Pei Ying had been applying the medicinal ointment for several days, and the swelling in her ankle had significantly reduced compared to before. However, it still ached, making it impossible for her to walk.
Huo Tingshan had mentioned he would return the next day to change her dressing, and true to his word, Pei Ying saw him again the following day. Just like the day before, she sat on the cushioned seat while he carefully spread the ointment onto a silk bandage.
Watching him work with such ease, Pei Ying couldn’t help but remark, "General, since you’ve taken up residence in the governor’s mansion, surely you must have other plans?"
Huo Tingshan caught the implication that she thought he was idle. "Are you complaining about me?"
"Of course not," Pei Ying said, though her eyes betrayed her words.
Huo Tingshan let out a low chuckle. "Your habit of speaking falsely hasn’t changed since the beginning."
Matters of governance were something he had never discussed with women before, but after a moment’s consideration, he finally replied, "This idleness won’t last long. In a few days, we’ll most likely be marching to war. You should prepare yourself."
Pei Ying blinked in surprise. "Marching to war? Where to?"
"South," Huo Tingshan answered.
Once the ointment fully coated the silk bandage, he set aside the small stick he had used to spread it and deftly lifted the hem of Pei Ying’s skirt to avoid staining it.
As he tended to her injury, Pei Ying studied him from above. She couldn’t help but think how imposing he was—even while sitting cross-legged and slightly hunched over, he resembled a resting tiger or leopard. His fists alone looked capable of taking down two men in a single strike.
If they were going to war, could she…
"General, will the entire army be mobilized? If not, perhaps I could stay here in the governor’s mansion and wait for your return." She tried to keep the hopeful lilt out of her voice.
Huo Tingshan, however, caught the slight upward inflection at the end. "You want to stay in the governor’s mansion?"
Pei Ying nodded without hesitation.
His gaze lifted from her ankle to meet hers, a faint smirk playing at the corners of his eyes. "Unfortunately, the entire army will be setting out."
Pei Ying: "…"
Huo Tingshan lowered his head again to wrap the bandage. "Guangping County isn’t one of Ji Province’s finest. I’ll take you to live in the best place Ji Province has to offer."
After a brief pause, Pei Ying ventured, "You’re going to the Inspector’s residence?"
The Inspector was the highest-ranking official in the province, and given the rampant corruption among officials in this dynasty, Pei Ying assumed the best place in Ji Province would undoubtedly be the Inspector’s estate.
"You’re as sharp as ever," Huo Tingshan remarked, tying off the bandage.
But Pei Ying frowned.
The way he spoke of "living" there didn’t sound like he intended to be a guest. Yet as long as the Inspector of Ji Province remained alive, everyone else could only ever be guests.
This wasn’t just Pei Ying’s understanding—Huo Tingshan’s officers knew it too.
So when Huo Tingshan issued the order to prepare the army, some of his generals were baffled. Xiong Mao, for one, was utterly confused.
"Sha Ying, why has the General suddenly ordered the army to mobilize?" Xiong Mao’s brows furrowed so deeply they could crush a fly. "The Blue Scarf rebels aren’t launching any large-scale attacks right now. Where else could we go? Back to You Province?"
Sha Ying’s lips twitched. "If you can seriously suggest retreating to You Province, then Gongsun Liang isn’t wrong to call you a blockhead."
Returning to You Province now was out of the question. They had only just found a pretext to enter Ji Province. If they withdrew now, getting back in wouldn’t be as simple as marching back.
Xiong Mao grumbled, "But Yuan Ding isn’t dead yet. There’s nowhere suitable for us to go."
No sooner had Xiong Mao spoken these words than, at the hour of Hai, a secret missive delivered by a falcon reached Huo Tingshan’s hands.
Unfolding the letter, Huo Tingshan read it and let out a satisfied sigh. "Finally."
His subordinates were practically clawing at their hearts in suspense. In the end, it was Xiong Mao who blurted out, "General, what’s finally happened?"
Huo Tingshan’s reply was succinct. "Yuan Ding is dead."
The room erupted in shock. Sha Ying and Xiong Mao couldn’t hold back their exclamations.
"Yuan Ding is dead?"
"How? He was fine just a moment ago!"
Gongsun Jiang stroked his beard thoughtfully. "It seems this was no natural death."
Huo Tingshan sneered. "Yuan Ding was already an old man. After taking that stray arrow, with the Blue Scarf rebels baring their fangs at the front and the imperial envoys watching like tigers from behind—not to mention Ji Province’s internal disunity—who else was destined to die if not him?"
"Precisely," Gongsun Liang agreed with a smile, clasping his hands in salute. "With Ji Province now leaderless, congratulations, my lord. All that remains is to march under the banner of ‘eradicating the Blue Scarf rebels.’"
Ji Province was now without a master.
Seizing unclaimed territory was beyond reproach, especially when Ji Province still harbored the Blue Scarf Army. Raising the banner of eliminating the rebels to fully occupy the province was nothing short of perfect.
Of course, the banner wasn’t just a pretense. The Blue Scarf rebels were a "fishbone" that had to be removed—otherwise, swallowing the meat would only leave them choking.
Qin Yang pondered aloud, "General, the provinces of Yan and Si will surely receive news of Yuan Ding’s death as well. They might even come up with the same justification as us."
Huo Tingshan nodded. "Inevitable. Not everyone in those provinces is a fool. Yuan Ding’s death will invigorate them, but the Blue Scarf rebels will be even more delighted. Just wait—by tomorrow, someone will propose an alliance to jointly eradicate the rebels."
The secret report arrived at the hour of Hai, and by the time the men left the study, it was already midnight.
The dead of night was meant for rest, and while the common folk slept soundly, the men of You Province who had just concluded their discussion were wide awake.
The same scene played out in three other courtyards of the governor’s mansion. Upon learning of the Inspector’s death, the two provinces rejoiced, and even Huang Muyong, who belonged to the imperial faction, was overjoyed.
In the study halls of Si Province and Huang Muyong’s residence, lamps burned for two full hours. Meanwhile, the leaderless Yan Province kept its study lit all night, the flame only flickering out at dawn.
Just as Huo Tingshan had predicted, the next morning, someone invited them to the main hall for an urgent discussion.
Huo Tingshan strolled in leisurely.
By the time he arrived, everyone else was already seated—he was the last to appear.
Yet he offered no apology for his tardiness, not even a perfunctory word of regret, and simply took his seat with an air of nonchalance.
Huang Muyong’s frown was barely perceptible, but inwardly, he cursed Huo Tingshan’s wolfish ambition. With Ji Province now masterless, the man couldn’t even be bothered to pretend anymore.
Suppressing his irritation, Huang Muyong raised his voice. "I’ve gathered everyone today because last night, I received word that Inspector Yuan Ding has passed away. I dare to speculate that upon learning of his death, the Blue Scarf rebels will grow emboldened and wreak havoc across Ji Province. Though the Inspector is no longer with us, our mission to suppress the rebels must not waver. Since we’ve all gathered here to eliminate this scourge, I propose we form an alliance to eradicate the Blue Scarf rebels entrenched in Changping County."
Guangping County was where the Blue Scarf uprising had begun, but Changping County was their stronghold.
Huang Muyong was suggesting a joint attack on the rebels’ main base.
"I support the Guardian General’s proposal," Hu Lan of Yan Province was the first to voice agreement.
Huo Tingshan picked up his teacup, drained it in one gulp, then slammed it back onto the table with a sharp clack.
The sound made everyone’s hearts skip a beat.
Huo Tingshan curled his lips in a smile. "I agree as well."
Huang Muyong's heart settled back into place.
Liu Baiquan of Sizhou hurriedly added, "A coalition is excellent. Let us unite, then."
Huang Muyong continued, "Each province boasts elite soldiers and capable generals. I believe that once united, we will be like a tiger with wings—utterly unstoppable against the Blue Scarf rebels. However, an army cannot lack a commander. After the coalition..."
Huang Muyong deliberately paused, intending to exchange a glance with Hu Lan. The day before, Hu Lan had sought him out, revealing his connections in Chang'an. The two had secretly formed an alliance.
Just as Hu Lan was about to speak, someone beat him to it.
"This is simple. I’ll take command of the allied forces. It was my Youzhou army that breached Guangping Commandery. Leading you to conquer another commandery will be no trouble at all." Huo Tingshan flicked his finger against the teacup, sending it spinning noisily across the table until it teetered at the edge and shattered on the ground with a sharp crack.
Silence fell over the room.
Huang Muyong and Liu Baiquan nearly choked on their own fury.
This man truly had no concept of humility.
In the rear courtyard.
Pei Ying watched as Xin Jin and Shui Su packed their belongings. Though they had only stayed in the commandery office for seven or eight days, the sheer volume of items being packed left her stunned.
"Ling’er, I don’t recall us bringing this much when we arrived?" Pei Ying eyed the growing pile of trunks with suspicion.
When they first came, a single carriage had been enough to carry the four of them and their luggage, with room to spare. Now, Pei Ying seriously doubted one carriage would suffice.
Meng Ling’er avoided her mother’s gaze, too guilty to respond.
Eighty percent of the extra items were from that day she had dragged Shui Su to the market, buying extravagantly to distract that big oaf. The remaining twenty percent? Well, after hearing her mother mention a tutor willing to teach her, she had celebrated with another shopping spree.
When Pei Ying received no answer, she turned to her daughter.
A mother knows her child best—and in any era, a guilty daughter would rather stare at the sky or the ground than meet her parent’s eyes.
Pei Ying understood immediately.
So the little one had gone on a shopping binge.
But something still puzzled her. Ling’er’s purse hadn’t shrunk. Earlier, when she checked the money box, the silver inside matched what they had saved back in Beichuan County.
Only one explanation came to mind. "Did you spend his money?"
Meng Ling’er kept her head bowed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Every time I went out, someone followed me. If I wanted to buy something, that big oaf would immediately pay. I didn’t want him to, but he just handed over the silver without a word, stubborn as a rock. I liked those things—was I supposed to refuse just because he insisted on paying? Besides, it’s not like I couldn’t pay him back. I thought I’d settle the debt later..."
But before she could tally the expenses, news of their impending departure arrived.
Her voice grew even smaller. "Mother, I know I was wrong. You can scold me."
Pei Ying chuckled. "Why would I scold you? It’s perfectly normal for a young girl to love pretty things. When I was your age, I adored the market too—I’d spend hours outside, even skipping supper until I was satisfied. My mother scolded me plenty for it, forbidding me from doing it again. Not that I listened much."
Meng Ling’er’s eyes widened, a soft "wow" forming in her throat—until a quiet laugh came from the doorway.
"I never imagined Madam was so lively in her youth."
Meng Ling’er froze.
Pei Ying blinked, turning toward the voice.
Huo Tingshan’s attire today was strikingly different from before. Gone were the dark robes—instead, he wore light armor, his broad sleeves cinched tight by black iron bracers. A ring-pommeled sword hung at his waist, sharp and efficient, amplifying the commanding presence he usually kept restrained.
His appearance left no doubt—he would soon be marching to war.
"Why have you come?" Pei Ying asked.
Huo Tingshan answered simply. "To escort you to the carriage."
Their stay at the commandery office had been shorter than expected, and her ankle hadn’t fully healed. If he didn’t intervene, she’d undoubtedly let her maids support her—reckless.
The towering man strode forward, stopping before her.
Even in broad daylight, his figure blocked the light, casting a shadow that enveloped her entirely.
Pei Ying curled her fingers slightly, about to speak—but Huo Tingshan had already bent down and lifted her into his arms.
His movements were practiced, carrying her away without hesitation.
Meng Ling’er glared at his retreating back, fists clenched in frustration—before deflating almost instantly.
That brute commanded an entire cavalry. Even without them, he could probably twist her head off with one hand.
Once outside, Pei Ying murmured, "Once the soap is ready, I’ll repay you for Ling’er’s spending."
She hadn’t brought it up in front of her daughter, but that didn’t mean she would ignore it. She still hoped to leave eventually—and until then, she refused to owe him.
"No need. A trifling amount means nothing to me." Huo Tingshan slowed his steps.
Truthfully, he didn’t take Pei Ying’s claim about soap selling for ten taels of silver seriously. The ingredients were far too cheap for such a price. It’d be like trading a sliver of pork for a house—absurd.
Pei Ying muttered something under her breath.
Huo Tingshan halted. He had been carrying her as usual, but now he adjusted his grip, lifting her slightly so her face was suddenly much closer to his.
Sunlight caught the sharp angles of his features, making his brow seem even more unruly.
Pei Ying’s breath hitched. She barely raised a hand to his collarbone before he spoke again.
"Grumbling under your breath? Care to share, Madam?"
Pei Ying turned her face away. "You misheard. I said nothing."
"If you’re going to curse someone, do it loudly. Point at their nose—that’s how you make an impression." His tone was amused.
Pei Ying flushed, realizing he had indeed overheard her calling him ungrateful.
In the main courtyard, two carriages waited—one large, one smaller.
Her earlier suspicion was correct: a single carriage couldn’t hold all their belongings. Chen Yuan and two Youzhou soldiers were already loading the smaller one with luggage.
Huo Tingshan carried Pei Ying to the larger carriage.
Xin Jin and Shui Su had prepared it well—soft cushions lined the seats, cabinets stocked with snacks, a teapot and cups on the low table. It felt less like a military convoy and more like a leisurely excursion.
Huo Tingshan placed Pei Ying on the soft seat and casually adjusted the emerald hairpin in her hair, pushing it further in. "In the coming days of the march, I’ll be occupied with dealing with representatives from other provinces. I likely won’t have much time to visit the rear camp. If you need anything, you can call for Chen Yuan or have him relay a message to me."
As he had expected, the allied forces couldn’t agree on a single commander, so each faction would act independently. This meant endless meetings—big and small—were inevitable.
The moment Pei Ying heard he would rarely come to the rear, her eyes brightened. "Fine. If I need anything, I’ll call for Colonel Chen."
Huo Tingshan narrowed his eyes, displeased by her obvious delight. His hand, which had been resting on her hairpin, slid down to her earlobe. He rubbed it lightly with his thumb, satisfied when he felt her entire body stiffen under his touch.
"General, you said your word was as good as gold," Pei Ying murmured, her lashes trembling.
Huo Tingshan met her flustered gaze and smirked. "It is. But Madam, our deal hasn’t fully begun yet."
Not fully begun.
Pei Ying understood his implication. He had already ordered his advisors to teach Meng Ling'er, but her side of the bargain remained untouched.
She pressed her lips together, refusing to speak or look at him.
Huo Tingshan raised a brow. "This habit of yours—ignoring me when you’re upset—isn’t good."
Pei Ying still refused to meet his eyes, silently willing Chen Yuan to arrive soon and report on the luggage. Maybe then this man’s attention would shift elsewhere.
As her thoughts wandered, she suddenly noticed the space around her darkening slightly. Instinctively, she looked up—and her pupils constricted in shock.
From the rear, the towering figure of the black-armored general stood by the carriage door, blocking most of the half-open entrance. He leaned slightly forward, his back bent as if engaged in some unseen action.
At his waist, a pale, delicate hand pressed against his dark metal belt, fingers that had once been soft pink now whitening with effort—as if trying to push him away.
After Pei Ying was carried off, Meng Ling'er had initially wanted to follow immediately. But after taking a few steps, she suddenly remembered the two copper coins she had placed beneath the bed’s corner.
In Beichuan County, there was a custom: when changing sleeping quarters, one had to place two copper coins beneath the bed’s corner. This would ensure any lingering ill fortune left by the previous occupant would dissipate completely.
Though she didn’t know why her mother had forgotten this tradition, Meng Ling'er had taken it upon herself to place the coins. Now that they were leaving, she couldn’t just leave them behind—why let someone else benefit?
After tucking the coins into her small pouch, she patted it contentedly and skipped outside.
The luggage had already been loaded onto the smaller carriage. Meng Ling'er glanced toward the larger one just in time to see Huo Tingshan’s retreating figure heading toward the front courtyard.
She exhaled in relief.
Good. That brute was finally gone.
Quickly climbing into the carriage, she surveyed the interior with approval before spotting Pei Ying seated by the opposite window. She scooted over and nestled against her. "Mother, how many days do you think we’ll be traveling before we reach the next stop?"
After waiting a long moment without a response, Meng Ling'er nudged her head against Pei Ying’s shoulder, rubbing back and forth. "Mother, what are you thinking about? Your adorable daughter is talking to you!"
Pei Ying snapped out of her daze and absentmindedly patted Meng Ling'er’s head.
Pleased by the affection, Meng Ling'er didn’t press about her mother’s distraction. Still leaning against Pei Ying’s shoulder, she failed to notice that Pei Ying had kept her face turned away the entire time.
"What did you say just now, sweetheart?" Pei Ying asked softly.
Meng Ling'er repeated her question, then sighed dramatically. "I’m so useless. Why can’t I get used to traveling by carriage?"
Pei Ying thought for a moment. "The army covers about thirty li a day. With the allied forces, it’ll likely be slower—maybe over a month. I’ve already asked Xin Jin to buy plenty of oranges. If you feel unwell, you can eat one or smell the peel."
Meng Ling'er pouted. "Sigh. I guess that’ll have to do."
With so much time ahead in the carriage, Meng Ling'er soon grew restless. Seizing the last moments before departure, she slipped outside to stretch her legs.
Only after Meng Ling'er left did Pei Ying finally turn her head. Unseen by anyone, the ear that had been facing the window was now flushed a deep, burning red.
She raised her hand and wiped at it again and again, but no matter how many times she tried, the heat refused to fade. The lingering dampness clung stubbornly, as if branded into her skin.
"Barbarian."
A quiet curse escaped her lips inside the carriage.
......
As the army set out, Meng Ling'er resumed her miserable carriage-ridden existence.
But she soon noticed that their current pace was much slower than their journey to Guangping County. The daily marches were shorter, too—leisurely, almost as if they were waiting for something to happen.
The slower pace had its advantages. Meng Ling'er adjusted better than before, and during breaks, she often sought out Gongsun Liang.
Gongsun Liang had become her teacher. To her surprise, this unassuming little man with his goat-like beard was a wellspring of knowledge.
Astronomy, geography, mechanics, mathematics, rural customs, calligraphy, painting—even anecdotes from previous dynasties—he knew them all.
Now, whenever she had free time, Meng Ling'er dashed to Gongsun Liang’s carriage. Sometimes she even stayed to eat with him, flitting about like a footless bird, endlessly delighted.
Before long, the entire army knew Gongsun Liang had taken Meng Ling'er as his disciple. Not just him—several other scholarly advisors, like Chen Shichang, had also been "sheared" by her relentless curiosity.
The entire Youzhou army was stunned, their jaws practically hitting the ground.
A young girl had become Gongsun Liang’s disciple? And she wasn’t stopping at just one teacher?
In this era, the bond between master and disciple was sacred—comparable to that of father and child. Teachers didn’t accept disciples lightly, especially renowned scholars with genuine talent.
And for them to take in a girl?
A girl who had already reached marriageable age, no less—wasn’t it too late for her to begin learning?
Whispers spread among the soldiers, though most were merely puzzled, speculating whether the lady had some hidden, noble status.
If she were merely the general’s favored concubine, why would the general frequently visit her to chat over tea? Why would he order his advisors to willingly teach her daughter?
What was there to discuss with a mere concubine? Wouldn’t it be more satisfying to simply summon her for pleasure?
The rumors swirled, growing wilder by the day. Eventually, someone claimed the lady was a long-lost daughter of the late emperor—that her surname, Pei, came from her mother’s side.
The crowd gasped, then nodded as if everything suddenly made sense.
After the injury on Pei Ying's foot healed, she began taking walks outside during the army's rest periods. Over time, she noticed the soldiers looking at her with peculiar expressions—first with startled uncertainty, stealing glances, then with solemn reverence, as if realizing they had failed to recognize her importance, even tinged with a hint of fear.
The emotions were complex, and Pei Ying couldn’t quite decipher them. She tried to find the reason, but to no avail. The soldiers treated her with utmost respect, yet none engaged in casual conversation with her.
Unable to uncover the cause, Pei Ying eventually stopped searching. After all, this situation wasn’t unfavorable to her, and her attention soon shifted elsewhere—
Her handmade soap was finally ready.
Pei Ying lifted the curtain and called out to Chen Yuan outside. When he approached, she said, "Captain Chen, I have a matter to discuss with the general. Could you kindly inform him and ask him to visit me when he has time?"
Chen Yuan nodded, swiftly mounted his horse, and rode off, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Pei Ying expected Huo Tingshan to appear a day or two later, as he had been busier recently and hadn’t visited as frequently as before. The last time she saw him was two days ago. But to her surprise, he arrived that very afternoon.
Huo Tingshan was clad in black armor, astride his own armored steed, Wu Ye. The sunlight glinted off his light armor, making him resemble a blade about to be unsheathed—sharp, lethal, ready to draw blood with a single strike.
He seemed colder and more formidable, as if he had reverted to the imposing figure she had first met.
"How unusual for you to summon me, my lady," he remarked.
Yet the moment he spoke, his tone carried that familiar, almost careless inflection, and Pei Ying felt the present moment settle back into place.
Steadying herself, Pei Ying replied, "General, the soap is finished. Come inside."
Huo Tingshan raised a brow, dismounted from Wu Ye, but instead of entering the carriage immediately, he leaned slightly in through the window.
The last time he had done this abruptly, Pei Ying had been startled, instinctively flinching away and nearly toppling onto the cushioned seat—earning a low chuckle from the man.
Now, having learned from experience, Pei Ying didn’t retreat. Instead, she placed a small wooden block between them, pressing her lips together as she met his gaze defiantly.
Huo Tingshan’s brow lifted further. "My lady’s courage has grown since the other day."
Pei Ying held his gaze. "Not courage—confidence."
Her courage had always been small. If she had been truly brave, that day when she and Xin Jin hid in the carriage leaving Yanzhou, she would have screamed for help at the gates, grasping for any chance of escape. If she had been truly brave, she would have insisted on hiring escorts for her journey with her daughter.
But she hadn’t…
In those clear, watery eyes, Huo Tingshan caught his own reflection—and for a moment, he found it pleasing.
