The evening breeze lifted a stray lock of hair by her ear, sticking it to her porcelain-like cheek. The corner of her mouth curved upwards, revealing a hint of mischief.

As Wei Shao watched her, he suddenly felt a tickle in his heart, as if something had gently scratched it. Suppressing the feeling, his expression became even more serious. “You know who I’m talking about.”

“Many people visited our home today. I truly don’t know whom my husband is referring to. Physician Le Ling, Second Aunt, Third Grand-aunt, the inquiry about the illness from Madam Zhenguo Gong, oh, and there was also a madam from the State of Zhongshan…”

Xiao Qiao widened her eyes. “Could it be that you’re asking about the madam from Zhongshan?”

Wei Shao slightly narrowed his eyes, staring at her for a moment.

“Have you heard anything about her before?” he asked.

“What does my husband think I might have heard?”

Feeling the tickle of hair on her cheek, Xiao Qiao raised her hand to tuck the strand behind her ear, appearing somewhat nonchalant.

Wei Shao paused.

“What could there be?”

He countered, seemingly irritated by her words and attitude. With a snort, he turned and walked towards his study.

Xiao Qiao watched his silhouette disappear at the end of the corridor. She closed the door, returned to her desk piled with ledgers, and continued slowly checking the accounts as Old Madam Zhong had instructed her earlier in the day.

At the hour of Hai, Wei Shao returned from his study. At first, he ignored Xiao Qiao, undressed, and lay down.

Xiao Qiao had only a small portion of the ledger left to check. Due to her obsessive habit, she wanted to finish before sleeping. Moments later, Wei Shao’s voice came from behind the curtain: “It’s late. Grandmother only asked you to manage affairs, not to stay up all night checking accounts!”

Xiao Qiao secretly rolled her eyes. To avoid disturbing his rest, she went to wash her hands, returned to extinguish the lamp, and got into bed.

At first, they didn’t speak, each sleeping on their side. Wei Shao tossed and turned several times. Xiao Qiao just closed her eyes and remained silent.

Suddenly, he said, “I’ll be leaving in a couple of days.”

Xiao Qiao was startled and opened her eyes.

“Where is my husband going?”

“In the previous battle at Shiyi, Chen Xiang escaped to Hedong, seeking troops and provisions from his old acquaintance Cao Jin, intending to counterattack Binzhou. He’s now in the Shangdang area. Although not a significant threat, he must be eliminated. I’m going personally.”

Xiao Qiao’s heart raced, and she sat up abruptly.

She remembered that in her previous life, Da Qiao had mentioned that when Madam Xu fell ill and passed away, Wei Shao wasn’t in Yuyang but was away fighting.

At first, she had been relieved that in this life, it wasn’t so, as Wei Shao had been at home all this time.

This made Xiao Qiao feel somewhat at ease.

But now, he suddenly announced his departure, and in just two days.

Another similarity with her previous life! Were things truly progressing towards that predetermined outcome of her past life?

In the darkness, Wei Shao vaguely saw her suddenly sit up, so he got out of bed and lit a lamp.

“Can my husband not go?” Xiao Qiao slowly raised her eyes to look at him and asked.

She sat wrapped in the blanket, her expression blank, eyes unfocused, as if his words had frightened her.

Wei Shao had never seen her display such an expression in front of him. Nor had she ever asked such a childish question. For some reason, instead of being annoyed, he felt a surge of tender affection in his heart. The frustration that had been building in his chest since morning seemed to dissipate somewhat.

Wei Shao said, “I’m afraid…”

“Husband, please don’t go!”

Xiao Qiao pounced on him, pushing him back onto the pillow.

“Don’t you have General Li and Wei Liang under your command? Let them go in your place!”

Caught off guard, Wei Shao found himself lying on his back, pinned down by her.

She had almost her entire body pressed against his chest, her jade-like arms clinging to his shoulders, her two soft mounds pressing against him, her beautiful eyes wide open like a cat’s, gazing at him with a worried expression.

Wei Shao lay motionless, his hands straight at his sides, allowing her to press against him. After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “We’ve already settled the matter today…”

“Husband, I beg you!” Xiao Qiao interrupted him, her small hands constantly shaking his shoulders. “I don’t want you to go to war again now! Please! Stay!”

Wei Shao felt his resolve melting away. Though he knew it couldn’t be changed, he found himself unable to refuse outright. After she shook his shoulders a few more times, he heard his voice saying, “…Let me discuss it again tomorrow…”

Xiao Qiao finally relaxed a little, realizing she was still pressing down on him. She let go of his shoulders and climbed off.

Wei Shao raised his arm and pulled her close, flipping her beneath him: “Are you really that reluctant to see me go?”

His thumb grasped her chin, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance and pleased amusement.

Xiao Qiao saw his face just above hers, meeting his dark eyes so close to her own. She bit her lip and nodded.

“If so, why did you give me the cold shoulder this morning?” Wei Shao pressed her.

Xiao Qiao suppressed the goosebumps threatening to break out all over her body. Avoiding his gaze, she fixed her eyes on his Adam’s apple and mumbled, “It’s because of how you treated me last night…”

Wei Shao, thinking she was coyly reproaching him, felt elated. Cupping her face in his hands, he said softly, “I was too exhausted, having used all my energy on you. I didn’t even know when you left…”

Wei Shao, barely in his twenties, was full of vigor. Having shared a bed with Xiao Qiao for some time now, he had developed an insatiable appetite for her body, wishing he could sleep with her every night. Unfortunately, she always seemed somewhat reluctant in bed, never taking the initiative. Tonight was rare, with her pouncing on him like this and begging him not to leave. It felt like a dream. After exchanging a few words, his gaze fell on her rosy lips, and he leaned down to kiss her.

Xiao Qiao mumbled a few sounds, struggling to break free: “You promised to stay, you can’t deceive me…”

Wei Shao, while undoing her clothes and kissing her neck and chest, murmured, “…Mmm… I know…”

…

Later that night, one was smugly trying to please, while the other had her intentions and requests. The two embraced and caressed each other for a long time, displaying an unusual passion, with countless whispers of “Darling” exchanged between them.

After Wei Shao fell into a satisfied sleep, Xiao Qiao, exhausted from dealing with him for two consecutive nights, curled up beside him and quickly drifted off into a deep slumber.

Early the next morning, Wei Shao left. Xiao Qiao attended to the sick as usual in the north room. In the afternoon, she returned with no energy for anything else, anxiously waiting for Wei Shao’s return. As darkness fell and there was still no sign of him, she began to feel increasingly uneasy.

Xiao Qiao waited until the middle of the hour of Hai when she finally heard footsteps in the courtyard outside, followed by a servant calling “Master.” She immediately ran out to greet him, meeting Wei Shao as he quickly ascended the steps.

One look at his expression made her heart sink.

“Husband, what did they say?”

Although she had already concluded that he had deceived her last night, she still clung to a last shred of hope. Xiao Qiao looked at him and asked.

Wei Shao entered the room without immediately answering her question. He first dismissed the servants, then said seriously, “It’s not that I’m unwilling to stay and accompany you. It’s just that I really can’t get away. Shangdang’s geography is crucial, with Huguan just two hundred li to the east, controlling Taihang. We absolutely cannot lose it. Moreover, the border defenses are undergoing major adjustments these days, and I need to ensure there are enough garrison commanders to protect Youzhou.”

His tone was far more serious compared to last night in bed.

Xiao Qiao bit her lip, standing in front of him without speaking.

Wei Shao, faced with her reproachful gaze, cleared his throat awkwardly. He then headed towards the bathroom, saying, “There were indeed many matters to attend to today, and I’m tired. Let’s retire early.”

Xiao Qiao stared at his retreating figure, even doubting if he had given any thought to what he had promised her in bed last night after leaving the room this morning. She felt both depressed and frustrated.

She also understood that if it were any other matter, she might still be able to argue with him. But when it came to military deployments and troop arrangements, if she were to cling to what he had promised in bed last night, he would likely accuse her of being unreasonable.

Xiao Qiao said nothing more. Seeing that it was getting late, she got into bed first.

When Wei Shao came out of the bathroom and saw her lying with her eyes closed, looking preoccupied, he climbed into bed and embraced her, coaxing, “I know you’re reluctant to part with me, and I’m also reluctant to leave you. But this time, I really can’t get away. Once this battle is over, I’ll return home to be with you as soon as possible.”

Xiao Qiao knew the situation couldn’t be changed now. Suppressing her disappointment, frustration, anxiety, and a hint of anger, she couldn’t bear to look at his face anymore. She turned her back to him, pulling the covers over her head.

…

Wei Shao left Yuyang with his troops at the fifth watch, at the hour of Mao, three days later.

Over the years, such military departures have become commonplace. However, Madam Xu, despite her unrecovered illness, insisted on dressing properly to personally see Wei Shao off at the main gate.

Madam Zhu finally emerged from the east room to bid farewell as well.

As with his previous expedition to Shiyi, the army was already assembled outside the city, ready to march. In the light of blazing torches, a group of officers stood in high spirits on either side of the Wei mansion’s main gate.

Wei Shao, resplendent in his armor, looked like a descending war god in the flickering torchlight at the doorway. He turned, asked Madam Xu to remain, bade her farewell, and then let his gaze linger for a moment on Xiao Qiao’s face as she supported Madam Xu’s arm. He then strode out the threshold and mounted his warhorse.

Xiao Qiao and Madam Xu stood side by side in the center of the main gate, watching as Wei Shao and his officers gradually rode away. They turned back only after the procession had completely disappeared into the last shadows before dawn.

It was still very early, just past the fifth watch at the hour of Mao. In the deep autumn of the north, the sky was not yet bright, but a faint whiteness of pre-dawn was beginning to appear on the eastern horizon.

Xiao Qiao still supported the arm of the elderly woman beside her, slowly guiding her back inside. Old Madam Zhong and others followed behind.

Although Madam Xu was still unwell and had risen early, her spirit seemed to be at its best in recent days.

One of her hands rested on Xiao Qiao’s. Xiao Qiao felt a warmth emanating from her withered palm.

“You probably don’t know yet,” Madam Xu said slowly as they walked along the flat bluestone path, “Since Shao’er personally took command of the army at seventeen, every time he leaves Yuyang for battle, I always send him off, and when he returns, I always welcome him. This morning marks the twenty-first time.”

Xiao Qiao remained silent.

A faint, proud smile played on Madam Xu’s lips. “He has suffered two major injuries and countless minor ones. He has even been in dire straits, but fortunately, his will is strong, his decisions swift, and with the protection of our ancestors, he has always managed to turn danger into safety.”

“I’m old now. In the future, when I’m no longer here, whether in victory or defeat, you must continue to send him off to battle and welcome him home in my stead, just as we did today. Are you willing?”

Xiao Qiao looked at Madam Xu and saw her turn her head, smiling at her. A warmth slowly welled up in her heart.

Given Madam Xu’s current spirit and Physician Le Ling’s words the other day, Xiao Qiao couldn’t believe that without external factors, she would suddenly worsen and pass away as she had in her previous life!

She tightly grasped Madam Xu’s withered hand and said emphatically, “Grandmother, you will surely live to be a hundred! I don’t want to send off and welcome my husband alone. I want to be with you, Grandmother, sending him off to battle and welcoming him home, just like today!”

Madam Xu was taken aback. In the faint light of dawn, she gazed at Xiao Qiao for a moment, then smiled.

“Yes, that’s right! Grandmother must live to a hundred, waiting to hold her great-grandchildren!”

She said with a delighted laugh.