"No." Pei Ying shook her head in alarm and fear, instinctively refusing. "I don't..."
Huo Tingshan hadn't anticipated her rejection, and his curiosity grew. "Why?"
Pei Ying took a step back. Though her condition today was far better than yesterday, that single step felt as if she were stepping on cotton, instantly dragging her back to the morning before. A wordless soreness surged through her like an electric current, finally gathering where the impact had been most intense.
"I'm not feeling well," Pei Ying tightened her grip on the handkerchief in her hand.
She couldn’t recall where she had once heard the saying: Only the ox dies from exhaustion, never the field from plowing.
She had thought it made sense—until two nights ago. Now, she had a slight objection. The ox might indeed die from exhaustion, but if the drilling machine worked recklessly, it would only ruin the land.
Huo Tingshan studied her expression carefully. He remembered her cheeks had been rosy before he spoke, but now they had paled.
It didn’t seem like discomfort—more like she was frightened of him. Did he really look like a man-eater? Was he that terrifying?
This realization made him frown in displeasure, but he pressed on. "Where does my lady feel unwell?"
Heat crept up Pei Ying’s cheeks. Why must he be so persistent? The soreness and swelling hadn’t subsided, and the tenderness lingered, but how could she possibly voice such a thing?
"My lady," the man called again.
The warmth on her face spread down to her neck. Her lips parted twice, but no words came out.
Huo Tingshan didn’t rush her, standing patiently in place.
Pei Ying met his gaze briefly, her teeth pressing lightly together. He’s actually waiting—as if he’ll stand here forever unless I answer.
Finally, she whispered something under her breath.
Her voice was so soft that even Xin Jin standing behind her likely couldn’t hear. But she knew Huo Tingshan had ears like a hound—he would catch it.
Sure enough, she saw the man’s brows relax.
"In that case, my lady should rest well." With that, Huo Tingshan turned and left.
Pei Ying watched his retreating figure and slowly exhaled. Then she realized something—he had come from the direction of their quarters.
So he had sought her out in the garden just to tell her he wanted to sleep with her tonight.
Pei Ying: "..."
She lowered her head, fingers tracing the embroidery on her handkerchief, a strange thought forming. She had spent over a month in the Youzhou army and had never seen him show such inclinations before.
Could it have been because they were at war?
Military campaigns demanded abstinence.
Now that the war was over, there was no need for restraint.
The more she thought about it, the more it made sense.
She had agreed to five nights—that much was true. But if he kept coming at her like this, she wouldn’t be able to handle it. She needed to think of a way to manage this.
Meanwhile, Huo Tingshan did not return to the main hall after leaving the garden.
Wu Tonghai had already been settled in. There was no need to entertain him too frequently—otherwise, the man would surely take advantage and climb higher.
Wu Tonghai’s actions today had initially surprised him, but upon reflection, they weren’t entirely unexpected.
A reckless man like Xiong Mao, upon hearing that the court had sent someone to take over Jizhou, would immediately think to kill the envoy—no successor, no problem.
But someone as shrewd as Wu Tonghai—could he not guess that there were people within the Youzhou army who wanted him dead?
Of course he could.
Killing Wu Tonghai might lead to another "Tonghai" rising in his place—another Huang Tonghai, Li Tonghai, Sun Tonghai—but Wu Tonghai was unique.
And Wu Tonghai didn’t want to die.
A man with no military power, whose connections and influence paled in comparison, arriving in Jizhou—to others, this might seem like a farce, an attempt to provoke Huo Tingshan.
But to Wu Tonghai, it was like a lamb entering a den of tigers—a journey through fire and blades.
He knew how much resentment he had earned. That was why, the moment he arrived at the Governor’s residence, he had rushed to pledge his loyalty—calling him "Great General" instead of "Huo Youzhou," presenting gifts and beauties under the guise of a "teacher’s tribute."
Though Huo Tingshan still didn’t know why Wu Tonghai had come to Jizhou, the man’s attitude was enough. He had no reason to reject someone so perceptive.
Lost in thought, Huo Tingshan arrived at a certain courtyard.
But it seemed his timing was off—physician Feng Yuzhu was in the middle of instructing Meng Ling’er.
Huo Tingshan paused, only then remembering that Meng Ling’er was currently immersed in her studies, shuttling between different tutors every day.
With the imperial envoy’s arrival today, the strategists were all occupied. Only Feng Yuzhu, as a physician, could remain uninvolved.
Just as Huo Tingshan was about to leave, he heard Feng Yuzhu say, "Young Lady Meng, let us take a short break. Gather your thoughts, and we shall resume in a while."
Meng Ling’er’s voice answered from within.
Feng Yuzhu dismissed her for a brief respite and stepped outside to relieve himself—only to find a tall figure standing in the courtyard.
Startled, he quickly bowed. "Greetings, my lord."
"No need for formalities, Wencheng," Huo Tingshan addressed him by his courtesy name, raising a hand in a light gesture.
Feng Yuzhu straightened, his expression serious. "What matter brings my lord here?"
This lord of his had fought countless battles. Though he had suffered many wounds on the battlefield, both minor and severe, his physique far surpassed that of ordinary men. Moreover, after each injury, Feng Yuzhu had meticulously tended to him, so logically, no hidden ailments should have lingered. Why, then, had he come to seek him now?
"I’ve come to ask for some medicine," Huo Tingshan said.
As soon as the words left his lips, Huo Tingshan noticed Feng Yuzhu’s expression shift abruptly and chuckled, "It’s not for me."
Only then did Feng Yuzhu relax.
If something were wrong with his lord’s health, the current political landscape would likely shift immediately, forcing another round of reshuffling.
Jizhou was a prime example.
Feng Yuzhu asked, "May I ask what medicine you require, my lord?"
Huo Tingshan’s expression remained indifferent. "Medicine for a woman’s discomfort after intimacy."
Feng Yuzhu froze, taking a long moment to process the words, half-convinced he had misheard.
A woman’s discomfort after intimacy?
Since when did his lord concern himself with such matters? And which attendant had dared to bring it up to him?
In the past, those who served him would have eagerly sought more opportunities, never daring to voice any discomfort for fear of jeopardizing their own prospects. What astonished Feng Yuzhu most was that his lord had taken it seriously enough to personally come and request medicine.
Just who was this woman?
Feng Yuzhu’s shock lingered, his thoughts drifting far afield.
Huo Tingshan spoke coolly, "Feng Yuzhu."
Feng Yuzhu snapped back to attention, not daring to pry further. "My lord, I don’t currently have such medicine on hand. Please grant me some time to prepare it."
Huo Tingshan asked, "How long will it take?"
Feng Yuzhu immediately understood this matter was to be treated as urgent. "At the earliest, three hours."
"Don’t skimp on quality ingredients," Huo Tingshan added, seemingly recalling something. "Prepare a larger quantity."
Feng Yuzhu bowed in acknowledgment.
Huo Tingshan turned and left.
He saw no reason for embarrassment—desire was human nature, and illness should be treated early. Since his lady was unwell, she ought to receive medicine promptly. There was no shame in it.
Pei Ying remained unaware that someone had sought medicine for her. After strolling through the rear garden, she made her way toward the front courtyard.
Huo Tingshan imposed no restrictions on her or her daughter’s movements—they were free to roam the rear courtyard, the main hall, or even leave the estate to explore the market.
As she rounded the long corridor, Pei Ying heard lively chatter—bright, tinkling laughter carried on the breeze, along with the faint scent of perfumed powder.
Before the governor’s residence had been occupied by Huo Tingshan’s faction, it had housed the generals of Youzhou. To Pei Ying’s knowledge, aside from herself, her daughter, and a few others, only the maids who had originally served in the estate remained.
But clearly, the owners of that perfumed fragrance were no mere maids.
Pei Ying stepped closer and saw that a previously vacant pavilion now had new occupants.
Charming young women, dressed in vibrant silks, stood in clusters—some plump, some slender, some barely of age, others in their twenties—each more radiant than the last, delightedly inspecting their new quarters.
Pei Ying studied their genuinely cheerful expressions, her emotions tangled.
On one hand, she was glad that the estate now had new women to divert Huo Tingshan’s attention, sparing her from his constant pestering.
Yet, as a modern woman and a former educator, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow watching these girls—who should have been immersed in studies—devote themselves entirely to pleasing a man.
Still, she understood. In this era, women had few alternatives. Their choices were beyond reproach.
The fault lay not with them, but with the times.
Pei Ying wasn’t sure if she was being hypocritical. She only knew that even ten or twenty years from now, she would likely never adapt to this world.
Suddenly, one of the girls noticed Pei Ying.
A young woman, a year or two older than Meng Ling’er, tugged at her companion’s sleeve and gestured in Pei Ying’s direction.
The girl in the apricot skirt turned and gasped. "Who is that?"
They all knew exactly why they were here.
In the past, Zhu Jin would never have considered joining the Youzhou army. Youzhou was bitterly cold, plagued by northern barbarians—what appeal did such a wretched place hold? Even as an officer’s lawful wife, she wouldn’t have come.
But things had changed. The Youzhou army had seized Jizhou, swallowing the territory whole. With Jizhou and Youzhou now under Huo Youzhou’s control, the status of Youzhou’s generals had risen accordingly.
To Zhu Jin, this was an opportunity not to be missed.
The Youzhou army was now a coveted destination. Every man for himself—when Eunuch Wu passed through Luoshui County, she had pulled every string to catch his attention, ultimately securing a place in his entourage thanks to her striking looks.
She had heard that Huo Youzhou currently had no principal wife. Given her background, she dared not aspire to that position, but becoming a favored concubine wasn’t a bad prospect—with no mistress above her, life would be carefree.
If she couldn’t secure Huo Youzhou’s favor, a high-ranking general would suffice.
Preferably one who had lost his wife, allowing her to step in as a replacement. Once she bore a brood of children, her roots would be firmly planted here. She might not live in extravagance, but a life of comfort was assured.
Zhu Jin was well aware that many shared her ambitions. Looking at the other young women in the accompanying carriages, who among them hadn’t come with lofty aspirations?
Earlier, Zhu Jin hadn’t been worried. Her beauty stood out, her figure far surpassing theirs, placing her at the very top among the group. She was confident she would be chosen—perhaps even favored.
But now, as she gazed at the elegant noblewoman in the distance, her heart sank.
Zhang Zhizi, who had just gestured for her to look, noticed Zhu Jin’s tension and couldn’t hide a flicker of amusement in her eyes. "I don’t know who she is," Zhang Zhizi said lightly. "I only just noticed her there. She’s probably one of Huo Youzhou’s favored concubines, come to inspect the new arrivals. Though, if I were a man, I’d prefer someone like her too."
She had long disliked Zhu Jin.
So what if Zhu Jin was prettier than the rest? She had carried herself with such arrogance the entire journey, as if she had already won the favor of some powerful lord and was basking in his adoration.
Zhang Zhizi’s eyes gleamed as she added in a hushed tone, "Zhu Jin, don’t stare so openly at the noble lady. It’s impolite. You wouldn’t want to offend her and end up being cast aside, would you?"
Zhu Jin tore her gaze away and scoffed. "Stop with your petty tricks. I’m not falling for your games, Zhang Zhizi."
Zhang Zhizi feigned offense. "How ungrateful! Fine, I won’t bother warning you again. If misfortune befalls you, it’ll be your own doing."
Zhu Jin shot back, "Misfortune? You’ll be the one suffering, not me."
Pei Ying, standing some distance away, couldn’t hear their exchange but noticed the tension between them. The first girl who had spotted her retreated inside, while the one in the apricot-colored dress turned to look at her again before stepping out of the courtyard and approaching.
Pei Ying, who had been about to leave, paused. She sensed the young woman had something to say.
Zhu Jin stopped before Pei Ying and performed a graceful bow. "Greetings, my lady."
Pei Ying returned the gesture.
Surprise flickered in Zhu Jin’s eyes, strengthening a thought that had just taken root in her mind. "My lady," she began respectfully, "I arrived today with Attendant Wu. He presented twelve of us as gifts to Huo Youzhou."
At the mention of "Attendant Wu," Pei Ying understood—an envoy from the imperial court had come. Hearing how these women were being traded like commodities, she sighed inwardly.
Zhu Jin continued, "Out of the twelve, Huo Youzhou will likely select some for himself and distribute the rest among his generals. Seeing your grace and refinement, I know I am beneath your notice. But I must ask—who is your lord husband? If possible, I would rather not compete with you for his favor."
Many of the other women considered Zhu Jin brash, impulsive, even foolish at times.
She dismissed such judgments. She simply refused to waste her wits on those unworthy of her attention.
This noblewoman before her wore exquisite robes, and the yellow jade bracelet on her wrist alone was priceless. Her status was undoubtedly high—likely one of Huo Youzhou’s favored consorts. Offering deference now could only benefit Zhu Jin.
And if, by chance, this woman wasn’t Huo Youzhou’s concubine? Then her words were even more necessary.
If some high-ranking general took Zhu Jin as his own, he might cherish her like a treasure. How could she possibly contend with that?
Better to avoid such a rivalry from the start.
Pei Ying hadn’t expected the girl to outright declare she wouldn’t "steal her man." Amused, she replied, "My husband passed away last month."
"What?" Zhu Jin gasped.
Pei Ying softened at the girl’s wide-eyed shock, her expression reminding her faintly of Meng Ling’er.
Zhu Jin had rehearsed countless speeches, yet none fit this moment. After a long pause, she stammered, "My condolences, my lady."
Pei Ying studied her. "How old are you?"
Confused but obedient, Zhu Jin answered, "Two times nine."
Eighteen years old.
Pei Ying noted she was of age, then asked, "Did you come here willingly?"
"Of course," Zhu Jin replied, baffled by the question.
Gaining a place in Attendant Wu’s entourage hadn’t been easy, but once secured, the journey had been comfortable. "Why do you ask, my lady?"
Pei Ying lowered her voice. "I’ve heard… Huo Youzhou has been in need of women lately. If you’ve only just arrived, there will likely be a banquet tonight."
Zhu Jin blinked, first in delight, then curiosity—how did this woman know? But Pei Ying seemed disinclined to elaborate.
She was right. That evening, a feast was held.
Wu Tonghai had arrived with excessive humility, kowtowing and bearing lavish gifts, his flattery endless as he groveled before Huo Youzhou.
The arrival of court officials inevitably called for a banquet, and Wu Tonghai's tactfulness pleased Huo Tingshan greatly. Thus, he ordered the evening feast to be held with grandeur, naturally featuring fine wine and delicacies. Beyond that, he also instructed Sha Ying to prepare some entertainment.
Sha Ying made use of what was readily available, simply tasking the group of ladies Wu Tonghai had brought along to arrange the performances.
When Zhu Jin received the news, she was thrilled. She knew how to dance, and she danced quite well. Tonight's banquet would be her chance to shine.
If she could capture Huo Youzhou's interest, her future prospects would change dramatically.
Of course, Zhu Jin wasn’t the only one with such thoughts. The other eleven ladies were also sharpening their skills, eager to showcase their best talents.
After finishing her daily lessons with Feng Yuzhu, Meng Ling'er unexpectedly learned about the banquet being held in the residence that evening.
"Master Feng, who has come to the residence today?" Meng Ling'er asked.
Feng Yuzhu replied, "The court has sent a Palace Attendant."
Having studied for some time now, Meng Ling'er already knew what rank a Palace Attendant held. She pressed further, "Master Feng, is there anything else?"
Feng Yuzhu said there wasn’t.
Meng Ling'er grew restless with excitement. "Master, may I attend the banquet? I’ve never been to one before."
Feng Yuzhu smiled. "You may ask Master Gongsun Liang. If he permits it, there likely won’t be an issue."
Meng Ling'er thanked him and then cheerfully went to find Gongsun Liang.
Now that she had been taken under the wing of several advisors, receiving daily instruction, her relationship with them had grown much closer than before. Among them, Gongsun Liang held a leading role, somewhat like a head teacher.
Upon hearing Meng Ling'er’s request, Gongsun Liang stroked his goatee. "Tonight’s banquet is of no great importance. If the young lady wishes to attend, she may."
Then, Gongsun Liang asked, "Will Madam Pei be joining as well?"
This gave Meng Ling'er pause. "I’ll go ask my mother."
Gongsun Liang nodded with a smile.
Not long after, Meng Ling'er returned and told Gongsun Liang, "My mother says she’s feeling rather tired and won’t be attending the banquet."
Gongsun Liang had no objections to this.
And so, Meng Ling'er appeared at the banquet, seated at the far end—a position hardly noticeable. Yet, the mere fact that a young girl had her own table at such an event was astonishing in itself.
At the very least, Wu Tonghai was thoroughly taken aback.
To his knowledge, Huo Youzhou had no daughters.
Could she be the beloved child of another general?
But allowing her to attend the banquet seemed far too audacious.
Despite his inner astonishment, Wu Tonghai noticed that everyone else remained unfazed. He dared not reveal even a hint of his surprise and even offered Meng Ling'er a warm, friendly smile when she glanced his way.
The banquet commenced.
Seated at the far end, Meng Ling'er watched as the plump, middle-aged man toasted around the room, weaving flattering words with effortless charm.
She was utterly fascinated—it was her first time witnessing someone deliver compliments so smoothly, as though he had always been part of the Youzhou army, witnessing their every step and struggle.
After several more cups of wine, Wu Tonghai’s demeanor suddenly shifted. Tears streamed down his face as if he were thoroughly drunk, and he began speaking without restraint.
"Great General, this humble official has served by His Majesty’s side for years. Even if I’ve no great merits, I’ve surely put in the effort! Yet His Majesty now places his full trust in that Zhong Gang, casting me aside like this. Truly, the new favorite laughs while the old weeps."
By the time he finished, Wu Tonghai, the "old favorite," was already drenched in tears.
Though Huo Tingshan was not in the capital, he had his own informants at court. Thus, he knew exactly who Zhong Gang was—another Palace Attendant, like Wu Tonghai, and a favorite of Emperor Zhao.
But it seemed Zhong Gang had outmaneuvered Wu Tonghai, using some method to persuade Emperor Zhao to send Wu Tonghai to Jizhou.
Whether he would return from this journey—or even survive it—was another matter entirely.
In this battle for the emperor’s favor, Wu Tonghai was the clear loser.
His lament made the reason for his arrival in Jizhou plain to many.
Huo Tingshan approached with a wine cup, clapping him on the shoulder like an old friend. "Palace Attendant Wu, don’t grieve. If Chang’an is no longer your home, then let it be so."
Wu Tonghai cursed Huo Tingshan inwardly—the old fox only said he wouldn’t return to Chang’an, not whether he’d be allowed to stay unharmed in Jizhou.
But outwardly, Wu Tonghai wore an expression of gratitude. "The Great General speaks wisely."
Several more rounds of wine followed. Once the serious discussions concluded, the banquet entered its latter half.
A delicate chime of silver bells sounded from outside, and soon, graceful figures filed in one after another.
Meng Ling'er’s eyes widened slightly.
A procession of young, beautiful women, clad in floral robes and adorned with silver hairpins, swayed in with silver bells dangling from their waists. With every twist of their slender figures, the bells tinkled, leaving a trail of fragrant air in their wake.
Meng Ling'er was both amazed and exhilarated—she had no idea banquets included such performances! But soon, she felt a twinge of regret.
Her seat was too far back, making it hard to see clearly. Still, she could faintly make out how stunning the lady in red was.
Huo Tingshan sat at the head of the hall—the best seat in the entire main chamber.
The man held a wine cup, his fingers idly tapping the gilded patterns on its surface. His gaze was fixed ahead, as if watching the dance, yet also as if he wasn’t.
Sha Ying’s cheeks were flushed from drinking, and by now, she was clapping along to the rhythm for the dancing girls.
Chen Yuan watched expressionlessly. Scenes like this had played out many times before, but…
His eyes swept to the end of the seating, where Meng Ling'er sat, her eyes faintly glowing. His brow furrowed slightly. Finally, Chen Yuan rose from his seat and walked toward the low table at the far end.
The moment Zhu Jin entered, she spotted the man at the head of the hall.
High nose, phoenix eyes, ink-dark brows sharp as blades—his features were stern and heroic. His presence was imposing, commanding respect without a word. He was younger than she had imagined, with only faint lines at the corners of his eyes betraying the passage of time.
Zhu Jin had seen many men—butchers, merchants, bodyguards, even officials. Some were like rotten mud, others gilded on the outside with nothing beneath their fine appearances.
But the man at the head of the hall now? He was like strong liquor, like a blade fresh from quenching—dangerous, yet irresistibly compelling.
Her heart leaped with excitement. Recalling the hints dropped by that noblewoman, her throat grew dry, and she couldn’t resist sending flirtatious glances his way.
Yet as she danced, Zhu Jin suddenly noticed his gaze shifting toward the back.
Seizing a turn in the dance, she stole a glance behind her. A military officer stood before the low table at the far end, speaking quietly to a young woman. Whatever he said made her rise reluctantly before following him out of the main hall.
Zhu Jin withdrew her gaze, puzzled. Why would a young woman be seated in the main hall? But it didn’t matter—she dismissed the thought just as quickly.
The dance ended, the girls arching gracefully into their final pose. Sha Ying was the first to applaud.
Wu Tonghai immediately followed, clapping so hard his palms turned red. With a guileless smile, he asked, "Great General, what did you think?"
Huo Tingshan merely replied, "You’ve gone to great trouble, Chamberlain Wu."
Wu Tonghai’s smile widened. He pointed at Zhu Jin and feigned scolding, "Zhu Jin, where are your manners? Hurry and attend to him."
Zhang Zhizi gritted her teeth. She knew Chamberlain Wu played favorites.
Zhu Jin’s heart soared—until the man at the head of the hall spoke coolly, "No need. Let someone else serve."
Chamberlain Wu was stunned. Did Huo Youzhou actually disdain Zhu Jin?
With her rosy cheeks, fair skin, and alluring figure, how could he refuse?
Surely he was just being modest?
Unwilling to give up, Wu Tonghai pressed, "Great General, Zhu Jin told me earlier of her deep admiration for you—"
Before he could finish, Huo Tingshan scoffed. "Countless women in this land admire me. If I had to indulge every one of them, I might as well hang a sign outside a brothel and let them line up."
Wu Tonghai’s face turned ashen.
Xiong Mao silently took a sip of wine.
The Great General’s tongue grew sharper by the day.
With Huo Tingshan’s blunt refusal, the banquet’s atmosphere grew awkward. Wu Tonghai dared not push further.
The rest of the evening passed without incident.
Meng Ling'er left midway but didn’t return to her room. Instead, she went to Pei Ying’s quarters.
It was her first banquet, and her mother hadn’t attended. The girl was eager to share everything she’d seen.
Pei Ying listened as her daughter animatedly described Chamberlain Wu’s shifting expressions and the beautiful dancers who had captivated the audience.
At the mention of "captivated," Pei Ying relaxed.
Good. As long as he noticed them, that was enough.
After seeing her daughter off, Pei Ying murmured, "Perhaps I’ll sleep well tonight."
She bathed, changed, and settled into bed.
Just as she reached to draw the gauzy bed curtains, a knock came at the door.
"Xin Jin, the door isn’t locked," Pei Ying called.
She had left it open so her maid could collect the laundry.
There was little need to lock it anyway—the Governor’s residence was heavily guarded, and that dog-spirited neighbor of hers had promised not to barge in at night.
The door creaked open.
A folding screen blocked her view, but the footsteps sounded… off.
Pei Ying frowned. "Xin Jin?"
"Madam."
A familiar male voice.
Pei Ying’s grip on the bed curtains tightened.
Him? Why was he here?
