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“After Shedding My Armor, I Await Marriage” Chapter 50

“It feels like I’ve gained another father."

Mu Qingyao’s father, Mu Heng, remarried, which was the first time Gu Fu had heard about it.

The northwest borders the northern region and can even be considered an extension of the northern region to the west. After Gu Fu became the commander of the northern region, she naturally met this uncle of hers. At that time, she thought that even though she was young when her uncle left the capital, her appearance would have changed as she grew up. However, since they were relatives, her uncle would surely find her familiar. Moreover, since she had never changed her name, her uncle would undoubtedly recognize her.

She even thought of a plan—how to stop Mu Heng from revealing her identity out of shock, how to persuade him to keep her gender and background a secret, and what measures she should take if he refused to cooperate, whether through threats or bribes.

Gu Fu prepared everything meticulously, but she never expected that although Mu Heng did find her appearance familiar and was surprised that she shared the same name as his niece, he never once considered that the commander of the northern region could actually be his niece.

Gu Fu found this both frustrating and amusing, so she decided not to reveal her identity to him.

During their second meeting, after discussing official matters, Mu Heng inquired about her family background. Just as Gu Fu thought Mu Heng had finally figured it out and was ready to come clean with him, Mu Heng suddenly mentioned his own family matters.

Mu Heng said that he had a daughter who grew up in the capital and was about the same age as Gu Fu. He then asked if Gu Fu would consider marrying her and becoming his son-in-law.

Gu Fu was stunned.

Mu Heng, however, was quite persistent, which made Gu Fu run away right after discussing official matters every time, doing her utmost to avoid him in hopes that he would give up on the idea of marrying Mu Qingyao to her.

Gu Fu’s subordinates often teased her about this, but she sternly ordered them not to spread rumors, lest they ruin the girl’s reputation, and forbade them from interfering. Anyone whom Mu Heng asked to act as a matchmaker was promptly thrown out of her tent by Gu Fu. Over time, no one dared to mention Mu Heng in her presence.

Perhaps because of this, she truly didn’t know that Mu Heng had remarried in the northern region and even had a young daughter.

And it wasn’t just her—how could it be that Mu Qingyao didn’t know about it either?

Is it really necessary to keep something like getting remarried and having a child a secret from one’s own daughter?

Gu Fu felt a faint sense of unease.

After breakfast, Gu Fu spent the entire morning with Fu Yan at the Qitian Tower. Unlike at night, the view from the tower during the day was particularly beautiful, and there were many visitors, including Li Yu’s second uncle, Li Yuming.

Worried about being recognized, Gu Fu changed into men’s clothing and borrowed a mask from the Secret Guard to disguise herself as one of them while staying by Fu Yan’s side.

Around noon, Fu Yan went out. He wore his hooded cloak and took a low-profile carriage, visiting the Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Justice, and finally the Grand Secretariat. Gu Fu followed him the entire way, vaguely hearing that he was handling a corruption case in Qingzhou.

Qingzhou again—it truly is the richest region in Dayong.

Gu Fu thought to herself and then pulled Fu Yan, who was so engrossed in his work that he forgot to eat, to have lunch together.

After the meal, the emperor summoned them, and Fu Yan brought Gu Fu into the palace.

According to protocol, Gu Fu, as a Secret Guard, was not allowed to accompany Fu Yan into the palace. However, it seemed the emperor knew that Fu Yan’s Secret Guard today was Gu Fu, so he specially sent Eunuch Zhao to wait at the palace gate and had Gu Fu brought in as well.

The afternoon sun was still scorching, with no sign of the coolness that should come after the “End of Heat” solar term. Gu Fu heard that some households had run out of stored ice, causing the price of ice outside to skyrocket.

Gu Fu followed Fu Yan into the palace, walking under the blazing sun all the way to the Hanliang Hall. It was only halfway there that she realized something unusual—Fu Yan, favored by the emperor, was usually allowed to ride a sedan chair even when there was no urgent matter. Why, then, did he have to walk all the way this time?

Gu Fu tried to inquire with Eunuch Zhao, who looked troubled. After a moment, he pointed to the Qitian Tower outside the palace and asked in a low voice, “Did the Marquis stay overnight at Qitian Tower yesterday?”

Gu Fu: “…”

She had a feeling she knew why the emperor had summoned them.

When they entered the hall and paid their respects, the emperor did not tell them to rise, leaving them kneeling on the ground.

After a while, when a minister came to request an audience, the emperor, considering Fu Yan’s dignity, had the two of them move to the side hall to kneel.

So, they moved to the side hall.

Gu Fu and Fu Yan knelt there for about an hour before the emperor had Eunuch Zhao call them back to the main hall and scolded them harshly—

“I know you both have a rebellious streak, but there should be a limit to your actions! It’s one thing to spend time together regularly, and I can overlook you staying overnight together as long as you don’t cross the line. But what do you think you’re doing?! Unmarried man and woman, daring to act so recklessly!!”

As Gu Fu had expected, the emperor was so angry because he had learned that Gu Fu stayed overnight at Qitian Tower. It wasn’t the first time Gu Fu had spent the night there, but yesterday they got caught, and it was clear that the emperor knew they had really spent the night together.

Gu Fu kept her head down and didn’t dare say a word, but Fu Yan was particularly bold and justified, saying, “There’s less than half a year until the wedding. If Your Majesty is worried about any mishaps, we can move up the date.”

The emperor exploded, “Don’t think I’ll indulge you in everything! The wedding date stays as it is! And you two, from now on, behave yourselves! Gu Fu can go to Qitian Tower, but she’s not allowed to stay overnight!”

Fu Yan pursed his lips, clearly displeased.

Gu Fu also widened her eyes at the emperor, but seeing his darkened face, she had no choice but to lower her head and obediently accept the scolding. At the same time, she realized that the emperor had just called her by name.

A young woman’s name is generally not to be called out casually, and it’s usually only used by parents, elders, husbands, or sisters. She wasn’t sure if the emperor was so angry that he didn’t notice or if he had momentarily thought of Gu Fu as a man, Marquis Zhongshun, while issuing orders.

Though the emperor scolded them harshly, he then turned around and found an excuse to send an imperial physician to the Gu family, ordering the physician to check Gu Fu’s pulse every morning. If by chance she was already pregnant, the emperor would have no choice but to hold his nose and, as Fu Yan wished, move up their wedding date.

The physician also brought Gu Fu some ointment, saying it was for her to apply to her knees.

“It feels like I’ve gained another father,” Gu Fu remarked as she carried the ointment to Mu Qingyao’s courtyard to apply it.

Mu Qingyao, who had been busy all day during her ten-day break, was preoccupied with ensuring her father and brother would be comfortable when they returned to the capital. Without looking up, she replied absentmindedly, “Mm-hmm.”

Seeing how focused Mu Qingyao was, Gu Fu lowered her head and applied the ointment for a while before she couldn’t hold back and finally spoke, “Qingyao, I found out something today from Wangxi, something related to your father.”

Mu Qingyao finally turned to look at her. “What is it?”

Gu Fu couldn’t think of a tactful way to put it, so she said directly, “Your father remarried in the northwest and had a younger sister for you.”

Mu Qingyao was stunned. After a moment, she murmured to herself, “My father never told me.”

“I only just found out myself,” Gu Fu replied, lowering her pants leg, placing the ointment bottle aside, and standing up to sit next to Mu Qingyao.

Mu Qingyao slowly came to her senses and said, “Perhaps he was worried I’d be upset. It’s alright, but now that I know, we’ll have to prepare more maids and nannies, and we’ll need to tidy up a couple more rooms; otherwise, they’ll have no place to stay, and there won’t be enough help.”

Mu Qingyao was indeed upset, but the joy of reuniting with her father and brother was enough to overshadow any dissatisfaction. She quickly adjusted her mindset, and the next day, after finishing her lessons, she left the palace with Gu Fu. They first went to the Mu residence, instructing the servants to prepare two more courtyards, and then headed to the Eastern Market to shop.

After finishing their shopping, the carriage left the Eastern Market and headed back to Quyu Alley.

Unexpectedly, the coachman stopped halfway and said that Zhongqi Street ahead was blocked. He asked if they wanted to wait for the road to be cleared or take a detour.

Gu Fu, impatient to wait, said, “Take the detour.”

The capital’s roads were well-connected, with countless alleys. If Zhongqi Street was blocked, others would likely also take a detour. However, they were unlucky; the path they took was not only particularly secluded but also led them straight into a group of thugs blocking the way.

…

“Qi Ze?” the Prince of Yi, who had invited people out for a drink, softly called to the Heir Apparent of Prince An, Wen Qize, by the window.

Wen Qize turned to look at the Prince of Yi, who, with a gentle and polite expression, asked, “What’s the matter?”

Wen Qize shook his head while closing the window and then stood up, saying, “Excuse me, I need to go change.”

The winehouse where Wen Qize and the Prince of Yi were drinking wasn’t in a great location. When the window was opened, there wasn’t much of a view below—just a quiet little street.

So, when the group of thugs began gathering, Wen Qize had been paying attention, watching as they blocked the Gu family carriage. Wen Qize remembered seeing the Gu family’s cousin a few days ago and immediately found an excuse to go downstairs.

But he never imagined that when he exited through the main door of the winehouse, circled around to the back alley, what he would see wasn’t the Gu family coachman and accompanying guards putting up a desperate fight, nor the panicked and screaming Gu family girl, but rather a group of thugs lying scattered on the ground—and the second Miss Gu, wearing a light veil, bending over to dust off her skirt.

It had to be the second Miss Gu. He had long heard that this young lady was skilled in martial arts and had once fought valiantly against a foreign general in front of the emperor. Seeing her in action today, it was clear that her reputation was well-deserved.

Second Miss Gu also noticed him and was about to speak when the carriage curtain was suddenly lifted from inside. A young lady, her face uncovered, sat in the carriage with a completely expressionless face. Her voice was identical to that of the Gu family’s cousin he had met a few days ago, but her tone was entirely different. “Your clothes are dirty.”

Wen Qize: …Is that the main point here?

Gu Fu replied, “Mm, I accidentally got something on them. You’re not going to refuse to let me get in the carriage, are you?”

Mu Qingyao responded, “Just don’t sit too close to me.”

Wen Qize vaguely sensed that something was off, and then he heard Gu Fu ask Mu Qingyao, “What should we do with these people?”

Mu Qingyao replied, “Throwing them in jail would only mean a few days behind bars, and it wouldn’t look good for us if word got out.”

Wen Qize frowned, not agreeing with the idea of letting these people go just like that.

Gu Fu had the same thought, so she suggested, “Then should we find a place to bury them?”

Mu Qingyao very cooperatively added, “I know of a grove outside the city. It’s been so hot lately that no one goes there.”

Wen Qize was dumbfounded and finally spoke up, “Ladies…”

Only then did Mu Qingyao notice Wen Qize, quickly loosening her grip on the curtain and letting it fall.

Wen Qize paused for a moment, then said, “These people may be vile, but they don’t deserve to die…”

Gu Fu looked at him and replied, “I know, we were just joking.”

Wen Qize was silent. That was the most ruthless joke he had ever heard.

Wen Qize remained quiet, but Gu Fu had a question for him. “And you are?”

Wen Qize introduced himself to Gu Fu and added, “I was just upstairs drinking, and I saw your carriage being blocked, so I came down to check.”

—He completely didn’t expect that his help wouldn’t be needed at all.

Gu Fu asked, “Drinking?”

“Yes, at that establishment…” Wen Qize turned his head to look at the winehouse by the alley, only to see the Prince of  Yi upstairs with the window open, looking down at them.

The Prince of Yi smiled warmly and even waved at them.


Translator’s notes:

End of Heat: The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. End of Heat, (Chinese: 处暑), and is the 14th solar term of the year. It marks the end of summer and the beginning of autumn in most of China, and usually begins on August 23 and ends on September 6 or 7. The term indicates a change in temperature, with the weather becoming cooler, especially after autumn rains. It may still be hot during the day but cooler in the mornings and evenings.


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After Shedding My Armor, I Await Marriage

After Shedding My Armor, I Await Marriage

卸甲后我待字闺中 Xiè Jiǎ Hòu Wǒ Dài Zì Guī Zhōng
Score 9.2
Status: Completed Type: Author: Released: 2020 Native Language: Chinese

In the ninth year of Yongqing, General Gu Fu died in Qi Huai. The current emperor posthumously honored him as Marquis Zhongshun.

In the twelfth month of the same year, the second Miss Gu, who had accompanied her grandmother to the mountains to perform Buddhist rites for five years, returned home. The first thing she faced upon arrival was punishment—kneeling in the ancestral hall. In the ancestral hall, the elder of the Gu family scolded her, telling her not to act recklessly in the future and to obediently wait for the elders to arrange a marriage for her. However, she responded with a single sentence that made him storm off in anger. An unaware aunt and younger sister came to visit, seemingly out of concern, but they were actually mocking her. She calmly countered their remarks. Finally, her elder brother arrived. The scholarly eldest son of the Gu family paced back and forth in front of her, eventually blurting out, "The military camp is full of men! Do you know that if word of your disgraceful behavior spreads, it will bring shame to the family's daughters?" Gu Fu finally shed her carefree demeanor and replied seriously, "Defending the country is not a disgrace." Upon hearing that the Gu family wanted to marry off the second Miss Gu, the current emperor immediately sought out the empress, earnestly saying, "I regard the second Miss Gu as my own daughter. I can't let her marry just anyone. If empress has time, perhaps you could help me by looking for suitable candidates for her in the capital." The empress: "..." Understood, Matchmaking 101 it is.
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