The Hidden Beauty

Chapter 9 The expedition is about to begin
Hearing him say this, Jiang Shiwan covered his lips with his hand and said, "Is this token so powerful?"

Meng Tingzhou suppressed the desire in his eyes and said, "Seeing this token is like seeing me, the governor."

A hint of surprise flashed across Jiang Shiwan's eyes.

This is really good stuff.

Meng Tingzou held her fingers: "Can you take your hands away now?"

I've been running around for the past two months, but I always think of her in my mind. I can't wait to express the longing that I have been suppressing for many days, but thinking that she has just recovered, I still endure it a little.

After satisfying his gluttony, Meng Tingzhou hugged her and gently stroked her black hair.

"Years ago, the border reported that the Turks were attacking again. At that time, we thought it was just a mob. Today, His Majesty said that it was the Turkic prince who personally led the troops to launch a surprise attack. This is a serious matter. Once the border is lost, there will be endless troubles."

"Is the governor going to lead the troops to war again?"

Meng Tingzhou did not comment: "That's why I gave you the token, so that you can be safer in the capital, but you must remember not to take it out unless it is absolutely necessary."

"Yes."

"Since you have a special status, you can just stay in the Governor's Mansion." Meng Tingzhou paused, "I have almost finished investigating the Jiang family, but the troops are about to be dispatched. I will tell you everything in detail after I return to Beijing."

He was afraid that if he told her, she would do anything to get revenge.

After all, there are many people involved.

When Jiang Shiwan heard that the matter concerned his father, he immediately wanted to find out the truth, but when he saw that he insisted on waiting until he returned to Beijing to tell him, he suppressed the urge to ask further questions.

Perhaps because he hadn't had a good rest for a long time, Meng Tingzhou fell into a deep sleep while holding Jiang Shiwan in his arms that night.

Jiang Shiwan was wide awake when she heard the even breathing sound. She secretly touched the token under her pillow. Now with some silver and the amulet-like token, she had an extra layer of protection.

After he led his troops out of Beijing, if he left smoothly and headed south by water, it would take about a month, just in time to meet Xiaonian as agreed when the peach blossoms were in full bloom.

only……

Thinking of what he said about investigating the Jiang family, she hesitated. If it was related to her father's innocence, should she not leave?
But he insisted on waiting until he returned to Beijing to tell her. Who knows if he chose that wording deliberately to tie her down in the Governor's Mansion?
For a moment, Jiang Shiwan didn't know whether to believe him or look for an opportunity to escape without hesitation.

Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

The night before the troops set out, the left and right deputy envoys were still in the study checking details such as food, fodder, and marching with Meng Tingzhou.

Deputy Envoy Xu Jing saw that Meng Tingzhou's fingers were always rubbing the armrest. Having followed him for many years, he knew that this was Meng Tingzhou's little gesture of impatience.

He reflected on himself and Li Xiang and found that there was nothing much to say. What had happened to make the governor unhappy?

"Governor?" Xu Jing tried to ask, "Governor, are you tired?"

Without waiting for Meng Tingzhou to speak, he said to himself, "After two months of protecting the capital and its surrounding areas, and now having to worry about sending troops, the governor has become visibly haggard these days. It's all because of the incompetence of my subordinates, who let the governor worry about everything."

Pei Qing also sensed something and bowed his head and said, "The governor hasn't eaten much all day. Miss Jiang sent someone to bring the Four Gentlemen Soup. Would you like to drink some to refresh yourself?"

Meng Tingzhou raised his eyelids: "Oh? She is thoughtful."

Hearing this, Xu Jing suddenly realized.

He pulled Li Xiang who was about to report and said, "It's getting late. We will take our leave and report to the governor tomorrow after we set up camp." Li Xiang's pupils were shocked.

Where did the governor say he was tired or what did he miss?
After leaving the Governor's Mansion, Li Xiang couldn't help but ask, "Xu Jing, why did you pull me just now? I haven't finished reporting the preparations before the troops are dispatched. If the Governor asks you to take the blame for me later?"

Xu Jing rolled his eyes at him: "The governor is also a human being. He is leaving Beijing tomorrow and you won't let him go today..." He pushed Li Xiang's elbow and winked, "The young couple will definitely be reluctant to leave."

"Oh, that's how it is." Li Xiang finally understood and slapped his head, "Yes, the governor is now loved and cared for. I never thought of that."

"It's strange that you can think of it with your stupid brain. If you had thought of it, would you still be alone?"

Li Xiang gnashed his teeth and said, "Why are you mocking me? Are you alone?"

"This..." Xu Jing was speechless for a moment, and spread his hands, "We follow the governor in everything. He has set a good example. I think our good days are not far away."

Li Xiang sniffed: "But the court relies on the Governor's Office for everything, and uses the Ministry of War to restrain the Governor. It's really aggrieved."

"Shh." Xu Jing gestured to him, "Are you going to die? Why are you saying anything out loud?"

"That's right. We have been through life and death with the governor, but we are still the deputy envoy."

"You don't want to follow the governor anymore?"

"That's not it."

"Then don't say such nonsense." Xu Jing glared at him. "If I really give you a promotion, you may not be able to escape the swords and spears in the court. It's better for you to be under the protection of the governor."

"You are telling the truth. Those people in the court only eat and do not work. It's unlucky."

On the other side, Meng Tingzhou waited until Xu Jing and Li Xiang left, then hurried to find Jiang Shiwan.

As soon as he entered the room, he pushed the person behind the door and said, "Why are you so considerate today? You even sent someone to deliver the medicine."

"It was Yunchang who said there was one more bowl and asked if we should send it to the governor. I thought we shouldn't waste it."

"Oh." Meng Tingzhou was a little disappointed, "So it was given to me because it was extra."

After spending some time together, Jiang Shiwan gradually understood his personality. He was used to coaxing others and acting like a spoiled child in private. He couldn't help but smile and said, "Since you dislike it, don't let anyone send you next time."

"That won't work."

Meng Tingzhou sighed in his heart and thought, take it slow. Although it wasn't specially given to him, it was still a big step forward. Once the gap between them was eliminated, would he still worry about not having the good things she prepared specially for him in the future?
"We will leave the capital at 11:00 a.m., and we don't have much time left. Don't waste it."

Jiang Shiwan took a deep breath. Although he told himself to be careful last night, his waist was still sore all day.

"The governor is so passionate about sex, but he has never married and has no other women around him. How did he survive all these years?"

Hearing this, Meng Tingzhou, who was kissing passionately, was stunned.

How could she ask such a question?
"I was so focused on leading troops in battle that I didn't have time to think about these things before. Now that I have tasted the joy of it, I feel that it is better than anything else in the world."

"I love myself very much and I am not used to adapting to others."

Jiang Shiwan, do you know that ever since you told me when you were little that you were not allowed to marry anyone else and had to wait until you grew up, I have always remained faithful to you.