The twenty baskets of red chicken eggs were usually distributed by noon, so when this merchant caravan from the south arrived at the city, there were still red eggs to be claimed.
Entering the city required registration of travel passes. The guard handling the registration, seeing they were from the south and their information was unfamiliar, exchanged a look with the guard distributing the red eggs. The latter understood, grabbed a handful of eggs from a basket, and proactively walked towards the caravan. "Our Governor of Youzhou is getting married the day after tomorrow. Here, one red egg each, share in the auspicious joy."
As he spoke, he actively pressed the red eggs into their hands, also taking the opportunity to count their number.
A caravan of twenty-two people.
The merchant who received the red egg was stunned. "The Governor of Youzhou is getting married? But..."
"No buts. Take it and hurry into the city. There are many more people waiting in line behind you," the guard waved his hand, cutting him off. "Oh, and remember to eat the red eggs. If you want more, you can come queue earlier tomorrow to collect them."
Long lines formed for both exiting and entering the city. Those who received the red eggs all uniformly offered a few words of congratulation.
Joyful smiles hung on every face, happy both for getting free red eggs and genuinely pleased for the Governor of Youzhou about to be wed.
"Move along, move along," the guards began shooing people.
The caravan slowly entered the city. Once past the guard post, one among them suddenly said, "Wasn't it said that His Majesty has passed away? How dare the Governor of Youzhou hold a grand wedding?"
The faces of the others in the merchant group changed dramatically.
"Brother Liu, watch your words!"
"Perhaps Governor Huo is unaware of that one's passing. Otherwise, he wouldn't possibly hold a wedding recently, and make such a big fuss about it. Since the news of that one's death hasn't reached Xuantu Commandery, we'd better not spread it."
"Quite right, quite right. This matter must be buried in our hearts."
At this moment, another person chimed in, "But this goes against propriety. Governor Huo is a minister of Great Chu. How can a subject indulge in celebration when his sovereign has passed away?"
"Brother Liu, Brother Gao, you two..."
The others all looked at the two who had just spoken.
These two, Brother Liu and Brother Gao, were encountered by them on the road. They claimed to be from Chang'an, saying they were merchants pursued by river pirates, lost their goods, and only had some valuables hidden on their persons left.
The two offered gold and silver as repayment, pleading to join their caravan and travel together to Youzhou, promising to pay an additional reward upon reaching Xuantu Commandery.
Taking two extra people was no big deal.
So they agreed.
On the journey, the two informed them of a piece of news: His Majesty in Chang'an had passed away.
National mourning was a significant event, yet also seemed not so significant. For merchants like them, it merely meant a different person sitting on the high throne.
For officials, it was different. The higher the official, the deeper the impact. For instance, Governor Huo of Youzhou—once this matter came to light, the effect on him would be substantial.
However, commoners don't contend with officials. There was no need to cause trouble for Governor Huo at this juncture.
But...
The others looked at the two who had joined midway, suspicion creeping onto their faces. Why were these two so stubborn and inflexible? Were they really merchants?
"Brother Liu, Brother Gao, now that we've reached Xuantu Commandery, let us part ways here," the lead merchant said.
Brother Liu said, "It is time to part. But before we do, please allow me and Brother Gao to treat you all to a fine meal as thanks."
Finally, the leader agreed.
They had brought goods and naturally needed to deliver them to the market first.
The market was crowded, bustling, and extraordinarily lively. Liu and Gao followed the caravan to deliver the goods. Amidst the coming and going of people, the two suddenly spoke up.
"I heard His Majesty in Chang'an has passed away."
Their voices weren't extremely loud, but not quiet either. Everyone in their immediate vicinity heard.
Instantly, the people around them stopped and turned to look at the speakers.
"What did you just say?"
"Friend, you can eat anything carelessly, but some words cannot be spoken carelessly."
Brother Liu said, "This isn't careless talk. I come from Chang'an, came down the river first to Bingzhou below. It was much faster than ordinary travel by horse. And it's not just me who knows. If you don't believe me, you can ask my companion. All of you..."
"What you speak is surely rumor!"
Suddenly a voice cut in from elsewhere. "I also come from Chang'an, arrived not long ago, and have heard nothing about any passing of the sovereign."
Then another person joined in, "When I entered the city, I received a red egg. I know Governor Huo is getting married the day after tomorrow. You must have received one too when you entered, since it's one per person. Since you know this, why are you spreading rumors in the market about His Majesty's passing?"
This person's voice was also not too loud, just enough for the nearby circle to hear clearly.
The commoners who had initially been somewhat shocked and doubtful suddenly understood.
Right! Red eggs were distributed at both the city entrance and exit. The guards would surely explain why. These two couldn't possibly be unaware of Governor Huo's wedding.
So why spread rumors now, and in a crowded marketplace at that? Could these people have ulterior motives?
The commoner who first accused Brother Liu of rumor-mongering now shouted loudly, "Guards! Are there any guards nearby? This person might be a spy from another province. Take him away quickly."
After this shout, guards indeed appeared promptly.
"Who's causing a disturbance here?"
The "commoner" said, "This man is spreading rumors about His Majesty's passing. The one next to him is his friend. Please take them both."
Brother Liu and Brother Gao were dumbfounded. They never expected that in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, before they could even say two sentences, they would attract guards.
"Wronged! I am not a spy!"
"Let go! I was just chatting in the market. What grounds do you have to arrest me? Do you guards think you have power and influence, able to bully ordinary commoners? Are Youzhou guards so tyrannical, persecuting the people like this? Is there no law left in this world?"
He thought these words would stir sympathy from the surrounding crowd, but instead saw everyone looking at him with disgust.
"This person harbors ill intentions, actually trying to ruin Governor Huo's wedding. Despicable!"
"Lord Huo took both Jizhou and Bingzhou in one go. Probably made the other provincial governors anxious and furious, so they sent spies to cause trouble for him."
"Hurry up and take this man away. Interrogate him properly."
The two guards, after apprehending Liu and Gao, didn't forget to stuff a piece of rag into their mouths, gagging them.
After doing all this, the guards raised their voices to ask the crowd, "Did any of you see if they had other companions?"
A commoner pointed them out.
Thus, very quickly, the entire caravan was taken away, not a single one missed.
The Governor's Mansion.
The captain of the guard strode directly in, finally stopping before Huo Tingshan's desk. "General, we just captured a merchant caravan from the south in the East Market. Two individuals were openly discussing His Majesty in the marketplace. The caravan consists of twenty-two people in total. The leader, a merchant surnamed Sun, claims the two men named Liu and Gao, who were discussing His Majesty, joined them midway after suffering some misfortune. He says they merely traveled together for convenience, that he is not familiar with them, and there are no business ties. The other nineteen members of the caravan say the same."
As for what they discussed about His Majesty, that matter had become taboo.
Huo Tingshan's gaze turned cold. So, there really were fools who didn't value their lives, coming all the way to Youzhou to cause trouble for him. "Have they been interrogated?"
"Not yet," the guard answered.
Huo Tingshan rose from his desk. "In that case, I will interrogate them myself."
As he neared the study door, the man seemed to remember something and paused. He looked at the guard stationed there. "Send Guo Dajiang to the Pei residence. Tell them that scouts from other provinces have recently been spotted in the commandery, and that Madam and the young lady should avoid going out these next two days."
The guard acknowledged the order.
Huo Tingshan went to the prison.
The prison was divided into several sections based on the severity of crimes. Huo Tingshan walked all the way to the innermost part, even descending a stone staircase.
This area had no windows; candles were only lit when necessary. Walking through a pitch-black corridor, Huo Tingshan arrived at a lit area.
Chen Yuan was already there.
Seeing Huo Tingshan arrive, he first addressed him as "General" and then said, "The prisoners from Cell Block A have been temporarily moved elsewhere. Currently, only that merchant caravan is here."
Candles were placed around the dungeon, but the brightest light came from a brazier glowing with hot coals. Besides the red, sparking charcoal, there were two branding irons in the basin.
The group of twenty-two was held in several separate cells.
The two men, Liu and Gao, wearing heavy wooden cangues, were isolated in one cell.
The moment Huo Tingshan entered, the merchant group cried out in unison, proclaiming their innocence.
"Lord Huo of Youzhou, it's a wrongful accusation! I truly had no idea those two were scouts. It's all my foolish son's fault for coveting their silver, which is why he allowed them to travel with us."
"I have stable business partners in Xuantu Commandery, with over ten years of cooperation. General, you can summon them for questioning. They can prove that every word I say is true, that I am definitely not a scout."
"General..."
The members of the caravan clamored.
"Silence." The two lightly spoken words instantly quieted the dungeon.
"Whether it's a wrongful accusation or not, I will investigate."
Huo Tingshan gave Chen Yuan a look. The latter opened the iron-chained cell door and walked towards the leading merchant surnamed Sun. "You only have one chance. If you lie, their fate will be yours."
The merchants initially didn't understand what exactly "their fate" meant. Not until several guards opened the adjacent cell, dragged out Liu and Gao like dead dogs, and tied them to the torture racks.
Ropes bound them, the cloth gags were ripped from their mouths, and then a wooden bit with a cord was swiftly stuffed in, preventing them from biting their tongues while still allowing some muffled speech to be heard.
Huo Tingshan picked up an iron whip, its surface covered in dark red stains, indistinguishable whether from rust or congealed human blood. "From Chang'an? Sent by Ji Xianbai?"
The two on the racks mumbled cries of injustice, until the saltwater-soaked iron whip lashed out like lightning, striking horizontally and hitting both men simultaneously.
As the whip was withdrawn, the barbs easily tore off large patches of skin and flesh.
Their faces twisted in agony. The one on the left actually vomited a mouthful of blood.
The blood contained some fine, fragmented flesh, as if internal organs had ruptured.
"How many of you were sent this time?" Huo Tingshan asked expressionlessly.
The two only moaned in pain, not speaking.
"Refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit." Huo Tingshan sneered, raising his hand to whip again, this time targeting only the man on the right.
The tail of the whip occasionally swept past the rack of "Brother Liu" on the left, missing his hand by less than an inch. The gust of wind from the whip's tail brushed his hand, causing his fingertips to twitch involuntarily.
In his ears were his companion's screams; on his hand, the gust from the whip—each lash felt as if it would land on him next, making him relive the excruciating pain of the first blow that felt like it had displaced his internal organs.
"Since Ji Xianbai sent people to congratulate me, it seems inappropriate not to add some celebratory color." Huo Tingshan casually tossed the iron whip aside and instead picked up a short blade from the rack.
...
Huo Tingshan emerged from the dungeon. Sunlight fell upon him, silently cleansing the layer of foul blood scent clinging to him.
"There are three more batches of scouts arriving later. Remember the characteristics he described. Keep a close watch these two days; they must not disrupt the day after tomorrow," Huo Tingshan said calmly.
Chen Yuan assented.
Huo Tingshan lowered his gaze, his eyes resting on a spot on his robe. The man indifferently flicked his sleeve, and a small bright red piece the size of a fingernail fell to the ground.
Shortly after, other guards came out from the dungeon. One happened to step on the bright red small piece.
As the guard walked away, all that remained on the ground was a smeared, dark red stain.
The mansion where Pei Ying now lived bore a plaque reading "Pei Residence," serving as her private residence away from home.
"Scouts from other provinces have come to Xuantu Commandery?" Pei Ying looked at Guo Dajiang in surprise.
Guo Dajiang nodded. "Indeed. Therefore, Madam and the young lady are requested to stay within the residence these two days, and wait until the scouts within the commandery have been cleared out."
Pei Ying recalled the times back in Xiaojiang and Yanmen Commanderies. Now, hearing "scouts" naturally brought to mind scenes of flashing blades.
"I won't go out," Pei Ying said worriedly. "But Ling'er went out just a little while ago."
The wedding day was approaching, which also meant the young girl's holiday was nearly over. Grasping the tail end of her break, Meng Ling'er had gone out to stroll the markets today.
Guo Dajiang's eyebrow twitched. "Madam Pei, did the young lady mention where she was going?"
Pei Ying shook her head: "No."
"Please rest assured, Madam. I will go bring the young lady back now," Guo Dajiang said, taking his leave from Pei Ying.
Pei Ying watched his slightly hurried retreating figure, her red lips pressing together.
Could it be that a large number of scouts from other provinces had come? Otherwise, why did Guo Dajiang's expression seem so grave? She would have to ask him properly when he returned.
An hour later, Guo Dajiang returned, and Meng Ling'er came back with him.
"Sergeant Guo, are there many scouts this time?" Pei Ying asked.
Guo Dajiang replied in a matter-of-fact tone: "Not many have been discovered at present. However, it's inevitable that some remain hidden in the shadows, undetected. Therefore, for safety's sake, we must ask Madam to endure staying indoors these two days."
Pei Ying nodded.
Guo Dajiang soon left.
Meng Ling'er had brought back some fruit. After Shui Su washed them, she brought some for Pei Ying to eat. "Mother, try these apricots. They're big and sweet."
Pei Ying took one and casually asked, "Ling'er, when you went out to the markets today, what was the atmosphere like in the commandery?"
Meng Ling'er thought for a moment. "No different from usual."
"Weren't there extra patrols of guards?" Pei Ying asked.
Meng Ling'er: "It seems not, though it's possible some were dispatched, but I didn't see them. Oh, there is one thing. When I returned, I heard they increased the red chicken eggs being distributed at the city gates. Originally twenty baskets a day, from today until the day after tomorrow, it's increased to forty baskets a day. Lots of people are going to collect them."
Normally, twenty baskets would be given out completely by around noon. Now, increased to forty baskets, they could likely be distributed for almost the entire day.
Pei Ying didn't ask further, only seemed lost in thought.
Night fell, darkness enveloped the earth. After several hours passed, the golden crow rose again, and the time arrived at the seventh day of the sixth month.
Tomorrow was the grand wedding. On the eve, some procedures needed final confirmation. For the entire day today, Pei Ying stayed within the residence, and Meng Ling'er also did not go out.
Without either of them noticing, the Pei residence entered a state of seclusion. Supplies were delivered by guards, and the maidservants inside had no need to go out.
At the Shen hour (3-5 PM) on the seventh, the bridal attendants responsible for Pei Ying's makeup and hair the next day arrived as scheduled at the entrance of the Pei residence.
According to plan, the four attendants would rest at the residence tonight and rise before dawn the next day to prepare Pei Ying.
Knowing the busy day ahead tomorrow, Pei Ying retired to bed early tonight. But once under the covers, sleep didn't come easily just because she wished it, so when she was awakened at the Yin hour (3-5 AM) the next day, she was still groggy.
After washing up in a daze, Pei Ying felt somewhat more alert.
Next was dressing, putting on the phoenix crown and ceremonial robes.
Last time, when she left her family home in Yuanshan County, Pei Ying's attire had already been extremely elaborate; it later took two quarters of an hour just to remove the makeup and ornaments. Today's attire was even more so.
It was still a ruqun skirt in black and crimson, though the round collar was replaced with a cross-collar. The garment was embroidered with intricate patterns, and the lapels and cuffs were draped with a layer of gauze, shimmering like water. With just a little light falling on the 'xinqi' embroidery, the swallow-like patterns seemed to come alive in an instant.
The skirt layers overlapped, the black and crimson hues interwoven, cascading down to the upturned-toe shoes inlaid with bright pearls.
Once the wedding dress was on, everyone in the room gasped in admiration.
"A lady unmatched in this world."
Pei Ying's attention, however, was on the jewelry box.
The large carved wooden case was divided into six layers, each layer further divided into compartments of varying sizes, each holding a single piece of jewelry. And there were as many as three such carved wooden cases.
Pei Ying felt that even if she had two more heads, she couldn't possibly use all the jewelry in these three cases.
Dressing the hair and applying makeup, the four attendants worked together, spending over an hour to prepare Pei Ying.
In the mirror, the beauty's face was like peach petals, her complexion like a spring dawn. Her delicately arched "distant mountain" brows curved slightly, creating a moving scene of warm, beautiful light. Dressed in the intricate and exquisite black-and-crimson wedding attire, she sat on the couch, the long train of her dress spreading out beside her like an unfurled scroll.
"Mother is so beautiful!" Meng Ling'er didn't blink.
Pei Ying smiled slightly, pursing her lips. "Thank you, darling."
At that moment, Xin Jin brought some light food, and mother and daughter had a simple breakfast.
After the meal, an attendant applied lip color for Pei Ying. "Madam naturally has rosy lips; this lip color merely adds a bit of luster."
Once fully attired, the time also arrived for the auspicious hour of the groom's procession.
Outside, gongs and drums sounded in waves; the wedding procession had arrived.
Pei Ying once again donned the red bridal veil. Listening to the approaching sounds of gongs and drums, perhaps because the first time was unfamiliar and the second time familiar, her heart was quite calm.
She was marrying far from home, with only her daughter as family beside her, so the tradition of blocking the groom was still omitted.
Pei Ying sat quietly on the couch, waiting for time to pass. The sounds of gongs and drums lingered in her ears; time seemed to pass quickly, yet also felt infinitely stretched.
When her hand was enveloped by a large, broad palm bearing thick calluses, Pei Ying snapped back to attention. She returned the grip slightly, then followed the strength of his hand to stand up.
Step by step, Pei Ying followed his lead, walking outward.
Outside the perimeter of the Pei residence entrance, a crowd of commoners was held back by guards within a designated area, everyone craning their necks to look inside.
"Our Governor Huo of You Province lost his wife some fifteen or sixteen years ago, right? For over a decade he had no intention of remarrying. Who would have thought that after one trip to Ji Province, he decided to marry again. He must be exceedingly fond of Lady Pei."
"That goes without saying. Look, they've been distributing red chicken eggs at all four city gates for nearly half a month now. Although a single chicken egg costs only one qian, added up, it's quite a sum."
"I haven't seen the Governor's wife yet. I wonder if we'll get a glimpse today."
"Likely not today. Although Governor Huo's wedding differs slightly from that of an ordinary gentleman—later, he will lift the veil to enter the Huo family ancestral hall for worship—that happens after entering the residence. We won't see it."
"Look, Governor Huo is coming out with his wife..."
The surroundings first fell silent, then quickly grew lively again.
They first saw a tall figure stride out of the Pei residence. The man wore long robes of black and crimson, his ink-black hair tied high. A golden crown reflected bright light under the sun, much like the faint gleam held in his narrow, dark eyes at this moment.
"Somehow, Governor Huo seems much more amiable today."
"With a beauty in his arms, how could his mood not be good? You'd be happy too if it were you."
Soon, another figure appeared before the crowd.
A graceful, elegant silhouette. The upturned-toe shoes concealed the slightly lifted hem of the skirt ahead. Perhaps because she couldn't see, or perhaps it was innate, the lady being led walked with exquisite grace in every step.
Only when that figure boarded the carriage, the carriage gradually moved away, and the cavalry team also began to withdraw, did some of the commoners snap out of it.
"Although we didn't see Madam Pei's face today, I somehow feel like I witnessed an immortal descending to earth."
"Haha, I'm different from you all. I once saw that lady by chance at the market."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone turned to look.
"How was she? How was she?"
"Possessing beauty to overthrow cities and states, like a lotus on distant mountains."
...
The main gate of the Governor's residence was wide open. The area before the gate and the front courtyard were swept spotlessly clean. The two guards at the door had also changed into new uniforms today, looking spirited and vigorous.
Sitting in the carriage, Pei Ying felt it come to a stop. Soon, the slight sound of the carriage door being opened reached her.
"Come home with me, wife."
Pei Ying was led by him into the residence. When crossing the threshold, she felt the doorstep of the main gate of the Huo residence was unusually high. Added to the many layers of her wedding dress and the undeniable weight of her headdress, when Pei Ying lifted her foot to step over, she momentarily thought her first attempt might end in failure.
But she managed it in the end.
After entering the Huo residence, she heard other voices—guests, it seemed.
Many, many guests had come. Following the sounds of gongs and drums, the guests' conversations came in clusters like balls of cotton, filling her ears.
Huo Tingshan's parents had passed away, and as the Huo clan now looked to him as their leader, he was the head of the clan. Therefore, there was no one seated in the position of honor, and the step of kneeling to parents was omitted.
In the main hall, the Huo clan elder officiating the wedding said with a beaming smile, "Please, Lord Huo, lift the bride's veil."
Under the gaze of many eyes, Huo Tingshan raised his hand and removed the red veil from the person before him.
This moment was like personally unveiling a priceless masterpiece by a renowned artist. All the gold and jade splendor of the hall became mere backdrop. The beautiful lady standing in the center of the hall shone with radiant brilliance, illuminating her surroundings.
Huo Tingshan heard the guests' sharp intakes of breath.
In his astonishment, the lady before him lifted her gaze. Her face was flushed with rouge, a vision of breathtaking, rich, and radiant beauty. She gave him a faint smile, the corners of her eyes curving into a little hook-like arc.
The man's tongue pressed heavily against his back teeth, the hunger in his gut growing even more intense.
What followed were the wedding procedures.
Pei Ying had been married before, over a decade ago. Back then, she had found it exhausting, but compared to today, she now understood what it truly meant to be utterly overwhelmed.
Huo Tingshan was both the Regional Governor and the head of his clan. This meant he could not, like many other grooms, simply follow his bride straight into the bridal chamber, leaving the guests for the elders to handle temporarily.
Since Huo Tingshan wasn't leaving, Pei Ying couldn't leave either.
The ceremony was complete; she was now the wife of the Governor of Youzhou, the mistress of this estate. Pei Ying had to stay and entertain the guests alongside him.
After dealing with the guests, they then proceeded to the Huo family ancestral hall to pay respects to the generations of Huo ancestors.
By the time they finally returned to the main residence, Pei Ying was completely spent, feeling for a moment as if she were about to join the Huo ancestors she had just bowed to.
Then, footsteps sounded from behind.
