Wei Shao walked straight to Madam Xu’s bedside, bending down to inquire about her condition and medication this morning.

Nearby, Zhong Ao answered on her behalf, saying that the old madam’s chest tightness and headache from the past two days had improved, and she had just taken her medicine this morning. A physician would come to the mansion later for a follow-up examination.

Wei Shao observed his grandmother’s complexion, noting that she indeed looked spirited. He turned to Zhong Ao and said, “Thank you for your attentive care, Aunt Zhong.”

Zhong Ao smiled slightly and replied, “I don’t dare take credit. While the young master was away these past few days, the young mistress attended to the old madam by her bedside morning and evening. Yesterday, she even personally watched over the medicinal decoction. She’s been very thoughtful.”

Xiao Qiao noticed that only now did he raise his eyes to look at her since entering the room.

She met his gaze briefly before turning her eyes to Madam Xu on the bed.

Madam Xu said, “I’m feeling much better, you needn’t worry. If you have many matters at the office, go ahead and attend to them.” Then, looking at Xiao Qiao, she smiled and said, “You’ve been troubled these past two days as well. I saw you come in this morning with a pale face, and your eye sockets seem a bit sunken. I suspect you didn’t sleep well last night. I don’t need you here for now, go back and rest.”

Xiao Qiao didn’t want to leave.

Before Madam Xu fully recovered, she wished she could move in and stay by her side day and night to feel at ease. However, since Madam Xu had spoken thus, and her spirits seemed good this morning, insisting on staying might appear like an excessive display of filial piety. After a moment’s thought, she said, “I’m not tired. Thank you for your concern, Grandmother. I’ll return to my room for now. When the physician arrives, I’ll come back.” With that, she and Wei Shao bid farewell side by side. As soon as they walked out of the room, she looked straight ahead, not glancing at Wei Shao beside her, nor waiting for him to go first as she usually did, but walked straight ahead.

Wei Shao initially paused at the doorway, exchanging a few words with Chun Niang, who had come forward to greet him. When he turned his head, he saw that Xiao Qiao hadn’t waited for him. She had lifted her skirt slightly and descended the steps, leaving without him. He stared at her retreating figure, momentarily stunned.

Xiao Qiao quickly left the northern quarters, walking unhurriedly along the corridor. Chun Niang, seeing that the young master was also present, slowed her pace and fell behind.

Wei Shao quickened his steps to catch up with Xiao Qiao, walking alongside her. He glanced at her profile and said, “You’ve had a hard time these past few days.”

Xiao Qiao replied, “It’s my duty. Besides, I haven’t done much.”

Wei Shao noticed that her eyes remained fixed ahead, and although she was speaking to him, she hadn’t turned to look at him once. Feeling snubbed, he found it somewhat unpleasant. He fell silent and stopped talking, quickening his pace to walk ahead of her. When they reached the three-way intersection, he initially intended to return directly to the government office, but after a brief hesitation, he turned towards the western quarters.

Xiao Qiao entered the room and saw Wei Shao standing inside. She said expressionlessly, “Help me change your clothes.”

He was still wearing the casual clothes he had gone out in last night. It wasn’t appropriate for daytime at the government office where he would be facing many people.

Recently, Xiao Qiao has been personally helping him with such tasks. She knew by heart what he should wear to the office, what he usually wore, down to the inner and outer boots, socks, and belt combinations. Seeing him standing there motionless and acting like a big shot, she felt annoyed. She turned to call a maidservant to help but heard him say, “I don’t want anyone else. The smell of their hair oil is too strong, it’s offensive!”

In the western quarters, Lin Ao, including Chun Niang and several other young maids, all liked to use a type of hair oil with a strong fragrance. They didn’t bathe as frequently as Xiao Qiao and the hair oil mixed with their skin oils did indeed have a strong scent up close. However, Xiao Qiao, being around them morning and evening, had grown accustomed to it and didn’t notice. He was being picky. Xiao Qiao glared at him for a moment, then went to fetch a set of his formal attire.

As Xiao Qiao approached to help him change, Wei Shao kept his head lowered, watching her. Suddenly, he said, “You haven’t smiled since early this morning.”

Xiao Qiao replied coldly, “Grandmother is unwell, how could I be in the mood for jesting?”

Wei Shao paused.

Xiao Qiao told him to turn around. Wei Shao complied. After turning back, he looked at her and said, “When did you leave last night? When I woke up, you were gone.”

This time, he spoke in a lower voice, sounding somewhat cautious.

Xiao Qiao still didn’t look up at him and replied flatly, “You were asleep. Should I have stayed there waiting for you to wake up and continue serving you?”

Wei Shao immediately recalled the frenzy in the study of the government office last night. He swallowed and fell silent.

Xiao Qiao finished helping him change. She took a black leather belt, attached a belt hook inlaid with five gemstones – blue, ochre, brown, red, and green – then took the golden fish tally representing his status, placed it in a dark-colored pouch embroidered with gold thread, and hung it at his waist along with the sword he usually carried.

“It’s done…” Xiao Qiao said, finally smoothing out the sword tassel. Suddenly, Wei Shao raised one arm, cupping her chin with his hand to lift her face towards him. His thumb gently caressed one side of her cheek as he leaned down, bringing his face closer to hers. In a low, magnetic voice, he said, “I was inconsiderate last night, causing you discomfort. Your face has gone pale, and your eye sockets are sunken. Even Grandmother noticed. There are people around in the northern quarters, you don’t need to go there during the day. Get some good rest yourself.”

Xiao Qiao finally looked up, meeting his eyes and gazing down at her. His dark pupils seemed quite concerned. She turned her face slightly, moving away from his hand, and finally smiled a little, saying, “Thank you, husband. I understand.”

Wei Shao had been holding back, finally seizing the opportunity to express what he thought were tender words that he had been pondering for some time. However, seeing her lukewarm response without much reaction, it was like a warm face pressed against a cold bottom, leaving him feeling frustrated again. Now that he had changed clothes, there was no reason to linger in the room. Moreover, having been away for several days, many people were waiting for him at the government office early this morning, and he truly had no time to delay further. He straightened his expression, resuming his usual official demeanor, and turned to leave.

Xiao Qiao accompanied him for a few steps. After leaving the room, she watched his retreating figure exit the courtyard before returning to her quarters.

…

Wei Shao rode his horse to the government office.

When in Yuyang City, his daily routine usually involved commuting between the Wei mansion and the government office morning and evening. Unless there were special circumstances, his morning passage through this street was quite punctual, generally at the beginning of the Chen hour, not deviating more than a quarter of an hour earlier or later. As such, the residents and merchants along the street recognized the lord, and seeing him riding high on horseback at this time again this morning, followed by his attendants, they stopped what they were doing and stood on both sides of the street to pay their respects as he approached from afar.

Wei Shao was in low spirits and absent-minded. He didn’t urge his horse on, proceeding unhurriedly along the way. As he was about to finish this street, not far from the government office, suddenly a clear jingling sound approached, and a luxurious light carriage gradually came into view. The front of the carriage was covered with purple gauze, with a pair of exquisite golden bells hanging at the left and right corners. As it drew nearer, one could faintly see a lady sitting inside the gauze. As the carriage moved forward, the golden bells emitted a constant pleasant jingling sound, attracting the gaze of many onlookers.

As the lord of Yuyang, Wei Shao was accustomed to riding in the center of the road. The carriage also traveled in the middle. As they drew closer, they were about to meet in the middle of the road.

Wei Shao’s lordly spirit, which had been drifting who knows where was finally called back by the sound of the golden bells. He raised his head to see a carriage about to block his path, felt displeased, and frowned slightly. Suddenly, he saw the carriage stop, and a jade-like hand wearing a huge, bright ruby ring on the middle finger emerged from the side of the purple gauze, gently lifting the light veil. Then, a vivid face of a young woman appeared from inside the carriage. She had green temples and cyan eyebrows, lips touched with vermilion, a lotus-like beautiful face, eyes like water full of emotion, and in her hair was inserted an exquisite step-shake ornament that made a rustling sound of colliding gold and jade as she moved her head.

This young woman was beautifully dressed and of outstanding grace. As soon as she poked her head out, many gazes from the roadside turned towards her. However, her eyes looked solely at Wei Shao on horseback opposite her. Her face showed surprise and joy, and she unexpectedly called out, “Er Lang!”

Wei Shao’s gaze fell on the young woman opposite, pausing for a moment with a slightly surprised expression, and stopped his horse.

As soon as she called out, the young woman seemed to realize it was inappropriate and quickly corrected herself: “It’s been many years since we last met. I never expected to encounter an old acquaintance like this today, it’s truly fortunate. I can’t conveniently get out of the carriage, so I can only bow from within. I hope the lord won’t mind my lack of etiquette.”

As she spoke, a maid walking beside the carriage had already come forward to lift the light veil. The young woman indeed bowed from within the carriage towards Wei Shao on horseback, then gracefully stood up, her bright eyes once again turning towards him.

A beautiful and charming young woman, yet with a voice so incongruous with her appearance – a husky tone that seemed to reveal a weary and melancholic past. Generally, when men hear such a voice, they can’t help but feel compassion in their hearts, wanting to know the stories behind her weariness and vicissitudes.

Wei Shao looked at this beautiful young woman before him, who seemed no longer to match the image deep in his youthful memories. After a moment, he nodded and said, “When did Madam arrive in Yuyang? I was unaware.”

Su E Huang said, “It was during the Lurui Conference a few days ago. I have a nephew named Su Xin who also came to participate in the conference. I accompanied him to show support.”

Upon hearing the name Su Xin, Wei Shao seemed to recall something and frowned slightly.

Su E Huang tilted her face slightly, looking up at him, and continued, “My nephew, in his eagerness to win, lost all decorum that day and even injured young Master Qiao. I was sitting on the viewing platform and saw everything. These past few days, I’ve felt ashamed in my heart. I originally intended to bring my nephew to apologize the next day, but unfortunately, my old headache flared up those two days, and I could only rest at the inn. By yesterday, when I had somewhat recovered, I learned that young Master Qiao had already returned to Yanzhou. I felt even more guilty and uneasy. I couldn’t sleep all night, and today I’ve come to pay a visit, firstly to see my great-aunt, and secondly, to apologize to the young mistress.”

A young man dismounted from a horse following the carriage – it was Su Xin from that day.

Su Xin approached Wei Shao’s horse with a shameful expression, repeatedly expressing his remorse and apologies, appearing extremely repentant.

Wei Shao glanced at Su Xin and said indifferently, “There’s no need for apologies. My wife hasn’t taken it to heart.”

“Thank you for your magnanimity, my lord. I am most grateful,” said Su E Huang, her eyes moving slightly to rest on Wei Shao’s face. “In that case, I shall go pay my respects to my great-aunt.”

Wei Shao replied, “Grandmother has been slightly unwell these past two days and may not be able to receive guests. Madam may choose another day to visit.”

Su E Huang showed a concerned expression: “What ailment has befallen my great-aunt? Is it serious? If so, I should all the more go to visit the old lady. I remember when I was young, during those few years I spent in Yuyang, I was often cared for by my great-aunt. Coming and going from your noble mansion was like being in my own home. All those past events are as vivid as yesterday, and I often think of them. Now that I’m in Yuyang and know that the old lady is unwell, how could I pass by knowingly without entering?”

Wei Shao seemed to hesitate for a moment, but finally said, “If you want to visit, a short visit would be fine. Just don’t stay too long. Avoid disturbing Grandmother’s rest.”

Su E Huang appeared to breathe a sigh of relief, quickly agreeing and expressing her deep gratitude to him again.

Wei Shao nodded slightly to her and rode his horse past the carriage.

Su E Huang turned her head, watching Wei Shao’s figure disappear through the window, then lowered the light veil and gave an order.

The carriage continued forward, accompanied by the pleasant jingling of the golden bells.

As they approached the entrance of the Wei mansion, Su E Huang took out a bronze mirror from under her seat. Using a handkerchief, she wiped away a layer of rouge from her face and lips. She also removed the dazzling step-shake ornament from her hair. After examining herself in the mirror, she put it away.