It was just the middle of the Yin hour (3-5 am).

Xiao Qiao slowly sat up in bed, lost in thought for a moment, then got up to dress. She went to the small bed to check on Fei Fei, tucked in her blanket, and quietly left for the study.

The night was still deep, with a dim yellow light seeping through the study window.

The door wasn’t fully closed. Through the gap, Xiao Qiao saw Wei Shao sitting behind his desk, with the red wooden box she hadn’t seen in a long time placed in front of him.

The box lid was open, and spread out on the desk was a half-unfolded black battle flag with white trim.

From her angle, she could see what seemed to be a golden tiger face with fangs embroidered in the center of the flag.

It must have been majestic in its day. Now the flag was tattered, one corner stained, showing the dimness of years past.

The stain was old, but still recognizable as a bloodstain.

Wei Shao’s gaze was fixed on this tattered flag.

The candlelight cast his shadow on the wall.

A large black silhouette, motionless.

He was so absorbed, seemingly lost in his world, that despite his usual alertness, he hadn’t noticed Xiao Qiao standing outside the door.

…

Xiao Qiao held her breath and quietly retreated.

In the room, Fei Fei was still sleeping peacefully.

Xiao Qiao blew out the light and climbed back into bed.

She closed her eyes.

Slowly, something moist welled up in the corners of her eyes.

Before it could trickle down, she quickly wiped it away.

After a long while, Xiao Qiao finally heard him return to the room, treading lightly.

He paused by the small bed for a moment.

In the dim night light, Xiao Qiao saw him reach out, seemingly caressing Fei Fei’s face, then there was a faint rustle of clothes being removed, and the bed dipped slightly as he slowly lay down.

Knowing he didn’t want to wake her, Xiao Qiao kept her eyes closed, motionless.

…

Sometimes, people need time and opportunity to let go of the past.

She was no exception.

The words that needed to be said, she had said them all.

What needed to be done, she would do.

She was willing to wait.

…

The fourth day of the month was Lady Zhu’s birthday.

Since Wei Shao’s father had passed away, Lady Zhu had refused to celebrate her birthday for over a decade.

Every year on this day, Madam Xu would send someone to donate incense oil to the Golden Dragon Temple in Lady Zhu’s name to burn merit incense and send a bowl of longevity noodles to the east room.

This had been the routine for over ten years.

This year, as Lady Zhu’s birthday approached, Wei Shao happened to be home, and with the addition of Fei Fei to the family, Madam Xu suggested arranging a birthday banquet for Lady Zhu. The whole family could gather, and a few close relatives from the clan could be invited to join in the celebration.

In Lady Zhu’s mind, with her husband gone, cutting off all superficial entertainment was a way to express her mourning for him.

She had persisted for over a decade, and if she made an exception to celebrate this year, it would seem to negate all her previous expressions of grief.

So she was reluctant.

Of course, it was rare for Madam Xu to suggest this, so after some initial hesitation, Lady Zhu didn’t dare to refuse outright and reluctantly agreed.

As a result, Wei Shao stayed at home for a few more days, planning to leave on the fifth day after Lady Zhu’s birthday celebration.

On the fourth day, the Wei family prepared several tables for the birthday banquet. Madam Xu, Lady Zhu, Wei Liang’s mother, and several other elderly relatives from the clan sat at one table, while the rest were seated at the remaining tables.

Xiao Qiao, being of lower rank, shouldn’t have been at the main table, but because she had Fei Fei with her, and everyone enjoyed taking turns holding and playing with the baby, she sat at the end of the table with Fei Fei in her arms.

Lady Zhu wore a new peacock blue outfit with subtle gold auspicious patterns. She sat next to Madam Xu.

The banquet was filled with laughter and cheer, with everyone offering toast and congratulations to her. The smile on her face seemed a bit forced, and she only held Fei Fei briefly for appearance’s sake.

It was only when Wei Shao presented her with a birthday toast that her eyes lit up with joy as she looked at her son.

In fact, after the poisoning incident two years ago, Madam Xu hadn’t punished her much. She had only been made to face the wall and reflect for a few days, and nothing had been revealed to outsiders.

But Lady Zhu’s spirit seemed to have lost its support after that. For a period, she was extremely dejected, and her personality became even more reclusive.

It was only in the past half year that she had gradually improved, turning to Buddhism and occasionally showing her face to Madam Xu.

The Wei family clan members had heard some rumors, so they weren’t surprised by her behavior tonight. Knowing Madam Xu wanted a lively atmosphere, they all played along, chatting and keeping the mood upbeat.

As Fei Fei grew tired of being passed around and played with, she began to cry. Madam Xu told Xiao Qiao to take Fei Fei back to rest.

Xiao Qiao excused herself from the banquet and returned to the west room, accompanied by Spring Maiden and the wet nurse.

As the weather was getting warmer, they first gave Fei Fei a bath upon returning. Afterward, Spring Maiden took her out while Xiao Qiao bathed.

When Xiao Qiao finished her bath and came out dressed, Spring Maiden and the wet nurse were no longer in the room.

Wei Shao had returned at some point and was lying on his back on the couch with one leg crossed, holding Fei Fei sitting on his stomach, and playing with her.

Fei Fei was now four or five months old and had just learned to sit by herself. Over the past few days, she had grown somewhat familiar with her father. Sitting on his stomach, supported by Wei Shao’s hands swaying her left and right, she giggled non-stop with excitement.

She then crawled up his stomach to his chest, reaching out her little hand to touch his nose.

Wei Shao opened his mouth, making an “Ah-woo” sound, and gently caught her hand with his teeth.

Fei Fei laughed even louder.

Wei Shao, with his white teeth holding his daughter’s fingers, laughed along with her.

Fei Fei was having a great time playing with her father. When she saw Xiao Qiao come out, she turned her head and babbled at her.

Wei Shao released her hand and sat up, holding Fei Fei. He cleared his throat and said, “I’m sweaty. I’ll go take a quick shower.”

Xiao Qiao took Fei Fei. “Your clothes are all prepared inside.”

Wei Shao glanced at her and got up from the couch.

Usually, at this time, Fei Fei would already be asleep. After Wei Shao left, Xiao Qiao held her and fed her a little, and as drowsiness set in, Fei Fei closed her eyes.

When Wei Shao came out, Xiao Qiao had just put Fei Fei to sleep. Hearing his footsteps, she put a finger to her lips and made a soft shushing sound.

Wei Shao lightened his steps and slowly approached.

Xiao Qiao, holding Fei Fei, gently placed her in the small bed and tucked her in.

Wei Shao stood nearby, lowering his head as if carefully examining Fei Fei’s sleeping face. Finally, he straightened up and said, “I’ll be leaving early tomorrow morning. Shall we rest?”

Xiao Qiao smiled, “Alright. Let’s retire early.”

…

The light in the room was extinguished, plunging everything into darkness.

Wei Shao’s hand reached out, pulling her close.

His strong hand gripped her waist tightly.

Afraid of waking Fei Fei, they engaged in a long, almost silent act of lovemaking.

After they separated, Xiao Qiao was drenched in sweat, and Wei Shao lay beside her, breathing heavily.

The room was dim, but Xiao Qiao could still see the outline of his chest rising and falling dramatically.

Later, they both went to the bathroom to clean up and then returned to bed.

Wei Shao seemed to fall asleep quickly, showing no further movement.

Xiao Qiao, however, couldn’t sleep. She lay with her eyes open, listening to the breathing of the man beside her and Fei Fei in the nearby small bed, unable to drift off.

Since that night, Xiao Qiao and Wei Shao’s relationship had been like this evening.

It wasn’t bad, per se.

But when they were alone, just the two of them, even when doing what they had just done, they couldn’t return to the intimacy they once had.

Over these few days, their most frequent topic of conversation had been about Fei Fei.

Beyond that, Wei Shao seemed to intentionally avoid other subjects, showing no desire to discuss them with her.

Tomorrow morning, he would leave again.

This time, who knew how long it would be before he returned home?

In the three-plus years since their marriage, she had gone from a fourteen-year-old girl to Fei Fei’s mother, yet she and Wei Shao had spent more time apart than together.

Perhaps this state would continue indefinitely.

…

Deep in the night, Xiao Qiao finally grew tired and was about to drift off when suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

Probably to avoid waking Fei Fei, the knocking was very soft.

But Xiao Qiao woke immediately, propping herself up on her shoulder.

Wei Shao seemed to wake at the same moment, getting up to open the door.

It was the night-duty elderly maid, who spoke in a low, somewhat fearful voice: “My Lord, just now, Madam Huang from Lady Zhu’s quarters came knocking. She said that not long after the Lady returned from the birthday banquet, she disappeared. They’ve searched everywhere but can’t find her. Because it’s late, they were afraid to disturb the Old Madam, so they had no choice but to come to you.”

Wei Shao was slightly taken aback but quickly returned to the room.

Xiao Qiao had heard as well and was already up, putting on clothes and lighting a lamp.

Wei Shao quickly dressed and hurried out, heading to the east room. There, a room full of people were still awake, looking anxious when Wei Shao arrived.

Wei Shao entered Lady Zhu’s room and took a look around.

The bedding was open as if someone had gone to bed but then gotten up and left.

Maid Huang knelt: “At the Xu hour (7-9 pm), the banquet ended, and the Lady returned seeming a bit drunk. I helped her to bed. The Lady has a habit of waking up at night for warm water, so I came in to add water but found the Lady was gone. I’ve led people to search everywhere, but there’s no sign of her. Fearing it inappropriate to alarm the Old Madam, I informed you, My Lord. It’s all this servant’s negligence, please forgive me…”

Wei Shao asked about a few places, but Maid Huang shook her head, saying they had already searched there.

Wei Shao frowned slightly, lost in thought for a moment, then suddenly seemed to remember something and quickly left.

…

Wei Shao pushed open the half-open red-lacquered door.

The ancestral hall always had incense and candles burning, with someone on duty to watch over it.

Usually, only two candles were lit on either side of the offering table.

In the dead of night, given the vast and deep interior of the ancestral hall, the candlelight flickered in the night breeze, not dispelling the shadows but rather adding to the eerie atmosphere.

Wei Shao strode in and saw his mother kneeling before the ancestral tablets behind the offering table, lamenting softly.

“…Husband, since you left us, this Wei family is no longer the Wei family it once was… Why did your mother bring that Qiao girl, who harmed you and our eldest son, into our home as a bride… That Qiao girl is a curse, one day she will even harm my son…”

She sobbed intermittently, her voice echoing in the empty, dark temple, sending chills down one’s spine. Suddenly, as if sensing something, she turned abruptly and saw Wei Shao standing at the threshold. She seemed startled, her face immediately showing fear as she hurriedly waved her hands: “Shao’er, don’t take it to heart! I just had a few too many drinks, that’s why I’m talking nonsense. Don’t blame me, I don’t hate the Qiao girl anymore…”

Wei Shao looked at his mother, who feared his reproach, and a complex, indescribable emotion slowly welled up in his heart.

He stepped inside and said, “Mother, you should have informed the servants before coming out. It’s late, let me escort you back.”

…

It was past midnight. Fei Fei had woken once and fallen back asleep, but Wei Shao still hadn’t returned.

Xiao Qiao sent Housekeeper Lin to inquire at the east room. She returned saying that the Lord had found the Lady in the family temple. The Lady seemed to have drunk too much, and the Lord was staying with her.

Xiao Qiao stopped waiting for him and sent everyone back to their rooms to sleep. She gazed at her daughter’s sleeping face for a moment, leaned down to place a light kiss on her forehead, then extinguished the lamp and went to bed.

She felt tired and closed her eyes, slowly drifting off, but her sleep was restless, filled with dreams.

At first, the dreams were vague, but gradually the scenes became clearer.

Fierce winds battered the windows. A young man in imperial robes, his face contorted, his eyes wild and desperate held a sword dripping with fresh blood. He approached her step by step.

She was terrified, curled up on the ground, constantly retreating, but there was nowhere left to go.

Suddenly, the eerie gaze of that young Liu consort who had stared at her even after death seemed to merge with Zhang Pu’s severed head.

A fountain of blood gushed towards her, engulfing her in an instant. She could barely breathe, shaking uncontrollably, crying, constantly telling herself it was just a nightmare, trying to wake up.

But no matter how she struggled, she couldn’t wake up.

The sword tip was already at her chest.

She seemed to feel again that terrible sensation of a cold blade piercing through her warm heart.

She had experienced this countless times in her dreams and didn’t want to go through it again.

“No—” she screamed, tears streaming down her face. Suddenly, an anxious voice came to her ears: “Man Man! Man Man!”

Then, she felt herself being tightly embraced by a pair of strong arms, and in an instant, the nightmare was completely dispelled and dissipated.