The Emperor was also greatly pleased with the seats of the carriage. The customized seats of the carriage felt extraordinarily comfortable. The cushions of the seats seemed to slightly conform to the body. However, it lacked the feeling of being swallowed. Usually, when a carriage was this well-cushioned, it felt like one was being smothered or swallowed by the cushions. However, although the carriage didn't look that big from the outside. The inside was extremely spacious, and the seats were extraordinarily comfortable.
Since it was still more space, the emperor called for Wang Fèn Yǒng and Wēi Wò Yàn to enter the carriage. After all nine people entered the carriage and got settled. The carriage began to move. The Liu Residence Guards, the Emperor entourage of honor guards, and the Wang Royal Manor Guards all surrounded the carriage, and Hòu Dao, who carried the son of Commander Jiang, created a human shield around them. They vigilantly began to escort the carriage, Hòu Dao, and the baby to Liu Residence under the cheering crowd and the Imperial Dragon Victorious Fireworks that was once more lighting the skies of the Imperial City of the Tolling Lands.
The Emperor grew completely astounded when the carriage began to move. The carriage ride was extremely smooth. So much smoother than even the specially designed Imperial carriages. Even the Lord, Lady, and Heir of Wang Royal Manor was surprised by how smooth the ride was. The Emperor exclaimed, "Who's carriage is this, and where was it made? I must get one like this!"
Commander Jiang answered the Emperor and said, "This carriage belongs to Young Master Liu. He specially designed it and had a woodworker, blacksmith, and several artisans and craftsmen construct it."
"This is a great carriage I will be sure to commission one later," The Emperor said. Then he changed the subject.
The Emperor looked at his friends and said in a sincere, serious voice, "I sincerely would like to apologize on behalf of the Imperial Family. A great injustice was done to the Four Martial Families. I also want to say thank you. Thank you for surviving so long, and thank you for returning safely. I missed my friends very much over these past years and prayed very hard for everyone's well-being and safe return." The Emperor said with wet eyes.
"Sāi Yuān," Wēi Yǒng Měng called, breaking a multitude of taboos by calling the Emperor by his given name. However, no one in the carriage cared or even paid it any mind. "There is no need for you to take the burden of blame upon your shoulders. This was not your doing. If it wasn't for you, Wang Dǔ Zhì, and Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā. The bloodlines of all four families would have died eight years ago. It's was due to your unbreakable trust and friendship that we are even alive today. You were named well. You are honest and farseeing. I've always loved your name." Wēi Yǒng Měng smiled and said.
T/N: The Emperor's given name is (塞)- Sāi: Honest, truthful. (渊) - Yuān: Deep, profound, abyss. (塞渊) - Sāi Yuān: honest and far-seeing
"I always felt as if I didn't do enough," the Emperor shook his head and said softly in a sorrowful voice. Tears begin dripped from the eyes of the Emperor, as he said. "It really pains and breaks my heart that it was my family that lost faith in your families first. For eight long years, I've tried to understand how Imperial Grandfather, who is so wise and the dowager queen who once led crusades against our enemies, could doubt the loyalty of our most trust Wēi, Jūn, Měng, and Jiang families. I have meditated on this for eight long years, and still, I have yet to find an answer." A steady stream of tears dripped down from the Emperor's eyes as he looked at his beloved friends in deep sorrow.
"Then I will answer your question for you," Jūn Zhōng Xīn said in a calm, quiet neutral voice. "They also fell victim to the same schemes our family fell victim to. Everyone in the Tolling Lands knows that although Elder Wang keeps his distance from the Imperial court. His greatest love and weakness is his family. The moment his last son died to a rebellion. Elder Wang became blind to everything other than revenge. Everyone knew of the love your Imperial mother had for your Imperial father. The moment the Emperor died to a rebellion, she too became blind to everything. All she wanted to do was feast on the blood of whoever it was that took away her most beloved." Jūn Zhōng Xīn informed the sad Emperor.
"The Elders of our family already knew we were all doomed the moment the Emperor died. They understood that just as the Four Families fell victim to the schemes of Elder Chen and Minister Peng. So did the Imperial Family. That was why every child of the Four Martial Families that was allowed to escape were forced to take oaths. We vowed never to seek revenge on the Imperial Family or the Tolling Lands because the Imperial Family too fell victim to the insidious schemes of wicked scheming Ministers of the Imperial court."
"They forced you to take vows," Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā gasped in shock as she gawked at the three men that were like younger brothers to her.
The Emperor, the Grand Prince, Lady Wū Gāng Huā, and Wang Fèn Yǒng stared at the four men in shock. This was the first they heard of this.
It was Jiang Tài Píng that said in a cold hard voice, "What did you think would happen if the Four Martial Families release over three hundred talented youths full of rage and wrath into the Tolling lands without forcing them first to vow not to harm the Imperial Family or the Tolling Lands." He returned their shocked gaze with a gaze of ice-cold frost.
"Let me remind you we are not talking about regular children here. We are talking about brilliant youths with the blood of Generals and Warriors running through their veins. Some were already generals. Yet instead of raining an unholy terror down on the Imperial family or the Tolling Lands for annihilated their families and forcing them into such a state. Every one of these youths tucked their tails in-between their legs, ran for their dear lives, and just tried to survive. It never occurred to you to ask why?" The Emperor, Wang Fèn Yǒng, Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā, and the Grand Prince all felt their heart tremble and their blood run cold as a chill slid down their spines.
Then a sudden pang of loss struck their hearts. The Emperor suddenly felt shrouded by a feeling of deep sorrow and loss. Such loyal servants. Even to the very end, the faithful Elders of the Four Martial Families only thought of protecting the Tolling Lands and the Imperial Family. Even from their own families. 'Aiya, what a devastating loss for the Tolling Lands.' The Emperor mourned the loss in his heart.
Indeed it never occurred to them to question why. They look at the quiet big man who hid it well. However, the big man decided to no longer hide it and allowed the Emperor, Grand Prince, Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā and Wang Fèn Yǒng to see and feel the raw, unadulterated fury, rage, and wrath in his heart. Dark, murderous wrath and killing intent exploded from the commander as he said in a voice full of deep dark rage, "I will not hide it from you that I am furious. I'm very, very furious." The Commander was so full of rage that his eyes turned red, and tears leaked from his eyes.
"However, I would rather die than to dishonor the vows I made. I would rather die than to dishonor my family's name, my ancestors, my father, and Elder Jiang, who I watch with my own eyes send away tens of thousands of martial warriors with one final toast. These martial warriors were warriors of the martial world who had secretly infiltrated the Imperial City to help the Jiang family rebel if rebellion was what they wanted to do." Everyone's eyes popped open in shock. This was the first they heard of it. This revelation was like a thunderbolt from a clear blue sunny sky.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Even his friends were shocked. They also knew nothing of this. Everyone in the carriage except the Grand Prince and Wang Fèn Yǒng momentarily gawked at the Commander in stupefaction. Wang Fèn Yǒng and the Grand Prince closely watched the Commanders every expression and every motion of his body with cold expressionless faces. They were ready to spring at any given moment.
Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā looked at the Grand Prince's eyes wide from shock and said, "During that time, didn't you wonder why there seemed to be so many warriors of the martial world in the Imperial City?"
"Yes," Grand Prince answer. "However, after we reported it. All the martial warriors seemed to vanish overnight." No one paid attention to the fact that the Grand Prince's never took his eyes off Commander Jiang as he answered. Or that he and his son both had their hands buried in their sleeves as they closely watched the Commander.
"Until their very last moment, I watched my Jiang family fulfill their vows of loyalty and duty to the previous Emperor who had just died, and to the Tolling Lands. Somedays I miss my family so much. It makes my heart fill with a rage that threats to consume me." Jiang Tài Píng fumed and ranted as a murderous rage as deep and dark as the abyss poured off of him.
Although the Commander's feelings were justified, the unadulterated fury of the Commander took the Emperor, the Grand Prince, and Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā aback. Wēi Yǒng Měng, Jūn Zhōng Xīn, Měng Tiān Cái, and Wēi Wò Yàn went stone-faced as the Commander spoke. They understood all too well how the Commander felt because they too shared his feeling.
"Honestly, it is my wife who helps me the most in those times. Also, when I think about Elder Jiang's final toast, it helps me to bear it. I would rather die than to dishonor their sacrifice. Our families knew of the blood that ran in our veins. That is why we were forced to take vows. Those that refused were not allowed to escape. Three of my blood brothers just couldn't bring themselves to say those vows." Commander Jiang said in rage and sorrow.
It was the following sentences that made the Grand Prince and Wang Fèn Yǒng silently resheath the blades that stealthily slipped into their hands that were hidden in their sleeves. A thin coat of sweat coated the forehead of the Grand Prince. It would have hurt his heart to have to kill the Commander. The Grand Prince gave prayers of deep thanks that Commander Jiang was able to contain and control his emotions.
There was one thing that the Grand Prince absolutely would not tolerate under any circumstances. He would not tolerate threats of any kind to his younger brother, the Emperor. However, Wang Fèn Yǒng maintained a calm and cold face. His forehead remained dry, and his heart was steady. The father and son silently exchanged looks with each other and continued to quietly listen as the commander spoke.
"However, Your Majesty need not worry. Although I am furious, I do not blame you. In fact, I am very thankful to Your Majesty, the Grand Prince, and Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā. I have learned that it was because of your complete trust in Wēi Yǒng Měng, Jūn Zhōng Xīn, and Měng Tiān Cái that you all refused to give up until the very end. When all failed, you pleaded for the descendants of all four families. It's is because of you I am allowed to see my friends, my godson and my son again. For that, I will forever be thankful," Commander Jiang allowed his sincere gratitude to show in his eyes.
"Truthfully, I was sent away into the martial world with an old friend of Elder Jiang's. So I didn't know that the youths and children of the Four Martial Families were allowed to escape. I only recently returned to the Tolling Lands. I came to the Imperial City looking for a doctor to help my wife, who was fatally ill and pregnant at the same time." The Commander said as he attempted to reassure the Emperor that although he was furious at the circumstance, he would not try to do anything. He saw that the emperor and the Lord, Lady, and Heir of Wang Royal Manor understood his message, so that was enough.
The emperor, Grand Prince, and Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā understood the true hidden might of the Jiang Family for the first time. They always knew that the Four Martial Families had connections to the Martial World, but this truly opened their eyes.
However, it was the Commander's sincerity and words of honesty and truth that dispelled the shadow of wariness towards the Commander that had grown in their hearts towards him. The Commander had chose not to secretly hide the feelings of his heart, but to openly and honestly display his heart before the Imperial Family and tell them exactly how he felt.
Commander Jiang's unspoken message to the Emperor meant many things, and the wise Emperor understood them all. He understood that had the Jiang Family truly wanted to rebel. The Imperial family would have probably all died and wouldn't have known death was coming for them until their very last moment. He also understood Commander Jiang's warning that Commander Jiang would not tolerate and endure injustice as his father, and Elder Jiang chose to endure if there was a next time. The emperor also understood that because they save the Commanders' friends. Commander Jiang would uphold his promise not to act against the Imperial Family or make the Imperial Family's lives difficult in the many small ways that he could have.
"Your wife, what was wrong with her? Is she okay now?" Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā asked with mild alarm and deep concern. If the wife of this ticking time bomb was all that was keeping this time bomb balanced, then we must make sure that his wife lives a long healthy life. Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā thought to herself.
"Yes, she his fine now," the commander nodded with a knowing look in his eyes. For he understood her unspoken thoughts. "She was very ill, and every doctor we took her to was unable to heal her. So I came to Imperial City hoping to find a doctor who was able to heal her. Thankfully I found one. However, just to keep her alive through her pregnancy cost everything that I had. I was too afraid to leave her to go get more funds, and she was too unwell to travel." The Commander said as a mild fear of what could have been gripped his heart.
"I sent word to my martial uncles and martial elders who had helped raise me in the martial world. However, I knew that the funds wouldn't arrive on time. I resulted to shameless begging people to help me pay for the medicine for my wife. The medicine was exorbitantly expensive, and I ran out of funds. That's when I met Young Master Liu." The Commander said with a slight smile on his face.
"Young Master Liu helped me and sent me on my way without asking anything in return. I couldn't believe that there was someone like my Eldest Brother living in the Imperial City. That was something my Eldest Brother would have done. My original plan was to return to the martial world after my wife got well. However, I found something about Young Master Liu so intriguing. Although he is much younger than me. He reminded me of my Eldest Brother so much. I decided to stay and begged him to hire me. I'm very glad that I did." The Commander thought on his young son he just retrieved. Had he returned to the martial world. Would he have ever found out that his son was still alive? Would he have ever seen his son alive again in this life?
"He reminds you of Kāng Píng?" Měng Tiān Cái asked with a raised eyebrow of surprise.
Commander Jiang's slight smile grew a little bigger as he said, "See if you can imagine a more cunning, generous, blunt, plain-speaking, unruly yet respectful, clever, resourceful, sly, peace-seeking yet trouble finding Kāng Píng." Jiang Tài Píng tried his best to describe the complicated, contradicting personality of Liu Tián Qǔ.
"Argh!" Jiang Tài Píng gave up on trying to describe Liu Tián Qǔ and said, "You will see when you met him. He is a young, thirteen years old youth. However, after meeting him, you will never mistake him for just a thirteen years old boy."
The Emperor gave Commander Jiang a deep penetrating look at his description of Liu Tián Qu. He wasn't the only one, either. The eyes of the ice-cold silent Wang Fèn Yong also settles on the Commander.
It was Jūn Zhōng Xīn that asked with a raised eyebrow, "Unruly yet respectful? Tài Píng Isn't that too much of a contradiction?"
"I watch him harshly scold an Elder and yell at the Elder to scram sending the Elder fleeing. Yet I watch him obediently accept a heavy scolding from his Butler without reprimanding his Butler for overstepping his boundaries." Jiang Tài Píng said with a hint of perplexion his voice.
"His Butler!" Jūn Zhōng Xīn said in astonishment. He wasn't the only one in the carriage astonished either.
"Exactly!" Commander Jiang nodded. "Even I don't understand it, and I witness both occasions with my own eyes. He is a walking talking contradiction."
"Interesting, I want to meet him," Měng Tiān Cái said with a faint smile.