Chapter 149: The Peacock Displays Its Feathers
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“Let’s descend the mountain. If another quake hits, it won’t be safe here,” said the shadow guard, materializing seemingly out of nowhere.
Madam Xu nodded. “Chao Chao, don’t be afraid.”
Little Lu Chao Chao slumped weakly on Madam Xu’s shoulder, her gaze lingering on the Dawn-Dusk Stone. This world—it was the same as before. She had never truly left.
No wonder she could hear the voice of the wind and understand the whispers of the trees. This was the world’s gift to its savior.
A warm feeling filled Lu Chao Chao’s heart.
Madam Xu’s steps faltered. “Did you hear something?” she asked, stopping to scan their surroundings.
Both sides of the path were overgrown with thorny bushes, their dense foliage blocking the view. Nothing could be seen clearly.
“I didn’t hear anything,” replied Deng Zhi, tilting her head to listen. Only birdsong greeted her ears.
“There’s a pit up ahead,” the shadow guard said in a low voice. “I checked it earlier on our way here.”
Madam Xu waved her hand. “Send two men to investigate. After the quake, it’s possible a pilgrim fell down while descending the mountain.” The wind in the mountains was strong, and she couldn’t be sure whether she had misheard.
Lu Chao Chao pointed toward the pit. “Someone’s there.”
Madam Xu’s expression turned grave. “Go quickly! Someone might be injured.”
The shadow guards sprang into action, bounding across the trees to reach the pit. As expected, they found an unconscious elderly lady and a sobbing young maid.
“Old Madam, please wake up!” the maid cried, panic-stricken. Spotting the guards, she hurriedly called for help.
After rescuing them, the maid knelt tearfully to thank Madam Xu. “Please don’t waste time thanking me,” Madam Xu said. “The old lady might have fractured a bone. Get her carried down the mountain immediately.” She instructed the guards to carry the elderly woman on their backs.
“Thank you for saving her. The Stabilizing Duke’s Manor will surely reward you,” the maid said, bowing deeply.
Stabilizing Duke’s Manor?
Lu Chao Chao’s head snapped up. [Oh no! Isn’t that General Rong’s mother?!]
Madam Xu hadn’t anticipated this twist. By pure coincidence, she had saved Rong Che’s mother.
“The Old Madam insisted on going without guards,” the maid explained, sniffling. “She even wanted to leave me behind, but I begged her to let me come.” Though her body ached from the fall, she was thankful her bones were intact, unlike her mistress.
Once they reached the base of the mountain, the elderly woman began to stir. The maid recounted what had happened, and the Old Madam grasped Madam Xu’s hands. “Good child… such a good child.”
“The Duke has already been informed,” the maid whispered. “He’s on his way back.”
“You must come to the Stabilizing Duke’s Manor so we can properly express our gratitude,” the Old Madam insisted. When Madam Xu hesitated, the Old Madam held on tightly. “Don’t refuse.”
The servants summoned a doctor, who confirmed that the Old Madam had fractured her leg.
“For someone younger, rest would suffice. But for the elderly, it’s a hundred days for a fracture to heal. She’ll need a wheelchair for a while,” the doctor concluded.
The Old Madam sighed but accepted her fate, promptly settling into a wheelchair. “Look at me, going to pray for a good match only to break my leg. My eldest son will surely be upset.”
“If it brings success, it’s worth it,” she muttered stubbornly. “I’d die happily if it meant a good match for him! After all, I’ve already spared him from becoming a live-in son-in-law.”
Madam Xu felt a twinge of discomfort. She might have laughed it off if she hadn’t overheard Lu Chao Chao’s thoughts revealing the truth of Rong Che’s single status.
The Old Madam patted Madam Xu’s hand affectionately. “Don’t be afraid. It’s my good-for-nothing son I’m worried about. Thirty-something and still unmarried! Can you imagine how I’ve suffered?”
“I think it’s all because of his name,” she continued. “Rong Che. Che means ‘clear,’ and with three drops of water! A single man drifting aimlessly. Isn’t it fitting?”
Madam Xu covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. The thought of the burly Stabilizing General being called something so gentle was too much.
The Old Madam grinned at her reaction. “Let me think of something better. A name that implies a perfect match… How about Rong Shuang Shuang?”
Madam Xu couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst out laughing. Imagining Rong Che on the battlefield with such a delicate name was absurd.
The Old Madam wasn’t offended by her laughter. In fact, she admired Madam Xu’s candidness even more. “I’ll keep thinking,” she said with a chuckle.
[Poor General Rong. First, he can’t find a wife, and now even his name isn’t safe?]
By the time they reached the gates of the Stabilizing Duke’s Manor, the Duke himself was waiting, accompanied by an Imperial Physician. After the physician praised the previous treatment, the group invited Madam Xu inside. The Duke immediately began scolding.
“Where’s that unfilial son of mine?” he barked.
“The General is in the palace,” a servant replied meekly.
“If he could just marry, we wouldn’t have to worry so much,” the Duke fumed.
The Old Madam waved him off. “Don’t scold him today. Let him come back and personally thank Miss Xu for her help.” She turned to Madam Xu, affectionately holding her hand. “My son… he’s a rough man. But don’t be afraid of him.”
“He’s not one for pretense or show. Why, when I arranged a meeting with a prospective bride, he came straight from the barracks in dusty gray clothes. The poor girl fled on sight!”
Meanwhile, outside the gates, Rong Che had just dismounted. Hearing the report, his heart tightened. “Is my mother badly hurt?”
“Just a leg fracture. She’ll recover in a few months,” a servant reassured him.
As he approached the front hall, another servant added, “The one who saved her is the youngest daughter of the Xu family. After her divorce, she’s been living independently. She’s called Madam Xu.”
Rong Che froze mid-step. “Who did you say saved my mother?”
“The youngest Xu daughter,” the servant confirmed.
Turning sharply, Rong Che inspected himself. “Does my outfit look too plain? Did I forget to shave my beard? No, this won’t do…” Without another word, he dashed off.
When he returned, Rong Che was clad in a resplendent azure robe, a jade belt cinching his waist and a fragrant scent lingering around him. His meticulous appearance left the servants dumbfounded.
“Did the peacock just display its feathers?” one whispered.
“Since when does the General care about appearances?”
With a small smile, Rong Che stepped into the room, just in time to hear the Old Madam say, “You saved me, and I feel we’re destined to meet. If you don’t mind, why don’t we…”
“Why don’t we become sworn sisters? I’ll take the liberty of calling you my younger sister.”