Chapter 12 — The General's Wild Daughter

As the final words echoed from outside the hall, the bowl of warm cow's milk in mother's hands nearly spilled. She instantly pulled me into her embrace, her voice trembling and altered.

Why A Ninh?

The imperial guard lowered his head, not daring to meet her gaze.

Reporting to the mistress, the captured survivors confessed that their original plan was to abduct the young master on his way back to the manor.

If that failed, they were to seek another opportunity within the palace walls.

The small wooden bow in the young prince's hands dropped with a sharp clatter onto the floor. His face turned ashen, yet he stubbornly kept his mouth shut.

Who would dare make a move inside the imperial palace?

I glanced at him.

Bad people dare.

Choked by my words, he retreated behind the wet nurse assigned by the Empress. Mother's arms wrapped tighter and tighter around me. I felt slightly suffocated, yet I made no sound, for she was shaking. Never had I seen mother tremble like this. Usually, whether weeping or angry, she remained soft and gentle. But this time, she looked as though she were holding a fragile treasure on the verge of shattering. I whispered softly,

Mother, it hurts.

She instantly loosened her grip, lowering her head to look at me as tears spilled from her eyes.

Did mother hurt you?

I shook my head.

Not very much.

Mother, do not be afraid.

She bit her lip, and her tears fell faster.

You are still comforting me.

How old are you even?

I reached out to wipe her tears.

I am three years old.

The young prince nearby chimed in quietly,

Three years old is still very small.

I turned to look at him.

You cannot even pull a bowstring, you are small too.

His face flushed crimson, but he offered no retort. The imperial guard spoke again.

The general has already gone to interrogate the captives. His Majesty has ordered additional guards to secure the side hall. We beg the mistress and the young master not to leave this place for the time being.

Mother nodded immediately.

We will not go anywhere.

Yet I knew that if the wicked truly intended to come, merely sitting quietly would not make them vanish. I gazed at the small wooden bow lying on the floor. Mother saw it too. She swiftly picked it up and shoved it into the hands of the wet nurse.

You must not give that to the child.

With a sigh, I tucked my hands back into my sleeves. The young prince looked at me, then at mother, and suddenly puffed out his chest.

I can guard the door.

The wet nurse immediately pulled him back.

Your Highness, please do not add to the chaos.

He grew frantic.

I am not causing chaos, I am a prince.

I said with utmost seriousness,

You are also a prince who cannot pull a bow.

The rims of his eyes instantly turned red. Mother gently patted my back.

A Ninh, you must not bully others.

I sealed my lips. Not long after, the Empress herself arrived. As she stepped in, two lines of palace maids followed behind her, their expressions far colder than they had been during the day. First, she asked if mother had been frightened, and then she squatted down to look at me.

Are you scared, A Ninh?

I was about to say I was not afraid. But mother's hand resting on my shoulder was still faintly trembling. Thus, I changed my words.

Just a little bit.

Mother lowered her head to look at me. The Empress stroked my head.

It is quite all right to be afraid.

To know fear yet still remember to call out for help—you have done very well.

I recalled how I had shoved the food box a moment earlier. Therefore, I earnestly added,

Today I did not throw it.

I pushed it.

The Empress stared for a moment before bursting into laughter. Mother pressed a hand to her chest.

Your Majesty, please do not laugh; the child will take it seriously.

The amusement in the Empress's eyes grew even softer.

Taking it seriously is not a bad thing.

This child is far more clear-headed than many adults.

Mother murmured softly,

This humble subject would rather she were a little more foolish.

As these words fell, silence descended upon the hall for a brief moment. The Empress looked at mother and let out a soft sigh.

All mothers are alike.

They wish for their children to be clever, yet fear they will be far too clever.

With reddened eyes, mother lowered her head. I reached out and took hold of her hand. The Empress swiftly commanded her attendants to replace all the pastries and tea in the side hall, ordering familiar faces among the palace servants to stand guard both inside and out. She intended to take the young prince back with her, but he refused to budge.

Imperial Mother, I wish to stay.

The Empress inquired,

Why do you wish to stay?

He glanced at me, his voice dropping low.

I promised earlier that I would not throw the bow anymore.

She has not taught me yet.

Mother's complexion turned a shade paler. I hurriedly interjected,

She will not teach you anymore.

The young prince looked even more aggrieved.

Why?

I pointed toward mother.

My mother will cry.

He looked at mother, then back at me, and finally sealed his lips. Yet before departing, he placed the small wooden bow upon the table.

When your mother stops crying, you can teach me again.

Mother immediately gathered the bow away.

That day will never come.

As the young prince reached the door, he turned back to look at me. I waved at him. Just as he raised his hand to wave back, a sharp exclamation echoed from outside the hall. The palace maid guarding the entrance stepped back two paces, her face drained of color. A short black arrow was embedded in the doorframe, a strip of green cloth bound to its fletching. Upon the fabric, a few crooked characters were scrawled: If you wish the child to live, at the hour of zi tonight, trade her for the old Northern Garrison ledger.

The Empress stared at the green cloth, all traces of a smile entirely vanishing from her face. She ordered the doors of the hall bolted shut and commanded the imperial guards to encircle the side hall completely. Mother held me as we sat upon the warm platform bed, her eyes fixed unwaveringly on the door. I knew she was waiting for father to return. I waited as well, but father did not come for a long time. I asked,

What is the old Northern Garrison ledger?

Mother pressed her lips into a thin line, offering no reply. The Empress looked at me, her voice gentle.

It is a ledger your father investigated in the northern territories many years ago.

Within its pages are recorded those who embezzled military provisions, those who trafficked in weapons, and those who brought about the deaths of the frontier soldiers.

I frowned upon hearing this.

They harmed people, yet they want to kidnap me?

The Empress nodded.

Because your father is not so easily captured.

I pondered for a moment.

Then their brains are not working well.

Father will only become more furious.

Several palace attendants within the hall lowered their heads, their shoulders trembling slightly. Yet mother could not muster a smile. She clasped my small hand within her own palm and spoke in a low voice,

They are not abducting you to reason with you.

I nodded.

I know.

Bad people do not reason.

Mother looked at me, her eyes overflowing with a sorrow too deep for words.

A Ninh, mother regrets it now.

My heart tightened.

Do you regret giving birth to me?

She instantly shook her head, pulling me closer into her embrace.

No.

Mother regrets trying to mold you into the image I dreamed of.

Had you truly been raised into a child who only knew how to weep and tremble in fear, my heart would surely be shattering even more thoroughly today.

I stared at her in a daze. Her tears fell onto the back of my hand.

Yet mother is still afraid.

Afraid you are too courageous, afraid you do not know pain, afraid that a little child like you always wishes to shield me.

I whispered softly,

In the future, I will stand behind you.

Just as she was about to heave a sigh of relief, I added,

I will stand behind you, look carefully, and then make my move.

Mother covered her eyes. The Empress could not suppress a chuckle before quickly regaining her composure. Outside, the sound of hurried footsteps rang out. Father had finally returned. The moment he stepped across the threshold, mother stood up. I leaped down from the platform bed as well. Mother tried to catch me but missed. I dashed forward and threw my arms around father's knees.

Father, are you wearing your jade pendant?

Father lowered his head and touched his waist. The protective jade pendant remained there.

I am wearing it.

I felt reassured. But mother caught sight of the blood upon his sleeve, and her complexion instantly turned deathly pale.

Did you not promise you would not be injured?

Father hurriedly said,

It is not my blood.

Refusing to believe him, mother seized his arm and inspected it up and down. Father stood rigidly straight, allowing her to examine him. The Empress turned away, feigning an interest in the scenery outside the window. I copied her and turned away too, though I peeked through my fingers. When mother reached the end of her inspection and confirmed he was truly unhurt, she gave him a light, frustrated punch.

You frightened me.

Father murmured softly,

I will not frighten you again.

I doubted father would actually keep that promise, but mother liked hearing it. Father quickly recounted the interrogation. Those men were remnants of the old northern garrison. The military provision case from years ago had implicated countless individuals, and the culprits father had escorted back to the capital were merely those in the light. Someone remained deeply hidden, shielded by powerful nobles in the capital, surviving until this very day. He wanted the ledger, and even more, he wanted father thrown into chaos. Mother asked,

Why A Ninh?