More than ten days had passed since the imperial decree was issued. This brief fortnight could be considered the most awkward period of Xiao Nanhui’s life.
As the Left General of the Guangyao Camp, Su Pingchuan guarded the western city gate and frequently led a troop to patrol the key thoroughfares around the capital. Xiao Nanhui, as the Right General, was stationed at the eastern gate. Unfortunately, the Imperial Guard camp lay just outside the eastern gate. To avoid a "clash of arms" with that unlucky fellow Xu Shu, she could only hunker down within a ten-mile radius of the gate, delegating the patrol duties to her subordinates.
Even so, she could not avoid crossing paths with Su Pingchuan every morning and evening when the gates opened and closed. One stood at the eastern end of Jiazi Avenue and the other at the western end; even on the rare occasions they brushed past each other, not a single word was exchanged.
After a few days, her soldiers had labeled her a stern and taciturn commander. Her several attempts to explain herself only backfired, leaving her with no choice but to maintain a stiff, formal air. By the time she returned to the Marquis’s manor each day, she felt utterly exhausted.
To make matters worse, only a few days into her new post, Quecheng was preparing to welcome a significant convoy into the city, requiring both her and Su Pingchuan to be on high alert.
This whole affair started with that damned old Emperor’s decision to select new concubines.
The current Emperor of Tiancheng had been on the throne for nearly ten years. Previously, he had only organized a nationwide search for beautiful women once, shortly after his accession. The Emperor had always seemed indifferent toward the matter of heirs. If any minister grew too concerned and spoke up, they would be slapped with the heavy accusation of "interfering with the succession." Over time, considering the Emperor was in the prime of his life and unlikely to "ride the crane to the western heavens" anytime soon, everyone stopped mentioning it.
The officials had played deaf and mute for many years, but the topic resurfaced following the assassination of Prince Kang. Rumor had it that when Prince Kang was killed, no one inside or outside the traveling palace survived. Most of his family, wives, and children were not spared, save for one person who escaped the catastrophe: Prince Kang’s daughter, Cui Xingyao.
Cui Xingyao’s biological mother was of the Yu family. Her maternal grandfather was the old General Yu Jin, and her uncle was the current Minister of the Imperial Clan, Yu Youwei. She had previously resided in Jizhou with her father, but for some reason, she had suddenly decided to return to Chizhou a month ago to visit her mother’s family. No sooner had she left than Prince Kang was assassinated. Jizhou was thrown into upheaval, and of the entire Cui lineage, she was now the sole survivor.
In the imperial court, Yu Jin had long since withdrawn from the political fray. Though the Yu family appeared prominent, their actual influence was waning. Yu Youwei knew that while Prince Kang’s death seemed like a dead end, it actually held a hidden opportunity. He understood that Cui Xingyao’s identity made her a destined pawn for the Emperor to pacify Jizhou. As long as the timing was right, the Emperor would have no reason to refuse.
A few days after Prince Kang’s head was delivered to Quecheng, Yu Youwei gave a tearful, impassioned speech in court before suggesting that the orphaned girl be taken into the imperial palace.
As expected, the Emperor remained noncommittal. One must understand that a lack of rejection was already the greatest victory. Having achieved his goal, Yu Youwei fell silent, but the other powerful officials in Quecheng could no longer sit still. Who wouldn't want to send two or three daughters to the Emperor’s side? If one of them happened to rise to the top and become a phoenix, the benefits would be endless.
From then on, every morning session became a stage for various families to recommend virtuous ladies. The Emperor listened quietly for several days before finally losing his temper. He stated plainly that the nation was currently preparing for war; if they weren't thinking about how to win battles but were instead obsessing over stuffing people into his bed every day, were they tired of living?
The officials were terrified. At that moment, Li Li, the Minister of Ceremonies, emerged from nowhere to smooth things over. He suggested: "Taking one is taking, and taking ten is also taking. Why not simply open a new official selection? We can recruit daughters from honorable families across the land. I am willing to take on this arduous task alone so as not to disturb Your Majesty. Furthermore, every lady who answers the call shall bring a small gift of silver as a gesture of support for the war effort."
The Emperor seemed to have been waiting for this very proposal, and he finally nodded with satisfaction. The assembly of ministers instantly felt they had been played. However, they were already committed and could not back down. They could only retreat dejectedly to go home and count their silver.
And so, it resulted in her guarding the city gates through the night.
If it were just a few women, why would they need such a massive convoy and escort? It was because these beauties were entering the city sitting atop mountains of gold.
*Hmph, the Emperor certainly knows how to calculate,* she thought. Poor her, a general in name only, who couldn't even get a copper of extra pay for the night watch.
She finally endured until dawn, and the last batch of carriages carrying the female relatives entered the city. Xiao Nanhui, sporting two dark circles under her eyes, finished her handover and returned to the Marquis’s manor. As soon as she stepped through the door, Du Juan hurried over at the sound, thrusting a letter into her hand.
"You're finally back, Miss! This letter just arrived. They say it’s from Wancheng."
Xiao Nanhui took the letter, thinking for a moment before realizing it was likely from that fellow Hao Bai. She quickly tore it open.
Hao Bai’s calligraphy was flamboyant and wild, and his phrasing was incredibly convoluted and pretentious. She struggled for a good while before she could barely make out the meaning. Essentially, he had arrived safely in Wancheng and thanked her for lending him Huaqiu. He promised to keep the horse well-fed and would bring it back next month when he traveled to Quecheng for his medical rounds. Afterward, he rambled on with a lot of sentimental nonsense; anyone who didn't know better would think they were old friends or life-and-death comrades.
At the very end, at the bottom of the letter, there was a line of small characters: *Brother Zhongli and Brother Yao are likely not of the same path; it is better they forget each other in the rivers and lakes.*
Those small words had been crossed out and rewritten several times, revealing the writer’s conflicted state of mind.
While Xiao Nanhui was reading with some confusion, Du Juan pretended to tidy up the clutter by the door, stealing glances over her shoulder. After a while, she couldn't help but ask, "Who is that letter from? You've been staring at it for so long."
Xiao Nanhui quickly folded the letter and stuffed it haphazardly into her sleeve. "A friend from Wancheng."
Du Juan instantly caught a whiff of "romance" and pressed further, "I didn't know you had friends in Wancheng. Is it a man or a woman?"
Xiao Nanhui, well-acquainted with Du Juan’s thoughts, replied expressionlessly, "A man. A wandering physician who likes to wear rouge and powder."
Du Juan remained somewhat uncontrollably excited. She grabbed Xiao Nanhui’s collar and began her earnest lecture. "A physician is good! You won't have to worry about where to go when you're sick or injured. Besides, healing people is a specialized skill; he’ll never starve. Someone like you, who can't hold onto silver, should find someone like that..."
Xiao Nanhui had a massive headache. Du Juan’s habit of playing matchmaker wasn't a new development. Ever since Xiao Nanhui turned sixteen, Du Juan had been scouting the city’s unmarried young talents, never letting a single potential candidate slip by.
Xiao Zhun, being a man, naturally didn't fret over such things. Du Juan was different; whenever she had the chance, she would gossip with the maids and elderly servants of the great houses, always managing to find a "fine young man" to introduce to Xiao Nanhui through some roundabout way.
However, Xiao Nanhui’s mind had always been a bit slow in this regard. At first, she didn't understand Du Juan’s intentions at all, thinking she was just going to meet a guest for a meal. If the guest wanted to drink, she drank with them; if they wanted to admire flowers or listen to music, she accompanied them. But eventually, the guest would always steer the conversation toward strange topics. After a few such instances, she finally caught on. From then on, she steadfastly refused any dinner party Du Juan tried to arrange.
Recently, Xiao Zhun had been busy, and the atmosphere in the manor had been heavy, so she hadn't heard Du Juan mention this for a long time. Now that Du Juan was setting her sights on Hao Bai, Xiao Nanhui didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
After some thought, she decided to use this opportunity to make things clear.
"Sister Du Juan, I have no intention of marrying right now."
Du Juan finally stopped. Her phoenix eyes turned toward Xiao Nanhui, scanning her up and down sharply. "To say such a thing... is there someone in your heart?"
Xiao Nanhui’s heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't hide the change in her expression. Just as Du Juan was about to press further, there was a sound from outside, and a figure stepped through the door. It was Xiao Zhun.
"I was just looking for you." Xiao Zhun’s gaze fell on Xiao Nanhui, making her heart beat even faster.
"Oh? What does the Marquis need with the Miss?" Du Juan’s attention was diverted, momentarily forgetting the previous topic.
"Word has come from the palace. You are to enter the palace immediately to offer your thanks. I have already had everything prepared. Have Du Juan help you change; do not delay."
For the past few days, when Xiao Nanhui had been thinking about this every day, the Emperor had made no move. Now that she had stopped thinking about it, he had come knocking.
Du Juan was efficient. It took only the time for a cup of tea to get her ready. Before she left, Du Juan tucked a brocade box into her hand. Xiao Nanhui thought it looked familiar; it seemed to be the item Hao Bai had given her back in Huozhou.
"Don't just stare at it; it’s the thing you brought back. I’ve had someone look at it—it’s truly a fine item. It would be a waste to let you use it. Better to take it into the palace; perhaps the Emperor will be pleased and reward you with another good post."
Xiao Nanhui boarded the carriage in silence. Even after passing through three sets of palace gates, she was still thinking about those words. *How would it be a waste if I used it?*
Beneath her feet were white jade stones, and to her left and right were glittering glazed tiles. The occasional palace servants she passed were all fair-skinned and refined, their every movement exuding an air of pampered elegance.
Xiao Nanhui silently lowered her head. *Fine. Comparing myself to them, I really am a crude person.*
After walking for the time it takes to burn half a stick of incense, they finally reached the end of the path. A man who looked like an attendant stood there alone. Unlike the usual attendants in deep red palace robes, this man wore black and an imperial jade crown—clearly a high-ranking official.
Hearing footsteps, he turned around. He had an unexpectedly handsome and clean-cut face, with eyes that looked very obedient, lacking any of the usual arrogance or overbearing aura of a high-ranking manager.
Xiao Nanhui was wearing her new official uniform today. Although her hair was bound and she wore an official cap, it was still clear she was a woman. The attendant showed no sign of scrutiny or surprise, demonstrating his steady and composed nature.
Seeing this, Xiao Nanhui quickly performed a salute and announced her identity. "I am Xiao Nanhui of the Marquis Qinghuai’s manor. I have come to the palace to personally thank His Majesty for his grace. May I ask how to address you, Attendant?"
The kind-looking attendant smiled, gentle wrinkles appearing at the corners of his eyes. "Greetings, General Xiao. I am Shan Jiangfei, a Middle Attendant at His Majesty’s side. His Majesty specifically instructed me to wait for you here."
This attendant was truly easy to talk to. Xiao Nanhui breathed a small sigh of relief.
"So it is Attendant Shan. This is my first time in the palace, and I am not well-versed in the many rules. I ask for your patience."
Shan Jiangfei bowed slightly in return. "General Xiao, please do not humble yourself so. His Majesty is currently bathing at the Taihe Hot Spring in the East Warming Pavilion. Please, follow me."
