Zhang Chen leisurely walked into the front hall.
As soon as he entered the door, he saw a charming young woman being held down by two maidservants. The woman was wearing a large red wedding dress, her head covering had been removed, her hair was a bit messy, and her cheeks were slightly red and swollen, as if she had been slapped.
Tears streaked down the corners of the woman's eyes, smudging her makeup, yet she still retained the noble air of a well-born young lady.
It was Zhen Jiang!
Beside her, a woman with her hands on her hips imperiously shouted at her, "You wretched hussy, you're still not being obedient at a time like this! If you want to die, don't drag us down with you. When the Boss comes back later, see how he'll deal with you! You two, hold her down for me and hand her over to the Boss later!"
Seeing this, Zhang Chen couldn't help but feel rage welling up. He immediately darted forward and slapped the woman across the face.
"Ouch!" The woman shrieked. The slap left her dizzy and seeing stars.
She only felt a burning pain on her right cheek. Focusing her eyes, she realized the person before her was a young General wearing armor and holding a long spear.
The woman was startled. "You... who are you? I'm warning you, don't... don't mess around! The Boss is coming back soon!"
Zhang Chen sneered and said coldly, "He's not coming back. He's already dead!"
"What?! You... what did you say?!" The woman was instantly panicked upon hearing this.
The two maidservants also couldn't help but change their expressions.
Zhang Chen pointed his spear, the tip aiming half an inch from the woman's throat. She was so frightened that her body went limp and she collapsed onto the ground.
"L... Lord, spare my life, spare my life!"
After the woman finished speaking, the two maidservants also quickly released Zhen Jiang, prostrated themselves on the ground, trembling like sieves, and repeatedly kowtowed to beg for mercy.
"Lord, Lord, spare my life, Lord! This... this isn't our fault. The bandits from Qingfeng Stronghold forced us to do it!" The woman was full of panic, constantly kowtowing and begging for mercy.
Zhang Chen paid them no mind and walked directly to Zhen Jiang, saying with concern, "Zhang was late and caused Miss Zhen distress."
With tears in her eyes, Zhen Jiang excitedly threw herself into Zhang Chen's embrace.
Zhang Chen was momentarily at a loss, so he could only gently embrace her, lightly stroking her back to soothe her emotions.
After a moment, Zhen Jiang's emotions calmed slightly. Perhaps realizing her loss of composure, she quickly took a step back, wiped the tear stains from the corners of her eyes, and said, "Thank you, Zhang Gongzi, for the rescue. Otherwise, this humble daughter would have been defiled by those bandits today."
As Zhen Jiang spoke, seeing that she was still wearing the wedding dress, she couldn't help but feel ashamed and indignant. She immediately tore the wedding dress off.
Upon seeing this, Zhang Chen quickly took off the cloak from behind him and draped it over her.
"Miss!"
Suddenly, a female voice came from outside the door. A small maidservant, about thirteen or fourteen years old, quickly ran in.
This was Zhen Jiang's maidservant, Jinxiu. She had just been rescued by the Soldiers and, worried about Zhen Jiang's safety, hurried here.
"Miss, are you alright? Those bandits, did they... did they..."
As Jinxiu spoke, her eyes unknowingly became somewhat moist.
"Don't worry, I'm fine," Zhen Jiang said, gently stroking her head. "Thanks to Zhang Gongzi leading his troops to arrive and suppress the mountain bandits. Jinxiu, hurry and thank Zhang Gongzi for saving my life."
"Zhang Gongzi?" Jinxiu then noticed Zhang Chen beside her. With one look, she couldn't help but exclaim, "It's you! You're that impu..."
"Jinxiu! Don't be rude!" Seeing her speak without restraint, Zhen Jiang quickly stopped her.
Zhang Chen, however, smiled and said, "It's alright. Miss Jinxiu is just straightforward and pure."
As Zhang Chen spoke, he took out the jade pendant from his arms and handed it to Zhen Jiang. "Miss Zhen, this jade pendant is the one you accidentally dropped in the market this morning. It is now returned to its rightful owner."
Zhen Jiang reached out and took the jade pendant, thanking Zhang Chen again.
Just then, Zhang He led a team of Soldiers in and said, "Lord, the money, grain, and supplies in the stronghold have all been counted. We obtained a total of 500,000 coins, 300 piculs of grain, over 600 horses, and countless other weapons and armor. It's a pity the back stronghold was burned, otherwise we could have obtained much more grain and fodder."
Such a small bandit stronghold actually had so much money and grain. It's clear how many illegal activities they engaged in on a daily basis!
Zhang Chen immediately said with a look of disgust, "Register all these items and transport them back to Ye City. Burn this 'Qingfeng Stronghold' to the ground!"
"Understood!"
Zhang Chen then said to Zhen Jiang, "Miss Zhen, it's getting late. How about returning to Ye City with us? Tomorrow morning, I will send someone to escort you back to Zhongshan, is that alright?"
Zhen Jiang lowered her eyebrows shyly and said softly, "Everything is up to Gongzi's decision."
Zhang Chen immediately gave the order, instructing someone to find a carriage to escort Zhen Jiang and Jinxiu back to Ye City.
By the time the army returned to Ye City, it was almost the hour of Xu. Zhang Chen ordered Zhang He to lead the army back to camp, while he personally drove the carriage, escorting Zhen Jiang and Jinxiu to the Prefect's Residence.
Inside the Residence, Li Wen and the Zhen Residence's servant Zhen Wang were waiting for news. Upon hearing that Zhang Chen had returned victorious and brought back two women, Zhen Wang excitedly ran out the door.
"Miss! Miss, it's so good that you're alright! Heaven bless, heaven bless!"
Upon seeing Zhen Wang there, Zhen Jiang immediately understood a bit and said, "Thanks to your quick thinking, knowing to come to the Prefect's Residence for help, Jinxiu and I were able to escape disaster."
"Miss, don't say that. It's all my fault for not protecting you well and letting you be frightened," Zhen Wang said. Seeing Zhang Chen nearby, he quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Prefect, for rescuing my Miss."
"Prefect?!" Zhen Jiang was slightly taken aback, and Jinxiu beside her was so shocked she gaped.
Zhen Jiang said in astonishment, "Zhang Gongzi, are you... the Prefect? But... isn't the Prefect Lord Li Wen?"
Just as she was speaking, Li Wen walked out from inside and smiled, "Virtuous niece, I will be transferred to Liang Province soon. Zifan is the new Prefect of Wei Commandery. The transfer order has already been issued."
"Esteemed Uncle!" As soon as Zhen Jiang saw Li Wen, she quickly stepped forward to pay her respects.
"Get up quickly," Li Wen said. "Under my rule, such wicked bandits appeared. It is due to my lax governance that you were frightened. Stay at the Residence for a night today and rest well. Tomorrow, I will send someone to escort you back."
"Thank you, Esteemed Uncle," Zhen Jiang bowed again and withdrew with Jinxiu, following the servants.
As she passed by Zhang Chen, Zhen Jiang slightly raised her eyes, their gazes met, and her cheeks immediately flushed red as she gave a slight smile.
Her eyes subtly held a hint of shyness; who could know the thoughts in a young girl's heart?
...
The next day, Zhang Chen personally selected thirty Soldiers to escort Zhen Jiang and her group back to Zhongshan. Zhang Chen even personally saw them off, only returning after reaching ten li outside the city.
At their farewell, Zhen Jiang took out the jade pendant from her waist, placed it in Zhang Chen's hand, and whispered with lowered eyebrows, "Zhang Gongzi's grace in saving me is deeply etched in this humble daughter's heart. This jade is something I always carry with me. Today, I give it to Gongzi, hoping fate will allow us to meet again."
After Zhen Jiang finished speaking, her eyes filled with shyness. Supported by Jinxiu, she got into the carriage and quickly departed.
Zhang Chen watched the departing carriage, then looked at the jade pendant in his hand, and couldn't help but smile slightly.
Zhang Chen tucked the jade pendant into his waist and turned back towards Ye City.