Chapter 23: Where on Earth Did This Cuckold Come From?

Upon receiving the news, Yan Zhaonian felt a surge of joy. She was not surprised by the result; having examined the brocades submitted by various workshops, she knew the only real contender against Chaojin Workshop was the red-ground floral brocade. Both were top-tier, and the weaving techniques were evenly matched, but the piece from Chaojin Workshop was far more practical.

It was particularly suitable for making garments for elderly ladies—understated, luxurious, and unforgettable. She had not spent these past few years in the capital in vain.

Before Yan Zhaonian could speak, Yuan Shen became interested. "Is the news certain?"

Shuiyun nodded, her face beaming. "The message came from Genzi, who is with the Second Uncle. It must be true."

Yan Zhaonian smiled and said, "Send someone to check on the situation at Daci Temple and see what the two uncles have planned for the evening. Also, let them know that the General has returned."

Shuiyun turned around happily and hurried off.

Yan Zhaonian turned to look at Yuan Shen with a smile. "Today is truly a joyous day."

Yuan Shen set down his chopsticks. "It is indeed worth celebrating."

Seeing that he was forcing himself to stay awake despite his evident exhaustion, Yan Zhaonian insisted he get some rest. "Once news of your return spreads tonight, people will soon find out. You’ll be swamped with endless visitors and matters to attend to, and goodness knows how busy you'll be."

"Take this chance to sleep. I will have the doors closed to guests; we are seeing no one today."

Yuan Shen no longer put up a front. He was indeed deeply exhausted and fell asleep almost as soon as he touched the bed.

Little Xun’er was already asleep, so she placed him beside Yuan Shen, letting the father and son rest together.

"Tell the kitchen that dinner should be simple, not too greasy, and no need for fancy dishes—just something hearty."

"Close the gates to all guests. Unless the uncles come, tell anyone else looking for the General that he just returned from a long ride and is resting, and that any business can wait until tomorrow."

Her staff followed her orders immediately. Mother Yan mentioned she would return home tomorrow. "Your brother is coming back soon, too. I need to go back and tidy up. This time, when he returns, I am determined to find him a wife."

At the mention of this, Yan Zhaonian felt a pang of guilt. Her brother had once been married, but after the family's misfortune, his wife could not bear the prospect of living as a commoner and insisted on a divorce, returning to her maiden home.

"You haven't lived there in a while; why go back? There is a bedroom for Elder Brother here; he can just stay here."

"What are you saying?"

The Yan family had long since purchased a residence in the city. Mother Yan had moved in only to look after Yan Zhaonian while Yuan Shen was on his campaign and she was still in her confinement period. "What kind of mother-in-law stays indefinitely at her son-in-law's house? That wouldn't look right."

"Your son-in-law just returned, and if you leave right after, people might think you were driven out."

Yan Zhaonian could not bear for her to leave. "It's not as if the house is empty. Just have them tidy it up tomorrow. Wait until Elder Brother returns before deciding."

Even the usually assertive Mother Yan could not win an argument against Yan Zhaonian. "Very well, I will stay a few more days until your brother returns."

With that, Yan Zhaonian bustled about happily. The servants in the residence were also beaming with joy at Yuan Shen's return, their steps light and quick.

As the sun set, the gates of the Garrison Office were knocked upon again. This time, it was the advisor from the prefectural government, asking to see General Yuan. The gatekeeper turned him away directly. Helpless, the advisor returned to the office and reported to the expressionless Jiang Wencheng, "Noble Sir, General Yuan is exhausted from his rapid journey back and has retired for the night."

"Perhaps we should go again tomorrow?"

What a plague this man was—traveling with guards and attendants, yet still getting robbed, only to prove himself incompetent. He had the nerve to come to the prefectural office demanding an explanation. In the advisor's view, the man had likely been robbed until his pockets were empty and was now trying to squeeze silver out of the prefecture. Dream on.

Jiang Wencheng raised his eyes. "For a mere garrison commander to be so slack—does he have no regard for the imperial court, no regard for the Emperor? When I return to the capital, I shall certainly report him."

The advisor smiled obsequiously. "You jest, Noble Sir. General Yuan is not responsible for the city’s law and order. Helping to suppress petty criminals is merely a side task for him; one truly cannot blame him for what happened."

"Besides, General Yuan has just repelled the barbarians and performed a great service."

The man had returned exhausted and taken a rest, and now he had "no regard for the Emperor"? Where did this arrogant fool come from?

Jiang Wencheng’s face turned livid. The advisor offered a few more polite words before sending him back to Dingxing Inn in a government carriage. The guards and attendants dared not leave; they all knelt stiffly before Jiang Wencheng, awaiting punishment for their failure to protect him.

Jiang Wencheng sat there drinking tea without saying a word. The room was so quiet a needle could be heard dropping. Even Jiang Chongyuan stood timidly to the side, not daring to breathe.

"Master."

Cui Yong, who had stayed at Daci Temple to watch the results of the brocade competition, returned on foot. Seeing the room full of kneeling people, his heart skipped a beat. He hurried forward and bowed. "Master, the competition has ended. Chaojin Workshop has taken first place again this year."

"The two managers of Chaojin Workshop have booked the Furong Tower for the night to host the merchants. I heard that the winning brocade will be sold off tonight to the highest bidder."

This result only made Jiang Wencheng feel more stifled. He had seen that brocade—it was magnificent and noble, its color and pattern fit for the Empress Dowager herself. If he were to present it...

"Go find the head manager of Chaojin Workshop. Tell them the Count’s estate wants that brocade, and the estate will pay every cent they ask."

Cui Yong felt bitter. If this were in the past, he would have gone with his head held high, but who here knew of their Pingshun Count’s estate? Before their status was made known, who was the master even in the grand scheme of things?

"Yes."

Cui Yong suddenly envied those kneeling on the floor, fearing that the people at Chaojin Workshop might beat him up.

After Cui Yong left, Jiang Wencheng’s gaze fell upon the kneeling group. A bunch of useless fools.

"If you cannot recover the lost property, there is no need for you to return to the capital. Get out."

They scrambled to their feet and scurried out. With only the father and son left, Jiang Chongyuan shrank his neck and spoke carefully, "Father, I... I will go study."

Seeing that Jiang Wencheng did not react, he steeled himself and ran out. Only then did Jiang Wencheng lean back in his chair, a heavy sense of powerlessness washing over him.

Chaojin Workshop, it was always Chaojin Workshop. Why was it so hard to bring a mere merchant to heel?

In the past, when the Yan woman managed those businesses, hadn't it been easy? She would just look at the ledgers and give a few orders, and the silver would roll in. Why was it so difficult for him?

This place, the Southwest, was truly his bane.

At Furong Tower, the brothers Li Chun and Li Xia were grinning so hard their faces felt stiff. A double victory—how could they not be happy?

The loud congratulations from the merchants made them feel as if they were floating. With a wave of their hands, they ordered that the wine and food flow freely tonight. Upon hearing that someone at the door had come with empty hands to demand a brocade worth thousands of taels, they didn't even let the man in. "Tell him the brocade is already spoken for. Don't bother dreaming."

They didn't even need to ask to know who it was. Were all the people coming from the capital this thick-skinned?