MrsJJ

She served her parents-in-law and used her dowry to support the General's residence, only to have him, Zhan Beiwang, use his military achievements to request the addition of a female general as an equal wife. Zhan Beiwang mocked, "Song Xixi, do you know that your luxurious lifestyle, adorned with fine clothes and jewelry, is all thanks to General Yi Fang and me fighting bloodily to fend off the barbarian enemies? You can never become a dashing and imposing female general like Yi Fang. You only know how to beautify yourself and exchange underhanded tricks within women's quarters with other ladies."

Upon hearing this, Song Xixi turned and left, mounting her horse and heading to the battlefield. She was, after all, born into a family of generals. Just because she had been washing her hands to make soup for Zhan Beiwang didn't mean she couldn't pick up a spear.

桃花马上请长缨

The next day, Zhan Beiwang received an imperial decree to enter the palace. As one of the court's rising new stars, he expected to meet the emperor upon arrival. However, to his surprise, he waited outside the imperial study for a full hour before Wu Daban emerged, saying, "General Zhan, His Majesty is currently busy. He has instructed you to return home for now and will summon you another day."

Zhan Beiwang was stunned. He had waited so long outside the study without seeing any ministers go in or out, indicating that the emperor was not discussing state affairs with them. He asked, "Eunuch Wu, what matter did His Majesty originally summon me for?"

Wu Daban smiled, "Great General, this servant does not know."

Zhan Beiwang found the situation puzzling but did not dare to rush in and ask the emperor directly, "Could you please tell me if I have done something wrong?"

Wu Daban continued smiling, "The Great General has just returned in triumph; you have done nothing wrong."

Wu Daban bowed, "Great General, please return to your residence."

Zhan Beiwang wanted to ask more, but Wu Daban had already turned back up the stairs. Feeling increasingly uneasy, he left.

At the banquet celebrating their victories, the emperor highly praised both him and Yi Fang. Yet, one day later, he was treated with such coldness. He led his horse out from the palace gate, overhearing the palace guards whispering, "The General's wife came yesterday, and now the General is entering the palace too. Could it be something has changed regarding the marriage decree?"

"Don't talk nonsense. His Majesty agreed before officials and civilians. How could there be any changes?"

Zhan Beiwang's expression darkened as he quickened his pace and asked, "My wife was here yesterday?"

The guards hesitated but nodded, "Yes, she waited here for an hour before His Majesty saw her."

Zhan Beiwang had spent all day at the Yi family residence and had no knowledge of Song Xixi's actions. He had not expected her to enter the palace.

No wonder His Majesty's attitude had changed so drastically today. She must have pleaded with the emperor to retract the marriage decree—what cunning! Despite Yi Fang speaking well of her yesterday, saying her dissatisfaction was understandable, as women naturally have a narrow heart, he felt betrayed.

Riding swiftly back to his residence, he dismounted and tossed his whip to the gatekeeper, heading straight to Wenxi Residence.

Hearing his angry shout, Baozhu hurried over and blocked him, looking at him with alarm, "What... what do you want?"

"Baozhu!" Song Xixi said softly, "Step back."

Baozhu listened to her lady and moved to stand beside her, remaining as vigilant as a little tiger.

Zhan Beiwang turned his gaze to Song Xixi. She sat quietly on the chair, and thinking of her plea to the emperor made his feelings of guilt toward her vanish.

His cold eyes met her calm, dark eyes, "You complained to His Majesty asking him to retract the marriage decree, didn't you?"

He sneered, his handsome face full of contempt, "Daring to act but not daring to take responsibility. That is not the way of a daughter from a family of generals. Song Xixi, you are truly hypocritical."

Looking at the angry man before her, Song Xixi felt that he was a complete stranger, chilling her to the bone. She even wondered if she ever truly knew Zhan Beiwang.

Seeing her silence, Zhan Beiwang assumed she felt guilty, his eyes burning with rage. "Speak! What else did you tell His Majesty? Did he agree to retract the decree?"

Song Xixi lowered her eyes, "His Majesty did not agree. Your marriage will still proceed as planned."

8 Song Xixi, you are truly hypocritical