Wen Jian stood on the field embankment, looking at the nearby training ground where there was a lively atmosphere. In recent days, Liu Hu had been sending people to train these group of refugees, and some of them were tall and strong, learning exceptionally fast and displaying quite an imposing manner.

They claimed they wanted to spar with Liu Hu’s elite soldiers.

When Liu Hu heard about this, he came to find Wen Jian and asked for his opinion.

Wen Jian readily agreed for two reasons. First, he wanted to suppress the arrogance of this group of people and make them realize that they shouldn’t be so arrogant just because they had learned a few things. Second, he had his own ulterior motives and wanted to see if there were any talents among them.

The last time the new emperor came for a private visit, Wen Jian didn’t hide anything. He revealed all the matters concerning training the refugees to become peasant soldiers on the fort. He specifically mentioned it.

The new emperor listened in silence for a long time.

After a while, he stood in front of Wen Jian and almost gritted his teeth as he said, “Wen Jian, you really have talent!”

The tone of his words was difficult to determine whether it was praise or sarcasm.

Wen Jian’s back was already covered in sweat. By doing these things without reporting to higher authorities, he had indeed crossed the line. Although he justified it by saying it was to prevent barbarian invaders and bandits, even keeping the number of peasant soldiers within the border limit set by the fort, exceeding it would be considered raising troops without authorization. However, if the emperor wanted to find fault with you, then even if you had a hundred mouths, they would all be in the wrong.

On the forehead of Prime Minister Li, who was standing next to the new emperor, there was a faint layer of sweat, as he glanced at Wen Jian with a cryptic expression.

What a careless move!

How could this self-appointed person be brought under his command?!

Unexpectedly, a faint smile appeared on the corner of the new emperor’s lips, as he reached out and patted Wen Jian’s shoulder. “With barbarian invasions, unrest on the borders, and rampant banditry, it’s indeed necessary to have someone watch over the granaries of the Li family’s fort.” After a moment, he added, “Mr. Wen, act boldly. If someone dares to steal the grain, chop off that person’s head. If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility!”

Wen Jian didn’t want to dwell on the insinuations made by the new emperor. He only needed to know one thing: the new emperor needed someone like him to pave the way and help him regain military power from Zhu Sima.

Now that this person had been presented before him, regardless of what he thought, he had to immediately kneel down and express his sincerity.

Accompanying the emperor is like accompanying a tiger. He preferred to speak with practical actions.

Whether to believe his sincerity or not, it was up to the new emperor to discern.

Clearly, the recent actions of the new emperor showed that his heart leaned toward Wen Jian.

Wen Jian’s gamble had paid off.

Prime Minister Li’s expression changed when he saw the look in Wen Jian’s eyes.

The new emperor stayed at the fort and had dinner before leaving. Wen Jian, a seventh-rank official, enjoyed drinks with the emperor at the same table, while Liu Hu, a fourth-rank official, stood below the steps, guarding the safety of the new emperor.

This scene was inexplicably amusing.

“Mr. Wen, Miss Li is here,” Xiao Du whispered to remind Wen Jian.

Wen Jian’s thoughts were brought back by Xiao Du’s words. He furrowed his brow slightly and glanced in the direction where Miss Li was coming from.

The new emperor had left, but Li’s daughter seemed to be coming frequently. Today she brought him some food, and tomorrow she would ask him to accompany her to visit the wooden workshop…

Everyone in the fort noticed her attentiveness, and the astute Wen Jian saw it clearly in his heart.

Wen Jian intended to keep his distance from Miss Li. When he saw her approaching quickly, he whispered to Xiao Du, “Just let me know the result of the sparring.”

Xiao Du scratched the back of his head. “Sir, it’s not a solution to keep avoiding her like this.”

Wen Jian glanced at him sideways. “Do you have a good idea?”

Xiao Du pondered with a frowning face. “Actually, Miss Li is quite good. Which nobleman doesn’t have multiple wives and concubines? If you have Miss Li, you wouldn’t have to work from dawn till dusk in this fort. Prime Minister Li would surely ensure his son-in-law’s rise to success…”

Wen Jian interrupted him sternly, “Xiao Du! Others might not know, but you should know that I am a man with a wife.”

Xiao Du choked for a moment and said in a low voice, “But your wife always makes you suffer.”

Wen Jian was puzzled. “…How am I suffering?”

Xiao Du anxiously said, “She received your letters so frequently, but your wife only sends you a pitiful two letters in a month. I see how annoyed you get every time you read the letters. How can a wife always make her husband suffer? Besides, your wife is just a village woman…”

Upon hearing this, Wen Jian furrowed his brow deeply, barely suppressing the anger rising within his chest. He pointed his finger at Xiao Du in the air for a while before saying, “Xiao Du, I see you’re still unmarried, so I won’t hold it against you. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that! Let Miss Li marry whomever she wants…”

After he finished speaking, he turned around with a gloomy expression and walked away.

Xiao Du usually had good insight, but for some reason today, he continued speaking from behind, “Regarding the matter of your wife causing you suffering…”

Wen Jian became so frustrated that he had a headache and shouted, “What about it! I’m willing to endure it!”

What does an unmarried person like Xiao Du know about the joys and frustrations of being a married couple?!

Xiao Du wanted to say something, but he heard Wen Jian angrily say again:

“Shut up!”

“One more word, and you can go and join them in clearing the land!”

Xiao Du: “…”

Xiao Du instantly sealed his lips.

Wen Jian walked away without even turning his head, and Li Jiuer happened to arrive.

Xiao Du looked at Li Jiuer and respectfully bowed, “Miss Jiu, you’ve arrived. Sir has official business to attend to, so he left first.”

Li Jiuer, at the ripe age of seventeen, was the perfect age for marriage. Her small face was beautifully enchanting, and she was the most beloved youngest daughter of Prime Minister Li. The major noble families and courtiers who sought to establish connections had long sent matchmakers to the doors of the Li residence.

Li Jiuer was intelligent. She had heard the conversation between Wen Jian and Xiao Du, though it was neither loud nor soft.

Since she arrived at the fort that day, she had someone investigate Mr. Wen’s detailed information.

Wen Jian was indeed married.

“Hmph, I’m not deaf. I heard everything you were saying.”

Xiao Du forced a smile on his face that looked worse than crying and said, “Miss Jiu, it’s good that you heard. It’s not that I’m unwilling to help. Sir is more steadfast than gold.”

Upon hearing this, Li Jiuer’s face darkened. “Hmph! I don’t believe that village woman can be that great!”

Originally, she had planned to take this opportunity to get closer to Wen Jian and watch the competitions on the training ground together. But now, she had no mood for it and left in anger…

Sweat dripped from Xiao Du’s forehead as he wiped it absentmindedly.

He silently prayed in his heart: Finally, I can temporarily avoid this matter. He deeply admires Mr. Wen and just wants to work well with him. He doesn’t want to be bothered by the affairs of these young ladies!

Besides, Mr. Wen is a decisive person. Just because he helps someone, does that mean he can marry anyone?

That’s a joke!

If it were like that, Mr. Wen wouldn’t send so many letters home every month, even if he suffers. He still sends them…

Xiao Du had seen Madam several times.

Madam was different from the other ladies in this city.

He felt that she matched well with Mr. Wen. He didn’t want to be the one to ruin their relationship!

So, he deliberately said those things for Li Jiuer to hear just now…

Sigh, being human is really hard!

——

At the beginning of October, heavy rain fell from the sky.

The granary on the north side of the fort had not been repaired for a long time, and the strong winds and heavy rain blew off part of the roof. The rain and wind rushed into the house, causing one of the stone walls on the west side to collapse halfway.

Upon hearing the news, Wen Jian immediately got up from bed and led the villagers to the scene.

With such heavy rain, the grains would rot if they were soaked in water…

He hurriedly instructed people to transfer all the grain to the west warehouse.

That night, torches illuminated the fort, and Wen Jian was drenched. Once the grain was relocated, and the sky brightened, he arranged for Xiao Du to prepare ginger soup. All the busy villagers and refugees who had worked through the night could have a bowl to dispel the cold and avoid catching a cold.

When it was fully bright, the rain stopped.

Wen Jian didn’t have time to rest. He immediately led a group of people, including the master carpenter from the wood workshop, to inspect the northern granary and promptly initiate repairs. Fortunately, it wasn’t the season of abundant harvest, otherwise, with the dilapidated state of the northern granary, they wouldn’t know where to store so much grain.

It was almost afternoon by the time Wen Jian had a chance to return to his room and rest for a while.

However, he couldn’t sleep soundly. He felt as if he were immersed in deep water and scorching flames, experiencing alternating moments of heat and cold. His head was dizzy…

Later, he felt someone holding his hand and a buzzing sound in his ears. Before long, a bitter taste filled his mouth, and then he descended into darkness.

——

“You say you’re that scoundrel Wen Jian’s wife?” Liu Hu looked at the woman sitting in the cart with confusion.

Ji Sang nodded quietly. “Yes.”

Liu Hu furrowed his brow. “He never mentioned it to me!”

Ji Sang smiled lightly and said, “You can ask Xiao Du by his side. He often accompanies me to deliver letters to my family.”

Liu Hu had heard about this matter before and suddenly clapped his hands. “So, those frequent letters were meant for you?”

“Yes,” Ji Sang confirmed.

Liu Hu slapped his hand backward and hurriedly said, “Open the gate! Lady Wen has arrived.”

After speaking, he couldn’t help but glance at Ji Sang a few more times.

Wen Jian came from Yuemoon Village, a village smaller than theirs. It was said to be so poor that they couldn’t even find brides. But this Lady Wen was truly beautiful, with smooth and tender skin that seemed like it could drip water. Her small face was delicate, and her clothes were of good quality, clean and elegant. She exuded a serene and gentle aura.

Yes, gentle and tranquil.

Liu Hu, a rough man, thought for a while and came up with this term.

Ji Sang got off the cart, paid the fare, and the carter drove the cart away.

Liu Hu found himself a little more talkative in the presence of such a beautiful woman. “Lady Wen, your timing is quite coincidental. Wen Jian got caught in the rain two nights ago and developed a fever. Xiao Du went to call Wen Jian for dinner in the evening and discovered it. He rushed out to find a doctor, but unexpectedly… happened to encounter…”

He paused in his words.

Tsk, he’d better not mention the fact that the youngest daughter of Lord Li sought a physician.

Ji Sang’s heart tightened, her dark eyes glanced over, and her steps unconsciously quickened. She heard Liu Hu continue, “But don’t worry, he took the medicine and is currently asleep. The physician said it’s due to excessive exertion and fatigue. Sleeping is a good thing for him.”

After hearing this, Ji Sang felt a slight sense of relief in her heart, but her pace didn’t slow down. She just wanted to see him as soon as possible.

Xiao Du fetched water in the courtyard and washed the sweaty clothes that Wen Jian had changed out of…

Suddenly, Liu Hu’s voice came from the entrance of the courtyard. Xiao Du abruptly stood up from the ground. “General Liu…” Then, he froze in place.

He looked at Ji Sang, his eyes instantly filled with surprise, and even his tone was brimming with joy.

“Lady?!”

“Lady! Why have you come?”

Ji Sang, who liked Xiao Du, intentionally lowered her voice and asked, “What? Xiao Du, are you not happy to see me?”

Xiao Du was on the verge of cheering. “Happy! Happy! Happy!”

After a moment, he hurriedly said, “Oh… no, it’s the General who’s happy. The General will be ecstatic to know you’ve come.”

Ji Sang chuckled softly.

Is it really that exaggerated?

Ji Sang didn’t know that Xiao Du had been with Wen Jian all this time.

When Wen Jian had a fever, he called out the name of his wife.

Xiao Du said, “Lady… please, go in and see the General. The General will be relieved once he knows you’re here. I’m sure his condition will improve.”

Pausing for a moment, a hint of tenderness crossed his face, and he said in a weak tone, “General, you’re in her thoughts.”

…