You Are My String Of Fate

2.6 || Virtuous To One's Husband

The familiar-yet-not stranger finally moved slightly, a frown on his forehead. Yet, his gaze was still indifferent as he flicked a look at the pitiful looking Lady Bei, then towards the young maid whose mouth had been stuffed with cotton. He finally looked at the Old Patriarch, who had also remained silent since the beginning, "I was not born in Nan Shu, so I am not familiar with the custom here. Are concubines and their personal servants normally regulated by the Master or the Mistress of the house?"

"We have let Khagan Yuzhen see such a joke," the old man replied respectfully despite his much older age, "Before the official Mistress comes along, normally the bed-servants are under the previous Madame control. In this case, it used to be my daughter-in-law."

Hou Feihong, who initially wanted to ask for Liu Qirong to handle the matter more civilly, was stunned. Clearly his grandfather did not think much of a mere concubine and her maid as well. However the Old Patriarch was correct, although Hou Feihong had shown favor to Lady Bei in the past, her livelihood used to be regulated by his mother, not himself. The most he could do was to relay his satisfaction to his mother, then Madame Hou would generally elevate said concubine's living condition in the estate.

Liu Qirong did not miss the Old Patriarch's way of addressing the stranger. Finally, she knew the name of this person.

Yuzhen.

And he was a Khagan. It was a title either bestowed to the King of the northerners, or a prestigious person. As a Nan Shu's citizen, she at least knew the Northern King's name - Khagan Yungao. After all, one of the immediate brothers of the current King had asked for Liu Qirong's elder sisters - one she had never met before - in marriage before Liu Qirong was even born.

Unconfirmed rumors said, this particular elder sister and brother-in-law had perished during one of the inner strifes in the khaganate. However, the elder sister was well-known to be a talented beauty, one her northerner husband had fallen in love with and asked for her hand in marriage, in exchange for sizable fertile lands given to Nan Shu dynasty as dowry.

She had not heard Yuzhen's name before; but unlike Nan Shu's clear distinction of imperial or noble lineage that could only be inherited through bloodline, any person with considerable merits could be titled Khagan in the north. Yet, it was not easy to be titled as one.

"Like I said, I am not familiar with Nan Shu's customs," Yuzhen shrugged, "But in my troops, none of my subordinates is allowed to speak nonsense in our barracks, let alone voicing their unasked opinion in front of their superiors."

Liu Qirong blinked. This person was helping her again.

"Why?"

Yuzhen lazily asked Hou Feihong, "Is it not the same in Nan Shu's military?"

Hua Mulan frowned and immediately rebuked, "But the strict rules of military applies to men, not women!"

Yuzhen looked at her in mock bewilderment, "Miss Hua, are you not in the military as well? Or is the famous Lieutenant Hua Mulan excused from the military rules because you are a woman?"

Hua Mulan's face turned red as she realized her own misspoken words. Hou Feihong's face darkened, giving Liu Qirong affirmation of his sentiment towards the female lieutenant. Hou Feihong's tone became a bit chilly, though he still maintained a polite smile, "Khagan Yuzhen, this is my estate's business. Although our two countries are now allied, you should not butt into another household's matter."

Yuzhen chuckled at this, "Oh? Then I must congratulate General Hou. Lieutenant Hua has so bravely voiced her opinion before. She must already be considered part of your household?"

Hua Mulan's cheeks reddened again, this time a charming shade of pink. She glanced almost imperceptibly towards Hou Feihong, before opening her mouth a few times in silence. Finally, she settled with, "Don't slander General Hou and my reputation!"