Pei Ying trembled as his calloused palm caressed her.
The divan was barely wide enough for him alone—an already tight fit—yet he pulled her up onto it, leaving no space for her except to use his body as a cushion.
Days passed, and the weather grew colder, but Huo Tingshan seemed impervious to the chill, still clad only in summer-weight robes. Pei Ying’s palms pressed against his firm waist, feeling waves of heat radiating from him.
No matter how many times it happened, she could never grow accustomed to being this close to him. The man exuded an overwhelming presence; even when he smiled, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he might transform into a beast in the next moment, devouring her whole.
Yet Pei Ying was undeniably drawn to him.
"A temporary fix? How does the General intend to address the root cause?" Pei Ying had an inexplicable sense of foreboding.
Huo Tingshan took one of her delicate hands, which had been bracing against his side. "Does my lady know what your daughter has been practicing in her martial arts lessons lately?"
The pale hand in his grasp twitched, trying to withdraw, but Huo Tingshan tightened his grip, catching the tip of that little white fish just as it was about to slip away.
And, unsurprisingly, he heard her call him by his full name again.
Pei Ying furrowed her delicate brows. "Let go. I need to get up."
Huo Tingshan pulled her closer, and just as she was about to protest, he leaned in and whispered something in her ear.
Pei Ying froze, her eyes widening in shock. When he finished speaking, her expression was indescribably conflicted. "Is that even feasible? It sounds utterly... unreliable."
Calling it "unreliable" was an understatement—it was downright unorthodox, completely outside the bounds of convention.
People said the land of Youzhou was barbaric, its men rough and uncivilized. She had once dismissed it as a stereotype. But now, faced with this man before her, she was convinced he was the epitome of that "majority"—and the most extreme example at that.
"My lady need only wait and see."
Third Young Master Xiao was executed in the marketplace.
The sentence was carried out by hanging. Pei Ying did not attend, but it was said the execution site was packed to the brim.
When Third Young Master Xiao breathed his last, countless commoners clapped and cheered.
At the same time, the Yuanshan County Gazette reported the news. Those who hadn’t witnessed it in person—those who still harbored the last shreds of doubt—finally believed it.
It was as if a dark cloud had lifted, leaving them in high spirits.
Word spread like wildfire, the discussions growing louder until it seemed the entire county was celebrating.
The Xiao Family shut their doors and refused to step outside.
But some things couldn’t be escaped by hiding. Third Young Master Xiao’s execution seemed to embolden the people—more and more commoners knelt before the governor’s residence, demanding justice.
Huo Tingshan ordered his guards to compile their grievances into records, then singled out the Xiao Family’s misdeeds from among them.
At first, he didn’t target the most egregious cases, starting small and working his way deeper. But the momentum was unmistakable—once one thread was pulled, the entire tapestry began to unravel.
Some rejoiced, while others panicked.
After days of enduring the pressure, the Xiao Family could take no more. Xiao Xiong arranged a meeting with Hua Jinzhong and Qi Teng.
Xiao Xiong’s expression was grave. "Brothers, the situation outside is turning against us. Huo Tingshan has already begun targeting my family. If this continues, the powerful families of Yuanshan County will all be uprooted."
The execution of Third Young Master Xiao had spread far and wide, so the other two were well aware.
But Qi Teng remained skeptical of Xiao Xiong’s dire prediction. "Brother Xiao, are you overreacting? A new official always lights three fires—Huo of Youzhou has taken over Ji Province, so of course he needs to make a show of authority. Your family is the most prominent in Yuanshan County; naturally, he’d focus on you first."
Third Young Master Xiao was just a wastrel—no great loss. As for the other cases being dredged up, Qi Teng saw them as insignificant.
Hua Jinzhong remained silent, but his thoughts aligned with Qi Teng’s.
He had indeed been wary of the wheat policy, fearing it might disrupt land ownership. But so far, nothing had come of it. The execution of Third Young Master Xiao was minor, and the subsequent cases didn’t seem to strike at the Xiao Family’s core.
Xiao Xiong could see their skepticism. With a cold laugh, he revealed, "The commoner who was beaten to death was distantly related to Sha Ying. If Huo Tingshan were merely making an example, why would he toy with my family again and again?"
Hua Jinzhong and Qi Teng exchanged glances, surprised by this revelation. Still, they remained unconvinced.
"Perhaps the Youzhou Governor is just stubborn."
"Men of his rank love to play with people. Brother Xiao, endure it for now—retreat a step, and the seas will calm."
Seeing their continued disbelief, Xiao Xiong sneered. "If you won’t heed my warning today, then watch and see. Huo Tingshan will not let this rest."
The meeting ended without progress.
When Hua Jinzhong returned to the Hua Family, he summoned his second grandson, Hua Chengfeng, to his study.
Hua Chengfeng bowed. "Grandfather."
Hua Jinzhong got straight to the point: "How have you been getting along with that young lady from the Governor's residence lately?"
Hua Chengfeng answered frankly: "We've only met twice. Miss Meng has a straightforward temperament and isn’t difficult to get along with."
Hua Jinzhong frowned in dissatisfaction: "Only twice? These days, the restrictions between men and women aren’t as strict as in previous dynasties. Friends meet and go on outings all the time—what maiden doesn’t yearn for romance? You should put in more effort. If you can marry her, Huo Tingshan will become your uncle."
A helpless expression crossed Hua Chengfeng’s handsome face. "Grandfather, it’s not that I don’t want to. It’s just that Miss Meng is only allowed out once every seven days. The rest of the time, she’s attending lessons with the tutors in the residence."
Hua Jinzhong was astonished. "Such favor!"
A young woman studying was something he had never heard of before. Moreover, Huo Tingshan’s circle was filled with renowned scholars—many would beg for even a sliver of their guidance, yet here they were, teaching a mere girl.
Hua Jinzhong pressed on: "Then make the most of her free day. Ensure she becomes devoted to you."
Hua Chengfeng bowed again. "As you command."
He understood perfectly well that in a prominent family like theirs, marriage alliances were inevitable. As a direct descendant, his wife would likely come from the Xiao or Qi Families, or at the very least, the Qiu Family.
Before marriage, they might only meet briefly a few times. Regardless of appearance or temperament, they would still become husband and wife.
This situation, however, was novel. He thought that if he could truly marry Meng Ling’er, it might not be such a bad thing.
Miss Meng was lovely, lively, and cheerful, and with an uncle as formidable as Huo Tingshan, she was indeed an excellent choice for a wife.
Hua Chengfeng left the study and headed straight back to his own courtyard. He didn’t notice the inconspicuous servant who had been observing him the entire time.
To the common folk, every day lately had been a good one. The Xiao Family’s wrongdoings were being addressed one by one.
First, there were the cases of bullying commoners, enslaving and oppressing people, then the unlawful seizure of homes.
Each day’s punishments were harsher than the last. Batch after batch of the Xiao Family’s servants were taken away, and even many of their masters were thrown into prison.
After eight cases of the Xiao Family coercing commoners into selling their well-located properties at low prices, and three instances of forcibly seizing fertile farmland, trouble arose at the Governor’s residence.
Pei Ying was abruptly awakened by a clamor in the night.
The beautiful woman sat up in bed, clutching the covers. In just a few moments, the noise seemed to grow louder. She listened carefully and thought she heard the word "fire."
Her heart lurched. She quickly grabbed a robe, threw on a cloak, and hurried outside.
The door creaked as Pei Ying opened it, just in time to see Xin Jin rushing toward her.
"Madam, it seems there’s a fire in the residence," Xin Jin said.
Pei Ying glanced at the neighboring room.
Her chamber and Huo Tingshan’s were in the same courtyard, side by side. Yet now, his door was shut tight, the interior pitch black.
Had he not woken yet? Should she go and rouse him?
Pei Ying hesitated.
In ancient times, there were no fire engines. If the fire wasn’t put out quickly, it could easily spread.
In the end, she approached his door. She called out to Huo Tingshan first, but there was no response.
Her brow furrowed slightly as she raised her hand to knock.
On the second knock, she heard a faint sound—the door before her had been nudged open a crack.
Pei Ying paused.
Had he not locked it?
Or was there no one inside at all?
"Madam." A deep voice sounded behind her.
Startled, Pei Ying turned to see the familiar figure approaching from outside the courtyard. She didn’t have time to ask when he had left. "General, I just heard someone shouting about a fire. What’s happening?"
Huo Tingshan took in her disheveled hair, the cloak draped over her shoulders, and the glimpse of plain undergarments where it parted. She had clearly risen in haste.
"There’s no trouble. I’ve long had water vats prepared for firefighting, and guards patrol the residence. Nothing will go wrong." Noticing the loose ties of her cloak, he reached out and deftly secured them.
Tonight’s events were within his expectations—in fact, he had been waiting for this night for some time.
A cornered dog would bite. He had been peeling away layers of the Xiao Family’s power, and their fury was inevitable. Resistance was only natural.
Resistance was good. A dog that bites can be beaten down hard.
The Governor’s residence had guards at every gate—no one could barge in openly. And now, in the dry autumn season, fire was the perfect weapon.
Pei Ying frowned slightly at his mention of water vats. "General only prepared water vats?"
As soon as she asked, she realized it was a pointless question. In this era, water vats were the standard method—firefighting tools like water bags and leather sacks wouldn’t appear until the Tang Dynasty.
Pei Ying had rushed out without a lantern, and Huo Tingshan hadn’t brought one either. But as they stood beneath the eaves, the moon emerged briefly from the clouds, casting its light generously upon them.
Huo Tingshan noted the shift in Pei Ying’s expression and asked, "Do you have any insights on firefighting, Madam?"
Pei Ying said, "General, you could make water bags by using the whole hides of horses, cattle, or other livestock to create pouches capable of holding three to four dan of water. Attach a bamboo pole about ten feet long to the pouch's opening. If the towers or sheds catch fire, three to five strong men can hold the pouch's opening and squeeze water toward the flames to extinguish them."
After a pause, she added, "For smaller fires, water bladders would suffice. Fill pig or cow bladders with water and throw them into the fire. Once the bladder is burned through by the flames, the water inside will naturally spill out."
The former method used leather, while the latter only required bladders—the water capacity was incomparable, but the bladders were far more portable, easily carried by a single person.
A breeze swept by, and the clouds once again veiled the bright moon, allowing darkness to engulf the land.
Huo Tingshan stood in the night, his features obscured from Pei Ying’s view. To her, he seemed like a towering mountain or a lurking tiger revealing its full form—his presence overwhelming.
Just as Pei Ying was about to step back, he spoke, his voice laced with amusement, "Your idea is brilliant, my lady. Having you by my side is a great fortune. The night is deep—you should retire to rest. I will handle matters in the estate."
The oppressive aura around him dissipated instantly.
Assured that Huo Tingshan had preparations in place, Pei Ying no longer concerned herself with the estate’s affairs. Covering a small yawn with her hand, she turned and returned to her chambers to rest.
"Xin Jin, you may retire as well. There’s no need to attend to me," Pei Ying said as she entered her room, stopping Xin Jin from following.
Xin Jin withdrew.
As she turned to leave, her peripheral vision caught sight of a tall figure striding out of the courtyard, vanishing swiftly into the night.
She paused, puzzled.
He just returned—why is he leaving again?
Could it be to put out the fire using my lady’s plan? But that can’t be—where would they get cowhide or horsehide on such short notice? Tonight, they’d still have to rely on water vats.
Did the general return just to see my lady?
But Xin Jin quickly dismissed the thought.
My lady is safe in the estate, guarded on all sides. It was just some troublemakers setting fires—it’s not as if she’d vanish like an immortal from a painting. What’s there to worry about?
Unable to make sense of it, Xin Jin gave up.
The thoughts of such great men are beyond the grasp of a mere maidservant like me.
Pei Ying settled onto her bed.
About half an hour later, the commotion outside quieted. With the noise gone, she soon drifted into slumber.
The next morning, the estate was as peaceful as ever. After lunch, Pei Ying strolled around and came upon the site of last night’s disturbance. Though cleaned up, the scorch marks on the walls and floor tiles remained visible.
Looking further, she saw an entire row of walls similarly blackened—evidence that the arsonists had set a long line of fires.
Pei Ying sighed softly.
Last night had been the first warning from the powerful families, a demand for Huo Tingshan to back down. But she knew he would never relent.
The local magnates were like piranhas infesting a pond—if their numbers grew too large and their power too great, they would devour all the smaller fish.
To restore balance to the pond, the piranhas had to be removed.
Would the piranhas simply wait to be slaughtered?
Of course not.
......
"Father, our servants report that the fire at the governor’s estate last night was extinguished in less than half an hour," Third Master Xiao said grimly.
Half an hour—far too short.
"Such a swift suppression means they were prepared from the start. Father, they’ve been targeting our Xiao Family all along—Shang’er was merely an entry point. My poor Shang’er… his life was wasted for nothing." Second Master Xiao, his face aged with grief, wiped his tears. "Father, let us storm the governor’s estate under cover of night and kill Huo Tingshan!"
Xiao Xiong shot his second son a sidelong glance. "Have you lost your mind? Do you think that man from Youzhou is some pushover? Even the Xiongnu of the northern steppes couldn’t kill him—what makes you think you can?"
"Father, the circumstances are different—we can’t compare them," Second Master Xiao argued. "The governor’s estate can only hold so many soldiers. Yes, his Youzhou army is vast, but they’re camped outside the city walls. Once the gates are closed at night, how many of his men can remain inside besides those stationed at the estate?"
Eldest Master Xiao twisted the ring on his finger. "Second Brother, the Youzhou army is famed for their ferocity in battle. A single one of them can take on several opponents."
Second Master Xiao pressed on, "If they’re fierce, then we overwhelm them with numbers. Rally the private forces of all the powerful families in Yuanshan County—ten times their manpower, if not more. I refuse to believe we can’t crush Huo Tingshan."
"Easier said than done," Third Master Xiao frowned. "Gathering all those families is no simple task. Too many voices, too many risks—if word leaks, the consequences would be disastrous."
Second Master Xiao waved a hand. "We’ll only invite the major families, naturally excluding the minor ones. In our county, the truly influential can be counted on two hands—how is that too many?"
Taking a deep breath, Second Master Xiao's eyes burned with hatred: "Huo Tingshan's recent actions have surely provoked discontent among many. As long as he dares to meddle with the farmlands and side with those lowly tenant farmers, the other families will undoubtedly agree to our plan."
Eldest Master Xiao shook his head. "He commands an army—we must not underestimate him. Moreover, the local garrison is already under his control. Opening the city gates would be child's play for him."
At the mention of the local garrison, Second Master Xiao fell silent.
The army was indeed a problem.
Xiao Xiong spoke up then: "Regarding the military, I’ll discuss it with Uncle Hua Jinzhong. Perhaps we can seek assistance from the Sizhou garrison."
The others brightened at this.
The plan seemed sound, but the Xiao Family never expected that just one day after the Governor’s Mansion was set ablaze, an invitation would arrive at the Qiu Family’s doorstep.
It was said that the soldier delivering the invitation swaggered into the Qiu residence, wearing an amiable smile before promptly returning to the Governor’s Mansion without visiting any other households.
Shockingly, the Qiu Family was the sole recipient—no other families were invited.
Qiu Botong, who received the invitation, was deeply troubled. The political climate was precarious, with the Xiao Family and Huo Tingshan locked in a standoff.
At such a critical moment, receiving an invitation from him was tantamount to thrusting the Qiu Family into the eye of the storm.
Yet, he had no choice but to attend. He lacked the courage—and the means—to refuse. A rejection might provoke Huo Tingshan to turn his forces against the Qiu Family, sacrificing them as a bargaining chip to reconcile with the Xiao Family.
The invitation bore no specific instructions, so after much deliberation, Qiu Botong decided to bring his wife, Madam Li, along with his younger brother’s entire family.
On the day of the banquet, two carriages departed from the Qiu residence.
Pei Ying learned of the invitation almost simultaneously with the Qiu Family. There was no avoiding this gathering—she, too, had to attend.
On the day of the banquet, Xin Jin roused Pei Ying from bed and meticulously dressed her for the occasion.
Meng Ling'er had lessons scheduled for the day, but upon hearing that the Qiu Family’s guests included Qiu Banxia, the young girl requested a half-day leave.
At the appointed time, a guard announced: "General, the Qiu Family has arrived."
Huo Tingshan showed no intention of greeting them personally. "Escort them in."
"As you command."
Huo Tingshan did not meet them at the gates, and Qiu Botong had never expected such courtesy. After all, the Qiu Family were mere merchants, with no officials among their ranks—how could they dare hope for the General’s welcome?
Qiu Botong led his entourage into the hall and bowed deeply to Huo Tingshan, who sat at the head of the room. "This humble one, Qiu Botong, accompanied by my wife and my brother’s family, pays respects to the Celestial Strategy General."
Qiu Banxia stood beside her parents, mirroring their bow. Before lowering her head, she stole a quick glance upward, catching only a faint glimpse of two figures seated at the high table.
One was broad-shouldered and imposing, while the other appeared far more slender in comparison.
"Master Qiu, there’s no need for such formality. Today’s gathering is informal—let us dispense with excessive ceremony," Huo Tingshan said with a smile.
Though his words were casual, Qiu Botong dared not take them lightly. He expressed profuse gratitude before finally raising his head.
When his eyes adjusted, Qiu Botong was stunned.
Upon entering, he had noticed Madam Pei seated at the high table as well, but he assumed she occupied a subordinate position. To his astonishment, her table was placed side by side with Huo Tingshan’s—a clear arrangement reserved for a hostess.
His heart pounded with alarm, but he also felt immense relief. Thank heavens they had replaced the table with a larger one—otherwise, this oversight could have spelled disaster.
Huo Tingshan and Pei Ying sat at the head table, with Qiu Botong and his wife to the right, while Meng Ling'er occupied the left side alone.
Further down the right sat Fourth Master Qiu and his wife, while their daughter, Qiu Banxia, sat opposite, conveniently placing her across from Meng Ling'er.
Once all were seated, the banquet commenced.
Qiu Botong prided himself on having sampled countless delicacies in his lifetime. Today, he had resolved to remain cautious, guarding his words carefully. Yet, after tasting the meat dish before him, he nearly swallowed his own tongue in delight.
The meat was indescribably fragrant, and paired with fine wine, it was a feast fit for the gods.
Qiu Botong struggled to restrain himself but ultimately failed—he devoured the entire plate.
Noticing this, Huo Tingshan chuckled and ordered more dishes. "I have plenty of fine wine and delicacies. Master Qiu is welcome to visit more often."
Qiu Botong’s heart skipped a beat. "The General is occupied with weighty matters—how could this humble one impose?"
"I’m not busy," Huo Tingshan replied flatly, leaving no room for argument.
Qiu Botong choked on his words.
The luncheon was a mix of pleasure and torment for him. When the meal finally ended, he sought an opportunity to take his leave—but Huo Tingshan seemed to read his mind, speaking first.
"I’ve heard Master Qiu has a passion for paintings. My study houses several rare scrolls from masters of the previous dynasty. Since fate has brought us together today, why don’t the Qiu gentlemen accompany me to admire them?"
Though phrased as a suggestion, Huo Tingshan had already risen, clearly expecting them to follow.
Pei Ying watched as Qiu Botong’s face stiffened, his forced smile more pained than any grimace. She couldn’t help but pity him.
Being targeted by Huo Tingshan was truly wretched—a misfortune she knew all too well.
As if suddenly remembering something, Huo Tingshan turned to Pei Ying and said, "May I trouble you, madam, to entertain the two Qiu ladies?"
Pei Ying quickly composed herself. Huo Tingshan was sharp-eyed and overly perceptive—if he caught wind of her earlier thoughts, he might just hold it against her later.
With a polite smile, she agreed.
Huo Tingshan studied her for a moment longer, his gaze carrying a hint of something unspoken. "I appreciate your trouble, madam."
Pei Ying led Madam Qiu and Ming Lianxin to the rear garden, while Meng Ling'er took Qiu Banxia to the estate’s small training ground, which housed various weapons and even a space for horseback riding.
The governor's rear garden was far more spacious and exquisite than the Qiu family's. Madam Qiu couldn't help but marvel sincerely, "In this season, it's my first time seeing so many rare and exotic flowers. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I’d stepped into the rejuvenating days of spring."
Ming Lianxin nodded beside her, her eyes nearly overwhelmed by the sight.
She had thought the Qiu family’s heritage was already impressive, but visiting the governor’s estate made her realize there were always greater heights to reach.
As they strolled and chatted, time passed leisurely.
After walking a while longer, Madam Qiu suddenly remembered she had brought some snacks. She untied the small embroidered pouch at her waist, took out some treats, and offered them warmly to Pei Ying. "Madam Pei, here you go."
After giving some to Pei Ying, she shared a portion with Ming Lianxin.
Pei Ying admired Madam Qiu’s pouch. "This little pouch is truly exquisite."
A trace of pride flickered in Madam Qiu’s eyes. "My needlework is passable—I embroidered this myself."
Pei Ying thought for a moment. "Does Sect Leader Qiu have a similar one?"
Madam Qiu’s smile brightened. "You have a keen eye, madam."
Pei Ying chuckled softly. "It seems you and Sect Leader Qiu share a most affectionate marriage."
Madam Qiu, unusually flustered, quickly steered the topic toward her sister-in-law. "My husband and I are nothing compared to Fourth Sister-in-law and Fourth Brother. Those two are the epitome of marital devotion. All these years, Fourth Brother has only had Banxia as his daughter, yet he’s never once considered taking a concubine. And I often see Fourth Sister-in-law crafting all sorts of embroidered gifts for him—scented sachets, handkerchiefs, you name it. I wouldn’t be surprised if even his robes were sewn by her own hands."
Ming Lianxin’s cheeks flushed pink.
Pei Ying gasped in admiration. "How remarkable."
"Don’t just talk about us," Madam Qiu said with a laugh. "What about you, Madam Pei? With such slender, elegant fingers, you must be quite deft with a needle. What have you embroidered for the general?"
Cousins marrying cousins was commonplace these days, and in Madam Qiu’s eyes, the union between these two was all but certain.
Pei Ying stiffened slightly.
She had never embroidered anything for Huo Tingshan.
Just then, Madam Qiu’s expression abruptly shifted. She quickly schooled her smile and curtsied toward someone behind Pei Ying. "General."
Ming Lianxin followed suit with a bow.
Pei Ying turned to see Huo Tingshan emerge from behind a rockery, followed by Qiu Botong and Fourth Master Qiu.
He strode toward her, his gaze fixed intently on her.
Her heart skipped a beat.
The man had ears like a hound’s—who knew how much he’d overheard.
