Luo He spent the next few days occupied with various tasks around the count's mansion. While the estate bustled with activity he kept mostly to himself.
In the quiet courtyard behind the mansion he built a small wooden shack simple but sturdy. It became his personal space. A place where he could think, experiment and work in peace.
Most of his time was spent there especially while his wife Jin Mulan devoted herself to martial arts training and frequent border patrols. During this time Luo He discovered a new function within his armour. It allowed him to study fragments of ancient technologies, remnants of the ancient civilization.
Though most of it was far too complex he began attempting to replicate some of the simpler mechanisms. One day after much effort he successfully created a strange but fascinating invention. Luo He naturally had the talent for engineering. Though his design was crude it worked.
Feeling a rare sense of pride he carefully placed it inside a finely crafted wooden box intending to present it to Jin Mulan as a gift.
As he walked through the estate grounds the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the stone paths his steps were suddenly halted.
He was ambushed. The general's son Shin Ju stood before him accompanied by two young soldiers from the count's army. They spread out surrounding Luo He cutting off any easy escape. Their expressions were filled with arrogance and disdain.
Shin Ju stepped forward a mocking smile curling across his lips. "Well, well… the low-born husband," he sneered. "Tell me how does it feel to live a life far above your worth?"
His voice grew harsher laced with venom. "You're not fit for Mistress Jin Mulan. Not even close. The lord and lady must be stupid for not seeing it."
The two soldiers laughed quietly behind him. "She deserves someone better," Shin Ju continued. "A real man. Someone skilled in martial arts. Someone strong enough to protect her." His eyes gleamed with pride. Some one like me. "And yet… she's stuck with a looser like you."
Then with a cruel grin he added, "I've also heard that the two of you haven't even consummated your marriage. Playing games are you?"
Luo He's expression darkened. A quiet anger rose within him not for himself but for the disrespect shown toward Jin Mulan. "You speak too freely," Luo He replied his voice calm but firm. "What happens between us is our choice. It is not your place to interfere."
Shin Ju scoffed. "Still pretending to have dignity?" Without warning he slapped the wooden box out of Luo He's hands. It fell to the ground with a dull thud, the sound of wood striking stone echoing through the courtyard.
Nearby servants froze at the commotion. Realizing something was wrong, a few of them quickly ran toward the mansion to inform Jin Mulan. From her chamber window Jin Mulan caught sight of the scene below following the message from her servants.
Her eyes sharpened instantly. Without hesitation she grabbed her sword belt and rushed out. By the time she reached the courtyard the belt was secured around her waist over her everyday clothing.
She wore a white dress trimmed with red borders, delicate black floral patterns carved into the chest. The fabric hugged her form, cut till slightly above the knee to allow easier movement despite its tightness.
As she stepped into the courtyard, her presence alone shifted the atmosphere.
The air grew heavy. A chilling silence fell over everyone present. She walked past Luo He without a word. Her expression cold and unreadable and stopped before Shin Ju.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice sharp and controlled. Shin Ju's confidence faltered. His voice dropped noticeably. "Young Mistress… we were just speaking with him."
His choice of words, using 'him' instead of 'Young Master' did not go unnoticed. Jin Mulan's gaze hardened. She had never liked Shin Ju but this… this crossed the line.
Without hesitation she raised her voice.
"Guards. Apprehend them." Within moments guards rushed in from all sides swiftly subduing the three men. "Bring the beheading stone." She commanded.
The courtyard grew tense as two guards carried in a heavy stone block long and slender stained faintly from past executions.
Word of the disturbance spread quickly. Servants hurried to summon the lord and lady of the count. Soon they arrived.
The lord and lady of the count entered with calm yet commanding presence.
Their elegance was matched only by the cold authority in their eyes. Every servant immediately dropped to their knees in respect.
Only the prisoners the guards holding them, Jin Mulan and Luo He remained standing.
Jin Mulan briefly explained what had happened. Several servants stepped forward as witnesses confirming her account. Many expected leniency. That was why the servants had been so eager to bring the lord. But what followed shattered those expectations.
The count Jin Quan stepped forward and drew his great sword a ceremonial blade passed down through generations of Jin ancestors. Its polished steel gleamed under the fading sunlight.
"I will execute them myself," he declared.
A ripple of shock spread through the crowd. Even Shin Ju still held onto hope. Surely the kind-hearted Lady Jin Su would intervene this will spare his life.
Still he is the son of the general. But no one spoke. No one moved. Silence.
Then Jin Mulan stepped forward.
"Father," she said firmly. "By the old rules the man who passed the judgment must swing the blade." She paused.
So "I will do it my self." Jin Quan looked at her then smiled faintly pride flickering in his eyes. "Very well." He said. Jin Mulan walked to the stone. Her movements were steady yet controlled.
The two soldiers were forced forward trembling, their faces pale. They begged desperately pleading for mercy in every way they could. She showed no mercy non at all.
Her sword rose and fell. Two clean strikes. Their pleas were cut short as their bodies collapsed. Blood splattered across her white dress, staining it in sharp contrast.
The courtyard fell into stunned silence.
Then Shin Ju was dragged forward. Jin Mulan looked down at him. "Kneel !" She uttered. He hesitated for a moment.
Without warning she kicked the back of his calf with brutal force. His muscles seized and he collapsed to his knees with a cry of pain. The shock and fear overwhelmed him. He lost control wetting himself.
She raised her sword once more. "Any last words?" she asked coldly. Shin Ju glared up at her. Hatred and desperation burning in his eyes. "You chose him…?" he spat. "A low-born over me?" His voice cracked.
"I loved you! I was the one who deserved to stand beside you!"