My father's funeral arrived as scheduled, and at my mother's repeated pleas, Prince Jin accompanied Mi Lan. I couldn't fathom how much genuine affection Prince Jin held for her, or how feigned it was. After all, if not for the chaos of war, why would he, as the king, choose a woman from a humble background as his principal wife? For centuries, people have firmly believed that the brutality of war is ingrained in their blood, passed down through generations. From birth, those children are destined to bear the debt of lives lost on the battlefield. Perhaps, I, too, have been wounded by this very brutality.
The mournful music outside was long and somber, reaching my ears. I unconsciously began to play the flute. It had been so long since I had played it that even my breath had become rusty.
General Liao is dead. Although my sister married into the Prince of Jin's household, I fear the Liao family will decline from now on. He was a general of unparalleled merit, yet he left no son to inherit his legacy. I have two daughters, and I am in this state. Thinking about it, it's quite pitiful.
Yet, I felt no sadness whatsoever. After all, the old man who had passed away had never shown me the slightest concern. I didn't blame him, but I couldn't feel any affection for him either. If I had harbored any fantasies about my parents in my childhood, now, after sixteen years of darkness, all those fantasies had vanished.
The death of his father shocked the entire Fuqi family; after all, his father had always been seen as their last savior. The Crown Prince came to offer his condolences, and it was said that the King would have come as well, had the border war not been so dire. But what good would it do? The Liao family, like Fuqi, had reached their end. Their most important pillar was gone. Fuqi could find another general, but the Liao family had no second master.
Suddenly, a young maid from the manor rushed over to me in a panic. I quietly watched the lock on the door rattle softly as she shook it, my heart filled with annoyance.
"The Emperor has issued a decree that the Crown Prince says Miss must be present."
The person outside the door pronounced the word "Miss" with great difficulty.
The Crown Prince? I sighed, got up, and thought to myself, what merit do I have to make His Highness the Crown Prince condescend to wait for my arrival?
I lazily went over, opened the door, and looked at the flustered maid. I picked up the umbrella placed to the side and gestured for her to lead the way. It's laughable, really. I've lived in the Liao family mansion for sixteen years, yet I know absolutely nothing about its layout, nothing about what lies behind those interconnected pavilions and towers.
That little girl was really strange. She kept her head down and led the way, but I could vaguely hear her sobbing, as if she was suppressing immense grief. Was it because of her father? Or perhaps, even she sensed the impending decline of the Liao family and was lamenting her own fate?
I didn't ask any more questions and followed her to the mourning hall.
Apart from the old man who died in the coffin and the prince holding a piece of yellow silk, everyone else bowed their heads and knelt on the ground, as if they had been waiting for me for a long time.
The prince squinted at me, his gaze fixed on the ground, as if gesturing for me to kneel. I slowly walked to the other end of the coffin—there were fewer people there, and although it was far away, it was the most suitable place for me. However, as I turned past the altar, what I saw was suddenly a sea of crimson.
It was her mother, the mother who had just been so humble and willing to befriend the Prince of Jin and Jimo, now lying lifeless on the cold bricks, next to her father's coffin. A shocking patch of red remained on her forehead.
Mi Lan was already sobbing uncontrollably, and Prince Jin simply patted her hand slightly to offer some comfort.
"Lady Liao was virtuous, loyal, and brave. She struck a pillar and has since followed the General. I will petition His Majesty to posthumously confer titles upon Lady Liao," the Crown Prince said to himself.
This is why the little girl was sobbing with her head down. In the past, Fuqi was the most illustrious family, but now only I, a half-human, half-ghost "master," am left. If anyone knew, I would not want to shed tears. Alas!
"His Majesty has decreed," the Crown Prince emphasized, and I turned to face him, slowly kneeling down. Ultimately, I am ruthless towards my own family. But seeing someone who was just moments ago alive and now suddenly gone, a slight tremor stirred within me.
"General Liao was loyal to the emperor and devoted to the country, sacrificing his life for the nation and dying on the battlefield. He is hereby posthumously granted the title of Duke Ningzhong, and is bestowed with ten thousand taels of gold for a grand funeral. Furthermore, Liao's eldest daughter is intelligent, well-educated, and dignified. She is hereby betrothed to General Jimo. After three years, when both are happily married, the marriage will be finalized." The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow, looked at me, and said, "Accept the decree."
I knew Mi Lan's expression without even looking at her; her surprised gaze was so intense it was almost rude.
Indeed, what part of the latter half of that imperial edict sounded true? It described me as intelligent, well-read, and dignified? It was utterly laughable. I was absolutely certain that before today, that high and mighty emperor probably didn't even know I existed. Now, announcing my marriage at my father's funeral, it's clear that the current ruler would never heed the last wishes of a deceased general. This must be Ji Mo Dongli's request. Now, everyone knows the answer to what an excellent general means to Fu Qi.
Fuqi is barely clinging to life, and a capable commander is the only guarantee that the current royal family can continue to indulge in a life of luxury. With his father dead, Jimo might be their last lifeline. But I remember Jimo Dongli is not old, barely in his early twenties. How can the royal family rely on him? It seems they are indeed grasping at straws in desperation.
I never imagined he would go to such lengths. Once the imperial decree is issued, three years from now, no matter what happens—whether I'm crippled, sick, or insane—I must marry him, and he must marry me.
No one could disobey the emperor's decree; even if it meant my death, I would accept it with gratitude. I knelt and bowed, offering the delicate silk scroll with both hands. My parents are dead, my sister is married, and from now on, I am the head of the Liao family.
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