Pei Ying looked up in momentary astonishment.
"If Madam truly wishes to, it's not impossible. I could come tonight," Huo Tingshan said with a meaningful tone.
Pei Ying's beautiful face flushed crimson instantly. "No, I don't wish to."
The memory of how wild this man became in bed still made her shudder with fear.
"Don't wish to?" Huo Tingshan's long brows furrowed, deeply skeptical. "Are you deceiving me with lies again? Madam, appetite and desire are part of human nature. Marital intimacy is a common affair; there's no need to be overly reserved."
"Who's deceiving you? I truly don't," Pei Ying took a step to the side, putting some distance between them, then said, "I was just thinking earlier that I really should make you a garment."
"Hmm?" Huo Tingshan raised his long brows, studying Pei Ying intently for a moment. "What does Madam require this time? Speak. I'll grant it if it's not too excessive."
Pei Ying: "..."
She didn't reply, but her expression likely gave her away. The man suddenly chuckled softly and reached out to pull her close again. "It seems I misunderstood earlier. Madam truly wishes to make me clothes. That is excellent."
"A word once spoken cannot be overtaken even by a team of four horses. Huo Tingshan, you just said you'd grant me one thing." Pei Ying felt it was best not to let such advantages that came her way slip by.
Huo Tingshan paused, speechless.
Pei Ying pushed the hand on her waist away again and took the soap to wash the pouch.
She immersed the pouch in the water basin, letting it soak slowly, then worked up a thick lather of soap suds on both surfaces. It was indeed filthy; she could see faint grey grime as she lathered it.
"When will the garment Madam mentioned be ready?" Huo Tingshan stood beside her.
Knowing he had agreed, Pei Ying now spoke with confidence. "I'm not skilled at needlework. A month at the earliest."
After scrubbing the pouch several times, Pei Ying changed the water and finally rinsed it clean.
Wringing it out, she hung the pouch on the windowsill. Spring rain was as precious as oil, and it hadn't rained for days. After drying for a day, the pouch would be ready by tomorrow.
While hanging the pouch, Pei Ying saw a guard hurry into the courtyard and hand something to Huo Tingshan.
At first, she thought it was a secret letter or similar item, but when Huo Tingshan brought it before her, Pei Ying realized it was a measuring tape.
Huo Tingshan handed the tape to Pei Ying. "I trouble Madam to take my measurements."
Pei Ying didn't refuse; measurements were indeed needed. She straightened the tape, then wrapped it around the man's waist.
Huo Tingshan looked down, his gaze falling on her fair, soft cheek. Her eyelashes were slightly lowered, half-veiling her shimmering, watery eyes. The distance was very close; she seemed to lean against his chest, and her unique sweet fragrance was more intense than usual.
The man's Adam's apple bobbed.
"Done." Pei Ying took the tape and retreated two steps.
Huo Tingshan frowned. "That fast?"
"Yes, the measurement is complete." Pei Ying noted down the number.
Huo Tingshan: "Don't you need to measure the shoulders and back?"
Pei Ying shook her head. "For trousers, the shoulders and back aren't needed."
Huo Tingshan added, "Since it's trousers, why doesn't Madam measure my legs?"
"They're short trousers." Pei Ying gestured towards him. "About this long."
To be more precise, they were underwear.
In this era, there were only kun trousers, no such thing as underwear. Gentlemen wore nothing underneath. It was fine before, but it wasn't proper for Huo Tingshan to continue like that now.
Huo Tingshan recalled that small piece of fabric Pei Ying wore.
That superfluous little piece of fabric.
If one already wore kun trousers, why wear another layer inside?
Huo Tingshan: "Madam, aren't these short trousers rather redundant?"
"You'll understand once they're made." Pei Ying couldn't explain it to him now.
"Madam, may I come find you tonight?" Huo Tingshan toyed with the sash at her waist.
Pei Ying's hand, still holding the coiled tape, paused. She turned to look at him. In those pitch-black eyes, she seemed to see a vast, dark sea. The surface appeared calm at first glance, but she still caught glimpses of turbulent undercurrents surging forth.
After just one glance, Pei Ying quickly averted her eyes. "No, you may not."
"Why not?" Huo Tingshan's gaze darkened.
These past few days, he had sensed a shift in her attitude. Perhaps it couldn't be called affection yet, but at least she didn't seem as eager to run at the sight of him as before.
Pei Ying hadn't expected him to ask why. She was speechless for a moment but quickly found a reason. "We are not yet married, therefore it is not permissible."
Huo Tingshan looked at her, silent.
Pei Ying understood his unspoken meaning. "Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."
Since the agreement for five nights had concluded, they naturally had to follow custom now.
A dark fire flickered in Huo Tingshan's eyes. "Madam, it's only a few months. A little sooner or later makes no difference."
Pei Ying said seriously, "It makes a great difference. There is a significant distinction. Huo Tingshan, you just promised to grant me one thing. Let this be that thing, so say no more."
A vein on the man's forehead tightened slightly.
"General summons us for training?" Sha Ying was astonished. "Why the sudden call to train?"
"Don't know, but we better hurry." Qin Yang said.
The Prefectural Governor's residence covered a large area. After moving in, Huo Tingshan had converted one courtyard into a training ground where the military officers usually trained and sparred.
Just as Sha Ying and Qin Yang arrived, they happened to see Xiong Mao being kicked to the ground. The dull thud of the kick landing on flesh made their back teeth ache.
Unlike other Prefectural Governors, their master had earned his rank through real military merit on the battlefield since his youth.
The casualty rate among his scouts was notoriously high, but whenever he led a mission, no matter how difficult, it was always completed flawlessly.
Not to mention when the General personally led troops into battle. Wherever he passed while slaughtering enemy soldiers, it was no exaggeration to say rivers of blood flowed.
Sha Ying and Qin Yang exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of reluctance in the other's eyes.
"You two are here. Come over."
Sha Ying and Qin Yang stiffened simultaneously and steeled themselves to approach.
Xiong Mao, who had just retreated from the field, grimaced and sucked in a sharp breath out of Huo Tingshan's sight.
Why was the General so irritable today? Who had provoked him? Could it be the Prince of Anxi?
Probably not. Although the Prince of Anxi looked rather strange, he seemed to know his place. Xiong Mao hadn't noticed him doing anything unwise.
Could it be that the powerful families in Bing Province were refusing to submit?
But given the fate of the defiant families in Yuanshan County, those in Bing Province shouldn't be that blind.
Or perhaps, were the former subordinates of the Bing Province Governor showing dissent towards the General?
As Xiong Mao clutched his chest, his thoughts wandering, Qin Yang on the field was the first to fall.
Landing on the specially laid sand and soil surface was slightly better than hitting stone tiles, but only just. Qin Yang's scholarly face contorted, his entire back feeling numb.
Earlier, Sha Ying and Qin Yang had fought two against one. Now without Qin Yang's assistance, Sha Ying struggled immensely.
After taking a punch to the shoulder blade, Sha Ying staggered back two steps. Sucking in a sharp breath, he simply followed Qin Yang's example and lay down on the ground.
He wasn't getting up.
Huo Tingshan's gaze swept over the two of them; how could he not see they were intentionally avoiding him? He was just about to call them up when someone else suddenly entered the training ground.
"Father, a letter has arrived from Youzhou," Huo Zhizhang walked in.
In an instant, numerous gazes carrying a strange sense of gratitude fell upon him. Huo Zhizhang, puzzled, instinctively stopped in his tracks.
"You've come at just the right time, lad. Come, spar with me a few rounds," Huo Tingshan turned around.
"A thousand lanterns of the night market shine upon emerald clouds, / High towers and crimson sleeves, guests come in throngs."
This verse was also perfectly suited to describe Chang'an. This capital, teeming with nobility and power, seemed forever bustling with traffic, its prosperity an eternal, unending spectacle.
As a famous treasure hall in Chang'an, Shengjing Pavilion saw a steady flow of patrons daily, none of whom were common folk.
The moment Shengjing Pavilion opened its doors today, a wealthy servant came to ask: "Shopkeeper Rong, does the pavilion have any new arrivals today?"
"Not at the moment," Shopkeeper Rong had just uttered these words when he saw a man in luxurious robes, with innocent deer-like eyes, enter.
He immediately stiffened, brushed past the servant before him, and almost jogged over: "Brother Murong, it's been a while. I trust you've been well."
Murong Shu said with a beaming smile, "Shopkeeper Rong."
Shopkeeper Rong turned his head and said to the servant who was about to leave, "Young lady, please wait a moment. There might be new goods today."
After saying this, Shopkeeper Rong gave Murong Shu an ingratiating smile: "Brother Murong, have you come to see me today with fine goods? If so, please show them quickly."
Murong Shu didn't beat around the bush: "Indeed, I have fine goods. The item for consignment today is 'Pei Family Fine Brew.' Xiu, bring it over."
Hearing it was "fine brew," Shopkeeper Rong's smile froze slightly.
Wine... that wasn't anything rare. Chang'an had plenty of excellent wines...
A burly man then entered carrying a jar.
The wine jar was made of white porcelain, adorned with exquisite patterns on its surface. The mouth was sealed tightly with red silk, from which two wheat-ear-shaped, bright yellow silk ribbons hung symmetrically.
Looking at the red silk seal, it was painted with mica powder depicting a plump white rabbit holding a 'Pei' character.
The combination of red, white, and gold was eye-catching and carried an air of luxury.
Shopkeeper Rong admitted the packaging was good, but that was all. It was still the same old story: Chang'an had too many fine wines; the palates of the nobility were already highly refined, and many wines couldn't catch their fancy.
Murong Shu smiled and said, "Shopkeeper Rong, this is the newly released Pei Family Fine Brew. I'll give you a jar to taste. I believe you will definitely like it."
Keeping his true thoughts to himself, Shopkeeper Rong, hearing the overflowing confidence in his words and since the wine was a gift, hurriedly ushered him into the inner room.
A jar was about the size of a winter melon, quite small for a wine jar.
Murong Shu unsealed the jar. The moment the lid was opened, Shopkeeper Rong was hit by an incredibly rich aroma of wine, like a misty humidity after rain, invading every sense relentlessly.
Shopkeeper Rong's eyes widened in surprise, and he immediately leaned in to look at the wine inside the jar. The liquid was clear as water, not much different from some top-quality brews.
"Shopkeeper Rong, do you have a cup?" Murong Shu asked.
"Yes, yes, yes," Shopkeeper Rong quickly went to fetch a cup.
Murong Shu personally poured the wine, not much, stopping at about one-third of the cup's capacity: "Shopkeeper Rong, please have a taste."
Since the other party had said this jar was a gift, Shopkeeper Rong spoke without reservation: "That's hardly enough, Brother Murong. Pour a bit more."
Murong Shu gave a mysterious smile: "Don't be hasty, Shopkeeper Rong. This Pei Family Fine Brew is quite potent. First-time tasters should not be too bold."
Shopkeeper Rong was half-convinced, half-doubtful.
Having been the shopkeeper at Shengjing Pavilion for many years, he had seen countless rare treasures and tasted the finest foods and delicacies. What hadn't he tried?
Just wine alone, he had tasted dozens of varieties. This Pei Family Fine Brew was quite potent? How exactly was it potent?
Full of suspicion, Shopkeeper Rong raised the cup to drink.
The moment the fine brew entered his mouth, Shopkeeper Rong's pupils constricted, and he was greatly astonished: "Brother Murong, this wine..."
It was intensely rich and mellow upon entry, smooth as satin. The rich wine aroma slid from his throat down into his organs. Once the wine reached his stomach, it seemed to gather into a warm, cozy fire in his belly, making one feel somewhat ethereal and light.
"Excellent wine!" Shopkeeper Rong exclaimed loudly.
Murong Shu's innocent deer-like eyes smiled with a fox-like cunning, "Shopkeeper Rong, nothing from the Pei Family is ordinary."
"Absolutely, absolutely. The Pei Family produces top-quality goods," Shopkeeper Rong nodded repeatedly. "Brother Murong, how much does this jar of Pei Family Fine Brew cost?"
Murong Shu extended two fingers: "Not much, the price of two bars of soap."
One bar of soap cost ten taels of silver, so the price of two bars was twenty taels.
Shopkeeper Rong looked down at the wine in his hand, his heart surging with waves.
Twenty taels wasn't much for many nobles, but a jar of wine was only the size of a winter melon. Not to exaggerate, a heavy drinker could finish it in two or three days. If used for entertaining guests, it was even more remarkable; the demand would be enormous.
For a single banquet, at least ten or so jars would be needed, easily costing over two hundred taels.
Soap was also a consumable and quite personal. Nobles might use one bar themselves or share one with their spouse. Even with daily use, one wouldn't go through a bar in two or three days, unlike wine, where a jar could disappear unnoticed after a few drinks.
Shopkeeper Rong suddenly felt he was holding not wine, but refined molten silver.
"Shopkeeper Rong, there's a wealthy servant waiting outside," Murong Shu reminded him.
Shopkeeper Rong snapped back to reality. "With the quality of the Pei Family Fine Brew, it will take Chang'an by storm even without much promotion from me."
Soon, the goods originally displayed on the most prominent shelf at the front of Shengjing Pavilion were taken down and replaced with a white jar. Because the jar was small, a sign was specially placed next to it.
It read: Pei Family Fine Brew.
The change of the featured item happened in broad daylight, with people coming and going on the street. Many saw it.
"Oh, Shengjing Pavilion changed its featured item?"
"Pei Family? The same Pei Family as the Pei Family Soap? Let's go take a look."
"Fine Brew? So the Pei Family is selling wine now? Chang'an has countless fine wines. What gives the Pei Family the right to be displayed at the front?"
"What gives them the right? Hah, naturally it's connections. Have you seen how much money that soap has made for Shengjing Pavilion? Giving them the front spot now is nothing."
"Wait, I smell wine. A very rich wine aroma."
"Let's go in and ask how much a jar costs."
Some curious onlookers asked the price, while servants who had already brought money with them went straight in to buy.
"Twenty taels a jar?" The servant who asked the price was astonished, thinking this fine brew was even more expensive than the soap.
But there were even more expensive fine wines. In the end, he still bought it. The young masters and madams in his mansion had used the soap and become devoted followers of the "Pei Family," loving it dearly. Now that "Pei Family" had a new product, they definitely had to buy some.
At first, servants only bought one or two jars to let their masters try, until...
"Shopkeeper, twenty jars of Pei Family Fine Brew," someone suddenly said.
Shopkeeper Rong turned his head and recognized the newcomer as a servant from the Grand Marshal's residence. He quickly put on a smile. "Young Master Gao, it's been a long time. Please wait a moment."
Ji Residence.
Ji Xianbai looked at the white jar placed on the table and personally untied the red seal. Instantly, the aroma of wine overflowed.
His fair, slender fingers picked up a jade cup. Ji Xianbai took a sip. As the fine wine passed his throat, his movement paused slightly. His face showed little surprise, but he suddenly let out a sigh.
"Has Xue Cha returned?" Ji Xianbai asked the servant outside.
"Replying to the Grand Marshal, not yet..."
"Grand Marshal, Xue Cha and the others have returned."
A moment later, Xue Cha and three others stood before Ji Xianbai. They had come directly upon returning, still in their travel-worn clothes, not having had time to freshen up.
"This subordinate failed the mission. I am ashamed of the trust placed in me by the Grand Marshal," Xue Cha lowered her head.
A message had already arrived earlier, so Ji Xianbai already knew of their failure.
"Tell me what happened those few days," Ji Xianbai said, rotating the jade cup in his hand.
Xue Cha reported truthfully, starting from the abduction of Pei Ying to all the subsequent events.
She described everything in great detail, including comparing Pei Ying to the person in the painting upon first seeing her, Pei Ying later developing a high fever, and how she secretly extended her yellow jade bracelet when the old physician was examining her.
After she finished speaking, silence fell in the room. No one spoke for a long while, and Xue Cha and the others felt their hearts gradually tighten.
"Wait and see later..." Ji Xianbai repeated the words Pei Ying had said at the time, then chuckled softly. "Quite the schemer."
"I have always been clear about rewards and punishments. For this mission failure, you must go to the Green Courtyard to receive your punishment. Do you have any objections?" Ji Xianbai said calmly.
They all answered they had none.
Ji Xianbai added, "After going to the Green Courtyard, seek out Physician Linghu in the residence for medicine. Tend to your injuries carefully."
Gratitude showed in all four pairs of eyes.
Ji Xianbai waved his hand to dismiss them. After the four women left, the man poured himself another cup of wine. His fox-like eyes narrowed. "It seems all the good fortune falls to you, Huo Junze. But the moon waxes only to wane. Let's just wait and see."
The Prince of Anxi stayed in Xiaojiang County for three days before departing for Chang'an. The county returned to normalcy, with merchants resuming their business and commoners continuing their busy lives.
Pei Ying was starting to feel like going out again.
That day when she went out with Ning Qingying, one of her goals was to gather materials for making fire starters. However, everything that happened afterward disrupted her plans.
Now that the Prince of Anxi had left the county, Pei Ying pondered whether to go out, but her previous experience made her hesitate.
"Is Madam doing drills in the courtyard?"
Hearing the voice, Pei Ying stopped and turned to see Huo Tingshan standing at the courtyard entrance, unsure for how long. "Not at all. I was just considering something."
Huo Tingshan had actually been standing there for a while, watching with amusement as she paced back and forth. "What is it?"
Pei Ying told him honestly, "I'd like to go out of the residence."
Huo Tingshan teased, "That's it? Was that worth pacing a hundred circles in the courtyard?"
Pei Ying pressed her lips together.
Huo Tingshan knew what she was worried about. "I have some free time today. I'll accompany Madam on an outing to the market."
It was settled. The carriage slowly left the Provincial Governor's residence.
Huo Tingshan didn't ride his horse today and shared the carriage with Pei Ying. "What does Madam wish to buy?"
Pei Ying: "I want to make something that can replace flint. Today I'm going out to commission someone to find the materials."
"Replace flint?" Huo Tingshan raised an eyebrow.
Pei Ying nodded. "Flint isn't easy to use. Those with little strength, or people who rarely light fires, simply can't manage it."
Like herself. Even knowing flint could make fire, if given two pieces and several hours, she probably still couldn't produce a flame.
"What does Madam plan to use instead?" Huo Tingshan asked.
Pei Ying explained the principle: "I plan to make something that preserves an ember. When you need to use it, you can ignite the ember inside into a flame."
Huo Tingshan stroked his chin. "Preserve an ember? How? Once fire burns out, it extinguishes."
At that moment, the carriage arrived at the entrance of the market alley Pei Ying had instructed them to go to. The carriage stopped, and they got out.
Pei Ying walked around the market and finally headed towards an old man selling wild vegetables.
"Old Man, I'd like to do some business with you. I'll give you a hundred coins when it's done, how about that?" Pei Ying said.
Hearing "a hundred coins," the Old Man quickly nodded. "May I ask what the noble lady wishes to buy? This old man has little of value. If the noble lady needs something precious, I'm afraid I cannot provide it."
Pei Ying: "It's nothing expensive, just a bit tedious to collect. I need silvergrass flowers and paper mulberry bark, two jun of each."
These things could be found in the wild. The Old Man's expression relaxed upon hearing this. "That's not difficult. Please give this old man two days."
It was settled. Pei Ying agreed with him, promising to meet him at the same spot in the market two days later.
After leaving the market, Huo Tingshan asked, "Madam, can just those silvergrass flowers and mulberry bark keep fire from going out?"
This was truly unheard of.
Pei Ying shook her head. "No. Fire will go out if it doesn't have access to air. Those two things just allow the ember to reignite very quickly."
Silvergrass flowers and paper mulberry bark were both high in fiber, catching fire easily, making them perfect for kindling. If sweet potatoes had already been introduced from the Americas, she would have definitely added sweet potato vines.
Huo Tingshan looked thoughtful.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. Pei Ying returned to the market, and the Old Man was there as promised.
Two large baskets were placed before him, containing exactly the silvergrass flowers and paper mulberry bark Pei Ying needed.
Pei Ying inspected them, then promptly paid the silver. She returned to the residence with the two baskets of materials, her trip a success.
Neither the silvergrass flowers nor the mulberry bark could be used directly. They needed to be processed to the greatest extent possible—crushed to expose the fibers inside. This processing, combined with drying, would take several more days.
During this process, Pei Ying was notified to pack her belongings. Soon, they would be leaving Bing Province.
Although Bing Province was now under control, it wasn't Huo Tingshan's base after all. Now that things were settled here, it was time to depart.
However, contrary to Pei Ying's expectation of heading directly back to You Province, Huo Tingshan didn't go north. Instead, he headed east, seemingly towards neighboring Ji Province.
As they set off, Pei Ying wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but she felt there were many more chests this time.
Wooden chests, one after another, were loaded onto the supply train. Judging by their color and texture, they were made of expensive pearwood.
The carts carrying these chests were clearly different from the others. Not only were they guarded by soldiers, but they were also placed at the very center of the supply train.
Probably treasures transported from the Bing Province Governor's residence, Pei Ying thought idly.
She temporarily put this matter aside, as another thing had captured her full attention—
The materials for the fire starters were finally processed.
All that remained was to stuff the stripped, fiber-rich tinder into the small bamboo tube and light it.
Pei Ying took the fire starter to find the army cooks to get a flame. Just as she covered the small bamboo lid after lighting the tinder, a guard came to report, "Madam, the Grand General requests your presence in the main tent."
Pei Ying thought this was perfect timing, as she also had matters to discuss with him.
Upon entering, Pei Ying found only Huo Tingshan in the main tent. He was seated beside a low desk, upon which lay a stack of what appeared to be letters.
"Huo Tingshan, the fire starter is ready." Pei Ying took a seat at the side of the desk and handed him the device.
Huo Tingshan took the small bamboo tube from her hand. It was light, no longer than his palm, and one could see a small cap at one end. "Do I simply open the cap?"
Pei Ying confirmed, "Yes, open it, then blow a gentle breath from the side."
As she spoke, Pei Ying's gaze drifted downward and inadvertently fell upon the documents on the desk, which were oriented in her direction.
It was a long, detailed gift list.
