Xiao Qiao felt slightly embarrassed. Knowing she could no longer hide it, she quickly thought and lowered her head, saying, “It’s all the daughter-in-law’s fault. Last night in our room, we had a small quarrel over some trivial matters. Please forgive me, Grandmother.”
Xiao Qiao had spent half the night thinking about it and realized that Wei Shao’s sudden moody behavior these past two days was related to his statement, “Even the men of the Wei family must be subservient to you.”
She couldn’t understand how he had so rashly labeled her as a Pan Jinlian, forcibly displaying affection in front of Wei Yan, only to turn around and act crazy in front of her.
But one thing she was certain of was that he believed there was an improper relationship between Wei Yan and herself.
At that moment, she had indeed been disgusted by the thought he expressed, and unable to control herself, regardless of the consequences, she had slapped him, successfully driving him away. However, Wei Shao had returned this morning to put on an act with her in front of Madam Xu, showing he didn’t want this “family scandal” to spread. So when Madam Xu suddenly asked about it now, Xiao Qiao naturally dared not say more, only vaguely mentioning “in the room” and “trivial matters” to deflect. She figured that given Madam Xu’s seniority, even if she was curious or disbelieving, she wouldn’t press the matter further.
Sure enough, Madam Xu didn’t pursue it. She just nodded and said, “Even teeth and lips may clash, let alone a young couple? Although you just said it was your fault, I know it must have been him who offended you. He’s been a mischievous monkey since childhood, causing trouble if not disciplined for three days. After scolding him, talk to him nicely, and he’ll learn his lesson.”
Xiao Qiao felt there was some hidden meaning in Madam Xu’s words, but she didn’t have time to ponder it, only wanting to quickly get past this awkward moment. She nodded and responded hastily.
Madam Xu smiled and said, “Tomorrow is the Lu Li Grand Meeting. We need to leave early, and it’s already getting late. Mao’er will stay here. You should go back to your room now and prepare well for tomorrow’s events, get enough rest. If he comes back and still gives you attitude, feel free to tell Grandmother, and I’ll support you.”
Xiao Qiao respectfully agreed and retreated, returning to the western room. Wei Shao was naturally not there. She didn’t wait for him to eat dinner but ate by herself. After returning to her room, she calmed her mind and went over every detail of what she needed to do the next morning, ensuring there would be no mistakes. Then she went to bed.
She needed to be well-rested.
Wei Shao returned in the middle of the night, treading lightly as if afraid to wake her. Xiao Qiao was awakened by him but pretended to be asleep.
Wei Shao came out of the bathroom, extinguished the lights, and climbed into bed. That night, they slept separately. Xiao Qiao slept soundly. The next morning, she was woken by movement beside her.
Wei Shao had sat up in bed.
The sky outside was just beginning to show a hint of grayish-white. Given the current season, it wasn’t even the fifth watch yet. It was still early.
But today was the Lu Li Grand Meeting, and he indeed should leave early.
Xiao Qiao barely opened her eyes to a slit and saw Wei Shao sitting on the bed, his back and the back of his head facing her.
He sat motionless, as if lost in thought, then suddenly turned his face slightly and glanced at Xiao Qiao on the pillow.
Xiao Qiao, still not fully awake, half-squinted and met his gaze for a moment. He seemed to look at her with disdain, turned his head back, and got out of bed, lifting the covers.
Although they had quarreled and grown distant, since she was already awake, Xiao Qiao would still do what she was supposed to do. She yawned and got up after him. As usual, she opened the door and called for people to come in and assist with washing and dressing.
Throughout the entire process, no one uttered a word. Only the footsteps of the maids coming and going and the slight clanking of the copper basin and water pitcher could be heard. Then, people from the small kitchen brought in and set down the food tray for breakfast. Xiao Qiao also knelt beside it to accompany him.
Previously, when the two were as close as honey, Wei Shao had already been eating at the same table with her.
Now it was as if they had automatically reverted to the initial state of the game.
Wei Shao maintained an expressionless face throughout. Xiao Qiao served him as he finished breakfast, saw him out the door, watched his figure disappear into the faint dawn light, and then returned inside. She didn’t go back to sleep but washed up, and Spring Maiden helped her take out the clothes she was to wear that day.
Today would be her first public appearance since marrying into the Wei family, and they had been carefully considering what clothes she should wear for many days.
The Lu Li Platform wasn’t just a gathering of the Wei family’s distant relatives; she would be facing the noble families of Yu Yang, the Wei family’s retainers and officials, and tens of thousands of soldiers from You Province. Xiao Qiao was already beautiful enough; what needed to be emphasized now was not her beauty, but the grace and aura befitting her status as she appeared before the public for the first time as the third-generation lady of the Wei family.
For this reason, Spring Maiden had privately gone to consult Madam Zhong. Madam Zhong said that Madam Xu would wear purple that day, so the young lady could wear vermilion red. It would be both complementary and outstanding.
Spring Maiden was delighted, thanked Madam Zhong, and returned to modify the clothes.
She was skilled in women’s needlework. Yesterday, she finally finished preparing the clothes.
Xiao Qiao put on the vermilion red ceremonial robe embroidered with black dragon and phoenix vine patterns. The skirt trailed on the ground, the sleeves hung to her knees, and the waist belt was seven inches wide, embroidered with intricate and exquisite gold thread cornel and cloud patterns. In the middle of her waist was inlaid a beautiful ruyi jade. Her black hair was styled high in a cloud-piercing bun, with a pair of gold hairpins inlaid with jewels and pearls inserted on each side, adorned with double phoenixes.
Compared to when she had just gotten married last year, after nearly half a year, Xiao Qiao had not only grown a bit taller, but her figure had also begun to lose its girlish immaturity and develop more evenly. Dressed in such ceremonial attire, after full makeup, from head to toe her ornaments gleamed, gold and jade rustled, her aura noble and graceful, yet not lacking in clarity and beauty. Even Madam Xu, upon seeing her, gazed at her for a long time before smiling and saying, “To have such a fine daughter-in-law is my grandson’s blessing!”
That day, the sky was high and the clouds were light, with a brilliant morning glow from early on. At the hour of Chen, Wei Liang came on orders to escort the Wei family’s womenfolk. Xiao Qiao and Madam Xu boarded the carriage. Madam Zhu also went along. Several miles out of the city was the Lu Li Platform.
Although called a platform, the Lu Li was a grand viewing tower built on a high rammed earth foundation. Facing south with its back to the north, it was several dozen zhang long and wide, three stories high, open on all four sides, majestic in appearance, and offering an excellent view. Opposite the Lu Li Platform was a large drill ground that could accommodate ten thousand people at once. It had four gates – Blue Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise – in the east, west, south, and north respectively. On each side of the four gates, there was also an arch-guarded small gate, and above each of the four gates was a slightly lower viewing platform, named after the gates as Blue Dragon Platform, White Tiger Platform, Vermilion Bird Platform, and Black Tortoise Platform, prepared for the invited prefects from various regions and other distinguished guests.
As it approached the hour of Si, the drill ground was filled with banners that obscured the sky and dazzling armor. Tens of thousands of troops from various places had already gathered.
As Madam Xu’s carriage gradually approached the Blue Dragon Gate, cannons roared at all four gates. Wei Shao and Wei Yan, leading the nobles of Yu Yang and prefects from various places, as well as aristocratic families, hurried out to form ranks and welcome them.
Madam Xu’s white hair was combed neat and smooth, and she wore a purple robe. She alighted from the carriage, one hand holding a dragon-headed cane, the other arm supported by Xiao Qiao, with Madam Zhu following behind, walking towards the Blue Dragon Gate.
Wei Shao and Wei Yan rushed forward to pay their respects, and the other prefects also bowed in salutation.
Besides selecting talents and displaying military might, the Lu Li Grand Meeting was also an occasion for the Wei family to liaise with prefects from various places and promote unity.
The prefects invited today were all old acquaintances from when Wei Shao’s father was still alive. In the past few days, Wei Shao had already met with these people who had come. They had naturally also interacted with Madam Xu before and were looking forward to meeting her. However, Madam Xu rarely receives guests these days. Now that she finally appeared, they all came forward to greet her.
Madam Xu was in high spirits, smiling as she exchanged greetings with everyone. Seeing their gazes subsequently fall on Xiao Qiao, she smiled and said, “I am already advanced in years, but fortunately, the Wei family has someone to inherit the domestic affairs. This is my grandson’s new wife, Qiao, who has deeply won my heart. Today, Qiao will represent me in striking the golden drum to boost the morale of our You Province braves!”
Under the slightly surprised gazes of the crowd, Xiao Qiao stepped forward unhurriedly, smiled, and said, “Before I came, Grandmother told me that everyone present today is a hero and a pillar of the Wei family. She instructed me not to be discourteous and to pay respects to my uncles. Uncles, please accept my obeisance.” She then bowed in three directions.
Seeing that although she was young, she was of unparalleled beauty, graceful in her actions, poised in her responses, and dignified in her bearing, everyone’s eyes lit up at first sight. With Madam Xu recommending her thus, and her being Wei Shao’s wife, they dared not be arrogant or act like elders, and each returned her bow.
Madam Xu was in an excellent mood. Amid great laughter, she had Xiao Qiao link arms with her again and led her through the Blue Dragon Gate.
When the tens of thousands of soldiers in the drill ground saw Madam Xu appear, shouts of “Long live!” arose from all around.
Madam Xu, with a beaming smile, led Xiao Qiao, followed by Madam Zhu, and escorted by the Wei Shao and Wei Yan brothers, ascended the Lu Li Platform to take their seats. The prefects from various places, nobles, and guests also ascended the four gate platforms to take their seats. Yuan Dai and Ding Qu, who had arrived two days ago, were also shown to their seats, but we won’t elaborate on that.
The view from the Lu Li Platform was excellent, with strong winds blowing from all directions. Looking down from the platform, one could see the huge drill ground below, where the soldiers’ formations were arrayed in straight lines, their armor strict and stern, exuding a heroic and grand martial air. It was impossible not to feel a surge of excitement in one’s heart.
Xiao Qiao knew that the Wei Yan and Wei Shao brothers were nearby, their eyes fixed on her. Although she felt very uncomfortable with these two Wei family men in her heart, she didn’t let it distract her at all, and there was no sign of these two people in her eyes. She only looked towards Madam Xu. Under Madam Xu’s encouraging gaze, she took a deep breath, exhaled the turbid air in her chest, and walked with steady steps towards the huge golden drum set up in the center of the Lu Li Platform.
She took the copper mallet decorated with red tassels from a soldier’s hand and, under the gaze of tens of thousands, steadily raised her arm to strike the drum. After three beats, accompanied by the lingering vibrations of the drum, she proclaimed in a clear voice: “Thereupon that public hall, naming that bamboo cup! Bless our brave warriors, guarding the four directions in peace! May you live ten thousand years!”
At that moment, the great wind was blowing, and along with the vibrations of the drum, her clear and energetic voice was carried by the wind to the four corners of the drill ground.
“May you live ten thousand years!”
“May you live ten thousand years!”
The drill ground was quiet at first, but after a moment, it suddenly erupted again in a chorus of “May you live ten thousand years!” echoing her recitation. The sound came from all directions, almost shaking the clouds.
Xiao Qiao placed the copper mallet back on the tray and walked back steadily, just as she had come.
She looked at Madam Xu, and from Madam Xu’s smiling eyes, she knew that she must have passed this “test” which was not easy for her.
She let out a long breath. Although she looked calm, her heart was still beating fast, and her palms were sweaty.
Although women’s status was generally low at this time, in the Wei family, there had been a period when women were in charge of affairs. It was thanks to Madam Xu at that time that the Wei family weathered that turbulent low point, laying a solid foundation for Wei Shao’s later governance.
Therefore, in front of Madam Xu of the Wei family, there was no such thing as women not being able to step out of the inner chambers.
Xiao Qiao knew well that with her qualifications, she originally would never have been able to stand in such a high position, in this place called the Lu Li Platform, receiving cheers from tens of thousands below.
From her heart, she had never yearned to receive such honor—she never felt she deserved it. More importantly, she felt some trepidation in her heart—the fear that after receiving such honor today, she would not be able to repay it equally in the future.
But Madam Xu had pushed her to this position. She couldn’t refuse.
Xiao Qiao didn’t know why Madam Xu valued her so much. Since she was valued, today’s matter couldn’t be avoided, and all she could do was try her best not to disappoint Madam Xu’s expectations.
Now it seemed that she had done reasonably well. At least, she shouldn’t have embarrassed herself.
Madam Xu had her sit by her side and gently patted the back of her hand, smiling and saying, “You did very well.”
Xiao Qiao said, “It’s thanks to Grandmother’s love and encouragement that I was fortunate enough not to disgrace the mission.”
…
After the golden drum ceremony, the Lu Li Grand Meeting officially began. The mighty voices of soldiers resounded throughout the drill ground, each boosting the morale of the contestants from their military groups.
Wei Shao and Wei Yan were to go down to the drill ground. They came to bid farewell to Madam Xu.
Wei Yan wore a smile, his demeanor calm and composed.
Looking at Wei Yan, Xiao Qiao couldn’t help but think of Wei Shao’s jealousy, which was even more intense than a woman’s.
Although she didn’t know exactly how he had come to suspect that she and Wei Yan were having an affair, remembering the way Wei Yan had looked at her when they first met, and now seeing these two men in front of her, she suddenly felt uncomfortable.
Xiao Qiao couldn’t help but glance at Wei Shao. She saw that he was staring at her. She didn’t avoid his gaze but slightly raised her chin and stared back at him for a moment.
Wei Shao seemed to pause, his face darkening, and he turned and left.
Wei Yan followed, also descending from the Lu Li Platform.
With these two troublemakers gone, Xiao Qiao finally felt at ease and immediately began searching for her brother Qiao Ci’s figure in the drill ground.
Today there were two martial arts competitions: horseback archery and hand-to-hand combat. The horseback archery, which was the event Qiao Ci was participating in, was first.
The competition involved combining riding and shooting. At the end of the course, a golden bell was suspended from a rope. All the warriors would ride out from the starting point, and the first to shoot down the bell with an arrow while avoiding interference from their opponents would be declared the winner. Contestants were prohibited from striking each other’s horses, but they could use any means necessary to hinder their rivals. This event posed a significant challenge to the participants’ horsemanship, archery skills, and combat abilities.
A total of thirty-two warriors were set to compete in this archery event. Apart from Qiao Ci, all were elite archers from various military camps. They had already mounted their horses at the starting line, waiting for the competition to begin.
Xiao Qiao quickly spotted her younger brother, Qiao Ci.
He looked exceptionally spirited today, his face glowing like a silver plate, and his brows sharp as swords. Clad in a white robe and silver armor, he carried a treasured bow over his shoulder and wore a prized sword at his waist, sitting proudly atop a spirited blue steed.
Xiao Qiao felt a surge of joy as she gazed intently at Qiao Ci. He seemed to sense her gaze, turning suddenly toward the platform behind him and flashing her a smile. The youthful vigor of a budding hero radiated from him, striking her with a powerful energy.
The author wishes to remind readers: By the way, the phrase “long live” was not exclusive to emperors in this era.