Chapter 638: Chapter 410: Reprimanded
Early the next morning, as soon as there was movement at the city gate, everyone woke up one after another, tidied up, and lined up to enter the city, including Xiao Mi and Wei Ziang.
However, the two were more leisurely; after all, it was already this time, so whether they were a bit early or late didn’t matter much.
Xiao Mi secretly handed Wei Ziang a meat bun.
When it was finally their turn, the city gate guard saw it was Wei Ziang and was overjoyed.
"Chiliarch Wei, Miss Jiang, you’re finally back. The general has been sending people to search for you everywhere these days!"
Only then did the two notice that the guard was one of the soldiers they had met previously in the Stone Forest.
No wonder he recognized them.
Wei Ziang: "What’s wrong? Has something happened?"
"Nothing major. It seems Miss Jiang’s elder brother came a couple of days ago, and then everyone was looking for Miss Jiang and Chiliarch Wei. Now, the city’s gates are staffed with our brothers, just to find you as soon as possible."
Xiao Mi’s face immediately fell: "Oh no, is elder brother looking for us?"
Wei Ziang’s expression turned serious too, but he continued to ask, "Do you know where my elder brother is now?"
"He’s waiting at the Jiang residence, asking you to return immediately when you get back."
Wei Ziang sighed lightly: "Alright, I understand."
Then he pulled the dejected Xiao Mi: "Let’s go, let’s find elder brother first."
Since things had come to this point, there was no avoiding it, and a scolding was surely inevitable.
Luckily, only elder brother returned; once he’s done scolding, as long as he doesn’t tell parents, it would be fine.
The two didn’t dare to delay. The later they got back, the angrier their elder brother might be.
Wei Ziang took a shortcut, leading Xiao Mi through several alleys, quickly reaching the gate of the Jiang residence.
The gate was still guarded by two imperial guards. Seeing them return, one hurriedly led a horse and the other went inside to inform Jiang Yu.
As it was already this time, there was no choice but to brace themselves.
Sure enough, upon entering the inner courtyard, they saw elder brother waiting for them, with a particularly unhappy expression.
"Who said they absolutely wouldn’t wander off?"
Jiang Yu suppressed his anger, repeatedly telling himself to stay calm, stay calm.
To hell with staying calm!
"Wandering is one thing, but you even crossed the border, thinking you’re invincible in the world, right? Xiao Mi doesn’t understand, Wei Ziang, you’ve been in Lishi City for so long, how could you not know?"
"What’s beyond the border? Wolf packs! Enemies!"
"Do you think you can fly, that you can face wolf packs and enemy troops and come out unscathed?"
"Crossing the border would have been one thing, but for five whole days! Not a peep, no prior notice to your colleagues, you didn’t even send Xiao Ba back with a message!"
"Wei Ziang, as a soldier in the Xu Yu Dynasty, do you know that your reckless act of crossing the border for days could already be considered treason?"
As he spoke, Jiang Yu slammed the table in anger, standing up abruptly.
Xiao Mi was so frightened that she hid behind Wei Ziang. It was the first time she saw her elder brother so furious, and she was a little scared.
But hearing elder brother say that about Wei Ziang, she couldn’t help but stick her head out to argue.
"Elder brother, little brother has achieved so much, how could he possibly commit treason?"
Jiang Yu gave a cold laugh: "As a soldier of the Xu Yu Dynasty, recklessly crossing the border without any command, and not returning for several days... You ask Wei Ziang what that really is."
Only then did Xiao Mi realize that little brother hadn’t spoken at all, and she quickly turned her head, just to see Wei Ziang looking solemn.
Xiao Mi thought to herself, no way, how come little brother never mentioned this before; had she known, she would have told General Song.
At this moment, Wei Ziang also remembered, he acted on impulse at the time, thinking only to take Xiao Mi out for fun, completely forgetting about military orders.
"I’m sorry, elder brother, this time it’s my fault."
Jiang Yu was angry, but he also knew this brother wasn’t reckless; it was most likely because of their sister that he lost his composure.
But he still kept a stern face: "Telling me it’s wrong doesn’t matter; find General Song and receive whatever punishment is warranted; that’s for General Song to decide."
Wei Ziang cupped his fists in salute: "Elder brother, I’ll first go to the general to confess my guilt. When I return, feel free to criticize and scold me."
Jiang Yu responded with a hum, and Wei Ziang hurried out.
Only then did Xiao Mi realize, it seemed, it really was a big deal.
Seeing Xiao Mi glancing around without daring to stop him directly, Jiang Yu was even more annoyed: "What are you looking at? If it weren’t for you, would your little brother have been so impulsive?"
Xiao Mi turned back, feeling a bit sheepish: "Elder brother, I didn’t do it on purpose; I didn’t know little brother couldn’t just cross the border."
"Now you know, but it’s too late!" Jiang Yu pointed to the corner: "Go reflect there!"
"Okay."
Xiao Mi dared not resist, obediently standing in the corner to reflect, lacking any of the ease she had when freely traversing wolf packs.
Being so obedient, Jiang Yu couldn’t bring himself to continue scolding, so he huffed out of the room, instructed the guards at the door, and then returned.
Shortly after, the cook brought a plate of dumplings to Xiao Mi.
"Fourth Miss, the Young Master asked me to make dumplings. You should eat some before continuing your punishment."
Xiao Mi was flattered: "Really? My elder brother asked you to deliver them?"
The cook nodded: "Yes, the Young Master, although angry, is concerned. These days, he hasn’t eaten well or slept well, and he has to keep this from Lord Jiang too."
Xiao Mi felt a bit ashamed: "Alright, I get it; you go on with your work."
The dumplings were her favorite chive and egg flavor.
She hadn’t been here long and hadn’t eaten much of the cook’s meals, so the cook naturally wouldn’t know; it must have been elder brother’s specific instruction.
Xiao Mi felt both touched and regretful; she realized she shouldn’t have acted recklessly just because she was capable enough.
After all, her family wasn’t aware of many things, and their concern for her safety was only natural.
Especially having gone out without sending any word back; it only caused needless worry.
After finishing the dumplings, Xiao Mi stopped standing, took the bowls and chopsticks to the kitchen, and then went to find her elder brother.
Jiang Yu was reading in his room, but he was mentally distracted, clearly lost in thought, until Xiao Mi pushed the door open and came in.
"Elder brother, I’m sorry; please don’t be angry anymore. I know I was wrong; I won’t roam around recklessly again."
Squatting down beside her elder brother, she clung to his arm, seeking forgiveness.
Jiang Yu knew Xiao Mi wasn’t the type to act recklessly, so this was likely a moment of impulsiveness. His anger was just to teach her a lesson.
Seeing that Xiao Mi sincerely admitted her mistake, he was no longer as angry.
"Remember, that’s good. Don’t let it happen again next time, or else, I won’t cover for you, and mother will personally reprimand you."
Xiao Mi breathed a sigh of relief, grinning as she promised: "Thank you, elder brother, there definitely won’t be a next time!"
Jiang Yu rolled his eyes: "There better not be a next time, otherwise it won’t be me suffering, but your little brother."