Within fifteen minutes of the Emperor uttering the words "do not regret it," Xiao Nanhui was already regretting it.
Perhaps "regret" was too simple a word; she was, in fact, somewhat terrified.
In her brief few clashes with the Emperor, she had added yet another debt of transgression to her tab. This time, she had actually tied his hair ribbon for him. Thinking back on it now, it was no different from a mouse trying to hang a bell on a cat.
When the Emperor asked if she feared him, there were likely two layers of meaning. The first was a simple inquiry into whether she feared him as a person; the second was whether she feared the imperial authority and heavenly majesty he represented.
Regardless of which it was, as a subject of Tiancheng, she should never have given that answer.
Though she loathed to admit it, in that moment before dawn, she had not viewed the man before her as the sovereign of Tiancheng, but rather as an ordinary person. It was only because of this that such inappropriate emotions had surfaced.
Reflecting on it now, it must have been because of her recent lack of sleep and muddled head—and perhaps being momentarily dazed by his beauty—that she had spoken such words.
The trouble was, the man who had heard her reply was always perfectly sober.
After speaking those ambiguous words, the Emperor had returned to his usual state almost instantly. As if nothing had happened, he had leisurely made his way back down the mountain.
Xiao Nanhui’s heart, however, was in a state of upheaval, and even her legs felt a bit shaky.
It was said that Tiancheng had a tradition of not executing its military generals, but she had no desire to be the exception that proved the rule.
The formidable side of her nature had been completely suppressed, leaving her cowardly side fully exposed. She attributed this bizarre phenomenon to the vast disparity in their status. It was surely because the other party was the Emperor that she was always left in such a wretched state.
By the light of the rising sun, Xiao Nanhui stumbled back to Mo Chunhua’s tent in the camp.
She had barely taken two steps inside when her head was met with two firm thumps from a pair of fists. Even so, she remained somewhat dazed.
Mo Chunhua angrily lit a lamp. Only then did she see Xiao Nanhui’s face clearly. After a moment of stunned silence, she squinted and sized her up. "Where have you been? You didn't make a sound. It’s a miracle I didn't crack your skull open with a heavy club just now."
Xiao Nanhui ignored her, too drained to argue. Under normal circumstances, Mo Chunhua couldn't hit her with one club, let alone ten.
Mo Chunhua yawned, pulled on a thick padded jacket, and turned to see her looking so despondent. She arched an eyebrow. "Oh? We haven't seen each other for barely a day, and you’ve already turned into this pathetic mess. It seems you really have offended His Majesty."
Xiao Nanhui remained silent. She unslung Pingxian, tossed it aside, and collapsed backward onto the small cot made of sheepskin rugs. She crossed her hands over her chest, looking for all the world like a stiffened corpse.
Mo Chunhua huffed, picking up Pingxian to use as a fire poker, thrusting it into the charcoal brazier that was about to go out.
As expected, Xiao Nanhui opened her eyes. "What are you doing?"
Mo Chunhua made the brazier clang and rattle with Pingxian. "So, you aren't mute after all."
Xiao Nanhui opened her mouth to speak, but then listlessly closed it again. She rolled over to face away from Mo Chunhua, adopting a posture of 'out of sight, out of mind.'
After fiddling for a while, Mo Chunhua’s arms grew tired. Charcoal was scattered all over the floor, and she would have to clean it up herself, so she angrily tossed Pingxian aside.
The bean-sized flame struggled weakly atop the oil lamp, much like Xiao Nanhui’s current state of mind. Mo Chunhua was truly stingy, refusing to add even a drop of oil to the lamp.
Xiao Nanhui’s eyelids grew heavy. She wanted to take a short nap while she could, hoping to gather enough spirit to face the many troubles ahead.
Unfortunately, Mo Chunhua’s mouth wouldn't stay shut. She kept droning on and on in her ear. Xiao Nanhui utilized the skill she had honed over many years with Du Juan; the words went in one ear and out the other, leaving not a single trace behind.
The soft sheepskin rugs enveloped her body as she sank into them, feeling as though she were falling into the clouds. In her half-dreaming, half-waking state, a dream she seemed to have had before surfaced once more.
Dazedly, she looked down and saw that in the dream, her hand was clutching a piece of a garment.
A moon-white garment.
She followed the fabric upward and saw a familiar back. It was that "immortal" in the moon-white clothes again.
"Immortal, please wait."
Eh? This time, she was actually able to speak.
The "immortal" indeed stopped and slowly turned around.
This time, the radiance on "her" face seemed to be slowly fading, finally revealing clearly defined features.
Wait, how could it be him?!
"Xiao Nanhui."
No, don't call her name.
"Xiao Nanhui!"
Xiao Nanhui jerked awake from her light slumber. She blinked several times to bring her chaotic thoughts back to the present, taking another moment to remember where she was.
Mo Chunhua’s face was looming over her. She had been calling her urgently just now, and now she was incessantly signaling with her eyes.
Xiao Nanhui followed her gaze and saw a ceremonial official in black robes standing there. His gaze was lowered, and he stood as still and disciplined as a pillar.
"Is Officer Xiao awake?"
Xiao Nanhui sat up from the soft cot with a start, then quickly stood to salute. "I have been quite exhausted lately and was a bit negligent. I hope the honored official will not take offense. May I ask what the matter is..."
She wondered if there was new word from Xiao Zhun regarding the war. But on second thought, if it were military intelligence, a ceremonial official wouldn't be the one delivering it. She was truly puzzled.
The official returned the salute respectfully. "This humble one has been ordered by His Majesty to invite the Right General to the royal tent for a council." He paused here and clapped his hands toward the outside of the tent. Two subordinate officials entered, carrying a set of silver armor. "This is the armor His Majesty specifically ordered to be prepared for you. General, please don your armor before seeking an audience."
The felt curtain of the tent was pulled back slightly, allowing the brilliant sunlight to stream in and fall directly upon the silver plates. Xiao Nanhui’s eyes lit up.
It was the Guangyao Armor, the unique gear of the Radiant Battalion. It was completely different from the crimson infantry armor she had worn back in the Subei Camp. The bright breastplate was the origin of the name "Guangyao," meaning "Radiant." The entire set was exquisitely crafted; even the slightest bit of light would reflect a dazzling silver glow.
Previously in the capital, because they had left in such a hurry, although she had been titled a General, she hadn't even had time to look closely at the investiture gifts. She assumed that besides the gold, there should have been armor befitting a general.
She simply didn't know if Tiancheng had armor specifically designed for women.
The official was clearly experienced in such duties. With a single glance, he knew what Xiao Nanhui was thinking and smiled eagerly. "The General has performed great service; these are all well-deserved. This armor was newly forged by the Armory according to the General’s measurements. Please, General, feel free to try it on." He then glanced sideways at Mo Chunhua. "Why aren't you serving the General as she dons her armor?"
Xiao Nanhui was startled. How could she dare order this "Rouge Tiger" around? She waved her hands repeatedly. "No need, really, no need. I can do it myself..."
However, Mo Chunhua had already approached her with a dark expression. She clamped her iron-hook-like hands onto Xiao Nanhui’s arms, her voice sounding as if it were squeezed through her teeth.
"This servant shall assist the General in donning her armor. General, please lift your arms."
Mo Chunhua fell silent after saying this. Though she looked quite reluctant, she didn't make things difficult.
Though she was wild by nature, she had grown up surviving with a foreign stepmother; she knew how to endure when necessary. She couldn't go too far in front of the ceremonial official. After all, such officials were the most meddlesome and loved to spread gossip. If any impropriety reached her father’s ears, given Yan Guang’s temper, he would likely pack her up and send her back to Jizhou Prefecture on the spot.
Poor Xiao Nanhui had never been served by anyone for as long as she could remember. Even just cooperating was an awkward affair, and Mo Chunhua’s grip was incredibly strong. By the time the armor was fully on, she was covered in sweat.
The official, unfazed, produced a bronze mirror from somewhere and held it respectfully before Xiao Nanhui.
"General, please check your appearance."
The polished bronze mirror reflected a familiar face, yet it seemed slightly different from when she had left the capital months ago. Perhaps the lines at the corners of her mouth were firmer, or perhaps her eyes were brighter.
Or perhaps her face hadn't changed at all; the only thing that had changed was the armor she wore.
*Iron armor upon the body, to repay the monarch's grace.*
How she had once yearned to truly become a renowned general one day, standing legitimately by Xiao Zhun’s side.
Now, she had finally donned this armor, yet it felt exceptionally heavy. The tightly linked mail felt like constricting ropes; though they didn't press against her ribs, they made it somewhat difficult to breathe.
As the last bracer was fastened, Mo Chunhua stepped back to look and sighed sincerely, "Truly majestic."
Xiao Nanhui snapped out of her thoughts. Glancing at the young woman beside her, she felt a bit amused and struck a mock-serious pose. "Previously, matters were critical and I could not reveal my identity to you, but now things are different. Can it be that General Yan’s daughter is truly so lacking in etiquette that she won't even perform a formal salute upon seeing this General?"
Mo Chunhua froze, clearly not expecting to be handled this way. She was both indignant and somewhat flustered. She bit her lip before finally bowing deeply.
"This humble girl, Mo Chunhua, greets Xiao—"
Before the word "Officer" could leave her mouth, Mo Chunhua heard an irrepressible snicker.
She suddenly understood. She looked up and glared hatefully at the woman who was now doubled over with laughter, muttering something in her native Nanqiang tongue. Xiao Nanhui caught a bit of it; she knew it wasn't anything good.
She didn't say anything more. She walked to the side and picked up Pingxian, intending to put it back on her back as she always did. Only when her hand touched the cold armor did she realize that this outfit likely had no place for her weapon.
She could only hold Pingxian in her hand. The official saw this and raised an eyebrow, then said respectfully but firmly, "Officer Xiao may go in her armor. It is likely inappropriate to carry this... fire poker in the imperial presence."
Xiao Nanhui froze, while Mo Chunhua burst into laughter.
She didn't take it to heart. She simply looked down, blew the black charcoal dust off Pingxian, and gently handed it to Mo Chunhua.
"Keep this for me for now. I'll come back for it later."
With that, she ignored the stunned expression on the girl's face and followed the official, walking quickly out of the tent.
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
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光耀甲 | Guangyao Armor | "Radiant Armor," the signature silver armor of the Guangyao Camp.
光耀营 | Guangyao Camp / Radiant Battalion | An elite military unit.
胭脂虎 | Rouge Tiger | A term for a fierce or formidable woman.
武库 | Armory | The imperial weapons storehouse/department.
南羌 | Nanqiang | A specific ethnic group or region (Southern Qiang).
右将军 | Right General | Xiao Nanhui's official military rank.
