Pei Ying woke from her afternoon nap to find that she had, at some point, used Huo Tingshan’s shoulder as a pillow. The beautiful woman stiffened, then pretended nothing had happened as she straightened up.
"Did you sleep well, Madam?" he asked casually, though there was unmistakable amusement in his tone.
Pei Ying heard the teasing in his voice and responded with a measured, "Thank you, General."
Huo Tingshan’s gaze lingered on the faint red mark left on her cheek from the nap. The afternoon sunlight spilled over her fair, blushing face, giving her a delicate, slightly intoxicated beauty.
He stared at the little imprint for a moment before reaching out to poke it lightly. The skin was as soft and smooth as he’d imagined.
Though Pei Ying couldn’t see, she was all too familiar with Huo Tingshan’s calloused hands—rough, like low-grade sandpaper.
Her fine brows furrowed slightly. She didn’t understand why he was suddenly acting this way, but if she argued, he’d only grow more persistent. Instead, she turned her head toward the window.
Huo Tingshan’s fingers, which had been idly tapping on the low cabinet, stilled.
Life on the march was monotonous, spent mostly in the carriage with only dried provisions like qiu bei to eat. Since these were easy to hold and eat, Pei Ying didn’t even need Xin Jin to assist her.
As dusk approached, the convoy arrived at a relay station.
"Feed the horses the best fodder," Chen Yang instructed the station attendants. Since they hadn’t revealed their identities outright, he slipped them a handful of silver coins afterward.
The station attendant was sharp-eyed. He’d seen plenty of horses in his time and could recognize fine steeds at a glance.
Every single one of this hundred-strong party rode exceptional horses—each worth a fortune, not to mention the high-quality gear they carried. He dared not slacken in his service.
Huo Tingshan helped Pei Ying out of the carriage and led her to a room on the second floor. "Rest well, Madam. If you need anything, call for me. I’ll be right next door."
Xin Jin and Shui Su had gone to the station’s kitchen to prepare medicine, leaving only Meng Ling’er with Pei Ying.
The girl’s face flushed crimson at Huo Tingshan’s words, but the man left without another word, closing the door behind him. The moment he was gone, Meng Ling’er blurted out, "Mother!"
Pei Ying sighed inwardly, knowing exactly what her daughter wanted to ask. She cursed Huo Tingshan in her heart.
Why must he be so blatant? How are we supposed to handle this later?
"Mother, you and that man…" Meng Ling’er had spent the entire day in a daze.
When her uncle had introduced a friend to her mother, she’d worried that Mr. Cheng might become her stepfather.
When the general had kicked down the door, she’d found it odd but assumed he simply didn’t want her mother to return to Bingzhou and remarry—after all, her mother had said they had a business arrangement, and he wouldn’t want to lose a partner.
But now, Meng Ling’er realized how wrong she’d been.
He’s the one who wants to be my stepfather.
Pei Ying reached out, finding her daughter’s arm first before taking her hand. "It’s complicated, but it’s not what you think. I’m not his mistress or concubine. We’re just… entangled for now. It’ll pass in time. Sweetheart, I have no intention of remarrying, so you don’t need to worry about a stepfather."
In modern times, marriage was hard enough to escape unscathed—let alone in this feudal era.
To be blunt, Pei Ying thought her current status was ideal. She had wealth, a daughter, and no husband or in-laws to trouble her.
Her gentle words slowly soothed Meng Ling’er’s anxiety.
The girl exhaled softly. "Mother, even if you do want to remarry someday… that’s fine. Just… not too soon, okay?"
She remembered Little Lady Yao from her childhood, who lived just a lane away. The woman’s father had passed away, and her mother remarried within half a month. Such things weren’t uncommon.
The Great Chu dynasty didn’t enforce widow chastity—in fact, it encouraged remarriage. Meng Ling’er had grown up in this environment and never expected her mother to remain unmarried forever. But privately, she hoped Pei Ying would wait—longer, much longer.
Pei Ying knew her daughter didn’t believe her and chuckled. "All right, at least three years. If that’s not enough, we’ll add two more. And if even that’s not enough—"
"Mother, you’re teasing me again!" Meng Ling’er buried her face in Pei Ying’s embrace.
By the time Pei Ying finished her medicine, night had fully fallen. Sitting on the bed, she instinctively pulled the quilt tighter around her as the wind howled outside.
The room was warmed by a silver-charcoal brazier, and the silk quilt kept her perfectly comfortable. Yet the sound of the wind made her shiver all the same.
The candles had been extinguished. Pei Ying removed the black silk band covering her eyes and slowly opened them.
Unsurprisingly, darkness greeted her.
The wind outside grew fiercer. Lost in thought, the beautiful woman sat motionless for a long time.
---
The next morning, Pei Ying awoke feeling the chill had deepened overnight. When Xin Jin mentioned it was colder than yesterday and brought thicker clothes, she realized it wasn’t just her imagination.
The northern lands were descending into the depths of winter.
After breakfast at the relay station, the group set off again. Pei Ying heard the carriage curtain lift as someone entered, but her daughter didn’t speak.
"General?" she ventured.
A deep voice answered, "Hm."
It was him.
He was riding with her again today.
Pei Ying asked, "General, with winter approaching, may I ask what the soldiers are using for warmth?"
Huo Tingshan didn’t question her interest. "Some have animal pelts, others woolen cloth or hemp. When it gets colder, they’ll add straw quilts at night."
Pei Ying had heard that straw and wheat-stalk quilts were exceptionally warm, especially when sun-dried. Laid over a wooden bed, they emitted a pleasant grassy scent and retained heat well.
An army marches on its stomach—but "supplies" didn’t just mean food for soldiers and horses. It also included the literal grass used to keep troops warm.
The downside was that once straw quilts got damp or compacted, their insulation dropped drastically.
In essence, they were like disposable items—though the "disposal" took a while.
Pei Ying understood that the pelts and wool he mentioned were likely reserved for officers. Common foot soldiers probably made do with hemp.
Supplying an entire army was no small feat; it was impossible to equip everyone with the warmest materials.
Softly, she said, "General, I know of a crop that provides better warmth than hemp, is ten times lighter than animal pelts, and can be mass-produced."
Huo Tingshan, who had been lounging against the backrest, straightened abruptly. "Please elaborate, Madam."
Pei Ying said, "This crop is called cotton, though some may also refer to it as white floss. Its leaves are broad and ovate, tapering to a pointed tip with a wide base. The leaf stalks are sparsely covered in soft hairs, bearing long white cotton fibers and shorter grayish-white fibers that are difficult to separate. It blooms in both summer and autumn."
Pei Ying, being blind, was unaware of the changes in the expression of the person opposite her. "However, I heard from my late husband's close friend that cotton is currently still found in the south. General, you might consider sending people to search in both the southeastern and southwestern regions."
Cotton originally came from the Indus River Valley and later spread via the Silk Road, first appearing in the southern regions.
The southern climate was warm, which might explain why cotton initially received little attention. It wasn't until the late Song and early Yuan dynasties that it was introduced in large quantities to the inland areas, and by the Ming dynasty, it became widely cultivated.
After she finished speaking, there was a long pause before he responded, "Thank you for the advice, Madam. If we can find cotton this time, it will be a great achievement on your part."
His voice sounded slightly hoarser than usual. Pei Ying merely pressed her lips into a faint smile and said nothing more.
Better to be a dog in times of peace than a man in times of chaos.
The common people suffered too much in turbulent times—every page of history was filled with tales of cruelty. Since the chaos of war had already begun and was destined to be irreversible, it was better to end this great upheaval sooner rather than later.
Huo Tingshan rummaged through the low cabinet in the carriage, retrieved ink and brush, and with a bold stroke, wrote a letter before sealing it with wax.
He summoned two guards. "Ride swiftly and deliver this secret letter to Chen Yuan today without fail."
"Yes, sir!" The guards accepted the order and departed.
At present, they were traveling at a normal pace. The journey from Yuanshan County to Yanmen was expected to take three days, and today was the second. In truth, they would arrive tomorrow.
But Huo Tingshan couldn't wait a moment longer.
He thought of the northern tribes. One major obstacle preventing the army from advancing further north was the climate—just like the Great Chu and the previous Great Yan dynasties, whose borders never extended beyond the Liaodong region.
If they could truly find the cotton Pei Ying spoke of, if cotton truly possessed such miraculous properties...
The mere thought made Huo Tingshan's blood boil with excitement.
After entrusting the letter to the guards, the man turned his gaze back to the opposite seat, only to find that the beautiful woman had unknowingly fallen asleep again while he was writing.
The carriage was no match for a proper room—space was limited, so only a small charcoal brazier was placed inside. The small brazier provided limited warmth, which was why Pei Ying had not removed her white fox-fur cloak when she boarded the carriage earlier that day.
She nestled into the white fox-fur cloak, her cheek resting lightly against the snow-white fur, her face flushed with contentment.
Huo Tingshan watched her for a long while before chuckling softly.
She really wasn't picky about her surroundings—she could fall asleep anywhere, even in a moving carriage.
Cold weather was perfect for hibernation. During the three days of travel, Pei Ying spent most of her time asleep. By the time she woke up, they had already arrived in Yanmen, Bingzhou.
Yanmen County had been captured, and the Youzhou army was now stationed there.
After taking Yanmen, Huo Tingshan followed his usual practice by immediately issuing proclamations to reassure the people and restraining his troops from harassing civilians. In addition, he also introduced government bulletins.
Through public readings of these bulletins, he informed the people of Yanmen County, Bingzhou, why the Youzhou army had attacked Yanmen:
The conflict began when the Bingzhou army attempted to intercept Youzhou's grain supplies during the war between Youzhou and Sizhou, prompting Youzhou's retaliation.
Moreover, the bulletins also publicized many of Huo Tingshan's past deeds in Jizhou.
At first, after the Youzhou army entered the city, the people of Yanmen stayed indoors, fearing unrest. But after the proclamations were issued, they cautiously began to emerge, like snails tentatively extending their feelers.
Once the bulletins were set up, the curiosity of the Yanmen people was piqued. Just like in Jizhou, the bulletin-reading stations quickly drew crowds of people who wouldn't leave until they had heard every word.
Three times a day, they listened without missing a single session.
So, the Governor of Jizhou had been struck down by an assassination attempt from the Blue Scarf Bandits? So, it was the Youzhou army that had crushed the main force of the Blue Scarf Bandits? And after entering Jizhou, the Youzhou army had implemented new land policies?
Information that had been blocked from them now flowed freely into Yanmen.
The way the people of Yanmen looked at the Youzhou army gradually changed. Their resistance faded, and some particularly bold commoners even began striking up conversations with patrolling soldiers.
Pei Ying followed Huo Tingshan into the county governor's residence.
Yanmen lay northwest of Yuanshan County, and it was even colder here. Worse still, the governor's residence had no hot springs. Upon arriving, Pei Ying immediately retreated to her room.
"Mother, how are your eyes feeling today? Any improvement?" Meng Ling'er asked anxiously.
The physician had said the medicine would take three days to work—and today was the third day.
Pei Ying removed the black silk bandage covering her eyes and slowly opened them. She could see light now, but everything remained hazy.
"I can see light, but things are still blurry. I think it'll take another day," Pei Ying said.
Meng Ling'er exhaled in relief. "That's good."
The first night in Yanmen County, Pei Ying slept poorly. The temperature had dropped again, and without heating, electric blankets, or hot water bottles, she woke up shivering in the middle of the night.
By the next day, Pei Ying had had enough. After Huo Tingshan finished his discussions in the study, she asked Xin Jin to summon him.
"Madam, you wished to see me?" Huo Tingshan strode in.
Pei Ying saw a dark blur. "Please have a seat, General. I asked you here today because I wanted to request some items."
Huo Tingshan was intrigued. She rarely made requests—the last time she had asked for something, it was an iron pot. "What does Madam need?"
"I'd like some copper to make small oval-shaped gourds, about this big," Pei Ying gestured to indicate the size. "They should have a small lid on top and handles on both sides for easy carrying. I'd like four of them."
After her demonstration, Huo Tingshan understood.
"I see. I'll have someone arrange it shortly," Huo Tingshan said. "But may I ask what purpose these small gourds serve?"
Pei Ying answered truthfully, "They're called warming bottles, used for heating. Once wrapped in cloth and filled with hot water, they can stay warm all night, even under blankets."
"A thousand coins for a foot-warmer, sound sleep till dawn." The "foot-warmer" here referred to the warming bottle. This ingenious heating device didn't appear until the Song dynasty, but Pei Ying couldn't wait that long—she wanted one now.
Huo Tingshan listened to her explanation about heating and placing it under blankets, realizing she must have suffered from the cold at night.
"If Madam wishes to stay warm at night, there's no need for such trouble," Huo Tingshan said, a teasing glint in his narrow eyes.
Pei Ying couldn't see his expression, but the suggestive tone in his voice made her heart skip a beat. She had a feeling whatever he was about to say next wouldn't be proper.
"I'll leave this matter to you, General," Pei Ying cut him off before he could continue. "These warming bottles are very effective. If you'd like some as well, you could have more made."
"I don't need them. Nights like these have never felt cold to me," Huo Tingshan chuckled. She had grown sharper.
If that method wouldn't do, there were others. He said, "Since Madam finds the nights chilly, perhaps I could build you a heated kang instead."
Pei Ying paused for a moment before suddenly remembering the existence of the heated brick bed—an ancient version of an electric blanket, far warmer than a hot-water bottle.
Her face lit up with a smile. "Thank you, General. My daughter will need one as well."
"A small matter," Huo Tingshan replied. Then he added, "In a few days, once your eyes have fully recovered, I’ll take you out for a stroll."
She was hardly the docile type. Back in Yuanshan County, she had often wandered outside for leisure. But since arriving in Yanmen County, she’d been cooped up indoors. If she had merely grown plump like a rabbit, it wouldn’t have been so bad. The real concern was that prolonged confinement might make her ill.
Pei Ying looked surprised. "Does the General not need to focus on military affairs?"
"After we captured Yanmen in Bingzhou, the Sizhou army halted their northward advance to reinforce Bingzhou," Huo Tingshan said, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
No one wanted to suffer losses. Whether it was Bingzhou aiding Sizhou or Sizhou aiding Bingzhou, both sides had hoped to wait until the other had worn themselves out fighting the Youzhou army.
But they hadn’t expected Youzhou to break through Yanmen before their arrival and deal a crippling blow to Shi Lianhu, leaving him on the brink of death.
Sizhou’s forces had always prioritized preserving their strength. Given the current situation, which was clearly beyond salvage, why bother pushing north through the snow for a futile effort?
Pei Ying frowned. "What about Bingzhou? If Sizhou’s reinforcements never arrive, wouldn’t now be the perfect time to attack?"
Huo Tingshan replied calmly, "This heavy snow came unexpectedly, much earlier than I anticipated. Some of our supplies haven’t arrived yet. We can’t recklessly advance."
This time, it seemed the heavens had favored Bingzhou, granting Shi Lianhu and his sons a brief respite.
Pei Ying understood. "So the weather’s working against you, forcing the General into an unplanned break."
Huo Tingshan’s lips twitched. Though not incorrect, the way she phrased it made it sound unbearably irritating.
Never mind. If he took everything she said to heart, he’d lose decades off his lifespan.
Two days later, Pei Ying’s vision fully recovered, no longer clouded as if peering through mist.
The hot-water bottle was completed before the heated brick bed, which still needed at least three more days to dry before use.
With the hot-water bottle in hand, Pei Ying felt much more comfortable, keeping it close at all times since its delivery.
"Madam, the General requests your presence in the main hall," Xin Jin announced.
Pei Ying rose from her seat, recalling Huo Tingshan’s promise to take her out. "Is he planning an outing?"
She guessed correctly. Huo Tingshan indeed intended to take her outside.
As soon as he saw her, he said, "There’s a renowned temple nearby called Changling. I’ve heard there’s a vast plum grove behind it. The snowstorm has passed—would you care to accompany me to admire the blossoms?"
Had it been two days earlier, before receiving the hot-water bottle, Pei Ying would have flatly refused. But now, with warmth in her grasp and her sight restored, she hesitated only briefly before giving in to temptation.
She agreed, then turned to Xin Jin. "Ask Ling’er if she’d like to join us."
Xin Jin obeyed.
Huo Tingshan’s fingers paused briefly on the jade ring he was turning, but he said nothing.
Upon hearing of the temple visit and plum blossoms, Meng Ling’er eagerly decided to come along.
A carriage departed from the governor’s residence, flanked by guards, while commoners stepped aside to make way.
Huo Tingshan rode his black steed, Wu Ye, alongside the carriage, his gaze sweeping over the streets. Thanks to official bulletins, the people of Yanmen had quickly accepted the Youzhou army.
Most temples were built in the outskirts, facing south, and Changling Temple was no exception. It stood close to the pass where Huo Tingshan had led his troops to victory. During the assault, he had noticed the temple from afar.
Changling Temple enjoyed great fame in the region, as locals swore by its efficacy—whether praying for love, wealth, or health, sincere devotion often brought results. Thus, the temple received far more offerings than its neighbors.
The carriage halted at the temple gates. Pei Ying stepped down, clutching her hot-water bottle.
The world was a vast expanse of white, the temple standing solemnly amidst the snow, exuding an ancient purity. Pei Ying glanced briefly before averting her eyes, not daring to look too long.
It was midday, typically the busiest hour, but perhaps due to the cold, few visitors had braved the journey. The temple was sparsely populated, with only scattered worshippers kneeling in devotion.
Their purpose was the plum grove, so Huo Tingshan led the way straight there.
Before arriving, Pei Ying had merely wanted fresh air, not placing much hope in the "vast plum grove" he described.
But the sight took her breath away.
A sea of snow-dusted plum blossoms stretched before her, their delicate pink peeking through the white, like rouge on a fair maiden’s cheeks—dreamlike in its beauty.
Others wandered the grove, mostly youths, along with monks in robes, brooms in hand.
"Mother, it’s so beautiful," Meng Ling’er gasped.
Pei Ying nodded. "Absolutely breathtaking. This trip was worth it."
The man beside her chuckled. "And yet someone hesitated earlier."
She hadn’t realized he’d noticed her earlier reluctance in the main hall. Her ears warmed, but she refused to admit it. "Certainly not me."
Huo Tingshan arched a brow. "I never said it was you."
Pei Ying: "..."
Sometimes, conversing with him was impossible.
She strode ahead with her daughter, leaving Huo Tingshan behind.
His gaze swept the surroundings before he leisurely followed.
Mother and daughter chatted as they walked, following stone steps deep into the grove.
A sudden gust of wind sent them both burying their faces into the fur collars of their cloaks.
The wind howled before easing slightly.
Meng Ling’er adjusted her hot-water bottle. "Mother, you’re amazing. First the soap, then this bottle, and the stirrups and high-cantle saddle—I bet those were your ideas too. How do you come up with so many things?"
Pei Ying had her answer ready. "I read about them in an ancient text."
"Is the book still around? I’d love to read it," Meng Ling’er said eagerly.
Pei Ying smiled. "It’s long gone."
As she spoke, she glimpsed a corner of fabric behind a plum tree.
Someone there?
A moment later, as if answering her silent question, a figure emerged—a monk holding a broom.
The monk studied her briefly before bowing in greeting and walking away.
Huo Tingshan approached from behind. "Don’t tell me you’re zoning out again."
Pei Ying turned away. "I wasn’t."
They spent an hour admiring the blossoms. This time, Pei Ying finally built a snowman, embedding pebbles for eyes.
As they prepared to leave, she strayed from the path, drawn to a tree.
It was an ancient tree, sturdy and tall, its branches adorned with red cloth strips and wooden plaques swaying gently in the wind, its boughs dusted with snow.
Red and white, complemented by the steady hues of wood, and above them the crystal-clear azure sky—these colors blended together to form a breathtaking painting.
Pei Ying noticed young maidens beneath the tree tossing wooden plaques. They threw the red-cloth-tied plaques high into the air, some successfully hooking onto the branches while others fell short, tracing an arc in the sky before landing back on the ground.
Those who managed to hang their plaques on the tree beamed with joy, while those who missed let out disappointed sighs before picking up their plaques and trying again with unwavering determination.
Meng Ling'er grew curious about the wooden plaques. "Mother, they say this temple is miraculous. I’d like to make a wish too."
Pei Ying replied, "Then go ahead."
"Come with me, Mother." Meng Ling'er took Pei Ying’s hand and pulled her toward a small stall set up not far from the great tree.
"Two wooden plaques, please," Meng Ling'er said, handing over the silver coins.
Brushes lay nearby. Meng Ling'er took one for herself and handed another to Pei Ying.
Pei Ying stood still for a moment, holding the brush in one hand and the small wooden plaque in the other, while Meng Ling'er had already begun writing on hers. After a pause, Pei Ying finally put brush to plaque as well.
Once finished, the mother and daughter carried their plaques to the tree. Meng Ling'er tossed hers high with one hand, and it hooked onto a branch on the first try. Pei Ying studied the angle before throwing hers—miraculously, it also landed perfectly on the first attempt.
"Well, that’s good luck," Pei Ying said, her eyes curving into crescents.
Huo Tingshan stood some distance away, narrowing his eyes as he observed the tree.
With the plaques hung, it was truly time to leave.
Pei Ying and Meng Ling'er boarded their carriage back to the Prefect’s residence, had dinner, and as night fell, the elegant lady picked up a travelogue, intending to read for a while before bed.
...
In the study.
Huo Tingshan had just finished reviewing a letter when a guard arrived with a report. The man seated behind the desk allowed the guard to enter.
The guard carried a large wooden box. "General, most of them are here."
Huo Tingshan nodded. "Dismissed."
Once the guard left, Huo Tingshan opened the box. Inside were small wooden plaques tied with red cloth—each no larger than half a woman’s palm, yet they filled the box to the brim.
Judging by the quantity, there were at least several dozen, perhaps even close to a hundred.
Huo Tingshan grabbed a handful, his eyes scanning them.
Wishes for wealth, for children, for official promotions, for love, for a bountiful harvest, for swift recovery from illness...
Moments later, the handful of plaques clattered to the floor like discarded trash.
He grabbed another batch.
His hands were large enough to hold many at once, but soon, these too rained down onto the floor.
On the fourth handful, his gaze paused abruptly on one particular plaque.
The rest fell away, leaving only that single one in his grasp.
Huo Tingshan stared at the small wooden plaque, his dark eyes deepening. His gaze lingered longest on the fourth character.
The plaque bore only six words:
"Want to take daughter home."
