Wei Yan returned home from the Wei residence, where Zhu Quan had already prepared simple travel gear for him.
Wei Yan’s three concubines were now waiting for him in the outer hall.
In the past, when he traveled, he sometimes went alone and sometimes chose one of them to accompany him. So this morning, upon hearing he was leaving, all three had carefully dressed up, hoping to be chosen to go with him. Shortly after, hearing footsteps approaching, the three women turned to look eagerly, but instead of Wei Yan, it was Zhu Quan who emerged from inside, carrying a seemingly heavy long box. He stopped in front of the three women and said, “The Master says he no longer requires your services. The gold in this box is for you three to divide among yourselves. You may leave today.”
Zhu Quan placed the box on the ground and opened the lid. Inside was a box full of gold ingots, dazzling to the eye.
Suddenly learning they were to be dismissed, the three women were initially stunned, looking at each other in disbelief. After regaining their composure, they quickly knelt to plead. The one named Concubine Zhu, who had only been taken in last year, wept and said, “I don’t know what I’ve done wrong for the Master to treat me so heartlessly?”
Zhu Quan shook his head, “The Master’s words were that you have done nothing wrong, he simply no longer needs your services. Please take the gold and leave.”
Concubine Zhu and another Concubine Wang were both from the entertainment quarters, formerly skilled singers and dancers who had caught Wei Yan’s eye and been brought back. Having served him until now, they knew his gloomy temperament and that he was not a gentleman. Although they had been delicate in their service, they harbored some fear of him in their hearts. Seeing that he didn’t even show his face, and hearing Zhu Quan’s tone, they realized their dismissal was final. Continuing to plead would likely anger him, so they could only wipe their tears, each take some gold ingots, and return to their rooms to pack. After discussing, they could only return to the entertainment quarters to resume their old profession. Fortunately, both women were young and beautiful, and Wei Yan had given them generous compensation. In the future, if they met a good man, they could marry; if not, with this wealth, they could live without worrying about food and clothing for life.
After Concubine Zhu and Concubine Wang left, the remaining favored concubine named Lan Yun still stood in place, not leaving.
She had been by Wei Yan’s side for three years. At that time, Wei Yan had fought against an invading Xiongnu force. After the Xiongnu left, Wei Yan rescued a group of abducted women, among whom was Lan Yun. She pleaded with Wei Yan to take her in, claiming her parents had both died. Wei Yan, seeing her beauty and delicate appearance, took her to bed that night. Lan Yun was not only beautiful but also adept at understanding men’s thoughts and was versatile in bed. Without realizing it, three years had passed, and while women around Wei Yan came and went, Lan Yun had always remained by his side.
Zhu Quan saw her standing there with a dazed expression, unwilling to leave and shook his head.
A moment later, Wei Yan hurriedly came out of the room and walked to the door, taking the reins from his attendant. As he was about to mount his horse, Lan Yun ran out from behind and blocked his path, crying, “I have served you for three years without any negligence. Why have you suddenly changed your mind and abandoned me?”
Wei Yan looked at Zhu Quan.
Zhu Quan’s face showed embarrassment as he quickly explained, “I’ve already conveyed your intentions, Master, but she refuses to leave. I’m at a loss.”
Wei Yan said, “Give her some more gold and silk. If she has nowhere to go, find her a family to marry into on my behalf.” With that, he mounted his horse, and amidst the clopping of hooves, the group quickly departed, leaving no trace.
Lan Yun stared blankly at Wei Yan’s retreating figure, tears streaming down her face unceasingly.
…
Wei Shao personally escorted Wei Yan out of the North City Gate and for more than ten li beyond. Finally stopping, the two dismounted and stood by the roadside to say farewell.
“Grandmother will also attend the gathering to witness the valor of our Youzhou warriors. Elder Brother must not miss it.”
Wei Yan said, “Don’t worry, Second Brother. Once matters in Dai Commandery are settled, I will certainly come.”
Wei Shao nodded. Wei Yan saw he seemed to have more to say, so he smiled and asked, “Does Second Brother have something else on his mind?”
Wei Shao hesitated for a moment, turned his head to look behind him, and seeing the attendants were far away, he lowered his voice and said, “It’s nothing much. I just wanted to ask Elder Brother, what do women generally like?”
Wei Yan was taken aback for a moment but quickly understood.
He also knew that Wei Shao was inexperienced with women. Suddenly asking him this, the one he wanted to please must be Lady Qiao.
Wei Shao tried to explain casually, “She has been married to me for some time now, and I’ve noticed she’s quite attentive in serving Grandmother and my mother. As they say, one good turn deserves another, so I thought of giving her some gifts. She doesn’t seem to care much for wealth and silk. But besides these, I can’t think of what else to give her, so I’m asking Elder Brother for advice.”
Wei Yan suppressed the tumultuous emotions surging within him and pondered for a moment before saying, “Sister-in-law has a gentle nature, so her heart must be kind as well. Why don’t you give her a young animal that can be raised as a pet? That should surely please her.”
Wei Shao felt as if he had been enlightened and thanked him profusely.
Wei Yan smiled. The two bid each other farewell. Wei Shao watched as Wei Yan’s group headed north on horseback, then turned his horse around to return to the city.
…
After being caught red-handed by Xiao Qiao that day, Qiao Ci had spent the past few days crawling and rolling around in the training grounds. After a few days, he returned in the evening and excitedly entered Xiao Qiao’s courtyard. Xiao Qiao was in her room when she heard her brother calling for her, sounding quite excited. She went out to see Qiao Ci crouching on the ground, surrounded by several bending maids, whispering as if observing something. She walked over.
“Sister, look!”
Qiao Ci picked up something from the ground and quickly walked towards her.
Only then did Xiao Qiao see that he was holding a kitten in his arms. It had a round head, small short ears, and two eyes with extremely pure colors – one blue and one amber, like two embedded gems. Its whole body was fluffy like a ball of fur. Being held in Qiao Ci’s arms, it seemed scared and kept pawing with its pink paws, making soft meowing sounds, very endearing.
Xiao Qiao exclaimed in surprise, “Where did it come from?”
Qiao Ci said, “Brother-in-law brought it. He said this creature was just born and abandoned on the road with no one to take care of it. Brother-in-law happened to come across it, felt pity, picked it up, and asked me to bring it to you to raise.”
Xiao Qiao knew it was a lie as soon as she heard it. This cat breed must have come from Persia, rarely seen in the Central Plains now. Only Western merchants would bring them to Luoyang to sell at high prices to noble ladies as pets. Rarity makes things precious, and judging by this cat’s appearance, it couldn’t have been obtained without a hefty sum. How could Wei Shao have such good luck to just pick one up on the road?
However, the kitten was truly adorable. Seeing Qiao Ci hand it over to her, Xiao Qiao couldn’t help but take it into her arms. The servants and maids gathered around to look, and hearing it was a gift from the Marquis to the Lady, they all praised it and busied themselves finding cloth to make a bed and sand for it. The western courtyard was lively for a while until it quieted down at nightfall.
The kitten was initially shy, hiding in the room for a while before gradually becoming bolder and coming out. Xiao Qiao played with it for a moment before putting it in its bed.
Wei Shao didn’t come back for dinner. Xiao Qiao ate by herself and bathed, and by then the sky had just darkened.
The summer night was long and uneventful. Xiao Qiao lit a candle and sat down to continue copying scriptures. She had only written a few lines when she heard footsteps outside. She turned to see Wei Shao had returned. Just as she was about to put down her brush and rise to greet him, Wei Shao was already behind her, leaning over to take a look, and praised, “What beautiful handwriting indeed!”
Xiao Qiao smiled gently, put down her brush, and stood up to face him. Wei Shao seemed to suddenly remember something and looked around, asking, “That cat I picked up today, do you like it?”
Seeing him seriously emphasize the “picked up” cat, Xiao Qiao couldn’t help but find it a bit amusing, though she held back her laughter and only made a sound of acknowledgment.
Wei Shao said he wanted to see it. Xiao Qiao led him to the corner of the outer room where the cat bed had been temporarily placed. The kitten was curled up in its bed, sleeping.
As soon as Wei Shao entered, he immediately sneezed. Approaching the cat bed, he stared at the kitten for a moment before finally reaching out a hand to touch its back. He nodded and said, “It’s good that you like it. When I’m not home, it can keep you company…”
Before he could finish speaking, he sneezed again.
Xiao Qiao now realized that Wei Shao probably had an allergic constitution. He seemed unaware, sneezing twice in succession and looking a bit confused as he rubbed his nose.
Xiao Qiao quickly said, “I understand. Don’t touch it anymore. Let’s go!”
She pushed Wei Shao out. Xiao Qiao asked a maid to go in and help him bathe. After some thought, she had to move the cat bed to Chun Niang’s room. Just as she returned to her room, she heard Wei Shao’s voice calling her from the bathroom, as if something serious had happened.
Xiao Qiao was startled and hurried to the bathroom door, lifting the curtain: “What’s the matter, husband?”
Wei Shao shouted, “Itchy!”
Xiao Qiao was stunned for a moment, then walked in to take a closer look. She saw that his arms and shoulders were covered in small red dots.
As Wei Shao kept complaining about the itching, Xiao Qiao quickly stopped him from scratching and told him to come out and put on his clothes first. She asked Chun Niang for some anti-itch ointment, then returned and had him lie down.
Wei Shao obediently lay down, watching her apply the ointment.
Xiao Qiao sat beside him, applying the ointment while saying, “You and the cat don’t get along. We can’t keep it at home anymore. Where did you buy it from? If we can return it, let’s do so tomorrow—”
Wei Shao shook his head and said solemnly, “As long as you like it, I don’t mind even if I itch to death!”
Xiao Qiao mentally rolled her eyes at him and snorted, “I don’t have such a big face as to let the Marquis suffer discomfort every day just to keep a cat…”
Before Xiao Qiao could finish speaking, Wei Shao grabbed her hand, pulling her onto his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and flipped her over, pressing her onto the pillow.
Wei Shao leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Can we tonight? I haven’t touched you for several nights!”
How could Xiao Qiao not understand his meaning? Though she still had a knot in her heart, she couldn’t bring herself to say no. Besides, her body was clean today, and she figured even if she refused, Wei Shao wouldn’t let her have her way this time.
Xiao Qiao casually smeared the remaining ointment on her finger onto his face and snorted, “Is the Marquis not itchy anymore?”
As Wei Shao felt her finger brush across his cheek, his heart fluttered. Ignoring the medicinal smell on her finger, he took it into his mouth, sucking on it as he mumbled, “It’s still very itchy. You need to rub me properly to make it better—”
…
That night, Xiao Qiao was tossed back and forth by Wei Shao for a long time, until her waist felt like it was about to break.
She hadn’t known before that once Wei Shao let loose, he could say all sorts of shameless words and make brazen demands without batting an eye. Not only did he say them himself, but he also forced her to say them for him to hear.
During the last time, she was already softly crying from his actions, but he still wouldn’t let her go. Looking extremely excited, he insisted on making her answer his foolish question “Do you like how I treat you?”
Xiao Qiao didn’t want to talk to him at all and had no strength left to speak. She wished she could throw something at him to shut his mouth, which would have been even better.
But she didn’t have the courage. If she didn’t comply with his wishes, it looked like he was prepared to continue until dawn.
“I like it—” Xiao Qiao cried.
“What do you like?”
“I like… how a husband treats me—”
“Will you let me touch you next time?”
“I will—”
“What if you don’t?”
“I don’t know—”
“You must listen to everything I say! I am your husband!”
“Mm-hmm—” Xiao Qiao cried.
Thanks to Marquis Wei’s great satisfaction both physically and mentally, he finally showed mercy and ended it. As Xiao Qiao closed her eyes before falling asleep, a vague thought flashed through her mind.
Back in Xindu, when she first met him, she often saw him coming and going from the Tan Terrace during the day, thinking he was as busy as a dog.
Now it was her turn to be as tired as a dog at night.
How long would these days last?