“Not found?” Yu Jin’s face darkened completely.
Jiang Zhan’s death had already caused Ah Si and his father-in-law immense grief. If they heard that even his remains couldn’t be found, how much more pain would they feel?
Pan Hai unconsciously stepped back, his scalp tingling.
He had the feeling that even in the Emperor’s presence, the Prince of Yan might dare to strike him… Wait, why would he have such a thought?
“Eunuch Pan, I want to know the details.”
Pan Hai hurriedly explained, “Part of both armies engaged in battle near the Ji River. Our side suffered 90% casualties. The surviving soldiers hastily retreated. When they returned to clean up the battlefield, it had already been cleared once by the Southern Lan army… In short, despite several thorough searches, the remains of the Dong Ping Earl’s heir were not found…”
There had always been an unwritten rule on battlefields: no matter how much the two sides despised each other or how fierce the battle was, time was always allowed for cleaning up the battlefield after a fight.
This cleanup involved collecting the bodies of one’s comrades while not disturbing the enemy’s fallen soldiers.
They might be enemies in life, but in death, regardless of which side they belonged to, all were heroes who sacrificed themselves for their country.
Because of this, the remains of most fallen soldiers would be recovered.
Of course, there were exceptions. For instance, in rare cases where bodies were buried under rolling stones, fell off cliffs, or into rivers, the remains would be difficult to recover.
Seeing Yu Jin’s grim expression, Pan Hai added, “This time, our forces and the Southern Lan army fought near the Ji River. Some soldiers’ bodies fell into the river. The Dong Ping Earl’s heir’s remains might be among them…”
Yu Jin looked at Emperor Jingming with a stern face, “Father Emperor, with this result, I cannot give my wife an explanation.”
Emperor Jing Ming’s eyes flickered, “Then what do you mean—”
Could it be that he wanted to stay in the palace and not leave?
That wouldn’t be proper. Even if he sympathized with his seventh son’s wife’s situation, he couldn’t agree to that.
Yu Jin’s thin lips were tightly pressed. After a moment of silence, as if he had made up his mind, he said, “I want to go to the South personally.”
Emperor Jingming’s eyebrows twitched.
His seventh son wanted to go to the South himself.
In recent battles, the Southern Lan soldiers had been quite desperate. The Wumiao people, caught between Great Zhou and Southern Lan, were in turmoil due to rumors of their Holy Maiden’s death. If his seventh son were to go, it might not be very safe…
Emperor Jingming hesitated for a moment.
Seeing this, Yu Jin spoke calmly, “Father Emperor, I have spent many years in the south. In terms of familiarity, many of the southern expedition soldiers might not match me. As for the Wumiao, I have also dealt with them before. This trip to the south will primarily be to search for my brother-in-law’s remains, and I can also investigate the Wumiao situation. I hope Father Emperor will grant permission.”
Emperor Jingming thought for a moment and asked, “You want to go to the south?”
“Otherwise, I have no way to face my wife,” Yu Jin said with determination.
Emperor Jingming frowned deeply, “The south is in chaos. Although you’re a prince, we can’t send a large contingent to protect you—”
“There’s no need for protection. Fewer people will be more convenient. I’ll just take two personal guards,” Yu Jin replied promptly.
Emperor Jingming hesitated.
Yu Jin added, “If I go back like this, I have no way to face my wife.”
Emperor Jingming’s mouth twitched.
This boy was threatening to stay in the palace if he didn’t agree, wasn’t he?
Fine, although he wasn’t afraid of threats, his seventh son’s wife had indeed solved many troublesome issues for him. For her sake, he might as well agree.
Looking at Yu Jin, Emperor Jingming said sternly, “You can go to the south, but keep a low profile. Don’t cause any trouble.”
“I understand,” Yu Jin immediately responded.
“It would be good if you can find the Dong Ping Earl’s heir’s body, but if you really can’t find it, come back early. Your wife is experiencing the pain of losing her brother, and your father-in-law is going through the pain of losing his son. They both need support.”
Yu Jin lowered his eyes, “I understand.”
Anyway, the Emperor had already agreed to his request, so anything he said was fine.
Leaving the palace and returning to the Prince of Yan’s mansion, Yu Jin started to worry again.
Ah Si was still waiting anxiously, and all he brought back was bad news…
Yu Jin walked into Yuhe Garden with heavy steps and saw Jiang Si sitting under a tree, lost in thought.
He quickly walked over and held her hand.
Her slender hand was ice-cold.
Yu Jin took off his cloak and draped it over Jiang Si, sighing, “It’s so cold. How long have you been sitting here?”
He glanced at A Man standing nearby and said disapprovingly, “Didn’t you know to persuade the Princess Consort to go inside?”
A Man lowered her head, secretly sticking out her tongue.
When the mistress was unhappy, the Prince’s temper rose along with it.
Jiang Si spoke up, “It’s not their fault. I felt stuffy inside, so I came out for some fresh air. Ah Jin, Father Emperor summoned you to the palace. Is there news from the south?”
“Yes.”
Jiang Si pressed her lips together, her voice rough, “Second Brother, he—”
She was eager to see her brother, yet afraid to see him.
Even now, she didn’t want to believe her brother was dead, and she dared not imagine what her handsome, cheerful brother might look like after dying on the battlefield.
“They didn’t find the remains.” Yu Jin decided it was better to be direct with the painful news rather than prolong the agony.
Jiang Si was stunned for a moment, murmuring, “How could they not find him? Where is my Second Brother?”
“The two armies fought near the Ji River. His remains might have fallen into the river—”
Halfway through his sentence, Yu Jin noticed Jiang Si’s face turning even paler, worse than before, her whole body shaking violently.
“Ah Si, calm down—” Yu Jin grabbed Jiang Si’s hand, which trembled even more in his grasp.
At this moment, Jiang Si could no longer hear Yu Jin’s calls. In her ears, only his earlier words echoed: The two armies fought near the Ji River. The remains might have fallen into the river.
Fear and despair spread in her heart, gradually overwhelming her.
In her previous life, Second Brother had died in the Jin River. She had done everything in her power to help Second Brother avoid that fate, but after all the twists and turns, he still died in the water…
If it was like this, then what about her father? What about her elder sister? What about her and Ah Huan?
“Ah Si, I’m going to the south!” Yu Jin held Jiang Si’s shoulders with both hands and said loudly.
Jiang Si suddenly came to her senses. Through her tears, the face of the man close to her was a bit blurry.
But no matter how blurry, she was still familiar with every inch of his features.
“You’re going to the south?” Jiang Si struggled to push down the overwhelming despair and panic, asking slowly.
Second Brother’s death had dealt her a huge blow, but she wouldn’t collapse. She still had many people she wanted to protect.
Thinking this way, Jiang Si’s eyes became clearer.
“Ah Si, I’ve already asked Father Emperor for permission. I’ll set out for the south tomorrow to see if I can find your Second Brother’s remains.”
Jiang Si pressed her lips together, silent for a moment, then said, “I want to go too.”
Yu Jin sighed, “There’s still Ah Huan to take care of.”
Jiang Si gave a bitter smile.
Yes, Ah Huan couldn’t be without her mother. She could only express her wish, nothing more. In this world, there were always too many things beyond one’s control. How could everything go as one wished?
“Then I’ll take good care of our daughter. You go and come back soon.”