Chapter 87 An Extraordinary Woman

Chapter 87: A Remarkable Woman

"Huh... what?"

Jiang Wanrou stared stunned, utterly bewildered. Lu Qingling took her hand and advised, "Sister-in-law, let's just ignore her."

It took Jiang Wanrou a while to grasp what Lu Qingling meant by "soft spot." The infamous rebel leader was not only a woman but also... attracted to women?

She murmured, "How is that possible?"

The idea of love between women went against all moral conventions, far beyond Jiang Wanrou's understanding—even more outrageous than the female butcher Lu Feng had once told her about.

Lu Qingling snorted and huffed, "Who knows? But that's what everyone says."

Jiang Wanrou shook her head disapprovingly. "Little sister, people love to gossip and spread rumors. Without personally interacting with someone or witnessing their actions, how can we jump to conclusions?"

Jiang Wanrou never judged people based on gossip. After all, she herself had suffered from slander—married amid rumors of "seducing her brother-in-law." Years of cautious conduct, coupled with Lu Feng's growing power, had gradually silenced those whispers.

She was nothing like the shameless flirt the rumors made her out to be.

Lu Qingling clearly realized this too, her face flushed in panic. "Sister-in-law, I didn’t mean it like that!"

"You and her are nothing alike!"

Over time, she saw Jiang Wanrou’s true character, and Lu Qingling had grown completely devoted to her. Her sister-in-law was kind, generous, and gentle—no one could compare! If she, who had once disliked Jiang Wanrou, now admired her so much, God forbid General Liu ever saw her!

And her sister-in-law was so beautiful!

Liu Yuenu’s rumors had some truth. A woman being made a general was already an extraordinary tale. The emperor's initial decree had been "show no mercy," but when the Turkic forces suddenly invaded, Ling Xiao risked recruiting Liu Yuenu under immense pressure. Lu Qingling knew the inside story.

Unlike Lu Feng, who disliked Jiang Wanrou appearing in public and never discussed court affairs with her—preferring she focus on their family while he fought for them—Ling Xiao and Lu Qingling were equals, sharing everything without reservation.

Ling Xiao had taken a tremendous gamble.

A woman leading a rebellion was unprecedented. The emperor was furious, and Ling Xiao personally led the suppression. The disorganized rebels were no match for the disciplined cavalry, crumbling swiftly. Many prisoners were taken, but to Ling Xiao's surprise, though they trembled and begged, not one betrayed their leader.

Liu Yuenu commanded immense loyalty among them.

Curious, Ling Xiao ordered a thorough investigation into her background. It turned out she was mysterious.

It was said her father was Turkic, while her mother was from Qi. Her mother had been taken to Turkic territory while already pregnant, later giving birth to Liu Yuenu with a Turkic man. She journeyed far to Qi in search of her half-sister.

Ling Xiao speculated that her family had once been wealthy but fell into ruin, forcing them to sell Liu Yuenu's sister to a Qi Dynasty household. After a long search, Liu Yuenu finally found her sister in a wealthy family in the borderlands.

The family was cruel, dragging their servants out of bed before dawn to fetch water, chop wood, wash clothes, and scrub floors. The slightest delay earned them brutal beatings from the stewards and matrons. That winter was especially bitter, and with insufficient food and clothing, the servants were too starved and exhausted to work. By the time Liu Yuenu found her sister, she had been beaten half to death, barely clinging to life.

She arrived too late—her sister could not be saved.

On the day of her sister's burial, Liu Yuenu went to the blacksmith in the eastern part of the city and had a sharp blade forged. That night, armed with only her knife, she slaughtered the entire wealthy family but spared the servants. Standing before them with her blood-stained sword, she remained silent for a long time before speaking two sentences.

"My sister said you were all victims."

"Will you follow me now?"

...

Life in the borderlands was already harsh, and the extreme cold that year made survival nearly impossible. With Liu Yuenu, they no longer faced whippings. They raided wealthy households, ate white steamed buns, and wore warm cotton clothes. Gradually, not just indentured servants but impoverished commoners joined her, seeing her as their savior.

Her forces grew, marking the beginning of the Servant Rebellion. But Liu Yuenu had no intention of overthrowing the Qi Dynasty. She personally sought Ling Xiao to negotiate peace, demanding the release of her captured followers.

She said, "They are all pitiful people."

She killed the wealthy landlord, and when the authorities came to arrest her, she flatly refused to surrender. As more and more people rallied to her side, she became branded as a "rebel."

Ling Xiao did not wish to kill her. Officially, as the general tasked with suppressing the rebellion, it was his duty. But privately, he deeply admired this woman. Her martial skills were exceptional, matching any warrior's; she was loyal and righteous, journeying a thousand miles to find her sister. She had killed, but her victims were exploitative landowners and corrupt officials who oppressed the common folk. She had saved so many impoverished people.

While Ling Xiao hesitated, the Turkic suddenly declared war against Qi. The wartime circumstances were exceptional—Lu Feng was on his way with half of the tiger tally, leaving Ling Xiao with the highest authority, even the authority to execute first and report afterward.

He offered General Liu amnesty.

At the time, Lu Qingling vehemently opposed it, considering it too dangerous. Not only would it be difficult to explain to the emperor, but General Liu was not only a woman—she also had Turkic ancestry. "Those not of our kind will surely harbor ill intentions," she argued. "How is this any different from letting a wolf through the gates?"

Ling Xiao replied, "It's worth a try."

He granted General Liu amnesty but remained wary of her. Before Lu Feng arrived, he sent her to the front lines to fight. She moved swiftly, cutting down enemies with a single stroke, without hesitation.

She proved invaluable in the city's defense. Gradually, Ling Xiao discovered her direct manner. He asked her directly, "General Liu, your father was Turkic, and your mother was Qi. May I ask..."

General Liu glanced at him and replied coolly, "I am a person."

Ling Xiao: "..."

Clearing his throat, he pressed on, "What was your father's name? If it's not inconvenient, I'd like to petition for your official commendation."

General Liu said, "It doesn't matter."

"He's dead."

Suppressing his shock, Ling Xiao studied her and remarked, "What a pity."

"No pity."

General Liu's expression remained impassive. "I killed him."

Ling Xiao's stunned reaction prompted her to offer a rare explanation. "He murdered my mother."

Ling Xiao asked no further. Someone like General Liu bore no resemblance to a spy. On the contrary, she possessed an almost refreshing directness. Just as she fought fiercely on the battlefield, when he asked what reward she desired, she replied in confusion, "Wasn't it already agreed upon?"

During the initial negotiations for amnesty, she had demanded Ling Xiao release her followers. In exchange, she would lay down her arms and serve the court.

Her exceptional skills, candid honesty, and unwavering loyalty made her the kind of talent Ling Xiao had long dreamed of. Compared to her virtues, the blemishes of her heritage and her gender were insignificant. He staunchly defended General Liu, even making Lu Qingling jealous.

Soon, however, Lu Qingling realized her own narrow-mindedness. General Liu was not only as brave as any man in battle—she also shared their appreciation for beauty in her private life.

She refused gold and jewels as rewards, yet her quarters housed many beauties. She asked nothing of them, keeping them well-fed and cared for. While she dressed plainly, her beauties wore silks and satins, decked in gold and silver. Some women even sought her out, pleading for shelter.

...

Lu Qingling told the whole story in detail. Jiang Wanrou listened with wide eyes, reacting with gasps and sighs. When the tale concluded, she marveled, "This General Liu is truly a remarkable woman!"

Lu Qingling's face darkened. "Sister-in-law—"

"Alright, alright, I understand," she added.

Jiang Wanrou knew what worried Lu Qingling. Smiling, she said, "Actually, I think perhaps we've all misunderstood."

"Amid the war, General Liu had an enslaved sister and understood women's struggles. She likely only wished to save those poor women. But as rumors spread, they got distorted."

"Tch."

Lu Qingling sneered, "What a coincidence—those 'pitiful women' she rescues just happen to be drop-dead gorgeous! What, are ugly women not pitiful?"

She still held a grudge toward Liu Yuenu. At first, Ling Xiao had favored her, defending her under immense pressure. Though the misunderstanding was later cleared, Lu Qingling still harbored resentment.

A woman—and not a plain one at that—fighting alongside her husband day in, day out, spending more time with him than Lu Qingling did with Ling Xiao. Who cared if Liu Yuenu liked men or women? She was jealous, plain and simple!

And now, there was another reason: she feared Liu Yuenu might covet her dear sister-in-law!

Jiang Wanrou laughed off her paranoia but still coaxed Lu Qingling, promising she would avoid this General Liu in the future. As they spoke, the carriage arrived at Weicheng. Though night had not yet fully fallen, lanterns already glowed along the streets, and wisps of cooking smoke curled upward. The crimson sunset stretched across the sky, casting its glow upon the towering, ancient city gates—a sight both grand and lively.

Giddy with freedom, Jiang Wanrou stared in awe. She lowered the carriage curtain and said to Lu Qingling, "Let’s take a walk."

She’d been dying to explore since their arrival, and today, she had finally managed to persuade Lu Feng to relent.

Lu Qingling froze. She had been the one urging Jiang Wanrou to go out earlier, but now, with night approaching, most eateries and shops were closing. What’s there to see now?

Jiang Wanrou smiled. "Not aimless wandering—just a short stroll. I’ve been lying down all afternoon, and I’m stiff all over. A little movement would do me good. Besides, with someone as capable as you by my side, surely no harm will come to me."

Her voice was soft, unhurried, and laced with gentle consideration. "If it’s inconvenient, then never mind."

The Lu family always fell for that tone. Lu Qingling puffed out her chest. "Pfft, no big deal! You lot—follow us."

Jiang Wanrou donned a pristine veil hat. The moment she stepped out of the carriage, an icy gust hit her, and she shivered. Lu Qingling pressed a hand warmer into her grasp. "Sis-in-law, be careful not to catch a chill."

"If it’s too much, we can go back—"

Having finally gotten her chance to venture out, Jiang Wanrou wasn’t about to head back yet. Despite the cold and the thin white gauze obscuring her vision, the street scenes fascinated her. Like a kid in a candy store, she looked here and there, even pausing for a long while by a stall selling freshly steamed buns.

Then, near a sweets shop, her eyes caught on something—a familiar silhouette. Though she didn’t see the face clearly, the tall, elegant bearing was a dead ringer for Pei Zhang.

What was he doing here?

Jiang Wanrou moved to follow, but Lu Qingling swiftly grabbed her arm. "What’s wrong?"

In that brief moment, the figure vanished into the bustling crowd, as if it had all been a trick of the light.

Jiang Wanrou stood stunned for a second before meeting Lu Qingling’s concerned eyes. "It’s nothing. Let’s go."

She lingered by the sweets shop for so long that even the vendor—and Lu Qingling—assumed she must adore the treats. Jiang Wanrou stopped Lu Qingling from shelling out silver, and on their way back, she asked, "Have you... ever heard of Minister Pei?"

Having always been in Weicheng, Lu Qingling was unaware of their past entanglements. She answered truthfully, "Minister Pei? You mean Pei Zhang, the one entrusted with escorting the Chen rebel?"

"I know of him. Last month, he passed through Weicheng on his return to the capital and sent a visiting card. I was too busy to care at the time."

Though Weicheng wasn’t as strict as the capital regarding propriety between men and women, with Ling Xiao absent, she had little to say to an unfamiliar court official. She had heard Pei Zhang was a shrewd diplomat—likely just paying a routine courtesy call. Too busy to care, she hadn’t given it much thought.

Jiang Wanrou’s stomach dropped. The timeline matched. Pei Zhang had escorted Chen Fu to the Turkics for negotiations, only for them to abruptly break the alliance. After executing Chen Fu, Pei Zhang had begun his return journey, passing through Weicheng before crossing paths with their northbound party at Luoyun Town.

Given the travel schedule, Pei Zhang should now be on his way back to the capital, growing ever more distant from them. Why would he double back?

She pressed Lu Qingling for information but heard nothing of court affairs related to him.

Even after returning to the general’s residence, Jiang Wanrou remained distracted. Jintao swiftly prepared water and a meal for her, but before she could rest, a maid hurried in with a bowl of sweet soup.

"My lady, General Liu sent this."