Chapter 85: Getting to Know Madam of the General's Household
As they spoke, General Yang caught a glimpse of Zhao Xing as she walked up to them, from behind the Crown Prince.
"Eh? Brother Yang, isn't that Miss Zhao?"
Zhang Zhengyang turned and saw Zhao Xing, he said nothing and turned back to his guest. "I sent people to get her since I heard that Madam had also come"
Madam Yang smiled hearing this, "The Crown Prince was indeed one step ahead."
Zhao Xing remembered these people. She had met them twice. Once at the Emperor's Birthday, then the Emperor had praised him a lot, he had also met with the Crown Prince after the Banquet to discuss, but then she had been too tired to eavesdrop. She also met the general recently, that would be 2 days ago when she was conferred a title, although she hadn't noticed the presence of Madam Yang. General Yang, she thought he should be a respectable man, but from what she had witnessed that night as well as today she could tell that most of it was just a farce. In terms of character this guy was no different from the Ninth Prince.
"This one greets General Yang, Madam Yang." She greeted upon arrival.
Madam Yang glanced at the Crown Prince and then at Zhao Xing with a smile, "As the Crown Prince's benefactor as well as noble princess, there's no need to be so courteous."
"Don't mind her, she still has a lot to learn, if she slacks off, no one would be willing to address her as noble princess." Zhang Zhengyang said nonchalantly.
Zhao Xing who had been trying to put on a serious expression turned and glared at him when she heard what he had said.
'Did this guy take some bad medicine before coming out today?' She knew that General Yang and the Crown Prince were somewhat close, but was it ok to risk exposing their relationship?
Madam Yang was a bit stunned by the way the Crown Prince spoke, it wasn't easy to see him acting so casually with someone. The Crown Prince acted respectfully and according to protocol even when speaking with her husband with whom he was very close to.
She looked at Zhao Xing differently now. For him to act this way, their relationship mustn't be simple.
"Then since Miss Zhao is here, Brother Zhangyang let's not disturb them anymore." General Yang pulled Zhang Zhengyang away with him in a rude manner that made the servants around bow and shake their heads helplessly.
Seeing her husband had gone, Madam Yang's smile grew brighter when she stared at Zhao Xing. "Miss Zhao, I've heard about you from my husband, that day, I was unable to attend the banquet because I was unwell. Congratulations on being conferred the title of Noble Princess." She wasn't feeling well recently and missed the banquet, she wanted to meet this person that had saved the Crown Prince, or maybe she was bored of being at home all that time and was looking for a reason to go out. When she told her husband about it, he insisted on following her. She knew he had his own plans so she didn't decline his offer.
Zhao Xing felt weird at the sudden kindness of this lady, she felt a bit alert, but still smiled back, "Madam is too kind." She turned and asked her to follow her, "Madam, please."
They both walked together, towards her courtyard.
"I hope madam is feeling better now." Zhao Xing asked.
"Yes, actually it's nothing serious, just a cold." Madam Yang replied.
Zhao Xing nodded, with the season changing it was easy for one to get sick.
"I heard that Miss Zhao has always lived in the mountains, I wonder…how it is like to leave there." Madam Yang asked hesitantly.
'Why was everyone asking about this?' It's not like she actually lived there. Though of course she spent some time in Little Merchant Valley, also the time she spent in some mountainous cities, so she might have a bit of experience, but still, it wasn't easy answering these questions especially when she only lived lavishly wherever she went.
"The mountains are beautiful…" She casually responded, but didn't go further.
Madam Yang saw her unwillingness to speak, and thought she was asking things she shouldn't. "Sorry, it's not easy losing one that is close to you. It would be hard to talk about things and places you've been through along with that person."
Zhao Xing didn't really understand what she was talking about, before she remembered she had told the congregation that day that she had lost her younger brother in the mountains. Madam Yang must have learnt of this. Was she comforting her?
Zhao Xing smiled at her. They stopped at a pavilion to seat, there, Zhao Xing's servants that had followed them, quickly went to attend to them.
"Madam sounded so melancholic just now, has madam also lost someone close to you?" She asked curiously.
Madam Yang was stunned by the question, she didn't think Zhao Xing would be so direct and ask her this. Of course people outside wouldn't dare ask this question, because they already knew what was going on.
She could understand that Zhao Xing didn't know after all she only just arrived the capital, and wouldn't have heard much after staying in the Crown Prince manor to recuperate. Though it wasn't a question she'd like to answer, she still went on and told her. "My sister."
Zhao Xing nodded and didn't ask more. She didn't have much to ask, they weren't close, and were actually sitting to talk for the first time.
"Miss Zhao is really brave, it's not easy standing up to save people in such a dangerous situation." Madam Yang said changing the subject.
Zhao Xing smiled, "it's really nothing, I was just trying my best to save those who couldn't save themselves, I was actually really scared back then as well, I don't deserve Madam's praise."
"How can that be?"
Zhao Xing didn't feel good with everyone calling her brave here and there, she only hoped no one would notice her, for fear of being exposed, besides she really didn't jump out to save the prince. It was an accident!
"Compared to myself I think it is madam that is braver, and highly optimistic person." Zhao Xing complimented.
"Is that so?" Madam Yang responded with a doubtful look. The praise seemed farfetched to her.
Zhao Xing nodded, "I've always thought that women who married into the military were very brave people. Those who only lived in the moment, and didn't think too much about the future." That was exactly what she thought. Since her father had passed away, she always wondered, those who had to marry soldiers, they must be really strong people! Because they weren't thinking about the future where they might not see their loved one return home, but would always hope that they returned home safely. She couldn't imagine herself doing such thing as marrying someone whose life was in constant threat of being taken away. Her heart wasn't that strong.
Madam Yang heard her and was stunned for a second before bursting into laughter, Zhao Xing was surprised to see her like this and thought she had said something wrong.
"Madam…don't mind me, I'm a bit stupid, don't take my words to heart…"
But Madam Yang was still laughing, she seemed to have found what she said to be very funny. "It's nothing, Miss…No, I mean Noble Princess." When she had arrived she was skeptical about the person she was going to meet, but after chatting with her, she found that this girl really hid nothing behind her words. Her speech was plain and simple. And she would say whatever was in her mind. It felt good to meet someone like her in this lifetime.
She had to quickly make friends with her, with the little time she had.
"Madam doesn't need to call me like that, just call me Miss Zhao or Xing Xing…" She felt uncomfortable by the sudden change of the way she addressed her. But Madam Yang shook her head.
"I must call you noble princess, today I'm indeed surprised by Noble Princess's thought process."
"Ha?" 'Why was the conversation getting more and more confusing?'
"Since, Noble Princess doesn't know, then I'll tell you."
Zhao Xing's servant came to deliver snacks, Madam Yang gave Zhao Xing a look and she immediately understood.
"Nuo Nuo, Lan'er, you two leave us first."
They nodded and retreated.
Madam Yang smiled, "You must have heard of the Gu family? Old Man Gu is a great Scholar respected in the court and has two sons. My father, First Master Gu, had only two daughters from his first wife. But the second daughter fell in love with one of the most loved general of the land. She was soon going to get married but ended up dying the night of the wedding."
Zhao Xing's eyes widened when she heard this.
"She was always healthy, I always wondered how she died. Some people say it was because she was sick, and had kept it secret. Unfortunately, my sister and I weren't close though we had the same mother, the same father, because our personalities and principles differed so much, I always felt I should keep my distance whenever I was around her. Maybe, if I didn't do so back then, I would have an idea if she was really sick or not."
She paused and turned to look at the pond before them, with a smile that masked the many complicated feelings within. "I was sent into General Yang's house as my sister's replacement. The brave woman you're talking about should be my sister, not me."
Zhao Xing nodded. "It's true, the brave person I described would indeed have to be your sister, but it doesn't mean Madam isn't brave."
Madam Yang turned to look at her, puzzled.
But Zhao Xing continued before she had time to speak, "Madam is also brave, still living happily even when people might think you should be most miserable. I also want to be like that."
Madam Yang chuckled. "How do you know I'm living happily?"
"You probably don't love the man you married, but you're doing your best to live well, this is an optimist's way of thinking, it's a sign that someone is living well, don't you know?"
Madam Yang laughed. It's true, many think her life is difficult, but she had so many people around her caring for her, how could she be sad? Of course no woman would like to have a husband that ignored her all the time, or be a replacement for someone else. But what she had she was grateful for it, and the things she didn't have, she didn't really worry too much about them.
"Noble Princess is wise."
Zhao Xing almost choked when she heard this. Her? Wise? She never would have thought that one day, she and the word 'wise' would be put in the same sentence.
"Madam has overpraised me." She laughed awkwardly.
Madam Yang shook her head, "From today, I would love to be your friend, Miss Zhao, please don't call me madam anymore, call me Anxi, I'll call you Sister Xing, is that alright?"
"Ah?"
Why was it that when people came to talk to her they automatically want to become friends?
"…Sister Anxi…" Ok, making friends with the General's wife wasn't a bad thing, she was actually a very sweet person.
Madam Yang smiled. "Sister Xing."
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