Hu Liangyou rode back to the city in the deep of night and went straight to the commandant’s residence. Hu Liangcai was still discussing border defense matters with his staff officers. Hu Liangyou burst in, shouting: “Elder Brother! You must uphold justice for me!”

Seeing him covered in mud and a sorry state, Hu Liangcai was startled and quickly asked what had happened. Hu Liangyou recounted the day’s events with exaggerations, stretching his neck to reveal a purple-red bruise, and complained: “Elder Brother, this Pei You’an was extremely vicious. I nearly lost my life at his hands! Never mind about me, but you have treated him generously, yet he doesn’t respect you at all! If you don’t teach him a lesson, where will we brothers Hu hold our heads in Suye City?”

Hu Liangcai was furious and took several steps toward the door, but then abruptly stopped, turned around, and asked Hu Liangyou to leave first so he could consult with his staff. One of the advisors surnamed Yang, well-versed in court affairs and bureaucratic matters, said: “Commander Hu, we must not act rashly in this matter! Pei You’an was once a close minister to the Emperor, whose reliance on him was evident to all. His sudden exile here is truly peculiar, with not a single official document from the court explaining it, leading to numerous rumors. In my humble opinion, sir, you should not offend him too severely. Remember the saying about a return to power? Moreover, the Pei father and son have deep roots in this region, with the military and civilians still remembering them fondly. You have been here for a short time, Commander. If you move against him, he may not surrender easily, and if trouble arises, it might be difficult to resolve. Perhaps you should summon the Assistant Commander’s attendants and ask them clearly what happened today that led to this incident.”

Hu Liangcai, reminded by his advisor’s words, quickly summoned Hu Liangyou’s attendants and interrogated them, soon learning the truth of what had happened. It turned out they had chased a horse into the fodder station and harassed Pei You’an’s wife, resulting in the lasso punishment. Hu Liangcai felt both angry and resentful—angry that his brother had caused trouble, and resentful that years ago, Pei Xian had publicly imposed military punishment on him, and now Pei You’an also showed him no respect. Suppressing his anger forcefully, he summoned Hu Liangyou, severely reprimanded him, and ordered him to stay away from the fodder station and cause no more trouble.

Hu Liangyou had suffered greatly, his throat still swollen and painful. He had expected his brother to avenge him but instead received a harsh scolding. He reluctantly agreed and withdrew.

Several days later, in the middle of the night, one of the fodder station’s warehouses suddenly caught fire. However, the two arsonists had no time to escape before being caught by Yang Yun, who was guarding nearby. After an alarm was sounded, Old Ding led people to quickly extinguish the fire.

The two captured arsonists were attendants of Hu Liangyou from that day. Yang Yun interrogated them overnight, and with just a few blows, they confessed that they had been ordered by Hu Liangyou to sneak in at night and set the fire.

The fodder station stored three months’ worth of feed for military horses. Regardless of whether the great fire would have claimed lives, if the warehouse had burned down, depriving the military horses of their food source, according to military law, those responsible for guarding it would have faced beheading.

Pei You’an ordered Yang Yun to bind the men and, along with their confession, send them to the commandant’s residence overnight to deliver to Hu Liangcai.

The next day, Yang, the advisor from Hu Liangcai’s staff, came and respectfully presented Pei You’an with the heads of the two arsonists from the previous night as compensation. He explained that Hu Liangyou had been instigated by these two men, momentarily confused and led astray. Commander Hu had beaten Hu Liangyou with the military rod as punishment. Hu Liangyou was supposed to come today as well, but his legs were too badly beaten for him to rise, so he could not accompany him. He asked for Pei You’an’s understanding.

Pei You’an smiled without speaking and politely saw off Advisor Yang. The matter was finally settled, and Hu Liangyou was never seen again.

Jiafu finally put her mind at ease. Each day she fed the chickens and walked the horses, and as the weather gradually warmed, she and her two maids busied themselves cutting summer clothes and making new shoes. Although their life was frugal, it was simple and peaceful. Except for occasionally missing her family, it could truly be said that all was well in her world. Unexpectedly one day, early in the morning after waking up, she suddenly felt nauseous and began to vomit. At first, she thought she had eaten something bad the night before, but after vomiting a few times, it stopped, and she didn’t think much of it. Pei You’an, watching nearby, showed signs of slight tension. He immediately helped her lie down, took her wrist, and checked her pulse.

Seeing his seriousness, Jiafu initially teased him a couple of times, but after he finished checking her pulse and remained silent, gazing at her with flickering eyes and an expression mixed with joy and concern, she suddenly realized: “Are we having a child?”

Pei You’an nodded.

Jiafu was stunned and quickly scrambled up from the bed: “Elder Cousin, am I really with child? You’re not deceiving me?”

Pei You’an nodded again.

Jiafu let out a short, excited scream and threw herself into his arms.

Pei You’an embraced her and lowered his head to see her childlike excitement and joy. His heart gradually filled with tender happiness. He gently patted her back, and after calming her emotions, he carefully laid her back on the bed, touched her flat belly, and smiled: “Taxue has a bad temper. From today on, you can’t ride it anymore, understand?”

Jiafu nodded, looked up at him for a moment, touched his face, and revealed her unease: “Elder Cousin, I’m with child. Aren’t you happy?”

“Are you worried that having a child at this time will be seen as unfilial?”

She hesitated before asking.

Pei You’an was startled, then understood, thinking his earlier concerns had been perceived by her. Hearing her worry, he laughed and shook his head: “As long as Grandmother doesn’t blame us, what is there to fear?”

He lay down beside her, held her body tight, and embraced her firmly for a moment before speaking softly: “Fu’er is going to bear a child for me, how could I not be happy? I was just thinking that our current circumstances are difficult, and I fear you and the child might suffer hardship in the future…”

Jiafu shook her head: “I don’t feel it’s hardship. Our child, whether a boy or a girl, will surely be like me, eager to come into this world to see their father.”

Pei You’an smiled, his eyes bright, and embraced her tightly once more.

Soon, Tan Xiangmu, Ding Ma, and others successively learned the news of Jiafu’s pregnancy, and all were delighted, coming one after another to offer congratulations. From then on, Jiafu focused on nurturing her pregnancy, while Pei You’an treated her like a precious jewel, caring for her with great attention to detail.

News of her pregnancy, shortly after her belly began to show, was transmitted to the imperial palace thousands of li away.

That day, the Emperor’s mood had been particularly foul. After the court was dismissed, several officials emerged from the imperial study room with cold sweat on their brows, having been reprimanded for their inefficiency—the Emperor’s emotions had been mercurial for the past half year. Li Yuangui, already accustomed to this, immediately entered to report after the officials had dispersed.

After hearing the news, the Emperor sat motionless for a long while. Eventually, his eyes revealed hints of excitement and a joyful light that had not been seen for a long time.

Seizing the opportunity, Li Yuangui further reported: “Your Majesty, this servant has also received news that Suye Commandery’s Commandant Hu Liangcai, who years ago was punished by Duke Wei, now harbors resentment and has shown much disrespect to Master Pei. His younger brother, to vent personal anger, even sent men to set fire to the fodder station, deliberately attempting to harm Master Pei.”

The Emperor’s face showed anger as he slammed the table and rose abruptly: “How is he?”

“Your Majesty need not worry,” Li Yuangui quickly replied. “Fortunately, Master Pei was prepared and caught the arsonists at once. Both Master Pei and his wife are safe and sound.”

The Emperor slowly sat back down and said coldly: “If there is no problem, why report it to me? Isn’t he all-knowing and infallible? His abilities are great indeed! Even as a criminal, he seems to thrive in such a place. I am burdened with countless affairs of the state. In the future, disturb me less with such matters!”

“Yes, yes, this servant understands…” Li Yuangui wiped his sweat, nodding repeatedly.

“Convey my order that Zhen’s wife must be protected well, without the slightest mishap!”

As Li Yuangui was about to withdraw, the Emperor suddenly called him back and instructed.

Li Yuangui acknowledged and withdrew with a bow.

…

Time passed swiftly, and more than half a year went by. By the eleventh month of winter that year, Jiafu’s belly was quite round. Counting the days, it would be no more than a month until her due date.

As her abdomen grew larger, her legs and feet swelled severely, causing discomfort. Each night when she went to bed, Pei You’an would massage her legs and feet with endless patience until she fell asleep.

On this night, Jiafu was curled up in Pei You’an’s warm embrace, sleeping soundly, when she was suddenly awakened by a commotion outside. Listening carefully, she could hear the distant sound of horses neighing. Then, Old Ding’s voice sounded at the door: “Master Pei, a military order has suddenly arrived from the commandant’s residence, urgently requisitioning fodder!”

Pei You’an sat up, instructed Jiafu to continue sleeping, and after dressing, opened the door and went out. Arriving at the front, he saw the warehouse doors wide open, torches illuminating the surroundings, and a large contingent of men and horses had arrived. A lieutenant surnamed Liang was directing men to load bags of fodder onto carts. Soldiers ran back and forth carrying supplies, while Old Ding and other awakened veterans stood to the side, discussing in low voices.

Seeing Pei You’an, Lieutenant Liang hurriedly approached and saluted him with great respect.

Pei You’an stepped aside to avoid the gesture: “I no longer hold an official position. Lieutenant, there’s no need for such a ceremony. But may I ask why so much fodder is being suddenly requisitioned tonight?”

He had just looked at the requisition order, and such a quantity would be enough to feed ten thousand war horses for several months.

Lieutenant Liang explained: “Commander Hu has received urgent news that the Hu people and Hui people have conspired to mobilize a hundred thousand cavalry to attack Jianmen Pass, aiming to enter the interior. Commander Hu is responding urgently and has sent me to requisition fodder. Troops will be dispatched to Jianmen in the coming days.”

Pei You’an gazed in the direction of Jianmen Pass, hidden in the black night, and pondered for a long time. Early the next morning, he entered Suye City and went straight to the commandant’s residence. He saw the main gate open, with fully armored officers frequently entering and exiting, their expressions solemn. Many civilians had gathered nearby, anxiously discussing in low voices. An atmosphere of impending battle confronted him.

He rarely entered the city and stood at the entrance of the commandant’s residence. The two guards didn’t recognize him. Pei You’an ascended the steps, gave his name, and asked the guards to announce him. One guard, wide-eyed, looked Pei You’an up and down with a disbelieving expression: “Are you that Master Pei from the capital?”

Pei You’an smiled slightly: “I am indeed Pei. Please trouble yourself to announce me. I have matters to discuss with the Commandant.”

The guard quickly asked him to wait a moment, then turned and hurried inside, his figure disappearing through the main gate of the commandant’s residence.