Volume Seven: The Years I Was a General
Revenge
Wen Nuan truly realized that Xiao Chuyu was truly angry.
Looking at the Imperial Guard blocking her from entering the Imperial Palace, both sides looked very troubled.
The Imperial Guard Commander said with difficulty: “Little General Gu, it is not that this lower official will not let you enter, it is just that Her Majesty specifically issued an imperial edict today, forbidding you from stepping half a pace into the Imperial Palace. If you were to enter the Imperial Palace, this lower official and the others fear we would directly die without a whole corpse.”
Wen Nuan heaved a long sigh and put away her jade tablet. “Fine, I understand your difficulty. I will not go in.”
When she secretly sneaks into the Imperial Palace at night, let’s see who can stop her!?
The Imperial Guard Commander cupped his fist and said: “Many thanks to Little General Gu for understanding this lower official’s difficulty.”
“It’s nothing, it’s nothing. We are all colleagues; mutual understanding is as it should be.”
Since she could not get in, Wen Nuan could only set off on the road back home.
【Alright, although the female lead is angry at you, at the very least her blackening value has not increased. Are you feeling a bit happier?】 the System kindly consoled.
Wen Nuan gave a dry laugh: “Heh heh, I am extremely happy.”
The System rolled its eyes: 【…Truly taking good intentions for a donkey’s liver and lungs1.】
【The blackening value only needs to be reduced by another 1.9 before it can be cleared. What do you plan to do next?】
Wen Nuan raised her eyes and looked into the distance. “Mobei.”
The System paused: 【With the female lead’s current possessiveness towards you, she will not necessarily let you leave Mobei. Moreover, your internal injuries have not yet fully healed; it is even more impossible for the female lead to let you leave her side.】
“Don’t worry,” Wen Nuan smiled, “I will have a way.”
Seeing her appearance of having a bamboo image in her chest2, the System did not say anything more.
Wen Nuan returned to the General’s Manor to think of a plan. Before a plan could come, what came instead was grievous news.
She looked at the notice posted in the streets, her face completely stunned. “Tongzi, what is written on this notice is not what I think it is, right?”
The System said calmly: 【You did not see wrong. The female lead has posted a notice; she is going to widely accept xiujun3.】
“….” Wen Nuan shot it a glance. “I can hear the schadenfreude4 in your voice.”
The System did not pretend anymore, laughing: 【Ah, is it that obvious?】
Wen Nuan: “….”
Wow!5, you’re not even pretending anymore?!
“She is going to widely accept xiujun, so what am I?” Wen Nuan questioned herself.
The System thought for a moment: 【A waishi6 that the female lead is keeping outside the palace, who cannot see the light of day?】
Wen Nuan: “…..”
Teme de7!
【Would you say this counts as karmic justice8?】 the System said seriously.
Wen Nuan said through gritted teeth: “…Scram!9”
The System waved its hand: 【I won’t tease you anymore. This time the female lead is truly angry at you, so angry that she is going to accept xiujun. You should hurry to the palace and coax her, don’t let the blackening value rise.】
“Wait a moment,” Wen Nuan realized an important point, “Xiao Chuyu’s blackening value has not risen?”
The System nodded: 【Mhm, it has not risen.】
“That’s not right, she is angry at me and is widely accepting xiujun, the blackening value should logically rise, shouldn’t it?” Wen Nuan said, puzzled.
【Why should it rise?】 the System retorted, 【She has three thousand lord-consorts in the palace, carefree and happy, and outside the palace she can still be lingeringly intimate with you. Now the female lead is enjoying the bliss of the man from Qi10, is that not delightful?】
Wen Nuan: “….”
She teme de was actually speechless, and even felt it was very reasonable?!
“She can forget about it!” Wen Nuan said, gnashing her teeth, “In life she is my person, in death she is my ghost11. If she dares to be with other men or women, I will slaughter all of them.”
The System added oil and vinegar12: 【The female lead is the Emperor of Ming’an Kingdom. What man or woman can she not have? Even if you kill those people, the female lead will just find more people.】
A fierce light showed in Wen Nuan’s eyes, her tone ruthless: “Wouldn’t it be simple to just lock her up?”
The System was speechless and gave a thumbs-up: 【You and “her” are truly a perfect match.】
The methods you both play with are so similar; you are worthy of being a pair born of heaven.
“Is everything taken care of?”
The Minister of the Ministry of Rites13 nodded his head: “Replying to the Emperor, everything is ready.”
The corners of Xiao Chuyu’s mouth hooked up: “Good, you may withdraw for now.”
“This humble subject takes his leave.” The Minister of the Ministry of Rites left the Imperial Study.
Xiao Chuyu looked at the Imperial Guard Commander to the side. “Zhen orders you to strictly guard every palace gate. If Gu Wen Nuan steps half a pace into the Imperial Palace, come see me with your head in hand.”
The Imperial Guard Commander kowtowed: “This subordinate obeys the decree.”
She lowered her eyes, looking at the memorial, and said faintly: “The same goes for you all.”
From the empty air came a voice that could make a sound when thrown to the ground14: “This subordinate obeys the decree.”
Late at night, atop the palace.
Wen Nuan looked at the Imperial Shadow Guards that had completely surrounded her, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in the depths of her eyes. “Get lost!”
A shadow guard held his sword: “Little General Gu, Her Majesty has an order. Please leave the Imperial Palace at once.”
“I said, get lost!” Wen Nuan strode forward, flipped her wrist, and struck directly at the shadow guard’s neck. Her speed was too fast; before the shadow guard could even react, he was struck down by Wen Nuan’s palm.
Seeing this, the other shadow guards immediately advanced with their swords to block Wen Nuan. They did not dare to injure Wen Nuan and could only defend at every turn, but Wen Nuan’s attacks were ruthless and cunning. In a short while, she had defeated them one by one, and they could only watch as Wen Nuan’s back disappeared into the dark night.
The Imperial Guard Commander looked at the shadow guards who were paralyzed on the ground spitting blood and sighed: “With Little General Gu’s martial arts skill, even if you all went all out, I’m afraid you still would not be able to stop Little General Gu.”
A shadow guard clutched his chest, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and said worriedly: “We were unable to stop Little General Gu. What if she injures Her Majesty?”
The Imperial Guard Commander looked in the direction where Wen Nuan had disappeared. “Her Majesty has her own brilliant plan. We just need to do our own part.”
Gu Wen Nuan’s martial arts are superb; the number of people under all of heaven who could defeat her can be counted on one’s fingers. Her Majesty must also be aware of Gu Wen Nuan’s strength. Having them block Gu Wen Nuan was merely an expedient measure; Her Majesty must have long had a good strategy to deal with Gu Wen Nuan.
Zhongming Hall.
Wen Nuan had just walked to the entrance of the hall when she heard the charming laughter of a man and a woman coming from inside.
Her brows furrowed tightly. Disregarding the etiquette between monarch and subject, she directly pushed the door open. Looking at the scene inside the hall, killing intent instantly surged in the depths of her eyes.
A woman dressed in light gauze twisted her soft body, dancing to the sound of the qin15, while a man in white clothes sat to the side, playing the qin with a smile. Those alluring eyes of his would from time to time convey feelings with his eyes and brows16 with Xiao Chuyu.
Xiao Chuyu heard the sound, raised her eyes, and said in a cold voice: “Gu Wen Nuan, entering the palace late at night at will without Zhen’s summons, are you truly becoming more and more improper?”
Wen Nuan took a deep breath, looked at the two people scratching their heads and striking a pose17, and said sharply: “Get out!”
The man’s fingertips trembled from the ferocity in Wen Nuan’s eyes. The qin music stopped abruptly, and the notes suddenly fell into disarray.
Xiao Chuyu’s brows wrinkled: “Gu Wen Nuan, you are too presumptuous.”
She looked at the two people. “Ziyi18, you continue playing. Muling19, you continue dancing.”
Just as Ziyi and Muling were about to continue, they saw Wen Nuan walk over menacingly, stomp on his wooden qin and break it, drag the two of them to the doorway, and with a casual toss, the two were thrown out of Zhongming Hall as lightly as willow catkins by Wen Nuan.
By the time the two reacted, the main doors of Zhongming Hall had already been shut tightly.
Xiao Chuyu rubbed her thumb ring, looking at the furious Wen Nuan. “What? Gu Wen Nuan, do you want to commit regicide?”
Wen Nuan walked over and pinched her chin. “Xiao Chuyu, am I unable to satisfy you?”
How dare she find someone else?!
Xiao Chuyu looked her up and down. “Zhen has already experienced the pleasures between women, but the pleasures between a man and a woman, Zhen is very curious to have a taste of?”
“Xiao Chuyu!?” Wen Nuan was thoroughly enraged, her chin turning red from being pinched. “Don’t try to provoke me.”
“What?” Xiao Chuyu’s face showed sarcasm. “Is Little General Gu planning to plot against the court and usurp the throne, to pull Zhen down from this imperial throne?”
Wen Nuan caressed her lips. The red lips beneath the pad of her finger became more and more vivid, making her eyes red with envy.
“Take back the decree.”
Xiao Chuyu raised her eyes: “Zhen is the Majesty of the Ninth Five20. Is there any logic in taking back a decree that has been issued? Little General Gu is quite good at being a fool telling a dream21, isn’t she?”
“Xiao Chuyu, I am giving you one more chance. Take back the decree.” Wen Nuan’s gaze was deep and serene, like a lone wolf in the jungle late at night, ready to deliver a fatal blow to its prey at any moment.
Xiao Chuyu looked directly at Wen Nuan and said, word by word: “Zhen will not take it back.”
She lowered her eyes, looking at Wen Nuan’s whitening fingertips, and said provocatively: “If you have the ability, then kill Zhen?”
Xiao Chuyu could feel Wen Nuan’s trembling. She watched as the corners of her eyes grew redder and redder, and the deeply hidden grievance and sorrow in those eyes made the tip of her heart tremble.
She turned her head away, not looking at Wen Nuan’s eyes.
The two were at a stalemate for a long time. Xiao Chuyu felt the grip on her chin loosen. She saw Wen Nuan step back and give her a deep look, then Wen Nuan turned and left.
Xiao Chuyu watched her departing back, wanting to get up and chase after her, but reason nailed her firmly to the seat, unable to move.
【Are you okay?】 the System asked, seeing Wen Nuan’s sorrowful appearance.
Wen Nuan sniffled, her dark eyes covered with a layer of coldness: “Tongzi, let’s do a big wave22.”
The System could not keep up with Wen Nuan’s train of thought, 【…What do you mean?】
“Since she is not being obedient, then I will find a way to make her a little more obedient.”
The System thought for a moment, its eyes widening: 【You’re not thinking of imprisoning the female lead, are you?】
Wen Nuan kept her mouth shut and did not answer.
【Ancestor, don’t mess things up randomly, the female lead’s blackening value will rise like this!】 the System advised with a bitter mouth and a grandmother’s heart23.
Wen Nuan clenched her fists, gnashing her teeth: “Rather than watch her be intimate with others, I would rather the blackening value rises and still tie her to my side.”
Besides me, no one else can even think about it.
The System opened its mouth, but in the end, could only sigh helplessly.
What kind of mess is all this?!
The notice for widely accepting xiujun had the procedure for accepting xiujun written on it. At the appointed time, the palace gates would be opened wide to let the xiujun enter the Imperial Palace for rounds of selection. In the end, ten xiujun would be chosen for Her Majesty the Emperor to select from. If Her Majesty the Emperor took a liking to a xiujun, the betrothal gifts24 could be sent out that very day to marry the xiujun and have them perform shiqin25.
Wen Nuan heard rumors in the streets that Her Majesty the Emperor had already taken a fancy to a xiujun and was about to send betrothal gifts for this xiujun, preparing to have that xiujun perform shiqin tonight.
She sat quietly in the General’s Manor, waiting for nightfall to barge into the Imperial Palace and snatch Xiao Chuyu out.
Still dare to perform shiqin?!
Xiao Chuyu, you just watch how I’ll make you die in bed!?
“Achoo—” Xiao Chuyu sneezed and rubbed her nose.
Yuan Qi said in alarm: “Your Majesty, this slave will call for the Imperial Physician at once.”
“No need,” Xiao Chuyu stopped Yuan Qi, “Don’t make a big issue out of a small topic. It’s probably just someone thinking of Zhen.”
Yuan Qi paused, then smiled: “It is probably Little General Gu who is thinking of Her Majesty.”
“Heh, I’m afraid she is not thinking of Zhen, but is angry at Zhen.” Xiao Chuyu did not know whether to laugh or cry. “Is everything ready?”
Yuan Qi replied: “Everything is ready. It has already been sent over.”
The corners of Xiao Chuyu’s mouth turned up: “Zhen can already imagine the expression on her face when she receives it.”
Yuan Qi smiled: “Little General Gu will definitely weep from extreme joy.”
“You’re saying she will cry?” Xiao Chuyu was taken aback. “Will she really cry?”
“Once a person has experienced great ups and downs, they cannot control their own emotions. These past few days, you have been arguing with Little General Gu, and Little General Gu has been endlessly sorrowful. Now that Her Majesty has given Little General Gu such a big surprise, this slave believes that Little General Gu will probably be so grateful as to shed tears and mucus.” Yuan Qi guessed.
Xiao Chuyu thought for a moment, then said irritably: “Who told her to always hide things from Zhen? Now she can experience it for herself, only then will she know how heartbreaking and painful it is to be kept in the dark by someone. If she cries, she deserves it.”
Yuan Qi smiled but did not speak.
“Ai, forget it.” Xiao Chuyu stood up and walked out of the Imperial Study. “Leave the palace.”
Yuan Qi said: “Where is Her Majesty going?”
“The General’s Manor,” Xiao Chuyu sighed, as if troubled, “If she really cries, Zhen must go and coax her.”
“Nuo, this slave will go prepare at once.”
Yuan Qi had guessed correctly. When a person experiences great emotional ups and downs, it is indeed easy to lose control.
Wen Nuan sat on the steps, looking at the betrothal gifts that filled the courtyard, her tears were streaming down, and she cried until her whole body was trembling.
【Alright, stop crying. You’re ugly enough to die.】
The System watched as Wen Nuan cried for a full half-hour. She cried until the palace attendants who came to deliver the betrothal gifts had left, leaving her alone, hugging the imperial edict, sitting on the steps full of betrothal gifts, crying until tears and snot streamed down her face.
Wen Nuan let out two crying hiccups and wiped her tears. “How could she be so bad?”
The System answered Wen Nuan for the fifty-eighth time, its tone dry: 【She loves you so much.】
Wen Nuan gave a shy smile, and then her tears began to flow uncontrollably again.
She was too moved, and she also knew why Xiao Chuyu had been deliberately provoking her during this time.
Xiao Chuyu was getting revenge on her. Back then, she had hidden so many things from her, and she still held dissatisfaction in her heart. Now, she was getting her revenge all at once, deliberately making her experience the heartache and pain of being kept in the dark.
The System watched Wen Nuan start crying again and became autistic26 from exhaustion.
This is never-ending, right?
Whoever loves to coax can go coax; it was not going to serve anymore.
Xiao Chuyu left the palace with only Yuan Qi. As soon as she walked into the General’s Manor, she saw the courtyard full of betrothal gifts and the sound of soft crying.
She followed the sound of crying and found Wen Nuan, who was submerged in the betrothal gifts.
Wen Nuan’s eyes and nose were red from crying, and her eyes were covered in tear tracks. When she looked up at her, the tears in her eyes fell with a crash, as if they had smashed heavily into Xiao Chuyu’s heart.
Xiao Chuyu looked at her pitiful little appearance, her heart filled with pity. Disregarding the dust on the ground, she sat down beside her, pulled her into her embrace, and said with heartache: “Why is Zhen’s Little General Gu crying?”
The moment Wen Nuan opened her mouth, a cry came out, which made Xiao Chuyu’s heart ache endlessly.
“Who bullied Zhen’s Little General Gu? Zhen will go help you vent your anger.” She gently stroked Wen Nuan’s back, helping to soothe her breathing.
Wen Nuan took a few breaths and said with a sob: “Xiao… Chu… Yu…”
Xiao Chuyu’s eyes stung, and her voice trembled slightly. “Then how do you want Zhen to vent your anger for you?”
Wen Nuan hugged Xiao Chuyu. “Her Majesty must… heavily punish her, punish her… to never leave me, to always… love me.”
Xiao Chuyu’s eyes reddened slightly as she gave a sweet smile: “Alright, Zhen will punish her, for lifetime after lifetime to never leave you, to hold your hand, and grow old until white-haired with you, how about it?27”
“Okay.”
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