Chapter 116 - 27: The Slacker Princess Refuses to Be Cannon Fodder

If there’s anything, Jiang Lai would ask him.

"Dad, the rumors outside can’t be true, right? Did you accept bribes from officials to have the money to buy these things for me?"

Jiang Lai picked up an extremely vivid coral necklace, stroking it. It was cool and smooth, just looking at it made one happy.

Jiang Xiong grunted in dissatisfaction.

"Why don’t even you trust your father? These were treasures seized when iron cavalry smashed through the gates of enemy cities back then. His Majesty rewarded me for my merits and let me choose some to bring back myself. I know you like these jade things, so I kept them for you to bring back."

Jiang Lai smiled at him and tugged at his beard.

"Your beard is white, perhaps you shouldn’t be a general anymore and take my mother to find a nice place to enjoy the mountains and rivers. Why keep going to the border to suffer?"

It’s often said that a tiger’s beard can’t be pulled, Jiang Xiong is fiercer than a tiger, but before Jiang Lai, he didn’t have a temper at all, the previous anger and stubbornness dissipated.

"You little girl, if Dad doesn’t protect the country, who will? Who will watch over all the children like you in this world?"

"I’m afraid you won’t come back once you leave."

"Don’t overthink it, no one dares to touch your father yet. Besides, now that you’re married, don’t play around like a child with Ling. That boy is as strong as an ox and has no precision. What if he hurts you?"

When Jiang Xiong was worried that Jiang Lai would be bullied as a child, he never allowed the two to play together.

"Once he threw a stone to skip it over the water, and it directly hit your head when it went over the river. So much blood flowed then, how could you forget?"

Jiang Lai thought for a moment and then shook her head.

She truly forgot.

Jiang Xiong reached out, brushed Jiang Lai’s hair aside, and exposed her forehead to look at the scar above.

"Play around less with him in the future, just remember this."

"Oh, got it, Dad."

Just as Jiang Xiong left, a tall figure appeared at the door.

Looking up, sure enough, it was Jiang Ling.

He wouldn’t have heard everything just now, would he?

No way, Qin Feng said he would be back to the capital in a few days, how did he arrive today?

Jiang Lai curled up on the soft couch, wrapped in a soft rabbit wool blanket, watching Jiang Ling stride over.

"Weren’t you escorting the Princess for her marriage, why did you come back early?"

"After escorting the Princess, I rode back early."

Jiang Lai saw him covered like he was dusted with frost, under his eyes was a bit pale and dark, clearly tired.

Such a rush to come back.

"Why so urgent?"

"My chest hurts, it’s probably the injury from falling off the mountain last time acting up again. I’ve been tortured day and night, feeling awful, can you massage it again for me?"

Jiang Lai looked at him and asked back.

"You want me to massage it?"

"Yes."

Jiang Ling started to take off his outer robe, beneath, his strong body was wrapped in black clothes.

"I should be sicker than you now."

Jiang Ling looked into her eyes, suddenly bowing his head.

A huge shadow came over, full of pressure, Jiang Lai hadn’t had time to say anything when a dry warm hand directly brushed aside the bangs on her forehead, focusing seriously on the scar hidden beneath them.

He frowned, carefully pondering something.

"What are you looking at? You’re the one who hit me."

"I forgot."

When he was young, Jiang Xiong beat him so many times, he couldn’t remember what every beating was for.

Jiang Lai shook her head free from his hand, frowning as she tidied her hair.

"So many years have passed, if you don’t remember, just forget it. Jiang Ling, what exactly do you want? If you’re really uncomfortable, I’ll massage you, if not, leave and don’t disturb my rest."

"Here, take this."

Saying that, Jiang Ling pulled out a box from his bosom and gave it to Jiang Lai. Opening it, it was a necklace made of large pearls, exceptionally heavy.

"How much is your salary? Giving me these."

"My salary is more than your husband’s. Keep it. Anyway, I have no woman, you keep it for me for now."

Jiang Lai stroked the big pearls happily and seeing Jiang Ling still not leaving, she sighed and shifted to pat the empty space next to her.

"Lie down, I’ll massage you."

Jiang Ling then laid down at ease, removing the clothes from his upper body to reveal a chest covered in scars.

"Oh...how did you get injured like this?"

Jiang Lai looked at the few red marks on his chest and asked knowingly.

Jiang Ling glanced at her.

"Your memory is really quite poor."

"Hmm?"

"It’s nothing, let’s continue. Also, next time you pretend to be sick, don’t make your face so pale, even a person dead for seven days wouldn’t be as pale as you."

"..."

Jiang Lai’s gentle technique instantly turned into a life-taking grip, pressing her fingertips against him, causing Jiang Ling to almost suffocate, his face pain-red, thick brows furrowed tightly.

"Jiang Lai!"

"I did it on purpose."

"I kindly remind you and still get nothing in return, tell me, why are you pretending to be sick."

So many people were deceived, only Jiang Ling, this boy seemed to have sharp eyes and ears, perceptive and vigilant.

"I seem to have discovered something off about my husband."

"Hmm? Tell me."

While helping him massage, Jiang Lai furrowed her brow in distress.

"He seems not to like me, but likes someone else."

"Hmm, so you pretended to be sick?"

Jiang Lai shook her head.

"It’s not only because of this; I miss home, wanted to come back and spend time with mom and dad. A married daughter can’t stay home often, so after much thought, this was the only way, also to keep away from Murong Dun, to avoid seeing him and getting sad."

Jiang Ling thought it funny.

"I thought you were a traitor, married off and forgot your parents."

"There are no traitors in the Jiang Family!"

For a moment, Jiang Ling didn’t dare look into her eyes.

A traitor...

She really isn’t a traitor.

He isn’t either.

He’s just here for revenge, blood for blood, that’s only right; Jiang Xiong slaughtered his entire family, now he only wants one man’s life, that’s not excessive, right.

Not excessive.

Jiang Ling made a decision in his heart.

——

Jiang Lai had almost replaced all her jewelry, what she was wearing now were all gifts from Jiang Ling.

In Jiang Ling’s study, a Hidden Guard came to report.

"I’ve searched, and there are no issues with the items Miss is wearing."

"Checked thoroughly?"

"Checked thoroughly, the Tiger Talisman is not among Miss’s jewelry, nor is it in the room. Lieutenant General, is it possible the Tiger Talisman isn’t with Miss at all?"

Jiang Ling shook his head.

"It’s definitely with her."

He knows Jiang Xiong too well; any good thing is given to Jiang Lai first thing, if it’s not in his usually well-guarded study, then it must be with Jiang Lai.

Since detachable items aren’t safe, then it might be in a place where it’s less likely to be lost or discovered.

"Lieutenant General, do you want to continue searching?"

"No need, back off."

Previously, he wanted to find the Tiger Talisman through Murong Dun’s hand, now Murong Dun can’t be used anymore, it’s something he has to deal with himself.

——

Jiang Lai returned to her parental home on the fourth day, Murong Dun followed soon after.

Others saw this and would sigh and remark, Prince and Princess have a deep affection; only separated a few days and he already followed her.