When the Cannon Fodder Meets the Love-Brained Female Supporting Character - Episode 41

Jiang Nan’s mind went blank, as if she hadn’t expected such bold words to come from her.

Her earlobes grew slightly warm, and she stood frozen for a few seconds before leaning in. She cupped Xiao Ran’s face, planting a fleeting kiss on her lips, then pressed another to her fragrant shoulder before tucking her in.

Jiang Nan soothed her, “Not yet. You’ll have to wait a little longer.”

Xiao Ran’s face flushed crimson.

She was lost in the sensation of Jiang Nan’s kisses.

She hadn’t actually planned to go all the way today, but she had still brought it up. People always prefer compromise.

Sure enough, when her sister refused to consummate their relationship, she would comfort her with some small reward instead.

Jiang Nan held her as the two roasted a chicken over the fire. The flames danced, casting a rosy glow on their fair faces.

Suddenly, Jiang Nan asked, “Back then, you said you resented me. So why did you still throw yourself in front of that falling tree for me without hesitation?”

Xiao Ran smiled brilliantly. “Resentment is nothing compared to love.”

Jiang Nan slowly pulled her closer, their shadows merging against the cave wall, swaying gently. Breathing in the scent of Xiao Ran’s hair, she whispered,

“But you must put your own safety first. Do you understand?”

Xiao Ran gave a soft hum and gradually drifted to sleep in her arms.

________________________________________

The Capital

Over the past few days, A-Jiu had traveled day and night, wearing out two horses, before finally arriving in the capital after seven days.

The moment she entered the city, she rushed straight to the residence of the Capital Prefect to request an audience.

Zhang Zemin, of course, had no intention of seeing her at first.

Countless people sought his attention every day, hoping to curry favor. If he met with every one of them, how could he live his life or perform his duties?

But A-Jiu persisted, standing outside the Zhang residence in the heavy snow without moving an inch. Snowflakes settled lightly on her shoulders, melting and dampening her clothes.

She had the guards relay a message. She possessed something he needed.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zemin remained composed, sitting in his main hall sipping tea, unmoved.

At his rank, he already had everything he could want.

Unless it was something related to her…

No, that couldn’t be possible.

The sudden wildfire on that battlefield had raged for three days and nights, reducing three thousand soldiers to ashes. He had sent people to search countless times, but she was never found only scattered bones buried beneath the sand, silent witnesses to the brutality of what had transpired.

The bones were so intermingled that none could be identified.

In the end, Zhang Zemin had gathered them all and buried them together in a serene, picturesque place.

The memories of those bygone days filled Zhang Zemin with unbearable grief.

Over a decade had passed, and it seemed no one remembered the general who had led three thousand soldiers, resolutely sacrificing herself to cover the army’s retreat.

Zhang Zemin would never forget. That battle had been the one with the fewest losses in history after a defeat.

That general had been a woman. Her name was Ye Xu.

She and Zhang Zemin had grown up together. He loved literature; she loved martial arts. They walked separate paths. One became an official, the other a general yet they vowed to meet again at the pinnacle of their fields. Their bond was deeper than love.

But on that day, they were torn apart forever, without even a body left behind.

The pain in Zhang Zemin’s heart was indescribable. He shook his head and was about to tell the guards to send A-Jiu away when another guard hurried in.

“That woman says it’s about General Ye.”

Zhang Zemin slammed his teacup down heavily, his voice strained: “Is this true?”

A-Jiu was ushered in.

She lifted the black cloth covering the object in her hand, revealing the bronze mask.

The bronze mask was ancient, not particularly exquisite. Yet Zhang Zemin’s eyes fixed on it unwaveringly.

He hurriedly stepped forward, his hand reaching out to touch the mask.

This mask, Zhang Zemin remembered it.

It was the mask Ye Xu often wore.

He stared at the mask in a daze for a long time, thinking to himself that after twelve years, he could finally erect a proper cenotaph in her memory.

A-Jiu stood quietly to the side, surprised by Jiangnan’s decision.

She hadn’t expected a mere mask to stir Zhang Zemin’s emotions so deeply.

When their master issued an order, shadow guards were to trust unconditionally and execute it, even if the path ahead was perilous. Thus, when she came, she was prepared to break into the residence and face death if Zhang Zemin refused to see her, all to fulfill her master’s task.

Shadow guards had families too. To become one, they first had to consent, and then their families had to agree before they could join the ranks. Once enlisted, the master would allocate a substantial sum of money each year enough to support an ordinary family to ensure the shadow guards’ loved ones could live comfortably. After reaching a certain age, they would be released to reunite with their families. If misfortune befell them, their families would receive a fortune that would last a lifetime. Hence, shadow guards were fiercely loyal to their master.

This was also why Jiangnan dared not rest on her laurels.

After a long while, Zhang Zemin set the mask down and looked at A-Jiu.

“You’ve gone to great lengths. This mask is indeed very important to me. Speak! What is it you need from me?”

A-Jiu stepped forward, bowed, and said, “My mistress hopes to prevent Yangcheng Jiang family’s Jiang Huai from taking the imperial examinations.”

Zhang Zemin asked again, “And who is your mistress?”

A-Jiu lowered her head and replied, “My lord, it is Jiangnan of the same Jiang clan.”

Zhang Zemin was somewhat surprised.

To think someone from the same clan would wish to hinder a relative’s path to the exams. He was not one for gossip, so he didn’t press for reasons. Frowning, he said, “You’re asking me to bar someone from the capital without cause.”

A-Jiu responded, “Not without cause. My mistress has written this letter for you to read.”

Zhang Zemin took it, stroked his beard, and read. Slowly, his expression relaxed.

The letter detailed how the Jiang family had purchased official positions and engaged in corruption, with evidence to arrive in the capital within two days.

Zhang Zemin nodded. “So that’s how it is. Miss Jiang risked herself to gather evidence within the Jiang family. She’s a good child.”

Before the evidence arrived, Zhang Zemin couldn’t arbitrarily detain anyone. Instead, he found a pretext. A brawl to hold Jiang Huai temporarily.

Jiang Huai, new to the capital and unfamiliar with its ways, had taken a wrong turn and gotten into a verbal dispute that escalated into a shoving match. By chance, he happened upon the Metropolitan Prefect, who was out on patrol. Both men were detained.

Under normal circumstances, such a trivial matter wouldn’t even warrant the patrol’s attention.

Jiang Huai cursed his bad luck, thinking that once he was released in two days, he’d visit a temple before the exams to burn incense and seek divine favor.

But when two days passed, he found his shackles replaced with heavier ones.

Only then did Jiang Huai realize something was amiss.

________________________________________

Jiangnan received a carrier pigeon message from A-Jiu, confirming that the matter had been settled.

The system had not left this world since the last time. Suddenly, it murmured in a ghostly tone, “The male lead cannot die. He must live out his natural lifespan, it’s his destiny.”

Jiang Nan replied indifferently, “I had A-Jiu inform Lord Zhang that all these matters were orchestrated by Jiang Huai’s father. Jiang Huai doesn’t deserve death at most, exile. Isn’t his destiny to die of old age? Exile would suffice for that.”

Hearing her words, the system fell silent.

Upon returning to the Jiang residence, Jiang Nan encountered Wang Feifei. Recently, Wang had been visiting daily, chatting and laughing with Jiang Xueping and others, as if she already considered herself a member of the Jiang family.

When Jiang Nan ran into her, Wang was eating some fruit.

Wang Feifei bore no grudge against Jiang Nan and spoke sweetly, “Hello, cousin. Would you like an orange?”

Jiang Nan declined, then paused and said, “You’d best stay away from the Jiang family for now.”

Wang’s hand, holding the fruit, froze mid-air, as if she didn’t understand Jiang Nan’s words. If it were any other woman, she might have assumed they were jealous of her impending marriage into the most prominent family in Yangcheng and would have defiantly lashed back, hands on hips.

But this was Jiang Nan.

Wang had long heard about her.

Jiang Nan was the proprietor of the most successful teahouse in Yangcheng, and even in the provincial capital, Qu City, her business thrived. There were even rumors, whispers in the alleys that she was the only acknowledged elder sister of Qin Wan, the leader of the Qin Xin merchant group, who had recently earned the emperor’s praise.

Others dismissed it as mere gossip, but Wang Feifei knew it was likely true. If any part was false, it was probably only the bit about the emperor’s praise.

Her father, the county magistrate, had connections in Qu City. With a little inquiry, he learned that for a time, Qin Wan had often been seen with Jiang Nan, and they were quite close.

Even a proud young mistress like Wang Feifei couldn’t fathom Jiang Nan having any interest in Jiang Huai.

So, she took Jiang Nan’s words seriously.

.

Jiang Nan returned to her courtyard.

A’Tuo was sweeping away a light dusting of snow.

She set down the broom and approached with a cheerful smile, taking Jiang Nan’s cloak. “How long will you stay this time, cousin? When will you leave?” she asked.

Jiang Nan turned to look at her. A’Tuo was about the same height, with a round face and an ever-present, endearingly simple smile.

Instead of answering, Jiang Nan sat at the dressing table, gazing at her own reflection and A’Tuo’s in the bronze mirror. “How do you find life by my side?” she asked.

A’Tuo was momentarily puzzled but soon smiled again. “It’s wonderful, of course. You’ve never been harsh with me. My monthly allowance is several taels more than others’. And I don’t have to run around. Just tend to your courtyard. It’s very easy.”

Jiang Nan sighed inwardly.

“That’s good.” She noticed the jade hairpin in A’Tuo’s hair. “I’ve never seen you wear this before.”

A’Tuo suddenly looked nervous. “All women love beauty, and I’m no exception. I… I saved up my monthly allowance to buy it.”

Jiang Nan nodded. “It’s very pretty. Would you give it to me? I’ll trade you this jadeite hairpin for it.”

From her jewelry box, she took out a jadeite hairpin far more valuable than A’Tuo’s white jade one.

A’Tuo gazed at the jade hairpin, clearly tempted. She silently studied it for a long while before finally murmuring meekly, “Miss, the hairpin wasn’t bought it was a gift from a very important loved one. This servant truly… truly cannot part with it.”

Jiang Nan watched her for a moment before saying, “Fine. I won’t force you.”

The white jade hairpin wasn’t given to A’Tuo by a relative, nor had she bought it herself.

It was a gift from Jiang Yuping.

A’Tuo rarely wore it, only daring to put it on when Jiang Nan wasn’t around, sneaking off to meet Jiang Xueping as a sign of loyalty.

But today, she hadn’t expected Jiang Nan to return so suddenly.

Jiang Nan knew all of this.

Just now, she had given A’Tuo one last chance.

Though Jiang Nan had always been wary of her, and A’Tuo had pledged her loyalty to another, she still remembered the kite festival when the two of them had flown kites together. The joy back then had been real.

Jiang Xueping, having heard some unsettling rumors, grew restless.

The moment Jiang Qi returned to the estate, she sought him out.

“Why did you come back early?”

Jiang Qi’s expression was dark. “I was competing with Lian Qie for that official post. I had the upper hand, and I even spent a fortune greasing palms. But then, out of nowhere, the higher-ups gave the position to Lian Qie.”

Jiang Xueping pondered. “Did you perhaps not offer as much silver as the other side?”

Jiang Qi’s grim expression eased slightly. He thought she made a fair point.

“Maybe.”

“Lian Qie hasn’t received the official seal yet to assume office. As long as we offer more silver than he did, there’s still hope of reclaiming the position,” Jiang Xueping said slowly.

Jiang Qi hesitated. “But our household doesn’t have that much silver left.”

“Have you forgotten about our cousin?” Jiang Xueping smiled at him. “Her business is doing quite well.”

A calculating glint flashed in Jiang Qi’s eyes as he grinned. “Still, how do we convince her to help us?”

Jiang Nan had just left the estate when Jiang Qi summoned her back.

She arched a brow, crossing her arms as she regarded the two unwelcome visitors. “Aunt, Uncle. What’s this about?”

Jiang Qi spoke warmly, “Nannan, I heard do you have feelings for Huai’er?”

Jiang Xueping also smiled kindly, feigning surprise. “Oh, so you like Huai’er? Why didn’t you say so earlier? Had I known, I would’ve arranged it for you. Why marry that Wang Feifei? We should keep good fortune within the family. Once Huai’er returns, I’ll personally oversee your wedding.”

Jiang Nan let out a derisive laugh.

She had thought news from the capital would have reached them by now. Apparently not.

Perfect! She had been worried Jiang Qi might flee before the capital’s officers could track him down.

Jiang Nan smirked. “I don’t like that good-for-nothing Jiang Huai.”

Jiang Qi’s face stiffened momentarily.

Jiang Xueping stepped forward, taking her hand. “Are you truly not fond of him? Huai’er is quite the handsome young man.”

“No,” Jiang Nan replied flatly.

Jiang Xueping’s heart sank. She exchanged a glance with Jiang Qi.

The intelligence she had gathered from A’Tuo suggested otherwise every little detail had pointed to Jiang Nan being hopelessly infatuated with Jiang Huai.

Jiang Qi shot Jiang Xueping a sharp look.

Understanding his meaning, she cut to the chase.

“Truth is, the Jiang family has run into some trouble. We need to borrow some silver from you. Not much just a million taels.”

A million taels even an entire clan would struggle to produce such a sum. What an outrageous demand!

Jiang Nan shook her head. “Don’t even think about it. Not a chance.”

Jiang Qi’s expression darkened completely.

“Whether you do it or not is no longer up to you. You won’t be leaving this estate today. We’ll talk again once you’ve made up your mind,” he said with a sinister glare.

They had assumed that allowing Jiang Nan to develop freely was merely to fatten her up before the slaughter. In reality, however, Jiang Nan had been quietly building her strength.

A year had passed, and she had long since established herself firmly in Yangcheng, even adding several more shadow guards to her ranks.

At that moment, A’Tuo arrived as well.

Trembling, she looked at Jiang Nan and pleaded, “Young Miss, just comply. After all, you’re family.”

Jiang Nan couldn’t be bothered to waste words on them and turned to leave the courtyard.

Jiang Qi bellowed.

“Guards! Escort the young miss back to her courtyard!”

“Guards!!”

Guards did come but they immediately surrounded the three of them instead.

Jiang Nan crossed her arms and said, “You’ll be staying in this courtyard. Don’t even think about leaving the estate.”

Jiang Qi’s expression twisted in confusion. He hadn’t yet grasped the situation. Where were his own guards? Why had a group of black-clad men surrounded them instead?

Jiang Xueping, sharper than him, realized the truth immediately.

They had been trapped inside the estate by Jiang Nan. These black-clad men were all her personal guards, each one looking formidable.

Truly, they had nurtured a tiger only to invite disaster.

Jiang Xueping tightened her grip on her prayer beads, feigning composure as she said, “How dare you treat your own aunt and uncle like this? Aren’t you afraid of what will happen when Huai’er returns with his official rank?”

“No need to worry. He won’t be earning any rank,” Jiang Nan replied with a smile.

Jiang Qi, clutching his chest in fury, pointed at her. “What do you mean by that?”

Jiang Nan flicked her sleeve and walked away.

.

Winter frost clung to the withered branches, and the earth lay shrouded in mist.

Jiang Nan sat in a wicker chair, letting it sway gently. A-Jiu returned in a hurry, having completed her mission.

Fang Rui suddenly found them.

Panicked, she reported, “Xiao Ran, Miss Xiao has been taken away by her father. He left a message demanding twenty taels of silver, or else he’ll marry her off to the old rich man in the neighboring town.”

Jiang Nan’s expression darkened.

All this time, Xiao Li had stayed out of sight. So, his plan had been to kidnap his own daughter for ransom. What a wonderful father.

A-Jiu stepped forward. “Master, let me take the shadow guards to find Miss Xiao.”

Jiang Nan shook her head. “Send someone else. You’ve worked hard enough. Go rest.”

A-Jiu had been traveling day and night, covered in dust and exhaustion, her strength long depleted. Hearing this, she didn’t insist and instead sent Xiao Shi in her place.

Jiang Nan wasn’t idle either. She went to inspect both No. 3 Huan Street and the house where Xiao Ran had previously lived. Based on the traces of fire use, she deduced that Xiao Ran hadn’t returned to either place in two days.

Along the way, she ran into Yue Xue, who was wandering near Huan Street.

In Jiang Nan’s memory, Yue Xue and Xiao Ran often strolled and shopped together likely close friends.

She asked Yue Xue if she had seen Xiao Ran in the past two days.

Yue Xue froze for a moment before asking with concern, “What’s wrong with Xiao Ran? Is she missing?”

Frantic, she pulled aside several nearby women to ask.

All of them shook their heads, saying they hadn’t seen her.

Jiang Nan left. When she reached the next street, she lingered briefly and spotted Yue Xue again. This time happily shopping with her sisters.

Two hours later, Xiao Shi returned with a report: Xiao Ran had not been found.

The last witness had seen her entering Xiao Li’s residence two days prior, after which she had vanished. They had searched the Xiao estate inside and out but found no trace of Xiao Li or Xiao Ran as if the two had disappeared into thin air.

Jiang Nan suddenly thought of something.

In the plot, the Xiao family was destroyed by enemies seeking revenge against Jiang Huai. But in reality, one person survived.

That person changed his name and appearance and fled far away.

It was Xiao Li.

The fact that he could survive the enemies who wiped out the entire Xiao family must have had a reason.

Either he had hidden backing, or he was exceptionally good at hiding.

Jiang Nan had tested the former possibility long ago. He had no significant backing. And now, it seemed he didn’t have much money either.

That left only the latter.

A place to hide.

The possibilities Jiang Nan could think of were a cellar or some hidden mechanism or secret door. Combined with the clue that Xiao Ran had entered and not come out two days ago, it seemed likely to be within the Xiao residence.

She went to the Xiao residence and searched all possible places but found nothing resembling a hidden mechanism.

Until she reached the study.

The study had many books on its shelves. It wasn’t impossible that, like in modern TV shows, removing a book could unlock a hidden compartment.

Jiang Nan first scanned the study, casually picking up a few books before her gaze settled on the one used to prop up a stool leg.

The book was thick, covered in dust, with no trace of fingerprints.

But Jiang Nan keenly noticed something unusual.

The stool leg had left a slight concave imprint on the book’s surface only that small area was dented, as if pressed by a stone. A normal book shouldn’t have such an indentation.

Jiang Nan tapped it with her knuckles.

It was indeed hollow inside.

She moved the stool aside and opened the book.

Apart from the first cover page, the middle had been hollowed out, revealing a small button at the bottom.

When Jiang Nan pressed it, a hidden compartment appeared on the floor.

She descended a few steps and encountered an iron door. The door was secured with several large, heavy locks. She had only brought a thin piece of wire, which wasn’t enough.

Jiang Nan called out a few times through the door, but there was no response.

Her heart grew anxious.

Xiao Ran was most likely inside but why wasn’t she responding? Had she been injured?

Jiang Nan had no choice but to go back outside and ask her hidden guards to find thicker wires.

As she waited, she couldn’t sit still.

Suddenly, something soft pressed against her back, and a girl’s cheerful voice said, “Sister, look what I brought you!”

Xiao Ran?

Jiang Nan turned and saw it was indeed her.

She was standing there, perfectly fine.

“Where have you been?” Jiang Nan asked, greatly relieved.

“A few days ago, I heard Fang Rui say that the teahouse in Qu City was developing a bit slowly. If we could get a recommendation from someone influential there, it would help a lot. I remembered that my father’s treasury had a token from the manager of Qu City’s largest pawnshop, so I went to get it.” Xiao Ran smiled. “Look, this is it.”

She opened her hand, revealing an unremarkable little plaque engraved with a name Wang Yu.

“If it’s really that useful, why didn’t Xiao Li use it?”

“This was left by my grandfather. My father doesn’t even know it’s useful!”

Jiang Nan ruffled her hair. “Where have you been these past two days?”

Xiao Ran replied, “I was locked in there.”

She blinked and added, “I took a lot of my father’s things useful or not. Among them happened to be the key to the dungeon.”

She led Jiang Nan to a secluded little room and pointed to an iron chest.

“These are all things he kept in the treasury. Sister Jiang, see if there’s anything you need.”

Before long.

Xiao Shi brought Xiao Li over in custody.

Xiao Li was stubborn by nature. Upon seeing Jiang Nan, he snorted coldly: “Had I known you weren’t even willing to pay two hundred thousand taels, I would’ve just sold her outright.”

Jiang Nan’s expression darkened: “Break his legs first.”