Huo Tingshan’s shifting mood was anything but subtle, and Pei Ying could sense it clearly. After her words, the air around him grew noticeably colder.
Pei Ying couldn’t help but wonder.
Was it because too many flowers had died, and he was too heartbroken to bear anyone mentioning it?
Fine, then she wouldn’t bring it up.
Huo Tingshan caught the flicker of expression in Pei Ying’s eyes, his brows furrowing slightly.
What was going on in that little head of hers? She could craft something as intricate as scented soap, yet she couldn’t figure out something so simple.
Since when had she ever seen him obsessed with flowers?
Those delicate, high-maintenance things—unless someone paid him to take them, he wouldn’t bother.
Those big eyes of hers might as well be for nothing.
But then, another thought struck him. Perhaps the reason she didn’t understand was because her late husband had never given her flowers.
If she’d never experienced it before, how could she possibly know?
Pei Ying had always disagreed with the saying, "A woman’s heart is as deep as the ocean." The evidence was right in front of her—this man, who had been radiating a dark, oppressive aura just moments ago, now seemed inexplicably lighter.
Huo Tingshan picked up the jade chopsticks on the table. "Madam, I don’t actually like flowers."
Pei Ying was puzzled.
He didn’t like them?
Then why had he gone to such lengths to have those rare and exotic plants transported all the way from Changping Commandery to Yuanshan Commandery?
At that moment, Huo Tingshan turned his head, his gaze landing directly on Pei Ying—unflinching, undisguised.
Pei Ying froze, her pupils trembling slightly.
Could it be… he’d brought those flowers here for her?
Huo Tingshan saw the realization dawn on her and smugly helped himself to a piece of stir-fried pork. Then he glanced at her again, expecting to see a smile, only to find the beautiful woman beside him frowning, clearly displeased.
His movements paused. "Didn’t Madam say she admired those rare and exotic blooms?"
So why wasn’t she happy now that he’d brought them?
She was even harder to please than the flowers.
Pei Ying sighed softly. "I do find them beautiful, but General, not all rare plants can endure such a long journey. Moving them here has caused some to wither."
Huo Tingshan replied matter-of-factly, "Discard the ones that don’t survive. Madam need only look at the ones that do."
"To love flowers is to cherish them. If forcing them here only leads to their demise, then what’s the point? Besides, I’ve already had the pleasure of admiring their beauty before. That’s enough for me," Pei Ying said earnestly.
Huo Tingshan chuckled. "Madam, you’ve misunderstood. If those rare blooms weren’t taken by force, they’d likely meet their end anyway. Changping Commandery isn’t what it used to be. With no new governor appointed yet, the governor’s mansion stands empty, tended by only a handful of indifferent servants. When my men arrived, they found half the flowers in the rear garden had already withered."
Pei Ying murmured, "I see…"
"So Madam need not feel guilty. If those flowers could speak, they’d probably be thanking you," Huo Tingshan said.
Pei Ying still looked worried. "But what will happen to them when we leave the Governor’s residence?"
Hearing her say "we," Huo Tingshan’s lips curved deeper. "Naturally, they’ll be sent back to Youzhou."
Though Jizhou and Youzhou were neighboring regions, Yuanshan Commandery was located in the southern part of Jizhou. To reach Youzhou, one would practically have to traverse the entirety of Jizhou. Pei Ying sighed with melancholy, "With all this trouble, I doubt many will survive the journey. Perhaps we should just leave it be. When we depart, we can gift those rare and exotic flowers to the local gentry. Their households have no shortage of servants, and since these flowers came from the Governor's residence, they should be able to care for them well."
Huo Tingshan's expression remained indifferent. "This relocation was rushed. Next time, I'll find an experienced gardener to ensure all those rare blooms arrive in Youzhou intact."
Hearing his resolute tone, Pei Ying said no more.
Secretly, she couldn't help but doubt his stubbornness—clearly, he had a fondness for flowers if he was already planning to bring them back to Youzhou with a gardener.
After lunch, Pei Ying took another stroll through the rear garden.
She had to admit, the efficiency of Youzhou’s guards was impressive. In just one morning, they had completed the task.
Some of the originally arranged rockeries had been removed, replaced with an array of exotic flowers. Lush greenery intertwined with vibrant blossoms, and a winding pebble path led deep into the floral abundance.
It was autumn, a season when most flowers should have withered, yet some unfamiliar blooms still thrived in full splendor. Pei Ying lingered in the garden for an hour before returning to her chambers for an afternoon rest.
The day passed in the blink of an eye.
Meng Ling'er had been counting the days, eagerly awaiting her day off.
When the long-awaited break finally arrived, she only lazed in bed for a short while before rising, washing up, and joining Pei Ying for breakfast.
The two had a simple meal—noodles with an egg and some greens.
Once finished, mother and daughter stepped out.
But no sooner had they left their quarters than Pei Ying spotted Huo Tingshan entering the courtyard from outside.
They met face to face.
"Have you had breakfast, Madam?" Huo Tingshan asked.
Pei Ying nodded.
Huo Tingshan noticed they were dressed more formally than usual, with Meng Ling'er even carrying a bulging money pouch at her waist—clearly prepared for an outing.
"Where are you planning to go for leisure today?" the man inquired.
Pei Ying answered truthfully, "We haven’t decided yet. We thought we’d wander around freely."
Huo Tingshan said, "I’ll have Chen Yuan accompany you."
Meng Ling'er murmured, "There’s no need to trouble Colonel Chen. The guards will suffice."
But her protest fell on deaf ears. Huo Tingshan had the final say, and in the end, Chen Yuan, along with three other Youzhou guards, followed them out of the residence.
The carriage wheels rolled over the thick stone slabs of the city, slowly making their way into the marketplace.
Meng Ling'er lifted the curtain, gazing outside with excitement and curiosity. "Yuanshan Commandery truly lives up to being the Governor’s seat—far more bustling than other places."
She had once roamed Guangping Commandery extensively to deceive that burly man, but Yuanshan Commandery had only been glimpsed briefly upon their arrival.
Even then, she had noticed the stark contrast between the two cities. Now, observing it more closely, Meng Ling'er was even more enchanted by the lively streets of Yuanshan. Her thoughts drifted to another city. "Mother, if Yuanshan is already like this, what must Chang’an be like?"
Pei Ying smiled. "Undoubtedly even more magnificent."
Meng Ling'er sighed with longing. "One day, I must visit Chang’an."
Chen Yuan rode alongside the carriage, listening to their conversation. His brow twitched slightly.
A provincial governor could not enter the capital without imperial summons. The Grand General couldn’t go to Chang’an, and neither could he—there was no way Huo Tingshan would let Pei Ying travel there without him.
But then again, Chen Yuan thought it might not be so difficult. Emperor Zhao had been obsessed with Daoist practices, alchemy, and the pursuit of immortality in recent years—perhaps he only had a few years left…
Chang’an was still a viable destination.
"Stop here, this is far enough," Meng Ling'er called out.
Strolling through the market was meant to be done on foot—what was the point of riding in a carriage the whole time?
The carriage gradually came to a halt, and Meng Ling'er stepped down, sweeping her gaze across the bustling street. She soon let out a soft exclamation of surprise. "What festival is today? The streets seem unusually lively."
Nearby, someone had stopped by the mouth of an alley, setting out fruits, vegetables, and a couple of flatbreads from a bamboo basket.
Shui Su thought for a moment before suddenly gasping. "Young mistress, today is the Ghost Festival."
Meng Ling'er was momentarily dazed. "So it’s already the Ghost Festival… Time passes so quickly."
These days, she had been occupied with lessons from her tutors, her schedule packed from dawn till dusk. Sometimes, it felt as if mere blinks of an eye had turned into days.
The Ghost Festival was both a celebration of harvest and a day to honor ancestors.
Meng Ling'er thought of her father. She turned to Pei Ying. "Mother, let’s go buy some offerings."
Pei Ying, too, seemed momentarily lost in thought upon hearing it was the Ghost Festival. She nodded once she regained her composure.
Meng Ducang’s grave was not in Yuanshan Commandery, so leaving offerings at the alleyway would be improper. After purchasing the ritual items, the two took the carriage to a nearby temple.
The temple in Yuanshan Commandery was located in the outskirts, called White Steed Temple, and today it was unusually crowded.
There were noblewomen in lavish attire, arriving in ornate carriages surrounded by servants, as well as commoners who came on foot, carrying baskets filled with offerings.
Incense smoke curled upward, and Buddhist chants filled the air. Meng Ling'er went to the donation box to contribute some incense money before kneeling beside Pei Ying on the prayer mats.
The young girl clasped her hands together, murmuring prayers under her breath.
Pei Ying also closed her eyes.
She had never known Meng Ducang, so she simply wished for him to be reborn under a peaceful banner in his next life, spared from the ravages of war. The rest of her prayers were for her daughter and herself.
She prayed for safety, and for the day she could take Ling'er away from Huo Tingshan, settling in a quiet, harmonious town where they could live in peace.
After paying their respects, the mother and daughter lit ceremonial lamps before making their way to the temple’s central courtyard.
Long tables had been set up in the courtyard, laden with offerings of lamb and pig, along with ritual vessels and wine jars.
The ground was damp, and those abstaining from alcohol came and went in an endless stream.
Amid the crowd, Pei Ying accidentally bumped into someone as she turned. The woman behind her, holding a wine cup, jolted in surprise, spilling most of the clear liquor onto her own robes.
Pei Ying gasped and quickly apologized, offering her handkerchief to help wipe the stain. "My apologies, I didn’t see you there."
"It’s nothing—I was the one in too much of a hurry. How could you have seen me from in front?" The woman’s tone was gentle, without a trace of anger.
Pei Ying’s gaze, initially fixed on the woman’s sleeve, drifted upward.
The woman she had collided with had a round, pleasant face—the picture of gentle grace. Her hair was styled in a loose "fallen horse" bun, adorned with gold and jade hairpins, and she wore a pair of pearl earrings. Clearly, she came from a wealthy family.
Ming Lianxin was momentarily stunned when she caught sight of Pei Ying, noting her elegant attire and silently wondering when such a distinguished figure had arrived in Yuanshan Commandery.
"Mother, where are you?" someone called out loudly.
Ming Lianxin quickly turned to respond, but the crowd was thick, and everyone was busy abstaining from alcohol while murmuring prayers under their breath. Her voice was too soft, and her reply went unheard.
Pei Ying suggested, "Perhaps we should move to the outer area first."
Ming Lianxin nodded. The wine in her hand had spilled, leaving little choice.
Pei Ying, being slightly taller, led the way, parting the crowd with ease and soon guiding Ming Lianxin out.
"Mother!" The same voice called again.
Pei Ying spotted a young woman dressed in men's clothing. Her features bore a faint resemblance to the older woman, but her brows and expression carried more of her father's boldness, giving her a striking, spirited air.
"Mother, why is your robe wet?" Qiu Banxia exclaimed in alarm.
Ming Lianxin hurriedly reassured her, "It’s nothing—just a little damp. I’ll change when we return."
Pei Ying felt even more apologetic. "After the ceremony, if you have time, Madam, I’d like to invite you to the silk shop with me."
Had the other party reacted with anger, she might not have bothered apologizing, let alone offering to replace the ruined clothing. But Ming Lianxin’s graciousness only deepened her guilt.
Meanwhile, Meng Ling'er, having finished her ritual libation, turned to find Pei Ying missing and had no choice but to retreat from the crowd.
"Mother, what happened?" Meng Ling'er rushed over as well.
The two girls exchanged glances, and their eyes simultaneously lit up.
Meng Ling'er was captivated by the other’s masculine attire, while Qiu Banxia was drawn to the small dagger hanging at Meng Ling'er’s waist.
Meng Ling'er was anything but shy—and as luck would have it, neither was Qiu Banxia.
While Pei Ying and Ming Lianxin were still caught in polite exchanges, the two girls had already struck up a conversation.
When Meng Ling'er learned that Qiu Banxia practiced archery, her fingers itched with excitement.
Archery? She knew it too!
Could they spar?
The soldiers in her household were no match for her skill, leaving her with no worthy opponents for practice.
Qiu Banxia, in turn, was astonished to discover that Meng Ling'er not only shot arrows but also rode horses and knew some martial arts.
"You really can?" Qiu Banxia asked skeptically.
Few women trained in martial arts these days—most were pressured into embroidery for marriage prospects. She’d only learned archery because her father, defying tradition, had allowed it.
Meng Ling'er lifted her chin. "Of course. If you don’t believe me, we can test each other another day."
By the time Pei Ying finished her stiff conversation with Ming Lianxin and turned back, she was met with the sight of her daughter and the other girl already arm in arm, acting like long-lost sisters.
Pei Ying wiped her brow in mild exasperation.
When it came to socializing, her daughter far outshone her.
Ming Lianxin wore a similarly bemused expression. The two mothers stood awkwardly to the side, silent, while their daughters chattered away animatedly.
Someone chuckled—perhaps one of them—and the stiff atmosphere suddenly eased.
Before long, the once-strangers exchanged names.
Pei Ying learned that the other woman was the fourth daughter-in-law of the Qiu family in Yuanshan Commandery.
The Qiu family meant nothing to Pei Ying, who assumed they were merely ordinary merchants, so she remained unfazed.
This left the maidservant accompanying Ming Lianxin quite astonished. Hearing that the Qiu family remained unmoved, she wondered which noble household this woman hailed from.
The other party had introduced her background, so Pei Ying felt obliged to respond, though she no longer had much of a family to speak of. She simply said, "I am not from Yuanshan Commandery. I am merely passing through with... relatives and friends."
Ming Lianxin was not surprised. If Yuanshan Commandery had a noblewoman of such striking beauty, she would surely have been renowned by now.
In the end, Ming Lianxin declined Pei Ying’s offer to compensate for her dress, suggesting instead that they visit a teahouse in the city, where Pei Ying could treat her to a small pot of tea. Pei Ying readily agreed.
Pei Ying’s carriage was parked some distance from Ming Lianxin’s. Somehow, Chen Yuan had managed to secure the spot right by the entrance, allowing Pei Ying and Meng Ling'er to board immediately upon stepping out.
Qiu Banxia watched Pei Ying’s carriage, her gaze sweeping over Chen Yuan and the surrounding Youzhou soldiers. She whispered to her mother, "Mother, this lady must be someone of importance. But why is there no family crest on her carriage?"
It was customary for prominent families to display their crests—usually wooden plaques carved with their surnames—on their carriages when traveling, signaling their identity to others and facilitating mediation in case of disputes.
Ming Lianxin replied softly, "Lady Pei mentioned earlier that she is merely passing through Yuanshan Commandery and will likely leave soon. Perhaps she saw no need to display a crest."
Qiu Banxia nodded. "That makes sense."
The two carriages entered the city one after the other and soon stopped in front of a teahouse.
Pei Ying requested a private room and ordered a pot of tea.
The popular method of preparing tea at the time was the Shu-style infusion, where tea leaves were boiled into a thick broth with salt, ginger, citrus peel, fruit pulp, and mint.
As Pei Ying and Ming Lianxin sipped their tea, still easing into the conversation, Meng Ling'er and Qiu Banxia were already chatting animatedly.
Learning that Pei Ying and her daughter had only recently arrived in Yuanshan Commandery, Qiu Banxia said, "Today is the Ghost Festival. Later in the evening, there will be celebrations, and many people will release river lanterns. If you’re in no hurry to return home, you should visit Yuanshui River. When night falls, the water glows with countless lights, and the lanterns come in all shapes and colors—it’s truly a breathtaking sight."
Meng Ling'er was immediately captivated and turned to her mother with a pleading look.
Pei Ying chuckled. "Then we’ll stay a little longer before heading back."
Qiu Banxia couldn’t help but sigh enviously. "How nice. My father never allows my mother and me to stay out late. If we return too late, we’ll be scolded."
"I’m going to release a lantern for him. He’ll understand," Meng Ling'er said.
Qiu Banxia froze, then quickly apologized when she realized her blunder.
Ming Lianxin, too, was taken aback to learn that Pei Ying was a widow—and that the topic had been inadvertently raised by her own daughter. She looked at Pei Ying with uneasy sympathy.
Pei Ying refilled Ming Lianxin’s cup and said gently, "It’s alright."
At the Governor’s residence, Huo Tingshan glanced at the sky outside. Dusk was approaching, the bright hues of the horizon slowly shifting to amber.
"Has my wife returned yet?" Huo Tingshan asked a guard.
A moment later, the guard reported, "General, she has not."
Huo Tingshan stood with his hands behind his back, staring at the sky.
Night was about to fall, and she was still out wandering. Was she planning to count every cobblestone in Yuanshan Commandery before coming home?
Noticing Huo Tingshan’s expression, the guard ventured, "Today is the Ghost Festival. The city is bustling with celebrations—perhaps that’s why she’s delayed."
Huo Tingshan’s face remained cold. "The Ghost Festival."
On the day of the sacrificial festival, she went to pay respects to her ill-fated husband.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Huo Tingshan's expression darkened. "Prepare the horses!"
After leaving the teahouse, Pei Ying and Ming Lianxin went their separate ways—the former continued strolling, while the latter headed home.
As night fell, the city grew unusually lively. The thunderous sound of drums echoed from afar, and amidst the bustling streets, clusters of torches were lit as a procession approached.
This was no ordinary parade. The group was primarily composed of men dressed in identical short robes, marching in orderly rows. They carried large wooden platforms on their shoulders, laden with sacrificial offerings—livestock, an array of dishes, and five types of fruits.
The long procession snaked through the streets like a dragon, stirring waves of cheers wherever it passed.
The streets were packed with people, their faces illuminated by the flickering torchlight, each praying for a prosperous year ahead.
Suddenly, a voice rang out: "May the mulberry trees bear no stray branches, the wheat yield double spikes. Come autumn, may the harvest be bountiful!"
"May the mulberry trees bear no stray branches, the wheat yield double spikes. Come autumn, may the harvest be bountiful!"
The chant spread like a tidal wave, echoing far and wide.
Pei Ying stood by the roadside, holding Meng Ling'er's hand, watching the fiery procession pass by, utterly captivated.
Both mother and daughter were enchanted—one had never seen such a spectacle before, the other had never witnessed one so grand. From time to time, they gasped in unison.
Once the procession had moved on, Pei Ying led Meng Ling'er toward the river, but the girl suddenly stopped, drawn to something else.
"Mother, look—there are masks! I want to buy one," Meng Ling'er said, tugging Pei Ying toward a vendor's stall.
The vendor beamed at the potential customers. "Young miss, would you like a mask? I have every design imaginable!"
The masks came in all shapes—rabbits, foxes, tigers, even grotesque, fanged demons.
Meng Ling'er picked up a tiger mask and held it to her face, turning to Pei Ying. "Mother, do I look good?"
The mask was carved from wood, with holes on either side for a string to fasten it. To keep it from being too heavy, it covered only the upper half of the face, curving like a crescent moon from the nose upward, leaving the lower half exposed.
Pei Ying smiled. "You look lovely."
Grinning, Meng Ling'er then handed Pei Ying a white rabbit mask. "You should wear one too, Mother. Otherwise, I'll feel odd being the only one."
In the end, they bought two masks.
Besides the masks, Pei Ying also purchased two lotus-shaped water lanterns. It was common for people to inscribe messages on them, letting the lanterns carry their words to distant loved ones.
"Madam."
Amid the bustling crowd, with vendors hawking their wares and buyers haggling, the noise was overwhelming. Yet, strangely, Pei Ying heard a familiar male voice cutting through the clamor.
The voice was deep, sometimes tinged with nonchalance, as if nothing in the world could ruffle him.
Pei Ying paused and glanced over.
To her surprise, it wasn’t her imagination.
A few steps away, a towering figure stood in the middle of the street—clad in black robes, an ornate crown atop his head, a ring-pommeled sword at his waist. Though his expression was impassive, his presence loomed like mountains and seas.
Even in the chaotic throng, an invisible space seemed to form around him, as if even the children darting through the crowd instinctively veered away.
Huo Tingshan stepped forward, his gaze lowering to meet Pei Ying's.
The beautiful woman wore a half-rabbit mask on her face, crafted with remarkable detail, complete with two long ears carved atop it. The mask concealed most of her features, revealing only her soft, alluring lips and a pair of deep, dark eyes that held a trace of confusion, as if questioning why he had come.
Huo Tingshan said nothing. Suddenly, he reached out and tugged at the ribbon securing Pei Ying’s mask.
With a startled gasp from Pei Ying, the rabbit mask slipped from her face, only to be caught in a large, well-defined hand. After removing the mask, Huo Tingshan studied her for a moment before placing it back over her face. Then, with one hand resting on her shoulder, he turned her around and deftly retied the ribbons.
Pei Ying was utterly bewildered by his actions. "What are you doing?" she asked.
Huo Tingshan chuckled. "Just making sure my wife hasn’t been swapped out by someone else."
Pei Ying pressed her lips together. This man was truly peculiar.
"Mother, I’ve finished writing. You—" Meng Ling'er straightened up from the stall, only to freeze mid-sentence when she spotted Huo Tingshan.
Noticing that Meng Ling'er also wore a mask, Huo Tingshan’s gaze shifted to the two water lanterns in her hands—one already inscribed, the other still blank.
"Where does my lady plan to release the lanterns?" Huo Tingshan asked, taking the unmarked lantern from Meng Ling'er.
Pei Ying replied that they were heading to the Distant Water River.
"Let’s go," Huo Tingshan said, leading the way with the lantern in hand.
Mother and daughter had no choice but to follow.
After walking some distance, Meng Ling'er belatedly realized—
Wait, her mother’s lantern hadn’t been inscribed yet!
The girl hesitated. She didn’t dare call for a stop outright, but if she didn’t, her mother’s lantern would be sent off blank. How could that be allowed?
Her eyes darting about, the little girl lagged behind by a few steps and approached Chen Yuan, whispering a quick request.
The banks of the Distant Water River were crowded today, filled with people releasing lanterns. Some had already set theirs afloat.
The river’s surface shimmered with countless points of light, the lotus-shaped lanterns spinning gently on the water like blossoms that had bloomed naturally upon the river. The lanterns formed a radiant chain, their glow dazzling—a truly breathtaking sight.
Pei Ying realized that Huo Tingshan’s presence wasn’t entirely without its benefits. His commanding aura alone, though he did nothing overt, effortlessly secured them the best spot by the river.
Huo Tingshan returned the lantern to Pei Ying.
Just as she was about to release it, her daughter hurried over and pressed something into her hand. "Mother, your lantern hasn’t been inscribed yet! Quickly, write something with this charcoal pen before you set it afloat."
In Pei Ying’s palm now lay a small stub of charcoal, shorter than a finger—likely the kind street vendors carried to jot down small accounts.
Huo Tingshan’s gaze lingered on the charcoal pen before shifting to Chen Yuan, who stood further back.
Chen Yuan fidgeted nervously and murmured, "Master."
In the end, Pei Ying wrote only two words—"Wishing you well"—before placing the lantern on the river.
The flowing water carried it away, the lantern drifting gradually into the distance.
Huo Tingshan stood beside Pei Ying, watching her expression sidelong. The lantern’s glow cast a faint light on her lowered lashes, dark as a raven’s wing. Though the mask hid her face, the slight tightening of her lips betrayed a quiet solemnity.
"The lanterns are released. Let’s head back," Huo Tingshan said.
Pei Ying noticed her daughter’s clenched fists and knew she was reluctant, so she said, "It’s only just gotten dark. Perhaps we should wait a little longer."
Huo Tingshan, however, replied, "Today is the Ghost Festival. The air is thick with yin energy. It’s best to return early."
Pei Ying was stunned.
As far as she knew, this man was a staunch atheist. Since when did he start talking about "yin energy" and such things?
Huo Tingshan added, "If Madam wishes to stroll the markets, we can do so tomorrow."
Hearing his tone, Pei Ying understood there was no room for negotiation. She could only board the carriage with her daughter.
The carriage made its way back to the Governor’s residence.
Upon their return, Meng Ling’er retreated to her own courtyard.
Pei Ying’s quarters were in the same courtyard as Huo Tingshan’s, and the two entered the main compound one after the other.
"Madam."
Just as Pei Ying was about to retire to her room, she heard him call out to her. "Does the General have business with me?"
"The day after tomorrow, you will accompany me to a banquet," Huo Tingshan stated.
Pei Ying thought for a moment. "Is it hosted by the local gentry?"
With Jizhou now under new rule, it was no surprise that the powerful families would seek to establish ties with its new governor. Some must have succeeded.
Huo Tingshan nodded. "Madam is perceptive."
Pei Ying frowned slightly. "Can’t you go alone? I don’t even know these people."
Huo Tingshan replied, "You don’t need to know them."
Pei Ying held his gaze for a moment, but seeing no intention to relent, she finally said, "Just so we’re clear, I’ve never attended such events before. If I accidentally embarrass you, don’t blame me. I won’t take responsibility."
"You won’t be held responsible." With that, Huo Tingshan raised his hand and, to Pei Ying’s astonishment, pinched her cheek lightly.
Hmm, still warm.
Just as quickly, Huo Tingshan withdrew his hand leisurely. "Madam should rest early."
Pei Ying stared at him wide-eyed.
What on earth was wrong with this man?
