The Rebirth of an Ill-Fated Consort (Chapters 1- 203)

Chapter 89 : Fugitive

Translated by : Shl

Edited by : Anks & Ely

**********

Seemingly just a few days ago, Jiang Xin Zhi had accompanied the victorious Guan Liang Han into the capital city, and now he had once again contributed a great meritorious service.

Although Guan Liang Han's private deployment of troops was illegal and violated the Emperor's command, the lives of the people were of prime importance. Therefore, attending to the situation had been of high priority. The imperial court had not, as of yet, issued a decree punishing those involved, which clearly indicated the Emperor's opinion: this 'crime' did not override the meritorious service.

Guan Liang Han was a seasoned veteran of numerous battles, and was even known as the 'God of War' in the Great Jin dynasty. Thus, this state of affairs was not very important to him. However, for Jiang Xin Zhi, who had appeared out of nowhere with great achievement, it was a different matter. He had already been promoted to Deputy General at a young age, and this situation was like the icing on the cake[1]. Those who were interested in such matters postulated that Jiang Xin Zhi's official career would skyrocket in future. No one could have imagined that the Jiang family, which had produced generations of civilian court officials, would in Jiang Xin Zhi start a new generation of military leaders.

[1] 锦上添花 (jǐnshàngtiānhuā) - lit. on brocade, add flowers (idiom); to decorate something already perfect / gilding the lily.

Hence, over the past few days, there had been an endless stream of horse carriages outside the Jiang fu, all making formal visits to court the favour of Jiang Quan.

Jiang Quan wiped his perspiring brow in secret. Everyone in the Grand Councillor fu had been incarcerated and the situation was a total disaster. Even if, by some fluke, the Li family were finally released, they would never again be able to regain their former glory and favour. In addition, the power and influence of Eighth Prince had been damaged. At this moment, no one in the imperial court, no matter their rank, dared to act rashly, and even the Xia family was silent.

The Jiang family depended on the Xia family, who in turn depended on Xuan Li. If problems were to arise with respect to Xuan Li, then the Jiang fu would definitely have no future. Jiang Quan had initially been deeply worried about this, but Jiang Xin Zhi had emerged like a bolt from the blue, and to his shocked surprise, the Jiang fu, on the verge of collapse, found itself in a flourishing situation.

His feelings towards the colleagues who paid him formal visits and observed the social niceties in order to curry favour with him were complicated. If it were Jiang Chao who was bringing glory to the Jiang family, that would be fine, but it was Jiang Xin Zhi. At present, Jiang Xin Zhi could indeed be seen as bringing the Jiang fu plenty of benefits, but he had been very arrogant and condescending upon his return to the fu. If he really did gain the Emperor's favour, in future, wouldn't he rebel against the Jiang fu? Jiang Quan had never paid attention to this eldest di son, but he was now proving himself more and more capable with each passing day. If, in future, all the Jiang family property should fall into his hands, there would be no place for Jiang Chao or Jiang Su Su. When he thought about this, a trace of gloom flashed across Jiang Quan's eyes.

While Jiang Quan was sorting out his complex feelings, there were people in an even worse state than he was. Ever since the collapse of Bo Chang reservoir, the number of cups and saucers smashed to smithereens in Yan Hua Yuan and Su Xin Yuan was steadily mounting. Xia Yan just happened to be bed-ridden due to the cold, but the people in the fu were whispering that the cause of her illness was her ill temper at Jiang Xin Zhi's rendering of meritorious service. Once again.