Chapter 15: I Suspect Her Sister Died in Battle!
Xiao Luohan was too embarrassed to show Jiang Xue the new drawings. She kept them with the drawing of the giant cat.
Knowing that Jiang Xue not only liked her drawings but also enjoyed drawing herself, she asked Shizhu to cut a stack of paper the same size as the book, so she could sketch whenever inspiration struck.
She also began working on a larger painting – depicting the journey of her marriage alliance.
This was inspired by Jiang Xue’s words: 【If Your Highness wants to show me a larger painting, you can fold it and send it through. We have ways to remove creases without damaging the artwork.】
She knew Jiang Xue’s weekend would soon be over and that she would return to school on “Monday,” living in her rented apartment. So, she decided to save the paintings and send them all at once when Jiang Xue returned home.
Even in a seemingly idyllic world, a young woman still had her worries. If her drawings and companionship could bring Jiang Xue even a moment of happiness, then it was worth it.
While Jiang Xue was busy with her studies, Xiao Luohan browsed through the miscellaneous books, her thoughts drifting to her own future.
She had heard many stories of princesses sent for marriage alliances from her elder sister and mother since childhood, and she’d asked herself countless times during her journey to Daying:
What could she do for Beiliao?
Nothing. She was merely a discarded pawn.
Her father was still clinging to power with the help of his loyal officials, so the burden of a marriage alliance had fallen upon her. The moment her father had chosen her, she had become a tribute, a peace offering to Daying.
The Daying emperor had demanded a princess, claiming it was a “marriage alliance to end the war,” but Beiliao’s fate was already sealed. Daying was merely toying with them, like a cat with a mouse, loosening its claws slightly with this marriage alliance, only to tear Beiliao to shreds when the time was right.
So, before that happened, before her illness consumed her, she had to do something for herself.
After several days of contemplation, Xiao Luohan asked Jiang Xue:
【After taking your medicine, my health seems to have improved. If I wish to start exercising, what do you recommend?】
She needed to improve her physical condition, but given her circumstances, she couldn’t engage in strenuous activities like her sister. She could only ask the knowledgeable Jiang Xue for advice.
That afternoon, Jiang Xue sent two books, The Eight Brocades and Chen-style Tai Chi Sword, along with a silver telescopic sword.
【Start with the Eight Brocades! The Tai Chi sword movements are also gentle, but I’m not sure if your body can handle it. You can read the book first.】
【This sword is telescopic. Just flick your wrist, and the blade extends. It’s blunt but sturdy, so don’t worry about damaging it.】
Both the books and the sword showed signs of use. Jiang Xue must have taken them directly from her home, eager to send them to her.
Xiao Luohan found this endearing. As she flipped through the books, she saw the sisters’ notes and annotations. Examining the wear and fingerprints on the sword, she pictured the sisters practicing with it.
This inspired her to draw. She sketched the Eight Brocades exercises on small sheets of xuan paper, replacing the male figure in the demonstrations with Jiang Xue, to help her memorize the movements.
This way, it was as if Jiang Xue were exercising with her.
Performing these stretches felt a bit silly. Suppressing a giggle, she completed a set of drawings, deciding not to show them to Jiang Xue. She asked Shizhu to bind the pages into a booklet and began practicing.
Since she hadn’t mentioned it, Jiang Xue didn’t know what she was doing. During her free time, Jiang Xue continued to update her on the talent show preparations.
Starting this week, Jiang Xue would rehearse with Xie Xitong and the others during lunch break in a borrowed dance studio.
The main organizers were Xie Xitong and her longtime friend, Dan Yuan Yuan, the class arts and culture representative.
Besides them, six other girls were participating, performing the group dance sections.
Dan Yuan Yuan, usually quiet, became energetic during these events. Watching the projected video, she commented, “Only eight people for the group dance? Doesn’t that lack impact?”
“Everyone’s busy in their senior year. We’re lucky to have eight people,” Xie Xitong said.
Jiang Xue nodded in agreement. While the group dancers discussed the choreography, she told the Third Princess a story: 【This reminds me of when my sister was in college. There was a traditional Chinese cultural event, and the guys in her club were useless. The president asked them to find dancers for a group performance, but they couldn’t find anyone, so they ended up doing the group dance themselves! My sister’s sword dance saved the day!】
She had cringed for her sister, watching from the audience. Fortunately, her sister’s commanding presence and impressive swordsmanship had captivated the crowd, everyone filming with their phones. The performance hadn’t been a complete disaster.
Afterward, those two guys had followed her sister around, calling her “Boss” with exaggerated respect. They didn’t seem to realize they were the reason she’d had to steal the show!
This time, Jiang Xue didn’t avoid mentioning her sister. She hadn’t found the right opportunity to ask about the Third Princess’s sister directly, worried it would be too intrusive. She hoped this story would prompt the Third Princess to share more.
The Third Princess replied quickly: 【Back then, my elder sister also donned armor and joined the army because she didn’t trust men.】
Jiang Xue: ???!
She read so quickly that it took her a few seconds to process what the Third Princess had written.
Joined the army?!
Even though female generals in stories often retired peacefully, if the Third Princess’s sister had been a successful general, she wouldn’t have allowed her beloved younger sister to be sent away for a marriage alliance!
Her heart pounded. She instinctively pulled out her phone and sent a message to her sister: 【The Third Princess said her elder sister joined the army. I suspect her sister died in battle!】
Perhaps because it was lunch break, and because she’d been going home frequently lately, Jiang Mei didn’t question her about having her phone at school. She simply replied sternly: 【Don’t ask!】
【Yu Xue: I definitely won’t! I’ll wait for the Third Princess to tell me herself!】
【Sword: Screenshot and send it to me?】
Just as Jiang Xue sent the screenshot, she heard Dan Yuan Yuan call out, “Xie Xitong said you’ve finalized the solo dance choreography. Can you show us?”
She had brought her sister’s sword with her. She quickly wrote to the Third Princess, “We’ll talk later,” put away her phone, and opened the sword bag.
Xie Xitong played the music for the sword dance segment, and as Jiang Xue danced, Dan Yuan Yuan sat on a small stool, observing.
“…Besides needing more practice, it’s perfect.” As soon as Jiang Xue finished, Dan Yuan Yuan began applauding. “You’re amazing! We only finalized the performance last Friday!”
Jiang Xue rubbed her aching arm and smiled. “Maybe it’s because I have a sister who knows sword dancing? We practiced a lot over the weekend to adjust the choreography.”
“Then you should wear a costume for the next rehearsal,” Dan Yuan Yuan suggested. “Our winter uniforms are bulky, but it’s not the same as the long, flowing sleeves of traditional costumes.”
The former were cumbersome, the latter too long, especially the lower hems, which were easy to trip over during more dynamic movements.
Not to mention, they would likely be wearing wigs and hair ornaments for the actual performance, so it was best to get used to them early on.
Jiang Xue had the same thought. She had only brought the sword today because it was their first rehearsal. Her costume was at her apartment.
After finalizing the details, she watched the group dancers practice their routine a couple of times, then the group dispersed for their lunch break.
Usually, Jiang Xue would fall asleep as soon as her head hit the desk, waking only when the bell rang. But today, she couldn’t sleep, her mind filled with thoughts of the Third Princess’s sister.
Jiang Mei hadn’t replied yet, probably busy with work. Jiang Xue didn’t dare contact her outside of lunch break, so she closed WeChat, focusing on how to respond to the Third Princess.
Finally, when the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch break, she wrote, accompanied by the soothing melody of A Farewell to Yesteryear: 【I’ve always admired female generals. Would Your Highness be willing to tell me about your elder sister’s story?】
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