QT: The Rescue Of The Miserable Bigshots-Chapter 326 - 10.27

The injustice had been redressed. The Jiang family name was restored, and everything seemed to have returned to its former peace.

Except that the person seated on the throne had changed.

The dynasty itself had changed.

Yet to the Jiang family, it seemed nothing essential had altered. They were still a military household, still destined to conquer battlefields and defend their country.

Xiao Jinan understood this better than anyone.

Although his Empress, Jiang Jiamian, appeared carefree these days, eating, drinking, and enjoying a leisurely life within the palace, he knew the other was merely waiting.

Waiting for the moment when his newly established dynasty became stable enough.

At that time, he would issue a single imperial order and march on the Northwest, launching a full-scale campaign to wipe out the restless Gele and Tuojia kingdoms. Whether it took one year, two years, or even longer, he intended to resolve the threat completely in one decisive sweep.

His Empress, his Jiang Jiamian, was always ready.

Because of this, Xiao Jinan did not dare to hold him back.

Even if it meant forcing himself to spend less time with him, he had to stabilize the court, keep every faction under control, and ensure that the capital remained secure and firmly in his grasp, even in his absence. Only then would he dare to issue the order to march northwest and officially begin the war.

He could not allow his Empress to go to the Northwest alone, separating them for years, stepping onto a battlefield where life and death were uncertain.

Since war was inevitable, he decided that he would prepare thoroughly and personally lead the army.

Whether on the battlefield or within the court, he would stand beside his Empress and fight shoulder to shoulder. And that required him to be unbearably busy.

State affairs piled up endlessly, and the stability of the throne rested entirely on his shoulders.

"Actually, you really don’t need to be so meticulous." Jiang Jiamian said calmly. "As long as I’m here, no one will take your throne."

Looking at Xiao Jinan, who had grown increasingly busy in recent days, Jiang Jiamian found the situation faintly amusing. This man was pushing himself too hard.

He wanted to accompany him on the imperial campaign, yet feared that with the new dynasty still unstable, the capital would be left empty and vulnerable if he left.

Because of this, he had rarely been seen.

He often sneaked back to their bedchamber late at night, quietly slipping into bed.

Before dawn, whenever Jiang Jiamian opened his eyes, without exception, the man beside him was already gone.

If he went looking for him, he would inevitably find him in the imperial study, buried beneath mountains of memorials and secret reports from across the world, his expression weary to the bone.

Jiang Jiamian had always known that being emperor was never an easy task.

Unless the emperor was incompetent or pleasure-seeking, sitting in that position was nothing short of self-inflicted torment.

Even knowing this, seeing Xiao Jinan remain so tense and overworked, never daring to relax for a moment, day after day, still made him pause and reflect.

Xiao Jinan had once said that he never truly wanted to be emperor.

So by encouraging him to seize the throne, had he truly wronged him?

As expected, upon hearing his words, Xiao Jinan sighed and nodded. "Sometimes I actually wish someone capable would seize the throne again. But since we’ve already come this far, no one is more reliable than ourselves. I won’t give anyone the chance to threaten us."

Whether they wished to live without relying on others or sought an easier path to exact revenge on Gele and Tuojia, seizing the throne had been the best choice.

As for what came after...

Xiao Jinan smiled faintly.

It would simply be more tiring. But that exhaustion would not last forever. Once everything stabilized, especially after the world was unified, their good days would finally arrive.

Jiang Jiamian looked at him speechlessly. "Isn’t the point of what I said that with me here, your throne won’t be taken away?"

Xiao Jinan froze for a moment, then laughed. Moved, he reached out and pulled him into a tight embrace. "It’s not that I don’t believe you. It’s just that if we make thorough preparations before leaving the capital, we can avoid that situation entirely. Why let it happen and then have you bear the burden of protecting or reclaiming it?"

Jiang Jiamian pouted, lifting his chin arrogantly. "Tsk. You really know how to talk. Fine, go ahead and stay busy. If you exhaust yourself to death, I’ll simply find someone else."

Only then did Xiao Jinan finally understand that although Jiang Jiamian’s words were provocative, his tone was filled with unmistakable concern.

Xiao Jinan, a man of ancient times, did not know the term ’tsundere’. But he understood phrases like ’sharp tongue, soft heart’, and ’saying one thing while meaning another’.

Not only was he not annoyed, but he was also delighted. He hugged Jiang Jiamian happily and placed a light kiss on his cheek, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. "Soon. Very soon. Five days. I promise you, within five days, everything will be arranged. I’ve placed trustworthy people both in the open and in the shadows. They’ll keep each other in check and ensure the capital remains safe. Five days later, I will personally lead the expedition."

Jiang Jiamian abruptly raised his hand and rubbed the cheek he had kissed, his expression full of disgust. "Fine, but stop spitting everywhere, okay?"

Xiao Jinan: "..."

It seemed his wife’s mouth was simply incapable of saying anything pleasant.

What emotion? What tenderness? What concern? 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Even if he did express concern, it would probably be in this kind of extraordinarily ’thoughtful’ manner, something like ’your death won’t stop me from finding someone else’.

Jiang Jiamian had absolutely no idea what Xiao Jinan was miserably imagining.

If he did, he would probably just roll his eyes, straighten his neck, and add four simple words. "You’re overthinking it."