16 The Boat Lord Over General (2/2)

She then looked below and caught sight of Young Miss Ai running around in the garden, chasing after one of the Lady Queens. She could hear her laughing aloud to her heart's content. It pleased her heart to see her so happy and how she had easily fit in. At least she had done something right so far. The girl was enjoying her life.

”Dance for the sun!! Make the moon jealous...” Mistress Han waved her hands in the air and sung groggily. Le-anne could not help herself but laugh in awe. It was too precious.

”Do you know of the story called Ballard of the Desert?” She turned around to stare at the princess and leaned on her side, her head resting on her hand.

Le-anne shook her head.

”It's about a wolf girl who ventured into the city after years of living with wolves. She then fell in love with a wealthy crippled boat lord and a talented general who had never lost any battle. Can my lady guess who won her heart?” Mistress Han shook her hand in excitement.

Princess Le-anne simpered.

It seemed like the story was quite famous and many generals had started to fantasise about it. Her mind reflected on the night a certain someone boasted about his so-called victories when she was on the Dura Mountain.

”The crippled boat lord?”

”Yes,” she sighed, ”but she ended up with the General, how unfair.”

Le-anne chuckled, ”Does that sort of General exist?”

”What kind?”

”The one who has never lost?”

Mistress Han laughed before saying, ”Maybe if he is the Emperor.”

”The Emperor?”

”I have heard he has overwhelming military power of about 800,000 soldiers and 300,000 secret forces. He seems to be unstoppable. Moreover, I've also heard some rumors stating that he has never lost in any battle, he is truly fearless.” Her mistress hauled herself up and started shaking the wine jar. ”Waaah... No emperor has held such power, especially at his age.”

Hopeless. Le-anne felt so hopeless. General Feng didn't have access to information about the Dura Mountain Camp, and the more time elapsed, it was like the general who stole from her was non-existent... like she had imagined him. They had also gone as far as researching on the manors next to the cinnabari tree, where they had met, but none seemed to be owned by some general.

”Is anything the matter?” Mistress Han looked at her with concern.

”Beside me losing my silver pins, gold, silk cloth and pendant to some general who has never lost in a battle, everything is fine.”

Mistress Han choked on her wine.

”And that's why I would choose the crippled boat lord over the general if I were the wolf girl.” She continued, ignoring Mistress Han's wild reaction.

”Gold!?” The woman shrieked deliriously, hitting her repeatedly. ”Li Lian, you are a fool!”

Did she have to repeat what Le-anne already knew?

S.V