Chapter 343 : It’s Not Easy Being the Head of Household 27 (2/2)

The word ‘囍’[2] that was pasted on every single lantern seemed piercing to the eyes.

Jiang Zhi’s fingernails dug into her palms.

Footsteps sounded behind her and Jiang Zhi released her clenched fists, moving to turn around.

Within the alleyway, people gathered with Jiang Zhi and a man at their centre.

“Zhi’er, I will help you take revenge.” The man brought Jiang Zhi into his arms. “Everything she owes you, I’ll help you take back.”

“Thank you.”

“There’s no need for thanks between us.” Qin Hua lowered his voice.

Qin Hua waved at the people behind him. They immediately dispersed and vanished into the darkness.

Shi Sheng had been helping Ling Yue wash up when sounds of fighting could be heard.

“Don’t worry.” Shi Sheng soothed in a low tone as she unhurriedly helped him put on his clothes, not a hint of nervousness or panic on her face.

Ling Yue co-operated with her movements, though his expression was a bit helpless. ‘Do I look that scared? Isn’t she treating me like I’m too fragile?’

Knock knock.

“Your Excellency…”

By the time the knocking came, Shi Sheng had already helped Ling Yue put on his outer garments.

“Enter.”

Dai Yue entered with her head lowered. “Our residence was not the only place attacked. Pretty much all the people on our side have been attacked. The capital is in a state of chaos.”

“Who’s the capable fellow behind this?” Shi Sheng took Ling Yue’s sword out and suddenly switched to talking to Ling Yue. “Take this to protect yourself. Don’t use it unless you have to. Don’t get your hands dirty.”

“Okay.”

Dai Yue, “…” ‘Your Excellency, now is not the time to be tossing out dog food!’

“It’s the State of Qin.”

Shi Sheng paused slightly to think. She seemed to recall from the plot that though this world was mainly dominated by a matriarchal empire, there were also several vassal states, one of which was the State of Qin.

And the State of Qin was a patriarchal state.

“Qin Hua?”

Dai Yue was surprised. “Your Excellency, how did you know?”

Shi Sheng’s lips curled into a mocking smile. ‘How would I not know one of the FL’s most favoured men?’

This man had a rather lofty identity. He was the heir to the State of Qin and had once been sent to the Crown Princess as a gift.

Though naturally, as one of the FL’s men, he wouldn’t obediently get married to the Crown Princess. During his escape, Qin Hua became injured and was afterwards saved by Jiang Zhi. Since then, he’d been hiding in her residence.

“What do they want? To rebel?” Shi Sheng changed the topic.

“…They’re killing our people.” ‘Aren’t you the one rebelling? So…they’re saving the country…?’

“Your Excellency, this isn’t good!” Ying Yue rushed in from the outside. “The Empress somehow managed to contact the Protector General and her troops currently have the capital surrounded!”

The Protector General was the person with the most military authority other than the Prime Minister right now. Before, the Empress had tried to contact her, but her messages had been intercepted by Shi Sheng’s people.

Yet somehow, word still managed to get to the Protector General.

Because the Protector General had been stationed at the border for years, their lady hadn’t yet been able to take back military command from her. But who knew…

Shi Sheng’s eyes narrowed.

“You’re telling me you didn’t even notice a giant army gathering outside the capital?”

Cold sweat appeared on Ying Yue’s brow, not daring to deny her responsibility. “Your Excellency…it was my mistake.”

‘We didn’t even discover the Protector General was moving towards the capital. Could it be that there are traitors?’

Ying Yue and Dai Yue were usually very meticulous, so this type of mistake shouldn’t have occurred.

There had to be at least ten thousand people in the Protector General’s army. Even if there were traitors on Shi Sheng’s side, it should’ve been impossible to hide that many troops.

Shi Sheng thought of Duan Qingyun’s disappeance and Jiang Zhi’s inexplicable escape, and then her expression turned unsightly. ‘Don’t tell me this world’s heavenly dao is helping her out?’

[1] Usually, during weddings, people would decorate the area surrounding their house with red silk, banners, the works. A truly grand wedding has them splurging on these decorations by placing them for miles. Ten li is equivalent to 5km (dunno about the miles) so there’s a pretty exorbitant price tag.

[2] This is actually two of the characters ‘喜’/ ‘xi’ placed together. Alone, it means joy/like/happy so two is twice the happiness right? As you might have guessed, they’re usually put up during weddings and I think maybe New Years too?