I became the God Brother of the Regent King after Transmigration!-Chapter 144 - 99: Night

"A city guard is just a city guard. Baoyi is willing to start from here."

Rong Baoyi had no objections to Zhang Fengcai’s words, cupped her hands in salute, and solemnly agreed.

Zhang Fengcai looked at Rong Baoyi in surprise and said, "In that case, I will go to report your decision."

The surrounding civil and military officials and their families left their seats to return home, and when they passed by Rong Baoyi, they pointed and whispered about her, shaking their heads as they left.

Their expressions suggested that the County Princess Changle joining the army was sheer madness.

"Baoyi, congratulations on achieving your wish," Rong Miaoyan said with a smile, "it seems you’ve changed a lot since meeting with the Prince."

Han Xuan’er asked openly, "Baoyi, should I start calling you General Rong now?"

Rong Baoyi blushed slightly, "I’m just a humble city gate guard, not really a general."

Though she said this, excitement was written all over her face, her smile full of joy.

"Before my father left, he said I could do anything I wanted, and he would support me. Also, I have to thank Gu Lan and Rong Heng for helping me today."

Miaoyan remarked, "I can’t believe the Prince actually agreed to let you join the army. That’s wonderful."

Gu Lan said, "No need to thank us, though there will probably be one less seat at the Imperial Family school."

Qin Zhenghu added, "That’s right. Cao Chen is still in the Heavenly Prison, and now the County Princess is going to join the army."

Gu Lan: "I was talking about you."

Qin Zhenghu scratched his head, his face as pale as ever, "Cough, cough, the benefactor is right. There have been frequent floods in Huai City, and the embankment collapsed. I have to set off in a few days to investigate the situation."

"What about your courses at Maoqin Hall?" Gu Lan blinked and asked, holding her breath.

"The math teacher has recovered and returned, so I can retire with honor."

Gu Lan was almost brought to tears, "I wish you a safe journey, Brother Zhenghu. Farewell."

Finally, she could get rid of Qin Zhenghu’s math exams!

"Benefactor, do not be sad. You will always be Zhenghu’s benefactor."

Everyone else was also moved to tears, seeing their former classmates’ reluctance to part made Qin Zhenghu feel very touched.

Rong Baoyi said, "I will report to the military camp tomorrow."

Gu Lan looked at her, feeling slightly relieved.

She could ascertain that in the original story, Rong Baoyi joined the army in her brother’s place after Prince Rui’s death.

In the original plot, although Rong Baoyi was a capable woman, gifted in commanding troops and fighting, she had no prior experience and was a woman in the army. Therefore, shortly after becoming Rong Heng’s subordinate, she fell into an ambush and died, following in the footsteps of her father, Prince Rui.

As one of the few women in the original story, her death was hasty.

But now, because Gu Lan and the others visited Prince Rui, who, after seeing his daughter, chose to give Rong Baoyi the Military Book, encouraging her to voluntarily join the army today.

The plot had changed.

Rong Baoyi had realized her dream of joining the army ahead of time, even if it was starting as a humble gate guard. Still, it meant she could learn martial arts, gain experience, hone herself from the most basic level, and build her reputation in the military.

If, one day, she leads an army like in the original story, she will not die easily as she did in the book.

"When Young Master Gu has time off and leaves the palace, you’ll be able to see me, although I don’t even know which city gate I’ll be guarding or what exactly I’ll be doing. I’m also unsure if starting martial arts practice now is too late..." Rong Baoyi said anxiously.

"Be confident, Baoyi. You’re so talented in archery; martial arts will surely come naturally to you," Han Xuan’er comforted her.

Qin Zhenghu, appearing to have caught a cold, coughed, "Yes, anyway, the County Princess is definitely better than me."

Rong Miaoyan: "Anyone is better than you."

Qin Zhenghu: ... After all, he was a man. Did he not have any dignity?

Miaoyan’s eyes showed a hint of envy as she softly said, "Baoyi, it will be difficult for us to meet once you join the army."

She and Rong Baoyi had accompanied each other at the Imperial Family school since childhood, and their relationship was like that of sisters, but now the time seemed to have come for them to part ways.

Baoyi had realized the longing buried in her heart since childhood, yet she remained trapped in this deep palace, not knowing when it would end.

"In the future, if Princess Ning’an issues a decree summoning this official to the palace, this official will come regardless of the wind or rain!" Rong Baoyi cupped her hands and exchanged smiles with Rong Miaoyan.

A hint of confusion flashed in Rong Baoyi’s eyes. Miaoyan was the smartest girl she had ever met, so she had long understood her intentions and even spoke on her behalf in front of the Empress today.

However, she felt a bit foolish, unable to discern what Miaoyan truly wanted.

For now, it seemed Young Master Gu was the only factor causing Rong Baoyi to be torn between different sides.

Han Xuan’er patted Rong Baoyi’s head, "Look at you, not even a general yet, and you’re already calling yourself an official."

"Baoyi, who would dare to marry you after you join the army?"

"Isn’t that perfect? I don’t want to get married anyway!"

All the students from the Imperial Family school were slightly drunk, and the youthful spirit seemed to blend into the sweet osmanthus wine of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Each face beamed with a bright smile as the moonlight outside the hall shone upon them, pure and flawless.

Amidst the laughter and joy, Rong Baoyi grabbed Gu Lan and said, "There’s one more person I need to thank... Where is Rong Heng?"

Gu Lan said, "He just went back, and you’ve already thanked him."

Rong Baoyi shook her head, her clear and heroic eyes looking at Gu Lan, and said, "Not him, I want to thank Jiu."

Han Xuan’er heard her words, thought for a moment, and said, "Jiu? Is it that little eunuch beside Fifth Young Master Rong? A eunuch, why thank him... however, he is indeed a remarkably handsome eunuch."

Although the eunuchs in the palace were not ugly, Jiu was more gentle and handsome than the average little eunuch, his baby face especially endearing.

Rong Baoyi looked up at the moon in the sky and softly said, "What of the County Princess, what of the Princess, what of the eunuch... last night, Jiu was the first to say happy birthday to me."

Gu Lan yawned, "You’re not heading to guard the city gate immediately, right? Don’t you have to go back to Maoqin Hall and pack your luggage? Wait until tomorrow when you see Brother Hang and Jiu, then thank them."

"Hmm."

Rong Baoyi smiled, as if she could already see Jiu’s baby face with a warm smile.

*

Rong Heng was hurrying back to Xiaoxiang Palace, with a mooncake given by Madam Zhou in his arms, emitting a faint sweet aroma. As for other food at the banquet, he hadn’t touched a bite.

Those lotus-shaped pastries were a warning from Rong Jing.

From the brightly lit Yonghua Palace to the dark and silent Xiaoxiang Palace took only the time of a burnt incense stick, yet his heart grew increasingly uneasy.

Before he reached the palace gate, Rong Heng already smelled a strong scent of blood emanating from within Xiaoxiang Palace, slowing his steps involuntarily.

Rong Heng’s pupils trembled. As he reached the entrance, a sudden fear gripped his heart.

The bloody scent came from inside the hall, and besides him, the vast Xiaoxiang Palace only had Jiu and a eunuch sent by Zhang Fengcai to monitor him.

He lowered his eyes and suddenly pushed open the hall door.

The next moment, Rong Heng’s eyes widened, his pupils turning blood-red instantly, his voice hoarse:

"Jiu!"

At the entrance of the grand hall, two dim palace lamps were lit.

Beneath the palace lights, Jiu lay in a pool of blood, his body a bloodied mess, eyes tightly closed, life or death unknown.

Rong Heng rushed forward, gently turning him over, checking his breath.

Still alive...

Still alive.

Rong Heng’s eyes reddened as he examined Jiu’s wounds carefully.

He had been beaten with a plank, at least thirty strokes, one leg already broken, further whipped, his entire body lacerated, not a single spot unharmed.

Jiu sensed Rong Heng’s movement, his eyelashes faintly trembled, opening his eyes with effort.

Then, he smiled at Rong Heng.

His snow-white teeth were also stained with blood.

Rong Heng’s breath hitched, his deep eyes dyed blood-red by everything before him.

This morning, Jiu was just fine.

When he woke up this morning, seeing Jiu still asleep, he didn’t wake him, leaving the palace on his own, heading to the city gates with Nian Xia to see off Rong Shuo, and then hurriedly going to Maoqin Hall. After classes, he went directly to the Mid-Autumn banquet and hadn’t returned to Xiaoxiang Palace.

Now, he sees a Jiu who is on the brink of death.

"Your Highness..."

Jiu’s voice was even hoarser than usual, finally assured upon seeing Rong Heng safe.

"Don’t move, don’t speak, I will stop the bleeding for you." Rong Heng said firmly, already pouring hemostatic powder on Jiu’s exposed wounds.

Jiu’s fresh blood stained his slender fingers, his voice soft and calm, yet his eyes were incredibly red.

"Your Highness, it hurts really bad," Jiu said painfully, his once bright eyes now dull and dim.

"Then shut up." Rong Heng articulated each word, his hands working unswervingly fast.

"Clatter——"

A bottle of hemostatic powder slipped from his hand, spilling onto the ground.

Rong Heng tried to pick it up, but no matter how many times, he couldn’t, collecting it over and over again, almost entranced.

Eventually, Rong Heng’s fingertips trembled slightly, finding another bottle.

All external injuries, broken bones and tendons, once reattached, it will be fine, it will be fine... Rong Heng murmured softly.

"Just a servant, Wu, why expend so much effort to save him."

A magnetic and enchanting voice echoed lightly. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Rong Heng’s hand stiffened in mid-air, slowly raising his head.