He Zhaojun sat at the head of the bed, her face glowing with radiance. Beside her, Madam Fu cradled a bundled swaddling cloth, lavishing endless praise. Seven or eight wives of Lou Yao’s subordinates had gathered in the room, each competing to extol the infant until he sounded like an immortal child descended from heaven. Shaoshang, sitting at the edge of the bed, couldn’t bear listening any longer. She tried several times to slip away, only to be yanked back by He Zhaojun—truly baffling where a woman who had just given birth found such strength.

Having heard enough songs of praise for her precious son, He Zhaojun kindly invited the wives to dine in the front hall, keeping only Shaoshang to talk.

“My little mongoose was born so well, don’t you think? Look at this nose, these eyes…” After dismissing Madam Fu and the serving maids, He Zhaojun intimately fussed with the swaddling cloth by her pillow, her affection mixed with blatant showing off.

Shaoshang deliberately refused to humor her, affecting an indifferent air: “He’s alright, I suppose. Not as fair as my eldest brother’s nephew, not as robust as Sister Qiqi’s child, not as…”

“What nonsense are you spouting! He’s only been born one day—he barely has any flesh on him. How could he be fair or robust!” He Zhaojun transformed instantly from gentle and loving mother to fierce maternal beast.

Shaoshang mocked: “Oh, so you know he’s only been born one day! Listening to them just now, I thought little mongoose would master all eighteen weapons tomorrow and win first place in the imperial examinations the day after!”

He Zhaojun said sheepishly: “Can’t you just humor me and make me happy?”

Speaking of this, Shaoshang’s temper flared: “What did I tell you when we parted at the Ten-Li Pavilion? Be good to A’Yao, don’t bully him—he’s an honest man who won’t even cry out when wronged! You ask me to humor you, but why don’t you humor A’Yao? You embarrassed him in front of so many people yesterday!”

“No, no!” He Zhaojun grew anxious. “I listened to you! All these years I’ve been very considerate of A’Yao. When I first came here, everything was in complete chaos inside and out. Even when I forgot to eat myself, I never forgot to send food to A’Yao working outside! A’Yao understood my heart and showed care for me everywhere. We’ve always been fine!”

“Then why did you act like that yesterday!”

“It was all because of you! Ever since you wrote last month saying you’d visit, A’Yao has been excitedly preparing your quarters, gathering gifts for you, even specially requesting a famous chef from the county seat… Watching him bustle about, my heart burned with anger!” He Zhaojun was full of grievances. “If you hadn’t come, none of this would have happened!”

Shaoshang was so angry she nearly fell over backward: “Oh my, now you find me a nuisance! All these years when I’ve been keeping you informed of the court’s political winds, you didn’t mind me then? Three years ago when your youngest brother caused trouble back home and the authorities were about to arrest him, when I pleaded his case before His Majesty, you didn’t mind me then! Now when I come to stay at your home for a few days, you find me bothersome—I only dared come because you kept writing about how intimate you and your husband were, with no more discord between you!”

He Zhaojun said shamefacedly: “These years I’ve been very grateful for your care. It’s just, just hearing you were coming, I felt uncertain…”

Shaoshang glared at her ungraciously: “My relationship with A’Yao was only a few months, while you two are married for years, sharing hardships together. What do you have to feel uncertain about!”

“I just hadn’t been able to bear A’Yao any children.” He Zhaojun’s voice grew even softer.

Shaoshang huffed: “Oh, oh, so now that you’ve borne him a son, you finally have confidence.”

He Zhaojun muttered: “I just gave birth—don’t keep vexing me.”

Shaoshang angrily turned her head away. After a while, she turned back with a serious expression: “Since there’s no one else today, let me ask you plainly—do you truly still mind me? You have a straightforward and bold temperament, so don’t put on false airs, and don’t worry I’ll stop helping your family in the future. I just want one honest answer from you!”

He Zhaojun said softly: “Actually, I came to terms with it years ago. At first I thought you helped us because you still had feelings for A’Yao. In the second year here, when offering sacrifices to my father and brothers, I suddenly remembered my second elder brother.”

A smile appeared on her face. “You’re actually very similar to my second brother—he had a good friend from childhood, a man of excellent character and ability, just too honest, constantly bullied by his stepmother and half-siblings. Like you, my second brother constantly worried about him being wronged. From helping select a bride of proper background to securing good official positions, my second brother helped push things along. I thought, you treat A’Yao the same way…”

“Good that you understand!” Shaoshang said emphatically, then added, “By the way, is the person you mentioned the eldest son of Marquis Xun, General Zhu Kun who currently serves as an assistant general under General Wu?”

He Zhaojun nodded.

Shaoshang sighed: “Your second brother’s kindness to him wasn’t wasted! General Zhu has been stationed away for years but always remembers your family. He worried your youngest brother had no elders to guide him at home and might cause trouble in the future. So he persistently entreated that renowned scholar Han in your hometown to take your youngest brother as a disciple for strict supervision—which relieved me too, so I won’t have to plead his case again.”

He Zhaojun said softly: “Yes, Elder Brother Zhu has always been most kind-hearted.”

Shaoshang carefully adjusted the swaddling cloth, saying gently: “Stop letting your imagination run wild. You and your husband have endured hardships and now enter better times—your days will only get better.”

He Zhaojun smiled archly: “I won’t let my imagination run wild anymore, but I’m afraid someone else will. What do you say?”

Shaoshang averted her gaze, her smile mechanical: “This consort has no idea what Lady Ancheng implies.”—Generally speaking, when she started using formal literary language, it meant the other person had hit the mark.

Leaving He Zhaojun’s quarters in good spirits, Shaoshang planned to strike while the iron was hot and persuade Lou Yao to set aside official business for now. While the new mother was physically and mentally exhausted, he should hurry over to comfort and cherish her—such efforts would yield double the results.

Who knew that upon reaching the study door, she’d discover that person prone to “letting his imagination run wild” sitting upright behind the desk, arms braced on a silk map, while County Magistrate Lou Yao standing at the side looked more like an attending book boy.

“…Eighty-some li from here, only these two fortified estates.” Ling Buyi studied the map carefully.

Lou Yao said: “Precisely. As Elder Brother suggested, to harbor those criminals would require fortified estates of this scale. Yao County borders Xuzhou, with only a mountain valley between the two regions…”

Ling Buyi nodded, then pointed to a spot on the map: “This is that valley? Your survey map isn’t accurate.” He spread his palm, roughly measuring with the space between thumb and forefinger.

Lou Yao’s face reddened: “I surveyed the areas around the county seat properly—where cultivation is possible, where water can be drawn. But this valley borders Xuzhou, and I thought since it couldn’t be developed anyway, I’d set it aside for later…”

“The four most crucial elements of a survey map are mountains, water, valleys, and scale. Only with these can you advance to attack or retreat to defend—other details can be verified gradually. Yao County has flat terrain. If unrest breaks out, how will you maintain control? Famine won’t kill you immediately, but popular uprising or rebellion can claim the heads of your entire family in an instant.”

Lou Yao accepted the reprimand with trepidation: “Many thanks for Elder Brother’s instruction. I understand now.”

—Shaoshang outside the door shook her head, feeling the subtle sensation of ‘her simple-minded younger brother being disciplined by an overreaching big shot from next door.’

Ling Buyi set down the survey map, leaning slightly against the armrest in a half-seated position: “Observing how the Luo clan was slaughtered, though the Gongsun remnants are few in number, they come and go like the wind, leaving no trace—clearly they didn’t travel far but have a base nearby. Don’t be muddle-headed. Such incidents occurring in and around your jurisdiction are no small matter.”

Hearing this, Shaoshang stepped inside: “Since we can’t find their trail immediately, why not first consider why they appeared here?”

Seeing her, Ling Buyi smiled slightly, then turned to Lou Yao: “The study is important territory. Haven’t you set strict guards? How can people enter casually without anyone announcing them?”

Lou Yao stood speechless while Shaoshang protested loudly: “I’ve entered your study too!”

Ling Buyi didn’t even raise an eyelid: “You could enter because I instructed the guards. Did A’Yao also instruct the servants outside about which people could be admitted?”

“No, I never…” Lou Yao certainly hadn’t given such instructions. The attendants outside saw Shaoshang as yesterday’s honored guest and let her in easily.

Shaoshang nearly developed gallstones from anger: “I know you want to reprimand A’Yao for being careless and lacking precautions, but your study is far more sensitive than an ordinary county magistrate’s, yet you still let me browse freely!”

“You are my wife—naturally you may know my affairs. Dare I ask, Miss Cheng, what relation are you to Magistrate Lou?” Ling Buyi’s profile remained calm.

Shaoshang choked.

Seeing the atmosphere freeze, Lou Yao said timidly: “…How about we continue discussing the Gongsun remnants’ intentions?”

Ling Buyi glanced at him, saying lightly: “Let’s do as Magistrate Lou suggests and hear Miss Cheng’s insights.”

The frustration Shaoshang had just expelled nearly inflated again. She forced herself to endure: “The Gongsun remnants’ goals must be one of two things—restoration or revenge. If restoration, that Shi Xin just rebelled in Shu Commandery, shouldn’t they go help there? If revenge…” She looked toward Ling Buyi, who returned her gaze coolly.

Shaoshang immediately continued: “They shouldn’t target Lord Huo either. Last year the general who led the main attack on Shu was someone else—Lord Huo only provided flanking support… So why would they appear here? There must be a reason.”

Lou Yao was very supportive: “Shaoshang, you’re absolutely right!”

Ling Buyi closed his mouth—this was what he disliked about Lou Yao. Whenever he also wanted to praise the girl’s cleverness, Lou Yao would always applaud more quickly and enthusiastically, making others seem insincere by comparison.

“Then… what is the reason?” Lou Yao asked, puzzled.

Shaoshang looked toward Ling Buyi. His handsome long eyes flickered slightly but said nothing, so she immediately stopped asking.

After going in circles without reaching a conclusion, the two left the study and walked back to the guest quarters in silence.

Walking through the empty back garden forest, Ling Buyi suddenly chuckled: “You actually didn’t tell Lou Yao about my execution of Gongsun Xian.”

Shaoshang said: “How could I speak of such things! Taken to the extreme, it could be the crime of deceiving the sovereign. Though A’Yao is trustworthy, one fewer person knowing is always better.”

“Right, one fewer person knowing is always better.” Ling Buyi smiled.

“You won’t speak of this, I won’t speak of it, and the Yuan family certainly won’t—so those people probably aren’t coming for revenge against you.”

Ling Buyi said: “You’ve already thought of it. What you wanted to ask me just now—go ahead and ask.”

Shaoshang stopped, focusing intently: “You should have departed from Yanzhou to suppress rebellions in one of the four regions—Qing, Ji, You, or Xu. Why are you in Yuzhou?” Even if he was monitoring Luo Jitong’s movements, he should have sent people to follow and guard rather than appearing personally, given that Ling Buyi was currently on official duty.

Ling Buyi said: “I thought you wouldn’t ask… You guessed correctly. I initially entered Yuzhou not for you, but planning to cross from eastern Yuzhou into Xuzhou to rendezvous with His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Shaoshang started: “Isn’t His Highness the Crown Prince commanding from the main camp in Yanzhou?”

Ling Buyi said: “Xuzhou has been pacified. General Wu divided his forces in two directions toward Qingzhou and Youzhou. Hearing that over a dozen powerful clans in western Xuzhou were nearly all implicated, His Highness felt troubled and decided to personally inspect whether there were improprieties in implementing the land survey decree.”

Shaoshang was shocked: “Could the Gongsun remnants be targeting the Crown Prince?!”

Ling Buyi frowned slightly: “His Highness the Crown Prince isn’t alone—tens of thousands of troops surround him. Forget a few dozen death warriors—even if we conscripted all able-bodied men from several neighboring counties, they couldn’t harm them.”

Shaoshang stared at him hesitantly: “Then what are you worried about?”

Ling Buyi raised an eyebrow: “Do I look very worried?”

“Your brow is furrowed so tight—even if I were caught with a lover, you’d only look like this!”

Ling Buyi’s face darkened: “Don’t talk nonsense!” Thinking again, he found it amusing and tapped the girl’s forehead with bent knuckles.

Shaoshang cried out, covering her forehead: “Speak then—what exactly are you worried about?”

Ling Buyi paced thoughtfully: “His Highness the Crown Prince has both literary and military talent, but his temperament is somewhat impetuous. When encountering injustice, His Majesty would order officials at each level to investigate thoroughly, while the Crown Prince would roll up his sleeves and personally take action, overturning things first before anything else.”

He was brought to the Emperor’s side before age ten, dwelling long in the deep palace, learning methods of assessing situations and techniques of reading hearts. Not to boast, but today few people existed whom he couldn’t see through or fathom. Forget court officials—he could basically predict even the Emperor’s thoughts fairly well.

“Earlier I earnestly urged the Crown Prince not to leave the Yanzhou main camp, but His Highness absolutely refused, saying he must see the local conditions with his own eyes. He also forbade me from accompanying him, saying my presence would immediately reveal his identity.” Ling Buyi stopped walking. “Hearing those words, I knew His Highness would definitely not remain within the heavy military protection at all times.”

Shaoshang was speechless: “His Highness the Crown Prince really—why is this necessary!”—Just causing trouble for people!

Ling Buyi smiled bitterly: “His Highness’s desire to observe conditions among the people isn’t a bad thing. Just now I asked Lou Yao about nearby fortified estates. He said this area isn’t wealthy—several counties combined have only two fortified estates of any consequence.”

Shaoshang said: “Then let’s investigate them!”

Ling Buyi shook his head: “How would we investigate? Go to their doors saying ‘we suspect you’re colluding with the rebel Gongsun remnants, so we must search your estates’? You think fortified estates are just for decoration? They maintain private forces inside—that’s why magistrates of so many commanderies and counties fear local powerful clans. If we conduct baseless investigations and find suspicious points, that’s one thing, but what if they’re innocent? Provoking popular uprising before we’ve even seen a shadow of the Gongsun remnants, causing chaos ourselves first? Forget it—don’t alert them yet.”

…

Over the next three or four days, Lou Yao continued his duties as county magistrate and new father, while Shaoshang followed Ling Buyi investigating clues everywhere—mountain streams, river valleys, wilderness hollows… They even observed the terrain of those two fortified estates from afar.

Shaoshang had wanted to bring her elder brother along, but Cheng Shaogong felt his previous month had been quite arduous. Now he adamantly refused to leave, hiding indoors daily to eat, drink, and recuperate, occasionally casting coin divinations and drawing talismanic charts at leisure—how wonderful!

This day, having eaten and drunk his fill, he planned to take a stroll to aid digestion. Wandering to a back courtyard, he saw Lou Yan scolding servants. He detested such unreasonable women most in life and immediately turned to leave.

But Lou Yan caught sight of him from the corner of her eye and shrilled: “Master Cheng, wait!”

Cheng Shaogong had no choice but to turn back, clasping his hands with a smile: “Greetings, Miss Lou.”

“Master Cheng comes at just the right time.” Lou Yan said coldly. “Some days ago my cousin rescued a wandering swordsman who fell from a cliff. He remains unconscious to this day. I heard the Cheng family brought along a formidable physician—why not have him examine the man, better than our family pouring medicine down his throat day after day like water.”

Cheng Shaogong was stunned: “You flatter me, but that physician specializes in internal ailments. This fall injury is an external wound…”

Lou Yan said impatiently: “He can even treat women in childbirth—why not examine fall injuries!”

Cheng Shaogong deeply felt his great error in not casting a divination before going out today. He was contemplating whether to persuade this Miss Lou against such unreasonable demands or resignedly fetch the physician to treat this hopeless case as a last resort.

Just then, a servant emerged from the opposite building carrying a tray. As the door swung wide open, he happened to glimpse the profile of the person lying on the bed. Though swollen and bruised with accumulated grime, he still recognized him—

My, isn’t this his younger sister’s former fiancé’s father’s sworn brother?

Madam Xiao had even considered making him the martial arts instructor for the two younger brothers!

What was he doing here!