Wei Shao’s anger flared. He got out of bed and walked straight to the wardrobe, pulling out a pink undergarment she used to wear. He clutched it as he returned to the bed and lowered the bed curtains.
The curtain fabric quivered slightly. A moment later, a long, releasing sigh came from within.
The next morning, Wei Shao rose early and went to the north room again.
Since Xiao Qiao was not around, he had been taking his meals with Madam Xu these past few days since his return. The grandmother and grandson finished their meal quietly. Madam Xu took the warm water handed by Maidservant Zhong, rinsed her mouth, and looked at Wei Shao, who was preparing to stand up: “Shao’er, how many days until the army returns to the city? Can you spare time to go out recently?”
Wei Shao paused: “Does Grandmother have any instructions? Please tell me. I just received a letter yesterday saying that the army has reached Yi. They can reach Yuyang in seven or eight days. After that, until next spring, they will mainly focus on rest and reorganization, with no major events.”
Madam Xu nodded and glanced at Maidservant Zhong, saying: “After you left last night, I chatted with Zhong for a while, and we mentioned your wife. Zhong used to be from Daliang and is familiar with Central Plains customs. She reminded me that in a while, when the weather gets colder, the Yellow River might freeze over, making travel inconvenient. If your wife returns late, she might get stranded on the way…”
Wei Shao looked intently at Madam Xu.
Madam Xu smiled: “Grandmother misses her. I can’t wait until next spring to see her return. If you can spare time from your duties, could you go south on Grandmother’s behalf to bring her back? Firstly, she can return earlier. Secondly, with you escorting her, Grandmother would feel more at ease about her journey.”
Wei Shao’s eyes brightened slightly, but his expression remained as usual. He respectfully said: “Since Grandmother has instructed, how dare I not comply? I’ll send messages to Master Gongsun and the Grand General to hand over my responsibilities, then I’ll set out.”
Madam Xu smiled: “Thank you for your trouble.”
Wei Shao said: “I must serve Grandmother.”
…
Wei Shao left the north room, his steps quick, and went straight to the government office. He took up his brush and wrote on bamboo slips, finished, added his seal, split it in two, and ordered one half to be sent to Gongsun Yang and the other half to Li Dian. After arranging all other matters, he set out that very day with the dozen or so personal guards who had returned early with him, traveling south in plain clothes along the imperial road.
His journey south was more than twice as fast as Xiao Qiao’s initial journey. In just over ten days, he had passed the Wuchao Ferry on the Yellow River, the nearest crossing to Yanzhou. After a few more days of travel, Yanzhou was in sight.
Originally, he had been traveling at a rapid pace, but as he got closer to Yanzhou, he gradually slowed down. On this day, when he reached Dongjun, he stopped on the imperial road about seventy to eighty li from the city, no longer advancing. He sent a capable personal guard, Commander Lei Yan, to deliver a message to the city.
Lei Yan rode quickly and entered Dongjun that day, seeking out the Qiao family.
Qiao Ping was busy at the Prefect’s office that day when suddenly a servant from home reported that someone from the Wei family of Yuyang had come to take away the Young Lady. Surprised, he hurriedly put down his work and rushed back to meet the visitor.
Lei Yan knew that this middle-aged man hurrying back was the Lord’s father-in-law, Qiao Ping, the Prefect of Dongjun. His attitude was quite respectful. Following Wei Shao’s instructions, he didn’t mention that he had come personally, only saying that he was ordered to escort the Young Lady back. Because it was inconvenient for the large group to enter the city, they were waiting outside. He then presented the token given by Wei Shao.
How could Qiao Ping imagine that Wei Shao would personally come south to escort his daughter? He believed it to be true and hurriedly apologized: “It’s really unfortunate, the General has come in vain. My daughter left Dongjun two days ago to visit old acquaintances in Xuzhou. She said she would return immediately after visiting Xuzhou and then head north to return home. Your group has come from afar and must be tired. Why don’t you enter the city and rest at my humble abode for a few days? When my daughter returns to Dongjun, the General can escort her north together. How does that sound?”
Lei Yan had originally thought the Young Lady was at home and planned to escort her back as per his Lord’s orders. Unexpectedly, she had gone to Xuzhou. After a moment’s hesitation, he asked: “Can the Prefect tell me where in Xuzhou the Young Lady has gone?”
Xiao Qiao’s visit to her cousin Da Qiao in Bi wasn’t a secret that couldn’t be spoken of. Qiao Ping said: “I have a niece who grew up with my daughter, and they are very close. Now my niece lives with her husband in Lingbi, and my daughter has gone to visit them. She’ll return in five or six days at the earliest, or in ten days at the most. Would the General like to enter the city and wait for a few days?”
Lei Yan couldn’t make this decision himself. He politely thanked Qiao Ping and excused himself, saying he would go out of the city first to discuss the matter before deciding.
Qiao Ping saw him off. Lei Yan repeatedly asked him not to see him off further, then hurriedly left the city.
Wei Shao was waiting on the road outside the city. From afar, he finally saw Lei Yan return, but he was alone, just as he had left, with no carriage in sight. After hearing Lei Yan’s report, his brows furrowed slightly.
Lei Yan said: “Prefect Qiao repeatedly invited us to stay. My Lord, why don’t we enter the city and wait for the Young Lady to return, then escort her north together?”
Wei Shao turned his head and looked at the imperial road that continued south.
“He said the Young Lady left for Lingbi the day before yesterday?”
Lei Yan confirmed.
Wei Shao pondered for a moment.
Although he lived in the north, he was familiar with the southern terrain, especially the checkpoints and imperial roads connecting various strategic cities.
Xuzhou had always been a contested area for military strategists, and Wei Shao was well aware of its geographical passages.
From Dongjun to Lingbi, she would travel by carriage on the imperial road, resting at night and traveling by day, taking at least four days. Only two days had passed. If he set out immediately, taking shortcuts and side roads, he could certainly reach the Jiuli Pass, a necessary route to Lingbi, before her. Waiting there, he could intercept her group, which was better than waiting here in vain.
Moreover, from the depths of his heart, he still extremely disliked having more interactions with the Qiao family.
Having made up his mind, Wei Shao didn’t hesitate any longer. He immediately turned around and continued south, taking wilderness shortcuts. They traveled through the night, only stopping briefly to rest. By noon the next day, they returned to the imperial road.
From here to Jiuli Pass, it was only half a day’s journey on fast horses. He should be able to intercept her soon.
Imagining her surprised expression when she suddenly saw him appear before her, Wei Shao not only didn’t feel tired but became even more energetic. The dozen or so personal guards following him were all battle-hardened, not strong enough to follow if they weren’t. With their Lord in such a state, they naturally followed closely, not daring to slack off in the slightest.
As they passed through villages along the way, they constantly saw villagers walking on the road with their families. Some were on foot, others pushing wheelbarrows, all seeming to be heading towards Jiuli Pass, with worried expressions on their faces.
At first, Wei Shao didn’t pay much attention. But as they passed several more villages and it was still the same, he became curious. Just then, the horses were also tired, so he ordered a stop by the roadside to feed them bean cakes and rest briefly. He sent Lei Yan to inquire.
Lei Yan stopped some villagers and asked a few questions, quickly returning to report: “The villagers have heard rumors that Xue Tai plans to break the Huai River dam upstream and flood the Xiao area. Because this area is low-lying, they fear it will all turn into marshland, so they are fleeing for their lives.”
Wei Shao pondered this, seeing a group of fleeing villagers walking towards them. He went over to them.
The villagers saw this group of people who, although dressed ordinarily, had well-fed horses and carried swords, exuding a heroic air, unlike local people.
In such times, these small folk who just wanted to live peacefully didn’t dare to provoke anyone, let alone such a formidable-looking group. They were about to avoid them by going to the side when they saw the young man in the middle walk over. They had to stop and look at him, their eyes showing slight fear and wariness.
Wei Shao approached the villagers and asked for more details. Seeing that he was unexpectedly friendly, the villagers’ fear gradually dissipated, and they came forward to pour out their grievances.
It turned out that last month, Xue Tai had attacked Xiao, which belonged to Yang Xin and was not far from here.
Xiao controlled the water route of the Huai River and was geographically important, so it couldn’t be lost. Yang Xin had sent men to defend it to the death. Xue Tai couldn’t take it after a long siege, so he came up with a strategy to divide his forces into two: one to continue the siege, and the other to go around upstream behind Xiao, intending to break the dam and flood the entire city with backwater.
This area was not far from Xiao and was low-lying. Hearing the news, people in nearby counties feared becoming collateral damage and fled to avoid disaster.
“Last year there was a drought, and the harvest was miserable. This autumn, we finally harvested some grain, and now we face flooding. How are we supposed to live in such times—”
When they spoke of their hardships, the villagers began to wipe away tears.
Wei Shao watched silently as the villagers left, supporting the elderly and carrying the young.
“My Lord, the horses have rested and we can set out now,” Lei Yan came forward and said.
Wei Shao looked in the direction of Jiuli Pass, lost in thought for a moment, then slowly said: “Change of plans. Follow me to meet Xue Tai.”
…
The next day, Xiao Qiao’s group passed Jiuli Pass, entered Lingbi, and finally reached their destination, meeting Da Qiao whom they hadn’t seen for a long time.
When the sisters met, their eyes locked, and it felt like a lifetime had passed.
“Elder Sister!”
Xiao Qiao called out, running over quickly. The two grasped each other’s hands tightly, overwhelmed with emotion.
Da Qiao’s eyes reddened, and she called out “Little Sister” before tears began to stream down her face.
Xiao Qiao helped her sit down and wiped the tears from her face. The sisters shared their feelings of separation, and their emotions gradually settled.
Xiao Qiao looked Da Qiao over, seeing that she now had a large belly and looked more voluptuous than before. Although her hands and feet were swollen from pregnancy, making her movements slower, her complexion was good. Xiao Qiao was very happy and stared at her round belly for a while, unable to resist putting her face close and nuzzling it, then rubbing her belly, saying: “Auntie has come to see the little darling. Be good, don’t make my Elder Sister struggle!”
Da Qiao laughed and hugged Xiao Qiao for a moment, then gently helped her tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, saying: “Little Sister after Elder Sister and your brother-in-law left, I gradually realized that when you said you wanted to marry the Marquis of Yan in my place, it was just an excuse to let me leave with peace of mind. I’m living well now, but you entered the Wei family in my stead. This past year, I’ve often felt uneasy. It wasn’t until recently, when I heard about your situation from Lord Zong, that I felt somewhat relieved. This past year must have been difficult for you, right?”
Xiao Qiao smiled brightly: “Elder Sister, you don’t know, the Wei family’s Grandmother is extremely kind and treats me well too. The reason I was able to smoothly return home this time is because of her care.”
“Your husband, does he treat you well?”
Xiao Qiao saw her beautiful eyes looking at her with concern and a hint of guilt. She paused for a moment, then leaned close to Da Qiao’s ear and whispered: “He’s good to me too. Even when I hit him, he doesn’t get angry with me.”
Da Qiao was startled. She saw Xiao Qiao smiling at her mischievously and couldn’t help but laugh: “If the Marquis of Yan treats you well, how can you be so disrespectful?”
Xiao Qiao said: “He provoked me first.”
Da Qiao shook her head: “Even so, you shouldn’t hit your husband! I was still worried…”
Xiao Qiao giggled, interrupting her: “Elder Sister, don’t worry! I can take care of myself very well!”
Da Qiao knew of the unresolved grudges between the Qiao and Wei families from the previous generation. Back in Dongjun, she had also heard some things about the Marquis of Yan, Wei Shao. Learning about his methods in dealing with Li Su, she couldn’t help but shudder. Although she had never met him, as a regional hegemon, she imagined he would be an imposing figure not to be trifled with. She never imagined that in private, he would have such a relationship with her little sister.
Since marrying Bi Xi, he had been considerate to her in every way, and she was gentle by nature. It was hard for her to imagine how the Marquis of Yan could provoke her little sister to the point of hitting him, yet he wouldn’t get angry.
But for most men, if they aren’t angered when hit by their wives, it must mean they are very fond of them.
She had always felt guilty that she had found a good husband while her little sister was trapped in a difficult situation. Now it seemed that by a stroke of luck, her little sister and the Marquis of Yan were also in harmony, deeply in love.
Da Qiao finally put her worries to rest completely and held Xiao Qiao’s hand, saying: “Now that you’re here, stay for a few extra days. When it’s time for you to leave, I’ll have your brother-in-law personally escort you back to Yuyang.”