Chapter 3

Chapter 3

When Zhao Qingqing came to see me, I was busy figuring out how to sell the ornamental tree in the courtyard.

That tree could buy every brother in the military camp a warm winter coat, so they would no longer have to suffer through chilblains.

The problem was that it was far too large. On my own, I truly had no idea how to get it out of the mansion.

When Zhao Qingqing walked in, she happened to see me sitting all alone beside the tree, my brow furrowed in worry.

Her lips curved into a smile, smug and triumphant. “Well? Do you believe me now, Sister?”

She came to my side, bent down, and leaned close to my ear, her breath soft and fragrant. “You can never steal Father, Mother, and Brother’s love from me. All I have to do is play one little trick, and everything will be mine.

“So what if I stole your place? I only regret that Grandmother was too softhearted back then and didn’t strangle you on the spot.”

After saying that in a cold, sinister voice, she broke into another brilliant smile.

“But it doesn’t matter that you came back alive. The Zhao Mansion still has only one true precious daughter, and that is me. A crude thing like you is far too disgraceful to be seen in public, so Father and Mother threw you into this remote little courtyard because they don’t want to see you at all.”

I looked at her calmly, very much wanting to tell her that this little courtyard was wonderful.

Precisely because it was remote, no one would notice if anything went missing.

Over the past few days, I had already sold everything that was easy to sell, saved up a large sum of silver, and exchanged it for banknotes.

Zhao Qingqing was about to keep talking when a maid from Madam Zhao’s quarters suddenly walked in.

“Second Miss is here too.” Seeing Zhao Qingqing, the maid curtsied, then turned to me. “Eldest Miss, the fifteenth of this month is your birthday. Madam has prepared a banquet and invited all the prominent ladies of the city to attend.”

Zhao Qingqing froze. A flash of malice slid through her eyes.

For the past seventeen years, this birthday banquet had belonged to her alone.

She had taken everything that was mine, so naturally, she had taken my birthday as well.

But in truth, this was the day I was born. It had nothing to do with her.

Fortunately, the maid soon turned to Zhao Qingqing and said, “Second Miss will attend the banquet as well. Madam said that from now on, this day will be both young ladies’ shared birthday.”

In front of Madam Zhao’s maid, Zhao Qingqing revealed a gentle, graceful smile. “Qingqing thanks Mother.”

But when she turned back to look at me, malice surfaced in her eyes once more.

I knew she was about to use some underhanded trick to make trouble for me.

Sure enough, just before the banquet was about to begin, I discovered that the dress Madam had prepared for me had been torn open with a long gash.

Xiao Tao, the maid newly assigned to my room, was so anxious that she started crying. “What are we going to do? We don’t have any other dress to wear to the banquet.

“Only Second Miss came by this afternoon. She must have ruined it.

“Miss, let’s hurry and explain everything to Madam. Ask Madam to bestow another dress on you!”

I shook my head. “No need.”

Since Zhao Qingqing had done this, she had clearly made plenty of preparations.

Even if I went to Madam Zhao to complain, Zhao Qingqing would cry and make a scene and act pitiful, and in the end, it would be very hard for me to do anything to her.

Seeing me shake my head, Xiao Tao grew even more anxious. “Are you really just not going to the banquet? Wouldn’t that be exactly what Second Miss wants?”

I smiled. “Who said I wasn’t going? I’ll just change into something else.”

And so, when I appeared at the banquet, I wore a long upper robe, narrow-legged trousers, and travel wraps bound around my calves.

Zhao Qingqing was chatting with a group of noble young ladies from prominent families. The moment she turned and saw me, she burst out laughing with a pfft.

The other noble ladies followed her gaze to me and began laughing as well.

“Qingqing, is that your sister?”

“Dressed like that, she looks like some country bumpkin.”

“Exactly. Even the rough maids in my household look more refined than she does.”

“Qingqing, not to be a busybody, but your sister showing up at a banquet dressed like this truly humiliates the Zhao Mansion.”

Zhao Qingqing wore a smile as she silently listened to these noble ladies mock me.

Only after she had heard enough did she stroll over to me, pleased as could be, and say haughtily, “Sister, you heard them. It is not that I am deliberately making things difficult for you. Everyone agrees that you have breached etiquette.

“As a young lady of the Zhao Mansion, I must uphold the Zhao family’s reputation.

“That outfit of yours is utterly disgraceful. You have none of the manners a noble young lady should have. Leave the banquet at once.”

I answered her with the lazy, roguish smile of a camp veteran. Under my gaze, Zhao Qingqing grew uneasy, and her anger sharpened. “What are you looking at?”

“Nothing much.” I pointed at my ear. “It’s just that when a counterfeit of the Zhao Mansion like you speaks, your words are as illegitimate as your identity. Your voice is like a mosquito’s whine too. I didn’t hear a thing.”

I had struck Zhao Qingqing’s deepest wound. She shouted, “I said that outfit is utterly disgraceful! You are unworthy of attending this banquet! Leave at once!”

Her shout was loud enough for even the people in the front hall to hear. Madam Zhao and several older madams hurried over. “What happened?”

Zhao Qingqing pursed her lips, putting on that pitiful look again. “Mother, Sister has lost all sense of propriety. I told her to return to her courtyard, but she refused…”

Before she could finish, I had already taken a step back and dropped to one knee.

Zhao Qingqing froze.

She had no idea what I was doing.

Noble young ladies from great families did not perform this salute.

The ones who did were soldiers of Xuanjia Camp.

I spoke in a clear, ringing voice. “It is not that I refuse to leave. It is that I truly cannot agree with what Miss Qingqing said.

“Everyone heard Miss Qingqing just now. She said that dressing like this was utterly humiliating-but do you know what these clothes are?”

The moment I said that, every elder present, Madam Zhao included, went pale.

Madam Zhao forced a stiff smile and tried to smooth things over. “This is such a fine birthday banquet. Mujin, why are you kneeling? The kitchen has just made fresh chestnut pastries. Qingqing, hurry and take your sister to try some…”

I did not fall for her attempt to change the subject. I cut her off directly.

“This garment is the battle uniform bestowed upon Xuanjia Camp by the Late Emperor himself.”

I spoke loudly and clearly.

Zhao Qingqing’s face went deathly white.

All the noble young ladies who had laughed at me moments ago froze as well, stunned into silence.

“Back then, Xuanjia Camp won a great victory against the enemy at Suo River, then marched three thousand li in haste to escort the Late Emperor back to the capital.

“That night, the Late Emperor climbed the city tower. Thinking of the countless soldiers who had died, he decided to commemorate them. He personally discussed the designs with the master craftsmen of the Imperial Clothing Bureau and created a new battle uniform for Xuanjia Camp.

“This garment is light and warm. It keeps out dust and mud. It looks plain and is easy to conceal oneself in. Each soldier’s number is embroidered over the chest. If a comrade falls, we cut off his number and sew it onto our own uniform.”

Everyone’s gaze fell to my waist, where a row of numbers had been sewn. Each one represented a Xuanjia Camp soldier who had died on the battlefield.

“I trained in martial arts for many years and passed round after round of selection before I finally entered Xuanjia Camp and earned this battle uniform. Therefore, when Miss Qingqing called it utterly humiliating, I truly could not agree.”

Before I even finished speaking, Zhao Qingqing’s entire body went limp, and she collapsed straight to the floor.

In that brief span of time, a servant had already gone to report to Prefect Zhao. Before long, Prefect Zhao and Zhao Shuo hurried over, and the younger female guests withdrew behind the screen to avoid them.

Zhao Shuo helped Zhao Qingqing up. Seeing the cold sweat covering her forehead, he was both distressed and furious. He looked toward me. “Zhao Mujin, you’re making things difficult for Qingqing again-”

Before he could finish, Prefect Zhao cut him off. “You unfilial fool, shut your mouth!”

Zhao Shuo was nothing but a spoiled young dandy, but Prefect Zhao had spent many years navigating officialdom. He took a deep breath and said to me slowly, “Qingqing spoke out of turn. Father will punish her properly.”

Madam Zhao twisted her handkerchief and chimed in from the side. “That’s right, Mujin. Qingqing didn’t mean it. Forgive her this once. We will discipline her properly afterward.”

They were about to continue when an aged voice suddenly came from the crowd.

“How will you punish her? And how will you discipline her?”

An elderly noblewoman emerged from behind the screen. Her hair was entirely silver, and she leaned on a cane. Her phoenix eyes carried authority without anger.

I saw very clearly that Prefect Zhao and Madam Zhao both trembled.

This woman was none other than the most important honored guest at this birthday banquet: Old Madam Xie.

Old Madam Xie was the younger sister of the current Empress Dowager. She came from an extremely noble background, and from childhood, she had loved armor more than cosmetics. In her youth, she had been a brave and formidable female general, wielding a pair of spears with extraordinary skill.

Later, she married Marquis Zhenyuan and bore four sons. In the early years, her husband and three of her sons all died in battle, and she alone raised her final posthumous child to adulthood.

That posthumous child was Xie Zhuo, the current commanding general of our Xuanjia Camp.

I knew that Lord Zhao and Madam Zhao had always wanted to form ties with the Xie Family. They had gone to great lengths to invite Old Madam Xie to this birthday banquet, all so that Zhao Qingqing could first make herself familiar to Old Madam Xie, then later find an opportunity to propose a marriage arrangement between Zhao Qingqing and Xie Zhuo.

Zhao Qingqing was outstanding in both beauty and talent. They were confident she would leave an excellent first impression on Old Madam Xie.

Yet at this moment, Old Madam Xie lowered her eyes and looked at Zhao Qingqing with nothing but coldness on her face.

“Strictly speaking, how Lord Zhao disciplines his children is a matter of your own household. This old woman should not interfere.

“But Xuanjia Camp was my late husband’s life’s work. Now that Second Miss Zhao has spoken so improperly before so many people, it is difficult for this old woman to stand by and do nothing. So allow me to ask one more question: how does Lord Zhao intend to punish her?”

Prefect Zhao stroked his beard. Only after a long while did he seem to make up his mind and say in a low voice, “According to family law, thirty strokes of the cane.”

Before his words had even fully fallen, Zhao Qingqing slumped to the floor.

Madam Zhao immediately burst into tears. “My lord, Qingqing is delicate and frail. The dragon-headed cane is so heavy-thirty strikes on her body, won’t that take her life?”

Zhao Shuo immediately knelt to plead as well. “Father! Qingqing is a young lady. How could she possibly endure such suffering?”

As he pleaded for Zhao Qingqing, he did not forget to glare at me in rage, as if I were the one who wanted to beat her.

I did not meet Zhao Shuo’s eyes at all. I merely rolled up my sleeves on my own.

That one motion was enough. Large patches of scars were revealed.

Some were from blades. Some were from swords. Some had been scorched by cannon fire. New wounds overlapped old ones, a sight shocking enough to make the heart tremble.

The pampered noblewomen around us all covered their eyes in fright, not daring to look.

Only Old Madam Xie, who had seen countless battlefields, kept her gaze on my scars and let out a long sigh.

Everything was already clear without another word. We were both women. If I could endure so many wounds, was Zhao Qingqing truly unable to bear a few strikes?

“Lord Zhao has only just arrived in Qingzhou. A new official always starts with a show of authority,” Old Madam Xie said mildly. “Qingzhou is a vital military stronghold, and Xuanjia Camp has guarded it for generations. This old woman will offer only one reminder: do not chill the hearts of the soldiers.”

Prefect Zhao clenched his jaw. “Men. Bring out the family rod. Beat her!”

The hall descended into chaos, voices crashing over one another.

The cane struck flesh with dull, heavy thuds.

At first, Zhao Qingqing screamed. Later, she fainted.

Madam Zhao wept bitterly.

Zhao Shuo was cursing something, until Prefect Zhao slapped him across the face and silenced him.

I had no desire to keep watching this farce of a birthday banquet, so I turned my head and looked out the window.

Afterward, Prefect Zhao had the unconscious Zhao Qingqing carried back, then brought Madam Zhao over to Old Madam Xie and offered her a cup of tea.

“Old Madam, Qingqing was indeed in the wrong this time, but in truth, she is an innocent and kindhearted girl. Please forgive her for this unintentional mistake.”

Old Madam Xie said coolly, “If your beloved daughter wishes to seek forgiveness, she ought to ask Miss Mujin, who is a soldier of Xuanjia Camp. Why come to this old woman?”

Madam Zhao forced a smile. “Qingqing and Mujin are sisters. Between sisters, what is there to forgive or not forgive? Ever since Mujin entered Zhao Mansion, Qingqing has been the one taking care of her.”

Expressionless, Old Madam Xie nodded. “I hope that is so.”

Prefect Zhao and Madam Zhao then spent a long while saying more flattering words and even presented the needlework Zhao Qingqing had made to Old Madam Xie. “Since ancient times, beauties have admired heroes. Our Qingqing has long heard of General Xie Zhuo’s deeds, so she specially embroidered a sweat towel and handkerchief as gifts for Old Madam Xie and General Xie.”

After they fawningly saw Old Madam Xie off, Prefect Zhao and Madam Zhao turned back, saw me, and their faces finally cooled.

Prefect Zhao said resentfully, “To think my Zhao family would produce such an unfilial daughter, one who would roast her own father over the fire in front of everyone!”

Madam Zhao stamped her foot, tears falling. “Qingqing and Young General Xie’s marriage was practically guaranteed. Now look what you’ve done. If her future in-laws form a poor impression of Qingqing because of what happened today, you, as her elder sister, will owe Qingqing for the rest of your life!”

Zhao Shuo, who had just returned from escorting Zhao Qingqing to the rear courtyard, had no one else around to restrain him now. At last, he could let loose and curse at me. “You’re nothing but a jinx! If only Qingqing were my real younger sister!”

Those words immediately struck Prefect Zhao and Madam Zhao’s sore spot. Prefect Zhao sighed deeply, while Madam Zhao began to sob.

Clearly, they all felt that a sweet, gentle girl like Zhao Qingqing was the one who should have been the Zhao family’s biological daughter, while a little devil like me was simply a calamity sent to plague them.

That night, I was punished with confinement. From then on, I could only stay in my own courtyard and was not allowed to attend any public occasions.

Xiao Tao was so angry she stomped her foot. “I used to think my real father was already awful for selling me to human traffickers. Now I see that at least my father knew he was wicked, unlike this bunch of sanctimonious hypocrites!”

I looked at her with pity.

She was an honest, straightforward girl, the type masters did not like. Otherwise, she would not have been sent over to serve me.

In this entire household, she was the only one who treated me well.

But it was all right. Outside the mansion, there were many people who still thought of me.

The moon was beautiful that night, and a carrier pigeon brought me a letter from my brothers.

They wrote:

Wood, we received the pig, and the chickens too. We told the general they were all from you. The general asked us to ask whether you were doing well in Zhao Mansion.

We asked him why he didn’t ask you himself, and he just turned and walked away. How strange.

Oh, right. After you left, the general, who never liked talking much to begin with, has been talking even less. He keeps holding the Little Wooden Monkey you gave him and staring into space.

…I nearly collapsed.

The truth was, during my first few years in camp, I had once had a secret crush on Xie Zhuo and carved a little figurine of him.

Then he found it while inspecting military affairs.

He asked me, “What is this?”

I did not dare look at him. I lowered my head and blurted out, “A monkey.”

Fortunately, my carving skills were terrible. Xie Zhuo studied the little figurine for a while and believed me.

I had thought he had thrown the thing away long ago. I never imagined he had kept it all this time.

Suddenly overcome with feeling, I took up brush and paper and wrote a reply.

Tell the general I want to go back. I miss everyone.

Xie Zhuo wrote back to me personally the next day.

He said: Wood, countless people dream of becoming a young lady of Zhao Mansion and never get the chance. Since Heaven has given you this fortune, accept it properly.

I understood.

Xie Zhuo would not let me go back.

I was a soldier, and I could not disobey my general’s orders.

All I could do was burn the letter, then look out at the night sky.

Zhao Mansion was beautiful, but the moonlight there was nowhere near as bright as it was in the barracks.