When Madam Xu uttered those words, Xiao Qiao instinctively lowered her eyes.
She knew it was likely just an exclamation from Madam Xu about the previous scene.
Yet suddenly, she dared not look at the expressions of Wei Shao and Wei Yan across from her.
She dared not meet Madam Xu’s single eye now showed only joy.
Even at this moment, she still didn’t know exactly what had transpired between the Wei brothers.
But one thing she knew – there must be a deep rift between them. And the reason was likely related to her.
Frankly, even if Wei Yan had developed inappropriate feelings for her and angered Wei Shao, she didn’t think it was her fault. Just as that night when Wei Shao vented his anger on her, she was innocent.
But at this moment, she suddenly felt anxious.
It wasn’t that she was being conceited or flattering herself. She was afraid.
Madam Xu’s words just now had suddenly reminded her.
If by chance these two Wei brothers truly fell out because of her, and the matter reached Madam Xu, how would Madam Xu view her? How could she continue to establish herself in the Wei family?
To be more sensitive, from the moment she carefully married into the Wei family and first met Madam Xu in Yuyang, Madam Xu had treated her well. If she learned the brothers had developed a rift because of her, how would she feel?
“Brothers are like limbs, women are like clothes.” This age-old saying should be despised and spurned.
But now she hoped it was true. She would rather Wei Shao view her as a piece of clothing than have Madam Xu misunderstand her even slightly or feel sad and upset. Similarly, if Wei Shao made things irreparable simply because another man had one-sided feelings for her, even if that man was his elder brother, she could only think of it as rash and brainless.
Originally these past two days, regarding this matter, she had mostly felt wronged by Wei Shao’s fickle and terrible treatment, even fuming internally.
But suddenly, in this instant, her mind cleared.
If handled improperly, the severity of this matter could lead to consequences she could not bear.
In a flash, Xiao Qiao quickly raised her eyes to look at Wei Shao across from her.
She hoped he could see her expression at this moment.
But right now, Wei Shao wasn’t looking at her.
He was looking straight ahead at Madam Xu beside her, his expression respectful and calm.
He said, “Grandmother has had a tiring morning. Let this grandson escort Grandmother back to the city.”
There would be a grand banquet in the city, and feasts in the military camps of the four gates would also begin. It likely wouldn’t end until late at night.
Madam Xu knew he and Wei Yan would be very busy for the rest of the day, so how could she have them escort her back? As when they came in the morning, she left through the Azure Dragon Gate amid the send-off of the two brothers and numerous prefects.
Qiao Ci was also among them, standing with the crowd outside. The wound on his arm had been bandaged and seemed to be of no great concern.
Only then did Xiao Qiao set her mind at ease. Seeing her younger brother look at her through the crowd, she nodded slightly to him.
Madam Xu saw Qiao Ci and beckoned him over. The crowd quickly made way for him.
Madam Xu inquired about his injury.
Qiao Ci bowed and said, “This humble one is fine. Thank you for your concern, Elder Madam.”
Madam Xu said, “I saw it all. Heroes emerge from the young. As for uprightness and kindness, that’s even more rare.” She turned to Xiao Qiao and said, “Your brother is very good. It’s clear there’s a fine family upbringing.”
The others also chimed in agreement.
Qiao Ci’s handsome face reddened slightly, showing a bashful expression. He bowed again and said respectfully, “Elder Madam praises me too highly. This humble one is unworthy.”
Madam Xu nodded with a smile.
Xiao Qiao quickly thanked Madam Xu as well, and together with Lady Zhu, helped support her into the carriage on either side.
In such a setting, Xiao Qiao had no chance to speak privately with her brother.
As she bent to enter the carriage, she looked back once more at Wei Shao. This time she saw he was also looking at her.
Their eyes met for a moment before she entered the carriage.
She decided to talk to him when he returned in the evening.
On the way back, Xiao Qiao thought to herself.
……
Wei Shao watched as the carriage carrying the women of the family gradually disappeared into the distance. He chatted with the nearby prefects, inviting them to enter the city first as the grand feast was about to begin.
Li Dian brought over an eager-looking Qiao Ci. After a military salute, he said with a smile, “I’ve come to borrow someone from the Lord. Young Master Qiao has made a name for himself on the training grounds, and all the brothers want to drink and befriend him. I wonder if the Lord will allow it?”
Li Dian was absolutely one of the top three famous generals of the time. Qiao Ci had known his name even when he was in Yanzhou before. Seeing that he came personally to fetch him, Qiao Ci was both nervous and delighted. He couldn’t help but show an expectant look in his eyes.
Wei Shao glanced at him and said, “To be so appreciated by the Great General, why don’t you thank him?”
Qiao Ci hurriedly thanked Li Dian.
Li Dian laughed heartily and led him away.
Wei Shao watched the two figures disappear into the distance, and once again cast his gaze towards his elder brother Wei Yan.
Since coming down from the arena, Wei Yan had been silent. Though he had accompanied him in sending off Madam Xu just now, he hadn’t said a word from start to finish.
He had already left on his own.
Outside the Azure Dragon Gate of the training grounds, there were people everywhere.
His figure quickly vanished into the bustling crowd.
……
On this day, the festivities inside and outside Yuyang City continued until nightfall.
Wei Shao finally extricated himself from the ongoing feasts and banquets, mounted a horse alone, and rode towards the west of the city.
There was a restriction in Yuyang City that, to avoid disturbing the people, galloping on the streets was prohibited unless for urgent military matters. Violators would be subject to the punishment of flogging.
This restriction had been issued by Wei Shao himself several years ago. When it was first implemented, a light cavalry general violated the order by galloping through the busy market. Wei Shao had him given thirty military lashes at the government office. Since then, the order was strictly followed, and no one dared to violate it.
But at this moment, he was violating it.
He spurred his horse into a gallop. The iron-shod hooves struck the wide, even stone street surface like rapid raindrops, startling late-returning pedestrians.
The pedestrians hadn’t encountered such a scene for a long time. They stopped to watch as a man and horse broke through the distant night, rushing past them like the wind, disappearing again into the night in the blink of an eye.
The sky was already dark, and the pedestrians couldn’t see the rider’s appearance. They grumbled a few words.
Wei Shao couldn’t hear the complaints from behind him.
At that moment, he didn’t care about any of that.
During the day, he had barely eaten anything, only drinking a lot of wine. A belly full of wine.
He felt his whole body burning hot, and his footsteps were starting to stagger.
But his mind was still very clear.
The more wine he drank, the clearer his mind became, and the dark fire burning in his chest grew stronger and stronger.
Without a moment’s pause, he rode faster and faster, finally almost charging up to the brightly lit gate of Luozhong Ward. He dismounted from his horse and strode in quickly.
The doorman had seen the Marquis riding into the city before and had a deep impression of his appearance, not to mention his current attire. He recognized him at a glance and hurried to welcome him. But smelling the strong scent of alcohol on him, it seemed he had come drunk. Seeing his unfriendly expression, the doorman couldn’t help but feel alarmed. Wei Shao grabbed his collar and asked, “Is Wei Yan here?”
“Duke?”
The doorman immediately reacted, nodding hurriedly and leading Wei Shao into the building.
The courtesans in the main hall were surprised when they saw him and didn’t dare to continue playing music. They stopped and stared. The doorman was so panicked climbing the stairs that he missed a step and fell, but ignoring the pain, he crawled up the stairs on all fours, finally stopping in front of an ornately carved door and bowing slightly as he said softly, “The Duke is just inside.”
The carved door was tightly closed. Faint sounds of delicate music could be heard from inside, interspersed with the soft laughter and coy voices of women.
Wei Shao stood at the door for a moment, then suddenly raised his foot and kicked the door open with a “bang”. It startled two courtesans sitting by the door. The courtesans cried out in alarm, clutching their pipa as they backed away, looking fearfully at the handsome young man who had suddenly appeared at the door. They saw his expression was extremely gloomy, his eyes fixed on the noble guest reclining on the couch inside.
Wei Yan was lying askew on the couch, his clothes neat, eyes closed, seemingly having fallen asleep drunk. In front of him was a wine table, with cups and plates scattered messily. Several empty wine bottles lay on the ground. On either side of him sat a young woman. One wore a red dress, the other yellow, their breasts half-exposed, cheeks flushed, eyes filled with spring charm. They had been laughing and talking when suddenly the door was kicked open. Startled, they turned their heads, eyes wide as they stared. The noisy room suddenly fell silent.
Wei Yan opened his eyes and glanced at Wei Shao at the door. His expression showed no surprise. He just slowly sat up and said, “So many things today, why has Second Brother come here?”
Wei Shao said coldly, “Come with me.” Then he turned and left.
Wei Yan was lost in thought for a moment. He pushed away the two women on either side and stood up from the couch. As he got off the couch, his steps faltered slightly. The woman in red quickly came over to support him.
Wei Yan pushed her away and walked out supporting himself against the wall.
Wei Shao and Wei Yan left Luozhong Ward one after the other, each mounting their horses. Wei Shao led the way, heading towards the east of the city. Wei Yan followed behind. They passed through the city gate and continued for about ten miles, leaving even the Queen Mother Temple behind, before finally stopping in an open wilderness.
In the distance to the west, a faint waxing crescent moon was slowly rising in the blue-purple night sky. The wilderness was quiet all around, with only the soft rustling sound of the wild grass at their feet being blown by the night wind.
Wei Shao dismounted and stood at the edge of the wilderness, his back motionless.
Wei Yan also dismounted and stopped behind him for a moment before walking over to him and saying, “Second Brother called me here, for what purpose…”
Before he could finish speaking, Wei Shao suddenly turned around, clenched his fist, and swung it fiercely towards Wei Yan’s face.
Caught off guard, Wei Yan took a heavy blow to the face. Blood gushed from his nose, and he fell backward onto the ground. At first, there was a buzzing sound in both his ears, but after a moment, it gradually subsided.
He opened his eyes to see Wei Shao kneeling on one knee in front of him, his face full of anger, gritting his teeth as he said, “I have always regarded you as my elder brother, and you are indeed my elder brother. There are so many women in the world, why must you disrespect her?”
Wei Yan closed his eyes for a moment, raising his hand to wipe away the blood that continued to flow from his nose.
Wei Shao sneered, “I’ve been thinking all day, and I finally understand a bit. Although we are brothers, you must also harbor dissatisfaction towards me, right? So I might as well call you out here. If you have anything to say, say it clearly. If you want to fight, then let’s have a good fight!”
He stared at Wei Yan.
Wei Yan stared back at him, his breathing gradually becoming heavier. Suddenly, he let out a great roar and, just as Wei Shao had struck him earlier, swung a fist towards Wei Shao.
Wei Shao was knocked to the ground. He wiped away the blood from the corner of his mouth and leaped up, pouncing on Wei Yan like a fierce tiger.
At first, the two exchanged blows back and forth, but towards the end, it almost turned into a venting brawl. They showed no mercy, their fists landing heavily, and soon both were injured.
Wei Shao was pinned down by Wei Yan, taking two heavy punches to the abdomen. The pain in his internal organs felt as if they had been displaced. He let out an angry roar, his whole body flipping over, reversing their positions to pin Wei Yan’s hands behind his back and firmly pressing him beneath himself.
They had been fighting for a long time, and both were gasping for breath, nearly exhausted.
But at this moment, Wei Yan felt his arms being twisted by Wei Shao to the point where the pain was almost unbearable as if his bones were about to break.
Wei Shao’s eyes were bloodshot. He suddenly bent his elbow, the point aimed at Wei Yan’s temple, about to strike down heavily when he abruptly stopped, just an inch away.
Wei Yan had already felt the sharp killing intent from Wei Shao but was unable to dodge. He was firmly restrained by Wei Shao, feeling the strength in his body slowly draining away with the pain.
He sensed the approach of death.
But strangely, at this moment, he felt no fear at all. Instead, his heart was unusually calm, as if he had been relieved.
He closed his eyes, waiting to bear the final heavy blow from his brother, who was also his lord, filled with immense anger.
But that blow did not come as expected.
He opened his eyes to see Wei Shao slowly withdrawing his arm, suddenly releasing him.
He immediately fell to the ground.
“Let this matter end here. I won’t mention it again in the future, nor will I keep it in my heart. I’ll do as I say. Twenty years of brotherhood, whether we continue to be brothers from now on is entirely up to you.”
Wei Shao, breathing heavily, stood up and turned to leave.
His steps were unsteady at first but grew faster. Finally, he reached his horse, mounted it, and galloped away, his figure quickly disappearing into the distance of the wilderness.
Wei Yan lay in the wild field for a long time, his eyes fixed on the deep blue night sky studded with countless stars above him as if he had fallen asleep, motionless.
……
After returning home during the day, Xiao Qiao had been waiting for Wei Shao to come back.
She knew he was busy today and even if he returned, it would probably be very late.
Unexpectedly, he came back before the hour of Hai (9-11 pm).
What surprised her even more was that he returned injured. His temple and the corner of his lip were broken, with dried blood, and the back of his hand was also injured. As for his body, she couldn’t tell for now.
Xiao Qiao had never seen him in such a disheveled state. She was startled and hurriedly went up to him, asking, “What happened to you? How did you end up like this?”
Wei Shao stared at her silently for a while without speaking, his gaze somewhat strange.
Xiao Qiao became increasingly uneasy under his gaze. She steadied herself and took another step towards him, “Who on earth beat you up like this?”
Wei Shao finally said, “I was beaten by him.”
It was an abrupt statement. Xiao Qiao was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood. Her heart instantly chilled.
“However, I beat him worse,” Wei Shao suddenly smiled slightly and said slowly, looking at her.