Chapter 39: Back Then

The location of the callus looked exactly like the kind formed from years of gripping a weapon.

Although the man was likely a hunter or butcher, the position and force used when holding a cleaver or axe differed from that of a spear or sword.

The distinction was subtle, but not undetectable.

She vaguely recalled that the imperial court hadn’t conscripted many soldiers in recent years.

Yet the callus on the man’s hand clearly came from years of practice.

Moreover, his entire demeanor was far from that of an ordinary soldier.

Even so…

In recent years, more and more people had left the military, and the man’s identity wasn’t necessarily something worth paying much attention to.

But perhaps due to a woman’s intuition, Jiang Jin wouldn’t let go of any opportunity.

Before departing, Buyu mentioned he had made other discoveries in Qingzhou.

Though she didn’t know the specifics, she felt that whatever he had found would be of great help to Xie Chengzhi.

It was a pity she hadn’t been able to ask for details earlier.

Now, no matter how much she speculated, she might still be wrong!

…

“I’m fine. If I survived back then, I won’t let anything happen to me now,” the man said, then called the waiter over to refill their tea.

Mentioning the past, the woman seemed more agitated than the man.

“You back then…” The woman glared at him angrily, about to say something, but suddenly remembered their surroundings and stopped herself.

After a moment of silence, she said to the man, “Let’s not bring up the past anymore. We’re living well now, and Bao’er is waiting for us at home. Once you sell the goods, we’ll head back!”

“Mm,” the man nodded in agreement.

Listening nearby, Jiang Jin felt puzzled and curious when they mentioned “back then.”

Back then?

When exactly was “back then”?

What had happened back then?

Her mind filled with questions, she whispered a few instructions to Songli.

After Songli left, she picked up her tea and sipped slowly, continuing to observe the couple.

However, they didn’t stay much longer and soon got up to leave.

Jiang Jin couldn’t follow them alone, so she waited a while before leaving herself.

By the time she stepped out of the teahouse, the couple was nowhere in sight.

Unfazed, she boarded her carriage and instructed the driver to return to the Cui residence.

…

That evening, Songli returned.

“Miss, I found out. That couple lives in a small village outside Qingzhou city. The man is an outsider, while the woman grew up in the village,” Songli reported everything she had learned.

However, Jiang Jin wasn’t entirely satisfied with this answer.

Fortunately, she would be staying in Qingzhou for a long time, so she could investigate things slowly.

“You’ve worked hard today. It’s impressive you managed to find out so much in such a short time.”

Jiang Jin nodded, acknowledging Songli’s efforts.

The couple had lived in the village for a long time, surrounded by familiar faces, so they naturally wouldn’t easily disclose information about themselves to an outsider like Songli.

It was already quite an achievement for Songli to learn that the man wasn’t a local. Earlier in the teahouse, Jiang Jin hadn’t even noticed the man’s accent.

But this also revealed one thing: the man must have been in Qingzhou for quite some time.

The woman had grown up in the village, with few opportunities to venture out. If she had encountered a man, it must have been near the village, at least within the boundaries of Qingzhou.

The man was an outsider and had once wielded weapons for a long time.

Either he had been stationed in Qingzhou with the army, or he had come to Qingzhou after leaving the military!

With a general direction in mind, investigating further would be easier.

Given how they avoided discussing the events of that year, she naturally couldn’t pry into it recklessly.

She only wanted to know what she needed, but that didn’t mean she would uncover the truth at the expense of hurting others!

…

Three days passed quickly. While waiting, Jiang Jin kept herself busy.

The Cui residence had many books, and in her spare time, she browsed through some related to military positions.

However, she didn’t place her hopes solely on this. She merely wanted to familiarize herself with relevant knowledge, just in case.

When she came across information about the “Weiwu Army,” she perked up, reading every word carefully.

The “Weiwu Army” was established during the chaos of the previous dynasty by Cheng Yi, the second legitimate son of the prominent Cheng Clan at the time. Cheng Yi befriended the founding emperor during the turbulent era, and together they fought to establish the dynasty.

When the dynasty was founded, the founding emperor intended to enfeoff Cheng Yi as a prince of a different surname, but Cheng Yi politely declined.

Later, as compensation, the founding emperor granted Cheng Yi the title of Duke, with the privilege of hereditary succession.

Since then, all commanders of the “Weiwu Army” have been descendants of the Cheng Clan.

The former Heir of Duke Cheng, Cheng Huan, was another exceptional figure after Cheng Yi.

He was well-versed in both civil and military affairs, proficient in all forms of weaponry.

Every battle he led ended in resounding victory.

Until that year…

What should have been a routine expedition ended in tragedy, with soldiers returning in coffins.

And her second uncle also sacrificed his life in that battle!

At the time, the emperor ordered an investigation that lasted over three months, but the conclusion was simply—they were outmatched in skill.

Yet Jiang Jin, having lived a second life, knew it wasn’t that simple.

Even the wisest can make mistakes, but this shouldn’t have been one of them.

And she believed in her second uncle.

Her second uncle was steady and shrewd, never engaging in a battle unprepared.

Even if the Heir of Duke Cheng had made impulsive or unwise decisions, her second uncle would have advised against them.

Ending up like this, Jiang Jin believed something must have happened that year.

But now, so much time had passed, and many witnesses had already perished on the battlefield.

Those who knew the truth were few and far between.

Even the marquis estate and the Guogong Residence found it difficult to uncover the truth.

What could she do?

Jiang Jin sighed softly, reflecting for a moment before letting it go.

Some things must be let go when the time comes. What truly cannot be let go is etched into the bones, impossible to erase.

Like…

Her experiences from her previous life.

Now, Li Jue and she were no longer entangled as they were in her past life, but those memories remained deeply buried in her heart, impossible to forget no matter how hard she tried!

Closing the book and returning it to the shelf, Jiang Jin left the room.

A breeze swept through the courtyard, brushing against her cheeks and stirring the stray hairs at her temples.

One strand drifted before her eyes, blocking her vision.

She reached out and tucked it behind her ear, and as she did, a familiar figure appeared in her line of sight.

Jiang Jin stared straight at him, not daring to blink, afraid that the figure before her would vanish.

His sleeves were long, swaying left and right with the wind and his movements.

His footsteps were light, yet loud enough for Jiang Jin to hear, letting her understand that the person before her, all of this before her, was not a fleeting illusion.

Jiang Jin parted her lips and slowly spoke his title: “Your Highness, Ning Wang.”

The young maiden’s voice was soft, sweet, and carried a hint of coquettishness.

Xie Chengzhi listened, the corners of his lips lifting as a smile slowly spread across his face.

“Mhm.” He nodded gently in response to Jiang Jin’s address.