Lace Glory Universe King GL - Chapter 7

Guided by Yao, they crossed the mountain passes shrouded in checkpoints at midnight and entered Shu territory. Before the divine deer disappeared, it touched the brocade pouch in Sun Shangxiang’s pocket with its antlers — a silent exchange of trust and intent.

Before dawn, they managed to rest for a few hours. Then, using the rising sun to confirm their bearings, they set their course — both Yicheng and Yunmeng City lay to the northwest.

“Once we’re in Shu, we can relax a little. Let’s stop by the town at the foot of the mountain and check your injury first,” Hua Mulan said calmly.

“Injury? What—” Sun Shangxiang had already forgotten the blow to her right shoulder during her wedding escape.

Later, she had applied medicine at the underground base. Aside from struggling to lift her crossbow, she hadn’t felt much discomfort.

But Hua Mulan stepped closer without argument, lifted the collar of Shangxiang’s bright yellow coat, and pressed her fingertips against her shoulder. Her sharp, bright eyes bore into her: “Here?”

“Ah!” Sun Shangxiang flinched, letting out a soft cry.

“Find a place to have it checked. You’re too young to be left with scars.” Hua Mulan stepped back and started down the mountain, her tone leaving no room for debate.

“Alright.” Shangxiang obeyed meekly, her cheeks quietly flushing red behind her.

They descended the mountain along a narrow path. Lush greenery stretched endlessly around them, with no trace of people. After a long while, they spotted a row of houses and a stable, only four or five shops in all.

It wasn’t even a proper town, just a roadside post station for travelers to resupply.

One general store sold a bit of everything. Hua Mulan stood at the doorway, her tall frame making the entrance look tiny — her forehead nearly touched the lintel. She asked the man inside: “Boss, do you have wound medicine?”

“Yes, yes, of course.” The short, plump man replied eagerly.

Mulan entered, signaling Shangxiang to follow.

Shangxiang still hesitated, muttering under her breath as if to herself: “It’s just a small wound, really nothing. A bit of rest and it’ll be fine.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Hua Mulan cut her off crisply.

Shangxiang looked up, searching her eyes — there was no reproach there, only urgency, a desire to solve the problem quickly.

The shopkeeper had already gone to fetch the medicine. Soon he returned, setting two boxes on the counter: “Miss, this one’s for sticking on, and this one’s for applying. Both work the same for minor injuries. Which do you want?”

“The patches,” Hua Mulan replied, then turned to Shangxiang: “That way we can just change and discard them on the road — easier.”

Shangxiang nodded and reached into her coat pocket for money. “Boss, how much?”

The man held up three fingers.

“I’ll pay.” Hua Mulan swiftly dropped three gold coins onto the counter, their heavy, clear ring echoing across the wooden surface.

“Thank you. If you need to apply it, there are tools in the back. I won’t intrude,” the man said with a smile, pocketing the coins.

What Shangxiang didn’t expect was how practiced Mulan was at treating wounds.

Her coat hung over the chair’s back. The right sleeve of her blouse had been slipped halfway off, baring one slim, pale shoulder.

The guard’s blow hadn’t cut deep, but the wound remained unhealed. The old medicine had lost effect, blood seeping through.

Mulan gently swept Shangxiang’s pink ponytail back over her shoulder. She reminded herself to be as gentle as possible, but still felt a twinge of nervousness. Outwardly, though, she looked calm and steady as ever.

Cool air drifted in through the window.

“Cold?”

“No.”

Shangxiang glanced at her exposed wound, then at the focused hands tending her — strong and slender, hands that wielded a heavy sword but now brushed lightly against her skin. She didn’t feel cold at all; instead, she felt the warmth of breath, the closeness of presence.

“I’ve done plenty of this dirty work back in the garrison,” Mulan muttered, perhaps flustered by the younger girl’s searching gaze.

Before Shangxiang could respond, Mulan hastily clarified: “Uh, I mean, it was always patching up rough men — that’s why I called it dirty work.”

“It’s fine.” Shangxiang answered softly. “Thank you, sister.”

Mulan smoothed on the fresh patch, then buttoned Shangxiang’s shirt for her. She lifted the curtain and asked the shopkeeper: “Do you have any protective gear? My friend still needs something for self-defense.”

The man scratched his chin. “Ah… stock’s been thin lately. For protection, I only have one piece — a Thorned Armor. Do you want it?”

“Yes.” Mulan gestured to see it.

The shopkeeper fetched it from a shelf.

Not long after, Shangxiang accepted the vest from Mulan’s hands.

“Wear it under your coat. It’ll help,” Mulan said firmly, her tone carrying both authority and quiet care.

More thoughtful than Shangxiang had imagined. Her heart warmed, though when she tried to pay, Mulan was already ahead of her.

“Boss, many travelers passing through lately?” Mulan asked casually as she settled the bill.

“Not at all. Since Wu tightened the checkpoints, business is dead.” The man’s face drooped.

“We were stuck at the border ourselves for days before they let us through.”

“Exactly. Most smugglers can’t get across, and hardly anyone’s come from the east. Where are you headed?”

“Yunmeng.”

“Oh, perfect time for that. If you switch to fast horses nearby, you’ll be there in two days.”

In this land of mountains, cars were mostly confined to Yicheng. To reach Yunmeng, horses were still the only way.

So they hurried on. By the second night, they reached Yunmeng City. Delivering the brocade pouch to Yun Zhongjun, they explained they’d met Yao by chance and had brought it on her behalf.

When Yun Zhongjun untied the pouch, he froze — as if struck by lightning.

The two women did not dare pry further. Having completed their task, they left quickly.

The next destination: the He Luo border. Both carried heavy thoughts.

Shangxiang remembered: her sister had said she’d only escort her out of the Three Divisions. Once they crossed into He Luo, there would be no reason to stay together. Chang’an was vast — surely it could shelter her somewhere. Yet how many would extend a hand to a fallen princess of Wu?

Mulan, meanwhile, pondered how to follow the lead of Sun Quan’s rumored lover in He Luo. It was the only clue for now. Truth be told, it wouldn’t be hard to investigate — she knew Pei Qinhu, the hard-drinking border officer. But he was no friend. From him, information always came with a price — “an even trade,” as he loved to say.

Which meant… she might have to barter Shangxiang away. Mulan had made her choice.

But before any plan could unfold, at a roadside inn, after finishing bowls of hot soup, both women suddenly collapsed into unconsciousness.

When they awoke, they found themselves in a lavish suite, lying on a sofa. Across from them sat a woman dressed entirely in pink, gazing over a fruit-laden tea table.

“Xiao Qiao!?” Shangxiang exclaimed in shock.

“Xiangxiang! It’s been so long!” Xiao Qiao tilted her head with a dazzling smile. She straightened the sash at her waist, pink stockings outlining her slender legs.

They were childhood friends, inseparable through their teenage years — closer even than Xiao Qiao was with her own twin sister. They had shared meals, laughter, secrets.

After exchanging greetings, Xiao Qiao apologized, explaining that upon hearing her dearest friend was in Shu, she had arranged this meeting. But seeing Shangxiang with a stranger at her side, she had resorted to “unrefined” means.

Shangxiang chose not to pursue the matter. Mulan, however, was visibly displeased.

“So where exactly is this?” Mulan cut in coldly, breaking the harmony of their reunion.

“….” Xiao Qiao blinked in surprise, finding her friend’s companion a bit harsh. “The Governor’s Mansion.”

“Oh, isn’t that where your long-haired suitor lives… what was his name again?” Shangxiang asked, recalling vaguely.

Xiao Qiao’s smile grew brighter: “Zhou Yu. In fact, I should tell you — we’re getting engaged! Xiangxiang~”

“Wow—congratulations!” Shangxiang responded with the gestures and tone Xiao Qiao had always hoped to see. Though her heart felt no real joy, the reaction seemed instinctive, summoned by old bonds.

Back in the world of the Three Divisions, the noble daughters of powerful families lived in frivolous, dazzling ways — their whims light as feathers. But that weightless grace held no meaning now. Her runaway marriage had shattered the unspoken rules — rules built on face, on appearances, on endless propriety.

Xiao Qiao went on: the engagement was set for early next month, with many guests invited. “Including your second brother.”

Shangxiang’s face stiffened instantly.

Xiao Qiao, thinking she understood her thoughts, clasped her arm. “You’ll have to return sooner or later. Why not take this joyful occasion to bow your head? Family is still family.”

“No. Things between Sun Quan and me are far from over.” Shangxiang’s reply was cold.

Sensing her mood, Xiao Qiao dropped the subject and instead fussed over her friend — offering tea, asking where she lived, worrying about her sleeping rough, teasing her coat as unfit for a princess, warning she couldn’t hide forever.

Mulan’s patience snapped. She cast urgent looks at Shangxiang, already restless from the endless chatter.

“What do you think I should do?” Shangxiang finally asked.

“Xiangxiang, I really want the best for you. You should hurry and find someone. Of course, if you refuse… it doesn’t have to be Liu Bei.”

Shangxiang smiled faintly and shook her head. “That path won’t work.”

“Why not?” Xiao Qiao pressed, smile now worn thin. “After all, you still belong to our world.”

Again, Shangxiang shook her head.

Back and forth they went, but Xiao Qiao’s words never reached her.

To ease the tension, Shangxiang rose to leave. When Xiao Qiao tried again to stop her, Mulan stepped forward, seized Shangxiang’s hand, and pulled her firmly away. Her greatsword clanged against the floor, its cold gleam sharp. “We have urgent business. Forgive us, Lady Governor.”

Shangxiang’s four fingers were enclosed tightly in her sister’s grasp. Calm, unyielding, undeniable.

Fortunately, Xiao Qiao did not stop them, nor did the mansion guards intervene.

Outside, Mulan warned that Lady Governor might betray their whereabouts to Sun Quan. They had to hurry.

“I know you don’t like her,” Shangxiang said quietly. “But she won’t tell. I know her. She only… loves men too much.”

“You’re not like her, are you?” Mulan thought — but kept the words unsaid.

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