The entrance to Duan Residence was bustling with activity as Duan Xinghui returned grandly in full armor. Upon seeing her son, Madame Duan was so overwhelmed with happiness that she began to cry. Her voice, full of heartache, remarked how he had gotten tanned and thinner.
Duan Xinghui's gaze shifted from Yuan Dong to Er Ya. She was dressed in a lake-blue silk garment, with a hairpin elegantly secured in her hair. She seemed joyful, smiling widely with happiness. But after a moment, she realized it might be inappropriate and quickly shut her mouth.
Er Ya gave Duan Xinghui a smile, but it was a tight-lipped one. Little did she know, this type of smile only made her appear timid and inferior. After just a single winter, Er Ya had lost the natural freedom and beauty that had once captivated Duan Xinghui.
The present Er Ya moved awkwardly, her actions reminiscent of a wooden puppet. When Duan Xinghui saw her smile, Princess Jiahui's face immediately flashed in his mind. He could still remember how she had once licked the blood from the corner of her mouth in a manner full of dark allure.
Duan Xinghui married Er Ya, and she was overjoyed. During the wedding banquet, Duan Xinghui drank heavily and even cried. Perhaps it was in mourning for the past, or perhaps out of regret.
Duan Xinghui and Er Ya's life, however, didn't turn out as expected. Though Duan Xinghui made Er Ya his main wife, he didn't honor the promise of being faithful to her for life. Other women became a part of his life. Now that Princess Jiahui was gone, Duan Xinghui didn't care about how many other women were by his side.
He no longer found joy in life. Er Ya couldn't accept it, but was forced to endure the painful truth that her husband was with other women, even though it tore at her heart.
As for Princess Jiahui, she had become the bright moon in Duan Xinghui's heart, a beauty mark that would never fade. The things that are unattainable are often the most beautiful. Duan Xinghui would never have Princess Jiahui again, and she became something like an inviolable goddess in his heart.
After the war ended, North Mongolia sent an envoy to negotiate a non-aggression treaty to last for a hundred years. However, there was one condition: Princess Jiahui would marry He Lianying, the second prince of North Mongolia.
The wolves' ambitions had not yet died. Princess Jiahui laughed. She would rather die than set foot in North Mongolia. This time, Li Wen refused before Princess Jiahui even spoke.
After the North Mongolian delegation left, Princess Jiahui told Li Wen that she was willing to go and guard the border, dedicating her life to defending against the North Mongolian Tartars. She even vowed never to marry, choosing instead to devote her life to this cause.
Princess Jiahui boldly stated that there was no man in this world who could match her. Li Wen jokingly asked, "Not even if you meet a man as outstanding as Imperial Older Brother?"
Princess Jiahui smiled, "There is no man like Imperial Older Brother in this world."
When Duan Xinghui, who was also present in the great hall, heard these words, he was reminded of a long time ago when Princess Jiahui had once told him that he was the best man in the world. But now, it seemed he could barely even appear in her eyes.
That very night, Princess Jiahui returned to the border and patrolled the city walls with her female troops. The corpses of the Tartars, no longer covered by ice and snow, were now exposed. Their faces were contorted in agony, their bodies dried and decayed. Cai Sang said to Princess Jiahui, "The Tartars no longer dare to look at these corpses. The Tartars who come to trade with the city now show respect. The citizens call you the Goddess of War. I've heard they even plan to erect a statue and a long-life memorial tablet in your honor, Princess."
Princess Jiahui smiled faintly, though she said nothing. Soon, an enormous statue of her was erected in the city. It depicted Princess Jiahui in full armor, her hair tied into a high ponytail, her gaze solemn and dignified, with a whip hanging at her waist.
When Princess Jiahui saw this statue, tears fell from her eyes. She had become the respected princess of Great Yong, the Princess Jiahui whom everyone revered. No longer was she a disgrace, but a symbol of honor and power.