After seeing off the Qiu family, Pei Ying announced she would retire to her chambers for a rest. This was usually her naptime, and now that the affairs were settled, it was the perfect opportunity to indulge in a midday repose.
"Madam."
Pei Ying halted her steps and reluctantly turned around. "What is it, General?"
"Tomorrow evening, I will come to see you." Huo Tingshan's light remark struck Pei Ying like a thunderclap.
Noticing the widened eyes and raised brows of the beautiful woman standing a few paces away, Huo Tingshan smirked. "Do you have objections, Madam?"
She did—plenty of them. Pei Ying thought to herself.
But on the surface, she offered a polite smile. "None at all."
Huo Tingshan nodded approvingly. "Madam's word is as good as gold—admirable and trustworthy."
Pei Ying's smile faltered. The man had even learned to flatter her now.
News of the Qiu family's visit to the Governor's mansion, where they stayed for over an hour, quickly spread among the influential families.
Alongside this significant development, a minor rumor surfaced—apparently, the two Qiu brothers had also entered the study with the Governor.
The moment the Qiu family returned home, young men from the Xiao, Hua, and Qi families arrived bearing gifts under the pretense of paying respects to their "uncle."
An hour later, the three families' representatives finally departed.
After seeing them off, Qiu Botong collapsed onto a cushioned seat, his head throbbing. "That Governor Huo is truly formidable."
"Husband, drink some ginger tea to refresh yourself." Madam Qiu handed him a cup.
Qiu Botong waved it away weakly.
His wife couldn't help but ask, "What did the Governor discuss with you and Fourth Brother in the study?"
Qiu Botong sighed. "The same as in the main hall—appreciating paintings."
Madam Qiu looked skeptical.
Qiu Botong gave a bitter laugh. "You see? That's his brilliance. Even my own wife doubts me when I tell the truth. How much more will the other families?"
Madam Qiu was stunned. "It... it was really just paintings?"
Qiu Botong exhaled deeply. "Yes, nothing more than a few paintings. Nothing else."
Madam Qiu could already imagine the suspicious looks the other families would give when her husband relayed this.
"The Governor said we should visit more often." Qiu Botong chuckled ruefully. "This time, it was paintings. Next time, it might still be. But the time after that? Probably not. He's using our Qiu family as a blade to divide the major powers of Yuanshan County."
The Qiu family was no match for the Xiao, Hua, and Qi clans—but only those three.
Excluding them, the Qiu family held considerable sway, capable of influencing smaller influential families. If the Qiu family aligned with the Governor's faction, some minor powers might waver.
"Madam, we're already aboard this pirate ship. After today, the Xiao, Hua, and Qi families will never fully trust us again." Qiu Botong massaged his temples.
Madam Qiu muttered, "How do you know it's a pirate ship?"
Qiu Botong stiffened.
That night, the Xiao family's study remained lit until dawn, the lamps only extinguished as daybreak approached.
With the lifting of the curfew at sunrise, the city slowly stirred to life. A group of light cavalry galloped out from the Xiao estate, speeding through the gates toward Sizhou.
Meanwhile, the powerful families of Yuanshan County held one secret meeting after another, tearing their hair out in frustration.
Back at the Governor's mansion, Pei Ying was equally troubled.
After the last two encounters, she dreaded Huo Tingshan's advances.
The uncontrollable frenzy, the overwhelming intensity that pushed her to the brink—like a precise electric current striking her nerves—left her shuddering at the memory.
The man seemed utterly unfamiliar with the word "restraint," especially in bed, where he indulged his every whim without hesitation.
Pei Ying had once dated a gentle boyfriend in college before marrying an equally mild-mannered husband. Never had she encountered someone as relentless as Huo Tingshan.
As dusk painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson, Pei Ying sat by the window, mesmerized by the setting sun.
Without modern pollution, the ancient skies were breathtakingly clear, the stars at night dazzling in ways the modern world could never replicate.
Lost in thought, she barely registered someone calling her.
"Madam."
"Madam, it's time for dinner."
Pei Ying finally turned away and began her meal.
Perhaps it was the lack of sleep after the arson incident the other night, or perhaps it was the knowledge that Huo Tingshan would visit her tonight—but her mood was decidedly gloomy.
Beneath the gloom simmered an unnameable irritation.
After dinner, once Xin Jin had cleared the dishes, Pei Ying instructed her, "Xin Jin, prepare the contraceptive brew tomorrow."
Xin Jin paused, then nodded. "Understood."
Night fell, the last traces of daylight vanishing.
Though Huo Tingshan had said he would come tonight, his duties might delay him—Pei Ying had already finished dinner and her bath, yet he still hadn't appeared.
Much later than last time.
Curled up on the daybed by the window with a travelogue in hand, Pei Ying found her attention only half on the pages.
If he was late, so be it. The later the better—perhaps he'd bathe beforehand and spare her the mess.
Time crawled by.
Thud.
The book slipped from her fingers, but the slumbering woman didn't notice. Her dark lashes had already lowered, veiling her almond-shaped eyes.
Sometime later, a tall figure entered the room.
The chamber was silent, the lamps still burning. The man's gaze swept the room before settling on the figure by the window.
Pei Ying was dreaming—a nightmare.
She was exploring the wilderness when she misstepped and tumbled into a cavern.
Vines crisscrossed the cave, thick and unyielding, like some undiscovered mutation of a Venus flytrap. The moment she fell, they coiled around her.
Panicked, she struggled to break free, but the vines were far more agile and cunning than she expected.
Then, rain began pouring from above, torrential and relentless. Water flooded the cave, rising rapidly until it submerged her nose and mouth.
Just as she gasped for air—
Pei Ying jolted awake.
No cave. No vines. No rain.
Only a man pressed intimately against her.
Before she could cry out, his lips swallowed the sound.
As always, he was domineering, his grip on her waist unyielding. Trapped between the daybed and his body, Pei Ying had nowhere to retreat.
Her hands pressed against his chest, fingers clutching his robes until the fabric crumpled beyond recognition.
This wasn’t even pain—more like a tickle, something Huo Tingshan couldn’t care less about. He pinned her down and kissed her fiercely again.
It was like a beast performing a ritual before a feast, sweeping over its prey first, savoring the faint scent of meat before truly beginning to devour.
By the time Pei Ying was released, the corners of her eyes were flushed crimson, her soft, red lips slightly parted as she panted rapidly. Wisps of warmth seemed to exhale from her lips, making her look enchantingly alluring, as if she had transformed into a seductive spirit that fed on human essence.
Huo Tingshan studied her for a moment before scooping her up and carrying her toward the bed.
Pei Ying, still breathless, managed to squeeze out a question: "General, have you bathed?"
Huo Tingshan didn’t pause. "Yes."
Pei Ying glanced at his face—his stubble looked freshly shaved. She reached up and touched his jaw.
It seemed clean, yet not entirely. Some spots still felt rough under her fingertips.
Huo Tingshan halted mid-step and looked down at her.
They had already reached the folding screen beside the bed, with only the carved wooden divider separating them from the inner chamber. The light here was dimmer, casting shadows that darkened his eyes, giving them a wolfish gleam.
Pei Ying instinctively withdrew her hand under his gaze.
The atmosphere grew oddly tense.
Huo Tingshan suddenly chuckled. "My wife’s courage is no different from a river dolphin—truly, the stronger the opponent, the fiercer she becomes."
Pei Ying ignored his teasing and frowned. "You didn’t shave properly."
"It’s clean enough." Huo Tingshan stepped around the screen, laid her on the bed, and began unbuckling his belt. He wasn’t wearing much—once the belt was off, the rest came off effortlessly.
Pei Ying’s heart pounded wildly. "It’s not clean…"
A shadow loomed over her as he pressed down.
The temperature in the room rose steadily, turning the late autumn night into a scene of midsummer heat. The gauzy bed curtains swayed gently as a luxurious silk robe, woven from Shu brocade, slipped from the edge of the bed like flowing water, pooling onto the floor.
Golden hairpins clinked against jade pillows; fragrant sweat dampened delicate silk.
Just as Pei Ying’s undergarments were about to be torn away, she suddenly felt a familiar warmth between her thighs.
In an instant, the inexplicable irritation she had felt earlier in the evening made sense.
The beautiful woman froze, struggling to clear her mind from the haze of scorching desire around her. She quickly pressed a hand against his wrist and pushed at the man looming over her. "General, my monthly courses have come. Tonight won’t do."
Huo Tingshan remained buried against her, his forehead veins throbbing violently. His breath came in rough, animalistic pants as sweat beaded along his brow and neck, dripping onto the porcelain skin beneath him.
Each drop felt like molten lava, searing Pei Ying’s heart into a frantic drumbeat. Still, at least he had stopped.
All movement ceased, leaving only the sound of his ragged breathing in the quiet space.
After a long moment, the man finally lifted his head. His eyes were streaked with bloodshot frustration. "Did my wife plan this?"
Pei Ying couldn’t help but secretly delight at his expression, though she kept her face innocent. "How could I? This isn’t something I can control. Now get up—the bed will be ruined."
Huo Tingshan did catch the faint metallic scent in the air. He held her gaze for several breaths before slowly rising.
Pei Ying scrambled up as well, turning her back to him as she reached for a nearby sash to fasten her robes.
Just when she thought he would leave—knowing her condition—and return to his own chambers to wash up and sleep, his hand suddenly closed around her wrist.
She had only half-tied her sash when his grip made her heart lurch. She hesitated to turn around. "General, is there something else?"
Her voice trembled slightly at the end.
"Tonight doesn’t count," Huo Tingshan said.
Pei Ying’s lips twitched. Though she knew she wasn’t entirely in the right, she still argued, "How can it not count? You’ve already climbed into bed."
"Does my wife mean that simply getting into bed counts? If so, next time, we’ll do it in the bathing pool." His voice was rough with lingering desire.
The fading blush on Pei Ying’s ears flared anew. "Fine, fine. Just go back already."
"If my wife wishes for tonight to count, it’s not entirely impossible," the man behind her suddenly added.
Pei Ying paused, turning her head in surprise. "Really?"
Huo Tingshan’s gaze dipped lower.
Following his line of sight, Pei Ying looked down and flushed crimson. She tried to cover herself, but her wrist was still trapped in his grasp. "Huo Tingshan, let go."
The gauzy curtains hung half-drawn, casting faint, rippling shadows inside. A breeze slipped through the window, stirring the fabric, making the light dance like water—dreamlike and hazy.
"What do you even want?" Pei Ying was genuinely baffled. Wouldn’t it be better for him to leave rather than torture himself like this?
But she soon understood.
His grip tightened, pulling her closer.
"If my wife compensates me in another way, tonight can count."
At first, Pei Ying only caught the words "can count," and her heart leaped with joy. But after a beat of clarity, she registered the condition. "Compensate how? You’re wealthier than I am. I have nothing to give you."
"Just embroider a pouch for me," Huo Tingshan said.
Pei Ying frowned. "I don’t know how to do that."
Embroider a pouch?
Needlework was practically a required skill for women in ancient times, but Pei Ying had never learned.
Back then, if her clothes tore, she’d usually discard them. If she particularly liked an item, she’d take it to a seamstress in the market.
She couldn’t even sew a basic stitch, let alone embroider something as intricate as a pouch…
Huo Tingshan studied her clear, unflinching gaze—so confident in her lack of skill.
A memory surfaced.
Back in Beichuan County, he’d had Xiong Mao investigate Pei Ying’s background. The report had been thorough, including one detail: "Lady Pei excels in needlework, her embroidery unparalleled."
Huo Tingshan arched a brow. "Truly, you can’t?"
"Truly," Pei Ying admitted honestly, then brightened. "I don’t have that skill, General. Why don’t we just forget about the compensation?"
Huo Tingshan watched her for a long moment before lazily quirking his lips. "Since my wife can’t do it, then tonight doesn’t count."
Pei Ying blinked.
Not counting was unacceptable!
Given his usual behavior in bed, if tonight didn’t count, she’d suffer even more next time.
"No!" she protested urgently. "It has to count!"
Huo Tingshan merely hummed in amusement, his silence dripping with mockery.
Pei Ying gritted her teeth. "Fine, I’ll embroider the pouch. But if it turns out poorly, you can’t say it doesn’t count again."
Huo Tingshan smirked. "By ‘poorly,’ my wife surely doesn’t mean unusable, does she?"
Pei Ying huffed. "Of course not. But no deadlines."
"Not acceptable." Huo Tingshan flatly refused. "There must be a deadline. If it’s left open-ended, this so-called compensation is as good as nonexistent."
Pei Ying furrowed her delicate brows, about to argue, when he cut in, "How long do you think it’ll take, Madam?"
After a moment of silence, Pei Ying murmured, "Two months."
Embroidery was entirely foreign to her—she’d have to start from scratch.
"A month." Huo Tingshan slashed the time in half. "Gongsun Liang said Meng Ling’er has a natural talent for it. As her mother, you can only be better. Even if you’re starting from nothing, a month is more than enough."
Pei Ying tried to bargain, but his stubborn dominance flared up again, leaving no room for negotiation.
In the end, she reluctantly agreed to a month.
"Now that the matter of compensation is settled, I’d appreciate your assistance at once." His voice had grown noticeably huskier.
A startled gasp was followed by the creak of the bed as something—or someone—was laid down. The jade hook holding up the gauzy canopy swayed, and the translucent fabric slid shut, veiling the scene within.
Soon, a sharp inhale came from inside.
"Have you been holding a grudge against me, Madam?"
"...No."
"If the northern barbarians had half your skill in disarming a man on the battlefield, the Central Plains would’ve fallen long ago."
"Huo Tingshan, must you keep talking?!"
"I’ll try."
The next morning, Pei Ying was roused by the faint sound of the door opening. Dazed, she stared at the canopy above before realizing it was Xin Jin entering.
Pei Ying hurriedly sat up, pushing aside the gauze just as Xin Jin’s expression twisted in alarm.
"Madam, are you hurt?" Xin Jin asked anxiously.
Pei Ying knew she’d spotted the bloodstained quilt crumpled at the foot of the bed—a sight gruesome enough to startle. "No, it’s just my monthly courses."
Xin Jin exhaled in relief, but then her gaze snagged on something else amid the discarded bedding. After a pause, she chose her words carefully. "Madam, this contraceptive medicine..."
Pei Ying flushed crimson. "No need. Nothing happened last night."
Yet Xin Jin’s doubtful eyes lingered on the quilt.
Pei Ying averted her gaze, pretending not to notice, and abruptly changed the subject. "Xin Jin, how’s your needlework?"
"Passable," Xin Jin replied.
"Do you embroider your own handkerchiefs?"
Xin Jin nodded.
Pei Ying sighed inwardly. It seemed every woman here, even the maids like Xin Jin, was skilled with a needle.
"Xin Jin, could you teach me?"
Xin Jin was stunned. "Madam, my skills are mediocre at best. I’m hardly fit to instruct you."
But Pei Ying was adamant.
She couldn’t ask Meng Ling’er, nor Shui Su, who attended her daily. Xin Jin, being newer to her service, was the perfect choice.
Eventually, Xin Jin relented.
As Pei Ying painstakingly practiced her stitches, the powerful families of Yuanshan County grew restless.
The reason? The Qiu family had been repeatedly invited to the Governor’s residence. Each visit lasted longer than the last, and by the most recent one, Huo Tingshan had even sent a trusted aide to escort Qiu Botong and his party out—reportedly in high spirits.
The political climate was shifting.
Amid this tension, Meng Ling’er’s lessons were abruptly suspended. All her tutors, including Chen Yuan, who taught her riding and martial arts, were called away to assist Huo Tingshan with an urgent matter.
After her initial surprise, Meng Ling’er embraced her unexpected holiday with glee, spending her days exploring outside. She eagerly shared her adventures with Pei Ying—how she roamed with Qiu Banxia, befriended new companions, and praised the elegance of Second Young Master Hua.
Pei Ying watched her daughter’s growing happiness with bittersweet pride, though unease gnawed at her.
Meanwhile, Hua Jinzhong was cautiously optimistic. His grandson reported deepening affection between himself and the Governor’s niece. Soon, he believed, she’d be hopelessly smitten.
Still, to be thorough, Hua Jinzhong debriefed his grandson daily, offering strategic advice.
The situation seemed promising.
Then, on the sixth day of Meng Ling’er’s holiday, something peculiar happened at the Hua residence.
A thief broke in.
Under cover of night, the intruder slipped past guards, exploiting gaps in their patrols, and infiltrated the study.
Well, "slipped past" wasn’t entirely accurate—the thief knocked out the servant stationed outside the study.
After a pause, the culprit deliberately left behind a handful of wheat seeds before vanishing into the darkness.
That evening, Pei Ying prepared to dine with her daughter as usual, but Huo Tingshan stopped her.
"No need to wait," he said.
"Why?" Pei Ying frowned.
Huo Tingshan glanced at the darkening sky. "There’s urgent business tonight. By the time they return, your daughter won’t have an appetite."
Pei Ying’s frown deepened.
No appetite?
A memory surfaced—of Huo Tingshan lounging on her divan, murmuring about a plan.
Her breath hitched. "Today’s the day?"
Huo Tingshan smirked in confirmation.
Pei Ying sighed. "I wonder how long it’ll take Ling’er to recover."
Huo Tingshan stroked his stubble. "Simple. Arrange a new match for her. A fresh infatuation will erase the old. There’s no shortage of talented young men in Youzhou—all far superior to that Second Master Hua. I could introduce a few. Betrothal this year, wedding the next."
At best, the girl would be married off by next year.
"No need for the General’s trouble," Pei Ying said flatly.
Huo Tingshan scowled but held his tongue.
No trouble, then. Arguing over trivialities wasn’t worth it.
Meng Ling’er returned just before curfew, her eyes red and swollen from crying. Pei Ying’s heart ached at the sight, but she feigned ignorance, gently asking what was wrong.
Wordless, Meng Ling’er collapsed into her arms and sobbed until exhaustion claimed her, skipping supper entirely.
Pei Ying spent the night in her daughter’s courtyard. By morning, the heartbroken girl was listless, picking at her breakfast before retreating into silence.
A single night hadn’t been enough to mend a young girl’s first heartbreak. Pei Ying stayed by her side the entire day, watching her stare blankly into the distance.
Pei Ying had assumed such days would continue for a while longer, but the very next day, Huo Tingshan sought her out: "Madam, you and your daughter should pack your belongings today. I will escort you out of the city."
Pei Ying turned to him in surprise. "Out of the city? To where?"
Huo Tingshan reached out and gently steadied the swaying pearl pendant on her jade hairpin. "To the military camp outside the city. Wait for me there, Madam."
Pei Ying pressed her lips together but finally asked, "Has the situation already grown so dire?"
Huo Tingshan replied simply, "The powerful families have amassed considerable private armies. Combined, their numbers are not insignificant, and the city's defenses are limited. Only with you in the camp can I be at ease."
As for the approaching Si Province troops, he had never regarded them as a threat—those incompetents were hardly worth mentioning.
Pei Ying gazed at him, her crimson lips parting slightly, but in the end, she swallowed her unspoken words.
Huo Tingshan smiled. "Very well. Your wish for my safety—I’ve already taken it to heart."
