The harsh winds of midwinter howled, leaving all flowers withered and decayed. Xiao Guiyu, clad in a luxurious brocade sable-trimmed hat and coat, stood alone, leaning against the western building. Suddenly, a gust of icy wind swept past, causing the frail Xiao Guiyu to cough twice, "Cough, cough."
Seeing this, the maid quickly shut the doors and windows, blocking the swirling snow outside, "It's cold today, Madam. Please come inside and rest."
"I'm fine." Xiao Guiyu shook her head, and opened the window again. She lifted her eyes to gaze into the distance, wondering when Qi Zhi and her brother would return.
"Why are you sitting here in the cold?" At some point, the tall and imposing Qi Zhi strode towards her.
His hair was cut short and neat, his brows and eyes resolute. His cheeks were lean, and his thin lips curved slightly upwards under a high-bridged nose.
Qi Zhi wore a stiff military uniform and sturdy boots, giving him a valiant and dignified look. When he looked at Xiao Guiyu, his eyes were unconsciously tinged with a layer of softness and warmth, which reminded people of the phrase 'an iron man, with softness winding around finger'.
Seeing the master of the house return, the maid quickly bowed respectfully, "Greetings, Commander."
The commander came back exhausted and went straight to his wife's courtyard, which showed how much he valued his wife. It was not like the rumors outside that he married his wife to win over Colonel Xiao.
Three months had passed since Commander Chen's death. Qi Zhi, once a bandit, had transformed into the new Commander of Wu Province.
A new broom sweeps clean. Qi Zhi and Xiao Guize were busy subduing those who refused to submit, often working day and night, returning only every few days.
Xiao Guiyu turned her head, looking him up and down. Seeing no injuries on Qi Zhi, her heart eased.
Her eyes were filled with a gentle smile, "You're back. Where's my brother?"
Since Qi Zhi occupied the Commander's mansion three months ago, Xiao Guiyu had been placed there as the mistress of the house.
Xiao Guize, upon learning that his sister had returned to Wucheng on her own accord, and seeing the affection in their eyes, simply smiled and patted Qi Zhi's shoulder, "Since Ah-Yu doesn't want to leave, take good care of her."
"He's on an important mission and will return in half a month." Qi Zhi and Xiao Guize's joint takedown of Commander Chen was only the beginning. They had spent three full months stabilizing the situation in Wu Province.
Qi Zhi naturally wrapped his arms around Xiao Guiyu's waist. Dark circles were faintly visible under his eyes, and his voice was low and tinged with fatigue, "Come sleep with me for a while."
With that, Qi Zhi picked her up horizontally. Xiao Guiyu obediently wrapped her arms around his neck, breathing sweetly against him, "Ah-Qi, you've worked hard."
The nickname 'Ah-Qi' and the words 'you've worked hard' made Qi Zhi's eyes darken. His large hand restlessly caressed her body.
"Ah-Yu..." Qi Zhi placed Xiao Guiyu on the bed and kissed the lips he had longed for day and night.
Qi Zhi's kiss was fervent, his eyes burning as he gazed at the beautiful woman in front of him. Xiao Guiyu, however, tilted her head back to avoid him, and said coquettishly, "We're supposed to be sleeping then just sleep, why are you kissing me?"
Once Qi Zhi got busy, he could go two or three days without closing his eyes. Now, as Commander, he rarely had a good night's sleep.
Xiao Guiyu felt sorry for him, but her words were teasing, "If you don't sleep now, I'm leaving."
With that, Xiao Guiyu pretended to get up and leave.
"Don't." Qi Zhi chuckled softly, pulling her back into his arms.
Qi Zhi helped Xiao Guiyu take off her coat and then held her close, yawning, "I'll sleep now."
He adjusted their position to one that was comfortable for her.
Holding the warm and fragrant jade-like beauty in his arms, Qi Zhi rested his chin in the crook of her neck, sniffing the delicate fragrance of her body. The fierce aura around him gradually dissipated, and his body slowly relaxed.
"How much longer will this war last?" Xiao Guiyu frowned and asked Qi Zhi softly.
"I don't know." Qi Zhi pondered for a moment. "If A'Ze's trip to the capital goes well this time, and the other provincial commanders agree to join forces with us, our chances of winning will be much greater."
"Hmm." Xiao Guiyu's eyelids fluttered slightly. Only then did she learn of her brother's whereabouts.
"I'm afraid some will be reluctant to cooperate with our plan." Qi Zhi's eyes were slightly weary. He never kept these important matters from Xiao Guiyu.
Ah-Yu wasn't a caged bird and shouldn't be confined by him to the backyard.
However, with the current situation becoming increasingly tense, both Qi Zhi and Xiao Guize temporarily preferred to keep her safe at the rear, unwilling to put her in danger.
Qi Zhi suddenly pecked at Xiao Guiyu's neck, half-closed his eyes, and caressed Xiao Guiyu's back with his big hand. His tone was casual and a little lazy:
"Ah-Yu, let's get married after the war ends."
"That depends on whether my parents agree." Xiao Guiyu smiled slyly and kicked Qi Zhi playfully.
"This young lady has many suitors. I'm not going to hang myself on a crooked tree."
"Crooked tree?" Qi Zhi was amused.
He turned Xiao Guiyu's body to face him, his eyes were deep and unreadable, as he said in a hoarse voice, "Xiao Guiyu, who else do you want to marry besides me?"
Xiao Guiyu grumbled but remained silent.
Qi Zhi nuzzled against her, gently nibbled her earlobe, half-threatening, "Xiao Guiyu, be careful, or one day this master will really take you. Once you're on my pirate ship, you won't be able to escape."
This era was very harsh on women. He loved and cherished her and didn't want Ah-Yu to follow him without proper status. This girl was really pushing her luck.
"Anyway, it's not today."
Xiao Guiyu muttered, with a hint of provocation in his eyes, "You always threaten me like this. Can you change your wording?"
From the moment they met until now, this scoundrel had always threatened her this way.
At first, Xiao Guiyu was a little afraid of him, but after being threatened so many times, Xiao Guiyu knew that he was a paper tiger.
Despite being a bandit, he was more respectful than most men, often stopping at just the right moment, never overstepping.
"Xiao, Gui, Yu." Qi Zhi laughed in exasperation, his bandit-like roguishness was fully on display under his military uniform.
He suddenly flipped over, pressed her under him, and lowered his head to kiss her.
Qi Zhi's sword-like brows and starry eyes were filled with tenderness. He rested his chin in the crook of Xiao Guiyu's neck and murmured, "Ah-Yu..."
Their eyes met, Xiao Guiyu's almond-shaped eyes reflecting Qi Zhi's image, "Hmm."
Xiao Guiyu shyly glanced at him, her body relaxing for a moment before tensing again, and an apprehensive light flickered in her eyes.
Qi Zhi chuckled softly, his usually fierce gaze was now carrying a seductive glint.
Outside the window, heavy snow was flying, and pieces of snowflakes like ice crystals fell on the eaves, and turned into rain falling in the quiet courtyard.
Seeing how cold the night had become, Xiao Guiyu's maid, fearing the lady might catch a chill, went out under the cover of darkness to find a hand warmer for Xiao Guiyu.
Just as she reached the door, she heard the lady's soft, coquettish voice. Realizing that the Commander and Madam were resting, the maid paused and left quietly.
*
The next day, as dawn broke, the heavy snowfall from the previous night had blanketed Wucheng in a layer of white frost. The fog outside the window condensed into ice, and the chill in the air was deep.
The maid gently pushed the door open. Smelling a certain intimate scent, she dared not look up, and left fresh clothes before leaving.
The maid's movements woke Qi Zhi. He opened his eyes to see Xiao Guiyu sleeping soundly in his arms.
Qi Zhi awoke to find it still connecting him and Xiao Guiyu.
The two of them didn't make a fuss late last night. It was Xiao Guiyu's first time. After they fell asleep in each other's arms, Qi Zhi did not pull it out.
While Xiao Guiyu was still asleep, Qi Zhi kissed her on the forehead and tried to pull away.
However, when he saw the tear stains on Xiao Guiyu's face from the pain, his heart stirred with desire once again.
Qi Zhi's troops, which had been halfway through its retreat, woke up again, startling Xiao Guiyu to open her eyes in a daze.
"Good morning." Qi Zhi coughed lightly.
The greeting brought Xiao Guiyu back to full awareness. When she realized that she and Qi Zhi were still connected by it, her cheeks flushed crimson.
They had slept in each other's arms for many nights, and last night, they had truly consummated their relationship!
Thinking about what she and Qi Zhi had done, Xiao Guiyu felt a wave of shyness wash over her. She scolded him coquettishly, "You scoundrel, get out now!"
Qi Zhi stroked Xiao Guiyu's cheek with his fingertips, pressed his forehead against hers, and said with a smile, "Xiao Guiyu, from now on, you are mine."
"Get out now." Xiao Guiyu urged again. It was broad daylight; wasn't he ashamed?
Xiao Guiyu moved back, and the moment Qi Zhi pulled away, she gasped in pain.
"Does it hurt?" Qi Zhi frowned, pretending to check her.
Xiao Guiyu quickly stopped his hand and glared at him fiercely.
*
From that day on, Qi Zhi and Xiao Guiyu's relationship grew even closer. Their affection seemed to add a touch of pink to the brutal reality of war.
Qi Zhi continued to work day and night, incredibly busy, while Xiao Guiyu often sat by the western window, counting the days on her fingers.
Her willow-leaf brows furrowed as she propped her chin in her hand, murmuring to herself, "Why is there no news from my brother? Wasn't he supposed to be back in half a month?"
As the days passed, Xiao Guiyu's uneasiness grew.
Until one day, she saw a personal guard who usually accompanied Xiao Guize in the mansion.
"Where's my brother?" Xiao Guiyu stopped the guard, only then noticing what he had on his right hand.
"Miss, the Young Master has been captured by Commander Wang in the north. He's currently trapped in the capital. Commander Wang wants us to cut off the grain supply to Commander Qi."
The situation was urgent. The guard had just returned and ran into Xiao Guiyu. He didn't know that Qi Zhi had deliberately ordered everyone to suppress news of Xiao Guize's capture to prevent Ah-Yu from worrying.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Guiyu's face paled. She lifted her skirt and ran towards Qi Zhi's study.
"Madam—" The maid cried out in alarm from behind, then said to the guard, "The Commander has already ordered everyone not to mention Colonel Xiao. How dare you speak of it in front of Madam?"
Hearing this, the Xiao family guard's expression darkened.
Xiao Guiyu is the eldest daughter of our Xiao family, how can she be the wife of Commander Qi?
Unaware of their argument, Xiao Guiyu arrived at the study just in time to hear everyone discussing the rescue of Xiao Guize.
"Colonel Xiao is righteous. The enemy has already reached Xiangcheng. We cannot lose this battle, and the food and grass in the rear cannot be cut off." Xiao Wu said.
"Don't forget, our grain has always been supplied by the Xiao family. If something happens to Colonel Xiao..." The members of Qi's bandit group glanced meaningfully at the Xiao family members present.
"My Xiao family follows the Young Master's lead. If anything happens to the Young Master, I hope Commander Qi won’t blame us!" The Xiao family guard threatened.
Qi Zhi, who noticed Xiao Guiyu coming, quickly slammed the table and stopped everyone: "Okay, stop arguing."
The heated debate was abruptly cut short as Xiao Guiyu pushed the door open. She looked serious, her gaze sharp as she looked at everyone. "What happened to my brother?"
Seeing Xiao Guiyu, everyone fell silent, stealing glances at Qi Zhi, waiting for his cue.
Qi Zhi's gaze flickered as he looked at Xiao Guiyu. She averted her eyes with a slightly cold face.
Xiao Guiyu's gaze swept over everyone before finally settling on a member of the Xiao family. "Xiao Jun, you tell me."
"Miss, a few days ago, the Young Master went to the capital to negotiate, but Commander Wang in the north had set a trap and captured him."
At this point, Xiao Jun remembered Xiao Guize's instructions, and his voice choked, "The Young Master said that even if he dies, the grain supply to Wu Province cannot be cut off, and the enemy cannot be allowed to breach Wu Province."
Hearing this, Xiao Guiyu's breath hitched.
She understood what her brother meant.
The enemy was fiercely attacking Wu Province. If Wu Province fell, the entire country would be plunged into deeper chaos.
Her brother and Qi Zhi had worked so hard to eliminate Commander Chen and secure Wu Province; how could they allow their efforts to be wasted?
As soon as Xiao Jun finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned to Xiao Guiyu.
Of all those present, only Xiao Guiyu's identity was the most special.
She was the eldest daughter of the Xiao family, Xiao Guize's twin sister, and the woman Qi Zhi had chosen as his wife.
After a moment of silence, Xiao Guiyu sat in the empty seat next to Qi Zhi, and asked everyone calmly, "How much longer will this war last?"
Her question plunged everyone into silence once again.
Due to Commander Chen's treason, the enemy had already gained access to a significant amount of their intelligence. It was not easy for Qi Zhi to hold them off until now.
But to speak of repelling them without the support of other provincial commanders was wishful thinking. And now, Commander Wang in the north was demanding that the Xiao family cut off the grain supply?!
"Without support from other commanders, I, Qi Zhi, can resist for at most another six months." Qi Zhi closed his eyes, swallowing the words about a weapon that didn't belong to this era, a trump card that had not yet been developed.
"Good," Xiao Guiyu nodded, then let out a sneer. "Commander Wang's family is not the only one in power in the north. If he dares to touch my brother, I will go to incite General Bai in the north."
Hearing this, the Xiao family's eyes lit up, "Does Miss have a way?"
"Yes." Xiao Guiyu responded softly. She and her brother had studied abroad for many years; how could they not have their own network of contacts?
General Bai's granddaughter, Bai Zhiwei, was her close friend from university. The key was that Bai Zhiwei liked Xiao Guize. As long as she could contact Bai Zhiwei, she could reach General Bai!
"Ah-Yu, tell us more," Qi Zhi opened his eyes slightly, but his expression was not relaxed.
"General Bai's granddaughter is my classmate. I can ask her to make a connection." There were many people present, so out of consideration for her classmate's reputation, Xiao Guiyu concealed the fact that Bai Zhiwei liked Xiao Guize.
She continued resolutely, "Regarding the Xiao family's grain supply, we'll do as my brother said. I will go to rescue my brother."
"No, it's too dangerous." As soon as Xiao Guiyu finished speaking, Qi Zhi rejected her proposal outright.
Instantly, the atmosphere between them froze.
Xiao Guiyu's eyes flickered, and she stubbornly retorted, "If you won't go to save him, I will!"
She knew Qi Zhi was worried about her, and she also knew he was very busy. The front lines needed him; he couldn't possibly go to the capital himself to rescue Xiao Guize.
But no one else could reach General Bai.
Moreover, with her brother gone, who knew what trouble the Xiao family might encounter? As the eldest daughter, she should step up and take charge.
"Ah-Yu." Qi Zhi's eyelids drooped, his expression was quite helpless.
Seeing this, the other subordinates tactfully excused themselves.
"Mmm..."
Xiao Jun, the last one to leave, stumbled slightly, faintly hearing sounds he shouldn't have.
Xiao Guiyu gasped slightly, and looked at Qi Zhi with a pair of almond eyes, "Let me go."
Qi Zhi remained silent, tightening his arms around her. After a long while, he finally spoke hoarsely, "You and Xiao Guize look too much alike. I'm worried the enemy will recognize you."
It wasn't a secret that Colonel Xiao of Wu Province had a twin sister.
Before the war fully reached Wucheng and Xiangcheng, Qi Zhi and Xiao Guize had planned to send her away, but Xiao Guiyu refused to leave.
Now that the war had fully erupted, Xiao Guiyu's existence had long been spread. If she left Wucheng, even Qi Zhi might not be able to guarantee her safety.
"It's alright, I can disguise myself as a man."