The night was deep and dark, the last glimmer of light fading from the vault of the sky. Meng Ling'er stood before Chen Yuan, looking up at the man who towered over her by more than a head.
Since when had he regarded her as an old friend?
Both of them knew well in their hearts that this "old friend" was not truly an old friend.
Chen Yuan lowered his gaze, looking at the young girl's delicate, charming face so close to his. She had grown much since their first meeting, blossoming into a young woman who would surely attract the admiration of many young gentlemen.
She was in the prime of her youth, in full bloom.
"A long time ago," the man said softly.
She seemed determined to get a specific answer. "A long time ago... but just how long ago was that?"
Someone sighed softly in the dim light. "I don't know the exact moment. I only know that one day, a certain figure began to occupy my gaze more and more. I would unconsciously pay attention to her movements, wonder if her other studies were going smoothly, if she was being praised by other teachers."
In the not-so-bright light of the evening, someone's cheeks flushed quietly. "She actually wished you would talk to her more."
"Mmm, I will from now on," Chen Yuan humbly accepted the suggestion.
Meng Ling'er looked down at the box in her hands. "Can I open this now?"
"Of course."
With his permission, she clicked open the latch of the brocade box. The surroundings weren't very bright, yet Meng Ling'er could still see something glinting faintly inside.
It was actually a withered, yellow leaf, but an ordinary leaf wouldn't shine like this.
She took the leaf out. It felt cool to the touch. It turned out the entire withered leaf was crafted from gold, hammered quite thin. Every vein and detail of its texture was present, so lifelike one wouldn't know it was an imitation without holding it.
"How did you think of giving me this?" Meng Ling'er asked, turning the gold leaf over in her hand.
Chen Yuan replied, "You have many studies and read many books daily. This can be used as a bookmark."
Meng Ling'er traced the leaf's veins with her finger and suddenly asked, "Did you make this yourself, or buy it?"
Chen Yuan gave a light cough. "Made it myself. It's my first time making something like this, the craftsmanship is a bit crude."
The young girl's eyelashes fluttered rapidly twice.
He had been dispatched to Yuzhou this time. She knew he was ordered to search for a special kind of stone. Entering the mountains with his men was surely a daytime task, so this leaf could only have been carved at night.
Those were nights, perhaps without bright moonlight.
He sat alone before a desk, a lamp placed upon it, its glow illuminating his profile and the half-polished gold leaf in his hand. The candlelight burned quietly. Only in the deep silence after the wick had burned down would he finally set aside his work.
"Although I really like it, don't do this kind of work at night anymore. It's bad for your eyes," she mumbled.
Chen Yuan smiled slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and simply said, "Weren't you going to find Physician Feng? Let's go."
Days passed one after another. In the blink of an eye, Pei Ying had been in Luoyang for a month and a half. When they first arrived, their immediate focus had been on steel refining; only later did they turn their attention to shipbuilding.
Much had happened in this month and a half. First, over a dozen steel refining workshops operated day and night, producing more than seven thousand units of refined steel. Secondly, the isolation tactic Huo Tingshan implemented after apprehending a group of second-generation nobles was very successful. Liao Pingwei was worn down like a hawk being tamed and finally couldn't resist rebelling.
Of course, he rebelled, but he didn't succeed.
He and his accomplices were caught red-handed by the Black Cavalry who had been lying in wait, captured in one sweep and uprooted completely.
The Liao family, which had dominated Luoyang's inner circles for over a decade, vanished from public sight from then on.
Pei Ying counted on her fingers. By the time they left Luoyang, she estimated they would have around ten thousand units of refined steel. But looking at the furnace before her, she fell silent. They still hadn't succeeded in producing glass, and with only five days left until the agreed deadline, Pei Ying was losing confidence.
There wasn't enough time.
It was a pity Huo Tingshan wouldn't allow her to stay in Luoyang; otherwise, she would have plenty of time to tinker with glass. Ming Ji was staying behind in Luoyang. Since she was with Ming Ji, her routine was just between two points, plus she had a guard detail. What was there for him to worry about?
She would have to talk to him about it again later.
Pei Ying's plans were well laid, but when she finished work that day, she saw the usually cheerful man looking grim, as if preoccupied.
"Huo Tingshan, what's wrong?" Pei Ying asked.
He didn't hide it. "Just received an urgent report concerning Yizhou. After that third son of Wei of Yizhou surrendered to the imperial court, he opened the gates to welcome the allied forces of Yi and Yong provinces. Once inside the pass, this allied army marched south, then with the assistance of the Yizhou forces, turned east, found a favorable route, and directly attacked Jingzhou."
Pei Ying pressed her lips together.
So the fighting had begun. Though it didn't seem entirely unexpected. Jingzhou had already been worn down previously. First, the garrison at Shenyuan Pass had been absorbed by Huo Tingshan. Then, Jingzhou had to split off another portion of its forces to defend against the Yuzhou army's potential attack at the Eastern Gate Pass.
The Huaigu Pass on the westernmost front had been in a stalemate. But the allied forces of Yi and Yong marched from within Yizhou, passing around the side, thus bypassing the heavily fortified Huaigu Pass and attacking a less formidable stronghold instead.
"Has a breach been torn open in Jingzhou's defenses?" Pei Ying asked.
Huo Tingshan nodded. "Exactly. The allied forces bypassed the city, severed Jingzhou's supply lines, then used siege tactics, wearing down the Jingzhou army until they surrendered."
Pei Ying thought for a moment. "It seems there's a possibility Jingzhou may change hands."
Huo Tingshan did not deny it.
Because of the sudden urgent report, Pei Ying's attention was diverted elsewhere, and for a while, she forgot about discussing her wish to stay in Luoyang with Huo Tingshan.
It wasn't until the carriage returned to the Governor's mansion that Pei Ying remembered.
However, as soon as they alighted from the carriage, Huo Tingshan hurried towards his study, clearly unavailable at the moment. Pei Ying watched his retreating back and had just sighed when she saw him stop.
Huo Tingshan turned his head and instructed the guard beside him, "Tell those young gentlemen at the training ground to return to their respective homes."
Keeping them detained for nearly a month was sufficient.
...
"What? We can leave? Hahahaha, I'm free!"
"Quick, quick, go pack your things, let's leave immediately."
"Pack what? Forget those things, just go. What if he changes his mind and decides to keep us for a few more months? We'd be crying without tears then."
"You're right."
One young man turned to look at Shi Chenglei, wanting to call him to leave together. "Chenglei, Chenglei? What are you spacing out for? He's finally agreed to let us go. Hurry home."
Shi Chenglei seemed to wake from a dream. "Ah, going back... so soon..."
The few around him exchanged glances.
Soon?
They had been counting every day here as a year, each moment painfully endured. And this guy Chenglei actually thought it was too soon? Could it be he was still thinking about that young lady?
They shared a look, each feeling they had glimpsed the truth.
"Let's go quickly. Mother at home must be missing us."
Shi Chenglei found himself swept along in the crowd of young noblemen as they were ushered out of the Governor's mansion.
The Governor's mansion was situated in the quiet residential district where high officials and nobles lived. Though it was some distance from the bustling markets, it wasn't too far from the homes of these young men.
It wasn't until he stepped outside the gates that Shi Chenglei truly snapped to his senses.
"Hurry, let's go."
These young masters, who usually traveled only in luxurious carriages, didn't even think about calling for their vehicles now. The vast majority of them broke into an undignified run, sprinting away as if floodwaters and fierce beasts were chasing them.
Shi Chenglei was the sole exception among that vast majority. He slowly turned around and gazed at the imposing, solemn Governor's mansion before him, feeling none of the joy of a prisoner released that the others seemed to feel.
The guard at the gate, seeing him standing there dumbly, began to shoo him away. "Don't stand here. Go home."
Shi Chenglei drifted home like a lost soul.
Prefectural Administrator's Mansion.
"Young Master is back!" A loyal servant, spotting the arrival, widened his eyes in surprise. After shouting the announcement at the top of his lungs, he crowded around Shi Chenglei, fussing over him with concern.
Shi Chenglei had no desire to answer any questions.
The entire Prefectural Administrator's mansion instantly became lively. Soon after, a noblewoman in lavish attire hurried out from the inner quarters.
"My youngest son!" The Prefectural Administrator's wife, her eyes brimming with tears, ran over and embraced Shi Chenglei. Only after the most intense wave of emotion had subsided did she take a proper look at him.
This look made her heart ache terribly.
He was darker, thinner.
The Prefectural Administrator's wife's heart ached so much that tears fell straight down. "My son, you've suffered. It's all that man's fault. A man in his forties still holding a grudge against teenagers, his heart is truly petty. I heard you were even beaten in the Governor's mansion. Let mother see quickly..."
"I wasn't bullied. It was fine," Shi Chenglei said, rolling up his sleeve and flexing to show the muscle on his forearm. "Look, I've become much more solid, more manly."
The Prefectural Administrator's wife's tears fell even faster.
Oh no, her youngest son seemed to have been bullied into foolishness. Locked up for nearly a month, with poor food and lodging, and he actually said it was fine.
Unwilling to face his mother's tearful eyes, Shi Chenglei said, "Mother, I'll go back to my room to wash up first."
Shi Chenglei retreated to his room. It wasn't until evening, when Prefectural Administrator Shi Xiangsong returned home, that he learned his youngest son was back.
Before Shi Xiangsong could ask his son how he had fared these days in the Governor's mansion, his son spoke first: "Father, have you been working for Huo Youzhou recently?"
His son was asking about this. Shi Xiangsong didn't see any reason not to tell him. "Indeed. Huo Youzhou ordered me to build a hundred ships. Speaking of which, they can be delivered tomorrow..."
As he said this, Shi Xiangsong was startled.
Delivery tomorrow, and his son returns today. The other party clearly had a thorough grasp of his movements and progress.
"Building ships? What for?" Shi Chenglei hurriedly asked.
Shi Xiangsong gave a light, knowing laugh. "If I'm not mistaken, Huo Youzhou's next step is to march on Yanzhou. Yanzhou is a land of waterways, with many naval forces. If we go to war with them, we cannot be without ships."
Shi Xiangsong's expression relaxed considerably. "Now that the ships are ready, and it's autumn, the perfect time for military campaigns, he won't be staying in Luoyang much longer."
When the tiger is away from the mountain, the monkey proclaims himself king.
Once Huo Youzhou, that tiger, leaves, Luoyang may not return to the Luoyang of old, but it won't be like it is now, where he, the Prefectural Administrator, holds not a shred of authority.
"Father, I want to join the army," Shi Chenglei suddenly declared.
His words shocked the entire room. The Shi family was thoroughly startled.
"Little brother, why would you have such a thought?"
"My son, don't joke about such things. Your mother can't bear this kind of fright."
"Nonsense!" Prefectural Administrator Shi angrily slapped the table. "Join the army? Which army would you join? Is there an army for you to join? Your father doesn't command any troops!"
"Father, I want to join the Youzhou army," Shi Chenglei said, looking at his father. Seeing the entire family poised to launch a concerted effort to dissuade him, he took a step back. "I'm not being reckless about this. I've thought it over for a long time. Please hear me out first."
Seeing the unusually solemn expression on his son's face, as if the carefree, pleasure-seeking youngest son was gradually fading away, Shi Xiangsong was taken aback. He stopped his wife. "Alright, let's hear what you have to say, boy."
Shi Chenglei said, "Sizhou now belongs to Huo Youzhou. Our entire family lives under his rule. Father, do you truly believe that once Huo Youzhou leaves Luoyang, everything will return to how it was? I don't think so. Even though you built ships for him. Even if he leaves, he will certainly leave safeguards behind, because he fundamentally doesn't trust you, the officials of Luoyang. It's possible he'll send people to strip you of your real power. Even more ruthlessly, he might arrange some 'accident' to leave you bedridden and unable to manage Luoyang..."
His near-month stay in the Governor's mansion had taught Shi Chenglei one truth.
That place was absolutely not short of ruthless people, each of whom was capable of striking viciously.
A man who could command such subordinates was no kind soul himself, likely even more ruthless and cunning.
These weren't insights he had reached all at once. They were pieced together slowly over that month, crammed in a small room with the others, smelling all sorts of foot odors, as everyone spoke their piece, gradually assembling a somewhat complete picture of the situation.
But Shi Xiangsong was both surprised and pleased. "My son has grown up."
In truth, being bedridden would be a light punishment; it might well be an 'illness' leading directly to death. But Shi Xiangsong didn't care about that at the moment. He was filled with paternal pride.
He and his wife had doted most on this son born in their later years. They had even begun to think he would never amount to anything in this lifetime. But that was fine too. With the family fortune and his elder brothers, there was nothing wrong with him living his life as a wealthy idler.
"Father, if I follow Huo Youzhou to Yanzhou, many things will be different. At the very least, with me, the Prefectural Administrator's son, in his grasp, he'll feel he still has a use for you and won't need to remove you from the board so early," Shi Chenglei said earnestly.
Shi Xiangsong, feeling both proud and heartache, said, "Your father's affairs are for your father to handle. There's no need for you, the youngest, to trouble yourself over them."
Shi Chenglei replied, "But I've grown up. I can share the family's burdens now."
Everyone stared at Shi Chenglei in astonishment, unable to believe that after just a month apart, their formerly unruly and frivolous son (younger brother) had undergone such a transformation.
The others were struck speechless for a long time. Only the Prefectural Administrator's wife frowned.
Though she hadn't studied books, she was a woman of considerable shrewdness. Not only had she managed all of the Prefectural Administrator's concubines with perfect order, but the entire large household ran smoothly under her management. And a mother knows her son best. Looking at her utterly changed youngest son, the Prefectural Administrator's wife sensed there was more to the story.
She wasn't someone who remained ignorant of the outside world. She knew that Huo Youzhou originally had two sons, and after marrying Lady Pei, a young daughter Lady Pei brought with her joined the household.
If she remembered correctly, that young lady was around the same age as Lei'er.
"My son," the Prefectural Administrator's wife suddenly said, "have you taken a fancy to that young lady of Huo Youzhou's household?"
Shi Chenglei hadn't expected his mother to ask this. Still young, he couldn't completely mask his emotions, and a trace of panic involuntarily leaked through.
So, the family understood.
"You unfilial son!" Shi Xiangsong's beard trembled with rage. "You speak so nobly, but in truth, you want to join the army for the sake of a girl. It's utterly absurd. I, your father, declare this here: abandon any thought of joining the army. It is absolutely impossible."
The Prefect's wife clutched her chest. "My son, why must you suffer so? The possibility of a match between the Huo family and ours is not great."
Shi Chenglei whispered, "But there is still a possibility..."
The turmoil within the Prefect's residence was unknown to Pei Ying. After returning from the outskirts, Huo Tingshan remained in his study for several hours. It was nearly midnight, the moon high in the sky, before he returned to the main courtyard.
At this hour, the main chamber was usually dark, but today a light still shone within.
The man raised an eyebrow in surprise and pushed the door open. "Why hasn't my lady retired yet?"
Usually, the busier her day, the more exhausted she was by evening. Today, however, she seemed spirited.
"Huo Tingshan, there's something I want to discuss with you." Pei Ying was tired, but sleep eluded her.
The creation of glass seemed just a step away from success. Leaving for Yanzhou with him now felt like giving up on the brink of achievement.
It was truly frustrating.
"Let's hear it." Perhaps soothed by the cozy atmosphere of the room, Huo Tingshan was in an agreeable mood. "If it's not terribly important, you may decide for yourself, my lady. I will support you unconditionally."
Hearing this, Pei Ying's heart brightened. "It's indeed not terribly important. I wish to stay in Luoyang to continue the glass..."
"No." Before she could finish, he cut her off directly.
The man who had been smiling moments ago now wore an expressionless face. "This matter was already discussed before. You must accompany me to Yanzhou."
"What do you mean 'discussed before'? That was your unilateral decision," Pei Ying retorted, annoyed.
Huo Tingshan first removed his belt, then his outer robe, hanging the garments on the wooden stand beside the bed. "Then let it be a unilateral decision."
He said this with utter confidence, startling Pei Ying into a brief silence. "Luoyang is already your territory, and Mingji is here now too. What is there for you to worry about?"
"It's not safe." Huo Tingshan got onto the bed, sitting cross-legged opposite Pei Ying. "The lesson of the Yunxiu Lou incident is still fresh in my mind. Even though Mingji is my son, and I have entrusted him with many tasks which he handles well, unless I am personally watching over you, I still cannot be at ease."
Pei Ying sighed.
Huo Tingshan took her wrist, sliding his grip down to hold her hand. "The birth of refined steel is imminent; its secret can no longer be kept. With the precedent of soap and sugar, even if I say nothing, certain people will inevitably connect it to you. My lady, do not underestimate your own importance. You hold significant meaning for me, and for that man surnamed Ji in Chang'an, though the nature differs."
Pei Ying fell silent.
A sudden force pulled on her hand. Caught off guard, Pei Ying leaned forward and tumbled into his embrace.
The autumn night was cool, but this man's body always radiated intense heat. His inner garment was thin, and as she fell against him, Pei Ying instinctively braced her hands against his chest. Through the thin fabric, she felt the startling warmth and firmness of solid muscle.
He gripped her waist, lifting her onto his lap, settling her facing him within his embrace.
The night-pearl by the bedside had not yet been placed in its black silk bag. Its soft, glowing light fell upon his face, divided by the ridge of his high nose bridge into light and shadow. She heard him say, "But setting all that aside, it is I who cannot bear to be parted from you, my lady."
It was too close. Close enough for Pei Ying to catch the faint scent of soap on him. The hand on her waist was warm, the heat seeping through her clothes making her waist feel weak.
He looked down at her, his eyes deep yet like a river flowing into molten fire, revealing a layer of unmistakable heat.
Pei Ying averted her gaze uncomfortably. "You're not a child. How can you not bear to be apart from someone?"
"Indeed, I am not a child." Huo Tingshan applied a bit more pressure with his hand.
Pei Ying was already seated on his lap; feeling the force pressing her down, she understood perfectly well what he meant.
"Huo Tingshan!"
A corner of the gauze curtain by the bed slipped down, veiling the intimacy within.
One hundred ships were ready and could set sail at any time. However, before departure, the Governor's mansion received a visitor who rather surprised Huo Tingshan.
"Prefect Shi, what brings you to me?" Huo Tingshan looked at Shi Xiangsong standing below.
The man had come in person, bearing generous gifts. Was he here to pledge loyalty? But pledging loyalty was useless now. He had left Mingji in Luoyang; Shi Xiangsong no longer had sole authority over Luoyang's affairs.
Shi Xiangsong spoke with utmost respect. "Huo Youzhou, this humble official has a small, presumptuous request."
Huo Tingshan raised an eyebrow slightly. Not having completely severed ties with the Luoyang officials, he refrained from saying, "If it's presumptuous, then don't ask." Instead, he deliberately waited a moment, letting Shi Xiangson grow somewhat anxious before speaking. "Prefect Shi, speak freely."
Shi Xiangsong's voice dropped a notch, as if embarrassed. "My youngest son is clamoring to join the army, to become a true man. Therefore, this humble official wishes to ask that when you, Huo Youzhou, leave Luoyang, you might take my worthless whelp along. Everyone knows the Youzhou army is a force of tigers and wolves, truly elite troops. If one wishes to join the army, the Youzhou forces should be the first choice."
To persuade Huo Tingshan, he tacked on a bit of flattery.
Huo Tingshan said with feigned surprise, "Do I hear correctly? Your son wishes to join the army?"
Shi Xiangsong bowed again. "Indeed. I beg you, Huo Youzhou, to accept this insignificant recruit."
"Prefect Shi, I will be frank with you. I am heading east to Yanzhou. Going to Yanzhou is for warfare, not sightseeing. Casualties are commonplace in military campaigns." Huo Tingshan spoke leisurely.
Hearing the latter part, Shi Xiangsong's aged face turned ashen. His heart was bitter.
How could he not know that warfare brings casualties? The problem was that the little rebel at home was dead set on joining the Youzhou army, even resorting to a hunger strike. His wife wept endlessly, and in the end, unable to withstand their son's resolve, she had turned around to persuade him.
Later, the two of them devised a perfect plan.
Joining the army wasn't entirely impossible. They could simply send lavish gifts to this man, asking him to merely take their youngest son along for the journey without letting him near the battlefield, thus avoiding any danger to his life.
In essence, it was about bringing along a privileged connection.
"Huo Youzhou, my son is young and inexperienced. Could you, in consideration of my future devoted service to you, have someone look after him a little during the journey?" Worried Huo Tingshan would find it troublesome, Shi Xiangsong quickly added, "It needn't be too much trouble. Just don't assign him to combat. For anything else, you can use him as a cook or a gate guard, no special care required."
Huo Tingshan stroked his chin and suddenly changed the subject. "Prefect Shi, military funds are tight lately. The army likely cannot afford to support idlers."
Shi Xiangsong paused. Having navigated the official circles for years, how could he fail to grasp the subtext?
This Huo Tingshan was asking for money!
Taking his son along is acceptable, in exchange for some provisions.
Shi Xiangsong choked up, feeling deeply aggrieved, but he hurriedly put on a smiling face: "This humble official has a few meager acres of farmland at home, which yielded some grain this year. If Huo Youzhou does not mind this humble official's limited capacity, please take those ten-odd carts of grain, to fulfill my sincere loyalty and righteous courage."
Huo Tingshan laughed and said: "Then I thank Governor Shi in advance. However, my previous words still stand: once one joins the army, some variables are unpredictable. This is what is meant by 'life and death are fated.' Whether to have your son accompany the army, I will give you two more days to reconsider."
Shi Xiangsong: "...This humble official understands."
In the blink of an eye, another two days passed, and everything was ready for departure.
After the morning meal, the family of four went out together. Huo Mingji watched his mother and sister board the carriage, and then watched his father mount Wuye.
Huo Tingshan sat astride his horse, looking down at his eldest son from his elevated position: "Luoyang is entrusted to you."
Huo Mingji bowed deeply: "Please rest assured, Father. Your son will surely guard Luoyang well and respectfully await the triumphant return of Father and Mother."
Huo Tingshan showed no trace of parting sorrow, merely uttering an "Mm," before turning his horse around and leaving with the convoy.
Huo Mingji watched his father's receding figure, then let his gaze shift slightly backward, settling on a young man also riding a horse further back. A meaningful smile played on his lips.
