Rebirth of the Three Kingdoms: Da Qiao doesn't want to be a widow anymore

Chapter 373 Laugh at My Amorous Nature
Qiao Wei gave birth to a daughter in the early winter of Jian'an 12. At this time, Liu Biao passed away, and Liu Qi and Liu Pan sent a letter of surrender to Sun Quan, along with the seal of the governor of Jingzhou.

Overjoyed, Sun Quan named his daughter "Jie" and gave her the courtesy name "Dahu".

He presented the name and courtesy name he had chosen to Qiao Wei to show off his success.

Qiao Wei read the name aloud and was fairly satisfied with Sun Jie. A swift victory is called a "jie," and a victorious general is called a "jie." This name not only commemorates the great victory at Jingzhou but also expresses the hope that her daughter will have a smooth and successful life.

When I heard the name "Da Hu" (meaning "big tiger"), I almost spat out the tea in my mouth. A girl's given name is Da Hu?
Isn't that a bit too reckless...?

"The tiger is the king of beasts, a brave and fierce creature, and a spiritual being of heaven and earth. It wards off evil, brings good fortune, and protects against all diseases and disasters. My daughter, the Marquis of Nanchang, will surely have a smooth life, free from illness and disaster, grow up safely, and stand out among all heroes."

Yes, I almost forgot. In this era, a name that uses the fierce and authoritative word "tiger" is the most noble, containing the father's vision for his daughter's resilience and good fortune, as well as his favoritism towards her that is no less than that towards his brothers.

Qiao Wei quickly accepted the word. In this chaotic world, her daughter could not be a weak person who needed to be protected by others, nor could she be destined to a life like a peach blossom drifting away on the water.

"Big Tiger it is" is still a bit more elegant than "fierce woman".

Zhuge Liang and Huang Yueying ultimately named their eldest son "Zhan".

The name is taken from the poem "Male Pheasant" in the Book of Songs: "Gazing at the sun and moon, my thoughts wander; the road is far, how can it come?" This reflects the parents' hopes for their child to have a broad vision and lofty aspirations.

As the thirteenth year of Jian'an approached, Qiao Rong once again made a special trip back to Jingkou to visit Qiao Wei and his son Zhou Xun, who could already run and jump.

However, upon his return, he unexpectedly bumped into Zhou Yu as he came out of the council hall to report on his duties at the gates of the inner and outer courtyards.

Their eyes met in mid-air, and their hearts pounded.

More than a year has passed since I last saw him, and he is even more spirited than before. Even just standing there, with the warmth of the sun clinging to his hair, you can see how much time has favored him.

His demeanor had been honed to a serene and composed state, like a vintage wine buried under a tree for decades, its aroma lingering and intoxicating. Yet, beneath his gentle countenance lay a sharp sword concealed in its sheath, its edge hidden yet still exuding a dangerous aura.

Qiao Rong slowly withdrew her gaze, but even so, she was still momentarily lost in thought and slightly uneasy.

She lightly bit her tongue, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Commander Zhonghu. What a coincidence, General, are you leaving the residence?"

After capturing Jingzhou, Sun Quan promoted Zhou Yu to Prefect of Nan Commandery and General of the Vanguard in order to further counterbalance the influence of the pro-defense faction.

However, it was clear that Qiao Rong no longer cared about Zhou Yu's affairs and still referred to him by his old title.

Zhou Yu's eyes dimmed slightly, and a bitter feeling spread through his heart. After his throat bobbed twice, he managed to find his voice, "You look much thinner. Things aren't going well outside."

"All is well, thank you for your concern, General."

His tone was flat and indifferent, like a routine question and answer session.

Zhou Yu paused, then brought up Zhou Xun, "Xun'er has grown much taller now. He's been following the eldest son around the Lady of the Marquis's side and has even learned to recite poems. I heard him recite many before, and his favorite is 'The Gentle Breeze'... Have you... seen him?"

Qiao Rong said, "I just arrived and was just about to go see him."

There were no further words, and the atmosphere grew somewhat subdued.

Even though he was usually a talkative and charming man, he was at a loss for words to find to get Qiao Rong to talk to him more.

Her voice has always been gentle and melodious, as clear and refreshing as a mountain spring, capable of cleansing the dust from one's heart and making one feel relaxed and happy.

Yet she was so stingy that she could hardly utter a single word in front of him.

“I…” “It’s getting late. If the general wants to leave the manor, he should do so as soon as possible. I just saw the Zhou family’s carriage waiting outside the gate. I’ll see the general off.”

The two voices rang out at the same time. Zhou Yu stopped speaking, thinking that she had something to say, and his eyes shone with anticipation.

But the words he heard made his face turn pale instantly.

With bent knees and a respectful demeanor, he performed all the proper courtesies, leaving no room for criticism.

Zhou Yu's gaze swept back and forth across Qiao Rong's face, but he showed no emotion whatsoever because of him.

Disappointment, frustration, and panic lingered in his heart, and her resistant and evasive attitude left him with a deep sense of powerlessness.

"Why must we be so distant..."

Even if the two have been separated for several years, they once shared many years of marital affection, even if they were not considered a real couple.

Qiao Rong kept her head down, avoiding Zhou Yu's burning gaze. "It's not that we're being distant, it's just that we're being polite."

Zhou Yu's lips curled into a self-deprecating bitter smile. When the two were intimate, when had they ever observed any so-called etiquette? Hadn't she seen his arrogant and unrestrained nature beneath the mask of refinement and restraint?

Zhou Yu took a step forward, and Qiao Rong's heart sank. She immediately took a step back, widening the distance between them.

“Our meeting today is no coincidence; I was waiting for you here.” Zhou Yu stopped in his tracks.

When he came to report on his duties, he saw the gatekeeper and the steward busy at work, and heard them discussing that Qiao Rong was coming back. He deliberately lingered in the study for a long time, and then made an excuse to visit Zhou Xun and Zhou Yin. He followed Sun Quan into the inner courtyard and stayed until dusk.

He only got up to take his leave after hearing Youxuan come to report to Qiaowei that the carriage had arrived at the side gate.

Otherwise, how could a man from outside the palace happen to run into her on the way to the inner courtyard?

There are hardly any coincidences in this world; they are all premeditated, like waiting for a rabbit to run into a tree stump, hoping for a reunion.

"Thank you for your concern, General. I am well. During my travels, the Jiangdong region has been peaceful, and you have made a great contribution to this." Qiao Rong did not answer Zhou Yu's question directly, but instead used flattery to avoid his question.

Zhou Yu's breath hitched, then his breathing became rapid, and his gaze fell heavily on Qiao Rong's face.

"How could you know that I have made great contributions to the peace and security of the four borders of Jiangdong while you were traveling abroad?" he pressed.

“The general’s fame and deeds are known even to young children. They admire him and pass the word on, so they naturally know about him.”

“Even a young child can admire you, so what about you?” Zhou Yu pressed on relentlessly.

She felt as if the faint scent of pear wood emanating from Zhou Yu surrounded her. It was a delicate and elegant fragrance, yet it was now so overpowering that it seemed to be forced into her nostrils.

"Do you still harbor even a shred of admiration in your heart?"

"General, you are a hero of the world, how can we not admire you?" Qiao Rong had nowhere to retreat.

She didn't understand why, after three years and with a second son and an eldest daughter, he was still pressuring her so relentlessly.

I recently stumbled upon a song called "Laugh at My Affection," which has a melodious tune but hides a faint sadness. My emotions were stirred, and I finished writing this chapter.

So the chapter title was also borrowed.