Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 166 Mingyue's Jealousy

The imperial edict appointing Su Xiaoxiao as the Director of the Inner Palace was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples that lingered long afterward both inside and outside Xinghuo Fortress. The astonishment, criticism, observation, and even covert resistance in official circles were gradually suppressed, at least on the surface, by the passage of time and the unwavering stance of their lord, Chen Xing. However, beneath this public turmoil, another, more hidden and subtle undercurrent was quietly surging in the depths of some people's hearts.

Murong Mingyue has been feeling rather troubled lately.

She was not an unreasonable, jealous, or narrow-minded woman. As a general who had once commanded cavalry and fought on the battlefield, she had seen a wider world and her mind was much broader than that of ordinary women confined to their homes. She understood her husband Chen Xing's ambition to seek out talented people and to employ them regardless of their background, and she had also witnessed firsthand the troubles that the chaotic financial accounts after the Western Liang's surrender had caused her husband. When Chen Xing first mentioned Su Xiaoxiao to her and her talents, she agreed with him, and even felt a certain admiration and curiosity for this extraordinary woman from Jiangnan who dared to break free from the clutches of wolves and return north to serve him.

However, when Su Xiaoxiao actually stepped into Starfire Fortress, displayed amazing financial management talent, and was exceptionally promoted by her husband to the powerful position of Inner Palace Commander, things seemed to start to... be different.

First, Su Xiaoxiao's presence around Chen Xing suddenly became more frequent and prolonged. The Inner Palace Director had a special responsibility, overseeing finances and commerce, and many matters required direct reporting, consultation, and discussion with Chen Xing. Chen Xing clearly valued this newly acquired "God of Wealth" highly, not only allocating a separate courtyard near the Hall of Diligent Governance to the Inner Palace Directorate as its office, but also frequently summoning her to the hall for discussions that could last for most of the day, or even into the night.

Sometimes when Murong Mingyue went to find Chen Xing, she would find the palace doors tightly shut, with only Su Xiaoxiao's clear and organized reporting voice or Chen Xing's focused whispers coming from within. The guards standing outside the palace looked solemn, as if they were handling a matter of great importance. Not wanting to disturb them, she could only leave silently, but a slight sting seemed to run through her heart.

Secondly, there was the matter of Su Xiaoxiao herself. Murong Mingyue had seen her several times from afar. The woman was indeed extremely beautiful, unlike the robust and forthright women of the North. She possessed a refined and gentle beauty, a quality honed by the water towns of Jiangnan. Even in simple Northern clothing, she couldn't conceal her scholarly air and graceful charm. What struck Murong Mingyue even more was her calm and composed demeanor, unperturbed by praise or criticism. Faced with the gossip and strange looks from inside and outside the fortress, she seemed completely unmoved, devoting all her energy to the mountain of account books and the planning of new policies. That focus and confidence, even tinged with a touch of aloofness, made Murong Mingyue, a woman of similar talent, feel an invisible pressure.

Occasionally, a fleeting glance within the inner government offices reveals Su Xiaoxiao directing several newly transferred clerks, quickly and clearly assigning tasks, her words concise and to the point. That competence and decisiveness forms a striking contrast with her gentle appearance.

"No wonder my husband values ​​her so highly..." Murong Mingyue thought to herself, her feelings a mix of emotions. She admired capable people, especially women. But this woman's abilities seemed to touch upon a field she was unfamiliar with, yet understood to be crucial—finance and resources, the foundation of her husband's empire. And her husband's reliance on her was obvious to all.

The most unsettling time for her was a few days ago, one evening. She had intended to find Chen Xing to dine with, but was told that the lord was still discussing important matters with the Inner Palace Minister. So she waited in the garden outside the palace and happened to see Su Xiaoxiao taking her leave from inside the palace.

As the sun set, its afterglow cast a soft golden glow on Su Xiaoxiao's elegant dress. She seemed to have just finished a long discussion; a hint of weariness lingered on her face, but her eyes remained bright. As she stepped out of the palace gates, she seemed to unconsciously raise her hand and gently rub her temples, her sleeve slipping down to reveal a glimpse of her fair wrist. Then, as if sensing something, she looked up and met Murong Mingyue's gaze.

In that instant, Murong Mingyue saw a hint of surprise flash in Su Xiaoxiao's eyes, which quickly transformed into just the right amount of respect and distance. She bowed slightly, offering a greeting to Murong Mingyue, her voice calm: "Madam Mingyue." Then, she walked away directly, her steps unhurried, her silhouette stretching long and slender in the setting sun.

Murong Mingyue stood there, suddenly feeling a void in her heart. That address of "Madam Mingyue" was polite and courteous, yet it carried a clear sense of hierarchy and distance. She could sense that Su Xiaoxiao's gaze towards her was no different from her gaze towards other generals and high-ranking officials—a respect for the "mistress's" status, rather than any emotion directed at Murong Mingyue herself.

This was perfectly normal. Yet, for some reason, Murong Mingyue felt a strange, inexplicable sense of loneliness. She and Chen Xing were a couple who had weathered many hardships together, their love deep and profound, and they had even borne children, securing their position. She had never doubted Chen Xing's feelings for her. However, when another woman, so outstanding and sharing more and more "common ground" with her husband, frequently appeared by his side, sharing important plans about the future that she couldn't participate in, an unprecedented, subtle sense of crisis began to grow quietly, like a vine.

Is she no longer the only one who can stand shoulder to shoulder with her husband and share the most core secrets?

She couldn't share these feelings with anyone, not even Chen Xing. She knew her husband had lofty ambitions, and now that his business was just beginning to take shape, it was a time when he needed capable people. If she were to interfere because of these minor personal whims, wouldn't she appear petty, jealous, and lacking in common sense? This was definitely not in Murong Mingyue's character.

But emotions don't disappear when suppressed by reason; instead, they fester in the heart.

That day, Chen Xing finished his official duties early, a rare occurrence, and returned to the inner palace. Murong Mingyue was personally supervising the maids as they tidied the young master's clothes. Upon seeing him return, she smiled and went to greet him.

Chen Xing took her hand and keenly noticed a hint of weariness and worry beneath her smile. "Mingyue, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Or is something bothering you at the fortress?" he asked with concern.

Murong Mingyue shook her head, took off his outer robe, and said softly, "It's nothing, I'm just a little tired. Husband, you must have been discussing things with the Su family for a long time today, right?" As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted it a little, as her tone seemed to carry a hint of probing that she herself was unaware of.

Chen Xing didn't pay much attention and casually said, "Yes, Xiao Xiao has put forward a new idea about 'tiered authorization of salt and iron monopolies' and 'caravan shareholding system,' which is quite novel and needs to be carefully considered for its advantages and disadvantages. This woman is indeed incredibly insightful when it comes to economics, and many of her ideas are refreshing."

"Xiaoxiao?" Murong Mingyue caught the address and her heart skipped a beat again. Her husband always addressed his subjects by their titles or surnames, such as "Wenhe," "Tiezhu," and "Dianxiong," but he seemed to use a more intimate address for Su Xiaoxiao.

Chen Xing then noticed that Mingyue's expression was strange. He stopped talking and looked at her carefully: "Mingyue, you..."

Murong Mingyue avoided his gaze and forced a smile, "It's a good thing that Consort Su is so talented and can share my burdens. I'm just... just worried that you're overworking yourself." She paused, then couldn't help but lower her voice, "These days, you spend more time discussing government affairs with her than with me and the children."

There was a hint of barely perceptible grievance and bitterness in her words, which made Chen Xing pause slightly. He was as clever as he was, and he immediately understood the reason for Mingyue's recent slight abnormality.

He couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, a surge of tenderness and remorse welling up within him. He gently pulled Mingyue's shoulder close, letting her lean against his chest, and whispered, "Mingyue, it's my fault. I've been so busy with chores these past few days that I've neglected you."

Murong Mingyue leaned against his strong chest, smelling his familiar scent. Her eyes welled up slightly, but she held back and shook her head, saying, "No, my husband is a man destined for great things, I understand. I'm just... just a little unaccustomed to it." She ultimately didn't utter the word "jealousy," but Chen Xing understood the unspoken meaning.

Chen Xing cupped her face in his hands, gazing into the complex emotions in her eyes, and said earnestly, "Mingyue, you are my wife, the mother of my child, and the one who shared life and death with me, the one who built this empire. This bond is irreplaceable and will never change. Su Xiaoxiao is a subject, a rare talent. I value her as much as I value Wenhe and Dian Xiong, all for the sake of this nascent foundation. Your place in my heart is unique, incomparable to anyone else."

His tone was sincere, his gaze unwavering. Looking into his eyes, the unease and bitterness in Murong Mingyue's heart melted away like thin ice under the sunlight. She knew her husband was speaking from the heart.

"I'm just... afraid I can't help you much," she said softly, finally revealing a sliver of her true thoughts. "I really don't understand those matters of money, grain, and commerce."

Chen Xing smiled and kissed her forehead: "Silly Mingyue, you command the cavalry, deterring the northern frontier and stabilizing my rear. Your contributions far surpass money and provisions. We are husband and wife, each with our own strengths, complementing each other perfectly. Why belittle yourself? As for Su Xiaoxiao, she is a capable official, but you are my family, my Mingyue. How can they be the same?"

These words completely soothed Murong Mingyue's heart. She buried her face in Chen Xing's shoulder and said in a muffled voice, "I understand. Don't worry, my husband, I won't make things difficult for you. As for the Su family... if there's anything I can do to help, I will do my best."

Chen Xing hugged her tightly with relief. He knew that Mingyue was sensible and that this temporary knot in her heart would be untied. However, how to balance the relationship between this newly added "important minister" in the backyard and his beloved wife seemed to have become a problem that he, the overlord of the north, needed to handle properly.