Chapter Seven: Little Tao

Liu Ling’er muttered incredulously, “Getting married tomorrow? Are you serious!”

Baili Xian flicked his sleeve with flair. “Of course. I’ve heard that Miss Liu, despite her many talents—literature, martial arts, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—has mastered none. As for needlework, you could embroider a pair of mandarin ducks and end up with a sow. Truly, you and I, the crippled prince, are a match made in heaven! Wula, hand the betrothal gift list to the General. We must return to prepare tomorrow’s wedding.”

Iron Wula stepped forward, pulled the betrothal list from his chest, and handed it to Liu Rufeng. Then he and Baili Xian swiftly departed, paying no heed to Liu Ling’er’s fiery glare as she struggled to keep her outrage in check.

Accepting the list and bidding farewell to the Prince of Virtue, General Liu Rufeng’s face darkened. He grabbed Liu Ling’er as easily as picking up a chick and carried her off to her boudoir.

He instructed his subordinates, “Without my order, Miss Liu is not to step out of the embroidery tower. If she goes missing, you may as well pack up and leave.”

With that, he strode away, leaving Liu Ling’er nearly out of her mind. This was house arrest—plain and simple house arrest! She was a person, she had the right to freedom!

To speak of personal freedom in ancient times—well, Liu Ling’er’s mind must have been a little off. It was like playing music to a cow.

Keeping Liu Ling’er obediently confined was worse than killing her outright. For the next half hour, she tried every possible means to escape. At first, she headed straight for the main door, but was met by a row of swords pointed at her—real swords, not props!

Liu Ling’er immediately retreated. If she were at her peak, she could have vaulted over them in one leap, but now she was nothing more than a delicate young lady—willing but powerless! Fine! She opened the window, intent on climbing out, but a squad of soldiers rushed in, sending her back inside once more.

After half an hour of sulking, Liu Ling’er suddenly sprang up, flung open the door, and declared, “Move aside, I need to use the bathroom! Don’t understand? Fine, I need to relieve myself! No response? Surely you know what I mean—I need to go!”

The soldiers outside desperately tried to suppress their laughter, but their burly captain remained unmoved, refusing to let anyone step aside. He replied solemnly, “Miss, we are only following orders. Please return to your room.”

Liu Ling’er immediately adopted a weak, helpless expression. “But I really can’t hold it any longer. Please have mercy and let me go.”

The captain furrowed his brow, clearly torn. Seeing an opening, Liu Ling’er was about to feign even more weakness to elicit sympathy, but the captain sternly replied, “No, without the general's command, I cannot make that decision. Please return to your room and handle any matters inside.”

Inside? How could he even suggest such a thing! Liu Ling’er felt as if a stampede of wild horses was galloping through her mind. She couldn’t help but shout, “Your sister!”

To her surprise, the captain paused, puzzled. “Miss, would you like to see my sister? My sister Tao is your personal maid. If you wish to see her, I’ll call her in right away.”

Liu Ling’er was utterly speechless. She slammed the door shut. What kind of people were her father’s subordinates? Were they all so extraordinary, or was it simply that her worldview couldn’t keep pace with the rhythms of ancient times?

Not even the time it takes for a cup of tea to cool passed before the door was pushed open. A young girl in a green dress entered, stuck out her tongue shyly, and said, “Miss, you called for me?”

Liu Ling’er’s mind immediately conjured up everything she knew about this girl: Tao, her personal maid, with a brother—the captain from earlier. They had grown up together, confidantes with nothing hidden between them.

In this ancient world, Tao was one of the few unwaveringly loyal people to Liu Ling’er. A wave of warmth swept over her. She hurried forward, “Tao, you’re just in time! I’m about to die—help me, please!”