Didn't Know General Was Female Chapter 22

[Unofficial t.i.tle: Five Years
I've started giving all of the chapters unofficial names because staring at a list of unt.i.tled chapters and trying to remember what the h.e.l.l's going on in which isn't too fun.
Sorry about the late update…IRL stuff kicked my a.s.s hard… *lays down*]

Watching their backs gradually going farther away, the one who had previously heard a commotion and ran out to see what the excitment was only to see his older sister, Rong Jiaze, was promptly struck dumb. He gulped, asking those at his side, “That…Dong Zhi, Xia Zhi, I actually haven't woken up yet, right?”

Dong Zhi and Xia Zhi were also scared stupid, and one cautiously asked, “Young Master, the Young Mistress is… what should we do? Do we report to the Lord and Lady?”

Rong Jiaze stiffly shook his head. “No, no. Let's act like we didn't see anything and let them find it out themselves, okay?”

His sister and Zhongli Luo were just being a little intimate. If they're really having some kind of love affair, having their parents know straightaway that their brotherly-sisterly feelings are shown in a bit more of a flashy way makes him somewhat afraid that they would break his sister's leg. As for big brother Zhongli, he definitely wouldn't be left out, or have it any better.

His parents have always loved Brother Zhongli quite dearly. That, he knows, but the weight of that dear love is something he knows more. How is that bit of faux-brotherly friends.h.i.+p between his dad and Zhongli Qing twenty years ago be important compared to his own precious 10-something year old biological daughter? In order to temporarily protect his sister's leg and Zhongli Luo's little life, he's going to keep his lips sealed for now. He can keep it quiet for a while.

When the time came to eat lunch, the pleased-as-spring-breeze Rong Jiahui was seated between Zhongli Luo and her little brother, eyes curved in a smile. She was even feeling that her little brother that was getting increasingly uncute as he grew was mysteriously pleasing to the eye. Seeing a dish that her brother'd always loved to eat, she wanted to have him eat a bit more of it, only to end up discovering that the kid was somewhat preoccupied for some reason.

“Ah-Ze, what's up with you?” Jiahui asked with deep concern.

Hearing his sister's voice, Jiaze, who'd gone off on a mental journey, suddenly jolted with fright. He looked at the gentle smile of his sister next to him and quickly shook his head. “It's nothing.”

Seeing his sister simply nod and turn back around to keep eating, Jiaze let out a sigh of relief. The feeling of knowing a hugely terrifying secret is really hard to take. It hasn't even been a day of keeping it in the dark yet; he really doesn't know how he's going to pull it off later.

Whatever. He'll take this step-by-step. He sighed soundlessly, having no choice but to keep eating while absorbed in his thoughts.

Just as he shoveled a big bite of food into his mouth, he saw his beloved sister pull Zhongli Luo up to stand with her.

“Dad, mom, I have something to talk to you about.”

He heard how giddily his sister was talking.

“What could you simply must say while we're eating?” Their parents reply.

“This is important. Dad, mom, I wanted to talk to you about… me marrying him.”

His big sis's voice is very pleasing to the ears, similar to a bubbling mountain stream, a vast, calm aura from afar, but why do these words feel kind of off?

Jiaze turned around in horror to look at his sister's unfettered, smooth smile, then looked at that somewhat surprised yet somewhat shy-looking one at her side, and immediately felt bad all over. All he was aware of was the world and sky spinning around him and that the mouthful of food he hadn't yet been able to chew was now spraying out of him and onto the table.

The misfortune also affected Rong Jiahui, who happened to be closest to him, her face darkening. After taking the handkerchief handed over by a maid, she wiped off a few bits of salivsoaked food.

“Ah-Ze, what are you doing?”

She's very likely in a good mood, if somewhat angry, as her tone is as gentle as before.

She'd just finished speaking when the one sitting at the head of table said angrily, “What is all this nonsense you're spewing again?”

Mrs. Yu had heard what she'd said and had gone into complete shock, having no time to be disgusted by the food Jiaze had wasted all over the table despite always loving cleanliness.

Jiaze wiped his mouth, shrinking into a ball and not daring to say a word. All he could think about was the best way to escape.

Jiahui is dignified as the heavens and fearlessly fearless, standing smiling with Zhongli Luo. “How is this nonsense? Mom, dad, he likes me, and I like him. Don't you both like him too?”

Rong Chen nearly spat out blood out of anger at that. Of course he likes Zhongli Luo! Who wouldn't like a good-looking child with an honest and studious temperament? But… him liking him is one thing, but this person having the audacity to seduce his daughter is another thing entirely!!!

Ya! Though his dad's dad was a famous general and his dad was also a famous general, he himself ended up being one with an unsteady horse stance, but this completely unaffected his notion to beat Zhongli Luo.

“Bring me my sword!” Rong Chen commanded sternly.

Mrs. Yu startled, rus.h.i.+ng to caress her husband's shoulder, voice soft as she consoled him, “Ah-Chen, don't be impulsive! We still must listen to what the children have to say.”

Others might not understand, but she knows her own husband's lack in the issue of whether or not he can sword-dance and can still keep him from disgracing himself. Were the majestic Marquis Zhenguo to have his sword s.n.a.t.c.hed and then get beaten until lying face-down on the ground by his own sworn son, what's going to become of his reputation?

Rong Chen clearly couldn't see his wife's good intention, as he gave her a sideways glance. “Don't you persuade me! Hmph, those two being so outrageous is all from you spoiling them!”

The daily scapegoat Mrs. Yu just shrugs, pressing him back into his original seat and instructing the servants to remove and replace the food Rong Jiaze had contaminated.

Afterwards, she knitted her brows, having a headache as she looked at her precious daughter with… he most loved G.o.dson…

She sighed softly, saying, “Jiahui, Luo'er, what's this all about in the end?”

How old are these two kids, actually sprouting this kind of affection? Preposterous! No, it's impossible! You can tell with one look that they're young and thoughtless, even the feelings between a brother and sister could be mistaken!

Jiahui looked tenderly and sweetly at Zhongli Luo, speaking shyly. “Mom, he's happy and good to me, and I'm happy with him, so, I'm going to marry him later.”

Zhongli Luo's dark face couldn't help but get a bit of a red tinge to it. She thinks that Jiahui's lone army can't be the only one bravely fighting and she herself should express a bit of something right now. Therefore, she nodded and spoke, “That's right, mother, I'm happy with Jiahui.”

She regretted those words when they left her mouth and she nearly bit her tongue. Why is she nervous? She's just carelessly following what Jiahui is saying again.

Seeing them like this, Mrs. Yu fell into her chair with disappointment. “So troublesome!”

For an adopted brother and sister to be keen on each other… were this to be spread around, the entire home of Marquis Zhenguo would be reduced to a laughingstock. They typically aren't too concerned about what others say, else they wouldn't have still resolutely cancelled the engagement for their daughter after Minister Liu's persuading of every which way. But for Zhongli Luo and Jiahui, even though they really do like two lovebirds… forgive her if she's still having internal intervals of panic.

Looking at the displeasure written all across her parents' faces, the originally-happy Rong Jiahui's smile was getting weaker and weaker. Did she… say it too frankly? Who'd let this surname Zhongli turn around like he was going to leave? If she hadn't spoken up first, what could she do if her parents turned around and sent a proposal invitation to someone else?

Just as she was starting to be at a loss, a somewhat low voice found its way into her hear that could only belong to Zhongli Luo. “Marquis, Lady, I really do like Jiahui. It's not only because of how pretty she is…”

Jiahui nods. He didn't get tangled up with a better-looking girl, after all.

“Nor in regards to wealth…”

What a joke. Who didn't know that Great General Zhongli was naturally frugal? Later on, he'd even divvy everything granted to him up to the soldiers under his command.

“And it's not about clinging to power…”

Hum. After this person reveals how uniquely talented he is in his twenties, the amount of merits and prestige will make him anyone's ideal son-in-law, and he'd be even better than her family. As a result, he hadn't yet simmered to twenty-seven years old and rumors came out that the Emperor intended to grant him a marriage, so what else would he still not be granted?!

“I only like Jiahui. Even far away in the Northwest, there isn't a moment I don't miss her, and I always think of how her eyes curve when she smiles.”

Hearing that, Jiahui can't help but turn towards him again, eyes curving up like a pair of crescents.

“How her eyes curve?” Rong Chen can't stop from sneering. “Worst to worst comes I can just find you any girl whose eyes curves when she smiles and you'll always be satisfied, is that it?”

He's spoiled this darling cabbage for over a dozen years. How could this random pig from the South carry her back?!

Even if his daughter was always going to get married off some day, he still had to find her someone with looks, character, family background, prospects, and excellent talent. That brilliantly talented, good-looking and well-born Liu Qianchen had gone and s.n.a.t.c.hed his wife's niece; though he was gloomy for a time, he very quickly stopped caring about it. With the conditions he'd set for his daughter, it isn't that he can't find a better one! But… this shady, lean, danger-seeking guy could die at any time! He's not one bit in line with his conditions! What's most aggravating is that this disaster was personally set into motion by he himself! It could even be said that the opportunities for them to be in contact were all given by him! This is truly his bane…

Zhongli Luo shook her head firmly at that. “Marquis, I don't like all girls who do that. I only like it when Jiahui does it.”

He's obviously putting on an honest, somewhat stony face, yet what he's saying leans towards making one feel calm. Jiahui purses her lips in a great effort to not smile too much, lest the two seniors grow unhappier.

Zhongli Luo continues on, “Even if I have some unusual reasons, I can't…”

She hadn't finished speaking when her waist was fiercely jabbed by an elbow, and then her whole body was pulled downwards by Rong Jiahui seizing her collar, who spoke softly through clenched teeth right into her ear, “Zhongli! There's some things you can only say to me! Say them to my parents only if you really don't want to see me and hope that I get married to some other family!”

Zhongli Luo shakes her head, closing her mouth.

Mrs. Yu looked at their closeness with a crease between her brows, then asked, “You can't what?”

Zhongli Luo hurriedly said, “I can't often be by her side…”

Jiahui smiled. “But our hearts will be one all along.”

Watching the two's speech harmonizing, Mrs. Yu suddenly feels every idea she has turn to ash. All she can do is place her hope on her husband, Rong Chen.

Rong Chen looked at them downtroddenly, turning his head to the side. “I don't approve of it anyways.”

“Then I'm going to Buddhist temple, shaving my head, and being a nun!” Jiahui threatened, seething.

Rong Chen slapped the table fiercely. “d.a.m.n girl! You dare?!”

“Can you guess if I'd dare to?” Jiahui lifted her chin with a bit of a provoking expression.

Rong Chen was furious at her, and threatened back, “You won't have a single person waiting to serve you!”

“I can fetch water, light fires, do laundry and make meals myself, can't I?”

“There won't be a single coin for you to have!”

“I'll dig up wild plants to survive! I won't die of hunger!”

She knows her dad's always been one to exaggerate, anywho, he just says whatever big words, and who wouldn't? Just look at who the other side is.

“When… when you die, no one will know!”

Hearing that, Jiahui stared, her nose suddenly aching a bit, and yet soon after she spoke without a catty of hesitation, “Then you can just let me turn into dust!”

Looking at his daughter's stubborn countenance that didn't see to be faked, the steaming-mad Rong Chen, inexplicably, was once again settled and calm. He sighed, saying slowly, “Five years…”

Hearing that non-sequitur has Jiahui and Zhongli Luo a bit puzzled. They ask in unison, “What did you say?”

Rong Chen was somewhat uncomfortable. “Surname Zhongli, your father here is giving you five years time to have you slowly build up your merits. If you can stay alive those years, and also work to be suitable enough for my beloved daughter, then I won't care about both of you being lousy. A good girl like Jiahui was supposed to have the pick of all the grand Young Masters in the city. Who could have imagined she'd take a fancy to someone like you? I'm truly afraid that the anger won't kill me.”

He's clearly forgotten how many high hopes he'd placed on Zhongli Luo before and what hundred kinds of praises he'd said about him in front of his colleagues. Zhongli Luo is now, in his eyes, a little scoundrel and son-of-wh.o.r.e that's put a terrible idea in his sweet and innocent baby girl's head. His daughter is too young and simple to be so easily fooled by him!

At that, Jiahui looked at the person beside her with sorriness, her expression seeming to say ‘you work hard, now'…

Further still, Zhongli Luo, who had always been kind of indifferent to fame and fortune, currently can't stop from thinking about how she should go about being promoted in the future.

The author was just thanking those who donated to her in the comments.
The translator says: If Luo'er got the t.i.tle of General and Marquis when she wasn't actively trying to get them, what the heck's she going to be now? Super Marquis??? Papa Rong, you might have created a monster.