Chapter Thirty-Two: Chen Yuanyuan
Ming Army Camp, Wang Pu's Command Tent.
Xiao Qi, Scarface, as well as Chang Yanling and Li Zushu, all withdrew tactfully, leaving only Wang Pu and Chen Yuanyuan inside the tent. Chen Yuanyuan, graceful as a butterfly, lightly flung herself into Wang Pu’s arms. Tilting her charming face upward, she whispered, “General, I am truly afraid, afraid you might not return.”
Wang Pu gently lifted her delicate chin, his praise heartfelt. “Yuanyuan, you are truly beautiful.”
Unable to meet Wang Pu’s burning gaze, Chen Yuanyuan lowered her head, her voice soft with shyness. “It is my good fortune to serve a great hero such as you, General.”
“Yuanyuan.” Wang Pu lifted her chin a little higher, compelling her to meet his eyes. “There’s something I want to ask you.”
“Please, General,” she replied softly.
“Did you truly marry me of your own free will?”
“Yes,” she murmured.
“Did Prefect Wang force you?”
“No,” she shook her head hastily, “He did not force me. I am wholly willing.”
Wang Pu smiled, saying nothing.
A trace of plaintiveness appeared on Chen Yuanyuan’s face. “General, I truly do this willingly.”
“Yuanyuan.” Wang Pu embraced her tightly, his voice gentle. “I must have knocked on countless wooden fish in my past life to deserve marrying you in this one.”
“General.” She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, her voice as soft as silk. “Though I was born into hardship, I have only ever sold my art, not myself. My body is still pure. It matters not to me whether I am wife or concubine. As long as you don’t despise me, I will cherish you, love you, serve you well, pour your tea, wash your clothes, cook your meals, and bear you sons.”
Her tender words were like an intoxicating elixir, igniting Wang Pu’s desire. His breath grew short, his left arm encircling her slender waist and lifting her up, while his right hand slipped beneath her knees, cradling her in his arms.
“General,” Chen Yuanyuan gazed at him with eyes brimming with affection, her voice a trembling whisper, “This is my first time. Be gentle with me.”
Wang Pu’s eyes blazed; her look, her voice—was she not tempting him to sin? Swallowing hard, he pressed her onto the soft couch and, unable to wait, undressed her, layer after delicate layer.
In moments, a perfect form lay before him, utterly bare. She curled her long legs, crossing her arms over her chest in a futile attempt at modesty; the soft lamplight cast shadows, highlighting her slender waist and full curves. Wang Pu felt as if struck on the head, dizzy with desire.
From deep in his throat came a beast-like growl as he fell upon her. Chen Yuanyuan moaned softly, her arms thrown around his neck, her gaze sultry as the spring breeze rippling a pond.
■■■
Outside the Command Tent.
It was already midnight, yet Chang Yanling and Li Zushu, those two scions of leisure, showed no sign of sleep. They lingered by the fire, trading jokes and glancing often toward Wang Pu’s tent, occasionally breaking into lewd laughter.
“Look, the lamp inside Brother Wang’s tent is still burning.”
■■■
“Ha, still at it! Brother Wang is truly something.”
“It’s been nearly two hours. He’s as skilled in this as he is in battle. That delicate beauty inside—will she survive his vigor?”
“That’s where you’re mistaken. Haven’t you heard the old saying? ‘The man is the ox, the woman is the field. The more you plow, the weaker the ox; the more you plow, the richer the field. Since ancient times, the ox may die of exhaustion, but the field is never ruined.’ Well said, isn’t it? At this rate, Brother Wang will surely lose ten years of his life in the coming days.”
“Well, it can’t be helped—our new sister-in-law is just too beautiful.”
“Indeed. Only a hero like Brother Wang is worthy of such a stunning beauty.”
With these words, both fell silent, gazing up at the moon in a daze.
■■■
Inside the Command Tent.
The couch was strewn with crimson petals. The storm had passed; Wang Pu and Chen Yuanyuan lay spent.
Naked, Chen Yuanyuan curled against him like a kitten, her skin glistening with sweat beneath the lamplight. Wang Pu, still panting from exertion, couldn’t bear to remove his hands from the fullness of her hips.
“Ah, I nearly forgot,” Wang Pu suddenly said, rising and rummaging through a large chest beside the couch. He produced a gold necklace adorned with a radiant, heart-shaped jade pendant—a token he had crafted for her that very afternoon.
“Oh, it’s beautiful!” Chen Yuanyuan’s eyes sparkled; women were ever fond of such trinkets.
“It’s for you. Do you like it?”
“I do.”
“Come, let me put it on you.”
He gently fastened the necklace around her slender neck. The luminous jade against her alabaster skin made her appear even more noble and graceful. Wang Pu could scarcely tear his eyes away as Chen Yuanyuan twirled lightly around the tent. “Husband, does it look good?”
“It does.” Wang Pu nodded vigorously. “It’s perfect.”
She glanced back over her shoulder, her voice teasing, “Then I shall wear it always.”
■■■
The night passed without further words.
At dawn, Wang Pu led his troops to the waterways, following the Grand Canal toward Nanjing. Prefect Wang Shicheng accompanied them to Xushuguan, where he reluctantly bid Wang Pu farewell.
■■■
Purple Forbidden City, Hall of Heavenly Purity.
The Chongzhen Emperor, brow furrowed, asked, “Still no word from Lianyundao?”
Minister of War Chen Xinjia hurried forward, kneeling at the steps. “Your Majesty, no word yet from Lianyundao. However—”
“And what of it?” the Emperor pressed. “Speak quickly.”
“Your Majesty, the spies I dispatched to Mongolia and Korea have returned. The news that General Wang destroyed Shengjing and captured the enemy leader, Huang Taiji, has been confirmed.”
The emperor’s face lit up. “Did I not say? Grand Secretary Hong would never deceive me!”
“Yes, indeed,” Chen Xinjia replied, feigning enthusiasm. “Lord Hong is your Majesty’s loyal arm; he would never betray your trust.”
The Emperor laughed heartily. “You and Lord Hong are my left and right arms. I cannot do without either of you.”
He continued, “Did the spies from Mongolia or Korea bring any news of General Wang?”
“Not from Mongolia, Your Majesty, but one thing is certain: General Wang did not fall into the enemy’s hands, and the captive, Huang Taiji, remains under his control.”
“How can you be sure?” the Emperor asked.
“Because our agents report that the enemy has already chosen a new leader.”
“Ah,” the Emperor said with satisfaction. “So, General Wang has not been captured, and the old enemy chief is still in his hands.”
At that moment, a young eunuch burst into the hall, breathless. “Dispatch from Nanjing, Your Majesty!”
Chief Eunuch Wang Cheng’en stepped forward and presented the dispatch. The Emperor tore it open, read, and laughed aloud. “Excellent! Splendid! Ministers, Minister of War Shi Kefa from Nanjing reports—the naval forces of Jinshan Garrison have escorted General Wang safely home by sea!”
“Is that so?”
“Wonderful news!”
“Your Majesty’s virtue ensures fortune; General Wang has turned calamity to blessing. Truly cause for celebration!”
The court erupted in congratulations and sycophantic praise.
Delighted, the Emperor called, “Cheng’en.”
Wang Cheng’en bowed, replying obsequiously, “At your service, Your Majesty.”
“Draft a decree at once. Nanjing’s Ministry of Rites shall welcome General Wang with highest honors upon his triumphant return. The captive enemy leaders shall be paraded in chains for three days in Nanjing to display our might. Afterward, the Ministry of War shall escort General Wang and the prisoners to the capital, with all provinces and districts along the way to treat him with the utmost respect due an imperial envoy—none shall neglect this duty.”
Wang Cheng’en answered loudly, “Your Majesty’s will shall be done.”