Chapter 117 Sheep Horns

Han Zhao really only came to see Wen Yao, and after saying that, he left, floating like a breeze. Wen Yao didn't get a single useful word out of him, and squatted in the corridor with a cake in her hand, in a daze.

Not long after, a row of maids dressed in Liao costume filed in, their trays neatly stacked with clothes, shoes, socks, and even hair accessories. They remained silent throughout the entire process, leaving the room in unison after placing their belongings. They only glanced up briefly as they passed the squatting Wen Yao, their expressions barely concealing their curiosity.

Lord Xianyinsi was busy with government affairs and lived in the military camp most of the time. Although they were servants in his residence, they rarely saw him except when he met with the lords of the various tribes and the royal envoys for banquets.

But there has been a lot of commotion in the mansion these past two days. People have come to tidy up the house, buy women's clothes and jewelry, and search the whole city for cooks... Is the lord doing all these things for this woman?

Wen Yao had no idea how much honor she had enjoyed in the eyes of others. She had a dazed look on her face, but in her heart she was wondering why so many days had passed without any movement from Zhao Xuanxu.

Usually, if a child doesn't cry or make a fuss, it means that he has done something big.

Xijin Prefecture is close to the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun and is heavily garrisoned. Even someone as bold as Wen Yao felt a little insecure at the thought. She let out a long sigh, her head aching again. She simply relaxed her feet and sat down on the ground, slowly eating her snacks and looking up at the sky with a melancholic expression.

I hope everything is normal, I hope Zhang Yun can help stop it.

As expected, Yelu Duhan arrived near dinnertime. Han Zhao said his master was quite busy, but his appearance wouldn't reveal it. Yelu Duhan's aesthetic preferences were always clear, his eye fixed on luxury and beauty. Just as daylight began to fade, he entered the room, dressed in a golden silk robe and sable leather boots, his entire figure shimmering in the light. He habitually wore a dark gold headband, with a massive, bizarre gemstone nestled in the center.

Ah Si and several Liao people quickly emerged from the shadows and bowed their heads in obeisance. They were truly devoted to Yelu Duhan, their faces filled with reverence. Ah Si's icy face melted into spring water, like a steppe wolf transformed into a lamb, even his breathing becoming still.

Wen Yao leaned back in the rocking chair, watching the scene and shaking the chain on his hand.

Yelu Duhan strode straight towards her and said, "If you have nothing to do, come with me to see Xijin Prefecture. Xijin is a big city, and it will not be worse than Bianliang in the future."

"Let's go." Wen Yao had eaten a lot of snacks and her stomach was feeling a bit bloated. She glanced at Yelu Duhan. She didn't know if he had eaten dinner, but he looked not hungry. He looked energetic and full of life. Only his slightly curly hair fell to his waist, indicating that he had just dismounted from a horse, which diluted his solemnity and added a touch of casualness.

Wen Yao looked up at him for a moment, then suddenly asked, "You've returned to Northern Liao, why don't you shave your head like them?"

As she spoke, she nodded to the Liao people on the side. They felt a sudden chill on their heads and became uncomfortable.

The 'kun' hairstyle was common among Northern Liao men, typically shaving several hairlines and braiding the remaining hair. Yelu Duhan had been in Liao for almost a year, yet his attire remained much the same as it had been in Bianliang. Furthermore, while Liao people were generally taller than those in Tianshui, their eyes were all dark brown. Yelu Duhan's green eyes not only made him stand out from his surroundings in Tianshui, but also in Northern Liao.

Yelu Duhan raised an eyebrow: "I'm used to it and don't want to change... Do you think it looks good that way?"

Your own people are listening right next to you, you really don't give them any face at all.

Wen Yao laughed, loosened his fingers, and the chain jingled against the chair leg.

For the first time since their reunion, the tension between her and Yelu Duhan dissipated a little. Yelu Duhan didn't understand the reason for Wen Yao's sudden change, but it didn't stop him from feeling a little better. His tone suddenly softened, "Xijin is beautiful at night. Let's go see it."

He took out a key from his sleeve and bent down to open the chain on Wen Yao's hand.

The chain around the wrist was loose, but heavy after all. After a long time, there were messy red marks on Wen Yao's wrist.

She lowered her eyes to look at her wrist. Yelu Duhan froze for a moment, his movements frozen. The subtle sense of relief he had felt earlier was like a small fish in flowing water, startled by this trace, and with a flick of its tail, it quickly vanished from the two of them.

Wen Yao stretched his wrists and stood up. Under Ah Si's increasingly cold gaze, he walked out briskly, leaving Yelu Duhan behind. "Sure. I don't have any money. You pay for everything you buy."

This showed no sign of taking Yelu Duhan, renowned for his ruthless tactics in Northern Liao, seriously. Unlike the others in the house, Wen Yao looked at Yelu Duhan with a level gaze, without any fear or respect. Yelu Duhan, on the other hand, remained calm, clearly acknowledging Wen Yao's proper attitude towards him.

Ah Si held the sword at his waist tightly, his eyes stung by the scene, and he gritted his teeth and tried to keep up.

Yelu Duhan frowned, raised his hand and asked the servants who were guarding Wen Yao to stop, threw the chain to one of them, and without turning his head, hurriedly said "No need to follow", and then strode forward to catch up with Wen Yao's back.

Ah Si's face turned pale, his fingers clenched suddenly, he lowered his head and said nothing.

Xijin Prefecture, where the two clans coexist, boasts a unique style. Red windows with overhanging eaves are carved with gray deer patterns, doors are covered with felt carpets, and the pedestrians wear a variety of clothing. Wen Yao has traveled extensively throughout Tianshui and the Yangtze River, but he's never been to Beiliao. Walking down the street now feels quite novel.

Yelu Duhan had no guards with him. He put his hands behind his back and walked slowly two steps away from Wen Yao, staring at Wen Yao silently.

Wen Yao stopped in front of a stall, reached out and picked up a pendant that looked like a sheep's horn, shook it, and asked, "What is this?"

The stall owner was an old man wearing a felt hat and with sunken eyes. He stared at Wen Yao and Yelu Duhan's attire, shrank his head, and muttered a few words in Northern Liao dialect with some fear.

Yelu Duhan stood beside Wen Yao, glanced at her hand, and said, "The horns of the white sheep slaughtered during the sacrifice can bring blessings and ward off disasters."

Unlike the Tianshui, the people of Tianshui despised the Northern Liao as a barbaric and alien race because, despite their long history, the majority of the Liao people continued to roam the vast grasslands. They believed in the gods of heaven and earth, and the emperor would sacrifice hundreds of livestock in autumn and winter to the blue ox and white horse. This combination of ruthlessness and brutality, coupled with the ancient barbarity of this people, instilled deep fear in the aristocratic families of the Central Plains.

"Such a good meaning." Wen Yao shook the sheep's horns: "I want it, you pay."

Yelu Duhan casually tossed a piece of gold to the old man, glanced at Wen Yao stroking the small sheep horn beside him, and said, "Do you like this?"

"No." Wen Yao said nonchalantly, "It's just that things have been so unlucky lately, so I'm hoping for good luck. Hey, will the gods of Northern Liao protect foreigners?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the previously warm and affectionate atmosphere was instantly shattered. The two of them stopped at the end of the long street, and the atmosphere suddenly became strange.

Yelu Duhan's expression changed. He frowned and looked at me intently. After a while, he sneered and spoke in a sharp tone, "What? You can't bear it anymore? Your patience is always so short when it comes to me."

"Who made you so naughty?" Wen Yao said, "If you don't want to hear it, just let me go."

"Don't even think about it." Yelu Duhan said viciously, "From now on, you can only stay in Northern Liao."

Wen Yao twirled her fingers, and the goat's horn, branded with the mark of blessing, moved nimbly between them. She paid no heed to Yelu Duhan's threats and warnings, turning back and continuing to walk forward, stopping and starting, looking around.

It was clearly an argument between two people, yet Yelu Duhan was the only one sulking. He remained sullen for a moment, his face sullen, before finally stalking slowly to catch up, his tone softening. "Why are you only thinking about Bianliang? You used to love traveling so much, you'd stay anywhere. Bianliang is fine, but Xijin isn't? Didn't you ask Han Zhao how many troops were stationed outside Xijin? There's a banquet being held in the army tomorrow. Come with me and see for yourself."

Wen Yao stopped twirling the sheep's horns and sighed, "You are such a lackey, Han Zhao. You are nice to her on the surface, but you even report such words to Yelu Duhan behind her back. You don't have any rebellious nature like Lord Zhang."

However, this was a strategically located area within the military, and outsiders were not allowed to enter. Yet, Yelu Duhan had so easily agreed to let her go and take a look. He truly wasn't worried at all that she might cause any trouble.

Okay, go ahead and see if you want, who’s afraid of who?

Yelu Duhan also did what he said and took Wen Yao to the army at noon the next day.

Outside Xijin Prefecture was a vast expanse of grassland, with few dense forests to be seen. The terrain was open. From here south, including the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, the terrain was flat and unobstructed. There were no mountains to stop the Northern Liao cavalry from advancing southward.

Even those who knew nothing about military strategy could easily understand why Tianshui valued the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun so much, and why Northern Liao had always coveted them. The gateway to the south and north, who wouldn't want to hold it in their own hands?

After leaving the house, Ah Si, who had not been seen for a night, appeared in front of Wen Yao again and followed him to the military camp. Yelu Duhan had just taken Wen Yao to a spacious and luxurious tent when he was asked to leave. Before leaving, he asked Ah Si to lead Wen Yao and let Wen Yao go wherever he wanted.

Ah Si agreed respectfully in person, but as soon as Yelu Duhan left, she looked up at Wen Yao with eyes that had become increasingly cold, and she could no longer hide her disgust and murderous intent.

What evil things did this Tianshui woman intend to do by persuading you to bring her to the Northern Liao army?!

Wen Yao found Ah Si all amusing, so he ignored her reaction and used her as a signpost, wandering around the barracks. The Northern Liao army tents were typically all white, with the totems of a blue ox and a white horse towering majestically against the blue sky and white clouds, imbued with a sense of vastness and holiness. This scene was unseen by ordinary people, and Wen Yao, fascinated by it, stood outside the crowd with his hands behind his back, watching a group of soldiers slaughter a ewe.

Their movements were swift and skillful, sprinkling seasonings on the meat and constantly turning it over. Soon the aroma of meat filled the air. Seeing the group of people carrying the sheep and walking in one direction, Wen Yao instinctively stepped forward to follow them, but Ah Si held out his hand to stop him.

"Today, the Lords are hosting a banquet for the Prince of Bohai. That is the banquet hall for all the Lords." Ah Si said coldly, "You are not from Liao and have no official position, so you cannot enter."

Wen Yao retracted his foot and nodded happily: "Okay, then where should I go to eat?"

A Si exhaled through his nostrils and looked at Wen Yao with a little contempt.

Coming from Xingqing, she was always hungry and thirsty, with a temper that was easily controlled. She seemed to have no merits, except for her decent face. But there were countless beauties in this world, many more beautiful than Wen Yao. I really didn't know why Lord Xianyinsi treated her so differently.

She was too lazy to talk to Wen Yao and turned away.