Jizhou consisted of nine commanderies and seventy-eight counties, guarding the northern border of Youzhou. To the south, it faced the Yellow River basin states. Both geographically and strategically, it was of great importance to Wei Shao.

Since the beginning of last year, Wei Shao had been busy with the war in Bingzhou and the western expedition, leaving him no time to personally visit Jizhou. Now that the Western campaign was over and he had no other pressing matters, it was natural for him to stop by Jizhou on his way back to Youzhou.

The purpose of his visit was to inspect the territory and meet with the various governors, magistrates, and garrison commanders of Jizhou.

On the day after his arrival, he became busy. During the day, Xiao Qiao hardly saw him.

Governors from various regions arrived successively to pay their respects to the Marquis.

Except for the first evening when Xiao Qiao had dinner with Wei Shao, she ate alone for several days afterward.

There were banquets in the Xin Palace every night, and Wei Shao always returned late.

Xiao Qiao hadn’t expected Wei Shao to bring her here for a vacation or to create any surprises.

At most, she had only briefly indulged in such daydreams when they first set out on the journey.

After all, this was the place where they had first met and gotten married.

But upon arriving, she had extinguished that thought.

She couldn’t say she was disappointed.

She was used to spending time on her own anyway.

During the day, she would sometimes climb the Tan Tower as she used to, watching various people hurrying in and out of the Xin Palace.

Or she would go out for a stroll.

Of course, Jia Si would always be there to protect her.

By now, Jia Si had gradually become familiar with her.

He was probably no more than twenty-five or twenty-six years old, but he had always given Xiao Qiao an impression of being prematurely old-fashioned.

Perhaps it was because he had become the Commander of the Tiger Warriors at such a young age, and he was always so quiet.

When speaking to Xiao Qiao, he never said a word more than necessary.

He also rarely looked at her directly.

But now, when escorting Xiao Qiao out, although his attitude remained respectful, he would exchange a few words with her if she asked him something.

…

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, seven or eight days had gone by.

Finally, as dusk fell one day, Wei Shao appeared in the Sheyang Residence.

He said he had finished his business and they would return to Yuyang tomorrow.

The couple had dinner together.

After the meal, they returned to their room and lit the lamps. Wei Shao suddenly seemed to remember something and said, “I’ve been so busy these days, I haven’t been able to accompany you. You’re not upset with me, are you?”

Xiao Qiao shook her head, “How could I be? I know my husband is busy.”

Wei Shao said, “Where would you like to go? I’ll accompany you.”

Xiao Qiao smiled, “There’s nowhere in particular…”

“I’ll take you to the Tan Tower. We haven’t been up there in a long time.”

Wei Shao had already taken her hand and was leading her out.

Xiao Qiao didn’t mention that she had just come down from there at dusk. Seeing his enthusiasm, she went along with him.

Wei Shao held her hand as they left the Sheyang Residence. All the servants and maids they encountered along the way bowed in greeting.

As Wei Shao led her through a spacious hall at the front, about to step out, he suddenly stopped and looked back.

“This is where we had our wedding ceremony,” he said, turning to face Xiao Qiao.

Xiao Qiao curled her lips slightly, “You remember?”

Wei Shao didn’t respond, only tightening his grip on her hand beneath his sleeve as their fingers intertwined, and led her out.

The couple stopped at the foot of the Tan Tower.

The twilight was thick, enveloping the tall Tan Tower before them.

Wei Shao looked up.

The Tan Tower rose over ten zhang above the ground, with a total of eighty-one steep steps.

Whenever Xiao Qiao climbed it, she would stop to rest after each section, using the opportunity to admire the scenery.

Wei Shao bent down slightly.

Xiao Qiao looked at him.

“Get on my back,” he said.

Xiao Qiao replied, “I dare not ride the Marquis.”

Wei Shao said, “Only you are allowed to ride me.”

Xiao Qiao smiled, no longer being polite. She climbed onto his shoulders and jumped onto his back.

Wei Shao steadily supported her buttocks and carried her up the Tan Tower in one go.

He set her down, then held her waist and placed her on a jade stone platform in the center of the Tan Tower. The platform was carved with cloud dragons at both ends, and her feet dangled above the ground.

The jade platform still retained some of the warmth it had absorbed during the day. Sitting on it like this, with only a thin layer of summer clothing between her and the stone, the warmth pleasantly seeped into Xiao Qiao’s skin, feeling very comfortable.

Above them, a deep blue starry sky gradually revealed its brilliance. The summer night breeze blew from all sides of the Tan Tower, ruffling the stray hairs by Xiao Qiao’s temples and stirring Wei Shao’s loose robes.

Xiao Qiao took out a handkerchief and wiped the faint sheen of sweat from his forehead.

He placed one hand on the platform and nimbly jumped up to sit beside her. He caught her wrist and gently pulled her into his embrace.

Holding her, he nuzzled her forehead with his chin and asked, “What have you been doing these past few days?”

Xiao Qiao said, “I won’t tell you.”

“Tell me. Don’t keep secrets from me.”

“You won’t like hearing it even if I tell you.”

“Tell me!” His tone was full of authority.

Xiao Qiao snorted, “What else could I do? I couldn’t help but think about how you treated me when I first came here.”

Wei Shao fell silent.

“You’ve forgotten yourself, haven’t you?”

Xiao Qiao held up her small hand in front of his eyes, counting on her fingers as she recounted.

“During our wedding ceremony, I could see that you were impatient! Not only did you brush me off, but you were also mocking me in your heart!”

“You saw wrong!”

Wei Shao’s voice was very calm.

Of course, he couldn’t let her know that when he first saw her at the wedding, he had coldly thought that the Qiao family believed sending over a somewhat presentable daughter would erase all past grudges. The Qiao family was foolish, did they think he was as stupid as they were?

“In the bridal chamber, you hogged the bed to sleep. I woke up freezing in the middle of the night and wanted to get a blanket to keep warm. When I accidentally woke you up, you drew your sword and pointed it at me. What was that about?”

“Didn’t I put away the sword quickly? I even gave the bed to you.”

Wei Shao’s voice remained steady.

He also couldn’t let her know that at that time, even though she was terrified, with her eyes wide open, she still tried to pretend to be calm under the tip of his sword. Thinking about it now, he felt both heartache and a bit of amusement.

“And another thing!”

Xiao Qiao continued counting on her fingers: “Early the next morning, you wanted to send me to Yuyang! My husband, your heart was truly cruel…”

This time, Wei Shao didn’t defend himself.

He lowered his head to gaze at her, slowly leaning in and suddenly kissed her still-chattering lips.

Xiao Qiao made a muffled sound and struggled a bit. Gradually, she became pliant. After a long kiss, their lips finally parted.

Xiao Qiao stretched out her arms and embraced the man’s broad and sturdy back.

“My husband, have you ever regretted marrying me?” she asked him.

She tilted her head slightly, her beautiful eyes reflecting the starry sky above him, seeming to capture his soul along with it, unable to look away.

“Manman, in marrying me, do you hold me in your heart?” he asked her in a hoarse voice.

Neither spoke, just gazing into each other’s eyes.

Wei Shao’s breathing became increasingly rapid. Suddenly, without a word, he pushed her onto her back on the jade stone platform that still held the day’s warmth. Like a fierce beast, he pounced on her.

…

After tidying up their disheveled clothes, they finally descended from the Tan Tower.

Xiao Qiao’s legs were a bit weak, so he supported her waist with his arm as they slowly made their way back to the Sheyang Residence.

A servant immediately came forward with a message, saying that earlier, Mr. Gongsun had been looking for the Marquis on an urgent matter and requested to see him as soon as he received the message.

Wei Shao’s face showed a slight displeasure, but it quickly disappeared. He carried Xiao Qiao to the bed, kissed her flushed cheek, and told her to sleep first without waiting for him. He lowered his head to adjust his clothes, then opened the door and left.

…

Gongsun Yang was waiting in the council hall. He had been waiting for some time.

Earlier, when he had gone to look for Wei Shao, he was told that the Marquis and his wife had gone up to the Tan Tower together. Not wanting to disturb them, he had left a message and come here to wait patiently.

He paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, deep in thought.

Suddenly, he heard brisk footsteps and turned to see Wei Shao striding in. He hurried to greet him.

Wei Shao entered and sat down, saying directly, “You’ve waited long, sir. It’s late, what urgent matter brings you here?”

Gongsun Yang replied, “I shouldn’t disturb the Marquis’s peace at this hour. However, a messenger from Yang Xin arrived in haste tonight with the news. I thought it best to report it to the Marquis as soon as possible.”

Hearing that it was related to Yang Xin, Wei Shao’s expression immediately became serious. He leaned forward slightly and asked, “What has happened?”

Gongsun Yang presented a military report.

A month ago, following Wei Shao’s instructions, Yang Xin stationed troops in Yao, while Xue An was in Xiaqiu. From north and south, they had besieged the refugee leader Bi Zhi.

Bi Zhi was trapped.

Yang Xin had originally thought that the refugee army was like a turtle in a jar, with no way to escape. However, he hadn’t expected that Bi Zhi would select elite troops, disguise their flags and uniforms to resemble Xue An’s Xuzhou army, and actively march towards Yao, eventually joining Yang Xin’s forces in the field.

Yang Xin could never have imagined that Bi Zhi would dare to come to him directly. At first, mistaking them for Xue An’s troops, he was unsure of Xue An’s purpose in bringing troops there. His hesitation cost him the opportunity, and he was caught off guard when Bi Zhi suddenly launched an attack.

In this battle, Yang Xin suffered a great defeat and lost Yao.

Now, Bi Zhi not only held Lingbi but had also taken Yao.

Yang Xin was in an unfavorable position. Unsure of his next move, he had sent a messenger to report the situation.

Wei Shao quickly scanned the battle report sent by Yang Xin, his face dark. He threw it to the ground with a “bang” and angrily said, “Yang Xin is so incompetent! He can’t even defeat a mere refugee leader!”