Feeling guilty, Fang Linyuan decided to stay in Huaiyu Pavilion that day without leaving. He planned to stay by the bedside all night to make up for the mistake he had inadvertently made.

However, he did not expect to be too exhausted from the day's work, staying up until late at night, and added to that, Zhao Chu was just too quiet...

As Fang Linyuan sat by the bed, he gradually lost consciousness.

It wasn't until he heard a rustling sound that he opened his eyes, only to realize that he had somehow fallen asleep on the edge of Zhao Chu's bed.

Meanwhile, Zhao Chu, who had been sitting in bed, was now sitting up, holding Fang Linyuan's outer robe in his hands, seemingly doing something with it.

Fang Linyuan rubbed his eyes and sat up: "Are you cold?"

Zhao Chu paused slightly with his hands, stopping the motion of draping the robe over Fang Linyuan's shoulders, and then withdrew his hands.

"If you're tired, go sleep in the side room," Zhao Chu said lightly, placing the clothes back on the bedside.

"Oh," Fang Linyuan stood up and stretched his body.

As he was halfway through stretching, he came back to his senses and asked, "What about you?"

Looking at Zhao Chu, he saw that after taking his medicine, Zhao Chu seemed better, his complexion still not great, but he looked more spirited, his peach blossom eyes regaining their usual cold and sharp gleam.

That look seemed to ask him, ‘Do I look like I need care?’

Fang Linyuan also let go of some worries: "Then I'm going to sleep, if you feel unwell, just call me."

Zhao Chu still had his usual unresponsive demeanour, and Fang Linyuan, used to it, nodded and went off to sleep in the side room, stretching his shoulders as he walked.

He did not see, however, the faint, indulgent, and helpless look that Zhao Chu cast on his retreating figure.

After a moment, as his figure disappeared behind the curtains, Zhao Chu's hand, resting on the brocade quilt, shifted slightly, pressing slowly against his abdomen.

It was not a serious illness, a few doses of medicine would cure it. But the pain during this healing process was known only to him.

He pressed there, slowly lying down on the bed, facing outward, slightly curling up his body.

Such pain need not be shared by others, he was used to it, like the wildfires that always ignite in the mountains during summer.

But...

Zhao Chu's eyelashes fluttered slightly, his gaze landing on a particular spot on the bed edge.

There lay the spot where Fang Linyuan had just been sleeping, with slight traces left on the bedding, like the paw prints a small animal leaves in the bushes.

The wildfire blazed fiercely, yet there was a deer standing guard here, nervously thinking it had started the fire.

Zhao Chu's free hand moved slightly, seemingly just to shift his body into a more comfortable position, but after the movement, that hand ended up resting on the traces of Fang Linyuan's sleep on the bed edge.

Zhao Chu closed his eyes.

*

Fang Linyuan woke up early the next day as well.

A lot had happened yesterday, and today the Sixteenth Guard was due to patrol the North Market. He couldn't rest easy and had been unable to sleep well.

He got up and first went to check on Zhao Chu.

Juan Su was preparing the morning medicinal soup for Zhao Chu, and Song Yan had just brought over breakfast, setting it up on the table under the window.

"How are you feeling today?" Fang Linyuan asked.

Zhao Chu had already gotten up by then. Though his movements were slower than usual when he stood up from the bed, he looked steady.

"Better," said Zhao Chu. "You're heading out so early?"

Fang Linyuan nodded, about to speak, when Zhao Chu gestured towards the window and said, "Eat something first."

Fang Linyuan didn’t hesitate, and sat down by the window, lifting his robe. Song Yan had already handed him a bowl of porridge, and Fang Linyuan thanked her with a smile, taking it with both hands: "I told you the other day, their base might be in the North Market, right? I've sent people to patrol, but I'm still not at ease; I need to go there myself."

Zhao Chu sat down in front of him. "The North Market is a mixed bag; be careful."

He paused, then added, "I’ve asked Shi Shen to send a team to follow you."

Fang Linyuan, spoon in hand, almost laughed: "Have someone follow me? No need, if you really sent people, I don’t know if I’d be protecting them, or they’d be protecting me…"

He stirred his porridge with the spoon as he laughed. Just as he was about to take a spoonful, he suddenly stopped.

"Who did you say, Shi Shen?" He stared at Zhao Chu. "The Shi Shen from the Eastern Factory?"

Zhao Chu glanced at him, neither confirming nor denying.

Fang Linyuan felt as if he had bitten his own tongue.

"He... he actually is…" Listening to Zhao Chu, Shi Shen was his man?

"Eat," Zhao Chu ordered.

Fang Linyuan blankly spooned some porridge into his mouth.

After a moment, he put down the spoon and looked at Zhao Chu.

"No need to send protection," he insisted.

"Even if they are barbarians, they are just a group of merchants. Besides, the North Market is crowded and under watchful eyes; if anything happens, they, hiding in the shadows, won’t easily make a move," Fang Linyuan explained.

"And... for you to tell me this, you really don’t consider me an outsider."

Zhao Chu looked at him, his lips moved slightly, but he said nothing.

Meanwhile, Fang Linyuan, continuing to speak, looked up at the sky outside, lifted the bowl to his mouth to gulp down the porridge, grabbed a napkin from the table to wipe his mouth, and stood up.

"It’s getting late, I should go. If your stomach is upset, eat slowly," he advised. As he passed Zhao Chu, he earnestly patted him on the shoulder.

"One must be careful with their words when they aspire to great things," he added. "I will pretend I didn't hear anything today about Shi Shen, whom I don't know."

Smiling at Zhao Chu, Fang Linyuan felt an overwhelming sense of righteousness.

However, he didn’t see Zhao Chu’s eyelashes flicker slightly, his gaze towards him filled with complexity.

For over two hundred years since the establishment of the Great Xuan Dynasty, it had maintained a scenario where nations from all over came to pay tribute, thanks to the diligent governance of several monarchs in the past.

Decades ago, when Great Xuan had just pacified its surrounding territories, neighbouring small states willingly became vassals, paying tribute annually for protection. The Emperor of Xuanping, to demonstrate the grandeur of the celestial empire, specifically allowed merchants from these vassal states to enter and trade, and even constructed the renowned Sijing Street in the north of the city for foreign traders to use.

Over the decades, with Sijing Street at its centre, the north city's foreign merchant houses had sprouted like bamboo after rain. The street, wide enough for six carriages to travel abreast, had become increasingly bustling and prosperous, frequented by people of various ethnicities in their distinctive attire.

It was only until about a decade ago, when the Turks invaded Great Xuan and captured eighteen of its cities, that the number of Turkic merchants entering the country began to decrease. However, many Hu people who had been living in Great Xuan for generations still resided and operated shops on Sijing Street.

When Fang Linyuan arrived at Sijing Street, the road was already bustling with activity.

The Sixteenth Guard patrolled the market, and upon seeing Fang Linyuan, they all saluted and greeted him. Fang Linyuan stepped forward and casually inquired about the whereabouts of Li Cheng'an.

Indeed, after he returned home last night, the Ministry of War's residence was almost lit up all night. Early this morning, Li Cheng'an went to the headquarters of the Sixteenth Guard, leading many men in a grand procession to Sijing Street.

"Just now, my subordinates passed by and saw Deputy Commander Li near the Green Qi Building."

Mentioning the Green Qi Building, the guard smiled awkwardly and added, "Rest assured, General, the Deputy Commander never misbehaves while on duty."

Fang Linyuan's gaze swept over him and glanced not far across the street.

In the alley next to Sijing Street, one could see from afar a four-story embroidery building draped in soft colourful silks, surrounded by fresh flowers, with the delicate sound of music and dance floating across the street as if to reach them.

That was the largest brothel on Sijing Street, famous in the capital for its Hu dancers and singers.

"He dares."

Fang Linyuan chuckled, nodded at them, and then turned towards the Green Qi Building.

He wasn't worried about Li Cheng'an causing trouble. But if Li Cheng'an dared let him find any negligence, he would be brought back to the Sixteenth Guard tonight to be whipped, and not a lash would be spared.

 

Li Cheng'an stopped in front of the Green Qi Building, cursing in his heart.

Dark circles were evident under his eyes from lack of sleep, and he walked awkwardly due to a fall caused by a tripping rope the day before.

His father had lectured him fiercely yesterday, even the gentle concubine had scolded him a few times, as if he had committed some unforgivable crime.

"I've said before I didn't want to do it," Li Cheng'an spoke irritably. "Tomorrow I'll submit my resignation, and after that, leave me alone."

His father berated him fiercely in response¨for being a bastard.

The house was in chaos all night, ending with him being kicked out by his father.

"You go and investigate, take more people, and if anyone obstructs, just show the Sixteenth Guard's token," Li Fu said. "I've notified the surrounding offices, and all your search warrants are prepared; even if there's trouble, there are people to handle it. Marquis Anping has assigned you this case as a chance for redemption, remember not to take it lightly."

Li Cheng'an didn't care about any trouble.

Annoyed by his father's arrangements, he walked away without looking back.

Behind him, Li Fu shook his head and ordered the two attendants beside him, "Follow him."

Thus, Li Cheng'an, leading the troops of the Sixteenth Guard, proceeded all the way to the Green Qi Building.

The journey here was smooth enough; after each inspection, he simply took out the map and crossed off that location. As for the results and records of the search, there were his father's fox-like attendants to handle the details, so he didn't need to exert much effort.

In front of the Green Qi Building, there was a small courtyard enclosed by colourful silks, with a bridge over flowing water and winding paths leading into seclusion. Occasionally, one could see a few guests drinking and enjoying themselves in the courtyard.

Their group surrounded the Green Qi Building impressively, and Li Cheng'an led a few men inside first.

Upon entering the courtyard, he saw the old madam with a head full of jewels surrounded by several Hu men.

These Hu men were tall and strong, wearing robes stitched from animal skins and furs. From a distance, Li Cheng'an could smell their pungent smell, which was quite overpowering.

He frowned impatiently, covered his nose with his hand, and approached them.

The Hu men were loudly discussing something with the old madam, who seemed to be in a difficult position, apparently unable to handle them.

The Hu men gradually lost their patience and began to push their way in, and a few of Green Qi Building's servants hurriedly stepped forward to stop them, but the foremost one was shoved into a nearby pond by one of the Hu men.

The squabble in the Turkic language gave Li Cheng'an a headache.

"Hey! What are you doing?" he shouted loudly.

The Hu men turned around, looking at him unfavourably.

Li Cheng'an was already in a bad mood, ignored them, and walked forward, showing his badge to the old madam: "This is a Sixteenth Guard investigation. Everyone, stay where you are. You, come with me."

The old madam quickly approached him: "Sir, we operate legally here, all our documents are in order."

"Save your breath." Li Cheng'an said impatiently.

He crossed the bridge, intending to go inside and sit down for a cup of tea while waiting for the two attendants to lead the Sixteenth Guard in the search, but the Hu men blocked his way.

They looked fierce, and the leader said something loudly in Turkic, which Li Cheng'an couldn't understand at all.

But the tone was aggressive, clearly nothing pleasant.

"What gibberish is this?" he said irritably. "Speak human words."

The Turkic man stared at him intently and finally squeezed out a piece of broken Chinese: "Get lost!"

With that, he pushed Li Cheng'an.

Li Cheng'an's eyes widened.

This Turkic barbarian dared to insult him? He was already so unlucky, and now a Turkic person came forward to curse him?

Li Cheng'an's expression turned cold, and he wasted no more words.

"Men," he ordered. "Take these few down."

Regardless of whether these Turkic barbarians were truly bold or simply didn't recognize him, if he didn't put them in their place in the Sixteenth Guard's jail today, he might as well write his name backward.

The squad of guards behind him immediately responded and moved forward to apprehend them.

However, unexpectedly, these Turkic barbarians were not only unafraid but also started fighting with the soldiers of the Sixteenth Guard. The small and exquisite courtyard in front of the Green Qi Building, surrounded by trees and water, quickly descended into chaos.

Li Cheng'an was bumped several times in the scuffle, and someone's elbow jabbed heavily into his side.

He gasped in pain, cursing his bad luck, and began to retreat backwards.

"These people, attacking an envoy of the Sixteenth Guard, take them and lock them up for three months first," he ordered loudly as he retreated.

But just as his words fell, a flash of silver suddenly darted through the chaotic crowd.

In the next moment, the leading Turkic barbarian unexpectedly pulled out a gleaming dagger from somewhere and charged out of the crowd, heading straight for Li Cheng'an's face.

The entangled crowd around him didn't react in time. Li Cheng'an stepped back, but his foot got caught on a decorative rock by the bridge.

Li Cheng'an froze in place, his heart sinking as the dagger, driven by the forceful wind and accompanied by the Turkic man's ferocious face and roaring scream, came straight at him.

I am going to die.

That was the only thought left in Li Cheng'an's stunned mind.

But at that moment, as if a miracle had occurred, a fiery red figure descended from the sky, stepping on the rugged rocks in the water and flew toward him.

The next moment, the dagger stopped three inches from his face.

Li Cheng'an swiftly turned his eyes and saw the excessively handsome side profile of Fang Linyuan, which could make one jealous.

Fang Linyuan's hand reached out in front of him, directly grasping the blade of the dagger.

Blood flowed down from the gleaming blade over Fang Linyuan's snowy white fingers, trickling down profusely.

*

Fang Linyuan's teeth were clenched in pain.

The excruciating pain radiated from the palm of his hand as the sharp dagger nearly severed his bones.

But he dared not let go immediately.

Gritting his teeth, he turned and threw a flying kick, loosening his grip, and kicked the Turkic man to the ground.

The dagger clattered to the ground, and blood instantly welled up in his palm. He grabbed the hem of his garment, tore off a strip of silk with a ripping sound, and wrapped it tightly around his wounded hand. He took a couple of steps forward and kicked the Turkic man into the water.

The Turkic man struggled as he fell into the water.

The guards behind him pushed through the crowd into the Green Qi Building. Fang Linyuan slightly sidestepped, making way for them.

The guards rushed forward and collectively bound the Turkic man tightly.

"Take him down for interrogation," Fang Linyuan ordered. "Check everything thoroughly—his background, travel permits, customs documents, and the purpose of bringing a dagger."

The men promptly complied, escorting the Turkic people out of the Green Qi Building.

Fang Linyuan turned back to see Li Cheng'an still stupidly standing there, as if he had been frozen by the Turkic man.

"Hey," Fang Linyuan called out to remind him.

Li Cheng'an finally snapped back to his senses.

He stared blankly at Fang Linyuan, and then his gaze shifted to the blood-soaked silk wrapped around Fang Linyuan's hand, turning a dark red.

Fang Linyuan saw Li Cheng'an's eyes reddening unbelievably fast.

"...Why did you save me!" Li Cheng'an said, as if still trembling.

Fang Linyuan looked at him, speechless.

The question was all nonsense. If he had come later, the son of the Minister of War would have suffered because of his orders, and Li Fu, who wanted nothing more than to spoil him to death, wouldn't have hesitated to fight him.

Fang Linyuan lowered his eyes faintly and planned to wrap his hand more securely with the cloth he had just torn off.

But at this moment, he heard Li Cheng'an's angry shout again: "Are you all dead! Someone is injured, why haven't you gone to fetch the doctor yet!"

The nearby guards rushed out in a panic.

Fang Linyuan glanced sideways and saw Li Cheng'an angrily rubbing his eyes with his sleeve.

Fang Linyuan was still biting his teeth to bandage his wound and stop the bleeding. Seeing this situation, he couldn't help but chuckle, and approached to take a good look at him.

"Oh, crying too?"

He's quite big, yet still sheds tears at the sight of blood.

But when Li Cheng'an turned his head to look at him, seeming like he wanted to scold him, his lips trembled slightly, and he couldn't suppress a choked sound in his throat.

He abruptly turned away: "Consider this life today, a debt I owe you."

"Treating me like your dad, huh? Owning me a life debt," Fang Linyuan joked as he glanced at him.

Li Cheng'an turned back, about to speak, but then saw the guard who had left returning. As he approached step by step, several guards dressed in luxurious attire appeared at the gate, blocking the guard's entire path.

Fang Linyuan turned around.

He saw the one leading them, with a long knife at his waist and wearing an official flying fish robe, indicating a high rank.

The man's gaze swept across the entire courtyard, finally resting on Fang Linyuan's face.

"We, the Jinyiwei, are conducting an investigation to root out spies colluding with the enemy," he said.

"This area is sealed off. Everyone present here will remain for inspection."

*

Before Fang Linyuan could speak, Li Cheng'an strode forward.

"Lin Zizuo, are you deliberately going against the Sixteenth Guard today?" he exclaimed angrily.

Fang Linyuan's brow twitched slightly.

Lin Zizuo, the head of the Jinyiwei Northern Garrison.

But Lin Zizuo, with one hand holding the sheathed knife, raised his hand to block Li Cheng'an's approach, keeping the knife handle in place.

"We have official duties to attend to," he said coolly.

"Our general is injured and we're going to see a doctor now. If you think we're colluding with the enemy, then go ahead, arrest me and interrogate me in the prison!" Li Cheng'an declared.

Fang Linyuan's brow twitched.

Yesterday, he was gnashing his teeth, ready to assert his authority, but now he seemed like a dog, running ahead to bite on behalf of him.

Taking a blow for him, it seemed like he truly regarded him as a lifesaver.

He pushed aside the others and approached Lin Zizuo.

As his gaze swept over, he saw among the present people, besides the guards of the Jinyiwei dressed in luxurious attire, there was also a middle-aged man in a round-collared robe. Though his face looked unfamiliar, he exuded an air of authority throughout his body.

He withdrew his gaze.

These people seemed imposing, as if they were here to cause trouble. But Fang Linyuan understood that someone like the head of the Jinyiwei Northern Garrison commanded the entire Jinyiwei, directly obeying the Emperor's orders. He wouldn't deliberately set up such a large formation to trouble someone.

If that was the case...

He had indeed noticed something amiss about this brothel from the moment he glimpsed it from afar.

Most likely, they were here for it.

Not wanting to delay too long here, Fang Linyuan smiled and looked at Lin Zizuo.

"We will cooperate fully with the Jinyiwei in investigating the spies," he said.

"Thank you for the general's understanding," Lin Zizuo replied, bowing with the knife in his hands.

"But if just searching for people is enough, I believe such a small matter doesn't require your personal presence," Fang Linyuan added.

Lin Zizuo looked slightly puzzled.

Then Fang Linyuan's gaze shifted, looking up at the open window on the top floor of the Green Qi Building.

The light curtains fluttered, presenting a picturesque scene. In front of the peony-filled window, hung a delicate and unique parrot cage.

*

"He just let us go like that?" Li Cheng'an followed beside Fang Linyuan, all the way to the outside of the Green Qi Building.

Fang Linyuan felt a headache coming on from his nagging, so he stopped: "What did I tell you?"

"I know, I'll wait here. Once they leave, I'll continue investigating our matter," Li Cheng'an grumbled, frowning for a while before awkwardly saying, "But shouldn't you hurry up and see a doctor? This wound can't just be left like this, you lost quite a bit of blood earlier..."

Such a minor injury, why bother seeing a doctor.

Fang Linyuan was about to interrupt him as he found Li Cheng'an's nagging annoying, but then he heard a crisp sound of a zither coming from the opposite tavern.

"... Let's talk about the great general who conquered the eighteen cities of Longxi and entered the Golden Palace, kneeling on the spot before the hall. His Majesty asked, 'You are the hero of our dynasty, why do you kneel?' The general clasped his fists and said, 'I have no other request today, I only wish to present the eighteen cities of the northern border as a betrothal gift and ask to marry the present Fifth Princess!'"

The phrase "Fifth Princess" was accentuated by him, causing a burst of cheers in the tavern, and Fang Linyuan's back stiffened.

He quickly turned his head, only to see the tavern filled with people. The storyteller's voice was loud and clear, and he was unexpectedly narrating the story of him and Zhao Chu.

Fang Linyuan felt uncomfortable all over.

Meanwhile, Li Cheng'an hadn't stopped talking.

"I know a familiar clinic, shall I take you there first...?"

Fang Linyuan hurriedly interrupted him.

"Don't you feel like you owe me a favour today?" he said. "And you're determined to repay it, aren't you?"

Li Cheng'an was momentarily stunned by his question, then nodded blankly.

Fang Linyuan gritted his teeth and pointed to the tavern.

"When you find that person later, make it clear to the tavern owner!" he said.

"Tell them to change the script, and burn this one quickly!"

 

--

The author has something to say:

That night, Fang Linyuan had nightmares about scenes from "The Great General Conquers the Enemy Army and Proposes to the Beautiful Maiden in the Golden Palace."

The next morning, he complained to Yanting, "I dreamt about the script between Zhao Chu and me last night, it was terrifying..."

Coincidentally, Zhao Chu, who happened to be passing by the door: "Oh my! He dreamt about me last night!"

 

Translator : DarNan