Chapter 310 - 310: Fainted
Jiang Peihuan had less than a day of relaxation.
The morning meal of the next day had long passed when Jiang Hong and Xiao Nanye finally came out of the palace.
Jiang Peihuan was reading in a pavilion in the plum garden. Seeing the man enter the courtyard, she softly asked, “Why was the morning court session so long today?”
The man walked into the pavilion and sat down beside Jiang Peihuan. He took her tea and drank it all at once. After putting down the teacup, Xiao Nanye finally said to Jiang Peihuan, “There’s been an uprising in Anzhou.”
“And then?”
Upon hearing the man’s words, Jiang Peihuan’s eyelids twitched. “In addition to the uprising, there are also local rebellions. The Emperor sent me to suppress them.”
“Why you? Aren’t several of the prince in the court adults now?”
“Imperial brother doesn’t want the princes to have too many military achievements.”
Emperor Qi Ming was not only reluctant for the princes to gain military merits but also didn’t want them to have too much contact with the military. Thus, over the years, all the battles were entrusted to Xiao Nanye.
Jiang Peihuan was speechless about Emperor Qi Ming’s intentions.
Jian Peihuan was simply speechless at Emperor Qi Ming’s thoughts.
After a moment of silence, Jiang Peihuan looked at the man beside her, “When will you depart?”
“Tonight.”
“Who will accompany you as deputy generals?”
“Huainan Marquis and your elder brother.”
Jiang Peihuan had breakfast prepared for Xiao Nanye and then began packing for him. She also packed for Jiang Changbai.
That evening, the general’s mansion had their dinner in the chrysanthemum hall early. Right after dinner, Deputy General Liu came to report that the Huainan Marquis had arrived.
When Jiang Peihuan and Xiao Nanye reached the entrance of the general’s mansion, they saw Zhao Yong on horseback.
Zhao Yong had originally planned to ask for permission to go to the northern border, but he hadn’t expected the sudden outbreak of a disaster.
Seeing Xiao Nanye and Jiang Changbai, Zhao Yong got off the horse.” Your Highness, Young General.”
“Huainan Marquis.”
Xiao Nanye nodded at Zhao Yong, while Jiang Changbai greeted him with a gesture.
“Elder brother, I’ve handed over the luggage prepared for you to Chang An.”
“Alright, understood.”
Subsequently, Jiang Peihuan said to Xiao Nanye, “I’ve given your luggage to Han Feng.”
“Mmm, wait for my return.”
“Yes.”
Jiang Peihuan had grown accustomed to seeing off Jiang Hong and Xue Yan into battles since childhood, so she wasn’t particularly sentimental now.
After speaking a few words with Xiao Nanye and Jiang Changbai, she had Yue Er hand a package to Zhao Yong.
Seeing the package handed to him by Yue Er, Zhao Yong looked puzzled. Jiang Peihuan whispered, “I know the Marquis lacks nothing, but I’ve prepared some medicines for you. Please take them with you.”
“Thank you, Queen Cheng.”
Hearing this, Zhao Yong gave a formal bow to Jiang Peihuan.
“Don’t worry about Madam Zhao. I’ll have people take extra care of her.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s getting late. Let’s depart.”
Hearing Jiang Changbai’s voice, Xiao Nanye gently touched Jiang Peihuan’s long hair, then whispered with a smile, “I’ll send you letters.”
“Take care on your journey and return soon.”
Despite their reluctance, Xiao Nanye mounted his horse, Zhui Yun.
Watching him disappear from sight, Jiang Peihuan then returned to the general’s mansion.
“Queen, are you alright?”
Yue Er and Lu Er, following Jiang Peihuan, noticed her silence as they walked to the plum garden. Yue Er couldn’t help but ask.
“I’m fine. Let’s start preparations. From tomorrow, we’ll distribute porridge outside the city.”
The reason for this was Jiang Peihuan knew that of all the places in Qi Kingdom, only the capital was unaffected. Thus, many refugees would be coming.
But the city guards wouldn’t allow the refugees in.
So, the best solution was to distribute porridge outside the city gates.
As soon as the disaster occurred, everyone got busy.
News of Xiao Nanye’s departure reached the Cining Palace. Hearing this, the Great Empress Dowager’s eyes lit up with joy.
“Prepare to send those items to An Zhou.”
“Your Royal Majesty, those things can cause an epidemic. An Zhou is crowded now. An outbreak would lead to countless deaths.”
The Great Empress Dowager looked at the old nanny, disdain evident, “As long as Xiao Nanye, that bastard, dies in An Zhou, what’s a few deaths?”
Although the Empress Dowager heard the news, there was a hint of disdain in her eyes. “As long as Xiao Nanye, that bastard, dies in An Zhou, what’s a few deaths?”
“As long as Xiao Nanye never returns, even if it means the entire population of An Zhou dies, I won’t hesitate,” she continued.
Though the old nanny already knew of the Great Empress Dowager’s obsession with killing Xiao Nanye, she was still visibly shaken by these words. However, when the Great Empress Dowager looked her way, she nodded in agreement, “Yes, I will make the arrangements.”
As the old nanny left, a dark shadow passed over the Great Empress Dowager’s eyes.
Jiang Peihuan was unaware of these palace intrigues.
The refugees arrived faster than Jiang Peihuan had anticipated. The next day, as she went to distribute porridge outside the city, she noticed a large crowd of refugees near the city gate.
Initially, some refugees tried to force their way into the city. Only after the gate guards killed over a dozen did the rest stay put outside.
When Jiang Peihuan first began distributing the porridge, some tried to snatch it away. She took out a whip and personally disciplined them until they began to line up.
“Elder sister, why are there so many refugees?”
Jiang Sijin and Jiang Songbai had returned to the general’s mansion because of the porridge distribution. Liu Xin had also come to help.
Hearing Jiang Sijin’s question, Jiang Peihuan replied, “This isn’t even the worst of it. These are from the nearby areas. In a couple of days, people from more distant places will arrive. That’s when it’ll truly be overwhelming.”
As she spoke, she began distributing the porridge. From morning till evening, she hardly took a break.
As night approached, Jiang Peihuan stood up, feeling a sudden wave of dizziness. She collapsed, unconscious.
However, at this moment, Jian Peihuan felt her vision turn black. Then, she fainted.
“Elder sister!”
Jiang Songbai was the closest to Jiang Peihuan. When he saw Jiang Peihuan fall to the side, he quickly reached out and hugged her.
“Elder sister?”
“Sister Jiang?”
Seeing the unconscious Jiang Peihuan, Jiang Sijin and Liu Xin rushed over.
Cradling Jiang Peihuan in his arms, Jiang Songbai said to Jiang Sijin, “Sijin, I’ll take elder sister back to the mansion. You handle things here.”
“I want to go back too.”
“No, eldest sister said once the distribution starts, it can’t stop. Big brother has already gone to An Zhou; you have to stay.”
Liu Xin, witnessing this, said, “Songbai, take Sister Jiang back. I’ll stay with Sijin.”
“Thank you, cousin.”
After nodding to Liu Xin, Jiang Songbai carried Jiang Peihuan onto a carriage.
When they reached the general’s mansion, he took Jiang Peihuan from the carriage and yelled, “Someone, call the doctor, quickly!”