Xie Yingyue felt the frustration in her heart grow somewhat powerless.
The Songyin before her was sincere in her attitude, appearing not the least bit intentionally provocative.
Jiang Tan’er had once apologized to her at the tavern as well. At that time, her light tone carried a hint of coquettishness, placing Yingyue on a high pedestal and forcing her to set aside her displeasure. Yet what she received in return was Jiang Tan’er’s deeper retaliation. So at this moment, she did not relax in the slightest.
She didn’t know what kind of person Songyin truly was.
She had once been inseparable from Jiang Tan’er—perhaps she was just another Jiang Tan’er.
“You said it yourself—you were deceived by her. In that case, how could I possibly hold it against you?” Xie Yingyue concealed her emotions, speaking as dignifiedly as possible.
“Why not? Being petty isn’t a bad thing. If you’re tolerant and generous like I used to be, that’s just foolishness.” Songyin knew Xie Yingyue was an extremely sensitive person, especially after the humiliating incident at the tavern. Whenever others glanced at her a few more times, she felt they were silently mocking her in their hearts.
Over time, she grew increasingly unhinged.
Xie Yingyue merely smiled faintly, a hint of mockery in her expression.
Since childhood, her mother had told her that the Xie family had shown her great kindness, so she must be sensible and behave like an obedient child, never bringing shame to her father or eldest brother. Even though, as a woman, she didn’t have to take the imperial examinations, she still couldn’t slack off. She read more books than her eldest brother, and she had to excel in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. No matter how exhausted she was, she couldn’t cry or make a fuss.
She truly loved the proud expressions on her parents’ faces whenever they mentioned her in front of others.
So she had to restrain herself even more, striving for perfection.
And now, Songyin was telling her that being petty wasn’t a bad thing? But could she afford to be? Songyin understood nothing—what right did she have to say such things!?
“Elder Sister’s advice is well taken,” Xie Yingyue replied, her gaze dim.
Songyin didn’t say anything more, only asking, “Shall we go in?”
Xie Yingyue glanced at the door, knowing it was no longer the time to leave, and reluctantly agreed.
The two entered together, much to the surprise of Madam Meng and Xie Jiyan, especially Madam Meng, whose eyes were filled with concern as she looked at her daughter. Xie Yingyue forced her chin up, wearing a dignified smile as if there were no conflict between her and Songyin, and as if she hadn’t heard Madam Meng’s earlier words.
Not long after, Xie Heng and Xie Jiling, father and son, returned to the estate together.
Xie Heng was especially delighted, his joy undimmed by the dusky sky.
“The official appointment has been settled. In three days, Dàláng can begin his duties. Not only that—those who passed the military provincial examination this time would have been fortunate just to be assigned to the Patrol Garrison. Yet, with a word from the Old Imperial Uncle, Dàláng was assigned to the Valiant Guard Battalion. If he performs well, there will be plenty of opportunities to serve His Majesty in the future.” What Xie Heng was grateful for was not his son’s promising future, but the chance for their family to finally repay the Emperor’s kindness.
In this dynasty, the capital army, border army, and local garrison each had their own duties. The border army guarded the frontiers, the garrison defended the cities, and the capital army served as the stabilizing force, following orders as issued.
In the past, it wasn’t unheard of for military provincial examination graduates to be transferred elsewhere as garrison troops.
The capital garrison is further divided into various branches: some guard the imperial palace and the emperor, others patrol the capital or relay orders and oversee battles, while still others manage military banners, weapons, armor, and horse-drawn carriages. The most important, naturally, are the combat-ready troops, who remain inactive during peacetime but are mobilized to support various fronts when needed, often engaging in bloody battles.
Even the sons of wealthy and influential families in the capital, relying on connections, are typically assigned to safer positions.
The Valiant Guard Battalion is unique. Like the combat-ready troops, they train rigorously in peacetime, but they are directly under the emperor’s command as his personal guard, obeying his orders exclusively.
“Father, I’ve heard the Valiant Guard Battalion is filled with exceptional talent. Under normal circumstances, its members are selected from various military units. There has never been a precedent for someone to join the Valiant Guard Battalion directly after passing the military examination. Isn’t it too conspicuous for Elder Brother to be appointed there? By the way, which division of the Valiant Guard Battalion is it?” Xie Yingyue asked urgently.
Since her elder brother had chosen the path of martial arts, she had paid close attention to such matters and was quite knowledgeable about them.
Although the Valiant Guard Battalion served as the emperor’s personal guard, it was still divided into different divisions with specific responsibilities: ceremonial guard, personal protection, penal affairs, apprehension, banners and drums, defense, training of reserve troops, accompanying the emperor, and patrol duties, among others.
“It’s the Patrol and Garrison Bureau,” Xie Jiling replied with a grave tone.
Xie Yingyue was both shocked and worried. “How could it be the Patrol and Garrison Bureau? Elder Brother, it’s already difficult enough for you to break convention and join the Valiant Guard Battalion. If you’re assigned to patrol duties, you’re bound to attract resentment… Is Old Imperial Uncle helping you or harming you?”
“Sister, what do you mean?” Xie Jiyan looked utterly confused.
Xie Heng didn’t fully understand either. He only knew that the Valiant Guard Battalion was the emperor’s “blade.”
“The Patrol and Garrison Bureau represents the emperor, routinely inspecting the training of various military units. When necessary, they even serve as overseers on the battlefield. Although they enjoy the emperor’s trust, they are also viewed with suspicion by combat troops. So, if one serves as a patrol officer, they must be capable of commanding the respect of combat-ready soldiers—at the very least, their abilities must be sufficiently formidable…” Xie Yingyue was frantic with worry.
It wasn’t that she doubted her elder brother’s strength, but the situation was too abrupt.
Even if he were to serve as a patrol officer, he should have started step by step, not skyrocketed to such a position overnight.
“Elder Brother… this military appointment… surely you’re not starting as a deputy general, are you?” Xie Yingyue ventured to ask again.
Xie Jiling let out a bitter laugh. “That’s right—deputy general of the Patrol and Garrison Bureau. Among those who passed the military examination this time, my position is arguably the highest.”
Of course, it might also be the one most likely to end in tragedy.
“What should we do!? How could Old Imperial Uncle… how could he do such harm!?” Xie Yingyue’s eyes reddened with anxiety.
Xie Heng was stunned. He had spent most of the day waiting outside for news and wasn’t aware of many details. Hearing his daughter’s explanation, he was shocked. “Isn’t a high-ranking official position a good thing?”
“Father, this position isn’t particularly high-ranking, but the Patrol and Garrison Bureau of the Valiant Guard Battalion has strict requirements. Even an ordinary soldier there is one in ten thousand, tested and proven, let alone one of the six deputy generals of the bureau? If Elder Brother takes up this post, he’ll likely be isolated by his colleagues on the very first day. And that’s the mildest outcome. What I fear most is that if soldiers from other units challenge him to a duel during his patrols, what will he do? I’ve heard that issuing challenges is common in the military, and one can’t refuse them every time.” Xie Yingyue knew far more about these matters than Xie Heng.
Songyin could see that her biological father was genuinely clueless and understood nothing.
She wondered what he had actually learned during all those years at the academy.
Though Xie Yingyue was sensitive by nature, her words revealed she had genuinely put effort into caring for her family. If Xie Jiling were in her place, having such a sister would make him wake up laughing from dreams.
“I suspect this wasn’t arranged by the Old Imperial Uncle, was it?” Songyin spoke up at that moment.
Xie Jiling turned to him in surprise. “How did you know?”