Qianhu was an official position of the fifth rank, responsible for overseeing more than a thousand soldiers and horses.
Liao Shisan had risen from the position of a low-ranking small soldier to become a high-ranking Qianhu in an astonishingly short time, leaving everyone in the game utterly astonished.
However, Liao Shisan’s equestrian and archery skills surpassed those of Feng Teng and Yang Pengju, who were also Qianhu, and his swordsmanship was only marginally less impressive than that of Gao Zhen, the commander of the Northeast Guard Station. It appeared entirely reasonable to promote someone of his skills to the position of Qianhu.
In the evening, someone discreetly discovered that Wei Luo had recommended Liao Shisan for a position in the Northwest Guard.
Upon returning from her bath, Xu Qingwan found her husband, Wei Yang, leaning against the head of the bed with a furrowed brow.
“What’s on your mind?” Xu Qingwan asked with concern as she approached him with a comb and began untangling her hair.
Wei Yang cast a glance at her and replied, “Liao Shisan is under the third brother’s wing.”
Although his third brother was in the northwest guard station, and he was closer to the Feng family and his son, Feng Su was their father’s confidant and was most loyal to him. He would not favor his third brother in major matters. However, Liao Shisan was different. He owed the third brother a favor and possessed significant capabilities. If he were to achieve military feats in the future, he might be able to get promoted to a higher rank.
Wei Yang couldn’t help but desire to bring such a capable individual under his own wing.
As Xu Qingwan continued to painstakingly detangle her hair, she spoke after a brief pause, “The three commanders—Feng, Gao, and Yang—are akin to my father in many ways. They are all in the prime of their lives and have faced life and death together. Liao Shisan alone cannot disrupt the unity among these three commanders. My father is not one to be easily swayed into valuing an individual of unknown origin while disregarding the loyalty of his long-serving officials. Besides, if he truly prioritized such matters, he would have considered forming an alliance with either the Feng or Yang families through a marriage proposal.”
“Doesn’t this indicate that the father intends to support the second brother?”
At times, Xu Qingwan couldn’t help but feel that her husband was overly preoccupied with potential gains and losses. One moment, he worried about the third master’s family enjoying the support of a wealthy spouse and family, the next moment, he fretted about the fourth master’s connections with the Guo family. Now, he was concerned about the second master’s sister marrying into a commander’s family as a daughter-in-law. Yet, he seemed to overlook the fact that he was the eldest son of King Yan’s mansion, already confirmed as the heir. As long as he avoided making grave errors and incurring his father’s wrath, his position as the heir would remain as unshakable as Mount Tai.
Upon hearing his wife’s words, Wei Yang continued to wear a thoughtful expression.
His position as heir necessitated vigilance against his own brothers. He was more concerned with safeguarding his position than striving to gain more power.
Ji Xianxian was also discussing the day’s equestrian and archery competition with Wei Yan.
“Is there some connection between Liao Shisan and the third sister-in-law? I noticed that she seemed more interested in him on stage than when the third master was performing,” Ji Xianxian inquired.
Wei Yan was well-informed about the matter, saying, “When Liao Shisan was young, he served as a caravan guard, and it was the Yin family’s patriarch who saved him. As a result, Liao Shisan made a commitment to serve the Yin family for twenty years, and this year marks the end of that commitment, so he departed from the Yin family.”
Ji Xianxian pondered this and asked, “So, he was recommended to the guard station by the third brother and sister-in-law?”
Wei Yan nodded, remarking, “Yes, it appears that their involvement was crucial in his placement.”
Ji Xianxian couldn’t help but huff and commented, “The influence of the third couple seems to be extending further and further. They even dare to intervene in the guard station’s matters, but father appears to be quite pleased.”
Wei Yan sighed and replied, “Father values talent. Liao Shisan’s exceptional martial skills are a form of talent, and the wealth of the Yin family is another kind of talent. There’s no getting around it.”
Observing his envy, Ji Xianxian smiled and quipped, “What’s there to be bitter about? Liao Shisan has become a Qianhu, and our family needs multiple commanders to choose from for potential in-laws. I wonder which one the second sister will select.”
Wei Yan’s eyes lit up. Indeed, he still had a valuable sister.
On the other side, Yin Hui got into bed, still excited about Liao Shisan’s performance, and asked Wei Luo, “Is Uncle Liao’s riding and shooting really not as good as yours, or was he afraid to compete with you?”
Wei Luo replied, “I don’t know. We’ve competed twice, and the results were the same.”
Yin Hui thought for a moment and said, “That’s good. Uncle Liao is strong enough, so he has earned his father’s respect, and he won’t pose a threat to the three commanders. I was really anxious when I watched him compete with the high commanding officer that day, fearing that he might win and embarrass the high commanding officer.”
Wei Luo nodded.
If Liao Shisan had a combative nature and constantly challenged others, he wouldn’t be recommended to his father. Offending people in the guard would only lead to trouble.
Maintaining a low profile was beneficial for both him and Liao Shisan.
After the riding and archery competition, King Yan started taking his military officers to the paddock for frequent hunting trips. Engaging in martial arts indeed strengthened his physique. Despite being almost forty-five years old, his continuous activities in the grassland had not taken a toll on him. His brothers Wei Yang and Wei Yan, in contrast, were not as robust. During hunting, they spent more time resting than he did, while Wei Yan, who accompanied King Yan most of the time, was always exhausted and fell asleep as soon as he touched his bed at night.
Yin Hui enjoyed a more comfortable life. She decided to join Xiao Heng in catching grasshoppers, go flower-watching with Xu Qingwan, accompany Princess Xu, Mrs. Wen, and others to watch a show, or go horse racing with Ji Xianxian and Wei Ying. These activities filled her days in a relaxed and fulfilling manner.
One day, Wei Ying invited her to go horse racing alone, explaining that Ji Xianxian was not feeling well and Wei Shan was hesitant to go out again because King Yan had announced her marriage to Yang Pengju the day before.
Yin Hui instructed her wet nurse to take good care of Xiao Heng, changed into her azure horse riding attire, and left the courtyard with Wei Ying on horseback.
Near the paddock, King Yan had stationed guards for their safety, so the two of them roamed freely without any guards accompanying them.
Suddenly, they came across a small water pool where two horses were grazing leisurely, and a man and a woman were sitting on the bank.
Wei Ying noticed them and, as a matter of courtesy, said to Yin Hui, “It seems to be Mrs. Cui and Cui Yu. Shall we go over and say hello?”
Yin Hui instantly recognized Mrs. Cui, who was facing them, along with her companion, Cui Yu.