Double Edged Sword

You may leave." Yang Mingzhu says. She refrains from saying the servant girl's name because she doesn't know it. A faint blush creeps up her neck at the thought, hoping the maid doesn't notice her awkwardness. She really needs some time to recuperate and sort through the memories of the original owner.

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Closing her eyes Yang Mingzhu leans back on the ancient-styled bed. Flashes of foreign scenes appear in her mind. The more she goes through them, the more shocked her heart becomes. Any person in her situation wouldn't react calmly! She's not some sort of facially paralyzed imbecile!

It turns out that she is the daughter of a war general. His title is Grand general [1], though it isn't hereditary. The soldiers refer to him as General Bao Li. While the common people call him the Iron fist of the east. An intimidating man, he's the reason that the civilians in this kingdom have such peaceful lives, and also the reason why this dynasty's current emperor can sit so securely on the throne. Currently, he's away on a mission tasked by the emperor, it will be a while before he is back again to see his family.

Speaking of family, the hierarchies of the people in the manor is very complicated. The house hold has four branches. Her father is the first branch, his mother is the legal wife of the old master, she manages the manor with a strong hand. The second branch is her father's younger brother, they also share the same mother. However, the third and fourth branches are sons of concubines, though not as successful as Yang Mingzhu's father and uncle, they too are not without ambition. Like crouching tigers, give them an opportunity and they will rip you to shreds. Their ferocity should not be underestimated because of their warm façade.

Yang Lao Tai, is her father's mother, she is the head of the inner court, and is very strict with rules. The emperor granted her the title Grand Matron [2], when Yang Mingzhu's father had his third successful victory in battle to celebrate his wins. She values respect and the image of the household is forefront in terms of priorities for her, she doesn't allow anyone whether wife or concubine, legitimate or illegitimate child to jeopardize the family's reputation.

Her mother, Du Shuhua is the legal wife of the manor. Born from the scholarly Du family she is a noble. Her father is an official of the third rank in the imperial court meaning she has backing. Their union brought great concern to the many civil and scholarly officials in court as well as the emperor who wanted to do everything they could to stop their wedding. As a result, to make sure Yang Mingzhu's father interests would continuously align with the emperor, the ruler of the country gifted the general with not one, not two, but three concubines from families who were of the emperor's faction. While to many this was seen as a great blessing, to Yang Mingzhu's father and mother this was nothing but a slap in the face and a severe warning from the emperor to not have any ambitions over titles that would never be theirs. It was to keep them in check. Father did not disappoint. Having multiple women in the backyard is common, the more children you have the more prosperous you are seen. Yang Mingzhu's Father thoroughly enjoyed the concubines, given the numerous children he has. However he does not allow them to overstep on mother's position, at least while he's around they don't.

She's the first young miss of the courtyard, and her brother is the legitimate heir. They are a pair of dragon and phoenix twins. It was said that when they were born a rainbow appeared over the manor, before that it had been raining constantly for three weeks and muttering if a great flood echoed through the grapevine. Their birth was seen as a great blessing, and so the emperor bestowed generous awards to them, even granting Yang Mingzhu's mother with the title Jiangjun Furen [3].

There are four concubines in total, with numerous comfort maids to keep the general company while away on his missions. The concubines bestowed by the emperor are Concubine Ling Xiu and Concubine Yue Lan [4] like their names suggests they are skilled seductresses and know how to please a man, but they are also competent with schemes that run so deep it's no wonder the original owner died so early. She can't compare to these seasoned veterans, with royal backing. Concubine Ling Xiu is the mother of the third young miss Yang Hua and second master Yang Jian [4]. Concubine Yue Lan is the mother of Yang Shiying and she's pregnant again but the gender of the baby is unknown.

The other two concubines Concubine Ming and Concubine Xia, are only courtesans that the general took a fancy two while outside during one of his missions, they have only just joined the manor before the general had to leave again yet both are expecting as well at just over two months pregnant.

You may be asking why a transmigrator from the 24th century into a five-year-old has such knowledge?

This is because the previous owner of this body had rebirth but died before she could successfully engage in a comeback. 'Poor child.' Bao Chenghua feels a bit of sympathy for the owner. However, from the memories she gained, a bit of sympathy is all she can muster. The previous owner was an idiot. Chasing after another woman's man she died a horrible death. Turned into a swine and then thrown into the latrine to drown. "Ack" Yang Mingzhu retches at the revolting memory, it's as though she was there to relive it.

The third prince and illegitimate daughter of the grand chancellor what an interesting tale. Originally by law she should've ended up as a side consort but somehow she became mother of the nation in the end and the two brought the country to ruins with their indulgence in one another. 'What the actual hell. Okay, I don't want to be here anymore take me back!!!! Give me mama meng's soup!'

Yang Mingzhu cries in despair at the revelation of information, she doesn't want to live and grow old just to end up as a slave to another kingdom because of two love sick individuals. Fate is too strong to keep them apart, what should she do?

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A/N

[1]- Da Jiangjun (大将军) – Grand General

 • One of the highest-ranking battlefield generals.

 • Commanded entire expeditions against foreign enemies (e.g., Tang-Khitan, Tang-Tibet wars).

 • Often led imperial armies (Shence Army, elite frontier troops).

[2]-Guo Taijun (国太君) – Grand Matron of the State

 • An honorary title granted to elder noblewomen of exceptional status, usually the mother or widow of a high-ranking general or official.

 • A sign of imperial favor and immense respect.

[3]- Jiangjun Furen (将军夫人) – General's Lady

 • Granted to the wife of a general (Jiangjun, 将军) in the Tang army.

 • Often given to the wives of Da Jiangjun (大将军, Grand Generals).

[4] Concubine Ling Xiu~ 玲 (Líng) – Means "jade tinkling", "crystal-clear", or "elegant sound". Often associated with beauty, grace, and refinement.

 • 秀 (Xiù) – Means "beautiful," "talented," or "elegant." It was often used to describe women of exceptional beauty and intelligence. known for her elegance, musical ability, or poetic talent, traits highly valued in the imperial court.. Concubune Yue Lan~ Yue Lan" (月兰)

 • 月 (Yue) – Means "moon", symbolizing beauty, mystery, elegance, and purity. The moon was often associated with feminine grace in Chinese poetry.

 • 兰 (Lan) – Means "orchid", a flower that represents nobility, refinement, and inner strength. The orchid was a popular symbol of virtuous and graceful women in ancient China.. The combination of "Yue" (moon) and "Lan" (orchid) evokes an image of a graceful and ethereal woman, much like a concubine known for her beauty, intelligence, or musical talent.