Volume One, Chapter Six: Dalang Is Incredible

“What’s wrong?” Li Chen frowned as he noticed her unusual expression.

“I, I will obey you completely, my lord,” the young maid lowered her head, pretending to sip her soup.

Li Chen, unaware of her thoughts, piled chicken legs and wings from his bowl onto hers.

“You’re too thin; you need nourishment.”

“Ah? My lord, I can’t—”

“Eat!” Li Chen commanded again.

She bit into the chicken leg, the fragrant aroma filling her senses, warming both her stomach and heart.

Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling drop by drop into the bowl, causing ripples across the oily broth.

“Why are you crying again?” Li Chen sighed, a headache forming.

“I’m just happy, so very happy! My lord is so kind! Sob…” The maid’s sobs grew louder even as she spoke of her joy.

“We are one flesh, husband and wife should care for each other. Stop crying and eat.” Li Chen offered her another chicken leg.

“My lord, please don’t—” She shook her head hastily.

“Hm?” Li Chen frowned.

“No, my lord, I want to…” She corrected herself through tears.

That tearful “My lord, I want to” made Li Chen’s heart race. It seemed he must help her regain her strength quickly!

Under the lamplight, she looked exquisitely beautiful in a delicate, refined way.

Li Chen increasingly thought that though his past self was unremarkable, his eye for women was sharp—he had found a treasure among thousands of displaced souls.

Jade Qingwan blushed under his gaze, lowering her slender neck further, her face nearly buried in the bowl.

“Earlier, I heard you recite a poem by An Wuji from the prestigious Dakang family… Have you studied before?” Li Chen asked, gathering his thoughts.

When she had spontaneously uttered “Drawing the carved bow like a full moon” while shooting a bird in the courtyard, he had been struck by her erudition.

This little girl must have some background.

“My father once employed a Western tutor for me when I was young,” Jade Qingwan whispered softly.

Li Chen recalled she had vaguely mentioned that her family was once a prominent household in Liangjing.

After the northern barbarians sacked the city, the entire family fled in panic.

However, the Western barbarians rebelled simultaneously, cutting off their path southward through the Central Plains, forcing them to head north into Beiyan Pass.

Along the way, many family members perished from hunger or were taken by the barbarians; by the time she reached Beiyan Pass, she was the only survivor.

If it were peaceful times, she would now be burning incense and reading in her study within Liangjing.

Li Chen sighed quietly.

“That’s rare. Jade Qingwan… Qingwan, hmm, that name carries an ancient charm. If I recall correctly, it comes from a chapter in the Book of Songs, right?” he mused aloud.

“You have studied as well, my lord?” Jade Qingwan looked up in surprise, her eyes bright with delight. She hadn’t expected him to know the origin of her name.

“I attended a private school for a few years…” Li Chen coughed lightly, speaking vaguely. The knowledge he displayed was from his previous life, unrelated to his current self.

“This name, I chose myself after searching through the classics,” she said softly, biting her lip.

“Oh?” Li Chen raised an eyebrow.

“My father once named me ‘Delicate Child,’ but I disliked it…” Jade Qingwan’s eyes clouded with memories.

“Jade is inherently fragile, and ‘Delicate Child’ only worsens it. From a fate perspective, it signifies hardship and wandering—not good,” Li Chen nodded unconsciously. Though her father loved her dearly, the name was indeed ill-suited.

“So, ‘Delicate Child’ became my childhood name. When I grew older and more sensible, I chose another from the books,” she continued softly.

“There is a beautiful one, gentle and graceful. We meet by chance, just as I wish,” Li Chen nodded, feeling moved, and recited aloud.

“There is a beautiful one, gentle as the clear breeze. We meet by chance, to journey together,” Jade Qingwan instinctively continued, then looked up at Li Chen, eyes shining with surprise. So he truly was well read.

“Pity there’s no wine, otherwise, reciting poetry over drinks as husband and wife would be delightful!” Li Chen sighed.

“Heart as the cup, poetry as the wine, laughter dispels worries,” the maid whispered.

“Husband as heaven, wife as earth, sharing the same great quilt!” Li Chen teased, feeling a stir within.

The maid’s eyes widened in surprise before she quickly lowered her head, cheeks flushed crimson.

“Ha ha!” Li Chen laughed heartily.

These are hard times; self-compassion and laughter are treasures!

Watching the young maid under the lamplight, nineteen-year-old Li Chen felt desire surge suddenly. Rising swiftly, he stretched out his long arms and embraced her entirely.

Warmth stirred lust; the heroic spirit was roused!

The atmosphere was ripe, the auspicious hour just right!

“Ah… my lord, the lamp hasn’t been extinguished yet…” She covered her face with one hand, trembling, yet pointed to the lamp with the other.

“It’s too dark to see!” Li Chen chuckled, carrying her onto the kang.

Outside the window, butterflies flitted about; the fading sunset cast a rosy glow on the curtains.

A grand springtime drama was unfolding.

Yet, a shadow crept stealthily to the courtyard wall, peering cautiously inside, illuminated by the lamplight.

It was Ma Lian, the woman with the wavering figure from the village entrance.

Her husband had been conscripted to serve labor at Beiyan Pass, his fate unknown.

Without him, she was left to suffer alone in the boudoir.

Amidst the chaos of war and famine, with hungry children at home, life was unbearably hard.

The prey Li Chen brought home today deeply provoked her.

Some women with men at home planned to hunt together the next day, but her husband, conscripted, might never return.

At night, thinking of the chicken, she tossed and turned, hunger gnawing at her.

In a moment of greed, she sneaked to Li Chen’s courtyard under cover of darkness, hoping to steal some game while the couple slept.

But as she lay outside the broken wall, carefully glancing inside, she suddenly covered her mouth.

Though distant, through the light shining on the window paper, she saw something she should never have witnessed.

She had never imagined anyone could be so majestic.

“Heavens…” came Jade Qingwan’s frightened scream, confirming the truth.

Then…

Oh, Lord, how fiercely courageous! Whose general is that?

Weren’t they said to be incompetent? Yet now, not only competent, but extraordinarily so!

Outside the courtyard, Ma Lian watched the shadows on the window paper for nearly half an hour, her heart trembling, body shaking involuntarily, biting her lip, legs tightly crossed.

Inside, Li Chen, working diligently, suddenly raised his head alertly and frowned, sensing someone outside.

Startled, Ma Lian quickly turned and slipped away silently.

Li Chen’s suspicion faded; after glancing outside twice, he returned to his tasks.

Back home, Ma Lian’s mind remained unsettled.

Especially recalling that astonishing scene, her face flushed, heart raced, hands and feet trembled, palms sweating profusely.

She tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Finally, she drifted off, only to dream a vivid, feverish dream.

“Li family’s eldest son… Li Lang… truly amazing…” Ma Lian murmured in her sleep.