Farewell, My General

Chapter 1

The peddler who once roamed the streets with me had transformed into a renowned and mighty general. He rode a tall horse and took me to the capital, promising a good life. But my only wish was to open a small shop in town, do some business, and grow old with Mom and Dad.

The capital was tough. His colleagues mocked me, and the noble ladies looked down on me. The Princess even said she wanted the Emperor to grant her the young general as her husband, telling me to get lost.

Being a General's wife turned out to be harder than being a peddler. So, I left him the divorce papers and a note: "You go be your great general, and I'll stick to being a peddler. Let's have no connections and not delay each other anymore."

What was so great about being a General's wife? I wanted to be the most carefree peddler in the world.

---

I untied the ribbon holding my long hair and reached for the drumstick on the plate. Usually, Mom would knock my hand away with chopsticks, but today she was unusually gentle.

"Pattie, your father and I have found you another match."

"Gavin has been in the army for five years without any news. Forget about him," she said.

I was happily munching on the drumstick. "No way."

Mom couldn't hold back and tapped my head with her chopsticks. "You're twenty already. If you keep delaying, how will you ever get married? Do you want to be a peddler for life?"

I kicked back in the chair, feeling completely at ease. "What's wrong with being a peddler? I want to be a peddler for life and stay by your side."

After giving birth to me, Mom's health declined, and I was their only child. I had long decided to stay with them and take care of them in their old age.

Mom turned her anger towards Dad, who was watching as an onlooker. "It's all your fault. I told you a girl shouldn't be a peddler, but you insisted on letting her. Now look."

Dad shrank back and placed another drumstick in Mom's bowl. "She's not that old yet. Besides, our daughter is as beautiful as you. She won't have trouble finding a husband."

Mom scolded, "You and your glib tongue..."

Knowing they were about to start flirting, I quickly finished my porridge and escaped to my room.

I poured out the money I earned today and gathered it into a small iron box. Counting it, I was surprised to find I had saved quite a bit. In another year or so, I would have enough to rent a small shop in town.

Then, I could open a grocery store in town, and we wouldn't have to wander the countryside with a carrying pole every day. Dad wouldn't need to work in the fields, and Mom wouldn't have to cut grass on the mountain. We could all live a good life.

But... I glanced at the silver bracelet at the bottom of the box, buried under the coins. It was a gift from Gavin when we got engaged. Five years ago, he left with his backpack, holding my hand reluctantly, promising to return from the army in two years and open a shop together after we got married.

But five years had passed, and he hadn't sent a single letter. Gavin, that big liar.

The next morning, I washed my face, tied my long hair like a man's, and set out with my carrying pole. Mom chased after me from the house, handing me some pizza. "Be safe and come back early."

To save money for the shop as quickly as possible, I stocked up on more goods and went to farther villages. Fortunately, I was good with words, and my goods were of good quality and reasonably priced. I sold almost everything by midday.

On my way home, a few men blocked my path. "Hold it right there! Who gave you permission to sell in Springwater?"

I trembled at the sight of the burly men. The leader's muscles looked like they could punch me into the ground. I apologized repeatedly, "Sorry, I didn't know this was your territory."

The man extended his hand. "50 dollars."

Before I could react, a skinny guy behind him rudely grabbed my money bag, leaving me nothing.

After they left, I picked up the money bag from the ground. "Sigh, another day of losses," I sighed. This wasn't the first time I'd been harassed. Because my business was good and I was a woman, I naturally attracted a lot of jealousy.

Even though I was cautious, I couldn't avoid trouble every now and then. I patted the dust off the money bag, which Mom had sewn for me by lamplight. She spent two days and nights on it, and Dad had teased her about whether she was sewing a coin or a biscuit. But I cherished it and took it with me every time I went out.

I clasped my hands together and muttered, "Money well spent."

If Gavin were still here, he would have taught those bullies a lesson. I wouldn't have been bullied. Thinking about the troubles caused by these thugs over the years, I felt powerless and could only swallow my grievances.

Feeling more and more upset, I cried all the way home. But when I reached the door, I saw a tall horse tied up, and the entire village was peeking over my courtyard wall.

I quickly wiped my tears and snot and entered the yard, only to see a familiar figure sitting there, drinking coffee with Dad. My hands shook, and I dropped the carrying pole and basket. The unsold maltose candies scattered all over the ground.

The village kids climbed over the wall, scrambling to pick up the candies. "Pattie, you're going to be a General's wife!"

Chapter 2

My dad smiled, stroked his beard, and shooed away the villagers before heading into the kitchen. "You two catch up. I'll go help your mother."

I looked at Gavin, who had become much more tan and whose features had grown more defined. It was hard to believe this man was the same boy I used to know.

"Gavin, why did you take so long to come back?" I said, tears welling up in my eyes.

Gavin gently wiped away my tears and tucked my stray hair behind my ear. "Pattie, I've come back to marry you."

Looking at the man who had become even more handsome over the years, my heart raced.

"I am now the Emperor's appointed General. Come with me to Jasron and be a General's wife. You'll have wealth and honor beyond your dreams."

Hearing this, I was stunned. I had agreed to marry him back then because we both came from modest backgrounds. He was a peddler like me, and our lifestyles were similar. Married life promised freedom. No mother-in-law to dictate my every move, and I could continue living close to my parents.

But now he had become a general and wanted to take me to Jasron, which meant rarely seeing my parents and losing the free life I cherished. My parents only had me. What would they do if I left?

I shook my head firmly. "No, I won't marry you."

My mom, hearing this, dropped the vegetables she was holding and grabbed a feather duster, ready to scold me. "Pattie, what nonsense are you talking about? Are you out of your mind?"

My dad stepped in front of me. "Honey, Gavin is still here."

I cried out, "I don't want to go to Jasron. I want to stay with Mom and Dad."

I saw my mom secretly wipe away a tear. "You foolish child, who would give up a life of wealth and honor?"

I stomped my feet and wailed, "I won't marry him. I want to stay with my parents forever."

In the end, my mom ignored my protests and forced me onto Gavin's horse. Before leaving, she handed me a bundle of clothes, saying it was my wedding gift.

Gavin was in a hurry to return to Jasron to report for duty, so there could be no wedding ceremony.

I cried as I opened the bundle. Who knows how many nights my mom had stayed up sewing it? Her sewing skills were still terrible; I couldn't tell if the embroidery on the bra was of swans or ducks.

We rode on horseback for half a month, and I vomited until my stomach was empty.

At night, we would rest against the horse, light a campfire, and watch the stars and the moon. Gavin told me about his years in the army.

He said that three years ago, the current Emperor was a neglected Prince, sent to the frontier to lead battles. Once, their camp was ambushed, and the Prince was captured by the enemies. Gavin had sneaked into the enemy camp at night and rescued the Prince. Since then, he had followed the Prince through many battles.

When his two-year term was up, he asked the Prince for leave to come back and marry me. The Prince said, "You have nothing now. Do you want the girl to suffer with you? Why not stay for another two years and help me conquer the country? Then I'll grant you an official position, a mansion, and a fortune. You can marry her in grand style."

Gavin thought it made sense and stayed, but it turned into three more years. He said he thought of me every day in the army but felt he needed to earn his title to marry me in the grand way the Emperor had promised.

He said he wanted me to be the most admired young woman in the world.

I asked Gavin, "What if I had married someone else by the time you came back?"

Gavin said he had asked the Prince the same question. The Prince replied, "By then, you'll be a great general. Just bring her back by force."

Chapter 3

Life in Jasron was indeed more comfortable than in the village.

I no longer had to carry heavy loads on my shoulders, wandering through the streets and alleys every day, nor did I have to constantly calculate whether the money I earned that day could cover the cost of buying goods.

My vanity was filled with various jewelry and accessories, and the kitchen was stocked with delicacies from all over the country.

However, Gavin was busy with court affairs every day and only returned home at night.

The servants in the mansion were all very proper, answering only what I asked and nothing more.

In this vast mansion, there wasn't a single person to talk to, and it was incredibly lonely.

When I ate lunch alone, I would think of my parents, wondering if they were eating well. The thought brought tears to my eyes.

I remembered the days when I was a peddler. Although it was tiring, I could enjoy Mom's cooking when I got home, and counting the money at night made me happy.

Selling goods door-to-door allowed me to joke around with the young men and women, and it was so carefree.

In January, Gavin took me to the palace. I wore the gray fur cloak that Mom had saved up to buy for me last year, happily attending the banquet with him.

As dusk fell, the palace was brightly lit, and the long tables on both sides were filled with exquisite dishes.

The court musicians played their instruments diligently, and the court dancers performed gracefully to the music.

This magnificent scene was just like what I had read in storybooks.

I was very cautious, afraid of making a mistake and embarrassing Gavin.

After the feast, the Emperor summoned Gavin.

Gavin led me to kneel before the hall, and I curiously raised my head, meeting the gaze of the Princess standing behind the Emperor.

She covered her mouth and laughed, loudly asking, "Why is the General's wife wearing such clothes to the palace?"

She laughed so hard that even her hairpin tilted.

I couldn't think of a single word to say and turned to look at Gavin.

He frowned, looking displeased, and I guessed he was also embarrassed by me.

Trembling, I reached out from under the cloak to touch him. I was very scared and didn't know what to do.

This cloak was clearly something Mom had spent a lot on. Just last January, when visiting relatives, I wore it, and everyone praised how nice it looked.

The Emperor then asked me what my name was, and this time I could answer.

"My name is Pattie!" I responded firmly.

This time, not only the Princess but everyone in the hall laughed, even the Emperor couldn't stop laughing.

I heard a servant's voice beside me, "How can someone have such an outdated name? Must be from the countryside."

I was a bit annoyed and wanted to loudly retort that my name was given by my parents, and there was nothing funny about it.

But I didn't dare.

Mom had said that in the capital, I had to be more careful. Now that I was the General's wife, I couldn't be as reckless as before.

My name spread throughout the capital like wildfire.

Officials mocked how the mighty General, renowned in the capital, had married a crude country girl. The noble ladies laughed at how the General's wife was so uncouth and unrefined, making a complete fool of herself.

I became the biggest joke in the capital.

I didn't dare to go out, afraid of running into some noble who would mock my attire and behavior, spreading it among the aristocratic circles for a good laugh.

I felt extremely aggrieved but didn't dare tell Gavin.

Back in the village, everyone praised me for being capable, saying that even though I was a girl, I dared to peddle goods at a young age and did a great job. They said if I were a man, I would be extraordinary.

But now, in the capital, I was mocked for being crude, and even a three-year-old knew that the mighty General had married a foolish country girl.

Gavin said he would make up for it with a grand wedding.

I wanted to refuse.

My reputation was already so bad, and a grand wedding would only give people more reason to laugh at me.

But then I remembered how he said he had spent five years in the military just to marry me grandly.

I didn't want to disappoint him, so I agreed.

He was more concerned about the wedding than I was, busy with preparations, sending invitations, and arranging the wedding gifts.

I asked him to find me an etiquette teacher to teach me proper manners, not wanting to be laughed at again.

He invited Miranda from the palace to teach me the rules. Miranda was very strict, raising her whip at me if I didn't do something right.

I had always been a tomboy, good at climbing trees and catching birds, but learning manners was killing me.

But for Gavin, and for myself, I endured it even if tears welled up in my eyes from the whipping.

The wedding arrived as scheduled, and Gavin prepared a grand dowry to welcome me into his home.

During the wedding ceremony, he held my hand beneath the wedding veil and whispered, "Pattie, don't be afraid."

Through the veil, I saw him in a traditional red wedding robe, his hair tied with a silver crown, looking very handsome.

At the wedding, I behaved gracefully, without any mistakes.

But the women still said I was pale and thin, not at all like a General's wife.

The guests outwardly said I was lucky, but behind my back, they laughed at me, saying even my wedding gifts had to be prepared by my husband's family.

My forced smile faded, not understanding why being a General's wife was so difficult.

People said the General was gentle and considerate, the best of men. But they only said the General's wife was lucky.

Everyone knew I was the General's wife, but they didn't know I was Pattie.

The best young peddler from the small town.