Shao San Sheng froze, yet still replied:
— Understood!
Shao Ping Bo: Regardless of whether Niu You Dao goes to the Ice and Snow Palace or not, send people to the Yan Kingdom's capital, to the Song family. Have them look into this matter.
As he spoke, he understood that he himself was currently bound hand and foot. He still didn't know what impact those songs had on his father. The children's songs were his current headache. Furthermore, he wasn't entirely certain that Niu You Dao had gone to the Ice and Snow Palace, which was why he couldn't send people from Dachang Mountain there. Currently, the attitude of Dachang Mountain was crucial to him. If it turned out he had sent people there needlessly, they might think he was poor at managing his subordinates and would treat him worse.
After the matter of the children's songs, he needed to be much more cautious.
Shao San Sheng: By the way, regarding the Song family. We have information that the young master should know. One of the commanders in the Yan Kingdom's capital, Wang Heng, took his daughter back from the Song family, and the Song family had granted permission for a second marriage. Wang Heng had publicly announced this. It seems there's something amiss between them and the Song family.
— Hmm? Shao Ping Bo was surprised. He thought for a moment, then said:
— Song Jiu Ming, Tong Mo's trusted confidant. Wang Heng decided to break ties with him. It seems major changes are happening within the imperial court right now. I don't know if this is related to Song Yang Qing's death or not. Have our people keep an eye on this.
— Understood! — Shao San Sheng replied, then asked again:
— Could the Song family know about Niu You Dao's matter? After all, the Yan Kingdom wanted to capture him.
Shao Ping Bo shook his head: I've thoroughly investigated the post station incident. The Yan Kingdom's spies were very cautious and couldn't have aroused suspicion from outsiders. Niu You Dao must have figured it out himself somehow. Perhaps someone told him. No matter. The Song family probably knows more about this. It's hard to say.
— Alright. — Shao San Sheng nodded his head.
— Also, choose your guards more carefully. — Shao Ping Bo added.
It couldn't be helped. Regardless of whether it was the Yan Kingdom or the Han Kingdom, they would now be closely watching his actions. They disliked this region with independent armies.
It made him somewhat uncomfortable that with a mere flick of his hand, Niu You Dao had brought pressure upon him from all sides. Yet all he could do was arrange a pursuit for Niu You Dao.
— Understood! — Shao San Sheng nodded. Seeing that Shao Ping Bo had no further instructions, he immediately reminded him:
— Young master, you should wash up. You shouldn't keep the Lord waiting so long.
Shao Ping Bo came back to his senses, left the hall, and immediately went to wash up.
When he entered the bathing room, he immediately stripped naked and went into the shower. After that, he jumped into a warm bath.
The maids came forward and brought him clothes.
After the maids left, a girl in a long dress entered.
The girl held a guqin in her hands. Another zither lay on the table. She walked to the table, sat by it, and began to play. Graceful, slow melodies flowed through the room.
The girl, with high-piled locks at her temples and a beautifully open forehead, could eclipse the moon and put flowers to shame. She giggled, watching the vague silhouette bathing in the pool.
The girl was named Su Zhao. She was Shao Ping Bo's cousin and could be said to be the only cultivator in the family.
Shao Ping Bo opened his eyes, turned his head, and looked at the vague silhouette. He smiled and said:
— Sister Zhao, when did you return?
The zither's sounds ceased, the girl stood up and sweetly said:
— I just returned to the Han Kingdom when I heard amusing songs about you. So I immediately came to Beizhou. What's happening?
Shao Ping Bo splashed water on himself:
— Do you know Niu You Dao? The one who killed the Yan Kingdom's envoy... he immediately recounted the entire story to her in brief.
Su Zhao walked around the room and said:
— That Niu You Dao is cunning!
Shao Ping Bo: There's no need to worry. You should focus your efforts on the Qi and Wei Kingdoms. Beizhou needs them. Currently, we lack sufficient strength and finances. When Beizhou recovers from the drought and floods, when we grow rich, then we can take action. Sister Zhao, the future of Beizhou depends on you. You are responsible!
Su Zhao: I know, I heard you. I constantly strive for our common cause and don't relax. Rest assured.
After his bathing rituals, Shao Ping Bo stepped into another room and sat before a dressing table. Su Zhao dismissed the maid and personally began to comb his hair.
— Long time no see. Let's not talk about state affairs; let's talk about personal matters. — Su Zhao giggled and said.
Shao Ping Bo: Later. Right now, I need to report everything to Father.
Su Zhao paused for a moment, then sighed and said:
— Will you take me as your wife?
Shao Ping Bo: Is there any doubt?
Su Zhao: Alright. Tell me the exact time.
Shao Ping Bo frowned: Are you joking? If I take you as my wife, then with your standing, how would you go to the Qi Kingdom? Have you forgotten about Aunt and Uncle's revenge?
Su Zhao: I see you've taken a liking to that Tang Yi!
Shao Ping Bo sighed again: Tang Yi, a married woman. And you know why I'm pursuing her. Do I need to explain Zhao Xiong Ge's value to you again?
Su Zhao smiled sadly. She stopped combing his hair:
— I understand. It's just that I'm not sure. When I've done all the dirty work, will you still take someone as sullied as me?
Shao Ping Bo raised his hand and grasped her delicate, soft hand. He looked at her reflection and said:
— You are the one I have always wanted to take as my wife. Sister Zhao, don't worry. I will have no other wife but you!
Su Zhao sighed: If only!
The Lord of Beizhou's Residence.
Having washed up, Shao Ping Bo quickly entered. The household steward, Yang Shuang, quickly came out to meet him and proceeded with him toward the Lord.
As the two men conversed, a young, beautiful girl slipped out from the garden. She greatly resembled Shao Ping Bo. Indeed, she was Shao Ping Bo's biological sister, Shao Liu Er.
As soon as she saw her brother, she immediately, obediently, and according to etiquette, came to greet him. It was clear she was a little afraid of her brother.
— Brother! — Shao Liu Er bowed and clasped her hands. Then she quickly straightened up, intending to leave.
— Halt! — Shao Ping Bo said in a cold tone.
Shao Liu Er froze in place and said somewhat timidly:
— Does Brother have any instructions?
The household steward, Yang Shuang, smiled. All sisters are afraid of their brothers.
Shao Ping Bo looked at her with a cold gaze: I hear you've recently taken up poetry and are constantly spending time with some dubious company. Are you not behaving like a proper young lady?
Shao Liu Er: Brother, you say such unpleasant things. These are merely Shi Ci Ge Fu. Where am I spending time with improper people?
Shao Ping Bo: Are they fit for sharing meals with or facing common enemies? Do you not know what times these are? In Beizhou, the common people are starving, yet you spend your days and nights in taverns. What will the common people think of us then?
Shao Liu Er: Brother, are you telling us to be more restrained?
Shao Ping Bo approached her and quietly asked: Are you saying you will continue to associate with them?
Shao Liu Er whispered in reply: Brother, are they bad? Shi Ci Ge Fu are written about high moral qualities, and it will be easier to develop them with like-minded people.
Shao Ping Bo: Like-minded? Foolish, narrow-minded girl. If you weren't the daughter of the Lord, do you think they'd keep company with you? Day after day, it's pleasant to hear yourself praised, isn't it? From now on, humbly read books every day, practice calligraphy, and learn what is truly beneficial. And don't do anything foolish!
Shao Liu Er: Stepmother gave me permission to go.
Shao Ping Bo narrowed his eyes: I hear you've become close with Tang Xiang Yang from the poetry society. Bring him to me so I can see him, sometime!
Shao Liu Er was a little frightened: Brother, they... they're all my friends. Don't harm them!
Shao Ping Bo: I'm telling you. Your marriage will be arranged by your parents. Don't cause trouble. If you don't want to harm him, then watch yourself! — Saying this, he turned and left.
Yang Shuang shook his head and followed him.
Shao Liu Er remained with reddened eyes, watching her brother's retreating figure resentfully.
The Lord's Residence's Hall of Affairs.
Shao Wu Bo, the Lord's second son, was currently consulting with officials, while the third son, Shao Fu Bo, stood by the window, gazing out wistfully. He had a leaf in his mouth. Suddenly, he narrowed his eyes, left the window, and approached Shao Wu Bo.
He said to him: Second Brother, he's here.
Everyone immediately looked toward the door and saw Shao Ping Bo approaching. However, he didn't enter but walked past with Yang Shuang.
Seeing that he hadn't entered, Shao Fu Bo sighed and said:
— Lord Yong the Pretender and Lord Bo the True One.
Shao Wu Bo elbowed him, telling him to shut his mouth.
Next to the Hall of Affairs stood a pavilion. On its upper floor was the stoutly built Shao Deng Yun. He looked down at his approaching son. He now gazed at his son with a complicated expression.
Recalling those years when Ning Wang was still alive, it was his son who persuaded him to request a relocation to the border and become a border garrison. Then Ning Wang died, and all of Ning Wang's veterans began to be purged. But under his son's persuasion, he betrayed the country and let in a hostile kingdom, becoming a vassal prince.
He had also doubted back then. Shao Deng Yun was originally a mere centurion, but he became a general due to Ning Wang's generosity. He had doubted that the hostile kingdom would treat him well.
Then he discovered that his son had handled many matters well.
After this, he realized that his son had harbored ill intentions toward Ning Wang from the very beginning. Was all of this for this very day?
His son was not like him, but more like that intelligent woman, his mother, who had died long ago in childbirth.
He had already received news about the songs and was not worried about *Bo Ping Shao*. He only regretted that he had taken another wife, who had borne him two more sons. After all, the eldest son was intelligent and most suited to be the heir. If he gained power, would he then spare his brothers?