Chapter 25

As Li Shan spoke, his alcohol-laced breath hovered right against Yaoyao’s upper lip. Perhaps his eyes were lowered—perhaps not. He was so close that Yaoyao couldn’t quite tell. All she could register was the soft, damp sensation that sent a wave of confusion through her. Instinctively, she leaned back—then tried to move again. But Li Shan held the back of her head and, without another word, leaned down and kissed her again.

Yaoyao let out a muffled sound.

He did bite, in his way—just the faint pressure of his teeth grazing her lips, as if her mouth were impossibly soft.

Outside the room, unaware of any of this, Xin Zhu stepped in and called, “Young Madam, Marquis—there’s no sobering brew, so I boiled some dried tangerine peel tea to help with the—ah?!”

Her eyes widened as if she’d seen a ghost. From her vantage, Li Shan slowly straightened and stepped back, while Yaouao’s lips bloomed into a beautiful blush.

Yaoyao’s breath came faster. Her lips were still tingling. She dipped her head and used the silk handkerchief tied at her waist to wipe her mouth gently.

Xin Zhu stammered, “Uh… Young Madam, I…”

She was thoroughly distraught, regretting not knocking before entering. But then again, in this sort of moment, even knocking would’ve ruined the mood entirely!

Li Shan seemed to recover as well, taking the bowl of tea. The aged, sour flavor of dried peel curled over his tongue, but couldn’t quite mask the lingering sweet taste of osmanthus.

Idly, he mused—was she some osmanthus sprite made of sugar and fire?
The room settled into a strange silence. A flicker of lingering heat. A blush of awkwardness. And then—a sudden set of footsteps outside, urgent.

Du Ming’s voice rang out: “General?”

With a crisp clink, Li Shan set his half-finished bowl of dried tangerine peel soup down on the table—perhaps a bit too forcefully. The remaining half splashed out, soaking part of the tabletop. He left the room, and his voice with Du Ming faded into the distance.

Xin Zhu’s eyes were nearly bulging from her face as she rushed to Yaoyao’s side: “Madam… did you two just… kiss?”

Yaoyao gave a soft “Mm.” Technically, it had started as a “bite,” but with how obvious it had been, Xin Zhu’s need to confirm aloud only made her relive the sensation again.

Yaoyao’s face flushed with warmth. She was embarrassed, yes—but also genuinely startled. Thinking back to how unprepared she’d been, the memory felt dreamlike.

Xin Zhu, meanwhile, was delighted. “I knew it! With your beauty—who could possibly resist!”

Yaoyao: “…”

---

Du Ming didn’t consider himself thoughtless. Normally, he wouldn’t summon Li Shan in the middle of the night. But this time was no ordinary situation.

Deputy General Lin—an old aide of Li Wang—had disguised himself and rushed to Fanyang without pause. His beard was unshaven, and he hadn’t even had a sip of water before kneeling before Li Shan: “General, word from Shangdang. Xiao Xicao is heading north to Yanmen. He intends to pay you a visit!”

Li Shan’s expression darkened. He knew the name well. “What does he want?”

Deputy Lin replied, “He’s likely acting as the Xiao clan’s spy—and also pressing you to send your wife back to Luoyang.”

Li Shan sneered. “Impatient, aren’t they?” He did the math in his head. “It’s been… ten days now. Where is he?”

Deputy Lin said, “Our lord arranged for delays—alerting governors and magistrates along the way to entertain him thoroughly.”

Bingzhou had long been famed for scenic stops, and Xiao Xicao was the indulgent type. A journey that should’ve taken three days stretched to over ten, and he still hadn’t reached Yanmen.

Still, rushing back from Fanyang was cutting things close.

Li Shan smiled slightly and said, “If Jizhou and Youzhou were ours, news wouldn’t take so long to reach me.”

The casual tone barely masked the ambition behind it. Du Ming never doubted the general’s capability, and the thought of someday swallowing Jizhou and Youzhou set his heart racing. But he didn’t forget the practical matter at hand. “And what about Young Madam’s arrangements…”

If Yaoyao were to travel with Li Shan back to Yanmen County, they’d need to ride tirelessly for two straight days—hardship traded for speed.

Li Shan’s expression remained calm as he asked Deputy Lin, “Uncle Lin, how many men did you bring?”

Deputy Lin replied, “Four in total, General.”

They had traveled light, with only four trusted aides. If Li Shan brought just one of them and joined forces with his existing guard, the escort team would count twelve men, including his loyal Du Ming and the seasoned Deputy Lin trusted by his father. That would be more than enough to safeguard two women, and it would spare the trouble of carting along anyone… too delicate.

Li Shan idly brushed the knuckle of his index finger across his lips, then looked toward the flickering candlelight in the wing-room window. “I’ll trouble Uncle Lin and Du Ming to escort my wife back.”

Du Ming answered, “It’s no trouble at all—this is my duty.”

Deputy Lin was elated, bowing immediately. “I’ll see to it with all diligence!”

Ever since a domestic scandal had severed ties between his family and Madam Lin, Deputy Lin had carried a sense of guilt. Though Li Shan never voiced blame, he feared being marginalized. Now, entrusted with something so important, he could finally feel at ease.

Shortly after, Li Shan approached Gao Zhuan to present the Lu family’s conditions. Gao Zhuan agreed to all without hesitation and handed over the defense maps of Jizhou and Youzhou. That same night, Li Shan set off under the stars, heading back to Yanmen.

Yaoyao’s journey was much gentler. With Deputy Lin’s familiarity of the region, they avoided areas devastated by floods. Under his and Du Ming’s protection, she and Xin Zhu traveled at a leisurely pace, even enjoying the rustic scenery.

By the time they returned to Bingzhou, they were nearly ten days behind Li Shan. She then learned he’d already left Yanmen County and returned to Shangdang.

Having escorted Tuoba Cong, he was expected to return to Shangdang, so when Deputy Lin and Du Ming suggested it, Yaoyao agreed: “I’ll go to Shangdang as well.” She checked in with Nanny Zheng and found she’d already departed for Shangdang, which eased her mind.

Two days later, the carriage rolled steadily into Shangdang.

She hadn’t seen this city in a long time—it was the place where she first stopped upon arriving in Bingzhou. Yaoyao felt a touch of familiarity.

Back at the Governor’s residence, she first met with Nanny Zheng and Mu Lan. Upon hearing they’d encountered flooding during their journey, Nanny Zheng chanted several rounds of “Amitabha.” Then she remembered Li Shan’s anti-Buddhist measures, and grew conflicted, wondering whether invoking the Buddha would risk angering the celestial realm.

Yaoyao understood her inner dilemma and couldn’t help but laugh. Xin Zhu discreetly exchanged a glance with Nanny Zheng. Later, Yaoyao bathed, and Mu Lan combed her hair.

Upon learning that Yaoyao and Li Shan had softened toward each other—and that their relationship had even advanced somewhat—Nanny Zheng was delighted. After all, while Yaoyao had always kept her own heart in check, warmth in daily life was worth cherishing. No one chooses to live beside a block of ice—thankfully, Li Shan wasn’t one.

With the dust washed away, Yaoyao changed into fresh clothes and restyled her hair, then went to see Madam Qian.

Though they hadn’t spoken in days, their relationship as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law wasn’t so stiff. Madam Qian’s true difficulty was keeping her mouth shut. First, she pressed for updates on Li Shan’s behavior. Naturally, Yaoyao didn’t voice a single complaint.

Then Madam Qian rose and began pacing. Yaoyao remained quiet, watching her wander until—sure enough—Madam Qian broke out with an exclamation: “Do you know someone from the Xiao family has arrived?”

Yaoyao asked, “From Grand Commandant Xiao’s kin?”

Madam Qian confirmed, “Exactly!!”

Her face showed both disgust and irritation. “Some East-Cao, West-Cao—maybe North-Cao or South-Cao! Who knows anymore!”

Yaoyao explained, “East-Cao was a position from the previous dynasty, now replaced by military liaison roles. As for West-Cao aides, they’re likely trusted men of Grand Commandant Xiao.”

Madam Qian snapped, “Exactly! Another noble brat—and now they’ve dragged your husband off track again!”

Yaoyao had already heard all the latest gossip from Nanny Zheng and Mu Lan during her bath. They’d spilled every detail about current affairs in Shangdang, including how Li Shan had returned early to Yanmen County—and then traveled back to Shangdang with Xiao Xicao in tow, indulging in pleasure the whole way. He hadn’t settled down since. He was still carousing with Xiao Xicao.

This reminded Madam Qian of last year in Luoyang, when Li Shan constantly mingled with young nobles and reveled without restraint. At that time, tensions with his father, Li Wang, were at their highest. Now, Madam Qian didn’t want Li Wang saying another word about him, lest it spark Li Shan’s rebellious streak and bring father and son into another ugly clash.

Li Wang, to his credit, had stopped intervening. Madam Qian saw that as a victory of her own. But at the moment, it seemed no one could properly rein in Li Shan.

Madam Qian looked at Yaoyao with doubt in her eyes. She clearly didn’t trust that Yaoyao could sway him, but figured it was worth a shot. Clearing her throat, she asked, “You’ve been north with your husband for so long. Even though you fell ill and your journey was delayed, surely you’ve figured out his temperament by now?”

Yaoyao rose gracefully and offered a bow. “As his wife… I honestly haven’t.”

Even if she had—Li Shan wasn’t the type to behave just because someone had read him like a book. Yaoyao wasn’t so arrogant as to presume she could shape his moods.

Madam Qian didn’t find this surprising. She herself knew how unruly her son could be. She sighed, “I heard the men went hunting in the mountains today.”

Yaoyao remarked, “He’s just seeking pleasure.”

Madam Qian added, “Though it’s none of your concern—”

Before she could finish, Aunt Li burst into the room, ever the gossip. “Madam, Young Madam! The young master just hunted three foxes and said he’ll have the skins made into coats for Young Madam!”

Madam Qian’s thoughts spun fast—her tone instantly shifted. “Who said this isn’t your concern?”

Yaoyao: “…”

Madam Qian then declared, “You see? He went out hunting just to get furs for you. And me, who raised him—I got nothing! So you go and talk some sense into him.”

Yaoyao replied, “Then… I’ll try.”

---

In truth, Xiao Xicao wasn’t skilled at archery or riding, but he loved chasing prey. Li Shan, on the other hand, was a master marksman. One blocked the target, the other took the shot—a perfect pair of rogues.

Xiao Xicao roared with laughter, “No wonder you’ve made a name for yourself among Luoyang’s noble sons! You know, when I rode up from Jiangnan, all the Wang and Xie families praised you as the top archer.”

Li Shan chuckled back, “That’s because no one dares claim first place in front of me.”

Xiao Xicao tilted his head and laughed, riding ahead. By now, he fully believed the rumors from Luoyang—that Li Shan was shallow and lived for amusement. What he didn’t see was the subtle shift: behind him, Li Shan’s lips tensed, his smile vanished. His fingers brushed his bowstring. His eyes narrowed, fixed on Xiao Xicao’s back.

Kill him? It would be simple. But there was still no word from Jizhou and Youzhou. He had to hold back.

Li Shan was famous for his fiery temper, but people always noticed the blaze and forgot the shadow beneath. He was, in truth, deeply skilled at restraint. So long as timing was off or his core principles weren’t touched, no one could break his patience.

Li Shan set down his bow, and his expression returned to its usual calm.

A group of riders exited the forest, arriving at a riverside. There, a series of low stone steps and a viewing platform had been built, ordered by Xiao Xicao for the occasion. He announced, “There’s a new game from Jiangnan. It’s called ‘Swimming Contest.'”

As the name implies, soldiers skilled in swimming would race against the current, swimming from one end to the other and back again. The fastest would be crowned the winner with generous rewards, while the last-place finisher would face punishment.

Xiao Xicao remarked, “Last time, the soldier who placed last was castrated and sent to the palace. Can’t swim—then what business does he have in the Xiao army?”

Beside him, Xin Zhi’s face twisted slightly in discomfort.

Li Shan gave no response.

This time, Xiao Xicao had brought over ten swimmers, while Li Shan offered five. Combined, there were over a dozen men ready to strip down and dive in. Just then, one of Li Shan’s personal guards whispered in his ear, and Li Shan’s brows knitted together. “Wait.”

Xiao Xicao was enjoying his wine and laughed. “What’s the matter?”

Li Shan replied coolly, “My wife is coming.”

No sooner had the words left his lips than a flat-shouldered carriage glided slowly into view. Gauzy white curtains fluttered around it in the breeze, briefly revealing the woman’s graceful silhouette.

Xiao Xicao sat bolt upright. He had heard the rumors—Li Shan was said to be cold and disrespectful toward his wife, even forcing her to forsake proper rites and travel north for their wedding. Yet his wife was no ordinary woman—she was the younger sister of the famed Miss Xie of the capital. Though the younger Xie was not as renowned as her sister, not a single ill word had ever been spoken about her.

A gust of wind teased the veil hanging from the carriage, briefly revealing a face of porcelain skin and delicate beauty, eyes charming but not vulgar, brows like ink strokes. She sat with such refined grace that even in stillness, she eclipsed many in allure.

Before Xiao Xicao could get a good look, the veil drifted back down, leaving hearts restless with curiosity. He stood and laughed at Li Shan, “You’re truly… a lucky man!”

Just then, the carriage stopped. Yaoyao descended, flanked by Xin Zhu and Mu Lan, her silk robes rippling like water as she stepped forward, every movement graceful and captivating, as if she were wading through the air.

Xiao Xicao clapped his hands, exclaiming, “Such a beauty, and the Marquis of Anbei dares to let her suffer indignities?”

Li Shan responded with a faint laugh from his nose. “Xicao, that’s quite enough.”

Xin Zhi caught the edge in Li Shan’s tone and glanced at Xiao Xicao, but the man was too fixated on Yaoyao to notice.

Upon reaching the platform, Yaoyao first addressed Li Shan, “Husband,” then nodded courteously toward Xiao Xicao, “Lord Xiao.”

Xiao Xicao prided himself on recognizing beauty—he had seen the famed Miss Xie in Luoyang—but YaoyAo not only possessed breathtaking looks; her voice was soft, and her manner exquisitely refined. Only now did he realize how the Xie family had hidden such a treasure, giving her to a brute like Li Shan. He stared at her intently. “Madam, to what do we owe the honor?”

Li Shan also looked at her, brows slightly furrowed—it was clear that if she hadn’t come for a serious reason, he’d be displeased.

Yaoyao couldn’t very well say she’d been sent because Madam Qian feared her son was losing his edge. She sighed lightly and said, “I heard you were planning a swimming contest. Soldiers are not playthings. Both father-in-law and mother-in-law are concerned and hope you might reconsider.”

Li Shan looked away, toward the shimmering water.

Yaoyao hesitated, then—out of sight of Xiao Xicao—gently tugged at the sleeve of her husband.

Li Shan raised his brow, a small smile curving his lips.

Then Xiao Xicao scoffed, “What’s the fuss? Li Wang is always overly cautious.” He strode forward, saying, “A little swimming contest scares you? Marquis, what happened to your rebellious spirit back when you opposed Fifth Master Xie?”

Yaoyao blinked in surprise—she had no idea Li Shan had once crossed swords with her uncle Xie Fei.

Xiao Xicao continued, “If Madam’s beauty and Li Shan’s timidity are any indication, we might see bold men dreaming of building a Bronze Sparrow Tower!”

Yaoyao’s brows furrowed in shock and displeasure.

The “Bronze Sparrow Tower” was a notorious reference—an ancient warlord built it as a golden prison for two famed beauties, the Qiao sisters. Xiao Xicao’s comparison was crude and insulting, implying she and her sister were objects to be coveted and locked away.

Just as she was about to retort, Li Shan let out a cold snort. He lifted a foot and kicked Xiao Xicao squarely in the knee.

With a loud splash, Xiao Xicao tumbled into the river.

No one expected Li Shan to act so suddenly—everyone on the riverbank was stunned.

“Glug—glug—help!” Xiao Xicao thrashed desperately in the water.

One of his personal guards cried out, “My lord!”

Xin Zhi chuckled, “So Xiao Xicao can’t swim?”

Several rushed forward to rescue him, but Xin Zhi delivered a fierce kick, sending one of them splashing into the water with a loud plunk. Yaoyao instinctively took a step back.

In the chaos, one of the swimming-capable attendants grabbed Xiao Xicao and tried to drag him back toward shore. Li Shan narrowed his eyes and, with a casual flick of the hand, signaled Xin Zhi, who promptly stepped in and stomped them back down.

Only then did the other attendants panic. “Li Shan! What are you doing? Are you rebelling?”

Li Shan’s eyes glinted with icy light. “Xiao Xicao’s drowning… his guards are diving in to save him…”

He spoke slowly, and his personal troops had already received their orders. They began clashing with Xiao Xicao’s men, kicking each one back into the river.

Whenever someone’s head surfaced, a boot drove it back under. If anyone tried swimming away, small boats pursued them and shoved them down into the depths.

Li Shan’s lips curled slightly in a look both mocking and regretful. Only then did he finish his sentence:

“…and none of them got him out.”

Yaoyao pressed a hand to her lips in shock.

It was early summer, but the river was still far from warm. Before long, weakened bodies began to float—silent, limp, and cold as the water itself.