Xiao Qiao patted her chest and let out a soft sigh, “I wanted to ask you about the news a couple of days ago, but I was afraid you’d find me nagging. It’s good that my brother-in-law was victorious. My sister must be relieved too. She’s due to give birth in a month or two.”
Wei Shao cupped her chin with one hand and smiled, “So when will you bear me a child?”
Xiao Qiao was caught off guard by his sudden shift to the topic of her having children. She was momentarily stunned.
…
Recently, their relationship had progressed rapidly, and they had been intimate frequently.
Besides calculating her cycle and trying to avoid dangerous periods with various excuses, she had no other means of contraception.
Not to mention that if he wanted to, he wouldn’t always listen to her about when they could or couldn’t be intimate.
If she suddenly discovered she was pregnant one day, it wouldn’t be surprising.
However, Xiao Qiao still had no subjective desire to have children with Wei Shao.
Apart from the objective reason of being somewhat young, deep down, the most important factor was that Wei Shao still made her unable to let down her guard completely.
Despite his doting on her, despite his claims of going to great lengths to bring her back this time, she wasn’t entirely unmoved.
But even just moments ago, when he had his arm around her shoulder, pointing out the landscape and even promising her the future, what she wanted to say most in her heart wasn’t whether he would remember this promise in the future, but whether one day, if she hoped he could let go of the long-standing feud between the Wei and Qiao families and spare her family, would he agree?
But such thoughts only lingered in her heart repeatedly, never finding the courage to voice them. She hadn’t even considered asking.
Husband and wife, the closest yet most distant relationship.
The better he treated her, the more confused and even anxious she felt.
So Xiao Qiao never denied that she was a pessimist, one who habitually thought of the worst-case scenario in everything.
…
Xiao Qiao came back to her senses, meeting his gaze that had been fixed on her. She realized that her emotions might have been a bit out of control earlier, too exposed. It was somewhat inappropriate.
So she smiled, casually brushing her hair aside as she climbed off his chest, saying, “Why the sudden talk about me…”
Wei Shao lay on his back on the couch, one arm behind his head, looking at her thoughtfully.
Xiao Qiao nudged him, “Even with the mat, the ground is still a bit cold. Don’t lie there. Get up.”
Wei Shao remained motionless.
As Xiao Qiao made to get up herself, Wei Shao suddenly raised his leg, hooking the back of her knee, causing her to fall back onto his chest.
He rolled over, pinning her beneath him. His thumb gently stroked her eyelids back and forth, making her eyes itch. She couldn’t help blinking several times, turning her face away from his hand, pouting, “What are you up to now?”
Wei Shao said, “When I go out to battle, are you equally concerned about me?”
Xiao Qiao turned back to face him, seeing his enigmatic expression. Her heart skipped a beat. She said, “What nonsense are you talking about? My sister and brother-in-law are my family, what’s wrong with me being concerned about them?”
Wei Shao replied, “They’re your family, and I’m not? When have I ever seen you show such concern for me?”
Xiao Qiao bit her lip and argued, “I know you have many troops and capable generals, and you’re an unparalleled hero, victorious in every battle. How can my brother-in-law compare to you? Besides, how can you say I don’t care about you? I wanted to return earlier, so after checking on my aunt’s illness, I only stayed in Dongjun for two days before hurriedly setting out.”
Wei Shao gave a noncommittal hum, his tone casual, “I heard that after you left, your father widely posted notices to recruit talents. Your Qiao family has suddenly become quite impressive.”
If Yanzhou had made moves to recruit troops, it couldn’t have been kept completely hidden. Wei Shao would have found out sooner or later. So Xiao Qiao had already thought about how to respond if he asked about it in the future.
However, she hadn’t expected him to know so soon.
It couldn’t have been Jia Si who told him.
Jia Si had left when she did. During the two or three days she was there, her father had only gathered his retainers and officials to discuss plans. Jia Si had been arranged to stay at the courier station and couldn’t have known the details so clearly.
The only possibility was that Wei Shao had sent someone to Yanzhou in the past few days, which was how he found out.
Xiao Qiao met his gaze. They were only inches apart.
After a moment, she smiled at him and said, “I’m not very clear on the details. But when I returned, I did hear my father mention that with Yuan Zhe and Zhou Qun lurking like tigers and wolves on the borders of Yanzhou, and having suffered several attacks within a year, if it weren’t for your assistance, husband, Yanzhou would have been lost long ago! Father was grateful but also deeply ashamed. Since the Wei and Qiao families are now related by marriage, if Yanzhou is in trouble, you would naturally be involved. Father is ashamed to always trouble you. So after painful reflection, he intends to expand his forces for self-preservation. This way, if we encounter attacks from the likes of Zhou Qun or Xue Tai again, we’ll have more room to maneuver and also relieve you of the burden.”
“Husband, you suddenly ask about this. Do you think my father’s actions are improper?”
Xiao Qiao looked at him.
Wei Shao said, “Not at all. I just suddenly thought of it and asked casually.”
Xiao Qiao sighed softly, her eyes showing worry, “My father understands the situation clearly. For many years, he only wanted to maintain a peaceful corner, but unexpectedly, long-standing problems led to this decline. Even if he posts notices to recruit talents, it’s unlikely that truly capable people will be willing to join him. It’s just a last-ditch effort now. Husband…”
She suddenly seemed to remember something, gently wrapping her arms around his neck, and looking up at him with wide eyes.
“Although Father said he’s ashamed to ask for your help again if Yanzhou is in trouble next time, you won’t stand by and do nothing, will you?”
“If so, Manman would be heartbroken,” she added.
When Wei Shao first heard about Yanzhou posting notices to recruit talents, it was almost instinctive that he immediately sensed something unusual.
In his eyes, as Xiao Qiao had once said, Yanzhou was like a piece of meat on his plate, currently in the hands of the Qiao family, which he would take when needed in the future.
Suddenly, the Qiao family was doing something behind his back with that piece of meat.
He naturally became vigilant. And more than that, he felt offended—similar to the feeling of being slighted. Plus, it happened to occur during Xiao Qiao’s trip south. That’s why he asked her about it just now.
After hearing Xiao Qiao’s explanation, his dissatisfaction was dispelled. Although he still harbored some doubts deep down, with Xiao Qiao’s arms around his neck, looking at him with doe-like eyes so pitifully, his heroic spirit immediately melted into tenderness. He comforted her, “Don’t worry, Manman. I won’t allow anyone to touch Yanzhou. Rest assured.”
Xiao Qiao smiled, her eyes curving, “With you here, I’m not afraid.”
“So what does my husband think of my father’s idea?” she asked, looking at him quietly.
Wei Shao hesitated slightly.
In his heart, he didn’t think much of the Qiao brothers, Qiao Yue and Qiao Ping. Both must be mediocre. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have run the great ship inherited from their ancestors into a pile of rusty nails. Even if they stirred things up, he figured they couldn’t make big waves.
As for Qiao Ci, although she had dazzled at the Luli Assembly, she was still young and not worth worrying about.
The only one in the Qiao family who could make him feel threatened was the green-eyed refugee leader who had recently entered his field of vision.
If this green-eyed refugee leader joined the Qiao family, he would have to reassess the Qiao family’s strength.
However, this green-eyed man’s background was extremely humble, worlds apart from the Qiao family’s daughters. The fact that he could marry a Qiao daughter, reminiscent of when the Qiao family suddenly changed brides when arranging the marriage with himself, made it easy to deduce that the union between the green-eyed man and Xiao Qiao’s sister must have been either an elopement or a forced marriage, certainly not approved by the Qiao family. At present, it was even more unlikely for him to join the Qiao family.
Wei Shao said magnanimously, “What’s wrong with your father wanting to make some achievements? As I said earlier, I was just asking casually, don’t take it to heart.”
Xiao Qiao blinked and obediently responded, “I understand. I won’t take it to heart.”
Wei Shao always loved her obedient demeanor, so he smiled and gently patted her cheek to comfort her.
…
The next day, news came that they could cross the river.
The crossing point was about ten li away from Wuchao Ferry. The river was only about ten zhang wide at this point, but because it was at a confluence, the water flow was usually rapid, making boat crossings impossible. Now, however, the ice was thicker here than elsewhere, strong enough to bear weight. After sprinkling soil on the ice surface, laying wheat straw, and wrapping the horses’ hooves in cloth, the group successfully crossed from the south bank to the north bank after being delayed for days. Without further delay, they headed north towards Youzhou.
Wei Shao, bringing Xiao Qiao with him, finally returned to Yuyang on the last day before the year’s end.
Welcoming them was the New Year’s Day of Tai’an Year One.
…
On the first day of the first month, New Year’s Day, is the most important festival of the year, marking the beginning of the year, month, and day.
On this day, before the seventh mark of the night watch, amidst the melodious and solemn sound of bells, the Emperor in the Luoyang Imperial Palace would receive a grand ceremony of New Year greetings in the Deyang Hall.
Feudal lords, dukes, ministers, generals, high officials, as well as envoys from various tribes, nearly ten thousand people in total, would flood into the great hall according to their rank and status to wish the Emperor ten thousand years of life and present New Year gifts.
On this New Year’s Day of Tai’an Year One, the seven-year-old son of the Wenxi King, Liu Tong, who had just been made Emperor by Xing Xun last year, sat on the dragon throne that was far too large for him, looking with fearful eyes at Xing Xun’s back, which almost blocked his view as he stood before the throne.
Xing Xun, nearly fifty years old, was pot-bellied but still vigorous in spirit. It was said that he could still bed several women in one night.
He had just won the Battle of Sishui against Yuan Zhe. Now he stood there with his head held high and chest puffed out as if receiving the homage of the ten thousand people in the hall on behalf of Liu Tong, full of pride and vigor.
His gaze swept over the sea of blackheads in the hall. In the upper hall set for the various feudal lords, he did not see the figure of the Marquis of Yan, Wei Shao.
This New Year’s Day, Wei Shao did not come to Luoyang.
He had only sent an envoy to present New Year’s greetings to Emperor Liu Tong.