Rebirth of a Star General Chapter 229

Chapter 229: Consort Lan

<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>

When he returned, it was already very late at night.

As soon as Xiao Jue returned to his courtyard, a small yellow dog excitedly pounced towards him, biting onto the hem of his robe and refusing to let go.

He crouched down, patting the dog’s head. This little dog was taking advantage of the situation, vigorously wagging its tail while biting his sleeve and pulling backward.

Quite similar in behavior to its master.

The night after exploring the He Mansion, the little yellow dog named “Second Fur” somehow followed Xiao Jue out of the dug hole. Since it was raised by He Yan, it couldn’t be abandoned. However, He Rufei, acting like a madman and searching everywhere for the thief from that night, was a concern for He Yan. Afraid that He Rufei would discover He Yan’s home and see Second Fur, He Yan entrusted Second Fur to Xiao Jue. Even if He Rufei dared to be bold, he wouldn’t dare to set foot in Xiao’s house, so naturally, he couldn’t find Second Fur.

Xiao Jue could only bring Second Fur back to the Xiao residence.

The little maid named Baiguo in the courtyard quite liked Second Fur. She gave him a bath, combed his fur, making him look neat and clean, no longer resembling a stray dog. She even tied two small tufts on his ears with a red string.

Even though Second Fur was clearly a male dog.

Xiao Jue was playing with the dog when suddenly a voice came from behind, “Huaijin… when did you start keeping a dog in the mansion?”

Xiao Jue stood up and turned around. Xiao Jing and Bai Rongwei were standing on the side of the courtyard, looking at him with some curiosity.

As everyone knew, the Second Young Master of the Xiao family was extremely clean and particular. It was fine during his military camp days, but once he returned to Shuojing, it was even more meticulous and hair-splitting. Xiao Mansion never kept any birds or pets. Except for Green Ear, there were no other animals in the mansion.

This little dog seemed to be an ordinary rural dog, with yellow fur mixed with a little black. It shouldn’t be anything precious.

Xiao Jue lowered his head and glanced at Second Fur, who was silently barking at him.

“It’s for someone else.”

“Who would let you help raise a dog,” Xiao Jing chuckled, “it’s too difficult for ordinary people.”

Bai Rongwei lightly nudged Xiao Jing and smiled, “The only person who could make Huaijin help raise a dog should be Miss He in Shuojing City.”

Xiao Jing suddenly realized, and when he looked at Xiao Jue, his gaze instantly became a bit gratified. This brother was usually overly indifferent to women, not warm at all, but now it seemed that he was quite good at pleasing a girl.

During the day, Bai Rongwei had already set up a feast in the mansion to celebrate Xiao Jue’s birthday. She also knew that tonight Xiao Jue was going to accompany He Yan to the night market, so she didn’t leave any food for Xiao Jue tonight.

“Big Brother and Sister-in-law are still waiting for me so late,” Xiao Jue asked, “Is there something?”

Xiao Jing approached him and, looking at Second Fur playing in the courtyard, smiled, “Do you know that the Fourth Young Master of the Shi Jinbo family, Fourth Young Master Chu, will marry Miss Xu from the Xu family next month.”

Xiao Jue responded absentmindedly.

“You and Fourth Young Master Chu were married by the decree of His Majesty,” Xiao Jing said, “Now that Fourth Young Master Chu’s wedding date is set, we wanted to ask you and sister-in-law about your intentions and when you plan to have your wedding.”

Xiao Jue was slightly taken aback.

“Your brother and I have already talked to Lord He. He said that as long as Miss He likes it, he has no objections. After all, Miss He is a young lady, so I don’t want to ask too much.” Bai Rongwei looked at Xiao Jue, “Have you ever talked to her about this when you were with Miss He?”

The open-mindedness of the Xiao family was well known. When Xiao Zhongwu and his wife were alive, when Xiao Jing wanted to marry Bai Rongwei, Madam Xiao disagreed. In the end, they went along with Xiao Jing’s wishes. Now that Xiao Zhongwu and his wife were no longer alive, Xiao Jing and Bai Rong would not interfere with Xiao Jue’s marriage decision. Everything depended on Xiao Jue’s intentions.

“I plan to get married after the New Year,” Xiao Jue said.

Bai Rongwei and Xiao Jing exchanged a glance, each seeing the surprise in the other’s eyes. They thought it would take another year or so, but unexpectedly, Xiao Jue made a decision so quickly. Well, it seemed that Xiao Jue liked Miss He more than they had imagined.

“In that case, I will bring both of your birth charts to the diviner tomorrow and let him choose an auspicious date for you. We also need to discuss with Lord He about the next steps. You don’t need to worry about the betrothal gifts; I and Rubi have prepared them for you long ago.” Bai Rongwei’s smile was genuinely happy. She held Xiao Jing’s hand and said, “I’ll go and have someone deliver the invitations to the diviner. Huaijin, you’ve had a long day today. Rest well in your room, and I’ll talk to you in the morning.”

Xiao Jue nodded, and Bai Rongwei was satisfied as she led Xiao Jing away.

Xiao Jue watched their backs until Second Fur came to pull on his boots, bringing him back to reality.

Before, he only felt the courtyard was empty and desolate. Now, with the addition of a small dog, a mute dog at that, it seemed to have suddenly become lively.

He chuckled, lowered his head, and didn’t go back to his room. Instead, he walked towards the ancestral hall.

In the Xiao family’s ancestral hall, the tablets of Xiao Zhongwu and his wife were placed at the forefront. Xiao Jue walked to the side, took out incense from the censer, and lit it.

A wisp of blue smoke rose.

Xiao Jue’s face was hidden in the smoke, his expression diluted.

Whenever he returned to Shuojing, he often came to the temple. During thunderstorms, during sacrifices… and during times of boredom.

He wasn’t someone who liked to confide; there were too few people in life with whom one could share their sorrows. Everyone had their own suffering, so why share the taste of it with others? In the most difficult times, when he was scolded behind his back by literati during the battle in Guocheng, when he returned home, he just lit three sticks of incense in the ancestral hall.

After lighting three sticks of incense, everything remained the same.

Many tastes in life had to be experienced little by little over many years. He had seen and experienced everything when he was young and felt that everything was dull. He actually yearned for the bustle of the world, but the world avoided him. When he was young and successful, how did it matter? The prestigious young master from a prominent family—what did it matter? Everyone treated him like the distant moon, but in reality, the moon was just a lonely young man.

He had friends, and then those friends betrayed him. He longed for family, and then his family left. The most unrestrained time of his youth lasted only a few years, and the last piece of candy in life was also given to a stranger he met on the road seeking death. Over the years, he had been alone, leaving nothing behind, until one day, a smiling girl boldly entered his life, saying to him, “I like the moon, and the moon doesn’t know.”

At this moment, he had never been more certain about one thing.

Xiao Jue raised his gaze and looked at the tablets behind the blue smoke.

“Father, Mother,” his voice was calm, as if making an unshakeable vow, “I like someone.”

“I want to marry her.”

…

In the He residence, in a certain courtyard, there were dense sounds of coughing.

The maidservant lodging in the outer room was disturbed, turning over and mumbling, “Second Madam is coughing again. Go and check on her quickly.”

“I won’t go,” replied another maid impatiently from the side. “Even Second Master doesn’t care. Why should we bother? Let’s wait until daylight. If you want to go, go yourself.”

“It’s so cold outside; I won’t go.” The speaking maid covered her head with the blanket. “Just pretend you didn’t hear anything.”

The persistent coughing continued outside, and after a while, it seemed deliberately suppressed, emitting a few muffled groans.

Second Madam He struggled to sit up, her throat feeling like it had been scorched by fire. The handkerchief in her hand was already dampened with large patches of bloodstains. She took a laborious breath and, after a while, managed to light the lamp.

It had been a long time since He Yuanliang had come to her courtyard. More precisely, after that incident at Yuhua Temple, she was restricted within the He family, and He Yuanliang refused to come and visit her again.

This was something Second Madam He had anticipated long ago. Her husband was a petty man, a cowardly and greedy one at that. Now, he was afraid of offending He Rufei and hastened to sever ties with her, even if she was his legal wife.

Legal wife, Second Madam He sarcastically smiled. What did it matter if she was the legal wife? He could be ruthless toward his biological daughter, and for him, a legal wife without blood ties was no different from a stranger.

Second Madam He stared at the flickering flame in the oil lamp.

As the eldest legitimate daughter in the family, she was married off to He Yuanliang by her father’s decision, all for the sake of securing a place for the He family in the aristocracy of Shuojing. In her original family, a daughter’s marriage was to pave the way for the father and brothers’ career paths. Unexpectedly, after marrying into the He family, it was the same.

Unfortunately, her fate was not good. She gave birth to two daughters, and naturally, her children became sacrifices for the He family.

Second Madam He resented He Rufei for being ruthless, He Yuansheng and his wife for coming up with the idea of swapping children, and He Yuanliang for being weak and incapable, just watching from the sidelines. Most of the time, she resented herself.

She hated herself for being powerless to change everything.

If she could have given birth to a son, perhaps with a son, He Yuansheng’s actions wouldn’t have been so arrogant. Unfortunately, she didn’t, so she couldn’t protect He Yan and He Xinying.

A knock on the door sounded from outside.

Second Madam He said, “Come in.”

A young maid entered, looking unfamiliar.

Second Madam He asked, “Who are you?”

“I am Cuiluo, a maid responsible for sweeping in the courtyard.” Cuiluo answered respectfully, holding a pot of hot water in her hands. “I went outside to fetch some hot water. Second Madam, please have some to prevent harming your health with the coughing.” She walked to the table, picked up a teacup, and poured a cup of water for Second Madam He.

The water temperature was just right, not scalding. Second Madam He took a sip, and the sharp pain in her throat suddenly eased a bit. She said, “Thank you.”

Cuiluo lowered her head and whispered, “It’s what a maid should do. If Second Madam has any other tasks that need assistance, feel free to instruct.”

“In my courtyard, everyone has treated me as if I don’t exist,” Second Madam He said with a bitter smile. “No need to bother you.”

“This servant’s master is Second Madam He, so naturally, I must follow Second Madam’s orders.” Cuiluo’s voice remained unchanged.

Second Madam He was slightly stunned and couldn’t help but carefully scrutinize the maid before her.

The maids in the He family were usually strictly disciplined by He Yuansheng and his wife. They used to be a bit lively, but now, due to fear of He Rufei, they had become more reserved. The servants were always timid, showing signs of fear and trepidation. However, this maid standing here was neither humble nor overstepping, treating her with a look that lacked respect yet did not overstep boundaries, as if dealing with an ordinary person.

Second Madam He’s heart moved, and she asked tentatively, “Can you really help me with anything?”

“Second Madam, please instruct me.”

“Can you find a doctor for me?”

Cuiluo remained silent for a moment before saying, “It might not be possible in these days. However, I can bring back some pills for Second Madam.”

Second Madam He suddenly understood.

She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice, “You’re not from the He family. Who is your master?”

Cuiluo looked at Second Madam He somewhat unexpectedly. Lord Fei Nu had instructed her to secretly take care of and assist Second Madam He. For these days, it seemed that Second Madam He had almost no status in the He family, and the maids below didn’t pay any attention to her. Being so seriously ill, He Yuansheng had never taken the initiative to come and see her, nor did he arrange for a doctor. Just like tonight, if Cuiluo hadn’t entered the room, Second Madam He could only have continued coughing until dawn.

She always thought that this was an ordinary woman who was somewhat weak and incompetent. Now, hearing this, she realized that this woman was originally intelligent and insightful.

Cuiluo remained silent.

“Is your master General Fengyun?” Second Madam He asked in a low voice.

Cuiluo was even more surprised.

Second Madam He, on the contrary, laughed. After laughing for a while, she regained her seriousness and said, “I know what your master wants to do. Go back and tell him that I can assist him, but as the price of the transaction, he must protect my daughter, He Xinying.”

Cuiluo remained silent for a while, not saying a word. She just placed the hot water pot on the table and whispered, “If Madam has any instructions, please call me in.” After that, she closed the door and left.

Second Madam He stared at the hot tea on the table, not knowing what she was thinking. After a long time, she swallowed the fishy and sweet air in her throat, lying down again.

…

A night passed, and early the next morning, Fei Nu brought back news from the He family.

In the study, Xiao Jue frowned slightly. “A transaction?”

“Second Madam He said so.” Fei Nu replied. When Cuiluo conveyed the message, even Fei Nu was surprised. He didn’t know whether to admire the woman’s courage or say something else.

“He Rufei and Miss He exchanged identities, and Miss He is the real Flying Phoenix General. Second Madam He should be aware of this.” Fei Nu said, “He Rufei might be using He Xinying to threaten Second Madam He, which is why Second Madam He dare not reveal the truth. With Second Madam He’s help, the secrets of the He family should be easy to uncover.” Speaking of this matter, Fei Nu felt emotional. Who could have expected that the terrifying Flying Phoenix General on the battlefield, who made the Qiang people tremble in fear, was actually a woman? And how did Second Madam He and Second Master He have such a heart of stone to let a girl bear such an excessively heavy fate, and even after achieving fame and success, unload the grindstone and kill the donkey?

In their Nine Banner Battalion, they considered themselves to have seen all kinds of cruelty on the battlefield. However, when they learned the truth, they couldn’t help but feel regret for the unjustly killed Flying Phoenix General.

A generation of famous generals, even if dead, should have died in a magnificent and heroic way, on the battlefield. Instead, she was cunningly killed in the ordinary harem by someone’s deceitful plot.

“Second Madam He only mentioned He Xinying?” Xiao Jue asked.

Fei Nu nodded. “Yes.”

Xiao Jue lowered his eyes. “I see.”

“Young Master, then…”

“Let Cuiluo tell Second Madam He,” Xiao Jue looked out the window, “I’ve agreed to this transaction.”

…

On the first day of the twelfth month, Wutuo envoy Maningbu entered the capital.

Emperor Wenxuan summoned the Wutuo envoy to the Golden Luang Hall. In Qinglan Palace, Noble Consort Lan was leaning against a soft mat, watching palace maids brewing tea.

Noble Consort Lan was not considered young anymore. New beauties entered the palace every year, yet she alone received the Emperor’s favor without diminishing. Everyone said that Noble Consort Lan had such good luck, not only gaining the Emperor’s love but also giving birth to a son with both virtue and talent. Despite the Empress’s suppression, even the Ni Guiren  dared not be arrogant in front of her.

However, since Emperor Wenxuan entrusted the fifth prince Guangji to Noble Consort Lan for upbringing, Ni Guiren had become much more restrained. Although the fifth prince Guangji was still young, even after repeated instructions from Ni Guiren, he felt that Noble Consort Lan was much gentler to him than his birth mother. There had never been any disputes between him and Noble Consort Lan.

Today was no exception.

Guangji ran in from outside, with an old maid following him in a hurry, saying, “Your Highness, slow down, be careful not to fall!”

“Mother!” Guangji ran to Noble Consort Lan in one breath, smiling. “Today, the Wutuo envoy came to the palace. Father summoned them in the hall. I heard that those Wutuo people brought many gifts, including ivory half the height of a person and white peacocks… Mother, I want to go see!”

Noble Consort Lan smiled and patted the snowflakes off his body, “Go if you want to.”

“Mother, won’t you accompany your son?” Guangji asked.

“I won’t go.” Noble Consort Lan smiled, “Just let Momo take you.”

The Fifth Prince was eager to see the white peacocks, so he said, “Alright, I’ll go now. After I finish watching, I’ll come back and tell Mother about the interesting things!”

Chang Momo held the hand of the Fifth Prince and walked away. Noble Consort Lan shook her head with a smile, “He’s just like a child.”

“Fifth Brother is naturally young,” a voice sounded from outside the door, “It’s normal to be a bit childish.”

A palace maid hurriedly said, “I’ve seen Fourth Prince.”

The Fourth Prince Guangshuo walked in.

Noble Consort Lan, delicate and gentle, and the Fourth Prince shared a similar appearance, clear and elegant. Compared to the Crown Prince Guangyan, who always had a debauched look, the Fourth Prince seemed much more approachable and reliable.

When Noble Consort Lan saw Guangshuo, she immediately smiled, pulled him to sit beside the fireplace, asked a palace maid to pour hot tea for Guangshuo, and said, “Why do you have time to come to me today?”

“Royal Father and the Wutuo envoys are meeting in the hall, and the Crown Prince is there too. I came to see Mother.” Guangshuo smiled.

Noble Consort Lan smiled slightly but did not speak.

“Does Mother also know about the Wutuo envoys?” Guangshuo asked.

Noble Consort Lan’s expression no longer seemed as relaxed as when facing Guangji. She sighed, “I know.”

“Royal Father’s willingness to meet those envoys indicates his willingness to accept Wutuo’s peace proposal.” Guangshuo’s smile faded. “This is acceptable, but now, after the battles in Jiyang and Rundu, the Wugtuo people dare not act recklessly. However, if Royal Father agrees to let them open a market in Great Wei… the consequences are unimaginable.”

Noble Consort Lan looked outside and said, “Everyone else, withdraw. Yugui, close the door.”

The palace maids all withdrew, and Yugui closed the door.

Noble Consort Lan looked at Guangshuo. “Have you ever said these words to your father?”

Guangshuo shook his head. “No. Father has never discussed these matters with me.”

Emperor Wenxuan liked the Fourth Prince because he resembled Noble Consort Lan. Noble Consort Lan was elegant and gentle, a clean land in the deep palace, untainted. Even though Empress Zhang highly disliked Noble Consort Lan, over the years, Noble Consort Lan had lived well in the deep palace. Because she never made mistakes, the Emperor protected her. This compassion and respect for Noble Consort Lan extended to Guangshuo.

Guangshuo is the same; no matter how courtiers try to incite him to contend for that position against the Crown Prince, Guangshuo remains unmoved. When he is with Emperor Wenxuan, they mostly discuss poetry and art – affairs of the state should be the concern of the Crown Prince. If he oversteps his bounds, it could incur the Emperor’s displeasure.

“Guangshuo,” Noble Consort Lan looked at him and suddenly asked, “Do you want to contend?”

Guangshuo was taken aback.

“Do you want to or not?” Noble Consort Lan repeats.

As if his innermost secret has been exposed, Guangshuo awkwardly avoided Noble Consort Lan’s gaze. “I dare not.”

“I’m only asking if you want to, not whether you dare or not.” In the gentle woman’s eyes is an unprecedented determination, and an unfamiliar coldness.

Under the gaze of those eyes, Guangshuo involuntarily speaks, “I… want.”

After a while, he regained composure and said, “I want to. Royal Mother, the Crown Prince is simply unworthy of being the heir. He only knows how to indulge in pleasure. There must be dealings between the Wutuo people and him in private. If there were other brothers in the palace with both virtues and talents, I would support them. But now, there is no one else. If someday Guangyan ascends to that position, what Great Wei will be like in the future, no one knows.”

“Perhaps, there won’t be a Great Wei at all.”

When the last word falls, an extreme silence filled the palace, as if shocked by his rebellious words.

Noble Consort Lan sighed softly.

“For so many years, I have never thought about anything else. I didn’t want to enter the palace in the first place, but since I’m here, I will live well. I don’t care about the Wutuo people, I don’t care about the Emperor, and I don’t even care about the future of Great Wei. I don’t mind.” She looks at Guangshuo, reached out and caressed his face, a gentle smile in her eyes. “In this palace, Guangshuo, I only care about you.”

“If Guangyan becomes the Emperor, you and I, mother and son, will have no way out.” Her voice was gentle, uttering the cruelest words, “I’ve lived for most of my life, whether I live or die, it doesn’t matter. But you can’t, Guangshuo.” She smiled, “You are so clever, gentle, and young; how can you die in the hands of such a person? I absolutely won’t allow it.”

Guangshuo looked at the woman who has risen from the soft couch, her eyebrows and eyes still as elegant and dignified as before. With one movement, her entire demeanor had changed. A sudden surge of emotions welled up in his heart, as if a long-suppressed impulse was about to burst forth.

“Royal Mother…”

“The Emperor’s favor, I already have. The love and respect of courtiers and common people, you already have. But having just these two is not enough. He Rufei has already been bought, if you want to vie for this position…”

“You must obtain Xiao Huaijin,” she said.

————–Side Note—————–

Sister Lan: It’s my turn to take the stage.

Let’s continue with the main storyline. Friends who want to see the romantic plot can wait for a while~

Want to show your support? Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! Want to get early access to at least 5 chapters in advance? Go to my Patreon to join now! :)

<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>