Chapter 195: Taking The First Step
Pang Tong and Zhao Yun returned home to rest. Not making a big fuss to celebrate victory has always been the tradition of the Yuzhang Army. No matter which triumphant return, they always quietly rejoined the ranks. Whether capturing Wuling Commandery, Changsha Commandery, Jiangxia Commandery, or Lujiang Commandery, it was always like this. This time capturing the Jingnan Three Commanderies would be no exception.
At this time, Lu Su hurried in and handed a copied carrier pigeon letter to Gan Ning. “This is from our Jiangdong liaison official in Dantu County. There are three carrier pigeon letters in total. We pieced them together, and they are talking about the Witchcraft and Poisoning Incident.”
Gan Ning opened the copy and looked at it, then smiled and asked, “Why is there no mention of Bu Zhi?”
“This subordinate estimates that this matter was suppressed by the upper echelons of Jiangdong. The lower levels don’t know, so our liaison officials don’t know either. Otherwise, such a big event would definitely be mentioned in the carrier pigeon letters.”
“It should be!”
“Then General, take your time looking. This subordinate will take his leave first.”
“Zijing!”
Gan Ning called out to Lu Su with a smile. “The army that campaigned against Jingnan returned last night.”
“This subordinate knows. He is now going to the barracks to learn about the situation.”
“Go ahead!”
Lu Su gave a salute and hurried away.
Gan Ning carefully read the carrier pigeon letter copy again. At this time, a sentence jumped into his eyes: “He Ding’s aunt, the witch He Xiaoshi, testified in the Marquis of Wu’s Palace that Bu Lianshi practiced witchcraft.”
Gan Ning knew who He Ding was. The famous treacherous minister of Eastern Wu in history, who ruined most of Eastern Wu with his own hands.
“He Xiaoshi?” Gan Ning thought of Zhuang Xiaoshi that Xu Wei had told her about last night.
Gan Ning pondered for a moment, then pulled a rope. This rope was connected to a bell outside. Soon, Lu Xun hurried in.
“Greetings, General!”
Gan Ning smiled at Lu Xun and said, “You are from Wu County. Do you know this witch Zhuang Xiaoshi?”
Lu Xun nodded. “The Taihu witch, very famous in Wu County. This subordinate has heard of her but has not seen her.”
“So, most people in Wu County know this name?”
“She often hangs banners in the county to practice witchcraft. Almost all the citizens in the city know this name.”
“Then does the Marquis of Wu know this name?”
“Of course he does. Back then, Sun Ce thought this witch was spreading seditious rumors and wanted to kill her, but Sun Quan persuaded him otherwise, saying killing her would lose the people’s hearts.”
Gan Ning sneered. Sun Quan was indeed playing dumb. When he saw the name He Xiaoshi, he hadn’t thought of Zhuang Xiaoshi—that would be seeing a ghost. He was indeed using the Witchcraft Curse Incident to get rid of Bu Zhi.
“I understand. Nothing else. Withdraw!”
Lu Xun gave a salute and withdrew.
Gan Ning paced back and forth in the official residence with his hands behind his back. He was now beginning to realize the huge impact Sun Ben’s split had brought to Jiangdong. He was like a massive bleeding wound, continuously draining Jiangdong’s blood. Famous ministers and fine generals were driven away one by one: Taishi Ci, Zhuge Jin, Bu Zhi. Cheng Jin and Huang Gai’s days were probably not going to be good either. They had all been Sun Ben’s subordinates and belonged to Sun Ben’s faction. With Sun Quan’s suspicion and ruthless heart, these two would certainly be gradually marginalized, and holding military power was out of the question.
This period entered a rare stable phase. Cao Cao was fully focused on annihilating the Yuan Brothers and had no time to look south. Cao Ren was stationed in Nan Commandery and temporarily had no intention of expanding victories. After Liu Bei went to Xichuan, they only knew that Ba Commandery Prefect Yan Yan had surrendered to Liu Bei. There was no other news. Internally in Jiangdong, they were still purging Sun Ben’s faction, with everyone in danger. As for Sun Ben, he had become unusually low-key and was continuing to accumulate strength.
As for Gan Ning here, he needed to digest the Jingnan Three Commanderies and also fully prepare for war.
It was also entering a stable period. Gan Ning’s military and political affairs were relatively relaxed. He had more time to spend with his family, especially since Da Qiao was pregnant. Gan Ning was even more attentive to her, basically returning home an hour early, unlike before when he came home at dusk every day.
Gan Ning returned to his residence. Xu Wei and Xiao Qiao came out together to greet him. This was not ceremonial but a rule and etiquette recognized and followed by every household. When the husband returns home, the wife must come out to greet him.
Da Qiao was pregnant and inconvenient to walk, so the two little wives had to do it on her behalf.
Gan Ning held one hand each as they walked to the inner residence. Xiao Qiao was still as lively as ever, laughing carefree. Xu Wei, however, had something on her mind and walked silently, tightly gripping her lover’s hand all the way.
Gan Ning turned his head to look at her, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
Da Qiao stood at the courtyard gate waiting for her husband. Xu Wei and Xiao Qiao each went about their tasks: one arranging dinner, the other going to the study to light the lamp and brew tea.
“How was today?”
Gan Ning put his arm around his wife’s waist and asked with a smile.
“Pretty good! Just a bit craving food, always wanting to eat something.” Da Qiao nestled in her husband’s arms and acted coquettishly.
“What do you want to eat? Sour or sweet?”
“Both, but I want my husband by my side more.”
“Then should I move back to the study?”
“No need for that. Just spend more time with me during the day.”
Gan Ning nodded. “Tomorrow is the ten-day rest. I’ll accompany you in a carriage to go shopping and outing.”
“Great!” Da Qiao happily kissed her husband on the face.
The couple arrived at the study, where Xu Wei was brewing tea.
“Gan Lang, Older Sister, you’re here.” Xu Wei quickly stood up.
“Yun Qing, thank you for your hard work.”
“Older Sister, it’s what I should do.”
Gan Ning sat down, and Da Qiao sat on the soft couch beside him. Xu Wei brewed two cups of tea and served one each to Gan Ning and Da Qiao, then smiled and said, “I’ll go help A Yu!”
“Go ahead!”
Watching Xu Wei’s figure walk away, Da Qiao smiled and asked, “How was Yun Qing last night?”
“Pretty good! She slept in the small room. I felt she slept very soundly all night.”
“You two didn’t—”
Gan Ning took a sip of tea and shook his head. “Let things take their natural course. I don’t want to force her.”
At this time, the maidservant said at the door, “Master, Madam, dinner is ready. Please come over.”
Gan Ning stepped forward to help Da Qiao up. “Let’s go!”
“Mm!” Da Qiao nestled against her husband as they walked together to the dining hall.
It was late at night. Xu Wei carried the water bucket out the door, came back and locked the study door, then went upstairs with a heavy heart. She entered the room, and Gan Ning instructed her, “Close the door!”
Xu Wei closed the door, lowered her head, and slowly walked to Gan Ning, wringing her fingers lightly with anxiety in her heart.
Gan Ning took her hand and said gently, “Go sleep! I know you’re not ready yet. Don’t have any burden in your heart.”
Xu Wei’s nose soured, feeling like crying. She held back her emotion and said softly, “My monthly affairs came today.”
“You’ve been preoccupied because your monthly affairs came?”
“Yes!”
Gan Ning pulled her into his arms, kissed her, and smiled. “Go sleep!”
“Then I’ll go!”
Xu Wei slowly turned and returned to her small room.
In the middle of the night, Xu Wei, wearing a white satin undergarment, slowly walked out from the inner room to Gan Ning’s bed. She hesitated for a moment, then mustered her courage, lifted the quilt, and lay down.
Gan Ning felt a warm, fragrant, soft body. He slowly opened his eyes and saw a delicate face in front of him.
“Why did you come?”
“I… I want to accompany you.”
Gan Ning pulled her soft body into his arms. “Just stay by my side. Sleep!”
Xu Wei nodded lightly, turned around, placed his hand on her chest, tightly hugged her lover’s arm, and slowly fell asleep.
