The Birth of the War Goddess

As soon as my mother drops off, she rushes to hug me and check me out.

-You are still a woman fortunately! Hair are shiny... Curves are plentiful... Lips intact... Ohhh my child I'm so happy to see you doing so good!-

As if my body could determine how good I actually am.

-My sons... *cough cough*... It is... Beautiful to see you again-

His coughing got worse, even his breathing is worse.

-Now... Shall we show you around? The capital is still as beautiful as you recall it father-

-Does that implies walking?-

-Of course mother- I take off her hands, distancing myself

-But...-

-Come on! Haha we don't always see our.. mmhk... Children, you can do this much just for today dear!-

She sighs following us

...

-Oh look at those hairpins! Extremely beautiful!- comments my mother calling me over with her fan

-Uh? Yeah they are really pretty-

-Why don't you buy one?-

-I don't really need these mother... I don't dress like this that offen.

In the camps it is not practical...- I push away her hands full of jewels, as she tries to force them on me

-Are you kidding me?! You must be as beautiful as u can every time!-

-Isn't she already beautiful mother? And she's right... It will only slow down a soldier to wear all these delicate layers-

-How's that so? Just look at this one! And this one! Oh beautiful!- she keeps showing me different earrings and bracelets

-Mother... I would only ruin them.

We spend the day crawling on dirty grounds and shooting arrows... It's just a waste-

-You what?! This is outrageous! How they date to make a Lady fatigue so much?! And to make them dirty it's disgusting! Tell me nobody saw you in such terrible conditions!- she holds my shoulders, staring into my eyes...

-Mother let her go now... Please...- says PeiZhi tired

-No! I'm going to talk with whoever did such a thing! It's an offese toward the Ying family-

-Come on Dear... It is military life what did you *cough* expect...?-

-But she's just a woman!-

I cleanch my fists biting my tongue... I must keep the control this time... My brother notice my stiffness and takes my mother off of me.

-I'll buy them for her mother... Just calm down, I'll make sure she wear them everyday all right?-

-Will you really?-

-Yes! Don't worry... There's going to be a really fancy banquet soon so I'll get them for her, a feast like usual... We have lots and lots of occasions to celebrate at the camps! Beautiful dresses and music!...- he takes her away continuing to lie so to calm her down, while buying a few items.

She just stare at him in awe imagining things that never happened, dancing and feasting with nobles and reciting poems.

-What happened to her? She's not the same anymore... It's not like she's never been obsessed with marriage and beauty but... She's out of her mind-

-My child... Your mother has never been the same from the day you left

*Cough*

She already couldn't accept when your marriage with the son's consultant failed, but knowing that her daughter is now serving the army was too much for her to accept...

Sometimes she even talk about you as you were married and went to live in the Capital...

And I suppose it will only get worse when you will be sent on the battlefield... That's why I won't tell her.

Mhmhk..!

Sorry for your father's voice hahaha! Traveling isn't for me anymore, ahh... I'll go check on her before she spend all our money-

My brother comes back to me, shaking his head -Don't... Mind her words too much... We both know gender doesn't matter-

-It's fine, father said she's living in her own lie apparently-

-Guessed as much...- he takes out a little packet -I bought something to make her shut up, hope you will wear them at the wedding's dance... There's a matching set for Hua too if you could give it to him on my behalf...- he blushes

-Will you be able to hold back that day? We can't have you acting too suspiciously in front of all those Nobles...-

-Ah...! Well... I must, hehe-

Before heading to have dinner we end up stopping in front of a little stage, where some peoples are reciting a fun comedy about an old folkloric tale.

-Oh it's Lai'Er!-

-Uh? Guys! We did met afterall- I greet them as Kasuo hit my shoulder laughing

-You! Are you tring to hurt my child?! If she gets a bruise we're doomed!- yells my mother making my family turn around

-Ah?! Hurt her...? Madam this Lady of yours is made of stone!-

-Who the hell are you all?! to treat her like that it's outrageous!-

-Mother... They are friends.

My roomates in the Dormitory, don't you remember him? The young Feng Master...-

-Roomates?! You cannot share such privacy with other men! This will bring dishonor to our family if anyone find out-

-Come on now, my Ping... Let's keep on watching the show uh? Thank you guys for taking care of my little ChangLai- bends down my father taking away my mother.

-Well... Your family is very lively-

-Oh, don't tell me...-

As my brother approaches the guys greet him formally

-Relax guys... I'm not here as a superior.

I'm way too stressed anyway, forget the formalities- he massage his temple gaining a worried stare from Hua who rushes to take his hand

-Are you ok?-

-Yes love... I'm just tired of them- they whisper to eachother

-Well Uhm...- he bites his lip -What if we meet after you are done here? We can rest or have a warm bath maybe...-

-That would be amazing... What if we met at our favorite place?- he growls in his ears, making him blush

-I really cannot hold on anymore with them... Today I need some chill time with the love of my life more than ever- says Pei brushing off a lock of hair from the other's face

-Ehm!- I clear my voice stopping them -Let's just close this day up quickly so we can get some damn rest...-

As we reach the restaurant me and my brother step inside to go and fetch a table while my parents are still outside, walking slowly.

-They are taking too much time... Should I go check them out?-

-Uh? No, there they are-

I rise my eyes to see my mother talking with someone, probably who helped her open the door, blinking her lashes like a silly girl...

-Oh they are there! Let me Introduce you to my daughter young Mieter!-

The man turns around to follow my mother and I freeze on the chair... -Dong Hu...-

-Is he that guys you told me abou Lai?-

-Yes- i answer with clenched teeth

-ChangLai! ChangLai! I want to introduce you to this gentleman I met!-

-Oh... Miss Ying is that you? What a pleasure coincidence-

-You two already know eachother?-

-Yes... We are comrades in the army Madam.

But now that I think about it I should have understood, your beauty is the same as your daughter- he smiles charmingly

-Oh stop fluttering this old woman! You are too nice Mister Hu...-

-Well then it was really nice talking with you Master and Madam Ping-

-Why don't you join us? You are on your own, wouldn't it be a shame to spend the dinner all alone?- ask my father

-Yes it would be amazing! You can seat near my daughter since you already know eachother... Maybe it will be a pleasing time for both of you- she wlinkw and I break my chopsticks out of rage

-Lai'Er... Control yourself... Just for this dinner, I'll try to take him on me ok?-

-Mhn...-

-Well it was indeed a beautiful evening thank you so much Madam... I'm afraid I gave to go now...

Tomorrow we have some intense training isn't that so Miss Ying?- he asks closing the door behind us

-Uhm yes, we do-

-Well then I suppose we must say goodbye to both of you no? You can go back together now bye!- she waves

-There's no need t...-

-A splendid idea Madam, I shall keep your daughter safe at this time in the night-

-Oh what an amazing man! Hope to see you soon young Mister!-

We depart under the heavy stare of my brother.

-How did you knew we were at that restaurant?-

-Would you believe me if I say I did knew?-

-Of course not- I reply walking by the side of the road, which is less crowded

-Your mother seems to have took a liking on me... You really couldn't be more different haha! Are you mad now?-

-Mad? For how much I care about her opinion... She's out of mind... Uh?- I face upward

-Watch out!- he drags be against him as a piece of wood from a balcony falls

-Let me go!-

-Shouldn't you be saying thanks?- his hand grabbing strongly on my arm.

I free myself from him -As if I didn't notice that already... Where you trying to win me over with such a low move? Tz, Pathetic- I move away

-What? Don't you tell me you seriously believe what you just said... Hahaha! Oh how fun-

-Can you leave me alone sometimes? I already asked you more than once!

Not only today was an horrible day but you even got there to make it worse. Just let me go rest since tomorrow we'll be forced to see eachother- I say before going away