It was August.
The golden autumn season.
The fragrance of osmanthus flowers filled the air.
Today, the newly appointed Commander Jiang hosted a banquet for Heir Apparent Han.
Meng Shaoxia had eaten out several times and increasingly missed Jiang Yu's culinary skills. The food outside was rather ordinary.
The dishes in Ming County tended to be dry and hard, with quite strong flavors. He even developed small pimples on his chin.
It might also be due to internal heat.
When Jiang Yu noticed his pimples, she said earnestly, "Father has some herbs. I'll brew them for you. I promise it won't be bitter, and you'll be better after three doses."
Meng Shaoxia felt comforted, thinking that little Yu truly cared for him, noticing such small details.
Seeing his touched expression, Jiang Yu grinned foolishly.
She thought to herself, Grandma is truly amazing. Grandma said to care for one's fiancé, and that a woman should start by paying attention to his clothing, food, shelter, and transportation. It doesn't need to be much, just being attentive to daily needs is good enough.
Many loving couples don't make grand promises. Their affection accumulates bit by bit, from small things that add up over time.
Jiang Yu had said she didn't know how to care for someone.
Grandma told her, "Think about how you care for Mianmian."
Jiang Yu thought about looking after her sister, even examining her sister's poop to see if she was eating well, checking if she had bumped or knocked into anything, or if she had any swellings. This was simple.
She decided to treat Meng Shaoxia the same way.
Sure enough, he looked excited.
Jiang Yu felt that today she had become a little smarter than yesterday. How wonderful.
Eunuch Duan arrived at this rather rustic courtyard, thinking that Lord Yan's old friend seemed to be living a rich and flavorful life, probably not needing much concern.
Upon arriving at Commander Jiang's home, Eunuch Duan learned that Meng Young General was actually in talks to marry Commander Jiang's eldest daughter. He inwardly gasped, realizing that Meng Young General had really paved a broad path for himself.
This girl was Lord Yan's goddaughter.
That would make Meng Young General Lord Yan's godson-in-law.
In the future, before the Emperor, if Lord Yan were to say a word or two, it might save the Meng family's life.
The Emperor had always been both fond of using and suspicious of the Meng family.
Eunuch Duan had been quite formal on this journey, but now he suddenly became much warmer towards Meng Young General, sweetly addressing him as such.
Heir Apparent Han hadn't expected Jiang Er to invite him as a guest.
He felt quite uncomfortable.
Jiang Er's home was indeed in the village.
He saw Jiang Er's eldest son proudly showcasing their spacious house and large property.
He inwardly scoffed, thinking that even the lowest servants in his household lived better than this small place.
However, he noticed that Meng Young General, who had been stern-faced throughout the journey, hadn't stopped smiling since arriving at Jiang Er's home.
He hadn't expected this square-faced man, who appeared so righteous, to prevent him from chatting with beautiful women along the way, and even insisted on asking for husbands' permission if he wanted to take someone with him.
Unexpectedly, upon reaching Ming County, he was already arranging a betrothal, and with Jiang Er's daughter no less.
Heir Apparent Han glanced at her, a plump and pretty young girl, still with a childish air.
So the square-faced one likes this type, he thought. How boring.
This rural courtyard was also uninteresting, at best it was just clean.
He pursed his lips, but his gaze couldn't help but wander towards Qin.
His glances were fairly discreet.
But inwardly, he was itching with desire.
Heir Apparent Han was quite the troublemaker in the Capital City.
He had the kind of personality that wouldn't rest until he achieved his goal.
And he never used it for proper purposes.
He disliked this Jiang Er.
He disliked him from the first glance.
How could he like a man who looked similar to his mother and was about her age? His first thought was to get rid of this person.
He was willful but not stupid.
This man was trouble.
He had come to accept surrender, there was no reason to kill anyone.
Unless his life was threatened.
His guards, in order to protect him, might accidentally kill someone.
Surely his uncle, the Emperor, would understand. It wouldn't be the first time.
So Heir Apparent Han's gaze boldly fell on that tall woman again.
He walked to her side, saw her holding a little girl, and used his usual tactic, "Sister-in-law, this child is so beautiful, let me hold her."
He reached out to hold the girl without any hesitation, his hand seemingly about to touch Qin's soft body.
Jiang Mianmian watched as this person seemed overly enthusiastic.
She could feel her mother's muscles tensing.
Before the man could reach out and touch, Jiang Mianmian spread her arms wide, leapt onto Heir Apparent Han, and enthusiastically said, "Uncle, hug!"
Heir Apparent Han's hands hadn't even touched Qin when a hefty little girl fell into his arms.
The girl was squirming around, not staying still at all.
His expression turned awkward; he didn't really want to hold a child.
Moreover, this girl's face made him even more uncomfortable.
It was even more terrifying than her father, Jiang Er.
But he still bravely held on, thinking that children are naive and might know something useful.
He patiently used the charm he usually employed to please other men's wives, trying hard to coax the child.
Heir Apparent Han gave out a jade pendant, a knickknack, and a small knife, but the child just smiled stupidly and drooled.
Heir Apparent Han patiently asked, "Who do you like to play with usually? Do you have any special friends at home?"
Jiang Mianmian nodded, "I like to play with Jiang Xiaoshu. Xiaoshu is very special, different from others. Uncle, do you want to see?"
Heir Apparent Han nodded, thinking he might finally get some useful information.
Then he saw the little girl pull out a black ant about the size of a thumb from her pocket and place it on his face.
"Uncle, Xiaoshu likes to crawl on faces!"
Heir Apparent Han screamed in fright, his hands loosening as he frantically patted his face.
In that split second, as Mianmian was about to fall, her mother dashed forward and caught her.
"Slap!"
Qin Luoxia's hand landed a crisp, resounding slap on Heir Apparent Han's face.
...
