Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 547 Jiang Kingdom
Jiang Yuan felt like she couldn't go on living.

Even complete outsiders are spreading rumors about Lu Xingzhou and Young Master Jiang, so what about those who know perfectly well that Young Master Jiang is Miss Jiang?
What will the Blood Refining Sect's Yama Palace think? What will the officials think? What will the clansmen who are now rushing to become officials hear?
That's not how my family is...

"Lu! Xing! Zhou!" Jiang Yuan gritted her teeth: "You'll pay for my reputation!"

"Well... at least from the rumors circulating outside, no one knows that Young Master Jiang is Miss Jiang..." Lu Xingzhou rubbed his head: "My reputation seems to be even worse, okay?"

"Wasn't that all because of you?" Jiang Yuan was furious and slammed her hand on the table, yelling, "Why were you hugging me in the middle of such a fierce battle? I'm the most innocent one here!"

Lu Xingzhou said, "Wasn't that so that I could use your mechanical manipulator at close range? Besides, it was also an act for Zang Wanchun, to make him feel that you had been humiliated by me, so that he would be less wary of you..."

She spoke softer and softer, knowing deep down that she had a deliberate urge to flirt, and that everything else was just incidental.

Now it's harming both himself and others; it's a pure tragedy.

Dugu Qingli glanced at Lu Xingzhou, then at Jiang Yuan, who was glaring angrily.

You're innocent? That doesn't seem so. Your true strength is far greater than Lu Xingzhou's. Wouldn't you struggle to break free if he hugged you? Even if you're stupid, your body's instincts would resist a man's advances, right?
So essentially you don't resist intimacy with him at all...

The killing intent when possessed is the most fundamental element! These two are definitely suspicious!
The three stared at each other, unaware that the other diners looked terrified, and quietly paid their bills and slipped away.

Jiang Yuan's shout of "Lu Xingzhou!" was so melodious and rhythmic that everyone heard it. Just thinking about how she was talking so loudly about how he was young and liked men in front of Lord Lu made her want to die.

Fortunately, it seemed that Lord Lu did not intend to pursue the matter. On the contrary, the girl in red was almost as pale as her clothes.

"I can't live like this anymore." Jiang Yuansheng put down his bowl with a look of despair and returned to the mountain.

I always felt that the people I met along the way were looking at me strangely.

At this moment, Jiang Yuan was unaware that not only Chunshan County, but soon even the capital city would look at her differently.

At this moment, Pei Qingyan and Sheng Qingfeng in the capital received urgent messages from the prefecture, and Jiang Duxu also received an urgent secret method from his clansmen. The three old men stood up abruptly at the same time.

Sheng Qingfeng hurriedly went out to find Pei Qingyan, and saw Pei Qingyan also hurriedly leaving the house. The two exchanged a glance and went to the Jiang residence in perfect unison.

Jiang Duxu was also planning to go out when he saw the two of them coming together. He silently welcomed them in, and the three of them sat around the stove with their hands tucked in, without making a sound for a long time.

After a long while, Pei Qingyan said quietly, "Putting everything else aside, this guy is very capable. He just arrived in Chunshan County and he's already done such a huge job, completely upended the situation, without needing any of our help."

Sheng Qingfeng said expressionlessly, "Our support is useless. We don't even know who still counts as our people. This proves that the powerful sects have broken away from the central government. The Great Qian Dynasty may appear normal on the surface, but it is already torn apart inside and is about to become a model for the Tian Shuang Kingdom."

Pei Qingyan's expression was very unpleasant: "It feels like His Majesty himself created this situation, and I don't know what good this will do him."

Gu Zhanting spent the first half of his life ambitiously working to revitalize the Great Qian Dynasty. His later years were marked by ambition and recklessness, but that was ultimately driven by a desire to surpass Ye Tinglan and become the strongest—a manifestation of his unyielding imperial ambition. But this newcomer, why does he give the impression of destroying the Great Qian Dynasty from the moment he took office?
When an emperor is determined to ruin his own empire, what can others do?
Pei Qingyan rubbed his head: "Zhang Chong, Ye Zhennan, and the others are definitely accomplices of Hong Yin and Zang Wanchun. Xingzhou was afraid that the demonic path would cause trouble, so he could only temporarily let them preside over the prefecture to restrain the demonic path. It was a helpless move. But Zhang Chong and the others know in their hearts that they will be dealt with sooner or later. Right now, Zhang Chong has written to me to confess his crimes and is willing to go to the capital for trial. He is afraid that if he stays in Chunshan Prefecture, Xingzhou will find a pretext to kill him."

Sheng Qingfeng said, "Ye Zhennan is the same. He wrote to me saying he was willing to plead guilty and accept punishment. My idea is to let him go, demote him and keep him in the same position, and let him assist the Jiang clan in managing the work of the prefecture."

Pei Qingyan nodded and said, "The purpose of Xingzhou in supporting the Jiang family to go up is precisely this. The Jiang family is strong enough, and what they lack is nothing more than experience and familiarity with the local area. Zhang Chong and others have a lot of criminal evidence, so they can only assist the Jiang family cautiously. We can help the Jiang family take control of Chunshan as quickly as possible."

After they finished speaking, they both looked at Jiang Duxu at the same time, their expressions somewhat like those of someone looking at a mistress.

Lu Xingzhou's arrangement will soon make Chunshan County belong to the Jiang family. What did you, the Jiang family, contribute to get a fiefdom?

I heard your granddaughter is also in Chunsan County.

Jiang Duxu's face turned pale and then red. He didn't know whether he should thank Lu Xingzhou for lifting him up or chop the blond-haired guy who had deceived his granddaughter into eighteen pieces.

However, controlling Chunshan County is indeed important to the Jiang family. Not only does it provide an excellent base, but it is also a near-shore base, directly connecting to the previous maritime trade affairs, so there is no need to give it up as a transitional industry.

If it's for marriage negotiations, this would be enough as a betrothal gift...

“So…” Pei Qingyan said carefully, “has the marriage proposal between the Jiang family and Lu Xingzhou never stopped?”

Jiang Duxu: "..."

If I say it's stopped, will anyone believe me?

Sheng Qingfeng added, "No wonder your granddaughter went with you when you left the capital by boat. Even my Yuan Yao, who loves to gather information, couldn't find out that Miss Jiang was with you."

Jiang Duxu: "…………"

I really didn't send her with Lu Xingzhou. I have no idea how they ended up together!

There is no denying it.

"Alright." Pei Qingyan said, his hands clasped together, "Since we're all family, let's discuss the arrangements for Chunshan County together."

Who the hell considers us family... But can you tell me not to discuss matters concerning Chunshan County with me?
Jiang Duxu, a dignified Qian Yuan cultivator, almost suffered internal injuries from suffocation, feeling that no amount of cultivation was enough to sustain him.

After the three-person meeting, Jiang Duxu couldn't wait to contact his clansmen: "Let that good-for-nothing come and talk to me!"

"Uh, the princess has already left the mountain."

"Where have you been running off to again?"

"He went with Lord Lu."

Jiang Duxu swallowed a mouthful of blood and took a deep breath. The clansman added, "The clan leader's contact came at just the right time; we were going to look for you anyway."

"What's the matter?"

"Lord Lu said he would like to ask you to go to the Cursed Land to help out."

Jiang Duxu blurted out, "Do you think I'm bored, coming from all over the country?"
The words were on my lips when I remembered that my granddaughter was now with the man surnamed Lu. What kind of good place is the Cursed Land?
Jiang Du, not knowing how to vent his anger, said, "Fine, let them wait!"

Jiang Yuan had no idea that her grandfather was nearly driven mad with anger. She stayed in her room all day, huffing and puffing as a little wooden doll, trying to avoid the wrath of the community.

When she got tired of carpentry and went out for a stroll, none of the Blood Refining Sect Yama Hall members still staying at Chunshan Pavilion whispered anything strange about her. Instead, they all greeted her respectfully: "Miss Jiang."

Some people even bowed subconsciously.

Are you kidding me? This person is supposedly a top-tier individual; how could anyone not respect him?

This respect made Jiang Yuan feel as if yesterday's social death had never happened; she simply forgot about it: "Where is Lu Xingzhou?"

"The Marquis is discussing matters with your clansmen in the front hall."

Upon hearing that it wasn't about having an intimate encounter with Dugu Qingli, but rather about discussing matters with one of her own clansmen, Jiang Yuan felt even more at ease and leisurely went to the front hall to peek inside.

"...That's how it is. Besides the Prefect and others who will cooperate with you, Prime Minister Pei will also send other personnel to assist. From now on, Chunshan County will be in your care."

"Rest assured, my lord, this is a matter of utmost importance for our Jiang family, and we will certainly do our best to handle it well."

"Then I will have no more worries and will set off in the next two days."

"Why doesn't Your Excellency rest for a few more days?"

"Time waits for no one, and no one knows how fast Mr. Ji will recover. That life form is quite special, and his recovery speed may far exceed our understanding. Hmm... if it's convenient, could any of you please pass on a message to Elder Jiang?"

"Does Your Excellency wish to propose marriage? We'll take care of it..."

Jiang Yuan: "..."

Lu Xingzhou hurriedly said, "No, it's about Mr. Ji's matter that I plan to ask Mr. Jiang for help."

Jiang Yuan wasn't angry at all, and was even quite happy to hear Lu Xingzhou chatting happily with his family members. But after hearing this sentence, she inexplicably became upset and appeared with a stern face: "Don't talk to this scoundrel about marriage proposals. I've said I'd rather marry a pig or a dog than marry him."

The clansmen all drank tea in silence.

Jiang Yuan glared at Lu Xingzhou: "My grandfather is so far away, why are you calling him? Don't you have some Sea Dragon King? Why don't you call him to help?"

"The Sea Dragon King and I are not close. I am only asking for Qinghuang's help... Besides, it is only Huiyang, while Mr. Ji is fighting the Qian Yuan War."

"Your grandfather is very close to you, isn't he?"

Lu Xingzhou glanced at the Jiang clan members, but they all turned their heads away to avoid his gaze.

Your grandfather and he weren't close, but you were...

"Ahem." Lu Xingzhou felt like he was coaxing a child: "Your grandfather and I are allies, aren't we?"

Jiang Yuan said, "Then what about King Yama? He's so close to you, and he's also Qian Yuan."

"My sister's injuries may not heal as quickly as Mr. Ji's... Besides, there might be another stage playing out on my sister's side."

"Fine, I'll leave you alone for the sake of our alliance." Jiang Yuan walked away with her hands behind her back, swaying slightly.

The tribespeople covered their faces, feeling somewhat ashamed.

Lu Xingzhou then stood up and said with a smile, "Everyone, please go ahead with your work. I also have some things to arrange."

"What a load of crap, it's obvious he's going to seduce our princess." The Jiang clan members thought to themselves, but their faces were all filled with friendly smiles: "The Marquis is so busy with state affairs, we are the ones who have bothered you."

After Lu Xingzhou turned out of the hall, he stopped Jiang Yuan and said with a forced smile, "Is the little princess still angry?"

Jiang Yuan said with a straight face, "Don't call me little princess. I'm not, and I'm not familiar with you."

"It will be soon."

Jiang Yuan even forgot to keep a straight face: "Huh?"

"This Chunshan County will soon become the new Jiang Kingdom. Consider this an apology to the princess for her damaged reputation."

Jiang Yuan was a little dazed.

Abandoning their ancient heritage and fleeing as a clan, their deepest desire was, of course, to re-establish their nation.

But who would have thought that it would be realized so quickly in the midst of laughter... No wonder the clansmen were almost fawning over Lu Xingzhou. When it came to proposing marriage, it was almost like selling a princess. They couldn't wait for Lu Xingzhou to take her.

What are you selling? Let's not even talk about how far this is from establishing a nation. Even if it were to actually establish a nation, look at how Si Han treats Lu Xingzhou. How is that any different from treating a subordinate?
(End of this chapter)