Married to the Young General of the Previous Dynasty 1

Early spring, with weather as unpredictable as a child’s mood. The sun hadn’t been out for long before fine, drizzling rain arrived, accompanied by crisp rolls of thunder, seemingly intent on teaching those who had shed their winter coats too soon a lesson.

In the capital, at the residence of Grand Tutor Xie.

The rain grew heavier. A maid named Xing You carried a basket of charcoal as she walked along the corridor.

Through the curtain of rain and the swaying banana leaves, she glimpsed an ancient, simple archway made of green jade. Atop the archway hung a plaque inscribed with the name “Qingwu Courtyard.”

The characters on the plaque were personally written by her mistress, Xie Miao’er, when she was twelve.

In qin, chess, calligraphy, painting, flower arranging, and tea brewing—there was nothing her mistress wasn’t skilled at. As for her looks and family background, those were naturally first-class as well. Yet this girl, who grew up surrounded by wealth and refinement, was born frail and sickly, reliant on medicine since she was weaned.

During this damp, chilly late spring, her mistress’s condition had worsened.

Xing You sighed and quickened her steps through the archway.

In the elegantly simple courtyard, a young maid with twin buns crouched by the stove, fanning the fire to brew medicine. Xing You asked her softly, “Has the medicine been steeped long enough?”

The little maid obediently replied, “It was soaked for half an hour before I started brewing it.”

Xing You nodded, taking the fan from her hands. “Take the charcoal to the small kitchen. I’ll watch the fire.”

The little maid responded and left.

Staring at the orange-yellow flames in the stove, Xing You became lost in thought.

A few days ago, the imperial physicians had come, subtly hinting that her mistress’s days were numbered.

The medicinal aroma filled the air—neither pleasant nor unpleasant. Xing You sniffed, picked up the prepared medicine, and tiptoed into the inner room.

Her mistress was taking an afternoon nap. The curtains around the bed were fully drawn, shrouding the room in dim light. Combined with the pattering rain outside, the atmosphere made one feel drowsy.

Hearing Xing You’s footsteps, a few slender fingers, pale as green onions, reached out from the embroidered canopy adorned with floral and orchid patterns. In the dim room, her already bloodless fingertips appeared even whiter, revealing at a glance that their owner was a frail young girl.

Xing You said, “Miss, the medicine is ready, but it’s still hot.”

Inside the canopy, Xie Miao’er had not been asleep at all. Her chest had been aching dully all day.

She knew better than anyone else that her days were numbered.

She chuckled lightly. “Sister Xing You, help me sit up.”

The girl’s voice was clear yet faintly weary, like the song of a tired oriole perched on a branch.

Xing You acknowledged her request. She lifted the canopy and adjusted the flame of the lamp on the table.

The room brightened, and the flickering light was reflected in the young girl’s eyes.

Even after serving Xie Miao’er for many years and growing accustomed to her breathtaking beauty, Xing You’s heart still skipped a beat.

What kind of face was it?

Lying on the bed, Xie Miao’er looked unwell. The years of chronic illness had left dark circles under her eyes and her cheeks hollow. Yet for her, these imperfections only made her jade-carved, otherworldly face feel more real.

It was as if a luminous pearl had been veiled with a fine mist. Though its brilliance was slightly diminished, it now possessed a quieter, more profound beauty.

Xing You’s expression dimmed slightly as she carefully helped Xie Miao’er sit up against a soft pillow.

Her movements were so cautious, as if cradling fragile porcelain, that Xie Miao’er chuckled again. Observing Xing You’s expression, she asked, “Did you follow my instructions while brewing the medicine?”

Her tone was calm, but upon hearing her words, Xing You suddenly fell to her knees by the bedside with a thud.

“Miss, this servant begs you to reconsider!”

Reconsider? Xie Miao’er thought to herself. She had been confined to this small space for far too long, endlessly recovering from her illness. She had reconsidered not just three times but hundreds, even thousands.

Better to die well than to live miserably. What was the point of relying on medicine to drag on a few more days in this wretched state?

“Bring the medicine,” Xie Miao’er’s voice turned cold, leaving no room for argument.

Xing You did not try to persuade her further.

She had served Xie Miao’er for many years, watching her grow from a little girl into a young Mistress, and she knew how stubborn she could be.

Not long after, Xing You brought in the medicine. With trembling hands, she handed the bowl over, and Xie Miao’er took it steadily from her.

Staring at the dark brown medicinal decoction, Xie Miao’er appeared momentarily lost in thought.

In the bowl was the medicine she had to drink every single day to prolong her life.

However, she had taken it upon herself to increase the dosage of several ingredients in the prescription, turning it into a potent and dangerous concoction.

It would drain the strength of her very lifeblood, but at the very least, it would allow her to experience one final “moment of clarity” on the day of her coming-of-age ceremony, so she could share a meal with her family.

Xie Miao’er tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp.

—

The young mistress’s condition had improved, and many servants had seen her visit the main courtyard to pay her respects. Naturally, Grand Tutor Xie and Madam Xie were delighted, and the entire household received rewards.

On the 25th, Xie Miao’er was to celebrate her coming-of-age ceremony. The couple had originally planned a grand banquet, but their daughter adamantly refused. She said she only wanted a quiet meal with the family, and so they relented.

Their youngest daughter was frail and sickly, and Grand Tutor Xie and his wife had always indulged her every wish.

The night of the 25th.

The Xie family was small. Grand Tutor Xie was upright and virtuous, with no concubines or mistresses. His eldest son and daughter were both outside the capital and unable to return, so this family dinner was shared only by Xie Miao’er, Grand Tutor Xie, and Madam Xie.

There were no lavish dishes, just light tea and simple fare.

Madam Xie smiled through tears several times during the meal.

Xie Miao’er, too, was deeply content.

Over the past two years, her illness had grown increasingly severe. She rarely had the strength to walk to the main courtyard. Even on her better days, she could barely take a few bites of food before feeling nauseated. She hated to let her parents witness her suffering, so it had been far too long since she had dined with them like this.

After the meal, several strong servants carried in chests and boxes. Madam Xie said, “These are all coming-of-age gifts sent by your brother and sister from afar.”

Xie Miao’er smiled and said, “When my brother and sister return, I must thank them properly.”

Grand Tutor Xie added, “I’ve looked through the list. Most of the items are ordinary, but your brother sent an interesting jade bracelet. He claims it was part of the burial treasures of General Lu Huaihai from the previous dynasty. Somehow, it ended up overseas and has now been returned. Knowing you admire him, your brother thought it would be the perfect gift for you.”

It sounded quite remarkable.

During the 273 years of the previous dynasty, Lu Huaihai was its brightest military star. He gained fame at a young age, quelling rebellions and securing the borders, repeatedly defeating the Wokou invaders.

However, this meritorious general, who contributed so much to the Yong dynasty, ultimately fell victim to political intrigue. Involved in disputes over opening maritime trade, he incurred the emperor’s suspicion and was stripped of his rank. He was punished by having his pipa bones pierced, crippling his skills, and died on his way back to the capital under guard.

The fate of a general dying far from the battlefield was a tragedy that evoked great lament.

For the past hundred years, Lu Huaihai had been admired by many. As a result, numerous so-called relics associated with his name had been fabricated by antique dealers to fetch high prices.

Although Xie Miao’er doubted the bracelet’s authenticity, she appreciated her brother’s thoughtfulness. She retrieved the jade bracelet and held it in her palm.

Madam Xie scolded lightly, “This child is truly something. Who gives burial treasures as a coming-of-age gift? Doesn’t he worry it might bring bad luck?”

Grand Tutor Xie disagreed. “I can’t agree with you on this, Madam. While Lu Huaihai was from the previous dynasty, his loyalty and bravery were unquestionable. If this truly belonged to him, it would be imbued with a heroic spirit, not misfortune.”

“Yes, yes, I can’t argue with you. Fine, fine. As long as Miao’er likes it, that’s all that matters.”

Watching her parents bicker, Xie Miao’er suddenly felt a sense of peace, as if the weight in her heart had been lifted.

How wonderful.

The family chatted idly for a while longer before Madam Xie finally issued a gentle dismissal.

“It’s late. Xing You, take… take the young mistress back to rest properly.”

Xing You obeyed, and Xie Miao’er stood up, bowing deeply to her parents. She said, “Your daughter takes her leave. Father, Mother, please take good care of yourselves.”

After bidding farewell, she dared not look back at their expressions. Gripping Xing You’s wrist tightly, she stepped out of the hall.

Behind her, Madam Xie was still chattering with concern: “The road is dark; carry the lantern carefully. Avoid the west side; the cobblestone path there is slippery from the rain…”

By the end, Madam Xie was choking on her tears.

Under the starry sky and bright moon, Xie Miao’er listened to her mother’s fading voice and wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes, in a manner that was far from elegant.

She knew this was her last family dinner with them, and they knew it too.

They tacitly accepted her willful choice.

By the time she forced herself back to her bedroom, Xie Miao’er was completely drained.

Xing You helped her lie down, tears choking her throat, unable to utter a single word.

Xie Miao’er’s hands and feet were icy cold. She swallowed the metallic sweetness in her throat and mustered her strength to barely whisper, “Leave.”

After speaking, she leaned against the carved bedframe, drew her knees up, and buried her face in them, curling up like a little quail hiding its head under its wing.

The jade bracelet pressed into her as she curled, fitting perfectly into the hollow of her embrace.

Her brother was an honest man; he would not fabricate wild tales just to give his little sister a gift. Perhaps this really was something left behind by Lu Huaihai.

With that thought, Xie Miao’er tilted her head, took out the jade bracelet said to be part of Lu Huaihai’s burial treasures, and examined it carefully in the faint moonlight streaming through the window.

It was a piece of flawless, translucent jade, as pure as the Lu Huaihai described in history books—untainted by even a speck of dust.

Even when trapped in dire circumstances, he never bowed or broke.

Xie Miao’er admired people like him.

The first time she read his biography in the history of Yong, she cried so much that her lapels and sleeves were soaked.

She lamented his courage and wisdom, pitied his wrongful death, and envied his gallant life—roaming mountains and seas, shining like a shooting star, remembered even a hundred years later.

If she had the chance, she truly wished she could raise a cup with him and advise him: live well, fight well, and under no circumstances get entangled in court politics!

At this thought, Xie Miao’er suddenly chuckled to herself.

She, a dying clay idol, was actually imagining saving someone from the past.

When her thoughts returned to the present, Xie Miao’er realized the jade bracelet in her hand held an inexplicable allure for her. She had unknowingly been caressing it repeatedly for a long time.

Perhaps it was fate.

In the end, Xie Miao’er simply placed it under her pillow and peacefully closed her eyes.

Darkness enveloped her.

She didn’t know how much time had passed before she, half-dreaming and half-awake, slowly opened her eyes.

With just one glance, she immediately sensed that something was wrong.

What’s going on?

Where is this?

She was still lying on a bed, but the canopy bed was worn and peeling, and the carvings at the foot of the bed were missing an entire section! This was definitely not her bedroom!

Grabbing the pillow as a shield in front of her, Xie Miao’er stood up in alarm and stepped off the bed.

She quickly noticed another oddity.

She had been sick for so long that her entire body always felt heavy and sluggish. Yet now, she felt her breathing was effortless, with no sense of obstruction whatsoever.

Cautiously, Xie Miao’er moved her hands and feet. Holding onto the wall, she made her way to the door.

The weakness and frailty that had plagued her for over ten years had vanished entirely.

Before Xie Miao’er could even begin to figure out what was happening, a commotion reached her ears, growing louder and louder.

“Fooling around in a brothel with your useless friends—our Lu family has never produced someone as disgraceful as you! Let’s see if I don’t break your legs!”

“Hide! You dare to dodge?”

“Alright, I want to see where you think you can run!”

“Good heavens! With a stick that thick, are you trying to beat Da Lang2 to death?”

…

A man’s furious scolding, a woman’s sharp cries, and hurried footsteps filled the air. The chaos seemed to be heading straight for her.

In her fifteen years of life, Xie Miao’er had never witnessed such a raw and wild scene. She froze on the spot, unsure whether she should move forward or retreat.

Who was she? Where was she?

The pounding footsteps grew louder. A young man, appearing around seventeen or eighteen, dashed across the moss-covered stone path, running as though his life depended on it, straight toward the small courtyard where Xie Miao’er stood.

At that moment, an absurd thought suddenly popped into Xie Miao’er’s mind—

The former dynasty’s General Lu Huaihai, whom she so admired, seemed to be… the “Da Lang” of this family.

—

Footnotes:

1. Wokou (倭寇): A term referring to Japanese pirates or marauders who raided coastal areas of China and Korea during the Ming dynasty.
2. Da Lang (大郎) is a common way to address the eldest son in a family in traditional Chinese culture.

I can’t put the usual footnote where you can just click the number, probably because I’m using tablet 😭