Chapter 55

Chapter 55

August 11, Chen hour.

Lamps were already lit in the Mingxin Hall of the Zhou residence. The largest main room in the household, it boasted pavilions, towers, artificial mountains, and lakes, situated mid-mountain, facing south with an excellent layout.

Dressed in a light pink muslin gown with a trailing hem, Xiao Qingxue held a sheer scarf, her ears adorned with golden bells and tassels. Led by Bingqin, she went to find her mother.

Bingqin, her personal maid from Lumingsheng, performed duties similar to Fang Yun. After a few days together, Xiao Qingxue had grown familiar with her. Besides Bingqin, she had three other personal maids, but for this visit, only Bingqin and Fang Yun accompanied her.

Bingqin, a married household servant, wed to a guard in the outer courtyard, had been in the Zhou residence for many years. She knew the layout of the courtyards intimately. She led the way for the young lady, her head slightly bowed, her steps measured and disciplined.

Winding corridors and deep courtyards were bordered by shade-providing trees.

Xiao Qingxue had just moved from the hawthorn garden. Lord Zhou enjoyed gardening at home, dedicating several small gardens to hawthorns, persimmons, and crabapples. She was finally approaching the main courtyard of the Zhou residence.

If not for her physical training these past few months, she would have been tired by now.

Anticipating the meeting with her mother and stepfather, Xiao Qingxue slowed her pace to appear more ladylike. It was an important moment, and she needed to be composed.

Walking along the stone path of the wide corridor, the sun had risen higher by the time she saw the Mingxin Hall.

Outside the Mingxin Hall.

Bingqin respectfully bowed: "I greet the young master, Lord Tuo Ba, and the second young master Tuo Ba."

Xiao Qingxue noticed not only Shen Zhi and Tuo Ba Agou but also Tuo Ba Amu was present. She looked longer at Tuo Ba Amu, then thought, if Agou was Lord Zhou's adopted son, was his brother also somewhat of an adopted son?

Would Tuo Ba Amu also pay respects to her mother?

Ah, such a complex relationship, Xiao Luolan observed, noting Tuo Ba Agou, evidently older than Shen Zhi.

Tuo Ba Amu, head lowered, stood quietly behind his brother.

"Little sister, come here," Shen Zhi called with a smile: "It's almost time to pay respects to mother."

Xiao Qingxue approached, unsure how to interact with the three brothers who suddenly appeared in her life. She curtsied deeply as a greeting: "Greetings, brothers."

"Tuo Ba Agū nodded slightly, formal yet polite: 'Good morning, little sister.'"

"Tuo Ba Amu spoke softly, 'Sister, I hope you are well.'"

"Chunhua came from Mingxin Hall, curtseying to the three: 'Young master, young mistress, Tuo Ba gentlemen, the master and mistress invite you four inside.'"

"Then, turning sideways, he led the way."

"Xiao Qingxue followed Zhou Shen into the central hall of Mingxin Hall, immediately spotting her mother sitting on the right, her lips curling into a happy smile."

"Xiao Luolan, upon seeing her daughter, also smiled subtly."

"Zhou Shen was dressed particularly formally today, in a majestic blue brocade robe with auspicious cloud patterns, his hair impeccably arranged under a white jade crown. His demeanor was solemn as he bowed deeply three times and formally greeted, 'I pay respects to my father and mother, wishing you peace and wellbeing.'"

"Tuo Ba Agū and Tuo Ba Amu also bowed deeply three times, solemnly saying, 'Agū/Amu pays respects to our adoptive parents, wishing you golden peace.'"

"Kneeling on the cushion, Xiao Qingxue’s face turned red as she said, 'Father, mother, I wish you endless blessings.'"

"Zhou Xu stood up to help her, while Zhou Shen and Tuo Ba Agū also rose, pretending not to notice this breach of etiquette."

"'Good child, rise,' Zhou Xu smiled. 'From now on, we are all one family.'"

"Seeing her daughter’s flushed face but lively spirit, Xiao Luolan wanted to hold her hand and talk, but with her sons present, she restrained herself: 'Have you had a small meal yet? If not, you can join us here.'"

"Zhou Shen replied with a bow, 'Mother, I have already eaten before coming.'"

"'I have done the same as Shen, having eaten early before morning training,' Tuo Ba Agū respectfully answered."

"Hearing the replies of Zhou Shen and Tuo Ba Agū, Xiao Luolan turned to her daughter, 'What about you, Qingxue?'"

"Xiao Qingxue blinked, replying sweetly, 'Mother, I haven’t eaten yet.'"

"Catching her daughter’s hint, Xiao Luolan said softly, 'If you haven’t, then eat with me.'"

"Zhou Xu laughed, 'Your mother always adores you. You should spend more time with her. As for Shen and Agū, they are grown and busy. They needn’t report to us daily, once every half month is sufficient.'"

"Zhou Shen acknowledged, 'Understood, father.'"

"Tuo Ba Agū bowed, responding, 'Understood.'"

"Hearing their responses and recalling the servants' attitude towards the Tuo Ba clan, Xiao Qingxue glanced at Clan Leader Zhou again, finding him amiable and approachable."

"After Zhou Xu left with his son and Tuo Ba Agū and Tuo Ba Amu."

"Xiao Luolan took her daughter's hand and walked to the dining area, already set with an array of dishes."

"'Come, have some porridge.' Xiao Luolan slowly sat on the embroidered stool, sending Chunhua and the others away, and served her daughter a bowl of lily and green bean porridge."

"'Mother, I’ve actually already eaten.' Although Xiao Qingxue said this, she still took a sip. The porridge seemed to have been chilled, perfect for the summer heat, cool, refreshing, and sweet. After finishing it, she sat next to her mother, affectionately holding her arm."

"Xiao Luolan cherished her daughter's closeness. She looked at her and passed a sandalwood box to her."

"'What is this?' Xiao Qingxue asked curiously, opening it to find a copper token engraved with the 'Zhou' character. On the back was a 'Hundred' character, and on the lower right, it read 'Under the command of the Third Battalion, Twelfth Division, Fifth Company of the Zhou Clan, the Ren Hundred Squad.'"

"'It's for the personal protection of your troop, a hundred men in total.' Xiao Luolan placed the token in her daughter's palm. 'They will protect you. With them around, I can be at ease when you go out.'"

"Feeling the weight of the token, Xiao Qingxue suddenly felt the depth of her mother's love."

"'Take it,' Xiao Luolan said, patting her daughter's hair. After talking for a while, and once her daughter left, Xiao Luolan couldn't hold back a yawn."

"A female physician emerged from behind the curtain."

"'Doctor Li.' Xiao Luolan greeted her with a smile."

"Sitting opposite the military governor's wife, Doctor Li Fán took her pulse and said, 'Madam, your energy and blood are slightly weak, and you’re overburdened with worries. You should focus on recuperation.'"

"'I'll prescribe a nourishing medicinal diet for you, along with massage techniques and special medicinal baths. With regular treatment, you will become younger and healthier.'"

"'Thank you, Doctor Li,' Xiao Luolan replied."

"Now, I would like to examine your health, my lady."

"Xiao Luolan paused upon hearing this and then looked at Doctor Li. Doctor Li was a plump, kindly-faced woman who often smiled, her demeanor and temperament somewhat similar to Granny Cui's, neither of them stern. Xiao Luolan asked, 'Didn’t you say my health was not of major concern?'"

"Doctor Li, earnest and diligent, replied, 'I noticed an irregularity in your gait, my lady. I surmise you must be experiencing some discomfort.'"

"Xiao Luolan's face instantly reddened: 'No need.' She had her own snow cream; she would apply some medicine herself later."

"'My lady, as a guest and a military physician, it is my duty to care for your health as assigned by the military governor.' Seeing her hesitation, Doctor Li gently persuaded, 'Rest assured, no one else will know of this besides me.'"

"'It’s quite normal, my lady. You traveled from far Qinghe to Langge without a personal maid, and most physicians in the residence are male. Knowing your predicament, I cannot ignore it.'"

"Xiao Luolan, finding Doctor Li's reasoning sound and feeling indeed uncomfortable, said, 'Then, thank you, Doctor Li.'"

"'You are too polite, my lady,' Doctor Li smiled. 'Let me start with a massage to relieve your fatigue.'"

"Entering the inner chamber."

"Xiao Luolan, more exhausted, had barely slept the previous night. She had mustered her energy this morning to meet her daughter, her makeup heavier than usual, worried her daughter might notice something amiss."

"Lying on the soft couch, the scent of agarwood wafting from the incense burner, Xiao Luolan's thoughts were preoccupied with the afternoon's lessons from Granny Cui on managing domestic affairs. She wondered if she could manage well, the upcoming division of profits from the soap business with Luo Jinhu, and her husband's departure from Langge in two days, for which she and her daughter had to see him off…"

"Sunlight streamed through the lattice window, casting mottled shadows on the lady's back. Doctor Li warmed the peach kernel oil and applied it to the back of the military governor's wife."

"Soon, a faint blush rose on the smooth, translucent skin."

Li Fan glanced over, only to find the lady had fallen asleep.

She gazed at the woman's soft figure, wondering how the Jiedushi could bear to take his wife to Huiyi. Surely she would refuse if she knew, for Huiyi lies far beyond the frontier, its harsh environment unbearable even for a traveling physician like herself, let alone the Jiedushi's wife.

Lumy Garden.

Xiao Qingxue, shocked, looked at the overflowing land deeds and manor titles in the box, which also included three streets in Langge.

"For me?" Xiao Qingxue looked at Zhou Shenzhi.

"A gift from father," Zhou Shenzhi instructed her personal maid to secure the sandalwood box. "There are also two horse farms, and we have a riding arena at home. If you want to ride, just ask me. Father is busy with war preparations and worried he might not have time to pick a horse for you, so he sent me."

"No need, I'll go with Master Rege," Xiao Qingxue hurriedly said.

"I'm your elder brother, it's my duty to take you horse viewing. Let's go," Zhou Shenzhi said. "I'll also show you where your shops are."

"Thank you, brother," Xiao Qingxue said softly.

Zhou Shenzhi, looking at his stepsister, smiled and said, "What's there to thank? I am your brother, after all."

Xiao Qingxue wanted to inform Mr. Cui she wouldn't be attending his painting lesson that afternoon, but Zhou Shenzhi interrupted.

"No need to look for Mr. Cui. He's discussing matters with father, elder brother Agu, and Mr. Qingshan."

Xiao Qingxue immediately thought of the war her mother had mentioned. Did Zhou Shenzhi know about it?

Zhou Shenzhi rode out with his sister, first taking her to the horse farm to select a horse and instructor.

Xiao Qingxue's riding skills were initially taught by Zhou Shenzhi. Throughout the afternoon, he was the epitome of a caring and courteous elder brother.

Seeing Zhou Shenzhi seemingly unconcerned about not being involved in the discussions with patriarch Zhou, Agu, and others, she felt conflicted. "Brother, Agu is your sworn brother and seems highly valued by patriarch Zhou. Aren't you worried at all?"

Unable to hold back, Xiao Qingxue spoke to her kind-hearted brother while riding: "Brother..."

Zhou Shenzhi looked at her: "Are you tired, sister?"

Xiao Qingxue shook her head: "Do you know what elder brother Agu is discussing with father... our father?"

If Zhou Shenzhi didn't know, Xiao Qingxue truly feared for his situation.

"They are discussing the campaign against Huiyi. You, a young lady, shouldn't worry about such matters. War is no trivial affair," Zhou Shenzhi said.

Xiao Qingxue breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhou Shenzhi, amused by the expression on his sister's face, suddenly ruffled her hair: "Don't worry."

Xiao Qingxue widened her eyes at him. What did he mean? Had he guessed her thoughts?

"Aren't you worried about elder brother Tabo going to war?" Xiao Qingxue was unsettled by Zhou Shenzhi's words. She didn't intend to sow discord; she simply felt that Zhou Shenzhi cared more for her and their mother compared to Tabo.

Zhou Shenzhi looked at his innocent sister and replied indirectly, "Elder brother Tabo is exceptionally brave, and with father there to watch over him, he should be fine."

Seeing Zhou Shenzhi evade the question, Xiao Qingxue pondered for a long time, finally understanding something by the time they returned home.

At mealtime, Xiao Luolan came to dine with her daughter.

"Shouldn't we wait for father?" Xiao Qingxue asked.

"He sent word not to wait for him. Let's eat," Xiao Luolan replied, having been busy all afternoon. Mrs. Cui had briefed her on the Zhou family's wealth, and she had visited the storeroom, met with the Zhou family's chief steward, five sub-managers, the head of the kitchen, and learned that the back hill even housed wild beasts, with different people responsible for the leopard house and fox garden. There were dozens of staff, not including the Zhou family's servants and maids.

Seeing her daughter eating heartily, Xiao Luolan, aware that she had been out with Zhou Shenzhi that afternoon, smiled and asked, "Tired from playing?"

Xiao Qingxue scratched her mother's hand.

Xiao Luolan told the maids in the room, "You may leave us."

After Chunhua and Xiahe led the maids out, Xiao Luolan took her daughter's hand: "What's wrong?"

Xiao Qingxue swallowed her mouthful of rice and said to her mother, "This afternoon, I went out with Zhou Shenzhi and learned that patriarch Zhou and Tabo are planning to attack Huiyi City. It's clear that patriarch Zhou intends to use the Tabo clan as the main force, pitting one foreign tribe against another."

Xiao Luolan responded, "I see."

Seeing her mother's calm reaction, Xiao Qingxue whispered, "I think patriarch Zhou is somewhat cunning."

Xiao Luolan thought of the upright face of patriarch Zhou and nodded in agreement.

"Alright, don't overthink it. You won't be going to the battlefield anyway," Xiao Luolan said, offering a piece of meat to her daughter.

Evening.

When Zhou Xu returned to the room, he found his wife reading a booklet.

He smelled her fragrance and embraced her: "The light is poor at night. You can continue reading tomorrow."

Xiao Luolan closed the Zhou family's personnel manual that she had compiled in the afternoon, listing the staff in each courtyard, their responsibilities, supervisors, and monthly salaries, much like a table for easier reference.

"Does it still hurt?" Zhou Xu kissed his wife. Xiao Luolan shyly glared at him but soon found herself breathing softly under his touch.

"A little," Xiao Luolan, with flushed cheeks, stopped him and changed the subject: "Have you finished preparing for the war?"

Zhou Xu kissed his wife's ear and said, "It's all set. We leave in seven days."

"You will accompany me then."

Shocked by this news, Xiao Luolan let out a soft sigh. Was this man doggedly determined?

"I'm going too?" Xiao Luolan hadn't expected that patriarch Zhou would take her with him to war.

Zhou Xu lifted his head and kissed his wife: "Yes."

Xiao Luolan pursed her lips, recalling the copper token patriarch Zhou had given her daughter, and asked softly, "Can I stay behind?" She didn't want to be separated from her daughter.

"Do you miss Qingxue?" Zhou Xu's narrow eyes seemed to hold a smile: "If my lady misses her, you can take her along."

Xiao Luolan shook her head without hesitation: "No!"

The battlefield was too dangerous, and she wanted her daughter nowhere near it.

Zhou Xu's smile deepened: "Qingxue is in Langge, safely in the estate with Shenzhi. She has escorts when she leaves. What is my lady worried about?"

"But my lady, accompanying me to Huiyi, you might endure hardships," Zhou Xu whispered in her ear.

Xiao Luolan's mind was in turmoil. Since arriving here, she had never been apart from her daughter. Now, patriarch Zhou's decision felt like leaving her heart exposed.

"Can I stay?" Xiao Luolan asked softly, hoping to refuse. She looked at patriarch Zhou, her cheeks flushed.

Zhou Xu looked at his wife, his eyes deepening.

Xiao Luolan seemed to realize something.

Zhou Xu leaned in, immersed in the allure of the moment, unable to extricate himself.

Xiao Luolan's hands loosened, then tightened. Seizing the moment of his infatuation, she voiced her thoughts: "I don't want to go."

Zhou Xu's voice was muffled, but his stance was clear: "My lady wishes to go."

Xiao Luolan, frustrated, turned away.

Zhou Xu chuckled softly, not minding at all. He still enjoyed his wife's allure, though he thought this time it was too brief; if only it had lasted longer…

He shouldn't have.

He wanted his wife to be with him.