Chapter 18

Just as Li Shan finished speaking, Yaoyao didn’t move. The air fell silent.

Nanny Zheng had been woken half an hour earlier. Perched on the edge of the bed, she could clearly see Li Shan’s expression.

Yaoyao made no move, and he remained calmly composed, eyes fixed on the soft bundle of blankets—genuinely considering how best to scoop her up in one go.

Worried he might be too rough and startle Yaoyao, Nanny Zheng watched anxiously. Thankfully, after three measured breaths, Yaoyao slowly poked her head out from beneath the covers, revealing a delicately beautiful face. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and murmured, “I’m getting up…”

There was no way she’d let Li Shan carry her—he’d definitely hold a grudge over it later.

Nanny Zheng chimed in at just the right moment. “Marquis, Young Madam’s just waking. She’ll need a moment to freshen up.”

Li Shan responded with a nonchalant “Mm,” absently rubbing his thumb along the hilt of his sword before turning and leaving the room.

…

Not long after, Yaoyao had washed up and fully awakened. Stepping outside, she saw the carriage and luggage already prepped. Xin Zhu and Mu Lan both had faint dark circles under their eyes—clearly, they’d been called up at midnight to pack.

Nanny Zheng had assumed this trip was a sudden decision from Li Shan, but clearly he’d planned it well in advance and kept quiet. Helping Yaoyao into the carriage, she muttered, “He’s really making trouble for us, isn’t he?”

Yaoyao, who knew Li Shan wasn’t easy to deal with, hadn’t expected her gentle persuasion to result in this kind of trap. Expression blank, she clenched her left hand into a tiny fist and lightly punched her travel pillow.

Their travel party included Nanny Zheng, Xin Zhu, and Mu Lan. Sitting beside Yaoyao in the carriage, Nanny Zheng could tell she had a case of morning grumpiness—equal parts sympathetic and amused, she chose her words wisely: “Still, the Marquis clearly keeps Young Madam close to heart.”

After all, newlyweds should be together. The Li family wasn’t some age-old noble clan, and their estate wasn’t large, but among servants, status trickled down sharply. Nanny Zheng knew this well.

Since the temple burnings, no one dared harbor other intentions, which quietly shielded Yaoyao from much trouble.

Though the reassurance was nice, Yaoyao didn’t really need it. Once she recovered from her grogginess, her bad mood faded—and she quietly accepted it all.

This time heading north to Yanmen County was much better than their earlier journey from Luoyang—less rushed, more comfortable. Xin Zhu and Mu Lan had packed extensively, to the extent that a separate horse was needed to carry their luggage. Supplies were abundant and certainly tailored for comfort.

Yaoyao took a light nap in the carriage and felt refreshed afterward. She lifted the curtain to look around. It was late spring edging into early summer. Bingzhou had warmed, the frozen ground had thawed, and the sunlight poured down on a landscape of fresh green.

By midday, the group was still traveling along the official highway and decided to rest by the roadside. Military cooks traveled with them. Nanny Zheng, worried about the food quality, considered having a private meal prepared for Yaoyao.

But the cook waved it off. “The general said he won’t let Madam go hungry on the road. Just wait—it’ll be taken care of.”

Soon after, a meal arrived: a pot of braised lamb, a plate of simmered pork ribs, and a dish of stewed water shield greens—all generous in portion, vibrant in color, and fragrant enough to make mouths water. There were also snowy-white steamed buns, prepared overnight, each so large that it could rival the size of Yaoyao’s face.

Yaoyao was stunned. Nanny Zheng gasped, “That’s way too much—Young Madam won’t finish all this!”

“But who said she’s the only one eating?” Li Shan approached on horseback, tossed his whip to Xin Zhi, and said, “I’m eating too.”

Yaoyao blinked and asked, “Where should we eat—in the carriage or outside?”

Li Shan replied, “In the carriage.” He wasn’t the type to insist on eating harshly or enduring discomfort. If the carriage offered a cleaner space than dusty ground, he naturally chose the better option.

Nanny Zheng, surprised then pleased, remembered how Li Shan had ignored Yaoyao the first time she came to Bingzhou, when meals were no more than dry rations. This—hot food and company—was no small shift. Maybe he wasn’t out to make her suffer after all.

The carriage was spacious enough to accommodate a small table and still allowed for movement. When Li Shan sat down, it did feel a little cramped. His body carried the earthy scent of grass and sun, a pleasant and grounding aroma.

Yaoyao relaxed slightly. She tore off a piece of the bun and ate it slowly. Li Shan stuffed braised lamb into his bun and ate with quiet satisfaction.

Soon, Yaoyao heard him chuckle. Curious, she looked over—he was in genuinely good spirits. It was rare to see his thick brows eased and his smile this open and carefree.

The Xie family had a strict “no talking during meals” rule. The Li family did not. With a boyish glint of triumph in his eyes, Li Shan said, “I heard you didn’t want to head north. But I thought—why keep you cooped up at home all the time? Better to take you out for some fresh air.”

Yaoyao: “…”

Just a bit of reflection, and she understood—Madam Qian had sold her out. She had clearly planned to spend her time at the Li household building rapport and playing the Mingzhu zither. So much for that.

Yaoyao adjusted quickly. Being able to go out and see horses had lifted her spirits. She smiled and asked, “Husband, are you saying I can treat this trip as a bit of leisure?”

Li Shan was the type who, when in good spirits, became rather agreeable. Without hesitation, he answered, “Yes.”

The court had tasked him with escorting Tuoba Cong north, framed politely as official duty, but in blunt terms, he was nothing more than a glorified courier. No reward, no gain. Just a thankless errand.

Li Shan, being someone who kept track of every detail, watched as the entire imperial court scrambled for riches, while he took his time, enjoying a rare moment of unbothered ease.

With his agreement in hand, Yaoyao casually asked, “Then… can I learn to ride a horse too?”

His chopsticks paused mid-motion. Yaoyao pretended not to notice, lowering her head to nibble a bite of water shield greens—like she’d spoken without thinking.

In this world, horses were vital military assets. Even noble sons had limited chances to ride, let alone women. She’d never once imagined wanting to learn. But her experience a month ago had left a lingering yearning.

Li Shan stayed silent for a notably long moment. Yaoyao swallowed, lifted her lashes, and cautiously glanced at him. When their eyes met, she blinked softly.

His gaze lingered, thoughtful.

Throughout history, renowned generals have often exhibited streaks of stubbornness and authority. It took that kind of force of character to command an army. Li Shan was no different. Put plainly, he wasn’t easy to persuade. If he were, someone would’ve convinced him to spare those temples.

But now, he realized something odd: he’d nearly agreed to Yaoyao’s request without hesitation. She had a curious gift—her words never sounded like demands, and you hardly noticed when you were drawn in. What kind of trick was that?

Just then, Xin Zhi called from outside the carriage, “General, urgent dispatch.”

Li Shan lowered his gaze, stuffed the last bit of bun into his mouth, and stepped out.

Inside, Nanny Zheng climbed back onto the carriage and eyed the aftermath—utterly swept clean. So that’s how soldiers eat: fast, fierce, and without pause.

The bun had been enormous. Yaoyao still had half left. She sighed, pressing her stomach. “Nanny, I can’t finish this…”

Nanny Zheng chuckled—she knew Yaoyao’s appetite well. She hadn’t eaten lightly on purpose, but beside Li Shan, her small, bird-like stomach truly paled.

“If we were back home, Zhilang would’ve polished it off for you,” the nanny mused.

Zhilang was the Xie family’s fluffy white dog—affectionate, clingy, and endlessly greedy, but well-loved and well-fed. Yaoyao felt a pang of longing.

Nanny Zheng leaned closer. “How was it—eating with the Marquis?”

Cradling her tea, Yaoyao thought of the request he’d never answered. She said softly, “It was fine.”

If he disagreed, it was okay. She’d tried.

When lunch finished, the carriage resumed its gentle rhythm down the road. Yaoyao watched the horses pacing ahead and couldn’t help feeling a bit wistful.

The sealed dispatch Xin Zhi mentioned had been sent by Fan Zhanxian from Luoyang, delivering several updates. First, the Bingzhou soldiers who had returned to Luoyang had nearly all been redeployed to Bingzhou. Master Fan himself was about to arrive in Xiangyuan. Second, Jizhou has suffered flooding and seen the rise of rebel forces. The court intends to send Lord Situ to suppress the revolt, but Chen Zhao of Jizhou resists the imperial decree. Rebellion in Jizhou is imminent.

In early February, Jizhou experienced ten days of unusually heavy rainfall. The downstream of the Hutuo River overflowed, devastating the population. This unrest birthed a rebel faction. Technically, Chen Zhao—Jizhou’s official overseer—should suppress it. But Situ of Youzhou petitioned the Luoyang aristocracy to pressure the court into sending him instead—clearly a calculated move to seize part of Jizhou.

Naturally, Chen Zhao couldn’t accept that. Fan Zhanxian predicted that rebellion was inevitable. The delicate northern balance maintained for five years was about to unravel.

After reading the dispatch, Li Shan burned it and said to Xin Zhi, “Go to Xiangyuan now and link up with Master Fan.”

Xin Zhi: “Understood.”

Thinking of the mounting shifts in the realm, Li Shan felt a rising tide in his chest. Suddenly, he recalled something. “There’s one more task for you.”

Xin Zhi—just as fired up—clasped his hands: “Give me the order, General.”

He knew Li Shan’s nature—if something still lingered in his thoughts at this moment, it had to be significant. As Li Shan’s trusted deputy, Xin Zhi was confident he could handle anything.

Then Li Shan said, “Go find a pony.”

Xin Zhi: “…” A pony? Is the general suddenly craving horse meat?