The Woman Disguised Herself as a Man and Abolished the Prince, Married a Princess and called the Empress - Chapter 9

Six days later, Liu Hanyue came to Xiong Shaoqing’s room to inform her that the household registration had been completed. She had also found a childless family named Xiong in the suburbs of the capital, and she carefully explained the relevant information to her so she would be prepared for any future situations.

Xiong Shaoqing listened attentively, committing everything to memory. She mused to herself that her senior sister was so thorough in her arrangements, it was truly reassuring.

“Junior Sister, since you’ve been registered with the Xiong family, it’s only right that we go and visit the elders. Can we leave now?” Liu Hanyue asked gently.

“Yes, Senior Sister, let’s go.” Xiong Shaoqing agreed readily, but she felt a little apprehensive inside. After all, it was her first meeting with them, and she was inevitably nervous, but she trusted that her senior sister’s arrangements would not be bad.

The two went shopping for some gifts and then boarded a carriage, heading towards the West Gate. After about an hour, they arrived at a farmhouse.

A fence woven from straw enclosed a vegetable garden, where melon vines climbed up bamboo trellises, growing freely in the sun. A few hens clucked as they strutted around the garden, and a small yellow dog lay dozing in the sun by the door.

Under the eaves, freshly washed clothes swayed gently on a bamboo pole. Nearby, a wooden waterwheel stood still beside a clear well.

Liu Hanyue walked up and gently knocked on the wooden gate. “Is Uncle Xiong and Auntie Xiong home? Your daughter is here.”

The door creaked open, and a couple in their late fifties appeared. They were dressed simply and wore kind smiles.

“Please, come in,” Xiong Yudong said, his face beaming. He turned to his wife, Cheng Jun, and said, “Wife, make some tea.”

“Yes, yes,” Cheng Jun replied, her voice full of joy.

Liu Hanyue and Xiong Shaoqing sat at a table. Soon, coarse tea was served, steaming hot, its aroma filling the air.

Liu Hanyue took a sip and smiled slightly. “This is your goddaughter, Xiong Shaoqing.”

The Xiong couple looked Xiong Shaoqing over. She was wearing a dark green tunic with faint silver embroidery on the collar, simple yet elegant. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail, held in place by a dark wooden hairpin.

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, outlining her well-defined face. Her eyes were deep, like they held stars, and showed determination.

Her eyebrows were thick and slightly upturned, adding to her heroic look. Her nose was straight, and her cheeks had two faint dimples.

“Greetings, Godfather and Godmother,” Xiong Shaoqing said, bowing with cupped hands. Her every movement revealed a unique temperament.

The Xiong couple could tell immediately that this child was no ordinary person and would likely not be able to stay by their side for long. Even so, their eyes were filled with emotion.

They exchanged glances, and Xiong Yudong said with a laugh, “We’re old and have no children, so we’re blessed by fate to have this connection today. Child, from now on, this is your home.”

“Godfather and Godmother, this is a small token of our appreciation from my senior sister and me.” Xiong Shaoqing bowed slightly and placed the gifts on the table, her eyes sincere.

“This child, you are so thoughtful. We’re going to be so happy from now on,” Xiong Yudong said, looking at Cheng Jun. “Wife, hurry and make some of your best dishes.”

By noon, the small farmhouse was filled with laughter and warmth.

The dining table was laden with simple country dishes: bright green stir-fried beans, fragrant and perfectly cooked; a plate of red pepper and wood ear mushrooms, colorful and crunchy; and a bowl of their homemade pickled cabbage, sour and sweet, which was especially appetizing.

The most prominent dish was a tenderly stewed free-range chicken, with rich broth and savory meat, steaming hot and fragrant.

The four of them sat around the table, enjoying the food. Liu Hanyue particularly liked the pickled cabbage and ate the other dishes with great relish.

Watching Liu Hanyue enjoy her meal, Xiong Shaoqing felt a warmth in her heart. Although her senior sister was a princess, she showed no airs, didn’t mind the simple farmhouse food, and even personally brought her here to meet her new family. She was truly a special senior sister.

“Child, have a chicken leg. This old hen is very nourishing,” Cheng Jun said with a smile, putting a chicken leg on Xiong Shaoqing’s plate.

Xiong Shaoqing smiled as she accepted it, her appetite greatly increased.

The Xiong couple were also happy to see them enjoying the meal.

During the meal, Xiong Shaoqing told the couple that she was going to Fei Du City to join the army. She explained that she didn’t know when they would see each other again and urged them to take care of themselves, promising to visit them as soon as she returned to Yongning Prefecture.

The Xiong couple had already guessed she was no ordinary person and were mentally prepared, so they weren’t surprised. They also told Xiong Shaoqing to be careful and to return safely.

At 3:45 PM, Xiong Shaoqing and Liu Hanyue said goodbye to the Xiong couple and returned to the manor by carriage.

The next day, at 9:15 AM, soft sunlight fell on the stone lions of the Princess Manor. A gentle breeze blew, scattering peach blossoms, a poignant sign of farewell.

“Junior Sister, please take this dagger for self-defense. Although you have a long sword, this dagger is made of profound iron, incredibly sharp, and easy to carry.” Liu Hanyue’s face was sincere, her eyes full of concern.

“Please take this money as well. The journey to Fei Du City is long, and though the army provides a salary, it’s always good to have extra money on hand.” Liu Hanyue’s words were gentle and thoughtful, making it impossible for Xiong Shaoqing to refuse.

Xiong Shaoqing took the dagger and the money, nodding softly. “Senior Sister, thank you for your generous gifts. I will have a surprise for you when we meet again.”

“Oh? A surprise? I look forward to it very much.” Liu Hanyue smiled. “It’s getting late. You should hurry.”

Xiong Shaoqing nodded, mounted her horse, her figure looking exceptionally heroic in the sunlight. Liu Hanyue waved her silk handkerchief, watching Xiong Shaoqing gradually ride away.

Along the way, Xiong Shaoqing sensed a powerful presence from the Princess Manor following her. She knew in her heart that her senior sister was worried about her safety and had sent a secret guard to protect her. The thought warmed her heart.

In the third year of Tianyou, in the state of Shu, Fei Du City.

Xiong Shaoqing presented her household registration and signed up for the army.

The permanent border army of the state of Shu was organized into five major camps: the Thunderfire Camp, Azureflame Camp, Wolf Camp, and Qimen Camp were all male soldiers. Only the Xuanbing Camp was composed entirely of female soldiers.

Xiong Shaoqing successfully passed the assessment and was assigned to the Xuanbing Camp. The Xuanbing Camp was located among towering mountains, surrounded by lush pine forests. A massive battle flag, flapping fiercely in the wind, was hung over the camp gate, symbolizing the bravery of its female warriors.

The barracks were arranged in neat rows, and a stone-paved road led straight to the central training grounds, where the female soldiers practiced. In the middle of the grounds stood a tall flagpole. Underneath it was a队伍 of new recruits who had just passed the assessment, all looking spirited and determined.

The camp commander, Lin Jingmo, was in a general’s uniform with medals on her chest, looking dignified and serious. She walked onto a high platform and looked down at the neatly arranged female soldiers. When the drum stopped, Lin Jingmo raised her hand, and the entire training grounds fell silent instantly.

“Warriors!” Lin Jingmo’s voice was loud and powerful, echoing across the grounds. “You have chosen this path to protect our country, and you must have the resolve to face hardships and the courage to fight the Zhuoguang and Xiqu tribes.”

Xiong Shaoqing stood straight on the training grounds. When she heard Lin Jingmo mention the Zhuoguang and Xiqu tribes, she recalled what her senior sister had told her about the situation in the state of Shu.

Three years had passed since the female empress of Shu ascended the throne, and the two major barbarian tribes, Zhuoguang and Xiqu, frequently raided the borders, burning, killing, and plundering, causing great suffering to the people.

Lin Jingmo’s words interrupted Xiong Shaoqing’s thoughts: “We are female heroes. Our battlefield is not just on the field, but also in our hearts. Training is for battle, and battle is for peace.

“We must prove with our actions that women are not weak, but heroes who can hold up the sky!”

The entire training grounds erupted in thunderous applause. Lin Jingmo gestured for everyone to be quiet.

“Next, I will announce the captain of this new recruit squad. Xiong Shaoqing, step forward.”

“Yes,” Xiong Shaoqing answered, stepping forward. She was tall and slender, with a heroic look in her eyes.

“You will be the captain of the new recruit squad and lead them to grow.” Lin Jingmo’s eyes were sharp and her expression was serious. “Xiong Shaoqing, come and receive the captain’s command arrow.”

Just as Xiong Shaoqing was about to step forward, she was interrupted by a commotion.

“Commander, can I challenge her? I object.” A fierce-looking female soldier with cunning eyes stepped out.

Lin Jingmo looked at the female soldier, a hint of anger flashing in her eyes. “What is the first rule of being a soldier?”

“It’s… it’s obedience,” the female soldier said, looking a little flustered.

“Very good, Peng Yongsen. Publicly questioning the commander’s decision on your first day of enlistment is punishable by twenty military lashes according to military law.” Lin Jingmo said expressionlessly. “Guards, take Peng Yongsen away.”

“Commander, wait.” Xiong Shaoqing stepped forward calmly. “I accept the challenge. Can the military punishment wait until after the fight?”

Lin Jingmo’s eyes showed a bit more appreciation for Xiong Shaoqing. She understood that Xiong Shaoqing wanted to use this to establish her authority. If she didn’t accept the challenge, the other female soldiers would not be convinced, even if they didn’t say it out loud.

“Granted,” Lin Jingmo said, a cold smile playing on her lips, her voice as loud as a bell. “Start now! I will personally decide the outcome!”

As soon as she finished speaking, Peng Yongsen fiercely thrust her sword forward. The blade flashed, heading straight for Xiong Shaoqing, instantly igniting the atmosphere of the Xuanbing Camp.

Xiong Shaoqing simply smiled faintly and met her with her own sword. The two swords clashed, and the victor was decided instantly. Xiong Shaoqing’s swordsmanship was fluid and graceful, and Peng Yongsen’s attack seemed too naive in comparison.

With just one move, she defeated her opponent. The female soldiers watching were stunned, unable to see how Xiong Shaoqing had moved. Peng Yongsen’s sword fell to the ground.

Lin Jingmo, on the high platform, saw it clearly. Xiong Shaoqing had seized a flaw in Peng Yongsen’s defense, and her sword moved as fast as lightning. Peng Yongsen’s sword was on the ground before she even realized what had happened.

Though defeated, Peng Yongsen’s anger burned even brighter. She gritted her teeth, holding back her humiliation, and dark thoughts began to form in her mind. She hated that she wasn’t as skilled, and this strong feeling of resentment and bitterness grew deeper within her.

“Xiong Shaoqing wins! Huang Yu and Peng Yongsen are hereby appointed as the new squad’s vice-captains.” Lin Jingmo’s expression was solemn as she scanned the crowd. “These appointments are based on assessment scores. Any further objections will be handled by military law.”

With that, she turned to the executive officer: “The victor has been decided. Carry out the punishment!”

“Yes.”

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