(Previous Life)
In Wei Shao’s estimation, conquering Yong was supposed to be a minor affair. Compared to the countless battles he had experienced since taking personal command of military affairs at seventeen, this objective seemed like a walk in the park.
He expected to conclude the campaign within three months at most.
Unexpectedly, after winning the first two minor battles and forcing Emperor Liu Yan to retreat from Yongdu westward to Fufeng, a formidable general with exceptional combat and leadership skills suddenly emerged among his opponents. This man, of similar age to Wei Shao, was born with an unusual green eye. Originally just a leader of displaced people from the south, Wei Shao had heard of him before but hadn’t given him much thought. He had planned to conquer Yongdu first, then turn south to eliminate remnant forces like these displaced people’s leaders.
It was this green-eyed man, whom Liu Yan had ennobled as the Prince of Huaiyin, who created a significant obstacle in Wei Shao’s campaign against Yong. After this setback, with the harsh winter approaching and troops struggling to survive the cold, Wei Shao decided to temporarily withdraw to Luoyang, planning to resume the campaign when spring arrived.
Upon returning to Luoyang, he learned that Qiao Nu had taken her own life by swallowing gold the day after he left Luoyang.
Although the news came suddenly, to be honest, he wasn’t particularly surprised. Given Qiao Nu’s previous half-dead state, suicide wasn’t unexpected.
He certainly couldn’t feel sorrow over her death.
What surprised him was that Su E Huang had already decided on his behalf to bury Qiao Nu outside the Wei family’s burial grounds.
This displeased Wei Shao. Not out of any pity for Qiao Nu – had he made the decision himself, he might not have allowed Qiao Nu to be buried in the same tomb as him either.
However, Qiao Nu was the principal wife his grandmother had chosen for him. Now that Qiao Nu was dead, Su E Huang had made this not-so-small decision without his consent. This made him feel a sense of displeasure at being disrespected. Not just disrespect towards himself, but also towards his grandmother who had passed away years ago.
Su E Huang must have sensed his displeasure. That night in the imperial bed, she exerted herself to the utmost in serving him.
Wei Shao hadn’t touched a woman for several months. He originally did need release. But tonight, perhaps due to the unfavorable progress of the recent military campaign, or perhaps due to his inner discontent, Su E Huang’s enticements failed to arouse him. He felt somewhat disinterested and stopped her when she tried to pleasure him orally, asking her about the matter of burying Qiao Nu outside the family grounds without his permission.
Su E Huang was extremely frightened. She immediately got off the bed, knelt naked, and begged for his forgiveness.
She explained that such matters should have indeed been left for His Majesty to handle upon his return. However, before His Majesty left for the Yong campaign, he had entrusted the affairs of the inner palace to her. Qiao Nu was the daughter of an enemy family, and she chose to commit suicide by swallowing gold the day after His Majesty left for the campaign, which was considered inauspicious and her intentions were suspicious. At the time, she was too indignant and acted without much thought, ordering Qiao Nu to be buried. Now that she thought about it carefully, she also regretted her actions. If it had offended His Majesty and he found it inappropriate, she requested that Qiao Nu be exhumed and given a more proper burial elsewhere, and she would willingly accept any punishment from His Majesty.
Su E Huang’s explanation seemed reasonable and without any obvious flaws. After finishing, she began to cry.
Wei Shao looked at Su E Huang kneeling at his feet in tears, and felt a surge of irritation, even disgust, in his heart. But in the end, he said nothing and fell silent.
Su E Huang slowly wiped away her tears, crawled back to his side on her knees, and lowered her head, slowly pressing herself against the base of his thigh.
……
“I can grant your wish and make you Empress,” Wei Shao said with his eyes closed to Su E Huang, who was still nestled by his side after they had finished.
“The new King of Goguryeo has offered his daughter, and today the Grand Chancellor also submitted a memorial suggesting that I should expand the harem. Besides the Goguryeo princess, there are eight other women, all gifts from various regions seeking peace.”
“I have accepted them,” he continued, his voice calm.
……
Little Qiao, of course, knew nothing of these past events that occurred after the death of the Qiao girl in her previous life.
She was equally unaware that eight years later, after completely unifying the realm and forcing the Xiongnu to move their royal court back, incorporating vast territories into the Great Yan empire, Emperor Wei Shao, the founding emperor, was at the height of his ambition and passion, preparing to launch another expedition to conquer the Western Regions. It was then that the green-eyed man from the southern Baling barbarian lands, the only person he had ever considered a worthy opponent on the battlefield in this life, once again raised an army in rebellion. Only then did the Emperor realize that the green-eyed man had not died years ago. Enraged, he ignored all advice and personally led a Southern campaign to suppress the rebellion.
In a place called Guixiang, during a battle, the Emperor unexpectedly died from a stray arrow that seemed to fall from the sky.
He died at the age of thirty-nine.
With Wei Shao’s sudden death in his prime, the Great Yan Empire, which had existed for barely eight years, crumbled to dust. The Xiongnu returned with a vengeance, the Central Plains once again fragmented, local warlords carved out their territories, and the common people once again fell into the suffering of war. The situation regressed as if returning to ten years prior.
……
Little Qiao noticed that after Madam Xu finished speaking, she turned to look at her with a delighted smile.
“That’s wonderful. I hope the lord husband can return home soon,” she said.
Madam Xu nodded with a smile.
Madam Zhu looked at Little Qiao, her previously smiling expression slowly becoming rigid again.
This simple statement from Little Qiao once again touched a nerve deep in Madam Zhu’s heart.
When Qiao Nu first arrived at the Wei mansion, she thought her son would hate her as much as she did. Unexpectedly, not only did her son share a room with her, but he also seemed quite protective of her.
She was Wei Shao’s mother, the one who bore and raised this son. Although there were many aspects of her son that she couldn’t understand or figure out, as his mother, she could still tell whether he liked something or not.
Her son’s successful capture of Jinyang and imminent return home was undoubtedly great news. However, the thought of her son’s return inevitably meant that this Qiao girl might find an opportunity to take advantage, even if her son was only captivated by her beauty and treated her as a plaything. This thought felt like a drill constantly boring into her heart.
In fact, for Madam Zhu, apart from her niece Zheng Shu, there was no other woman in this world worthy of being her son’s wife.
Except for Zheng Shu, no other woman was trying to steal her son away from her.
Moreover, this Qiao girl came from the enemy Qiao family.
She stared at Little Qiao’s smiling face with a slightly sharp gaze, somewhat lost in thought.
“I received another piece of news,” Madam Xu smiled and said, “People from your maternal family will be coming in a few days, including your brother.”
……
After Xue Tai’s last-minute withdrawal, Yanzhou narrowly escaped danger once again. Zhang Pu and others advised Qiao Yue to take this opportunity to send envoys to Yuyang, firstly to express gratitude, and secondly, to use this chance to strengthen the relationship between the two families. Qiao Yue agreed with this suggestion and immediately selected the envoys. Upon hearing the news, Qiao Ci requested to go along. Qiao Ping knew that his son probably missed Little Qiao, and since his daughter had already joined the Wei family, regardless of his previous unwillingness, it was now a settled matter. Moreover, Wei Shao had indeed provided great assistance during this recent crisis in Yanzhou. If they could use this opportunity to improve relations, it could be considered an unexpected blessing born from misfortune. Therefore, he did not stop his son, only giving him many words of advice before his departure.
Qiao Ci agreed to everything. On the day of departure, he set out with the envoys, carrying lavish gifts, and is now on his way to Yuyang.
……
Her younger brother Qiao Ci was coming to see her!
This news made Little Qiao very happy.
She had been in the north for almost half a year and missed her family very much. She also worried about Da Qiao and Bi, whose whereabouts were still unknown. When she sent them away, Da Qiao had promised that if they settled down safely and had the opportunity, she would send her a letter.
She had been waiting for their letter all this time.
Moreover, she now had some other things she wanted to tell her father. Originally, she thought of writing a letter. Now that her brother was coming, it would be perfect for him to take a letter back.
……
This unexpected good news dispelled the small shadow left in Little Qiao’s heart from the trip to Zhongshan. She looked forward to the days passing quickly so she could see her brother Qiao Ci sooner.
Half a month later, before Qiao Ci and his group arrived, Wei Shao returned first.
……
The victory at Jinyang had rapidly increased Wei Shao’s military strength. His army expanded to 300,000 troops. Apart from the 100,000 left to guard Jinyang, the rest were stationed in Fanyang and Xindu, with 100,000 returning with him to Yuyang.
That day, Yuyang City was like a festival. The city gates were wide open, with people lining the streets to welcome the lord’s return.
Wei Shao left the main force of his army in camps outside the four gates, leading only a contingent of 2,000 personal guards into the city. The guards were all in shining armor, marching in perfect formation. As they passed through the city gates, the people were extremely excited, with shouts of “The lord has returned” and “Victory in battle” rising and falling, so clear that even Little Qiao could hear them from inside the high walls of the Wei mansion.
Madam Xu and Madam Zhu had already gone to the main gate early to welcome him.
Little Qiao stood quietly behind Madam Zhu, her eyes fixed on the wide road beyond the gate.
Gradually, she saw the silhouettes of a group of horsemen appear in the distance.
The figures became clearer and clearer.
The person at the very front was Wei Shao, who had been gone for four months.
Madam Xu finally couldn’t contain her joy and involuntarily stepped forward quickly, descending the steps.
Wei Shao saw his grandmother and hurriedly spurred his horse forward. Before he reached her, he swung down from his horse, took a few large strides to her, and knelt on one knee before Madam Xu, saying, “Grandson has fortunately not failed Grandmother’s expectations and returns victorious today! I have caused Grandmother much worry!”
Madam Xu quickly helped him up from the ground.
Li Dian, Wei Liang, and others who had accompanied Wei Shao also arrived, dismounting and coming forward to pay their respects and express gratitude to Madam Xu.
Madam Xu laughed heartily and said, “It is I who should thank you loyal ministers and capable generals on behalf of my late husband! If it weren’t for everyone’s support, how could we of the Wei family alone achieve today’s prosperity in Youzhou? I have already prepared a victory feast for the officers and soldiers. Today, you must open your hearts and drink to your heart’s content!”
Everyone cheered loudly and laughed heartily. The atmosphere in front of the Wei mansion was filled with heroic spirit and joy.
Wei Shao was pulled aside by Madam Zhu, who asked him questions. After responding to a few, his gaze passed over Madam Zhu’s head to Little Qiao standing behind her.
Seeing him look at her, Little Qiao gave him a slight smile.
……
Wei Shao was still wearing his armor. Moreover, having been on military campaigns for four months, living among men, he had inevitably neglected his appearance. The first thing to do upon returning home was to bathe and change clothes.
The maids and servants of the west room were all lined up at the door to welcome him. Wei Shao entered, and everyone followed to serve him.
Earlier, in front of Madam Xu and Madam Zhu, it was still fine. But as soon as he entered the room, Wei Shao’s gaze fixed directly on Little Qiao’s face.
Being stared at like this made Little Qiao feel somewhat awkward. After all, they had only been married for just over half a year, and the time they had spent together was almost less than half the time they had been apart.
They had just started to become familiar with each other when several months passed, and now he was suddenly standing in front of her again, with his unkempt beard, which inevitably made Little Qiao feel a sense of unfamiliarity again.
But since he wanted to look at her like this, she couldn’t tell him not to. She could only lower her head slightly, keeping her eyes level with his chest, and raise her hands to help him remove his clothes.
“All of you, leave,” Wei Shao suddenly said.
Chun Niang and the other maids in the room exchanged glances, immediately put down what they were doing, and filed out.
Chun Niang was the last to leave. As she closed the door, she gave Little Qiao a look.
Little Qiao understood the meaning in Chun Niang’s eyes – it was telling her to please the newly returned husband well.
Little Qiao suddenly felt flustered but didn’t dare to ask Chun Niang to stay. She watched helplessly as Chun Niang disappeared behind the door, which was then closed.
Little Qiao’s expression unconsciously became more serious as she continued to help him remove his armor in a very formal manner.
A clasp on his waist seemed to be stuck, and she couldn’t undo it no matter how she tried.
Her hands kept fumbling at his waist, unable to unfasten it. Little Qiao was at a loss, and feeling his constant gaze on her made her even more nervous. Moreover, as summer was approaching and the weather was getting warmer, even the tip of her nose was beaded with fine sweat. With no other option, she was about to look up and ask for his help when she felt a weight on the back of her hand. One of his hands had pressed down, completely enveloping hers.
“Did you miss me these past days?” Wei Shao asked, lowering his head and whispering in her ear. He gently squeezed her hand as he spoke.
Years of wielding swords had left his palms somewhat rough and calloused. He kneaded her delicate, boneless hand, and an ambiguous atmosphere arose.
Little Qiao felt her cheeks begin to heat up.
Wei Shao was teasing her. Even someone as slow to perceive as she was could sense it.
She hesitated for a moment before finally raising her eyes to look at him and said softly, “Quite a few people are waiting for you outside! Why don’t we let Chun Niang and the others come in to help you bathe and change quickly—”
“Did you miss me? Hm?” he repeated, interrupting her. Suddenly, he increased his grip, squeezing her hand hard. The force was so strong that it even caused her pain. His face pressed closer, their cheeks suddenly brushing against each other. It seemed intentional; she could feel the prickling sensation of his stubble against her skin, a feeling that was both painful and ticklish.