It wasn't a secret that the general of Jin, Zhong Hui, had a quite cruel way of showing affection. And it was cruel in the way that he barely ever showed affection, even to his own wife.
When anyone else saw them together, it always looked to them like the young man was just bossing her around and loving himself more than her. But she never seemed to mind. She was happy to just follow around her Lord and comply with any orders he gave her.
It made people wonder what she saw in him…why did she love him so much?
Though, when he did show affection to her, she was said to have felt so loved, no matter how subtle he tried to make it look.
He always wished her to escort him around the battlefields. He never let her out of his sight.
"Without me around, you'd probably just trip over your own feet."
She knew it was because he was terrified he'd lose her…
He always told her not to outshine him on the battlefield. Everyone should be looking at him.
"I will not have you looking better than me in battle! Anything I do needs to shine."
She knew that was because he didn't like other men looking at her…
He never accepted it when she tried to protect him.
"Hell will freeze over when I accept protection from my wife!"
She saw the blush on his face and the smile as he walked away, saying that he was embarrassed, but happy she cared so much…
He hated it when she called him 'My Lord' or 'Master Hui'. He would scold her for it.
"How many times must I say it…I do not care for you calling me your 'Lord'. I am your husband, you can refer to me by name."
Yet when she did as such, calling him 'Shiji', he would turn red and begin to stutter, embarrassed that she actually called him such a childish name. But he smiled…
When he wanted to kiss her in public, he had to make it look like she was practically begging him.
Thinking about it made her blush as she watched her husband going through books, skimming over the pages and grumbling in frustration. He blinked, turning to look at her, a dusting of red on his cheeks as he noticed her watching.
"W-What?"
"Ah…sorry, my Lord-"
"For the love of-"
"Hehe…sorry…Shiji…"
The blush on his face grew redder as he grumbled, making his way over to her seated form, scowling as usual.
"There's no need for you to stare, Xinying. It's not very polite."
She couldn't help but giggle as he tugged her ponytail playfully.
"I know I'm amazing to look at, dear, but you have to keep staring to a minimum."
"Of course, Shiji. I'll try resist."
Rolling his eyes he patted her head with the cover of his book, almost scolding her as she laughed. And as he went back to reading it, flicking through the pages, it was his turn to sneak peeks at his wife as she stood and stretched, letting out a strained yawn before grabbing her sword off the nearby table.
"Shiji, would you mind if I go to see Lady Yuanji?"
"Hmm…I suppose that's fine…"
"Well, you're clearly busy skimming through that book."
"I'm a fast reader, dear, you should know that much after a year of marriage."
"Of course, of course. I'm going to head out-"
"Remember; you're my spy. If that Yuanji bad mouths me again, I want you to come back and tell me."
She giggled, realizing he was half trying to be playful, but half being completely serious (besides, when Yuanji bad mouthed Hui, it was never to Xinying. She wouldn't be that unfair).
"Yes, My Lord. I'll be sure to tell you if Lady Yuanji is being a bully."
"Oh, hush, you-!"
She dodged the book that was thrown across the room, giggling as she ran out of the room, leaving her husband to grumble as he salvaged his book from the dusty floor, dusting it off of any dirt.
It was hard to think that somebody like him could actually be in love with someone…
