Chapter 23.1

Startled, Yaoyao felt as if there was a blazing fire hidden inside Li Shan’s body—his breath searing her skin so hot it might condense into a fine mist. Clutching the blanket, she scooted deeper into the bed and whispered, “…Close.”

Far too close. His gaze was always sharp and unmistakable. Even in dim light, Yaoyao could feel the subtle glimmer flickering in his eyes.

After a moment, Li Shan let out a low hum through his nose, withdrew his arm, and straightened. The lingering heat in the air seemed to retreat with him, but before Yaoyao could exhale in relief, he drew up his other leg.

The bed at the Yanmen governor’s estate was slightly shorter than the one in the Li residence back in Shangdang. Sitting with one leg bent and the other stretched straight, Li Shan formed a barrier across the bed like a fortress wall, effectively boxing her in.

Yaoyao glanced at him nervously. In this position, she couldn’t climb out even if she wanted to. She adjusted herself and sat up slightly, only to hear him speak with a calm tone: “What happened to your foot?”

If he hadn’t mentioned it, she might have forgotten altogether. She wiggled her toes—there was still a faint ache, though it wasn’t serious. “I’m fine,” she said.

Li Shan replied, “You made it sound tragic.”

Yaoyao: “…”

Was it that bad? She had just failed to suppress a little groan—that’s a perfectly normal reaction, wasn’t it?

Now that he was on the bed anyway, Li Shan nonchalantly reached up to adjust one of the pillows, grabbed a blanket, stretched out his legs, and lay down beside her.

The bed had two pillows and two blankets to begin with, saving him the trouble of getting up to retrieve anything.

Yaoyao was stunned. He lay down just like that?

As if sensing her surprise, Li Shan opened his eyes just a sliver, glanced at her sideways, and said with ambiguous meaning, “It’s dark. I’m afraid if I walk back, I’ll stub my own foot.”

Yaoyao: “Would you like me to light a lamp?”

Li Shan gave a dry chuckle. “So… you get the bed and I have to sleep on that rickety couch?”

Yaoyao finally realized he was making excuses and replied, “Of course, husband, you may sleep on the bed.”

So that was it: the mighty General Li had developed a grudge against the couch. She quietly relaxed her shoulders.

After a soft rustle, Yaoyao also lay down along the wall. The two lay side by side. She wasn’t used to it, but sleepiness was overtaking her. Just as her vision blurred, she heard Li Shan’s voice: “My trip to Fanyang in Youzhou… It’s not a strike against your family.”

He had brought it up himself. Yaoyao immediately woke, clutching the blanket between her fingers. “I understand. It’s a military matter. It’s not a place for me to speak.”

Li Shan sneered, “You can speak. Go on.”

He thought to himself, when has she ever been afraid to speak her mind? She’s bold to the core. If you don’t let her talk, she’ll turn into a sealed-up gourd—a genuine product of noble upbringing.

Seeing that he genuinely wanted a conversation, Yaoyao wouldn’t miss the opportunity. She spoke gently: “Not long ago, my cousin came to visit, hoping I could convince you to send troops to drive away the Supreme Army. I refused. But I hadn’t expected you would be involved in the rebellion’s affairs.”

Li Shan didn’t respond—eyes closed, expression unreadable.

Yaoyao continued, “I’m not asking for anything else. I only hope you won’t make things difficult for the Lu clan. And I’ve always trusted, with your reputation, husband, there must be a way to subdue the Supreme Army without undermining the ties between the Xie and Li families.”

After Yaoyao finished speaking, she felt she’d already done her part. If the outcome wasn’t ideal… well, she could always say it again. Talking didn’t cost anything, after all. She smiled wryly at the thought and perked her ears, waiting.

The bed canopy was quiet for a moment, until Li Shan’s voice, low and husky, broke the silence: “You’re coming with me to Fanyang.”

That was his answer.

Yaoyao froze, surprised. Perhaps Li Shan wasn’t as headstrong as the rumors claimed. She smiled gently and said, “Alright.”

---

Maybe because a burden had been lifted, Yaoyao’s breathing soon deepened into a soft, steady rhythm. But Li Shan found sleep elusive. He had already considered taking her to Fanyang himself, yet now that he’d said it out loud—after hearing her plea—it felt as if he’d been persuaded to bring her along to ease tensions with the Lu clan.

The more he thought about it, the less it sat right.

Originally, agreeing to marry into the Xie family had been a calculated move to justify his reckless behavior in Luoyang. Without a proper excuse, his father Li Wang would see through him and realize he was playing politics under the guise of chaos.

Li Shan understood his father well. Li Wang had spent years beneath the shadow of aristocratic families, well aware of their influence, long past the point of resistance. Once a marriage to a noble lady was arranged, Li Wang assumed it had been done to rebel against him, to explain the sudden deviation in Li Shan’s conduct.

Li Shan also needed a wedding to serve another purpose: to get Madam Qian out of Luoyang. With that accomplished, the mission of marrying a noble daughter was technically complete. She no longer held strategic value.

That noble lady could have been from the Wang, Xie, Liu, Xiao, or He families—it made no difference to Li Shan.

At least, it was supposed to.

Back when they first traveled north and he met Xie Yaoyao for the first time, even though he acknowledged her beauty, his heart remained unmoved. He deliberately treated her coldly, using her to provoke his father. But who would’ve thought—beneath the delicate, timid surface was a sharp tongue and clever wit.

Had he married a noble lady just to have her manage him?

Li Shan took a deep breath.

A natural-born rebel, he could reason with himself and accept advice. But deep down, he always bristled at being opposed. That subtle dissatisfaction never quite went away.

Li Shan turned to his side, gazing at the woman beside him. Her long lashes framed the shape of her eyes, and the warm fragrance beneath the canopy wrapped around her like heat from a brazier. Her fair skin glowed faintly pink, delicate and charming. She looked soft and obedient, sleeping soundly, her lips curled slightly in a sweet expression.

Li Shan narrowed his eyes. He reached out and poked her cheek lightly. After two taps, her lips fell back into a pout, brows gently furrowing in protest. Clearly not wanting to be disturbed, she pulled the blanket up, covering half her face.

Now he exhaled slowly and finally relaxed.

Except…

He rubbed his finger absentmindedly. Had he just poked a piece of soft, silky tofu?

---

Meanwhile, in the Xie household of Luoyang.

In recent months, the estate had been bustling with guests and activity. This was the resilience of an aristocratic family: like a centipede that never truly collapses, once given the chance to recover, it swiftly resumes its grip on power.

At a banquet, officials clinked glasses: “Congratulations, Lord Xie! With the Hu tribute successfully delivered to Luoyang, this is a first-class merit!”

Xie Zhaozhi raised his cup in acknowledgment. Words like these were best taken lightly. Though he privately looked down on Li Shan’s lack of discipline and indulgent lifestyle, he understood how the Xie family had risen again. As long as the Li clan continued its victories against the Hu people and their army dominated Bingzhou, the Xie family would remain untouchable.

There were rumors that Li Shan had taken measures against temples and monasteries, likely to strip privileges from the noble families. Still, it didn’t matter. That was Bingzhou’s turf, not Luoyang’s. And who knew? Bingzhou’s nobles might yet flourish again, like spring reborn.

Someone voiced concern, “Now that the Chen and Situ families conflict, the north might be unstable again.”

Xie family’s eldest son-in-law, Xue Ping, laughed and said, “That’s backwards logic. It’s because the Hu people offered to surrender that the unrest began. Otherwise, everyone up north would still be too wary of the Hu to make a move.”

Xie Zhaozhi agreed, “Exactly.”

They saw farther than ordinary citizens. Now, with regional powers rising across the land and signs of fragmentation growing, the truth remained: no matter who ascended the throne, the power of the aristocratic families was as unshakable as iron, which was why they could treat matters of national turmoil as casual conversation, speaking freely without concern.

Laughter echoed through the banquet hall. Meanwhile, in the inner chambers, Xie Shu gently cradled her slightly rounded belly, tears shining at the corners of her eyes, her face showing subtle weariness.

Madam Lu called gently, “Shu’er…”

Xie Shu, always proud and strong, turned away so her mother wouldn’t see her tears. She wiped them silently.

Beside her, the plump little white dog Zhilang sensed its owner’s sorrow. It pawed at her skirt with its hind legs, hoping to share her burden—but Zhilang’s well-meaning heart couldn’t help her.

Madam Lu’s heart ached deeply over her daughter’s circumstances, but she could only offer soft persuasion: “You’re carrying a child. Don’t cry so much—you’ll harm your eyes. He came today to fetch you. He’s made his position clear. You must go back.”

Xie Shu clenched her jaw in bitter anger and turned to her mother: “I don’t want to go back to the Xue household! How could he treat me like this?”

After marrying Xue Ping, she had experienced a few blissful months—deeply affectionate, inseparable, full of promises. The Xue family’s household traditions were decent, and Xue Ping had sworn he’d never take a concubine. She alone, he said, would grow old with him.

But once she became pregnant and the child was stable, the Xue family’s matriarch took matters into her own hands, placing another woman in Xue Ping’s chambers. Technically, she wasn’t a concubine—just a maid permitted to warm his bed—a nameless outlet for his desire.

At first, Xie Shu resisted. Xue Ping accommodated her, but as pressure from the family continued, he gave in. Claiming drunkenness as an excuse, he slept with the maid.

For this, Xie Shu was both furious and heartbroken. She had believed his solemn vows. She immediately returned to her parents’ home. Today was the third day. Xue Ping guessed she had cooled off and came to escort her home, conveniently attending the family banquet as well.

Everyone assumed that Xie Shu had vented enough anger and should now return to the Xue household. She was pregnant and unable to serve her husband properly. For the sake of heirs, letting a maid into his chamber was routine. Which household didn’t settle things this way?

Madam Lu knew she ought to persuade her eldest daughter as custom dictated, yet couldn’t bring herself to say those words. Even Xie Zhaozhi had once had a concubine’s child, though the boy hadn’t survived. That kind of sorrow could only be truly understood by women.

After a long silence, Xie Shu wiped away her tears and composed herself. Then she asked, “How is Yaoyao? I can bear my own fate—but I just hope hers is better.”

Madam Lu sighed, “You know her. Even if things aren’t well, so far away, she’s the sort to share joy but hide sorrow.”

As she spoke, she had two of Yaoyao’s letters brought out. In the first, Yaoyao praised Li Shan and expressed her hopes for the marriage. The second described notable figures and scenery of Bingzhou, mentioning Madam Lu’s old friend, the governor’s wife from the Taiyuan Guo clan. At the end, Yaoyao had written: “If the chance arises, I hope Mother and Sister might visit Bingzhou for a holiday.”

Madam Lu knew that chance was unlikely. For the Xie women to travel north and reunite, Xie Zhaozhi would be the first to object. And unless Madam Guo personally extended an invitation, it would be nearly impossible. Formal invitations among noble families required great effort and protocol.

Thankfully, Yaoyao would eventually return. Madam Lu counted the days with a fingertip: “It’s been a few months since she left—she’ll be home before long.”

Xie Shu quietly wept again. She was angry with the man she had married and also felt guilty for her sister, who had been sent north to marry Li Shan, whose treatment of her remained unknown.

—

Yaoyao tied up her hair and changed into a plain, narrow-sleeved dress. The tailoring and stitching were fine enough, but compared to her usual silk and brocade, the fabric felt coarse and modest. She ran her fingers over the sleeve, recalling the rumor: Li Shan and his army wore plain robes into battle. So this was the material they used.

Nanny Zheng asked, “Young Madam, are you truly going to Fanyang?”

Yaoyao nodded. “I am.”

Nanny Zheng was baffled—how had just one night passed and Yaoyao was now heading to Fanyang in Youzhou? Going wasn’t the issue; after all, Fanyang was Lu clan territory, and as a granddaughter, Yaoyao should be safe. But she was sneaking off in disguise—as a merchant, no less.

Due to a lingering culture of ostentation from the previous dynasty, Da Qi heavily suppressed merchants. Those still able to travel freely across regions were mostly sponsored by aristocratic families, tasked not only with generating income but also with gathering information on local sentiment.

Li Shan was posing as a Jinzhou merchant operating under the name of the Xiao clan. Xiao clan’s influence in the north was far weaker than in the south, allowing them to move about with less scrutiny. Yet their entire party, Yaoyao and Li Shan included, numbered only twelve. Compared to Yaoyao’s earlier northern journey with hundreds of guards, this small group was far from reassuring.

Yaoyao, however, remained calm. “Too many people make it hard to move. Husband is bold—but he’s only bold because he’s confident.”

Nanny Zheng offered, “Then let me go with you…”

Yaoyao gently took her hand and said, “You were hurt before. Your hand still aches when carrying things. If you travel like this, it could leave lasting damage. If it gets worse, how could I bear it?”

Beside them, Xin Zhu added, “Exactly. I’ll go with Young Madam. Don’t worry—I’ll take good care of her.”

With Yaoyao so firm, Nanny Zheng could only agree, though she was reluctant.

That night, the twelve-person team quietly departed Yanmen County. Li Wang in Shangdang County knew nothing of their plans, but he had headaches of his own.

The Xiao clan had dispatched an official named Xiao Xicao northward, nephew of Grand Commandant Xiao and one of his favored men. But Xiao Xicao was notoriously arrogant and reckless, with a bad reputation. He hadn’t given prior notice and appeared in Bingzhou unannounced, which irked Li Wang.

Li Wang knew that even with marriage ties to noble families, he was still looked down upon. Most households praised the Li clan’s victories over the Hu nomads, but the Xiao family, once superiors to Li Wang and Li Shan, maintained an ambiguous attitude.

Xiao Xicao said to Li Wang, “I heard you’ve managed Bingzhou very well. Seeing it for myself today, I believe it. The people’s admiration isn’t fake. You Li men… You really are something.”

Li Wang bowed respectfully toward the south. “By the grace of the Emperor, the border defenses of Bingzhou were entrusted to my son and me—we must not slack in our duty.”

Xiao Xicao took a sip of wine and burst out laughing. “What can a ten-year-old Emperor actually do?”

Then he added, “I was just wondering—when will General Li return from Yanmen?”

Li Wang replied, “He’s escorting the Tuoba clan and inspecting the borders. My son won’t return to Shangdang for at least a month.”

Xiao Xicao raised an eyebrow. “That long? Your family’s women are still staying in Bingzhou—what do you think other noble families will make of that?”

Li Wang said nothing. Truthfully, he was glad to have brought Madam Qian out of Luoyang. After years of separation, these few months had felt like a true marriage.

But Xiao Xicao wasn’t aiming at him—he was targeting Li Shan.

The Xiao clan had a powerful influence in the south. Years ago, they tried to expand northward through the Battle of Shangdang, but the Li family got there first. Xiao Xicao resented them deeply, especially Li Shan, a general descended from street performers who had now been elevated into elite circles. Utterly laughable.

He stood and said, “I’ll go to Yanmen myself—and personally invite General Li back to Luoyang.”