Wei Shao slowly lowered his sword-wielding hand, the tip pointing to the ground, but he maintained his original posture. His gaze remained fixed on Xiao Qiao’s face.
The pupils in his eyes seemed frozen, unmoving. Perhaps due to just waking up, or the reflection of the red candles nearby, they had taken on a faint, translucent reddish-brown color, like amber.
Being stared at by such a pair of eyes, Xiao Qiao’s entire body tensed. She dared not move, her own eyes unconsciously widening, passively meeting his gaze.
A wisp of wind, from some unknown corner or crevice, caused the candle flame to flicker slightly. The shadow cast on Xiao Qiao’s face wavered momentarily.
Wei Shao seemed to suddenly come to his senses. His shoulders moved slightly, and without looking down, he sheathed his sword with a “swish.” After placing it on the bed, he sat on the edge, bent down to put on his boots, then grabbed the sword and strode towards the exit.
Xiao Qiao watched his retreating figure and let out a sigh of relief.
As Wei Shao reached the screen, he suddenly stopped and turned his head.
The breath Xiao Qiao had not yet fully released caught in her chest once more.
“This is not a suitable place for you to stay. Tomorrow, I will have someone escort you back to Yuyang,” he said flatly. He turned and finally left. His figure disappeared behind the screen, the door opened with a creak, and his footsteps gradually faded away, eventually disappearing from earshot.
Xiao Qiao finally finished exhaling that breath. As she slowly sat down, supporting herself on the edge of the bed, she realized her hand was trembling slightly. Her back was covered in cold sweat, her inner garment clinging uncomfortably to her skin, making her feel chilly and extremely uncomfortable.
…
Wei Shao headed towards the study. As he neared it, he stopped and looked around.
During the day, the Xin Palace often felt empty due to the small number of people. Now, at the fourth watch of the night, when darkness was at its deepest, everything was silent. The servants of the Xin residence were still lost in their dreams.
His gaze fell on the silhouette of the sandalwood terrace behind him, its outline clearly defined against the night sky.
Moments later, he ascended this high building constructed on a tall rammed earth platform. Leaning against the railing, facing the night wind that carried a bone-chilling chill, he gazed into the distance at the city walls and the plains beyond, shrouded in the heavy darkness of night. Lost in thought, he heard soft footsteps behind him. Turning his head, by the starlight above, he recognized Gong Sun Yang, the Military Advisor.
“My Lord, on your wedding night, why are you alone here at the railing?” Gong Sun Yang bowed to Wei Shao and asked with a smile as he approached.
…
Gong Sun Yang, courtesy name Bu’en, was a native of Zhangqiu in Taishan, aged forty. In his early years, he served Wei Shao’s father, Wei Jing. Due to his humble origins, he remained obscure among Wei Jing’s many talented subordinates. After Wei Jing’s death, when Youzhou fell into a precarious situation surrounded by enemies, Gong Sun Yang’s outstanding eloquence proved invaluable in diplomatic maneuvering, several times turning danger into safety for Youzhou.
He gradually gained the trust of Madam Xu. After Wei Shao took command of the army, Gong Sun Yang accompanied him in campaigns east and west, attaining the rank of Military Advisor and becoming Wei Shao’s confidant and strategist. Wei Shao relied heavily on him. When the Qiao family of Yanzhou proactively offered a marriage alliance, Wei Shao happened to be away.
Upon his return and learning that his grandmother, Madam Xu, had accepted the marriage proposal on his behalf, he was initially unwilling and planned to send someone to intercept the departing envoy. However, Gong Sun Yang reasoned with him, and Wei Shao finally accepted his advice and agreed to the marriage.
…
“Why is the advisor not wrapped in warm blankets, but instead out here in the wind?” Wei Shao countered.
“I was drunk last night. Upon waking, I found myself unable to sleep again. Seeing the brilliant starry sky, I decided to come here to observe the stars. I didn’t expect to encounter my Lord,” Gong Sun Yang replied with a chuckle. He walked to Wei Shao’s side and continued, “I once heard a saying from Yanzhou: ‘If the Luo River is ten parts divine, the Two Qiaos possess eight of those parts.’ I didn’t believe it, thinking it was an exaggeration. But after seeing the Qiao girl at tonight’s wedding ceremony, I must say she truly deserves such praise. I observed her demeanor and expressions; even under everyone’s gaze, she showed no timidity, carrying herself with grace and dignity. My Lord has found a beauty, congratulations are in order!”
Wei Shao’s mind flashed to the face he had just seen – terrified, eyes wide open, eyelashes visibly trembling, yet still trying her best to maintain a calm appearance before him. After a moment of silence, he said indifferently, “It was merely following your advice, Advisor, a temporary measure of going with the flow. There’s nothing to congratulate. Tomorrow, I’ll have her sent back to Yuyang.”
Gong Sun Yang was slightly taken aback. He glanced at Wei Shao, seeing his unconcerned expression, and smiled, “Very well. The lands south of the Yellow River should be approached gradually, not rushed. Now that the marriage alliance is formed, having the lady go to Yuyang to serve the elders on your behalf, fulfilling filial duties while you focus on your great ambitions, is not a bad arrangement.”
Wei Shao didn’t respond, only offering a smile.
“Observing the stars tonight, I saw that in the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, the Emperor Star was hidden, obscured by white vapors. I fear that chaos will soon engulf the world, and the common people will suffer greatly,” Gong Sun Yang suddenly sighed, gazing at the sky.
Wei Shao looked up in the direction Gong Sun Yang indicated, seeing only a multitude of twinkling stars, unable to discern any particular meaning. He said, “I’ve always admired the Advisor’s mystical insights.”
Gong Sun Yang shook his head, “My Lord flatters me. I’m merely someone good at running my mouth. If we’re talking about truly extraordinary individuals, there is one in this world who has been half a teacher to me. His surname is Wang, given name Jin, self-styled as the Old Man of White Stone. He is the twentieth-generation direct disciple of the Mohist school. Not only is he versed in the arts of vertical and horizontal alliances, but he also possesses heavenly wisdom and is skilled in the medical arts. His learning is profound and extensive. Compared to him, I am like a firefly next to the stars and moon, not worth mentioning.”
Wei Shao raised an eyebrow, “Where is such an extraordinary person now?”
Gong Sun Yang replied, “In my youth, I traveled far and wide, hoping to join the Mohist school. Heaven favored me, and I finally met the Old Man. Unfortunately, due to my mediocre talents, I wasn’t accepted as a disciple. However, I was fortunate enough to receive his guidance for three months, which has benefited me for a lifetime. Ten years ago, I had the luck to encounter the Old Man again by chance on the roadside. Only then did I learn that he had re-entered the world out of concern for the people, wandering the four directions to save lives with his medical skills. Ten years have passed since then, and I don’t know where he is now. If he’s still alive, he must be around seventy.”
A gust of cold wind blew, causing Gong Sun Yang to start coughing.
In his early years of following the army, he had been accidentally injured. Although he recovered, it left him with a chronic condition, often coughing and weakening his overall health.
“The night is cold, and you are frail, Advisor. Let me escort you back to your room,” Wei Shao said immediately.
Gong Sun Yang repeatedly declined, saying he could return on his own. Wei Shao didn’t insist, but took off his cloak and draped it over Gong Sun Yang’s shoulders, watching as he descended the tower.
After Gong Sun Yang left, Wei Shao leaned against the railing alone, unconsciously glancing once more at the constellation Gong Sun Yang had pointed out to him earlier.
The Qin lost its deer, and all under heaven chased after it.
In Wei Shao’s ambition, the future picture was gradually becoming clearer and clearer.
The Yellow River divides north and south; south of the river lies the Central Plains of Luoyang, while to the north are the ancient lands of Yan, Zhao, and Wei. Ten years ago, when his father was still alive, there were no less than ten warlords, large and small, in the north. By now, most had been devoured or annexed, and the remaining ones were no longer a concern, merely attaching themselves to the strong to survive. In the vast northern territories now, only Chen Xiang of Bingzhou could still contend with him.
His primary goal now was to swallow up Bingzhou and seize this territory known as the granary of Longxi. After unifying the north, he would set his sights on the lands south of the river, and ultimately advance westward to achieve great things.
The strategic position of Yanzhou would serve as a convenient route for his future southward advance. The marriage alliance between the two families, with the Wei family’s current power protecting the Qiao family’s position in Yanzhou, was essentially like having the Qiao family guard this southern passage for him. His grandmother, Madam Xu, with her far-sighted vision, must have recognized this point, which is why she took the initiative to accept the Qiao family’s goodwill on his behalf. Of course, this was also the only reason why, despite his extreme reluctance, he ultimately listened to Gong Sun Yang’s advice and acquiesced to this marriage.
From the age of ten, he had sat on horseback, following his father, the Governor of Youzhou, in battles against invading Xiongnu beyond the borders, reaching as far as Yunzhong and Shuofang beyond the Great Wall. His father was like a deity in his eyes. Ten years ago, the Qiao family’s betrayal had cost him his beloved father and elder brother. He never believed the Qiao family’s explanation of “the messenger being ambushed and killed halfway.” People worse than pigs and dogs, like Li Su of Chen Commandery, would one day meet their doom at his hands. Marrying the Qiao girl now was merely repaying them in kind. Apart from the psychological aversion this marriage brought him, he didn’t see anything particularly wrong with it.
As for the Qiao family’s daughter…
He turned his gaze towards the direction of the Sheyang bridal chamber he had just left.
From a distance, the window still emitted a reddish glow from the candles, quite conspicuous against the surrounding darkness.
She can only blame her ill fate, Wei Shao thought, his mind once again recalling the scene from the wedding when he first saw her being led towards him, step by step.
She was barely passable in appearance; the flesh on her body added up top and bottom, probably wouldn’t amount to more than two ounces.
He unconsciously tugged at the corner of his mouth.
…
After Wei Shao left, Xiao Qiao didn’t want to sleep either. She sat wrapped in a blanket until dawn.
He didn’t show up again. When Chun Niang and the others came in to help her wash up, the news was already spreading in the Xin residence that the new bride had not pleased the Lord and would be sent to Yuyang the day after the wedding night.
Yuyang was the ancestral home of the Wei family, where Wei Shao’s grandmother Madam Xu, and his widowed mother Madam Zhu currently resided.
Originally, it was a daughter-in-law’s duty to go to her husband’s hometown to serve his elders on his behalf. But to be hurriedly sent away on just the second day of marriage…
This was far too embarrassing!
At first, Chun Niang tried to maintain a facade of normalcy in front of Xiao Qiao, but eventually, she couldn’t hold back. After sending the maids away, she held Xiao Qiao’s hand and said with tears in her eyes, “My Lady, I heard early this morning that a servant who got up at the fourth watch saw Lord Wei from afar. How could he have left the room so early? Did you forget my previous instructions and offend him, causing him to send you to Yuyang today?”
Chun Niang’s implication was clear – the servants in the Xin residence were all gossiping that things hadn’t gone well in the bridal chamber last night, and Lord Wei was dissatisfied with his new bride, so he was sending her back to his hometown today.
The sense of grievance and depression in Xiao Qiao’s heart was indescribable.
She couldn’t very well tell Chun Niang that the groom, Wei Shao, had returned drunk, not even sparing her a glance before falling asleep and that when she woke up cold in the middle of the night and merely wanted to get a blanket for warmth, he had nearly killed her, mistaking her for an assassin, could she?
Just how many guilty deeds must this man have committed in his daily life to be so paranoid even in his sleep?
“I did not offend him, nor did he touch me last night. He simply doesn’t like me. Uncle’s alliance with the Wei family was always for mutual benefit. I was prepared for this when I agreed to the marriage. Going to Yuyang is fine; I would have to go sooner or later, so why fret over the timing? As for what others say, let them talk. I won’t take it to heart, and you shouldn’t be upset either.”
This kind of situation would certainly not be the last. Similar incidents were bound to happen in the future. She didn’t want Chun Niang to harbor false hope, only to be disappointed time and time again. It was better to take this opportunity to explain things clearly to her.
“Chun Niang, you may be called a servant, but I see you as half a mother to me. Marrying into the Wei family, you are the only person I can fully trust by my side. I hope you can also strengthen your resolve and be ready to assist me in the future.”
Chun Niang stared blankly at Xiao Qiao.
The morning sun was shining through the east window, casting onto the side of the dressing table. The golden sunlight gave her delicate skin a warm hue, making even the fine hairs on her earlobes visible. She smiled at Chun Niang, her eyes bright as if jewels were rolling within them.
This lady was both familiar and strange to Chun Niang. Yet, for some reason, it gradually instilled confidence in Chun Niang’s heart, making her feel empowered and giving rise to an urge to protect her at all costs.
“My Lady’s words are wise! I will remember them! Let me help you dress and prepare properly now.”
Chun Niang quickly wiped away her tears and stood behind Xiao Qiao, beginning to style her hair and dress her.
She had exceptionally skilled hands for dressing and grooming, a talent honed over time. When Xiao Qiao’s mother was still alive, she often praised Chun Niang’s magical touch, saying she could enhance a woman’s five-part beauty to eight parts.
Last night, she had worried that Lord Wei might be too rough and cause the lady to suffer. She never imagined that he wouldn’t touch the lady at all.
The indignation and frustration in her heart were also hard to express. It was as if a precious pearl she had carefully kept in an exquisite box, rarely shown to others, had been presented before him, only for him to disdain and ignore it.
She had originally held great reverence for Wei Shao, but after this morning, she was already feeling dissatisfied.
Just how blind must this Lord Wei be to overlook her precious Xiao Qiao to such an extent? To even use the method of sending her away on the day after their wedding to humiliate her?
The heavy makeup suitable for the grand wedding ceremony last night was indeed majestic and beautiful, but it also concealed Xiao Qiao’s most charming features. Today, she was determined to dress up her lady properly once more.
Even if she had to leave, she would leave looking beautiful and graceful, absolutely not giving these people in the Xin residence any more reason to laugh!