The sun god's golden crow peeked its tiny tip over the horizon, its light dyeing a line of clouds bright. Darkness was scattered, the slumbering town awakened, and light returned to the earth.
As usual, the vendors rose early, shouldering their stalls to the market to begin their day's trade.
"Tieshuanr, did you hear the sound of hooves last night? My wife insists there were horses galloping after the curfew, but I went to bed early and slept soundly, didn't hear a thing."
"How could I not? I did. I even opened the window and took a peek. It was a cavalry unit, fully equipped, every man armed. They looked ready to charge straight into battle."
"Is that so?"
"And that's not all. I saw our man from Bingzhou." The vendor pointed a finger skyward. "That one's horse has white socks on all four hooves, a magnificent beast. I recognized his steed. He was leading the troop last night."
Someone drew a sharp breath.
"Leading soldiers out so late... could it mean another upheaval for our Xiaojiang Commandery? I hope not. I think he's been quite good. I have an old cousin who's eagerly awaiting the new land policy to be implemented here in Bingzhou."
"It likely won't mean upheaval. He holds the neighboring Jizhou, and the territory above that, Youzhou, as well. Where could it change to? Let's pack up early later and go listen to the official gazette."
"You're right."
...
The sun climbed higher, the morning nearly spent.
For many vendors, half the day's business was done, but for Pei Ying, the day was just beginning.
She slept until the sun was high, nearly noon.
When Pei Ying first woke, she was dazed, staring at the silk canopy above her bed, unsure of the day or hour.
After a long moment, her thoughts settled. The beautiful woman on the bed went through several shifts in expression, quite a remarkable display.
Pei Ying slowly sat up. Her hazy memory from falling asleep last night was of the damp brocade quilt and Huo Tingshan, who was still energetically toying with her.
The quilt on the bed had been replaced with a new one. Her body felt quite dry. That man was not here.
Pei Ying let out a slow breath, yet frustration remained.
A miscalculation.
Huo Tingshan truly did not hit women, but her current soreness and lethargy seemed little different from having been beaten.
When that man lost himself, he simply wouldn't listen to her explanations, gave her little chance to speak, completely self-willed and unrestrained, doing exactly as he pleased.
"Xin Jin..."
She had only called Xin Jin's name when her own dry, hoarse voice startled her.
It wasn't loud, but Xin Jin, who had been waiting behind the screen, heard it immediately and hurried forward. "Madam, let me help you up."
With that one glance upward, Xin Jin's heart skipped two beats. She had thought the first time was the most intense, never imagining there could be something even more so now.
The snow-white skin of the woman on the bed looked as if it had been splashed freely with a cinnabar brush for a long time, pale canvas spattered with patches of crimson, large and small.
Some were fingerprints, some were marks from suckling. If she wasn't mistaken, there was even a fading bite mark near Madam's ankle.
Pei Ying shook her head slowly. "No need. Just fetch me a set of clothes."
Having been in this ancient time for half a year, she still wasn't accustomed to being personally attended to.
Her voice was raspy and somewhat faint, sounding quite unreliable.
Xin Jin paused for a moment but ultimately went to get the garments.
Pei Ying sat on the bed to put on her undergarments and inner robe, then stood to step into her trousers.
The moment she stood, Pei Ying's face changed. "Xin Jin, prepare water. I need to bathe."
While instructing the maid, Pei Ying walked quickly to a small wooden cabinet at the side, swiftly pulled open the second drawer, and took out a new cloth.
She used it to wipe herself.
Finished, she looked back at the path she had taken and saw two damp spots on the floor, instantly filled with regret.
It had still gotten on her.
The second time had been perfectly dry, so why had it ended up like this now?
Could it be because of the hot spring pool?
The Governor's mansion in Xiaojiang Commandery didn't have a hot spring, so perhaps cleaning up wasn't as convenient?
Pei Ying furrowed her delicate brows in speculation.
Never mind. She had promised him five nights, and that debt was paid. From now on, her days would be comfortable.
Soon, the water was ready.
Pei Ying soaked comfortably in the bath, then washed thoroughly with scented soap, finally feeling like herself again.
After bathing, the beautiful woman sat on a soft couch to bask in the sun. Both her thoughts and body were softened and relaxed by the warm spring sunlight.
Faintly, Pei Ying felt something was missing.
Xin Jin, having tidied the adjoining room, came to the soft couch. "Madam, the contraceptive medicine is gone."
Just seven words, yet they struck Pei Ying's heart like a tremor.
The hazy fog in her mind instantly cleared. She finally realized what was missing.
The contraceptive medicine.
She hadn't taken it today.
But...
The beautiful woman on the couch sat up straight, asking puzzledly, "How is it gone? Didn't we buy five doses?"
The third time, she had gotten by with a pouch, so that dose of medicine hadn't been used. Even if one dose had been accidentally ruined while brewing today, there shouldn't be none left at all.
Moreover, Xin Jin was always meticulous.
Meeting Xin Jin's gaze, Pei Ying's heart sank inexplicably.
"Madam, the General took the remaining two doses. He also said there's no need to use it anymore," Xin Jin said softly.
Pei Ying stood up from the couch in shock. "When did Huo Tingshan find out?"
Xin Jin couldn't answer that, for she didn't know either. She had been quite discreet about the medicine.
Pei Ying clenched the handkerchief in her hand. "That man is truly mad."
He had children, she had a daughter. What need was there for more children at this age, let alone the fact she didn't love him.
Could yesterday's trip outside the city have provoked him, leading to this insane notion?
Pei Ying felt some regret.
"Xin Jin, come with me out of the mansion. We'll have lunch outside today," Pei Ying decided.
If there was no medicine in the mansion, she would buy new ones.
When preparing to leave, Pei Ying was actually somewhat apprehensive, fearing that after yesterday's events, Huo Tingshan might not allow her out.
But that wasn't the case.
Upon hearing her wish to go out, Chen Yuan quickly assembled a guard detail, though Guo Dajiang was not among them, nor were any of the men seen yesterday.
"Commandant Chen, how are Squad Leader Guo and the others?" Pei Ying asked.
Chen Yuan replied expressionlessly, "They've been assigned a new task. They are busy with it."
"Will they return?" Pei Ying pressed.
Chen Yuan only said, "That is for the General to decide."
Pei Ying lowered her eyes. "I understand."
Taking a carriage out of the mansion, Pei Ying first went to a restaurant.
After lunch there, Pei Ying strolled through the market on foot, Xin Jin following a step behind.
The beautiful woman wearing a veil hat whispered to the maid behind her, "Xin Jin, later, make a trip to the medical hall. Buy one dose of contraceptive medicine."
Xin Jin first agreed, then asked worriedly, "Will they stop me?"
The guards were still following behind.
Pei Ying shook her head. "By letting me leave the mansion, Huo Tingshan must have guessed I would buy medicine outside. Since he didn't stop me from leaving, he probably won't stop the purchase either. Regardless, we must try. Let's meet at the Li Zi Tea House at the hour of the Goat."
Xin Jin nodded in agreement.
Soon, Pei Ying found an excuse to send Xin Jin away.
As the other party left, Pei Ying specifically observed; within her line of sight, none of the guards she could see followed Xin Jin.
Feeling somewhat reassured, Pei Ying then walked to the wine market.
Yesterday, she had bought quite a lot of wine in the small town, but Huo Tingshan had suddenly arrived, directly hoisting her onto his horse and leaving. Later, when she asked Xin Jin, she learned that not a single jar of the wine bought yesterday had been brought back.
The wine still needed to be purchased. Pei Ying swept through the wine market, buying one jar of each variety, and had the guards load over ten jars onto the carriage.
After finishing her shopping in the wine market, Pei Ying estimated the time was about right and turned to go to Li Zi Tea House.
This was the same tea house Pei Ying had visited last time. Its private rooms were clean and tidy, the shop was scented with incense to purify the air, and even the tea attendants' attire was more refined than those in other tea houses.
Of course, the prices in the shop were not cheap.
However, to those with a modest amount of money in their pockets, it was worth it. Besides the superior environment, this Li Zi Tea House was also one of the official gazette reading points.
A pot of tea each day, listening to a section of the gazette, pondering it carefully—one might discern the intentions of those in power a step ahead of others.
When Pei Ying arrived at the private room, Xin Jin was already there.
On the low table in front of Xin Jin sat a lidded earthenware pot. "Madam, this servant borrowed the tea house's kitchen just now. The medicine has been decocted."
Money makes the world go round. After buying the medicine, Xin Jin used money to gain access to the tea house kitchen.
Pei Ying's eyes curved into a smile. "Xin Jin, you are truly clever. I will increase your monthly allowance this month."
Xin Jin was overjoyed.
Pei Ying lifted the lid of the earthenware pot. The medicine had been cooled in cold water for a while after decoction, so it wasn't too hot to drink.
She drank the medicine in one go, then turned to look outside at the bright afternoon sunlight.
It was already afternoon. She usually took the medicine in the morning; today was at least several hours later than before.
Suddenly, it became lively downstairs.
Then someone announced loudly, "The following is today's Xiaojiang County official gazette..."
Provincial Governor's Mansion, study.
"Great General, this is the secret report sent back from Wukang County." Qin Yang presented a sealed letter with wax seal.
Huo Tingshan broke the seal, read it, and said cheerfully, "Excellent. Once the first batch of iron is smelted, start by making ten thousand pairs of stirrups."
Back then, that young master from the Zhao Family had asked his wife to make the connection, seeking his protection. That person had offered a piece of information: there was an iron mine within Wukang County.
At that time, Bingzhou was not under his jurisdiction; even knowing about it, he could do nothing. But now it was different. The entire Bingzhou was his; he could do whatever he wished with it.
Huo Tingshan instructed, "After finishing the ten thousand pairs of stirrups, produce a batch of farming tools. This year, we are increasing efforts to plant wheat; farming tools must not be neglected."
Piece by piece of information, which would soon be read in the official gazettes, was now being born in this study.
"Alright, go and handle it." Huo Tingshan also rose from his seat.
Leaving the study with the others, Huo Tingshan changed direction and headed towards the rear courtyard. Seeing Pei Ying's tightly closed door, the man's long eyebrows furrowed.
If she was in her room during the day, she did not close the door.
Had she left the mansion and not returned yet?
Summoning a guard to inquire, Pei Ying indeed had not returned.
Huo Tingshan stood in the courtyard with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression somewhat dark.
Running outside day after day, not a moment of peace. Did she perhaps think everywhere else was more fun than where she lived?
The man turned and left, heading to the nearby Zhuyun Courtyard.
Zhuyun Courtyard.
Huo Zhizhang was sitting on a soft couch, having his wounds redressed by Feng Yuzhu. When it touched the injured area, the young man occasionally couldn't help but hiss in pain.
"Second Young Master, bear with it a little," Feng Yuzhu said, looking at the large bruise on his chest. "This bruise must be dispersed; otherwise, accumulated stagnant blood is not good for your health."
"Father really didn't hold back with that whip at all; it hurts so much," Huo Zhizhang said with a bitter face.
Last night, he had applied medicine immediately upon returning, using the best medicine available, yet it still hurt so much he barely slept all night.
Feng Yuzhu comforted him, "The whip was a horsewhip; its power is limited. Moreover, if the Great General hadn't held back, Second Young Master, you would have at least broken several ribs."
Everyone in the army knew the Great General was born with immense strength. A six-stone heavy bow that others couldn't budge even by gritting their teeth, he could draw with ease.
If he truly hadn't held back, a single kick could have directly killed someone.
Huo Zhizhang couldn't help but say, "Uncle Feng, perhaps it's because I'm tough and resistant to beatings that my bones didn't break."
He had received many beatings since childhood, and thanks to his thick skin and sturdy build, he had grown up without missing any limbs.
Feng Yuzhu smiled. "Yes, you have indeed inherited the Great General's divine strength and physique."
A smile tugged at Huo Zhizhang's lips; his previously bitter face now cleared up.
He was just about to speak when a cold laugh came from outside. "Tough and resistant to beatings? So it seems you regret not having broken a few bones. If you regret it, just tell me directly. I'll make it up to you, and break your legs while I'm at it, to save you from causing trouble for me."
Huo Zhizhang was shocked and hurriedly got up from his seat. "Father, that's not what I meant."
Huo Tingshan's gaze swept over his open clothing. The bruise had spread even more overnight, a large, shocking patch.
But as a seasoned veteran who had fought on battlefields for over twenty years, Huo Tingshan could tell at a glance it was all external injury.
This kid was rough; in a couple of days, he'd be bouncing around again.
"Civil Affairs Officer, I have a few words to say to this kid," Huo Tingshan said, looking at Feng Yuzhu.
Feng Yuzhu bowed with clasped hands to Huo Tingshan and left the courtyard.
After Feng Yuzhu left, Huo Tingshan asked, "What was your purpose in coming to see your mother yesterday?"
Huo Zhizhang was stunned.
Those words left him dazed for a long moment.
Huo Tingshan didn't rush him, merely watching him with an expressionless face.
Huo Zhizhang's relatively fair face slowly flushed red.
Huo Tingshan: "Is it that difficult to answer?"
"I heard rumors that you had obtained a peerless beauty and treasured her like a pearl. Later, you sent word back saying you were getting married. I was curious, so I came to see," Huo Zhizhang said in a small voice.
Huo Tingshan's lips curled, but there was no smile in his eyes. "After seeing her, why did you take her out of the city?"
"I, I..." Huo Zhizhang stammered.
Huo Tingshan: "Did you develop improper thoughts towards your mother?"
"I did not, I never did!"
Huo Zhizhang almost jumped up, the following words pouring out like beans. "At first, I just wanted to ask what method she used to make you marry her. But she said she didn't want to marry, and that you wouldn't let her leave. I thought it was absurd at the time, so I said if she wanted to leave, what was so difficult about that? I would send her away myself. Father, I truly didn't..."
His voice trailed off; he couldn't bring himself to say that phrase.
Huo Tingshan's eyes were unreadable, showing neither joy nor anger. "What she said was the truth. It is indeed I who will not let her leave. Let this be the first and last time. If there is a next time, you need not call me father again. I, Huo Tingshan, have no such beast who disregards human ethics as a son."
Huo Zhizhang was inwardly horrified and couldn't help but blurt out, "Father, why must you go to such lengths? She said she doesn't want to marry you, that she doesn't like you at all. You are a great hero under heaven, women who admire and adore you are as numerous as fish in the river. Why must you demean yourself by marrying a woman who doesn't love you and constantly wants to leave?"
"Father, marrying her is worse than marrying Aunt Ning. Not only is Aunt Ning a trusted member of the Ning family whom we know well, but she also genuinely likes you. I regret it. That year when I was just over one and you asked for my and elder brother's opinion, I shouldn't have cried and made a fuss." Huo Zhizhang grew more remorseful the more he spoke.
After saying all this, Huo Zhizhang expected his father to fly into a rage, or perhaps mock his childhood ignorance.
But he didn't regret speaking, for these were his true feelings.
Unexpectedly, the man before him not only didn't get angry but even let out a scoffing laugh. "Demean? Ridiculous. What do I have to feel demeaned about? Your mother's talent even earned the respect of Gongsun Taihe, her beauty outshone all in the three northern provinces. She has talent and looks, and a gentle temperament to boot. I'm marrying a celestial fairy, and you're feeling sorry for me? When it comes to thick skin, you've surpassed your master."
Huo Zhizhang was left speechless.
"As for her not liking me..." Huo Tingshan looked towards the direction of the main courtyard, his expression inscrutable. "It's not as if I just found out today. There's always time ahead."
Huo Zhizhang stood rooted to the spot.
A guard arrived to report just then: "Great General, Madam has returned."
Huo Tingshan glanced at the sky outside.
Not bad. She knew to return to the residence for dinner this time.
Ignoring his dazed younger son, Huo Tingshan turned and left Zhuyun Courtyard. When he returned to the main courtyard, he saw guards carrying jars of wine down from a carriage, one after another.
A beautiful woman stood beside the carriage, watching them move the wine.
"I wasn't aware Madam had become a drunkard."
Upon hearing that familiar, deep voice, Pei Ying felt an uncontrollable weakness spread around her waist, as if those two domineering large hands from last night were gripping her there again.
Pei Ying paused for two breaths before turning to look at him. Her gaze met his briefly before shifting away. "I only bought them for study, not to drink them all."
"Does Madam wish to sell wine?" Huo Tingshan asked.
Pei Ying nodded. "The wine trade holds great financial promise. Its money-making potential surpasses even that of soap."
In modern times, tobacco and alcohol were major tax contributors.
These two things were addictive; even if one was short on money, they would scrape together some to buy them.
If placed in ancient times, once the nobles became addicted to the drink, there would be no worry about them being reluctant to part with their silver.
Hearing Pei Ying compare wine to soap, Huo Tingshan raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to the rows of wine jars.
The jars were utterly ordinary; likely, they contained common, unremarkable wine, not even worthy of being called fine liquor, readily available everywhere on the market.
"What does Madam need?" Huo Tingshan asked.
Pei Ying was surprised by his directness, but this was good. She wouldn't have to explain every minute detail to get his cooperation.
Pei Ying: "Later, I will give you a drawing, General. Please have someone construct the apparatus."
She intended to draw a distillation device.
Although the history of "wine" culture spanned thousands of years, it wasn't until the Ming Dynasty that mature distillation technology emerged.
Before distillation appeared, people brewed wine through fermentation using yeast and distiller's yeast.
Low-alcohol wine was hard to preserve and prone to souring; fermented wine was precisely this type of perishable, low-alcohol drink. Distilled wine had no such concerns. Distilled high-alcohol liquor was mellow, fragrant, and long-lasting, with a stable taste not easily altered.
Fermented wine was the foundation and raw material for distilled wine.
Therefore, the future money-making path would be: purchase a batch of fermented wine cheaply from the market, then use the virtually cost-free distillation technique to increase the alcohol concentration, and resell it in Chang'an.
The soap-making process required a period of saponification, but distilling a pot of wine took only a few hours.
At most four hours, or two shichen, a jar of wine selling for fifty or sixty qian on the market could be sold in Chang'an for ten taels, even several dozen taels.
Pei Ying felt as if a gold mine was flying towards her.
She had to become her daughter's backing. In the future, when they entered his household, she couldn't let Nannan be bullied by his other children.
Huo Tingshan noticed the person beside him thinking of something, the corners of her eyes crinkling, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling.
"What is Madam thinking about?" Huo Tingshan looked at her upturned eyes.
Pei Ying composed herself. "Once that set of equipment is made, you will understand, General."
After saying this, Pei Ying remembered something else. "General, do you remember that Hao surnamed constable from Beichuan County? What became of him later?"
Huo Tingshan certainly remembered.
If not for that constable, he wouldn't have met her. He was grateful to that minor constable. As for repayment... he could repay him in his next life.
If she were an ordinary favored concubine who had caught his eye, he indeed should have rewarded that matchmaker. But since Madam was about to become his wife, that kind of scheming opportunist was unnecessary.
"That person has already been reincarnated. Madam need not concern herself with him any longer," Huo Tingshan said lazily.
Pei Ying was first stunned, but then felt this was something Huo Tingshan was entirely capable of doing.
"For tonight's dinner, Madam should call that little girl. Let's all dine together," Huo Tingshan said suddenly.
Pei Ying panicked instantly. "No, I haven't told my Nannan yet."
"All the more reason to tell her during the meal," Huo Tingshan said, the corner of his mouth lifting.
Pei Ying shook her head. "It really won't do. I must speak to Nannan first. She cannot learn of it from someone else's mouth."
Huo Tingshan didn't like hearing that. "I am not 'someone else.' I am her father."
"...Not yet, you aren't," Pei Ying replied, somewhat exasperated.
Seeing his face darken, Pei Ying spoke softly and gently to him. "Let's wait a little longer. Once I am prepared, I will tell her."
Huo Tingshan remained silent, his face cold, but he didn't bring up the shared meal again.
Pei Ying thought the matter was settled, but after dinner that evening, her room door was knocked upon.
Knock, knock. The familiar sound.
Then, as always, after this man gave his customary notification, he pushed the door open and entered.
As he stepped inside, the candlelight first cast a long, dark shadow behind him, which then coiled and shrank to his feet like a dragon or a fierce tiger.
Pei Ying, sitting on the soft couch, felt her heart tighten uncontrollably, her hand holding the travelogue subconsciously gripping the book tighter.
But soon, she slowly relaxed.
The five times were concluded. This man was now a paper tiger, only fierce in appearance. Even if she tugged at his whiskers, he could do nothing to her.
"Might I ask what the General needs?" Pei Ying shifted towards the outer edge of the couch, lest he sit there again.
Huo Tingshan took in her little movement and inwardly clicked his tongue.
Well, she's starting to play her little games with me again.
The man walked straight over, slid his hand beneath Pei Ying's knees, and amidst her gasp of surprise, lifted her to the inner part of the couch.
"I came to see Madam tonight to help you prepare," Huo Tingshan said, sitting down on the empty space at the edge of the couch.
Pei Ying was stunned, not quite processing it.
Huo Tingshan continued, "Madam, the main Huo family is not overly complex. My grandparents and parents have all passed away. I now have only two sons. The eldest, Huo Mingji, is nineteen and currently in Youzhou handling affairs for me. The second, Huo Zhizhang, is seventeen—that unfilial son you met yesterday."
Only then did Pei Ying understand what he meant by "preparations."
He had listened to her words that afternoon and had come to tell her about the Huo family's situation.
Pei Ying thought for a moment and responded with a soft "Mm."
Huo Tingshan went on, "Although the other branches of the Huo family are all in Youzhou, we do not associate with them daily. At most, we gather only for certain major festivals or events."
Pei Ying lowered her gaze, her eyes on the travelogue, but made a sound of acknowledgment.
Huo Tingshan glanced at her and added, "There is an old steward in the residence. If you have any questions about managing the household in the future, you may ask the old steward or me."
Pei Ying: "Mm."
"Let's have a child later."
"Mm..."
Pei Ying's head jerked up.
