Xiao Qiao spent three days at her family home in Dongjun.
These brief three days were the most comfortable moments she had experienced in years. It was as if she finally saw a tangible hope for the future that she could grasp in her hands.
What could be more spiritually uplifting than having hope for the future?
Madam Ding showered her with affection. Her younger brother kept her company day and night. Her father, Qiao Ping, had been constrained for many years, unable to fulfill his ambitions, which left him depressed. Now, in his middle age, he had made a resolute decision and finally encountered a turning point. Though he was busy these days, knowing his daughter’s concern for Yanzhou affairs, he would summon Xiao Qiao to his study every night for a brief chat. Her brother would accompany them, and the two siblings would listen to their father talk about the matters he had dealt with during the day and his visions for the future. They couldn’t help but feel inspired.
On this day, Xiao Qiao also received a letter from Bi Zhi, saying he had arrived in Su City and was waiting for her arrival.
Before leaving Yuyang, Xiao Qiao had met Zong Ji one more time. Besides earnestly thanking him, she also asked Zong Ji to relay the news of her imminent departure for Dongjun to Bi Zhi, hoping they could meet if there was an opportunity.
She had already reached Dongjun, and Zong Ji’s journey should have been faster than hers.
By her calculations, Bi Zhi should have received the news by now.
However, Xiao Qiao hadn’t expected him to have already arrived in Su City waiting for her.
Su City was less than two hundred li from Dongjun, a small city under Yanzhou’s jurisdiction.
The letter was written by Da Qiao, saying that they had learned of her southward journey from Zong Ji, and both she and her husband were overjoyed, looking forward to meeting her. Originally, she wanted to come herself to save Xiao Qiao the trouble of traveling, but due to her pregnancy, Bi Zhi wouldn’t let her come out. He had gone to Su City to meet Xiao Qiao and would then escort her to Lingbi to meet Da Qiao.
Xiao Qiao was delighted upon reading the letter.
Xiao Qiao knew that this smooth journey home was due to Madam Xu’s kindness towards her, for which she was grateful. Now that matters at home in Dongjun were developing as she had hoped, the rest was up to her father and the others. Moreover, no matter what, things had to be taken step by step and couldn’t be achieved overnight. There wasn’t much point in her staying longer. So Xiao Qiao was also thinking that after meeting with Bi Zhi and Da Qiao, she should return north.
Thus, on the evening she received the letter, Xiao Qiao waited for her father to return home. When they met in the study as they had done for the past few nights, she told him of her plan to leave the next day.
His daughter had only been home for a few days, and now she was leaving. Qiao Ping was reluctant to let her go and remained silent for a moment.
Xiao Qiao was also reluctant to leave, but she still smiled and said, “Father, my ability to come south and return home this time is also due to Grandmother’s generous treatment. Father also knows that when I came south, Grandmother had just recovered from an illness, and my husband was away on a distant expedition. Now that I have visited Aunt and Father’s affairs are proceeding smoothly, I should return early. I don’t want to leave you and Brother, but if I return too late, I’m afraid I will fail Grandmother’s kindness.”
How could Qiao Ping not understand? How could a married daughter possibly stay by his side for as long as before? He nodded and said, “I understand. Tomorrow, I will send you off on your journey north.”
Suddenly, Qiao Ci coughed.
Xiao Qiao looked at her brother, saw him raising his eyebrows at her, and remembered the matter they had discussed earlier that day. She finally made a decision and returned his look.
Qiao Ci immediately stepped forward and said, “Father, do you remember the nameless person who saved my life on the battlefield when we rejected Xue Tai outside Juye City?”
Qiao Ping had a vivid impression of that day and couldn’t possibly forget. Hearing his son mention it suddenly, he said sincerely, “Of course. This person not only saved your life from Xue Tai’s two great generals, Cao Xu and Zhang Biao but also moved in and out of the chaotic battle between the two armies as if no one was there, unstoppable. Afterward, he disappeared. I sent people to search everywhere, but unfortunately, there was no trace of him. Even now when I think about it, I still regret it.”
Xiao Qiao then said, “Father, do you remember the green-eyed Bi Zhi who used to be in our household?”
Qiao Ping looked at Xiao Qiao, “You mean the horse groom who ran away with your cousin?”
Xiao Qiao said, “Father, please don’t refer to him like that anymore. He is the nameless person who saved Brother that day.”
Qiao Ping looked at his daughter, then at his son.
Qiao Ci hurriedly said, “What Sister says is true. When that person sent me back to Father’s battle line, I recognized him because I had seen him accompany Aunt on outings before. But I wasn’t sure at first. After Xue Tai retreated, I kept an eye on him and saw him leaving alone, so I chased after him. At first, he didn’t want to pay attention to me, but he finally stopped after my persistent pursuit and spoke a few words to me. He said he had married Sister. Only then did I confirm it was indeed him!”
Qiao Ping was extremely surprised. After coming to his senses, he slowly turned to look at Xiao Qiao, “Manman! Tell me honestly, did you hide something from me back then?”
Seeing that her father seemed to have guessed something, Xiao Qiao no longer concealed it and simply said, “I won’t hide it from you, Father. Sister and Bi Zhi had feelings for each other back then, but were hindered by their status and strictly adhered to propriety. I found out about it. Although their positions were unequal, in my view, they were a match made in heaven. It was under my strong persuasion that Sister left home with Bi Zhi.”
Qiao Ping was stunned, his heart aching, “So that’s how you ended up marrying into the Wei family in place of your sister?”
Seeing her father looking as if he was about to faint, Xiao Qiao quickly went over, clenched her fist, and gently tapped his back, “Father, please calm down. Originally, I thought that without Sister, Uncle would fail to arrange the marriage and would listen to your strategy. I didn’t expect Uncle to want me to marry in her place. Since the situation arose because of me, I had no choice but to marry…”
Qiao Ping recalled the events of that day. He wanted to scold Xiao Qiao sternly, but seeing her looking at him with her clear, big eyes, and a pleading expression on her face, his heart softened. His words came out as a sigh instead, “You were too willful, hiding this from me…”
He sighed again and shook his head.
Xiao Qiao smiled, “Father, when considering wealth and nobility, one should think of its origin, but when it comes to heroes, one shouldn’t question their background. Chen rose from a field laborer to be recorded in the annals of history, and the Marquis of Changping was enfeoffed with ten thousand households despite his origins as a cavalry slave. Although Bi Zhi comes from humble beginnings, who knows if he won’t achieve great things in the future? Moreover, Father, you just said yourself that if it weren’t for his timely appearance that day, wouldn’t Brother have been in danger?”
Qiao Ping remained silent for a moment, then said, “What you say is right! From what I observed of Bi Zhi’s fierce valor that day, it’s rare in this world. I often think about it. When he was confined to our horse farm back then, he was like a dragon trapped in shallow waters. If given wind and waves, he would surely soar to the sky!”
Xiao Qiao said, “I dare not hide it from Father, my journey south this time was also to meet with him and his wife. I received a letter today saying he’s now waiting for me in Su County to take me to meet Sister. I was thinking that after meeting Sister, I would immediately head north.”
Qiao Ping exclaimed, “Oh, I see!”
After pondering for a moment, he said, “Since your cousin willingly chose to go with him, that matter is in the past. That day, he came forward to save your brother’s life on the battlefield, and I’ve been grateful in my heart ever since. I regretted thinking I couldn’t find the person from that day, but now that we know, and he’s currently within our Yanzhou borders, I’ll go with you tomorrow to thank him in person.”
Although Bi Zhi had saved Qiao Ci, he had left Yanzhou as a horse groom of the Qiao family and had taken Da Qiao with him. According to the current laws, if caught, it would still be a capital offense. If Uncle Qiao Yue found out, he might just coldly snort, considering it natural for a family slave to save his master.
But her father turned out to be as open-minded as she had hoped, not only not mentioning the past but also saying he wanted to thank him personally. Xiao Qiao felt even more respect and love for her father. She smiled and shook her head, “I told Father about this just to let you know beforehand. Bi Zhi didn’t save Brother that day to gain Father’s gratitude. Besides, I didn’t tell him in advance that Father would be coming with me. If Father suddenly appears, he might feel uncomfortable. When I see him, I will convey Father’s thanks on your behalf. There will be suitable opportunities in the future for Father to meet him.”
Hearing this, Qiao Ping also felt it made sense. After thinking for a moment, he said, “That’s fine too. If you see him, pass on my message that the Qiao family releases him from his slave status. From this moment on, he is no different from a commoner. I hope he treats your sister well and achieves great things in the future, not letting down your sister’s affection for him.”
Xiao Qiao was very happy and repeatedly thanked her father.
…
On the day the Great Shaman Temple in Yushan was burned down, the Great Shaman was beheaded on a busy street corner. The Yuyang Prefect issued a proclamation posted at the four city gates, stating that shamanism was an evil way, born solely to confuse people’s minds, causing great harm. Therefore, it was being eradicated as a warning to the public not to indulge in it again in the future.
The event was sudden, and the whole city was abuzz with discussion. It wasn’t until several days later that this incident, which had shocked the entire city, gradually subsided.
On this day, Wei Shao returned home from the government office when the sky was already dark.
He entered the main gate, turned into the back courtyard, and headed straight for the north room. When he reached the three-way intersection, his footsteps habitually paused slightly, and he glanced towards the west room on his right. Then he continued to step forward.
Madam Xu was sitting on a couch, facing a small double-eared bronze brazier for warmth, seemingly lost in thought. Suddenly hearing the maid outside call out “My Lord,” she looked up to see Wei Shao enter, wrapped in a chill, and smiled. When Wei Shao came near and greeted her, she asked if he had eaten dinner. Hearing that he hadn’t, she felt somewhat distressed and quickly called for Zhong Nai to bring in some food.
Under Madam Xu’s watchful gaze, Wei Shao silently finished his dinner in a few bites. After the dining table was cleared away, Wei Shao said, “How has Grandmother been feeling these past few days? Since I’ve returned, I’ve been tied up with affairs and still haven’t been able to fully attend to Grandmother. I feel very uneasy. I hope Grandmother doesn’t blame me.”
Madam Xu said, “Grandmother is fine. You needn’t worry.”
After saying this, she carefully examined her grandson. Seeing a faint trace of weariness between his brows, and thinking about how he had been coming and going early and late every day since his return, not saying much in her presence, she thought for a moment and sighed lightly, “Shao’er, Grandmother didn’t want to let you know about the troubles in the back courtyard, to avoid adding to your worries unnecessarily. Moreover, the back courtyard is our women’s business. If there’s any unrest, it’s primarily due to Grandmother’s lack of vigilance. If anyone is to blame, blame me first. But this time, since I’ve confined your mother, I owe you an explanation. Your mother went too far this time. If we continue to indulge her as before, who knows what kind of trouble she’ll cause in the future? Grandmother knows you’re a filial son. You won’t blame Grandmother in your heart, will you?”
Wei Shao said, “How could Grandmother say such a thing? My mother was utterly foolish to commit such an act. Confining her for reflection is already a great leniency from Grandmother. Your grandson may be muddled, but I’m not so confused as to be unable to distinguish right from wrong to such an extent.”
Madam Xu nodded, “It’s good that you can think this way. This matter in the back courtyard stops here with you. You needn’t worry about it anymore. Grandmother knows her discretion.”
Wei Shao said, “Although the incident occurred in the back courtyard, its danger makes my heart tremble. If it weren’t for her…”
He paused, then continued, “If it weren’t for Grandmother’s good fortune, I dare not imagine…”
Madam Xu looked at him and smiled slightly, “Yes, if it weren’t for your wife’s alertness and timely release of the cat to intervene, I’m afraid you wouldn’t have seen Grandmother’s face when you returned this time…”
Wei Shao suddenly leaned forward, raising his arms to tightly grasp one of Madam Xu’s hands with both of his, unwilling to let go for a long time.
Madam Xu smiled at him, her other hand covering his large hand, gently patting it in a comforting manner, saying, “Grandmother is fine now, it’s all over…”
Wei Shao finally slowly released Madam Xu’s hand sat up straight again, and said, “Grandmother, I heard from the Yuyang Prefect’s statement that the poison Jiang Nai intended to use to drug you came from that woman from the Marquis’s mansion, and that woman died on the day of the incident. How did Jiang Nai obtain the drug from that woman? What is that woman’s background? Did she act on my mother’s instructions? It’s not that I want to defend my mother. But there are many doubts in the process. If this matter is not investigated clearly, I will not be at ease.”
Madam Xu stared at Wei Shao for a moment, then slowly said, “Your Grandmother may be old and dozed off in the past, but she hasn’t become muddled yet. After this brush with death, what you’re concerned about, Grandmother has naturally thought of too. Leave this matter to Grandmother herself! As I said before, you focus on doing your external affairs well. These ghosts and monsters in the back courtyard, Grandmother will handle them herself. You don’t need to divert your attention.”
Wei Shao hesitated for a moment.
“What’s wrong, don’t you trust Grandmother either?” Madam Xu’s single eye was bright and piercing.
Wei Shao thought for a moment and said, “Since Grandmother says so, I will listen to Grandmother. If Grandmother makes any progress, please inform me early, so that I can be at ease.”
Madam Xu smiled and nodded, looked at him, and suddenly said, “Do you miss your wife a bit? It’s Grandmother’s fault. When she said she was going back to visit the sick, Grandmother softened her heart for a moment and let her go. But I didn’t ask about her return date. Now you’ve come home, only to find yourself alone. Grandmother sees it and feels quite sorry for you.”
Wei Shao was startled, a hint of embarrassment flashed in his eyes, but he quickly composed himself and said seriously, “How could that be! Grandmother has misunderstood! She’s gone back, so she’s gone back. Let alone just this short time, even if she’s happy to stay with the Qiao family for a year or half, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m a grown man, I can’t even manage my affairs outside, how could I care about these things?”
Madam Xu raised her eyebrows as if relieved, “That’s good. I was originally worried you’d be thinking about your wife. This is much better.”
Wei Shao smiled, chatted with Madam Xu for a few more moments, instructed the maid to serve her attentively, and then respectfully took his leave.
…
Wei Shao returned to the west room alone, feeling somewhat dejected. As he entered the inner courtyard, he looked up and saw the candles lit in the room, with what seemed to be a graceful silhouette swaying by the window. His heart suddenly leaped, and he immediately quickened his pace, taking several steps at once up the stairs. He pushed open the door with one hand, startling a maid who was changing the candles at the desk. She turned around, saw it was Wei Shao, and hurriedly stepped back and bowed, calling him “Lord Marquis.”
Wei Shao’s expression then turned cold. He heard the maid explaining but impatiently waved his hand. Seeing his displeased expression, the maid didn’t dare to linger and quickly retreated.
Wei Shao went to his study and didn’t return until late at night. Even after lying down, he still couldn’t sleep. With his eyes closed, Xiao Qiao’s image appeared before him, sometimes teasing him, sometimes pouting in annoyance. Thinking about her made his mouth dry, but when he reached out, the pillow beside him was empty. Gradually, it felt as if a fire was rising from both his heart and below.
Suddenly, he thought, “When I went on a distant expedition, facing life and death uncertainties, she said that night she wanted me to stay, but she didn’t stay home waiting for my return. She left me and went back to Yanzhou without leaving even a word! They say women are jealous, but she left me like this. If I were to sleep with someone else while she’s gone, would she not care at all?”