"Huo Tingshan, don't move!" Pei Ying cried out in alarm.
The more flustered she was, the more curious Huo Tingshan became. "What could my wife be hiding that her own husband is not allowed to see?"
He had already boarded the carriage and now stood before the cushioned seat where Pei Ying sat. The man, draped in a dark crimson cloak, brought a chill into the compartment with him. His figure was towering, and as he stood in front of the seat, he almost completely enveloped Pei Ying.
Huo Tingshan knelt on one knee on the seat, trapping Pei Ying in the corner between himself and the carriage wall. He looked into her panicked, watery eyes, his curiosity growing even more.
What was she being so sneaky about?
The object was hidden on her left side. Afraid that lifting her left hand might accidentally lift her fox-fur coat, Pei Ying only extended her right hand to push him, not daring to move her other hand.
But even if she used both hands, Pei Ying couldn't have pushed Huo Tingshan away, let alone now with just one hand braced against his waist.
The man casually grasped her right wrist in his palm, then his other hand began to probe inside her white fox-fur coat.
"Huo Tingshan!"
Pei Ying had no choice but to free her left hand to push him as well, only to have it captured just as surely.
Huo Tingshan clasped both her wrists together with one hand, and despite Pei Ying's urgent protests, he reached into her coat again. But before he could discern what was inside, he felt a sudden sharp pain on the back of his hand.
He raised an eyebrow and withdrew his hand.
A thin needle was lodged in the back of his hand, its other end attached to a dark green thread. Following the thread inside, he caught a glimpse of what seemed to be part of a pouch.
Huo Tingshan was stunned.
Seizing the moment, Pei Ying broke free from his grip. She reached to retrieve the pouch in annoyance, but seeing the needle still stuck in his hand—and him making no move to remove it—she couldn't help her exasperation. "I told you not to move."
She pinched the end of the needle and gently pulled it out. A drop of bright red blood welled up on Huo Tingshan's hand.
Pei Ying took out a handkerchief to wipe it away, but as soon as the cloth touched his hand, he sprang into action like a machine switched to high speed, grasping her hand once more.
"Wife, is that pouch for me?"
Pei Ying turned her head away, avoiding his intensely burning gaze. "It's not finished yet."
Huo Tingshan reached for the pouch. His initial movement was swift, but it slowed just as his fingers were about to touch it.
Finally, he made contact, taking hold of one corner of the pouch and slowly drawing it out from within Pei Ying's white fox-fur coat.
The pouch was a deep, somber shade of dark green. On it, a bamboo stalk was roughly outlined in a thread slightly lighter than the base color.
Only about half of the bamboo was embroidered. Whether it was a personal quirk or a lack of practice, this particular bamboo plant looked rather... well-nourished.
Seeing him stare unblinkingly at the pouch, Pei Ying felt an inexplicable twinge of embarrassment. She took the pouch back. "Don't look at it. The embroidery is rather ordinary."
She had only taken a crash course in embroidery before. She could manage the basics, but it was far from exquisite or delicate.
Only after the pouch was hidden back inside her coat and out of sight did Huo Tingshan lift his eyes to Pei Ying. "I think it's quite wonderful. My wife embroidered it wonderfully."
His delight was undisguised, and by the end of his sentence, he even let out a soft chuckle. "Wife, when will this pouch be finished?"
Pei Ying glanced at him but said nothing.
Huo Tingshan held her hand, his thumb stroking the skin on the inside of her wrist. "I'm not rushing you. It's just that I'm rather impatient, as this is the first time my wife has taken the initiative to embroider a pouch for me."
Pei Ying placed the pouch and the needlework into a small cabinet beside her. "I don't know when it will be done either. I want to take my time with it."
"That's fine too." The curve of Huo Tingshan's lips deepened. "Take your time, wife. I can wait."
Pei Ying closed the cabinet door and was about to look up and ask why he had come into the carriage when suddenly the daylight seemed to dim. The man who had been kneeling on one knee on the seat leaned down, pressing closer.
Pei Ying caught the scent of windblown sand and wild grass on him, and soon she was enveloped by him, plunged into a dim half-light.
Outside the carriage window, a cold wind howled, while inside, the temperature began to climb inch by inch, giving rise to an inexplicable sense of intimacy.
Sizhou, Governor's Mansion study.
"Father, Grand Marshal Ji Xianbai has issued the order to campaign against Jing Province. Whether the other provinces will respond is still unknown, but I privately believe that Huo Tingshan in the north will certainly mobilize his troops this time." Li Kangshun, son of the Governor of Sizhou, frowned deeply.
Li Xiaotian, Governor of Sizhou, rotated the thumb ring on his hand. "If Huo Tingshan doesn't send troops, then he wouldn't be Huo Tingshan. That man has always been ambitious, not to mention he recently pacified the northern territories. With his rear now secure, he will absolutely not be content to continue turtling up within Youzhou."
Speaking of the pacification of the north, Li Xiaotian felt a complex mix of emotions.
On one hand, he was pleased that the Han people had soundly defeated the Xiongnu in the northern lands. But on the other hand, this monumental achievement was not his. Moreover, after this campaign, Youzhou's strategic rear was as solid as a rock, completely worry-free.
Just then, a guard hurried in to report from outside the door. "My Lord, an envoy has arrived from Chang'an."
Li Kangshun was surprised, his first thought being: "Ji Xianbai sent someone? Who has come?"
The guard's face, however, showed a hint of hesitation.
This surprised the father and son.
Typically, an envoy would announce their identity upon arrival: who they were, where they came from, and their purpose. This string of information would be presented upfront, leaving little room for hesitation.
"Is it so difficult to answer?" Li Kangshun said, displeased.
The guard replied quickly, "Young Master, the man is named Du Liang. He claims to be a deputy general under the Grand Marshal's command, specifically under the General of Agile Cavalry. This time, besides his escort guard, he has also brought a beautiful woman with him."
"A deputy general sent to deliver a message brought his wife on an official trip?" Li Kangshun exclaimed in astonishment.
The guard said, "From this subordinate's observation, the beautiful woman does not appear to be Du Liang's wife."
Li Xiaotian rose from his seat. "I've heard that Ji Xianbai and Huo Tingshan had many conflicts in their early years. This envoy from Chang'an is likely here to seek cooperation with us."
Sizhou bordered Yongzhou, where Chang'an was located. If Sizhou were swallowed by Huo Tingshan, Yongzhou would be in danger.
The Youzhou army's southward campaign would certainly pass through Sizhou. He didn't believe Huo Tingshan was a peaceable man, especially considering they had gone to war just last year. Maintaining only surface-level peace with Youzhou was their fate. Given that, cooperating with Ji Xianbai seemed a rather good choice.
Li Xiaotian said, "Come, my son. We must welcome the Grand Marshal's envoy."
The father and son went out to receive them.
Li Xiaotian had served as an official in Chang'an for several years and had indeed seen Du Liang before. They had no particular friendship, and now, meeting again after more than a decade, they were naturally strangers. But both sides had their own agendas, so their exchange of pleasantries felt as warm as if they were longtime close friends.
After the formalities, Li Xiaotian finally turned his gaze to the beautiful woman standing behind Du Liang.
The woman wore a veil hat, its thin gauze obscuring her features. But her fair skin and full, graceful figure were visible. If her face was even slightly pretty, she could be considered a beauty.
Within Youzhou territory.
The day's march ended, and the soldiers made camp. Meng Ling'er and Huo Zhizhang worked together to pitch their tent, securing it with hemp rope tied to wooden stakes.
Once the tent was up, Meng Ling'er dusted off her hands. "It seems this beginner has quite a talent. It took less than a quarter of an hour to secure all four corners."
"Little sister is indeed exceptionally gifted," Huo Zhizhang said with a laugh. Then he looked around. "Why don't I see Father?"
Meng Ling'er knew the answer. "I saw Father heading towards Mother's carriage a moment ago."
Upon hearing this, Huo Zhizhang walked in the direction of the carriages.
Meng Ling'er paid him no mind and continued setting up other tents with Chen Yuan. Not long after, she saw her second brother return, his face flushed bright red.
During the northern campaign, Huo Zhizhang had tanned considerably, but his skin was fair by nature. After returning and not spending much time outdoors, his previously sun-darkened complexion had regained much of its paleness.
Now, his blush was exceptionally conspicuous.
"Second Brother?" Meng Ling'er asked in surprise. "What's wrong? What happened?"
Huo Zhizhang's gaze darted about. "N-nothing."
Meng Ling'er glanced behind him but didn't see their parents. "Weren't you just going to find Father? Did you not find him?"
The blush on Huo Zhizhang's face deepened, spreading from his cheeks down to his neck. "I found him. It just... wasn't a good time..."
The last sentence was almost a mumble, spoken more to himself.
Meng Ling'er didn't understand, but since he said he'd found him, she didn't press further.
After the northern campaign, the Youzhou army brought back a large number of cattle and sheep. The oxen were used for plowing, mostly distributed to the common people for farming, but the sheep were different. A batch of sheep were slaughtered, the mutton divided and either smoked or roasted into jerky for the march.
The Youzhou army was now quite prosperous, and the soldiers never lacked meat in their two daily meals.
The main command tent was already pitched and furnished inside, with a small cauldron set up, waiting only for its occupants. Huo Zhizhang and Meng Ling'er didn't have to wait long; the couple arrived right on time.
Meng Ling'er, noticing nothing amiss, bowed in greeting to her parents.
Huo Zhizhang's eyes were evasive, his voice three pitches lower than usual.
Pei Ying understood the situation at a glance and immediately pursed her overly red lips, shooting a reproachful glare at Huo Tingshan.
This man's doing... seen by the younger generation.
Huo Tingshan merely smiled, unbothered.
The tent flap had only been lifted for a moment; how much could he have seen? Besides, parents being affectionate is a good thing for their children.
"Sit, let's eat."
Life on the march couldn't compare to life at the mansion, but this wasn't Pei Ying's first campaign, and she was long accustomed to it.
The small stove boiled, filling the command tent with the fragrant aroma of the broth. As the hotpot bubbled away, the tent grew considerably warmer.
Huo Zhizhang, usually quite lively, buried himself in his food today. Meng Ling'er turned to look at him twice, her eyes filled with confusion.
What was wrong with her second brother today?
He seemed off ever since earlier...
After the meal, Pei Ying and Meng Ling'er went outside to walk off their meal. Her daughter said, "Mother, Second Brother was acting very strange earlier."
Pei Ying's long eyelashes fluttered slightly. "Is that so? I thought he seemed fine."
"His face was all red. If we weren't on the march, I'd suspect he'd just met with a sweetheart." Meng Ling'er's thoughts shifted from Huo Zhizhang to Huo Mingji. "Mother, Eldest Brother is already of age. When do you think I'll get an elder sister-in-law?"
"I don't know. Your father probably has his own plans regarding that." Pei Ying suddenly recalled the winter hunt.
That day, many young people had gathered around her daughter, both boys and girls, all around the same age. Pei Ying asked anxiously, "And what about you, my dear? During the winter hunt, did you see any young gentlemen who caught your eye?"
"No." Meng Ling'er's answer was decisive.
Pei Ying felt a wave of relief, but also couldn't help feeling puzzled. Sixteen or seventeen was an age prone to budding affections. "Not a single one? I thought a few of those young gentlemen looked quite dashing that day."
Meng Ling'er pouted. "Mother, you don't know. Earlier, when I ran into some of those young gentlemen in the woods, one of them couldn't even match my archery skills, and I've only been practicing martial arts for just over a year. I don't like those young gentlemen who are all smooth talk and just have a pretty face."
Tonight there was moonlight, and it was bright. Pei Ying could see her daughter's serious expression as she spoke these words.
Pei Ying's heart eased slightly. Her daughter only talked about what she didn't like, not what type she did like. That should be...
"Mother, my future husband must be a strong, capable, and upright man. His age doesn't matter much, but he must be dependable, and his skills must match his words." Meng Ling'er continued.
The young girl walked ahead, not noticing the conflicted look on the beautiful woman's face beside her.
Pei Ying's internal conflict lasted until bedtime.
As they settled in to sleep, Huo Tingshan noticed that the person who usually fell asleep quickly was tonight tossing and turning like a pancake on a griddle.
The man said lazily, "Has my lady become so excited that she shares my restlessness?"
Seeing he was also awake, Pei Ying simply asked, "Huo Tingshan, what do you think of Chen Yuan?"
In the darkness, the man's eyes narrowed. Chen Yuan again. She'd asked about him several times already.
He said, "Loyal to his lord. Skilled."
"You said before he's not married. Why isn't he married? Does he have some... difficulty he doesn't speak of?" Pei Ying pressed.
Ordinary young men married at sixteen or seventeen. Some, marrying early, would wed as soon as a girl of the same age came of age.
As soon as these words left her mouth, the man lying beside her suddenly rolled on top of her. "Why is my lady so concerned about Chen Yuan? Even asking if he's married or not."
Pei Ying, caught off guard by his weight, nearly lost her breath. "Huo Tingshan, get off."
"My lady must answer my question first." He propped himself up on one arm, his other hand slipping beneath the hem of her inner garment.
Pei Ying drew in a slight breath, a blush rising to her cheeks. "You get off first..."
He didn't move, only continued the motion of his hand.
The blush on Pei Ying's face spread down to the pale skin of her chest, revealed by her slightly open collar. She used both hands to push against him. "I'll tell you if you get off."
Huo Tingshan looked at her for a long moment before rolling back to her side. "Speak."
"I'll only tell you, Huo Tingshan. You must promise me you won't speak of this to anyone, and after you know, you cannot act rashly." Pei Ying whispered.
Huo Tingshan pulled her into his arms. "Let's hear it, my lady."
Pei Ying: "Promise me first."
Inside the dark tent, Pei Ying couldn't see his expression, but she heard his voice clearly. The man was silent, not agreeing.
Pei Ying urged him.
Only after her repeated urging did the man slowly grunt in acknowledgment, his response deep and heavy, not clearly stating agreement or disagreement. Having learned from past experience, Pei Ying now understood this fellow was playing word games with her.
If he wouldn't promise, then she wouldn't tell.
Pei Ying turned in his embrace, her back facing him. Yet the moment she finished turning, his hand followed, his palm broad and rough, deliberately or not, cupping that soft, jade-like fullness.
Pei Ying, annoyed, swatted at him. "You yourself said military campaigns forbid female company."
"It's during active combat that female company is forbidden," Huo Tingshan corrected her.
Pei Ying: "...Is it so difficult for you to agree to one thing I ask?"
Huo Tingshan said lightly, "Not difficult. I am merely rather curious why Chen Yuan has caught your lady's eye."
"It's not my eye," Pei Ying turned again, facing him once more. "It's someone else's."
Huo Tingshan's brow twitched. Leaving aside the fact that she had few female companions around her, the only one who could make her toss and turn all night with worry was a particular one.
Huo Tingshan fell into a strange, silent contemplation.
Pei Ying was silent too.
After a long while, Huo Tingshan let out a soft, derisive laugh. "No wonder his reaction was rather odd that time I asked if he had his eye on any young lady. So, he's set his sights on a delicate, noble branch. All my concern for him, even sharing my experience and advice, was wasted."
"What experience did you share?" Pei Ying asked.
Huo Tingshan halted.
