The court had received news that the rebels were loitering around the outskirts of Ping An Town and Xing Wang Town. Huo Buyi has gotten a little worried and sent a few reliable guards to render support to Liang Qiu Qi. Upon learning the news of rebels loitering around, Merchant had also started to reproduce and distributed simple crossbows suitable for women to use to defend themselves.
Ever since Merchant established a foothold in town, commoners have been benefiting from the simple tools which Shao Shang had invented. Farmers had new tools that improved productivity, they even had new tools to protect themselves from bandits. Those who happened to learn that Merchant was operating under Shao Shang, were all very grateful to her. Initially, some villagers addressed her as Huo Sao, but as time passed, everyone called her Mdm Huo. Although she was quite well known in Ping An Town, but no one knew her maiden name. This was because she tried keeping a low profile. However, because of the difference she made in their lives and also because of the very adorable and responsible Huo Yi, in the end almost everyone in Ping An Town know her. Upon learning that their Mdm Huo needed the medicine, many come forth to help fight the rebel. They came to help clear a pathway for her.
With the help of the medication, Mdm Huo was recovering. After a month of resting, she was up and about. She started to visit sites after dropping Huo Yi at school. Liang Qiu Qi had also started to resume his reporting. Although, Shao Shang was twenty-one weeks pregnant, but it wasn't obvious as she had been dressing loosely since they moved to Ping An Town. Everyone just thought that perhaps she enjoyed slightly oversized clothing.
Although things resume back to normal for Shao Shang but actually tension between the rebels and the surrounding towns took a turn from bad to worse. Things would likely spread over to Ping An Town and Xing Wang Town. The situation with the rebels had gotten bad enough that caught the Emperor's attention. The Emperor had send the Chengs to suppress and if possible eliminate the rebels in those towns. Upon learning the news, Huo Buyi stabilised the situation up in the North and immediately hurried over to lend the Chengs a helping hand.
Both Chengs and the Black Amour Troop slowly and steadily fought the rebels. After a month and a half of fighting, many of them were eliminated, and Huo Buyi sent the Chengs back to the capital to report and reorganised while he would take care of the remaining rebels who were fleeing south. Huo Buyi thought to himself that they were most likely running towards Ping An Town it was also where Shao Shang was. Perhaps he could steal a look or two at her.
As much as he tried to tire himself out through countless battles, he also misses her very much. Now that the Emperor knew his true identity, the Emperor had not only urged him to get married again, but also sent him companions. But in his heart, there was no one else but Shao Shang. Only Shao Shang could become his lifelong partner. Huo Buyi was reminiscing the night Shao Shang made the oath. It was also the night, he had taken and considered Shao Shang as his wife. The night he felt warmth from her fair skin and loved in her embraced.
Huo Buyi looked up the night sky, he said, 'I regretted, truly regretted. I regretted the moment I saw you. I know I do not deserve any chance. If only if I could turn back time. I would never let go of you.' Huo Buyi was into his fifth bottle of aged wine. It was also at this time, Liang Qiu Fei commented that he simply did not comprehend, since Shao Shang had moved and even gone to the length of raising a child with another man why not just let go of her and moved on, it wasn't like Huo Buyi didn't have someone waiting for him at his mansion up in the North. Huo Buyi felt so green and so much frustration in his heart, he continued with drinking until dawn. Huo Buyi took a power nap, after ensuring that Black Amour Troop were well rested and had reorganised, he led them down south to take down the remaining rebels.