Pei Ying's ears flushed pink, suspecting he was thinking of something improper, yet the man's expression was perfectly serious, leaving her without evidence.
"It couldn't possibly be unsuitable," Pei Ying said to him.
Huo Tingshan asked her, "Did my lady only measure the waist, and nothing else?"
Pei Ying: "...Yes."
Huo Tingshan gave a light chuckle. "Then it's settled. You haven't measured anything else, so how would you know if it's accurate?"
Pei Ying's delicate brows furrowed slightly. "I specifically left extra allowance, made it much looser."
"The 'looseness' my lady speaks of, is it perhaps based on your own proportions?" Huo Tingshan said with a laugh.
Pei Ying didn't reply. Her gaze held a trace of doubt as she looked at him, then drifted downward, finally settling on the area below his robe. "Take off your outer robe. Let me see if it's truly unsuitable."
Huo Tingshan paused briefly. "I've already taken those trousers off."
With that, he really went back and fetched the pair of short pants, placing them beside the soft couch. "I'll come find my lady again later."
In the mere moment Pei Ying lowered her head to pick up the pants, the man before her had vanished.
The beautiful woman pursed her lips. A long while later, she muttered, "Really or not? Is he perhaps deceiving me?"
But no one gave Pei Ying an answer.
Dinner that evening was served in the main hall. Both Meng Ling'er and Huo Zhizhang attended.
They both knew Huo Tingshan had gone to the Pei family to deliver the betrothal gifts today. They had wanted to witness it, but Gongsun Liang wouldn't allow it, keeping them in class. Thus, they could only piece together the scene from the guards' accounts.
Perhaps because the betrothal gifts had been delivered, Huo Zhizhang felt his own mindset had shifted somewhat, akin to a sense of finality settling in.
In about two months, he would have a mother.
Huo Tingshan said to the two younger ones, "The Pei family has set the wedding day for the 27th of this month, ten days from now. Calculate your time and pack your belongings accordingly."
They both assented.
Huo Zhizhang asked, "Father, when is your and Aunt Pei's wedding date set for?"
Huo Tingshan: "The eighth day of the sixth month."
Huo Zhizhang calculated silently, thinking to himself that it was less than two months away—truly very soon.
After the meal, Pei Ying followed her daughter to her Lingxi Courtyard.
"Sweetheart, we only have a few days left before leaving Yuanshan County. Tomorrow, I intend to ask Mr. Gongsun to temporarily suspend classes for the next ten days. What do you think?" Pei Ying said to her daughter.
She had seen her daughter's reluctance to leave when they departed the Pei family yesterday. It would be good to visit more often these days. Once they left this time, they might not return to Jizhou frequently in the future, as travel was truly inconvenient now.
A glimmer of light flashed in Meng Ling'er's eyes, but she quickly shook her head. "No need to stop completely. Changing to one lesson every three days would be fine."
She did want to visit her maternal grandparents' home, but today's lesson from Mr. Gongsun about commerce had greatly interested her. If her mother later wanted to use her saved money for business, she could be of help.
Pei Ying left it to her.
After spending an hour in her daughter's small courtyard, Pei Ying got up to return to the main courtyard. Neither room in the main courtyard had any lamplight, so she knew that man had not yet returned.
Pei Ying fetched her clothes and headed for the side chamber.
Compared to the luxurious Governor's mansion in Bingzhou, she actually preferred the one here in Yuanshan County because it had a hot spring pool.
A natural hot spring—soaking in it every day was incredibly comfortable.
One shouldn't soak in the hot spring for more than half an hour, or dizziness could set in. Seeing the time was about right, Pei Ying rose from the pool, dressed, and went out.
There was a small door connecting the side chamber to the main bedroom, meant to prevent steam from drifting in. The moment she pushed this small door open, Pei Ying saw a tall figure.
He was lying on the soft couch where she usually sat.
Had he really come?
"Huo Tingshan, were you deceiving me this afternoon?" Seeing him, that slight unease from earlier resurfaced.
Huo Tingshan sat up straight, a look of surprise on his face. "Why would my lady say that?"
Pei Ying turned to the low cabinet, took out the neatly folded short pants, and handed them to him. "Put these on and let me see."
"Really want to see?" Huo Tingshan's eyebrows lifted slightly.
Pei Ying nodded. "Change."
Huo Tingshan took the pants, leisurely rose from the soft couch, and then proceeded to undo his belt right there.
Pei Ying gasped in surprise. "Go inside to change."
He was truly brazen. They were still by the window.
"My lady has many demands," Huo Tingshan chuckled, but took the pants and walked inside.
Pei Ying closed the wide-open window until only a hand's width remained, leaving just a vent for air. Then she turned back, intending to tell Huo Tingshan to close the side chamber door properly as he passed by.
But upon turning around, Pei Ying saw he wasn't heading for the side chamber at all. The man swaggered past the screen, walking straight into the inner sleeping quarters.
Pei Ying called out, "Huo Tingshan."
"What is it?" a lazy reply came from within.
"Why didn't you go to the side chamber?" Pei Ying also walked in that direction but stopped before the carved wooden screen.
"The side chamber is steamy, the floor slippery. Not a good place to change clothes," the voice from inside said.
Pei Ying's lips twitched. "The side chamber isn't a good place to change clothes? Don't tell me you have to specially run to the bedroom to dress after bathing every day?"
"My lady is clever. Indeed, that is the case."
Pei Ying: "..."
Pei Ying couldn't say anything more, for she could already hear the rustling of clothes being changed.
A moment later, she heard the person inside say, "The pants are somewhat tight, making it inconvenient to step. Please come here, my lady."
Pei Ying was puzzled inside. It shouldn't be so tight that he couldn't step, should it? But she said to the inside, "Wait a moment, I'll fetch a measuring tape."
After getting the measuring tape, Pei Ying walked around the screen. She saw Huo Tingshan standing before the soft couch. His belt was undone, but his outer robe was not removed.
Men's outer robes were very loose and wide. Without a belt to cinch it, it hung straight down to the calves. Now that Huo Tingshan had removed his belt, the straight robe simply hung down.
And the moment she rounded the screen, Pei Ying sensed a gaze settling on her, carrying an indescribable covetousness.
Pei Ying instinctively looked up at him, but the man before her was composed and at ease, his expression normal, as if that fleeting moment had been her illusion.
Pei Ying: "Huo Tingshan, take off your outer robe."
"My lady, help me," Huo Tingshan didn't move.
"Your legs may be inconvenient, but not your hands," Pei Ying also didn't move.
Huo Tingshan looked at her for a moment, then clicked his tongue lightly. "When a silk shop sells clothes, if there's an ill fit, one can still discuss it. I've agreed to so many of my lady's conditions, yet my lady leaves me unattended. Truly, I've been raising you for nothing."
With that, he removed his outer robe.
Beneath the outer robe was an under-robe. The hem of the under-robe was quite long, covering down to the upper thighs, hiding everything.
Still couldn't see.
Pei Ying: "...Take off the under-robe as well."
The man looked at her for a moment, then curled his lips. "Very well."
An under-robe drifted gracefully to the floor.
He was a military commander, having fought on battlefields for over twenty years. As long as it wasn't wartime, he would diligently train every morning without fail. And as he had said, this was the prime of his life.
His back was broad, his dark skin covered in scars both long and short. By all rights, this should have been unsightly, yet because of his hard, robust physique and the smooth flow of his muscle lines, it unexpectedly appeared wild and untamed, like a tiger or leopard lying in wait in the forest, containing a dangerous explosive power.
The muscles of his abdomen were sharply defined, two deep v-lines leading straight down, finally disappearing into the gray fabric, out of sight.
A few images flashed through Pei Ying's mind.
A dimly lit night by candlelight, dark skin glistening with a light sweat, rough palms spread open, and the faintly tensed veins on his arms...
Heat rose uncontrollably to Pei Ying's face. She thought it was better for this man to be clothed. With his outer robe and inner garment removed, it was like releasing a beast from its cage.
"The inner garment is off. Come here, my lady," said Huo Tingshan.
Pei Ying didn't go over immediately, but instead looked down.
Now he only had his trousers left on. Without other layers for cover, it was clearly visible.
Just looking at it this way, Pei Ying thought it seemed quite suitable.
After watching for a few breaths, Pei Ying stepped forward, but went around from the side, circling Huo Tingshan once, and said in a low voice, "Doesn't this seem quite fitting?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, a long arm reached out, accurately pulling her in. Huo Tingshan wrapped one arm around her waist, while the other hand grasped her wrist holding the measuring tape. "My lady hasn't even measured it yet, how would she know it's suitable?"
"Measuring isn't like this..." Pei Ying didn't finish her sentence before she suddenly felt it.
He held her, pressing extremely close. Certain changes were impossible to hide from her.
It was too obvious, vigorously protesting its confinement.
Pei Ying's face flushed crimson, the words stuck in her throat unable to come out.
"You see, my lady, it truly isn't suitable," Huo Tingshan said, taking her hand that held the measuring tape to demonstrate exactly how unsuitable it was.
When she had made the shorts for him before, Pei Ying hadn't chosen very thick material. After all, the purpose of these shorts wasn't warmth, so the fabric selection leaned towards being lightweight and breathable.
Now Pei Ying regretted it. Though there was a layer, it seemed to serve no purpose at all.
An excessive heat transmitted through, exploding from her fingertips like a wildfire, making her want to retreat. Yet this man held her hand with a trapping grip, not allowing her to pull back.
Only then did Pei Ying realize what he meant by "unsuitable," and when it was unsuitable.
If it were suitable at a time like this, that would be truly strange.
"Huo Tingshan, you had the nerve to say before that Zhizhang was thick-skinned, not leaving out even an inch of his face. I think the one who's truly thick-skinned is you," Pei Ying said, flushed with embarrassment.
Huo Tingshan held her and said, "My lady wrongs me. I was merely stating the fact of its unsuitability. Look now, isn't it indeed unsuitable?"
"Unsuitable? Then don't wear them," Pei Ying said shyly.
She had kindly made him trousers, and this was how he repaid her, actually playing tricks on her here.
As soon as the words left her mouth, Pei Ying regretted them, because she heard a low chuckle beside her ear: "Good. As my lady says."
His rich voice held a hint of restrained huskiness. His exhaled breath fell on her ear, raising goosebumps on a small patch of her nape.
"No!" Pei Ying instinctively pressed her hand against him.
But she forgot her hand wasn't placed on the position of his belt. Pressing down there, the man holding her instantly let his breath grow much heavier.
"Don't stop, my lady. Continue."
Pei Ying, who had only had a blush on her face before, now felt that vivid color spread from her cheeks down her fair neck, revealing an extremely bright crimson.
"Today is the seventeenth of the fourth month. It's less than two months until the eighth of the sixth month. According to my lady's method of rounding, how about rounding these two months down to zero?" Huo Tingshan lowered his gaze, looking at the lustrous, pink-tinted shell of her ear before him, and accepted it without hesitation.
Wetness and unusual heat transmitted over. Pei Ying's pupils contracted, and a wave of tingling numbness arose at the small of her back.
"No, we cannot," Pei Ying turned her head away.
When this man got carried away, he was very willful and reckless. If she gave in to him today, breaking the promise made before, he might very well come again tomorrow, and with reason, saying that since the precedent was broken yesterday, the agreement logically no longer needed to be followed.
No, absolutely not.
Huo Tingshan's voice was somewhat muffled. "Truly cannot?"
"Cannot," Pei Ying said firmly.
He tried to persuade her a few more times, but each time Pei Ying's answer was firm, the same two words, the same reply.
After a moment, someone sighed beside her ear: "Fine, if it cannot be, then it cannot be. But this matter arose because of my lady. No matter what, my lady should help me through it once."
He guided her hand to move slowly.
The shorts she had sewn for him ended up in a pitiful state, and her hand suffered a great ordeal as well.
Afterwards, Pei Ying was washing her hands with soap. As she washed, her movements slowed. "Wait, how did this matter arise because of me?"
Looking down at her reddened palms, Pei Ying said with regret, "That scoundrel is utterly wicked."
...
Ten days passed like flowing water, silent and unnoticed. In the blink of an eye, the day of the wedding procession arrived.
The day before the procession, Pei Ying returned to the Pei residence. She retired early that night and was woken by Xin Jin before dawn the next day.
"My lady, it's the Yin hour already. Time to rise," Xin Jin said softly.
Pei Ying turned over and continued sleeping.
Xin Jin called her two more times before Pei Ying slowly sat up, covering a small yawn with her hand. "But it's only the Yin hour."
The Yin hour, 3 a.m.
"My lady, the procession is set for the Si hour," Xin Jin said helplessly.
Pei Ying knew this and couldn't help sighing. "I didn't have to get up this early last time I got married."
Xin Jin's eyebrow twitched, and she said in a low voice, "My lady, please be cautious with such words in the future."
Pei Ying finally got out of bed.
The Great Chu dynasty esteemed the colors black and red. Formal ceremonial attire also heavily used these two colors.
Since it was a long-distance marriage, not entering the groom's household on the same day, Pei Ying's wedding attire today wasn't the most elaborate. However, the clothing was still extremely intricate. "Faithful Promise" embroidery coiled on the collar and cuffs, revealing long tail patterns resembling swallows, symbolizing "loyalty can express intent, faithfulness can promise longevity."
The beautiful lady, dressed in a round-collared robe and skirt of black highlighted with red, sat on the couch. On either side was a skilled elderly woman sought out by the Pei residence.
"This old woman has prepared and sent off no fewer than several hundred young ladies, but this is the first time seeing one so exquisitely beautiful. My lady is peerless in elegance, a national beauty."
"Indeed. The willows of Zhangtai, a face like a flower, the moon's countenance—they are no more than this."
Dawn had not yet broken; candles burned in the room. The lamplight haloed the face of the beautiful lady sitting on the couch. Her eyes were slightly lowered, the faint light catching on her thick, long lashes, casting a shallow golden hue.
Red lips, white teeth, snow-white skin, satin-like hair. Red rouge lightly tinted that lotus-blossom face, lending the beautiful lady a charm not often seen in daily life.
Hearing the words of the dressing elderly women, Pei Ying smiled. "You both flatter me excessively."
With that radiant smile, a shimmering, rippling light rose in her limpid autumn-pupiled eyes, lending her a touch of dazzling, bewitching allure, making even the room seem to brighten a little.
The room fell quiet for a moment. The two elderly dressing maids marveled inwardly, and seeing how approachable she was, they became even more eager to chat with Pei Ying as they worked.
By the time her attire was fully arranged, the sky had already dawned.
Pei's Mother brought a red veil and personally placed it over Pei Ying's head. "May everything go smoothly from now on, and may you and your husband be in perfect harmony."
The actual wedding day was not today, so all the customary noisy festivities like the door-blocking games were canceled. She only needed to bid farewell to the elders before boarding the carriage.
Pei Ying kowtowed to Pei's Father and Pei's Mother.
Pei's Mother personally helped her up, her tone both gratified and reluctant. "Yingying, although you are no longer a young maiden, your mother must still advise you. Once married, you must regard your husband as your guiding principle. Serve your parents-in-law above, nurture your children below, be diligent, frugal, and cherish your home, and possess a magnanimous heart. Only thus can a husband and wife live in lasting harmony."
Pei's Mother's words went in one of Pei Ying's ears and out the other.
Because of the veil, Pei's Mother didn't notice that she wasn't listening at all.
Huo Tingshan arrived at the Pei residence precisely on the auspicious hour. Today he wore a black-and-crimson robe. The ring-pommeled sword usually worn at his waist was absent; though the weapon was removed, it did not diminish his authority in the slightest.
The honor guard soldiers he brought for the bridal procession were meticulously selected—each robust and stalwart, their spirits excellent. The soldiers had changed their uniforms, and even the necks of the cavalry team's horses were adorned with a festive red silk ribbon.
A crowd of commoners had gathered in front of the Pei residence gate.
"What a majestic procession! I even think those soldiers are first-rate fine gentlemen themselves, every one a talented youth."
"Look at you talking. Those chosen to accompany him are surely handpicked; likely many among them are officers. How could they not be impressive?"
"I have a young daughter at home, still unmarried..."
"Forget it. They are returning to Youzhou."
"Returning to Youzhou is fine too. It's a promising future regardless."
"Stop talking, the bride is coming out!"
The surrounding discussions ceased abruptly. All eyes shifted from the carriage team and horses back to the main gate of the Pei residence.
A tall, imposing figure appeared first in everyone's view, leading a young lady dressed in a dark-red round-collared ruqun skirt and silk-tread shoes.
The lady's face was covered by a red veil, her features unclear, but her figure was slender yet curvaceous, exceedingly graceful. Observing her fair hands resting at her sides, her skin was as white as mutton fat, like fresh winter snow.
Pei Ying couldn't see the path, only hearing continuous exclamations of admiration from around her. The large hand holding hers was calloused and rough, yet excessively warm even in this spring weather.
The bridal carriage was parked right at the entrance of the Pei residence; they reached it in just a few steps.
"Please board the carriage, Madam."
With Huo Tingshan's support, Pei Ying stepped into the carriage. The moment the curtain fell, she heard the man whisper something to her.
The beautiful lady was momentarily taken aback.
After helping Pei Ying into the carriage, Huo Tingshan took the driver's seat, lightly tapping the reins on the horse's back.
The steed paced forward. After the wheels turned three times, Huo Tingshan reined in the horse, handed the driver's position to a soldier, and mounted his black horse, Wu Ye.
Under the gaze of Pei's Father, Pei's Mother, and the commoners, the cavalry team surrounding the carriage gradually moved into the distance.
It was customary not to retrace one's path on the day of fetching the bride. Huo Tingshan had set out from the Provincial Governor's residence and, after fetching his bride, had no intention of returning.
Yuanshan County in Ji Province was different from Xiaojiang County in Bing Province. The former had many small towns not far away, reachable within a day, unlike the area around Xiaojiang County, which only had a dilapidated Baiguang County.
After fetching the bride, the formal journey began, but they would travel in two separate groups.
Huo Tingshan, having fetched Pei Ying, led his troops on one route.
All others, such as Meng Ling'er and Huo Zhizhang, followed the main contingent departing Yuanshan County via another road.
However, once the bridal cavalry team exited the city gates, Huo Tingshan ordered the procession to halt temporarily.
Pei Huizhou, representing the Pei family as the escort, saw the leading man dismount from his large black horse, then watched wide-eyed as he entered the carriage at the center of the procession.
Pei Huizhou was astounded and said to the Pei family servant beside him, "This is not in accordance with propriety."
The servant dared not speak but thought privately, even if it truly violated propriety, could one actually go and stop him?
Inside the carriage.
Because of the few words Huo Tingshan had whispered to her earlier, Pei Ying had not moved the red veil on her head. She could sense when the carriage stopped, and not long after, she heard the sound of the carriage door opening.
The red veil still covered her head; Pei Ying couldn't see, only hearing the initial soft footstep entering the compartment.
Someone spoke. "Madam."
His voice was deep, like a vast, still ocean, but Pei Ying keenly detected a subtle difference from usual, akin to surging undercurrents beneath the sea.
Pei Ying's hands resting on her knees tightened slightly. She responded with a soft "Mm."
The corner of the red veil covering her head was gently lifted and slowly drawn back. Her lotus-like, jade-smooth face was revealed inch by inch. Rouge tinted her red lips, yet they also seemed naturally delicate and richly beautiful. She lifted her gaze, her beautiful eyes, holding shimmering autumn waters, clear and gentle. Huo Tingshan clearly saw his own reflection within them.
"Madam is exceedingly beautiful today," he said, his gaze fixed intently on her.
Pei Ying had some rouge on her face; now the color seemed to bloom even more vibrantly. "The General is also very handsome today."
He had also taken special care with his appearance today—a black crown bound his hair, his dark robe was impeccably smooth without a single crease, and even his stubble was cleanly shaven.
Huo Tingshan chuckled upon hearing this. "It seems you truly don't find me disagreeable this time."
Outside the carriage, Pei Huizhou waited anxiously, silently counting the passing time. The longer he waited, the more impatient he grew. Just as he decided to go remind them it was time to depart, a tall, imposing figure emerged from the carriage.
The man nimbly mounted his horse, and the procession set off once more.
Pei Huizhou let out a long, relieved breath.
By the time the cavalry team reached Qinghu County, it was already late afternoon. The main contingent with Huo Zhizhang had arrived at Qinghu County first, so the lodgings at the courier station had already been prepared. Huo Tingshan's cavalry team could proceed directly to settle in.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of the courier station. As soon as Pei Ying pushed the carriage door open, she saw Huo Tingshan reaching out as well.
"It seems Madam was feeling stifled," he said, his gaze sweeping over her dark-red round-collared ruqun once more, looking her over again and again.
"I am indeed somewhat weary," Pei Ying replied, extending her hand and using his support to alight from the carriage.
Today was different from usual. On normal days, she preferred to tie her hair with two ribbons or have Xin Jin use a single hairpin or a "buyao," prioritizing simplicity and ease.
But today was for grand attire. Not only was her clothing elaborate, but the ornaments in her hair likely numbered over ten pieces and were particularly heavy.
Pei Ying couldn't wait to return and remove her makeup.
Pei Ying walked into the courier station alongside Huo Tingshan. She heard the man beside her say, "Madam, today is an auspicious day."
At first, Pei Ying didn't understand what he meant. "Mm, it is an auspicious day."
Huo Tingshan spoke again, "Actually, if you think about it, today could be considered our wedding day."
Pei Ying's steps faltered slightly. This time, she understood him. "It's not our wedding day. The wedding day is in June."
"It's inauspicious for the newlyweds to sleep in separate rooms on the very first night after the bride arrives," Huo Tingshan said.
Pei Ying was speechless. This man was clearly a staunch atheist, yet now he could utter such inauspicious nonsense with a straight face.
Pei Huizhou had also dismounted and was now not far behind the two of them. The conversation from ahead drifted back, and the usually gentle man's face darkened noticeably.
"Yingying," Pei Huizhou couldn't help but call out.
Pei Ying turned and saw Pei Huizhou a few paces away. Judging by his expression, she knew her elder brother had overheard Huo Tingshan's earlier "thick-skinned" remarks.
Pei Ying offered him an out: "Does Elder Brother have something to instruct me?"
Pei Huizhou nodded. "Indeed. Yingying, a word in private, please."
Pei Ying glanced at Huo Tingshan. "General, please go ahead inside. I will join you shortly."
Huo Tingshan was very calm.
But meeting his gaze in that moment, Pei Ying's heart gave a sudden jolt, and she was struck by an inexplicable premonition.
This man would probably, once again, do exactly as he pleased.
