Chapter 55: Female General
He was determined to enlist in the army.

Over two years flew by swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, it was already the summer of the third year.

These two years had seen Jiang Zhimiao grow considerably; he was now a seven-year-old child.

His days studying at the Duke of Ying’s Residence were peaceful and full of amusement, and by now, he had become familiar with all the other children at the school.

Teacher Xu had recently fallen ill with a cold, and the school had been closed for a few days. With nothing to do at home, Jiang Zhimiao went to the shop to help Lin Guilan. Lin Guilan’s business in the capital was thriving, and within two years, she had already opened two branch stores.

Jiang Zhimiao, with his eloquence and charm, became the living signboard of the shop. In the capital, nothing remained a secret for long, and everyone soon learned that the wildly popular Lin’s Teahouse was run by the Tanhua Madam. However, the Tanhua Madam rarely made public appearances these days. Whenever she developed new recipes, she taught them to the shop assistants, leaving many curious about what Anhua Madam actually looked like, yet unable to catch a glimpse.

Once Lin Guilan had stabilized her business, she began to pursue her personal interests. After becoming close friends with the Duke of Yingguo, despite their age difference, the two often practiced martial arts together. Initially, Lin Guilan was no match for the steady and battle-hardened Duke, who had spent years on the battlefield. But as time passed, the Duke found himself struggling to gain an upper hand against her. Even when Lin Guilan intentionally held back, the Duke would grumble in frustration, lamenting his age and how he could no longer even best a young woman.

Lin Guilan would naturally comfort him. After sighing over the matter, the Duke would fall into deep thought, gazing at her with a profound look. He remarked that the nation’s laws were still too restrictive, as women were not permitted to serve on the battlefield. For someone like Lin Guilan, with her rare talent for strategy, this was truly a pity.

Lin Guilan was taken aback by his words and replied with a laugh, asking if the Duke was joking—how could she possibly become a great general defending the country?

Jiang Zhimiao, listening nearby, fell into deep thought.

He knew that deep in his mother’s heart, such a dream had always been buried. He wondered when she would be free from the constraints of her time and able to realize her aspirations.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yunxiu had opened a tailor shop. The Jiang Yunxiu of now was a far cry from the woman she had been right after her divorce. Though she still dressed with the same elegant reserve, she had become a trendsetter in the capital. Whatever she wore or adorned herself with quickly became the latest fashion. Not only did Jiang Yunxiu enjoy dressing herself up, but she also frequently styled Jiang Zhimiao and the siblings Wei Danqing and Wei Sichan. Now older, Jiang Zhimiao had grown into a fair and handsome child, bearing a sixty to seventy percent resemblance to Jiang Qingshi, though with more of a child’s innocent tenderness and less of Jiang Qingshi’s sharp edges.

These days, Jiang Yunxiu took the greatest pleasure in dressing Jiang Zhimiao.

While Wei Sichan had inherited Jiang Yunxiu’s striking looks, Wei Danqing took after his father somewhat and was less refined in appearance. After styling Wei Sichan, Jiang Yunxiu would subtly turn her attention to Jiang Zhimiao. Their shop now also sold children’s clothing, and whenever new designs were released, Jiang Yunxiu would have Wei Sichan and Jiang Zhimiao serve as models…

And so, during these days when Jiang Zhimiao’s school was on break, Jiang Yunxiu called them over to “work.”

Though Jiang Zhimiao felt timid at heart, his aunt had always treated him better than her own son, so he had no reason to refuse. He obediently took the carriage to her place.

Upon arrival, he discovered his mother was also there. His mother was an extremely busy person, leaving early and returning late every day. Though they lived under the same roof, it was normal not to see her for several days. Why would she have time to visit Aunt’s shop today?

“I heard Fengling sent you a letter. I came to see what he wrote to you,” Lin Guilan was speaking with Jiang Yunxiu. “It’s been two years since we parted. I wonder how he’s been doing now.”

So it was a letter from Uncle Wei!

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhimiao also perked up. It had been two years since they parted ways with Uncle Wei, and the distance between Jingshi and Jiangping wasn’t something easily crossed. Since then, Jiang Zhimiao had never seen Wei Fengling again, only knowing that he occasionally wrote to his parents to share updates.

He knew Uncle Wei had always admired Aunt, but he rarely wrote to her. After all, there were boundaries between men and women—exchanging letters with Jiang Qingshi and Lin Guilan was mutual appreciation between friends, but frequently writing to Jiang Yunxiu would harm her reputation.

What important matter could Uncle Wei possibly have to discuss that he couldn’t resist writing to Aunt this time?

Jiang Zhimiao took Wei Danqing and Wei Sichan by the hand and quietly hid to the side, afraid that Aunt and his mother would consider them children and refuse to discuss this important matter in their presence.

Jiang Yunxiu sighed: “Young Master Wei wrote that our hometown Linzhou is no longer as peaceful as before. It’s very close to Yu Country, and with Yu Country growing stronger over these two years, Linzhou has frequently suffered from their harassment. Linzhou is still relatively better off—I’ve heard the common people in neighboring Yuanzhou can no longer stay there, as Yu Country soldiers often raid unexpectedly to seize horses, grain, and even women…”

“These past two years have truly been unstable,” Lin Guilan also sighed deeply. “Yu Country has rapidly risen in power these two years and has even taken two cities from Da Liang. Da Liang has suffered several consecutive defeats. Since its founding, Da Liang has never prioritized military affairs, and now there’s a gap between generations—the court actually lacks capable generals who can shoulder Da Liang’s defense. Only Consort Liu’s brother is available at the border, but Consort Liu has become increasingly arrogant and domineering these past two years, single-mindedly aiming for the empress position. That General Liu is also proud and ambitious, insisting that His Majesty make Consort Liu empress, otherwise he won’t fully serve His Majesty…”

Jiang Yunxiu looked at Lin Guilan in surprise: “Guilan, your analysis now completely resembles that of a female general!”

“Sister, don’t tease me,” Lin Guilan smiled sheepishly. “Nian Chen told me all this. Every common man has a share of responsibility for his country’s fate. Now that our Da Liang is precarious, even as ordinary civilians, we should have some understanding of the current situation.”

Jiang Yunxiu nodded appreciatively: “Guilan, you’ve truly grown into a woman who can stand shoulder to shoulder with my brother. Sometimes you even appear more decisive than Nian Chen!”

“Ah, never mind about me. What else did Fengling say?”

Lin Guilan had always regarded Wei Fengling as her own younger brother. If not for Wei Fengling’s support back then, her business would never have reached its current scale. Wei Fengling could be considered both her benefactor and family.

“Wei Fengling said…” Jiang Yunxiu glanced at Lin Guilan’s anxious expression and ultimately decided to tell her, “He made me promise not to tell you or Nian Chen, but I think you should know—he’s determined to enlist in the army.”

“What?”

Not only Lin Guilan, but even Jiang Zhimiao, who had been crouching nearby, sprang to his feet in shock.

“Uncle Wei is joining the army?”

“Exactly.” Jiang Yunxiu nodded. “He said a man should aspire to make his mark everywhere. He was never cut out for scholarly pursuits anyway, so he might as well pursue what he truly wants while he’s still young.”

“He’s a young master from a wealthy family, raised in comfort since childhood. How could he endure such hardships?” Lin Guilan fretted. “Besides, weapons have no eyes on the battlefield. Someone like him… it’s truly worrying.”

Jiang Yunxiu also seemed distracted: “Since it’s his own choice, we can only offer our sincere wishes for him here in the capital.”

Despite her words, Lin Guilan remained uneasy. In her eyes, Wei Fengling had always been guileless. Now he was leaving his hometown alone for the battlefield—how could anyone not worry?

Jiang Zhimiao silently prayed: Please don’t let anything happen to Uncle Wei…

“I’ve already written to my brother, asking him to leave his tofu shop business and come to the capital to help me,” Lin Guilan said. “I’d written to him earlier saying I urgently need assistance now, but you know my brother—he’s never liked relying on others. He claimed he didn’t want to abandon the tofu shop he’d operated for years, but I know the truth: he didn’t want to take advantage of his sister’s success.”

“Brother Lin is an honest man,” Jiang Yunxiu nodded. “But with Linzhou being unstable now, having them come to the capital is indeed wise.”

“Yet all I can protect now is our family and my brother,” Lin Guilan suddenly recalled the principles the Duke of Yingguo had shared with her. “If there ever comes a day when I can take up arms to defend our home and country, that would truly make my life worthwhile.”

“Mother, that day will come.” Jiang Zhimiao stepped forward to grasp Lin Guilan’s hand, looking at her like a little adult. “Father has achieved his dreams now, and you’ll achieve yours someday too.”

Lin Guilan was momentarily stunned, gazing at her son who had grown so much without her noticing. Then she broke into a grin and, true to form, gave Jiang Zhimiao a hearty slap on the back.

“Good son, your mother believes you!”

Jiang Zhimiao gasped sharply. Unbeknownst to him, he had replaced his father as the primary recipient of his mother’s vigorous affections…

But as long as it made his mother happy. He too believed the world would eventually change, and his mother’s remarkable abilities would someday find their proper use.

Meanwhile, Jiang Qingshi had already served two years of training at the Hanlin Academy. His official career had been relatively smooth thus far, though recent frequent harassments from Yu Country had greatly troubled the Emperor. As subjects, it was their duty to share the sovereign’s concerns, and whenever Jiang Qingshi contemplated the Yu Country situation, he lamented his own powerlessness.

While walking through the Hanlin Academy, Jiang Qingshi suddenly heard someone calling from behind.

“Brother Jiang!”

Turning around, he saw Chao Yehhan.

“Brother Chao.”

Jiang Qingshi nodded in greeting. After the Imperial Examination, Chao Yehhan, like Zhuo Zhiming, had been appointed to the Hanlin Academy as a Shujishi (probationary scholar). Now they could all be considered colleagues.

“Brother Jiang, you are now a pillar of talent in the Hanlin Academy, destined to join the Grand Secretariat in the future.” Chao Yehhan gazed at Jiang Qingshi with admiration. “His Majesty already holds you in high regard, clearly intending to recruit you as his own confidant. Though I have also entered the Hanlin Academy, I am still under observation and do not know if I will pass the Guanxuan and remain in the Academy.”

“Brother Chao, you flatter me. As a subject, one serves the sovereign with benevolence and righteousness. It is an honor for a minister to earn His Majesty’s trust.” Jiang Qingshi spoke with humility. “Brother Chao is exceptionally talented and will surely achieve his aspirations in time.”

Seeing how impeccably guarded Jiang Qingshi’s words were, Chao Yehhan thought to himself that Jiang Qingshi remained as reserved as ever, unwilling to reveal even a sliver of extra information.

“I merely dabble in poetry and literary compositions. In terms of genuine talent and learning, I fall far short of Brother Jiang.” A hint of shame appeared on Chao Yehhan’s face. “Not only compared to Brother Jiang—even Brother Zhuo surpasses me by a wide margin.”

Although Jiang Qingshi and Chao Yehhan were somewhat fellow townsmen and had entered the Hanlin Academy together, their interactions had never been particularly close. Jiang Qingshi had heard that Chao Yehhan was renowned in the capital as a romantic scholar, with brothels and pleasure quarters being his frequent haunts.