When the people inside saw Qian Jiaoniang enter, they all rose to their feet.
Looking closely, she saw that among the dozens present, many were disabled—some missing arms or legs, some blind in one eye or missing an ear, and a few whose faces were scarred and twisted by fire.
This group clearly knew themselves unfit for fine company, fearing the great commander’s lady might look down on them. After saluting, they stood ramrod straight, nervous.
Suier sucked in a breath, but Qian Jiaoniang’s expression did not change. She only smiled at Xing Muzheng: “Marquis, how is it there are so many brothers here?”
Her calm tone made it sound as though they were an entirely ordinary gathering. Xing Muzheng said: “These are my brothers who have gone through life and death with me, and returned with me. Today is Lantern Festival—I’ve invited them here to eat at home.”
Qian Jiaoniang nodded. “That’s fine indeed.”
Xing Muzheng turned to the men: “This is my wife. From now on, you are to respect her as you would me. Her words are my words.”
The men were a little shocked—did this mean the lady could command them at will?
Qian Jiaoniang herself was surprised.
But Xing Muzheng spoke as if it were ordinary. He beckoned men forward to introduce one by one. “This is Peng Shi—you’ve met him before. His arm was struck by a poisoned enemy arrow, and had to be cut off.” Peng Shi bowed deeply, greeting her as Madam. Qian Jiaoniang nodded to him.
“These few—Da Niu, Li Shugen, Yan Jin—they were scarred when rescuing people during the great fire in Wuzhou.”
“Si Magou, while working as an inside agent, was unfortunately exposed. To keep the secret, the enemy cut off one of his ears.”
Xing Muzheng went on introducing slowly. Qian Jiaoniang listened with respect and was deeply moved. Suier and Shanzha’s eyes grew wet. Qian Jiaoniang raised a thumb with a smile: “Heroes’ brothers are truly heroes as well.” Compared to them, Xing Muzheng was considered fortunate—at least he had returned whole. Yet all the scars across his body, were they not also the marks of countless brushes with death?
The men, hearing the word “hero,” chuckled sheepishly. Li Shugen scratched his head: “Madam jests. How are we heroes? More like bears.”
Si Magou, even with one ear, heard clearly. He said at once: “Li Shugen, we may not be heroes, but we’re no bears either. If you’re a bear, that’s your own business—don’t drag us along!”
At this, everyone roared with laughter. Xing Muzheng said to Qian Jiaoniang: “If there’s anything needs doing, set them to it.”
Qian Jiaoniang said: “Guests are guests—how could I make them work?”
“We’re no guests! Madam, you just give the orders. Don’t mind our looks—our strength is still plenty, and we’ve nowhere else to spend it!”
Xing Muzheng gave Qian Jiaoniang a meaningful glance. “It’s fine, let them work.”
So Qian Jiaoniang said: “Steward Ding is just now setting tables in Renyi Hall. If the brothers don’t mind, you might go lend him a hand.”
“Done!”
The group shouted assent and followed a servant off toward Renyi Hall. Xing Muzheng held Qian Jiaoniang back a moment, speaking softly: “As for those idle women in the back courtyards—send them out too. Let my brothers have a look.”
Qian Jiaoniang knew the “idlers” he spoke of referred to those beauties. She was both annoyed and amused—how had they turned into “those idlers”? “How did it become about showing them off to your brothers? At the very least, both the men and the women have to be willing, don’t they?”
Xing Muzheng chuckled. “Fine, fine. Let both sides take a look. Whoever takes a liking can be matched together.”
Only then was Qian Jiaoniang satisfied. She was about to leave, then suddenly turned back, looked at Xing Muzheng, and asked hesitantly: “The Marquis truly doesn’t want to keep any of the beauties? Marquis, don’t feel embarrassed to say it. If, in the end, you and one of your brothers both set eyes on the same woman, that would be troublesome.”
Bitterness welled up in Xing Muzheng’s heart—her words showed she still did not regard him as her man. He sighed faintly: “One stick—how many nests can it poke, eh?”
Qian Jiaoniang froze. Where on earth had he learned that saying? She forced out two dry laughs, glanced at him strangely a few times, then turned and left.
Back in the rear courtyard, Qian Jiaoniang gathered all the beauties together and tactfully conveyed Xing Muzheng’s intentions, just as she had earlier with Yanluo and Yuluo, leaving the choice to them. Upon hearing this, most of the beauties looked pitiful, as if she were bullying them. But constrained by her position, they had no choice but to head toward Renyi Hall. A few even walked off wiping away tears.
Qian Jiaoniang found this bizarre. She said to Hongjuan and the others: “Isn’t this a great thing? No need to be slaves or concubines, and they can even choose their own husband. Why do they act as if I’m sending them to the battlefield?”
“Maybe some folks just like being concubines, so they can be half a mistress and have servants wait on them,” Shanzha blurted out.
“There are people who actually like being concubines?” Qian Jiaoniang couldn’t understand.
Suier said: “Madam, forgive me for saying something outrageous—but in the palace, aside from the empress, aren’t all the consorts ‘small wives’? And yet they are all esteemed ladies!”
Qian Jiaoniang raised her brows, chuckled softly, and shook her head. Esteemed? Only they themselves knew in their hearts what that meant.
Whatever the beauties thought, Xing Muzheng’s brothers were already happily bustling about in Renyi Hall. Steward Ding had them set up round stools, and they tossed and caught them with ease, as though the wooden stools were made of cotton, turning it into a juggling act.
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