You ungrateful spinster

The imperial army marched south to conquer Yunjing. The first to bear the brunt was the greatest pass north of Yunjing, known as Wusheng Pass. The pass fortress was built at the exit of a canyon between two mountains, with walls about forty feet high, stretching to the ridges on both sides for a total length of about three miles.

It possessed an imposing aura that suggested one man holding the pass could fend off ten thousand.

A winding official road passed in front of the pass, while the terrain behind it was open, connecting to a fertile plain and bordering a small town called Guanxiang Town.

At this moment, Su Jin was operating undercover within it.

She had not been in Guanxiang Town for long, but having served under the Lord Duke for an extended period, her vision and methods had grown increasingly refined. Now, handling tasks like intelligence gathering was quite second nature to her.

Having gained a certain level of understanding of Guanxiang Town, and especially Wusheng Pass, she was just about to push her efforts further when she received two letters in succession.

One was from Vice General Wang Ming.

The other was from the Lord Duke.

In their letters, both asked her to pay close attention to a woman named Lu Shuang. Through her rapidly established network of contacts, Su Jin already had a lead. Having just received a report from her subordinate, she immediately set out.

She soon arrived at the location.

It was situated near the edge of the town, consisting of a few simple, even shabby thatched cottages surrounded by a bamboo fence. Due to years of disrepair, the fence had multiple gaping holes.

At this moment, a young woman with a tall, agile figure and heroic features was swiftly mending the gaps.

Su Jin observed her carefully and nodded in secret approval.

From her appearance and movements, this woman is very well-suited for our Demon Suppression Bureau.

Having long served as the Vice Envoy of the Demon Suppression Bureau, Su Jin was constantly thinking about recruiting talent. Thus, the moment she saw this woman, her professional instincts kicked in, and her heart stirred slightly.

It was worth noting that although she had previously given up the position of Vice Commander of the Demon Suppression Bureau, this time, under the orders of the Lord Duke to travel south to Yunjing as a spy, the personnel the Lord Duke assigned to her were all elite operatives from the Bureau.

All of them were under her command.

The implication of this was already self-evident.

In the Lord Duke's heart, her position had long been restored.

Because of this, Su Jin was tempted, but she did not act rashly. Instead, she watched for a while longer before essentially confirming her judgment.

This must be the Lu Shuang mentioned in the letters from the Lord Duke and General Wang Ming. If the opportunity arises, I must definitely recruit such a woman. Since she is currently in a state of uncertainty, joining the Demon Suppression Bureau might not be a bad thing for her.

As she was thinking this, the door of the thatched cottage was suddenly pushed open. An old woman, past fifty and with a face full of wrinkles, walked out. Looking thoroughly displeased, the old woman merely glanced at Lu Shuang before her temper flared up instantly.

Like a block of wood, all you know is how to do these trifling chores.

Look at yourself! What is the most important thing you should be doing right now?

How old are you?

Still not planning to get married?

Still thinking about being picky?

Who do you think you are? Imperial royalty? Or fabulously wealthy? You are just a hunter!

Being a hunter, you should marry someone a hunter is meant to marry.

Do you understand?

Her voice rumbled loudly, like a sudden clap of thunder in the sky.

Lu Shuang, who had been burying her head in the hard work of mending the fence, couldn't help but tremble slightly. However, she quickly calmed down and continued fixing the fence. It wasn't that these words didn't pierce her heart; it was just that they had been said far, far too many times.

So many times that she had grown numb to them.

Do you know...

The old woman hadn't scolded her enough at all and continued, Do you know that because you won't get married, I can't even hold my head up in front of my relatives and friends? All the neighbors are laughing at me.

Others are already holding their grandchildren, while my own daughter isn't even married yet.

I've truly lost all face!

The biggest mistake I ever made in my life was having a daughter like you, raising an ungrateful wretch who can't even get married!

Pausing for a moment, the old woman declared with overbearing force, It's a good thing you came back. This time, no matter what, you are going to get married!

Lu Shuang's movements to mend the fence had stopped. She stood there, completely numb and dazed. A sharp wooden splinter had pierced her palm, oozing a faint trace of blood, but she didn't even notice.

She only felt a heart full of absurdity, feeling that life was worse than death.

It was never that she didn't want to get married, but she simply could not accept the men her mother wanted her to marry each time.

Her mother once said the man she was to marry had an upright and heroic nature, and acted decisively without hesitation. She later found out that the man had spent a long time in prison for accidentally killing someone during a street brawl before being released.

Her mother once said the man was from the Eight Separations family, a prestigious household with vast knowledge and experience. Only upon meeting him did she learn that the man had outlived eight wives, and if she married him, she would be the ninth.

Her mother once said the man was excellent, and if she married him, her life would be filled with sweetness, and her future days would be purely happy. She later discovered that the man suffered from a severe wasting-thirst disease.

Her mother chose for her time and time again, and she refused time and time again.

Her mother insulted and cursed her time and time again, and she had to endure it time and time again, until she simply couldn't take it anymore and fled back to her hometown near the capital, making a living by hunting, living a free and unfettered life.

Unfortunately, just because some wealth inexplicably appeared in her home, she was forced to wander on the run again. She really hadn't wanted to return to this home, but with the imperial court pursuing her, Yunjing was the only place she could find refuge.

She was forced to return.

Only...

At this moment, her heart was suddenly filled with regret.

I would rather have been captured by the authorities, left to be killed or buried as they please.

Did you hear me talking to you? Lu Shuang's mother, Wang Guihua, roared again, saying, This time, you must get married.

And this time, you are in luck.

The general of our Wusheng Pass had a beloved girl who died of an illness. The general was heartbroken, and his subordinates have posted portraits of that girl. I see that you actually look somewhat similar to her.

According to the customs of our Yunjing, if you can resemble the irreplaceable first love of those noble lords, it is a heaven-sent match. You should take the initiative to approach and heal those official lords.

Such a wonderfully great thing is a rare opportunity.

You know Jiang Yunshu, right? She relied on exactly this to become an official lord's wife. The storybooks about her have spread all over Yunjing. What woman doesn't envy her?

Now it's your turn, and you must seize it for me.

Pausing, a hint of a smile appeared on Wang Guihua's lips, I have already signed you up with the garrison lords. They will send someone to pick you up soon. You better do me proud.

Outshine all those coquettish wenches competing against you. You must secure this marriage, do you hear me?

Marry him just to be at someone's mercy?

A trace of a self-deprecating smile spilled from the corners of Lu Shuang's mouth.

Rather than this, she might as well return to the capital!

The worst that could happen is being framed by the authorities and imprisoned for life; even that would be better than this oppressive family that was suffocating her.

Therefore, Lu Shuang raised her head, her tone resolute, I will not marry!

...