Su E’huang bowed to Wei Shao.
Wei Shao’s gaze swept over her face as he asked, “How are you feeling today?”
Su E’huang replied, “Better.”
Wei Shao nodded slightly: “Yesterday when Madam requested to see me, I happened to be out with my wife. We returned late, so it was inconvenient to meet. I’ve invited Madam here today instead. May I ask the purpose of Madam’s visit?”
Su E’huang stared at him without speaking.
Wei Shao waited for a moment: “If Madam has something to say, please speak.”
Su E’huang finally said, “Second Young Master, I won’t put on airs anymore. To be honest, I came to Jinyang to discuss a matter.”
Wei Shao looked up at her.
A hint of distress gradually appeared in Su E’huang’s eyes.
“Second Young Master, I won’t hide it from you,” she said. “My journey south to Luoyang is not by my own will, but out of necessity. You don’t know that when my husband was alive and I lived in Luoyang, at a flower festival that year, I unfortunately caught Xing Xun’s eye. Since then, that old scoundrel has coveted my beauty, repeatedly threatening and enticing me in secret. After my husband passed away, I had barely begun my mourning period when that old scoundrel sent people to bring me to his mansion. It was unbearable. To protect my chastity, I could only feign compliance. Later, taking advantage of that old scoundrel’s preoccupation with battling Yuan She and Liu Kai, I found an opportunity to escape Luoyang and return to the State of Zhongshan.”
Wei Shao’s brows furrowed slightly.
“After the Luqi Conference last year, I returned to Lunu from Yuyang. I originally thought I would spend the rest of my days in Lunu, but I didn’t expect that old scoundrel Xing Xun would still harbor evil intentions towards me. He secretly sent people several times to summon me to Luoyang for a meeting. I initially ignored it, but last month, the old scoundrel sent another letter, this time in the name of the young emperor, summoning me to come quickly. Although my family was indignant, they dared not disobey an imperial edict. That old scoundrel Xing Xun, wielding his power to control the court, is despised by all under heaven. How could I allow myself to be defiled by him? But under an imperial edict, what could I do? My heart was filled with unbearable sorrow and resentment. As I traveled south at the beginning of the month, halfway through the journey, my old illness flared up. Both my body and mind were in pain, and I lamented that in this vast world, there was no place for me…”
“Here is the imperial edict issued by that old scoundrel last month, summoning me to Luoyang.”
Su E’huang handed over a piece of yellow silk bearing the imperial seal.
Wei Shao glanced at it, his face showing anger: “How dare that old scoundrel Xing Xun pressure you like this!”
Su E’huang gazed at Wei Shao: “I lament my ill fate, to be coveted by such an evil person to this extent. Since Xing Xun is using an imperial edict to pressure me, at this point, I’ve resigned myself to my fate. As I was passing near Jinyang, I happened to hear that you were also stationed here with your troops. Remembering our time together in our youth, I felt sentimental and hesitated for a long while before deciding to come here…”
Wei Shao rose from behind his desk, walked to the south window, and stood there for a moment before turning back and saying, “I understand. You should return to the State of Zhongshan. Xing Xun has forged an imperial edict. You need not heed it. I will handle this.”
Su E’huang’s face showed gratitude. She also stood up and bowed deeply to Wei Shao. When she raised her face, tears were brimming in her eyes. She shook her head and said, “Duke, you remember our past relationship and are still willing to protect me. I am deeply grateful. However, I know that you are now married, and if you were to conflict with Xing Xun because of me, it would cause various inconveniences. Moreover, I was the one who first betrayed you back then. How could I have the face to ask for your protection now? This was not my purpose in coming to Jinyang.”
She paused for a moment, and seeing Wei Shao’s gaze upon her, continued, “You must also know that when I was born, I came with an auspicious sign. An iron-mouthed prophet predicted that I had a noble fate. My family believed it firmly, and I too was burdened by this prediction. In my youth, when I was inexperienced, I believed it wholeheartedly and was misguided. I abandoned my love for ambition and married Liu Li instead. After more than ten years of twists and turns, falling to my current state, I’ve finally awakened from my dream. It was all self-deception! Born as a woman, I have no control over my fate. Since Xing Xun is determined to summon me to Luoyang, I shall go!”
Her expression showed resolve.
“That old scoundrel Xing Xun, wielding false authority to intimidate others, though he’s just a jumping clown, can still make the lords of the realm obey him. He was already wary of you, and now that you’ve achieved great victories in the Western campaign, how could Xing Xun allow you to grow more powerful? He will certainly try to hinder you by any means necessary.
Xing Xun will surely become your great enemy in the future. I have wronged you in the past, and now that I am forced to go to Luoyang to serve that scoundrel, I am willing to act as your eyes and ears, passing on information. If given the opportunity, I could even eliminate Xing Xun, which would be a way to make amends for betraying you in the past! In the future, I hope you can look after my family a little. Even if I die, I will have no regrets!” Two streams of tears fell from her eyes.
The room fell silent for a moment.
Wei Shao was quiet for a while, then slowly said, “Lady Su, as you just said, what happened in the past was due to our youthful inexperience. I’ve long since let it go, and you need not dwell on it either. Xing Xun and I will inevitably have a confrontation sooner or later. This is a matter for men to decide, and I will make my judgments. There’s no need for you to submit yourself to serve that scoundrel. You can return to Lunu with peace of mind. With me here, I will ensure your safety.”
Su E’huang gazed at Wei Shao, her face showing gratitude. She choked up and said, “In that case, I will shamelessly accept Your Grace’s kindness! If I cannot repay you in this life, I will certainly repay your kindness in the next!”
With that, she knelt and kowtowed in thanks, tears falling profusely.
Wei Shao hurriedly said, “Madam, there’s no need for this! Please rise quickly!”
Su E’huang’s eyelashes flickered slightly as she slowly stood up and said, “Second Young Master, I know you’ve been away on military campaigns for years, spending little time with your wife. Now that you’ve finally reunited, I dare not intrude any longer. I’ll take my leave now. Tomorrow, I’ll set out to return to Zhongshan.”
Wei Shao nodded and said, “Travel safely, Madam.” He then called for someone to escort the guest out.
Su E’huang wiped away the tears on her face, looked back at Wei Shao once more, and left the room.
Wei Shao watched her figure gradually disappear, let out a slight breath, and was about to go find Xiao Qiao when a servant hurriedly came up to report: “My lord, just as the wife of the Left Fengyi Duke was boarding her carriage outside the gate, she suddenly felt dizzy and fell from the carriage. She’s now unconscious.”
…
Su E’huang’s fall was indeed severe. Not only did she faint on the spot, but she also suffered a small cut on her forehead, leaving a bloody gash.
When Xiao Qiao heard the news, Wei Shao had already arranged for Su E’huang to be settled and had sent for a physician quickly. The physician couldn’t immediately diagnose anything, but upon hearing from Su E’huang’s maid that she had a history of headaches, he said it was likely a recurrence of her head ailment, combined with the fall from a height, which caused her to lose consciousness. He bandaged the wound on her forehead and prescribed a medicine to dispel blood stasis and promote blood circulation.
Su E’huang didn’t regain consciousness until nightfall. Due to her exhaustion and the injury to her forehead, she naturally couldn’t leave and stayed the night.
This stay lasted for three days. On this day, the small cut on her forehead had formed a thin scar, and she was able to walk on her own. Supported by her maid, she came to thank Xiao Qiao, saying that she shouldn’t impose any longer and would return to the guesthouse to recuperate.
“Previously, I was afraid you might misunderstand, so I didn’t mention to you about being coerced by Xing Xun and having to travel south unwillingly. I never intended for Zhong Lin to antagonize Xing Xun because of me. When Zhong Lin said he would protect me, I truly tried to dissuade him, but he wouldn’t change his mind. He’s been like this since he was young. I had no choice but to temporarily accept Zhong Lin’s arrangements and agreed at the time. Now that Zhong Lin is not here, I want to ask you for a favor. Please try to persuade Zhong Lin on my behalf not to antagonize Xing Xun because of me. If a conflict were to arise because of me, how could I be at peace!”
Su E’huang, supported by her maid, was pale as snow, but her eyes were unusually bright.
She seemed to speak with effort, one word at a time.
Xiao Qiao had someone escort her out.
As soon as Su E’huang left, Chun Niang was so angry that her hands were trembling. She gritted her teeth and said, “Did you see that, my lady? Those words she said before leaving were meant to provoke you!”
Xiao Qiao seemed not to have heard and only asked, “Is there still no reply from the Venerable Madam?”
More than half a month ago, when Su E’huang had just arrived in Jinyang and was staying at the guesthouse before Wei Shao had returned, Xiao Qiao had sent a letter to Madam Xu. She entrusted it to Jia Si, instructing him to have a trusted person deliver it urgently to Madam Xu’s hands.
By now, considering the travel time, there should be a reply soon.
Chun Niang was startled: “I’ll go find General Jia and ask for news again.”
…
Three days later, Chun Niang hurriedly sought out Xiao Qiao and handed her a reply she had been waiting for some time.
Xiao Qiao asked Chun Niang and the other maids to leave, then slowly opened the letter tube and took out the silk letter inside.
She unfolded the silk letter, read it, and after a moment of reflection, slowly let out a breath.
…
Wei Shao had stolen a few days of leisure at first, but in the past two days, with Gong Sun Yang and others successively returning to Jinyang, he had become busy again. Today, he had gone to the military camp outside the city early in the morning and only returned after nightfall.
Xiao Qiao helped Wei Shao undress. When Wei Shao tried to embrace her, she avoided him and casually said, “I haven’t sent anyone to the guesthouse to check on Lady Su’s condition these past few days. Have you gone to visit her?”
Wei Shao coughed dryly and said, “You know I’ve been extremely busy these past few days. How could I have the time? Once I finish dealing with urgent matters here, I’ll take you back to Yuyang. We haven’t seen Grandmother for half a year, so we should take this opportunity to go back for a visit. As for Lady Su, once she recovers, I’ll arrange for someone to send her on her way.”
Xiao Qiao glanced at him and smiled: “The water is ready. My lord can go bathe now.” She then turned away.
Wei Shao watched her back, quickly caught up to her, and embraced her from behind, being very affectionate: “I haven’t seen you all day. Bathe with me.”
Xiao Qiao said languidly, “I’ve already bathed. I felt a bit tired during the day, so I’ll go lie down first.”
Wei Shao carried her to the bed and kissed her, but saw that she didn’t have much of a reaction. Feeling a bit discouraged, he stopped and said, “I’ve already told you before, she’s being coveted by Xing Xun and is going to Luoyang under duress. It’s out of necessity that I told her to turn back. She originally said she would return to Zhongshan the next day. Unexpectedly, such an accident occurred. Let her rest for a few more days, and when she’s better, we’ll send her on her way. Why can’t you let it go?”
Xiao Qiao closed her eyes and said, “I only said I was tired, I didn’t say anything else. You and she have an old friendship, so you can make your arrangements. I trust you.”
Wei Shao stared at her: “Are you upset?”
Xiao Qiao kept her eyes closed: “No.”
“You are upset.”
“No!”
“You’re upset!”
Xiao Qiao slowly opened her eyes and met Wei Shao’s gaze as he leaned over her: “If my lord is determined to believe I’m upset, then it would be wrong of me not to be upset.”
Wei Shao’s brow had initially furrowed, but after staring at her for a moment, it gradually relaxed. Suddenly, he said, “Manman, I’m not unaware that Lady Su now wants to rely on me. Last year, on Grandmother’s birthday, she had someone pass a letter to me, but I didn’t accept it. At that time, I had just married you, and our relationship was cold. I had no intention of getting entangled with her again, let alone now.”
Xiao Qiao was startled.
“Whether what she told me is true or false doesn’t matter, I have no intention of investigating deeply. I know she’s now without a husband, and her repeated approaches to me are probably just seeking someone to rely on. If I hadn’t married you, perhaps I would have taken her in, considering our youthful relationship. But now I have married you. Since I have you, and I know you’re most prone to jealousy, how could I get entangled with her and cause unnecessary trouble? My handling of the situation today was purely out of consideration for our past relationship, nothing more. Please bear with it a little longer. Once she’s recovered in a few days and can travel, I’ll immediately arrange for someone to send her back to Zhongshan.”
Xiao Qiao met his gaze, their eyes locked.
She pouted slightly and said softly, “I’m not a jealous person at all!”
“Alright, alright, I’ve wronged you. Manman is the most generous,” Wei Shao smiled, touching the tip of her nose. “Are you still tired?”
Xiao Qiao bit her lip: “Still tired.”
Wei Shao leaned in towards her: “Then let your husband help you relieve that tiredness.”
Xiao Qiao dodged him and said, “My lord, there’s something I haven’t mentioned to you before. I received a letter from Grandmother today, and she mentioned some things about her near-death experience last year, which reminded me of it. I’m not sure if I should mention it.”
Wei Shao, who had been burying his face in her neck, kissing the icy jade-like skin she had just bathed, immediately stopped and raised his head: “What is it?”
“Before Grandmother’s incident last year, someone had seen Su Xin together with Mrs. Li, the wife of the local marquis,” Xiao Qiao said, looking at Wei Shao.