The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 1715 - 838 Grand Marshal Is Here! (Second Update)

Chapter 1715: 838 Grand Marshal Is Here! (Second Update)

This sound of "little chicken monkey" was simply a demonic noise from the heavens, causing a certain one-eyed pirate leader to shiver.

No way?

How could it be this kid?

And how did he recognize me even after I’ve disguised myself like this?

"You’ve got the wrong person!" The one-eyed pirate leader steadfastly denied it, turned around, and strode briskly towards the rail; he wanted to get off the ship.

If news got back to his son about robbing his own, the son would be upset with him.

He gestured to the little pirate: "Retreat!"

Little Jingkong trotted out: "Huh? Little chicken monkey, why are you leaving?"

The one-eyed pirate quickened his pace, adhering to the principle of "if I don’t get caught, then it’s not me," and walked briskly forward.

But just at that moment, the little pirate’s marbles fell out and clattered at his feet.

He stepped on them and landed face down with a resounding crash!

My back—

Chang Jing, is it not possible for you to go a day without sabotaging your young master!!!

Chang Jing glanced disapprovingly at Marquis Xuanping, picked up the marbles from the deck, wiped them on Marquis Xuanping’s trousers, and then put the clean marbles back in his silk pouch.

"Brother Chang Jing!" Little Jingkong came over to Chang Jing, lifted his little head, and raised his small fist, "Long time no see!"

"Mm, Jingkong, long time no see." Chang Jing nodded, extending his hand to meet Little Jingkong’s fist with his own.

Wang Xu looked utterly bewildered.

What’s going on?

You know each other?

What dialect are you speaking? I don’t understand a word!

Little Jingkong, being an unremarkable linguistic genius, switched effortlessly into Zhan Country language, which Wang Xu couldn’t understand at all.

But the people in the cabin understood.

Old Jijiu walked out with a solemn face: "Marquis Xuanping, how dare you neglect your duties as a marquis to become a pirate at sea?"

And saying things like "kill all their men, snatch all their women, and capture all their children!"

Listen to this, listen to this, is this something a marquis of a country should say? This is blatantly pirate-like talk!

Is this the result of your pirate-clearing mission at sea last year?

Instead of learning the good, you picked up all this scoundrel talk so fluently?

Marquis Xuanping had already calmed down, slowly got up from the ground, dusted off his sleeves with dignity and elegance, and smiled slightly: "Huo Jijiu, long time no see, I trust you have been well. I was just—"

The old Jijiu interrupted him, completing the sentence: "Just pretending to be a pirate to test our warship’s soldiers, but it seems these soldiers aren’t up to par, and I still need to personally step in to escort your highness."

Marquis Xuanping’s mouth twitched.

No wonder you write scripts, you can even guess these perfect lines?

Marquis Xuanping quickly changed the topic: "By the way, how come you’re on a Yan Country’s ship? You’re a Jijiu of Zhan Country, appearing with officials of Yan Country isn’t quite appropriate, right."

"Hehehe." What an improvement in the art of backhanded accusations, but alas Marquis Xuanping, this time you are not dealing with me!

The old Jijiu stepped aside.

Inside the cabin, the dowager empress walked out with an authoritative aura.

Marquis Xuanping’s gaze trembled, he looked at the old Jijiu, then at the dowager empress: "No way, you two... eloped..."

The old Jijiu burst out on the spot: "It’s not what you think!"

Marquis Xuanping looked at him quizzically: "If it isn’t, then it isn’t. Why are you so agitated?"

The old Jijiu raised his hand, straightened his attire: "I-I... was I very agitated? That’s because you ruined the dowager empress’s reputation?"

Wang Xu, not understanding Zhan Country’s language, simply watched them exchange words without understanding what was said.

Empress Dowager Zhuang looked at Marquis Xuanping steadily: "You, come with me."

Marquis Xuanping followed the Empress Dowager into the cabin.

Wang Xu propped himself up on the deck, looking at the little pirate with exceptional martial arts skills, then at the great pirate who seemed to obey the old lady’s every word, feeling a pinch in his chest.

Who are all these people?

If he had known, he wouldn’t have swapped missions with that Geng family kid; it would’ve been better to go with the Crown Prince to Chen Country.

Chang Jing and Little Jingkong stayed on the deck playing marbles, while Marquis Xuanping followed the Empress Dowager into the conference room.

Inside were two familiar faces—Gu Yan and Gu Xiaoshun.

South Master and Lu Master were attending to private matters in Shengdu and did not return with them.

There was also a stranger sitting in a wheelchair.

Gu Yan and Gu Xiaoshun remained silent.

They knew that Duke An was proficient in six languages and anything they said would give them away, so they simply decided not to greet Marquis Xuanping, instead just staring at him eagerly.

Duchess Dowager Zhuang said nonchalantly, "We are all on the same side, no need to be formal. This is Marquis Xuanping of Zhan Country."

She introduced Duke An and then said to Marquis Xuanping, "This is Duke An from Dayan, Jiaojiao’s godfather."

His daughter-in-law has a godfather in Dayan?

Marquis Xuanping instantly became courteous, smiled, and said, "So it’s Duke An, I’ve long admired you."

Duke An wrote in Zhan script on the armrest, "Marquis Xuanping, long admired."

It truly was long admired; twenty years ago, this guy was listed among the six beauties of the nations, recognized by everyone under heaven.

"You can write backwards too," Marquis Xuanping expressed admiration.

"Please sit," Duchess Dowager Zhuang said.

Marquis Xuanping sat down and looked at Gu Yan, "Are you feeling better?"

His vitality had noticeably changed.

Gu Yan proudly replied, "Yes, my sister cured me!"

Marquis Xuanping nodded, "My daughter-in-law is amazing."

Don’t be so eager, she isn’t your daughter-in-law yet.

If the occasion were different, Duke An would have written that on the armrest.

However, given the pressing situation, it was not the time to dwell on personal matters, the life and death of Gu Jiao was the key issue.

The purpose of his eastern expedition this time was to negotiate peace with Zhan Country, and meeting a Zhan general in advance was a rare opportunity for him.

"You probably guessed a bit about my identity as well," Duchess Dowager Zhuang said to Duke An.

Duke An looked at Marquis Xuanping and dipped a fingertip into water to write on the armrest, "Zhan Country, Duchess Dowager Zhuang."

There had been some speculation along the way, but it was only confirmed just now.

The only people who could make Marquis Xuanping bow and pledge allegiance were the emperor of the Great Zhou or this regent empress dowager.

Duchess Dowager Zhuang also introduced the old Jijiu, "His surname is Huo, he is the Jijiu of Guozijian in Zhan Country."

He had heard a bit about Zhan Country; Duchess Dowager Zhuang and Huo Jijiu were mortal enemies, even if knives were raining down from the sky, they wouldn’t be caught together—

Thus, Duke An truly hadn’t guessed that the man was the old Jijiu.

Duchess Dowager Zhuang said flatly, "Let’s get down to business, I’ll be brief. The reason we came to Yan Country is because we’re worried about a few children—"

Marquis Xuanping looked around.

"Ahen is not on the ship," Duchess Dowager Zhuang said.

"Where did he go?" Marquis Xuanping asked.

"He went to Chen Country," Duchess Dowager Zhuang said, "Don’t be quick to ask questions, listen to me first, you left the military camp without permission, that’s dereliction of duty, impersonating sea bandits to kidnap a country’s empress dowager, that’s defying superiors."

Marquis Xuanping rubbed his hands, smiling, "How could I have known it was you? We’re all on the same side, give me some face."

Duchess Dowager Zhuang said sternly, "I can let go of your matters, but do you care about Jiaojiao’s affairs or not?"

Marquis Xuanping, half-smiling, said, "Oh, what’s wrong with that girl?"

Duchess Dowager Zhuang saw his expression and knew he truly wasn’t aware of what was happening in Yan Country.

It couldn’t be entirely blamed on him.

But thinking of Jiaojiao’s plight, facing severe danger, this guy still had the mind to engage in piracy on the sea, she just wanted to slap him hard!

Duchess Dowager Zhuang suppressed her anger and said sternly, "She is being besieged by Dayan’s rebel army as well as the forces of Jin and Liang countries, and she’s about to reach her limit."

Marquis Xuanping’s smile cooled, his eyes gradually turning dangerous.

Duchess Dowager Zhuang sighed, "A lot has happened in between, and Huo Jijiu will explain it all to you. In short, your attack on Dayan this time isn’t against anyone else but Ahen and Jiaojiao."

Marquis Xuanping: "???"

Duchess Dowager Zhuang glanced at him knowingly, remaining calm as she said, "Moreover, perhaps I should congratulate you, your son is still alive, the one born by Princess Xinyang."

Marquis Xuanping once again: "???"

Duchess Dowager Zhuang ignored Marquis Xuanping who was shocked like a monkey, and asked, "Who did you come south with this time?"

Before Marquis Xuanping could speak, the distinctive and smug voice of a certain Grand Marshal from the deck was heard.

"Hahaha! Old Xiao! We scored another big haul today! Our military pay has gotten another boost! This method of earning military pay is great! Next, we’ll lend a hand to Dayan in the name of bandit suppression and get them to pay us some more for the bandit suppression! Fame and profit both gained! Hahahahahahaha..."

Gu Yan and Gu Xiaoshun looked at the doorway with full sympathy at that unfortunate soul who was revealed before even making an appearance...

In their hearts, they silently counted, one, two, three—

The broad-shouldered and strong-waisted Tang Yueshan strode into the cabin, laughing loudly three times, until the fourth laugh when he choked abruptly.

Then, he could no longer laugh at all.