Great, it's just a lackey, we're saved!

Chapter 78 If you dare take her money, I'll chop off your claws!

Inside the princess's residence, the servants who weren't on duty were all enjoying the feast. When Zhou Wei went to call Ziyu to go to the Five Cities Military Command together, she was surrounded by congratulatory voices.

"Congratulations, Aunt Zhou!"

"You can't call her aunt anymore, you have to call her 'adult' from now on."

"Congratulations, Lord Zhou! May your official career be very successful!"

After bowing to everyone, Zhou Wei left with Ziyu.

Ziyu was still somewhat unsatisfied, and Zhou Wei was very generous; the banquet today was quite good.

She was enjoying her meal when Zhou Wei called her away.

"Sister Wei, where are we going?"

"Go to the Five Cities Garrison and find Qiu Ming. I need his help with something."

Ziyu nodded and smiled: "Today is truly a good day! Sister Wei, your official rank has been revoked, and General Qiu's transfer order has also been issued."

"The Embroidered-Robe Commander is a third-rank official. Lord Qiu has risen to the top in one step, even surpassing his superior, Lu Zhiyan."

Lu Zhiyan's Grand General is not a First-Rank Grand General.

The rank of First-Rank General is equivalent to that of the Three Dukes. When Jiang Yueli led the troops back then, she was indeed worthy of this position.

Lu Zhiyan's rank as a general was that of the Four Guards Generals. However, because he was in charge of the administration of the Five Cities Military Command and guarded the capital, his status was higher and he could be called a Grand General.

In reality, he was only a third-rank official.

"That shows Qiu Ming has good judgment; he managed to get on the good side of our princess."

Ziyu echoed, "That's right, that's right, the Eldest Princess is the most powerful figure in the Great Zhou Dynasty."

The two walked and talked, and soon arrived at the gate of the Five Cities Garrison.

Before I even got close, I could hear people arguing at the door.

Zhou Wei stopped and looked over. A simply dressed girl was holding a small bundle and trying to ingratiate herself with the guard.

It was Jiang Zao, the girl whose conversation was overheard by the Crown Prince in the palace that day.

"Brother, please pass on my message. I have known General Qiu since childhood and am his close friend." Jiang Zao bowed to the other party.

The guard looked at him with disdain: "Miss, what General Qiu? There isn't a single general with the surname Qiu in the Five Cities Garrison."

The guards weren't lying; Qiu Ming had been ordered to be imprisoned by Lu Zhiyan, and he was indeed still at the Five Cities Garrison.

But he has gone from being the garrison commander of the southern city to a prisoner!

Addressing him as General Qiu is naturally inappropriate.

However, Jiang Zao was unaware of the situation and thought the guard was just being perfunctory, so he anxiously said, "Brother, I'm looking for General Qiu Ming of the Five Cities Garrison. He is the garrison commander of the South City. How come there is no such person here?"

The guard, somewhat impatient at Jiang Zao's questioning, frowned and said, "I said no, so I said no. Get out of here now, or don't blame me for being impolite."

"What kind of Tom, Dick, or Harry dares to call himself the garrison commander of the Five Cities Garrison? The Five Cities Garrison is a military stronghold, and you, a woman, are not allowed to trespass here at will."

Jiang Zao pursed her lips, feeling somewhat wronged.

She and Qiu Ming had known each other since childhood, but now she couldn't even see him once.

Thinking of the hardships she faced even in the palace, Jiang Zao's eyes welled up with tears.

Seeing this, the guard became even angrier: "Why are you crying? Go cry somewhere else, lest others think that we, the Five Cities Garrison, have bullied you."

After scolding Jiang Zao, he kept a wary eye on her and urged her to leave quickly.

Jiang Zao sniffed, clutched her small bundle, and turned to leave.

Ziyu had been watching for a long time and was already dissatisfied.

"Sister Wei, what does this guard mean? He won't even let us pass a message?"

"They actually lied to this woman, saying that there was no General Qiu in the Five Cities Garrison. It's really despicable."

Zhou Wei, however, sensed something was amiss.

She took a few steps forward to stop Jiang Zao, while glancing at the guard.

"Where is Qiu Ming? Tell him to come out and see me."

The guard looked Zhou Wei up and down, scanning her mind at lightning speed, but finally realized that he did not recognize her.

That person isn't important.

How dare a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl talk to me like that?

Who gave her the courage?

"Get out of my way, little girl! You're young, but you've got quite the nerve! If you dare spout any more nonsense, believe me, I'll kick you..."

boom!

Before the guard could finish speaking, Zhou Wei kicked him, sending him flying off the steps and crashing to the ground.

"Believe it or not, I'll kick you like I did and send you flying?" Zhou Wei asked.

The guard clutched his chest as he stood up from the ground, staring at Zhou Wei with a fierce glint in his eyes.

The other guards stationed at the entrance of the Five Cities Garrison immediately surrounded her, each raising their spears and aiming them at Zhou Wei.

The guard who had been kicked roared, "You bitch, how dare you cause trouble in the Five Cities Garrison and even injure people! Today, I will arrest you and bring you to justice!"

Jiang Zao, who was about to leave, was stunned by the scene before her!

She saw that Zhou Wei and Zi Yu were young and both women. If they were really arrested and imprisoned by the Five Cities Garrison, it would be worse than death for them.

Despite her fear, Jiang Zao rushed forward, trembling, to stand in front of the two.

He turned to the guard who had been kicked and said, "Brother, please, those two are young and don't know any better. I apologize to you."

As Jiang Zao spoke, she quickly opened the small bundle, inside which were wrapped in three layers of cloth, containing fifty taels of silver.

Jiang Zao knelt on the ground and held the silver above her head.

His voice trembled as he said, "Brother, this money is a token of our respect. Please be lenient with it!"

Xiao Ziyu stood behind Zhou Wei, curiously observing Jiang Zao, who was trying her best to plead for mercy despite her fear.

And there was her precious fifty taels of silver, which she held tightly in her hand.

I have some doubts.

"Sister Wei, do you know her?"

Zhou Wei shook her head.

Little Ziyu immediately exclaimed "Wow!"

The guard, who had been kicked by Zhou Wei, was determined to teach her a lesson.

But upon seeing Jiang Zao's fifty taels of silver, he felt a surge of greed.

He held his head high, a disdainful look on his face, and said, "You're much better at handling things than some people..."

As the guard spoke, he slowly reached for the fifty taels of silver.

But then Zhou Wei’s icy voice rang in his ears: “If you dare take her money, I’ll chop off your hands.”

Upon hearing this, the guard's eyes widened instantly, and he glared angrily at Zhou Wei.

Zhou Wei continued coldly, "If you don't believe me, you're welcome to try."

Jiang Zao's heart pounded with nervousness, and she wished she could rush up and cover Zhou Wei's mouth.

Grandma, stop talking!

Seeing that fifty taels of silver could resolve the issue, I realized that if I said anything more, it would be something that fifty taels wouldn't be enough.

Just as Jiang Zao was about to speak up to persuade Zhou Wei, someone helped her arm.

She looked up and saw Ziyu with a big smile on her face.

"Girl, get up. This kind of scum in the army is not worth your kneeling."

Jiang Zao was confused, but with Zi Yu's help, she slowly stood up.

Her hand was still tightly clutching the fifty taels of silver.

Ziyu looked down and saw Jiang Zao's hands covered in sores, and her heart ached.

The woman's hand wounds were clearly frostbite, and had been recurring for years.

I'm afraid that when it's rainy, the cold wind will seep through my fingers, causing unbearable pain.

I wonder how long it took her to save up that much money.

Now, they're actually willing to give it up without hesitation to save me and Sister Wei.

What a kind and gentle heart!