Chapter 07
Zhou Qiao swept her gaze around the hall. Meeting the seemingly mocking looks directed at her, she let out a cold snort and raised her voice even louder.
“Your Majesty, is it because you look down on Zhou Qiao for being a woman?”
The moment those words fell, the entire hall went silent.
The Emperor remained silent for a long while. Even the Empress, seated closest to him, could not discern what he was thinking. She only felt a chill creep down her back as cold sweat soaked through her inner robe.
To everyone’s surprise, however, the Emperor laughed.
“You child. You’ve spent seven years in Hujiang, yet not a single one of your sharp edges has been worn away. In ancient times there was Queen Fu Hao of King Gaozong, who crushed the Ba armies, and Lady Xian of Qiao Commandery, whose brilliant strategy quelled the Hou Jing Rebellion. If our dynasty could gain a female God of War, I would welcome it with open arms. How could I possibly hold prejudice or contempt against such a thing?”
The disbelief on Zhou Qiao’s face was unmistakable, making the Emperor laugh even harder.
“I know that in terms of age, both you and the Gu family’s son are still young. But let me ask you this, Zhou Qiaoâhow long have you served in the Yanlin Army?”
“Exactly seven years.”
“And what about Gu Tingwei?”
“Replying to Your Majesty, I entered the military camp at the age of six to train in martial arts. It has now been thirteen full years!” Gu Tingwei answered before Gu Shengyuan could stop him.
Gu Shengyuan did not even bother scolding him. The boy truly had no sense of timing. No wonder young ladies never found him particularly appealing.
The Emperor continued, “Then tell me, how many battles have you fought? How many enemies have you slain?”
Zhou Qiao lifted her chin proudly.
“Eight major campaigns. I’ve lost count of the smaller ones. I’ve killed over a thousand enemies.”
The Emperor nodded with satisfaction.
“Your accomplishments already surpass those of many young men. You truly are worthy of being the daughter of the Protector General. But you already know what my next question is going to be, don’t you?”
Zhou Qiao nodded.
“Your Majesty, Zhou Qiao understands now.”
Even the finest jade required polishing. Since she had resolved to devote herself to defending the nation, she knew that her youth and lack of seniority meant she should not be impatient over temporary honors. Zhou Qiao was not unreasonable. Though she longed to become a great general like her father, she wanted to earn that title fairly, not receive it through favoritism.
“But today, you’ve reminded me of something.”
The Emperor turned to the assembled civil and military officials.
“A hero’s worth is measured neither by birth nor by gender. Zhou Qiao is still young, yet she willingly traveled to distant Hujiang for the sake of Northern Jin and even earned military merit. Tell me, among the sons and young masters of your households, how many possess such ability?”
“Your Majesty.”
Gu Shengyuan stepped forward and bowed.
“This humble minister is not boasting about the children I have trained. Zhou Qiao entered the camp at the age of eight. Though I shared a deep friendship with her late father, I never showed her the slightest favoritism during drills or military training. Every achievement she possesses today was earned by her own hands. To have such an outstanding child serving under my command, and serving Northern Jin, means that the day we conquer the neighboring states and pacify Hujiang is not far away!”
“Excellent!”
The Emperor stroked his beard.
“You have all heard General Gu’s words. Our dynasty has always valued talent above all else. Zhou Qiao, today I shall call you ‘Little General.’ I hope that before long you will be capable of commanding on your own. When that day comes, earning a marquisate or ascending to the highest offices will naturally follow.”
Zhou Qiao’s eyes lit up.
“Thank you, Your Majesty! Zhou Qiao will remember your words.”
Little General was still a general, wasn’t it?
Though the Emperor had not issued a formal decree, everyone present understood his meaning. The Protector General had been gone for many years, yet the Zhou family still held a special place in the Emperor’s heart. Otherwise, he would not have entrusted the eldest Zhou son, Zhou Mubai, with investigating the Jiangzhou salt tax affair, then immediately afterward publicly addressed the youngest Zhou daughter as “Little General.”
The officials’ attitudes toward Zhou Qiao instantly became noticeably more respectful. No one dared secretly mock her as some ignorant little girl anymore.
When Zhou Qiao returned to Zhou Li’s side, she looked utterly triumphant. Her chin was held so high that the ponytail tied atop her head swayed proudly with every step, making her resemble the spirited warhorse she had ridden home earlier that afternoon.
She completely failed to notice that someone’s gaze had been following her ever since her exchange with the Emperor. Instead, her face practically shouted, Sister, hurry and praise me!
Covering her lips with a smile, Zhou Li said softly,
“All right, come sit down, Little General.”
Across the hall, Gu Shengyuan gazed at Zhou Qiao with pride that rivaled what he would feel for his own daughter. He exchanged a glance with Madam Gu, and the couple nodded in unison.
He nudged Gu Tingwei.
“The Zhou family’s young lady is quite remarkable.”
Gu Tingwei’s eyes never left the graceful young woman smiling gently nearby. Without thinking, he replied,
“She certainly is.”
On Zhou Li’s side, she seemed to notice the intense, undisguised gaze fixed upon her. Her ears immediately turned crimson.
Zhou Qiao blinked her large eyes.
“Sister, are you feeling hot? Would you like some tea?”
“N-No.”
Even as she answered, Zhou Li awkwardly picked up the teacup before her and took a large drink, only then managing to calm the warmth rising within her.
Only after Zhou Qiao had finished every last fruit and dish on the table did the banquet finally come to an end.
She could not understand why people in the capital loved music and dance so much. One performance followed another without pause, and the hall had never been quiet for a moment.
By the time the banquet ended, it was already deep into the night.
The palace once again returned to its usual tranquility.
Beneath the half moon, beside Huaqing Pool, two tall figures stood quietly.
“Ah, today’s dance was truly exquisite. That dancer called Yun Ji had such a graceful figure. I’m afraid I’ll be too lovesick to sleep tonight.”
The jade flute in Dugu Linzhou’s hand gleamed beneath the moonlight with a soft white glow.
A quiet chuckle came from beside him.
“If Your Highness, Prince Rui, hadn’t accompanied her with your performance of Crimson Adornment, your imperial father probably wouldn’t have summoned Miss Yun Ji. The one unable to sleep tonight should be Her Majesty the Empress.”
Linzhou tilted his head with a grin.
“Who told her to secretly plant spies in my residence? And it just so happened to be the one concubine I’ve favored most recently. Lanze, you have no idea how heartbroken I was when I killed her. During these long nights ahead, where am I supposed to find another beauty capable of driving a man into such heavenly ecstasy?”
The man beside him offered no reply, as though he had heard none of the vulgar remarks.
But Linzhou’s interest had been piqued, and he continued relentlessly.
“I say, Lanze, how long has it been since your coming-of-age ceremony? An ordinary man your age would already have three or four children by now. Yet you don’t even have a single bedchamber maid. You’re a prince of Southern Chu, for heaven’s sake. If word gets out, people will laugh at you.”
“Perhaps Prince Rui should concern himself with his own affairs. You have an entire manor full of concubines, so why do you still have no children?”
“Tsk, are you making fun of me? My situation is special. Neither of my two elder brothers has produced an heir yet. If I were to father the Empire’s eldest imperial grandson first, what would that look like? But you… although your circumstances are special as well, you should still at least…”
