A Letter From Home

Xiao Yue rolled with her eyes.

"Why should I???"

She did want to meet with Long Zhao Xue, but she was not sure if she would make a second or third blunder again. After all, she needed to be close enough to lure her enemy to the trap of death. If she failed when meeting him for the first time, would she not be doomed? There would not be any more chance to meet him, let alone kill him. It was thus important to approach Long Zhao Xue carefully to make sure that all the unpleasant memories could be wiped clean with one visit.

"What are you all doing??"

Yu Fen arrived just in time, bringing some warm towels in. She frowned at her juniors, who gasped a little at being found out by her. They quickly defended her standpoint and started to complain.

"Big Sister, we cannot take it anymore, the other maids were being such bullies, they…"

Yu Fen cut them mid-complaint and shooed them away. Xiao Yue was grateful. At least one person did not push her to go meet her husband, she was beyond thankful. Yu Fen put the warm towels into the nearby cupboard before taking her Young Lady's hands and earnestly talking to her.

"Young Lady, I really do think that you have to settle this issue between you and General Long as soon as possible."

"…"

Never mind.

Xiao Yue was about to rise and escape from this nonsense, but Yu Fen pulled her down to her seat again.

"Young Lady, I really do not want to compare, but look at the Second Madam. She only married into this household a year ago, but now she's pregnant with the general's first child! Should you not do something???"

"Do you want me to get pregnant as well? By the way, how come it is the first child?"

Xiao Yue suddenly realized. Old man with two wives, but only one child on the way? Was Long Zhao Xue having difficulty producing children, or what? Xiao Yue sneered. Yu Fen was unhappy to see her sneer. She smacked her hand on the table impatiently.

"Aiyah, Young Lady! Will you please take it seriously!"

"Yes, but really why first child?" Xiao Yue inquired with twinkling eyes.

Yu Fen sighed. Why was this Young Lady of hers more concerned about the fact that her husband had not sired a bunch of children already? Was she not supposed to be elated, maybe even rejoiced, and then motivated to give birth to some children of her own?

"The First Madam married into the household three years ago. According to rumors, the general was very much focused on the battlefield and thus neglected his wife a lot to go to wars. He did not visit the Second Madam often, either. This servant thinks she only got lucky. Nowadays after she got pregnant, of course, the general makes a point to sleep in her manor whenever he's home. He must be happy to be a father for the first time. That's why Young Lady you must also… Young Lady!"

Yu Fen fumed with anger when she noticed that Xiao Yue was again not paying attention to her as soon as the necessary information had been passed.

Xiao Yue laughed.

"Yes, Yu Fen I understand. I will go read the 'Three Obediences and Four Virtues of Women' again, alright?"

Yu Fen pursed her lips. She took out a letter from her sleeves and passed it to Xiao Yue.

"Young Lady, Master has sent over this letter. Hopefully, Young Lady will understand the urgency of the matter soon."

Xiao Yue lazily took the letter from Yu Fen's hands.

"To my dear daughter Chun Ya,

by the time Yu Fen passes you this letter, you must have recovered already. The incident that happened on your wedding night resulted in rumors that were spread throughout the Kingdom. Everyone spins different stories every day. One thing is sure, you are solely responsible for what you have done. Father does not need to tell you how disappointed I am with your actions. Keep in mind that you have promised to prioritize our house's standing after you marry into the Long household.

Ever since you crossed the threshold, you have not once come to the court to greet the King. Immediately get on General Long's good side again to prevent further rumors to be circulated!

Father will be waiting for news from your side. Do not attempt such foolishness again. Burn this letter as soon as you are done reading it.

Your father."

Xiao Yue rubbed her chin thoughtfully. She re-read the letter over and over again. She expected some scolding in line with being disappointed and such, but it was clear that the real message was to remind her to "prioritize our house's standing" and to send out some "news" from her side. All of these were to be done in secrecy. It seemed that even the Third Madam's wedding was not solely based on her one-sided love. Her father had agreed to the marriage against information from within General Long's household. It did not matter whether Chun Ya was happily married or not. Her father was asking her to fulfill her part of the agreement.

Ahh, suddenly First Madam's words made more sense. "Keep your mouth shut", she said. First Madam was a very cautious woman indeed, worthy of being a general's wife. Xiao Yue lighted a candle and slowly burned the letter. The thin paper quickly turned into ash, dropping on the table in form of a black, brittle structure. When Xiao Yue opened the window to let the smoke out, the ash scattered into nothing.