Chapter 500.3: Gaining Prestige

Somehow, it accidentally became indecent. It was better to quickly stop. If one were to accidentally reveal one’s thoughts, wasn’t that just looking to die?

Jing Wan washed up, used the morning meal, and then changed into light and agile clothes, heading out with her people.

Speaking of which, Jing Wan although wasn’t dressed in fancy clothes, and didn’t have exquisite accessories and ornaments either, but the material of her clothes was still worlds apart from what the people of the northwest had.

As such, as soon as she went out onto the streets, she just attracted quite a bit of attention. However, the customs here were still pretty good. The majority of the people would just glance over, and then continue on their way, and won’t cause unnecessary trouble for people. Additionally, they more or less were able to guess that Jing Wan’s identity perhaps wasn’t simple. Even though the people following by Jing Wan’s side weren’t many, there were still some unfamiliar figures in the surrounding. Have to say, at a time where two countries were at war, as the ‘border town’, towards unfamiliar faces, that was being the most sensitive.

That’s why, even if quite a few people were wearing the local people’s clothes, mingling among the crowd to secretly protect Jing Wan, they didn’t really achieve their true goal. This bit, afraid, even Guard Qian and them all didn’t think of. However, they ultimately were different, having gone through special training. Towards other people’s gaze, they were all quite perceptive. As such, as time passes, they certainly will notice the abnormality. That’s why, this kind of mistake won’t last for long either.

However, Jing Wan was upright and proper, magnanimous and open, regardless of what she did, it was just asking if there’s doubts, asking if not understanding. And if she were to inadvertently offend someone, when needing to apologize, she was also very straightforward. This kind of attitude naturally won’t make others resentful.

Speaking of which, because of not knowing Jin Qinwang’s purpose in coming, and temporarily had no way of inquiring, as such, quite a few people were actually all watching Jing Wan. Of course, for this kind of thing, it certainly can’t be the men coming. Wasn’t that just having Jin Qinwang offended to death? Don’t forget, this place was precisely a prefectural city to begin with, having quite a few officials. And these officials all had womenfolk in the family. Because of the war, even the civil officials got used as military officials. Although they wouldn’t go as far as to go onto the battlefield, they were still busily running around all day long, even frequently having dealings with the soldiers. As a result, certain habits of the soldiers would even rub off on them, and following that, their family would all get influenced too.

Besides, in the northwest region, the culture was just relatively open to begin with. Especially the restrictions towards women, it was much weaker. Compared to assisting the husband and educating the children at home, some among them were able to have the whip brandished formidably.

Perhaps, it was just knowing the elders’ worries, also feeling worried for the soldiers, some young ladies bravely volunteered themselves, preparing to sound out the situation.

Jing Wan going out at this time, wasn’t it precisely a good opportunity for them. Just, at first, they didn’t show themselves, instead just watching from afar. And because the unfamiliar faces mixed among the crowd also all circled around Jing Wan, they thus didn’t call over the city guards.

However, this kind of situation actually exist a certain degree of danger, because in this window of time, it might get exploited by others. The people in the city might not know exactly how many people were by Jing Wan’s side, and Jing Wan’s people, looking at these people, they were all strangers. As such, the people that wanted to do something might just take advantage of the situation.

That’s why, the best way was for the two sides to both meet directly, having all the people recognized clearly first. However, certain shadow guards weren’t suited to appear before people.

TN: All

Gong mama quietly had the matter explained to Jing Wan. Jing Wan lightly frowned. In this way, it was best for her to not enter places with many people.

Sometimes, the threat brought about by a spy was hard to imagine. That’s why, towards this matter, Jing Wan was also quite decisive. Not appearing it is then, it didn’t really matter. It’s not like she was really coming to play. Just, she felt that if she wanted to do something, she ultimately needed to take things step by step. To suddenly intrude somewhere she shouldn’t intrude, it probably won’t be taken fondly, and she will probably get guarded against, getting viewed in a hostile light. Most importantly, it will cause trouble for others.

That’s why, exactly where to go next, for Jing Wan, was also a rather troublesome matter.

“Since wangfei wants to go check on those injured soldiers’ situation, then just directly look for the main person in charge.”

Jing Wan slightly contemplated. This indeed was the best way. In reality, to want to get involved in a matter and not attract trouble afterwards, it was very essential to have a good relationship with the person in charge.

Because the people Jin Qinwang trained were all quite capable, and they had already long sent people over, as such, towards the layout of the prefectural city, Jing Wan actually had already memorized, completely not needing someone to lead the way, able to find the way herself.

Probably seeing that Jing Wan had a very clear aim, the people watching from afar could no longer sit still, immediately rushing over.

Towards these people’s existence, they naturally couldn’t escape from Gong mama’s discerning eye. As such, getting their path blocked, Jing Wan wasn’t surprised in the slightest, instead smiling, “And here I thought that you all weren’t planning on appearing.”

As soon as she opened her mouth, she just made the other party feel a bit embarrassed, “Your Highness had long noticed us?”

“A few young ladies traveling together, in this city, should be considered relatively distinct. In addition to attitude of the people in the surrounding, you all have been following me for quite some time, right? To still not be able to discover, everything else aside, just the bodyguards following me will have to get punished after going back.” In the end, they were still just young girls. Even if getting affected by the war, getting influenced by their family, perhaps even knowing and experiencing a little more than normal, they ultimately haven’t experienced true hardship, all still simple and naive, believing that they’d concealed themselves very well.

Letting them come out, their family probably didn’t hold any hope either, more so perhaps expressing a kind of attitude.

Turns out, they’d long been discovered. Then, what were they still being ‘sneaky’ for previously? Might as well come out earlier, “Where is wangfei planning on going? We can lead the way.”

“Don’t you already know? Are you sure you want to lead the way for me?” Jing Wan asked back with a smile.

The place where the injured soldiers were placed obviously won’t be some good place, with death occurring at anytime, even constantly filled with the scent of blood and medicine. The two scents mixing together certainly will be very unpleasant. Moreover, there was also the endless groans and cries of pain. All in all, that place just had sorrow and despair. No matter who, all would feel depressed. A perfectly fine person, after going in, certainly would get affected by the negative emotions.

That kind of place, these young ladies’ family probably prohibited them from going.

And in reality, they indeed hesitated, not only because of their family’s warning, but also because they’d actually secretly gone before. Staying at that place truly was too uncomfortable, feeling as if one was about to suffocate. That’s why, truthfully speaking, they really didn’t want to go.

However, this qin-wangfei that came from the capital, speaking of which, should be much more delicate than them. Moreover, they predict that she certainly won’t be able to stand that kind of place either. Perhaps after just merely standing at the edge a little, she will just turn and leave. They perhaps can even manifest a ‘sense of superiority’ in front of this wangfei.

“If wangfei wants to go, we naturally can lead the way. Just, is wangfei certain about going?”

This was instead getting questioned? Jing Wan’s core and shell ultimately didn’t match, so towards these young ladies, she was still quite patient. “Yes.”

“Then, this way your Highness.” Probably because Jing Wan’s attitude was good, their attitude also couldn’t help but soften a little, “Also, if, and I say if, wangfei feels unwell, can directly tell us, don’t force yourself.”

“Don’t worry, I have propriety.”

Since that’s the case, nothing more was said.

Perhaps because the place they were going was special, no one joked around.

The injured soldiers were arranged on the other side of the prefectural city, freeing out a special area. And in essence, it was still picking a place from the slums. This was also a decision the ones in power would subconsciously make. No matter who, all wouldn’t be an exception. And the commoners that got moved out also won’t feel it was inappropriate.

As such, it was still riding the carriage over to further save time and energy.

The closer they got, the fewer the people they were able to see. And that kind of atmosphere seemingly also came through already, able to sense from far away.

Jing Wan ordered to stop the carriage in advance, getting down from the carriage, leading the people as she headed over step by step.