"Miss! Great news! The general has returned!"
"The general has returned victorious, it is said that the emperor himself, along with all officials, went to the city gate to welcome him!"
"Miss, you've endured for a whole year, you finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!"
Xiang Ling ran into the Shenxiang Garden, laughing. The woman who was lying on the beauty couch lifted her delicate and beautiful face when she heard the news.
"Is he really back?"
"Indeed! The news is spreading all over the mansion. This servant just got the news in the front yard, and rushed back to tell you, the general is probably already at the mansion now!"
Qiao Wanqing put the book on the small table, got up to tidied her clothes and said, "Xiang Ling, help me freshen up, I'm going to the front yard to meet him."
"Miss, don't panic, the general may have to first go to the old lady's yard to pay his respects, it might be awhile..."
Before the words were finished, a rush of footsteps came from outside the door.
The two, master and servant, looked up to see a large, towering man standing at the door.
He wore a half-aged battle armor, looking as heroic as he did a year ago when he went to war, though there is a hint of unfamiliarity between his brows.
"Husband?" Qiao Wanqing called out tentatively.
The man did not speak. He just nodded and then strode in, his deep voice addressed Xiang Ling.
"You may leave, I have something to say to your mistress."
Seeing his serious expression, Qiao Wanqing's heart tightened. Although she had a bad feeling, she nonetheless steadied herself and nodded to Xiang Ling.
When Xiang Ling had left, only the couple remained in the room. Xie Yujin remained silent for a while before he spoke.
“This time I returned from a great victory, the Emperor was extremely pleased and mentioned he would reward me handsomely.”
Radiant with wisdom and bravery, my husband has made outstanding achievements in battle. The Emperor's rewards are indeed rightful,” responded Qiao Wanqing with a smile, but the handkerchief in her hands was tightly clenched.
Intuition told her that her husband of one year, who she had been awaiting, was vastly different from before he had marched off to war.
The words that would follow might perhaps be unbearable for her…
Xie Yujin glanced at the woman sitting on the round-backed rosewood chair. Her interlocked hands sitting in front, her large plain dress making her look incredibly frail.
A trace of reluctance flashed in his eyes, but after a moment of silence, still, he spoke, “I refused the Emperor’s rewards and asked for a decree to grant marriage instead.”
On hearing this, Qiao Wanqing instinctively looked up, “A decree for a marriage?”
Xie Yujin nodded and spoke straightforwardly, “In the past year, I have been fighting alongside General Shen Xin at the front line, we've faced life and death together, and I have developed feelings for her, I'm planning to take her as my wife.”
Hearing this, Qiao Wanqing’s hand tightened around the handkerchief and she frowned, “General Shen Xin? The very same General Shen Xin whom the Empress Dowager highly praises, the model for all women of the Empire?”
“Yes, it's her,” Xie Yujin affirmed.
Qiao Wanqing felt a whirlwind of feelings in her heart and for a moment she didn’t know what to say.
In the end, she mustered a sarcastic smile, “General, you plan to marry her? Then what becomes of me? Am I to be demoted from wife to concubine?”
Seeing her reaction, Xie Yujin seemed to be somewhat displeased with her sarcasm, “When did I ever say I was going to demote you to concubine? She will be a wife on equal terms."
Qiao Wanqing's eyebrows raised slightly, the smile at the corners of her mouth becoming all the more apparent: "Is the general suggesting that the renowned General Shen Xin is willing to become a concubine?"
"No, she's not a concubine. She would be my co-wife, equal in status to yourself."
Qiao Wanqing remained in her original posture, speaking in a calm tone: "You should understand, general, that despite how pleasant the term 'co-wife' sounds, in reality it isn't much different from a concubine."
Xie Yujin's eyebrows furrowed, "Why obsess over whether she's a concubine or not? Shen Xin and I have developed deep feelings for each other on the battlefield."
"Our marriage was a reward for military achievements. This honor has been won through our blood and sweat. In reality, I don't need your approval."
Unable to contain herself anymore, Qiao Wanqing turned to face the self-important man before her, "Deep affection? Do you remember what you said to me before you left for battle?"
A year ago, on their wedding night, he led his troops into battle.
Before departing, he lifted her red bridal veil and solemnly made a vow: "I, Xie Yujin swear that in this life, I will only love Qiao Wanqing and never accept a concubine!"
Of course, Xie Yujin hadn't forgotten. Looking slightly awkward, he avoided her gaze, "When I married you, I didn't understand love yet. I only thought you were a good match for me. Until I met Shen Xin."
When he spoke of the woman he loved, the tenderness in his eyes and tone made his deep affection abundantly clear.
When he looked back at Qiao Wanqing, his demeanor once again cold and distant. "Shen Xin is different, my love for her is beyond description. I hope you can understand."
Qiao Wanqing felt as if a fly was lodged in her throat, discomfort welling up within her, yet unwilling to let go, she asked.
"Do my father and mother know about this?"
"They are, of course, aware and have no objections."
"After all, our marriage was bestowed by the emperor. Besides, Shen Xin is cheerful, witty, and adorable. She has already gone to pay her respects to my mother."
Whenever Xie Yujin mentioned Shen Xin, his tone would always soften unconsciously.
Qiao Wanqing gave a cold laugh and raised an eyebrow, "Is she at your mansion now?"
Speaking of Shen Xin, Xie Yujin's voice was full of tenderness, "She is chatting with my mother. My mother's mood has greatly improved and even her health seems much better."
"Much better?" Qiao Wanqing felt mixed emotions, "When you went off to war, her condition was critical. I asked famed doctor Luo to come and treat her. I handled the affairs of the mansion during the day while I attended to her at night. We shared meals and even slept in the same room only then did her condition slightly improve."
She was not boasting about her efforts, but merely stating facts. With simple words, she unsparingly encapsulated the hard work she had put in through the year.
It was a grim irony.
A year's dedication had come to this.
"But ever since Shen Xin came, her health has become much better," Xie Yujin insisted casually, "I know it's unfair to you, but as the matriarch, you should keep the bigger picture in mind and give your blessings to Shen Xin and me.”
Qiao Wanqing's lip curved slightly, and it seemed like there were tears shimmering in her eyes but upon closer inspection, it was a determined light.
"Then please invite General Shen to meet me. There are a few questions that I must ask her in person."
Xie Yujin instantly declined, "She is not like the women you know, she's a female general. She prefers not to get involved in the disputes of the inner quarters, I reckon she wouldn't want to meet you."
Qiao Wanqing retorted, "And what kind of women do I know? Or rather, what kind of woman am I in your eyes?"
"You seem to forget, I too, am a daughter of a martial family. My father and six brothers were martyred in the southern war three years ago..."
"That is them." Xie Yujin interrupted, "But you're in essence a spoiled lady who has lived in the seclusion of a boudoir. Shen Xin would not like such a woman."
"Shen Xin is honest and straightforward, and doesn't care much for trifles. I fear if she met you, she might say something that you'll find displeasing. Why trouble yourself unnecessarily?"
Jiao Wanqing lifted her head, her beauty mark under her eye was stunningly bright, and her voice was as soft as ever.
"It’s okay, if she says anything I don't like to hear, I'll just pretend I didn't hear it."
"Taking the bigger picture into account and understanding the framework is a basic quality that every woman in the clan should have. Or are you saying that you don't trust me, general?"
Xie Yujin sighed faintly, her expression somewhat helpless.
"Why are you doing this to yourself? This is a marriage bestowed by His Majesty. Besides, even if Shen Xin marries into our family in the future, you two will live separately in the east and west courtyards, she won't come to seize your power as the head of the house."
"Qingqing, what you value, she doesn't care about at all!"
"Do you think I care about this power of being the head of the house?"
Jiao Wanqing's heart had completely cooled.
Being in the general's house was not easy.
Just the monthly medicine bill for the old lady from Doctor Luo alone was dozens of taels of silver.
Not to mention the food, clothing, shelter, and transportation of others, and all the interpersonal transactions, which of these don't cost money?
The general's house was actually just a shell.
This year, she had subsidized an unknown amount of her dowry money, but she was treated this way in return.
Xie Yujin finally lost her patience. "Alright, I'm just here to inform you. Whether you agree or not, it won't change anything."
With that, Xie Yujin turned and left.
"Miss," Xiangling sobbed at the side, "Master is really going too far."
"What on earth are you yelling about!"
Qiao Wanqing's eyebrows knitted slightly together as she issued a low rebuke towards Xiangling.
"I haven't shared a bridal chamber with him yet; he doesn't qualify as your master. Go, bring me my dowry list."
Xiangling asked with a puzzled expression, "Miss, what do you need the dowry list for?"
Qiao Wanqing replied determinedly, "Why... to divorce of course! They have demeaned me so much; how can I continue to stay and bear the humiliation?"
