Pei Ying was startled by him. Huo Tingshan stood behind her, his lowered gaze catching the sudden goosebumps rising on the nape of her neck, like a cat's fur standing on end.
"Huo Tingshan, how do you walk without a sound?" Pei Ying brushed off the hand on her waist.
"There was sound, but Madam just didn't notice a moment ago." Huo Tingshan smiled and raised his hand, stroking the back of her neck as if smoothing down fur.
Pei Ying pressed her lips together and stepped aside.
He had just arrived. The words spoken by Huo Zhizhang's aunt in the main hall seemed to have been a while ago, and she didn't know if he had heard them.
But it probably didn't matter; the other party would tell him later anyway.
Huo Tingshan: "We have a guest. Madam, come with me to greet them."
In the main hall, Huo Zhizhang heard some movement and whispered to Ning Qingying, "Aunt, my father and Aunt Pei are coming."
He said this naturally, yet it caused Ning Qingying's eyes to narrow slightly.
Huo Zhizhang had already risen from his seat, and Ning Qingying followed suit.
Just as Huo Zhizhang had said, two figures turned into the main hall from the side corridor.
Ning Qingying's heart gave a jolt.
After her sister's death, the relationship between the Huo and Ning families seemed the same as before, yet also not quite the same. When her nephews visited the Ning family, he never accompanied them, so even when she meticulously made time to return to her maiden home, she never managed to encounter him.
The last time she saw him was actually seven years ago. She was visiting relatives in Xuantu Commandery and unexpectedly saw him leading a troop of guards past on horseback.
Black armor, dark blades, majestic and heroic. Even that fleeting glimpse had set her heart racing.
Seven years had passed. He had grown even more formidable and robust, his aura seemingly more settled, deeper and more inscrutable than before.
Ever since that first meeting years ago, when she learned he was the son of a Provincial Governor, she had been certain he would achieve great things.
Heaven knows how ecstatic she was when news of the proposed marriage alliance between the Huo and Ning families arrived. How hateful that her father was so rigid, disregarding all else and insisting on observing the order of seniority. He ignored her countless pleas and chose her sister, who was only a year older, forcing her to find another path.
The sound of Huo Zhizhang's formal greetings reached her ears. Ning Qingying shifted her gaze to the side, her handkerchief tightening in her hand for a moment.
No wonder he wanted to take a wife, not simply a concubine. The pillow talk from such a beauty must indeed be quite beguiling.
As Ning Qingying was appraising, Pei Ying was also observing.
When she first met Huo Zhizhang, seeing he was a handsome young man, Pei Ying had guessed his maternal family must be good-looking. Now, seeing a member of that family, it was indeed so.
This one was much more beautiful than the previous pitiful daughter of his benefactor-teacher, surpassing her not only in appearance but also in bearing.
Pei Ying sighed inwardly at his good fortune.
Power was truly bait with the scent of blood. Cast it into the water, and there would be no shortage of those willing to seek it out.
"Greetings, General." Ning Qingying performed a curtsy.
Huo Tingshan: "There's no need for such formality, Second Sister Ning."
Hearing this form of address, Ning Qingying's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, but when she looked up again, her eyes held a smile. "General, the last time we met was when I was about to be married. Nearly ten years have passed since we parted. While others decline with age, your aura has only grown more formidable than before, expanding along with the territory in your grasp."
For a man of high status and power, praising his looks is less effective; one should praise his achievements.
The corner of Huo Tingshan's mouth lifted. "Second Sister, you haven't changed much compared to back then."
The smile in Ning Qingying's eyes deepened. Just as she was about to speak again, she heard Huo Tingshan say, "Madam, this is Zhizhang's maternal aunt, surnamed Ning."
Then Huo Tingshan introduced her to Ning Qingying. "Second Sister, this is the lady of my household, surnamed Pei, given name Ying. In a few months, she will be Zhizhang's mother."
Pei Ying hesitated. Although she knew the other woman had been married and widowed three times and, by custom, could revert to her maiden surname and be addressed as Madam Ning, this information was accidentally overheard; the person involved didn't know her situation had been revealed.
Therefore, after a moment's thought, Pei Ying ultimately followed Huo Tingshan's lead and addressed Ning Qingying as "Second Sister."
A shadow of something dark flashed through Ning Qingying's eyes. "Madam Pei is as lovely as the moon and flowers, truly as captivating as the rumors say."
After some pleasantries, Huo Tingshan asked, "Second Sister, have you come to Bingzhou to visit family?"
He knew the Ning family's in-laws were from Bingzhou.
Ning Qingying nodded. "It has been a long time since I visited my maternal family. Now that I finally have some free time, and with no one to manage me in the future, I came to Bingzhou at my mother's behest to see them."
Hearing that no one managed her now, Huo Tingshan raised a brow slightly in surprise but didn't comment.
A faint layer of melancholy just appeared on Ning Qingying's face. She turned her eyes to Huo Zhizhang with a look of appeal.
Huo Zhizhang hesitated, but remembering the various kindnesses shown to him in the past by his maternal family and his grandfather's benevolent face, he finally said, "Father, my aunt's husband... has passed away."
Huo Tingshan had already suspected as much; hearing it now was no surprise. "My condolences."
After speaking, Huo Tingshan glanced at the beautiful woman beside him.
Pei Ying: "...My condolences."
The bitterness on Ning Qingying's face intensified, as if she couldn't hold back any longer. "Brother-in-law, back then, when the eminent monk read my fate, I didn't believe it. Who could have imagined his words would prove prophetic? What am I to do in the future?"
Pei Ying thought to herself that the predictions of eminent monks held no sway with Huo Tingshan; the man was a staunch atheist who didn't believe in such things.
But catching sight of the sympathy on Huo Zhizhang's face, she felt it wasn't entirely useless.
Even if Huo Tingshan himself didn't care, those around him could be influenced, especially in an era where so many believed in gods and spirits.
Perhaps his advisors, upon learning of this, would advise him to take her in. After all, many men of this time felt that one more favored concubine made little difference.
Upon hearing this, Huo Tingshan said something similar to what Huo Zhizhang had said: "Second Sister, you are of the Ning family and still young. You need not worry about lacking a suitable husband in the future."
Ning Qingying let out a soft sigh, seeming to want to say more but hesitating.
Pei Ying found the atmosphere truly awkward.
This Madam Ning was not only Huo Zhizhang's aunt but also Huo Tingshan's former sister-in-law, who still wished to enter his inner quarters.
Although she would marry Huo Tingshan in a few months, with the prior "five-night agreement" and the subsequent separation agreement, she and Huo Tingshan were destined not to be an ordinary couple.
A marriage by agreement, continuing to sleep in separate rooms after the wedding, treating each other with respect.
Leaving aside her own disinterest in managing Huo Tingshan's inner quarters, even if she wanted to one day, she might not be able to control it. If modern men strayed after marriage, it was hardly rare, let alone a powerful ancient man.
She had no influential maternal family to rely on, and Huo Tingshan's legs weren't attached to her body—how could she possibly control where he went?
Pei Ying couldn't stay any longer and simply found an excuse to slip away. "General, since Second Sister is visiting today, I'll go tell the kitchen to prepare some extra dishes."
After speaking, Pei Ying smiled at the other two as a form of farewell and was about to turn towards the kitchen when a long arm reached from behind and draped over her shoulder.
"Such a small matter can be handled by a maid. There's no need to trouble yourself, Madam." Huo Tingshan looked down at her.
It really wasn't a mistake to paint her as a rabbit; she was always ready to bolt at the slightest sign of trouble.
Pei Ying met his gaze, unable to keep a trace of suspicion from leaking into her eyes.
Did this man truly not know, or was he pretending not to know, what that Madam Ning was thinking?
Upon hearing earlier that Pei Ying was leaving, Ning Qingying couldn't contain her joy. She had thought this one was formidable, but it turned out she was just a soft persimmon. Of course, she had never heard of any prominent Pei family in the three provinces. A woman without the backing of a powerful family was ultimately insubstantial.
Who would have thought he would make her stay? Ning Qingying slowly lowered her eyes, concealing the emotions within.
As her gaze dropped, it inadvertently fell downward and suddenly fixed on something. She stared in astonishment at the ornament hanging from Huo Tingshan's belt.
Her stare lasted a bit too long. Huo Zhizhang, standing beside her, followed her look out of curiosity. Upon seeing it, he was greatly surprised and blurted out, "Father, why are you wearing such an ugly pouch?"
Pei Ying froze, then also slowly looked down at the pouch on Huo Tingshan's belt.
This pouch was her first embroidery piece. After finishing it, even she had thought it wasn't very good-looking.
However, Huo Tingshan seemed to think its meaning was auspicious and wore it frequently. She had even seen him wearing this pouch in front of his advisors and generals, and no one had batted an eye.
This had given Pei Ying the illusion that perhaps the pouch she embroidered wasn't that ugly after all, and could be categorized as merely plain.
Never did she expect...
So she had overthought it. It was just ugly.
The tips of Pei Ying's ears turned red.
"Very ugly?" Huo Tingshan looked expressionlessly at Huo Zhizhang, his narrow eyes dark and deep like two bottomless pools.
Huo Zhizhang's spine instantly stiffened, and he answered reflexively, "Not ugly, not ugly at all."
Huo Tingshan sneered, "I originally only thought your brain was no good, which is why you can't study. I didn't realize your eyes were blind too."
Huo Zhizhang: "..."
The blush on Pei Ying's ear lobes spread all the way to her cheeks. She had fair skin, making the flush on her face particularly conspicuous.
Only then did Huo Zhizhang have a sudden realization.
So it was a pouch Aunt Pei embroidered. He had been the one with poor eyesight.
Pei Ying was obliged to stay in the main hall, listening to them reminisce. It was mainly Huo Zhizhang and Ning Qingying talking, with the man beside her occasionally chiming in with a word or two when Ning Qingying directed the conversation to Huo Tingshan.
When it was time for the midday meal, Huo Tingshan had Meng Ling'er summoned as well. The four of them, plus Ning Qingying as a guest, shared a rather lavish lunch.
After the meal, Pei Ying received a task.
Ning Qingying was to stay temporarily in the residence. As a member of Huo Zhizhang's maternal family, passing through this place, it was unthinkable for her to stay at an inn.
Thus, the task of arranging a courtyard for Ning Qingying fell upon Pei Ying's shoulders.
Having nothing else to do anyway, Pei Ying simply took some servants and led Ning Qingying on a tour of the estate, letting her choose a courtyard herself.
As they strolled through the grounds, Pei Ying heard Ning Qingying ask softly, "Might I ask where Madam Pei's ancestral home is?"
Pei Ying thought to herself, Here it comes: "Beichuan, Jizhou."
Beichuan—a small, insignificant place.
Ning Qingying's expression relaxed slightly. "Beichuan, not far from the hometown of my first husband."
Pei Ying merely said, "What a coincidence."
Perhaps seeing that Pei Ying had killed the conversation, Ning Qingying spoke again, "Madam Pei, do you believe in fate?"
Pei Ying shook her head and said she didn't. "I don't believe in such vague and elusive things."
"When I was ten, my mother took my sister and me to a temple to pray for blessings. On the path up the mountain, we happened to meet a monk in tattered clothes. The monk begged for alms from my mother. Being kind-hearted, she gave him a few copper coins and all the millet rice balls she had brought. After thanking her, the monk said he would tell our fortunes as repayment for my sister and me." Ning Qingying recounted the past.
Knowing this was inevitable, Pei Ying listened quietly.
Ning Qingying continued, "After asking for our birth dates and times, the monk took out a tortoise shell to divine. He said my sister would marry a noble man."
At this point, Ning Qingying turned her gaze to Pei Ying. "She married at sixteen. Later, my brother-in-law rose meteorically, truly deserving the title of a noble man."
Pei Ying nodded.
Ning Qingying narrowed her beautiful eyes and went on, "After divining for my sister, the monk did the same for me. He said my destiny was exceptionally noble and weighty, that only a man of true and supreme prominence could match me and, by borrowing from my fate, ascend to great heights. If an ordinary man married me, he would suffer a backlash of misfortune—illness and pain at the least, or even lose his life at worst. I thought it absurd at the time, but before my mother could ask further, the monk suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, lost his footing, and tumbled all the way down the stone steps."
Pei Ying was surprised. "What happened to him afterwards?"
Ning Qingying lowered her eyes. "My mother immediately ordered the servants to help him, but he was badly injured, bleeding from his head and already unconscious. Seeing he had come down from the temple steps, my mother had no choice but to have him carried back to the temple. She also inquired about the monk's identity, and was greatly shocked by the answer."
Even though Pei Ying could guess the other's ultimate aim, her curiosity was still piqued. "What did your esteemed mother find out?"
Ning Qingying: "That monk was actually a highly accomplished master in the temple, addressed as 'Uncle-Master' by many junior monks. His Dharma name was Master Huifa. He had white hair and a youthful face, looking no more than sixty, but was actually over a hundred years old."
Pei Ying was taken aback. "Such a fall must have been serious."
Never mind a hundred years old, even a sixty-year-old elder would be in grave danger from a fall.
Ning Qingying sighed. "Not long after, Master Huifa passed into nirvana. Thinking back now, it was my fault. It was all because I let him glimpse a sliver of heavenly secrets, bringing divine punishment upon him."
Pei Ying: "..."
Wasn't that master actually killed by the fall?
Seeing Pei Ying didn't respond, Ning Qingying's eyes flickered. "To tell the truth, I didn't take the master's prophecy to heart at the time. That is, until I married my first husband. He lived only four years after our wedding before passing. I married twice more after that, each time to a man of higher status. My third husband was a Central Army Supervisor. He had heard of my noble and weighty destiny and came to seek my hand. Who would have thought he couldn't even last ten years before he, too, was gone."
Pei Ying: "...My condolences."
They happened to arrive in front of a courtyard just then. Pei Ying changed the subject: "This Clear Radiance Courtyard looks nice. Shall we go in and have a look?"
"Madam Pei, please don't laugh at me, but I have a favor to ask."
Pei Ying was inwardly surprised.
So soon?
She had just arrived at the Governor's residence today. Wasn't this a bit too impatient?
"Madam Pei, it's been many years since I last saw Zhizhang. Might I be permitted to stay in the residence a few more days?" Ning Qingying asked.
Pei Ying smiled. "Of course. Please feel free to stay as long as you like, Second Sister."
While Pei Ying was showing Ning Qingying around the gardens, Huo Tingshan and his son walked to the study.
Huo Tingshan turned to look at his second son. "When are you returning to Youzhou?"
"Father, I just got here. Please let me stay a while longer." Huo Zhizhang didn't want to go back to Youzhou.
Here, there were iron pots that could cook delicious food and strong, fine wine. Why go back to Youzhou, only to have his elder brother check his studies every day?
Huo Tingshan: "Staying a few more days is fine. Starting tomorrow, you will follow that little girl Meng Ling'er in studying under Gongsun Taihe."
Huo Zhizhang choked, ultimately yielding.
Since he had to study anyway, at least here he would be well-fed and comfortable.
After asking a few more questions about his youngest son's affairs in Youzhou, Huo Tingshan said, "Alright, you may go and prepare for your studies."
However, Huo Zhizhang did not move, hesitating as he spoke: "Father, my aunt... she has been widowed."
"What does her widowhood have to do with you?" Huo Tingshan scoffed.
Huo Zhizhang frowned. "She is, after all, my aunt. Aunt is a peerless beauty. Although she has been married and widowed three times, given the reputation of her fate, those who consider themselves extraordinary are bound to set their sights on her."
Huo Tingshan lazily raised his eyes. "What are you trying to say, boy?"
Huo Zhizhang lowered his voice. "Father, the year I was just over one, you asked my elder brother and me... you asked if you should marry Aunt to be our stepmother, to care for us brothers. Elder brother had no objection at the time, it was me, being immature, who cried and made a fuss..."
"Not entirely immature," Huo Tingshan suddenly said.
Huo Zhizhang was stunned.
His father rarely praised anyone; to his ears, this was already high praise.
"Father?" Huo Zhizhang was puzzled.
Huo Tingshan turned his gaze to the side, where a small desk was placed by the window. On the desk was a wooden box painted with a "Chu River Han Boundary" chessboard. A faint smile appeared in the man's eyes. "You did quite well back then, kid."
Huo Zhizhang was so shocked he couldn't speak for a long time.
A moment later, Huo Tingshan withdrew his gaze. "Anything else?"
After hearing that praise, Huo Zhizhang felt an inexplicable urge to retreat, yet he also knew his father disliked dithering. Since he had broached the subject, this was likely his only chance.
After much deliberation, Huo Zhizhang continued, "Father, since you were willing to marry Aunt back then, it suggests you didn't dislike her. Now she is without protection, and with that reputation of her fate—that bringing her fortune to whoever possesses her—bringing Aunt into our manor would be beneficial, not harmful, to you."
"I am to marry your mother in a few months," Huo Tingshan said flatly.
"Aunt..." Huo Zhizhang originally wanted to say Aunt could be a concubine, but suddenly felt it improper for such words to come from a junior like himself, so he fell silent.
"Were those words just now your own thoughts, or did your aunt put you up to it?" Huo Tingshan's expression was unreadable.
Huo Zhizhang lowered his eyes.
After all, this was his father; he wouldn't distance himself over such a small matter.
But if he learned it was Aunt's wish, it would be fine if he agreed, but if he didn't, he might hold a grudge against the Ning family.
Huo Zhizhang: "They were my own thoughts."
"Since they are your own thoughts, then cast aside such notions right now. Instead of focusing on your proper duties, you're meddling in your father's affairs. Too much restless energy, is that it?" Huo Tingshan gave a cold laugh. "I'll speak with Gongsun Taihe later and have him assign you more schoolwork."
Huo Zhizhang felt as if struck by lightning.
Currently, Emperor Zhao was obsessed with pursuing immortality, paying almost no attention to state affairs. Governance was controlled by the Emperor's young maternal uncle, Ji Xianbai, and the eunuch faction led by Cui An.
Chang'an, Ji Manor.
In the study, incense smoke curled upwards. Pearwood bookshelves, sandalwood desks, every decorative piece on the shelves was exquisite and valuable. Sandalwood beams, crystal jade walls serving as lamps, even the floor was paved with first-class jade, revealing the extraordinary wealth of the master.
"Grand Marshal, a message from Bingzhou." A guard reported.
The man seated behind the desk seemed unusually young for his current position, appearing not yet forty. His skin was fair, his features carrying a hint of the delicate, refined handsomeness Emperor Zhao possessed before gaining weight.
Compared to past sealed confidential reports, this one now included a long scroll alongside it. Ji Xianbai first opened the secret letter, skimming it rapidly.
The man's lips curved, a sinister glint gathering in his eyes. "This Huo Junze grows more restless by the day. Having swallowed two provinces in succession, isn't he afraid of choking?"
The guard bowed his head, not daring to comment.
Ji Xianbai: "Summon Kong Ce."
"Yes, sir."
Not long after, a short, elderly man entered the study.
"Master Kong, your fellow disciple, that servant of the four great families, has now become a servant of the five great families, having pledged himself to Huo Junze. Perhaps before long, you master and disciple will be reunited." Ji Xianbai said with a faint, ambiguous smile.
The scant light from the window fell on his face, reminiscent of a brightly colored serpent in a cave.
"My lord, you are mistaken. That junior brother of mine is the most fickle. Perhaps in a while, when Huo Junze meets an untimely end, he will have to choose a new master again," Kong Ce said with a laugh.
Ji Xianbai gave a soft, mocking laugh. "No need to placate me, Master. Ever since he survived that incident with the withheld military pay for the Youzhou army, I knew he was a tenacious one."
"My lord, have the scouts sent to Bingzhou returned?" Kong Ce asked seriously.
Ji Xianbai confirmed they had.
Kong Ce couldn't help but ask, "What of the investigation into that rumor? Does the woman by Huo Junze's side match the tales?"
Ji Xianbai did not answer directly, instead rubbing the ring on his finger. "In the past half year, many new things have emerged from Youzhou. First stirrups and saddles, then terraced fields and soap, followed by starting a gazette... one after another, enough to make one's head spin. Without the rumors, Master, could you have imagined that a woman of such great capability had appeared there?"
Kong Ce shook his head. "I could not."
Most young women nowadays were confined to the inner courtyards, learning needlework. The more capable ones studied the arts of managing household politics and stewardship.
Without external guidance, that was the extent of their lives.
The curve of Ji Xianbai's lips deepened. "Neither could I. So, who would have thought all this truly was connected to a young woman. We should actually thank Shi Bingzhou's sons; if not for them, I might never have discovered this key detail."
Kong Ce was greatly surprised upon hearing this. "My lord, does that mean the rumors are true?"
"About fifty or sixty percent. If there really were celestial maidens in this world, if one could truly raise the dead and restore flesh to bones, why would His Majesty seek immortality?" As he spoke, Ji Xianbai picked up the long scroll beside him.
This scroll had been delivered with the secret letter. Earlier, Ji Xianbai had only opened the letter, leaving the scroll untouched.
The scroll contained rollers, allowing the painting to unfurl smoothly without creases.
With a whoosh, the scroll was opened.
Ji Xianbai focused his gaze, the smile on his lips pausing briefly before deepening significantly. "It seems the rumors are more than fifty or sixty percent credible; likely seventy or eighty."
Seeing the curiosity on Kong Ce's face, Ji Xianbai handed him the painting.
Kong Ce took it and looked, his eyes filling with admiration.
The painting depicted a beautiful woman with cloud-like, abundant hair. The artist's skill was exceptional, meticulously detailing even the embroidered borders of her round-collared ruqun dress, let alone her radiant, jade-like face.
Ethereal and vivid as if alive.
After a moment, Kong Ce placed the painting back on the desk. "My lord, have you uncovered this woman's background?"
"Not yet. Huo Junze guards her closely, so there is surprisingly little information." Ji Xianbai took the scroll.
Kong Ce pondered for a moment. "This woman possesses great talent. We cannot allow her to continue serving Youzhou. My lord, regarding that special group of soldiers I previously suggested you train, how is their progress now?"
Speaking of this, a smile curved at the corner of Ji Xianbai's eyes. "They have been fully trained. We tested them recently, and the results were remarkably successful."
Ji Xianbai twisted the ring on his finger. "It is all due to your wise counsel, sir. Most men in this world are arrogant, claiming brothers are like limbs and women mere garments. Who would have thought these 'garments' could achieve such great things?"
Kong Ce laughed in agreement.
"I hope they can bring that Lady Pei back. That would be a truly meritorious deed." Ji Xianbai's gaze returned to the painting.
The beautiful woman in the portrait was depicted with exquisite grace and allure, possessing a charm as captivating as flowing jade and glistening pearls.
