Youthful Glory

Two days later, matters in Lingzhou were settled.

The case of Zhou Baoping's sudden death was rectified and reported by the Maritime Trade Office, reaching the Emperor's ears. Emperor Chengkang issued an edict to restore Zhou's posthumous reputation, arranged an official burial, and granted silver for the consolation of his family.

On the surface, this was the best outcome Emperor Chengkang could offer. Behind the scenes, the Emperor would ensure additional care for Zhou's family, guaranteeing them a lifetime of wealth and security. If their descendants proved capable, they would naturally receive imperial favor and enjoy prosperous futures.

As for the port taxes in Lingzhou, not only were the arrears for the past two years to be paid in full, but an inexplicable interest was added—a blatant cut from the Maritime Trade Office's flesh.

Yet Jiang Xu showed no willingness to compromise. In the capital, Empress Dowager Su and Emperor Chengkang engaged in a covert standoff, with the Emperor making it clear that Prince Dingbei's stance was his own.

Originally, Emperor Chengkang had only intended to warn the Su family. He could turn a blind eye to their control over official and private maritime trade for now, but if they dared to recklessly meddle with port taxes in the future, he wouldn't hesitate to tear off the facade, even if it meant mutual destruction. As for the back taxes and interest, he hadn't even considered it—until Jiang Qizhi proposed it, and surprisingly, the Emperor found the idea quite acceptable.

This was clearly meant to make the Su family feel the pinch, but not enough to push them into mutual ruin. After all, if the evidence were made public, the entire Maritime Trade Office would face a complete reshuffle, along with implicated Lingzhou officials and even the Su faction in the capital. The losses would be significant.

They could cut their losses and replace personnel, but the Su family was not a monolith. Sacrificing certain branches would inevitably breed resentment, and their dependent officials and retainers would start calculating. With morale shaken, Emperor Chengkang might seize the opportunity to plant his own people in Lingzhou and expand his influence. Compared to this, paying a hefty sum in back taxes seemed far more palatable.

As expected, despite their reluctance, the Su family eventually agreed to pay the overdue taxes and interest, though they pleaded for an extension until year-end to gather the funds.

Jiang Xu was accommodating—they could hand over the evidence whenever the payment was made. The Su family, choking back frustration, revised their promise to settle the amount within a month.

Once the tax sum was agreed upon, Jiang Xu claimed thirty percent of it to supplement the military funds for the northern garrisons. With the treasury suddenly flush, even the notoriously frugal Minister of Revenue uncharacteristically agreed without protest.

With these matters resolved, Jiang Xu's party did not linger in Lingzhou. After days of trepidation, the local officials finally saw them off with deep bows, breathing sighs of relief.

Even the Su family, thoroughly fleeced this time, voiced no complaints, only hoping this "Lord of Hell" would leave sooner and spare Lingzhou further trouble.

Ming Tan assumed they would return to the capital the same way after Jiang Xu's mission was complete. But the day before their departure, she learned he planned to make a detour to Tong Port in Quanzhou.

"You and Shu Jingran will return ahead. I'll catch up as soon as possible. If I don't, proceed to the capital without me."

Ming Tan couldn't help tugging at his sleeve. "Can't A Tan come along?"

"Do you know what kind of place Tong Port is?"

She shook her head. Quanzhou itself was no strategic stronghold—how would she know about an obscure town within it?

"Tong Port is remote and backward. Even bathing is a challenge—it's barely better than camping in the woods," Jiang Xu explained patiently.Ming Tan was somewhat puzzled: "Isn't Tonggang by the sea? Why would bathing be difficult there?"

Jiang Xu paused: "Seawater is salty and bitter—undrinkable and unsuitable for bathing."

Having grown up secluded in inner chambers, Ming Tan had never seen the ocean in her life. Her understanding was limited; she had always thought the sea was just an endless river, unaware of such differences.

She suddenly realized: "No wonder Lingzhou once suffered from drought. When the Prefect's Wife mentioned that the Lingyu River got its name from rain prayers, it always seemed odd to me. Later I thought—Lingzhou is near the sea, why would they need to pray for rain? So that's why..."

Jiang Xu nodded: "Therefore, you should return to the capital with Shu Jingran first."

But when Ming Tan came to her senses, she became reluctant. She dawdled forward, clinging to his arm and cooing, "Husband... A-Tan doesn't want to go back to the capital first. A-Tan isn't afraid of hardship. If we can't bathe... I can endure it for a few days. Take me along, won't you? I want to see what the sea looks like."

For some reason, Jiang Xu was unusually accommodating this time. After brief consideration, he agreed: "No regrets once we set off. This prince won't delay for you."

"Mhm, mhm! I won't delay your important business, Husband!" Ming Tan immediately straightened her petite frame, raising three fingers to swear.

Jiang Xu tentatively believed her.

Yet despite her promises, shortly after leaving Quancheng, Ming Tan tentatively made a request: "Husband, I just looked at the map. It seems we could take the route through Lixian—it would only add half a day to return to our original path. Lixian is more prosperous than Chengxian... I'd like to stop there to get some supplies, so we won't lack anything when we reach Tonggang."

"Didn't we already stock up in Quancheng?"

"What we got earlier... might not be enough." Ming Tan racked her brains for excuses despite risking his displeasure. "Also, when we passed through Lixian before, didn't we eat those delicious pastries? I'd like to buy some more."

Jiang Xu set down his military manual, fixing her with a steady gaze.

Ming Tan thought: Oh no, oh no, Husband is definitely going to scold me sternly without mercy.

Her small face tensed with nervousness. Yet after studying her for a moment, Jiang Xu simply said to the carriage driver without shifting his gaze: "Take the Lixian route."

He agreed just like that? Husband was being uncharacteristically lenient today!

Ming Tan stole glances at him discreetly, but he appeared completely normal, lowering his eyes to resume reading his military manual—

Lixian in Lingzhou, renowned as the land of fireworks in Daxian, prospered through its abundant production of various firecrackers and pyrotechnics.

Walking through Lixian's streets, at least seven out of ten shops dealt in fireworks. Even the palace celebrations requiring fireworks mostly sourced them from Lixian.

During their earlier journey to Quancheng, their party had stayed overnight in Lixian. This time, Ming Tan had fully expected to pass through again on their return, so she'd sent Yun Yi ahead to make preparations. Who knew they'd have to detour to Tonggang? Left with no choice, she had to muster some seemingly unreasonable excuses to try her luck.

Upon arriving in Lixian, they lodged at the same inn from their previous trip.

When Jiang Xu wasn't looking, Ming Tan quietly asked Yun Yi: "Is everything ready?"

Yun Yi nodded efficiently, radiating an "I've got this covered" assurance.

Ming Tan followed Jiang Xu to their room, freshened up slightly, then deliberately pulled him along to accompany her to buy pastries.

Throughout their travels, Yun Yi usually accompanied Ming Tan on outings—Jiang Xu had only gone shopping with her once before.This wasn't because Jiang Xu was unwilling to accompany her, but rather because Ming Tan disliked having him along.

When strolling through the streets with him, if she didn’t speak first, he wouldn’t say a word. If she asked whether something looked nice, he would simply reply, "It does." If she asked which one to buy, he would tell her to buy them all... He was practically a walking block of wood. And though he never voiced his opinions, his presence always gave off an unspoken urgency—"Are you done yet? If so, let’s hurry back"—making it far more enjoyable to shop alone.

This outing was no different. Though the two of them were together, Ming Tan inexplicably felt a sense of loneliness. After buying some pastries, her interest waned, and she wandered aimlessly. If not for waiting until nightfall, she would have already returned to the inn to rest.

Just as she grew so bored that she found herself glancing up at the sky every few steps, the silent block of wood beside her suddenly came to life.

Jiang Xu stopped abruptly and asked, "How much for these sugar figurines?"

"Ah, sir! These ready-made ones are five coins each—take your pick! If you'd like one custom-made, it's eight coins," the vendor answered enthusiastically.

"Can you make one to resemble my Madam?"

Hearing this, Ming Tan couldn’t help but glance at him, feeling as though the sun had risen from the west—such a rare occurrence!

"Of course! Your Madam has the grace of a celestial maiden. You’re a fortunate man, sir!" The vendor, eager for business, was quick with his flattery. Even though her face was veiled, he had no qualms about praising her beauty. "Would you like one made for yourself as well, sir? Two for a discount—how about fifteen coins for the pair?"

Jiang Xu was about to decline, but Ming Tan answered first, "Alright, then make one of each of us."

"Ah, splendid! A match made in heaven, doubling the joy!"

At this, Jiang Xu said nothing more.

The vendor was smooth with his words, but his craftsmanship didn’t quite match. The sugar figurines he made of the two of them only got the colors of their clothes right—otherwise, they bore no resemblance whatsoever.

After paying, Ming Tan held Jiang Xu’s figurine and couldn’t help but laugh. "How did he even make this? I can understand not capturing my face since it’s veiled, but Husband, you’re so handsome—how did he turn you into this? Your face is at least twice as wide, and these eyebrows, this mouth..."

As she spoke, she held the figurine up next to Jiang Xu’s face for comparison. "Tsk, it’s just too ugly. If Husband really looked like this, A Tan would’ve slit her own throat the very first day she married into Prince Dingbei's Manor."

Jiang Xu: "..."

Ming Tan continued chattering about how this part was ugly and that part was hideous when suddenly, the man beside her snatched the figurine from her hand and, without batting an eye, bit off its head.

"...?"

Ming Tan froze for a moment.

Sugar figurines were mostly for display—they didn’t taste good. Her husband was truly ruthless, even devouring his own ugly likeness!

At this thought, she instinctively glanced at the figurine of herself in Jiang Xu’s hand.

Jiang Xu also looked down at the veiled sugar figurine modeled after her. Twirling the stick between his fingers, he raised it to his lips as if to take a bite.

Ming Tan’s eyes widened!

Only his figurine was ugly—why did hers have to lose its head too?!

But when the figurine reached his lips, it didn’t meet the fate she’d imagined. Instead of biting it in half, he lowered his gaze and merely gave it a light lick.

"..."

Ming Tan’s ears burned. Forgetting all the poise she usually maintained in public, she stomped on his boot.

Scoundrel! Shameless! Lecher!!!