At the end of the month, Wei Shao escorted Xiao Qiao across the Yellow River, finally entering Yanzhou. In less than two days, they were only a few dozen li away from Dongjun. They could reach it in half a day.
At noon, Wei Shao ordered the caravan to stop in a shaded area by the roadside for a short rest. The accompanying guards relaxed, while Chun Niang and the wet nurse took Fei Fei out of the carriage to feed her water and get some fresh air.
Wei Shao looked back at Xiao Qiao’s carriage, dismounted, and walked over. He knocked on the carriage and opened the door, saying to her inside, “You’ve been sitting for so long. Come out and stretch your legs! We’ll reach Dongjun tonight. A moment’s rest won’t delay us much.”
Xiao Qiao bent down to exit the carriage. Wei Shao held her arm and helped her down.
Xiao Qiao stood by the roadside, gazing into the distance. Wei Shao followed, handing her an opened water pouch.
Xiao Qiao took it, drank a couple of sips, and turned to smile at him.
Under the midday sun, her eyes sparkled. A thin layer of sweat glistened on her forehead and the tip of her nose. Her jade-white skin had a faint rosy hue, her face as beautiful as a lotus flower, with a healthy glow.
Wei Shao could see that as they got closer to Dongjun, her mood seemed to lighten over the past few days.
It was in stark contrast to the disappointment in his own heart.
He watched as the gentle breeze ruffled her hair, slightly tugging at the corners of his mouth in response to her smile. He then tilted his head back and drank from the same water pouch she had just used, gulping down several mouthfuls.
His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed.
Perhaps drinking too hastily, he suddenly choked and began coughing. A trickle of water flowed from the pouch’s mouth, wetting his neck and collar.
Xiao Qiao, who had been wiping sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief, heard him cough. Turning to see what happened, she quickly patted his back.
Wei Shao bent over, coughed a couple of times, then stopped. He waved his hand and slowly straightened up.
Xiao Qiao wiped the water from his neck and collar, saying softly, “No one’s fighting you for it. Why drink so hastily?”
Wei Shao remained silent, standing still, only looking down at her.
Xiao Qiao gazed once more in the direction of Dongjun, thought for a moment, then turned back to him and said, “Dongjun is not far ahead now. Thank you for escorting me all this way, husband. If it’s inconvenient for you, you can stop here. I can enter the city on my own.”
Wei Shao replied, “We’ve come this far. I’ll escort you and Fei Fei home. I’ll leave after you’ve arrived.”
Xiao Qiao was taken aback, her eyes flickering slightly as she looked up at him. She saw him turn his face slightly, his expression seeming a bit unnatural, avoiding her gaze.
After staring at him for a moment, the corners of her lips curved up imperceptibly as she said softly, “That would be even better. Thank you, husband.”
Wei Shao nodded absently and turned away, walking off quickly.
…
After resting for a while, Xiao Qiao carried Fei Fei back into the carriage, and the group set off again.
Wei Shao rode his horse, staying close to Xiao Qiao’s carriage. Half a day later, as night was falling, they finally reached the gates of Dongjun.
The city gates were already locked at this time. The gate guard, seeing a procession arrive, called out and learned it was the Lady returning home. He hurriedly opened the gates to welcome them and sent someone to quickly inform the Governor’s mansion.
Wei Shao left Lei Yan and the others to wait temporarily outside the city gates. He rode his horse through the arched city gate of Dongjun, the sound of hooves echoing on the ground as he headed toward the Governor’s mansion.
After the recent incident, to ensure safety, Dongjun implemented a curfew. The curfew was still in effect, and after dark, the people closed their doors and windows. At this time, the streets were empty, with only the silhouettes of night patrol soldiers visible in the distant street corners.
However, the Qiao family home was brightly lit.
Qiao Ping, suddenly informed that Wei Shao had escorted his daughter back to Dongjun, along with his granddaughter, was overjoyed and also surprised. He didn’t have time to think much about it and immediately ordered the steward to go out and welcome them. He also had someone notify Madam Ding and Da Qiao, who was also at home. He was hurriedly led to the outside of the main gate, craning his neck in anticipation.
Soon, Madam Ding and Da Qiao also arrived at the door, joining Qiao Ping in waiting for Wei Shao and Xiao Qiao’s arrival.
Before long, at the end of the street outside the main gate, several swaying lantern lights gradually appeared, accompanied by the increasingly clear sound of approaching carriages and horses. The steward who had been sent out earlier came running back with a lantern, out of breath but with a face full of smiles, shouting, “Governor, it’s indeed the son-in-law! The son-in-law personally escorted the Lady back! The Lady wanted to come back, and the son-in-law brought her!”
Qiao Ping felt a weight lift from his heart, while Madam Ding and Da Qiao were also overjoyed.
Wei Shao’s hatred for the Qiao family had been long-standing, yet now he had personally escorted Xiao Qiao home, which was truly unexpected and delightful.
Da Qiao saw Qiao Ping eager to descend the steps and hurried to support him.
…
Before the carriage had fully stopped, Xiao Qiao emerged from inside.
Wei Shao had already dismounted and helped her down, half-supporting, half-embracing her. He let go of her hand and silently watched as she hurried towards a middle-aged man coming down the steps at the main gate.
He remained standing where he was, not following.
“Father!”
Xiao Qiao ran the last few steps, grasping Qiao Ping’s hands. In the light of the lanterns at the gate, she saw that her father’s complexion seemed good, filling her heart with joy.
“Manman is back!”
Madam Ding came forward, her face beaming.
“Aunt! Elder Sister!”
Xiao Qiao let go of Qiao Ping and exchanged greetings with Madam Ding and Da Qiao, all with happy faces.
Chun Niang came up carrying Fei Fei, who had fallen asleep during the journey.
Madam Ding, knowing Fei Fei was asleep, was filled with tenderness and couldn’t bear to lift the cloak covering her to look at her outside. She called for a maidservant to lead Chun Niang and the others inside to settle in.
After the commotion at the entrance subsided, Qiao Ping reached out his hand, groping in the air. Xiao Qiao quickly took hold of it.
“I heard my son-in-law is here too. Where is he?” Qiao Ping asked with a smile.
Xiao Qiao looked up at the figure standing at a distance, hesitating. Qiao Ping had already said, “Manman, bring me over to him.”
Xiao Qiao paused for a moment but finally led her father slowly to Wei Shao.
“My father,” Xiao Qiao said softly to Wei Shao.
Wei Shao looked at the middle-aged man standing beside Xiao Qiao, with a thin face that seemed somewhat similar to hers. As he hesitated, Qiao Ping had already stepped forward and firmly grasped his hands, laughing heartily, “I’ve long hoped to meet my son-in-law, and today I finally see you. My heart is greatly comforted! Come in quickly, I’ll set up a small feast tonight. You and I, father-in-law and son-in-law, shall drink until we’re drunk!”
Wei Shao hadn’t planned to stay overnight, which was why he had left Lei Yan and the others outside the city when they entered. Suddenly faced with Qiao Ping’s enthusiastic invitation, he was stunned for a moment. His mouth opened slightly, and he instinctively looked at Xiao Qiao.
Seeing her looking at him with smiling eyes, he found he couldn’t bring himself to say “no” no matter what.
“Manman, surely your husband didn’t come alone. Where are his attendants?” Qiao Ping asked.
“They’re still outside the city,” Xiao Qiao replied.
Qiao Ping frowned, displeased. “After such a long and tiring journey, how could you leave them outside the city when they’ve reached home?”
Wei Shao quickly said, “Father-in-law, please don’t blame Manman…”
He had spoken without thinking and was startled to realize he had called the man before him “Father-in-law.” He paused, instinctively glancing at Xiao Qiao again.
Seeing her looking at him with wide eyes, his heart suddenly fluttered. Not dwelling on it further, he continued, “It was I who left them outside the city. Matters are waiting in Luoyang, and I had intended to escort Manman and our daughter home, then return overnight…”
Qiao Ping said, “If there truly is an urgent matter, I won’t force you to stay. But if it’s not necessary to leave tonight, since you’ve already reached our doorstep, how can you not come in? Rest for a night and leave tomorrow. It’s not too late.”
Wei Shao looked at Xiao Qiao once more.
Xiao Qiao said softly, “If you’re not in a hurry, husband, it’s better to rest for a night. General Lei and the others must be tired too.”
Wei Shao finally nodded, “Very well.”
Qiao Ping was overjoyed and quickly turned to call someone to welcome Wei Shao’s attendants into the city and arrange for them to stay at the guesthouse. He then led Wei Shao inside.
Wei Shao stepped forward, following Qiao Ping in. As they reached the steps of the main gate, he reached back to support Qiao Ping’s arm, softly saying “Be careful,” and then guided him up the steps with him.
…
Lei Yan and the others waited outside the city for a long time. When they saw someone come out from inside the city gates, they thought it was their lord, but it turned out to be a messenger from the Qiao family. The messenger bowed respectfully and said that the lord would be staying overnight at the Qiao residence, and they were to enter the city and rest at the guesthouse.
Lei Yan and his men were travel-worn and longing for sleep after their long journey. They had been prepared to set off again overnight at their lord’s command, but upon hearing this news, they were all delighted. The group then entered the city and headed to the guesthouse to settle in for the night.
That evening, Qiao Ping set up a feast and invited Wei Shao to drink with him. Wei Shao initially declined but eventually couldn’t refuse his father-in-law’s enthusiasm. Gradually, he relaxed, and one cup of wine after another went down.
Xiao Qiao put her sleeping daughter to bed, went to see her now three-year-old son Li’er, and exchanged farewells with Madam Ding and Da Qiao. At the hour of Xu (7-9 pm), she returned to her chambers, but Wei Shao had not yet returned.
Thinking that he had been drinking with her father for over an hour, and knowing that her father’s eye condition made it unsuitable for him to drink much, she grew worried. She went to the cool pavilion where the two men were drinking and found that both men were drunk.
She heard her father saying, “…My Manman, and I say this without boasting, is beautiful and intelligent, rarely matched. When she was just over ten years old, suitors were already wearing out our doorstep…”
Wei Shao slammed down his wine cup, “Who dares to compete with me for her?!”
Xiao Qiao quickly intervened, saying to Qiao Ping, “Father, you’re drunk. Go and rest.” She called for someone to escort him back to his room.
Qiao Ping finally met Wei Shao today and saw him escort his daughter back to the Qiao family. He had even called him “Father-in-law,” showing that the previous grudges between the two families had indeed been resolved. His mood was unprecedentedly cheerful, and he couldn’t help but drink cup after cup. By now, he was indeed quite drunk. Hearing his daughter’s voice, he laughed heartily and no longer insisted on staying, allowing himself to be supported and led away.
Wei Shao also seemed heavily intoxicated. When he saw Xiao Qiao’s approach, he stood up and immediately swayed. Xiao Qiao quickly steadied him, feeling the weight of his body. Fearing she might be knocked over, she hurriedly called a maidservant to help support him.
They finally reached the door of the room and stumbled to the bed. As soon as they let go, Wei Shao fell onto the bed with a thud.