Chapter 22

Li Shan’s breathing gradually steadied—he must have fallen asleep.

Yaoyao gazed at his profile, as sharply defined as a mountain ridge. For the first time, she felt he was truly unreasonable. Usually, he was upright and reliable, a man of his word. But with a touch of alcohol, he could be astonishingly shameless.

Clearly, he’d known all along that the Lu clan was her mother’s family. Yet he refused to speak with her, and she couldn’t wake him by force. She thought to herself—better to wait until morning, when he’d sobered up, and then ask about his trip to Fanyang.

But the next day, by the time Yaoyao awoke, Li Shan was already gone. The bedding was neat and undisturbed. Nanny Zheng said he’d left during the early hours, around 3 to 5 a.m.—looking bright-eyed and perfectly alert, nothing like someone who’d drunk heavily the night before.

Yaoyao bit her lip, cheeks puffing slightly. Nanny Zheng dismissed the servants and had Xin Zhu watch the doors and windows, then quietly asked, “Young Madam, is something wrong?”

Yaoyao whispered what Li Shan had said in his drunken state. Nanny Zheng was startled: “Could it be… he intends to act against the Lu family?”

Yaoyao replied, “That’s why I wanted to make things clear with him… I never promised Xin’er I’d ask him to send troops to help, but if he assists the rebels, then things will be even worse for the Lu clan.”

After all, the Lu family was her mother’s side, and her grandmother was elderly, unable to endure turmoil. Now that the Xie and Li families were tied by marriage, if Li Shan intended to move against the Lus, the least he could do was inform her. And with his capabilities, he could easily mediate their conflict. It all depended on what he was planning.

She said to Nanny Zheng, “Today, the envoys meet. Please help me choose a proper outfit.”

Early that morning, Li Shan went out to patrol the area surrounding Yanmen County. As the most critical frontier stronghold defending against the Northern Hu, Yanmen County always stationed at least 20,000 troops.
Li Shan reviewed some elite drills. Hearing the Han and Hu envoys had already met, he wasn’t in any rush. He mounted his horse for a brisk ride—letting the wind clear his mind—before returning to the city.

Li Shan dismounted, handed his unlocked armor to his attendant, and saw Yaoyao waiting quietly outside the command tent. She smiled at him. In the sunlight, her fair skin glowed, and her finely sculpted features seemed as if carved from jade or painted in a masterwork. Stunning beyond measure.

Li Shan paused, then walked over and asked, “When did you get here?”

Yaoyao replied, “About a quarter of an hour ago. I heard the Han and Hu envoys were meeting—I was curious to see it.”

Li Shan chuckled. “Makes sense. You haven’t had the chance to see anyone from the Tuoba clan during our journey. They’re about to be exchanged just outside the city. You’ve come at the perfect time.”

His tone was relaxed, casual. Yaoyao walked a pace behind him and, after some thought, softly asked, “Husband, do you still remember what you said last night…?”

Li Shan turned his head sharply and interrupted, “If you still want to ride horses, there are plenty of Yanmen County women skilled in archery and horseback riding. I can have someone ride with you.”

Yaoyao fell silent. He had clearly changed the subject deliberately—and remembered exactly what he’d let slip the night before.

Watching her lower her lashes and say nothing, Li Shan felt a strange, unnamed sensation stir inside him. He forced himself to look away. His trip to Fanyang was set. There would be no turning back. Unlike that muddled moment when he’d heeded her plea to spare a temple full of monks, this time, he would not bend.

---

Outside Yanmen County’s city gates, the envoys from Da Qi and the Hu people met. Da Qi’s representative was from the Wang clan, part of Li Shan’s advance delegation northward. Tuoba Cong was also present—Yaoyao had not seen him during the journey.

The Wang envoy handed over formally transcribed documents. To show sincerity, the Hu side had long prepared their agreed-upon tribute, which now sat in carts outside the city.

From atop the city wall, Yaoyao stood alongside Li Shan, observing the procession. Among the carts of gifts stood a young woman wearing a forehead veil and leather Hu attire, her features striking and spirited. She was the Hu princess—the daughter of King Keshan—who was offered to become a consort to Da Qi’s ten-year-old emperor.

The princess kept her eyes fixed on the city gate. Then, from behind it, a man wearing a heavy wooden yoke and chains on both hands and feet stepped forward.

Li Shan: “That’s Tuoba Cong.”

Yaoyao looked closely. Though not filthy or disheveled, Tuoba Cong was gaunt from months of captivity, his face hollow and bleak.

The princess gasped in Hu language and spurred her horse forward, dismounting in front of him just as his collar was removed. She embraced him, sobbed once, and then kissed him passionately.

Inside the city walls, the Han women gathered to watch, gasping in alarm. They had long heard of the Hu people’s bold and unruly nature, but they never expected such a public display!

Yaoyao quickly lowered her gaze, silently reciting the phrase: “Do not look upon impropriety.” Yet she suddenly realized that Li Shan hadn’t moved an inch. After a brief hesitation, she peeked up at him.

Li Shan slowly raised an eyebrow, his gaze calm and direct. He studied the kissing couple without blushing or batting an eye.

Yaoyao: “…” At this point, she wasn’t even surprised by his lack of reaction.

Naturally, Li Shan didn’t see a problem with watching. He hadn’t forced anyone to kiss in public—if they chose to do so, they clearly didn’t mind being seen. Besides, this was his first time witnessing a kiss.

At thirteen, when most boys were just coming of age, he was already on the battlefield. The Xiao family’s Southern Army wasn’t known for strict discipline; some older soldiers engaged in lewd conversations. But if Li Shan remembered correctly, one such soldier spun tales one day and was found dead in a pile of corpses the next. Up to this point, he’d never experienced any fluttering romance or sentimental indulgence. Such things were irrelevant to him. After a moment, he glanced down at Yaoyao—only to find she had long since turned her gaze away.

The kiss didn’t last long, and soon the couple separated. The Wang envoy was furious, exclaiming, “This Hu behavior is a blatant insult to Da Qi! Outrageous! We didn’t even get the chance to stop it—”

Li Shan let out a dry chuckle. “Their mouths are on their own bodies. You were going to stop them? Stand between them?”

Xin Zhi and Du Ming immediately lowered their heads, barely holding back their laughter.

Embarrassed, the envoy fumed but could do nothing about it. Redirecting his focus, he said, “The tribute must continue south—I’ll take my leave now. I’ll be sure to credit the Marquis for a great accomplishment.”

Li Shan made a polite gesture of invitation and said nothing more.

After escorting Tuoba Cong, Li Shan was set to travel to Fanyang. Naturally, he hadn’t informed anyone— not even his father, Li Wang. Publicly, he feigned staying at Yanmen County for border inspection while discreetly arranging permits and travel documents.

“He’ll pose as a wandering scholar from the Xiao clan named Xiao Tan,” someone explained, “accompanied by a retinue of soldiers and horses.”

Fan Zhanxian finished outlining some details, and though he wanted to dissuade Li Shan, the latter had clearly made up his mind. The mission wasn’t expected to be particularly dangerous, so Fan Zhanxian let the matter rest. However, he added gently, “If the General is impersonating a nobleman, it’d be wise to bring another aristocratic companion. I could go with you.”

Aside from Fan Zhanxian, Li Shan’s roster of usable noble aides was short, barely a handful, all preoccupied with their own affairs.

Li Shan took the copied Xiao family identity papers, and after a pause, murmured, “No need.”

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By early evening, with daylight still lingering, Li Shan returned to the governor’s estate. Yaoyao sat quietly by the window, threading silk under the fading sky and warm candlelight. Whatever her maid had said, it had coaxed a soft, laughing curve to her brows and eyes. Upon seeing him, her smile naturally faded into composure. “Husband,” she greeted gently.

Li Shan responded with a simple “Mm.”

During dinner, he suddenly said, “In a few days, I’m heading to Youzhou.”

Yaoyao’s hand paused over her chopsticks. She lowered her gaze and kept eating, saying nothing.

Li Shan: “…”

He had rehearsed how to respond when Yaoyao inevitably brought up the Lu clan. But she remained silent, and so did he. Their silence stretched into the moment the lights were blown out.

Li Shan lay down on the bed and closed his eyes.

Yaoyao stared blankly at the bed curtain. Tonight felt like the night of their wedding—or perhaps even more distant because she wasn’t speaking either. It wasn’t intentional. She simply didn’t know what to say. If she clung to hope that she could sway Li Shan’s decision, it would only make things harder for herself. Preserving her own peace was all she could manage now.

Yaoyao closed her eyes to rest. The side courtyard was quiet, and she could hear the steady chorus of spring insects outside—each call longer than the last.

Before long, she turned over, realizing she was thirsty. She rose softly, glancing first toward Li Shan’s side of the room. It was dark—he must have been asleep. Unwilling to disturb Nanny Zheng or Xin Zhu, she navigated by the faint moonlight spilling through the window and made her way to the table.

She poured water and took a few sips to quench her thirst. As she set the teacup down gently, she turned back toward the bed but accidentally bumped into a chair.

Yaoyao: “Mm.”

A sharp pain shot through her toe. She couldn’t help but inhale quietly, brows knitting.

Suddenly, a deep voice rang out from the bed: “What happened?”

After catching her breath, she moved carefully, avoiding pressure on the foot, and returned to lie down.

Li Shan was already sitting upright: “I asked what happened.”

Yaoyao shut her eyes, her voice soft and sleepy, murmuring, “Too far… couldn’t hear.”

Li Shan: “…”

Silence returned to the room. As Yaoyao echoed his words from the previous night, her heart skipped slightly. She wasn’t the sort to seek petty revenge—usually, if Li Shan spoke first, she’d let it go and follow his lead. But tonight, she chose not to.

Or rather, she was genuinely upset. Not deeply, but enough. He’d feigned deafness before, and now, paired with the frustration of kicking the chair, her irritation bubbled up.

As for what to do next… she hadn’t yet decided. Suddenly, she heard footsteps drawing closer. Instinctively, she opened her eyes, about to sit up, when Li Shan reached her bedside in a flash. He raised one knee to rest on the bed frame, one hand braced on the mattress, and leaned in: “How about now?”

He loomed over her, his warm breath brushing against her cheek, practically enveloping her. “Is this close enough?”