Chapter 33: She Was Denounced as a Cursed Widow

Faced with this sudden news, tears welled up in Chu Xi's eyes, beyond her power to control.

Knowing that she would surely feel sad and uneasy upon hearing this, Mo Zixiao offered comfort: "Do not worry. I have already instructed Steward Zhao to take good care of you. Stay safely in the General's Mansion and go nowhere else. When I return victorious, I shall marry you. In this life and the next, I will never fail you."

Chu Xi had waited so long for these words. Even as tears streamed down her face, the smile that blossomed upon it was so sweet it left Mo Zixiao intoxicated.

"Xi'er, please bear with my mother. She used to love you most, but now she simply cannot accept the past you have endured. I ask that you not hold it against her."

Chu Xi nodded repeatedly. "Zixiao, rest assured. Even if your mother cannot accept me for now, I will not harbor any resentment. After all, she was the elder who cherished me most in this world."

Mo Zixiao smiled with relief. "Then, in my absence, I must trouble you to serve her with filial piety on my behalf. In the past, every time I went on a campaign, my heart was heavy with worry for her. Now that you are here in the General's Mansion to care for her, I have no more worries and can set my heart at ease to pacify the southwest."

Chu Xi looked up into Mo Zixiao's dark, crystalline eyes, her lips curving into a radiant and charming smile. At that moment, her face was filled with hope for a beautiful and happy future. The sordid events of yesterday seemed to have left not a single trace behind.

A sudden shiver of warmth surged through Mo Zixiao. He leaned down, smiling as he gazed at Chu Xi. Just as their noses were about to touch, they were interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps outside.

Mo Zixiao straightened up and looked toward the door. "Who is that, running about the courtyard in such a panic?"

Chu Xi lowered her head, smiling shyly. "It is likely Caiping and Wang Mu playing in the courtyard."

Mo Zixiao frowned. "Xi'er, you must not spoil your servants to such an extent. If they lose their sense of propriety and cause trouble, what will you do?"

"Do not worry," Chu Xi replied. "I have already decided that they should choose a day to be married as soon as possible."

Mo Zixiao looked surprised. "Choose a day to be married?"

Chu Xi smiled. "It was my decision, and they have long held feelings for each other."

Mo Zixiao shook his head and laughed. "They are even more impatient than their masters."

As the hour of the tiger approached, Chu Xi, who had not slept all night, dressed neatly and stepped out of the courtyard accompanied by Caiping and Wang Mu. She wanted to see Mo Zixiao off to the front lines herself.

But as soon as she stepped out of the gate, she saw Mo Zixiao walking toward her, clad in full armor.

"Zixiao." Only upon seeing him fully armed did the reality hit Chu Xi that he was truly heading to the battlefield to fight the enemy.

Filled with anxiety, she stepped forward and grabbed his arm, her eyes reddening as she choked out, "Please, take care. Mother Mo and I will be waiting for your triumphant return."

Mo Zixiao looked down at her, nodded, and smiled. "Very well. This General shall certainly return in triumph." With that, he vaulted onto his horse and galloped away, leaving a trail of dust in his wake.

Watching his majestic and heroic silhouette, a surge of indefinable emotions roiled within Chu Xi, yet she could only stand there and watch him ride toward the battlefield.

"So ignorant of the rules! How could they allow a widow to see someone who is about to lead an army into battle? Such bad luck!" The voice of Mother Li came from not far away, clearly berating Chu Xi.

Caiping flared up instantly. Hands on her hips, she retorted across the distance: "A mere servant, yet you invert the proper order and show such disrespect to those who treat you with courtesy. I will mark this debt down, and when the General returns in triumph, I shall settle it all with you."

"You insolent wretch! Who gave you permission to spout such nonsense in the General's Mansion? Get inside and serve at once!" Suddenly, Mother Mo's voice rang out.