Jizhou has nine counties and seventy-eight prefectures, arching from the north of Youzhou to the south, straight to the Yellow River region states. Due to its strategic location, it was a significant place for Wei Shao.

Since the beginning of last year, Wei Shao has been busy with the war in Bingzhou and the conquest in the west and has not been personally present in Jizhou. Now that he had finished uniting the west and had nothing else to do, he naturally had to pass through Jizhou before returning to Youzhou. He intended to explore the land, meeting with the governors, county magistrates, and rulers of Jizhou.

The next morning after arriving, he got busy. During the day, Xiao Qiao could hardly see his face. One after another, the governors of various places came to pay their respects to the Marquis.

Only on the first night of their arrival did Xiao Qiao and Wei Shao eat dinner together. Later, for several days in a row, she ate dinner alone.

Wei Shao always returned late from the nightly banquets in the palace. Xiao Qiao did not expect Wei Shao to bring her here for a vacation or to create surprises.

When she first started the journey, she felt a remembrance of this place. After all, this was where they first met and got married. But once she got here, she extinguished that thought.

Not exactly a disappointment. Anyway, Xiao Qiao got used to passing the time by herself. During the day, she sometimes climbs the Tantai Terrace like she used to, watching all sorts of people going in and out of the Xin Palace.

Or she went out for a stroll.

Of course, Mr. Jia must escort her. Mr. Jia has become familiar with her by now. He must be at most 25 or 26 years old, but he used to give Xiao Qiao an old-fashioned feeling. Probably, because he became a lieutenant of the Huben Army at a young age. To Xiao Qiao, he would never say an unnecessary word. He would rarely look at her directly.

But now, when escorting Xiao Qiao out, his attitude is still respectful, but when Xiao Qiao asks him something, he will answer with a few more words.

……

Seven or eight days have passed. Finally, this day when it was dark, Wei Shao’s figure appeared in the Sheyang residence. He said his business was done and would return to Yuyang tomorrow.

Then, they ate dinner together. After the meal, Wei Shao suddenly said, “These days, I’m busy and do not have time to accompany you. You do not blame me, do you?”

Xiao Qiao shook her head, “How can it be? I know that my husband is busy.”

Wei Shao said, “Where do you want to go? I will accompany you.”

Xiao Qiao smiled, “There is nowhere I want to go ……”

“I’ll take you to Tantai Terrace. It’s been a long time since I have climbed it.”

Wei Shao grabbed her hand and led her out.

Xiao Qiao did not say she had just come down from there in the evening. Seeing his excitement, she complied with him.

Wei Shao took her hand and went out of the Sheyang Residence. Along the way, the maids and servants bowed and saluted.He took Xiao Qiao by hand, passed an open hall, and was about to step out when he suddenly stopped to look back.

“This is where I paid my respects to you.” He turned his face back and looked at Xiao Qiao.

Xiao Qiao hooked her lips: “You still remember?”

Wei Shao did not say anything but tightened the hand under his sleeve that was interlocked with hers and led her out.

They stopped at the bottom of the stair of the Tantai Terrace. The twilight was heavy, enveloping the towering terrace in front of them.

Wei Shao looked up. The Tantai Terrace is more than ten feet above the ground, with eighty-one high steps. Every time Xiao Qiao goes up, she will stop for a moment after climbing a section to enjoy the scenery.

Wei Shao slightly lowered himself. Xiao Qiao looked at him.

“Get on my back.” He said.

Xiao Qiao said, “I do not dare to ride on Marquis’ back.”

Wei Shao said, “You are the only one allowed to ride.”

Xiao Qiao pursed her lips and smiled, so she hugged his shoulder and jumped on his back. Wei Shao then steadily held her hips and carried her up to the top of the Tantai Terrace in one breath. Then, he put her down. He grabbed her waist and sat her on a jade table carved with clouds and dragons at both ends in the center of the room, with her feet suspended in the air.

The jade table still has some residual warmth from the daytime absorption. It warmed Xiao Qiao’s skin through her thin summer clothes.

A deep blue starry sky above Wei Shao’s head gradually became bright. The summer night wind blew from all sides of the terrace, sweeping the hair on Xiao Qiao’s temples and attacking his robe.

Xiao Qiao took out a handkerchief and wiped his sweaty forehead. He pressed his single palm on the table and agilely jumped to sit beside her, grabbed her wrist, then gently embraced her.