Wei Shao didn’t know how he had become drunk so quickly.

Before tonight, he had no idea that the threshold of the Qiao family in Dongjun, which he had thought impossible to cross in his lifetime, could be so easily stepped over. The word “Father-in-law,” once uttered, was not as difficult to say as he had imagined.

Everything that happened seemed so natural.

When Xiao Qiao supported him into the room and he fell onto the soft bed, he vaguely knew that this room was Xiao Qiao’s maiden chamber, where she had spent her girlhood years that he had never been able to approach. The faint fragrance permeating the room intoxicated him deeply.

He closed his eyes, in a haze, seemingly hearing her and Chun Niang talking in low voices. He felt her sit beside him, using a warm, damp cloth to wipe his face and palms.

It was as if a traveler who had been walking alone on a burdensome journey had finally reached his destination tonight. Though covered in dust and utterly exhausted, at the end of the road, he found her waiting and accompanying him.

The feeling of unease that had been plaguing him since he learned of her sudden decision to return to Dongjun, making him restless day and night as if he was about to be abandoned, suddenly left him completely at this moment.

He felt an immense sense of peace and contentment in his heart. His entire being, inside and out, relaxed thoroughly, and he immediately fell asleep.

The next day, Wei Shao woke up and sobered around the end of Chen’s hour (7-9 am).

He opened his eyes to see a silver-red silk canopy. The curtains were half-drawn, with a pair of purple fish-shaped sachets hanging from golden hooks, emitting a faint fragrance that subtly complemented the bunch of purple chrysanthemums in a white porcelain vase on the window-side table.

He slowly sat up, looking around at the elegant furnishings in her maiden room. Then he got up and opened the door, where Chun Niang was waiting outside with maidservants to help him get ready.

“Where is the Lady?” Wei Shao asked.

“The weather is nice today, and the young miss couldn’t be kept inside. The Lady took her to play in the garden. Shall this servant go and call for the Lady?”

Wei Shao told her it wasn’t necessary and slowly made his way there himself. As he turned around the corridor, he faintly heard laughter carried by the wind.

He stopped at a flower-patterned window and, through its openwork, saw Xiao Qiao sitting side by side with the young woman who had welcomed him at the door last night, slightly older than her. A mat was spread at their feet, where Fei Fei was crawling. Opposite them sat a boy who looked about two or three years old, with four or five maidservants nearby.

Wei Shao knew that the young woman must be her elder sister, Da Qiao. He saw Xiao Qiao sitting very close to her, appearing extremely intimate. The two were whispering, and he didn’t know what they said, but she laughed so hard that she fell onto Da Qiao.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the flower shade, falling in spots on Xiao Qiao’s face and body. Her eyes sparkled, and her laughter was like silver bells, her face as beautiful as a flower. For a moment, Wei Shao seemed to catch in her smiling face a trace of that carefree feeling that only Fei Fei had when she laughed, the kind that made one want to smile along involuntarily.

She had been by his side for several years, and he had tasted her gentle kindness and understanding. But it wasn’t until this moment that he realized she could laugh so vivaciously, full of girlish charm.

Wei Shao stood behind the window, silently watching her, not approaching any closer.

…

After lunch, Lei Yan and the others came and waited outside the Qiao residence.

Wei Shao also prepared to set off.

Xiao Qiao saw him off to the door, finally stopping at the side of the screen wall. Wei Shao held Fei Fei, kissing her cheeks several times, reluctant to part.

Xiao Qiao smiled and said, “Husband need not worry too much. I will take good care of Fei Fei.”

Wei Shao gazed at his daughter, his eyes infinitely tender. Finally, he gently stroked her soft hair and handed her to Chun Niang. His gaze then fell on Xiao Qiao’s face, seeming to want to say something but hesitating.

“Does the husband have any more instructions?” Xiao Qiao smiled.

Wei Shao paused for a moment: “Since you’ve returned, stay here with peace of mind. You can stay for a longer time. If I have time, I will come to see you and Fei Fei. If you want to return, wait for me, and I will personally escort you back.”

Xiao Qiao smiled, pressing her lips together: “Alright, thank you, husband.”

“Your battles are dangerous. Take care of yourself even more when you’re away,” she said softly, gazing at him.

Wei Shao nodded, his fingers twitching slightly, his arm about to rise when he heard Xiao Qiao say, “Thank you for last night. I know my father hasn’t been this happy for a long time.”

Wei Shao was silent for a moment, then said, “Father-in-law’s eyes are blind. Perhaps the Old Man of White Stone in the world can still treat them. I will send people to seek him out as soon as possible.”

Xiao Qiao said, “Thank you for your concern, husband.”

All along, whenever he did something for her, no matter how small, she never forgot to thank him.

Wei Shao had become accustomed to her way of speaking to him and had never felt there was anything wrong with it before.

For some reason, at this moment, he suddenly felt that her repeated “Thank you, husband” sounded so grating to his ears.

In his mind, he couldn’t help but recall her radiant smile under the flower shade this morning. After a slight hesitation, he moved a bit closer to her and lowered his voice: “Manman, we are husband and wife… From now on, when you’re with me, be as you wish. There’s no need to be so formal, and you don’t need to thank me for everything…”

He felt his words were clumsy as if he couldn’t express what he wanted to say. He stopped abruptly, looking at her.

Xiao Qiao seemed to be startled for a moment, then smiled and looked up, saying softly, “Alright. I’ll remember that.”

…

Qiao Ping, Madam Ding, and Da Qiao all saw Wei Shao off at the main gate.

Wei Shao asked Qiao Ping to stay.

Qiao Ping had drunk too much last night and had just gotten up not long ago this morning, but he looked in good spirits, his eyes bright. He smiled and said, “It’s rare for you to come. I originally wanted to keep you for a few more days no matter what, but I heard from my daughter that you have urgent matters in Luoyang, so I won’t insist on keeping you. I can only hope that next time you come, you’ll stay longer. Today, no matter what, I must see you off to the city gates.”

Wei Shao hurriedly declined, but Qiao Ping insisted.

Madam Ding smiled and said, “Lord Wei has only stayed for one night before leaving. Please don’t refuse the Governor’s kindness before departing. He can’t ride a horse comfortably, but sitting in a carriage is no problem. The carriage is ready outside.”

Wei Shao looked at Xiao Qiao, saw her smiling and nodding slightly, and had to say, “Thank you for the trouble, Father-in-law.”

Xiao Qiao helped her father into the carriage, gave some instructions to the accompanying steward, and stood at the gate to see them off. She watched as Wei Shao turned back several times on horseback, their figures gradually becoming smaller, and finally disappearing along with the carriage carrying her father.

…

Qiao Ping escorted Wei Shao out of the West City Gate and went on for more than ten li. Wei Shao dismounted and repeatedly asked him to return to the city. Only then did Qiao Ping stop, ordering someone to help him down from the carriage. He smiled and said, “I have some words I’ve long wanted to say to you in person, but I never had the chance before. Yesterday, I finally met you, but today you’re leaving again. May I have a word with you on this occasion?”

Wei Shao said, “Father-in-law, please don’t be so formal. This way, please.” He held Qiao Ping’s hand and led him to the roadside.

Lei Yan saw that Qiao Ping seemed to want to speak privately with his lord. Although he had doubts in his heart, he didn’t ask and led the others to wait at a distance.

Wei Shao said, “Father-in-law, what instructions do you have? Please speak freely.”

Qiao Ping turned his face, asking Wei Shao to face him towards the north.

Wei Shao didn’t understand but did as he said.

Facing the wind blowing from the northern wilderness, Qiao Ping knelt on both knees, bowing his head to the ground, showing deep respect with a grand gesture.

Wei Shao was stunned and said, “Father-in-law, what is the meaning of this?”

After finishing his bow, Qiao Ping rose from the ground and said solemnly, “On behalf of my Qiao family, I bow to the spirits of the late Tiger Tooth General and your late elder brother. I dare not seek forgiveness. The bow just now was out of my gratitude, for the Old Madam, and for your lordship’s tolerance.”

Wei Shao turned his head, looking at the vast wilderness to the north, silent, his expression becoming solemn.

Qiao Ping slowly said, “In the past, it was first our Qiao family’s fault that caused the late Tiger Tooth General and his son to meet with misfortune. Before the old pain could heal, now due to my lack of vigilance, we almost caused General Wei Liang to suffer. The guilt in my heart is truly indescribable. Your Lordship’s magnanimity makes me feel even more unworthy. First, you returned my elder brother’s head, allowing him to be buried whole…”

“Father-in-law need not worry,” Wei Shao suddenly said calmly, “I am not naturally a tolerant person. The reason we can stand here talking today is entirely because of Manman.”

Qiao Ping let out a long sigh and said, “This is what I wanted to tell your lordship. When my elder brother initially arranged the marriage to seek favor with the Wei family, it was not only with the idea of eliminating past grudges but also to protect Yanzhou from the surrounding strong enemies by relying on your lordship’s power. My elder brother’s calculations were shrewd, but at that time, I was reluctant to have my daughter marry so hastily. She is my only child, and after her mother passed away, I had no other wishes but to hope that she would find a satisfactory marriage in the future, be cherished by her husband, and live a smooth and successful life. That was my greatest wish. Later, the situation was beyond my control, and I had no choice but to marry her to your lordship…”

Wei Shao slowly turned his head, staring at Qiao Ping.

Qiao Ping, unaware, continued, “I won’t hide it. With such deep resentment between the Wei and Qiao families, if I put myself in your shoes, I’m afraid I might not have been able to treat the daughter of the enemy family well. So when Manman first married, for some time, I was extremely worried…”

“Your lordship may not know, she was pampered by her mother and me since she was young. After her mother’s unfortunate early passing, I treasured her even more like a pearl in the palm of my hand, perhaps neglecting some aspects of her upbringing. I feared that after marriage, she might not be able to fulfill her wifely duties, let alone get along well with her in-laws. What I never expected was that Madam Xu would be so kind and loving towards her, taking care of her in many ways. Moreover, your lordship didn’t discard her for her dull talents but treated her with meticulous care. Now, because of her one word, your lordship has put aside your affairs to personally escort her home. All of this not only makes me gratified but also ashamed. I can’t help but express that my initial doubts were nothing more than judging others by my standards!”

Wei Shao remained silent.

Qiao Ping sighed, “I am a useless person, now left with only a broken body. Life and death, honor and disgrace, are nothing but passing clouds to me. The only thing I can’t let go of is my daughter. She is naturally reserved and never utters a word of her worries in front of me, fearing to cause me anxiety. This makes me cherish her even more. Today, standing before your lordship, although my blindness prevents me from seeing your face, I clearly understand your graceful demeanor and great magnanimity. So I take this opportunity to solemnly entrust my daughter’s remaining life to you. I know your lordship is not meant for small ponds. If one day you achieve great things, I hope you will remember the feelings of your first marriage and, on my behalf, protect Manman’s lifelong happiness. For this, I am eternally grateful!”

After speaking, Qiao Ping made a deep bow to Wei Shao.

Wei Shao was startled and hurriedly supported him.

Qiao Ping stood up straight and smiled, “With this, I’ll see you off here. I hope your lordship will soon pacify the world and bring peace and prosperity to the common people.”

…

Wei Shao sat on horseback, watching Qiao Ping’s carriage gradually disappear. He was lost in thought for a long time before finally turning his horse westward.

By evening, they were still dozens of li away from the next post station. If they hurried, they could probably arrive before dark.

However, Wei Shao rode slower and slower, seeming distracted.

Lei Yan had noticed his unusual state early on, and although he had doubts, he didn’t ask, only slowing down to match the pace.

When they were about ten li from the post station, Wei Shao suddenly stopped by the roadside and said to Lei Yan, “You take the men to the post station ahead and wait for my return!”

Without further explanation, he turned his horse around, tightened his legs around the horse’s belly, and gave a low shout. His mount, receiving its master’s signal, had been restrained for half a day and could finally gallop freely. With a joyful neigh, it immediately set off at full speed.

Under the astonished gaze of Lei Yan and the other attendants, Wei Shao, alone on his horse, quickly disappeared into the thick dusk in the distance of the road.

…

When Wei Shao returned to the gates of Dongjun, it was already pitch dark. The gate guard, hearing the call to open the gates, climbed up to the top of the city wall. By the light of the torch, he recognized Wei Shao, who had just been seen off by the Governor during the day. Astonished, he quickly ordered the gates to be unlocked.

Wei Shao passed through the slowly opening city gates and galloped along the empty streets under the moonlight towards the Qiao residence.

…

After dinner, Madam Ding and Da Qiao, carrying Li’er, came to Xiao Qiao’s room.

Madam Ding and Chun Niang were doing needlework. The two sisters, Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, were talking while playing with Li’er and Fei Fei.

The room was filled with laughter and joy when suddenly, footsteps were heard outside the door, and a maidservant pushed the door open, poking her head in: “Madam! Lady! The Lord has returned—”

The room suddenly fell silent, and Madam Ding and Da Qiao turned their heads.

Xiao Qiao, surprised, also looked up.

The door opened, and Wei Shao stood in the doorway.

Madam Ding was overjoyed and hurriedly put down her needlework, standing up to welcome him, saying, “Come in quickly! You probably haven’t eaten yet, have you? Wait a moment, I’ll go prepare something for you.” She hurriedly went to prepare a meal.

Wei Shao stepped in, nodding in greeting to Madam Ding and Da Qiao, then smiled and said, “Thank you, Aunt. I’m not hungry. I came back because I have something I want to say to Manman.”

He looked at Xiao Qiao.

Madam Ding was momentarily taken aback but soon nodded with a smile. “Very well, you two continue your conversation; I won’t interrupt. If there’s anything, just call for me.”

With that, Da Qiao held her son while Chun Niang quickly scooped up the excited child, who was babbling joyfully upon seeing her father.

Before long, everyone in the room filtered out, leaving only Wei Shao and Xiao Qiao facing each other.

Xiao Qiao’s heart raced as she slowly stood up. “You…”

She hesitated, about to ask him why he had come to speak with her, when Wei Shao suddenly strode toward her, opened his arms, and enveloped her in an embrace.

“Manman, I regret having wronged you in the past!” he whispered into her ear, holding her tightly.