Chapter 5

When we returned to the capital victorious, Huang Yue dispensed rewards based on merit and had arranged a residence for me according to my rank. Selfishly, I hadn’t wanted to separate from Ji Wenmu, so I always treated that house as if it didn’t exist.

Now, it was a perfectly wonderful place to go.

When I announced I was moving out of the Ji Manor, the expressions on everyone’s faces at the table varied. Aunt Ji was somewhat hesitant. “Minmin, are you tired from all the matchmaking recently? We can take a break.”

I smiled and said, “No, it’s just that I feel I’m not young anymore, and I have my own estate. It goes against propriety for me to continue living here.”

Aunt Ji frowned. “Has someone been gossiping? I’ll tear their mouth off.”

I had to explain for a long time before Aunt Ji’s expression softened slightly, though she didn’t relent immediately. Throughout the entire conversation, Ji Wenmu didn’t say a word. It was as if he hadn’t heard I was moving out, sitting there like an invisible man.

Finally, Aunt Ji and I reached a compromise: I could move out, but I had to listen to her and seriously look for a husband’s family.

I didn’t share her confidence. Which young master in the capital didn’t have eyes on the top of his head, preferring to frequent brothels or have beautiful women grinding their ink? I’d never met a noble son who didn’t love a young, beautiful, delicate girl, let alone one who would prefer an average-tempered, capable martial artist.

Because of this, after three consecutive months of unsuccessful matchmaking, it was hard for Aunt Ji not to feel disheartened. She held my hand, crying softly. “What are we going to do, Minmin? I can’t find a good home for you. I shouldn’t have let you practice martial arts and go to war. That’s no place for a girl.”

I comforted her instead. “Auntie, think about it. Which other girl in Great Jing can go to war, establish military merit, and receive a reward from the Emperor? Isn’t it all because you taught me well?”

She looked a bit better. The carriage suddenly stopped, and a maid called from outside, “Young Master.”

Aunt Ji wiped the tears from her face, paused, then looked up at me inexplicably. “Minmin, what do you think of Wenmu?”

My heart gave a sudden lurch.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and sunlight instantly poured in. Ji Wenmu stuck his head inside, halfway through calling “Mother,” but swallowed the rest of the word when he saw me.

Since the paper window of our relationship was punctured, our interactions seemed the same as before, but only he and I knew how awkward it was to meet and talk. Our eyes would involuntarily dart away whenever they met.

My palms broke out in a sweat. Ji Wenmu glanced at me and said, “Is this how you act as a general? Neglecting your duties. Aren’t you coming back to the military camp with me?”

A wave of gratitude washed over me, but Aunt Ji gave him a hard rap on the head. “If Minmin’s lifelong affairs aren’t resolved, are you going to take responsibility?”

He covered his head and cried out in pain a few times. “What’s the rush? I haven’t even married yet, why should she be in a hurry to get married? Worst comes to worst, we can just wait for the imperial court to assign a marriage.”

“Isn’t Minmin older than you? Besides, you taking a wife? Look around, which noble lady would even take a fancy to you?”

“I am a dignified fourth-rank Weiyuan General, a young talent with outstanding military achievements and a striking appearance. How could nobody want me?”

Their argument escalated. I wanted to intervene but couldn’t get a word in edgewise. Ji Wenmu simply sat down next to Aunt Ji, the mother and son trying to shout each other down.

I lifted the curtain to look outside. Fortunately, a crowd had gathered ahead, distracted by some commotion, so no one noticed the argument in our carriage.

Just as I was about to drop the curtain, I heard wailing and shouting from ahead.

I said to them, “I’m going to see what happened.”

They were locked in a stalemate, Aunt Ji’s hand already reaching for Ji Wenmu’s ear.

I paused for a second, ignored them, and jumped off the carriage.

The maid told me, “It seems the doctor from that clinic treated someone to death, and the family is demanding an explanation.”