[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army":3,"chapter-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-198":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","A Little Soldier of the Late Ming Border Army",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1205487,1561,"Chapter 198: I Will Not Betray You","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-198",198,"\u003Cp>By now the sky had darkened; his mother Lady Zhong and his wife Xie Xiuniang were already asleep. For what matter did the Young Lady seek an audience in the starry night?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou had intended to have his personal guards invite the Young Lady into the residence, but after thinking it over, he left his study and went personally to the main gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping out the great gate, the sky above was dotted with stars, the night deep and heavy; only the few lanterns before the Guard Commander’s residence gate cast a dim glow. Under the starlight, Wang Dou saw a carriage halted before the gate, and the still figure of a woman standing there — it was precisely the Young Lady of the Department Magistrate’s household. Seeing Wang Dou emerge, her figure turned toward his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said, “Young Lady, you come visiting in the starry night — for what matter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Young Lady remained silent for a long while. Under the starlight, Wang Dou saw her scrutinize him carefully, her eyes glinting bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, she opened her mouth and said, “This humble woman wishes to ask Lord Wang to accompany me to meet someone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou asked, puzzled, “Who?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Young Lady said, “My lord will know once you accompany this humble woman there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou furrowed his brow. This Young Lady was acting so mysteriously — what was she trying to do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said in a deep voice, “If the Young Lady will not clearly state whom we are to meet, forgive this official, but I cannot comply.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Young Lady gazed at Wang Dou for another long moment, then sighed. “Very well. This humble woman will tell my lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said, “It is the young lady from Provincial Governor Ji’s residence. She has come to Bao’an Department again. She, ah…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said, “Young Lady Ji? What has happened to her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Young Lady said, “My lord will know once you accompany this humble woman to see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said, “Fine, I will go with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Young Lady invited him into the carriage. Wang Dou did not mind either way. Seeing that Wang Dou was also accompanied by six guards, the Young Lady hesitated somewhat: “Many mouths breed loose talk — I must ask my lord…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said, “This official bears the safety of the entire department’s soldiers and civilians upon his person. How can I be without guards at my side? These brothers have followed me through life and death; there is nothing that must be hidden from them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Wang Dou’s words, the six guards behind him all revealed moved expressions, their chests unconsciously puffing out a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Young Lady had no choice but to allow Wang Dou’s guards to follow. Wang Dou boarded the carriage and sat beside the Young Lady; a faint, subtle fragrance drifted over. The Young Lady was slightly ill at ease and lowered her head. The horse carriage set off, and the two were silent the whole way. Soon the carriage arrived at Shishan Ward in the northeast corner of the city and stopped before a secluded, quiet residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou dismounted and glanced back at the Young Lady behind him. “Is this the place?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Young Lady said in a low voice, “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said, “You several, stand guard at the courtyard gate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou’s guards shouted their acknowledgment and set up a watch at the main gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the courtyard gate opened, and the figures of two young maids appeared. Wang Dou remembered that both girls were personal maidservants at Young Lady Ji’s side. Seeing the Young Lady, they said joyfully, “Has Lord Wang come?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their gazes fell upon Wang Dou. The Young Lady quietly gave a few instructions, and they dispersed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou and the Young Lady walked into the courtyard. The fragrance of flowers hung heavy. Ahead stood a delicate little building; a lamp was lit inside, and the silhouette of a woman was cast upon the window curtain, utterly motionless for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Young Lady said softly, “Sister Ji is inside the room. My lord, you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou nodded. Seeing that the Young Lady did not follow but only stood alone within the courtyard, Wang Dou glanced at her once, then ascended the little building, pushed open the door, and entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There he saw Ji Junjiao standing quietly alone inside the room. Hearing movement, she turned around, and a look of delighted surprise rose on her face: “Wang Dou?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou looked toward her. Ji Junjiao wore a light-green thin gown, her garments flimsy, giving her an air of pitiable delicacy. Her expression seemed much more haggard. She gazed at Wang Dou for a moment, then suddenly flew running toward him and threw herself into his embrace. Wang Dou found his arms full of warm fragrance and soft jade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She began to sob softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou had not expected Ji Junjiao to act this way; it rather took him by surprise. But since Ji Junjiao dared throw herself into his arms, he naturally dared hold her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gently patted her back and said tenderly, “What is the matter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao wept, “Father wants to betroth me to someone else. I was unwilling, so I fled the marriage and ran away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said, “Father must be furious. I have a home but can never return. If you, Wang Dou, do not want me, then I shall have nowhere left to turn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou was startled. “You fled your marriage and ran away?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao’s tears glistened like pear blossoms in the rain as she nodded heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked at Wang Dou, and suddenly her face reddened, her expression turning somewhat bashful. She said softly, “Wang Dou, I like only you. I do not want to marry anyone else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing her confession, Wang Dou was stunned for a moment. Since when had Ji Junjiao fallen for him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said, “What virtue or ability does Wang Mou possess…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao covered his mouth and said, “Among all the men under heaven, you possess the most manly spirit. I will not have misjudged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said shyly, “Wang Dou, I am set on following you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou slowly nodded and said, “Good. You are willing to flee your marriage and come to me — I will certainly not betray you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao said worriedly, “As for my father…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said, “On this matter you need not worry. I have my own plans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Wang Dou’s manner, Ji Junjiao was utterly enchanted. Her smooth, tender arms wrapped around Wang Dou’s neck, and she said in a coquettish voice, “Wang Dou, I just love this gallant spirit of yours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her peach-blossom cheeks tinged with a flush, she whispered, “Wang Dou, hold me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou, however, looked at her and said, “There is one matter I must make clear. I already have a wife. If you enter my household, you can only be a concubine. You must consider this clearly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao felt somewhat aggrieved. “Only a concubine?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou nodded solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao’s teardrops rolled down in streams. She clung tightly to Wang Dou’s neck and said, “Wang Dou, kiss me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at her charming face and her eyes slowly closing, Wang Dou clasped her delicate body tightly and kissed her heavily on the lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao’s cheeks burned like fire; her body trembled unceasingly, yet she held Wang Dou even tighter and responded clumsily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou abruptly lifted Ji Junjiao up and laid her onto the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao lay limp and soft upon the bed, her eyes half-closed, her face like a red cloud, letting Wang Dou remove her garments piece by piece.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a time, the room was filled with boundless spring radiance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the middle of the small courtyard, the Young Lady had been standing silently under the moonlight all along. From within the room came the occasional hushed murmur of a man and woman talking; suddenly the room fell quiet for a moment. The Young Lady glanced left and right, then tiptoed over beneath the window and secretly listened in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From inside came first the rustling sound of clothes being removed, then Ji Junjiao’s pitiful cry of pain, followed by Wang Dou’s heavy panting, and Ji Junjiao’s soft, melodious moans rising continuously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to those soul-stealing, heart-seizing sounds of passion, the Young Lady’s whole body trembled uncontrollably. She did not know how long she had listened before she suddenly came to her senses. She was already drenched in sweat, her face blushing fiercely. With the guilty conscience of a thief, she checked her surroundings — fortunately, there was no one about. She hurriedly tiptoed away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stepped out of the courtyard gate and saw the young madam get into the carriage and leave, but my lord did not follow her out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the courtyard gate, Wang Dou's several guards exchanged a glance, shared a look, then stood ramrod straight with chests puffed out once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, at daybreak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? That young lady is the daughter of the Provincial Governor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Ji Junjiao standing obediently in the hall, Wang Dou's mother, Madam Zhong, asked Wang Dou incredulously. Some of the household guards and maidservants nearby also stared at Ji Junjiao in disbelief, exchanging glances with one another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou nodded affirmatively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Zhong grew flustered: \"Dou'er, how can the Provincial Governor's daughter come to our household to be a concubine? You are far too reckless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said: \"Mother need not worry. Your son has already made it clear to Junjiao — once she enters our household, she will follow all the household rules in every matter. There is nothing special about it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Zhong merely shook her head and sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yike sat beside Wang Dou, looking at Ji Junjiao below her, and lightly bit her lower lip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of beauty, Ji Junjiao was already alluring; especially after being nourished by last night's clouds and rain, she was even more dazzlingly gorgeous. The elegant and noble grace in her every gesture, her flawless poise and bearing, made Xie Yike feel utterly ashamed of her own plainness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of status, Ji Junjiao was the daughter of a Provincial Governor, while Xie Yike came from an ordinary commoner household. Seeing Ji Junjiao stand before her, Xie Yike felt a crushing pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Zhong also scrutinized Ji Junjiao carefully. This girl had fine features, and a fine figure too — large bosom, broad hips, a look that promised sons. She would surely bring several more heirs to the household. That a woman like this had set her heart on her son was something a mother could well take pride in. It was just that she was the Provincial Governor's daughter — she feared the household could not bear such a weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou glanced at Ji Junjiao, and Ji Junjiao stepped forward with a smile. Taking a teacup from a maidservant beside her, she said: \"Mother-in-law, please have some tea.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Zhong hurriedly stood up, accepted it with both hands, and beamed: \"Good, good. This… this young lady is indeed sensible and well-mannered.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou gave a cough. Madam Zhong hastily sat back down, shot Wang Dou a reproachful glare, then took a sip of tea with a face full of smiles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, Ji Junjiao brought another cup of tea, came before Xie Yike, and said: \"Elder sister, please have some tea.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yike, equally flustered, accepted the teacup and glanced at Wang Dou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Ji Junjiao was still quite obedient and knew her manners, Wang Dou felt somewhat more at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Zhong said: \"Now that the young lady has entered our household, this marriage… this residence…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said to Wang Dou: \"Dou'er, is the young lady to live in our household right now? This seems somewhat improper by custom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said: \"Matters must be handled according to circumstances; there is no need to fuss over those tedious formalities.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Zhong had also heard that Ji Junjiao had come fleeing a marriage and had no residence in Baoanzhen, and that she intended to become her son's concubine, so she would stay in the household. She said with a beaming smile: \"Your mother will make the arrangements and select a suitable courtyard residence for the young lady. We certainly must not let the girl feel slighted, must we?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yike said: \"Mother-in-law, let me help you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao said: \"Mother-in-law, elder sister, let Junjiao help you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She followed the two of them away, then turned her head back to give Wang Dou a smile, full of alluring charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao's luggage was exceedingly plentiful. In the rear courtyard of the Garrison Commander's residence, Madam Zhong selected a quiet, secluded courtyard for Ji Junjiao. Her personal maidservants, Butterfly and Dragonfly, would also live within the same courtyard to attend to her daily needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While they busied themselves, Wang Dou handled official documents in the main hall. Toward evening, Wang Dou went to see Ji Junjiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she saw Wang Dou, Ji Junjiao wrapped both arms around his neck and said in a coquettish voice: \"Husband.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at this woman, Wang Dou was also deeply moved. He remembered the first time he saw Ji Junjiao and how stunned he had been by her beauty. Back then, his status was worlds apart from hers — and it still was now. He had never imagined that today she would become his woman, calling him \"husband\" with every breath. He smiled slightly and said: \"Are you satisfied with your lodgings in the household?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao said earnestly: \"Very satisfied.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, in a coy, delicate voice, she added: \"Husband, now that I have entered your household, you must treat me well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou smiled slightly: \"Rest assured, I promised to treat you well, and I will certainly not go back on my word.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao suddenly grew somewhat bashful. She lowered her voice and said: \"Husband, tonight I want you to stay with me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou teased: \"Last night still didn't feed you full?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao's cheeks flushed crimson. She protested petulantly: \"How hateful, saying that about me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said with a straight face: \"I have some matters to deal with. I will come find you after I am done.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he left Ji Junjiao's courtyard and went to Xie Yike's room. His mother, Madam Zhong, was there as well.\u003C\u002Fp>",2410,"2026-06-03T14:05:19.908Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","c4fccdef09326ddb1653dd47b04cfabf43719222a905c96ec97417a504526f7f","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-199","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-197",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]