Wei Shao didn’t sleep well all night. The sudden news that he was about to become a father brought him extreme excitement, but he also worried that his poor sleeping posture might cause his leg to press against Xiao Qiao’s belly.

So he woke up several times throughout the night.

Each time he awoke and opened his eyes, seeing Xiao Qiao’s small, curled-up body nestled against him as she slept, Wei Shao couldn’t tear his gaze away from her peaceful, still girlish sleeping face.

In the long years of his past that seemed to have been forcibly severed from his childhood memories, killing, warfare, and hatred had occupied almost all of his mental energy.

That period of hazy affection that had once brought warmth to his painful adolescence had quickly dissipated like morning dew in a flash of lightning, leaving no trace.

What remained for that young man was only a faint shadow of wariness towards women.

So afterward, he subconsciously disliked having women close to him.

He enjoyed killing, war, and revenge. He reveled in the most direct sensory high tide brought by hot blood splashing across a cold blade.

He also thought that in this life, his grandmother would be the only woman he would willingly get close to from the bottom of his heart.

But now it was different.

He had her.

Wei Shao’s heart was so full of tenderness that he didn’t know how to express it to her.

At this moment, if she demanded that he kneel before her proudly raised chin for her to deign to love him, Wei Shao felt he could probably do it.

After all, she had already slapped him several times.

He didn’t care about anything else anymore.

Afraid of waking her, he dared not hold her too tightly, only slightly tightening his arms to let her soft body fit more snugly against his own, then resting his chin on her forehead, feeling immensely content.

If Manman could give him a son this time, he would be very happy.

He would personally teach him horseback riding, archery, and warfare.

Moreover, with the Wei family’s male lineage being thin, he needed a son to inherit the family line. When visiting the ancestral temple to pay respects to ancestors and his father and brother, having a son accompany him would give him more confidence.

But if Manman gave birth to a daughter this time, he would be equally happy.

He couldn’t help imagining what his and Manman’s daughter would look like.

She would surely have a pair of enchanting, clear eyes like Manman’s.

He would love her, love her very much.

He would conquer this beautiful land, let his daughter ride in a golden carriage drawn by six horses, and have all people prostrate themselves at her feet, making her the noblest and most beloved little princess in the world.

This is what Wei Shao thought to himself as he closed his eyes before falling asleep.

…

The next day, Wei Shao was in high spirits.

Early in the morning, he sent a letter to Madam Xu, conveying the joyous news of Xiao Qiao’s pregnancy.

Because it was still early in the pregnancy, and given Xiao Qiao’s current physical condition, it wasn’t suitable for her to travel long distances.

So Wei Shao decided to stay with Xiao Qiao in Xindu for some more time.

Once Xiao Qiao’s health improved, he would send her back to Yuyang to await the birth.

…

On this day in late autumn of the second year of Tai’an, Liu Yan, the King of Langya, visited Lingbi again.

Along the way, the autumn sun shone brightly, and fragrant plants covered the fields.

But Liu Yan was in no mood to appreciate the beautiful scenery.

What entered his eyes might have been only the rustling autumn wind and the bleak, cold ravines.

In less than two months, this was his third visit to Lingbi.

Unlike his previous two visits when he was full of vigor and confidence, this time, the city of Xuzhou, which he had occupied for just over a month, was in a precarious situation.

Xue An had launched several attacks to recapture the city.

After two field battles, Liu Yan ordered his troops to retreat and close the city gates, holding firm without engaging.

He knew that if they continued to fight head-on, even if they didn’t lose, the 30,000 troops he had built up over the past two years would be severely weakened.

He couldn’t afford this price.

So he changed his strategy to a defensive retreat.

But he knew this kind of closed-door defense couldn’t last long.

Without external aid, he would eventually be caught like a turtle in a jar.

So a few days ago, under the cover of night, he quietly left the city through the west gate with a few personal guards, taking small paths to make his third visit to Lingbi.

…

For more than two years, he had endured hardships and harbored ambitions, all in the hope that one day he could stand undefeated in this chaotic world.

In countless sleepless nights after waking from dreams, what accompanied him and left a bitter taste in his mouth was that unforgettable, deeply humiliating experience from two years ago.

The woman who should have belonged to him, whom he deeply loved, was ultimately possessed by another man.

The Qiao family had disregarded their engagement, treated him as nothing, and handed over his fiancée to another man.

The only reason was that the other man was powerful enough.

And all he could offer at the time was the laughable title of the heir of Langya.

For the rest of his life, he would never forget that scene in the snow.

It was the last time he saw her face.

She was snatched away from his hands by Chen Rui.

And all he could do was kneel in the snow, watching helplessly as she disappeared from his sight.

At that moment, Liu Yan swore to himself that one day, no matter where she was or whose wife she had become, he would take her back.

She belonged to him. She had been, and would be until death!

…

Originally, he seemed to have taken a big step towards his dream.

He had taken Xuzhou, finally expanding his influence beyond the small territory of Langya.

At that time, the dream of reaching that position in the Great Hall of Eternal Peace in Luoyang seemed clearer than ever before—

He certainly had the right to dream.

This world originally belonged to his Liu family.

Among the many royal descendants, he alone was praised as a paragon of virtue and talent.

When Emperor Xuan passed away and Liu Ai and Liu Li were at loggerheads over the succession to the throne, with one dead and the other imprisoned, leaving the throne vacant, he was seventeen years old, having just returned to Langya from Yanzhou.

His name was also mentioned by the court officials in Luoyang, who considered him the most suitable among the royal clan to ascend the throne.

Of course, all of that was like flowers in a mirror and the moon in the water.

Now, taking advantage of this chaotic world, he had finally managed to expand beyond Langya through his painstaking efforts, occupying a new territory, and such a good one at that.

If he could truly swallow up Xuzhou, it would undoubtedly lay a solid foundation for his more distant goals.

After much consideration, he decided to risk leaving the city and visit Lingbi for the third time, to call on the man known as the Green-eyed General, Bi Zhi, whom he desperately wanted to recruit.

The first time, Bi Zhi was engaged in battle with Yang Xin at Yao, so he couldn’t meet him.

The second time, Bi Zhi politely declined his offer.

On this third visit, he hoped that sincerity would move stone.

From the moment this green-eyed general first battled Xue Tai, Liu Yan, who had been keeping a close eye on the Xuzhou area, keenly sensed that he was extraordinary.

Facts proved that he had not misjudged.

…

During his previous two visits, although Xue An had withdrawn his troops from Xiaqiu to protect Xiapi, Yang Xin was still attacking Lingbi.

This time, Yang Xin had already retreated. Lingbi was peaceful.

Liu Yan didn’t know that Yang Xin had joined Wei Shao, nor did he know that Yang Xin’s retreat was on Wei Shao’s orders.

This fated his persuasion to fail.

On this day, although he successfully met with Bi Zhi, who treated him with great respect due to his royal status, addressing him as “King”, no matter how Liu Yan tried to persuade him, Bi Zhi, like before, never agreed.

Bi Zhi said, “I am but a rustic commoner, honored by Your Highness’s high regard and three visits. I am truly grateful and should offer my humble services, but I have no grand ambitions or exceptional abilities. I am fortunate to have found peace in this small place and am content. I dare not hinder Your Highness’s great cause. Please forgive me.”

Liu Yan was a clever man and knew he couldn’t force others.

Finally, he politely stood up to take his leave, but before departing, he said, “I’ve heard that the general’s wife is the daughter of Governor Qiao of Yanzhou, which makes the general a brother-in-law to Marquis Yan, Wei Shao. May I ask if the general has met with Marquis Yan?”

Bi Zhi replied, “We’ve met once.”

Liu Yan smiled and said, “Marquis Yan is a hero of our time. I’ve long heard of him but regrettably never met. Since the general is his brother-in-law, could it be that Marquis Yan has already won the general’s heart before me?”

Bi Zhi hurriedly said, “Your Highness jests. I only met Marquis Yan once last year. There’s no talk of winning hearts.”

Liu Yan’s eyes flickered slightly. After a moment’s thought, he added, “When I was in distress as a youth, I was fortunate to be taken in by the Qiao family for several years. The lady and I are like siblings. Today, I’ve brought a small gift. May I be allowed to see her?”

…

Da Qiao met Liu Yan in the hall.

Liu Yan was handsome, like a jade tree in a forest of treasures, and had always been gentle and refined. During his early years staying with the Qiao family, Xiao Qiao and he had been in love, and Da Qiao had a good impression of him as well. He left Yanzhou at seventeen, and now, after many years apart, they unexpectedly met here. Recalling the past, Da Qiao couldn’t help but feel emotional.

Knowing about his past with Xiao Qiao, she didn’t mention her at all during their reminiscing.

After they had each spoken about their recent situations, Liu Yan suddenly hesitated and asked, “May I ask, Sister Afan, do you know how Manman is doing now?”

Da Qiao hesitated for a moment.

“Please don’t misunderstand, Sister Afan. I have no other intentions. It’s just that we’ve been apart for many years, and I haven’t had any news of her. That’s why I’m asking.”

Da Qiao looked up and saw Liu Yan gazing out the window, his expression melancholic.

Remembering the events of their youth, she could only sigh at the tricks of fate.

After some thought, she said, “To be honest, my sister and I have been in regular correspondence… She’s doing very well now and is also expecting a child. Thank you for your concern, King of Langya.”

Although two years had passed, Da Qiao could see that Liu Yan seemed to still harbor some lingering feelings for Xiao Qiao, so she deliberately emphasized this, hoping to dispel his unrequited affection.

Liu Yan was lost in thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, “Thank you for telling me, Sister. I’ve also heard some stories about the Qiao family and Marquis Yan. I was originally worried that she might not be happy there. Knowing that she’s doing well puts my mind at ease. In my heart, she’s like a sister to me, just like you. Next time you write to her, could you please convey my sincere regards?”

Da Qiao said, “Please speak, King of Langya.”

“Just say…”

Liu Yan lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment.

“Just say, in the past, when she married Marquis Yan in a grand ceremony, I was stuck in old matters and failed to offer timely congratulations, which I deeply regret. Now, as time has passed, I’ve come to a new understanding. Hearing the auspicious news of her pregnancy, I offer my belated congratulations and wish my sister all the best from afar. Every word expresses my sincere feelings.”

Da Qiao had been somewhat hesitant at first, but upon hearing these words, she felt relieved and nodded with a smile, “Rest assured, King of Langya, I will certainly convey your message to her.”

Liu Yan thanked Da Qiao and then took his leave.

Bi Zhi escorted him out of Lingbi.

Liu Yan rode out of Lingbi and stopped after about an arrow’s flight. He faced due north and was lost in thought for a moment.

His attendant, Liu Shan, knowing that this attempt to recruit Bi Zhi had failed again, hesitated for a moment before asking, “Xuzhou is in a precarious situation. Besides Xue An, Yang Xin is also eyeing it covetously. And Bi Zhi refuses to serve. What should be Your Highness’s next move?”

Liu Yan slowly shifted his gaze from the north and said calmly, “I’ve heard that even three-year-old children in Luoyang are singing the nursery rhyme ‘Sun is on the mountain, run to the bottom.’ Xing Xun’s usurpation of the throne is imminent. Let’s wait and see. Once the situation in the world changes, I will act accordingly and have another strategy.”

With that, he spurred his horse forward, never looking back.