The Fallen Medicine Woman: The Daily Life of Chun Nuan-Chapter 147 - 115: General Huaiyuan Xia Guangcheng

Chapter 147: Chapter 115: General Huaiyuan Xia Guangcheng

"What did you say?"

General Huaiyuan, Xia Guangcheng, was momentarily stunned upon hearing the lieutenant’s words.

"Miss Xiao was invited into the palace by one of the Empress Dowager’s attendants and hasn’t returned yet."

"Is she... alright?" Xia Guangcheng frowned, "What does the Empress Dowager want her in the palace for?"

"Not too sure," the lieutenant replied, "General, do you think we should..."

"I’m going into the city; you all should prepare a few more dishes according to the old madam’s preferences," Xia Guangcheng said. "If the old madam asks later, just say I have official business and couldn’t return on time and tell her to start the meal without me."

"Yes, General."

The lieutenant straightened his back silently.

Look at that, how correctly he acted this time!

As a competent lieutenant, one must always be attuned to the general’s preferences.

At over thirty, accomplished and renowned, yet his personal life has always been frustratingly disappointing.

His first fiancée died when the wedding date was set; for the second, just as the date was set, he was ordered to the border to fight, and by the time he returned five years later, she had married someone else. Her family didn’t want her youth wasted waiting for him, so they urged for the engagement to be annulled; the old madam could say nothing and had to accept fate.

Just as the third engagement seemed likely to succeed, the situation became even more absurd as the bride-to-be eloped with her cousin.

To save face, the bride’s family claimed she was gravely ill, seeking the General’s forgiveness and proposing to replace her with a concubine’s daughter. Furious, the General outright rejected them, terrifying them with just a few words, forcing them to announce that the legitimate daughter betrothed to General Huaiyuan had died of illness.

This was initially a cover-up, but to the Capital’s people, it became truth, and the reputation of being cursed to lose his wives fell upon the General.

Upon returning to the Capital, many sought to align with him, but noble families’ daughters feared for their lives, offering only concubines’ daughters.

The old madam was angered to illness for a long time, and the General refused to discuss marriage matters altogether.

The old madam is now pressing him to marry.

Who would have thought, the esteemed General Huaiyuan, high in rank and power, had an exclusive affection for Miss Xiao, who was rejected by her family next door.

Realizing this, he tried to keep tabs on Miss Xiao’s every move, and see, it came into use today.

He hadn’t expected the General’s deep affection for Miss Xiao would drive him to enter the palace without a summon; his intentions were apparent.

Xia Guangcheng drove his horse forward fast, urging relentlessly, "Yah, yah, yah," covering over twenty li from the estate to the Capital in a rushed gallop.

He dismounted before the palace gates, took a deep breath, preparing to request an audience.

Suddenly, he saw someone coming out from the side of the palace gate.

Seeing who it was, Xia Guangcheng’s heart missed a beat.

"Thank you, Madam, for taking care of Panpan," Chunyu hurriedly handed over a pouch, also giving one to Qing’er.

"No need to be formal, Miss. I’ll escort you here and then return to report to the Empress Dowager."

"Please, Madam."

The maid, who had just been rewarded, happily returned to the palace.

Only Qing’er looked at Xiao Chunyu with concern.

"Don’t worry about me; nothing will happen," Xiao Chunyu said. "It’s not easy for you in the palace either, be decisive in your actions, if bullied, endure it until you have the means to put them underfoot, then retaliate."

"Yes, Miss. You and the young lady must take care."

"I will. You can visit the estate during your time off. Don’t see me as some grand lady; if you don’t mind, you can call me elder sister."

"Elder Sister!" Qing’er was extremely excited, feeling privileged to gain Miss Xiao’s favor and be acknowledged as her sister.

"Good, remember, you have your elder sister with you."

"Hmm." Qing’er was deeply moved!

Xiao Chunyu turned to leave the palace, almost running into a wall in a moment of distraction.

Upon closer inspection, it wasn’t a wall, but General Huaiyuan.

"Chunyu greets the General."

"Miss Xiao, no need for formalities." With just one look, Xia Guangcheng confirmed she was the one he’d been looking for: "Is Miss Xiao heading back to the estate from the palace?"

"Indeed."

"By coincidence, I am also heading back to the estate from the palace; may we travel together."

Xiao Chunyu... what kind of nonsense is this?

Listen to what you’re saying; it’s broad daylight, and we’re a lone man and a woman traveling together?

Walking from the city to the estate, isn’t it enough of a joke for others to gossip about for days?

"A band of strong thieves is lingering outside the city recently, with unknown intentions, it would be wise for Miss Xiao to be cautious."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chunyu hurriedly expressed her gratitude.

Indeed, let him accompany her if he wishes, why should she be so particular?