Nine Summers of Divine Punishment

Wakako waited patiently for an entire day. She went about her duties as the captain, carrying out her responsibilities as usual.

But Miki didn’t return home.

The next day, she made a rare visit to the palace to see Tsukiyo, under the pretense of “checking on her recent training progress.”

Tsukiyo seemed confused but didn’t object—her master’s presence was always welcome. She practiced her martial arts as usual.

When the session ended, she finally couldn’t contain her curiosity. Hesitantly, she asked, “Master, what brings you here today?”

“I came to train you. Do I need a reason?”

“No…” Tsukiyo seemed to struggle with her words before continuing, “But before, weren’t you… a little wary of Lady Kitagawa?”

The delicate, sweetly smiling yet sharp-tongued Lady Kitagawa…

Wakako’s grip on her sword faltered. It was true—Miki used to be so possessive, even jealous of Tsukiyo.

No matter how many times she explained that “Tsukiyo is just a child,” Miki would only look at her with watery eyes and whisper, hurt: “I know…”

She would add softly, “But I still don’t want you holding her hand.”

Initially, Wakako had found it troublesome – how could she teach without physical contact?

But now, something felt off. Miki was in the palace, attending discussions with the queen. She couldn’t possibly be unaware that Wakako was also at the palace training Tsukiyo. So why hadn’t she shown up?

Usually, she would already be standing outside the training grounds… what was going on?

Could she… really have learned to let go of her jealousy?

Wakako’s unease grew.

That night, Miki still didn’t return home.

By the third day, Wakako couldn’t sit still any longer. She set everything aside and requested an audience with the Queen.

An attendant went in to announce her arrival and returned respectfully: “We apologize for the trouble, Lady Kitagawa, but the Queen cannot see you at the moment.”

“Has something happened?” Wakako asked anxiously.

“Nothing of importance.”

Wakako pulled out a slightly crumpled letter from her pocket, her fingers betraying her anxiety: “Then please deliver this letter to… my wi… Lady Jin.”

She could never quite adjust to calling Miki the “Saint,” and she was far too shy to call her “Lady Kitagawa” in front of others.

Even though palace servants often used that title, it felt wrong to Wakako. To her, “someone’s wife” was not a complete identity but an accessory. Miki could never be an accessory.

Now that Miki had taken the Jin name, calling her “Lady Jin” seemed fitting enough.

The servant took the letter and went inside. Wakako didn’t leave, standing alone outside the hall, waiting.

Shortly after, the servant returned with another letter, the ink still wet – clearly freshly written.

Wakako instantly recognized Miki’s handwriting and couldn’t wait to read it. But as her eyes scanned the black ink, her face turned pale.

Her own letter had been somewhat of a test, deliberately including things that would anger Miki, such as—

“Tomorrow I plan to visit the Jin clan to teach archery to their younger generation.”

“The younger generation” naturally included Wakako’s former betrothed, Miki.

Though Miki didn’t particularly dislike Miki herself, the identical names and their now-shared Jin clan connection meant that even without any connection to Wakako, the name alone could provoke Miki’s anger.

She would never allow Wakako to go alone.

But what did Miki’s reply say?

Surprisingly, she readily agreed, even carefully instructing Wakako on proper etiquette for the visit.

Holding the letter, Wakako turned deathly pale, swaying on her feet.

What was happening?

Why did Miki seem like a completely different person? How could she be so indifferent about Wakako visiting Miki? Could it be that she…

No longer cared about her?

***

In the Queen’s study, Ruijun was discussing matters with Miki when a servant hurriedly entered, softly interrupting their conversation.

“Forgive the interruption, Your Majesty. Lady Kitagawa has sent a letter for the lady.”

The servant handed over the letter with both hands, then discreetly withdrew.

In Ruijun’s experience, Wakako had always been well-behaved and loyal, unlikely to interrupt recklessly knowing Miki was in a meeting with her.

Something must have happened.

She allowed Miki to open the letter, watching as the smile on her face gradually disappeared. Her fingers curled tightly, nearly crumpling the paper.

“What’s wrong?” Ruijun asked, intrigued.

She leaned over to glance at the letter. Miki didn’t stop her, so the queen caught sight of the contents:

“Tomorrow, I plan to visit the Jin Clan to teach the younger generation…”

Ruijun raised a brow. “It doesn’t seem urgent.”

She turned her gaze back to Miki, whose composed expression betrayed a deep, cold anger.

Ruijun quickly pieced it together. Miki’s reaction wasn’t about the letter’s content itself—it was about the implications. She recalled that Wakako’s original betrothed, also named Miki, hailed from the Imi clan.

Miki slowly unfolded paper, elegantly rolled up her sleeves, and picked up her brush, each stroke perfectly graceful.

She knew Wakako wasn’t well-versed in the complex rules of nobility, so she carefully reminded her to prevent any mishaps.

Only Ruijun could see the trembling of the brush tip.

When she finished, Miki calmly called the servant, “Deliver this reply to her.”

She finally released the brush.

Miki’s grip wasn’t strong enough to break a brush, but her knuckles were white, the pressure leaving lingering redness.

Ruijun, observing her, couldn’t help but ask, “Why do this to yourself? If you don’t want her to go, just tell her. Surely Wakako is understanding enough not to mind.”

The former Saint wasn’t known for holding back her feelings.

Why was she enduring this now?

“I don’t want her to go,” Miki softly spoke, her delicate face like pure porcelain that might shatter at any moment, “But… I’m not the Saint anymore.”

Could she really continue to be so selfish?

“What does this have to do with being the Saint?” Ruijun was confused.

Miki couldn’t explain.

She just quietly lowered her head, gazing at her slender fingers and the pale skin beneath her sleeve. Now she was just an ordinary person, still young and beautiful, but what about the future?

Nothing lasted forever. Even the most beautiful appearances would eventually wither like flowers.

Should her selfishness wither too?

Should she stop clinging to Wakako, demanding obedience and attention, throwing tantrums over the slightest glance at another person?

Should she learn to be a gracious wife like others?

***

As the newly appointed captain, Wakako naturally spent more time with her squad members and apprentices, even sharing meals with them daily.

But that evening she had no appetite, eating only three bowls of rice.

This was the first time since Shen Qianmo joined the squad that she’d seen the captain with such a poor appetite. Her eyes darted around curiously, but she tactfully didn’t ask, only exchanging a glance with Lin Lin.

What’s going on?

Recent events had left Lin Lin quite frustrated. Not only had she lost money, but her next month’s wages were docked, leaving her preoccupied with finding ways to earn extra income.

She glared at Shen Qianmo, snorted, and turned away.

Although Lin Lin knew what was bothering Wakako, she wasn’t about to explain it to her junior!

It wasn’t hard to figure out: Lady Kitagawa’s recent absence from the training grounds and her uncharacteristic distance had clearly left Wakako confused!

Lin Lin inwardly scoffed, then heard Wakako call her name., “Lin Lin, come with me.”

She lazily put down her bowl and followed Wakako outside.

After much preparation, her senior finally gathered the courage to ask, “The other day, you asked if I had considered Miki’s feelings. I didn’t think much of it then, but now…”

Lin Lin’s expression said it all: Finally.

“If you’ve figured something out, just tell me,” Wakako said.

“Oh, I might have had some thoughts…” Lin Lin raised her eyebrows, “But I’m broke and sad, so I’ve forgotten everything.”

The mercenary compound had several buckets of cool water for them to drink from. She turned to scoop some water, then heard Wakako say, “I’ll compensate you.”

Lin Lin replied, “That won’t be enough to make up for the pain of you hitting me.”

“I’ll double it.”

Being captain now meant having deep pockets – this wasn’t a joke.

“Alright, alright.” Lin Lin knew when to stop, smiling like a sunflower as she carefully explained, “Honestly, haven’t you noticed Lady Kitagawa’s change in behavior? I think she might be upset.”

“Upset?”

Lin Lin, a child who hadn’t even presented yet, was giving Wakako relationship advice. And Wakako was actually listening.

“Yes. Omegas are sensitive. I think she might feel neglected seeing you teach apprentices every day.”

Wakako hesitated: “But when I went to the palace today, she didn’t come to see me. Could it be that she…”

No longer cares about me?

Lin Lin cut her off with a wave. “No way. Just find an excuse to bring her home and talk it out.”

Wakako wanted to say that Miki hadn’t just been staying away for a few days; they hadn’t shared a bed for a while either…

But she couldn’t mention such things to anyone, not even Lin Lin. She kept it to herself.

“What kind of excuse should I use?” Wakako wasn’t good at lying and couldn’t think of anything convincing.

This was Lin Lin’s expertise. She rattled off several suggestions without hesitation:

“Say there’s an emergency at home that needs her attention. Or that someone from the Jin clan has arrived and insists on seeing her…”

No, those wouldn’t be enough to sway Miki.

Lin Lin continued drinking water, watching as Wakako hesitated before finally gathering her resolve and softly calling out:

“Lin Lin.”

“Hmm?”

“Could you go to the palace for me and let her know that my heat started unexpectedly? The pheromones are so strong they’re practically lifting the roof, drawing in Omegas from miles around. I can’t handle it on my own—please ask Miki to come back and help me.”

“…”

Lin Lin sprayed water all over herself and almost cried.

That was the new outfit she had just bought after waiting in line for ages!