Luoshen immediately looked toward her mother.

Xiao Yongjia turned her face away and said indifferently: “You go greet him.”

Luoshen knew she couldn’t rush things. Moreover, expecting her mother to go out and welcome father like she would was simply impossible. She nodded: “Mother, rest here. I’ll go greet A’Ye.”

When Gao Qiao entered the rear hall and saw his daughter coming toward him from afar, his face immediately broke into a smile as he quickened his pace inside.

The family reunion was naturally filled with infinite joy. Since it was rather late, after exchanging a few words, Gao Qiao urged Luoshen to return to her room to rest.

“A’Ye, in just these few months, you’ve become much thinner and darker. You must be tired today too, so rest early as well. A’Niang hasn’t slept yet—she’s in the room.”

Before leaving, Luoshen turned back to tell her father.

Gao Qiao smiled and nodded, watching as A’Ju accompanied his daughter’s figure gradually disappearing. His expression then grew serious as he instructed all the servants to disperse.

Servants had already prepared bath water. After bathing, Gao Qiao put on a white inner robe he commonly wore at home and walked toward the bedchamber with heavy thoughts.

The door was ajar with candlelight glowing inside.

Gao Qiao pushed the door open and saw Xiao Yongjia with her back to the door, reclining against a brocade cushion stuffed with soft filling on a couch by the side of the room. One hand curved to support her forehead while the other held a scroll. She wore a waist-tied pale snow-blue jacket and skirt, her black hair falling like clouds behind her head. The skirt covered her knees, and beneath the hem showed half of a snow-white foot with toes painted in bright red henna. Viewed from behind, her figure was graceful like an eighteen-year-old maiden.

She was reading by a silver lamp placed at the foot of the couch, seemingly absorbed in her book. She appeared not to have heard him enter, so he lightened his steps and headed toward the inner room.

As he passed by her side, the lamp’s shadow flickered.

Gao Qiao stopped.

“Yesterday Madam Lu sent someone to say that in a couple of days, she will come personally to discuss the children’s marriage.”

Xiao Yongjia spoke coldly, her gaze still fixed on the scroll.

“Handle it as you see fit.”

Gao Qiao replied and continued walking inside. After a few steps, he stopped again, looked back hesitantly, and finally spoke: “It’s late. Be careful not to strain your eyes. Go rest.”

Xiao Yongjia made a soft sound of acknowledgment, casually tossed the book onto the couch, stepped down barefoot, slipped on the purple silk embroidered shoes she had left on the floor, and headed toward the inner room. As she passed by Gao Qiao, she paused, glancing at the garment he wore.

“How many years have you worn this robe? Isn’t this the one you had made together with Zile the year before last?” Her tone carried a hint of disgust.

“I’m used to wearing it. The garment is still good and hasn’t needed mending.”

Gao Qiao touched his lapel, speaking vaguely.

Xiao Yongjia cast another disgusted glance and said nothing more, turning to walk past him.

After Gao Qiao returned, he silently bent down to pick up the scroll she had thrown down, closed it, and placed it back on the small table in front of the sitting couch, then followed her inside.

The couple extinguished the lights and went to bed, each with their own quilt.

Xiao Yongjia lay with her back turned inward, motionless, as if she had quickly fallen asleep.

Gao Qiao lay on his back against the pillow, but how could he sleep tonight? His mind churned over the day’s events, tossing and turning for a while. His mood was somewhat chaotic, and fearing he might wake the person beside him, he slowly sat up. Without lighting a lamp, using only the moonlight filtering through the window, he quietly got out of bed and bent down feeling for his shoes. Suddenly, from behind him came a sound as Xiao Yongjia abruptly sat up.

“Gao Qiao! From the moment you came in, I’ve been talking to you, but you’ve been completely indifferent! Now in the middle of the night, you’re tossing and turning with an aggrieved expression, and now you want to go out. What do you mean by this?”

“Perhaps you find my presence here disturbing your peace? If so, just say it straight out and spare yourself such suffering. I don’t need you to drive me away—I’ll return to Bailu Zhou immediately!”

Gao Qiao hadn’t expected her to still be awake. Seeing her suddenly erupt in fury, he quickly said: “A’Ling, you misunderstand. I’ll sleep right now.” He lifted the quilt as if to lie back down.

“The northern victory, our daughter’s happy occasion—everything is good news, yet you look displeased. What exactly is wrong?”

“Nothing. Let’s sleep.” Gao Qiao evaded.

Xiao Yongjia laughed coldly: “Enough, what’s the point of pretending? Do you think I don’t know? I know you can’t bear to see me in front of you for even a moment! If not for our daughter’s marriage, do you think I would want to come back?”

“Since I have returned, I must sleep in the bed. If you find me bothersome, go wherever you please!”

She lay back down, still with her back to Gao Qiao, speaking coldly. After speaking, she closed her eyes.

Gao Qiao neither lay back down nor stood up, just sat on the edge of the bed, his figure motionless.

After a long while, he slowly stood up and said in a low voice: “You sleep. I feel somewhat stifled and will go to the study to quiet my mind.”

Xiao Yongjia turned back and through the thin summer bed curtain, saw her husband’s figure slowly walking toward the door. She nearly ground her silver teeth to powder, grabbed the square pillow he had been sleeping on, lifted the curtain, and hurled it at his back, saying hatefully: “Then sleep in your study for good and never come back!”

…

East of the city, dozens of li into the countryside, there was Sparrow Lake with shimmering waters and beautiful scenery. A manor called Sparrow Manor sat beside the lake.

The next day, Li Mu, dressed in blue, rode alone to Sparrow Manor. As he dismounted, a middle-aged man dressed as a steward who had been waiting at the manor entrance quickly approached with a smile: “Are you Li Huben?”

Li Mu nodded.

The steward said: “I am Gao Qi, sent by my master to wait here for some time. Please come with me.”

Li Mu glanced at the manor and followed Gao Qi inside.

The manor was extremely large, extending beyond sight. Gao Qi seemed intentionally to show him the interior, leading him slowly forward and introducing various scenic spots they passed. Along the way, winding and turning, they saw flowing water and small bridges, pavilions and towers—beauty at every step.

Gradually arriving at a high pavilion where the manor’s master resided, Gao Qi smiled: “Besides what you’ve just seen, this manor also includes a thousand mu of good farmland and over two hundred qing of land and water, with rice, mulberry, fish, and fruits and vegetables in all four seasons.”

Li Mu said nothing, only raised his eyes toward the pavilion entrance. From there emerged a young man of twenty-five or twenty-six, having removed his battle armor for flowing white robes. He was handsome with bright, piercing eyes—this was another outstanding Gao family scion, Gao Yin.

Gao Yin had held the position of military supervisor during the great northern campaign and naturally knew Li Mu. Without any airs, he approached with a smile: “Jingchen, you’ve finally come! I’ve been waiting for some time!”

Li Mu smiled and moved to bow to him, but Gao Yin stopped him and led him into the hall. Inside, two wine settings had already been arranged facing each other. Gao Yin took the host’s seat and invited Li Mu to the guest seat. Once they were settled, servants flowed in like water to serve exquisite food and fine wine. When finished, Gao Yin commanded Gao Qi to lead everyone out and not wait on them.

Only Gao Yin and Li Mu remained in the hall. Gao Yin invited Li Mu to drink a cup and smiled: “Jingchen, what do you think of this manor?”

“A celestial realm on earth could be no better than this,” Li Mu replied.

Gao Yin’s eyes smiled as he set down his wine cup and clapped his hands together.

At the sound of clapping, from behind a row of screens at the side of the great hall came more than ten young women in a line, with high coiffures and colorful garments. Each was plump or slender in her own way, all first-class beauties who lined up neatly in the hall, their presence brightening the surroundings considerably.

The beauties voiced their greetings with voices like singing orioles. Gao Yin smiled and commanded them to sing and dance for entertainment. A woman in red played the reed pipe, one in green beat drums, while the others danced gracefully to the music.

When the song ended, Gao Yin dismissed them all and turned to Li Mu with a smile: “How was that performance of singing and dancing beauties?”

Li Mu smiled slightly: “The Governor’s beauties’ singing and dancing are naturally like fairy music from Goddess Yaoji.”

Gao Yin laughed: “Jingchen, if you find it acceptable, please accept this manor. These beauties just now will also all belong to you, to serve at your side hereafter. What do you think?”

Li Mu said: “The Governor’s kind intention is appreciated. Such lavish gifts—Li Mu dares not accept them. Please take them back, Governor.”

Gao Yin stared at him, the smile gradually fading from his face as his expression became solemn.

“Li Mu, I expect you know why I privately invited you here today. You indeed have great kindness toward our Gao family, and my uncle did personally make you a promise. But scholars and commoners don’t intermarry—you should know this perfectly well. Why then do you insist on making such an unreasonable request of my uncle? Moreover, my younger sister has long had her heart set on someone—she and Lu Jianzhi are childhood sweethearts. If not for frequent warfare, she would probably already be a Lu family wife by now. With the Gao and Lu families about to discuss marriage, for you to make such a demand at this moment—isn’t it absurd?”

Gao Yin rose from his seat, clasped his hands behind his back, and began pacing slowly. His high clogs made crisp tapping sounds on the smooth floor.

“Jingchen, I respect your father and grandfather as heroes. I’ve heard that from age thirteen when you joined the army until now, you’ve not only repeatedly achieved military merit but several times refused to abandon your comrades in extreme danger—truly admirable. You are a man of iron backbone. Why this time do you insist on making things so difficult for our Gao family?”

“Have you considered that if uncle, pressured by his promise that day, really married my sister to you, not only would you be labeled as one who seeks advancement through attachment, but where would that leave our Gao family? Where would that leave my sister? Being mocked would be one thing, but she would likely be depressed and unhappy for life!”

He stopped and turned toward Li Mu.

“I invited you here today precisely to avoid expanding this matter. Besides this manor and beauties, if you have any other requests—except for my sister—whatever our Gao family can provide, we will grant without exception. What do you think?”

After speaking, his two gazes fixed intently on Li Mu.

Li Mu had remained silent throughout. When Gao Yin finished, he slowly rose from his seat.

“Thank you, Governor, for your heartfelt words. If the Minister finds it inconvenient, Li Mu will withdraw yesterday’s request. As for other things, please use them yourself, Governor. Thank you for today’s hospitality. Li Mu takes his leave!”

He smiled and cupped his hands toward Gao Yin.

Gao Yin watched the blue-robed figure striding away, his brows furrowed tightly, and couldn’t help but look toward the screen in the hall.

From behind the screen slowly emerged a middle-aged man with a dignified expression who called toward Li Mu’s retreating figure: “Li Mu, I have something to ask you!”

Li Mu stopped, turned back, and seeing Gao Qiao appear, walked back.

Gao Qiao glanced at Gao Yin.

Gao Yin nodded slightly and withdrew.

Only Gao Qiao and Li Mu remained in the hall, standing face to face.

Li Mu bowed to Gao Qiao with a very respectful attitude.

Contrary to his usual manner, Gao Qiao didn’t tell him to rise but simply stared at him coldly: “You’re exploiting my momentary slip of words that day, now insisting that I marry my daughter down to you. I suspect this isn’t a momentary impulse on your part. What exactly are you scheming with such calculation?”

Just as his words fell, sudden hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.

Gao Qiao looked over and saw Gao Qi rushing in regardless of propriety. He frowned: “What’s so urgent?”

Gao Qi’s face was extremely grim. He stopped, glanced at Li Mu, then quickly walked to Gao Qiao’s side, leaned close to his ear, and whispered: “Master, something terrible has happened. This morning news spread through the army that you, true to your word, will marry the young mistress to Li Mu. Now everyone is excited and talking about it!”

Gao Qiao’s expression changed. He quickly glanced at Li Mu, who stood aside with a calm expression, showing no abnormality whatsoever. Suddenly his eyes flashed with fierce light, his gaze sharp as two swords as he stared at Li Mu, laughing coldly and nodding: “Excellent! Excellent! I never thought that I, Gao Qiao, after a lifetime of dominance, would be manipulated by a mere Assistant Magistrate! Truly, the younger generation is to be feared!”

After speaking, he didn’t linger, turned and rushed out of the great hall, his figure quickly disappearing beyond the main gate, almost running all the way to the manor entrance.

Seeing their master emerge, servants hurried forward: “Master, please wait while this slave brings the ox cart…”

“Prepare my horse!”

Gao Qiao shouted. As soon as the horse arrived, he leaped onto it in one bound. His sleeves billowed in the wind as he raised his arm and cracked the whip hard, spurring the horse toward the city at full gallop.