When Huo Tingshan had left earlier, he had lowered all the black silk covers over the night-luminous pearls, allowing darkness to wantonly flood the entire chamber. Now, returning, he saw a point of light within the room.
A single pearl, freed from its black silk cover, rested quietly on the table.
With only one pearl, the light was not particularly bright, glowing with a hazy, dim radiance in the darkness.
Huo Tingshan stopped in his tracks, staring fixedly at that point of light. In his narrow eyes, something seemed to surge like ocean tides beneath a night sky. Only after a long while did he finally look away.
Pei Ying heard the door open in her drowsy half-sleep. She knew it was Huo Tingshan returning.
The beautiful woman on the bed hugged the quilt, turned over, and continued sleeping. The deep night was silent, and the footsteps of the newcomer were very light. He seemed to go to the adjacent room first before returning.
Pei Ying heard the soft rustle of fabric. Soon, the person was on the bed. She thought he would settle down to sleep once he was on the bed, as it was quite late. Who knew a slight chill would suddenly brush against her.
The coolness he brought from outside made Pei Ying shiver. She instinctively curled up, about to push him away with her hand, but was instead gathered into his embrace.
The last trace of cold clinging to his clothes dissipated as their bodies pressed together, replaced by a continuous, warm flow. So, her hand, which had intended to push, relented. Instead, she found a comfortable spot within his arms and nestled in to sleep.
Huo Tingshan looked down.
In the darkness, he could vaguely make out her sleeping face. She herself might not know, but when sleeping peacefully, she would always unconsciously curl the corners of her mouth slightly upward, looking much more sweetly innocent than usual.
Pei Ying was almost asleep again when something soft and moist landed on her cheek. Then it trailed downward from her cheek, to her neck, and further down...
A fire was "whoosh" ignited, sparks scattering like stars in the wind.
This sensation was not unfamiliar to her.
Immediately, Pei Ying reached out to push him. "How are you so energetic after going out?"
But her attempt to stop him seemed ineffective. Her hand was enveloped by another large, rough palm. He first grasped her wrist, then slid down slightly, wrapping her delicate hand entirely in his grasp.
"My lady, just once. This time, I will serve you," his low voice carried a hint of huskiness.
His other large, distinct-knuckled hand slipped under the quilt, a long finger hooking the thin tied ribbon of her inner garment. A gentle pull, then it slid inside the now-open garment.
Nestled tightly within his embrace, Pei Ying couldn't help but arch her head back, her spine instinctively tensing like a drawn bow.
By now, Pei Ying was completely awake. Not only was all sleepiness gone, but she was also stirred into a state of restlessness by him. However, at this moment, she was more concerned with something else. "Huo Tingshan, who is Gu Tan?"
Earlier, Guo Dajiang had said Gu Tan requested an audience. This man had returned from meeting Gu Tan acting unusual. Had he been stimulated by something outside?
Huo Tingshan's movements paused. He did not hide it from her: "Gu Tan is a scout I sent to Sizhou many years ago."
Pei Ying understood.
So, he's the leader of the undercover team.
"Then what did he report to you?" Pei Ying asked, puzzled.
The bed's gauze curtains had already been lowered. Whether from the wind or something else, the light silk occasionally swayed gently like water ripples.
At a certain moment, a solid, long arm reached out from within the gauze and retrieved a fish bladder from a small porcelain bowl.
While speaking, his hands did not stop moving: "Gu Tan said that a few days ago, a group suspected to be from Chang'an visited Li Xiaotian. Among the visitors was a woman..."
He recounted Gu Tan's description word for word.
Pei Ying was taken aback.
Just a fair-skinned, graceful woman. Perhaps she was the team leader's wife. What was so noteworthy about that?
Thinking this with confusion, Pei Ying asked just that.
Huo Tingshan said gravely, "Visitors from Chang'an who warrant Li Xiaotian's steward personally coming out to greet them indicate someone of extraordinary status within the group, or that their master already holds overwhelming power in Chang'an, which would make the Prefect's mansion so apprehensive. My lady, I fear they might have been sent by Ji Xianbai."
If not for the incident at the Yunxiu Tower, he wouldn't have paid such close attention. After all, it was just a fair-skinned, alluring woman whose face couldn't even be seen clearly. The subsequent series of conjectures seemed far too fantastical.
However, with that precedent, he dared not underestimate any woman from Chang'an.
What if they really came for her...
Even if the probability was less than one in ten thousand, he could not accept it.
Pei Ying's thoughts had not wandered far following Huo Tingshan's words before they were pulled back by this man's hands.
This man's palms were full of thick calluses. She had tried giving him some Western Region fragrant balm to smooth his hands, but it was of little use. Two jars of balm were applied, yet his palms remained just as rough.
The thick calluses pressed against the side of her thigh, the delicate skin there instinctively trembling slightly from the stimulation.
In the darkness, she heard his heavy breaths, one after another, brushing past her ear, drilling inside, as if tiny feathers were sweeping by, stirring up an itch.
"Huo Tingshan, slower," Pei Ying turned her head slightly, moving the breath by her ear a bit farther away. But soon, her earlobe was gently caught between his teeth.
Thud. Roll, roll, roll.
Something fell out from the bed.
A plump hot water bottle rolled a distance on the floor, the sound of its rolling masking other noises within the room.
...
The winter night was cold, yet Pei Ying was almost steamed, breaking into a thin layer of sweat. Her jade-like face and delicate body glowed with a moist sheen, flushed with a healthy pink hue even more pronounced than before.
A long leg hooked over his waist twitched. Pei Ying lightly nudged him with her foot. "Let go..."
Huo Tingshan released his grip, instead scooping her up and carrying her to the adjacent room.
Some time later, the two emerged from the adjacent room.
Pei Ying was still awake. Her arms were draped over his solid shoulder blades, her mind, which had been a muddled mess, now rebooting. "Huo Tingshan, are you worried the Yunxiu Tower incident might repeat itself?"
The moment she finished speaking, the arm encircling her waist tightened considerably.
Pei Ying continued on her own, "It won't. This time in Luoyang, I don't plan to go out sightseeing in the markets."
Huo Tingshan carried her back to the bed. "My lady, it's not just about sightseeing. Coming here on the Emperor's order to campaign against Jing, there will certainly be no shortage of various discussion-based gatherings. Thinking back on Li Xiaotian bringing his wife to the military camp today, I now feel it somewhat forced you to accompany me into the city."
Li Xiaotian brought his wife to welcome them, posture full of courtesy. As the party being treated with such etiquette, and with his wife also present, it was impossible for her to remain aloof.
Pei Ying turned within his embrace. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Back at the Yunxiu Tower, I managed to escape successfully. If there's a next time, I can do it again. Even if I went to Chang'an, I could make my own way back to Youzhou."
"Don't talk nonsense!" Huo Tingshan chided in a low voice.
Pei Ying wasn't afraid of him. But hearing him mention Prefect Li's connection to Chang'an reminded her of another matter from the daytime.
"Huo Tingshan, today, Lady Zhuang seemed quite interested in this yellow jade bracelet." Pei Ying raised her left hand.
In the darkness, a yellow like the blazing sun shimmered faintly in the gloom.
She was just informing him. Feeling she had said her piece, Pei Ying covered her mouth with a small yawn, thinking to lower her hand and rest. Who knew the person beside her would sit up upon hearing this, get off the bed, and fetch the night-luminous pearl.
A soft, hazy light washed over her. Pei Ying squinted, then finally rested the back of her hand against her eyes. "What are you doing now?"
Ever since he had gone out earlier, he seemed to be growing more and more energetic as the night wore on.
Huo Tingshan held a luminous pearl in one hand. With the other, he grasped Pei Ying's wrist, placing her hand on his own leg. Then he carefully turned the yellow jade bangle on her wrist, examining it.
Back then, he had chosen it for her simply because it was the finest jade bangle he could find. He hadn't paid much attention to the finer details.
The outer band of the yellow jade bangle was a rich, deep hue. As the color transitioned towards the inner band, it grew slightly paler. Yet, the gradient was so smooth and even that this vibrant yellow possessed a unique beauty all its own.
After turning the bangle a full circle under the light, Huo Tingshan tucked the luminous pearl back into its black silk pouch and tossed it aside casually.
The light vanished. Pei Ying lowered the hand from her eyes.
He was finally settling down.
A long arm reached over from beside her, pulling her close. By now, Pei Ying was exhausted to her very bones, her eyelids too heavy to lift. She let him maneuver her as he pleased, though she secretly shifted her feet a little, pressing them against his calf.
Her hot-water bottle had gone missing somewhere. This man was warm all over; she'd just use him to warm up.
As Huo Tingshan had anticipated, this journey south was arranged for the campaign against Jing Province, not for leisure. The schedule was packed tightly.
Huo Tingshan and Huo Zhizhang had left early in the morning.
Pei Ying woke naturally. After having breakfast with her daughter, she was informed that guests had arrived.
Upon inquiry, she learned it was Madam Zhuang and her daughter.
Pei Ying instructed the servants to escort the Zhuang mother and daughter to the main hall first. Then she gave her daughter a heads-up: "Sweetheart, you saw this Madam Zhuang yesterday. I didn't mention it before, but actually, this Governor Li has quite a significant grudge against your father."
Meng Ling'er thought back to last year.
Last year, the Youzhou army had marched south all the way to the border of Sizhou. The two sides had clashed at Zhonggu Pass. The standoff between Youzhou and Sizhou hadn't lasted long; later, the Youzhou forces turned north to attack Bingzhou. Was the 'significant grudge' her mother mentioned formed during that time?
"Your father severed the right arm of Madam Zhuang's son-in-law and killed that man's younger brother," Pei Ying stated plainly.
Meng Ling'er's face paled dramatically.
In war, casualties were inevitable. Each province had its own allegiance. As their daughter, she naturally stood on Youzhou's side. Therefore, her first reaction was, "Mother, then why are we receiving them?"
"Some courtesies must be observed for propriety's sake," Pei Ying said with a sigh. "Sweetheart, go back to your room. If they ask about you, I'll say you haven't recovered from the fatigue of travel. Then, if they later invite me elsewhere, I'll have an excuse to decline."
Privately, Pei Ying had no wish for her daughter to be involved in such matters.
Meng Ling'er fell silent.
Pei Ying gently stroked her daughter's cheek. "Go on."
After sending her daughter back to her room, Pei Ying rose and went to the main hall.
Zhuang Manxiang was in her forties. People married young in ancient times, so her daughter, Li Mingzhu, was nearly thirty.
Li Mingzhu wore her hair in a falling horse bun, adorned with gold and jade hairpins. She had inherited her mother's round face, with delicate willow-leaf eyebrows, giving her a very gentle and amiable appearance. Well-preserved, she looked to be only in her twenties.
"Madam Pei." Seeing Pei Ying enter, Zhuang Manxiang smiled warmly, then turned to Li Mingzhu. "Mingzhu, pay your respects to Madam Pei."
Li Mingzhu concealed the flash of awe in her eyes and performed a curtsy. "This humble girl greets Madam Pei."
"No need for such formality," Pei Ying said with a smile. "Your daughter is truly elegant and graceful. She bears a striking resemblance to you, Madam Zhuang."
"You flatter her, Madam Pei. In your presence, she wouldn't dare accept such praise as 'elegant and graceful,'" Zhuang Manxiang replied with a light chuckle behind her hand. Her gaze then swept the room. "And where is your daughter? Why don't we see her today?"
"She hasn't fully recovered yet. It will likely take a few more days," Pei Ying said with a sigh.
Zhuang Manxiang expressed concern. "Shall we summon a physician? I have an excellent doctor in my household, quite skilled. He usually attends only to my family, and his remedies cure all ailments."
Pei Ying politely declined. "There's no need to trouble you, Madam Zhuang. It's an old issue of hers. The physician in our household says proper rest is all that's required."
Seeing her stance, Zhuang Manxiang didn't press further, merely sighing with regret. "I had hoped to introduce my daughter to yours. What an unfortunate coincidence today."
"There will be opportunities in the future," Pei Ying said.
"By the way," Zhuang Manxiang continued, her smile returning, "I heard from my husband that after the council meetings conclude, there will be a farewell banquet before everyone departs. You and your daughter must not miss it, Madam Pei. Otherwise, I shall be terribly lonely."
Pei Ying's smile remained unchanged. "If our health permits, we will naturally attend."
At the same time, in the Sizhou Governor's mansion.
A large sheepskin map was hung on the wall, specifically positioned to center the region of Jing Province.
"Governor Huo of Youzhou, currently only your faction of the Youzhou army needs passage through my Sizhou. Others, like Yizhou, Yanzhou, Xuzhou, and so on, are not taking the route through Sizhou. The terrain of Jing Province is treacherous. Relying solely on the strength of our two provinces would be quite a struggle. Why not wait until all the provinces have assembled before jointly launching the campaign against Jing?" Li Xiaotian proposed.
Huo Tingshan saw right through his calculations.
The campaign against Jing was a banner to rally under—one could respond to the call, but without wanting to contribute much actual effort.
"That is also possible. After all, the campaign against Jing is not the affair of a single house," Huo Tingshan agreed, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "However, these coming days will require Governor Li's generous tolerance for my 150,000 troops stationed outside the city."
Li Xiaotian gritted his teeth.
150,000 Youzhou soldiers outside Luoyang's walls—what difference was there between that and allowing a fierce tiger to sleep soundly beside one's bed?
Yet he couldn't find a valid reason to refuse. The Youzhou army could leave, but when they moved again, they wouldn't be alone. Marching south with them would be his own Sizhou troops.
"It likely won't be for long," Li Xiaotian said, exhaling a breath, comforting himself that he only needed to endure for a month. "A month at most for all provinces to reach the Jing Province border. Then, forming an encirclement, Cong Liuqi will have no room to maneuver."
With the official business concluded, Huo Tingshan casually brought up another topic. "Governor Li, I heard you have guests from Chang'an at your mansion."
Li Xiaotian stiffened for a moment. "Where did you hear that news, Governor Huo?"
As if realizing his retort sounded too abrupt, Li Xiaotian forced a laugh. "It is true. My wife has some distant relatives from Chang'an. As you are aware of the current situation in Chang'an... the Cui family refuses to submit, and Grand Marshal Ji Xianbai is the type to eradicate roots along with the weeds. When they clash, it's the little people who suffer. So, they left Chang'an to seek refuge with relatives in Sizhou."
Huo Tingshan slowly turned the thumb ring on his finger. "I see."
After Huo Tingshan left, Li Xiaotian pondered for a moment, then headed towards the southeast corner of the mansion. The Governor's mansion was vast, divided into many courtyards. He was currently using this southeastern section to accommodate his distinguished guests.
When Li Xiaotian arrived, Du Liang was in the midst of brewing tea.
"Governor Li, you've come just in time. Try this tea I've just prepared," Du Liang greeted him.
Li Xiaotian was in no mood for tea. "Commandant Du, Huo Tingshan may have become aware of your presence in Sizhou."
Du Liang's hand, reaching for a teacup, paused slightly. "Governor Li, it seems your Sizhou is full of leaks! There's a whole Jizhou between Youzhou and Sizhou. Yet, even a minor draft from Youzhou can still find its way in here."
Li Xiaotian felt a tightness in his chest. He had indeed been somewhat negligent in recent years. Who could have guessed that Huo Tingshan, who held only that poor, barren land of Youzhou, would harbor such grand ambitions?
"Now is not the time to discuss that," Li Xiaotian said gravely. "He has sensed something. What will you do?"
"How did you handle him at the time?" Du Liang remained composed and unruffled.
Li Xiaotian recounted the events again, including Huo Tingshan's reply and his expression at the time.
Du Liang swirled his teacup thoughtfully. "He may only be speculating, not truly certain. Taking a step back, even if he knows someone from Chang'an has come..."
Just then, a graceful figure entered from outside. The beautiful woman had merely tied up her long hair with two ribbons today. She wore a round-collared ruqun dress, and the skin she revealed was as fair and smooth as congealed cream. She carried a tray with tea leaves, and on her wrist, compared to a few days prior, there was now an additional yellow jade bracelet.
Li Xiaotian looked at the beautiful woman, and the peculiar feeling in his heart reached its peak.
Her hair was piled high like clouds, her face jade-like, her lips shaped like water chestnuts. From the front, this woman's features bore a forty percent resemblance to that Lady Pei.
Du Liang's gaze fell upon the beautiful woman, and he suddenly smiled faintly. "He also doesn't know the true purpose of my trip."
