You Are My String Of Fate

2.9 || Virtuous To One's Husband

The day after, Liu Qirong was grandly dressed by Hou Feihong once again.

A beautiful new dress, one Hou Feihong claimed he had seen during his trip and thought would suit her perfectly; new valuable jewelry and hair ornaments.

The maidservants assisting with her hairstyle and make-up gushed about how loving the Master was, to still be thinking of his wife even as he was defending Nan Shu against the Eastern barbarians.

Liu Qirong herself wondered how he could think of shopping during a warring trip, but let herself be dolled up. When she was grandly dressed, Hou Feihong held her hand and posed in front of the mirror together. He was already back to his usual genteel and elegant demeanor, and tilted his head to look at her, "We are truly the perfect pair. I am sure we will be the center of everyone's attention at today's banquet."

He then looked away, murmuring, "If only she's as docile... ."

Liu Qirong pretended she did not hear it.

*** *** ***

Liu Qirong truly did not understand the reasoning behind Hou Feihong's act to showcase her every time there was some sort of grand celebration. Unlike most lords and noblemen who wanted to hide their women or daughters, Hou Feihong was perfectly happy for her to show her beauty around. He encouraged her to mingle with the noblewomen in their gatherings while he was away as well. Thus, Liu Qirong could not really fault him as a chauvinist.

That day as well, the perfect-looking pair of husband and wife left the Prince of Ping's estate, towards the Imperial Palace.

The Emperor had decided to conduct a grand banquet at the imperial garden, to celebrate their latest victory.

What's more, the banquet area was not segregated by gender as normal nobles' gatherings usually were.

After some time chatting with other households' Madames, few she had mingled with for the past year, Liu Qirong finally found out why. The banquet's guest of honor was none other than Lieutenant Hua Mulan.

Her service as a Nan Shu soldier was greatly appreciated by the Emperor, as she did the final killing blow to one of the barbarians' top leaders. Apparently, it contributed to the victory of the Nan Shu and khaganate's alliance.

Hua Mulan had proven herself as capable and as brave as any man, and to recognize this, the Emperor decided to abolish the normal distinction of the sexes in the banquet. This was to allow Hua Mulan to freely mingle with either men or women as she saw fit.

Liu Qirong maintained her smile and looked at the beautiful maiden currently chatting with Hou Feihong and the three Royal Princes.

The usually heroic-looking woman looked as soft and delicate as any carefully nurtured flower. Hua Mulan's hair was styled in the latest style trend amongst noble daughters, her beautiful face carefully made-up. A section of her hair was coiled into a loose bun, secured by an exquisite hairpin in the shape of the magnolia flower, an ode to her name. The pair of lips had peach-colored rogue on them; every time the owner laughed unrestrained, the thin lips carried a trace of unspeakable bewitchment. The dress Hua Mulan wore was a proper lady's dress, and she did not carry any sword. With the predominantly peach hues and light blue color, she looked refreshing and absolutely attractive.

If not for the natural stern disposition between her eyebrows and her bright unwavering eyes, no one could think this beautiful maiden as a war hero.

Liu Qirong's smile even deepened when she noticed Hua Mulan showing a slightly bashful expression when conversing with Hou Feihong. Whatever Liu Qirong's cheap husband had told the female lieutenant, had caused a faint blush to creep up the latter's cheeks.