The young man sat on the right, the maiden on the left, both blessed with fine features. The youth had ink-black hair and wore white robes, his eyes holding a cold starlight, his brow bones more pronounced than most, his gaze restrained and calm, making his thoughts inscrutable.
Beside him, the maiden appeared to be around sixteen, her beauty as radiant as a hundred spring flowers. With lips curved, her face wore a smile, peaceful yet not lacking in courtesy.
Before coming to Luoyang, Lei Jingque had also heard rumors about the Huo family she might marry into.
Huo Youzhou was originally just the Governor of Youzhou. After successively taking control of Ji, Bing, and Si provinces, his power and influence had grown increasingly formidable. Having been widowed for over a decade, he married the current Lady Pei last summer. It was said that grand wedding had caused a sensation across the entire northern frontier and was still a topic of lively conversation.
Lady Pei had a daughter from her deceased former husband and had brought her into the Huo family upon her marriage.
In these times, it was quite common for women to marry twice or even thrice. However, for one who married into a higher status to gain absolute authority over the household management, and for her child to be treated as her new husband's own, was truly rare.
Previously, she had thought the rumors somewhat exaggerated, perhaps spread under various circumstances to portray Huo Youzhou as so deeply devoted to his wife. But now, seeing the young girl sitting at the head alongside Huo Mingji, and even being the first to speak earlier, Lei Jingque realized she had probably guessed wrong.
...
Pei Ying and Huo Tingshan also returned in the evening that day. Before their carriage had even turned onto the street leading to the Governor's mansion from the main avenue, a fast horse came galloping ahead.
Guo Dajiang reined in his horse, stopping beside the carriage.
Not seeing the General on horseback, and assuming he was in the carriage with the mistress as he had been yesterday, he reported, "General, Mistress, the distinguished guests from the Lei family arrived at the mansion at the end of the Weishi hour. The Lei family sent two young ladies. One is the legitimate daughter of Governor Lei of Yuzhou, the other is the legitimate daughter of Governor Lei's second brother."
Inside the carriage.
Pei Ying leaned against Huo Tingshan's shoulder, utterly exhausted from a full day by the iron-smelting furnace.
Initially hearing Guo Dajiang say the Lei guests had arrived, she thought to herself, finally. Let the young ones spend time together first; youthful admiration should make fostering feelings not too difficult.
But hearing the rest, the beautiful woman who had been using Huo Tingshan as a pillow slowly straightened up. "Two young ladies?"
Guo Dajiang outside affirmed it was so.
Huo Tingshan chuckled lightly. "This Lei Chengshuang has quite a few thoughts."
Pei Ying's brow furrowed slightly, but she said nothing.
Since they were already here, they couldn't very well send them back. Let Mingji see for himself...
The carriage soon arrived at the Governor's mansion, entering through a side gate and proceeding all the way to the front of the main courtyard. Pei Ying and Huo Tingshan alighted there and went to their rooms first.
Recently, Pei Ying had developed the habit of bathing immediately upon returning. Xin Jin had already prepared the water.
Removing her belt, shedding the inner garments, Pei Ying entered the bathing pool. As warm water soaked her skin, the fatigue of the day seemed to melt away. Just as she leaned against the pool's edge, enjoying the wash of warm water, she heard a different sound.
Footsteps.
The steps were heavier than Xin Jin's, and there was only the sound of someone entering, not leaving.
Then came the faint rustle of fabric.
Pei Ying opened her eyes just in time to see Huo Tingshan casually toss his belt and outer robe into the laundry basket. The man seemed to notice her gaze and deliberately turned, shifting from facing the basket and being sideways to her, to facing her directly.
The man promptly removed his trousers as well.
Pei Ying felt her brow twitch at the sight. To spare her eyes further assault, she decisively closed them.
"Huo Tingshan, why don't you go bathe next door?" These past few days, they had never bathed together.
She disliked him polluting her water.
The sound of water came; he had already entered the pool.
He had a reasoned explanation: "We have distinguished guests today, it wouldn't do to keep them waiting long. But the bath in the side room has no water prepared, hence I've come to make do with my wife."
Pei Ying turned around, presenting her back to him, and simultaneously reached for the small cloth hanging on the rack beside her.
At that moment, a solid, long arm reached over from behind. He had just entered the water, his arm soaked in the pool. As he lifted it now, beads of crystalline water clung to his dark skin, sliding down along his firm musculature before finally dropping back into the water.
The small cloth was taken by that large, distinct-knuckled hand. He withdrew his arm, disappearing from her view.
Huo Tingshan took the cloth, then picked up the soap from the wooden box. He worked the soap onto the cloth a few times, producing a thick lather, and began washing her back.
The late summer in Luoyang wasn't cold, but Pei Ying had already started her health regimen, bathing in warm water instead of cold. The originally pleasantly warm pool inexplicably grew hotter. A wave of burgeoning heat surged forward incessantly from behind, steaming the skin at the nape of her neck until it slowly flushed a delicate pink.
The cloth was made of silk, very smooth. Yet, whether it was psychological, unable to forget the thick calluses on his hands, or if she could genuinely feel them even through the cloth, Pei Ying felt everything was off.
She looked back at him. "No need for you to wash me, I'll do it myself."
The warm water produced little steam. Pei Ying could clearly see the emotion in those narrow, dark eyes.
They had been married for over a year, and it wasn't as if they hadn't had intimate exchanges before. Pei Ying understood him all too well.
The man was in the mood.
Huo Tingshan indeed was. These past few days, they left early and returned late. She bathed first every day upon returning, soaking her body soft in the pool, then hastily ate a few bites before retiring to bed.
Forget intimate contact, sometimes they barely exchanged many words.
It was like having a piece of plump, fragrant meat dangling in front of him. He could see it, touch it, smell its aroma, but just couldn't get it into his mouth.
Now, looking at the person sharing the pool with him, a dark fire ignited in Huo Tingshan's eyes.
The woman before him had her cloud-like hair piled up, revealing a stretch of fair, porcelain-like slender neck. No flower petals floated on the water, so his view was unobstructed. He could clearly see her waist and back submerged in the water—a stretch of soft white, glowing like jade in the water, tinged with a vibrant, healthy pink.
With her lush hair and pale skin, as she turned her head to look back at him, her watery eyes were limpid, also faintly allowing a glimpse of the front, of the soft, full jade peaks like the full moon.
"My wife has toiled all day, it's better for your husband to assist." His breathing had grown heavier than before.
Before Pei Ying could speak, he drew closer again.
A "splash" sounded in the pool as water rippled, followed immediately by the woman's chiding tone. Then came the man's low, deep acknowledgment, as if agreeing to something, or perhaps merely acknowledging her scolding.
Ripples spread layer upon layer in the bathing pool, occasionally mingled with more concealed sounds, like the soft, wet noises of a beast feeding.
Pei Ying hadn't forgotten the important matter today. After the frolic in the pool, she pressed against the man who had only just sated his urgent craving, insisting they get up.
The two young ladies visiting the mansion today—his eldest son's future wife might come from among them. How could she continue to fool around with him here? For every moment they were late, the main hall would not begin serving the meal. If people were to misunderstand that they intended to make a show of power, that would be unfortunate.
After dressing and fixing her hair, she prepared to go to the main hall to receive the guests.
However, there was one more important matter before that. Pei Ying looked at Xin Jin. "Xin Jin, go to the storeroom and fetch that ruby and kingfisher feather headdress set."
The young ladies of the Lei family were visiting as guests. As their elder, she needed to give them gifts. But previously, she had thought there was only one young lady, so she had only taken one set of gifts from the storeroom. Now, she needed to take one more set.
Once everything was ready, the husband and wife proceeded together to the main hall.
In the main hall.
Lei Jingque and Lei Wusi had arrived near the end of the Hour of the Goat. There wasn't much to chat about for long, as they had never met before and were strangers to each other, only able to exchange pleasantries.
And it wasn't good to just sit there idly either. Later, the Huo siblings took the Lei sisters to stroll in the garden. After a walk around the mansion and returning to the main hall, the time was just about right for the evening meal.
The four of them hadn't waited long in the main hall when they heard servants greeting someone.
Lei Wusi unconsciously tightened her grip on her handkerchief. She knew it was the parents of the Huo siblings.
Two figures appeared side by side—one tall and imposing, the other appearing much more petite beside him.
This Huo Youzhou was renowned and awe-inspiring. Having spent over twenty years on the battlefield with countless lives taken by his hand, his accumulated authority was immense, making young ladies like them who were still waiting in their boudoirs quite fearful. Therefore, they only glanced at him before hurriedly looking away.
Instead, it was the person beside him who held their gaze.
Her cloud-like hair was lush and beautiful, her bright eyes sparkled with kindness. When the beautiful matron's gaze shifted, it seemed as if a clear spring from distant mountains flowed within. She wore her hair in a 'fallen horse' chignon, adorned with a coral bead tassel hairpin. The hanging coral beads were each plump and full, a crimson red as if dripping blood, adding a touch of bright charm to her jade-white, lotus-like face.
When she entered, it was as if the room brightened, like a garden full of spring colors. The slightly stiff atmosphere immediately softened.
The two Lei young ladies hurriedly rose to pay their respects.
"Young daughter of the Lei family, Lei Jingque, pays her respects to Huo Youzhou and the Governor's Lady."
"Young daughter of the Lei family, Lei Wusi, pays her respects to Huo Youzhou and the Governor's Lady."
Both performed a curtsy.
Huo Tingshan spoke the customary words: "Governor Lei of Yuzhou and I share a deep friendship. During your visit to Luoyang, consider it a visit to your uncle's home. There's no need to be reserved."
Pei Ying stole a glance at Huo Tingshan, suspecting this man was taking advantage of Governor Lei of Yuzhou.
From what she knew, Governor Lei of Yuzhou seemed to be in his forties already, while this man was currently thirty-nine, not yet forty. In terms of age, he was younger than Governor Lei of Yuzhou and should call himself "Uncle," not "Elder Uncle."
Huo Tingshan also glanced at her, a smile playing on his lips.
It was the kind that said—So what if I'm taking advantage? Can her old man rush to Luoyang to settle accounts with me?
Pei Ying: "..."
Pei Ying couldn't be bothered with him. She looked at the two Lei young ladies below and, smiling, asked someone to bring over the gifts: "We've never had female guests of your age at home before, which left me momentarily unsure of what to give as a meeting gift. I only picked two sets of headdresses. I hope you like them."
Both Lei Wusi and Lei Jingque were taken aback.
'Never had female guests like them before.' The Governor's Lady was indirectly telling them that this was the first time the Eldest Young Master Huo was meeting potential marriage prospects.
As the saying goes, "A gift from an elder cannot be refused." As long as it is bestowed by an elder, no matter how ordinary the item, juniors must accept it with gratitude and a smile. Perhaps due to their status, they had never before heard that final phrase from elders who had no need to curry favor with the Lei family.
The two young ladies hurriedly expressed their thanks.
After a few more pleasantries, Pei Ying instructed the servants to begin the banquet.
As there were guests at home today, they did not use the small round table but instead adopted a divided-seating style for the meal. However, only one long table was placed at the head. Pei Ying and Huo Tingshan sat close together, sharing one.
Pei Ying simply treated today as a visit from the daughters of an old friend. During the meal, she chatted casually, talking about Yuzhou, telling them about Luoyang, and finally arranged for her eldest son and daughter to take the two Lei young ladies on an outing the day after tomorrow to show them around Luoyang.
Huo Tingshan listened quietly as the person beside him spoke gently with the younger generation. He occasionally added a few meatballs to her plate or casually topped up her sweet wine, but otherwise remained silent.
A peaceful dinner passed, with both hosts and guests pleased.
After the meal, the husband and wife did not linger. Hand in hand, they returned to the main courtyard.
By then, it was already late. The sky was dark as ink. The Huo siblings couldn't in good conscience keep the guests any longer. With servants leading the way carrying lanterns, the two siblings personally escorted them to their quarters.
The accommodations had been chosen during the garden stroll that afternoon. Lei Wusi had selected two adjacent pavilion courtyards connected by an arched gate. Lei Jingque had no objections, so it was settled there.
"Young Lady Lei the Second, Young Lady Lei the Third, if there is anything you need, you may instruct the servants outside the courtyard. We shall see you tomorrow." Meng Ling'er said to the two with a beaming smile.
Huo Mingji stood beside his sister and gave a slight nod, saying nothing.
After bidding farewell to the two Lei young ladies, the siblings walked back.
The young girl glanced at her elder brother beside her and couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Elder Brother, what do you think?"
Huo Mingji chuckled, shedding some of the aloofness he had shown in front of the Lei young ladies. He knew what his sister was asking. "It's only the first day. It's still too early."
Meng Ling'er was curious. "No one who particularly catches your eye?"
Both are beauties, each with their own distinct charm in appearance and temperament.
Huo Mingji just smiled without answering.
Meng Ling'er understood.
It seemed there really wasn't one. But then again, as the heir of the Huo family, Elder Brother had likely attended countless banquets before. With singing girls performing, showcasing their beauty and charm, he had probably seen many beauties, making it quite difficult to be struck by awe again.
But it didn't matter. They could observe further in the days to come.
While the Huo siblings were discussing the Lei young ladies, the Lei sisters were also talking. However, compared with the siblings' casual chatter, a faint trace of tension spread through the Lei sisters' conversation.
"Lei Jingque, the Huo family is outstanding. This time, I truly will not yield to you." Lei Wusi lifted her chin slightly, her pretty little face showing a mixture of arrogance and complicated emotions.
Lei Jingque stood beside Maidong, who held the lantern, half her face hidden in the dim light. In response to the other's taunting words, her gaze was calm. "Just worry about yourself. There's no need for you to concern yourself with anything else."
"You..." Lei Wusi wanted to say something but swallowed it back. "What do you mean by that? Aren't you used to not fighting or competing? Since you've lived that way for ten years, why not continue?"
But Lei Jingque turned away. "Maidong, let's go. Back to our room."
Maidong hurried to follow.
Lei Wusi's face flushed red with anger. Her personal maid beside her whispered, "We are outside now, with many eyes around. It is not advisable for you, Young Lady, to clash with the Second Young Lady. It would not be good if others saw and made a joke of it."
"I just can't stand her attitude!" Lei Wusi gritted her teeth.
Her personal maid frowned almost imperceptibly, puzzled and bewildered.
She had only been by Lei Wusi's side for seven years, arriving when the two parties were already at odds. The two young ladies showed no trace of the deep affection and profound loyalty spoken of in rumors. At that time, the second young lady had lost her birth mother long ago, was not particularly favored by the old matriarch, and did not complain when bullied.
Such an unthreatening young lady, why would anyone need to pay her any mind?
On the other side.
After Lei Jingque returned to her room with her personal maidservants like Maidong, the maids busied themselves preparing bath water, fetching clothes, each attending to their tasks.
"Tap." The brocade box made a soft sound as it was placed on the low table.
Lei Jingque, who had been lost in thought, snapped back to attention. She looked at the large brocade box before her for a moment before personally opening it.
Inside was a set of gilt-inlaid pearl cloud-pattern head ornaments, nineteen pieces in total. There were five large hairpins and five smaller hair ornaments, along with earrings, forehead ornaments, bracelets, chains, and rings—each piece crafted from gilt gold and inlaid with round, full pearls.
Under the candlelight, the gilt gold and pearls shone brilliantly.
As the legitimate daughter of Governor Lei of Yuzhou, Lei Jingque was no stranger to fine things. Thus, she recognized at a glance that this set of gilt-inlaid pearl cloud-pattern head ornaments was of considerable value.
As a mere greeting gift, it showed the giver held no intention of looking down on her.
Her thoughts drifted, and Lei Jingque unwittingly recalled the earlier encounter.
The beautiful lady she met for the first time was smiling warmly, her gaze like a pool of warm, gentle spring water, exceedingly tender. In her hazy memories, her birth mother would also look at her with such gentleness.
Back then, her mother had not yet passed from illness. The family of four would sit around the table in winter, the antique hotpot bubbling on the table. While waiting for the food to boil, her father would quiz her elder brother on his studies, and her mother would tie a bib around her, then still young, to keep her clothes clean during the meal.
It was a very warm scene, one that, after her mother's death, was lost to her forever.
Her elder brother, Lei Wusi, other relatives, even the maidservants, all implied or stated outright that she was just muddling along. Some relatives even sneered that she was like a dried-up fish already giving off a foul smell.
Only she herself understood: if not like this, then what else could she do? She was born a daughter, destined to be married off, most likely for a political alliance.
From the very beginning, she had nothing to fight for, and couldn't win even if she tried. But as her father's only legitimate daughter, her situation wouldn't be too terrible.
Her stepmother did not treat her poorly, but she could never be as affectionate as her birth mother. Her two younger brothers were quite distant from her. Her elder brother, busy shouldering the responsibilities passed down by their father, grew increasingly distant from her.
Her father was the Governor of Yuzhou; she would likely marry reasonably well. However, from what she heard from her newlywed friend Jinlan, married life was much worse than being an unmarried young lady.
After marriage, one had to serve a husband, manage his concubines, attend to parents-in-law. Some mothers-in-law were difficult, particularly fond of setting rules for new brides, their words often laced with hidden barbs. If there were unmarried, sharp-tongued sisters-in-law in the household, it was adding frost to snow—one had to swallow even broken teeth.
It was all so utterly dull.
But the events of today's banquet made Lei Jingque feel something was different. It was as if parched earth buried under waste had received rain, and a tender, fresh sprout had quietly broken through the surface.
Lady Pei was gentle and elegant, exceedingly patient with young juniors like them. Huo Youzhou was rather taciturn, sitting by his wife's side and occasionally adding some dishes for her.
The young man seated below would slow his jade chopsticks whenever his mother or sister spoke. Though he seldom spoke himself, it was clear he was listening attentively.
The young adopted lady of the Huo family was also pleasant to be around, knowing perfectly when to advance or retreat. During the garden stroll at noon, she had inadvertently sighed that her second elder brother was not home, a pity with the garden's beauty in full bloom.
Such a harmoniously pleasant atmosphere made Lei Jingque think constantly of her early childhood, before her mother's illness. She knew in her heart that a family like the Huos, once missed, would be gone forever.
So, should she allow herself to continue this indifferent existence, or... should she fight for it?
Just then, Maidong entered carrying a basin. "Young Lady, a servant just delivered this ice basin. They said the summer's end heat is still intense, and the Governor's Lady ordered some ice sent to help the young ladies relieve the heat."
Looking at that ice basin, Lei Jingque faintly felt an answer forming in her heart.
Main Chamber.
Exhausted from the day's events, Pei Ying melted onto the soft couch as soon as she returned to the room. She was very tired, her eyelids heavy, wanting to fall asleep the moment she closed her eyes. But there were still some things she wanted to discuss with him: "Huo Tingshan, you've seen the second daughter of the Lei family. What do you think? Do you think Mingji might take a liking to her?"
This man had a sharp eye. When it came to discerning people's true intentions, Pei Ying believed even with twenty more years of practice, she wouldn't match his skill.
Huo Tingshan waved away Xin Jin who was about to approach. He walked to the couch, sat down, gathered her onto his lap, letting her lie prone as he removed the ornaments from her hair. "Children have their own fortunes. Why trouble yourself over him, my lady?"
Pei Ying was impressed. "You're certainly a relaxed father. Your son's marriage, and you manage to not care about anything."
"Not true," Huo Tingshan declared righteously. "Didn't I just make the connection and find him a daughter from the Lei family?"
Pei Ying: "..."
Perhaps because Pei Ying's silence lasted too long, her aura of speechless resentment too potent, the man chuckled softly. "Alright then. Since my lady asks my opinion, I shall offer a word."
Pei Ying turned her head to glance at him, signaling him to continue.
"The second young lady is better than the third," Huo Tingshan said.
Pei Ying was astonished. "Why do you say that? What's better about her?"
"Her name is better than the latter's," he said with a laugh. "It bears a slight resemblance to my lady's, borrowing a bit of your radiance."
Pei Ying: "..."
Pei Ying said with annoyance, "Huo Tingshan, be serious!"
