Becoming the Protagonist's Short-Lived Fiancé (GL) - Chapter 3

The watermelon falling from the sky was just a minor incident, and no one took it to heart. Wen Fei didn’t think a watermelon was important, and the lieutenant secretly handed the melon to his personal guard, clearly prioritizing the upcoming audience with the Emperor over having a refreshing snack.

As they got closer to the Imperial Palace, Wen Fei looked at the soaring eaves within the palace walls and felt a slight nervousness.

The Palace was actually a very familiar place to the young general. Her maternal aunt was the Empress, and her uncle was the Grand Commandant. Because of her status as an imperial relative, it was easy for her to enter and exit the palace as a child. It was also for this reason that when she showed military talent at a young age, the Emperor kept her in mind. When she turned fourteen, the Emperor summoned the young general to the palace to serve as an Imperial Guard (Yulin Lang), and at eighteen, he released her to the battlefield.

To be honest, with the young general’s parents deceased, her closest living relative was her uncle, the Grand Commandant, followed by her aunt, the Empress, and the Emperor, her maternal uncle by marriage. Because the Emperor had watched her grow up, their relationship was much closer than that of an ordinary sovereign and subject…

Just as Wen Fei finished sorting out these relationships in her mind, she unexpectedly glanced up and saw a densely packed crowd of people standing outside the distant palace gate. A guess subconsciously arose in her heart, but she felt it was unlikely. However, when she looked closely, she saw that the person at the front was wearing a black robe and a crown—if not the Emperor himself, then who could it be?

Without time to think, Wen Fei instinctively urged her horse forward. Upon reaching the palace gate, she hastily dismounted, took a few steps, and prepared to kneel and salute.

Wen Fei performed this entire sequence of movements with extreme familiarity, as if it were etched into her bones. She didn’t have time to think before she was already bowing, and the words in her mouth came out instinctively: “Your subject, Wen Fei, greets Your Majesty.”

The next moment, the arm she raised to salute was firmly supported by a pair of hands, pulling her back to her feet. The Emperor, who was in the prime of his life, smiled, and some of his inherent majesty faded: “Rise. My Great General returns victorious to the court, and I have come to receive you as promised.”

This was a promise the young general and the Emperor had made when she was young, and a jest had now become reality.

For some unknown reason, Wen Fei’s nervousness instantly vanished, and a smile unconsciously appeared on her face: “Your subject has not failed Your Majesty’s trust; the Northern Barbarian unrest has been pacified. Within three to five years, the Northern Barbarians will surely not dare to violate our border again.”

The Emperor nodded upon hearing this. As he held Wen Fei’s hand and walked toward the palace, he said, “It is true that the Northern Barbarians have suffered heavy losses, but these foreign tribes are naturally rebellious and will invade the border sooner or later.” At this point, he paused, turned to look at Wen Fei, and his grip on her forearm suddenly tightened: “Rooting them out is the long-term solution. Now is not the time to relax.”

Wen Fei’s expression grew serious, sensing the monarch’s ambition in these words. However, the history she had read told her that the nomadic peoples of the north were never truly eliminated. From the Xiongnu to the Turks, and from the Turks to the Mongols, throughout history, the struggle between the central Chinese dynasties and the northern nomads never ceased. Although the dynasty she transmigrated into was fictional, this point would likely be difficult to change.

With countless thoughts churning in her mind, Wen Fei clearly would not pour cold water on the situation while facing the Emperor’s trusting gaze. Therefore, she only nodded heavily and guaranteed the Emperor: “Your subject understands, and will not let down Your Majesty’s trust.”

The Emperor brightened again, pulling Wen Fei to continue walking into the palace: “It’s good that you are aware, but this matter is not urgent. The war has lasted several years; now is the time to recuperate. At least if there are no foreign enemies attacking within the next year or two, you can have a good rest.”

Wen Fei slightly exhaled in relief upon hearing this. At least he wasn’t asking her to lead troops into battle right now.

Just as Wen Fei relaxed, she heard the Emperor suddenly ask: “Ah Fei has passed the age of Ruoguan (coming of age, typically 20), hasn’t she?”

Wen Fei didn’t know how the topic had shifted, but she answered honestly: “Your subject is twenty-one this year.”

The Emperor nodded and smiled, saying, “That’s not a young age, either.” He then let go of Wen Fei’s forearm, patted her on the shoulder, and walked ahead with large strides, hands behind his back.

Wen Fei was left standing there stunned for a moment, unable to grasp the Emperor’s meaning.

The victorious return of the soldiers undoubtedly called for a celebration banquet, especially since it was the Emperor’s beloved general returning with a great victory.

The celebration banquet was held in Chengde Hall, attended by civil and military officials, with endless music, string instruments, and dancing—a truly bustling scene of peace and prosperity… It would have been perfect if it weren’t for the prying gazes occasionally falling on her.

Wen Fei kept feeling that someone was staring at her, and her body’s instinct kept her on alert. However, every time she felt that gaze upon her and looked up, she could never find the person. Moreover, the direction of the gaze changed several times, which made Wen Fei wonder: did the young general have so many enemies in the court?

Flipping through her memories, it didn’t seem so. Even if some people initially criticized her and her uncle for rapidly advancing their careers through their status as imperial relatives, both she and her uncle, the Grand Commandant, had actually risen through genuine military merit. Now, no one was spreading rumors anymore.

Wen Fei was puzzled. She picked up the wine cup on the low table in front of her, brought it to her lips, and took a small sip of the mellow wine. Although her eyes were slightly lowered, she remained vigilant at all times.

Finally, someone looked at her again, and this time Wen Fei immediately tracked down the gaze.

Perhaps she reacted quickly enough this time. As she looked up, she finally caught the owner of the prying gaze: a young gentleman. He was wearing a dark-colored official robe, and judging by his seating position, his official rank was not very high. Wen Fei searched through her memories but couldn’t recall who the person was, let alone what grievance they might have.

Thinking this, a hint of confusion inevitably appeared in Wen Fei’s eyes.

The young gentleman who had been caught in the act didn’t show the slightest embarrassment. He had only been secretly spying before, but now that Wen Fei had caught him, he simply stopped hiding. Not only did he not hide, but he even glared at her. Wen Fei had no idea how she had offended him.

While Wen Fei was confused, the Emperor, seated on the main dais, raised a hand, stopping the music and dancing.

With the music and dancing ceasing, the hall instantly became quiet. Even those who had been clinking cups stopped talking. Everyone’s eyes were turned toward the high-seated Emperor, and they understood that the main event of today’s celebration banquet was about to begin—the highlight of a celebration banquet, besides the celebrating, was naturally the conferment of rewards upon the meritorious.

The young general had been invincible in all her battles. Although it had only been three short years, she had attended several celebration banquets. Thus, Wen Fei had some experience. Upon seeing this arrangement, she put down her wine cup and slightly adjusted her clothes.

Sure enough, after the Emperor spoke a few pleasantries, he waved his hand, and an imperial attendant stepped forward to read the decree.

Wen Fei immediately rose and, along with several of the generals present, stepped forward and knelt in the hall to hear the decree. The flowery language and detailed praise were difficult for Wen Fei to follow, but fortunately, the pleasantries at the beginning were not important; what mattered was the reward that followed.

The part of the decree concerning the reward was very clear. Surprisingly, yet logically, the young general who had performed a great service was promoted again! The Emperor’s address of “Great General” at the palace gate was no joke. With a gold seal and purple ribbon (symbols of the highest military rank), the young general, barely twenty, had reached the rank of a first-grade high official. Not only that, but the Emperor, who clearly favored the young general, also conferred upon her a Marquis title.

The Marquis of Wuwei (Military Might), taking the meaning of “displaying power through military force,” showed how proud the Emperor was of this achievement.

Wen Fei could sense the Emperor’s favor towards her; even his gaze seemed to look at her like a close junior, exceptionally intimate. Yet, such a grand conferment still made her heart tremble slightly. The terms “merit overshadowing the lord” and “no higher rank left to bestow” inevitably came to her mind.

Thinking this, Wen Fei could not be happy and only forced herself to suppress her concerns as she accepted the imperial edict.

However, before Wen Fei, who had just accepted the edict, could retreat to her seat to continue the banquet, the Emperor on the main dais waved his hand again. The imperial attendant who had just finished reading the first edict then took out another decree and continued to read.

Wen Fei was slightly surprised but knelt back down, dutifully listening to the reading of the second decree. As she listened, she became confused, her mind spinning with various thoughts, until only one idea remained—no wonder the Emperor had suddenly asked her age earlier; he had intended to play matchmaker!

That’s right, this was an imperial marriage edict.