The morning light climbed over the exquisitely gilded top of the leather-fixed tent, casting a golden glow from the highest point downward. Cheng Shao Gong walked into the grand tent with dark circles under his eyes, only to see a pair of radiant sweethearts sitting before the Black Box Silver Mirror, chatting and laughing merrily.
After a good night's sleep, his younger sister was naturally full of energy, and even the silver strands at Huo Bu Yi's temples seemed fewer, as if a long drought had finally met sweet rain, reviving withered wood.
Beside the ebony mirror case lay a fresh bouquet of wildflowers gathered from who-knows-where—pale pink, apricot yellow, soft white, lotus purple... The tiny blossoms were scattered across the simple low table and nestled in the girl's jet-black hair bun.
The warm water had softened the young general's skin. The maiden held a sharp little silver knife, carefully shaving off the stubble that had just emerged. A jar of balm exuding a refreshing herbal fragrance was opened, and her delicate fingers slowly glided down the man's fair cheeks, over his elegant jawline, and finally to his distinct Adam's apple...
Cheng Shao Gong's eyelids twitched uncontrollably—how could such a proper task appear so improper when performed by these two?!
When Cheng Shi and Cheng Zhi's wives did such things, it had seemed perfectly ordinary to him. But witnessing this scene now sent shivers down his spine. Rubbing his own rough chin, an inexplicable anger rose within him. He had been standing at the tent entrance for quite some time, yet the two were so engrossed in their sweet nothings that they hadn't even noticed him!
A loud cough finally drew the attention of Huo and Cheng, who then noticed the frowning Cheng Shao Gong standing by the entrance.
Shao Shang quickly withdrew her hands, her face flushing as she called out, "Third Brother," then busied herself with arranging the silver knife and mirror case on the table with exaggerated movements. Huo Bu Yi laughed heartily, "Shaogong, you're here! Come in and sit... I'll be right back." The latter half was directed at Shao Shang before he rose, brushed past Shao Gong, and exited the tent.
Cheng Shao Gong sat beside his younger sister and whispered, "You two didn't do anything improper last night, did you?"
"Third Brother, don't talk nonsense! Lord Huo and I are both people who uphold propriety and self-respect!" Shao Shang tried her best to maintain a dignified expression.
Cheng Shao Gong had a bellyful of complaints: "Hmph, propriety—the rites of Zhou are also rites, you know."
Shao Shang stiffened her face: "If Third Brother has the courage, say that to him directly, and I'll truly admire your bravery!"
Cheng Shao Gong stared at his sister's face: "...Normally, you'd brazenly admit it and say, 'Since Third Brother knows the rites of Zhou are also rites, why ask so many questions?'"
Shao Shang let out an "Aiya!" and plopped onto the stool. "To tell you the truth, Third Brother, I fell asleep before dusk yesterday and only opened my eyes at dawn. What could I possibly have done? Lord Huo... he also had 'nothing to do'... If you don't believe me, look—he slept over there last night!"
Following the girl's finger, Cheng Shao Gong saw clear signs of someone having lain and turned on the simply made bed at the other side of the tent. Somewhat relieved, he was about to speak when he detected a hint of regret in his sister's tone, which reignited his anger. Before he could say anything, Huo Bu Yi returned, followed by four or five soldiers carrying food containers.
The soldiers worked efficiently, swiftly laying out an array of large and small dishes on the table along with a steaming pot of Millet Porridge, then bowed and withdrew.Cheng Shao Gong was even more displeased—high-ranking generals like Huo Bu Yi always had trusted personal guards stationed both inside and outside their tents for protection. Yet earlier, Huo Bu Yi had needed to step outside to summon anyone, clearly having ordered his men to stand several paces away, not allowing them to linger close to the tent. As for the reason, everyone understood without needing to ask.
"What are you siblings discussing?" Huo Bu Yi personally ladled a bowl of millet porridge for Shao Shang, a second bowl for himself, then handed the long spoon to Cheng Shao Gong.
Shaogong: "...No need to be so obvious."
Shao Shang forced a laugh. "Ah, nothing much, nothing much. I was just asking Third Brother why he looks so tired—did he not sleep well last night?"
Shaogong held the long spoon and shot her a sideways glance.
Huo Bu Yi picked up a fragrant, crispy savory meatcake for Shao Shang and said with a smile, "Third Young Master didn’t just sleep poorly last night—he didn’t sleep at all."
Shaogong paused mid-ladle. Shao Shang, surprised, quickly asked why. Cheng Shao Gong replied sullenly, "Last night, I went after Luo Jitong and her group."
"So Third Brother already got them to talk? Ah, Father always says nighttime marches are the most dangerous—how could you take such risks! Wait, who confessed?" Shao Shang first inquired about the results of yesterday's "friendly competition."
Shaogong gloomily said, "Both of them confessed, and they named the same location. I thought it best not to delay, so I set out immediately."
Shao Shang was somewhat disappointed by the lack of resolve among the Luo family's household troops. "Then... did Third Brother catch them?" Judging by Cheng Shao Gong's expression, she already guessed he had likely come up empty-handed.
Sure enough, Cheng Shao Gong shook his head. "By the time I arrived, the place was already deserted."
Shao Shang sighed softly. "What a shame. Luo Jitong is clever, but she can’t seem to tell right from wrong. Ah, never mind—we’ll settle accounts with the Luo family later! Luo Jitong managed to mobilize hundreds of men to ambush us on the road—her family won’t escape responsibility!"
Huo Bu Yi interjected, "Luo Jitong isn’t entirely without calculation. Her decision to ambush you now stems from two reasons. First, several counties in Shu Commandery have rebelled again..."
The Cheng siblings gasped in unison.
"Second, Luo Bin fell from his horse and remains unconscious. Most of the Luo family’s household troops who attacked yesterday were part of Luo Jitong’s dowry entourage when she left for the northwest. With the family head incapacitated, they naturally followed her orders," Huo Bu Yi finished.
"Captain Luo fell from his horse? Did Luo Niangzi have a hand in it? Good heavens, how ruthless—that’s her own father!" Cheng Shao Gong clicked his tongue in disbelief.
"Why has Shu Commandery rebelled again? It was just recaptured last year," Shao Shang said, unsurprised by Luo Jitong’s cruelty.
Huo Bu Yi replied, "There’s nothing strange about it. Shu has been a separatist region for over a decade, with powerful local clans amassing ample wealth, grain, and soldiers. With divided loyalties and tangled factions, Shi Xin, the garrison commander of Shu Commandery, succumbed to bribes and incitement from schemers, raised troops in rebellion, and declared himself Grand Marshal. He launched attacks everywhere, and neighboring counties, seeing the court preoccupied with suppressing the land measurement revolts, joined the uprising..."
"In the end, it’s because Your Majesty recaptured Shu too quickly. Had it taken eight or ten years, leaving the people exhausted and homes ruined, they would have longed for peace. Then we wouldn’t have so much trouble," Shao Shang concluded.
Huo Bu Yi chuckled.Cheng Shaogong retorted, "What kind of nonsense is that? Military affairs should naturally be resolved as quickly as possible. Prolonging them not only brings suffering to the people but also wastes the court's resources! Yuhou is currently arranging the relocation of tens of thousands of officials and civilians from counties like Yanmen and Shanggu to areas east of Juyong Pass and Changshan Pass. Father said that the court will likely launch a northern campaign against the Xiongnu in the next year or two—another massive expenditure of money, grain, and manpower!"
Shao Shang replied, "I know, I know. I was just saying. Sigh, everything requires money, grain, and manpower. No wonder Governor Liang is so short-handed that Luo Jitong could sneak into Yuzhou and run around unchecked. He must have diverted a lot of Yuzhou’s forces to the capital region." She couldn’t help but think how tough it must be for Royal Uncle.
Returning to the topic, she added, "But whether that Captain Luo was truly injured or not, innocent civilians died tragically. This debt cannot be forgiven lightly, no matter how many impressive in-laws the Luo family has!"
Huo Bu Yi let out a faint scoff. "Basing a family’s honor on marriages is putting the cart before the horse. Luo Bin is weak-willed and indulges evil women—hardly the makings of a great man."
Shao Shang beamed at his words and praised him loudly.
"...Well, I doubt Captain Luo is simply weak-willed," Cheng Shaogong interjected, noticing their gazes. "You might not know this, but I’ve heard from several classmates that Luo Niangzi is the most outstanding among the Luo daughters in terms of looks, talent, and reputation. Ever since Marquis Huo spread the word of their mutual disengagement, many families unaware of the truth have sought to propose to her."
Shao Shang said sourly, "Who knew Luo Jitong was so popular? The moment you rejected her, suitors came flocking."
Huo Bu Yi shot her a sidelong glance. "You’re no less sought after."
Cheng Shaogong teased, "If another woman were jilted, people might speculate unfavorably. But with Lord Huo..." He smirked at the two. "The entire Capital City knows the fault doesn’t lie with the Luo family—it’s because the two of you have been entangled for years! I suspect Captain Luo couldn’t bear to lose such a good match, which is why he indulged Luo Niangzi."
Shao Shang glanced at Huo Bu Yi and muttered, "In any case, it’s all your fault."
Huo Bu Yi wanted to soften his tone and say something comforting, but with a third person present, he could only clear his throat lightly. "What’s done is done. What are your plans now?"
Shao Shang answered, "Naturally, we’ll continue to Consort Xuan’s hometown to fulfill her final wish."
"The Luo captives can be handed over to the reinforcements from Anguo County and escorted back to the capital region by the governor. But what about your wounded soldiers? Do you plan to send them to Anguo County as well? Some seem only lightly injured and just need a bit of rest."
Shao Shang blinked her large eyes. "Going back and forth would be too troublesome. It’s better to press forward."
Huo Bu Yi frowned. "Even setting aside the wounded, your troops need rest after such a battle. Continuing the journey isn’t advisable."
"That’s not it..." Shao Shang suddenly grew awkward. "If we head south, it’s less than two days’ travel. West of the main road is, ahem, Yao County—A Yao’s post."
A chilling aura swept through the tent, an inexplicable cold settling over the room. Silence fell. Cheng Shaogong quietly retreated from the table, clutching a scallion pancake.
"...Yao County." Huo Bu Yi smiled faintly. "I’d forgotten that was Lou Yao’s county."Cheng Shaogong hid his face behind a baked cake, silently grumbling to himself: How could you forget? You just didn’t pay attention, didn’t you? Since Lou Yao is already utterly defeated, you act as if he doesn’t exist anymore!
“Was this your original plan?” Huo Bu Yi’s expression was indifferent. “Fulfill Consort Xuan’s wish and then conveniently visit Lou Yao?”
“No, no, no!” Shao Shang quickly protested. “There’s always a priority to things. My original plan was to first settle Her Highness’s final wish, then visit A— I mean, visit Lou Yao on the way back…!”
Cheng Shaogong scoffed inwardly: What’s the big difference? You might as well not have said anything.
Huo Bu Yi narrowed his long eyes, slowly clenching a hand on the table. “Hmm, so you’d visit Lou Yao only after you’re free of obligations, to ‘properly’ reminisce. How considerate of you.”
“Don’t overthink it! I only see A Yao as an old friend!” Shao Shang lamented. “After all these years, I wonder how he and He Zhaojun are doing. What’s wrong with visiting an old friend I haven’t seen in so long?”
“If he and He Zhaojun are happily married, what then? And if they’re not?”
“If they’re happy, of course that’s good—I’d be overjoyed for them. If they’re not…” Shao Shang struggled to say, “I’d naturally advise them to make it work! Even if the marriage didn’t happen, the friendship remains. Even Yuan Shen—I plan to visit him someday too!”
Huo Bu Yi’s gaze softened slightly, and he relaxed his slender fingers. “True. Visiting an old friend after many years is harmless.”
Before Shao Shang could sigh in relief, Huo Bu Yi suddenly added, “Speaking of ‘old friends,’ I recall that day when Empress Yue hosted a banquet, you told me that once past grievances fade with time, you’d be willing to treat me as an ‘old friend’ too?”
Shao Shang’s heart leaped into her throat again.
“So then…” Huo Bu Yi’s expression darkened. “If you married Yuan Shen, would you treat me the same way—dropping by with your husband and children when it’s convenient, to visit this wretched man?!”
Cheng Shaogong quietly inched further away, while Shao Shang nearly raised her eyes to heaven in despair.
From the very beginning, she had noticed that while Huo Bu Yi usually appeared perfectly normal—gentle in speech, refined and courteous—his thoughts about her took the strangest turns, finding any angle to seamlessly shift into jealousy. You could be innocently eating a steamed bun, and his next sentence would somehow connect it to an ex whose family happened to make buns.
Rumor had it that the late Huo Chong and his wife were both open-minded, generous, and upright people. Did you two in the heavens know your youngest son grew up with such a bizarre temperament?!!!
“…Those were just foolish thoughts from my younger days. After careful consideration,” Shao Shang said solemnly, “I’ve decided that if I marry Yuan Shen, I will never visit you in the future. In fact, it’s best if we never see each other again.”
Huo Bu Yi’s displeasure deepened, and he let out a cold snort.
Shao Shang obediently leaned closer, wrapping her arms around his, her voice as soft as silk. “If I saw you again, even with a husband and children… I might—I might just fall for you all over again. Ah, to avoid straying, it’s better not to see you at all…” Her last words were uttered with lingering tenderness, almost a whisper.
Huo Bu Yi’s expression eased, and without a care for their audience, he took her small hand and kissed her palm gently. “Don’t worry about Luo Jitong. I have a way to track them down—no need for you to cry about your miserable fate as a jinx.” By the end, though his handsome eyes feigned sternness, he couldn’t help but chuckle.Cheng Shaogong shuddered, feeling as if he had lost all appetite.
...
Leaving behind the wounded soldiers and the drowsy Cheng Shaogong, Huo Bu Yi and Cheng led a lightly equipped cavalry out of the camp.
Huo Bu Yi explained to Shao Shang that in the densely populated Central Plains, tracking was relatively straightforward. However, in the remote and sparsely inhabited regions of the northern deserts and northwest, once the army passed through the mountain passes, they would encounter either endless grasslands or vast deserts with no local inhabitants to question or road signs to follow. Thus, scouts had developed an extraordinary skill—deducing the enemy's general direction from minimal traces.
Bloodstained sand, dewdrops on grass, or shadows cast by sunlight on cliffs and pine trees all served as excellent tracking clues. With the sun just risen and only a night having passed since the previous afternoon's battle, several experienced scouts quickly discerned the direction taken by Luo's forces.
After half a day of riding, the group finally discovered a spacious residential compound hidden in a secluded mountain hollow, seemingly the dwelling of a large, prosperous family. Shao Shang's spirits lifted, while Huo Bu Yi murmured, "It seems Luo Jitong had more than one hideout."
"What happened to the family that lived here before?" Shao Shang wondered. "Did they sell the house and leave?"
Huo Bu Yi remained calm. "...Would they have left alive to reveal her whereabouts? Unlikely."
A chill ran through Shao Shang's heart.
Sure enough, scouts searching the perimeter of the hollow returned to report the discovery of several burial pits containing corpses that had been interred days earlier. Upon excavation, they were identified as the former residents of the compound.
"My mistake," Huo Bu Yi sighed softly. "Someone as vicious as Luo Jitong should have been eliminated long ago." He had underestimated her ruthlessness. Admittedly, he still struggled to be utterly merciless.
At that moment, Liang Qiuqi and his brother returned from their reconnaissance. Liang Qiu Fei was unusually silent, while Liang Qiuqi wore a puzzled expression as he saluted and reported, "Young Master, the targets are indeed here... but they're all dead!"
Huo Bu Yi immediately grew alert, spurring his horse into the hollow with Shao Shang close behind.
The hollow lay in shadow, the jagged rocks casting eerie, monstrous shapes across the rooftops and ground, accentuating the gruesome scene of dark red bloodstains and severed limbs. The deeper they ventured, the more mutilated corpses they encountered—all members of Luo's forces from the previous day's battle. Even the highly skilled martial artists among them had not been spared. One was impaled upright on a spear, his lower half missing, his eyes wide with terror in death.
"How... how could this be? Is Luo... Luo Jitong also...?" Shao Shang's voice trembled.
She was no sheltered maiden unfamiliar with battle, but the sheer horror of these deaths was unprecedented. Whether at the hunting lodge in Hua County or during the previous day's fight, the goal had been to eliminate the enemy—wherever a strike landed, it was decisive. But this... limbs torn apart, brains spilled—she could scarcely find a single intact body. This wasn't just slaughter; it was torture.
Entering the central hall, the floor seemed saturated with blood. A bone-chilling cold, reeking of rotting wounds, seeped from the depths of hell itself. Huo Bu Yi initially tried to shield Shao Shang, but she insisted on entering. With unwavering determination, she said, "I'm not who I used to be. I won't fear nightmares. And even if I do, I have you."
Huo Bu Yi gave a slight nod and gripped her hand tightly as they stepped inside.The outer room was filled with the corpses of Luo Jitong's trusted followers. Four Martial Maids were either hanging or lying on the path leading to the inner chamber. Finally, Luo Jitong's body came into view—her head hung low, limbs severed, ears and lips cut off, impaled on the wall by a long spear.
"Was this done... before or after death..." Shao Shang forced herself to stay composed, barely able to stand steady.
Huo Bu Yi stepped forward to examine the scene, then turned back and said, "Her limbs were cut off first, left to struggle for a moment, then nailed alive to the wall." He took a few steps back and surveyed the surroundings. "This couldn't have happened more than two hours ago—likely occurred late last night."
After speaking, he led Shao Shang out of the blood-soaked house. Even though the air outside still carried the scent of blood, Shao Shang felt as if she had narrowly escaped death.
"What... what exactly happened here?" Shao Shang gasped, sitting on a large rock outside the mountain hollow.
Huo Bu Yi gently patted her back to soothe her. "...This wasn't an ordinary ambush."
"Did you see the mutilated corpses all over the ground? This wasn't intentional torture either. It's the work of highly trained assassins. To ensure absolute victory, they often attack in groups, using rope hooks and curved sickle-shaped blades to surround a single target. In the blink of an eye, they can immobilize an enemy's limbs, then proceed to sever heads and limbs—so the more skilled the warrior, the more gruesomely dismembered their corpse appears."
"How do you know this?" Shao Shang stared at him in shock.
"This isn't the style of the Central Plains. It's the signature of the Family Gongsun's Assassins from the Land of Shu." Huo Bu Yi slowly rolled up his sleeve, revealing a fair arm with well-defined muscles and slender bones, marred by several long, winding scars resembling centipedes. "I learned this firsthand when I executed Gongsun Xian."
"You... you..." Shao Shang's heart ached as if pierced by needles. She rushed over to touch his arm. Even months later, the scars were still horrifying to behold, a testament to the severity of his injuries. Her voice trembled, "Are there others?"
Huo Bu Yi smiled reassuringly. "One more on my leg, but that's all. Don't worry, they're just flesh wounds—nothing internal was harmed." In truth, such techniques weren't impossible to counter. It was simply a matter of overwhelming force. If your numbers surpassed theirs, if your strength outmatched theirs, when multiple rope hooks came flying, you could seize them and pull the attackers off balance to break their formation.
"When were you planning to tell me about these things?" Shao Shang's fingers brushed against the slightly raised, dark-red scars, wishing she could take his place in suffering.
Huo Bu Yi remained silent. In his heart, he thought: if fate allowed them to be together, if they became husband and wife someday, she would naturally learn of the pain he endured for her. If not, then there was no need for her to know.
Seeing the look in his eyes, Shao Shang suddenly understood his meaning. Tears fell as she whispered, "You... you..."
Six years ago, he had schemed relentlessly against her—deceiving, feigning weakness, intimidating, leaving no trick unused. But six years later, he chose to endure silently, refusing to voice even a hint of grievance.
Huo Bu Yi ruffled her hair, pulling her into his embrace, and said with a comforting smile, "If you want to cherish me, there will be plenty of time later. Right now, the urgent question is: why are the Gongsun Family's Death Squad here?"
Shao Shang looked up, tears still clinging to her lashes, and gasped, "Are they here to hunt you down?!""Then they should've come after you. Why kill Luo Jitong?" Huo Bu Yi shook his head. "Luo Jitong's brutal death wouldn't make me miss a single meal."
Shao Shang wiped her tears and laughed, punching his arm lightly. "You're awful, don't make me laugh." Then she frowned in confusion. "But I've never heard of any feud between the Luo family and Gongsun Shi."
"There isn't one," Huo Bu Yi said gravely. "Others might have formidable martial skills, but with Luo Jitong's meager abilities, why would they need to butcher her so viciously?"
"What should we do now? Should we return to Madam Qu?" Shao Shang was at a complete loss.
Huo Bu Yi spoke slowly: "No, we're going to Yao County."
Author's note: Stayed up late watching the Mid-Autumn Festival gala last night, woke up late today. My apologies.
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