The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 88

Chapter 88

That night, Xiao Qiao refused to sleep with Da Qiao again and left the room on her own. Bi Zhi and Da Qiao were left behind, the husband and wife exchanging a glance. Bi Zhi went over, lifted his wife, and carried her to the bedside. He carefully and gently lowered her, then sat and lay down beside her. His palm lightly stroked her belly, which was already bulging prominently as she lay down. He said, "Did the little fellow kick you again today?"

Da Qiao rested her head against her husband's shoulder, a happy smile appearing on her face as she murmured an acknowledgment. "In the morning, it was moving around in my belly again, waking me up quite early."

Bi Zhi lowered his head, kissed her forehead, and said softly, "It has been hard on you. Once the little fellow comes out, if it is a boy, I will smack his bottom for kicking you."

Da Qiao giggled and had him lie down together with her. She caught his broad hand, which was covered in thick calluses, and pressed it against her soft cheek, rubbing against it gently. She suddenly said, "Last night, my younger sister praised you to me, saying you are very extraordinary. I also feel my husband is like this. It is just that I cannot quite figure out where you learned your skill in leading troops and fighting wars."

Bi Zhi's green eyes flashed slightly as he met his wife's curious and admiring gaze. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I do not know either. Perhaps it was born in me. I remember when I was still small, I once accidentally saw your uncle leading the family guards to train at the horse ranch. My uncle looked as magnificent as a god of war, and the shouts of the soldiers shook the sky. At that moment, I was utterly awed. I said to myself in my heart that when I grew up, I must also become a person like your uncle. I began to use the horses in the ranch to train as troops. I imagined that I was their general, and they were my soldiers. With so many soldiers, if I encountered an enemy, how should I command them..."

As he spoke, he suddenly noticed Da Qiao looking at him with intense focus. He could not help but feel slightly self-conscious and stopped, saying, "Am I making myself a laughingstock to you?"

Da Qiao shook her head. "I want to hear more. Continue speaking."

Bi Zhi smiled and added, "Later, when I grew a bit older, a manager at the horse ranch—though his legs and feet are inconvenient now, he was a horse archer in your Qiao family army back then—took a liking to me. He said I had the talent for practicing martial arts, so he taught me martial skills and archery whenever he had time. I liked it immensely, even dreaming about practicing martial arts. He taught me for several years and was very good to me, but then he fell ill and passed away. For a period of time, I was deeply saddened. After that, when I grew even older..."

Bi Zhi lowered his head, gazing intently at his wife.

"...I saw you. From the very first glance I cast upon you, I could never forget you again. I remember the way you looked every time you stepped on and off the carriage. I truly never dreamed that one day, you would actually become my wife..."

Da Qiao hooked her arms around her husband's neck and deeply kissed his lips.

Only after a long while did the two separate. Bi Zhi panted slightly, trying his utmost to suppress the physical desire stirred up by his wife's tender affection. He whispered near her ear, "I know you have been worrying for me all along. Do not fear, I am here. I have already made thorough preparations, and I am confident I can repulse Xue Tai. Nothing will go wrong."

Da Qiao shook her head and said slowly, "I am no longer afraid now. From the first day I left with you, I told myself that I have chosen you for this lifetime. If you live, I shall live with you. If things go badly for you, I shall go with you. I am not afraid!"

Bi Zhi gazed at his wife, then suddenly cupped her face and kissed her deeply once more.

...

Early the next morning, just as the sky was turning pale, Xiao Qiao arose. Her traveling companion, Nanny Chun, finished packing their belongings, and Bi Zhi escorted her out of the estate.

The husband and wife had originally resided in a mountain hunting village outside Lingbi County. As more and more people came to align with them, the troops trained daily reached several thousand, which the hunting village could no longer accommodate long ago. Three months ago, it just so happened that southwest of the county seat at the foot of the mountain, there was a Master Hu of Hu Family Estate. First, his only son had perished due to a grievance with Xue Tai, and then he was forced to surrender his land and wealth. In his grief and fury, he heard of Bi Zhi's name, surrendered, and welcomed him into the estate. Honoring him as the supreme leader, Master Hu willingly gave up his land and wealth to assist in purchasing horses and manufacturing weapons, purely to seek vengeance and wash away his hatred in the future. Bi Zhi reorganized the troops and fortified the ramparts at Hu Family Estate, making the estate as solid as an iron barrel. Within a twenty-mile radius, a stockade or fence was established at every pavilion interval, allowing messages to flow smoothly without hindrance.

During the few days Xiao Qiao had been here, she had stayed within the estate. As she was about to depart, she bid farewell to Qiao Ci.

For this trip to Lingbi, although Bi Zhi had personally gone to receive her and Jia Si and others guarded her, Qiao Ci had still followed Xiao Qiao over. He had originally intended to return with her. Unexpectedly, upon hearing that Xue Tai was coming to attack, Qiao Ci's palms grew itchy, and he said he wanted to stay behind to lend his eldest brother-in-law a helping hand.

Bi Zhi had fundamentally not wished for him to stay. But Qiao Ci insisted, saying he wanted to gain more experience, and this happened to be a perfect opportunity, refusing to leave.

Xiao Qiao had initially counseled him for a few words, but seeing that she could not sway him, she thought to herself that in such an era, war and chaos erupted frequently. It was hard to guarantee that Yan Province would not suffer aggression from others again in the future. Since her younger brother was the only son of the Qiao family, facing battle and responding to war would be unavoidable in the future, so shielding him was by no means the right path. Since his heart was set on joining the battle, she would let him have his way. For one, as he himself had said, it would increase his experience; for another, Bi Zhi was fighting many with few, so having her younger brother assist by his side should be of some help. Therefore, she agreed, only repeatedly charging him to be careful and to return to Yan Province as quickly as possible after the battle ended, so as not to cause their father anxiety.

Qiao Ci agreed. He escorted Xiao Qiao to the side of the carriage, reaching out his hand to support his elder sister up.

Just before stepping into the carriage, Xiao Qiao turned her head and saw Da Qiao standing at the entrance of the estate, one hand supporting her belly, still gazing toward her with a face full of reluctance to part. Her heart felt both happy and a bit sour. She said to Bi Zhi by her side, "Many thanks to brother-in-law for treating my elder sister so well."

Bi Zhi was startled, then said, "She treats me even better." As he spoke, he turned his head to look at his wife, who was still standing at the entrance of the estate to watch them off, the tenderness in his eyes fully revealed.

Xiao Qiao smiled faintly and entered the carriage with Nanny Chun.

Jia Si and his line of guards had not dared to slacken in the slightest along this road, much less leave Xiao Qiao's side halfway. Having followed her all the way from Dong郡 to this place, seeing that the Lady was finally setting out to return, they only then relaxed slightly and followed closely behind.

The carriage wheels turned, and Xiao Qiao poked her head out to wave goodbye to Da Qiao, who was still chasing after them to see them off. Only when her figure grew smaller and smaller, until she could no longer be seen, did Xiao Qiao shrink back inside, turn her head, and quietly wipe her eyes.

Nanny Chun saw this and gathered her into her embrace. After they had traveled some distance, she said, "Is the Lady perhaps envious that her elder sister is about to become a mother? Do not be anxious. Once we return this time, as long as the Lord is at home, it will be the Lady's turn soon."

Xiao Qiao knew she was trying to make her happy. Although her heart was still filled with the reluctance of parting, the thought of having a child with Wei Shao felt both awkward and somewhat strange. She could not help but let out a snort and laugh. "I do not want to give birth so early!"

Nanny Chun said, "There is not much time left until the end of the year. Once the Lady turns full sixteen, it will be just right to prepare for matters of childbirth. The Old Madame and the Lord must surely be looking forward to it as well."

Xiao Qiao shook her head stubbornly. When Nanny Chun tried to speak further, she covered her mouth.

Nanny Chun had only brought up the topic just now to distract her because she saw her sadness over the parting. Seeing that she would not let her speak of having a child with the Lord, she let the matter drop, embracing Xiao Qiao once more and saying as if to herself, "The Lord should have won the battle and returned home by now, right? He must surely be looking forward to the Lady's return!"

Xiao Qiao leaned in Nanny Chun's embrace, remembering the few days before Wei Shao set out on the campaign.

On the first night, because she was worried about something happening to Lady Xu next, she intensely wished he could stay behind, so that her heart would feel it had an anchor. If he had simply refused, it would have been fine, but he had agreed first, only to break his word the next day and make a fool of her. Let that be. After all, it involved deploying troops for war, which was a major matter. What was infuriating was that he actually showed no intention of admitting his mistake regarding this.

Fine, he was a high and mighty lord, and Xiao Qiao had not expected him to openly admit a mistake, but at the very least, there should have been some indication of it.

He was just great—she was sulking, yet he actually seemed to be angry right along with her. For the next three nights, contrary to his usual behavior, he did not touch her even once.

Naturally, Xiao Qiao did not wish for him to touch her. It was just that she truly could not comprehend what on earth he had to be angry about, giving her such a cold face to look at.

If not for Lady Xu being caught in the middle, since she had already returned to her maiden home this time, she truly did not want to return so quickly.

Xiao Qiao pouted her lips and huffed, "He would not look forward to my return. I do not want to see him either!"

...

The carriage and Jia Si's line of guards escorting Xiao Qiao gradually receded into the distance. The convoy disappeared onto that yellow muddy road leading from the entrance of the estate to the outside world.

A servant woman came over to help Da Qiao inside. Da Qiao turned around and saw Zong Ji standing on the empty ground not far behind her, his gaze directed toward the end of the yellow muddy road, his face carrying a trace of melancholy. She then walked over to him.

Seeing Da Qiao walking toward him, Zong Ji hurriedly met her.

Da Qiao stopped before him and smiled faintly. "Because my younger sister left in a hurry, she did not have time to bid farewell to Young Master Zong. She entrusted me to pass on a message, stating she is immensely grateful to Young Master Zong for your assistance several times previously, which was of tremendous help. If there is an opportunity in the future, she will surely repay you."

Zong Ji said, "The Lady speaks too heavily. I was merely repaying a kindness. A minor effort, not worth mentioning."

Da Qiao said, "I heard from my husband that Xue Tai is dispatching troops toward this direction, and I fear there will be a fierce battle. My younger sister has already departed this morning. Young Master Zong might as well leave as quickly as possible too. The one Xue Tai wishes to deal with is my husband. Young Master Zong is a wild crane among idle clouds, there is no need to be swept into this without reason."

Zong Ji said, "Why does the Madame say such words? Let alone that I once received your husband's rescue back then. Even if there were no matter of that day, Xue Tai and I are incompatible as fire and water, and I wish nothing more than to slay his head with my own hands. Since there is a battle, I should serve as the vanguard, how dare I seek a shameful peace! I know the Madame acts out of good intentions, and Zong Ji appreciates it."

He performed a bow toward Da Qiao, turned around, and strode away.

...

Bi Zhi had lived in Lingbi for a long time and knew the roads like the back of his hand. Taking a shortcut on a side path, he successfully escorted Xiao Qiao out of Lingbi the next day.

Knowing that Xue Tai could strike at any moment, Xiao Qiao had been urging him along the entire way, telling him he did not need to escort her further and to return as quickly as possible. Once out of Lingbi, Bi Zhi no longer demurred. He bowed and requested Jia Si to take extra care on the road, stopped by the wayside, and watched Xiao Qiao's line of men and horses recede into the distance before immediately rushing back in haste.

The news from the scouts yesterday was even clearer. Xue Tai's attack on Xiao County had failed. To salvage his face and at the same time out of dread that Bi Zhi's forces would expand further, he had gathered his defeated troops and fallen generals, unable to wait a moment longer to attack Hu Family Estate again.

According to the marching pace, they would arrive within three days.

Yet Bi Zhi did not feel the slightest bit of fear.

The reason Xue Tai dared to turn right around after suffering a defeat and gather his remnant troops to attack him was clearly because he still did not truly place him in his eyes.

In Xue Tai's eyes, the horses and men on his side were nothing more than a disorderly mob. The fact that they had survived until now was merely a stroke of luck.

Bi Zhi was neither flustered nor hurried.

The more Xue Tai looked down on him, the more full of confidence he became.

In fact, this time, if heaven also stood on his side, he decided to seize this opportunity to thoroughly overturn the passive situation they had always been in previously.

How fortunate he was to have married the daughter of the Qiao family of Yan Province despite his lowly origin as a horse slave.

To be worthy of her, to make her proud to become his wife—this was Bi Zhi's greatest wish.

...

Bi Zhi traveled at high speed, finally drawing closer to Hu Family Estate gradually.

The setting sun hung slanting amidst the distant mountaintops, emitting the last bits of its dim yellow twilight from the day.

This was a warm southern winter evening. The tranquility it consistently carried had fortunately not yet been trampled by the iron hooves of war and chaos.

It had not rained for many days. This yellow muddy road leading to Hu Family Estate, filled with potholes, had become very dry. When horse hooves trod past, they would stir up pockets of flying dust. The fields on both sides of the road had long been harvested and were now empty, leaving only some rotting rice stubble in the ground. Occasionally, one or two black-headed sparrows foraging for grass seeds would be startled by the sound of his passing horse hooves, rustling as they flapped their wings to fly into the woods.

When he was barely ten-odd miles away from Hu Family Estate, at a fork in the road ahead, Bi Zhi spotted two horses parked by the wayside, with two men upon their backs.

One was twenty-something, still very young, around the same age as himself. The other was older, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight.

Although both wore ordinary attire, Bi Zhi saw at a single glance that they were by no means common people.

Furthermore, the older one clearly took orders from the younger one.

He instantly grew alert. However, he did not slacken his horse's speed, but instead flew past the vicinity of the other party.

"May I ask!" a voice suddenly called out loudly from behind him, "Is the way ahead Hu Family Estate?"

Bi Zhi halted his horse and slowly turned his head.

...

The man asking for directions was Lei Yan. The other was naturally Wei Shao.

After rushing to Lingbi, Wei Shao inquired about the direction based on the Hu Family Estate that Qiao Ping had mentioned previously. Leaving the rest of the attendants to wait at the crossroads, he took Lei Yan and the two immediately rushed over.

This journey south could be described as filled with repeated twists and turns. Several times he thought he would be able to see her, only to miss her in the end.

Only he himself knew that the disappointment in the depths of his heart and the thought of wanting to see her immediately had by now accumulated to an impatient degree, even reaching a point that made it unendurable for him.

If she still could not be found here, Wei Shao was not certain whether he would lose control and blow up on the spot.

He had rushed all the way here in one breath just now, only to encounter a three-way fork. For a moment he could not be certain of the direction, and no passersby could be seen nearby either, forcing him to temporarily halt. Suddenly seeing a person galloping from afar, Lei Yan immediately opened his mouth to ask for directions.

The person halted his horse and turned his head.

Wei Shao saw with absolute clarity a pair of emerald green eyes flashing with a strange light amidst the dim yellow twilight of the setting sun.

"Green Eyes!" Lei Yan also saw it and gave a shout, turning his head to swiftly glance at Wei Shao. He saw Wei Shao sitting upon his horse, motionless as a mountain.

"Are you that Green-Eyed vagrant leader?"

He turned his head back, barking a sharp question.

Staring at these two outsiders who had appeared here at such a moment, looking highly conspicuous and clearly maintaining a hostile attitude toward him, Bi Zhi swiftly made a decision in his heart.

Kill them as quickly as possible.

He remained calm and uncollected, only slowly bending his body to extract a repeating crossbow from his saddle, turning toward Lei Yan, and firing a succession of three arrows.

The sharp bolts left the string, tearing through the air and emitting faint whistling sounds, as if carrying the force of ten thousand catties as they rushed toward Lei Yan.

Lei Yan was startled, caught off guard that the opponent would actually strike suddenly. Seeing the sharp bolts arrive before him in the blink of an eye, he hurriedly brandished his blade to parry them. The first two bolts were parried away, but the third was too late. Seeing it shooting straight toward his chest, he fiercely leaned backward. A gust of wind passed his face, his head loosened, and the bolt had already pierced through the hair at the top of his head, shooting apart the headband binding his hair, while his hairpin also snapped into two halves. His bound hair immediately loosened and cascaded down.

His soul still unmoored from fright, Lei Yan fiercely looked toward the opponent. Filled with fury, he drew his sidearm with a sharp qiang, urged his horse, and was about to charge up, but the opponent moved even faster than him, letting out a sharp, piercing whistle. The horse sitting beneath Lei Yan suddenly reared up in fright.

Caught unprepared, Lei Yan was thrown off his horse's back in one go. The opponent had already dismounted, coming up in a few steps and swinging his blade down.

This series of movements was both swift and ruthless, accomplished in one continuous motion, leaving almost no time for a person to react.

Wei Shao flew down from the back of his own horse, which was likewise startled, and lunged straight over, his scabbard parrying away the blade edge that was coming down to take a life.

In a sharp, ringing clash of clashing metal, the two separated.

Wei Shao stared at that green-eyed man opposite him who was likewise staring fixedly at him. He narrowed his eyes slightly, slowly drew his sword from its sheath, and said to Lei Yan, "I shall test him myself."

From those few bouts just now, Lei Yan had also realized that this green-eyed vagrant thief who had appeared here for some reason possessed bizarre skills. His strikes were simple yet sinister and ruthless, different from the style of combat he was normally accustomed to, and he feared he truly might be no match for him.

Bi Zhi did not utter a single word, lunging directly toward Wei Shao. After over ten bouts, with a flick of his wrist, his blade edge shifted direction, and a shallow bloody gash was suddenly carved into one of Wei Shao's shoulders.

"My Lord, be careful!" Lei Yan was greatly alarmed.

Wei Shao glanced at his shoulder, which was faintly seeping blood. A sharp gleam suddenly erupted from his eyes, and taking a step forward, his sword tip went straight for Bi Zhi's throat. Bi Zhi hurriedly leaned back, yet the skin on one side of his neck was also sliced open. At first it merely bloomed into a thin, red line of blood, but slowly, blood began to drip down from the cut.

Yet in the blink of an eye, the two had successively drawn blood, and each took a step back.

"You are a vagrant thief leader, why would you appear here?" Wei Shao asked coldly, his sword tip pointed opposite him.

Only then did Bi Zhi say word by word, "And who are you? What are your intentions in coming here?"

As the two pairs of eyes locked onto each other and the air once more gradually reached a hair-trigger point, several swift horses came galloping through the dying light of the setting sun in the distance. The one in the lead was precisely Qiao Ci, who called out loudly, "Eldest brother-in-law! Second brother-in-law! What are you two doing?"

Qiao Ci had just returned from patrolling the nearby pavilions and fences. Spotting people here from afar just now, he had rushed over. As he drew closer and recognized the two, he was thoroughly shocked and hastily came up to intervene.

Wei Shao and Bi Zhi looked at each other, a trace of astonishment flitting through each of their eyes.

Qiao Ci flipped off his horse, running over completely out of breath. Seeing that both of them were already stained with blood, having clearly clashed just now, he stamped his foot and hastily said to Bi Zhi, "Eldest brother-in-law, he is the Marquis of Yan, my second brother-in-law!" He then said to Wei Shao, "Second brother-in-law, he is my eldest brother-in-law, right in the Hu Family Estate up ahead! I heard second brother-in-law was still in Shangdang some time ago, how did you suddenly arrive here and start fighting with my eldest brother-in-law?"

Bi Zhi had already sheathed his blade.

Wei Shao also slowly withdrew his sword.

Leaving Lei Yan to one side, his hair disheveled, completely dumbfounded.

No matter what, he could never have imagined that his own lord's brother-in-law would actually be this green-eyed vagrant thief leader right before his eyes!

Wei Shao secretly exhaled a breath and said, "Why are you here too? I came to receive your elder sister. Is she here?"

Qiao Ci was startled and said, "So that is how it is? Second brother-in-law, you have arrived a step too late. Eldest brother-in-law only just escorted elder sister out of Lingbi yesterday, and he has only just returned. Elder sister must surely be on her way back north at this moment."

...

Wei Shao was so choked with internal frustration he almost spit blood!

The misunderstanding cleared, Bi Zhi offered his apologies and invited him into the estate to bind his wound. Yet how could Wei Shao have the heart to stay? After exchanging a few casual words, he merely asked whether he required him to stay behind to assist.

Bi Zhi tactfully declined. Wei Shao then said no more, not even entering the estate. Bidding farewell to Qiao Ci, he immediately turned around and set out on the road.

Leading his attendants, he traveled north along the highway all the way, finally arriving at the Wuchao Ancient Ferry on the southern bank several days later.

Awaiting him, however, was yet another piece of bad news.

The great cold of the past few days had brought heavy snow. Starting yesterday, the river's surface had frozen over. The ferry could no longer operate boats, yet the ice surface was not sufficient to support men and horses either.

Since yesterday, the ferries on both the north and south banks had accumulated quite a few travelers waiting to cross the river, and their numbers were growing larger and larger. The nearby inns and shops were gradually packed to capacity. Inside the main halls, fires were lit, and the travelers who had laid out floor mats talked about not knowing how long they would have to wait to cross the river, all of them sighing.

The night was already deep. The sky was pitch black, yet sparse snowflakes still drifted through the air.

Wei Shao stood at the ferry where the crossing had ceased, gazing at the pitch-black opposite bank over ten zhang away. While he was lost in thought, Lei Yan came behind him and said, "Reporting to the Marquis, all the inns near the ferry have been searched, and the Lady is not to be seen. Presumably... she has already crossed the Yellow River."

Wei Shao said expressionlessly, "You all have worked hard traveling. Tonight we shall pass the night here first. Tomorrow we can go check the next ferry at Liuhe; perhaps we can cross there."

Lei Yan acknowledged, then added, "There are no good lodging places nearby either. The nearest official post station is fifty or sixty miles away. It is late now, and the weather is freezing, making it inconvenient to travel over. There is, however, an inn nearby that looks a bit cleaner. Just now I gave the proprietor some money, having him vacate his own room, and the inside has been thoroughly tidied up. My Lord can temporarily pass the night there tonight and set out tomorrow morning."

Wei Shao was lost in thought for a moment before turning back toward the inn. Lei Yan followed him. The two stepped through the main gates of the inn, where a lantern hung swaying unsteadily in the cold wind.

The proprietor knew this young man held an exalted status, and seeing him enter, hastily came forward personally to welcome him.

Wei Shao walked through the main hall, passing those travelers who were either sitting or leaning by the fireside, fast asleep or drowsy. Just as he was walking toward the inner hall, outside the main doors behind him, a sudden clatter of carriage wheels grinding over the icy road surface arose, and then came to a halt.

Someone had arrived at the shop to seek lodging at this hour.

"Proprietor! Are there any upper rooms available?"

Someone strode inside, calling out loudly to the proprietor.

The voice startled the sleeping travelers in the main hall, who opened their eyes one after another, letting out a burst of muttering and complaints.

Wei Shao, however, froze his steps and fiercely turned his head around.

The man who had just entered raised his head, spotted Wei Shao, and was filled with utter astonishment, so much so that he lost his voice, crying out, "How could the Marquis be here as well?"

Lei Yan turned his head, startled.

He had never imagined that this person would actually be Jia Si, who was escorting the Lady!

He had originally thought their party was ahead and had already crossed the Yellow River by now. He never expected that, after all, the Marquis's pace had been faster, leaving the Lady's party behind instead.

Wei Shao's eyes fixed onto the carriage beneath the dark shadows of the lantern outside the door, his figure completely motionless.

Jia Si followed his line of sight to look over. Suppressing the joy of chancing upon the Marquis here, he hastily stepped forward and said, "The Lady is right inside the carriage. Today we pressed the journey a bit tightly. I originally wanted to stop earlier, but the Lady was worried about the Yellow River freezing over and kept urging us along. Only then did we arrive here, never expecting it to still be frozen over..."

Wei Shao had already cast Jia Si aside, striding outside with large steps.

...

Xiao Qiao was currently closing her eyes, shrinking back within Nanny Chun's warm embrace. Just as she was half-asleep, a sudden blast of cold wind hit her face. The carriage door seemed to have been pulled open, and cold wind drilled down the back of her neck with a sou. She could not help but shudder, shrinking her neck as she embraced Nanny Chun even tighter, murmuring from her mouth, "Is there no place left to stay—"

Nanny Chun raised her eyes, and caught completely off guard, saw Wei Shao actually appearing opposite them. She was filled with such immense joy that initially she even forgot to react. A pause. Waiting until she noticed his two eyes directed toward Xiao Qiao, who was still shrinking within her embrace and holding onto her tightly, his expression indistinguishable between joy or anger, she instantly grew apprehensive again. She hastily shook Xiao Qiao gently, whispering, "Lady, the inn has been reached, and the Lord has arrived too..."

Traveling for consecutive days, Xiao Qiao was truly exhausted. Just now she had fallen asleep while embracing Nanny Chun, completely unaware that the carriage had even stopped. Pushed awake by Nanny Chun, she sat up straight, opening her eyes in a daze. She raised her hand to rub them, turning her head as she said, "Nanny Chun, who did you say..."

She locked eyes with Wei Shao's pair of eyes. Instantly struck with bewilderment, she remained completely motionless, her eyes slowly widening until they were perfectly round, staring blankly at him.