Pei Ying was indeed at Meng Ling'er's residence.
She had arrived before dinner, first greeting her daughter who had just returned from her lessons, then sharing a meal with the cheerful girl.
After dinner, Pei Ying told her daughter that she wouldn’t be returning to her own courtyard that night—instead, she would stay and sleep with her.
The little girl was overjoyed, immediately instructing Shui Su to prepare an extra set of bedding.
It had been so long since she last shared a bed with her mother.
"Mother, once I finish my homework, let’s have a good chat tonight," Meng Ling'er said as she sat at her desk, ready to begin her assignments.
Pei Ying smiled and nodded.
Outside, the night deepened, while inside, the candlelight burned quietly. The occasional sound of brushstrokes on paper filled the room—soft, peaceful, a picture of serene contentment.
Pei Ying sat on the cushioned bench by the window, watching her daughter write diligently, her heart swelling with pride.
This was how a middle schooler ought to be.
Just as she was about to return to the travelogue in her hands, Pei Ying caught sight of a tall, imposing figure entering the courtyard from beyond the window.
The man moved with the commanding presence of a tiger, his aura so distinct from ordinary folk that even from a distance, his sharp, blade-like intensity was unmistakable.
Pei Ying’s pupils trembled slightly. She looked again—no, she hadn’t mistaken him.
Huo Tingshan had come.
A faint sting pricked her tongue as she pressed her lips together, her grip on the book tightening unconsciously.
Xin Jin and Shui Su stood guard outside. The moment they saw Huo Tingshan, they bowed deeply in greeting.
Huo Tingshan had no patience for pleasantries. "Tell your mistress," he said coldly, "she can either come out, or I’ll go in."
Xin Jin relayed the message.
Pei Ying set the book aside and rose from the bench.
This was her daughter’s bedchamber—no place for a man to barge in, especially not a man as predatory as him.
Noticing something amiss, Meng Ling'er assumed her mother was bored. "Mother, I have other books here if you’d like something else to read?" she offered quickly.
Pei Ying shook her head. "I’ll step out for a moment. Be good and finish your homework, darling."
"Alright!"
Pei Ying stepped outside, where the towering figure stood in the dimly lit courtyard. The faint lantern light barely touched him, as if the surrounding darkness were an extension of his own menacing aura.
She approached slowly. "General, what brings you here?"
Hearing her question, Huo Tingshan’s lips curled into a deeper smirk. "I noticed my wife had yet to return, and thought perhaps her big eyes had failed her again, leaving her lost in the estate. So I came to fetch her myself."
Pei Ying lowered her voice. "I won’t be returning to the main courtyard tonight."
Huo Tingshan scoffed, about to retort, when Pei Ying continued, "Today, Ling'er fell from her horse during riding lessons and got hurt. I need to stay with her. If you doubt my word, you can ask Captain Chen."
Everyone in the household knew Meng Ling'er was Pei Ying’s most treasured. Huo Tingshan, more than anyone, understood the lengths she would go for her daughter.
When disaster had struck before, she had begged anyone capable of saving her child—him included. It was mere coincidence that he had been the one by her side at the time, leading to all that followed.
Huo Tingshan’s mocking expression faded. "Is the young lady alright? Should I summon Physician Feng?"
Pei Ying shook her head. "No need. I’ve already applied medicine."
Huo Tingshan nodded. "Very well. Then stay with her tonight."
With that, he turned and strode out of the courtyard.
Only when his intimidating figure had vanished did Pei Ying finally exhale, though a twinge of guilt lingered.
What she had told him was true—but not the whole truth.
Ling'er had indeed fallen, but Captain Chen had intervened swiftly. The girl had only bruised her leg—so minor that, as Ling'er herself had put it:
"Mother, I don’t even need medicine. If I’d waited any longer to show you, the bruise would’ve faded on its own!"
As for suggesting Huo Tingshan verify with Captain Chen—that was merely to lend credibility to her words.
She was certain he wouldn’t bother.
The man was far too busy, and likely couldn’t care less about a little girl’s scrapes.
That night, Pei Ying slept soundly with her daughter in her arms.
For the next four days, she remained in Ling'er’s courtyard, sharing meals and bedtime. Perhaps out of consideration for the girl’s fall and need for comfort, Huo Tingshan didn’t seek her out again.
At first, the little girl had been puzzled by her mother’s sudden presence, but the unexpected joy of it outweighed any questions. Soon, she embraced the happiness without another thought.
Soon enough, Meng Ling'er’s day off arrived.
The girl rose early, dressed carefully in an outfit chosen by Shui Su, and set out after breakfast.
She had plans with Qiu Banxia—first browsing jewelry at the silver shop, then strolling the market, followed by lunch and further adventures.
Daytime in Yuanshan County was always bustling, the streets alive with carriages and vendors’ cries.
Meng Ling'er rode her chestnut pony to their meeting spot, dismounting just as Qiu Banxia emerged from inside.
"Ling'er, you came on horseback!" Qiu Banxia’s eyes sparkled with envy. "Your uncle dotes on you so—giving you such a fine horse without a second thought. My father won’t even let me ride in town."
The chestnut mare was small but exquisite, her coat glossy, mane silken, and eyes bright with intelligence. Clearly, she was no ordinary steed.
Meng Ling'er had been ready to preen at the first remark, but the mention of an "uncle" made her freeze.
"Uncle?" she echoed, baffled.
What uncle? Her mother did have brothers, but they had all gone to Bingzhou—none remained in Jizhou.
It took her a moment to connect the title to Huo Tingshan, and her face paled.
"Ling'er?" Qiu Banxia frowned at her reaction. "Was the pony not a gift from your uncle?"
Meng Ling'er’s emotions churned. She wanted to correct her—Huo Tingshan was no uncle—but hesitated.
If Qiu Banxia believed this, her family must have assumed as much. A familial tie was a safer explanation than a mere guest. Better to let the misunderstanding stand.
So she swallowed her words. "No, it wasn’t from him. My riding instructor assigned it to me, saying I’d get a taller horse once my skills improved."
Qiu Banxia pouted. "What’s the difference? The instructor answers to your uncle anyway. If he hadn’t allowed it, you wouldn’t have gotten such a fine horse."
Meng Ling'er had no rebuttal. She changed the subject. "Never mind that. Let’s go inside."
Qiu Banxia wasn’t one to press. Arm in arm, the two girls entered the silver shop.
"Shared Splendor" was the largest jewelry store in Yuanshan County, showcasing the season’s latest designs. Its clientele consisted mostly of the wealthy and noble.
Though Qiu Banxia practiced martial arts and often wore men's clothing, she also adored the beautiful dresses and exquisite jewelry favored by ordinary young women—this shared taste made her and Meng Ling'er instantly click.
Thus, the two girls happily made plans to meet today at Gong Fanhua.
The silver tower stood five stories high, each floor offering different wares: outer garments, undergarments, all kinds of jewelry, and cosmetics—everything one could desire.
Meng Ling'er browsed through each item but merely looked, refraining from splurging.
While these goods would be considered rare luxuries for ordinary wealthy families, the chests upon chests of jewels in her own room far outshone what was displayed here.
Having already acquired the finest pieces, she found these unremarkable. As for fabrics, after obtaining Shu brocade, all others paled in comparison.
Still, examining the styles was worthwhile. If she fancied any designs, she could always have the fabric sent here for custom tailoring later.
The two girls explored all five floors in one go. Qiu Banxia bought a great many things, as if stocking up for a season, while Meng Ling'er only picked up some cosmetics.
Watching Qiu Banxia direct servants to load the purchases—bundles large and small—into the carriage, Meng Ling'er marveled inwardly.
The Qiu family was far wealthier than she had imagined. Back in Beichuan County, she could afford at most two pieces of jewelry a month.
Noticing her reaction, Qiu Banxia grinned. "Ling'er, to be honest, this is the first time I've ever gone on such a shopping spree. My uncle and the others knew I'd be out with you today, so they gave me extra silver. Normally, I couldn’t spend like this—my father isn’t the family head, after all."
Meng Ling'er's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Then shall we visit a few more shops?"
"Hahaha, splendid idea! At noon, I’ll treat you to a meal."
And so, the two indulged in another round of shopping.
By midday, Qiu Banxia led Meng Ling'er to a restaurant—one she had chosen carefully, knowing it was excellent. On previous visits, the place had been sparsely populated, but today, it was unexpectedly crowded.
Stranger still, many patrons had ordered nothing more than a fruit platter or the cheapest pot of tea, as if they had come solely to loiter.
A waiter approached them. "Young misses, where would you prefer to dine—a private room or the main hall?"
Qiu Banxia asked, "Why is it so busy today? Is there some special event?"
The waiter shook his head. "Not at all. These guests are here to listen to the gazette."
Qiu Banxia had been holed up at home practicing archery lately, oblivious to outside news, and Meng Ling'er was even more out of touch, buried in her studies day and night.
Exchanging a glance, Meng Ling'er said, "We’ll sit in the main hall."
The waiter guided them to their seats.
Just as they finished ordering, two more men entered.
"Hurry, Brother Zhao, or we’ll miss the beginning!"
"Brother Luo, is the Yuanshan County gazette truly as entertaining as you claim?"
"Absolutely! Otherwise, I wouldn’t have rushed you here the moment you arrived in Yuanshan County. We’ll dine while listening—pure bliss. Ah, here it comes!"
Meng Ling'er turned toward the entrance and spotted two Youzhou soldiers with ring-pommel swords at their waists.
One guard carried a rolled-up sheet of rattan paper. Upon entering, they strode to the central table, where a wooden sign reading "Reserved" had been placed earlier. The guard casually flipped the sign aside and unfurled the paper.
"Today’s Yuanshan County Gazette," the guard announced in a booming voice that carried to every corner of the room.
"Since the Wheat Cultivation Policy was enacted, 1,698 households have purchased subsidized wheat seeds from the government offices."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"That’s over 200 more than yesterday—quite the rapid increase."
"With seeds that cheap, who wouldn’t buy them? Just wait. After this initial hesitation, even more will come forward."
The guard continued, "News from Changping County: The cleanup of collapsed homes in Sanxiang and Anshun Counties—the areas hardest hit by the recent earthquake—has been completed. Reconstruction of the first batch of houses is now underway. Latest figures report 532 children orphaned by the disaster."
The diners sighed in sympathy.
"So young, yet left with no parents… How will they manage?"
"Don’t fret. Since the authorities have disclosed the numbers, surely measures will follow."
Qiu Banxia also sighed. "So many families torn apart by this earthquake."
In mourning customs, a fatherless child was called an orphan, a motherless child a bereaved one. Those who lost both parents were termed "orphaned and bereaved."
Meng Ling'er thought of Zhao Ziyao, who had lost his parents overnight. Where had he gone afterward? She vaguely recalled him saying he would head to Chang'an to serve the general with unwavering loyalty.
The guard read on, "By order of the Grand General, an Orphanage shall be established in Sanxiang County to care for children under twelve who have lost both parents. Local skilled women will be hired to teach girls needlework, and martial escorts will train boys in escort duties. Once they gain the means to support themselves, they will repay the living expenses incurred during their stay."
"Brilliant! The general is truly benevolent."
"For those orphans to encounter the general during his visit to Ji Province is a stroke of fortune amid tragedy."
Someone nearby muttered, "Why make the orphans repay? The general isn’t short on silver. True benevolence would waive the debt—"
Before he could finish, another patron slammed the table and stood.
"Earthquakes aren’t new. How many officials in the past turned a blind eye, offering nothing but empty condolences? Even if we disregard Grand General Huo’s immediate disaster relief, his long-term planning for these orphans alone merits praise!"
"Exactly! Five hundred mouths to feed—and growing children eat like wolves. This support will last years."
"Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime. Hiring instructors for years—do you think that costs nothing?"
"If repayment weren’t required, who’s to stop people from sneaking their own children into the system? If you care so much, why not donate yourself? Easy to criticize when it’s not your silver."
The critic hadn’t expected his single remark to draw such fierce backlash.
Under the collective glare of the room—eyes sharp as blades—he could no longer stay and hastily left.
Meng Ling'er gaped at the scene, only snapping out of her daze when the hall settled back into calm.
"Ling'er, your uncle is a true hero!" Qiu Banxia said earnestly after hearing the gazette.
Meng Ling'er found herself at a loss for words, her emotions too tangled to express.
In her previous understanding, that man had absolutely no connection to being a great hero. Due to some unresolved matters between him and her mother, she had even once considered him a ruthless and unscrupulous predator.
She had never truly felt grateful for the privileges she now enjoyed in the Governor's residence, believing they were solely the result of her mother's efforts. Otherwise, given the notorious reputation of that barbaric Youzhou brute—who was known to publicly abduct innocent women—her mother would have long been taken into his harem and toyed with at his whim.
But today, she witnessed another side of him.
The reverence the common people held for him clashed so sharply with her past perceptions that Meng Ling'er found it all surreal.
After sharing a midday meal at a tavern and listening to the daily news, the two young women finally departed.
They had originally planned to practice archery in the afternoon, but just as they stepped out of the tavern, someone called out to Qiu Banxia.
"Qiu Xiaojiu, what a coincidence!"
Qiu Banxia was the ninth among her siblings in the Qiu family, so close acquaintances often addressed her as Qiu Xiaojiu.
Turning around, Qiu Banxia recognized the caller and smiled. "Ah, it's Hua Xiaowu."
She then greeted the man beside Hua Rong. "Second Young Master Hua, are you accompanying your sister for a stroll?"
Meng Ling'er, seeing their conversation might drag on, also turned—and the sight before her made her breath catch.
A few steps away stood a young man in white robes, his dark hair tied high with a jade crown. Bathed in sunlight, he seemed to glow, his striking features accentuated by faint yet elegant brows. Just then, he smiled, and it was as if winter melted into spring, his charm undeniable.
For a heartbeat, Meng Ling'er felt her pulse skip.
"Qiu Xiaojiu, is this your new friend? Such a lovely young lady—won't you introduce us?" Hua Rong teased.
Qiu Banxia frowned inwardly. Her relationship with Hua Xiaowu was merely cordial, yet today the girl was unusually enthusiastic.
Still, she made the introductions.
"This is Meng Ling'er, niece of General Huo. She recently arrived in Yuanshan County with him."
Qiu Banxia first introduced Meng Ling'er before turning to the Hua siblings. "Ling'er, this is Second Young Master Hua Chengfeng, currently studying at the Yuanshan County official academy. The young lady beside him is Hua Rong, the fifth in her family. They are siblings."
Meng Ling'er knew nothing of the Hua family, but she noted that the young man in white was a scholar at the official academy.
Following the current path to officialdom, once he completed his studies, his mentors could recommend him to the court, where he would then compete with other scholars in examinations.
Those who excelled would be granted official positions.
As dusk fell, Pei Ying visited her daughter's courtyard before dinner.
Soon, her daughter returned.
Expecting another ordinary mother-daughter meal like the day before, Pei Ying soon noticed something amiss.
Her daughter was lost in thought, staring blankly into space before suddenly smiling, her cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling.
Pei Ying's brow twitched. After a moment's hesitation, she asked, "Sweetheart, did you have fun today with Miss Qiu?"
But her words seemed to go unheard.
Pei Ying reached out and patted her daughter's arm.
Meng Ling'er snapped back to reality, her face reddening further under her mother's gaze. "M-Mother, what is it?"
Pei Ying repeated her question with a smile.
"Very much!" Meng Ling'er replied without hesitation.
Without further prompting, she recounted their day—shopping at the silver shop, then listening to the news at the tavern.
"Mother, appearances can be deceiving," Meng Ling'er mused. "Had we not gone to the tavern today, I'd never have known how much the Youzhou army has done behind the scenes."
Pei Ying wasn't surprised.
General Huo had occasionally shared such matters with her during their meals. What her daughter described was already familiar to her.
But that wasn't what concerned her now. Tentatively, Pei Ying asked, "And after lunch? Where did you and Miss Qiu go?"
She watched as her daughter's face bloomed with shyness, and Pei Ying's heart sank.
Meng Ling'er saw no reason to hide anything. She and her mother had relied on each other for years. Back in Beichuan County, her mother had even told her that if she ever took a liking to a promising young man, she should say so—her mother would help arrange a good marriage.
So, with a bashful smile, Meng Ling'er began to explain.
And Pei Ying's worst fears were confirmed.
Her little girl had developed her first crush—on a young man she'd met in the streets today.
First love.
Well, not quite love yet, since nothing had happened between them.
But the stirrings of a young heart—ah, such was youth.
In the study, Chen Yuan stood before the desk and reported, "General, the scouts sent to Wukang County in Bingzhou have sent word—the iron mine has been located."
After Zhao Ziyao provided the location, Huo Tingshan had immediately dispatched scouts to Bingzhou. After days of searching, they had finally succeeded.
The result pleased Huo Tingshan.
"Have those scouts remain stationed in Wukang County," he ordered. "If the Bingzhou army makes any moves, report immediately. Tell them to stay vigilant and avoid alerting the enemy."
Bingzhou was not yet within their reach. Though Wukang County lay at its border, separated from Youzhou by only a small outpost, it was still out of their grasp for now.
After a few more instructions, Huo Tingshan dismissed Chen Yuan.
"Wait."
Chen Yuan, already at the door, turned back. "General, anything else?"
Huo Tingshan tapped his fingers on the desk twice. "I heard the girl fell from her horse a few days ago. How badly was she injured?"
It had been days, yet his wife remained in the girl's courtyard. If the injury was serious, she should have been sent to Physician Feng long ago—along with some sedatives to stop her from clinging to her mother day and night.
Chen Yuan hesitated briefly, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face.
Huo Tingshan lifted his gaze, his tone icy. "Have you lost your tongue?"
"Miss Meng was unharmed," Chen Yuan replied.
Given that the girl had been able to walk—and even stubbornly remount her horse—immediately after the fall, Chen Yuan figured the General could read between the lines.
Stealing a glance at Huo Tingshan, Chen Yuan saw the man's lips curl slowly, but the air around him grew heavy, his eyes sharp with displeasure.
The General was furious.
"Dismissed." With that, Huo Tingshan strode out ahead of him.
She was truly something—spinning lies to deceive him again.
No, not quite deception. More like playing games, directing every ounce of her cunning straight at him.
Pei Ying had been restless in her daughter's courtyard and finally excused herself to return to her own quarters.
The night was pitch black as she stepped out, carrying a lantern. Suddenly, a towering shadow loomed ahead, startling her.
Already weighed down by her worries, Pei Ying gasped and instinctively stepped back.
Huo Tingshan curled his lips in a mocking sneer. "My wife treats me like a venomous serpent. Hah, if I truly were one, it’d be better—armed with fangs and poison, I’d strike all those who dare deceive me half-paralyzed, just to keep her in line."
Pei Ying recognized Huo Tingshan and exhaled in relief. "It’s you..."
Huo Tingshan’s brow darkened coldly.
Who else did she expect it to be? Who was she thinking of?
But then, unexpectedly, Pei Ying spoke again. "You’ve come at the perfect time. I was just about to look for you."
Huo Tingshan paused. "For me?"
Pei Ying glanced back at Meng Ling'er’s courtyard. "Yes, for you. Do you have a moment?"
Huo Tingshan studied her for a beat before lazily turning away. "Fine. Let’s talk inside."
