The hundred-thousand-strong army was divided into two teams and three batches, with one batch departing every other day for the border pass.
Jiang Xingyan commanded the last team of soldiers as they left the camp, then rode her horse back to the General’s Mansion.
Over the past three days, Old Madam Huo had been tormented both physically and mentally by Silver Pearl. Using that sharp dagger, Silver Pearl had made two cuts on her most private areas, leaving her trembling in agony. To make matters worse, that wretched Silver Pearl refused to buy her even a single maid or servant. Now, even relieving herself had become the most torturous punishment.
She heard the creak of the main gate opening.
Old Madam Huo shot up from the bed, about to call out for her Ci’er, when an icy dagger pressed against the small of her back.
“Mother, your unfilial son is here to bid you farewell, for I depart for battle today. I see you still haven’t brought in any servants to attend to you? With only Nurse Silver Pearl here, I fear you won’t be properly cared for.”
Before Old Madam Huo could answer, Silver Pearl cut in: “General, you may not know this, but the business of dismissing all those servants a few days ago caused quite an uproar thanks to that vulgar merchant. Now, no one dares send anyone to our General’s Mansion anymore—they say they’re afraid they might enter alive but never leave. In this old servant’s view, they’re all just lowly wretches without the fortune to enjoy a good life. I’ve been searching carefully, so please don’t worry, General. With me here, the Old Madam won’t suffer.”
With that, she pressed the dagger forward a little.
Old Madam Huo was about to signal “Huo Ci” with her eyes—urging him to kill this wicked servant with one swift strike—when, to her shock, her once-shrewd son now seemed unable to read her cues.
“Mother, is there something wrong with your eyes? Shall I summon Imperial Physician Sun to the mansion to examine you?”
The sharp tip of the dagger pierced Old Madam Huo’s back. Bracing through the searing pain, she hastily stopped “Huo Ci”: “It’s just an old ailment flaring up. No need to be so delicate. It’s late now—best not to trouble Imperial Physician Sun.”
“Huo Ci” replied respectfully: “Mother speaks wisely. I have military duties and cannot stay long. I beg you to take good care of yourself and wait for my return.”
Old Madam Huo’s heart ached.
Though she had once schemed against Huo Zhuiyuan, back then he had been a man of heroic bearing—the dream of countless young ladies—and she had truly loved him. When she learned of his death on the battlefield, so brutal and tragic, she had wept bitterly, her heart wracked with grief. Now, she had to watch her precious son march off to that same devouring place. How could she not be stricken with sorrow?
She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, her voice trembling with newfound sincerity.
“My son, go early and return soon. Mother will be here waiting for you.”
Jiang Xingyan sneered inwardly. What a touching display of maternal love.
She turned to leave, but Old Madam Huo called her back. Forcing down her impatience, she knelt again: “Mother, do you have further instructions?”
Old Madam Huo felt the sticky, stinging pain on her back. She had forgotten to mention the million taels to “Huo Ci” earlier, and Silver Pearl had already stabbed her another time.
“M-my son, about the repairs on the main courtyard—”
“Mother need not worry. I’ve already used the savings you gave me to settle all costs; we’re just waiting for the craftsmen to finish.”
Old Madam Huo was struck speechless.
To avoid a third stab, her mind raced. She probed indirectly: “For purchasing some servants for the household, will we need extra silver?”
“Huo Ci” frowned, sighed, and pulled out a hundred-tael banknote: “Mother, this is all I have left. Deputy General Xin even set aside part of his own savings for me. Please take it.”
Old Madam Huo was astonished: “How can that be? Ci’er, didn’t I give you a box?”
“Huo Ci” produced an account book from his robes.
Half of it listed the costs for the main courtyard repairs, and the other half detailed Old Madam Huo’s medical expenses.
“Mother, please look this over. This accounts for every last coin.”
Old Madam Huo took it, and Silver Pearl brightened the lamplight, holding it up before her.
The more she read, the more alarmed she grew. The medicines she took daily were that expensive?! If only she had given all the money she’d squeezed from that vulgar merchant to Ci’er—at least that would have been better than having it destroyed by that Daoist priest!
But now, it was too late for regrets.
Old Madam Huo swallowed hard: “Ci’er, what about your salary?”
“Huo Ci” gave a bitter smile: “Have you forgotten, Mother? I was docked a year’s pay over the incident with Gold Pearl and the Eldest Prince’s servants running amok. And a few days ago, I had to compensate Yun Chunfeng’s men with another two years’ salary. Right now, I’m barely scraping by—there’s nothing left to spare.”
Bang!
In the past, thanks to Jiang Xingyan’s shop, Old Madam Huo had been accustomed to throwing money around like water. She’d long lost any real sense of silver. Whenever she thought of money, she still saw herself as a grand matriarch. A million taels meant nothing to her—even five million wouldn’t have caught her eye. That was why she’d so readily promised Silver Pearl whatever she asked. Now, she realized it was an astronomical sum.
“Mother, it’s my own failing. A year’s salary is only fifty thousand taels. After losing three years’ worth and still having to support the Huo family soldiers, I can only ask you to tighten your belt and live frugally.”
Old Madam Huo opened her mouth, but no words came out.
If only she hadn’t been so harsh with the servants, Ci’er wouldn’t have had to pay back those two years’ salary. Then she could have negotiated with Silver Pearl for installments. Now, there was no hope left.
A wave of sheer panic washed over Old Madam Huo—half from the dread of hardship, half from sheer terror of Silver Pearl. Her lips quivered; she wanted to reveal the truth about Silver Pearl’s threats, but what came out instead was:
“Ci’er, don’t say that. It’s all Mother’s fault. Don’t worry—go to battle with peace of mind. Mother will find a way.”
“Huo Ci” left, looking back again and again.
The moment he stepped out of the room, Silver Pearl’s dagger was at Old Madam Huo’s throat.
“If you’ve got no money, then you’ve got your life!” Silver Pearl’s vicious voice was like a demon’s whisper, making Old Madam Huo tremble uncontrollably.
“Silver Pearl, if you kill me, you won’t get a single coin—and you’ll die too. I have a way to earn money for you!”
Silver Pearl paused: “Really?”
Old Madam Huo nodded: “Of course. My life is in your hands—would I dare lie to you?”
Silver Pearl lowered the dagger, half-convinced. After all, the young general had already left and wouldn’t be back for at least three or five months. This old hag couldn’t possibly pull any tricks.
Jiang Xingyan walked out of the side courtyard. A massive, full moon hung in the sky.
She looked up and gazed at it for a long time.
Today was the fifteenth of April—the moon was full and round, yet the soldiers and their families were already parted. It felt like she and Huo Ci had swapped souls for ages, but counting carefully, it had only been thirty-three days.
Before all this, she had looked up at the moon countless times, begging heaven to let her and Xiao Ya escape that devouring back courtyard. She never thought it would actually come true.
Now the divorce papers were signed, and she had already bought her own home. All she had to do was wait until she and Huo Ci swapped back, and true freedom would be hers.
And her intuition about that moment grew stronger by the day.
It would come right after this great battle!
She closed her eyes, then walked out of the General’s Mansion.
One last time, she turned back to look at the place where she had lived for two lifetimes.
Without servants, the entire Huo residence lay dark and heavy—like a giant prison.
In this life, she had broken out of that cage.
Never again would she repeat the same mistakes.
Because now, she had a home of her own—one where she wouldn’t be worn down, wouldn’t feel like a lodger, and wouldn’t be cast out.
“Young Miss, come back quickly—the Tall and Short Arhats have returned with the Enchanting Thirteenth Lady.”
