QT: The Rescue Of The Miserable Bigshots-Chapter 324 - 10.25

"Father, please rest assured. Now that you’ve returned to the capital and the Jiang family residence has been renovated, we can officially announce the exoneration tomorrow after you’ve rested. We’ll let the entire world know that it was that dog emperor who wronged the Jiang family."

When Jiang Jiamian finally met Jiang Qingshan, it was already noon.

The father and son had lunch together.

Even Xiao Jinan, who wished he could stay by Jiang Jiamian’s side, understood that Jiang Qingshan, his father-in-law, had finally accepted him. This was not a moment he could intrude upon.

So he personally escorted Jiang Jiamian to the palace where Jiang Qingshan was temporarily staying, remained politely for a short while, then gave Jiang Jiamian a meaningful look and left to attend to state affairs.

Jiang Qingshan nodded, emotion flickering in his eyes.

"Even three months ago, I never imagined the Jiang family’s exoneration would come so quickly, let alone in such a way. But I’ve come to terms with it. Loyal ministers are loyal to the country and its people, they should not be blindly loyal to a single emperor. Whoever sits on the throne does not change the fact that the Jiang family is, at its core, a family of loyal generals."

Three months ago, exoneration had been nothing more than a distant dream. He had brushed against death more than once and had even feared that the Jiang family would be completely wiped out by this false accusation.

Yet in the end, the Jiang family was cleared of all blame.

And it had been accomplished by changing the emperor, an utterly unconventional path.

"Jiamian, I know that you and Xiao Jinan will never allow the Jiang family to bear shame over these matters. That puts my heart at ease. If you hadn’t decisively chosen Xiao Jinan’s path back then, perhaps three generations of our family would have already been framed and executed. The outcome we have now is already a turning point, a stroke of fortune for the Jiang family. My only remaining concern is..."

Jiang Qingshan sighed, hesitated, and did not continue.

Even without hearing the rest, Jiang Jiamian could read it in his expression. "Father, are you worried that I’ll suffer at Xiao Jinan’s hands?"

Jiang Qingshan had originally been reluctant to voice these thoughts. After all, he had already tested Xiao Jinan once. But since Jiang Jiamian had spoken first, he could no longer hold back.

"Yes." Jiang Qingshan admitted. "A ruler’s favor is a borrowed shelter. What’s more, you, a man, are now serving the emperor as Empress. This is unprecedented, and people are already talking. Xiao Jinan is the Emperor now. If one day he grows dissatisfied, suppresses you, or worse... with the Jiang family’s current standing, how could we possibly contend with the supreme ruler?"

Jiang Jiamian smiled with absolute confidence. "Even if he tried, I brought down the previous emperor, and I can bring down the second one as well."

As for whether Xiao Jinan truly could turn against him...

Jiang Jiamian’s lips curved upward.

It wasn’t just the Xiao Jinan of this world, it was someone who had been with him across several worlds.

If Jiang Jiamian couldn’t even see through that, then he truly would have lived in vain.

That bastard wouldn’t dare despise him.

Otherwise, even if it meant blowing up the entire universe, Jiang Jiamian would personally reduce that scoundrel, who hid his true identity and may very well have orchestrated all of this, to dust.

"Your father is getting old." Jiang Qingshan said slowly. Seeing Jiang Jiamian’s unwavering confidence, he finally relaxed, though regret still flickered in his eyes. "I trust your judgment. Don’t think I’m being long-winded. I just survived a disaster a few months ago, and I truly can’t bear the thought of my only son facing more danger."

Jiang Jiamian suddenly burst out laughing, his clear laughter instantly dispelling the heavy atmosphere in the hall.

"Father, what are you saying? You’re in your prime, how could you be old? The Jiang family is only just rebuilding. And there’s still Gele and Tuojia on the borders, waiting for you to personally lead the campaign. It’s far too early to talk about age!"

Jiang Qingshan’s expression shifted. The mention of Tuojia and Gele stirred deep resentment and a burning desire for revenge within him, murderous intent surging forth.

"You’re right!" He said fiercely. "It’s not the time to speak of old age!"

Seeing his father’s spirit rekindled, Jiang Jiamian hesitated briefly before lowering his voice. "Father... there’s one more matter that may require your help."

Jiang Qingshan was startled by the sudden change in topic. "What is it?"

Jiang Jiamian’s gaze flickered. "Zhang An, did he return to the capital with you?"

Jiang Qingshan nodded. "Yes. He was very worried about you as well. He traveled with me day and night. We arrived at the palace gates this morning but weren’t permitted to enter, so we stopped. By now, he should have returned to his residence in the capital."

Jiang Jiamian gave a dry chuckle.

Judging by Jiang Qingshan’s expression, it was clear that although he had long since seen through the feelings between Jiang Jiamian and Xiao Jinan, he remained unaware of Zhang An’s feelings.

Zhang An had hidden them too well for too many years, and it had always been one-sided.

Even if Zhang An’s exhaustion from the journey stemmed from genuine worry, Jiang Qingshan would naturally interpret it as deep companionship born from growing up together, like family, like a lifelong subordinate under his command.

He likely hadn’t seen through Zhang An at all.

"I wanted to ask Father to persuade Zhang An..." Jiang Jiamian pursed his lips, his expression growing awkward. "He’s still guarding the palace gates. It seems that only Father can persuade him to leave once you depart."

Either Jiang Qingshan had to go out personally, or Jiang Jiamian would have to meet Zhang An himself.

But now, with his relationship with Xiao Jinan and his status as Empress, seeing Zhang An would be awkward no matter how one looked at it.

More importantly, Jiang Jiamian didn’t want to give Zhang An any more false hope.

And ultimately... Zhang An loved the original owner of this body.

He loved that Jiang Jiamian.

Not him.

Jiang Qingshan was stunned. "Zhang An? He’s still at the palace gate? What’s going on? Could it be..."

In an instant, realization dawned on him.

His expression grew solemn.

"It’s exactly as Father guessed."

Seeing his reaction, Jiang Jiamian knew Jiang Qingshan had already understood. Since he needed his father to act decisively, he no longer concealed anything.

"Don’t worry." Jiang Qingshan said, standing up at once. "I’ll persuade him."

Zhang An had traveled day and night and was now standing outside the palace gates, refusing to leave. That child had been raised almost like his own, how could Jiang Qingshan possibly sit still?

"I’ll tell him that you and Xiao Jinan are deeply in love and that he must let go." Jiang Qingshan said with a sigh. "As long as he can live peacefully in the future, he will still be part of the Jiang family and the deputy general."

He had watched both children grow up.

One had become an empress.

The other was no different from a son.

He couldn’t allow him to remain trapped in silent anguish.

No wonder... no wonder he had felt that something was off about Zhang An when he went to Huainan Pass to see him.

He had thought it was merely the trauma of the Jiang family being framed.

Now it seemed... That wasn’t all.