At first, Pei Ying didn't think much of it, but Huo Tingshan's prolonged silence made her suspicious.
Upon further reflection, imparting experience?
He was a man accustomed to being domineering; what good could his so-called experience possibly be? Could he have been spouting nonsense in front of Chen Yuan?
Pei Ying instantly grew wary. "Huo Tingshan, what did you say to Chen Yuan?"
He remained silent.
Pei Ying swatted his arm. "Tell me honestly what 'experience' you shared. If Chen Yuan learns from it, I won't let this go."
"He won't," Huo Tingshan said tersely.
As soon as he uttered these three words, Pei Ying swatted his arm again. "So what did you tell him?"
Even in the dimness of the tent, where they couldn't see each other's expressions, Huo Tingshan knew from her voice alone that she was fuming.
Well then. Forget about sleeping immediately; she'd be lucky to fall asleep within the next half hour.
Huo Tingshan said in a low voice, "My lady, I truly didn't say much."
"If you didn't say much, then there shouldn't be anything you can't tell me," Pei Ying said, dissatisfied. "Fine, don't tell me. I'll ask Chen Yuan myself tomorrow. He may be a man of few words, but I doubt he'd maintain complete silence in front of me."
Having said this, Pei Ying turned over again, presenting her back to Huo Tingshan once more.
"Don't go looking for Chen Yuan, my lady. I'll tell you," Huo Tingshan said.
The words were out, but the person in his arms remained motionless, still turned away from him.
Huo Tingshan chose his words carefully. "At the time, I thought Chen Yuan had taken a fancy to some young lady from a family, but was hindered by his usual reticence and difficulty expressing himself. So I told him that opportunities should not be missed, lest the young lady marry someone else later. If he never conveyed his feelings, he would surely regret it deeply in the future."
Pei Ying's tone was calm, the kind of calm before a storm. "Huo Tingshan, you'd better tell me the truth."
Huo Tingshan sighed helplessly. "My lady..."
The matter concerned their daughter, and Pei Ying's mind was racing, having already spotted a flaw in his story. "What you just said sounds like well-meaning advice. As his superior, and since Chen Yuan isn't an overly stubborn man, logically he should have listened. If that's the case, why were you so sure from the start that he 'wouldn't'? Isn't that a contradiction?"
Huo Tingshan: "..."
Pei Ying muttered, "Fine, don't say anything. I'll figure it out myself tomorrow."
Huo Tingshan gave a light cough. "My lady, there's no contradiction in what I said before and after. It's because the little girl is always around him, and he sees her regularly anyway."
His last sentence was veiled. It took Pei Ying a moment to understand, and then, recalling this man's past behavior, she realized his so-called "experience" could probably be summed up in one phrase:
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.
"Huo Tingshan, how dare you?!" Pei Ying was furious.
Huo Tingshan turned her to face him and gently patted her back. "Don't be angry, my lady. Chen Yuan is loyal to his lord and has always acted with propriety. He wouldn't do anything improper."
Pei Ying said nothing.
Huo Tingshan continued, "If he dared to have any disrespectful intentions towards the little girl, you wouldn't need to lift a finger. I'd deal with him myself."
Pei Ying pushed his hand away. "Move over."
They were on campaign, sharing a tent. The night was cold, and there were two quilts on the soft bed. Pei Ying wrapped herself in one and moved to the inner side, her back to Huo Tingshan. "It was you who kept pressing about Chen Yuan, so I told you. I inferred this matter myself. It's possible I misunderstood, so don't make a fuss or give him a hard time. Besides, Nian Nian doesn't know anything yet. I don't want to make things worse by being clumsy."
Huo Tingshan gave an "mm" of acknowledgment and was about to speak when she added, "Just keep it to yourself. I don't want to talk to you anymore right now. Let's sleep."
In the darkness, her voice sounded muffled and not very forceful.
The man's mouth twitched.
She was angry with him again.
The first to notice the tension between Pei Ying and Huo Tingshan was Huo Zhizhang. During lunch in the tent, he saw his father attempt to engage his mother in conversation three times, only to be brushed off each time.
Huo Zhizhang was astounded; this was a scene he had genuinely never witnessed before.
After their grandfather passed away, their father succeeded him as the Governor of Youzhou and simultaneously dealt with a host of restless uncles and great-uncles within the clan.
Since then, their father was the clan patriarch, and all members of the Huo clan deferred to him. Externally, all officials and powerful families within Youzhou followed the Governor's lead.
Although during times of military funding shortages, their father had been more approachable, even calling powerful magnates 'brother,' these families still knew their place. Even when refusing requests, they did so with utmost politeness, often accompanied by tearful pleas about their own difficult circumstances, begging for leniency.
Refusals were common, but the audacity to simply ignore his father? No family had ever done that. After all, commoners do not contend with officials. As long as they remained within Youzhou, they couldn't afford to tear up all pretense of courtesy.
Therefore, seeing his father repeatedly rebuffed now was truly an eye-opener for Huo Zhizhang. The situation was so rare that he couldn't keep it to himself. After the meal, he told his younger sister about it.
Meng Ling'er hadn't noticed before, but now, hearing her second brother's words, she was both intensely curious and deeply worried. "Mother has always had such a gentle temperament. It must definitely be..."
She didn't finish the sentence.
In Great Chu, filial piety was paramount. Children should not speak of their father's faults; some words were not to be uttered.
Huo Zhizhang suddenly recalled what he had accidentally seen the previous day, and his ears turned red. "Perhaps it's a matter between husband and wife. In any case, it's not something we juniors should interfere with."
"Huh? What?" A gust of wind had blown just then, and Meng Ling'er hadn't caught his words.
Huo Zhizhang stammered, "Nothing..."
Pei Ying was unaware of the siblings' post-meal conversation, but during lunch, she had noticed her second son's furtive, apprehensive glances several times.
After the younger generation had left, Pei Ying looked at the man beside her. His expression was as usual, unfazed by her dismissiveness or by losing face in front of the children.
"My lady has long wished to visit Chang'an. Although Chang'an is out of reach for now, we can visit Luoyang city in Sizhou. In a while, I'll take you to Luoyang for a look," Huo Tingshan said, pouring Pei Ying a fresh cup of the tea he had brewed.
Pei Ying glanced at him and said nothing.
Huo Tingshan smiled. "Good, it's settled then."
Pei Ying muttered something under her breath.
The man beside her smiled and took her hand in his. "I failed you in the past, my lady. Let us walk hand in hand from now on, looking towards the next hundred years."
Huo Tingshan now held sole control over Youzhou, Jizhou, and Bingzhou. The 150,000-strong Youzhou army, primarily cavalry, set out from Youzhou and traveled unimpeded for nearly a month before reaching the borders of Sizhou.
Before the Youzhou army's arrival, Huo Tingshan had already sent scouts ahead with the Emperor's decree to Sizhou. The message was clear:
The alliance army to conquer Jing Province has arrived. Open the city gates immediately to welcome them. Any refusal will be considered defiance of the Emperor's command.
The border regions of Sizhou had already received the order. Now, with gates thrown wide open, they welcomed the Youzhou army. Huo Tingshan's forces advanced deep into the territory without the slightest hesitation.
Huo Tingshan said he would take Pei Ying to Luoyang, and this was no idle talk. The core commandery of Youzhou was Xuantu, while the heart of Sizhou was Luoyang.
Luoyang was surrounded by abundant water resources, its lands were fertile and prosperous. Moreover, with its terrain high in the west and low in the east, complex and interspersed with hills, it had, throughout the long river of history, absolutely been a place of flourishing prosperity, even serving as the capital for dynasties over a dozen times.
The capital of the previous dynasty was in Luoyang. However, after the Great Chu was established, Emperor Taizu of Zhao considered Luoyang tainted by the remnants of the former dynasty's filth, and thus chose Chang'an as the new capital.
Luoyang was not too far from the border of Sizhou. After another period of leisurely marching, the city of Luoyang finally appeared within the sight of the assembled officers and soldiers.
"Great General, now that Luoyang is near, where do you plan to lodge?" Xiong Mao asked.
Huo Tingshan: "Naturally, we enter the city."
Xiong Mao frowned, looking troubled. "But Great General, if that Governor Li of Sizhou harbors ill intentions, it would be like him catching a turtle in a jar, while we would be distant water unable to quench a nearby fire."
Sha Ying was rather speechless. "'Catching a turtle in a jar'? You blockhead, how do you say such things?"
"I'm not a learned man, I only know a few phrases. As long as you get the meaning, it's fine," Xiong Mao retorted, pursing his lips.
An army of one hundred fifty thousand could not possibly enter the city; they could only camp outside. Entering Luoyang city alone would be like attending a feast at Hongmen—he felt it was safer and more prudent to stay outside the city walls.
Gongsun Liang stroked his goatee. "I, however, believe entering Luoyang is acceptable. Firstly, if our Lord arrives at Luoyang but does not enter, it would inevitably become a joke for Sizhou, and even the whole realm, to laugh at. They would mock us Youzhou folk for being cowardly, losing face before any battle even begins. This is not proper. Secondly, this entry into the city would not be alone. Given Luoyang's size, it can certainly accommodate a Black Armor Cavalry unit. I trust Governor Li will also make every effort to arrange it, lest others mock his Luoyang for being too small. Thirdly, we are marching south to chastise Jingzhou by the Emperor's command. On the surface, Sizhou is our ally. If Sizhou actively attacks our army, it would be tantamount to declaring to the world that they, too, harbor disloyal intentions. Sizhou's terrain is not as strategically defensible as Jingzhou's. If Li Xiaotian jumps out at this critical juncture, the forces gathered to chastise Jing might just pick him, the softer target."
Although, to be clear, anyone with eyes could see the Chu imperial house was failing; the dynasty's fall was likely within the next few years.
The anxious ones, like Governor Cong Liuqi of Jingzhou, could no longer restrain themselves and had already proclaimed themselves emperor first. Could one say the other warlords had no schemes in their hearts?
Naturally, one could not.
But Huo Tingshan did not want to be at the forefront. The first and second to proclaim emperor would be too conspicuous, destined to attract the attention of the entire realm and be put on the spit to roast.
He had the patience to wait, for a suitable opportunity. Anyone not in too much of a hurry probably shared this patience.
The probability of Li Xiaotian allying with Jingzhou was low.
Ke Quanshui nodded in agreement. "My Lord, I agree with Taihe's words. However, to ensure safety, we must bring a batch of messenger birds and gyrfalcons when entering the city. If the situation turns unusual, we can notify the rear at any time."
"Great General, will the Lady and the young mistress enter the city?" someone suddenly asked.
Huo Tingshan turned his head, meeting Chen Yuan's gaze. The former raised a brow slightly; the latter's face was expressionless.
The silence lasted a bit too long, making the other generals sense something amiss.
Qin Yang and Sha Ying exchanged a look.
Qin Yang: Something's off. Has Chen Yuan messed up recently?
Sha Ying shook his head: Impossible. Chen Yuan is the steadiest of us all. You and I might mess up, but he wouldn't slip up.
After another few moments, Huo Tingshan finally said, "My wife and the little girl will stay in the rear camp for now. In a few days, when things have settled somewhat, they will enter Luoyang."
Huo Tingshan's plan was sound, but he hadn't anticipated that someone from Sizhou would come.
A guard reported that the visitor was none other than Governor Li Xiaotian himself. The Governor of Sizhou had come personally to welcome them into the city, putting on a full display of amiability.
"Li Xiaotian came himself?" Huo Tingshan tapped his fingers lightly on the table twice, then stood up. "Very well, let's go see what he intends."
When Huo Tingshan arrived at the front of the camp, besides Li Xiaotian on horseback, he unexpectedly also saw a carriage.
A carriage?
What use was a carriage? For their kind, governors marching with armies—especially when meeting with other powers—they never rode in carriages.
Li Xiaotian saw Huo Tingshan.
Li Xiaotian had served as an official in Chang'an in his early years before returning to Sizhou, where he had stayed for twenty-six years. Therefore, he had never met Huo Tingshan before.
But the other man was not hard to identify. The imposing figure, surrounded by generals, was the most striking presence in the crowd.
He wore black robes, a black-and-crimson cloak draped behind him, a ring-pommeled sword at his waist. His narrow, dark eyes were like hidden bays, deep and unfathomable.
The moment he saw Huo Tingshan, Li Xiaotian suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of crisis.
It was akin to this year's autumn hunt when he ventured deep into the forest and, through layers of leaves, locked eyes with the pale yellow orbs of a great tiger.
Having weathered great storms, Li Xiaotian revealed none of his inner thoughts. He stepped forward with a smile. "You must be Governor Huo of Youzhou. Hearing of your fame is not as good as meeting you in person. Today, seeing you, Governor Huo truly possesses the bearing of a great general as the rumors say."
His smile was genial, as if the war with the Youzhou army last year had never happened, and as if Huo Tingshan had never severed his son-in-law's arm.
One does not strike a smiling face. Since Li Xiaotian not only came out of the city personally to welcome them but also initiated pleasantries, Huo Tingshan naturally would not respond with a cold face. He, too, smiled and exchanged courtesies.
After several rounds of polite conversation, Li Xiaotian suddenly shifted the topic. "I heard your esteemed wife has accompanied Governor Huo to Sizhou. My humble wife has always treasured items from the 'Pei Clan' brand as her most prized possessions, and she wishes even more to meet its proprietor. I wonder if my humble wife might have the honor of making her acquaintance today?"
Almost as soon as Li Xiaotian's words fell, someone from the carriage accompanying him slightly lifted the curtain.
Inside the carriage was indeed a woman.
She had a round face, her hair styled in a chignon. Though adorned with gold and silver, her face powdered, one could still tell she was over forty.
Sha Ying and the others were taken aback.
This Governor Li had actually brought his wife along? If that were the case, the Lady would probably have to enter the city with them in the same group.
Huo Tingshan only glanced at the woman in the carriage before returning his gaze to Li Xiaotian, staring at him intently for a moment.
Li Xiaotian's expression remained normal.
Huo Tingshan raised another topic. "Governor Li, I have two thousand men who need to enter the city."
"Two thousand?" Li Xiaotian frowned. "Why does Governor Huo need to bring so many men on this trip? My Luoyang is the safest of places."
Huo Tingshan said leisurely, "Just tell me, can your Luoyang accommodate my two thousand men or not?"
Li Xiaotian knew Huo Tingshan had a terrifyingly powerful Black Armor Cavalry under his command, numbering exactly two thousand. Could it be...
After a moment of contemplation, Li Xiaotian gritted his teeth. "Fine. Only two thousand troops may enter. Any more is unacceptable."
The party entered the city. Pei Ying rode in her carriage, listening to Wu Nanran briefly recount the events that had just transpired.
The other party arrived with his wife for the visit. This was the first time such a situation had been encountered. Could this Prefect Li be intending for his wife to take the path of spousal diplomacy?
Pei Ying couldn't figure it out.
The cavalry and carriage passed through the bustling market, heading straight into the heart of Luoyang, finally arriving at the pre-arranged courtyard house.
With this residence as the center, the large courtyards in all four directions—front, back, left, and right—had been vacated to serve as quarters for the Black Armored Cavalry.
The carriage came to a halt.
Wu Nanran alighted first, followed by Meng Ling'er, and finally Pei Ying.
She was not wearing a veil hat. The moment she stepped down and stood firm, she felt a rather peculiar gaze fall upon her.
Pei Ying looked over in that direction and saw a tall, burly middle-aged man. He was surrounded by another group of people, clearly their leader.
This was undoubtedly Prefect Li.
Pei Ying was puzzled by that slightly odd glance he had just given her, unaware that Li Xiaotian was equally surprised within his own mind.
Why did this Lady Pei's appearance seem somewhat familiar?
