Wei Shao had already left, but Wei Yan continued to lie on the ground in the wilderness, like a dying man.

Earlier, he had used all his strength to strike down Wei Shao, who had done the same. Neither had held back.

Even now, blood was still slowly trickling from his nose. He remained motionless, allowing the warm stream of blood to flow down his face and gradually seep into the soil beneath his head.

It hadn’t rained for most of the month, and the soil in the wilderness was dry.

Wei Yan’s nostrils were filled with the foul smell of blood mixed with the earthy scent of soil. But this odor gave him a sense of cathartic release.

He didn’t know how long he had been lying there when suddenly, from the distant wilderness, the shadows of seven or eight people dressed as ordinary Han appeared, rushing towards him. As they approached, the leader ran to Wei Yan’s side, helped him up, and tried to stop his bleeding.

Wei Yan pushed the newcomer away and got up from the ground by himself. Like a drunk man, he staggered forward.

“Young Master!”

Hu Yanlie knelt behind him. The seven or eight Xiongnu warriors who had come with him also knelt, calling out to him in unison.

Wei Yan seemed not to hear and continued to sway forward.

Hu Yanlie got up from the ground and chased after him.

“Young Master! Wei Shao has now quarreled with you! Do you want to be controlled by him for life? Do you truly not care at all about your blood ties as father and son?”

Wei Yan slowly stopped.

In the whistling night wind of the wilderness, under the dim moonlight, his silhouette seemed to solidify into a stone statue. Suddenly, he turned around, roaring like an enraged lion, and swung his fist at Hu Yanlie.

Hu Yanlie was knocked to the ground by his punch. Getting up again, he said, “Young Master’s bloodline is noble. Now you’re just a pearl in an oyster, but sooner or later, the world will know…”

Wei Yan struck Hu Yanlie’s chest heavily with his fist once more.

Hu Yanlie fell again, spitting out blood. Gasping, he struggled to get up from the ground for the third time and said, “Once Young Master returns, establishing merit and achieving greatness is just around the corner…”

Wei Yan’s eyes were bloodshot, his expression fierce. He drew Hu Yanlie’s waist knife in one motion and swung it down towards his head.

Hu Yanlie showed no fear at all: “That day by the Sanggan River, I fell into Wei Shao’s hands. If not for Young Master’s mercy in rescuing me, Hu Yanlie would have long been buried beneath the river sands. How could I be standing here today? The Hu Yan clan has sworn loyalty to the King of Rouran. If Young Master wishes to kill me, Hu Yanlie is willing to die!”

“Young Master!”

The row of Xiongnu warriors behind surrounded Wei Yan and knelt together.

The blade stopped above Hu Yanlie’s head. The moonlight reflected off the wolf’s head engraved on the blade, casting a watery white light.

Wei Yan’s breathing was rapid, his eyes reflecting the blade’s light were wild, his shoulders trembling slightly. His throat made a gradual rattling sound, and suddenly he vomited a mouthful of fresh blood.

“Young Master—”

Hu Yanlie was greatly alarmed and hurried forward to support him. Just then, his figure froze. He saw that dozens of steps away, a person was standing there. Tall and imposing. The moonlight cast his shadow on the ground. He stood motionless, and no one knew when he had arrived, completely unnoticed.

The man suddenly strode forward, walking with large steps. As he drew closer, the moonlight revealed a face that Hu Yanlie could picture even with his eyes closed.

“Wei Shao!”

He exclaimed in shock. The Xiongnu warriors on the ground immediately stood up, drew their swords, and formed a front line, ready to act.

Wei Shao walked about seven or eight steps away and stopped, his eyes fixed on Wei Yan.

Wei Yan slowly straightened up and, across the row of Xiongnu warriors in front of him, also looked at Wei Shao.

Their eyes met.

The wild grass at their feet was flattened by the wind. The sound of Hu Yanlie’s heavy breathing due to tension could be heard. In the distance, all was quiet except for the howling of the wind as it swept over the mountains.

After a long while, Wei Shao asked, “When did you start associating with the Xiongnu?”

His voice carried no trace of anger. It was calm as if he was merely inquiring about an ordinary matter.

Wei Yan tilted his head back, facing the deep blue night sky. He took a long breath of the autumn night air outside Yuyang City, tinged with desolation, and closed his eyes.

“I will go see Grandmother and give her an explanation.”

He suddenly threw down the waist knife in his hand, opened his eyes, his expression now calm, and strode away.

“Young Master!”

Hu Yanlie called out to Wei Yan’s retreating figure, but he didn’t turn back. He then looked at Wei Shao, his eyes wary. Eventually, he slowly retreated, backing away for over ten steps before leading the Xiongnu warriors away quickly, their figures disappearing into the night wilderness.

Wei Shao slowly turned his head, staring at Wei Yan’s retreating figure, then suddenly ran after him, grabbing the collar of his clothes from behind.

“What do you want to explain? That you’ve been secretly associating with the Xiongnu? Do you want to anger Grandmother to death?”

Wei Shao said through gritted teeth.

Wei Yan’s body stiffened for a moment before he slowly turned his head.

“Even if you can disregard my offense, I cannot face myself. Grandmother is wise and benevolent. Let her decide everything.”

His expression was as bleak as the crescent moon in the night sky.

Wei Shao’s face turned ashen, his teeth grinding audibly. He suddenly clenched his fist, the one still wrapped in bandages, and struck Wei Yan heavily, knocking him to the ground again.

“Unless I die, you will not dare to go before Grandmother and speak nonsense! I will not allow you to harbor any disloyalty!”

Wei Shao said.

……

Wei Shao had gone again and did not return.

At midnight, unable to wait for him, Xiao Qiao sent someone to quietly check the east room. They reported back that nothing was amiss; the lights in the east room were out, and it was impossible for her husband to still be there at this hour.

Xiao Qiao tossed and turned alone in bed, unable to figure out what had happened after he escorted Lady Zhu back to the east room causing him to stay out all night.

She felt uneasy. The next day, she woke up early and sent someone to the government office. They returned saying Wei Shao hadn’t been to the office last night either.

Today was the day Qiao Ci and the others were to bid farewell and return to Yanzhou. With Wei Shao absent and his whereabouts unknown, Xiao Qiao had no choice but to get ready herself. She called Qiao Ci over and took him to the north room to say goodbye to Madam Xu.

When she brought Qiao Ci in, she had initially thought Madam Xu might know where Wei Shao had gone last night.

But Madam Xu didn’t know his whereabouts either. Not seeing Wei Shao accompanying them, she asked Xiao Qiao. Xiao Qiao then recounted how Lady Zhu had come to their room last night, Wei Shao had escorted her back to the east room, and then he hadn’t returned.

Madam Xu asked, “Have you checked the government office this morning?”

“I sent someone. They came back saying my husband wasn’t there. He hadn’t been there last night either.”

Madam Xu pondered for a moment, then looked at Qiao Ci and smiled, “You’re returning to Yanzhou today. Your brother-in-law should be seeing you off. It seems something unexpected came up last night, and he hasn’t returned yet. Wait a bit, and I’ll send someone to look for him again.”

Qiao Ci hurriedly said, “Brother-in-law must have been detained by urgent matters, that’s why he hasn’t returned. I’ve imposed on you all during this visit. I’m very grateful for the kindness shown by Grandmother, Brother-in-law, Cousin, and others. Last night, I was fortunate to have General Li and others see me off. If Brother-in-law has matters to attend to this morning, there’s no need to specially come to see me off.”

Madam Xu asked Xiao Qiao to keep him talking for a while longer. After Xiao Qiao took Qiao Ci away, she sent people to inquire with Lady Zhu and Gong Sun Yang separately.

Lady Zhu quickly came to the north room and said that last night, hearing her son had returned with bruises on his face, she had gone to check on him out of concern. Afterward, her son escorted her back to the east room and then left. She didn’t know what had happened after that to cause him to stay out all night.

As she spoke, she seemed unable to meet Madam Xu’s gaze and kept her head lowered.

Madam Xu looked at her for a moment, then dismissed her.

The person sent to inquire with Gong Sun Yang also returned. They said that after the lord had left the banquet yesterday evening, he hadn’t seen him. There were no urgent new reports at the government office either.

As Madam Xu was pondering alone, a maidservant suddenly entered, her face joyful, saying that the lord had just returned and was coming towards the old madam’s quarters.

Madam Xu breathed a sigh of relief. Shortly after, familiar footsteps were heard approaching, and a figure entered the room. It was Wei Shao, who immediately paid his respects to Madam Xu.

Madam Xu quickly asked him to rise. Examining him, she saw that, as Lady Zhu had said, his face indeed bore injuries. She couldn’t help but ask about them.

Wei Shao appeared composed and smiled, saying, “I was quite drunk last night and accidentally fell from my horse, causing some scrapes. It’s just some minor flesh wounds, Grandmother needn’t worry.”

Madam Xu was dubious but seeing he wasn’t telling the truth, she didn’t pursue the matter further. She then asked where he had gone last night.

Wei Shao said, “Yesterday was busy with many guests. Remembering some unfinished business at the office, I wanted to go take care of it. On the way, I met an old friend who insisted on inviting me for a drink. It would have been impolite to refuse, so I went for a few cups. Unexpectedly, I ended up drunk all night and only returned this morning. I’ve caused Grandmother to worry, your grandson has been unfilial.”

Madam Xu looked at him and nodded, “Your brother-in-law is leaving today. You should go see him off. You didn’t welcome him when he arrived, so you should at least see him off.”

Wei Shao agreed and rose to leave. Madam Xu watched his retreating figure and suddenly said, “Your cousin hasn’t been seen since yesterday. I heard he also didn’t return last night. He’s always gotten along well with young Master Qiao, so why isn’t he here to see him off today? Do you know where he’s gone?”

Wei Shao’s steps faltered slightly, then he stopped and turned around with a smile, “I truly made a mistake by drinking last night. Not only did I injure my face, but I also forgot to report this to Grandmother. My elder brother left for Dai Commandery overnight. Fearing he would disturb Grandmother’s rest, he didn’t come to say goodbye and asked me to apologize to Grandmother on his behalf when I saw you.”

Madam Xu asked with concern, “Has something happened in Dai Commandery? Is it urgent?”

“Grandmother, please don’t worry. It’s nothing serious. Just something that requires his attention,” Wei Shao quickly said.

Madam Xu pondered for a moment, then smiled, “It’s about time. You should go now.”

Wei Shao respectfully acknowledged and finally turned to leave quickly.

……

Xiao Qiao waited and waited but couldn’t see Wei Shao return. Seeing that it was getting late and not wanting to keep Qiao Ci and his group waiting any longer, she prepared to depart despite the regret. Just before leaving, she suddenly learned that Wei Shao had returned. Indeed, moments later, she saw his figure hurriedly appear, and she finally breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly welcomed him into the room and helped him change into traveling clothes.

As Xiao Qiao helped him dress, she noticed he remained silent, his expression cold, as if he had retreated into his unknown world. It was a stark contrast to his intimate affection before he left last night.

Having experienced this before, she didn’t disturb him at first. It wasn’t until she was helping him fasten his belt that she softly asked, “What happened to my husband last night? You left and didn’t return all night. I was worried the whole night.”

After asking, she raised her bright eyes to look at him. She saw Wei Shao seem to return to his senses as if his soul had just re-entered his body. He made a sound of acknowledgment, lowered his head to meet her gaze, paused for a moment, and said, “Nothing major.” His tone remained quite cold.

Seeing him like this, Xiao Qiao knew he didn’t want to talk to her about it. She didn’t press further. After helping him finish dressing, she accompanied him out. At the doorway, Wei Shao suddenly stopped, turned around, and reached out his arms to embrace her. Then he let go and said in a somewhat apologetic tone, “I’m sorry for making you worry last night. I’ll go see your brother off now.”

Xiao Qiao smiled slightly and said, “Thank you, husband. I appreciate your effort.”