The Grand Hall of the Queen Mother of the West was located outside the east city gate, not far from the Imperial Academy. It was about a mile or two from the city gate – not too far, but not very close either. Wei Shao rode out of the city alone on horseback, without his entourage, dressed in plain clothes, and arrived at the Queen Mother’s Hall.

As it had just been renovated, some of the finer details inside were still being worked on by craftsmen. Therefore, the hall wasn’t officially open yet, but the main gates were wide open. A Wei family carriage was parked to one side of the entrance, with the coachman and a few guards nearby.

As Wei Shao approached on horseback, he noticed a gathering of at least twenty or thirty people in an open area not far from the main gates. They were all dressed as students from the nearby Imperial Academy, ranging in age from fifteen or sixteen to their early twenties. Instead of studying at the academy, they had all come here, craning their necks towards the main gates as if waiting for some grand spectacle. Some, unable to secure a good spot, had even climbed a tree by the roadside.

Wei Shao drew closer. The students’ attention was focused on the interior of the hall, and they hadn’t noticed his arrival behind them. They continued their animated discussions.

“When will she come out? We’ve been waiting for so long!”

“It should be soon. Brother Zhang is obsessed with painting and calligraphy. Gao Bohai was invited to paint the mural, and he doesn’t allow anyone to view it before it’s finished. Brother Zhang couldn’t contain his curiosity and came here yesterday, hoping to sneak a peek at Gao Bohai’s work. By chance, he encountered the Marquis’s wife coming out. According to Brother Zhang, ‘If you want to know what it means to be devastatingly beautiful, look no further!'”

The surrounding students were captivated by this description.

“Not only is the Marquis’s wife stunningly beautiful, but she also has excellent calligraphy skills. Even Gao Bohai invited her to collaborate on the inscription. That speaks volumes.”

“I heard that Gao Bohai greatly admires the Madam’s calligraphy. He said her style is novel and refreshing. It’s like orchid leaves dancing in the wind – elegant yet composed, with a flowing, unrestrained spirit. Such praise is truly inspiring.”

“If only we could see the Madam’s calligraphy sooner and feast our eyes on it!”

The students chattered on, each adding their comments.

Wei Shao stopped his horse, his brow furrowed and his expression darkening.

“She’s coming out! She’s coming out! Quiet, everyone! Quiet!”

A flash of green appeared inside the main gates as if a woman was about to emerge.

The student perched highest in the tree and was the first to spot this and called out excitedly. The crowd’s emotions immediately surged as they pushed and shoved, trying to get a better view. However, when they saw that it was only a middle-aged woman of ample proportions who emerged, they all sighed in disappointment.

Wei Shao had already seen her – it was Chun Niang. She came out to retrieve a light blue silk cloak suitable for the late spring weather from the carriage, then turned and went back inside.

The students’ excitement had been for naught. After their disappointment, they still didn’t give up and continued discussing the Marquis’s wife’s beauty. At this moment, the student who had climbed the highest happened to turn his head and saw Wei Shao sitting on horseback behind them. He had seen Wei Shao entering the city before and recognized him immediately. He cried out in surprise, “The Marquis is here!” His hands and feet went weak, and he lost his grip on the tree branch, falling to the ground with a thud, nearly splitting his backside in two.

The rest of the crowd turned at the sound, seeing a young man who had appeared on horseback behind them. Despite his youth, his bearing was extremely imposing. As his gaze swept over them, they fell silent, no one daring to speak.

“You students of the Imperial Academy, instead of focusing on your studies and exams, you gather here to cause trouble. Do you think there are no instructors at the academy?” Wei Shao said coldly.

The current method of selecting officials for the country is mainly through recommendations and nominations. In addition, the court had established the Imperial Academy, and each prefecture had set up local academies to enroll outstanding local youth with talent and good character. Those who completed their studies and passed the exams were given important positions or recommended to serve in the court.

Although the criteria for selecting students for these academies were nominally based on “talent and character,” in reality, apart from a few truly talented students from poor families who were admitted as exceptions, most came from local aristocratic or wealthy families. These academy students had little interest in studying and merely whiled away their time at the academy, waiting for future official positions. Life at the academy was dull, and when they heard yesterday that the Marquis’s young wife had personally come to the Queen Mother’s Hall to inscribe the mural, and was incredibly beautiful, they all became restless. Today, taking advantage of the instructor’s absence, they had all run here to observe from afar, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. They didn’t expect to be caught by Wei Shao himself and didn’t dare to make a sound. They all stood with their hands at their sides, heads bowed, afraid of being remembered.

Wei Shao frowned as he surveyed the group, then after a moment, he spat out a single word through gritted teeth: “Scram.”

The students, as if granted a great pardon, hurriedly bowed to him and fled as fast as they could.

Wei Shao watched the retreating backs of the students, let out a heavy sigh, and then approached the hall’s entrance. The servants who had escorted Xiao Qiao here rushed to greet him.

Wei Shao dismounted and entered, heading towards the mural wall in the rear hall.

The mural was complete. Gao Heng, worthy of his title “Crown of Bohai,” had created a masterpiece on the enormous wall several zhang high. The Queen Mother’s face was lifelike, with celestial ribbons dancing around her. Auspicious clouds and birds surrounded her as if she were descending from the heavens. The scene was majestic and beautiful, with vibrant colors that inspired awe in viewers. Xiao Qiao’s inscription, which had taken two days to complete, was now finished and complemented the painting perfectly, like the final touch that brought the whole work to life. However, she hadn’t left yet. Wearing the light blue cloak that Chun Niang had brought in earlier, she stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Gao Heng in front of the newly completed mural. Xiao Qiao was looking up at the mural while Gao Heng spoke, apparently discussing something.

Nearby stood Chun Niang and two maids.

As Wei Shao drew closer, he gradually began to hear Xiao Qiao and Gao Heng’s conversation. They were discussing contemporary calligraphy. Wei Shao heard Gao Heng say, “…Speaking of cliff inscriptions, I consider the Yunmen Eulogy to be the finest. Its brush strokes are unrestrained, its composition open and free. It combines seal script techniques with clerical script, and the turns of the strokes are like heavenly steeds galloping through the sky, ethereal and transcendent. I once stayed in Hanzhong for three months, specifically to climb the mountain daily and study the calligraphy on the western cliff face. In fair weather and foul, morning and evening, the changing atmosphere seemed to imbue the carved characters with different spirits. Discussing calligraphy with you, Madam, I find your insights both novel and romantic. It’s as if I’ve found a kindred spirit, which brings me great joy. If you ever have the time and wish to go see it in person, I would be honored to serve as your guide…”

This Gao Heng was not only handsome but had been renowned for his talent since childhood. At thirteen, he had impressed the Governor of Bohai, who personally recommended him, allowing him to enter the Imperial Academy before the age of sixteen, breaking convention. Now, not yet thirty, he had a free-spirited nature and the demeanor of a famous scholar. From a distance, Wei Shao could see that his eyes were fixed on Xiao Qiao, not blinking, his gaze intense. As he drew closer and heard Gao Heng’s self-recommendation and invitation, the frustration that had just dissipated outside the main gate instantly swelled back in his chest. He quickened his pace.

Chun Niang, standing beside Xiao Qiao, heard footsteps behind her and turned. She quickly bowed to Wei Shao, addressing him as “My Lord.”

Xiao Qiao turned at the sound, surprised to see Wei Shao, who had been gone for over half a month, suddenly appear as if he had fallen from the sky. She stepped towards him, saying, “Husband, when did you return? How did you come to be here?”

Wei Shao stopped, looking at Gao Heng.

Gao Heng had initially been captivated by the calligraphy of the Marquis Wei’s young wife. Over the past two days, as they worked together to complete the mural, he had grown even more impressed. The mural was high, making writing much more difficult than on regular silk. Yet this young madam showed no signs of delicacy, executing each stroke with utmost care. She was approachable and kind, not to mention stunningly beautiful. By the time the mural was completed, he had become utterly smitten, developing feelings of admiration. That’s why, even though the work was finished, he couldn’t bear to let her leave just yet and had engaged her in a discussion about contemporary stone inscriptions. Just as their conversation was reaching its peak, Wei Shao’s unexpected arrival interrupted them. Feeling disappointed, Gao Heng stood and bowed to Wei Shao.

Wei Shao maintained a neutral expression and exchanged a few polite words with him before turning to Xiao Qiao: “It’s getting late, and Grandmother is worried at home. If you’re done here, let’s head back.” With that, he nodded to Gao Heng and turned to leave.

Xiao Qiao bid farewell to Gao Heng, and Chun Niang and the maids gathered their belongings and accompanied Xiao Qiao out to board the carriage.

Wei Shao rode his horse in front, silent the entire way. They arrived back at the Wei residence as night was falling.

Xiao Qiao went inside, but Wei Shao didn’t accompany her. He didn’t say anything to her either. After she entered, he left, presumably heading to his office.

…

The western room was brightly lit with silver lamps.

For the past two days, Xiao Qiao had been standing on high to inscribe the mural. To ensure a seamless execution, she had practiced repeatedly on the wall before the final inscription. Now that she was finally home after completing the work, not only her arms but also her right shoulder ached dully. After bathing, she came out to find Chun Niang sitting beside her, gently massaging her.

It wasn’t very late, just after the hour of xu (7-9 pm), when Wei Shao returned.

Xiao Qiao went to greet him as usual.

She had sensed that he seemed displeased on the way back from picking her up.

However, she wasn’t sure exactly what had upset him.

In truth, she had been surprised and even a bit flattered when she first saw him come to pick her up.

Which made his behavior all the more puzzling.

If he had taken the trouble to come and fetch her himself, why did he wear such a sour expression on the way back, as if she owed him money?

The most direct and crude assumption was that he was unhappy seeing another man talking to her so much.

But Xiao Qiao quickly dismissed this idea.

When he had exchanged pleasantries with Gao Heng, he had seemed perfectly normal, showing no signs of displeasure. Besides, for a woman to make a man jealous, there had to be some basis for it. Previously, he had always treated her with cold indifference. Even half a month ago, when his mother had drugged him and she had tended to him all night, he had shown no signs of softening towards her when he left for the border town the next morning.

So that couldn’t be it.

…

“Husband, you’ve been patrolling the city for half a month, and as soon as you returned, you came to pick me up. You didn’t have to. I feel quite guilty about it.”

Xiao Qiao acted as if nothing was amiss, helping him remove his outer garments as usual.

Ever since she had helped him remove his armor that time, it had become second nature, and now it was routine for her to help him undress every time he returned.

Wei Shao allowed her to attend to him, saying expressionlessly, “Grandmother instructed me to pick you up.”

So that was it. It wasn’t his wish, but he had been forced to do so by Madam Xu.

No wonder his expression was so sour.

“Thank you for your trouble, husband. You must be tired from the journey. You should rest early.”

Xiao Qiao neatly put away the clothes he had taken off and turned to him with a smile.