Chapter 8, The Lion's Roar of Hedong

Ye Zhao looked for a while longer and sighed, "Let us go."

Xia Yujin came to her senses from her daze, slowly turning her head to the side. Within the青石柱 of the corridor, there was a half-inch deep fist mark. As the wind blew, it stirred up powder-like fragments of stone, which danced away.

Ye Zhao suddenly struck, forcefully pressing him against the bluestone pillar, and whispered in his ear: "Do not ignore my warning"

Xia Yujin shook her head and, after holding it in for a long time, finally uttered two words: "Embarrassing"

He raised his head high and walked into the residence, with Ye Zhao closely following behind, watching him as he passed through the corridor towards the Yangxin Hall where the Dowager An resided to pay his respects. Upon seeing her obedient son return safely, the Dowager An could not contain her joy, disregarding his unpleasant expression, and immediately wiped her tears, rushing forward to inquire about his well-being, while also touching his face. She quickly instructed Ye Zhao, "Hasn't your man lost quite a bit of weight? You should make some nourishing food for him to help restore his health. Look at his round face, it's almost become a melon seed face."

She has been associating with men since childhood and believes she understands the psychology of men very well

"Ah? He has lost weight?" Ye Zhao stood beside, feeling bored. Upon hearing her grandmother's question, she immediately straightened up, looked at Xia Yujin's figure, then glanced at her own palm. After a moment of contemplation, she honestly replied, "He weighs about one hundred thirty pounds, which is heavier than my bronze ghost-faced axe, so he is not considered thin."

Unfortunately, the individual before her is neither a sable nor a horse, but her husband, thus no means can be employed.

"Wrong!" Ye Zhao exclaimed

She should refrain from exposing the harsh truth and causing the other party to lose face

Ye Zhao then slowly released his grip, struck the pillar forcefully, and turned to leave

The four conditions presented before us—snowy weather, a fine steed, physical weakness, and unspoken difficulties—combine to yield the conclusion: it is too high to tread upon the snow, and Xia Yujin's skills are too clumsy to ascend!

Xia Yujin asserted firmly: "Say what you want! I don't care!"

Xia Yujin struggled desperately, yet could not move, and angrily said: "You! Aren't you afraid of..."

"Get lost! I have legs!" Xia Yujin's face turned pale, and she added, "I also have guts!"

Ye Zhao continued to remain silent, standing by like a wooden sculpture

Ye Zhao crossed her arms and said softly, "We will return together tomorrow."

Ye Zhao: "I have informed them that you are bedridden and have postponed your return"

Ye Zhao asked, "Are you suggesting that I should throw you in?"

Xia Yujin: "Are you very nervous?"

"Damn it!" Ye Zhao exclaimed in fury, asking in an extremely slow tone, "Could you say that again?"

Ye Zhao asked: "Why not leave?"

Ye Zhao stroked the smooth mane of the horse, stuffing a small piece of candy into its mouth, and then they both stood still, watching Xia Yujin's changing expressions. At times, he gritted his teeth in anger, at times he appeared troubled and distressed, at times he seemed deeply resentful, and at times he looked sorrowful and melancholic... eventually, he seemed utterly despondent... His beautiful face, with long eyelashes drooping, concealed sparkling eyes that darted around, occasionally glancing at himself as if plotting something mischievous, which felt quite amusing. It was reminiscent of a sable cornered to a dead end on Mount Nuantashan in the northern desert, desperately trying to break free; or like a wild horse on the Hulhao grassland, untamed and defiant. His beautiful face, with long eyelashes drooping, concealed sparkling eyes that darted around, occasionally glancing at himself as if plotting something mischievous, which felt quite amusing. It was reminiscent of a sable cornered to a dead end on Mount Nuantashan in the northern desert, desperately trying to break free; or like a wild horse on the Hulhao grassland, untamed and defiant.

Whether it is hunting or taming beasts, both can bring a thrilling sensation that makes one feel restless

Treading lightly on the snow, he calmly turned a corner and headed towards the Prince An's residence

Xia Yujin tilted her head and thought for a moment, then smiled and asked, "On what basis?"

Ye Zhaodao: "Great-grandfather's mind is no longer clear, and I do not wish for him to worry"

Ye Zhao let out a soft sigh

Xia Yujin, as if awakening from a dream, looked in astonishment at his own vermilion gate. He pushed away the hand that Ye Zhao had extended, hurriedly rolled off the horse, shrank his cold neck, and stubbornly said: "Who... who runs around the city using lightness skills?! This... this is utterly outrageous!"

"No," Ye Zhao said seriously, "We not only have to go back, but I also hope you can try to put on a harmonious appearance and not cause any trouble at the Duke of Zhen Guo's residence"

Xia Yujin shook her head, absolutely unwilling to comply

Xia Yujin's legs felt somewhat heavy, and she was unable to step out for a long time

Ye Zhao fell silent for a moment and said softly, "The Ye family has guarded the northern desert for generations. After the city was breached, we suffered a tragic extermination. My great-grandfather learned of the news in the capital and, in his grief and anger, lost his sanity and has yet to regain consciousness. My sister-in-law and nephew returned to their maternal home, escaping the disaster. She, young and widowed, manages the household and raises the children, treating the Ye family with immense loyalty... They are my only remaining blood relatives in this world, and I do not wish for them to suffer humiliation because of me"

Xia Yujin saw Ye Zhao shake his head, then walked over and reached out both hands to grasp his shoulders. He immediately soared into the air, a dizzying sensation of weightlessness following. When he opened his eyes again, he was already sitting steadily on a horse. The horse even cast him a look that seemed to be one of disdain. Before he could retort, Ye Zhao had already slapped the horse's rear, and with its four hooves leaping into the snow, it shot off like an arrow released from a bow, treading on the vast expanse of white snow, turning down the alley, skillfully heading towards the Duke of Zhen Guo's residence.

"It is hard to tell that the Iron-Blooded General has things he cares about," Xia Yujin's heart momentarily stilled, but upon seeing her cold and indifferent face, she couldn't help but harden her heart and say, "Unfortunately, you care, but I do not care!"

Xia Yujin then realized that she seemed to have forgotten about this matter, yet she still insisted, "Time has passed, what is there to return?"

Xia Yujin felt a sharp pain in her wrist, beads of sweat forming on her forehead as she gritted her teeth and replied, "Alright, alright, I will give it to you, just let go!"

Both An Taifei and Xia Yujin's expressions turned unpleasant.

Ye Zhao shook off the snowflakes on her body and repeated once more: "Anyway, I am extraordinarily powerful."

Ye Zhao could not extract any further information, so she had no choice but to make her own guesses

Xia Yujin: "Given that we have caused such a commotion, it is better not to return."

The civil officials sent by the court to oversee the military are indeed more astute and capable of employing various tactics, yet their motivations are ultimately centered around money, power, and achievements. By addressing their needs and catering to their preferences, it is not difficult to manage them.

Xia Yujin felt a twitch in her eyelids and quickly stole a glance to see if she was angry

Under heaven, who dares to disrespect them, I shall show no respect to anyone!" Ye Zhao interrupted his words, carefully scrutinizing him from head to toe, and then smiled slightly. In those pale, glassy eyes, a faint cold light flickered, resembling a beast ready to devour its prey, with its snow-white teeth carrying a hint of menace. "Don't play tricks, when I was the ruffian leader in the northern desert, you were still clueless about which path to take!"

Yet, Ye Zhao's expression did not change much; he merely instructed the servants to take the horse Taxue to the stable for proper care, and then he extended his hand towards the main gate, making a gesture of invitation

"Face? I thought you no longer cared about it," Xia Yujin recalled the grievances, a hint of self-mocking smile curling at the corners of her mouth as she lowered her head

"Let us speak frankly," Ye Zhao said affirmatively while sitting on the long bench in the corridor. "I know I am not suited to be a good wife, and this marriage makes everyone uncomfortable. It is difficult for us to get along, so I do not intend to force you into anything. From now on, you will walk your own path, and I will traverse my own. Whether you choose to indulge in drinking, gambling, or keeping concubines, I will not interfere. You may disregard my feelings, but you must show some consideration for my family."

Xia Yujin had finally managed to resolve his mother's incessant nagging and was about to head towards the study. He instructed the servants to move all bedding and utensils over, adhering to the principle of marital separation. Unexpectedly, he turned around and saw Ye Zhao leisurely following behind him, seemingly wanting to say something. Thus, he halted his steps and asked suspiciously, "What do you want?"

In a daze, the swift horse comes to a halt, and the celestial crane lands.

In the past, life in the military was simple, with nothing but hard work to occupy one's time. She was surrounded by robust men, reeking of sweat and alcohol, who, in their conversations, never failed to inquire about each other's mothers every three sentences. Their thoughts and actions were easily discernible: in moments of excitement, they thought of women; in times of sorrow, they thought of family; in anger, they thought of enemies; and in moments of frustration, it was mostly due to having run out of their military pay

On a snowy day, there were few pedestrians on the road. Xia Yujin clutched the horse's neck, feeling the biting cold wind like a knife, seeping into his collar and cutting at his cheeks, an indescribable discomfort. He looked up and saw a shadow darting through the air; it was Ye Zhao using her lightness skill, leaping onto the eaves, her cloud shoes lightly touching the ground, her figure soaring. Her black cloak unfurled in the wind, resembling an elegant crane flying gracefully in the air, leisurely keeping pace with the galloping horse, still with energy to spare. He looked up again and saw the shadow pass overhead; it was Ye Zhao, employing her lightness skill, leaping onto the eaves, her cloud shoes lightly touching the ground, her figure soaring. Her black cloak unfurled in the wind, resembling an elegant crane flying gracefully in the air, leisurely keeping pace with the galloping horse, still with energy to spare.

The horse, named Treading Snow, is a magnificent steed that travels a thousand miles a day. Since childhood, it has accompanied Ye Zhao into battle, enduring numerous trials and tribulations, resulting in a deep bond. Now, it arrogantly snorts twice at Xia Yujin, raises its hooves, and then affectionately rubs against Ye Zhao's palm, displaying a strong master-servant relationship.