As night fell, Xiao Qiao refused to share a bed with Da Qiao and left the room on her own. Left alone, Bi Zhi and Da Qiao exchanged a glance. Bi Zhi went to his wife, gently lifted her, and carefully placed her on the bed. He sat down beside her, softly caressing her swollen belly, and asked, “Did the little one kick you again today?”
Da Qiao rested her head on her husband’s shoulder, a happy smile gracing her face. She murmured, “Mm-hmm. Early this morning, it was moving around in my belly, waking me up quite early.”
Bi Zhi leaned down and kissed her forehead, whispering tenderly, “You’re working so hard. When the little one comes out, if it’s a boy, I’ll spank him for kicking you.”
Da Qiao giggled softly. She asked him to lie down with her, taking his large, calloused hand and pressing it against her soft cheek, gently nuzzling it. Suddenly, she said, “Last night, my sister praised you, saying you’re quite remarkable. I think so too. But I’m curious, where did you learn your military skills?”
Bi Zhi’s green eyes flickered as he met his wife’s curious and admiring gaze. After a moment’s thought, he replied, “I’m not sure. Perhaps it’s innate. I remember when I was young, I accidentally saw your uncle leading the family troops in training at the horse grounds. Your uncle was as imposing as a war god, and the soldiers’ shouts shook the heavens. At that moment, I was awestruck. I told myself that when I grew up, I wanted to be someone like your uncle. So I started using the horses in the stables to practice military drills. I imagined I was their general and they were my soldiers. With so many soldiers, I wondered how I would command them if we encountered enemies…”
As he spoke, he noticed Da Qiao intently watching him. Feeling slightly embarrassed, he stopped and said, “Am I making you laugh?”
Da Qiao shook her head. “No, I want to hear more. Please continue.”
Bi Zhi smiled and went on, “Later, when I was a bit older, a stable manager who used to be a horse archer in the Qiao family army, though now lame, saw potential in me. He said I had an aptitude for martial arts and taught me fighting skills and archery whenever he had time. I loved it and even dreamed of practicing. He taught me for several years and was very kind to me, but then he fell ill and passed away. I was very sad for a while. After that, when I was older…”
Bi Zhi lowered his head, gazing at his wife.
“…I saw you. From the moment I first saw you, I couldn’t forget you. I remember how you looked every time you got in and out of the carriage. I never dreamed that one day you would become my wife…”
Da Qiao wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck and kissed him deeply.
After a long while, they parted. Bi Zhi, breathing heavily, tried to suppress the desire aroused by his wife’s tender affection. He whispered in her ear, “I know you’ve been worried about me. Don’t be afraid. I’m here. I’ve made thorough preparations and I’m confident I can repel Xue Tai. Nothing will go wrong.”
Da Qiao shook her head and said slowly, “I’m not afraid anymore. From the first day I left with you, I told myself that I’d chosen you for this life. If you live, I’ll live with you. If anything happens to you, I’ll follow you. I’m not afraid!”
Bi Zhi gazed at his wife, suddenly cupped her face, and kissed her deeply again.
……
Early the next morning, just as the sky began to lighten, Xiao Qiao got up. Her companion, Chun Niang, finished packing, and Bi Zhi saw them off from the manor.
Originally, he and his wife lived in a hunting village in the mountains outside Lingbi County. As more people joined them and they trained troops daily, reaching several thousand in number, the hunting village could no longer accommodate them. Three months ago, the owner of the Hu Family Manor to the southwest of the county town, whose only son had been killed due to a grudge with Xue Tai and who had been forced to give up his fields and wealth, heard of Bi Zhi’s reputation.
Filled with grief and anger, he pledged allegiance to Bi Zhi, welcoming him into the manor as the leader, willingly giving up his fields and wealth to help buy horses and weapons, all for the sake of future revenge. Bi Zhi fortified the Hu Family Manor, making it as solid as an iron barrel. Every twenty li around, he set up a checkpoint, ensuring smooth communication.
Xiao Qiao had been staying in the manor for the past few days. Now, as she was about to leave, she bid farewell to Qiao Ci.
Although Bi Zhi had personally gone to escort Xiao Qiao on this trip to Lingbi, with Jia Si and others as guards, Qiao Ci still accompanied his sister. He had originally planned to leave with her. However, upon hearing that Xue Tai was coming to attack, Qiao Ci’s palms itched with excitement, and he said he wanted to stay and lend a hand to his brother-in-law.
Bi Zhi initially didn’t want him to stay, but Qiao Ci insisted, saying he wanted more experience and this was a good opportunity. He refused to leave.
Xiao Qiao tried to persuade him at first, but seeing that she couldn’t change his mind, she thought to herself that in such troubled times, with frequent wars, it was hard to guarantee that Yanzhou wouldn’t be attacked in the future. Since her brother was the only son of the Qiao family, it was inevitable that he would face battles in the future, and sheltering him was not the right path. Since he was determined to participate in the battle, she decided to let him follow his heart. Firstly, as he said, it would increase his experience, and secondly, with Bi Zhi fighting against superior numbers, having her brother assist might be helpful. So she agreed, only repeatedly reminding him to be careful and to return to Yanzhou as soon as the battle was over, to prevent their father from worrying.
Qiao Ci agreed. He escorted Xiao Qiao to the carriage and helped his sister up.
As Xiao Qiao was about to board the carriage, she looked back and saw Da Qiao standing at the manor entrance, one hand on her belly, watching her with a face full of reluctance to part. Xiao Qiao felt both joy and a hint of sorrow. She turned to Bi Zhi beside her and said, “Thank you, brother-in-law, for treating my sister so well.”
Bi Zhi was taken aback for a moment, then replied, “She treats me even better.” As he spoke, he looked back at his wife, who was still standing at the manor entrance seeing them off, his eyes filled with tenderness.
Xiao Qiao smiled gently and entered the carriage with Chun Niang.
Jia Si and his group of guards didn’t dare to be the least bit negligent on this journey, nor did they dare to leave Xiao Qiao’s side. They had followed her from Dongxian to this place, and now that the lady was finally heading back, they felt slightly relieved and closely followed the carriage.
As the carriage wheels began to turn, Xiao Qiao leaned out to wave goodbye to Da Qiao, who was still trying to send her off. She watched until her sister’s figure grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared from view. Then she sat back, turned her head, and quietly wiped her eyes.
Chun Niang noticed this and held her in her arms. After they had traveled some distance, she said, “Is the lady envious that her sister is going to be a mother? Don’t worry. When we get back, as long as the lord is at home, it won’t be long for you too.”
Xiao Qiao knew she was trying to cheer her up. Though her heart was still full of reluctance to part, the thought of having children with Wei Shao felt both awkward and strange. She couldn’t help but laugh, “I don’t want to have children so early!”
Chun Niang said, “It’s not long until the end of the year when you’ll turn sixteen. It’s just the right time to prepare for childbearing. The old madam and the lord must be looking forward to it too.”
Xiao Qiao shook her head vigorously. When Chun Niang continued, she covered her mouth.
Chun Niang had only brought up the topic to distract her from the sadness of parting. Seeing that Xiao Qiao didn’t want to talk about having children with her husband, she let it go. She hugged Xiao Qiao again and mused, as if to herself, “The lord must have returned home victorious by now. He must be eagerly waiting for you to return!”
Xiao Qiao, leaning in Chun Niang’s embrace, thought about the days before Wei Shao left for battle.
On the first night, she was so worried about what might happen to Madam Xu that she desperately wanted him to stay, feeling that his presence would give her some reassurance. He didn’t agree at first but then promised to stay. However, the next day he went back on his word and teased her. That could be forgiven, after all, it involved going to war, which was a serious matter. But what was infuriating was that he showed no sign of admitting he was wrong.
Fine, he was the high and mighty Marquis, and Xiao Qiao didn’t expect him to openly admit his mistake, but he should at least have shown some indication of remorse.
But no, while she was sulking, he seemed to be angry too. For the next three nights, contrary to his usual behavior, he didn’t touch her at all.
Of course, it wasn’t that Xiao Qiao wanted him to touch her. She just couldn’t understand. What on earth did he have to be angry about, giving her the cold shoulder like this?
If it weren’t for Madam Xu being caught in the middle, since she had already returned to her family, she really wouldn’t want to go back so soon.
Xiao Qiao pouted and humphed, “He won’t be looking forward to my return at all. I don’t want to see him either!”
……
The carriage and Jia Si’s group of guards escorting Xiao Qiao gradually disappeared. The procession vanished on the yellow dirt road leading out from the manor entrance.
A maidservant came over to support Da Qiao as she went back inside. Da Qiao turned and saw Zong Ji standing not far behind her on the empty ground, his gaze fixed on the end of the dirt road, his face seeming to carry a hint of melancholy. She walked over to him.
Seeing Da Qiao approaching, Zong Ji hurried to meet her.
Da Qiao stopped in front of him and smiled, “My sister left in a hurry and didn’t have time to bid farewell to Young Master Zong. She asked me to pass on a message, expressing her deep gratitude for Young Master Zong’s assistance on several occasions, which was of great help. If there’s an opportunity in the future, she will certainly repay the kindness.”
Zong Ji replied, “The lady’s words are too kind. I was merely repaying a debt of gratitude. It was a small matter, not worth mentioning.”
Da Qiao said, “I heard from my husband that Xue Tai is marching troops this way, and there’s likely to be a fierce battle. My sister has already left this morning. Perhaps Young Master Zong should leave quickly as well. Xue Tai’s target is my husband. Young Master Zong is a free spirit, there’s no need to get involved unnecessarily.”
Zong Ji replied, “Why does Madam say this? Not to mention that I once received help from your husband. Even without that incident, Xue Tai and I are sworn enemies, and I long to take his head with my own hands. If there’s a battle, I should be at the forefront. How could I seek safety for myself? I know Madam speaks out of kindness, and Zong Ji appreciates it.”
He bowed to Da Qiao and strode away.
……
Bi Zhi had lived in Lingbi for a long time and was familiar with the roads. Taking a shortcut, he successfully escorted Xiao Qiao out of Lingbi the next day.
Knowing that Xue Tai could attack at any time, Xiao Qiao had been urging him not to escort her further and to return quickly. After leaving Lingbi, Bi Zhi no longer refused. He asked Jia Si to take good care of her on the journey, then stopped by the roadside. He watched Xiao Qiao’s group disappear into the distance before hurrying back.
Yesterday’s scout report was even clearer. Xue Tai, having failed in his attack on Xiao, was eager to save face. At the same time, fearing that Bi Zhi’s forces might expand further, he had gathered his defeated troops and was impatiently coming to attack the Hu Family Manor again.
Based on the marching speed, they would arrive within three days.
But Bi Zhi felt no fear at all.
The reason Xue Tai dared to attack him right after suffering a defeat, hastily regrouping his beaten troops, was clearly because he still didn’t take Bi Zhi seriously.
In Xue Tai’s eyes, Bi Zhi’s forces were nothing more than a rabble. The fact that they had survived until now was merely luck.
Bi Zhi was neither anxious nor hurried.
The more Xue Tai underestimated him, the more confident Bi Zhi felt.
This time, if heaven was on his side, he decided to seize this opportunity to completely reverse the passive situation he had been in.
How fortunate he was to have married a daughter of the Qiao family of Yanzhou, despite his lowly origins as a horse groom.
To be worthy of her, to make her proud to be his wife – this was Bi Zhi’s greatest wish.
……
Bi Zhi traveled swiftly and finally approached the Hu Family Manor.
The sun hung slantwise between distant mountain peaks, radiating its last faint golden rays of the day.
It was a warm winter evening in the south. The usual tranquility had fortunately not yet been trampled by the iron hooves of war.
It hadn’t rained for many days. The yellow dirt road leading to the Hu Family Manor, riddled with potholes, had become very dry. As horses’ hooves passed over, they kicked up clouds of dust. The fields on both sides of the road had long been harvested, now empty save for some rotting rice stubble. Occasionally, one or two black-headed sparrows foraging for grass seeds were startled by the passing hoofbeats, fluttering their wings as they flew into the woods.
About ten li from the Hu Family Manor, at a fork in the road ahead, Bi Zhi saw two horses stopped by the roadside, with two men on their backs.
One was in his twenties, still quite young, about the same age as himself. The other was older, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight.
Although both were dressed ordinarily, Bi Zhi could tell at a glance that they were no ordinary people.
Moreover, the older one took orders from the younger one.
He immediately became alert but didn’t slow his horse. Instead, he galloped past them.
“Excuse me!” a voice suddenly called out from behind, “Is the Hu Family Manor ahead?”
Bi Zhi stopped his horse and slowly turned his head.
……
The man asking for directions was Lei Yan. The other, naturally, was Wei Shao.
After arriving in Lingbi, Wei Shao asked for directions to the Hu Family Manor, which Qiao Ping had mentioned before. Leaving the rest of his retinue waiting at the crossroads, he took Lei Yan and hurried over.
This journey south had been full of twists and turns. Several times he thought he was about to see her, only to miss her again.
Only he knew how the disappointment and desire to see her immediately had accumulated to an unbearable level in his heart.
If he couldn’t find her here, Wei Shao wasn’t sure if he could control himself from exploding on the spot.
He had just rushed here, but encountered a three-way fork in the road and couldn’t be sure of the direction. With no passersby in sight, he had to stop temporarily. Suddenly seeing a lone rider approaching from afar, Lei Yan immediately asked for directions.
The man stopped his horse and turned his head.
Wei Shao saw a jade-green eye, glowing strangely in the fading golden light of dusk.
“Green eyes!” Lei Yan exclaimed, quickly glancing back at Wei Shao. He saw Wei Shao sitting motionless on his horse.
“Are you the green-eyed refugee leader?” Lei Yan turned back and demanded sternly.
Bi Zhi stared at these two out-of-place strangers who had appeared at such a moment and were hostile towards him. He quickly decided in his mind.
Kill them as soon as possible.
He remained expressionless, slowly bending down to take a crossbow from his saddle. Turning towards Lei Yan, he fired three arrows in quick succession.
The sharp bolts left the string, tearing through the air with a faint whistling sound as if carrying tremendous force as they flew toward Lei Yan.
Lei Yan was startled, unprepared for the sudden attack. Seeing the bolts reach him in the blink of an eye, he hurriedly swung his sword to deflect them. He managed to deflect the first two, but there was no time for the third. As it shot straight for his chest, he threw himself backward. A gust of wind passed his face, and he felt his headgear loosen. The bolt had passed through his hair, cutting through his headband and breaking his hairpin in two. His bound hair fell loose.
Lei Yan, still shaken, glared furiously at his attacker. With a clang, he drew his sword and spurred his horse forward, but his opponent moved even faster. Bi Zhi let out a sharp whistle, and Lei Yan’s horse suddenly reared up.
Caught off guard, Lei Yan was thrown from his horse. His opponent had already dismounted and rushed over in a few steps, swinging his sword down.
This series of actions was so fast and vicious, executed in one fluid motion, that it left no time for reaction.
Wei Shao leaped down from his equally startled horse, lunging forward to parry the descending blade with his scabbard.
With a sharp clang of metal on metal, the two separated.
Wei Shao stared at the green-eyed man who was equally focused on him. He narrowed his eyes slightly and slowly drew his sword from its scabbard, saying to Lei Yan, “I’ll face him.”
After those few exchanges, Lei Yan realized that this green-eyed refugee bandit who had appeared here for unknown reasons had strange martial skills. His moves were simple but deadly, unlike the fighting style Lei Yan was accustomed to. He feared he was indeed no match for him.
Bi Zhi, without a word, charged straight at Wei Shao. After more than ten exchanges, with a backhand move, Bi Zhi’s blade turned, and a shallow cut suddenly appeared on Wei Shao’s arm.
“My lord, be careful!” Lei Yan cried out in alarm.
Wei Shao glanced at his arm, which was now seeping blood. His eyes suddenly flashed with intensity. He stepped forward, his sword thrusting directly at Bi Zhi’s throat. Bi Zhi hurriedly leaned back, but the skin on the side of his neck was still cut. At first, it was just a thin red line like a thread. Gradually, blood began to drip from the wound.
In the blink of an eye, both men had drawn blood. They each took a step back.
“You’re a refugee bandit leader. Why have you appeared here?” Wei Shao asked coldly, his sword tip pointed at Bi Zhi.
Bi Zhi replied slowly, enunciating each word, “And who are you? What are your intentions in coming here?”
As the two men stared at each other, the atmosphere once again became tense. Just then, in the fading light of the setting sun in the distance, several riders on fast horses appeared. The one in the lead was Qiao Ci, shouting, “First brother-in-law! Second brother-in-law! What are you doing?”
Qiao Ci had been returning from patrolling a nearby checkpoint. He had seen people in the distance and hurried over. As he got closer and recognized the two men, he was shocked and rushed to intervene.
Wei Shao and Bi Zhi exchanged a glance, each with a flash of surprise in their eyes.
Qiao Ci leaped off his horse and ran over, out of breath. Seeing that both men were already bleeding, clearly having fought, he stamped his foot and hurriedly said to Bi Zhi, “First brother-in-law, he is the Marquis of Yan, my second brother-in-law!” Then to Wei Shao, “Second brother-in-law, this is my first brother-in-law, he’s just ahead in the Hu Family Manor! I heard that my Second brother-in-law was in Shangdang recently, how did you suddenly arrive here and end up fighting with my first brother-in-law?”
Bi Zhi had already sheathed his sword.
Wei Shao slowly put away his sword as well.
Lei Yan was left standing to the side, his hair disheveled, staring in disbelief.
He could never have imagined that his lord’s brother-in-law would turn out to be this green-eyed refugee bandit leader!
Wei Shao let out a quiet sigh and said, “Why are you here? I came to pick up your sister. Is she here?”
Qiao Ci was stunned for a moment, then said, “So that’s why? Second brother-in-law, you’ve come a step too late. My first brother-in-law just escorted my sister out of Lingbi yesterday and has only just returned. My sister should be on her way back north by now.”
……
Wei Shao felt as if he had been struck with a devastating internal blow!
The misunderstanding cleared up, and Bi Zhi apologized to him and invited him into the manor to dress his wound. But Wei Shao was in no mood to stay. After a brief exchange, he only asked if Bi Zhi needed his help.
Bi Zhi politely declined. Wei Shao said no more, not even entering the manor. He bid farewell to Qiao Ci and immediately turned to leave.
He led his retinue north along the main road, finally reaching the ancient Wuchao Ferry on the south bank several days later.
But what awaited him was another piece of bad news.
A few days ago, during the Great Cold, heavy snow had fallen. Since yesterday, the river surface had frozen, making it impossible for boats to cross, while the ice was not thick enough to support people and horses.
Since yesterday, travelers waiting to cross the river had been accumulating on both the north and south banks of the ferry, growing more numerous by the hour. The nearby inns and hostels were gradually becoming overcrowded. In the main halls, where fires were lit and bedding laid out on the floor, travelers discussing how long they might have to wait to cross the river all sighed with frustration.
The night had grown deep. The sky was pitch black, yet sparse snowflakes still drifted down.
Wei Shao stood at the ferry dock where the boats were moored, gazing at the pitch-black opposite shore about ten zhang away. Lost in thought, Lei Yan approached from behind and said, “My lord, we’ve searched all the inns near the ferry, but there’s no sign of the lady. It seems… she must have already crossed the Yellow River.”
Wei Shao, his face expressionless, said, “You’ve all had a tiring journey. Rest here for the night. Tomorrow we’ll check the Liuhe Ferry downstream, perhaps we can cross there.”
Lei Yan acknowledged the order and added, “There are no good lodgings nearby. The nearest post house is fifty or sixty li away, and it’s too late now. With the cold weather, it’s not convenient to go there. There’s a relatively clean inn nearby. I’ve given the innkeeper some money to vacate his room, which has been cleaned for you. My lord can stay there for the night and set out early tomorrow morning.”
Wei Shao was lost in thought for a moment before turning to go to the inn. Lei Yan followed. The two crossed the threshold of the inn’s main entrance, above which hung a lantern swaying in the cold wind.
The innkeeper, aware of the young man’s noble status, hurried forward to greet them as they entered.
As Wei Shao walked through the main hall past the travelers dozing by the fire, either sitting or leaning, heading towards the inner hall, suddenly from outside the main door came the sound of carriage wheels crunching over the icy road surface, then stopping.
Someone had arrived to seek lodging at this late hour.
“Innkeeper! Do you have any good rooms available?”
Someone strode in, calling out loudly to the innkeeper.
The voice startled the sleeping travelers in the hall, who opened their eyes and grumbled complaints.
Wei Shao, however, stopped in his tracks and whirled around.
The man who had just entered looked up, saw Wei Shao, and was so astonished that he exclaimed involuntarily, “My lord, how are you here?”
Lei Yan turned his head, startled.
He hadn’t expected this person to be Jia Si, who was escorting the lady!
They had originally thought that Jia Si’s group was ahead of them and had already crossed the Yellow River by now. They hadn’t anticipated that the lord had outpaced the lady’s group, leaving them behind.
Wei Shao’s eyes were fixed on the carriage in the shadowy lantern light outside the door, his figure motionless.
Jia Si followed his gaze, suppressing his joy at this unexpected encounter with the lord. He hurried forward and said, “The lady is in the carriage. We traveled hard today. I wanted to stop earlier, but the lady was worried about the Yellow River freezing over and kept urging us on. That’s why we’ve only just arrived here, not realizing it was already frozen…”
Wei Shao had already brushed past Jia Si, striding towards the door.
……
Xiao Qiao was closing her eyes, curled up in Chun Niang’s warm embrace, and about to doze off when suddenly a gust of cold wind hit her face. The carriage door seemed to have been pulled open, and a chill wind crept down the back of her neck. She shivered involuntarily, tucking her neck in and hugging Chun Niang tighter, mumbling, “Is there no place to stay?”
Chun Niang looked up and was startled to see Wei Shao suddenly appearing opposite them. She was so overjoyed that at first, she forgot to react. After a pause, noticing his gaze fixed on Xiao Qiao, who was still curled up tightly in her arms, she couldn’t tell if his expression was one of joy or anger. Suddenly feeling uneasy, she hurriedly shook Xiao Qiao gently and said softly, “My lady, we’ve reached the inn, and the lord is here…”
After days of travel, Xiao Qiao was truly exhausted. She had fallen asleep in Chun Niang’s arms and hadn’t even noticed the carriage stopping. Woken by Chun Niang, she sat up, groggily opened her eyes, rubbed them, and turned her head, saying, “Chun Niang, who did you say…”
Her eyes met Wei Shao’s, and she was instantly dumbfounded. She froze, her eyes slowly widening, staring at him in disbelief.