TFSRITA Chapter 184

But he still didn’t say a word. Just when Yan Qing was almost certain he was going to commit suicide, he hoarsely said, “I’m going to war.”

Yan Qing froze for a moment.

Ji Jiaxun hated the battlefield. The last time the Duke and Duchess of Pingwu went to war, he sulked for days.

But now he was saying he was going to go to war?

“Their deaths might be what I thought,” Yan Qing said, recounting the information she had gathered from her spies. “There’s a traitor in the army. If you do, you might be ambushed.”

Because of her warning, the Duke of Pingwu hadn’t fallen into a trap, but he had been delayed, and there was more than one traitor. The Duke’s death appeared to be a normal battlefield casualty, but Yan Qing still felt something was off.

She had a gut feeling that there were people inside working with the enemy.

Ji Jiaxun, his face stiff, said, “I know, and that’s why I must go. Don’t they want the military power in my father’s hands? I’ll make sure their scheme fails!”

Yan Qing choked up and didn’t respond.

After being together for so long, she couldn’t help but feel reluctant.

Suddenly, a warm hand pressed against her belly.

Ji Jiaxun spoke softly, “I’m sorry.”

He had just discovered she was pregnant, and now he was leaving, filled with guilt. But if he didn’t leave, he could never have peace.

Dying for the country was supposed to be an honorable thing, but they shouldn’t have to die for a country like this.

When Ji Jiaxun slowly opened his eyes, there was a coldness in them, no trace of the soft demeanor he once had as a young man.

No matter whether there were traitors, or the people who had harmed them—he would go and bring justice.

Yan Qing sighed and kissed his forehead. “Okay.”

Ji Jiaxun hugged her back, his arms tightening around her as if to express his reluctance. He wasn’t like his father. He wouldn’t drag Yan Qing to the battlefield with him.

But this departure might be their last.

With the deaths of the Duke and Duchess of Pingwu, on the surface, they would be seen as unfortunate heirs of the fallen, and even Yan Qing, as their daughter-in-law, wouldn’t be harmed.

Ji Jiaxun whispered, “If I die, just find someone else to marry.”

“I believe in you!” Yan Qing replied, her voice soft. “Did you forget what I said before? You’re the best!”

Ji Jiaxun tugged at the corner of his mouth but couldn’t manage a smile. His eyes filled with love and guilt as he looked at her flat belly. “This child… don’t keep it.”

It would make it easier for her to remarry.

In truth, Ji Jiaxun had no confidence in whether he would survive this trip.

There were dangers both ahead and behind him.

They say it’s hard to guard against thieves within the house, but who would know that while soldiers fought the enemy, their lord might be the one to spill their blood?

Yan Qing snorted coldly, displeased. “If you say that again, I’ll hit you!”

The familiar words made Ji Jiaxun feel a sudden pain in his rear end.

He fell silent, quietly holding her.

They stayed like that until dawn.

When the day broke, Ji Jiaxun donned his father’s old armor.

To his surprise, it fit him perfectly.

He said in disbelief, “Could it be that I’m destined to take this journey?” He laughed at himself, but his face was smiling while his eyes were filled with tears.

Yan Qing’s eyes were sore, her lips pressed tightly together, but she didn’t dare speak.

Destined?

If it was destined, he would have died long ago.

His fate had already been altered, and this step was his struggle for his own life.

Yan Qing followed Ji Jiaxun outside.

As soon as the door opened, they saw many people kneeling in front of the Princess’s residence, holding white cloths.

When they saw Ji Jiaxun, there was a moment of surprise, but as they noticed the armor he wore, they all fell silent.

Ji Jiaxun didn’t say anything. His face, clean and composed after Yan Qing had taken care of it, showed a solemn expression. He nodded at the commoners and walked out.

Once they were out of sight, Yan Qing closed the door and whistled.

A shadow appeared.

Yan Qing said, “Leave ten people behind. The rest should prepare and follow the Young Master into battle.”

“Yes,” the shadow replied softly before vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.

Within half an hour, the entire capital knew: the Duke of Pingwu had just fallen in battle, and his son was now wearing his young father’s armor, kneeling at the palace gate, asking to replace his father in the battle and swearing an oath of military service.

The oath!

Just those three words were enough to shock everyone.

The common people gathered around in a frenzy, at first just watching, but after a while, seeing the young man kneel straight, they all followed suit and knelt.

The scene was grand and awe-inspiring.

It also made the Emperor furious in the palace.

“Cough… Who gave him the audacity!” The Emperor, dressed in his dragon robe, coughed upon hearing the news, speaking between coughs.

The chief eunuch hurriedly brought him a cup of warm water, which the Emperor drank in one gulp, but his face still looked pale as he glared ahead in anger.

“Your Majesty, many ministers are kneeling at the palace gate now!”

“Cough, cough, cough…” Another round of violent coughing shook him. The Emperor clutched his chest, his lips drained of color. He had spent so long planning for today to send the Third Prince into battle, but now here was this troublemaker!

He was furious but couldn’t say anything.

Ji Jiaxun’s reason was very sound. His parents had died on the battlefield, and he wanted to avenge them. Since their bodies were in enemy hands, he would fight to bring them back.

As Emperor, what could he say?

The military oath had been sworn!

At that moment, the First Prince, Xu Cheng’an, arrived, smiling eagerly. “Father, I am willing to go into battle and join forces with Young Lord Ji to repel the enemy!”

The Emperor looked at him warily but remained silent, letting him continue to persuade.

At this point, the Fourth Prince, Xu Chengming, also arrived, requesting to go to war as well, saying he would keep an eye on Young Lord Ji to ensure he didn’t act recklessly.