"Madam."
Pei Ying had grown sensitive to being addressed this way. Upon hearing it, she stiffened momentarily before realizing it was Xin Jin calling her, not Huo Tingshan. She quickly relaxed again.
"You're awake. Let this servant assist you in rising," Xin Jin offered, stepping forward.
"No, no need," Pei Ying refused hastily. "I can manage on my own. Xin Jin, wait outside for me."
She was currently unclothed and unaccustomed to being attended to in such a manner.
Hearing the firmness in Pei Ying's tone, Xin Jin hesitated briefly before replying, "Then this servant will wait by the door. You may call for me at any time."
Pei Ying hummed in acknowledgment, then added, "Don’t let anyone else enter."
Xin Jin responded, "Understood."
Once the door closed behind Xin Jin, Pei Ying exhaled slowly and sat up from the bed.
The embroidered quilt slid down her body, revealing vivid red marks trailing from her neck down to her abdomen—like roses blooming against snow-white skin.
Pei Ying couldn’t help but mutter, "Was that man a dog spirit in disguise?"
She gingerly touched the marks, wincing slightly. The skin there felt raw—perhaps scraped by his stubble or bitten.
After cursing Huo Tingshan under her breath, Pei Ying noticed the quilt was in disarray. Dried traces of fluids had stiffened the fabric, leaving patches discolored.
What had once been a beautifully patterned quilt now looked like a haphazard patchwork.
Staring at it, Pei Ying couldn’t believe she had slept under it all night.
But the quilt was the least of her concerns. When she glanced at her legs, she realized with belated horror that he hadn’t taken her to wash afterward—merely wiping her roughly before leaving.
Wiped, but not thoroughly.
If she had been disgusted by the quilt earlier, now she was disgusted with herself—and even more so with the culprit.
Her face paled, then flushed. Ignoring the lingering soreness in her body, she grabbed fresh clothes and shuffled unsteadily toward the bathing chamber.
After soaking in the warm spring water for half an hour and scrubbing herself repeatedly, the discomfort finally faded.
"Xin Jin."
Hearing her call, Xin Jin hurried inside. Upon entering, she found Pei Ying seated on a small stool in the chamber.
"Please fetch me a skirt from the main room," Pei Ying requested.
Earlier, she had only managed to grab fresh undergarments and a waist wrap—her outer garments were still in the adjoining chamber.
Xin Jin barely glanced at her before turning away, but the image lingered in her mind even after she stepped out.
The neckline of the waist wrap was cut low, failing to conceal the crimson mole above Pei Ying’s heart.
The vivid marks stood out starkly against her fair skin, spreading across her shoulders and arms like scarlet blossoms on snow—reminiscent of plum flowers in winter or some mysterious tattoo.
The sight reminded Xin Jin of the magistrate’s wife in Beichuan County.
Back then, the magistrate’s wife had intended to gift Xin Jin to her son as a concubine. But fearing Xin Jin’s inexperience in the bedchamber, she had made Xin Jin attend to her after she and the magistrate had coupled.
Xin Jin knew such acts left marks, but she had always assumed they were faint—after all, that was all she had seen on the magistrate’s wife, who never seemed particularly worn out afterward.
Nothing like Madam Pei now, who looked as though she had been devoured whole.
Once dressed, Pei Ying immediately brought up the matter weighing on her mind. "Xin Jin, prepare a dose of contraceptive medicine for me."
Xin Jin smiled. "No need to worry, Madam. The medicine is already brewed. I’ll fetch it for you now."
Having purchased the medicine earlier, Xin Jin knew Pei Ying wouldn’t have gone to the trouble for no reason—especially since it was most effective when taken soon after the act.
Pei Ying brightened. "Xin Jin, you’re truly thoughtful."
Such a clever girl was wasted as a maid. Had she lived in modern times, she would have been a formidable career woman.
After drinking the medicine, Pei Ying felt a weight lift from her heart.
With nothing else preoccupying her, she grew languid. She had Xin Jin move a small couch near the window and drape a thin blanket over her lap before settling in to bask in the sunlight.
The autumn sun was warm and gentle. Pei Ying drowsed under its glow, eventually closing her eyes entirely.
Time slipped by unnoticed until a deep, familiar voice roused her.
"Madam."
Pei Ying furrowed her brows slightly, annoyed even in her dreams. Unconsciously, she turned away from the sound.
Huo Tingshan stood beside the couch, watching her irritated expression with quiet amusement. He knew she must still be exhausted from the night before.
Having longed for her for so long, he had been unable to hold back once she was finally in his arms. The memory darkened his gaze.
The beautiful woman lay half-reclined on the couch, her hair loosely tied with two dark blue ribbons. The silken strands cascaded around her, shimmering faintly in the sunlight.
Unlike the past fortnight, today she was not wearing a round-collared ruqun but had changed back into her old cross-collared long dress. The snug collar hugged the base of her neck, tightly concealing the alluring traces beneath.
Yet not everything was hidden. Near the side of her neck, just below her ear, a vivid red mark trailed downward, only disappearing beneath the embroidered dogwood pattern of her collar.
Soft sunlight spilled across her face, casting a delicate glow over her thick, slightly upturned lashes, adding a touch of radiance. It also illuminated her skin, making it appear even more exquisite—like tender lotus root emerging from water, or smooth, creamy butter.
Huo Tingshan flexed his fingers absently, the lingering memory of last night’s silken softness still vivid in his palm—pliant, intoxicating, faintly fragrant.
His thoughts began to wander again.
Pei Ying stirred restlessly in her sleep, vaguely sensing an unsettling gaze fixed upon her.
Slowly rousing from her light slumber, she exhaled a quiet sigh and murmured, "Lately, every day has been inauspicious."
"Why does my lady say so?" a voice suddenly spoke from behind her.
Pei Ying stiffened, her heart nearly leaping into her throat. After a long pause, she turned her head slowly.
There he was, standing beside the daybed.
She instinctively clutched the small blanket tighter. "What brings you here?"
Though her tone feigned calm, a trace of tension and reluctance seeped through.
Huo Tingshan sat down on the daybed without hesitation. "I came to dine with you."
His gaze drifted downward, landing on the yellow jade bangle still fastened around Pei Ying’s left wrist.
A satisfied smirk curled his lips.
The daybed was not particularly spacious—the carpenter had never intended it for two. As Huo Tingshan settled in, Pei Ying hastily drew her legs inward.
Yet even then, there wasn’t enough room. The curve of her calf brushed against his arm.
Though they were both fully clothed now, unlike hours before, the brief contact sent a ripple of discomfort through her, as if she were once again engulfed in scorching flames.
"If it’s just for a meal, General, why sit down?" Pei Ying asked softly.
Huo Tingshan countered, "Where would my lady prefer to dine today?"
She lifted her eyes to meet his—those narrow, dark orbs seemed even deeper than before—then quickly averted her gaze. "I’ll eat in my room."
Huo Tingshan nodded. "Then here it shall be. Afterward, I’ll show you something."
At the time, Pei Ying paid it little mind. The things he gave her were always the same—jewelry, hairpins, silks, and fabrics.
She cared little for such things, and she had no shortage of them now.
Lowering her lashes, she said, "If the General has pressing matters, there’s no need to trouble yourself with me."
Huo Tingshan replied leisurely, "Unfortunately, I have nothing urgent at the moment."
Pei Ying was momentarily speechless.
She didn’t quite believe him. He had only just seized control of Jizhou—surely, there were still remnants of the former governor’s faction to appease, not to mention the local gentry.
Though the gentry held no official titles, through marriages and alliances, they wielded considerable influence, sometimes even overpowering local officials.
But since he insisted, she saw no reason to press further.
Neither of them mentioned last night, as if it had been just another ordinary evening among countless others.
Yet Pei Ying felt that something had shifted irreversibly between them.
Before, even when they dined together, he would usually send a servant to summon her or, at most, stop by her door if he happened to be passing by. He never entered her chambers, let alone sat on her daybed.
Now, not only had he stepped inside, but he had also made himself at home.
Perhaps driven by some unspoken intuition, Pei Ying kept these observations to herself, unwilling to voice them aloud.
Since she had chosen to dine in her room, the low table was brought in and set before them.
The midday meal consisted of five dishes and a soup. As usual, Pei Ying’s portion included fish, while Huo Tingshan’s had been replaced with mutton.
Among the usual fare, one dish stood out—something resembling a meat she had often eaten before, yet she couldn’t quite place it. Hesitantly, she asked, "General, is this venison?"
Huo Tingshan chuckled. "No. It’s beef."
Pei Ying turned to him in surprise. "Beef?"
He nodded. "This morning, the yamen delivered a dead ox. A family named Jiang reported that their plow ox had died of old age, so they sold it to the authorities."
Oxen, as indispensable laborers in farming, were highly valued in ancient times. Killing one was a punishable offense.
During the Song Dynasty, the law decreed: "Whoever intentionally slaughters another’s horse or ox shall receive seventy strokes and a year and a half of penal servitude." Even one’s own livestock could not be butchered without consequence.
Only those that died of illness or old age could be consumed, and even then, the authorities had to be notified immediately for proper documentation.
Once registered, the family could either keep the meat for themselves or, if in need of money, sell it to the yamen.
Pei Ying lowered her gaze at the beef on the silver plate, silently lamenting its wasted potential.
Compared to lamb or pork, beef had a milder flavor—it was good meat, but the preparation was monotonous. She had endured steamed and stewed dishes for so long that even beef failed to excite her now.
Huo Tingshan noticed her indifference after confirming it was beef. She ate her midday meal slowly, showing no particular enthusiasm.
The man’s brow twitched slightly.
Gold and jewels didn’t tempt her. Fine silks and lavish garments held no appeal. Even rare beef failed to stir her appetite.
She was certainly difficult to please.
After finishing her meal, Pei Ying rinsed her mouth with tea and said to Huo Tingshan, "General, I’m feeling rather tired. I’ll retire for now."
Huo Tingshan clicked his tongue. "I don’t recall devouring my wife’s ears last night. How is it that her hearing has grown so dull?"
Pei Ying froze momentarily before remembering—before the meal, he had mentioned taking her to see something afterward.
She had forgotten, but why did he have to phrase it so teasingly?
The memories she’d rather not revisit now surfaced abruptly, buoyed by his words. He hadn’t eaten her ears, but he had certainly made quick work of her lip rouge.
Heat rushed to her face. She turned away, refusing to look at him or respond.
Seeing her flustered and slightly annoyed, Huo Tingshan relented. He had originally planned to let her discover it herself, but now he simply said, "Didn’t my wife long for an iron wok? Come, let’s fetch it."
Pei Ying turned back in surprise. "You managed to get one?"
Before leaving for Changping County to aid disaster relief, he had asked if she wanted anything. She had mentioned an iron wok, but he hadn’t given a definite answer.
She had assumed it was a lost cause.
Iron was reserved for weapons or farming tools—both noble purposes. An iron wok, meant solely for indulging culinary whims, would be seen as extravagance by common folk.
"Just an iron wok. My wife is more than entitled to it," Huo Tingshan said, rising from his seat.
Pei Ying followed him. "Ancient texts say stir-frying in an iron wok brings out unmatched flavors. You’ll understand once you’ve tried it."
This era already had sesame, though it wasn’t yet called "sesame"—it went by "huma." People knew huma could be pressed into oil, but it was still primarily used as lamp fuel.
Yes, the very same oil that lit lamps.
Its culinary use would come much later.
Pei Ying finally saw the wok. It was modest in size, comparable to a modern household wok, suitable for cooking a meal for a few people.
She inspected it thoroughly, flipping it over, and was thoroughly pleased. Given the timing, he must have ordered its forging soon after she mentioned it.
Her mood lifted considerably. Feeling indebted, she thanked him: "My thanks, General. When I find the time, I’ll cook you a stir-fried dish."
Aside from the initial gratitude, the rest was mere politeness—like casually saying "Let’s meet again sometime" after a gathering.
"When will my wife have time?" Some people didn’t understand social niceties and refused to play along.
Pei Ying pressed her lips together, refusing to answer.
Huo Tingshan’s gaze lingered on her lips. Last night, they had been swollen and vividly stained with rouge. Now, after a night’s rest, the swelling was gone.
Still watching her, he added, "Whenever my wife wishes to use this wok, do inform me. I’ll be sure to attend."
Pei Ying sighed inwardly. His words made it clear—if she didn’t invite him, the wok wouldn’t see its first use. But how could she resist breaking it in? She was already eager to cook something delicious for Ling’er and herself.
Reluctantly, she conceded, "Tonight, then."
Huo Tingshan nodded.
The wok was carried back to the main courtyard’s small kitchen. On the way, Pei Ying and Xin Jin encountered Meng Ling’er, who had come looking for her.
Spotting the iron wok in Xin Jin’s hands, the girl asked curiously, "Mother, what is that? It looks like a fu."
Pei Ying smiled. "It is a fu, but an iron one."
Meng Ling’er frowned. "Why make an iron fu? How is it different from the earthenware ones?"
Pei Ying patted her head. "You’ll see later. Oh, have your evening meal with me tonight. I’ll cook something delicious for you."
Meng Ling’er agreed immediately.
After her midday rest, Pei Ying instructed Xin Jin to gather ingredients.
Many modern ingredients hadn’t yet appeared in this era, but some were already available—like carrots and cabbage, though they went by different names: "fei" and "song."
Pepper had also made its way here. Pei Ying planned to use the beef Huo Tingshan had sent over to make a pepper-fried beef dish, paired with stir-fried cabbage and fish soup. A simple trio—one vegetable, one meat, one soup.
Whether Huo Tingshan would find it too plain wasn’t her concern. If he dared complain, he could go eat elsewhere.
Xin Jin was astonished to see Pei Ying preparing to cook.
Nowadays, noblewomen rarely step into the kitchen, and Xin Jin had assumed Pei Ying was the type who never dirtied her hands with menial tasks.
Noticing Xin Jin's surprise, Pei Ying smiled. "I can't manage anything complicated, but I can handle a few home-style dishes."
The ingredients were prepared—beef as the main ingredient, along with bok choy and fish. For seasonings, there were ginger, scallions, rice wine, sesame oil, and pepper.
Pei Ying took charge of cooking while Xin Jin assisted.
Meng Ling'er, having heard Pei Ying would be cooking, arrived early and lingered by the kitchen door, peeking in with her little head and occasionally chirping excitedly.
Hot oil sizzled in the wok, and soon a rich aroma filled the air. Meng Ling'er sniffed eagerly, her appetite thoroughly whetted. "It smells so good! Mother, when can we eat?"
"What a little glutton you are. Just wait another quarter of an hour."
Pei Ying was making simple home-style dishes, and with multiple stoves in the kitchen, soup and stir-fry could be prepared simultaneously. It wouldn’t take long.
A quarter of an hour later, two dishes and a soup were ready.
Pei Ying divided the meal into four portions.
"My lady?" Xin Jin was puzzled.
Pei Ying placed three portions on a tray and pointed to the remaining one. "This is for you and Shui Su to share."
Xin Jin was taken aback. "This—this isn’t proper!"
Pei Ying smiled, the curve of her eyes gentle. "Many might not believe it, but I’ve never seen you all as mere servants."
Xin Jin stood frozen for a long moment before finally lowering her gaze. "This servant believes you. My lady treats me better than my own parents ever did."
The table was set just as Huo Tingshan arrived.
At first, Meng Ling'er wondered why there were three servings for dinner, but when she learned one was for Huo Tingshan, the little girl visibly deflated.
She only wanted to dine with her mother—no one else, especially not that man who seemed like a wolf in human form.
But the arrangement was already settled. Meng Ling'er sat stiffly, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible. She listened as her mother exchanged pleasantries with him before inviting him to sit.
"So this is the stir-fried meat you made in an iron wok? The presentation is quite unique," Huo Tingshan remarked, picking up his chopsticks.
The stir-fried beef indeed looked appetizing—Pei Ying had marinated the meat beforehand and stir-fried it with ginger and scallions, the colors vibrant and enticing.
Pei Ying nodded. "General, please try it."
Huo Tingshan took the first bite of beef and paused, an unreadable flicker in his eyes.
Meng Ling'er lacked his restraint. The moment she picked up her chopsticks, she went straight for the beef, and after one taste, she felt no delicacy from her past meals could compare to this simple stir-fry.
"Mother, it’s so delicious!" For a moment, she forgot her wariness of Huo Tingshan.
Pei Ying smiled warmly. "Eat as much as you like."
Huo Tingshan was not usually one for silence during meals, but tonight he spoke little. Pei Ying, however, was perfectly content with the quiet.
Having not tasted stir-fried meat in a long time, she savored it thoroughly. After an initial flurry of chopsticks toward the beef, she ate normally.
The other two, however, kept reaching for the dish.
Huo Tingshan’s plate of beef was the first to be emptied, followed by Meng Ling'er’s.
Seeing her daughter’s longing look, Pei Ying pushed her own plate forward. "I still have some left."
Meng Ling'er hesitated. "No, Mother, you should eat it."
Pei Ying set the plate on her daughter’s table. "I’ve had enough. No need to hold back, sweetheart."
Noticing that Pei Ying had eaten slowly, as if the dish wasn’t new to her, Meng Ling'er finally gave in. Later, she asked curiously, "Mother, I’ve never seen you make this before. Did you learn while I was in Changping County?"
Pei Ying sensed an intense gaze from the man beside her.
Her lashes fluttered slightly. "Yes, I read about it in a book."
Meng Ling'er sighed. "Reading really does teach you everything."
Pei Ying accidentally met Huo Tingshan’s eyes—his gaze was inscrutable. She quickly looked away, pretending not to notice.
All three ate heartily that evening.
The meat, vegetable, and soup were finished cleanly—Huo Tingshan’s table could even be described as wiped spotless.
Meng Ling'er polished off the stir-fried beef and vegetables, leaving only a little fish soup. Pei Ying had given her beef away but finished her own soup, leaving some vegetables untouched.
Huo Tingshan remarked, "This cooking method is quite novel. If you teach it to the kitchen staff, you won’t have to trouble yourself next time."
Pei Ying replied, "The cooks were watching earlier. I believe they’ve already learned."
"Well done."
The next day at noon.
Sha Ying hurried in and, upon seeing Huo Tingshan in the main hall, reported, "General, we’ve just received word—the court has sent someone. It’s Wu Tonghai. From what I’ve gathered, he served as a governor in Ji Province for three years before becoming a Palace Attendant in the capital."
The moment these words were spoken, discontent rippled through the room.
Xiong Mao slammed the table. "When the Blue Scarf Rebellion raged, the court did nothing. Now that the rebels in Ji Province have been crushed, they’re quick to send someone to take over!"
"Putting aside other matters for now, the Great General fought hard to conquer Ji Province, yet His Majesty sends a mere Palace Attendant to govern it? What qualifications does a lowly Palace Attendant have to oversee Ji Province? Isn’t this tantamount to humiliating our Youzhou army?"
"Ha! You know full well what kind of officials Palace Attendants are—smooth talkers, favorites of the Emperor. This Wu Tonghai relies on nothing more than His Majesty’s favor!"
"What should we do then? Can we kill Wu Tonghai? Should I go and kill him?" This was Xiong Mao speaking.
The others looked at him with expressions of exasperation.
"Xiong Mao, you fool! Killing an imperial envoy would be handing our enemies a weapon against us. Besides, even if Wu Tonghai dies, there’ll be a Huang Tonghai, a Li Tonghai, or a Sun Tonghai to replace him. Can you kill them all?"
Xiong Mao frowned in frustration. "This man is here to take over Ji Province. If we can’t kill him, are we supposed to let him run wild?"
Less than half a month had passed since Huang Muyong returned to the capital, and now the court had sent another official—a clear message:
Since the previous Governor of Ji Province is gone, a new one will take his place. You, Huo Tingshan, are the Governor of Youzhou, and Youzhou is where you belong.
For a moment, the room was filled with gloomy faces.
At the head of the table, Huo Tingshan remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Gongsun Liang, however, smiled. "Gentlemen, don’t be angry. I believe the court sending a Palace Attendant is actually a good thing."
Chen Shichang nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it is. A Palace Attendant holds no real authority and rarely handles major affairs. But governing Ji Province is a matter of utmost importance. If our Lord is concerned and chooses to remain in Ji Province to guide him until he’s fully capable, who could possibly criticize that? In fact, the world would only praise Lord Huo for his benevolence and thorough consideration for Wu Tonghai’s education."
The others suddenly saw the brilliance of the plan.
"Brilliant!"
"Master Chen’s words are truly brilliant!"
"Hahaha! Wu Tonghai is going to be furious!"
The position of Palace Attendant held no military power or substantial influence—it was merely a role that relied on the Emperor’s favor.
Such a minor official had little experience in governance, so his "education" in Ji Province could be drawn out indefinitely. As for when Wu Tonghai would be deemed "fully capable," that was entirely up to Huo Tingshan.
The corners of Huo Tingshan’s lips curled slightly. "Master Chen speaks wisely."
When the imperial envoy arrived, Huo Tingshan made sure to put on a proper show of courtesy.
Upon receiving word that Wu Tonghai was approaching, Huo Tingshan led his men to the gates to welcome him.
At first glance, Huo Tingshan raised an eyebrow.
Wu Tonghai’s entourage was extravagant—luxurious carriages and fine horses stretched in a long procession, especially the cargo wagons, which seemed endless. One might have thought he had brought his entire household to Yuanshan County.
Before the lead carriage even came to a full stop, a man leaped out eagerly.
Dressed in silk robes, a folded headscarf atop his head, and a white jade pendant at his waist, he cut a figure of wealth and refinement—though his plump, round physique made "refinement" a rather generous description.
He beamed the moment he saw the welcoming party, his smile warm and jovial, almost like that of a benevolent Maitreya Buddha—utterly disarming.
This was none other than the Emperor’s favorite, Wu Tonghai.
Wu Tonghai immediately spotted Huo Tingshan and, to everyone’s surprise, dropped to his knees and kowtowed right there in public. "This lowly official, Palace Attendant Wu Tonghai, pays homage to the Great General of Heavenly Strategy. Long have I heard of the General’s illustrious reputation, yet seeing you in person, I find that even the highest praise falls short of your true majesty. My admiration flows like the waters of the Yellow River, unceasing and boundless. I beg the General to accept this humble bow."
Huo Tingshan’s sharp eyes glinted with amusement.
This Wu Tonghai was interesting.
With such a grand display, regardless of the man’s true intentions, Huo Tingshan had no choice but to play along. He personally helped Wu Tonghai up. "Palace Attendant Wu, there’s no need for such formalities. We are both servants of His Majesty, and now we share the duty of Ji Province. Our meeting is fate’s arrangement—let us dispense with empty rituals."
Wu Tonghai looked moved. "This lowly official has come uninvited and will surely trouble you in the days ahead. I beg your forgiveness in advance. Behind me are some small gifts and tokens of respect for the General—I hope you will accept them."
Clever men often spoke in layers, and Huo Tingshan understood the hidden meaning in those words.
Huo Tingshan patted his shoulder with a laugh. "You are too kind, Palace Attendant Wu."
Just then, a breeze swept by, lifting the curtain of one of the carriages—revealing several beautiful young women seated inside.
And it wasn’t just one carriage; the following wagons also seemed to carry women of striking beauty.
The military officers behind Huo Tingshan exchanged knowing looks.
"Your words honor me too much," Wu Tonghai said, presenting his gifts once more.
Huo Tingshan gestured. "Let us continue inside the manor."
Wu Tonghai grinned eagerly and quickly directed his servants to drive the carriages into the estate.
Huo Tingshan led him to the main hall, exchanged pleasantries, and arranged accommodations for him.
Wu Tonghai first expressed his gratitude, then added, "Chang’an is home to many beauties. On this journey to Ji Province, a number of young ladies who deeply admire the General insisted on accompanying me. Seeing their sincerity, I could do nothing but facilitate their wishes. I hope the General does not take offense."
Huo Tingshan assured him it was no trouble, though a fraction of his thoughts drifted elsewhere…
Pei Ying was unaware that visitors had arrived at the estate today. After her midday nap, she strolled through the garden with Xin Jin as usual.
As she turned the corner of the corridor, she spotted Huo Tingshan walking toward her.
"My lady," he greeted.
Pei Ying paused. "Is there something you need, General?"
Huo Tingshan gazed down at her, his eyes deep and unfathomable like a dark pool. "Would you help me shave later, my lady?"
Pei Ying's eyes widened in disbelief.
This man—had he really grown restless again after just one day...
