Late Ming Dynasty: So what if Emperor Chongzhen was inactive?!

Chapter 23 A woman is coming from the west, an urgent message from eight hundred li away!
"Father, you wanted to see me?!" Sun Chuanting's eldest daughter rushed in and asked.

She was wearing a small leather armor, panting heavily, her face flushed, and her body was already soaked with sweat. Two catfish whiskers at her temples were pressed tightly against her cheeks, and a few stray strands of hair clung to her lips.

She had just been playing with her big gun in the backyard when she was called over, her head still steaming.

Seeing his daughter's spirited appearance, Sun Chuanting felt both gratified and, more than anything, wanted to cry. With a somber expression, he told his two daughters the emperor's edict. After he finished speaking, the family remained silent for a long time.

Madam Zhang favored sending her daughters to the palace, as this would greatly benefit both Sun Chuanting and their two sons' careers.

Moreover, their family is currently in a limbo, and with Sun Chuanting having resigned from his official post, it's difficult to find a suitable match for their daughter. Matchmakers have come to their door several times, but Sun Chuanting has turned them away each time. Their eldest daughter is almost sixteen years old, what are they going to do?! Although she has her own ideas, Sun Chuanting is ultimately in charge of the household, so she can't say much.

“I called you two here to hear your opinions. If you are unwilling to marry, your father will not force you,” Sun Chuanting said solemnly.

It is said that marriages are arranged by parents and matchmakers, and Sun Chuanting's actions are very rare in this era. However, it is a major life event, and it is somewhat cruel to let two young girls decide. Sun Chuanting looked reluctant.

He was about to speak again when he heard his eldest daughter say, "Father, I have heard that you have the ambition to save the world, but I am saddened by the obstruction of petty people. I am willing to enter the inner court to protect you and prevent you from being humiliated by such people."

Sun Chuanting's eyes widened in disbelief. His voice trembled slightly as he said, "You must know that the Ming Dynasty does not allow the empress dowager to interfere in politics."

The girl gently shook her head: "Father, the emperor may not have taken a liking to me, but rather to you. Father, did you see my name mentioned in the edict?! If the emperor were to summon a woman from the common people, or if a woman's beauty had spread far and wide and reached the emperor's ears, it would be a marriage alliance strategy to win over ministers. Since my name has not been known, there is only one other possibility."

Sun Chuanting opened his mouth and sighed, "As an old man over thirty and an official for many years, I am not as insightful as you. Wanwan, I am even more reluctant to let you go."

Upon hearing this, Sun Shiwan's eyes also reddened. She knew how her father treated her. It was already considered good for ordinary girls to be literate, let alone to study strategy, military tactics, and martial arts all at the same time like she did.

"Shixiu, what are your thoughts? Why aren't you saying anything?" Sun Chuanting asked, looking at his youngest daughter.

Sun Shixiu smiled sheepishly, hugged her sister's arm, and said, "I'll listen to my sister."

Sun Chuanting looked up at the sky speechlessly. Madam Zhang finally relaxed her tightly clenched hands.

"Husband, shall I go and prepare our daughters' luggage?"

"Go, go," Sun Chuanting waved his hand weakly.

"Shiwan, Shixiu, come with me," Madam Zhang called out.

Sun Shiwan left, turning back every few steps. After they left, Sun Chuanting muttered to himself, "His Majesty is so stingy! Is the Emperor so poor that he can't even afford the betrothal gifts?!"

Sun Chuanting wasn't after the money; although his family wasn't extremely wealthy, they had been officials for generations and lived a relatively comfortable life. He simply felt that the emperor was disrespectful and didn't follow the rules.

Madam Zhang led her two daughters into her room, then rummaged through the drawers and chests before finally pulling a book from the bottom of a box. She didn't know how to explain, so she simply shoved the book into the hands of her own daughter, Sun Shiwan. Sun Shiwan looked at the slightly yellowed, blank cover, feeling utterly bewildered. She opened it, her face instantly turning bright red to her earlobes, and with a snap, she slammed the book shut. "Sister, what's this? Let me see!" Sun Shixiu curiously craned her neck, but her sister held the book high, making it impossible for her to reach it even on tiptoe.

"Let your sister see it; she'll find out sooner or later anyway," Madam Zhang said, somewhat amused, as she watched the scene unfold.

Since her mother had spoken, Sun Shiwan couldn't disobey. Soon enough, Sun Shixiu's face also turned bright red.

Two days later, Sun Shiwan bid farewell to her parents, and Sun Shixiu also tearfully said goodbye to her birth mother, Shi.

Sun Chuanting gave his daughter a memorial entitled "There Must Be Weaknesses and Fears in the Enemy's Situation," asking her to help present it to the emperor.

Although Sun Chuanting was a scholar who passed the imperial examination, he was promoted to the Ministry of Personnel by the court for his merits in suppressing the White Lotus Rebellion. Given his personality, he would only feel frustrated if he had to deal with those people in the court, so he would rather abandon his pen for the sword. He wrote this memorial in the hope of gaining the emperor's approval and being put to use as a talent on the frontier.

"Lord Sun, His Majesty means that after the national mourning period, your two daughters will be granted official titles. You need not worry." The eunuch knew that the emperor's handling of this matter was strange, so before parting, he explained to Sun Chuanting in accordance with the emperor's wishes.

Sun Chuanting cupped his hands in greeting, thought for a moment, and then took out two packets of silver from his pocket, handing them to the eunuch and the Jinyiwei centurion, asking them to take good care of his daughters.

"Oh dear, how could I possibly accept that!" The eunuch beamed, deferring as he stuffed the silver into his pocket. The Imperial Guard commander solemnly promised to protect him with his life, and said that the journey had been relatively peaceful, reassuring Sun Chuanting not to worry. However, after setting off, he promptly returned the silver to Sun Chuanting's daughter. The eunuch glared at the commander with a hint of resentment, but could only comply.

"My lords, please let me pay for your food and lodging along the way. It's not easy for anyone to travel all this way," Sun Shiwan said, sticking her head out of the carriage.

"There are post stations providing food and lodging, so Miss need not trouble herself," the centurion said curtly. Even Sun Shiwan showed a look of helplessness at this.

"Whose subordinate is this? He's so annoying!" The eunuch grinned, his teeth chattering.

However, at that moment, the sound of galloping hooves rang out on the official road. The eunuch was furious. Who was so bold as to dare to ram a carriage escorted by the Imperial Guards?!
Everyone turned around and saw a courier with a yellow flag on his back and a silver badge with fire-lacquered lacquer hanging from his waist galloping towards them.
"Sir, this is an urgent message, delivered by messenger on an 800-li journey!!!"

"Pull over immediately and make way!" the Jinyiwei commander hurriedly ordered.

The courier passed by, glanced at them, and didn't stop, leaving behind only a trail of billowing dust.

"An urgent message from eight hundred li away must be about urgent military matters. But why is it from the west?!" The group remained silent and continued on their way, the atmosphere becoming somewhat oppressive.

The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard sent out two scouts to scout along the way. The eunuch dared not cause any trouble, as his life depended on the protection of these soldiers.

"Sister, I'm a little scared," Sun Shixiu said softly.

"Don't be afraid. We're heading towards the capital. The centurion is only taking some precautions. The journey should be relatively safe," Sun Shiwan reassured her.

(End of this chapter)