Jiang Chuan waved his hand in front of Xiao Xiangzi's eyes. "Stop staring, your eyes are about to pop out."
If this continued, the Empress and the others would surely notice Xiao Xiangzi's feelings.
Xiao Xiangzi, who had finally looked away, scratched the back of his head and smiled at Jiang Chuan. "Xi Que is getting married soon. I’ve been thinking, what should I give her as a wedding gift?"
Jiang Chuan, who shared a room with him, already knew what Xiao Xiangzi had prepared.
"You’ve already emptied your savings. If you give any more, you’ll have to borrow from me."
"Well, what about your..."
"Get out of here!"
For Xi Que’s wedding, all the servants of Kunning Palace had contributed gifts. Jiang Chuan had already given her five hundred taels of silver and a jade Buddha bestowed by the Emperor. He had been more than generous.
Xiao Xiangzi, however, was still dissatisfied. He felt that nothing was good enough for Xi Que, wanting to give her only the best.
He justified it by saying, "This way, the Meng Family won’t dare to mistreat her."
As if! Even if Xi Que brought not a single coin as dowry, the Meng Family wouldn’t dare to mistreat her. She was the Empress’s most favored lady-in-waiting. Who would dare offend her?
Jiang Chuan’s savings were not meant for Xiao Xiangzi to give away to Xi Que. He had been saving for his retirement outside the palace.
At Scholar Jiang's Mansion—
The owner of the silk shop had come to take Jiang Xinyan’s measurements for her autumn clothes.
Inevitably, the conversation turned to the most talked-about figure at the moment: Shi Ruojun.
"You know," the shopkeeper said, "I heard that the Cavalry General is planning to request the Emperor’s permission to arrange a marriage between Third Yan and Shi Ruojun!"
Jiang Xinyan tightened her grip on her handkerchief. "What did you say?"
The seamstress, unaware that Jiang Xinyan was the one betrothed to Third Yan, continued with a gossipy smile, "You didn’t know, did you? I heard from people outside that Shi Ruojun and Third Yan were referred to as husband and wife in Fusang. The Emperor of Fusang was assassinated during a banquet held in their honor. A man and a woman, spending day and night together on the battlefield, facing life and death—they must have developed deep feelings for each other."
As the seamstress chattered on, Jiang Xinyan felt as if she had been plunged into an icy abyss. "It’s only natural for the Cavalry General to think this way. Third Yan may be clever, but he’s not a warrior. To achieve greatness, he needs to be with Shi Ruojun. Together, they’re unstoppable—one with unmatched intelligence, the other with unmatched bravery. It’s a perfect match, and even I can’t help but envy them."
Since Shi Ruojun’s return to the capital, her exploits had been immortalized in books and spread by storytellers in teahouses and under bridges.
And as always, adding a touch of romance made the stories even more captivating.
Third Yan and Shi Ruojun were the perfect subjects for such tales.
A fearless female general and a brilliant but physically weak strategist—what a unique pairing!
Scandals always spread faster than serious matters.
In the capital’s bookstores, writers were already penning epic love stories about the female general and her strategist.
"Would you like to go out and see for yourself?" the seamstress asked, her eyes gleaming with cunning. "It’s not just me saying this—everyone outside is talking about it."
In other words, the common people believed that Third Yan and Shi Ruojun were a match made in heaven, the perfect couple.
Did Third Yan feel the same way?
Was the Cavalry General planning to change the marriage arrangement?
But...
The more Jiang Xinyan thought about it, the more her heart ached.
Yes, Third Yan and Shi Ruojun had faced life and death together in Fusang. Could it be that no special feelings had developed between them?
What Jiang Xinyan wanted was a lifelong commitment, a love shared with no one else. She didn’t want to share her husband, not even with a heroic female general who had served Great Yan so valiantly.
If... if Third Yan and Shi Ruojun truly loved each other, she could step aside.
But she would not... could not... share.
The seamstress finished taking Jiang Xinyan’s measurements and said with a smile, "We’ll deliver the clothes in a few days."
Jiang Xinyan nodded, too preoccupied to engage in small talk, and thus missed the sly glint in the seamstress’s eyes.
Lady Ruan returned from the back hall to find both the seamstress and her daughter gone.
She looked around and asked, "Where is Xinyan?"
The servant in the hall replied, "Miss Jiang finished her measurements and went back to her room. She said she’ll have dinner there."
Hmm?
What was going on?
Xinyan had always been one to retreat to her room when upset, dealing with her emotions in private before emerging again.
Had someone or something upset her?
As Shi Ruojun passed by several teahouses, she overheard some gossip but paid it no mind. She continued on her way until she reached the entrance of Daughter Red.
Zhang Xiuzhu spotted her immediately and called out, "Ruojun!"
Everyone passing by, both inside and outside, stopped in their tracks.
Ruojun?
Shi Ruojun?
The Shi Ruojun who had single-handedly infiltrated Fusang, assassinated the Emperor of Fusang, and been named the Eastern Expedition General by the Emperor?
The first female general of Great Yan?
Master He had been waiting all day. As soon as she arrived, he ordered the drums to be beaten and firecrackers to be set off. Even the signboard outside Daughter Red was adorned with a banner that read: "Welcome Eastern Expedition General Shi Ruojun to dine at our establishment. Spread the word, and enjoy a 30% discount for all."
Daughter Red had only been open for a few days, but its reputation for excellent cuisine had already spread. Many had wanted to try it but had been delayed by various matters.
Now, with the news that Shi Ruojun was dining at Daughter Red, the restaurant was flooded with customers.
Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the legendary general. Did she have three heads and six arms? Was she as fierce as they said?
"She’s not as ugly as the rumors say! In fact, she’s quite beautiful!"
"Those men must have been jealous of a woman surpassing them in skill, so they spread lies to tarnish her reputation."
"Exactly! Starting today, General Shi is my idol. When the recruitment begins next spring, she’ll surely enlist female soldiers, and I’ll be the first to sign up."
"Same here. From now on, General Shi is my role model. I want to be like her, vanquishing all enemies of our people."
"Waiter, this braised beef is delicious! Bring us another serving!"
"This smoked bamboo shoots with cured pork is so flavorful. Add more chili and bring us another plate."
"Everything on my table, make another round. I want to take it home for my wife to try."
At the Cavalry General's Mansion—
Second Yan had just finished having tea with some friends when he overheard a group of young girls on the street, giggling and blushing over a book.
As he passed by, he casually plucked the book from their hands, startling the girls, who jumped up to retrieve it. His friends blocked their way, saying, "Don’t worry, ladies. Let Second Yan take a quick look, and we’ll return it to you."
"Third Yan and General Shi?"
"Who would write such nonsense?"
