The next day, Wei Shao became as weak as a kitten.
In the morning, Gongsun Yang, Li Chong, Zhang Jian, and Wei Liang came to visit one after another.
At first, Xiao Qiao felt a bit embarrassed, always suspecting that they might have overheard the sounds from last night. Fortunately, the men appeared no different from usual: Gongsun Yang wore a smile, and his attitude was friendly yet respectful. Li Chong, Zhang Jian, and Wei Liang following in the footsteps of their “lord” Wei Shao, all maintained seriously solemn faces, addressing her as “Lady” without letting their eyes wander, exchanging a few pleasantries that seemed no different from usual.
Xiao Qiao gradually calmed down.
While they were present, Wei Shao sat up straight, full of energy, chatting and laughing.
As soon as they left, he became limp and clung to Xiao Qiao, appearing exhausted as if from excessive indulgence.
Panicked, Xiao Qiao hurriedly helped him lie down.
Once lying down, Wei Shao held onto her and wouldn’t let go.
Xiao Qiao forcefully pushed away his hands and scolded him with a stern face, saying, “You’re not fully recovered and need rest. I came here to take care of you so you can get better soon. If you keep this up, I’ll leave!”
Wei Shao had indeed been vigorous like a dragon and fierce like a tiger last night, but now he was as weak as a kitten, partly to tease her and partly because he did feel a bit drained today.
He also very much wanted to recover quickly, and of course, understood the principle of abstaining from sexual activity while ill. Moreover, Gongsun Yang, out of concern, had also very discreetly reminded him of this before leaving that night.
It was just that when he suddenly saw her arrive last night, he couldn’t control his emotions and himself. Now, being scolded by her with a stern face, not only was he not annoyed, but he felt extremely comfortable all over. However, fearing that he might truly anger her, he stopped teasing and nodded in agreement.
He finally behaved himself a bit. Xiao Qiao, seeing the dark circles under his eyes, felt sorry for his exertions last night and became even more attentive in her care.
Over the next few days, Wei Shao either leisurely read military books or rested in bed, watching her by his side adding incense to the burner, bringing water and medicine. He suddenly felt that if he could have her companionship like this all the time, even doing nothing, time would pass so wonderfully.
Young and strong, taking medicine regularly and refraining from further sexual activity, coupled with his happy mood, after a few more days of rest, his body gradually recovered.
After all, this was a military camp. With Wei Shao almost fully recovered, it was no longer appropriate for Xiao Qiao to stay. Coincidentally, on this day, a swift horse brought news that Feng Zhao’s troops were showing unusual movement, seeming to gather and advance toward Xihe.
The atmosphere in the camp immediately became tense.
That day, Wei Shao personally escorted Xiao Qiao out of the camp, accompanying her for nearly a hundred li. Only after Xiao Qiao repeatedly told him to stop did Wei Shao halt his horse by the roadside, watching her carriage gradually disappear into the distance before turning back and galloping swiftly to return.
Xiao Qiao safely returned to Jinyang under Jia Si’s escort.
Jinyang City remained peaceful. The streets were bustling with people and vehicles, showing no sign of the looming shadow of war clouds gathering in Xihe Commandery to the west.
But Jia Si dared not relax for a moment. Following Wei Shao’s orders to protect Lady’s safety, he deployed five hundred soldiers around the official residence, patrolling in shifts, and maintaining strict vigilance day and night.
Exhausted from the journey, Xiao Qiao retired early that evening.
The next day, she woke up naturally. Shortly after rising, the steward came to report that someone outside claimed to be a relative of the Qiang youth Xiao Qiao had bought at the market that day, requesting an audience to take him back.
Xiao Qiao was somewhat surprised. After a moment’s thought, she instructed the steward to let the visitor in and wait in the outer hall and also ordered someone to fetch the Qiang youth named Yuan.
Yuan was quickly brought before Xiao Qiao.
His wounds had fully healed. During these days, seeing that Lady seemed to take special care of this youth, the steward hadn’t assigned him any tasks.
Yuan bowed respectfully to Xiao Qiao.
Xiao Qiao smiled and said, “The steward just said that a relative of yours has come, wanting to take you away. I’ll take you to see if you recognize him.”
Yuan showed a hint of excitement and hurriedly followed Xiao Qiao to the outer hall. Upon seeing the young man waiting there, his eyes showed a flicker of surprise, and his steps faltered briefly.
…
Diao Mo had been waiting for a long time when he finally heard footsteps approaching. He looked up to see a middle-aged maidservant enter and stand still, followed by attendants, their clothes fragrant and hair ornate. Then, the youth Yuan followed a young woman from behind the door, who appeared before him.
The woman was very young, only fifteen or sixteen, but dressed as a married woman in magnificent purple attire, her features extremely beautiful. In just a glance, as her bright eyes turned towards him, Diao Mo was momentarily dazzled, as if struck by a heavenly radiance, and couldn’t help but stare.
Although the woman who bought the Qiang slave at the market that day had never shown her face, judging by her height, figure, and the vague impression of her facial features behind the thin silk, Diao Mo immediately knew that this beautiful young woman before him, who seemed to be Wei Shao’s wife, was indeed that woman from that day.
He quickly collected himself and turned his gaze to the youth Yuan who had come with this woman. Seeing him stop there, looking at him with surprised eyes, he smiled and nodded, then turned to the young woman and respectfully said, “Madam, please accept my respects. My name is Bolian, and I am his clan uncle. Several years ago, I moved from Huangzhong to Jinyang, making a living as a merchant. That day in the market, I happened to be there and vaguely recognized him as my nephew, but having been separated for several years, I wasn’t sure enough to acknowledge him at the time. Later, when I finally confirmed it, he had already been bought by Madam. Originally, being blessed with such a kind and merciful mistress as Madam is his good fortune. However, after much consideration, thinking of my nephew’s home where only his grandfather remains, the two depend on each other for survival, if he becomes a slave, how will his grandfather at home make ends meet? Therefore, I couldn’t let it go and made inquiries to find this place. I am willing to pay ten times the price Madam paid for him to redeem him. I wish to ask for Madam’s grace to allow me to take him out and send him home to reunite with his grandfather.”
Having said this, he took out a money bag and respectfully held it up.
While this man was speaking, Xiao Qiao was also observing him. She saw that he appeared to be a few years older than Wei Shao, dressed in ordinary Han clothing, with his hair tied up on top of his head like the Han people, wrapped in a blue headband. He spoke fluent Han Chinese, his eyes bright, with a hint of heroic spirit in his brow. He didn’t look much like a merchant.
After he finished speaking, Xiao Qiao looked at the youth Yuan and smiled, “Is he your clan uncle? If so, and if you’re willing to go with him, you can leave now.”
Yuan looked at Diao Mo, hesitated slightly, and remained silent.
Diao Mo turned to Xiao Qiao and said, “Madam, may I speak with him for a few words?”
Xiao Qiao nodded. Diao Mo thanked her and led Yuan outside the door. Seeing no one around, he patted Yuan’s shoulder, smiled, and said in the Qiang language, “Don’t you recognize me? Two years ago, at your grandfather’s sixtieth birthday celebration, I specially came to offer my congratulations, and you were sitting beside me then.”
Yuan had recognized him at first glance and now said, “Chief Diao Mo, how did you know I was here?”
Diao Mo said, “I brought a few followers to Jinyang on business and encountered you in the market that day. At first, I didn’t recognize you. By the time I did, you had already been bought by the lady. So I came looking for you. You don’t know, but two months ago, I visited Clan Chief Yuan Wang and learned that you had been missing for several months. The clan chief was extremely worried and fell ill, sending people everywhere to search for you without success. I didn’t expect you to have ended up here. That’s why I came to redeem you and send you back home.”
Yuan, who had been somewhat doubtful, became anxious upon hearing that his grandfather had fallen ill worrying about him. He glanced back at Xiao Qiao in the inner hall and said, “This lady is extremely kind-hearted. Of those bought with me that day, she let go of those who wished to leave. She told me I could leave as well. She wasn’t here these past few days, so I couldn’t leave on my own. I was just thinking of asking her to let me go when she returned. Chief Diao Mo, will you take me back to Huangzhong?”
Diao Mo gazed at the youth and smiled slightly, “Although the Shaodang and Beihe live in separate tribes, we are all Qiang people, descendants of our ancestor Wu Yi Yuan Jian. Given my friendship with the old clan chief, how could I stand by and do nothing after accidentally encountering you?”
Yuan hesitated no longer and said, “Thank you, Chief! I’ll go ask the lady’s permission to let me leave right away.”
…
Xiao Qiao waited for a moment, then saw Yuan return with the man. Yuan’s eyes were slightly red, and she guessed he must be willing to leave with this man. Without waiting for him to say anything, she said, “You may go. Be careful on the road.” She then ordered someone to summon the Qiang girl who had come with him that day, to leave together with him.
Yuan left with Diao Mo. Before leaving, he kept looking back at Xiao Qiao, his face showing admiration and attachment.
Diao Mo thanked Xiao Qiao solemnly and once again offered the money bag.
Xiao Qiao ordered Chun Niang to accept it, took out the money she had paid for Yuan and the Qiang girl that day, and returned the rest, saying, “I hope you will send him back to his family soon.”
Diao Mo looked at Xiao Qiao for a moment, bowed deeply to her, and said, “I will certainly remember Madam’s words. Please rest assured.”
After saying this, he took one last look at her and left with Yuan and the Qiang girl.
…
Xiao Qiao had guessed that Yuan was probably not an ordinary Qiang youth and likely came from a good background. But since he didn’t voluntarily tell his story, she didn’t ask further.
The reason she took special care of him was entirely because of the familiar feeling he gave her when he protected that Qiang girl, reminding her of her brother Qiao Ci.
As for the man who came to take him away, though he said little, Xiao Qiao felt he must have another background and was not a merchant making a living in Jinyang as he claimed.
But clearly, the two of them knew each other before. Since Yuan was willing to go with him, she naturally wouldn’t stop them.
Xiao Qiao soon put this matter out of her mind.
She was somewhat worried about Wei Shao.
Although Jinyang appeared peaceful, Xiao Qiao knew that where Wei Shao was, war could break out at any moment. Moreover, it involved Feng Zhao of Liangzhou and various Qiang tribes in between, with multiple forces intertwined, making the situation complex. Although there was a force left by Wei Shao stationed in Jinyang, it was probably a mix of various elements. To avoid unnecessary accidents, from the first day of her return, she hadn’t stepped out at all, spending her days peacefully in the rear courtyard.
Unexpectedly, a few days later, in the afternoon, the steward hurriedly came to report that the Qiang girl who had left a few days ago had returned, kneeling and begging to see Lady, as if something unexpected had happened.
Xiao Qiao was surprised and immediately had the steward bring the Qiang girl in.
The steward, knowing the Qiang girl couldn’t speak Chinese, called for a servant who could interpret.
The Qiang girl waited there, her face showing anxiety. As soon as she saw Xiao Qiao, she fell to her knees with a thud and quickly said a string of words.
The servant beside her hurriedly translated for Xiao Qiao.
The Qiang girl’s name was Xia Gu, and she was not the Qiang youth’s sister, but his maid. Having served him since childhood, their relationship was close, and he always called her “Sister.” The youth Yuan was not an ordinary Qiang person, but the grandson of Yuan Wang, the chief of the Beihe Qiang tribe in Huangshui. Half a year ago, Xia Gu and Yuan were returning home from outside when they were accidentally separated from their escort and targeted by a group specializing in abducting Qiang people to sell as slaves.
Xia Gu said that Yuan, knowing that Han people generally despised the Qiang, feared that revealing his identity would bring trouble to his grandfather and tribespeople, so he never disclosed it, hoping to secretly find an opportunity to escape. That’s how they ended up in Jinyang after a long journey.
The man named Bolian who came that day was a chief of the Shaodang Qiang, whom the Shaodang Qiang respected as Diao Mo, meaning “second to none in bravery.”
The Shaodang and Beihe tribes had always maintained close relations, and Diao Mo also had deep connections with Yuan’s grandfather, Yuan Wang. So when Diao Mo appeared that day and told Yuan that the old clan chief had fallen ill due to missing him, Yuan became extremely anxious, believed him, and thought he would take him home. However, they didn’t expect that Diao Mo had colluded with some unknown Han people. The Han people wanted to kill Yuan, but Diao Mo stopped them, leading to a conflict between the two parties. In the end, the Han people temporarily yielded. But Diao Mo didn’t take Yuan back to Huangshui, instead heading towards the Shangjun area.
Xia Gu knew Yuan was in danger and that Diao Mo didn’t truly intend to send him back. So when they stopped for the night, she seduced one of Diao Mo’s subordinates guarding her and escaped back here to beg Xiao Qiao for help.
Xia Gu kept kowtowing to Xiao Qiao, weeping bitterly.
Xiao Qiao was shocked.
She had guessed that Yuan’s background must be good, but she never imagined he was the grandson of the Beihe tribe’s chief.
She immediately recalled another matter related to the Beihe tribe.
The day before Wei Shao sent her back to Jinyang, Gongsun Yang had left the military camp.
At the time, Wei Shao hadn’t said much to her about it. Only when they were in bed together that night did Xiao Qiao, out of concern, ask a few questions about the current war situation. Wei Shao casually mentioned that Gongsun Yang had gone to Huangshui during the day. His purpose was to convey conciliatory intentions and win over the Qiang people.
The target of Gongsun Yang’s journey was the Beihe Qiang.
Xiao Qiao had Chun Niang help Xia Gu up, asked about the places where Diao Mo had stopped along the way, and learned that including the group of Han people, there were only about a dozen people with him. After pondering for a moment, she summoned Jia Si and ordered him to take some men along with Xia Gu to pursue and catch up, with strict instructions to rescue Yuan.