Reborn Before My Husband Ascends the Throne
Chapter 32

Zhao Jingwen hurried back to Ye Family Fortress, full of joy. Rushing in, he ran into someone and grabbed them, asking, "Where is my wife?"

The servant said, "Young Master is back. The mistress is in the council hall. Please go quickly, Young Master."

Daily affairs could be handled in the study. Only big matters required gathering people in the council hall. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ NʘvᴇlFire.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Zhao Jingwen asked, "What happened?"

The person said, "I heard Ruan County was attacked."

Zhao Jingwen didn't want to miss any council discussions, so he hurried over.

The backbone of Ye Family Fortress gathered in the council hall, listening to a report from Ruan County.

"We don't know which family it was, but they looked like defeated soldiers. Our county magistrate organized the local militia to resist them. When they saw they couldn't succeed, they cursed and ran off, but they harassed many villagers along the way. Some men were killed and wives and daughters taken away."

"The county magistrate didn't dare send people to pursue them, so he specially came to report to you."

It seemed in just one day, everyone in Deng Prefecture had changed how they addressed Ye Suijin.

Now except for Ye family members still calling her "Sixth Sister," servants calling her "Mistress," everyone else uniformly called her "Your Ladyship."

No one called her "Fortress Master" anymore.

Everyone adapted extremely quickly.

This was when the people of Ye Family Fortress were most spirited. How could they allow outsiders to come and bully them? Hearing this, many said, "We can't ignore this."

"We can't let people think Deng Prefecture is easy to bully!"

Previously it was "our Ye Family Fortress." Now it had become "our Deng Prefecture." The responsibility on their shoulders instantly became heavier.

Mr. Yang said, "First we need to figure out what exactly happened over there. Where did these people come from? Jun Prefecture or Xiang Prefecture?"

In such chaotic times, places changed hands frequently.

But Ye Suijin knew it was Xiang Prefecture—

The Pei family was fighting with Xiang Prefecture over territory. This was just a scattered group of Pei's defeated soldiers.

But right now, news from Ye Family Fortress was still very closed off, at most only knowing the situation in neighboring areas. Further places were unclear.

So at that time, they decided to send someone "out" to investigate.

Ye Suijin had personal motivations and wanted to give her husband a chance, so she let him go.

In a flash, she heard Mr. Yang saying, "...We can't just watch the heavens from the bottom of a well. We have to at least know a little about the situation with our neighbors. Now, Your Ladyship is master of Deng Prefecture. Everyone must understand that things are different than before."

Ye Suijin nodded. "What Mr. Yang says is right. We need to know what happened over there. Will those men come back again? Are there others behind them?"

Fourth Uncle Ye said, "Exactly. Our Deng Prefecture can't let anyone bully us now. Anyone who dares make trouble for us, we have to beat back. Once our reputation spreads, others won't casually come to bully us."

Third Son Ye eagerly volunteered, "Sixth Sister, let me go."

Ye Suijin's lips parted slightly.

Last life, this was Zhao Jingwen's opportunity. His life embarked from here and he rose higher and higher.

But now Zhao Jingwen was in Fang City.

Perhaps this was fate. Just as Ye Suijin was about to agree to Third Son Ye's offer, a guard came to report, "Master Zhao has returned."

The council hall's screens were all open, and afternoon sunlight slanted in from right to left.

The airborne dust was divided into light and shadow.

With this report, it was as if time froze.

Ye Suijin looked up.

Ye Suijin had always known that the entanglement between her and Zhao Jingwen across two lifetimes would eventually end.

She had never figured out how to end it.

But now, arriving here, she made a decision.

"Have him come discuss matters together." She told the guard.

She turned and said to Third Son Ye, "Military training is more important. Third Brother has to stay. They're just a mob. Let Jingwen go."

Marriage is a complex tangled ball that you only understand once you've experienced it. It's absolutely not as simple and straightforward as one plus one equals two, two plus one equals three.

Twenty years as husband and wife, sharing the same bed.

Relying on each other back-to-back in life and death struggles, walking through difficult times together, bearing setbacks and failure together.

Later, each had their own interests and sat down to meticulously haggle and not concede an inch.

They had resented and cursed at each other, schemed against each other.

But when he lost his child, he would cry covering his face in front of her.

She would also hand him a cup of hot tea.

The decline of Ye family was due to her, not Zhao Jingwen. She was the one who led them down the path of contending for the realm, from which they could not turn back.

Duan Jin also did not die by his hand, but due to political schemes.

Having reached the position of Empress, Ye Suijin would no longer treat political schemes as personal grudges. Love was a trivial matter, interests were most important.

Zhao Jingwen was not an enemy or foe. He and her had contention over interests, as well as cooperation over interests.

She had to admit, Zhao Jingwen was a capable man.

Being in the midst of it last life, she still held some resentments. But having reborn and looking back, she could actually see more clearly, and was even convinced of her loss.

Last life, Zhao Jingwen still made her Empress in the end, always treating her as the principal wife.

This life, she would also give him a chance.

Let him go.

If he was a real dragon, he could soar to the ninth heaven by himself.

Only Ye Family Fortress would absolutely not be the palanquin bearers lifting him up as a footstool again.

If he had the ability, he could sit on that supreme position again by his own effort.

The rules in the council hall and study had become very strict now, requiring announcement and permission before entering.

Zhao Jingwen was not unhappy about this, instead feeling Ye Suijin ought to establish rules like this. After being granted permission, he hurried in.

Stepping into the hall, all eyes turned to him.

Third Son Ye had already instructed the servants not to tell Fourth Uncle Ye about Zhao Jingwen applying medicine to his eyes in front of Ye Suijin.

Fourth Uncle Ye didn't know Zhao Jingwen had always worked to sow discord between him and his nephew. Now that he was reconciled with Ye Suijin, he looked on Zhao Jingwen favorably too.

Moreover, now that Ye Suijin had the emperor's conferred title, as her husband Zhao Jingwen also rose with the tide. Whether they liked him or not, they had to give Ye Suijin face.

—Everyone knew Ye Suijin doted on this son-in-law very much. In food, clothing, and provisions, she always gave him the best grade. And didn't allow others to disrespect him for being a son-in-law.

Of course, no one knew the Ye Suijin before them now had a different soul, and was no longer the young Ye Suijin harmonious with her husband like lovebirds.

Stepping into the hall, Zhao Jingwen cupped his fists. "Wife, I've returned. Everyone."

Fourth Uncle Ye was the first to greet him. "Jingwen is back. Do you know the good news?"

Zhao Jingwen smiled. "I rushed back to congratulate my wife on the joyous news."

This really was fantastic news for Ye Family Fortress. Everyone smiled.

Ye Suijin also smiled slightly.

Zhao Jingwen went to sit in his seat and asked, "I just heard Ruan County was attacked?"

Quickly trying to integrate into the discussion.

Ye Suijin nodded. "We're discussing this matter. Since you've returned, you'll lead people to go investigate."

She concisely told Zhao Jingwen about the situation, saying, "First, go look at the damage to Ruan County. Second, pursue them if you can, kill them if you catch them. Third..."

She looked deeply at Zhao Jingwen.

Deng Prefecture didn't have such stability at this time last life. She had just defeated Du Jinzong and was cleaning up the mess in Nanyang and Fang City.

When Zhao Jingwen went, he handled things very beautifully.

Her requirements of him were just to drive off the mob and maintain Ruan County's order, but he took the initiative to go further.

This trip...

"Third," she said, "Go investigate what exactly happened. Whether it was Jun Prefecture or Xiang Prefecture that rebelled."

Zhao Jingwen didn't expect to be given a task as soon as he returned.

He had actually rushed back for military training.

He saw very clearly that county magistrates, prefects, military governors, you had to have soldiers in hand to have a say.

The one with the most soldiers under heaven could become Emperor.

It was this simple.

He had anxiously returned wanting to find a suitable position for himself. Some things were just one person one slot. Recently Ye Suijin didn't seem to listen to him much, instead being close with the Ye family members, her intentions to promote her clan brothers were too obvious. He was afraid if he wasn't by her side, there would be no good positions left later.

How could he have known Ye Suijin wanted to send him out as soon as he returned.

Zhao Jingwen was somewhat unwilling in his heart, as training the troops was the major event at present. But for some reason, the look in Ye Suijin's eyes seemed full of anticipation as she gazed at him. She hadn't looked at him that way for a long time.

There was nothing more important to him in this world than not disappointing Ye Suijin.

Zhao Jingwen immediately agreed, "Alright."

Ye Suijin nodded and specially told him, "I'll give you a company of troops. Take Xiang Da and Ye Mancang with you."

In their previous life, she had squeezed out three hundred men and four officers for him. This life she cut that all in half - one hundred soldiers, two officers, to let him fool around with as he wished.

Xiang Da and Ye Mancang were among the first to follow him and were the most loyal to him.

As for Xiang Da, fine. But Ye Mancang had been granted the Ye surname as a servant. Later in the capital, whether in the palace or on the streets, Duan Jin had never so much as glanced at Ye Mancang.

Of course by then Ye Mancang had already changed back to his original surname.

Letting those two follow Zhao Jingwen again this life, whoever was willing to follow Zhao Jingwen to the end could go.

If they were fated to have no bond, there was no use in forcing it.

But a company was a hundred men. Last life, despite tight manpower, she had still squeezed out three hundred for Zhao Jingwen.

She wouldn't do that this time.

One hundred men, to let him take as far as he wanted to go.

Giving him these hundred men and allowing him to go, the two of them as husband and wife would clear their obligations to each other in this life, with nothing owed between them.

Zhao Jingwen just happened to return and happened to arrive in time for the Rancheng county incident, so Ye Suijin assigned him to handle this matter.

The appointment seemed natural, and no one thought much of it, including Zhao Jingwen himself.

Only Third Son Ye gave him an extra look.

After the council dispersed and there was no one around, Third Son Ye said to his father in the corridor, "Big sister's list of appointments didn't include Zhao Jingwen."

"Huh? It didn't include him?" Fourth Uncle Ye said in surprise. "I thought I saw everyone's names. You must have missed it, how could he not be there?"

Third Son Ye affirmed, "I didn't miss it. I looked twice, he definitely wasn't there."

"Strange. Even if someone was missed, it shouldn't have been him." Fourth Uncle Ye stroked the back of his head and suddenly said, "Is Suijin deliberately avoiding suspicion?"

If the genders were switched, Zhao Jingwen would be the "wife".

No high official could give an appointment to the "wife".

That seemed plausible.

But Third Son Ye said, "Even A Jin has a rank of Captain."

Fourth Uncle Ye was unconcerned, "Why make a fuss over so much? Don't interfere randomly in other people's marital affairs. Your uncles and brothers all have official positions, Suijin has arranged things perfectly, I don't see any issues."

The elders who had previously voiced some objections over Ye Jingyi being appointed as the county magistrate of Nanyang were now all satisfied as well.

"Especially you. Among your brothers of the same generation, they are all Captains, while only you are a Colonel, on equal standing with your uncles. It shows Suijin understands things clearly in her heart," Fourth Uncle Ye waved his hand, "No need for you to say more."

Third Son Ye nodded and didn't continue on the matter.

Fourth Uncle Ye said, "Let's go, I'll take you to see the new recruits!"

Compared to anything else, this was the important thing. Third Son Ye walked faster to keep up.

Ye Family Fort originally had 1,200 robust youths on the registers of its companies, equivalent to a Deputy General's office. After recruiting for a month, it had now expanded to 2,700 robust youths, an increase of 1,500 people.

In terms of military power, it had doubled.

Third Son Ye rode his horse and followed Fourth Uncle Ye to the new recruit camp.

At a sweeping glance, it took his breath away.

The dugouts were low, but extremely neat, in rows and columns.

It was already evening now. The new recruits had just finished training and were dismissed, and were now preparing dinner.

The "stove" was a pit dug outside the dugout barracks door on the left side, the same for each one.

Even the smoke from cooking rose in lines and columns.

No matter what, once in formation and with scale, and so neat, it made people involuntarily filled with awe!

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