Xiao Qiao barely had time to put on her shoes as she hurried to greet him, almost running. After just a few steps, she saw Wei Shao’s figure emerge from behind the screen. Their eyes met, and they both stopped instinctively, still several arm’s lengths apart.

Her eagerness stemmed not only from being unconsciously affected by the pre-battle farewell atmosphere created by Madam Xu and Madam Zhu but also from a sense of gratitude.

As soon as Wei Shao entered, his gaze fell on Xiao Qiao’s face, unblinking and unabashedly direct. Xiao Qiao felt slightly uncomfortable under his stare. Seeing that he was just looking without speaking, she broke the silence softly, “My lord, you’ve returned? Have you visited Grandmother and Mother-in-law? They must still be awake waiting for you…”

“I have,” Wei Shao replied briefly, his eyes still fixed on her.

Xiao Qiao bit her lip. “Are you hungry? I have some…”

Before she could finish, Wei Shao suddenly took a few large strides toward her and swept her up into his arms.

Xiao Qiao’s feet left the ground as he carried her directly to the bed and set her down. Wei Shao knelt on one knee at the bedside, gazing down at her intently.

“I’m not hungry,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss her mouth.

…

The Duke was to set out on campaign early the next morning. Word had come later last night that he would return to bid farewell to everyone, so not just the northern and eastern quarters, but all the servants in Xiao Qiao’s quarters were still awake.

When he finally returned, Chun Niang and two other maids followed him in to attend as usual. To their shock, they witnessed the lord embrace and kiss the lady right before their eyes. Chun Niang recovered first and, noticing the other two maids staring wide-eyed, coughed lightly to signal them to leave. The maids snapped out of their daze, hearts racing and faces flushed as they hurriedly bowed their heads and retreated.

Chun Niang was the last to leave. Careful not to disturb the couple on the bed, she tiptoed out and gently closed the door behind her.

…

Xiao Qiao lay pressed against the pillow as he kissed her. He started with her mouth, then moved to her cheeks, nose, and eyelids before returning to her lips.

At first, Xiao Qiao kept her lips closed, but soon he forcefully parted them, deeply exploring her mouth as he had the night before. She kept her eyes shut as he kissed her, gradually feeling short of breath. She instinctively whimpered and shook her head, struggling.

Wei Shao suddenly released her mouth. Cupping her face with both hands, he panted, “Don’t worry, I’ve made arrangements to send aid to Yanzhou…”

Xiao Qiao’s eyelashes trembled as she slowly opened her eyes. She saw his face just above hers.

“I guessed as much…” she murmured.

Her cheeks were burning, and she knew they must be bright red.

Wei Shao seemed to smile with satisfaction, gazing at her with unusually bright eyes.

“The army departs at dawn. I need to leave early to lead them. There’s not much time left…” he said.

Xiao Qiao had been keeping her eyes lowered. Hearing his words and understanding their implication, she hesitated before placing her hands on his shoulders and pushing him to sit up.

Wei Shao was reluctant but yielded to her touch. He then realized she was undoing his belt and removing his clothes. His heart pounded wildly in his chest, almost bursting with excitement.

He became uncharacteristically obedient, lowering his head as she undid his belt and removed his garments one by one.

Finally, they were both mostly undressed, kneeling face to face on the bed. Seeing that he remained still, his eyes roaming over her body, Xiao Qiao felt suddenly shy despite having been naked before him previously. She crossed her arms to cover her chest, but he gently moved them away.

Wei Shao’s gaze lingered on her beautiful snow-white bosom for a moment. He closed his eyes briefly, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. When he opened his eyes again, he leaned in to kiss her chest.

…

The bed curtains fell.

Xiao Qiao closed her eyes, feeling the immense impact of the astounding strength contained within the young, powerful male body now pressing down on her.

His movements, though unintentionally urgent, were not entirely comfortable for her. However, she could sense that his treatment tonight was somewhat different from before, so she tried her best to relax and accept his advances.

Xiao Qiao kept her eyes tightly shut, her body instinctively tensing against the foreign intrusion. Suddenly, she felt him take her earlobe between his lips and heard his strained, almost altered voice whisper, “…I can’t hold back… Tell me if it hurts too much… Don’t kick me in the face, alright?”

Before Xiao Qiao could fully prepare herself, Wei Shao let out a muffled groan, and things proceeded as nature intended.

Her body, after a brief delay, finally reacted, experiencing the inevitable pain.

Fortunately, he seemed incredibly excited and finished much quicker than Xiao Qiao had anticipated.

Even so, Xiao Qiao’s forehead was covered in a cold sweat from the pain, and her legs felt as if they were floating in the clouds. She felt somewhat dizzy. After a while, she regained her senses and opened her eyes, turning her head to see his face full of dismay, as if he could hardly believe what had happened.

Despite still feeling a burning pain, Xiao Qiao’s innate personality shone through. Seeing his expression, she couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle.

As soon as she laughed, she knew she was in trouble. Sure enough, Wei Shao’s eyes flashed dangerously. He grabbed her leg and pulled her towards him, flipping her over and pinning her down heavily.

Xiao Qiao quickly felt him rising again, fierce and determined. She panicked. He lowered his head to kiss her mouth once more, but Xiao Qiao shook her head, saying it hurt. Wei Shao, however, had lost all traces of his initial tenderness. He bit her mouth hard, nearly bringing tears to her eyes, and his hands became rough as well.

Xiao Qiao regretted her actions immensely. She kept her legs tightly closed, whimpering and struggling, but Wei Shao wouldn’t let her go. As they grappled on the pillow, a servant woman’s voice came from outside: “Is the lord here? The lady has been waiting all night without sleep. She just complained of chest pain and sent me to check.”

Wei Shao stopped.

Xiao Qiao let out a great sigh of relief. Then she realized something was amiss.

When he had first arrived, she had asked if he had visited the northern and eastern quarters, and he had said he had returned from seeing them.

But judging by the servant’s words, it seemed he hadn’t gone there at all.

However, having learned her lesson from before, she truly woke up this time. Seeing him stop, she also ceased her resistance and didn’t dare urge him further. She just lay still beneath him.

After a while, Wei Shao slowly climbed off her and began to dress.

Xiao Qiao pulled the corner of the blanket to cover herself and softly asked his back, “Mother-in-law is unwell. Shall I go with you?”

Wei Shao didn’t respond. After dressing, he finally said, “You sleep. There’s no need for you to come.”

Xiao Qiao murmured an acknowledgment and watched him from the pillow. She thought he was about to leave, but he stopped, turned to look at her, and suddenly came back to sit on the edge of the bed, leaning down close to her.

Remembering that she had inadvertently offended him earlier, Xiao Qiao wasn’t sure what he intended now. She instinctively pulled the blanket up higher and stared at him with wide eyes.

“Your childhood name is Manman?” Wei Shao asked suddenly, his face very close.

Xiao Qiao was startled but nodded.

“Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“You… never asked…”

Wei Shao gazed at her, suddenly smiling. He slipped his hand under the blanket and gave her breast a somewhat playful squeeze.

“Sleep now!”

He withdrew his hand, stood up, and left.

This time, he was gone.

Xiao Qiao slowly let out a breath. As she lay there lost in thought, Chun Niang entered to tuck her in, muttering under her breath, “I’ve never seen elders behave like this… How could they call the lord away at such a time…”

She suddenly stopped, her expression shocked.

Xiao Qiao followed her gaze.

There were traces of her maiden blood on the bedding.

Xiao Qiao’s face flushed hot. Seeing Chun Niang recover and look at her in surprise, she pulled the blanket over her head.

…

Madam Zhu hadn’t closed her eyes all night. Now, leaning against the headboard, she heard Wei Shao’s footsteps approaching and closed her eyes, letting out a soft moan.

Wei Shao came to her bedside and saw her sallow complexion, looking truly haggard. Remembering what the servant who had called him said about the lady’s recent difficulty sleeping at night and lack of energy during the day, his earlier irritation at being interrupted quickly dissipated. He hurriedly leaned closer to inquire about her condition.

Madam Zhu opened her eyes and struggled to sit up. “I’m fine. It’s just an old ailment, nothing fatal. Don’t worry, my son.”

The old servant woman Jiang was still bedridden, so another maid brought over the medicine pills that had been prepared. Wei Shao personally held the water and helped Madam Zhu take the pills, then gently eased her back down to lie down, sitting beside her to keep her company.

Madam Zhu said, “I was only slightly unwell earlier, but the servants made a fuss and called you here. My son, you don’t blame your mother for disturbing you, do you?”

Wei Shao quickly replied, “Mother’s health is paramount. How could I dare to be upset? Besides, it was no trouble.”

Madam Zhu looked relieved. “When does your army set out? I waited all night, fearing you might still resent my foolishness from before and leave without saying goodbye this time…”

Wei Shao said, “Mother, please don’t think that way. I’ve just been very busy lately. I’ve visited Grandmother less often too. How could I, as your son, dare to hold a grudge against the mother who nursed me?”

Madam Zhu looked comforted and grasped Wei Shao’s hand. “Then I can rest easy. My son, you set out on the campaign tomorrow. I know Heaven will surely protect you. The night before I gave birth to you, I saw a golden dragon coiled on the roof ridge. I knew then that you were destined for greatness…”

Wei Shao had heard her mention this supposed golden dragon omen, which was likely a dream or an illusion, countless times. He patiently let her ramble on. After a while, seeing that the medicine was taking effect and her eyes were slowly closing, he gently removed her hand from his and tucked it under the blanket. As he was about to leave, Madam Zhu suddenly opened her eyes and grabbed his hand tightly, crying out, “The Qiao girl brings calamity! The Qiao girl brings calamity! She’s come to harm our family!”

Her grip suddenly seemed to increase in strength, holding Wei Shao’s hand in a death grip. Wei Shao quickly tried to calm her. Madam Zhu finally closed her eyes again and seemed to drift back to sleep.

Wei Shao sat by her side for a long time. When her breathing became even and she appeared to be in a deep sleep, he carefully extricated his hand and stood up. He quietly instructed the servants to take good care of her, then left the eastern quarters. Standing at the intersection, he took a few steps towards Xiao Qiao’s direction, then looked towards the east. After a moment’s hesitation, he turned and headed for the northern quarters instead.

Madam Xu knew her grandson would leave early to lead the army at dawn. Unable to wait for him last night, she had only dozed briefly and was already up. Sure enough, he arrived shortly after.

Over the years, she had seen her grandson off to battle many times. But this time, Madam Xu knew it was different.

This was the decisive battle between the two greatest powers in the north. If her grandson emerged victorious, it would mean he would truly become the dominant force in the north, taking a major step towards his grand ambitions.

Wei Shao knelt before his grandmother to bid farewell and drank a cup of strong wine she poured for him as a send-off. Madam Xu personally escorted him to the door of the western quarters and smiled, saying, “Let your wife help you with your armor now. Go and lead our Clan Wei’s brave men to battle! Your grandmother will await your triumphant return!”

Wei Shao watched as Madam Xu’s figure, leaning on her cane, gradually disappeared from view. Only when she was out of sight did he turn and enter the western quarters.

…

After Wei Shao was called away by Madam Zhu, Xiao Qiao couldn’t sleep either. Knowing he would return to don his armor, she had water brought in and rose to go to the bathhouse, where Chun Niang helped her clean herself.

Chun Niang had assumed she and the lord had already consummated their marriage. Finding out it had only just happened tonight left her puzzled and uncertain. At first, she couldn’t help but ask, but Xiao Qiao remained silent. When pressed further, she just acted coy. Chun Niang realized she wouldn’t say more and had to let it go. After bathing, Xiao Qiao dressed and called for maids to help her with her hair and makeup. Soon after, Wei Shao returned.

The armor was heavy. Xiao Qiao and the servants helped him put it on. By now, the main gates of the Wei mansion were wide open. Outside, torch bearers lit up the night like fiery dragons, and General Li Dian had arrived with his guard to escort the lord to battle.

The low, resonant sound of war horns mingled with the guards’ powerful chants of “Victory is certain!” faintly reaching the room from outside.

Xiao Qiao fastened the last clasp on one side of Wei Shao’s shoulder guard and withdrew her hand, looking up at him.

He was inherently handsome, but donning this battle-worn armor, its plates faintly stained with old blood, he exuded an aura of killing intent.

Xiao Qiao stepped back and said, “My lord, may victory be yours.”

Wei Shao’s expression returned to his usual gravity. He nodded slightly, seeming to want to say something but holding back. In the end, he just gave her a look, grabbed the sword that had been brought and placed on the nearby table, and strode out of the room.