133: Chronicles of the Northern Frontier

Situ Jun leaned back in his chair, his brows tightly furrowed.

The current situation in Northern Border City was complex and intertwined, with undercurrents surging among various factions.

Mysterious forces were moving at the border, rumors were rampant in the city, the Wang family's strange actions, and the unidentified Western Regions Merchants... all of this was because the new City Lord of Northern Border City was only at the Foundation Establishment Stage. Everyone felt they could take a piece of him and gain some benefits.

"My Lord, there is one more thing."

Li Iron Bull hesitated for a moment before speaking:

"I have heard that the Head of the Wang Family's Third Madam seems to hold a somewhat special status within the Wang family. Although she is his concubine, she is able to participate in important family matters, and even some direct descendants of the Wang family are quite wary of her."

Situ Jun opened his eyes, a sharp light flashing within them.

He stood up and paced back and forth in the study.

"Go find Zhu Changpo and have him strengthen the surveillance on the Wang family and the Western Regions Merchants. At the same time, keep a close watch on the movements at the border. Additionally, have Wang Decai arrange more manpower to secretly protect the commoners in the city, just in case."

Li Iron Bull respectfully cupped his fists to accept the order and strode away.

Situ Jun stood where he was, tilting his head slightly as he scanned the System information in his mind space. After a long while, he murmured to himself:

"I can't let these fools ruin Northern Border. Today, it's time to Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Stage..."

His words carried determination and resolve, as if he were already prepared to Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Stage... Inside the West Courtyard of the City Lord's Manor, the winding corridors and twisting paths held a distinct Concept of secluded elegance.

A fine drizzle fell softly, like cow hair or delicate silk threads.

Jiang Qingwan, dressed in a light green silk skirt, stepped lightly onto the stone path with her embroidered shoes, crushing the raindrops on the ground with a crisp sound.

From behind the carved window lattices, the familiar scent of agarwood drifted out.

The Servant Girl Qiu Lan pushed open the door for her, revealing the figure of Su Yunniang reclining on a beauty couch.

Su Yunniang wore a bright red gauze dress, her figure graceful. Her jade bracelet lightly tapped against a celadon teacup, making a pleasant clinking sound.

"Sister is here. I thought you would stay with the Manor Lord a bit longer, hehe."

Su Yunniang's lips curled into a meaningful smile, her eyes filled with a hint of teasing.

"Sister, you must be joking."

Jiang Qingwan's cheeks flushed slightly as she gave an embarrassed smile, her voice as soft as a breeze over a lake.

Qiu Lan stepped forward at the right moment to add a soft cushion.

Just as Jiang Qingwan sat down by the couch, Su Yunniang reached out with her slender fingers to twirl a strand of her falling hair, saying softly:

"Look, there are still raindrops in your hair. The Manor Lord is really something, not even knowing to hold an umbrella for you."

Before she finished speaking, the voice of a guard announcing someone came from outside.

An attendant entered carrying a snow-white fox fur cloak and said respectfully, "The City Lord specifically ordered this to be delivered."

Jiang Qingwan's hand unconsciously tightened around the teacup, her slender fingers turning white from the pressure. The tea rippled in the cup, mirroring her unsettled heart.

Seeing this, Su Yunniang burst into laughter, the rouge at the corners of her eyes trembling with her mirth like a blooming flower.

"He has certainly improved, knowing how to cherish someone."

She suddenly leaned in, her warm breath brushing against Jiang Qingwan's ear as she whispered:

"How about staying in the manor, Sister?"

Without waiting for Jiang Qingwan's answer, Su Yunniang stood up and pushed open the carved window.

At some point, the rain had stopped.

Fresh air flooded into the room, carrying the fragrance of earth and flowers.

Su Yunniang looked back at Jiang Qingwan, her eyes full of sincerity, and said:

"Our fates are so similar. Rather than being controlled by others, it's better to follow someone who treats us with sincerity."

The teacup in Jiang Qingwan's hand fell to the floor with a clang, porcelain shards flying everywhere. The splashing water dampened her skirt.

She sat there dazed as memories surged like a tide—that summer years ago, amidst the flames of war, she was rescued from the chaos of war by Wang Xuanyang and brought to the Wang Manor. She had married him with a heart full of gratitude, never imagining she would become a pawn to curry favor with the powerful, or even an item to be exchanged at will.

"Don't be afraid."

Su Yunniang took her cold hand, the silver bracelet on her wrist clinking clearly:

"In this City Lord's Manor, no one can treat you like an object to be toyed with anymore."

Her voice was gentle yet firm, like a beam of light in the darkness, bringing hope to Jiang Qingwan... The sky gradually cleared as sunlight spilled through the clouds, gilding the koi pond with a silver edge.

The koi in the pond swam joyfully, creating ripples.

Jiang Qingwan sat alone under the corridor, gazing at the beautiful scenery but having no heart to appreciate it.

From a distance came the sound of Situ Jun's footsteps, steady and powerful.

Jiang Qingwan looked up and was startled. She hurriedly stood up and fled, her skirt fluttering like a frightened butterfly.

Situ Jun watched her retreating back and smiled slightly, the curve of his lips carrying a hint of doting.

His gratitude toward Su Yunniang grew a bit more.

This woman, who had been with him the longest, thought of him in every way and considered everything for him. In this ever-changing Northern Border City, she was like his most solid support... Twilight, like a veil, quietly enveloped Northern Border City.

After handling Northern Border's affairs for the day, Situ Jun checked the time and walked out of the study.

The lanterns in the manor's corridors were already lit, their dim yellow light swaying in the twilight like scattered stars, adding a touch of warmth to the silent night.

Situ Jun glanced toward the West Courtyard and walked straight toward Su Yunniang's courtyard.

Entering the courtyard, the scent of agarwood mixed with a faint medicinal fragrance wafted over, as if welcoming his return.

At the entrance of the hall, Qiu Lan's eyes were filled with smiles:

"Manor Lord, you've come."

Seeing Qiu Lan like this, Situ Jun felt in a particularly good mood and said with a laugh:

"Sister Qiu Lan, why don't you call me Steward Situ or Lord Situ anymore?"

Hearing this, Qiu Lan said with a shy face:

"Manor Lord, your status is different now. How could this Servant Girl dare to ignore your position?"

Situ Jun laughed heartily and said:

"It's fine, call me whatever you want. I'm going to find Madam."

With that, he walked toward the back room.

In the outer room of the bedroom, Su Yunniang reclined on a sandalwood couch, a yellowed ancient book spread across her lap. A silver hairpin with a tassel hung from her hair, swaying gently with her movements. Under the candlelight, she appeared even more languid and mysterious.

"Why have you come?"

She put down the book, her jade-white fingers glowing softly under the candlelight. Her eyes rippled like spring water:

"Why not go accompany Miss Jiang? She's staying with that girl, Cherry."

Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of a smile, as if teasing or perhaps testing him.

Situ Jun gave a gentle smile and said:

"Thank you, Madam, for doing all this for me. I..."

Su Yunniang approached and reached out to stop him from speaking:

"There's no need for thanks between us. The stronger you are, the more at ease we feel. Husband, Miss Jiang's Heart-Nature is pure and kind, but the wounds from her past are too deep; she needs time."

Situ Jun held Su Yunniang's hand and nodded slightly:

"I understand. She deserves to be treated with tenderness."

Su Yunniang gave a gentle smile and said:

"Then why aren't you going to accompany her? I still need to continue reading my scrolls."

Situ Jun smiled and nodded.

Originally, he just wanted to see Su Yunniang and then find a place to Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Stage. Hearing Su Yunniang say this, he gave a helpless smile and decided to go see Jiang Qingwan.

Cherry had been living in the small courtyard where Situ Jun used to stay when he was a steward. At this moment, the living room was brightly lit with candles.

In the hall, Cherry was chatting with Jiang Qingwan. Seeing Situ Jun enter, her face lit up with joy:

"Husband, you've come."

"Yes, I'm here."

Situ Jun pinched Cherry's small face and said with a smile, the intimate gesture seemingly conveying endless love.

To the side, Jiang Qingwan's face was filled with embarrassment. She stood up, clutching the corner of her skirt, about to leave.

Situ Jun reached out and pulled her back:

"It's so late, where else do you want to go? Just stay here tonight."

His words carried an overbearing tone that brooked no refusal, yet they also held a touch of tenderness.

Hearing this, Jiang Qingwan's face turned a bashful red.

Beside her, Cherry covered her mouth and giggled:

"That's right, Sister Jiang. You should live here from now on; we'll have each other for company."

Jiang Qingwan's face turned even redder.

"I..."

Situ Jun pulled the two of them into the inner room without another word, his steady steps seemingly declaring his resolve.

Amidst the winds and rains of Northern Border City, he was willing to shield them from the elements and protect them for a lifetime.