Chapter 63: Night Intrusion into the Fragrance-Retaining Courtyard

Zhao Mang reacted instantly to the situation, drawing the long saber at his waist without hesitation.

He engaged the group of people in close combat.

However, he did not inflict any injuries upon them, merely disarming them of their weapons one by one with swift precision.

After a brief demonstration of his skill, Zhao Mang slowly spoke: "There is no need for such tension. I am Zhao Mang, one of the rightful masters of this courtyard."

Hearing this, the group finally ceased their movements. One of them immediately issued an order: "Xiao Liu, go quickly and report this to the eldest miss."

These guards in the courtyard were entirely unfamiliar to Zhao Mang; this was his first time laying eyes on them.

Judging from their brief skirmish, however, their martial prowess was quite respectable.

This brought a sense of relief to Zhao Mang. The young woman was finally taking measures to ensure her own safety. Yet, among these guards, there was a distinct lack of any truly exceptional talent.

This caused Zhao Mang a minor lingering concern, though these matters only needed to be discussed with Jiang Wan; everything else was irrelevant to him.

A mere moment later.

The head guard hurried back and reported: "Eldest, Lady Jiang says General Zhao should go and see her himself."

Hearing Lady Jiang's instructions, the guards offered apologetic bows before quickly returning to their patrols.

None of them had anticipated that the master of this estate would choose to scale the courtyard wall to enter, giving them a tremendous fright.

Thinking it was their first time serving as estate guards and they had already encountered such a major event—only to find themselves completely outmatched—they had initially panicked.

As it turned out, the whole thing was nothing more than a comical misunderstanding.

They could not help feeling somewhat helpless. Who on earth scales the wall to enter their own home?

...

Inside the bedchamber.

Zhao Mang pulled Jiang Wan close, wrapping an arm around her waist. "The guards in your courtyard still lack a bit of genuine skill."

Jiang Wan struck Zhao Mang lightly on the chest, laughing reproachfully. "Who else possesses your preternatural abilities? To have even a modest level of skill is already quite sufficient."

"Did you expect to have a great general like yourself serve as my personal guard?"

Faced with Jiang Wan's playful teasing, Zhao Mang remained unresponsive, his roaming hand simply continuing its exploration across her body.

Before long, Jiang Wan's breathing grew heavier. Frowning deeply, she slapped away the hand that was wandering too far.

"Stop playing around, I am trying to talk to you about something important."

Zhao Mang paid her no heed whatsoever. After a long drought, meeting sweet rain, and having been apart for nearly a full month, how could he possibly exercise restraint?

For a brief moment, rational thought abandoned him, his heart blindly following physical desire.

He failed to notice that hidden behind the folding screen stood Qin Zhenzhen, her face flushed with utter embarrassment, trapped with no way to slip away and no peace in staying.

...

Half an hour later.

Once Zhao Mang and Jiang Wan had finished, Qin Zhenzhen suddenly darted out from behind the folding screen, rushing past them both in a blur.

She bolted straight out the door.

Zhao Mang looked awkwardly in the direction where Qin Zhenzhen had fled, scratching his head in dismay.

He had never expected Qin Zhenzhen to be inside the room, let alone that he would act so brazenly with Jiang Wan right before her eyes.

His feelings toward this young woman who had constantly stayed by his side were somewhat complicated.

She was not someone he could casually take advantage of, nor was she someone he could simply discard at will.

Therefore, he had always guarded Qin Zhenzhen with the protective perspective of an elder brother, never imagining he would break his own rule today.

Looking slightly drained, Jiang Wan murmured, "I told you not to mess around! But you refused to listen!"

"Look at the mess you've made now! You've frightened little Zhenzhen away."

"I'd like to see how you plan to coax her back later!"

Zhao Mang did not dwell on it, simply pulling Jiang Wan back into his embrace. "We can worry about that later. Besides, I haven't even settled accounts with you for poisoning me the first time."

Hearing Zhao Mang's threat, Jiang Wan pouted adorably. "You're still holding onto that after all this time? You're truly detestable!"

She offered a symbolic struggle, but found it impossible to break free from his embrace.

With a serious expression, she then began: "The Zhang family's informant sent word that they intend to pack up and relocate their entire household tonight. Aren't you here to confiscate their property?"

"Yet here you are, hiding in my courtyard and making trouble for me."

"Your prey is about to escape!"

Prompted by Jiang Wan's reminder, Zhao Mang showed no trace of panic.

With a calm and collected demeanor, he replied, "Let them run. Burdened with so much accumulated wealth, I wager they won't get very far."

"This time, the force I've brought consists of cavalry."

"If they truly dare to uproot their entire household and flee, it saves me the trouble of raiding them piece by piece."

"As for the remaining estate and assets they leave behind, find someone to collect them on my behalf. Consider whatever is left over as a reward bestowed upon us by the frontier commander."

Hearing Zhao Mang speak thus, Jiang Wan was astonished. She never imagined he would willingly entrust such a lucrative opportunity to her.

Filled with gratitude, her eyes shimmering with tears, Jiang Wan gazed at Zhao Mang. "My dear Mang, you are so good to me!"

Zhao Mang chuckled good-naturedly, his hands instinctively resuming their wandering path. "Is not what is mine yours, and what is yours mine?"

"You wicked girl, every time I come to your place, I simply cannot restrain myself. You truly live up to the name of the Lingxiang Courtyard."

Zhao Mang's words and actions instantly shattered the previously tender and ambiguous atmosphere.

Jiang Wan abruptly stood up, evading Zhao Mang's greedy hands.

Taking a seat directly across from him, she said, "Since we are speaking of business, I have a cousin who possesses exceptional martial skills and a fine talent for commanding troops. It would be fitting to send him under your command as an officer so he may hone his abilities."

With that, Jiang Wan gracefully lifted a wine cup and presented it to Zhao Mang, asking softly, "What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Mang immediately grew interested. "Oh? Such a stroke of good fortune! What is your cousin's name, and when will he arrive?"

"I shall test his martial prowess myself."

"My ranks are precisely in dire need of talented individuals. With my superiors ordering me to recruit two thousand soldiers this time, I was just wondering where I might secure the funding."

With a lewd grin, Zhao Mang eyed Jiang Wan up and down.

"My darling, I wonder if you might be able to offer me a little support?"

Faced with Zhao Mang's expression and his shameless request,

Jiang Wan wore a look of utter exasperation, yet she still spoke to him gently: "I now manage all affairs of the entire Jiang family. Supporting you is an absolute certainty, and everyone in the household is in agreement; there will be no dissenting opinions."

Saying this, she moved back to sit by Zhao Mang's side, a smiling expression on her face as she picked up a slice of meat from the table and fed it directly to him. "Furthermore! That greenhouse project you spoke of is now beginning to generate profits."

"How could I possibly refuse to support you after all that!"

Zhao Mang laughed heartily. "As long as it's making a profit, all is well! What I lack most right now is money!"

"Once I have established my own base, I will aid the monarch in taking Guazhou!"

Zhao Mang tapped Jiang Wan lightly on the nose. "Once we secure the coal mines in the Qilian Mountains, your family will be able to reap even greater rewards!"

Hearing the word "profits," Jiang Wan's face instantly lit up with radiant joy.

Noticing her expression, Zhao Mang smiled with genuine warmth. He understood the immense pressure Jiang Wan endured within her family, even if she rarely displayed it outwardly.

The news of these coal mines would undoubtedly shield her from criticism within her clan.

Zhao Mang not only wished to continuously expand his own strength, but he also desired to protect everyone around him.

That had always been his ultimate goal.

Just as the two shared a tacit understanding, a servant's voice echoed from outside the courtyard.

"Mistress, Master Xie from the city wall says he has an urgent matter to report!"