The Road to Glory

Chapter 152 Wood Carving

When Wei Jiamin entered Wei Qishan's study, she was so nervous she nearly twisted the hem of her clothes into floral patterns.

Keeping her head lowered, she dared not look at Wei Qishan who sat behind the desk wrapped in a heavy cloak. Pretending ignorance about why she had been summoned, she asked: "Father, you asked for me?"

No response came from above. After standing there for a while fiddling with the tassel at her waist, Wei Jiamin could no longer bear the oppressive atmosphere. When she finally looked up, she was startled to find Wei Qishan staring coldly at her.

Her father had always doted on her, granting her every wish, and had never looked at her with such an expression before.

Frightened, Wei Jiamin attempted to wheedle her way through the situation, complaining with practiced petulance: "Father, why are you looking at Minmin like this..."

"Do you truly have no idea what you've done at the Volunteer Army Camp?" Wei Qishan's face, rendered more rugged and profound by recent weight loss, appeared particularly stern.

This was the first time Wei Jiamin had seen Wei Qishan like this. Torn between grievance and fear, tears immediately welled in her eyes: "I... I..."

"No crying." Wei Qishan showed no signs of softening his tone.

Suppressing her sobs, Wei Jiamin trembled slightly, stubbornly fixing her tear-filled eyes on Wei Qishan.

Seeing her like this, a flicker of compassion finally crossed Wei Qishan's eyes. But if he didn't discipline her now, her willful nature would only lead to greater disasters in the future, ultimately harming her.

Maintaining his stern expression, Wei Qishan continued: "I blame myself for indulging you too much all these years, making you completely unaware of consequences! How dare you ride recklessly through another military camp and injure people! And even have that wretched creature defend you!"

Wei Jiamin immediately cried even more bitterly, her eyes brimming with intensified stubbornness and grievance.

The nanny who cared for her had said that when she cried like this, she resembled the First Wife greatly. The nanny also remarked that she didn't resemble her own mother's child, but rather seemed born of the First Wife herself.

Later, she discovered that whenever she cried with this particular mix of grievance and stubbornness, Wei Qishan would soften, basically granting her every wish.

Wei Jiamin had never met her father's first wife who had taken her own life thirty-five years ago. Out of curiosity, she once asked her nanny what the First Wife looked like. The nanny said her mother's appearance was ninety percent similar to the First Wife's, but lacked the First Wife's spirit, making them only seventy percent alike.

Although her own features weren't particularly similar to the First Wife's, her fearless temperament was exactly like the First Wife in her youth.

Wei Jiamin didn't particularly like stories about her father and that First Wife, yet she gradually learned from her nanny's fragmented accounts that her father and the First Wife were childhood sweethearts who shared profound affection.

She also learned that although the First Wife was a noblewoman from the late Jin period, she possessed an exceptionally strong character - she loved wearing Hu-style clothing, riding spirited horses, and collecting various types of daggers.

Her own mother disliked the First Wife, yet often dressed Wei Jiamin in Hu-style attire.

Wei Jiamin noticed that this made Wei Qishan dote on and pay more attention to her. Gradually, she became accustomed to molding herself into the vague shadow described by her nanny.At this moment, she was crying as if she had suffered the greatest injustice in the world, sobbing out the story she had rehearsed with her brother on their way back to Weizhou: "It wasn't that Minmin deliberately let the horse run wild in the military camp, but that day in the camp, Minmin saw a woman wearing a brocade cape. The pattern on that cape was exactly the same as the two rolls of cloud brocade you rewarded Xiao Li with."

"When Xiao Li refused the maids you bestowed upon him, he righteously claimed he was observing filial mourning for his deceased mother and said that Military Regulations prohibited bringing women into the camp, so he must lead by example to command respect. Minmin found it strange and wanted to chase after her to see, but unexpectedly, a junior officer from his camp suddenly rushed out with men to stop Minmin aggressively. In her panic, Minmin lost control of the horse and injured someone. Yet they were so domineering that they directly shot and killed the Chestnut Horse you gifted to Minmin..."

Mentioning the Chestnut Horse, Wei Jiamin was genuinely heartbroken, crying as if her world had ended.

Wei Ang was unaware that Wei Jiamin had encountered Wen Yu, so when he reported to Wei Qishan, he did not mention it.

Hearing Wei Jiamin's account, Wei Qishan merely lifted his eyelids and said, "Even if Xiao Li did secretly hide a woman in the military camp, you were still at fault for trespassing into a restricted area of the camp first."

Wei Jiamin hurriedly argued, "That woman is no ordinary person—she is Jiang Yu's concubine! Father, don't be deceived by that cunning military man's facade of loyalty and righteousness! He used the cloud brocade you rewarded him with to make a cape for that woman, and his soldiers prevented me from seeing her. It must be because the two of them are involved and feared I would expose them!"

Only when Wei Qishan heard that the woman was Jiang Yu's concubine did his expression grow serious, though it remained unreadable as he asked, "You've never met Jiang Yu's concubine before. How did you recognize her?"

Wei Jiamin explained, "After they shot my Chestnut Horse, I was so distraught that I went to confront the junior officer who blocked my way and forced the truth out of him."

She paused here, wiping her tears while sobbing, "The reason Brother couldn't bear it and rushed to the camp to demand justice for Minmin was that when they shot the Chestnut Horse, it caused Minmin to fall off the horse, leaving her covered in injuries. She had to lie in bed for several days before she could get up."

The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she felt: "That Xiao Li, relying on the two major merits he's earned and your favor, and being on good terms with Uncle Yuan, Uncle Liao, and Uncle Ang, acts lawlessly in the military camp, completely disregarding me and Brother. Father, you're always so strict with Brother, but did you know that in the camp, he's been so marginalized by that Xiao that he doesn't even have his own tent? He has to make do with his personal guards in a nearby deserted village?"

Wei Pingjin couldn't endure the hardships of military life and had settled with his personal guards in a residence near the town. This wasn't a major issue, and if Wei Qishan didn't ask, Wei Ang naturally wouldn't proactively report on his young master's misconduct.

Thus, Wei Qishan truly didn't know that Wei Pingjin usually didn't reside in the camp.

However, he knew his useless son well enough to realize that it couldn't possibly be as Wei Jiamin described.

He leaned back in his chair, his face darkening as he looked at his daughter and asked, "Are you saying that your Uncle Yuan, Uncle Liao, and the others are all helping Xiao Li bully you and your second brother? Wei Ang is in Xiao Li's camp. If he saw Xiao Li marginalizing your brother like that, did he never try to intervene?"

Wei Jiamin's crying faltered. She had intended to say that Xiao Li was arrogant because of his achievements and secretly forming factions to exclude her brother—after all, those in power are most wary of such things.But with Wei Qishan's question, she suddenly realized her words had implicitly accused Yuan Fang, Liao Jiang, and Wei Ang of disloyalty to Wei Qishan.

Wei Jiamin truly hadn't considered this implication when she spoke earlier. Now rendered speechless, her eyes welling with tears, she stammered "I" repeatedly but failed to produce any coherent explanation.

Seeing Wei Qishan's cold, stern expression, Wei Jiamin genuinely feared for the first time. Her knees weakened and she knelt, tears falling like rolling beans: "Minmin knows she was wrong. Minmin didn't mean to lie intentionally... Minmin just despises that Xiao fellow too much. He's nothing but a despicable and cunning warrior, putting on a gentlemanly act before you while using his mother's mourning to reject your marriage arrangement and the maidservants you offered. Pretending to be filial, yet he's actually licentious by nature, even involved with a pregnant woman! Minmin... Minmin was just angered by that Xiao fellow deceiving Father like this!"

She began sobbing wretchedly: "Now the entire army is spreading rumors that you intend to make that Xiao fellow Minmin's husband. With him behaving like this, Father, where would that leave Minmin's dignity?"

Wei Qishan finally understood the true source of his daughter's distress.

Seeing her heartbroken weeping, his heart softened somewhat—after all, she was the child he had cherished in his palms all these years.

He asked: "How many people know about this matter?"

Wei Jiamin was crying too violently to recover immediately, sniffing through her nose as she replied: "Minmin feared others would laugh if they knew, so I only told Elder Brother."

Wei Qishan glanced at his daughter: "So you siblings, motivated by the horse-killing grievance and without verification, assumed Xiao Li was secretly involved with Jiang Yu's concubine, making you lose face, then ordered someone to trample to death the colonel who blocked your way?"

Kneeling on the ground, Wei Jiamin nearly tore holes in the corner of garment she clutched tightly. Through tear-blurred eyes she said: "I... I thought Xiao Li was disrespectful to Father, so I went crying to Elder Brother. Everything after that, I knew nothing about..."

Wei Qishan studied his daughter for a moment before finally speaking: "Enough, you may go."

Wei Jiamin found it hard to believe Wei Qishan wouldn't press further and was simply letting her leave.

But fearing she might betray herself, she dared not linger. Ultimately wiping her tears while maintaining a wronged expression, she left the study with soft whimpers.

After her departure, Wei Qishan instructed his attendant: "Wei Xian, henceforth, the County Princess is confined to her courtyard. Have her start recopying and memorizing the 'Three Character Classic' from the beginning. Since she has forgotten all the books and principles previously taught, she shall recommence her studies anew."

Wei Xian understood—all these years, the Marquis had raised the County Princess as if she were his child with the late Madame. The depth of his usual doting now matched his disappointment upon discovering her true nature through this disaster.

The Eldest Young Master had passed away before the County Princess was born.

If the Second Young Master resented how Wei Qishan had focused all attention on the eldest son in earlier years, then the County Princess had genuinely grown up receiving the Marquis's undivided affection.

Not daring to comment further, Wei Xian acknowledged the order and withdrew to deliver the message. Upon returning, he found Wei Qishan sitting behind his desk with closed eyes, resembling a desolate mountain, who said: "Lately I keep dreaming of Chuan'er and his mother."

Wei Xian responded: "Perhaps because the death anniversaries of the Eldest Young Master and Madame are approaching. What occupies your thoughts by day emerges in dreams at night."Both mother and child passed away during heavy snowfall.

When Wei Qishan opened his eyes, they were slightly bloodshot. Covering his mouth as he coughed softly, he said, "Once Jin is restored, I can go see them, mother and child."

Wei Xian was so frightened he knelt on the ground, hurriedly saying, "Your Lordship is in good health! The physician also said Your Lordship's complexion has improved greatly recently. You mustn't feel such sorrow whenever you think of Madam and the Eldest Young Master! Perhaps they are visiting your dreams so frequently precisely because they know from the underworld!"

Wei Qishan, however, smiled faintly and said, "Only after restoring Jin can I face Chuan'er's mother with dignity. The world remains divided into three parts now. After eliminating Pei Song, I still need to contend with that girl from Changlian Wang's household to determine victory. The road is long, so why are you afraid?"

Wei Xian's expression finally eased somewhat. He clasped his hands together and pressed his forehead to the ground: "Your Lordship will surely restore Great Jin and achieve immortal glory."

Wei Qishan didn't respond to Wei Xian's words. After coughing twice more, he finally instructed: "Summon Wei Ang to see me, and have that rebellious son come as well."

Before long, Wei Ang was brought over. When Wei Qishan asked if he had seen Wen Yu that day, Wei Ang looked completely bewildered: "That day, this general accompanied Lord Xiao to the Military Training Ground to watch the soldiers compete in martial arts. When we received the news and rushed over, I didn't see Jiang Yu's concubine. The County Magistrate didn't mention a single word about it throughout the entire incident, only making a fuss saying that young officer had killed the horse you gifted her, demanding that young officer and all the soldiers who blocked her way pay with their lives."

He spoke somewhat awkwardly: "With so many righteous army soldiers watching at that time, this general feared the County Magistrate's words would chill the soldiers' hearts, so I tried my utmost to dissuade her. I just never expected that after the County Magistrate met with the Young Lord, the Young Lord would act so impulsively..."

Wei Qishan asked: "That rebellious son isn't staying in the camp?"

Wei Ang immediately knelt with his knees touching the ground: "This general failed in his duty to persuade the Young Lord to stay. I beg Your Lordship to punish me."

Wei Qishan asked: "Where is he staying?"

Wei Ang bowed his head and hesitated: "In a Secluded Courtyard at Jingshui Lane in Tong County. Madam also sent the Young Lord's wet nurse to take care of his daily needs."

Wei Qishan rarely involved himself in household affairs normally. Before being wounded, he had constantly been campaigning on the front lines and truly didn't know the whereabouts of a mere wet nurse from the residence. Upon hearing this, he slammed his palm heavily on the armrest of his official's chair, angrily saying: "This son is truly being ruined by women's hands!"

Just at that moment, Wei Xian came in again from outside to relay a message: "Your Lordship, word has come from Madam's side that the Young Lord has developed a high fever from wind-chill since returning last night and is now too ill to leave his bed."

Wei Qishan, overcome with urgent fury, was so angered that he covered his mouth and coughed for quite a while before finally saying: "Bring the Discipline Whip! I will personally go invite that wretched creature!"

Wei Pingjin lay on the heated kang. After taking two mouthfuls of Bird's Nest Soup fed to him personally by Madam Wei, he turned his face away.

Madam Wei stirred the Bird's Nest Soup in the bowl with a spoon, saying heartbrokenly: "My son, you've grown so thin. Have some more."

Wei Pingjin said: "I have no appetite."

Leaning on the soft pillow, his tone full of complaint: "Father has always valued his subordinate generals far more than me. This time, that Xiao character was so insolent, his people bullied Minmin like that. I only had my subordinates injure one of his captains, yet he dared to cut off one of my man's legs right in front of me, making me lose face before all the soldiers, and even declared he would leave our Wei camp."

He said resentfully: "Instead of suppressing this fellow, Father actually placed Minmin under house arrest after summoning her just now. Even though I've claimed illness, I probably still won't be able to avoid Father's punishment."Madam Wei slammed the bowl of Bird's Nest Soup onto the side table and shouted, "How dare he! I'll sit right here today. If he punishes you again without distinguishing right from wrong, I'll fight him to the death!"

As her words fell, a maidservant rushed in panic from outside to report: "Madam! The Marquis has taken the Discipline Whip and is coming this way!"

Hearing those two words, Wei Pingjin recalled his past experiences of punishment and felt his skin and flesh still twitching with pain. He hurriedly scrambled up from the bed.

Madam Wei, also frantic with anxiety, quickly said, "Quick, quick! You should hide for now!"

Wei Pingjin jumped off the bed, dressing as he rushed out. Just as he reached the courtyard, he ran straight into Wei Qishan. Wei Qishan raised his whip to strike him: "You wretched creature! I sent you to the army to gain experience, but you hid in the Secluded Courtyard to indulge in pleasure and even caused such a major disaster!"

Madam Wei rushed to shield her son, protecting him desperately while crying, "Go ahead! Beat me to death along with him! All these years, you've only had eyes for your deceased wife and your eldest son. Before your eldest son died, did you ever once look properly at my Jin'er?"

Wei Qishan coldly ordered his attendants: "Drag this foolish woman away from here!"

The maidservants moved forward to pull Madam Wei away, but she clung tightly to her son, not letting go even as her hair came undone. Hysterically, she cried, "Don't touch me! If you touch me again, I'll dash my head against these rockeries!"

The maidservants dared not pull at her anymore.

Wei Pingjin called out with immense sorrow, "Mother."

While shielding her son, Madam Wei stared fixedly at Wei Qishan and said, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Your mother is here."

Wei Qishan's face twitched as he curled the whip and pointed directly at Wei Pingjin, asking Madam Wei, "You're still spoiling this rebellious son? Do you know what trouble he has caused?"

Madam Wei retorted sarcastically, "It's nothing more than offending another of your beloved generals. You trust those under you so much, but do you know how they secretly treat your own children as their masters?"

Wei Ang, who had followed along, felt extremely awkward and kept his head lowered throughout, not daring to speak.

Wei Qishan roared angrily, "His own conduct is flawed, utterly lacking in tolerance. How does he resemble a young master at all?"

Madam Wei held back tears and scolded, "Yes, yes, my Jin'er is completely worthless, not half as good as your eldest son, not even comparable to an adopted son you picked up midway. Why don't you strip him of his position as young master and give it to your adopted son? I don't want him to marry a daughter-in-law from an opera background either. Let your beloved generals and adopted son inherit your great enterprise!"

Wei Qishan suddenly lashed the whip fiercely against the rockery. A section of the constructed rockery scene crumbled with a crash, startling everyone present and making their hearts tremble.

Wei Qishan coldly stared at his son and said, "If he remains like this, I might as well adopt more sons and select a suitable candidate from among them to inherit the enterprise."

Having said this, he turned to leave. Madam Wei had only dared to speak those words because Wei Qishan had no other sons, but seeing that Wei Qishan seemed truly ready to abandon Wei Pingjin, she was both angered and reduced to tears, threatening to dash her head to death. Several maidservants kept holding her back and trying to console her.

Wei Pingjin, feeling uncertain himself, knelt and crawled forward on his knees, grabbing the hem of Wei Qishan's robe: "Father! Father! Your son knows he was wrong."

But Wei Qishan said nothing more. After giving his son a cold glance, he yanked his robe from his grasp.Seeing Wei Qishan walk away, Wei Ang dared not linger either. As he bowed and retreated from the courtyard, he advised Wei Pingjin: "Young master, the Marquis is currently enraged. You should properly admit your fault to him and wait for his anger to subside."

When Yuan Fang received the message and came to the Wei residence to see Wei Qishan, he found Wei Pingjin kneeling at the foot of the study steps.

Having heard some rumors about what had happened on his way over, he passed by Wei Pingjin without stopping.

Wei Pingjin felt the gazes of people coming and going from the study, along with occasional looks from the household servants. His fingers clenched tightly into fists at his sides as he hung his head in shame, remaining silent.

Upon entering the study, Yuan Fang saw that both Wei Ang and Wei Xian were also present.

He cupped his hands toward Wei Qishan seated above: "Marquis, you summoned me?"

Wei Qishan asked: "Minmin said she saw Jiang Yu's concubine wearing the cloud brocade I awarded to Xiao Li in his camp. What are your thoughts on this?"

This differed from what Yuan Fang had heard. Startled, he asked: "Marquis, do you believe Xiao Zhoujun suddenly resigned to protect that woman?"

Wei Qishan remained silent, so Yuan Fang could only look toward his friend Wei Ang, who also wore a troubled expression, clearly unaware of the matter.

After brief consideration, Yuan Fang quickly cupped his hands: "I believe there may be some misunderstanding. Firstly, only the County Princess saw Jiang Yu's concubine at that time, with no other witnesses. Secondly, even if it were true, Xiao Li distributed all the gold you awarded him among his soldiers - those silks could very well have been similarly distributed."

He bowed deeper: "Xiao Li is a man of deep loyalty and utmost sincerity. Having met him, you should know his character. The various righteous armies follow him not only because of his martial prowess and strategic mind, but also because of his noble character. I believe he would indeed consider leaving because his soldiers were treated this way."

Wei Qishan handed Xiao Li's resignation letter to Wei Xian, signaling him to give it to Yuan Fang, saying: "In his letter, he states that Pei Song's forces have completely withdrawn from the Northern Border, leaving only the threat of Outer Pass Barbarians in the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. His Tong Prefecture Army has no further use here, so he requests to return to Tong Prefecture to fight Pei Song at the Southern Border."

After reading the letter, Yuan Fang stood awkwardly for a moment, feeling he had failed to properly care for the benefactor he had persuaded to come north.

He said: "Marquis, can't you see that Xiao Zhoujun is deeply disappointed?"

Wei Qishan replied: "If I couldn't see that, would that unfilial son be kneeling outside?"

Unable to decipher Wei Qishan's thoughts, Yuan Fang asked: "Then why did you summon me, Marquis?"

Wei Qishan said: "I will personally write a letter of apology. Take that unfilial son to apologize to Xiao Li. Henceforth, that unfilial son need not serve as Army Supervisor with the troops. But since Southern Chen's envoy has arrived in my Weizhou, during this trip, bring back Jiang Yu's concubine as well."

Having served Wei Qishan for years, Yuan Fang immediately understood his meaning.

Xiao Li must be appeased. Removing Wei Pingjin meant Wei Ang would no longer need to accompany Xiao Li's army, effectively granting him absolute trust. Xiao Li would thus have complete freedom in commanding his tens of thousands of righteous troops.

Wei Qishan might still have doubts about the woman's identity, but with the Southern Chen envoy's arrival providing suitable timing, retrieving her wouldn't appear as suspicion toward Xiao Li.Before handing the woman over to the Southern Chen envoy, we can still have this humble official who has seen Princess Han Yang meet with the woman to verify her identity and eliminate the last trace of doubt in his mind.

This is indeed the most prudent solution.

Yuan Fang cupped his hands and said, "This general will carry out the order."

Tao Kui had been feeling stifled for several days since he was no longer allowed to see Wen Yu.

He had been wanting to confront Xiao Li, but Xiao Li was busy with military affairs and often away, making it difficult to intercept him. Meanwhile, Doctor Tao, fearing he might cause trouble, kept him closely by his side.

Today, Tao Kui finally found an opportunity to corner Xiao Li. After entering the military tent, he spoke with a hint of grievance, like a scapegoat: "A Niu wants to deliver medicine to Big Sister."

Xiao Li, unusually not occupied with military affairs, was sitting behind a low table, concentrating on carving something with a carving knife.

Only when Tao Kui approached did he notice Xiao Li was carving wood again. A pile of wood shavings had accumulated on the low table. After making the final cut, Xiao Li blew away the excess dust and said, "Go ahead and deliver it."

Tao Kui grumbled in a muffled voice, "They stopped me."

Xiao Li replied, "They won't stop you today."

He pulled open a drawer in a nearby low cabinet and placed the freshly carved fox wood carving inside.

Tao Kui, sharp-eyed, noticed the drawer was already filled with many completed wood carvings—plump little cats, birds, and rabbits, with a chubby little tiger at the very edge.

These couldn't have been carved in just a day or two; they must have taken quite some time to accumulate.

Tao Kui froze for a moment before suddenly holding up the wooden dog hanging from his waist. Pointing at the little tiger carving, he accused indignantly, "Lord Governor... you lied! You said you couldn't carve tigers!"

Xiao Li, about to close the drawer, recalled the time in Tao Village when this simple-minded lad had asked him to carve a tiger. He had refused, claiming he couldn't, and instead carved a dog.

He said, "I just learned recently."

Tao Kui was genuinely fooled. Rubbing his wooden dog for a while, he asked eagerly, "Then... can you give that tiger carving to A Niu?"

Xiao Li was carefully smoothing the wooden figurines with a file. Hearing this, he replied slowly, "This one already has an owner. If you want one, I'll carve you a new one later."

Tao Kui asked sullenly, "Who are you carving these for, Big Brother?"

Xiao Li lightly filed the kitten carving, wiping away the dust with his thumb. His expression was focused, tinged with something Tao Kui couldn't quite grasp—sorrowful yet serene. He said, "For the unborn child in your Big Sister's womb."

Tao Kui was taken aback, his displeasure fading. After hesitating a moment while looking at his wooden dog, he untied it from his waist and placed it on the table, saying, "Then A Niu doesn't want it. A Niu's dog is for Big Sister's baby too."

When Wen Yu saw Tao Kui delivering the miscarriage-prevention medicine again, she was quite puzzled.

Xiao Li had kept her under house arrest for so long, yet he suddenly allowed Tao Kui to visit. She couldn't fathom his intentions.

Tao Kui, however, was delighted to see her. He obediently sat by the brazier, answering every question she asked.

Wen Yu learned that when Xiao Li was away from the camp, Tao Kui spent most of his time brewing medicine at Doctor Tao's place. He also told her about the recent death of a captain in the camp.

Realizing it was the captain who had stopped Wei Jiamin that day, Wen Yu's expression tightened. "Why did the Second Young Master of the Wei family want him dead?"

Speaking of this, Tao Kui's mood also sank: "Tiger said it was because he killed the horse..."

After a moment's thought, he tore at the dry grass in his hands and added, "The commandery princess of the Wei family's."

Though Wen Yu had been far away that day, she had clearly seen the commandery princess forcibly approaching the central military tent and being stopped by the captain's arrow that shot her horse.

She had initially worried that the young officer's death was due to her own involvement. Learning the true reason, she was suddenly overwhelmed with complex emotions.Tao Kui noticed she hadn't spoken for a while and waved his hand before her eyes: "What's wrong, big sister?"

Wen Yu shook her head gently and said, "It's nothing."

But Tao Kui suddenly asked, "Is big sister sad about Lieutenant Lin?"

Wen Yu paused briefly before responding, "Yes, and no."

Tao Kui pressed, "Then what is big sister thinking about?"

Wen Yu gazed at the small flames leaping from the overly vigorous charcoal brazier and said, "I was thinking how wonderful it would be if in this world, wars that aren't absolutely necessary wouldn't be fought. All generals and soldiers could either return home in glory or die honorably on the battlefield, rather than falling victim to conspiracies and abuses of power."

Her words were too profound for Tao Kui to understand, and he scratched his head in confusion.

Wen Yu smiled and rephrased it in simpler terms: "I wish for peace throughout the land."

Now Tao Kui understood. He happily said, "A Niu wants that too."

He habitually reached for the small wooden dog carving that usually hung at his waist but found it missing, remembering he had already given it to Xiao Li.

Tao Kui glanced at Wen Yu's abdomen and grew even more cheerful, as if wanting to tell her something. But recalling Xiao Li's instructions, he promptly sealed his lips.

However, when he glanced at Wen Yu's waist and didn't see the carp wood carving, he became puzzled again: "Big sister, where's your little fish wood carving?"