Xiao Qiao waited in the corridor and finally saw Wei Shao return. She hurriedly went down the steps to greet him, saying, “Husband, you must be hungry. The evening meal is ready, we were just waiting for you to return to eat together.” After speaking, she secretly glanced at his expression.
Wei Shao stopped and looked at Xiao Qiao.
Having been called by his mother, he naturally knew about her going behind his back and passing the responsibility to Madam Xu. Xiao Qiao was indeed a bit guilty, and while waiting for him to eat dinner, she had prepared a response. Seeing him look at her this way, his eyes dark as ink and his face as calm as still water, she fell silent, waiting for him to question her again.
“Let’s eat,” he said suddenly and simply. After speaking, he raised his foot and headed towards the dining room. As he passed by her, Xiao Qiao felt a slight breeze from his movement.
Xiao Qiao was quite surprised and stood stunned for a moment. Seeing him walk quickly, already stepping onto the stairs, she hurriedly followed his shadow.
…
In recent days, Wei Shao rarely came back for dinner. Including this time, they had only eaten together three or four times.
To be precise, it was Xiao Qiao serving him for three or four meals.
The table was set on the couch, with Wei Shao sitting formally at the center. Xiao Qiao, being a woman of lower status, knelt at the side to serve him. Only after he finished could she eat.
However, in the previous few times, he ate quickly and rarely asked her to do anything. It wasn’t a tiring task.
Xiao Qiao sat in the standard posture, pressing her buttocks against her heels.
It must be said that Wei Shao had a well-proportioned physique, naturally suited for clothes. Now, sitting formally at the table on the couch, in a neat right-lapelled deep robe, with wide sleeves falling gently from his shoulders, coupled with his unhurried movements, even the action of reaching with chopsticks to pick up food looked so fluid, like a man who had stepped out of an ancient book exuding a refined aura. Except he was a living, breathing person.
Xiao Qiao glanced at him twice, then withdrew her gaze. Suddenly, she heard Wei Shao say, “Let’s eat together.”
Xiao Qiao was stunned and looked at him. She saw him looking at her with a pleasant expression. She hurriedly declined.
“It’s fine. When I ask you to join, you should join,” he said, already ordering someone to add another set of bowls and chopsticks.
Xiao Qiao found his sudden invitation very suspicious, especially after returning from the east room. But since he was rarely this amiable, she couldn’t refuse. Thinking that eating a meal shouldn’t cause any problems, she thanked him with a slight bow, then knee-walked two steps forward and sat at the edge of the table.
They ate in silence.
Xiao Qiao quietly finished a full bowl of rice.
This was her usual portion.
She raised her eyes and saw that Wei Shao had also finished eating. His hands were resting on his legs, and he wore a smile as if he had been watching her eat the whole time.
Xiao Qiao swallowed the last bite of food in her mouth and gently placed her chopsticks on the rest. Just as she was about to call someone to bring water for him to rinse his mouth, Wei Shao suddenly said, “Add another bowl of rice for the lady.”
Xiao Qiao quickly shook her head, “Thank you, husband. I’m already full.”
“I saw you only eat this much, how can it be enough?” Wei Shao said, looking her up and down. He showed a hint of disapproval, “You’ve been in my family for some time now, yet you seem to have gotten thinner than before. People might think we’re not feeding you enough in the Wei family. Have another bowl.”
Xiao Qiao felt he was talking nonsense.
At her age, with sufficient nutrition, she could feel her physical development. The belly band she wore last year had recently become tight and uncomfortable, so she had already changed to a new one.
But the servant had already brought the rice.
Under Wei Shao’s concerned gaze, Xiao Qiao had no choice but to lower her head and struggle to finish the second bowl of rice.
After the second bowl, her stomach was full up to her chest. Xiao Qiao resisted the urge to burp and put down her chopsticks.
“Add another bowl for the lady,” Wei Shao’s voice sounded again.
Xiao Qiao shook her head vigorously, “I really can’t eat anymore!”
“Grandmother scolded me last time for neglecting you. You’re so thin and weak, how can you not make an effort to eat more?” Wei Shao swept his wide sleeve and personally got up to add another bowl of rice, packing it tightly, and placed it in front of Xiao Qiao.
Xiao Qiao looked at him. He wore a smile.
“I really can’t eat anymore,” Xiao Qiao said with a pained expression.
Wei Shao’s face immediately darkened.
“Eat it!” His voice carried a hint of coldness, “Not just this meal, starting tomorrow, you must eat three bowls at every meal! Grandmother cares for you, if you don’t put on some weight, I’m afraid I won’t be able to explain myself next time we’re in front of her.”
Xiao Qiao stared at him for a moment, then bit her lip, “Husband, I was wrong.”
Wei Shao lowered his head, casually adjusting his sleeve, “Where were you wrong?” His voice was indifferent.
“This morning, when you asked me to go to mother-in-law’s place to deliver a message on your behalf, I went to the north room instead,” Xiao Qiao said softly, watching his expression.
Wei Shao made an “oh” sound, his gaze half-smiling, “Then tell me, what should be done?”
“I won’t dare to do it again next time…” Xiao Qiao mumbled, letting out a burp, and quickly covered her face with her sleeve.
“There’s still a next time?” He raised an eyebrow.
“No, no…” Xiao Qiao hurriedly lowered her sleeve and waved her hand. Suddenly, there came a sound of hurried footsteps from behind. Xiao Qiao turned her head to see a servant rushing in, bowing and saying, “My lord, General Li Dian seeks an audience, saying it’s urgent.”
Wei Shao was slightly startled, his expression turning solemn. He stood up, leaving Xiao Qiao behind as he strode out quickly.
Xiao Qiao watched his departing figure and finally let out a sigh of relief.
That evening, Xiao Qiao didn’t dare to relax as usual, and just obediently waited in the room for him to return. Meanwhile, she tried to digest the excessive food she had eaten.
She waited until the end of the hai hour (9-11 pm), but Wei Shao still hadn’t returned. Finally, unable to stay awake any longer, she lay down fully clothed.
Wei Shao didn’t return all night.
It wasn’t until the evening of the next day that Xiao Qiao received news that the Shangu area, which had been peaceful for a long time, was suddenly raided by a large group of Xiongnu cavalry two days ago. Nearly a thousand soldiers and civilians were killed or injured. After burning, killing, and looting, the Xiongnu declared it was a birthday gift for Madam Xu of Yuyang, before fleeing north.
Upon hearing the news, Wei Shao was furious and immediately led his cavalry to pursue the Xiongnu.
…
Wei Shao led two thousand elite cavalry, pursuing day and night at top speed. They had already chased the enemy several hundred li beyond Shangu, reaching the temporary border with the Xiongnu court at the Sanggan River. Just moments ago, as the Xiongnu were about to cross the border with their loot of cattle, horses, and women to return to their court, Wei Shao’s cavalry unexpectedly caught up. In the hasty confrontation, both sides engaged in a great battle on the banks of the Sanggan River.
Wei Shao personally entered the cavalry formation to fight the Xiongnu leader, the Thousand-Horse Commander Qiemochu. Qiemochu was cut down from his horse by Wei Shao and captured alive. The remaining Xiongnu cavalry either fled or were captured, scattering in disarray. The cattle and horses stolen from the Shangu residents were recovered. Except for a few women who were killed or injured, most were unharmed, though inevitably they had been violated. Now they gathered together, some sitting, some squatting, hugging each other, and crying loudly.
Wei Shao, his iron armor stained with blood, strode past the group of weeping women who had survived the raid, his hand on his sword. He approached the captured Xiongnu leader Qiemochu.
Qiemochu was extremely tough. Although he had been captured and was covered in blood, he still refused to kneel, holding his head high and laughing loudly at Wei Shao: “Well, how did you like the birthday gift for your grandmother?”
Wei Shao’s expression darkened. He stepped forward and raised his hand, striking Qiemochu’s face heavily with his sword scabbard. Qiemochu’s head immediately split open, blood flowing, and half a row of teeth broken in his mouth.
“Wei Shao, you little brat! If you dare kill even one of us today, the Xiongnu will repay it tenfold in the future!” Qiemochu shouted, his face contorted with pain, blood continuously flowing from his mouth, his curses muffled and his appearance horrifying.
General Li Dian, who had accompanied Wei Shao in the pursuit, was furious. He kicked Qiemochu’s knee pit, causing him to fall to his knees. When Qiemochu tried to get up, he was held down, but he continued to curse incessantly, “Wei Shao, you little brat, you dog, you rat!”
Wei Shao slowly drew the long sword from his waist, its blade flashing with a cold, snow-like gleam. With one swift motion, Qiemochu’s head rolled from his neck, blood spurting high and splattering the ground.
All around was silent, even the women in the distance had stopped crying.
“The remaining Xiongnu prisoners, regardless of rank, are to be executed on the spot,” Wei Shao ordered as he sheathed his sword, his expression calm.
…
The wound on Huyan Lie’s left chest from that night was very deep, half an inch more and it would have reached his heart.
These past few days, he had been tormented by the pain, his movements restricted. As he was brought to the execution ground with the other captured tribesmen, he secretly tried to muster his strength to break free from the ropes. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his chest, his vision darkened, and he collapsed to the ground, unable to stand.
He never imagined that by such a twist of fate, he would lose his life here on the banks of the Sanggan River.
This young Han man, Wei Shao, had trained a cavalry force that was no less powerful than the Xiongnu. In direct combat, the Xiongnu had never gained any advantage from him. On the contrary, the Yunzhong and Shuofang areas, which had already fallen into Xiongnu territory, were recaptured by him, forcing the Xiongnu to retreat hundreds of li north to graze their sheep and horses.
His name was known to everyone in the Xiongnu court. When mentioned, from the Chanyu and various kings to the common people, no one could help but feel a hint of fear.
But unlike the Crown Prince Left Wise King Wuwei, who had sworn to be Wei Shao’s enemy, the Rizhu King’s attitude towards this Han opponent was not one of intense hatred.
Perhaps it was because of that former queen from the Wei family, Huyan Lie could only speculate.
On this trip, he had originally completed what needed to be done, but on the way back, he encountered this group of men sent by the Left Wise King. After learning of the Left Wise King’s provocative intentions, Huyan Lie immediately tried to stop them, but how could Qiemochu listen? The two sides clashed.
Huyan Lie had always been one of the top-ranking Thousand-Horse Commanders among the Xiongnu, with numerous military achievements. But that day, he was alone and injured, and in the end, he was overpowered and captured. Qiemochu wanted to take him back to hand over to the Left Wise King to cause trouble for the Rizhu King, so he tied him up and took him along to Shangu. After the raid, he was forced to accompany them, not expecting to be caught up by Wei Shao’s cavalry here, where both sides engaged in a great battle, and he ended up a prisoner along with Qiemochu’s men.
In his life, he had killed countless people. Some were his tribesmen killed for power struggles, others were Han people, Wusun people, and Hujie people killed for territory…
Death itself wasn’t anything to fear. But to die like this, he truly couldn’t accept it.
Huyan Lie knew that Wei Shao’s soldiers were already carrying out his orders. Shouts of anger, pleas for mercy, and all kinds of sounds mixed as the prisoners in front of him fell one by one. Soon it would be his turn.
He took a deep breath, about to muster his strength for one last struggle, when suddenly, someone stepped on his back, and then a voice he recognized spoke up: “This Xiongnu has a grudge against me, I’ll kill him myself.”
Wei Yan said to the captain who was carrying out the execution order.
At Wei Yan’s words, the captain naturally complied and immediately handed the man over.
Wei Yan dragged the motionless Huyan Lie to the bank of the Sanggan River. With no one nearby, he used the tip of his sword to cut open the ropes binding Huyan Lie.
Huyan Lie was extremely grateful. He struggled to kneel before Wei Yan: “Young master, the Shangu incident was done by the Left Wise King…”
“Get back,” Wei Yan interrupted him with a rebuke, then turned and strode away.
…
On the evening of the fifth day after Wei Shao’s departure, he finally returned.
Madam Xu was overjoyed and personally went out to welcome Wei Yan and Wei Shao. Seeing them covered in dust from their journey, she comforted them and ordered the brothers to go rest early.
When Wei Shao returned to the west room, it was already dark.
Xiao Qiao was waiting for him outside the west room.
He still hadn’t removed his iron armor. He stood there as servants helped him remove his armor, his eyes fixed on Xiao Qiao.
Xiao Qiao hesitated for a moment, but finally walked up to him and raised her hands to help him remove his armor herself.
Seeing this, the servants withdrew.
Xiao Qiao was now very close to him. As she unfastened his armor, she smelled a dry, mixed odor of dust and blood on him, which was quite pungent.
She felt as if two eyes were gazing down at her. Looking up, she saw him slightly lowering his head, watching her.
Xiao Qiao’s eyelashes fluttered. She bit her lip and lowered her eyes. Holding her breath, she finally helped him remove the heavy armor, then discreetly took a step back.
Wei Shao himself took off the armor and let it fall to the ground, leaving only an undergarment stained with dust and blood. He glanced at Xiao Qiao, who had already moved away from him, then turned and entered the bathroom. When he came out, he had changed into clean clothes, his wide sleeves floating, his wet black hair tied up with a jade hairpin. He looked handsome and elegant, completely different from his blood-stained appearance when he first returned.
“Does my husband want to have dinner?” Xiao Qiao asked him.
Wei Shao rubbed his stomach and nodded, turning towards the dining room. Xiao Qiao followed to serve him. At the door, they saw Old Woman Jiang from the east room approach with a respectful expression, bowing and saying that the lady had prepared a meal and invited the young master to dine.
“The lady is concerned for the young master. She cooked. She hopes the young master will come.”
Wei Shao hesitated for a moment and turned his head to look at Xiao Qiao.
Xiao Qiao quickly said, “Since mother-in-law has also prepared a meal, the husband should go there. It’s fine here.”
Wei Shao said nothing and strode towards the east room.