Double Jade's fate

After that accident. They occasionally meet outside and take horse rides to far away from human activity. In the forest, she will allow him to so the things he want to do and learn from him how to please a man. Although he is younger he have more experience in this as he watch his older cousins do it to their personal maids. He learn and hear what his older sisters talk about things in the bed. He does all these on Tang Li and she change from a tough hard woman to a slightly soft and nicer person to talk with. Everyone in camp notice this. 

"General, is there something wrong these days?"

"What do you mean? Nothing is wrong."

"You seems like you're glowing. You are not that angry anymore."

"Am i? I am always the same. Stop talking nonsense Man Chun. If you go time on your hands go check on the new recruits. Make sure everything is in order. These paper work are ... wait. Do you want to do this? I can go do the checking.."

"NO No General. I think i go now. My handwriting no one can read and will return. It's better you of the paper work."

Man Chun run out of the tent and he is yelling at someone. Tang Li smile and continue her work. Sometimes she even whistle. When the flap at the tent get a strong wind blow in, she look and see if any solider happen to march by. She is disappointed that sometimes, Yan Rui doesn't appear in front of her. 

Dinner is always never a disappointment to her. She will have slightly extra meat on her plate and her favourite drink is always prepare for her. She enjoy her meals daily and she watch the training from far. They rarely interact during the day time but they will sit together after dinner with the rest of the soldiers by the camp fire. All seasons comes and goes. He grow taller, stronger than before and he start to keep a beard. His voice change too. Deeper and more masculine but his talkativeness is still there. Soon he will sit for the yearly examinations that are happening in the autumn. He study hard with the rest and Tang Li prepare more food and candles for everyone. After the examinations, they are given three days off. The camp become quieter and less chaotic. 

One sunny day, the autumn leaves are flying in the air. While she is laying on one of his leg. Yan Rui is siting up right against a tree and looking at her. He tuck a small flower above her ear. "What did you like about me?" she asked

He smile and continue to brush her long ponytail.

"Strong. I like strong people especially woman."

"Hmm, i like strong man too but am i that strong?"

"Yes, you did that when you flip me over your shoulder. You make my childhood dream come true."

"What?!"

"I always dream that my woman should be strong enough to defend herself before i can come to rescue her. She should able to help herself in any conditions before i step in."

"But there are men out there who don't like girls like me."

"There are different types of men. We all have different taste. You just need to find the correct person to match. I happen to be your best match."

She sits up and look at him. "You don't even know anything about me. How can you say i am your best match?"

"I know everything about you. I know what you like to eat, what you dislike, you only take baths in your tub. You try to save money for the soldiers. You give rewards to all those who serve the purpose of the mission. You loved the Tang flag more than anything. You did not consummate your wedding night."

She look down on ground in front of her.

"You are a virgin Widow. I don't want to know and don't want to hear anything about that Prince. He might be a legend but i don't want to hear about him from your mouth. I leave him as a good man in my mind. I will respect him for that as a fellow solider. So don't bother to tell me about him. I don't think i can handle anything private about him and you."

Tang Li look up she did not know what to say but she look at him with her gratefulness in her eyes. He smile and hug her. 

"I maybe younger than you so much but i try to be a mature person for you. Someone that won't make you worry. Someone that won't make you cry unnecessary. Someday we will all die but we will die knowing that we found each other."

"What are your plans now?"

"I am planning to climb the ranks. I will also take over the family business. I don't know how to go about it but i want to earn a ranking in the army. Then i can return home to make my father proud. Learn the business. Then i can marry you. Will you wait for me?"

"What if i can't wait?"

"Then i marry you now and change my priory. I will take the business... I will be the new Marquis Bai Li Yan Rui when the title is past down to me. I won't let you down." 

Tang Li hug him with her heart and soul. She is grateful to his appearances in her life. " I always thought that i have no one in the future now i have someone. I will live my life with happiness, with you and him." He ask when he push her to look at her face. "Who is him?" 

"I wanted to tell you but at that time, you are taking the examinations. So i keep it to myself. I am three months pregnant."

For the first time he remain quiet for more than 3 minutes. His mind is racing with thoughts. "Yan Rui ..."

"Wait I am thinking what to prepare for the wedding..."