Madam, Do Not Be Afraid, I Am

The Zhu family's residence was easy to find; it was the largest and most opulent in the entire estate. As for Jiang Che and Geng Dabiao, clad in armor and riding tall horses, the common folk on the road simply ignored them.

No, Jiang Che saw only numbness in their eyes.

A moment later, the two arrived at the Zhu family's gate and tied their horses to the stone lions at the entrance. Geng Dabiao stepped forward and knocked on the vermilion door.

"You are...?"

An old man with a face full of wrinkles opened the door, squinting as he appraised the two of them. Vaguely, he could see several people holding torches aloft behind the door.

Jiang Che got straight to the point, producing the token Zhu Sheng had given him:

"By order of Captain Zhu, I have urgent matters to discuss with Madam."

The old man took the token and examined it carefully. After confirming it was legitimate, he returned it to Jiang Che and said:

"Please wait here a moment, sir. I will inform Madam."

"Thank you."

Jiang Che cupped his fists in greeting.

Before long, the Zhu family's main gate was opened again. The old man said to Jiang Che:

"Madam is currently in the study. Please follow me, sir."

Following the old butler, Jiang Che and Geng Dabiao entered Zhu Manor. Compared to the outside, the interior was even more luxurious, featuring a pond, rock gardens, and servants and maids everywhere.

The extravagance was evident.

However, Jiang Che paid it no mind.

Whether Zhu Sheng was greedy for money had nothing to do with him. In fact, he hoped the man was a corrupt official, as it would make it easier for him to operate in the future.

Geng Dabiao was left outside the study, while Jiang Che alone pushed open the door.

The room was antique and elegant, with bookshelves filled with volumes of books. Before a writing desk sat a beautiful woman with her hair tied up, exuding an air of grace.

Her eyes were bright and her teeth white; she was gentle and captivating.

Seeing Jiang Che enter, the beautiful woman quickly rose, a hint of nervousness on her face as she asked:

"Did something happen to my husband? That's why you were sent here so late at night?"

Jiang Che proactively showed his token and handed it along with a letter to her:

"Madam, please do not worry. I am Jiang Che, Deputy Commander under Captain Zhu. I have been sent by Captain Zhu to escort you and your family to Yanggu County."

The beautiful woman frowned as she took the letter. After reading it quickly, the worry on her face subsided, and a smile appeared:

"So, my husband is being transferred to Yanggu County to serve as County Lieutenant. Heh... I was worrying needlessly."

"It is right for Madam to be cautious."

Although the woman was beautiful, Jiang Che did not overstep. Apart from his initial glance, his gaze remained fixed on the ground. He did not yet have the right to be presumptuous.

"Thank you for your trouble, Commander Jiang. I will have people make preparations immediately. Shall we depart in these next two days?" Madam Zhu asked with a smile, her attitude quite amiable.

"Everything is as Madam commands."

Jiang Che cupped his fists.

"Mother, what's going on? I heard Father sent someone?"

As the two were conversing, the study door was pushed open, and a young girl in a goose-yellow palace dress burst in. Jiang Che turned to look at her. Her appearance bore some resemblance to Zhu Sheng, but in terms of beauty, she was a notch below Madam Zhu.

"How can you be so impetuous? What kind of manners are these?"

Madam Zhu's brow furrowed slightly.

The girl in the yellow dress paid it no mind. She walked up to Jiang Che, looked him over, and when she saw his face clearly, she seemed slightly disappointed. Tilting her head up, she casually asked:

"What's your name, and why did my father send you?"

Jiang Che did not answer, looking instead at the beautiful woman.

"Qing'er, don't be rude. This is Commander Jiang Che. Your father is being transferred to Yanggu County as County Lieutenant, and Commander Jiang is here to escort you." Madam Zhu immediately reprimanded her with a stern face.

"Commander, how old are you to be a commander?"

Zhu Qingqing seemed skeptical.

"Deputy."

Jiang Che smiled at her.

"Oh, so you're a Deputy Commander. I knew it... But I'm fine here. I'm not going to Yanggu County." Zhu Qingqing pouted.

"Madam, please proceed with your preparations. I will wait outside Zhu Family Fort. If you need anything, just send someone to let me know." Jiang Che did not care about the attitude of this immature woman.

He certainly wouldn't grovel or beg her to go. After cupping his fists towards Madam Zhu, he turned and left.

After Jiang Che departed, Madam Zhu frowned:

"Nonsense. Commander Jiang is your father's subordinate, how could you be so disrespectful?"

"Mother, you just said he's Father's subordinate. Do I need to be polite to a subordinate? Besides, I didn't do anything to him. Mother, you're making a fuss over nothing."

Zhu Qingqing looked completely unconcerned.

"Your father mentioned in his letter that although this Jiang Che comes from an ordinary background, his aptitude is exceptional, and he intends to arrange a match between you two."

"Stop right there! Is my father insane? Marrying me off to some mere deputy commander? Absolutely not, I refuse!" Zhu Qingqing's eyes widened as she immediately rejected the idea.

"Qing'er, you're seventeen now, it's time you got married."

Madam Zhu wore a worried expression. The Zhu family's lineage was sparse, and she only had one son and one daughter, neither of whom gave her any peace. Zhu Qingqing, in particular, relied on her family's status to act arrogantly within Zhu Family Fort, developing a personality that looked down on everyone.

This caused both her and her husband considerable distress.

"Even if I have to get married, I want to marry a man with ability, good looks, and a respectable family background. This Jiang Che's appearance is just average, I'm not interested," Zhu Qingqing said, her eyes darting around as she continued, "Earlier, Mother, you said this Jiang Che comes from an ordinary background. What does his family do?"

"Your father wrote that they seem to be fishermen by origin," Madam Zhu replied, recalling the contents of the letter.

"No wonder he smells like fish. In any case, I absolutely cannot marry a fisherman. If you want to marry one, you marry him yourself," Zhu Qingqing scoffed, lifting her chin.

"You impudent girl, what are you saying?" Madam Zhu's face flushed as she lightly struck Zhu Qingqing.

"That's what I mean. Don't you and Father try to force me."

Madam Zhu frowned slightly:

"You're still young and don't understand. Precisely because this person comes from a low background, it will be easier for our family to control him. If he marries you, he wouldn't dare to treat you poorly, nor would he dare to take concubines."

"Isn't that just a live-in son-in-law? Forget it. If I'm going to marry, I'll marry a great hero. Someone like that isn't worthy of me."

Madam Zhu looked at her proud daughter and sighed softly:

"Fine, fine. Since you're unwilling, I'll inform your father. However, even so, you must not show any annoyance towards Jiang Che, understand?"

"Why? Do I still need to consider him?"

"He is your father's subordinate after all. Showing him some respect will make him willing to work loyally. This is the way to manage subordinates," Madam Zhu lectured.

"Got it, got it," Zhu Qingqing waved her hand, not taking any of it to heart.

"It's getting late. You should go back and rest well for the night. Prepare to pack your things tomorrow, don't keep your father waiting."

"We'll talk about it tomorrow."

The book title has been changed to "Everyone is Speedrunning Sacrifices, Who Still Cultivates Techniques?"

To apologize for any inconvenience caused, an extra chapter has been added. Thank you for your support.