Rebirth of a Star General

Chapter 8: Le Tong Manor

Wang Jiugui felt like he must be dreaming. He pinched his thigh hard, and the pain made him exclaim, "Ouch!"

It didn't seem like a dream.

But if it wasn't a dream, how could he explain everything happening before his eyes?

In just a moment, his followers were all sprawled on the ground, while the initiator of the trouble stepped on the stone steps, dusting off her clothes. Feeling Wang Jiugui's gaze, she looked over, her eyes bright and clear, sending shivers down his spine.

He had never seen He Yan like this before.

He Yan wasn't like this. She was beautiful, but also sharp-tongued, vain, and fond of taking advantage of others. Such women were abundant in the capital, most of them acting high and mighty while having no substance. The good ones would marry into wealthy families as concubines, while the less fortunate would marry commoners and lead miserable lives. He Sui treated He Yan as though she were a young lady, and she had never touched a sharp weapon in her life. Those hands were either for playing the zither or painting, certainly not for hurting others.

But just a moment ago, Wang Jiugui witnessed those hands clenched into fists and knock down the burly men around him with a single punch. He still remembered how He Yan had held his arm, and before he could even feel it tingle, she struck him, making him howl in pain. Those were not fingers; they were sharper than an axe.

This woman was terrifying. What on earth had she consumed that gave her such immense strength overnight? How could she single-handedly defeat more than a dozen of his men?

Wang Jiugui felt like crying.

Before he could figure out how to beg for forgiveness, the young woman walked toward him.

"Please spare me, great aunt!" All reason left him, and he blurted out, "I was blind and didn't recognize Mount Tai. You are a person of great importance, please forgive me!"

"In the future, don't give me such cheap cosmetics as gifts," He Yan said in a warm voice, "I don't like them."

"Alright, alright, alright, alright," Wang Jiugui repeated several "alright"s, fearing that He Yan wouldn't believe him. He added, "Tell me what you like, and I'll buy it for you... Can I?"

"That won't be necessary. I don't accept rewards if it's not deserved," He Yan smiled, "We are neighbors, so let's not play such jokes in the future."

"Sure, sure, sure," Wang Jiugui thanked her profusely.

"However, there's something else I want to ask you about," she said.

A little later, He Yan left casually, leaving behind a mess on the ground. She walked away light-footed, unaware that on a certain floor of the Drunken Jade Pavilion, someone released their grip on the fan, and the curtains covered the mess below.

"When did the women in the capital become so fierce and fearless?" The voice was light and filled with laughter and mockery. "Could this be the reason why my uncle is still unwilling to marry?"

His words received no answer.

He continued teasing, "Uncle, why don't we inquire about the girl from just now? If she's not bad, why not take her as a female guard under your command? She could add fragrance to your red sleeves at night*..."
* refers to ancient scholars being accompanied by caring and beautiful women when they were studying.