In the Kingdom of Chengliu, within the imperial court—
A valiant figure knelt and reported, “Your Majesty, in this battle against Xinman, we slew a total of 120,000 enemy soldiers and captured seven cities. Xinman has retreated to its southern borders and will not be able to stir up trouble for some time.”
“Good! Excellent! Well done!”
The emperor beamed with delight. “General Chen, please rise. Someone—bring a seat at once!”
The emperor looked at Grand General Chen Jinghan with a broad smile, finally letting out a long breath of relief.
The Kingdom of Xinman bordered Chengliu and frequently sent troops to provoke them. This time, Chen Jinghan had led his army and given them a thorough beating. Surely they had learned their lesson. It had greatly displayed the nation’s might. As ruler of the realm, the emperor could finally sleep peacefully.
Seeing the emperor so pleased, the two rows of ministers inside the hall immediately knelt in unison and shouted loudly, “Heaven bless our dynasty! Long live His Majesty! Long live! Long live!”
“Rise, my ministers. In this campaign, General Chen Jinghan toiled tirelessly on the front lines—his contributions are immeasurable. And you ministers who offered strategies here at court—each of you shall be rewarded as well! Rewarded!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. We shall continue to serve with all our hearts and ease Your Majesty’s burdens.”
The ministers rose. The court was filled with harmony and celebration.
“Jinghan,” the emperor said, fixing his gaze on him, “tell me—what reward do you desire?”
Chen Jinghan remained kneeling and replied humbly, “Your Majesty, this was my duty. I ask for nothing.”
Before the emperor could speak, Chancellor Liu Fengzai stepped forward. “Your Majesty, in this old minister’s view, General Chen has fought in battles year after year and rendered great service. Yet though he is nearly thirty, he remains unmarried. I hear that Old General Chen and his wife worry about this daily. I boldly request that Your Majesty bestow a marriage upon him, to comfort his parents’ hearts.”
The emperor’s face lit up even more. “Chancellor Liu speaks wisely. Jinghan, if I remember correctly, you were born in the Year of the Horse. That makes you twenty-five this year, does it not?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Your memory is remarkable. I am indeed twenty-five.”
A thin sheen of sweat appeared on Chen Jinghan’s forehead. Something felt wrong.
The emperor nodded, then turned to the chancellor with a smile. “Chancellor Liu, do you have a suitable candidate in mind?”
“The daughter of Minister of Revenue Su Zhe—Su Qing’er. She is gentle, virtuous, and well-educated. A fine match.”
“Excellent. I once saw Minister Su’s daughter at the Empress’s side. A good child indeed. A talented man and a beautiful woman—perfectly matched, perfectly matched.”
Chen Jinghan quickly kowtowed. “Your Majesty, I have yet to establish my achievements. I do not wish to marry just yet.”
The emperor’s eyes darkened briefly, though he soon smiled again. “Jinghan, you are no longer young. Do you not understand the principle of establishing a family before building a career? I have decided. I shall bestow marriage upon you and Su Qing’er. The tenth day of the fifth month is an auspicious date. You shall wed on that day.”
“Your Majesty, I—”
Before Chen Jinghan could continue, his friend Meng Lang gave him a hard tug, stopping him from speaking further.
Meng Lang, Vice Minister of Rites, had grown up with Chen Jinghan and was a few years older, with a steadier temperament. He cut in, kneeling as he spoke. “Your Majesty, Jinghan is simply overwhelmed with joy and forgot himself. I beg Your Majesty not to blame him.”
The emperor waved his hand. “No matter. Today I have brought about a fine marriage and am in high spirits. Bring wine for my ministers!”
After court was dismissed, Chen Jinghan strode out with a dark expression, barely responding to colleagues’ congratulations. He wished only to leave the palace as quickly as possible, but at the gate, a hand grabbed him.
He turned—it was Meng Lang.
Meng Lang glanced around before smiling. “Jinghan, what is it? Are you angry with me?”
Chen Jinghan punched him in the chest and asked with a scowl, “You clearly know I have no interest in women. Why did you stop me from speaking? Now His Majesty has directly bestowed the marriage. I can’t even regret it. Do you expect me to defy an imperial decree?”
“Shh!” Meng Lang signaled urgently. The palace was full of prying ears. He pulled Chen Jinghan out quickly and brought him home before explaining.
“Jinghan is here! Please sit. Xiaohong, bring tea.”
Meng Lang’s wife, Mei Yuru, came forward to greet them, helping her husband remove his official robes and welcoming the guest.
She had known Chen Jinghan since childhood, so there was no need for excessive formalities. Chen Jinghan had always called her “Sister.”
“Sister Yuru, are you well? And my nephew and niece?”
A smile finally appeared on Chen Jinghan’s face. He was angry with Meng Lang, not with her or the children.
“We’re all well,” she replied warmly. “It’s you who suffers—gone for so long every time there’s a war.”
“I’m used to it, Sister Yuru. I love fighting battles the most.” He scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin.
Meng Lang immediately grew serious. “Jinghan, don’t speak recklessly. Peace in the realm is what matters most. Never say such things again!”
“Alright, alright—you’re always the cautious one!” Chen Jinghan frowned, setting down his tea.
Seeing the tension between the two men, Mei Yuru excused herself to check on the children and dismissed all the servants, leaving them alone.
“Still angry?” Meng Lang nudged him lightly.
“Brother Lang, I truly don’t understand why you said that in court today,” Chen Jinghan burst out.
“My foolish brother—do you really think His Majesty bestowed this marriage on a whim?” Meng Lang said bluntly.
Chen Jinghan’s eyes widened. “You mean… His Majesty and Chancellor Liu were acting in concert? The marriage was decided long ago, and today was just a performance in front of us?”
Though a military man, he was sharp. A small hint was enough for him to understand.
Meng Lang hushed him again, checked the doors and windows to ensure no one was listening, then continued, “Exactly. So today, you had no choice but to agree.”
Chen Jinghan sighed deeply, brows knitted tight. After years of campaigning, he had never once harbored thoughts about women. Now, this sudden imperial marriage—what was he supposed to do?
Meng Lang patted his shoulder with a grin. “Don’t worry. Yuru has already asked around. This Miss Su Qing’er comes from a distinguished family. She’s beautiful and gentle—truly faultless. You’ve struck gold this time!”
But Chen Jinghan felt no relief. As a rough soldier, he had always kept his distance from aristocratic ladies. Those delicate young misses were beyond his ability to handle.
They never spoke plainly—always beating around the bush with flowery, overly refined language. Just listening gave him a headache.
Little did he know, the other party to this arranged marriage—Su Qing’er—was just as unwilling. The moment she received the news, she ran to her parents and knelt before them, declaring her resolve:
“Father, Mother—I will not marry!”