A WARRIOR'S WIFE

Later that night, when Xiao Hong returned to the General's mansion, he witnessed a scene which almost made his eyes doubt their vision.

In the gloom of the training ground lanterns, Mei Xing stood in the middle of a small crowd of soldiers, holding a wooden sword as if she was leading a battle.

Chuchui stood at the sidelines, fanning herself dramatically with a handkerchief. "Mistress, please desist lest you injure your delicate hands!"

Cai Wei stood beside him, shaking his head in amazement. "I think it's a bit too late for that."

The dirty, blood-smeared Xiao Hong smiled to himself as he watched Mei Xing charge forward at one of his officers who easily parried her off. Her moves were rough, her footwork uneven, but her spirit? Spotless.

One of them-a soldier-saw him first and scrambled to drop his practice sword before pressing his forehead to the ground in a deep bow. "General!"

The others all turned around, and finally Mei Xing, panting and mopping the sweat off her brow, came last. When she finally met Xiao Hong's eyes, she faltered.

Oh dear.

For the first time since they got married, she had no idea what kind of reception she would get from him.

Would he tell her off? Laugh at her? Tell her to cease immediately?

Xiao Hong strode towards her, his boots clipping against the flagstones.

"Explain," he said blandly.

Mei Xing straightened up. "I thought it be useful to know how to fight. I-"

But, before she even got the rest of the phrase out, he reached out and took the sword from her in his hands-the wooden sword-obviously to consider for flaws on its surface.

Then, he did the astounding thing-to return it.

"If you want to learn," he said, "do it properly."

A shocked silence ensued.

Cai Wei choked on his breath. "D-Did he just—"

Chuchui tugged on his sleeve. "Did the General just—"

Mei Xing blinked. "Wait… you're not angry?

Xiao Hong blew out a sharp breath, rubbing his temple. "It would appear I underestimated how well you can find trouble even within the safety of my mansion. At this rate, you'll be leading my soldiers in battle before our marriage is a year old."

She smiled wryly. "Now there's an idea."

He gave her a dry look before he turned to his soldiers. "Dismissed. Except for you," he added, pointing at the officer who had been training her.

The soldiers scurried off hastily, sending amused glances in their wake.

The officer bowed. "General?"

Xiao Hong's face was inscrutable. "From now on, my wife is to train-strictly under supervision. No leniency."

Mei Xing's stomach fell slightly. Wait… what?

"Yes, General."

Xiao Hong finally turned to her, his voice low. "You started this, Mei Xing. Don't regret it."

She swallowed. Oh no. What have I done?

By morning, Mei Xing regretted everything.

"Your wrist is too weak," Xiao Hong's officer, General Sun, scolded. "Again!"

With sore arms, aching legs, and sweat dripping down her temples, Mei Xing tried another strike with the practice sword.

Clack!

Sun easily deflected her attack.

"You hesitate too much!" he barked. "Would you rather die in battle or fight properly?"

"Can I choose to go home?" Mei Xing muttered under her breath.

Chuchui sat nearby, fanning herself. "Mistress, perhaps we should stop for today. You look… um… half-dead."

Mei Xing shot her a glare before turning back to Sun. "Again," she gritted out.

Sun's brows rose slightly, but he nodded. "Good. Now, strike like you mean it!"

From a short distance, Xiao Hong watched in silence. His arms were crossed, his expression unreadable as Mei Xing swung at Sun again.

Cai Wei stood beside him. "She's more stubborn than I thought."

Xiao Hong smirked. "She always has been."

Cai Wei glanced at him. "You're smiling, General."

The smirk vanished instantly. "You're dismissed."

Cai Wei coughed to hide his laugh as he left.

As Xiao Hong continued watching, his mind wandered.

She had been coerced into this marriage, just like him. Yet instead of cowering or remaining passive, she was here-standing up to fight and adapt, proving herself.

Something stirred within him.

Perhaps … just perhaps … this marriage was not the curse he once thought it to be.

Mei Xing could barely raise her arms. Every muscle screamed in protest, even the simple act of breathing an exertion. And yet, despite the exhaustion, she refused to give up.

"Again," General Sun ordered.

She gritted her teeth and raised the wooden sword, but before she could swing, a firm hand clutched her wrist.

"That's enough," Xiao Hong's voice rang out, firm and unquestionable.

Mei Xing blinked up at him, a bead of sweat rolling down her temple. "But I can still-"

"Are you going to train until you faint?" His dark brown eyes examined her with something precariously like concern.

Mei Xing parted her lips, surprised by the tone. Was he… concerned for her?

To that, Chuchui rushed to flutter her fan dramatically around Mei Xing's face. "Yes, General! Mustn't have my lady become a ghost before she enjoys her married life!"

Xiao Hong blew her top. "Cai Wei."

"Yes, General!"

"Get Chuchui out of my sight before she gives me a headache."

Cai Wei smirked. "My pleasure."

Chuchui gasped as he pulled her away. "Injustice! Mei Xing, defend me!"

Mei Xing barely managed an eye roll before Xiao Hong pulled her wooden sword from her grasp. "Your form is wrong. Your wrist is too stiff, and you rely on your shoulders too much."

Mei Xing huffed. "That's what General Sun kept saying."

Xiao Hong smirked. "Then perhaps I should teach you myself."

General Sun at once stepped aside. "I would not presume to interfere in the General's methods."

Mei Xing blinked. "Wait, what?"

Before she could protest further, Xiao Hong moved in behind her, hands firm but tender as he repositioned the set of her arms. Firm-too close. Mei Xing's heart performed an unexpected bound.

He leaned in a bit, his warm breath grazing the shell of her ear. "Relax. You're holding it like you're carrying a water bucket, not a weapon."

Mei Xing straightened. "Well, forgive me for not being a seasoned warrior!

Xiao Hong chuckled low and deep. "That's why I'm teaching you, isn't it?"

Cai Wei, who had returned in time to catch this exchange, elbowed Chuchui. "You think she's blushing?"

Chuchui grinned. "She's blushing."

"Shut up, both of you!" Mei Xing exclaimed.

But she was.

Much later that night, Mei Xing sat cross-legged in the courtyard, kneading her bruises as she let the moonlight dance across the koi below.

She felt the steps at her back, but she did not turn around. "Came to chew me out once more, General?"

Xiao Hong sat next to her without warning. "No. Came to ask you why you do this."

Mei Xing turned to face him. "Why does it matter?

"It does." His tone was inscrutable. "You are a lady of nobility. You weren't raised to fight. Why are you pushing yourself so hard?"

Mei Xing let out a deep breath, her gaze drifted toward the water. "Because I don't want to be helpless."

Xiao Hong's eyes fluttered.

"I was married off without a choice," Mei Xing said in a firm yet emotional voice. "And now I'm living in a place where nobody knows me. And if some bad things happened to me, I do not want to be in the spot waiting for people to come and save me."

She turned to him fully. "I don't want to be weak, Xiao Hong."

He stared back at her, the amusement now absent from his face.

Then wordlessly, he reached down and picked up a fallen blossom from the ground. Gently, he placed it in her hand.

Mei Xing frowned. "What's this for?"

"A reminder," he said simply. "Strength isn't just about wielding a sword. Sometimes, surviving everything life throws at you is strength enough."

For once, Mei Xing had no retort.

Because for the first time… she wasn't so sure whether he was talking about her or himself.