A gentle breeze rustled through the banana leaves planted outside the half-open south-facing window, creating a whisper among the glossy green foliage.

The bitter scent of medicine hung in the air inside the room.

Xiao Qiao took the bowl from her father’s hands and set it aside, intending to help him lie down.

Qiao Ping shook his head slightly.

“Does Marquis Yan refuse to accept Yanzhou?” he asked.

“He has already left,” Xiao Qiao replied softly.

“It is I who have burdened you. In the past, I failed to notice your uncle’s treachery in time, leading to this disaster. And when trouble arose this time, I mishandled the situation when he angrily sent troops to surround the city.”

“It’s not that I, your father, am unwilling to give up the title of Duke. Yanzhou is nothing but a dead land now. Before your great-grandfather became the governor, Yanzhou did not belong to the Qiao family. Our ancestral home is in Dongting, and the remains of our ancestors are all buried there. When your grandfather passed away, you were still young, and I took you and your mother back to Dongting to guard the tomb for several years. The vast expanse of Dongting and Xiao-Xiang is still vivid in my mind. I have been trapped by trivial official matters for half my life, and I used to think that once you and Ci’er had established your own families and careers, and I could let go of affairs here, I would support your mother in returning to our ancestral home and spend my remaining years in Dongting.”

Xiao Qiao stared at her father in a daze.

“When he led his troops here that day, if I had opened the gates and surrendered after his anger subsided, he might not have truly mistreated the soldiers and civilians in the city. But I dared not take the risk. My death would be insignificant, but the generals and civilians should not suffer the consequences of the Qiao family’s sins…”

“Father, please don’t blame yourself anymore. No one is perfect like Yao or Shun. What’s done is done, and self-blame is futile. Now, we should focus on making amends as best we can.”

Xiao Qiao helped Qiao Ping lean against the bed’s headboard, placing a pillow behind his back.

“I know what weighs heavily on your heart, Father. It’s about General Wei Liang and those dozen or so guards who perished. Their remains have all been prepared for burial, and he has taken them away. When I return, I will do my utmost to provide for the families of the fallen soldiers. Father, your eyesight prevents you from traveling, so my younger brother will go to Luoyang on your behalf to apologize to General Wei.”

Qiao Ping reached out, searching for and grasping Xiao Qiao’s hands.

Outside the window, the sun shone brightly, and a gentle breeze blew.

Yet, Xiao Qiao’s fingertips felt ice-cold to the touch.

Holding his daughter’s hands, Qiao Ping sighed, “Is your husband now angry with you because of this?”

Though her father couldn’t see, Xiao Qiao still wore a smile on her face.

She said, “Don’t worry, Father. He’s not that kind of person. Although there is indeed some estrangement between us now, it’s not because of the Yanzhou incident.”

She hesitated for a moment before mentioning the incident where Zhang Pu had brought Qiao Yue’s head, intending to offer his services, only to be killed by Wei Shao.

“He once promised me that he would no longer hold grudges against the Wei and Qiao families. I know it wasn’t easy for him to let go of past grievances. Suddenly learning that I had once advised you to strengthen our defenses against him out of caution, it’s only natural for him to feel hurt and distance himself from me.”

She tightly gripped her father’s hand and said, “Please rest assured, Father. Everything will be fine for me. I’m just worried about you…”

“Manman, don’t worry, return quickly,” Qiao Ping said. “I’m not in any danger. Besides, your elder sister has returned. With her here, it’s as if you’re by my side.”

…

After the previous incident, Madam Ding had been imprisoned by the furious Qiao Yue, subsisting on cold water and thin porridge daily.

The moment Qiao Ping took control, he had Madam Ding released.

Upon seeing Qiao Yue’s miserable state of death, although she hated him for his heartlessness and utter foolishness, Madam Ding still shed tears, remembering their years as husband and wife.

Yesterday, Da Qiao finally arrived in Dongzhou with Li’er.

Mother and daughter were reunited after years of separation.

Madam Ding gave her daughter a hard pat before pulling her into an embrace, tears streaming down her face.

Bi Xiang knelt before her, and Madam Ding raised her with both hands.

The family was finally reunited.

Xiao Qiao, watching from the side, felt both joy and a lump in her throat.

One reaps what one sows.

At least at this moment, the reunion of Madam Ding, Da Qiao, and Bi Xiang was something to be happy about.

As if slowly regaining strength, her long-dimmed mood finally saw a ray of sunlight breaking through the clouds.

Even if it was just a sliver of sunlight, it was enough to sustain her resolve, allowing her to embark on the journey home and once again face the husband she had married in this life due to past karma.

…

Several days later, Xiao Qiao arrived in Luoyang.

This was her first time setting foot on Luoyang soil.

Of all the vast regions, Luoyang stands at the center.

The Luo River flows swiftly, and Mount Mang stands tall.

The place where King Wu established his rule a thousand years ago, and the capital of the Han dynasty for hundreds of years.

Frequent wars and changes of rulers had not diminished this ancient capital. It possessed a unique, weighty grandeur that had seeped into its very bones and skin through its thousand-year-long history.

Even the wind blowing from the direction of the Luo River carried a hint of the scent of soft red soil.

As Xiao Qiao approached from the east, she saw prosperous settlements all along the way.

The only visible traces of war’s devastation were the gray-black ruins she saw in the distance as she passed by the fabled Lotus Platform, looking across the Luo River.

She had never seen what magnificent buildings, jade beams, and precious treasures might have stood atop those ruins not long ago.

Nor did she have the heart to dwell on such matters. Her first task upon entering Luoyang was to bring Qiao Ci before Wei Liang.

As they entered the city, Gong Sun Yang sent someone to receive her.

She learned the news which was like a blessing to her at that moment.

Just a few days ago, Wei Liang, who had been in a coma, finally regained consciousness.

He had been saved by an itinerant physician who called himself the Old Man of White Stone.

…

Qiao Ci hurried in and, upon reaching Wei Liang’s bedside, knelt without a word.

Wei Liang, a tough man, though still weak, immediately tried to rise and help him up.

Xiao Qiao stopped him.

Qiao Ci said remorsefully, “General Wei, please accept my bow. My father should have come to apologize in person, but due to his difficulty in traveling, I have come on his behalf. It is entirely our Qiao family’s fault that you suffered such a life-threatening ordeal, causing the deaths of sixteen brave men who accompanied you. Even offering my neck would not be enough to atone for our family’s responsibility!”

He kowtowed deeply.

Wei Liang was shocked and hurriedly said, “Young Master Qiao, please rise! How can I accept such a grand gesture from you? We rough soldiers mount our horses knowing we might lose our heads. If it’s not us killing others, it’s others killing us—life and death are matters of fate. Besides, I’ve learned about the Yanzhou incident. It was Liu Yan who stirred up trouble and intentionally sowed discord. If I were to kill anyone, it would be that ringleader, taking his head to pay tribute to my fallen brothers! Please get up, and never speak of apologizing again!”

Xiao Qiao, grateful, bowed to Wei Liang from the side and said, “General Wei, your magnanimity deserves my respect. Though you speak thus, the Qiao family cannot escape blame. For those innocent soldiers who sacrificed their lives, I will ensure their families are cared for, the elderly supported, and the young provided for when I return. I know this is far from enough to ease the pain of losing loved ones, but it’s the only remedy I can think of now. If there’s anything else needed in the future, please let me know, General.”

Wei Liang refused to accept her bow even more vehemently, hurriedly saying, “I accept your thanks on behalf of those brothers! Please, ask the young master to rise. Don’t humble me so!”

Only then did Qiao Ci rise, expressing his gratitude to Wei Liang.

Wei Liang laughed heartily, “To survive a great calamity must bring good fortune. This is my fortunate fate. Why thank me, Young Master Qiao?”

Qiao Ci had initially been quite apprehensive, but seeing Wei Liang’s attitude towards him unchanged, still bold and unrestrained, without a trace of resentment, his heart gradually settled.

Wei Liang looked Qiao Ci over and smiled, “Young Master Qiao looks even more spirited and vigorous than when I last saw him. Grand General Li still remembers Young Master Qiao’s gallant appearance at the Lurui Assembly and mentioned it to me some time ago. Since Young Master Qiao has come, remember to visit him.”

Qiao Ci hurriedly agreed. Noticing that Wei Liang, though seemingly in good spirits after talking for a while, still lacked color in his face, he quickly stepped forward to help him lie down.

Xiao Qiao asked, “General Wei, where do you plan to go after you’ve recovered?”

Wei Liang smiled and said, “The Lord has granted me leave to visit my family. If nothing unexpected happens, I’ll return to Liangzhou afterward.”

“I have a request if the General would be willing to grant it?” Xiao Qiao suddenly said as they were about to leave.

Wei Liang hurriedly replied, “Please speak, my lady. If it’s within my power, I will certainly comply.”

Xiao Qiao glanced at Qiao Ci beside her and said with a smile, “Yanzhou now has many loyal generals working together to protect it, and with the Green-Eyed General’s support, my younger brother’s presence is neither here nor there. I fear he might become lazy and idle at home, wasting his youth. I was wondering, if you don’t mind his foolishness, could you take him with you when you return to Liangzhou? If he could train under your command, it would be a rare opportunity for my brother.”

Although Yanzhou had just experienced a life-and-death crisis, and Qiao Ping was now blind, with many loyal generals working together to protect it and Bi Xiang’s support, Qiao Ci’s absence would not affect the overall situation.

In the past, while in Yanzhou, although Qiao Ci had experienced several battles with his father, his perspective was ultimately limited. If he could train under a truly battle-hardened warrior like Wei Liang in places like Bingzhou or Liangzhou, not only would he establish real relationships with people like Wei Liang, but it would also be of great benefit to Qiao Ci himself.

Qiao Ci hadn’t expected his sister to suddenly make such arrangements for him. Both surprised and delighted, he quickly looked at Wei Liang.

Wei Liang was slightly taken aback and was about to nod when he suddenly hesitated.

Xiao Qiao smiled and said, “I’ll speak to the Marquis about it.”

Wei Liang laughed heartily and said, “To be honest with you, my lady, Grand General Li has long wanted to recruit Young Master Qiao, but never had the opportunity to bring it up. Now that you’ve entrusted the young master to me, he can forget about competing with me for him! If the young master doesn’t mind the hardships of the western frontier’s wind and sand, I couldn’t ask for anything better!”

Qiao Ci, a young master from a noble family raised in Yanzhou, had long heard of how fierce the Qiang soldiers in Liangzhou were, how wild the local customs were, and how magnificent the scenes of troops assembling on the battlefield were. He had yearned to experience it but never had the chance to make the journey himself. Seeing Wei Liang agree, he was overjoyed and quickly bowed to him again.

Xiao Qiao smiled and said, “Then I’ll entrust my brother to you, General. Please don’t hesitate to be strict with him. He’s tough and can handle it.”