Chapter 132: Chapter 128: Want to Go Collect the Spoils of War?

The Northern Land is quite cold. Shen Jingxian felt the temperature dropping steadily as she traveled north from the Capital City.

Unlike the soldiers who had cotton armor to keep warm, she donned a pure white fox fur coat taken from underneath the carriage.

The Empress had also gone to the front line before. It’s undeniable that she had anticipated all possible difficulties Shen Jingxian might face after setting off and had made arrangements accordingly.

Shen Jingxian realized the terrifying control of the Empress only after she departed.

Besides the predictable situations, the Empress even predicted that she would have an allergy in Pujiang Town and had sent someone to prepare the relevant medicine early on.

The movement of forty thousand troops wasn’t insignificant, and when Shen Jingxian was still some distance from Jiangkou County, the news that the Princess was bringing forty thousand elite soldiers for support had spread across the entire county.

The people were instantly ablaze with excitement.

The reason for the excitement wasn’t because of the forty thousand elite soldiers, but because of the Princess.

The war had already been won, so the forty thousand elite soldiers didn’t matter. However… the Princess was coming!!

There was a rumor that this Princess had skin like ice and bones like jade, a beauty capable of toppling cities. Anyone who laid eyes on her portrait would be willing to give their all. Although that rumor wasn’t believed by the people, thinking how could anyone be so stunning that just one look would drive people insane?

But Jiangkou County was too far from the Capital City, and the Princess’s portrait hadn’t widely circulated here yet. Though the people were curious about the Princess’s appearance, they had no way to satisfy it.

Now, the Princess herself was coming to their doorstep, so how could they not want to see her?

Among those with such thoughts was the County Magistrate of Jiangkou County, who had previously served in the Capital City and had met the Little Princess. She was quite lively and adorable then. He wondered how she had grown over the years into someone truly exceptional.

Previously, when Dongwu besieged them, everyone was busy defending the city, naturally unable to think of other matters.

But now, with the enemy troops retreating and the news of the Princess’s imminent arrival coming so timely, County Magistrate decided to sneak into the welcoming procession led by Wen Ranchen, along with the townsfolk eager to see her.

Of course, in the end, County Magistrate was discovered by Wen Ranchen and brought to the front of the line.

Want to see, huh? Then look all you want.

From outside the city gates, it seemed like there weren’t many people, but once through the gates, one would find the place packed tight, clogged with townsfolk eager to see the Princess.

Shen Jingxian was unaware of all this. She stepped down from the carriage, draped in the Empress’s thoughtful fox fur coat, the little fur around the hood resting along her jaw, highlighting her superior bone structure, her nose prominent, her complexion pale yet strikingly pure and pristine, indeed unmatched and unique.

Such looks and disposition bring words like timeless beauty, enchanting maiden, breathtaking appearance, and heavenly presence to vivid life.

The maiden stepped into the frost and all around her lost its color, pale in comparison.

The people of Jiangkou County had never seen such an ethereal being. Even Wen Ranchen’s initial arrival had caused a stir, but not even a fraction compared to today.

This was Yunyi’s national beauty, a pearl atop a noble plate, a bright gem among the mundane.

She was graceful, rich in charm, composed and flexible, with a regal elegance. At this moment, everyone’s minds seemed to turn empty. To gaze directly at this jewel was disrespectful desecration, to not gaze at this immortal was a betrayal of impulse, and so everyone could only stare in dazed silence.

Shen Jingxian stepped down the carriage, clearly only a couple of steps, yet it felt more tiresome than thirty steps, constantly feeling heavy gazes upon her. But she looked around and found no issue, unsure if it was just her imagination.

Standing at the forefront of the troops, aside from Wen Ranchen, was a hunched-over short, plump man. Shen Jingxian didn’t know his identity but guessed he should be the one in charge of Jiangkou County.

Wen Ranchen was still clad in battle attire, chest armored, with a longsword at his waist, his stature tall and imposing, his skin darker compared to his time in the Capital City, yet increasingly chiseled. Though smiling, his sharp, deep gaze unintentionally imparted a sense of pressure, as if seeing through someone.

If Wen Ranchen in the Capital City was a poised, cheerful nobleman, now he appeared more like the youth general written in stories, undefeated in battle, with strategic prowess.

It was indeed this youth general who personally led three thousand elite soldiers to boldly drive away the enemy’s thirty thousand troops.

Shen Jingxian became irate at the thought, that’s thirty thousand men!! Wen Ranchen, how dare you confront them with just three thousand!!

It was outrageous, they even managed to win. Is this the protagonist’s aura? It’s too absurd.

Though shocked, Shen Jingxian didn’t speak, she merely smiled.

After all, when in doubt, smile.

Shen Jingxian: Don’t be fooled by my cheerful smile, for truth be told, I’m the clown bringing forty thousand men for nothing.

Wen Ranchen: Meeting by the golden wind and jade dew, surpassing countless worldly encounters, Yi Fen still as before.

Wen Ranchen watched as his beloved gracefully descended the carriage, his heart, though calm even in the face of life and death, began to race inexplicably.

He drew closer to the carriage, standing not too far, the Princess never said any words to him, yet he felt he had been waiting for this moment a very long time.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

“Greetings, Your Highness!”

The subsequent process involved the troops paying respects, the townsfolk cheering, County Magistrate flattering, the townsfolk cheering, the Princess entering the city, the townsfolk cheering.

Shen Jingxian: ?

Though she didn’t understand, she was greatly astonished.

The geographical area of Jiangkou County was vast but sparsely populated. Fitting the forty thousand troops was more than adequate, as Shen Jingxian led her people in grand procession through the city gates, Wen Ranchen followed at her side, wanting to speak yet refraining.

Shen Jingxian was sulking over the wasted journey and didn’t want to engage with him.

County Magistrate continued praising, saying how the Princess had bravely led forty thousand troops to provide support, a true heroine, even greater than the Prime Minister’s audacity.

Unable to endure any longer, Shen Jingxian finally spoke up, “I came here just to watch the battle.”

County Magistrate’s previous praise suddenly halted.

Shen Jingxian felt relieved.

But soon, County Magistrate reacted and swiftly changed his flattery style, “The Princess’s hobby truly shows… a general’s spirit! Humble servant is impressed, impressed!”

Shen Jingxian: …

And Wen Ranchen finally understood why the Princess seemed displeased. He acted for the Princess’s safety, risking a bold move, seizing Dongwu’s retreat to launch a surprise attack, nearly losing embedded pieces in Dongwu Army, unexpectedly dimming the Princess’s enthusiasm.

After some contemplation, Wen Ranchen silently stepped away, returning moments later unnoticed by anyone, as though he never left.

Meanwhile, Shen Jingxian continued to endure County Magistrate’s words, his flattery never repeated, his eyes so genuine, yet Shen Jingxian only sensed social death.

Imagine being mere pig feed, yet others insistently praise you as celestial elixir, what kind of experience is that.

Just as Shen Jingxian’s patience hit its limit, Wen Ranchen finally spoke, “Your Highness, would you like to go collect the spoils of war?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep