After a few days of rest and recovery, the siblings of the Ping family led their troops and departed for the capital.
Upon their return to the capital, the court naturally showered them with praise. Huaian was granted dozens of households' worth of fiefdom, gold, silver, and silks. The Ministry of War submitted a memorial recommending her for an official title. In a month's time, she would be formally appointed as a fourth-rank Zuo Lingjunwei Zhonglangjiang (Left Commander of the Imperial Guard).
In truth, Huaian rather wanted to make a suggestion to the Emperor—change Zhonglangjiang (Commander of the Gentlemen) to Piaoqi General, or even Cheqi General. The word "lang" (gentleman) wasn't exactly gender-neutral. Since women were now allowed to serve as officials and generals, shouldn't the titles evolve too? Huaian muttered internally, but in the end, she suppressed the thought.
After the commendation ceremony, Emperor Duanzhao pulled Huaian into the inner court for a private chat.
"My little daughter-in-law, you didn't get hurt during the campaign, did you?"
Little daughter-in-law? Huaian nearly stumbled in shock.
She coughed lightly to cover her surprise and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I am unharmed. Please be at ease."
The Emperor nodded approvingly. "Don't be fooled by how indifferent Third Son appears. He was terribly worried about you. When he learned you were going to war, he rushed to the palace and volunteered to secretly go with you to help."
Third Son? Huaian frowned slightly. At the mention of that nickname, a blurry face flashed through her mind—gentle, warm, with curved brows and a soft voice.
A smile like blooming peach blossoms.
That had been her first impression of him as a child.
"His Highness is too kind," Huaian replied respectfully with her head lowered.
"Still calling him His Highness? You should say husband! You're already engaged, no need to be so formal." Emperor Duanzhao chuckled. "What? You didn't go find him before reporting to me?"
"I carry the Emperor's orders. How could I dare…" Huaian replied dutifully. Damn! What engagement? What husband?
Oh… right. That childhood betrothal thing.
The Emperor was still prattling, but Huaian's mind had drifted far away.
As mentioned before, Huaian's father, Ping Ji, was sworn brothers with the current Emperor. The Ping and Huan families had been close for generations. Their ancestral homes were next to each other, and their children grew up together. Several of Huaian's distant aunts had married into the Huan family, and some of her paternal aunts had also married Huan clan members. With such deep ties, a childhood engagement was, well… normal.
Normal, my ass! Huaian cursed silently. What happened to free love? What about respecting a child's right to choose? This damned traditional society! "Parental command, matchmaker's word"? It's nothing but a cage binding generations of men and women into sorrowful marriages.
And honestly, if she had gradually fallen for her so-called fiancé, that would've been fine. The problem was, she barely even knew the guy!
Ugh… this was such a pain. Once she got back to the Ping estate, she would definitely grab her father's ear and scold him thoroughly.
Though she had many complaints in her heart, Huaian maintained a respectful and modest appearance (she had no intention of ruining her image again). Once the Emperor had talked his fill and was in good spirits, he finally let her go.
"Congratulations to the newly appointed Zhonglang General!"
Just as Huaian stepped out of the inner court hall, she heard a familiar yet unfamiliar voice behind her. Turning back, she sighed inwardly—wasn't this her so-called fiancé?
"Your Highness," she said with a proper salute. "I dare not accept such praise."
The man, addressed as His Highness, furrowed his brow slightly, as if displeased by the formality.
In the Northern Zheng dynasty, there were many ways to refer to Huan Sui. Most called him "His Highness" or "Prince Heng." Older relatives used "Third Son," while his friends addressed him by his courtesy name, "Yongsi."
As for Huaian, Huan Sui much preferred that she call him Yongsi or Third Son. After all, she was his betrothed.
But he didn't insist. He quickly relaxed and gave her a gentle smile. "Why not? I was present when you reported to the court. Huaian, you achieved a great victory this time—leading from the front lines, earning fame in one battle!" As he spoke, he raised a thumb. "Impressive, little one!"
Oh, so thumbs-up was a thing in this era too.
"Your Highness is teasing me," Huaian said helplessly. She hadn't thought much at the time—just wanted to end the battle quickly, letting her instincts take over. It wasn't nearly as heroic as he made it sound.
Huan Sui looked back at the inner court. "His Majesty talked your ear off again, didn't he?"
Huaian followed his gaze and gave a noncommittal "Mm."
"Sigh, my father's mouth never stops. You just returned and he didn't even let you rest." Huan Sui clicked his tongue.
It's because he was talking about you, Huaian thought but didn't show it.
She replied dutifully, "His Majesty's words are like pearls of wisdom, every sentence rich in philosophy. I am humbled and awed."
"Pfft—hah! Hahahaha!" Huan Sui burst into laughter. "Huaian, I haven't seen you in so long, and your nonsense skills have only improved!"
"I speak from the heart."
"Father's liked you since you were little. He used to follow Uncle Ping around every day, begging him to agree to the betrothal. Uncle Ping resisted for so long. If not for their blood oath during the rebellion, this engagement wouldn't have fallen to me."
Huaian bowed her head. "It is my great honor."
"Come, I'll escort you back to the Ping residence."
The Ping family's carriage had been waiting outside for some time. Seeing Huaian exit, the driver hurried forward. "My lady, you've had a long journey." Then, spotting Huan Sui, he bowed deeply. "Your Highness."
Huan Sui nodded and followed behind Huaian. As she stepped onto the footstool to enter the carriage, he instinctively raised an arm to assist her.
Huaian chuckled and said, "Your Highness knows I can manage myself." She could mount a warhorse in full armor—this carriage step was nothing.
Huan Sui didn't lower his hand. He raised an eyebrow. "I know, but this is just what a gentleman should do. Accepting it is your choice."
Huaian nodded and didn't refuse. She gave a polite touch to his arm and stepped lightly into the carriage.
Huan Sui followed her inside. Once the driver saw they were settled, he shouted, "Hyah!" and the carriage began rumbling down the road.
The driver was skilled, and the ride was smooth. Huaian sat upright, glancing across to where Huan Sui sat slightly leaned, resting his hand on the window frame, eyes half-lowered in thought.
Huaian took the chance to study him quietly. The more she looked, the more she marveled—this man truly had an exceptional face. Handsome to the point of artistry, his features were sculpted and noble. There was an elegant air about him. When he smiled, he was warm and refined like jade; when he didn't, he had a calm yet commanding presence.
Perhaps sensing her gaze, Huan Sui slowly opened his eyes. Their gazes met, and Huaian felt her breath catch.
His eyes were as clear as an ancient well—calm, confident. Light shimmered deep within, as if years of seasons had settled in his pupils.
A sharp, strange ache surged in Huaian's chest. Grief and sorrow welled up inexplicably, nearly suffocating her. She wasn't sure what was happening—only that the man before her wasn't just a man. Blurred, chaotic images flickered in her mind. He was Huan Sui, and yet… not.
Huan Sui looked puzzled for a moment, then seemed to understand. "Right. We've barely met—always just in passing. Today's probably the first time we've sat down face to face. It's only natural you'd want a good look at your future husband." He straightened his robe and smiled. "Look all you want."
Huaian choked on air and quickly looked away. "Pardon me." Ugh, she still hadn't come to terms with having a fiancé, yet both Huan Sui and the Emperor kept reminding her of it.
"Doesn't Your Highness mind?"
Huan Sui tilted his head. "Not at all. I'm quite confident in my looks." As he spoke, he fiddled with the jade ring on his left pinky.
Huaian shook her head. "No, I meant…" She paused. "This engagement—made without our say."
Huan Sui was quiet for a while. "Do you mind?"
Huaian looked down, not answering right away. After a pause, she asked softly, "Don't you have someone you love?"
"Do you?"
Huaian frowned. This conversation felt like punching cotton—no answers, just questions in return.
Seeing that she fell silent, Huan Sui didn't push. He reached into his robe and pulled out a book, handing it to her.
"Here."
"?" Huaian looked at him, waiting for an explanation.
"Got this during my recent envoy mission to Southern Qi. A newly released legend storybook. Zheng hasn't published it yet. Thought I'd bring it back for you."
As one of the Emperor's most capable sons, Huan Sui held the title of Prince Heng and governed a large fief. He was frequently sent as an envoy, negotiating with Southern Qi or various western tribes. Thanks to his military and diplomatic skills, he had secured many advantageous treaties for Zheng. This was also why Huaian hardly ever saw her so-called fiancé—he was always away.
"Oh? Thank you." Huaian accepted the book. Her brow twitched as she read the title: Secrets of the Mountains and Seas? What even...? If you're gonna give a gift, why not local snacks? Why a book? And she never even liked reading legends to begin with!
She flipped through it—dense text everywhere. Her eye twitched, and she shut the book. "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."
"Do you like it?"
Huaian meant to offer a polite response, but the words came out slightly askew: "Though I don't particularly enjoy reading legends," she paused, "I will still cherish Your Highness's thought."