The Governor's Mansion, study.
"I originally thought we would have to wait another year or two, but who knew Emperor Zhao's health would fail so suddenly. Once he dies, there will be quite a show in Chang'an. The Crown Prince, born of the late Empress, is the designated heir, but he is weak and incompetent, with no maternal clan to support him. The Fifth Prince, now of age, has decent personal ability and a faction behind him, but he is most disliked by Emperor Zhao, so the edict likely won't have anything to do with him. Then there's the Tenth Prince, born of Concubine Li, who enjoys immense favor and has the backing of the late Empress's Ji family, but he is only eight years old."
"Currently, the court is controlled by Ji Xianbai and Cui An. Ji Xianbai will certainly support the Tenth Prince. As for Cui An..."
The speaker chuckled. "The eunuch faction previously focused most of their efforts on currying favor with Emperor Zhao. Now, they must be in disarray."
"Cui An will back the Crown Prince," Ke Zuo said with a smile.
"With only three princes at court now, the Fifth Prince already has his own faction. Supporting him now would be too late to count as a timely rescue. Only the Crown Prince is isolated and helpless, plus he is weak and easy to control."
"Exactly," Gongsun Liang stroked his goatee. "The coming situation will be a three-way struggle. Personally, I believe the Tenth Prince's chances are greater."
"Concubine Li has dominated the inner palace for years. She will likely be by Emperor Zhao's side when he passes. Even if his death is sudden, she could produce a posthumous edict later. Furthermore, the Ji family has grown powerful over the years, not only raising a large private army but also controlling half the imperial city guard. If they are ruthless enough, they could stage a palace coup, eliminate the Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince, and settle the matter regardless of others' anger."
Chen Shichang recalled something. "I heard before that the Tenth Prince is actually the son of Concubine Li and Ji Xianbai. I wonder if that rumor is reliable."
Ke Zuo thought back. "If I remember correctly, that rumor started shortly after the Tenth Prince's birth and has persisted for years without dying out. It likely isn't groundless. However, whether the Tenth Prince is truly Ji Xianbai's blood is not important. Supporting a young Tenth Prince is no different from supporting a puppet. He would then be the power behind the throne, using the emperor to command the nobles."
"Having reached this point, the path forward is finally much clearer."
This statement met with everyone's agreement.
While Emperor Zhao lived, regardless of what schemes the local lords plotted in secret, they all maintained a facade of submission to him on the surface, preserving the necessary decorum.
Now, with Emperor Zhao's passing and the legitimate authority fallen, that already precarious balance has been shattered.
One can easily imagine that movements will soon begin in every region. It is also time for them to step into the spotlight.
The study buzzed with discussion, but gradually, everyone fell silent.
They noticed that the man seated behind the desk had not spoken since informing them of Emperor Zhao's passing.
His expression was impassive, showing no trace of joy; his gaze was even somewhat gloomy.
Clearly, the news of Emperor Zhao's death did not please him.
Was their lord depressed over Emperor Zhao's passing? That was impossible. No one understood their lord's ambitions better than they did.
If not for Emperor Zhao, then it must be about...
Almost everyone thought of the eighth day of the next month.
The eighth day of the sixth month—the day of their lord's grand wedding.
The emperor's passing is a national mourning.
According to the laws of Great Chu, after the monarch's death, a national mourning period forbids marriage among the common people for half a year. For officials, it is even longer—ten months.
Now with the emperor's death, wouldn't their lord's wedding date be...
Knock, knock. Huo Tingshan rapped his knuckles heavily on the desk twice.
After these two sounds, the already quiet study became utterly silent. All eyes fell on Huo Tingshan, awaiting his decision.
Huo Tingshan said in a low voice, "The matter of Emperor Zhao's passing, you know it yourselves. Once you leave this study, I do not wish to hear this matter mentioned by anyone again. Is that clear?"
Everyone's hearts jolted.
Did their lord intend to proceed as if nothing happened and hold the wedding next month as planned?
Chen Shichang spoke cautiously, "My lord, we can keep this secret. But Xuantu Commandery is vast, with many merchants traveling north and south. There will surely be those coming from Chang'an. This matter... cannot be concealed."
Huo Tingshan twisted the thumb ring on his hand. "The news of the emperor's death was delivered to Youzhou by express courier covering eight hundred li a day. Ordinary merchants could never match that speed. Today is the twenty-sixth of the fifth month. There are still twelve days until the eighth of next month. Time is still sufficient."
He thought of the separation agreement.
Her agreement to marry him was forced by circumstances, pressured by the looming threat that "Emperor Zhao might take her into the imperial harem."
Now, with the emperor's death, that mountain of pressure is gone.
If she learns this news, she will surely tell him there's no need for the trouble of a separation agreement, because they can simply not marry at all.
Ke Zuo spoke up then, "For land travel: horses cover seventy li per day, walking and donkeys fifty li, carts thirty li. For water travel: heavily laden boats upstream, thirty li per day on rivers, forty on the Yangtze, forty-five on other waters; empty boats upstream, forty li on rivers, fifty on the Yangtze, sixty on other waters; boats going downstream, regardless of load, one hundred fifty li on rivers, one hundred on the Yangtze, seventy on other waters." (1)
"The distance from Chang'an to Xuantu Commandery in Youzhou is over a thousand li. Looking at it this way, time is indeed ample. However, my lord, your upcoming wedding is no secret. Now with the emperor's passing, it's hard to guarantee that certain parties won't exploit this to your disadvantage." Ke Zuo bowed with clasped hands. "It is merely ten months. I beg you to reconsider and wait a little longer."
In Ke Zuo's view, a year would pass in the blink of an eye. Their lord had returned to Youzhou, and the future lady was staying within Xuantu Commandery—nothing could be more secure.
What was the harm in waiting ten months?
But after Ke Zuo bowed, he unexpectedly did not hear any of his colleagues second his opinion.
Not a single one supported him.
He couldn't help showing astonishment on his face, thinking, How is it that none of them see such a simple matter?
Ke Zuo had already bowed, so others couldn't see his expression, and naturally, he couldn't see theirs either.
Therefore, he did not see the hesitation on the faces of Gongsun Liang, Chen Shichang, and the others. After glancing at the man behind the desk and his gloomy countenance, they unanimously chose silence.
They were different from Ke Zuo. Ke Zuo had arrived later and thus did not fully understand Lady Pei's standing.
But they were different. They had long been by their lord's side, witnessing everything that happened after Beichuan County.
The moment their lord decided to suppress the news, it already signified he had considered all aspects and was determined to proceed with the wedding.
Since they knew persuasion was futile, why invite trouble?
"Master Ke, please rise," Huo Tingshan said.
Ke Zuo straightened up upon hearing this, thinking Huo Tingshan had changed his mind. To his surprise, the next words he heard were: "Do not worry, Master. I have my own methods."
Ke Zuo stiffened.
So, after all he had said, his lord still would not listen...
Huo Tingshan said, "The grand wedding on the eighth day of the sixth month will proceed as scheduled. Starting tomorrow, assign an additional guard to each of the four city gates of Xuantu County. Their duty is to distribute red-dyed eggs to people entering and leaving the city, announcing that the Provincial Governor is getting married next month, celebrating with the people. Each gate is limited to twenty baskets of eggs per day; distribution stops when they are gone. Station plain-clothed guards in several busy market areas to patrol, and report any issues promptly."
He wanted all merchants who had traveled from afar to know how seriously he regarded this marriage.
Merchants are shrewd. Even if they "accidentally" learned of the national mourning, seeing his attitude, they would likely have to swallow any news of the emperor's passing.
After all, why invite trouble upon oneself?
As for moving the wedding date forward, Huo Tingshan had considered it, but ultimately gave up the idea.
Not to mention that moving it forward would disrupt all plans and arrangements, the mere act of doing so out of "a guilty conscience" could become a point for others to criticize with their pens and tongues. It was better to feign ignorance.
To have been ignorant from the very beginning.
Huo Tingshan looked at Ke Zuo, "The preparation and distribution of the eggs will be entrusted entirely to Mr. Ke."
Ke Zuo paused, then cupped his hands in acknowledgment, accepting the order.
The matter was settled.
After the discussion concluded, the group of advisors left the study.
Ke Zuo left with the others. Walking beside Gongsun Liang, he said in a low voice, "Just now, when our lord insisted on holding the wedding as scheduled, why did you not advise against it?"
Among the advisors, Gongsun Liang had always subtly held the foremost position. If Gongsun Liang had spoken, the lord would certainly have given it serious consideration.
Yet, not only him, but the others were also silent as mice. As ministers, how can one be so hesitant and timid, forgetting one's duty to the ruler?
Gongsun Liang patted Ke Zuo's shoulder, "Ke Quanshui, you have not been by our lord's side for long. There are some things you have yet to understand clearly."
Ke Zuo, seeing his mysterious demeanor, asked, "What have I not understood clearly? Taihe, please speak plainly."
Gongsun Liang smiled, "This matter can only be grasped intuitively, not conveyed in words."
If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't believe that his decisive and formidable lord would treasure a young lady as dearly as his own eyeballs.
Provincial Governor's Mansion, separate courtyard.
"Elder Brother." Huo Zhizhang entered his brother's courtyard and asked immediately, "I heard from Yi Zhi and the others by chance that you encountered Aunt Pei at the horse market today."
When he arrived, Huo Mingji was practicing calligraphy.
His brother's arrival did not make Huo Mingji look up. He still held the wolf-hair brush steadily, each stroke placed with care. Only after finishing a character did the young man holding the brush respond with an "Mmm."
"Elder Brother, what do you think?" Huo Zhizhang asked.
Huo Mingji said calmly, "She will become Father's wife, our mother. Her character is not for the two of us to judge."
"Elder Brother, today is only the twenty-sixth day of the fifth month," Huo Zhizhang said quietly.
Huo Mingji set the brush aside and finally looked up to meet his younger brother's slightly round eyes, "What are you trying to say?"
"Elder Brother, I spent some time with Aunt Pei and know she is a learned and gentle young lady. It's not without reason that Father values her. She is good, but precisely because she is too good."
Huo Zhizhang's voice dropped even lower, "Father is already like this before even marrying her. What if, after marriage, they have a child..."
Huo Zhizhang felt somewhat melancholic.
After their mother passed away from illness, perhaps considering their young age and his own busyness, Father might have worried that having a concubine-born son could inflate a concubine's ambitions. So, no matter how many women came and went by Father's side, the masters of the household remained only their father, the two brothers, and their paternal grandparents.
There was a sense of relying on each other.
Back then, while Father was away, he sent two letters. First, he ordered Elder Brother to renovate the rear garden. Later, he even commanded Elder Brother to help disband the rear courtyard and refurbish the main residence. Even Rong Ji, who had been in the mansion for over ten years, was given silver and sent away to marry.
In the future, if Father and Aunt Pei have offspring, he would surely hold them dear, teaching them personally, unlike how he simply left the two brothers to their grandparents and servants back then.
Huo Mingji gave a soft chuckle, "You're eighteen this year, and still vying for favor with a child not yet born? Truly wasting your time."
This remark made Huo Zhizhang flush red, his previous melancholy vanishing instantly, "I am not!"
He wasn't vying for favor; he was just unaccustomed to the sudden addition of two new masters to the household, one of whom would outrank them.
Huo Mingji said indifferently, "You've been visiting the Ning family quite frequently lately, Zhizhang. Remember, your surname is Huo, not Ning."
"I know that, of course," Huo Zhizhang replied without hesitation.
"I think you are still somewhat confused." Huo Mingji's narrow, long eyes were as cool as jade, "It's true that the Ning family is our maternal clan, but some things should be done in moderation. Especially since Father already gave a warning last time. You handled that matter yourself, and it hasn't even been three months. Have you forgotten so quickly?"
"I haven't forgotten." Huo Zhizhang said regretfully, "My maternal grandmother fell ill and sent word asking me to visit. When an elder is unwell and sends for me, I cannot not go."
Last time, when dealing with the Ning family branch, he acted without mercy. He knew it had somewhat frightened his maternal grandparents. His grandmother's repeated summons likely contained an element of testing his stance.
"As long as you know your limits." Huo Mingji adjusted the paper and picked up the brush to dip it in ink again, "Although Aunt Pei and her daughter are both kind, Father's temperament, I believe you understand clearly. So, be cautious with your words and actions from now on."
Huo Zhizhang nodded, "I know."
While the Huo brothers were discussing Pei Ying and Meng Ling'er, in a residence not far from the Provincial Governor's Mansion, Meng Ling'er was also talking about the day with Pei Ying.
"Mother, the Eldest Young Master doesn't seem difficult to get along with." Meng Ling'er lay on the soft couch with Pei Ying, her head resting on her mother's shoulder. "He gifted me a fine steed. What gift should I return?"
Pei Ying smiled, "I've heard he appreciates fine horses. Why not have people keep an eye out at the horse market and buy a good steed in return? Or, you could send a message to Huo Zhizhang, asking him what his elder brother likes. I imagine he would tell you."
Meng Ling'er agreed readily.
After chatting a bit more about Huo Mingji, Meng Ling'er sighed, "Time flies so fast. Unknowingly, it's already the end of the fifth month."
Pei Ying: "Indeed, very fast."
Meng Ling'er changed the subject, "This morning, I heard young birds chirping in my courtyard. Their calls were tender, probably fledglings in the trees. Spring has truly arrived, with all things reviving. It probably won't be long before my courtyard has several more nests of little birds."
As she listened, Pei Ying's thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Modern technology is advanced, yet even now, childbirth cannot guarantee the safety of both mother and child. How much more so in ancient times with such backward medical conditions?
In ancient times, giving birth was like walking through the gates of hell for a pregnant woman. She is over thirty now, lacking the strength and the desire to brave that hellish gate.
But Huo Tingshan is greedy. After marrying him, marital intimacy would be frequent. Contraceptive medicine is cooling in nature; constantly taking it is not a good solution.
Pei Ying thought of fish bladders, pig bladders, and sheep intestines. She remembered that in ancient times, both East and West, these were used as sheaths for contraception.
Her thoughts drifted away like this and couldn't be pulled back for the moment. After her daughter left, Pei Ying called for Xin Jin and instructed her to purchase those three items the next day.
Xin Jin had always been reliable in handling tasks. Having received Pei Ying's instructions that evening, she went to the market herself first thing the next morning.
The items were soon bought back.
After comparing the three, Pei Ying decisively chose the fish bladder, for no other reason than that the pig's bladder and sheep's intestine had a very strong smell. Forget holding them, even getting a little close, she could detect that pungent odor.
In comparison, the cleaned fish bladder had a much fainter smell.
But after settling on the fish bladder, Pei Ying discovered another problem: while the fish bladder had good sealing properties, its elasticity was ultimately limited.
Under vigorous, forceful movements, it would tear.
And Huo Tingshan was precisely the kind of person who was always unrestrained and, when carried away, preferred vigorous, forceful movements.
Pei Ying looked at the fish bladder in her hand and sighed worriedly. Just as she was considering whether she could layer several fish bladders together for use, her daughter's voice came from outside.
Pei Ying was slightly startled.
"Mother, I was just out in the market, thinking of buying a return gift for the Eldest Young Master, and I accidentally overheard many people on the street discussing you and the General."
Pei Ying hurriedly gave Xin Jin a meaningful look, and the latter quickly retreated to the side with the items.
Meng Ling'er came in at that moment.
"Discussing what?" Pei Ying asked, following her lead.
Meng Ling'er reported truthfully, "They are distributing red eggs at all four city gates of Xuantu Commandery. Everyone entering or leaving the city gets one, until they run out."
Pei Ying was surprised, "Distributing red eggs? Why is that?"
"They say it's to celebrate your and the General's grand wedding at the beginning of next month, to share the joy with the people." Meng Ling'er held a red egg in her hand. "So many people went to queue for them. Look, I even specially went to get one."
"Out of the blue, why is that man making such a big spectacle?" Pei Ying frowned slightly, her delicate eyebrows knitting. "Could something have happened?"
Meng Ling'er cracked the egg and began to peel it. "Mother, you're overthinking it. Everything is fine in the commandery. The General distributing red eggs is probably just because he's happy."
Meng Ling'er felt quite pleased inwardly. The more importance the General placed on this wedding, the better her mother's life would be afterwards.
If her mother was well, she would be well too. They, mother and daughter, would both be well.
After peeling the red egg, Meng Ling'er handed it to Pei Ying. "Mother, would you like to try a red egg? The guards at the gate said this is to share the auspiciousness, and eating it means catching some of that wedding luck."
Pei Ying declined with a smile, "Didn't you say the other day that in a few days, after you return to school, you'll have to face your teacher's assessment? You eat it, my dear."
Meng Ling'er's smiling face stiffened for an instant. The young girl withdrew her hand holding the egg and silently finished eating it.
"Mother, I'm going back to study." Meng Ling'er felt a sense of urgency.
Pei Ying nodded.
After her daughter left, Pei Ying had Xin Jin bring the fish bladders back.
The fresh fish bladders were swollen and bulging with air, a very clean milky white color.
Pei Ying picked one up and squeezed it; the elasticity was good. "Xin Jin, help me find a pair of scissors, small ones, with clean blades."
Xin Jin acknowledged and then went out.
Pei Ying found three small basins and roughly sorted the fish bladders by size into them: small, medium, and large, each in its own basin.
Just then, footsteps approached. Pei Ying, without looking up, said, "Just put the scissors on the table."
"What is my lady doing here?" A deep male voice sounded beside her.
Pei Ying's action of sorting the bladders paused. She turned her head to see Huo Tingshan examining the fish bladder in her hand with great interest.
Pei Ying: "...Making something."
Huo Tingshan raised an eyebrow, "Something for daily use, like a fire starter?"
Pei Ying was silent for a few beats, "It's... also quite daily."
Huo Tingshan, hearing this, also picked up a fish bladder and squeezed it. "My lady, how is this used?"
A fire starter was small, but the convenience it brought was astonishing. Now, what could this little fish bladder possibly transform into? He was quite looking forward to it.
Seeing him pick one up to play with, and thinking of the future purpose of this item, the tips of Pei Ying's ears grew slightly warm. She hurriedly snatched the one from his hand and put it back in the basin. "You'll find out later."
Huo Tingshan detected a trace of barely perceptible shyness in her tone and grew even more curious. "No need for later, now is fine. Please feel free to explain, my lady."
"Huo Tingshan, why did you order people to distribute red eggs? It's too ostentatious." Pei Ying changed the subject.
Huo Tingshan had a reasonable explanation: "Our marriage is a joyous occasion. As the Governor of Youzhou, and now that I have a bit more financial leeway, why not share the joy with the people?"
"I just feel something is unusual." Pei Ying muttered quietly.
She had arrived in Xuantu Commandery on the twenty-fifth day of the fifth month. Today was the twenty-seventh, two days having passed since then.
Yesterday was the first full day after entering the city. Not distributing them yesterday suggested there likely hadn't been prior preparations. Taking action after a day's gap gave Pei Ying an inexplicable feeling that it was a hastily made decision.
"My lady is overthinking it." Huo Tingshan did not admit to it.
Pei Ying looked at him with half-belief and half-doubt.
Huo Tingshan met her gaze calmly, his expression normal.
Seeing how composed and unruffled he was, the doubt in Pei Ying's heart slowly dissipated, but still...
"Why have you come?" Pei Ying asked.
Huo Tingshan curled the corner of his mouth, though not much warmth reached his eyes. "Can I not come?"
She truly was a handful. Having only been outside for two days, her heart was already so scattered. If she waited another ten months, she would surely become utterly wild. Better to bring her into the residence sooner.
Pei Ying explained to him, "Men and women shouldn't meet before the wedding."
"There's no such custom in the northern regions." Huo Tingshan noticed red eggshells in the small bucket for waste. "Has my lady been out today?"
"Not me today, it was Ling'er who went out." As Pei Ying spoke, she also mentioned running into Huo Mingji at the horse market the previous day.
Huo Tingshan didn't think much of it. "It's just a horse. Consider it Mingji's greeting gift to his little sister. No need for a return gift."
"If you put it that way, I haven't prepared a greeting gift for him yet." Pei Ying suddenly felt this was improper.
Huo Tingshan picked up another fish bladder. "Mingji is no longer a child. He has the means to support his parents. You just wait for him to show his filial piety."
Just then, Xin Jin came in with the small scissors. Seeing Huo Tingshan there, she was startled. Noticing him and Pei Ying standing together by the basins of fish bladders, she handed over the scissors and immediately lowered her head.
What the fish bladders were for, the lady had briefly explained to her earlier. Now seeing the General holding one...
Huo Tingshan's gaze swept casually and happened to catch the fleeting, peculiar expression on Xin Jin's face.
He looked down at the fish bladder in his hand, narrowing his eyes slightly. "My lady, what exactly is the use of this fish bladder?"
Pei Ying hadn't expected the topic to circle back. She simply handed him the scissors, finding some work to keep him busy. "Help me cut open the fish bladders. I'll tell you a bit later."
Huo Tingshan looked at the scissors in his hand and raised an eyebrow.
It seemed it had been over a decade since anyone last assigned him chores. The last woman to order him to work was his late mother.
Pei Ying urged him, "You'll need to use them later."
"Alright then." Huo Tingshan complied.
But even after he finished cutting the tops off all the fish bladders, he still didn't understand what they were for.
...
Starting from the twenty-seventh day of the fifth month, the common folk of Xuantu County would run to the four main city gates every day, lining up early to go out and receive red eggs.
Nowadays, a single red egg was worth one coin. It wasn't expensive, but these were free goods—not taking them meant a loss. Moreover, Governor Huo had said this was to share in the joyous occasion; one should take them even just for the sake of good fortune.
Birds flew, rabbits darted, and time galloped past the window. Unnoticed, the fifth month had already turned over.
Time entered the sixth month, passing day by day.
On the early morning of the sixth day of the sixth month, a merchant caravan from the south entered Xuantu County.
