Chapter 690: Chapter 690: About to Participate in the Draft

Jiang Mubai’s doting love for Jiang Ning is no less than the love of her own father.

When Jiang Ning was three years old, she got lost because she was attracted by the smell of a pig’s trotter. Jiang Mubai was filled with guilt, and after a fruitless search for several years, he was unable to face his brother and his mentally broken sister-in-law. He volunteered to go to the border to defend the city.

He stayed away for many years, only returning occasionally during festivals.

It was from that time on, the rumors of the two Jiang brothers not getting along had spread.

As time went on, it only got worse, sometimes even breaking out into a fight in front of the Emperor.

After Jiang Ning returned, Jiang Mubai learned the news and longed to return home. But after all, he was the general guarding the nation’s gate, and without the Emperor’s Imperial Edict, he could not return at will.

This time he returned, he was late in leaving again.

Although there were military reasons and court politics involved, his niece Jiang Ning played a significant part in his decision to stay.

He trained a group of talented young men and women under his command, but he did not even give one to his own children. Yet when Jiang Ning asked for help, he gave her Gucheng, the one he valued the most.

Furthermore, he sent other members of the Shadow Guards to assist her on multiple occasions.

His favoritism towards Jiang Ning was obvious.

Jiang Ruobai, as her biological father, was a little annoyed.

But he was a civil official. It wasn’t impossible for him to find a few martial arts practitioners, but to find people like Gucheng and Guxing was indeed unattainable.

As Lin Zizi listened to her husband’s words, her expression turned cold on the spot: “Ask one more time?”

Jiang Ruobai’s face stiffened slightly, and he quickly put down his daughter to comfort his wife: “I was just reminding Seventh Sister not to forget that I am her real father. She should not hang out with that scoundrel Jiang Mubai for no reason…”

However, Lin Zizi ignored him, and holding Jiang Ning in one hand and Jiang Yan in the other, she entered the hall. Palace maids were there to guide them to their seats.

As it was Jiang Yan’s first time attending, she could not help but feel a little reserved.

The Empress saw her and smiled: “This girl looks unfamiliar. Which daughter of the Jiang Family is she?”

Jiang Ning replied, “This is my Sixth Sister.”

Jiang Yan immediately knelt and saluted the Empress: “The subject daughter pays her respects to Your Highness the Empress, and may you have boundless peace and happiness.”

“Rise.” The Empress smiled and said, “The daughters of the Jiang family are all exceptional. You are the sister of the Princess Consort, and you are not young either. Have you been promised to someone?”

Jiang Yan’s cheeks turned slightly pink, and her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s: “No, Your Highness.”

“You should be.” The Empress smiled and said, “A woman’s best years are just a few. You must not miss them.”

Lin Zizi interjected: “According to the rules, my Sixth Daughter should participate in this year’s Selection.”

The Empress laughed: “That’s true.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning frowned slightly and whispered to Jiang Yan: “Are you going to participate in the Selection?”

Jiang Yan nodded gently, her expression somewhat helpless: “Sixth Sister got married before the New Year and avoided the Selection. If I also get engaged in a short period, it would inevitably provoke criticism and accusations of our Jiang Family breaking the royal rules.”

“Do you want to participate yourself?”

“I… don’t want to.” Jiang Yan lowered her head slowly.

She was almost the same age as Jiang Ning, just a little older by a few months. She was in the prime of her youth and could not be resigned to enter the palace as a concubine for the aging Emperor.

But she was born to follow the rules and observe traditions. Even if she was unwilling, she would never actively reject it.

She obeyed her parents’ orders in all things.

Jiang Ning patted her hand and whispered softly: “If you don’t want to, I’ll figure something out for you. Don’t worry.”