Heroic Indulgence (2): Heodo, Another Manor
Unlike the bustling energy of Liu Bei's manor, this remote estate on the outskirts of Heodo exuded only a gloomy pallor. The only souls present were a middle-aged woman sitting blankly in the courtyard, staring at the sky, and the middle-aged warrior standing beside her.
"Munwon."
"Yes, my lady."
"They say a woman should follow her husband in death. Now I understand why."
Lady Yan looked pallid, as if stricken with illness. She appeared so frail that collapsing dead at any moment wouldn't have been surprising.
"It's so empty and lonely... I have no will to live."
"Steel your heart, my lady."
"A pained heart brings a pained body. Or is it the other way around? My body was already wounded, so now my heart aches too?"
And rightly so—she was poisoned by grief. No need to specify where the poison had taken root.
"Lord Cao sent medicine. Have you taken it?"
"I did. That's why I feel so lonely. The poison was cured, but the sorrow of losing my husband... that can't be healed."
"My lady..."
"...Heh. Munwon, I have a favor to ask."
Lady Yan clutched her teacup tightly with both hands.
"If I should die, bury me by his side. Even if it means dying with him, I can't bear the thought of that woman guarding him."
"...I shall give my life for it."
Zhang Liao already knew. Lady Yan's days were numbered. He'd exhausted every resource and connection to save his fallen lord's wife, but there was no cure for the agony of losing her husband.
"Yes. At least make your name renowned. That way, people will remember him through you."
Zhang Liao could do nothing but watch this scene unfold. He was a general of Cao Cao's army now.
Creeeak.
The manor's front gate swung open. A young woman strode in purposefully and stood before Lady Yan, her eyes red and swollen.
"I'll do as you said, Mother."
"...Thank you."
The woman, Ye Ling, had eyes so puffy from crying it was impossible to tell how long she'd wept. Yet her gaze burned straight and resolute, her decision firm.
"Don't think of avenging your father. He deserved to die."
"Okay."
"The Ye surname will be a lifelong burden to you. Better to start anew. That woman will let you live freely as long as you don't aim arrows at her. Understood?"
"Got it. ...Like this?"
Ye Ling drew a dagger and sheared off her long hair. It now fell just to her shoulders, and Lady Yan smiled faintly, satisfied.
"Yes. Now you're reborn as a new person. Leave Heodo if you like, or find some quiet place and a man who loves only you. No one will force you into marriage anymore."
"......."
Tears streamed down Ye Ling's cheeks. Lady Yan nodded to Zhang Liao, who handed Ye Ling a cloth bundle with a somber expression.
"What's this...?"
"I couldn't retrieve the armor, but fortunately, I got the bow. It may not suit a fresh start, but please accept this last selfish wish from the lady and me."
Swish.
Inside the bundle lay a sturdy-looking bow, marked everywhere with the traces of heavy use—clearly cherished by its owner.
"No way... this is..."
"It's his. Munwon... brought it back."
"...Heh."
Ye Ling let out a bitter chuckle and gripped the bow tightly.
"Can't even claim his belongings without Cao Cao's permission, and can't live freely unless she turns a blind eye."
"That's right. Cao Cao won. This is how the family of a defeated general must live."
"...What about you, Mother?"
Lady Yan shook her head at Ye Ling's question.
"You go. I don't want to burden you with my funeral."
"I'll handle your mourning rites, my lady. Shameless as it is... it's my duty to the general."
"Even that was approved by Cao Cao?"
"......."
Zhang Liao fell silent. The bow in Ye Ling's hands trembled, and Lady Yan's eyes reddened at the sight of her daughter on the verge of tears.
"Throw it away if you want. Forget it all. But understand my selfishness too. You are... my daughter, and his."
"Mother. Do you still miss Father?"
"Yes."
"Even after Diaochan that bitch ruined us?"
"Diaochan's a wicked woman. And your father, bewitched by her, ignored his wife and daughter—he was wicked too. But..."
Tears finally spilled from Lady Yan's eyes.
"I wanted to let go, but in the end... I still loved that bastard."
"...Mother, I promise."
Ye Ling slung the bow over her back, vowing firmly.
"I'll live well, right in front of them. Show that woman—the one who tried to force me into marriage—that I found someone who truly loves me and live happily."
"...Do that. Now, who do you take after?"
"Beats me."
Ye Ling wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
"Uncle, take good care of Mother. Think of her as your widowed sister-in-law."
"Of course."
"...I'm really leaving now. Like you said, Mother, I might hear about your death way later, from some northern or eastern backwater."
"It's fine. But one last request?"
Lady Yan reached out a trembling hand to Ye Ling.
"...Send Munwon a letter once a month."
"...Okay."
Ye Ling turned away. Laden with her belongings, she stepped out under Zhang Liao's escort. The sky shone brilliantly, oblivious or mocking her heavy heart.
"Where to?"
"South."
Ye Ling glanced back while adjusting her pack.
"The exact opposite of Father's homeland, Bingzhou."
"South... Jingzhou, then."
"Is it? Nah. Maybe swing by my hometown after all? Who knows. Hmph, wherever my feet take me. South, north, whatever."
She shrugged.
"But Uncle, help me with one thing."
"Hm?"
"A name."
"...What?"
"Reborn as a new person—I can't keep the old name."
".......Hah."
Zhang Liao covered his face with his hand.
"...I always planned to name a daughter Shang Xiang if one came."
"Shang Xiang?"
"Yes. Zhang Shangxiang."
"Pfft."
Ye Ling twisted her lips and pointed to herself.
"Just Shang Xiang, then. Thanks, Uncle. ...Take care of Mother."
"......."
And so, Ye Ling—no, Shang Xiang—left Heodo behind.
"I wish time would fly."
"Why?"
"So the letter from my family formally approving our marriage will come sooner."
Sima Yi had come to the fields holding a parasol to block the sun. The black parasol was designed by Zhuge Liang's workshop engineers from her blueprints, creating perfect shade from the harsh rays.
"Every day feels endlessly long for the first time."
"Does it? I'm bleeding out day by day."
"Why?"
"Mediating your fights."
Ah, past me who decided to embrace both women—I'm proud yet hate you. He must have dumped everything on future me—present me. Boldly declaring, "Whoever wins gets me," but these two geniuses from Sukyung Hall found other ways to compete.
"Us fighting? Perish the thought. How could we, serving the same husband?"
"You're competing over who's better."
"What's fighting about that? So healthy."
"Healthy it is."
Sima Yi had the edge in "stamina." Zhuge Liang, slim and delicate-looking, had neglected physical training before.
But now? Realizing stamina was key to a happy marriage, she'd started serious farm work to match Sima Yi.
From tending a small plot, she now plowed vigorously in Sima Yi's old straw hat.
"Farmers are the foundation of the world. This body of mine came from farming, right?"
"True enough. Farming's the best."
"But why's she doodling in the dirt instead of digging furrows?"
Sima Yi scowled at Zhuge Liang, crouched and scratching the ground with a stick.
"That's playing in mud, not plowing. Time for a word. How will she—"
"Wait."
I carefully observed Zhuge Liang. Confirming her scribbles were a "drawing," I approached cautiously.
"Need a brush and paper?"
"Yes!"
Zhuge Liang shouted, drawing all eyes. She tugged her hat low and muttered.
"I-I wasn't slacking..."
"Thought of something to make work more efficient?"
"Y-yes. This—if I tweak the shape, it'll sell easier..."
Flushed red, she gestured wildly at the ground, expounding.
"Not just that. With this wooden machine, even without horses or oxen, people could plow like them without huge effort. And with proper wheels, no need to carry it..."
"Liang."
I cut her off.
"Want to go to the workshop?"
"Yes!"
"Get ready, then. We'll work on your stamina training later."
Zhuge Liang beamed and kicked off her boots. Sima Yi grumbled at her abandoning the farm so quickly but clamped her mouth shut upon seeing the drawing.
"...I could've thought of that too."
Sima Yi's stamina was double, but Zhuge Liang excelled in broader intellect. If Sima Yi had all the knowledge for chaotic times, Zhuge Liang's vast learning shone in peace too—like Han Xin and Zhang Liang in wits.
"Husband, let's go quick. Yeah?"
"...Yeah. Got it."
I took the hand of the tidied Zhuge Liang. Sima Yi naturally hooked her arm on the other side.
"Off to the workshop, then—"
"Teacher Kim—!! Big trouble!!"
A shout echoed from afar. I was mildly surprised at the familiar face.
"Kuai Liang? What brings you from under Liu Biao to Xinya...?"
"Sorry, elder. Right now..."
"Sima Yi, urgent for you too. Wasn't there a courier from Henei?"
"Yes."
"Bandits near Henei County. It's completely surrounded now."
"Ah."
Killing intent seeped from the arm-linked Sima Yi.
"...The marriage approval from Father hasn't come yet, right...?"
Henei County: Travel paralyzed by nearby Black Mountain Bandits.