I could have killed her.
But I didn't.
Because I wanted her to suffer a fate worse than death.
Jiang Changtian took the day off work today.
Everyone understood, as Commander Jiang loved his children dearly and always threw big celebrations for each child's birthday. Now that his daughter was pregnant, he was too excited to work. People were already thinking about what gifts to bring for the full moon celebration.
Inspector He had also stayed up all night.
But he couldn't use the excuse of being overjoyed about someone else's daughter-in-law being pregnant to skip work at the government office.
He still went to the yamen.
Looking quite haggard.
After all, even if one took immortality pills, staying up all night would still affect the skin and cause eye bags. Even celestial beings need sleep.
Inspector He's poor complexion was rather frightening.
Hadn't he just been getting along splendidly with Commander Jiang? Could Commander Jiang have offended Inspector He?
Inspector He knew well that when emotions run high, it's easy to make poor judgments. At such times, it's best to speak less, make fewer decisions, and just observe.
So he remained silent.
This caused the entire officialdom of Jingzhou Prefecture City to grow quieter.
Jiang Changtian slept until midday.
He woke up at noon.
Opening his eyes, he saw the familiar bed curtains, clean and fresh in a hemp color. There were two pillows and a thin blanket. Outside, it should be midday, with bright light filtering through the curtain gaps in streaks.
The doors and windows in the house that let in light had black curtains hanging, so that even in broad daylight, if one wanted to sleep, they could draw the curtains and feel like it was nighttime, allowing for a long rest.
This was an idea that little rascal Mianmian had come up with.
He rarely slept during the day.
After sleeping his fill, his mind felt a bit sluggish, and he lingered in bed for a while.
Sister Xia then came in.
Qin Luoxia noticed her husband's mood was off.
Actually, her husband had improved a lot over the past few years.
Before, she felt like she was taking care of a younger brother rather than a husband.
Outside, her husband appeared imposing, but at home, he was actually quite fragile.
She would never forget the sight of pulling him out of the water, how he didn't want to live. How desperate must one be to seek death?
Though life is bitter, it's still better than death.
When you're dead, there's nothing left, but while alive, there's always hope.
She didn't pull her husband up, but instead lay down beside him.
Without elders above them, they could be more casual.
Qin Luoxia had changed a lot, but one thing remained the same: though she became Madam Jiang for social occasions outside, at home she was still the same as before.
Aunt Yin said that many ladies, after rising in status, try to meet society's expectations of being elegant and dignified, putting on airs and forgetting the basics. Being a lady is for show to others, but daily life is for oneself, so it's better to be more relaxed at home.
Qin Luoxia lay down, accompanying her husband side by side.
Jiang Changtian gently placed his hand on Sister Xia's neck. Though Sister Xia was busy with many daily tasks, she still persisted in martial arts training and exercise. She had a large frame, but it was very proportionate.
Qin Luoxia felt her husband's hand caressing her neck, a bit ticklish, and asked, "What's wrong?"
Jiang Changtian said somewhat dejectedly, "It seems I haven't bought you any jewelry to wear."
"I manage all the household money, you don't have any private funds left to buy me jewelry. Confiscated," she teased.
"We could probably buy jewelry on credit, given Commander Jiang's status. You can pay for it later," Jiang Changtian said, starting to smile.
He embraced his wife, feeling the warmth of her body, completely content.
Though there was still a lingering sadness, dejection, and sense of powerlessness inside him, at this moment he felt truly alive again.
Someone to care for him, manage his money, take care of his life, bear his children - it was wonderful.
After cuddling for a while, they got up.
Qin Luoxia helped her husband dress.
Jiang Changtian also helped Sister Xia arrange her robes.
This was what it meant to be equal partners.
When it came to dressing and grooming, Qin Luoxia actually lacked talent. The clothes she chose for her husband weren't outstanding, it was just that Jiang Changtian's looks were so striking that he looked good in anything.
But Jiang Changtian had an innate sense of aesthetics in this area.
He would help Sister Xia choose fabrics and clothes.
Other officials' families would have fabric shops deliver goods to their homes for selection, but he didn't. He liked to take Sister Xia to choose in person.
Mianmian liked to go too.
Mianmian said this was what shopping meant.
Some people said Commander Jiang liked to put on a show, but the women in other households were actually quite envious of Madam Jiang.
Their husbands wouldn't even be willing to put on a show with them.
So after eating, Jiang Changtian decided to take his wife out for a stroll.
Just like when they had stayed at an inn together before.
Jiang Changtian knew how to enjoy life.
After hearing Jiang Wan's grand yet absurd dream, he felt even more that he should live well with his family and cherish every moment.
Fighting and climbing the ranks was all for the sake of living happily and freely.
So one must be happy and free in daily life, not wait until reaching the top to be happy.
Since it wasn't a rest day, the two of them disguised themselves a bit.
Jiang Changtian toned down his appearance, while Qin Luoxia wore men's robes, giving her the air of a wandering swordsman. Jiang Changtian looked like the swordsman's scholarly friend.
Together, they first went to a tavern to listen to storytelling.
Ordering a pot of tea, they sat in the bustling main hall, listening to the storyteller tap his sandalwood block.
He vividly narrated "The Legend of the Green Snake"... not the tale of the white snake, but the story of Old General Meng and General Meng Qingshe battling the barbarians on the northern frontier.
"General Meng let out a mighty roar, 'I am the reincarnation of the Azure Dragon, slaying you lot is as easy as chopping vegetables, one slice at a time'... We all know why he's called the Green Snake instead of the Azure Dragon, right? Yes, that's to avoid taboos. Then we see General Meng, raising his sword and charging into battle, fighting his way in and out seven times..."
Jiang Changtian's cheeks twitched slightly.
He never expected that bringing Sister Xia to hear a story would result in mindless praise of his in-laws.
What reincarnation of the Azure Dragon? He knew that the name Meng Qingshe came from snakes' strong reproductive abilities, hoping he would have many children. People passed on mistaken information without seeking the truth.
Seeing Sister Xia listening intently, Jiang Changtian felt a twinge of jealousy.
He considered whether he should also adopt a more muscular image.
Jiang Changtian couldn't really focus on listening anymore and glanced around.
Then he spotted a young nobleman searching frantically for someone.
He stood at the entrance, looking lost, asking everyone if they had seen a dignified and beautiful lady. People laughed, telling him to go to brothels to find beautiful women, as this was just a storytelling venue full of men.
He persisted undeterred, questioning people one by one.
He approached a handsome young man, Liu Tong paused for a moment, then bowed and asked if he had encountered a beautiful and dignified lady.
Chu Xi found this person quite amusing and vaguely familiar.
However, being out in public, he still politely replied, "I haven't. I'm traveling and haven't seen the lady you mentioned. If you've lost someone in your party, perhaps you could report it to the authorities."
Liu Tong shook his head disappointedly. Qingqing had left a note, clearly indicating she left of her own accord. If he reported it to the authorities, he feared it might damage her reputation. But he was truly worried about a young lady suddenly leaving like this.
Jiang Changtian watched the two men talking.
He tugged at Sister Xia and said, "Come, I'll show you a good show, better than this storytelling."
Seeing her husband's mood lift, Qin Luoxia stood up as well.
This story really wasn't that great. Those few people the general killed, needing to go in and out seven times - what useless weaklings.
