flyingpennies
After the war, women in the tents were all desperate to find a place for themselves, trying every means to latch onto those soldiers and return to their hometowns with them.
When that bronze-skinned Lieutenant General found me in the vast camp, only I remained, along with Sister Li, who coughed and wheezed all day, her handkerchief stained with blood.
"I've saved some army pay; enough to build a few houses back in my hometown. Would you... be willing to return home with me?"
I lowered my eyes to his dust-covered military boots, speechless for a moment.
When I said I needed to consider it, Sister Li teased me:
"Little Wantang, a man wants you, just accept him. Who are you still waiting for?"
"Surely you're not still pining for that triumphant General Yan, the one who's about to marry the princess?"
That very night, Yan Ce came to my tent.
He was dressed in fine robes, carrying an air of biting cold and the scent of wine, his very posture revealing irritation as he lifted the tent flap.
Without a word, he dragged me to that crude bed.
He clutched my jaw with his heavy grip, forcing me to look up at him.
"I'm about to marry the princess, and so you throw a tantrum?"
"I won't forget you after my wedding. I've already arranged a residence for you outside the city. You'll wait for me there from now on."
His expression was arrogant, as if he was certain I couldn't leave him. As if I were merely a bird in his cage, never to fly from his grasp.
He mistook my silence for tacit agreement, for a grievance buried deep in my heart.
The day he and the princess were to be wed, I imagine, would be one of city-wide celebration, with an endless procession of dowry chests.
As for my marriage to Gu Jingyuan, there would only be a humble room, a pair of red candles, and vows exchange in silence as we bowed to Heaven and Earth.