My eunuch An is a yandere

Chapter 121 Heroine

Bai Ningwei choked on the water. Zhang Li'niang knew she was in trouble and was about to kneel down, but Bai Ningwei stopped her with a wave of her hand.

"It's okay. It's a rare occasion for you to come here. There's no need to be so nervous and reserved."

Zhang Li'niang didn't expect that the Queen Mother was not only beautiful but also kind-hearted. She didn't scold or punish her for causing trouble, but also let her relax.

Bai Ningwei tidied her appearance before resuming the conversation.

"Why does your father call you Hu Niu in private?"

There is a huge difference between Hu Niu and Li Niang.

"My father is a rough man. He said that children with humble names are easier to raise, so he nicknamed me Hu Niu."

So that's how it is. Bai Ningwei nodded and had a general understanding of General Zhang.

Unexpectedly, when Zhang Li'niang saw Bai Ningwei being so approachable, she actually thought of a request.

"Your Majesty, I have an unwelcome request."

"Go ahead."

Bai Ningwei was quite curious. This girl was very straightforward. What would she ask of her during their first audience?

"Please grant me a name, Your Majesty. I don't like either of the two names I've been given, so I'd like to ask Your Majesty to grant me a good name."

"Your name was given by your parents. Even though I'm the Queen Mother, I can't change it at will. However, your Hu Niu can't be considered a nickname. Can I give you a nickname?"

Zhang Li'niang looked bewildered, but nodded quickly. What the hell was a "xiaozi" (small character)? She had no idea, but she knew the Queen Mother would give her a nice name. Finally, she wouldn't have to listen to her father calling her Hu Niu or Da Niu every day.

Bai Ningwei looked at her and laughed, shaking her head. This girl obviously didn't have any friends. Her parents didn't understand, and no one told her that Xiaozi was a proper nickname.

"There's a woman riding in the same carriage, her face like Shunying. She's about to soar, adorned with jade and jade pendants. I think that's what I'm talking about. I'll give you a single character - Ying. What do you think?"

"Ying? Zhang Ying. I like this name. Thank you, Queen Mother. Hehe, when I get home I'll tell my father that he can no longer call me Hu Niu or Da Niu. He has to call me Zhang Ying, or Ah Ying."

Zhang Li'niang was extremely happy with her new name.

Imagine being called Li Niang when she's out and about, only to be looked at in disbelief, feeling cheated. Or perhaps coming home and having her bearded father call her Hu Niu in a loud voice, making her want to pick a fight every time she hears her own name.

Seeing her so happy just by getting a nickname, Bai Ningwei was also deeply moved and felt relieved. This girl was like a little sun, releasing her enthusiasm and infecting everyone around her.

I was a little reluctant to drag her into the palace struggle.

"Aying, aren't you curious why you were summoned to the palace?"

Zhang Li'niang accepted her new name very quickly. She opened her big almond eyes and shook her head.

"Why?"

"I would like to appoint a female military officer in the palace, and I would like to ask if you are willing to serve as this military officer."

"Me? Really?"

Zhang Li'niang pointed at herself in disbelief. God knows her dream was to pick up a sword, mount a horse, and go to the battlefield to kill the enemy like a man.

But his father said that it was okay for a girl to learn martial arts, but it was impossible for her to become a general.

"I heard that you have real skills, all earned through hard work, but you had to give them up because you wanted to get married. If you are willing, come. I will not force you."

How could Zhang Li'niang be unwilling? She nodded quickly.

"I do, I do. Madam, I just have one question, when can I take office?"

"The morning court session will be over tomorrow. Go home and wait for the imperial edict."

Bai Ningwei wanted to appoint a female military officer in the palace, but before the other ministers could object in the court tomorrow, her father, General Zhang, disagreed first.

In the afternoon, he handed over a sign and hurriedly asked for a meeting.

"I beg the Queen Mother to revoke the order."

"Why, a military officer is not good enough for your girl?"

"This is my only daughter, I cannot bear to part with her."

General Zhang was as big as a bear, and his small eyes were blinking, as if tears were in them.

"What are you thinking about? I'm not sending her to the battlefield, what are you reluctant to give up?"

"Not going to the battlefield? That's all very well. But, wouldn't that delay the marriage? Queen Mother, please be kind and find a husband for my Hu Niu. I think the boy from the Yao family is also suitable."

The father and daughter have the same temper and are straightforward. They say whatever they think and don't worry at all about whether their requests will make things difficult for others.

In fact, General Zhang did not reach his current position entirely because of his recklessness. It was mainly because his daughter kept talking about how kind and approachable the Empress Dowager was after she came home, so he did not hesitate to do so.

Li Xiaojiu stood by and laughed out loud.

"General Zhang, your daughter's nickname is now Ying."

"Oh, yes. I ask the Queen Mother to grant my daughter Aying a marriage."

Bai Ningwei felt a headache. She held her forehead and wondered if choosing the Zhang family was a wrong decision.

I somehow feel that I will have to clean up the mess for this father and daughter many times in the future.

"I haven't granted her a marriage, but I grant her the right to choose her own marriage. As the saying goes, good things come late. Your Ah Ying's fate just hasn't arrived yet, not that it doesn't exist. Forcing a couple into a relationship of discontent is not what you want to see."

General Zhang was a rather rough man. When the Queen Mother assured him that his Ah Ying was destined to be her true love, he was overjoyed and could only say "yes, yes, yes".

The next day, at the morning court, some people again stood up to oppose Bai Ningwei's plan to appoint female military officers. However, since Yao Yuanying had lost face and become a laughing stock in the capital, the people who spoke out this time were much more polite.

Bai Ningwei was not someone who would bully others by taking advantage of her power. Now that these ministers finally knew how to speak, she would not use harsh words.

The decision to appoint female military officers, once announced, could not be retracted. Bai Ningwei only said that female military officers were to ensure the safety of the imperial concubines, and had no other meaning, so the ministers did not need to look down on women too much.

If anyone else stands up to oppose, Bai Ningwei will issue an order directly.

Three months later, the female military officer and the left and right guards had a grand duel. If the female military officer lost, the empress dowager revoked her order; if she won, she would be promoted to the rank of fourth rank, command 800 soldiers, and have her own tents and barracks in the camp outside the capital.

When Zhang Li'niang heard that there would be a big competition in three months, she was surprised and happy.

What was shocking was what she could use to compete with the left and right guards.

The Left and Right Guards were responsible for the palace's night guards and commanded all palace security. While most of the Twelve Guards were scions of aristocratic families, few possessed true skill. If she were to pick any of them to challenge her in a one-on-one duel, she would have an 80% chance of victory. However, in a duel with the Left and Right Guards, she had no idea what to compete against.

But once she wins, she will be a female official of the fourth rank.

Her father worked hard for most of his life to be a third-rank official, but she was promoted to a fourth-rank official as soon as she took office. Are you proud of that?

She could imagine how her father would hold a grand banquet and tell everyone how his daughter was as capable as any man.