"Stop the carriage!"
Just as Miao Ansu was still tangled in anxious thoughts about what to do next, Wei Tingyu suddenly opened his eyes—previously half-closed in quiet rest—and called out to the coachman from within the carriage.
The carriage came to an abrupt halt.
"My Lord… what is the matter?"
Dou Zhao, who had been peacefully resting against Wei Tingyu's shoulder, opened her eyes in confusion and concern.
"My lady, take your two companions back to the estate. There is a matter I must attend to tonight. I shall return later."
Wei Tingyu pondered for a moment, then gently pressed a kiss upon Dou Zhao's forehead and spoke with warmth.
This intimate display instantly brought a blush to the cheeks of both Miao Ansu and Zhao Zhangru. Were this couple not aware that others were present?
Dou Zhao, too, was momentarily startled by the affectionate gesture, her delicate face flushed pink. Still, she managed to ask, "My Lord, what is the matter that requires your attention so late at night?"
"There's no need to ask, my dear. Just follow my instructions."
Wei Tingyu smiled, pinched her soft cheek, and avoided giving an explanation.
"Then allow the five Silver Shadow Guards to accompany and protect you," Dou Zhao offered, referring to the five martial maidens riding behind the carriage.
"Your safety takes precedence."
Wei Tingyu shook his head firmly. "I wouldn't be at ease otherwise."
"…Very well. Please take great care, My Lord."
Dou Zhao inhaled deeply and nodded. Her heart was filled with worry—how could it not be? He refused to explain himself, and it was already late into the night. But she understood asking further would change nothing. Rising slowly, she gave him a solemn, respectful bow.
"Respectfully seeing the Marquis off."
As Wei Tingyu rose to step out of the carriage, Miao Ansu also stood, tugging the still somewhat intoxicated Zhao Zhangru up with her, and together the two women offered a bow of courtesy.
…
"Dou Zhao… do you think the Marquis will be all right on his own? Might he be in danger?"
The carriage carrying the three ladies had already traveled nearly a hundred paces. Yet Miao Ansu still lifted the curtain, staring at the diminishing figure standing alone in the night, her heart full of unease.
"You worry too much,"
Zhao Zhangru, still somewhat tipsy, laughed lazily. "Besides, that's Dou Zhao's husband, not yours. Why are you so nervous?"
"I…"
Miao Ansu's face turned crimson. Zhao Zhangru had hit the nail on the head.
I do wish he were my husband… though he's not—yet. Can't I still be concerned?
But being exposed in front of Dou Zhao made Miao Ansu feel guilty. She quickly glanced at her friend and said, "I'm worried for Dou Zhao's sake! She married such a fine man. If something were to happen to him, what would become of her future?"
"Relax! This is the capital. With a noble status like the Marquis's, how could anything happen to him?"
Zhao Zhangru chuckled again.
"How can you be so sure? What if something really does happen?"
Miao Ansu frowned in frustration, displeased by Zhao Zhangru's nonchalance.
This isn't some trivial matter—it concerns the safety of the Marquis himself!
"There is no 'what if,'"
Dou Zhao finally spoke, her voice calm but firm. Yet anyone looking at her expression could tell that despite her words, worry still lingered within her.
"The Marquis is a peerless martial artist. Under Heaven, there is no one who can surpass him."
She narrowed her eyes and spoke each word with unwavering belief.
"Peerless martial artist?"
Those words immediately snapped Zhao Zhangru out of her half-drunken daze.
Her eyes widened. "You've seen him fight? Is he truly that powerful?"
"Yes,"
Dou Zhao nodded. "Did you see the five maidservants riding beside our carriage? Each one of them is highly skilled in martial arts."
"I did! I did!"
Zhao Zhangru nodded enthusiastically. "I meant to ask about them. Where did you find such skilled maids? Can I ask one of them to be my master?"
"They are the Silver Shadow Guards—His Lordship's most trusted personal protectors. Nine men and nine women, eighteen in total."
Dou Zhao continued, "Just days ago, I saw the Marquis sparring with them. Even all eighteen of them combined were no match for him."
"What?"
Zhao Zhangru's jaw dropped. She had thought those Silver Shadows, whose prowess had astonished her at the banquet, were already among the best. But even eighteen of them couldn't defeat Wei Tingyu?
"You don't believe me?"
Dou Zhao asked, noticing her stunned expression.
"I do! If anyone else said it, I might doubt them. But if you say it, I believe it without question!"
Zhao Zhangru nodded like a chicken pecking rice. Then she looked at Dou Zhao with shining eyes. "Then… do you think I could ask the Marquis to take me as his disciple?"
"You really are obsessed with martial arts!"
Before Dou Zhao could respond, Miao Ansu interjected, unable to hold back.
She clutched her forehead and shook her head with a sigh. "If you become his disciple, then wouldn't Dou Zhao be your master's wife? You're not just friends—you're cousins. That would make you a generation lower!"
"Oh! Right, I hadn't thought of that!"
Zhao Zhangru blinked, then looked from Miao Ansu to Dou Zhao, seeing their exasperated expressions. She scratched her head awkwardly. "Then… is there any way I could still learn from him?"
"Well, it's not entirely impossible…"
Miao Ansu's eyes sparkled with mischief. "You're already Dou Zhao's cousin. If you found some reason to stay at the Marquis's estate, wouldn't you see him every day? That way, you'd surely have a chance to learn from him."
"Yes, yes, yes! You're right!"
Zhao Zhangru nodded fervently.
But not two seconds later, she deflated like a punctured ball and sighed. "But that's easier said than done! As her cousin, I can visit occasionally, sure. But living there permanently? People would talk! My father would break my legs!"
"Well, if you stayed without status, sure. But if you had a title or identity…"
Miao Ansu's eyes gleamed as her words trailed off.