Chapter 93: Misunderstanding

Chapter 93 Misunderstanding

"Mistress, isn’t that Xie the guard?"

Lin Qingshuang's maid, unaware of her mistress’s expression, asked in surprise.

Xie Zheng had suddenly disappeared, leaving her mistress heartbroken for a long time. When they finally heard that Young General Xie had returned to the capital, the mistress and maid had secretly come to the General’s residence to catch a glimpse of him. Yet instead of seeing the Young General Xie, they found Guard Xie, who had been missing for a month.

"Who else could it be?"

Lin Qingshuang sniffled, her heart filled with grievance. "No wonder he was in such a hurry to leave—he was going to pick up his wife and daughter."

If he was already married with children, why had he deceived her back then?

A dull ache throbbed in Lin Qingshuang's chest, though she couldn't understand why.

The maid scratched her head. "But isn’t this the General of the Valiant Cavalry’s residence? How could he enter?"

Moreover, the servants of the General’s residence treated him with utmost respect, as if he were their master.

"Who cares? He must have found himself a better position again. Don’t mention him from now on!"

Lin Qingshuang wrung her handkerchief so hard it nearly tore. Gritting her teeth, she glared at the gates of the General’s residence, but even as they closed, Xie Zheng never turned back.

Lin Qingshuang stamped her foot angrily. "We’re going home!" she declared, turning on her heel and striding away.

The maid hurried after her. "Mistress, aren’t we waiting for Young General Xie anymore?"

Her lady had long admired the Young General Xie, knowing every romantic tale about him by heart and eagerly awaiting the chance to meet him in person. Yet now that they were right at his doorstep, she suddenly left. The maid was baffled.

Lin Qingshuang strode ahead, lips pressed tightly together. For some reason, though she had once adored the Young General Xie, now her heart was fixated on someone else entirely.

"No more waiting!"

...

The General’s residence was a grand four-courtyard mansion, where A Yuan and A Man were given the largest courtyard.

"I didn’t know about A Man’s existence before, so I hadn’t prepared a room for her. I’ll have the servants arrange one tomorrow."

Xie Zheng set A Man down, his face filled with remorse as he spoke to the mother and daughter.

"This is already far too generous, Brother. There’s no need to trouble yourself further. A Man’s just a child—she doesn’t need such fuss."

The courtyard was at least five times larger than the Jade Purity Courtyard she had lived in at the Marquis’s residence. The east and west wings were each themed differently—plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums—all for A Yuan to choose from.

Now, preparing another for A Man—A Yuan felt it was far too much.

"What trouble? You’re my only sister, and A Man is my only niece. Who else would I spoil if not her? If our parents were still alive, they would dote on her even more than I do."

After fifteen years of separation, he wanted to make up for it all, bit by bit.

He had missed A Yuan’s childhood, but he wouldn’t let A Man suffer any hardship.

A Yuan’s chest tightened with emotion. She turned her head to wipe away tears. "As you say, Brother."

Xie Zheng gave the order, and that very same day, servants arrived with silks, satins, and ornaments of gold and jade to decorate the rooms.

A Man adored rabbits, so Xie Zheng opened the storeroom and rounded up every rabbit-themed trinket he could find, even having rabbit patterns embroidered on her pillows.

"Whoa!"

The maid brought the little girl in, and upon seeing all sorts of rabbits, she let go of the maid's hand and rushed forward.

"So many rabbits!"

"Do you like them, A-Man?"

Xie Zheng and A-Yuan stood behind her, watching the little girl's delighted expression. Xie Zheng smiled and asked.

"I love them! Thanks, Uncle!"

A-Man ran up to Xie Zheng, urging him to crouch down. She stood on her tiptoes and planted a loud kiss on his cheek, declaring, "A-Man loves Uncle the most!"

"What about compared to that bad uncle?"

Xie Zheng knew he was being petty and holding a grudge. After all Wei Xun had done to hurt them, how could he still deserve A-Man’s affection?

The little girl tilted her head and thought for a moment. "A-Man loves Uncle this much, and the bad uncle this much."

She stretched her arms out wide to show a huge circle, then clasped her hands together to show a small one.

"Tch!"

But his mouth still twitched into a grin.

...

As the newly appointed General of the Valiant Cavalry by the emperor, Xie Zheng was already a hot commodity in the capital, with countless people eager to befriend him.

But aside from the day of his appointment, he was nowhere to be found, leaving those who wished to connect with him at a loss.

Now that he’d brought a sister home, court officials wasted no time having their wives and daughters send her invitations.

A-Yuan stared at the pile of invitations before her and felt overwhelmed.

Many knew her—but as Wei Xun’s concubine, A-Yuan.

A-Yuan bowed her head, her face clouded.

She feared her past would tarnish her brother's reputation. What would the court say if they found out the General of the Valiant Cavalry had a sister who was once a Yangzhou “slender horse”?

A wave of regret hit her. If she’d known, she never would’ve come back with him.

"What’s this nonsense you’re thinking?"

Xie Zheng walked in and saw her self-loathing expression, giving her a light knock on the head.

"You are Xie Zheng's sister. These people ought to be tripping over themselves to please you. Even if you hit them, I’d cover for you."

After more than ten years in the army, Xie Zheng had a rough edge to him. A-Yuan couldn’t help but laugh. "Why would I hit them?"

"Some folks just beg for a beating."

Xie Zheng snorted. Capital noblewomen lived for scheming, and someone as straightforward as A-Yuan might easily be bullied.

"If they provoke you in the future, don’t hold back. I’ll assign you two maids trained in martial arts. If you find it troublesome, just order them to act. You only need to give the word."

For his sister, Xie Zheng would move heaven and earth.

A Yuan listened to his detailed fussing, and the turmoil in her heart gradually eased.

"Thank you, brother."

Xie Zheng patted her head affectionately and said, "Don't mention it, I'm your brother."

Besides, he had his own selfish motives.

A Yuan would eventually encounter Wei Xun upon returning to the capital, and based on his understanding of that guy, Wei Xun wouldn't let go easily.

With these two bodyguard maids around, they could at least keep that fellow at bay.

A Yuan didn’t accept any of those invitations. Though comforted by her brother’s words, she wasn’t ready to just stay home yet. Besides, she had never been good at socializing, so she simply stayed home to focus on embroidery.

Having opened two embroidery shops in succession, A Yuan had gained some experience. However, she still felt guilty because the Su Embroidery Workshop in the capital had to reopen after her departure.

Xie Zheng had given her a shopfront, and A Yuan wanted to restart her embroidery business.

"My mother was granted permission to leave the marquis’ household and has nothing to do. If she knew you were inviting her to be the shopkeeper, she’d be thrilled."

Chun Tao and Nanny Zhu were both longtime helpers of A Yuan, and naturally, she would entrust the shop to those she trusted.

A Yuan smiled lightly. "I should be the one thanking you, Nanny. It’s always been you all helping me."

Especially Chun Tao, who had even abandoned her own husband for her sake.

"My lady, why say such things? You’ve been so good to us—working for you is only right. There’s no need for thanks."

Chun Tao gave her a playful glare, and A Yuan gave in. "Alright, I won’t say it anymore. But I’ll still ask you to have Nanny Zhu select a group of young women—no matter where they're from, preferably those who've left their husbands and can't support themselves. I want to train them as embroiderers for the shop."