Chapter 8 — The General's Wild Daughter

The Empress finally could not contain herself, shielding her lips with a delicate handkerchief as she laughed softly. The young heir turned crimson with anger, his eyes blazing.

You are bullying me.

I stared at him in utter bewilderment.

You insulted me first.

He choked on his words, momentarily speechless. I continued calmly, Mother told me that scolding people is wrong.

The young heir pointed a trembling finger at me.

You are still arguing back!

I lifted my chin defiantly.

I am not arguing with your mouth. My mouth is on my own face.

Several noble ladies sitting nearby struggled so hard to suppress their mirth that their shoulders shook uncontrollably. The little prince stopped crying altogether, staring at me with wide, unblinking eyes. The Empress raised a hand and beckoned for me to approach. I glanced at Mother, who gave a gentle, reassuring nod. Lifting the hem of my skirt, I walked up to the Empress and curtsied with impeccable grace. The Empress asked gently, Why were you holding a bow, child?

I paused to think for a moment.

He threw it on the ground.

A bow left lying on the ground will get dirty.

My father says we must always treat our weapons with respect.

Mother closed her eyes tightly, and Father immediately let out a sharp cough. The amusement in the Empress eyes deepened.

Then why did you call the little prince small?

I turned my head to look at the little prince, who was currently rubbing his aggrieved eyes. I answered with absolute honesty.

He could not pull the string.

I can pull it.

Therefore, he is small.

The little prince face flushed red once more, but this time, he did not cry. Instead, he muttered in a tiny voice, Then you must teach me.

Mother opened her eyes, only to be so startled by those words that she nearly lost her footing. Father reached out a steady hand to support her, and Mother promptly pinched him hard through his sleeve, though Father did not dare make a sound. I nodded with utmost solemnity.

Very well.

But you must never throw your bow away again.

The little prince nodded hastily. I will not throw it.

The Empress laughed, reaching out to gently stroke my head. The general estate young miss is indeed a very sensible child.

The young heir still looked thoroughly unconvinced. Your Majesty, she was blatantly disrespectful just now.

The smile on the Empress face faded. And when you publicly humiliated another person, was that considered respectful?

The young heir instantly lowered his head in chastisement. The Marquis of Vinh Ninh wife hurriedly stepped forward to offer profuse apologies. Mother pulled me close and bowed as well.

A Ninh is still young and acted rashly, disturbing Your Majesty pleasant leisure.

The Empress waved her hand dismissively. Children possess the pure nature of children. Knowing how to cherish objects, knowing how to retort when verbally abused, is not a bad thing at all.

Mother offered a strained smile, though I knew her heart remained heavy. Inside the carriage on the way back to the estate, she did not utter a single word. I sat quietly beside her, casting sideways glances at her face. The corners of her eyes were tinged with red, and her lips were pressed into a tight, thin line. Father rode his horse alongside the carriage, parting the curtains three times to ask, Is the mistress feeling well?

Mother did not answer a single time. After a moment of thought, I reached into my sleeve and pulled out the length of red silk that had fallen earlier—the one I had secretly retrieved. I handed it to her.

For you.

Mother looked down at the silk ribbon, and her eyes grew red once more. Why did you take this thing?

I won it, I replied softly. A gift for you.

She froze in surprise. I added earnestly, Please do not cry. They say I do not look like a proper young lady. But I look like you, and you are very beautiful.

From outside the carriage came the sound of Father soft, delighted laughter. Mother parted the curtain to glare at him, and Father instantly assumed a stern, resolute expression, staring straight ahead at the road. Lowering her gaze to look at me, Mother suddenly pulled me into her arms, holding me fiercely tight. Believing her anger had finally dissipated, I asked in a small voice, Mother, was I a good girl today?

Mother remained silent for a long time. The first half of the day, you were very good. The second half could not be considered too terribly behaved.

I breathed a sigh of relief. However, the moment our carriage arrived at the gates of the general estate, the head steward hurried out to meet us, his expression grim and troubled. General, a message was just delivered from the palace. The Vinh Ninh marquis estate is refusing to let the matter go, claiming the young master was publicly humiliated by our child in the imperial gardens. The Marquis wife will come to the estate tomorrow to demand an explanation.

Mother arms tightened around me once more. I immediately raised my head. Are they coming again?

Father vaulted down from his horse, his eyes as cold as driven snow. Let them come.

The following day, the wife of the Marquis of Vinh Ninh arrived precisely as expected, and quite early at that. Accompanying her was the young heir. Having been reprimanded by the Empress the day before, the young heir had swollen eyes, yet he still held his head stubbornly high. Initially, Mother had no intention of letting me meet their guests. She kept me tucked away in the inner chambers, pressing a plate of osmanthus cakes into my hands.

Be a good girl and eat your cakes, A Ninh. Do not step outside.

I nodded obediently. I will.

Mother left. I ate one piece of cake, then another. Before I could finish the third piece, I heard the young heir voice ringing from outside.

She is hiding! My mother says the general estate relies on military merits to bully others!

I set the cake down on the table. Those words were not pleasant to hear, and they would only sadden Mother. Crawling down from the cushioned daybed, I peeked through the crack of the door. In the main reception hall, the Marquis wife gracefully lifted her teacup, a faint, condescending smile playing on her lips.

General Lady, yesterday my son certainly spoke out of turn, but your esteemed daughter behavior was far too extraordinary. To brandish a bow at such a tender age—if she had injured a prince, who could possibly bear the responsibility?

Mother sat upon the seat of honor, her spine impeccably straight. Yesterday, the arrows were fitted with soft blunt tips. A Ninh did not hurt anyone.

The Marquis wife chuckled softly. Just because no one was hurt yesterday does not mean it will be the case tomorrow. A young maiden with such a fierce and unruly disposition ultimately lacks the proper demeanor.

The fingertips resting against Mother lap were drained of color. Father sat quietly to one side, his expression darkening like an impending storm. I knew Father was on the verge of losing his temper; when Father was angry, even the birds in the courtyard dared not chirp. Yet I had no wish to see him frighten Mother guests. Therefore, I slipped out from behind the door.

Do I lack the proper demeanor?

Everyone in the hall turned to look at me. Mother expression shifted dramatically. A Ninh.

I walked steadily to her side and obediently took her hand. Mother, I did not run away. I walked here on my own feet.

Mother was left entirely speechless by my entrance. The Marquis wife stared at me, her smile freezing slightly at the edges. The young general miss is certainly sharp-tongued.

The young heir let out a harsh huff. Yesterday, you caused me to lose face.

I looked straight at him. Your face is located on your head. How could I possibly make you lose it?

The head steward bowed his head and broke into a violent fit of coughing. Father raised his teacup, using it to conceal the twitching corners of his mouth. Mother gently squeezed my hand, and I promptly sealed my lips.

The Marquis wife slammed her teacup down onto the table. General Lady, you heard it yourself. Such a sharp tongue and unruly spirit—if she is not disciplined properly now, I fear she will only become impossible to manage in the future.

Before Mother could reply, Father spoke in a flat, unhurried tone. My daughter was insulted yesterday and reprimanded again today. The Marquis wife certainly knows how to twist logic.

The color drained entirely from the face of the Marquis wife. General, what do you mean by that?

Father fixed his gaze upon the young heir. Was it not you who insulted the child first yesterday?

The young heir shrank back slightly. It was because she snatched my bow first!

I earnestly corrected him. The bow was on the ground. I picked it up. You threw it.

The young heir ground his teeth in frustration. But you also said I was small!

I nodded. You simply could not pull the string.

Furious, he leaped to his feet. Say that again!

I stood up as well, but Mother hurriedly pressed me back down into my seat. Father raised his eyes and looked directly at the young heir. Sit down.

His voice was not loud. Yet the young heir looked as though he had been nailed to the spot, his legs turning to jelly as he obediently slumped back into his chair. I stared in profound admiration; Father was truly formidable.

Finally, the Marquis wife could no longer maintain her facade. Does the general estate have no intention of offering an apology today?

Mother slowly opened her mouth. If it is concerning A Ninh picking up the bow and shooting at the willows, I can accept the accusation of failing to discipline her strictly. But if it is because she merely retaliated after being verbally abused, I will offer no apology.

I instantly lifted my head to look at her. Mother hand was soft, yet her voice did not tremble in the least. I hope for her to be poised, and I hope for her to be gentle. But I do not hope that when she is unjustly humiliated by others, she knows only how to lower her head in submission.

Father looked at Mother, his gaze as gentle as spring water. A warm heat bloomed in my chest. For the very first time, I realized Mother did not dislike me as I was; she was merely terrified that I might be hurt.

The expression of the Marquis wife turned a shade of sickly green and white. Suddenly, the young heir sprang to his feet. Then let us have a contest! Does she not know how to shoot? I will duel her!

Mother instantly furrowed her brow. We will do no such thing.

I frowned as well. You are still too small.

The young heir looked fit to burst into tears. I am not small!

I pondered this for a moment. Then what shall we wager?

Mother gripped my shoulders tightly. A Ninh.

I looked up at her. Mother, he is unconvinced. If he remains unconvinced, he will only come back. If I win, he will never come to trouble you again.

Mother froze in place. The Marquis wife let out a cold, cynical laugh. It is fine for children to test their skills against one another.

Father slowly set his teacup down. A contest is permissible. However, the rules will be set by me.