Jiang Yuanxi continued to complain.

【That Liu Ruqing was specifically arranged by the enemy nation Xiongnu for Second Brother, everything about her was trained according to his preferences. My foolish Second Brother even wants to marry her.】

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuanwu was shocked.

【Second Brother spent all his family’s wealth for Liu Ruqing, and even worse, he’s collaborating with the enemy and betraying the country. The Duke of Anguo framed Father for the crime, and Father couldn’t even rest in peace after his death.】

Jiang Fengyuan trembled with anger, realizing that the disgraceful blame on him was actually carried for his son!

If possible, this rebellious son should be beaten to death.

After leaving, Jiang Yuanwu still couldn’t believe it.

Back then, Qingqing saved him from peril and even broke ties with her family for him.

How could she have been arranged by the enemy nation?

It must be a misunderstanding; children often speak nonsense.

Yes, that must be it.

Jiang Yuanwu convinced himself.

When he turned around, he saw his father glaring at him with rage.

At home, Jiang Yuanwu feared only Jiang Fengyuan.

Recalling the days when he was scolded and beaten like a dog, seeing that expression on his father’s face now made his legs go weak.

Jiang Yuanwu felt his scalp go numb, and he trembled as he spoke.

“Father, wh-what’s wrong?”

Jiang Fengyuan pulled out a stick from behind and chased after Jiang Yuanwu, beating him all day.

Even though nothing had happened yet, this rebellious son still needed to be taught a lesson.

Making you waste the family wealth!

Making you betray the country!

And making me bear your disgrace!

The next day, Jiang Yuanwu was unable to get out of bed.

If his guess was correct, he would be spending this New Year in bed.

When Jiang Yuancheng came to visit with Jiang Yuanxi, Liu Ruqing was in the room.

Jiang Yuancheng, carrying his sister, hid behind a corner.

Inside the room, Liu Ruqing was crying, covering her face.

“Yuanwu gege, how could this happen? Is it because of me that you…”

“No,” Jiang Yuanwu interrupted her quickly, “It’s because of something else.”

Fearing that Liu Ruqing might overthink, Jiang Yuanwu gently comforted her.

“Qingqing, don’t think too much. I only wish to marry you in this lifetime. Moreover, Father and Mother haven’t said they disagree.”

Liu Ruqing wiped her tears and turned around.

“If my presence makes things difficult for you, Yuanwu gege, I will leave.”

“Qingqing!” Jiang Yuanwu grabbed her.

“Ah.” His injury on his backside made him wince.

Liu Ruqing hurriedly returned, both concerned and guilty.

“Yuanwu gege, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. Let me check on your wound.”

Saying that, she reached out and lifted the blanket.

Jiang Yuanwu quickly pressed down his waistband.

His face turned slightly red. “Qingqing, this isn’t appropriate.”

Although they had spent years together, they had never crossed any lines.

One reason was that Jiang Yuanwu respected her reputation, and the other was that the battlefield was unpredictable; if he lost his life, Qingqing would still have the chance to marry someone else.

Now, it was different. He had returned victorious and was determined to make Qingqing his wife.

Liu Ruqing’s face turned red, but her hand was still on his waistband.

“Yuanwu gege, you’re injured. How can I not take care of you? Besides, I know some medicine, I don’t want anyone else seeing your wound.”

The two outside were stunned.

Jiang Yuancheng: How could there be such an unashamed woman?

Jiang Yuanxi was surprised. Could this be a reversal of the typical domineering prince trope?

What didn’t she want anyone to see?

His second brother’s backside?

What was going on!?

His second brother actually liked this type!

No way, let’s watch a little longer.

Mrs. Chen arrived with Chunzhi and saw the two sneaking by the door.

Recalling Fourth Son’s irresponsible behavior, Mrs. Chen thought that Yuanxi’s shocking words earlier might have been influenced by this fool.

She picked up Jiang Yuanxi and went inside to find Liu Ruqing still in the room.

Upon seeing Mrs. Chen, Liu Ruqing quickly withdrew her hand and stood up to salute.

“Greetings, Madam.”

Seeing her, Mrs. Chen remembered what Yuanxi had said yesterday.

Now, watching her actions, Mrs. Chen disapproved even more.

Besides, there were plenty of servants in the house, why would a young, unmarried girl be doing this?

It was clear what she was after.

And Mrs. Chen would never let her succeed.

“Liu Ruqing, although you saved my son, I will not agree to your marriage.”

“Mother!” Jiang Yuanwu cried out in desperation.

“Shut up!”

Mrs. Chen almost fainted from anger.

Yuanxi had been so clear about it yesterday, and yet he still couldn’t let go.

The General had been too lenient.

【Second Brother must have his brain covered in filth. How could such a good Second Brother turn out like this?】

Jiang Yuancheng agreed, his sister’s words were spot on.

But they couldn’t let such a woman ruin his pure and innocent Second Brother.

【Second Brother is so foolish. Over the years, Liu Ruqing has been secretly passing messages to the Xiongnu. Beneath her bed, there’s even a map of our Windward Border.】

【And she goes out every month to meet her lover, waiting to marry you so you can raise her lover’s son.】

【A complete victim.】

Mrs. Chen looked at Jiang Yuanwu with a complicated expression.

She had been going out secretly every month, and for all these years, her son hadn’t noticed a thing.

Indeed, his brain must have been covered in filth.

Jiang Yuanwu looked heartbroken but still refused to believe it.

His sister was definitely talking nonsense.

Mrs. Chen gave a few instructions to Chunzhi, and Chunzhi quietly left.

“The lady has entered the manor. She will stay here for now, and in a few days, I will arrange for her to return home.”

Liu Ruqing looked around, but Jiang Yuanwu didn’t help her.

“Yuanwu gege, I’m not worthy of you…”

She was on the verge of tears and then hurriedly ran out.

Before long, Chunzhi returned.

She pulled out a piece of sheepskin parchment from her sleeve.

Mrs. Chen opened it and her expression darkened.

She handed the parchment to her foolish son.

At a glance, he clutched the parchment and began crying.

The parchment not only had a map of the Windward Border, but also the addresses of citizens and even officials within the city.

It was so detailed, clearly not something that could have been done in a single day.

If Liu Ruqing had passed this map to the Xiongnu, he would have been a traitor to the entire Windward.

“Mother, I loved her so much, and she used me.”

【Because you’re stupid.】 Jiang Yuanxi casually replied to her second brother while eating pastry.

Jiang Yuanwu cried even harder.

But being her own son, Mrs. Chen couldn’t help but feel a bit of sympathy.

However, there were more urgent matters—what to do with Liu Ruqing?

This was a matter involving the country, and Mrs. Chen couldn’t interfere.

That evening, Mrs. Chen told Jiang Fengyuan about it.

Jiang Fengyuan’s expression was serious.

It was the year’s end, and the emperor had dismissed the court, and the officials were on holiday. Who would care about such a trivial matter?

Moreover, it was just a small spy.

They would have to wait until after the new year to deal with it.

At the same time, Jiang Fengyuan was furious.

If it weren’t for Yuanxi, that rebellious son might have been tricked out of everything, even his underwear.

How could he have such a foolish son?

To avoid alarming the enemy, Mrs. Chen arranged a temporary residence for Liu Ruqing at the Duke’s residence.

On New Year’s Eve, Jiang Yuancheng returned home.

The whole family gathered for a reunion dinner.

At the dinner table, Jiang Yuanxi sat holding the milk jug, her eyes fixed on the dishes.

After drinking for a long time, no milk had been poured into her mouth.

While everyone was chatting, Jiang Yuanxi seized the opportunity.

She reached out to grab the nearest piece of pork knuckle.

Jiang Yuanwu instinctively reached out to stop her.

Jiang Yuanxi’s eyes turned red from anger.

【Bad Second Brother, big bad egg, I want to eat meat, woo woo woo.】

Tears fell, and Jiang Yuanwu felt his heart ache.

Since Jiang Yuanxi started eating solid food, Mrs. Chen had been giving her pastries and vegetables every day.

But the little one always had her eyes on the meat.

Luckily, Yuanwu stopped her.

Mrs. Chen picked up her daughter and gave her a small piece of lotus cake.

【No, I don’t want that, I want to eat meat.】

【Second Brother is bad, no wonder he raises someone else’s son, and in the end, the adopted son exposes him. He deserves it. Ah, pfft.】

The chicken drumstick in Jiang Yuanwu’s hand dropped.

He shouldn’t have provoked his sister for no reason.