chapter 2
The general’s residence stood in the north of the city, a compound of gray walls and tiled roofs with two soldiers guarding the gate.
I found a shady spot at the mouth of an alley and waited for ages, but not even a dog came out.
It seemed Xie Yuan was not very well liked.
“What are you looking for?”
I was still muttering to myself when a voice suddenly sounded behind me.
I jumped. Pressing myself against the wall, I spun around in alarm.
A tall man stood behind me. I had no idea when he had arrived.
Badly startled, I could not help glaring at him. “Who are you? Why do you walk without making a sound? You could frighten someone to death, you know!”
The corner of his thin lips curved, and his voice was low and resonant. “My apologies for disturbing the young lady in the middle of some guilty deed.”
I hurried to defend myself. “I was doing no such thing. I only came to see what my future husband looks like.”
One dark brow rose. “Oh? You are bold, young lady. Not yet married, yet already daring to inspect your husband alone.”
For a man who looked so aloof and scholarly, he had a remarkably sharp tongue.
Heat rushed to my face. Straightening my back, I retorted, “And who are you? Do you know whose residence this is?”
“Of course.”
“My general noticed a suspicious woman lurking outside and feared she might be an assassin, so he sent me to investigate.”
I started. “You serve General Xie?”
The man nodded.
I looked him over more closely. He wore a black robe patterned with subtle embroidery, and a strip of plain white undergarment showed at the collar. The dark fabric sharpened the hard line of his jaw. His shoulders were broad and level.
Standing there, he resembled a pine beneath winter snow—cold, straight, and proud.
As expected of one of General Xie’s soldiers.
Reassured, I slipped the jade bangle from my wrist and pressed it into his hand with a radiant smile. “Then you are one of our own. May I ask your honored name?”
The man stared at the bangle for a moment, something shifting in his eyes. “Wufeng.”
“What an excellent name! Brother Wufeng, meeting today must be fate. I need to ask you something.”
“Go ahead.”
“How tall is your general?”
Wufeng’s lips moved. “More than eight chi.”
I stumbled back a step. “Then he is almost as tall as you?”
Wufeng lowered his head, perhaps to hide a smile. “Yes.”
Since he seemed so even-tempered, I asked several more questions.
“What does he look like? I hear he is invincible in battle. Is he built like a mountain?”
“Do not misunderstand—I am not shallow!”
“Still, you can see that I am rather pretty. If my husband is terribly hard on the eyes, I ought to prepare myself.”
The curve of Wufeng’s lips deepened. “You are right. A beauty like you deserves a handsome husband.”
After a moment’s consideration, he said softly, “The general is… reasonably good-looking.”
“About the same as me, I suppose.”
I secretly sighed with relief. “Then he is not as frightening as everyone claims! A nose, two eyes, and a proper human shape. Very good.”
I saluted him. “Brother Wufeng, to tell you the truth, I slipped out without my family’s knowledge.”
“What happened today remains between you and me. A third person must never hear of it.”
“It is getting late. Until we meet again.”
Ever since I had volunteered to marry Xie Yuan, my two sisters burst into tears whenever they saw me.
They neglected their own dowries to prepare mine, personally sewing my wedding dress and embroidering my bridal shoes. They would not let me lift a finger.
Thoroughly bored, I put on a veiled hat and slipped out to buy them some jewelry.
To my delight, I ran into Wufeng at the Treasure Pavilion.
He was dressed in black, a dark embroidered belt emphasizing his lean, powerful waist. The shopkeeper followed him out of an inner room, smiling obsequiously.
At the sight of him, I exclaimed, “What are you doing here?”
Wufeng glanced back and nodded to the shopkeeper before approaching me. “The general sent me to handle a private matter.”
“Why have you come out in such heat?”
“I was bored at home, so I decided to look around.”
He laughed. “You slipped out again.”
I grinned. “Have you finished your errand? Come walk with me.”
Wufeng agreed with a nod.
I had the attendants wrap several hairpins I had selected. Just as I took out my silver, the shopkeeper said, “Please take them, young lady. Someone has already paid.”
I frowned at once. “Who? I have money of my own. I refuse to owe some stranger a favor!”
“Take my silver, or I will leave everything behind.”
The shopkeeper looked aside in distress. After receiving a silent signal, he accepted my payment with both hands.
Once we had left the pavilion, I explained to Wufeng, “Mother told me there are many scoundrels in the world. They think a few hairpins and petty favors are enough to steal a girl’s heart.”
“Hmph. I want nothing from men like that.”
Leading his horse, Wufeng regarded me with new appreciation. “Your mother has taught you well.”
I gazed longingly up at the great horse beside him.
Noticing, Wufeng asked with a smile, “Would you like to ride?”
I brightened. “May I? But perhaps I should not. I have never ridden before. What if I frighten it?”
Wufeng stroked the horse’s back. “You will not. It is very intelligent.”
The horse lifted its neck and snorted.
“See?” he said. “It says it likes you.”
My family had always watched me closely for fear I might be bruised or injured. At his invitation, I felt both nervous and thrilled.
With barely any effort, Wufeng lifted me onto the saddle.
I clutched the reins, my face turning white.
“Do not be afraid,” he murmured. “I will lead it. I will not let you fall.”
Wufeng walked the horse around the floating bridge with me on its back.
The day was so hot that, even beneath the shade of my veiled hat and without taking a single step, a sheen of sweat covered me. Wufeng, meanwhile, wore black and led the horse the entire way.
When it was time to part, I looked up at him. “Wufeng, we are friends from now on.”
“When I marry into the general’s residence, I will see that you are well treated.”
Wufeng smiled and inclined his head. “Good.”
“Then I shall entrust my future happiness to you, young lady.”