Everyone has their own fate, and if the heavens decree that she must die young, there is nothing she can do about it.
This winter in the Great Yan Dynasty is exceptionally cold.
Usually, snow doesn’t fall until close to the New Year, but this year, sleet has already begun shortly after winter set in.
The sleet and the biting wind pierce through the bones, making every joint ache.
After the monthly charcoal ration was delivered to Consort Liang’s palace, Xi Que ca by again: “Greetings, Consort Liang. Our mistress, the Empress, knows you fear the cold and has sent to bring you so extra red charcoal.”
Consort Liang was shivering from the cold, so much so that she had even declined recent invitations from Consort Shu and others to play cards.
Only when Xi Que arrived did she rise from the warm heated bed, bundled in thick cotton clothes and pants: “Please convey my gratitude to Her Majesty.”
Consort Liang’s complexion was pale, though she had always been this way for as long as Xi Que could rember. Xi Que didn’t think much of it and, after delivering the charcoal, returned under the escort of ng Qingyu.
Shu Xiang watched their retreating figures with envy: “Xi Que and ng Qingyu look so well-matched. They must be getting married soon!”
Consort Liang chuckled softly: “Indeed. Shu Xiang, if you have soone you like, you can tell . I may not have the Empress’s ability to give you a grand wedding, but I can certainly provide you with a dowry and ensure you live comfortably for the rest of your life.”
The Empress treats Xi Que like a younger sister, wanting to give her the very best.
Rumors say that Goguryeo has allied with Fusang to wage war on the Great Yan Dynasty’s borders, and the Jin Kingdom seems to be stirring trouble in the middle.
Their excuse for war is that the Empress of the Great Yan Dynasty killed their princess.
But no one believes this, as it’s common knowledge that the princess was killed by Goguryeo’s own people, simply to create a pretext for war.
Haven’t you seen how all the vassal states have issued public declarations, severing ties with Goguryeo?
ng Qingyu serves under the General of the Flying Cavalry. If war breaks out at the border, the general will undoubtedly call him to duty.
After all, ng Qingyu’s martial skills are unmatched even among the elite guards.
With his abilities and the backing of such a powerful figure, he is destined to make a na for himself in tis of chaos.
Once ng Qingyu earns military rit, the general will petition the Emperor to grant him a military title. The greater his achievents, the higher his rank will rise.
In that case, it wouldn’t be too far-fetched for the Empress to confer the title of Lady upon Xi Que.
After all, a woman’s status is tied to her husband’s.
If even a palace maid like Xi Que can beco a titled lady, who among the palace maids wouldn’t envy her?
Shu Xiang blushed and smiled: “I don’t have anyone in my heart. I just want to serve you, my lady, for the rest of my life. When the ti cos… I’ll follow you to the Grand Princess’s estate to serve there. I’ve been with you for so long, and no servant in the princess’s estate would understand your needs as I do. Would you really be willing to let marry?”
Consort Liang smiled again but said nothing, tightening her cloak: “Help with my makeup. If I don’t show my face soon, Consort Shu and the others will start to wonder if sothing has happened to .”
Shu Xiang’s smile faded, her face turning pale with sadness.
In the Imperial Study—
The Emperor handed a reviewed morial to Jiang Xinyue: “The General of the Flying Cavalry has submitted three consecutive morials. He reports that the Jin Kingdom has been frequently mobilizing troops near the border. I suspect they are planning to send reinforcents to Goguryeo.”
Goguryeo shares a border with the Great Yan Dynasty at Yanbian. If the Jin Kingdom wishes to support Goguryeo, they would have to march secretly through the mountains near Yanbian.
The general’s suggestion is that if war does break out, the court should send additional troops and supplies.
In a prolonged war, provisions are essential.
The Northern Garrison still has a considerable number of troops, but General Shi is resentful after the Emperor sent Consort Shi to the Palace of Exile. He may not be easy to command.
The Emperor hasn’t yet found a suitable replacent for General Shi, or else, given his disdain for being threatened, General Shi’s grave would already be overgrown with grass.
Jiang Xinyue seized the opportunity: “Your Majesty, now is the ti to make use of talented individuals. I have a suggestion. Would you like to hear it?”
“Go on…”
“Your Majesty, do you rember Shi Ruojun?”
“Shi Ruojun?”
The Emperor shook his head, having no recollection of such a person.
“She was one of the candidates during the March selection. She’s the daughter of the Gun Prefecture Prefect. It’s said that she once slapped half the n in Gun Prefecture, yet no one could defeat her in a fight.”
“Ah, now I rember.”
It’s hard to forget soone like that—a woman even more formidable than Xi Que.
“She trained in swordsmanship with ng Qingyu for a while, and even he praised her as a martial arts prodigy.”
“Are you suggesting that I appoint her as a female general and have her lead troops to support the General of the Flying Cavalry?”
The first word that ca to the Emperor’s mind was: absurd.
Since ancient tis, won have never been expected to shed blood on the battlefield.
That is a man’s duty.
Won are delicate—how could they endure the rigors of war?
Living among n, who knows what rumors might spread?
Although the Emperor has never touched her, she is still a mber of the imperial harem. If her virtue were called into question, it would bring sha to the royal family.
Just as he was about to refuse, Jiang Xinyue quickly assud a hurt expression: “Was my suggestion too presumptuous?”
No! He hadn’t said that! He would have phrased it more diplomatically!
“It was reckless of .”
Two tears slipped down Jiang Xinyue’s cheeks, but she quickly wiped them away, her voice tinged with sadness: “I just thought that Shi Ruojun is so brave and free. She dreams of becoming a general, and her father never told her she couldn’t. Instead, he encouraged her to practice martial arts. She’s honed her skills but has no outlet for her talents. Her father even sent her to the palace to seek opportunities…”
“She truly has a wonderful father, one who allows his daughter to be herself and beco whatever she wishes. I can’t help but envy her…”
“Never mind. It was just a foolish dream of mine. Your Majesty need not pay it any heed.”
But the Emperor began to think: If Jiang Xinyue feels this way, wouldn’t refusing make him seem like a rigid traditionalist?
Moreover, she said that Shi Ruojun’s father supported her martial pursuits and encouraged her to strive for her dreams, even sending her to the palace for opportunities.
Jiang Xinyue’s envy must stem from her own unfulfilled desire to learn opera in secret.
She’s projecting her own regrets onto Shi Ruojun, hoping she can achieve what she couldn’t.
What’s wrong with that?
She’s simply too kind-hearted.
The Emperor sighed and relented: “I will appoint ng Qingyu as a captain and have him lead three thousand black-armored guards to transport supplies to the border. Shi Ruojun can accompany him. How does that sound?”
Of course, that wouldn’t work. ng Qingyu is going to earn rits, and if he succeeds, everyone will still attribute the achievents to him.
Reviews
All reviews (0)