Epilogue
When I returned from Shishuo, the Emperor sealed me as Huaihua General and arranged a marriage with the legitimate daughter of the Imperial Censor, Xu Fengwan.
When Zhao Zhen heard this, he laughed so hard he could not even hold his wine cup.
He said this legitimate daughter was quite ambitious. At thirteen, she had already used different methods in front of him to attract his attention.
He also said that this legitimate daughter had a powerful maidservant by her side who could always turn dangers into safety for Xu Fengwan.
I did not pay much attention. My parents had died in the battlefield when I was seven.
The Emperor saw my pitiful state and brought me into the palace to grow up with Zhao Zhen.
But no matter what, having a Husband was good.
Before going to Shishuo again, I climbed over the wall of the Imperial Censor’s mansion. I planned to see my future wife.
When going to see someone, one could not go empty-handed. I bought Malt Candy, which girls loved, and tucked it in my clothes.
Avoiding the guards inside the courtyard, I easily found the courtyard of the legitimate daughter.
To be honest, my behavior was truly like that of a philanderer.
Just as I climbed onto the wall, I saw a beautiful woman kneeling in the snow.
Her face was very pretty, but there was a slash on her side face. The red blood stood out sharply against the white snow in the winter.
She looked up at me startled, her eyes wide open.
I signaled her not to make a sound and threw her a piece of Malt Candy.
A loud cry came from inside the house. The woman lowered her head and muttered, “I am the most lowly maidservant of Xu Fengwan.”
I was stunned when I heard this and finally understood what had happened.
Annoyed, I took out my sword and climbed down the wall.
The woman shook her head timidly. I also stopped at the door.
There was no benefit for me to go in and see her now. It might even be counterproductive.
I gave the Malt Candy to the woman kneeling in the snow.
Zhao Zhen was right. The legitimate daughter of the Imperial Censor was not necessarily good.
When I was at the border, something big happened in the capital.
Zhao Zhen had been ambushed in the hunting grounds. The legitimate daughter of the Xu family had saved him.
When I heard this, I was shocked. This legitimate daughter was too skilled.
But a letter from Zhao Zhen made me rush back without stopping.
He said the woman who saved him had a scar on her face.
Countless thoughts flew through my mind. When I saw Xu Fengwan, they were all extinguished.
It was not her.
Her demeanor, her behavior, her figure, everything was not hers.
Except for that face.
But Xu Fengwan’s face was fair and delicate, blowable without breaking, with no scars on it.
I was dazed and confused.
I held wine jars all day and drank until I was dizzy.
Was what I saw before all a dream?
Zhao Zhen came to my door holding a wine jar. He said he clearly remembered that the woman who saved him had a scar on her face that day.
Obviously, the one who saved him was not Xu Fengwan.
I searched through the entire Xu family all night and finally found her in a woodshed.
She was very weak. The wounds on her arms and legs had not been treated properly.
Seeing them, I felt heartache, but I did not know what to say. I could only help her treat the wounds.
When I saw the wounds, I could not help but laugh. Zhao Yuan had probably not thought that the arrow wound in his waist would be the easiest to identify.
I told this to Zhao Zhen.
Zhao Zhen then began to investigate. Sure enough, he discovered Zhao Yuan’s ambitions.
To play this game well, we could only keep many things secret.
The woman’s name was Xu Mei. It was not a very pleasant name but suited her very well.
I quietly sent her many things, including a plum blossom hairpin.
I hoped she would understand my intentions.
When Zhao Zhen sent me to Shishuo, he took out a handkerchief from his clothes.
It was embroidered with a branch of plum blossoms.
Zhao Zhen said this handkerchief was mostly from her hands.
Even though I hesitated, I accepted it from his hands.
To keep her safe, I needed more military achievements.