiaosong run cheerfully toward him, Xiao Shen managed a faint smile. "I’m sorry to have kept you waiting."

Xiao Shen’s haggard appearance made Ji Xiaosong’s heart ache. "Husband," she said quickly, "I made you a cloak. Come, try it on." As she spoke, she brought the cloak over and gently draped it around his shoulders.

Feeling Ji Xiaosong’s concern, a warmth spread through Xiao Shen’s heart. "Thank you for your hard work."

"It’s no trouble at all if it’s for you."

Xiao Shen obediently fastened the cloak. Ji Xiaosong stepped forward to straighten the collar and smooth out the wrinkles, her fingers inadvertently brushing against his neck. Xiao Shen shivered slightly and caught her hand.

"What skillful hands you have," Xiao Shen said, his voice deep and magnetic, his gaze locked onto Ji Xiaosong.

Ji Xiaosong’s cheeks flushed crimson. She gently pulled her hand free and said, "I’m just glad that you like it."

Before Ji Xiaosong could react, Xiao Shen pulled her into a tight embrace, resting his chin on the top of her head. He took a deep breath and murmured, "Song, I’m so exhausted today. Right now, all I want is to hold you like this."

"Then you should rest, Husband. I’ll stay with you," Ji Xiaosong said softly, leaning obediently into his embrace with her arms wrapped around his waist.

Xiao Shen loosened his embrace slightly and looked down at her shy expression, unable to resist placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Ji Xiaosong felt her face burn, and her heart began to pound even faster.

Xiao Shen held her tightly once more, and the two of them simply stood there, nestled against each other in silence.

"Is everything settled with Prince Qi?"

"He killed himself. Before he even made his move, he had prepared for every outcome. If he couldn’t defeat us, he would take his own life. If he won, he would have gone straight for the Crown Prince."

Ji Xiaosong was momentarily stunned to hear that Prince Qi had killed himself, but she quickly recovered. Gently patting Xiao Shen’s back, she said, "Don’t dwell on these troubling things, Husband. Go wash up and get some rest."

With that, Ji Xiaosong fetched a basin of hot water, wrung out a towel, and gently washed his face and hands.

Xiao Shen watched her quietly as she bustled about, his eyes filled with tenderness and gratitude.

Once he was finished washing up, Ji Xiaosong led Xiao Shen to the side of the bed. "Husband, lie down and get some proper sleep," she said. "You haven’t rested in days. The army has plenty of men, and the Crown Prince is there to take charge. You mustn’t worry so much."

"Alright."

Xiao Shen did as she said and lay down. Ji Xiaosong covered him with the blanket, then lay down gently beside him.

Subconsciously, Xiao Shen pulled Ji Xiaosong into his arms, and they fell asleep in an embrace.

*

With Prince Qi’s suicide, the campaign to suppress the rebellion came to an early end.

The Crown Prince led his army into Beidi City, where he discovered that all of Prince Qi’s family was dead, with only the Princely Heir still alive.

He ordered the Princely Heir to be taken into custody, then asked, "How old is the boy?"

An attendant at his side quickly replied, "Your Highness, the Princely Heir is only seven."

"Seven years old... My own eldest son is also seven."

The Crown Prince was visibly moved, a flicker of fatherly compassion in his eyes.

He fell silent for a moment, an internal struggle apparent on his face, before finally letting out a long sigh. "The law of the land is absolute. Though I cannot bear it, the grave crime of treason cannot be pardoned. However, the boy is still young. For now, keep him under close guard. His fate will be decided by His Majesty upon our return to court."

The attendants by his side responded in unison, "Yes, Your Highness."

The Crown Prince watched the Princely Heir being led away, his expression conflicted. After a long moment, he turned back to the business of managing the city.

The grain discovered earlier in Prince Qi’s granaries was proof enough that the Northern Land was not merely a wasteland. Its rich, dark soil could produce high-yield crops.

That being the case, this place could no longer be regarded as a barren wasteland.

This place...

...could become the breadbasket of Chen Country!

He summoned Xiao Shen and said bluntly, "I have decided to leave a portion of our troops stationed here to ensure the stability of the Northern Land. I will also dispatch capable ministers to oversee agricultural development."

"Your Highness is wise and far-sighted. This is an excellent plan," Xiao Shen said with a cupped-fist salute. "If developed properly, the Northern Land will undoubtedly become a vital breadbasket for Chen Country, benefiting the people and securing the nation’s foundation. I am willing to assist Your Highness in ensuring that all goes smoothly."

The two of them proceeded to plan things out in greater detail, making all the necessary arrangements.

「Several days later」

With all preparations complete, Xiao Shen and the Crown Prince led the great army back toward the Capital City.

Along the way, Ji Xiaosong rode in the same carriage as Xiao Shen. The couple would sometimes whisper to each other and at other times simply share a knowing smile.

The Crown Prince’s carriage led the procession, its banners fluttering majestically.

The vast army marched onward, the thundering of hooves and the rumbling of wheels kicking up clouds of dust.

After many days of hard travel, they finally approached the Capital City.

At the city gates, commoners lined the streets to welcome them, their cheers thundering to the heavens.

The Crown Prince and Xiao Shen, mounted on their horses, waved to the crowd.

Ji Xiaosong sat inside her carriage, watching the lively scene through the window with a heart full of emotion.

’I thought this whole journey would be fraught with hardship,’ she mused, ’but after I solved that initial small problem, I didn’t have to worry about anything else.’

Upon their return from quelling the rebellion, both Xiao Shen and the Crown Prince had performed meritorious service. Glory and rewards awaited them.

The Ji family had been waiting at the city gates for a long time. Only when they saw Ji Xiaosong lift the curtain of her carriage did they finally feel relieved.

’Our girl is back, and she’s safe. That’s all that matters.’

They had been worried sick these past days. They had never imagined that Ji Xiaosong would actually run off to the Northern Land.

As the procession neared the General Mansion, Xiao Shen turned to a trusted subordinate and ordered, "Take a squad of men and make sure my wife is escorted safely back to the General Mansion."

The subordinate immediately saluted. "Rest assured, General! I will not fail my duty. I guarantee my lady will arrive at the General Mansion safely!"

With that, he led a squad of men to escort Ji Xiaosong toward the General Mansion.

Afterward, Xiao Shen turned and spurred his horse onward, riding with the Crown Prince toward the Imperial Palace.

Upon arriving at the Imperial Palace, Xiao Shen and the Crown Prince paid their respects to the Emperor.

The Emperor was greatly pleased and heaped praise upon them for their success. "Crown Prince, Xiao Aiqing, your success in putting down this rebellion is a great service to the nation! We shall reward you handsomely!"

Xiao Shen and the Crown Prince thanked him in unison.

Xiao Shen said, "Your Majesty, the success of this campaign was entirely thanks to the wise decisions of the Crown Prince and the valiant efforts of our soldiers."

The Emperor smiled and nodded. "You are too modest, Xiao Aiqing. We are well aware of your bravery."

After receiving further commendations, Xiao Shen and the Crown Prince withdrew from the Imperial Palace.

Now, Xiao Shen was eager to return home. He spurred his horse on, galloping toward the General Mansion.

*

「National Guardian General Mansion」

The Ji family had been waiting inside for a long time.

The moment Ji Xiaosong stepped through the mansion gates, Mother Ji rushed forward, her eyes red. "Oh, Song," she chided, "how could you run off to the Northern Land without saying a word? Do you have any idea how worried you made us?"

Mr. Ji was just as stern. "Utterly reckless!" he scolded. "The Northern Land is a dangerous place. How could a woman like you go there alone!"

Brother Ji frowned and said, "Little sister, you were far too reckless this time. What would we have done if something had happened to you?"

Her sister-in-law chimed in, "It’s true, Song. You gave us all such a fright."

But even as they scolded her, they were pulling her close and looking her over from head to toe, their eyes filled with concern.

Mother Ji stroked Ji Xiaosong’s face and said with a sob, "Look at you, you’ve lost weight. You must not have been eating or sleeping well there."

Mr. Ji sighed, his tone finally softening. "As long as you’re back safely. That’s what matters."

Ji Xiaosong linked her arm with Mother Ji’s and said sweetly, "Mother, I came back safe and sound, didn’t I? Please don’t be sad. I know I was wrong. I’ll never make you worry like that again."

Then she looked at the others and winked playfully. "Besides, Xiao Shen was incredibly heroic on the battlefield."

Brother Ji asked curiously, "Little sister, quick, tell us! How did General Xiao slay his enemies on the battlefield?"

This was finally a topic Ji Xiaosong could show off about. She began to gesture animatedly as she spoke. "He was on a tall, powerful horse, holding a long spear, and he charged into the enemy ranks as if they weren’t even there! He was so majestic and imposing that the enemy soldiers couldn’t stand against him at all."

Just as she was in the middle of her story, Xiao Shen walked in, catching her vivid reenactment, and couldn’t help but laugh.