Chapter 4.1

Just as she expected. The next day, the camp was enveloped in a peculiar atmosphere. Ambiguous glances followed her like shadows, and Du Bingyan tried to act nonchalant, but she couldn’t help but wonder why she alone was being scrutinized. These gazes were certainly not daring to be seen by Yuan Buqu, and were all directed at her! Several doctors who had come to prepare medicine had harbored resentment towards her due to Feng Yufeng’s favoritism, and now seemed intent on expressing their bitterness through harsh words, exploiting his weakness. They had observed for months and knew that he never reported small grievances or slights to his superiors, thus they felt secure in bullying him.

It seemed this place thrived on the weak being bullied by the strong! Or was it that the world of men, driven by the struggle for power and benefit, had become such an inevitable iron law? These doctors, as scholars, were adept at using sharp and harsh words. Although they had read many books, their narrow-mindedness was evident—they couldn’t stand others doing well. If only they had spent the time mocking others on perfecting their medical skills, perhaps their achievements wouldn’t be so limited.

In contrast, those warriors were much more straightforward; their likes and dislikes were all written on their faces, without any understanding of subtlety.

If these rumors couldn’t be cleared up, she might as well turn a blind eye to them; worrying about her own future was the priority. She knew that Yuan Buqu liked her quite a lot and didn’t like her mentioning the matter of bringing back Li Yuhu. His intentions were clear—he wanted to have her for himself!

If she could be a bit more selfish, perhaps she could allow herself to indulge in his embrace and enjoy the privilege of being Mrs. Yuan. But why should Li Yuhu suffer on her behalf? Such a bright and cheerful girl wasn’t meant to be a widow! They were friends, so Du Bingyan could not allow herself to be so selfish.

Besides, things wouldn’t stay hidden forever! Maybe Li Yuhu’s father would come to visit his daughter. Perhaps her own family would come to Quanzhou to see her, and by then everything would be exposed! Such a “wife-swapping” incident was a grave moral violation! No one could accept it! As early as when the matchmaker and the maids were foolishly trying to deceive everyone, she had already thought of the long-term consequences. But they didn’t see it that way; they only wanted to cover everything up, naively believing that things would end perfectly, without anyone ever finding out!

If only she had gone straight back to Yangzhou! She could have sent a letter to the camp, explaining everything to Yuan Buqu, and everything would have been resolved. And she wouldn’t have lost her heart!

Alas! Who knew that his impression of her was so different from what she had set? Who knew he wouldn’t let her go! And who knew that a woman’s emotions could uncontrollably be given to someone other than her husband? Truly! She had never known that emotions weren’t bound by etiquette, believing that after marriage, only a husband could guide a wife’s emotional tide.

But that was not the case, was it? She now realized, but also discovered that once emotions were given, they could not be retracted.

I wonder what Li Yuhu’s situation was after her marriage to Quanzhou? With her temperament, could she tolerate being manipulated by others? Did the Qi family realize they had married the wrong person? Why was there no news? If there had been any, her family would have contacted her long ago, and Li Yuhu would have come to the general’s residence to find her, and then Steward Li would have sent a message to tell her. But there was nothing! Otherwise, how could she still be stuck here with no way out? Yuan Buqu wouldn’t let her leave, insisting she wait until the war was over before discussing her situation.

But she was afraid, afraid of becoming more deeply entangled! Afraid that seeing and hearing too much and living too freely would make her uneasy when she was confined again.

Regardless of Yuan Buqu’s willingness, once the truth came out, she would still be a member of the Qi family. His refusal wouldn’t change that.

Now, it was only a matter of time.

Alas—how did this mess fall on her?

“Du Bing! Du Bing! Are you there?”

A loud and impatient voice came from outside the tent.

She frowned, put down her work, and walked toward the source of the voice while responding, “I’m here.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Sha Pingwei rushing up to her.

“Du Bing! I want to ask you, is there really something between you and the general?”

“Why do you ask?” She sighed inwardly. Sha Pingwei was late to realize this.

“I came back from the training grounds and overheard some grooms whispering. I was so angry that I grabbed one and asked. I found out that last evening, the general rode with you on the same horse to the forest and held you in front of him. You’re not a woman, so why would he hold you in front of him instead of placing you behind? My God! Just the fact that a general carried a small doctor is a big deal! You—you—” He was so agitated that he was almost incoherent! His crude conclusion was: What exactly happened between Du Bing and the general?

Du Bingyan replied sharply, “Why don’t you ask the general? What kind of person am I? Just a mediocre military doctor! If the general wants me to do something, how could I dare to refuse? Should I have held a knife to his neck to force him to take me out for a ride?”

Her mildly angry expression, with a tinge of red and eyes shining, was exceptionally beautiful! Sha Pingwei’s heart thumped, and he took two large steps back, stunned! He whispered, “My God! How come I never realized you were so much like a woman? I always thought you were exceptionally handsome. Did you use your beautiful face to seduce the general? Du Bing, you must think carefully! This is not right; he already has a wife and wouldn’t be involved with a young boy. To get promoted is not done through such means—”

“Enough! It turns out that men’s tongues are not shorter than women’s, and their ears are just as soft ¹ They talk alot and they easily believe rumors ! A person who wants to achieve great things but has such limited insight and easily believes in rumors! We’ve only known each other for a month or so. You may not trust my character, but the general has been like a brother to you for over seven years. Don’t you understand what kind of person he is?”

“But—but—” Sha Pingwei had completely lost his momentum and timidly tried to say something else. But Du Bingyan, despite her young age, had a dignified air that made him feel guilty.

“If you really regard me as a little brother, then stand on my side! When you paid special attention to me the other day, there were already rumors slandering me and you as having an affair. You—”

“Who said that?” Sha Pingwei roared furiously upon hearing half of it! He didn’t expect to be involved in this matter! With a swing of his left fist, he immediately smashed the bamboo pole used for hanging clothes.

“Brother Sha!” Du Bingyan cried out in dismay as she looked at the clothes she had just washed and hung up. Oh no! She’d have to wash them all over again! She crouched down to pick up the clothes, but Sha Pingwei, not willing to give up until he got an answer, grabbed her arm and asked, “Who was it? Tell me who spread those rumors!”

“I don’t remember.” With an army of a hundred thousand, they could find out on their own. Let them be exhausted and stop bothering her!

“Du Bing, we’re like brothers—”

“Yes! Too weak that you believe in rumors!” she replied sharply. As she stood up to gather the clothes for washing, she accidentally bumped into Sha Pingwei, causing a cloud of dust. She pushed him away and realized her face had gotten dirty again. Resignedly, she took out a handkerchief to wipe her face.

“Stop bothering me, Captain. I’m just a minor military doctor with work to do.”

“It seems you’re not going to say anything!” he asked, both unwilling and frustrated.

“That’s right. It’s pointless to investigate such rumors. I’m no longer upset, so why are you?” She put away the handkerchief and prepared to leave.

Sha Pingwei grabbed her, “Wait, there’s still some dirt here.” He pointed at her nose and awkwardly used his sleeve to wipe the tip of her nose. However, before he could even touch her face, his collar was suddenly pulled up, and he was pushed several steps back!

“What are you doing!”

There it was again! That voice! It was such a coincidence—every time he was with Du Bing, Yuan Buqu always used this line to start a conversation.

“Brother Yuan, I was just helping him clean his face!”

“And you allowed him!” Yuan Buqu’s face flashed with a dangerous signal as he stared at Du Bingyan.

“I—” Du Bingyan swallowed. He looked so angry that she felt both scared and confused. Avoiding his intense gaze, she noticed Sha Shao standing beside Yuan Buqu, smiling as he watched the scene.

“Let’s talk inside the tent. Ziren, this approach isn’t working.” Sha Shao said meaningfully.

Yuan Buqu’s expression flickered before he finally nodded, pulling Du Bingyan possessively by the waist and striding towards his tent. Poor Du Bingyan could barely keep up with his pace, stumbling awkwardly as if she were a sack of flour being carried.

Sha Pingwei was still in shock, stammering, “Father, he—they—”

“Let’s go!” Sha Shao pushed his son. Alas, such an unreliable child! A thing with no progress!

Once inside the tent and seated, the servants served tea and then withdrew.

Du Bingyan sat quietly, her hands clasped, trying to distance herself from Yuan Buqu discreetly. But so far, she hadn’t succeeded; his left arm was like a vice around her waist.

Sha Shao was the first to speak.

“Tomorrow the army will move out and advance fifty miles, entering a full deployment state. You’re not planning to take her along, are you?”

“He’s a military doctor, of course, he’ll follow.” Sha Pingwei spoke directly.

“Ziren.” Sha Shao shot a glare at his son.

Yuan Buqu nodded and said, “Tonight I’ll arrange for her to stay in a separate residence within the city.” Rather than security concerns, it was more about keeping Sha Pingwei at bay; he was too close to Bingyan! It was driving him mad.

Sha Shao stroked his beard and asked, “Arrange for her to stay in a separate residence? In what capacity? Don’t forget, you’re already married.”

“She is my wife!” Yuan Buqu’s words shocked everyone.

Sha Pingwei was the first to jump up, “Wife—wife? What’s going on? Brother Yuan, are you out of your mind?”

“I’m not your real wife; I’ve said this before!” Du Bingyan retorted, her clear voice now unabashed.

“Do you mean she is the bride who escaped from the general’s residence two months ago?” Sha Shao asked in confusion.

“Yes, she is. Her name is Du Bingyan, a new bride entering the Yuan family.”

“But I remember the girl you were betrothed to was a Miss Li from Yangzhou. When did a Miss Du appear?”

Still confused, Sha Pingwei interjected, “Miss Du? My God! She’s a woman?”

But no one paid him any attention.

Yuan Buqu had no intention of explaining the matter in detail. It was his own business; anyway, she was his, and that was that! There was no need for further discussion. In fact, discussing it would only cause more confusion.

“She is not Miss Li, but Miss Du. Once officially married, there should be no mistake. Pingwei, she is no longer Du Bing, but your sister-in-law. You need to be more discerning in your actions from now on, understand?”

“I know! But—this guy doesn’t have any feminine traits at all! Except for that exceptionally good-looking face. The rest of her body…”

According to Tang Dynasty standards of beauty, Du Bingyan was too delicate and not sufficiently plump. She lacked fullness and had no curves where she should. It was hard to tell whether she was male or female!

His bluntness annoyed Du Bingyan. She replied coldly, “This is not something you need to worry about! Checking her identity is not your job!”

Yuan Buqu smiled slightly and embraced her.

“Indeed, it’s my concern.” He glanced at her body unseriously and added, “As long as I don’t mind.”

Sha Shao looked at the pair of lovers with hidden feelings and felt a weight lift from his heart. It had been years since he had seen Ziren so happy. This girl was gentle and graceful, kind yet shrewd, and elegant with poise. It was clear she was the type that Ziren needed as a partner.

“Ziren, what do you plan to do about the unfavorable rumors outside?”

“Expose her identity as a woman,” Yuan Buqu decided. “Pingwei, go into the city and buy a set of women’s clothing.”

“Me?” Sha Pingwei protested, “Why me? I don’t know anything about women’s clothes. People will think I’m crazy!”

“Get it before dark.”

Sansukini: The cat is out of the bag. How will these men feel after knowing that they bullied a woman.

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