Bonus Children's Day Extra

 

Fang Linyuan woke up when the carriage stopped. He had exhausted himself swimming in the cold, rushing canal, intending to accompany the sick Zhao Chu but ended up falling asleep first.

During the brief journey, he had a dream filled with the fragrance of osmanthus, as if Zhao Chu's presence surrounded him. Although He didn't remember the details of the dream, it was peaceful, and he awoke only when the sounds of the carriage faded away.

Now unable to hear the carriage's movement, he rubbed his eyes and straightened up.

“Have we arrived?” he asked.

However, outside was pitch dark, and he couldn't see the entrance of the Anping Marquis's residence. Confused, he turned to find Zhao Chu in men’s attire, with wide sleeves and a jade crown.

Oh,yes,  he realized, still groggy. With Zhao Chu's identity, it was impossible to enter through the front gate.

Then he heard Zhao Chu reply, “Yes, near the back alley on the west side of the marquis's residence. You should ride back first; I’ll join you shortly.”

Fang Linyuan was still waking up and nodded, “Then how will you get back?”

At this moment, he recalled that Zhao Chu had caught a chill, waking up partially.

He watched as Zhao Chu lifted his hand, removed the hairpin from his hair, and opened a hidden compartment in the carriage to put away his hair crown.

Fang Linyuan watched his actions curiously.

For some reason, Zhao Chu seemed shy, not looking at him, but focusing on taking off the crown and tying his hair into a high bun.

Then, Fang Linyuan saw Zhao Chu stand up and remove his outer robe.

Underneath the wide-sleeved brocade robe was a form-fitting black outfit with tight sleeves, designed for night time travel.

Fang Linyuan stared in surprise, wide-eyed.

Zhao Chu was indeed more impressive than any character from a story! The princess disguised as a hero had transformed into a wealthy merchant and, with a simple removal of his outer robe, became a night time wanderer.

Let me ask you, , who hasn't dreamed of being a great hero?

Fang Linyuan's eyes sparkled with admiration.

Zhao Chu, while adjusting his clothes, momentarily paused.

He really couldn't ignore Fang Linyuan's gaze.

Looking up at him, Zhao Chu's expression revealed a hint of helplessness, unable to do anything about it.

While Fang Linyuan remained blissfully unaware of Zhao Chu's ongoing struggles, Zhao Chu was fully aware of his actions.

He felt like a serpent, wrapping a young deer tightly, hissing as it slithered, with its green eyes fiercely fixed on the unsuspecting deer, who slept soundly, oblivious to the danger surrounding it.

So when he met the deer’s bewildered gaze, even a snake covered in tough scales would feel a moment of guilt.

Moreover, his pounding heart hadn't settled down yet .

But Fang Linyuan’s eyes shone so brightly, filled with anticipation and envy, it was impossible to look away.

“What are you looking at?” Zhao Chu asked, somewhat helplessly, his voice low.

Fang Linyuan seemed to snap back to reality, a little embarrassed, and smiled sincerely.

“Your outfit looks incredibly impressive!” Fang Linyuan said. “In the martial arts novels I’ve read, those swordsmen also wear clothes like this.”

Then he asked, “Do you always dress like this when you go home?”

Zhao Chu nodded.

“That’s amazing!” Fang Linyuan exclaimed.

Seeing him so excited, Zhao Chu couldn't help but remind him, “Fang Linyuan, this act is called infiltrating quietly; you’re entering your own Anping Marquis residence.”

…Seeing the expression on the young marquis's face, it seemed as if he had done something righteous.

“Ah?” Fang Linyuan was taken aback, then scratched his head and laughed. “I forgot, I'm going back to my home.”

As Zhao Chu changed into his night outfit, Fang Linyuan lifted the carriage curtain and jumped down. The driver handed him the reins of the horse, and when Fang Linyuan turned around, he saw Zhao Chu jump down and cover his beautiful face with a black mask.

Fang Linyuan couldn't help but glance at him again.

Zhao Chu told him calmly, " Go back ."

Fang Linyuan understood what he meant, took the horse’s reins with one hand, nodded at him, and mounted the horse.

He guided the horse towards the marquis's residence.

Zhao Chu looked up at him.

He noticed Fang Linyuan swaying slightly on the horse, moving slowly and turning back to look three times, his eyes full of yearning.

In the dim, shadowy night, his obsidian-like eyes seemed pitiful.

*

That night, Fang Linyuan finally got to wear Zhao Chu's night outfit.

Thinking that he might not have another chance to see it, he turned back to glance at Zhao Chu several times until Zhao Chu called out to him.

To be able to climb over the wall home with Zhao Chu!

Even though Fang Linyuan had always been mischievous and playful, he had never imagined he would have such an opportunity today.

He took the horse to the back door of the marquis's residence, informed them he wanted to wander outside at night, and asked them to secure the horse, saying he would return through the front gate later.

Then, he turned the corner and slipped into an alley when no one was around.

Zhao Chu was waiting there, draped in a spare night outfit from the carriage.

Fang Linyuan, who had pretended to be calm in front of others, broke into a wide smile, his eyes crescent-shaped with joy.

“I’m here!” He eagerly approached, removed his white outer robe, and changed into the black outfit Zhao Chu held.

His night wear was convenient, requiring only the outer robe to be swapped. As Fang Linyuan quickly changed, he whispered excitedly to Zhao Chu, “I never thought I could do this!”

Zhao Chu didn’t even understand what Fang Linyuan was so happy about.

Night time stealth was a skill he had learned from the Eastern Depot's enforcers, requiring both concealment and speed without leaving traces. Each time felt like walking on a knife's edge, necessitating extreme caution.

Any mistake could spell disaster.

Fang Linyuan, with the strap of the outfit in his mouth, was fastening his clothes and muttered indistinctly, “Wearing night gear, scaling walls, I’ve always dreamed of being a great hero!”

A hero, huh?

Based on Zhao Chu's experience over the years, those who moved stealthily in the night were often untrustworthy.

He didn’t speak immediately, but his gaze on Fang Linyuan grew more focused.

Indeed, he was Fang Linyuan; even cloaked in darkness, he remained radiant.

Over there, Fang Linyuan bit down on the strap, secured it tightly, and finished dressing.

“Let’s go,” Zhao Chu said slowly as he shifted his gaze and turned.

“Will there be noise when stepping on the roof?” Fang Linyuan asked as he followed. “My lightness skill makes a lot of sound, and I’m afraid we’ll be discovered.”

At this, he became worried: “If we’re found, I’ll be fine. But the patrolling guards might get punished…”

Before he could finish, a cool hand landed on his waist.

“Hold on tight.”

Zhao Chu’s voice whispered in his ear.

A sharp breeze suddenly blew, lifting the hair at his temples. He quickly grasped Zhao Chu's arm around his waist, and in the next moment, everything shifted. He found himself on the tall, thick walls of the marquis’s residence.

Zhao Chu seemed to be able to fly!

He moved without a sound, light and precise. With just one step on the wall, they quickly landed on the roof of a row of tall houses in the back courtyard.

Like a gentle breeze brushing past the tiles, Fang Linyuan looked up to see the huge marquis’s residence, which seemed to mirror the endless stars and mountains in his eyes.

In just a few breaths, they had crossed one courtyard and leaped onto another roof nearby.

Only the faint sound of rain hitting the eaves remained.

Was there truly such remarkable lightness skill in the world?

Fang Linyuan couldn’t help but turn back in the night wind to look at Zhao Chu.

Zhao Chu’s profile was extremely close to him, just a few inches away, with only his eyes visible beneath his flowing black hair.

Those eyes, sharp and bright like peach blossoms thrown as hidden weapons, seemed dangerously lethal.

…So close.

Fang Linyuan realized he was almost completely enveloped in Zhao Chu's embrace.

His arm was tightly wrapped around his waist, pressing half of his chest against Fang Linyuan’s back. The night breeze carried the scent of osmanthus and tangled in Zhao Chu’s soft hair as it brushed against Fang Linyuan’s cheek.

He could feel Zhao Chu’s firm, resilient muscles, like a layer of tight, tough snake skin.

…Too close!

Fang Linyuan felt a sudden tension and pressure, as if he were being tightly coiled by a cold snake.

But he was clearly stepping on the wind.

He had never been this close to Zhao Chu before.

Feeling inexplicably tense, the surroundings and the flickering lights blurred, making even the tranquil stars in the sky resemble shimmering waves in the ocean.

They crossed half of the marquis's residence like this.

Between the Huaiyu Pavilion and the Fuguang Pavilion, in a bamboo grove, Zhao Chu landed with Fang Linyuan. A soft rustling sound startled a few fireflies into the air.

Zhao Chu released Fang Linyuan, slowly exhaling a breath he had been holding.

However, Fang Linyuan stumbled slightly and nearly fell.

Zhao Chu quickly grasped his arm to steady him.

“What’s wrong?” Zhao Chu asked softly.

Fang Linyuan shook his head, blinking slightly. “It’s nothing… I just didn’t expect it to be so fast.”

Zhao Chu didn’t usually move this quickly either.

But…

He had forced himself into a tight spot. Even brushing against Fang Linyuan made him tremble, yet he only realized how close their actions were when they stepped onto the eaves together.

The little deer was still awake, and he had dared to hold him in his arms.

Like a thief clutching treasure while crossing a market during the day, his heart raced, making it hard to breathe.

He feared Fang Linyuan would hear it.

Thus, the fleeing thief dared not linger for a moment.

*

Fang Linyuan took a deep breath of the cool, damp night air, and the wind blowing through his mind cleared it somewhat.

They had quietly snuck back into the residence!

As the surrounding wind ceased, it gradually transformed into a gentle warmth.

It was summer now, and he hadn’t noticed that fireflies had begun to appear in the garden during the nights.

The surroundings were tranquil, with only the soft chirping of insects breaking the silence. Occasionally, a frog croaked from a nearby lotus pond, its sound as clear as ripples in the night.

He immediately forgot the earlier tension and embarrassment, feeling only the joy of returning to reality, and turned to look at Zhao Chu.

His eyes sparkled, and he flashed a bright smile in the night.

“It feels like a dream,” he exclaimed to Zhao Chu, “We really made it home!”

In the darkness, Zhao Chu almost blended into the shadows. He was lifting his hand to remove the face covering, revealing his striking and cold features.

At that moment, he raised his eyes, surrounded by swirling fireflies, and in the faint light, it looked as if they were stars clustered around him.

Those peach blossom eyes looking at him were enchanting and profound, the ethereal green glow reflecting in a deep pool, revealing hints of desire in those deep, starry eyes.

*

The next morning, at dawn, Zhao Chu was already sitting before the dressing table.

He changed into the usual plain silk dress, carefully outlining his brows and eyes in the bronze mirror, softening them to conceal the striking sharpness of his beauty.

Juan Su, who was serving at his side, opened the makeup box for him and took out a set of red gemstone head ornaments. The vibrant red hue, enhanced by intricate gold carvings, was a favourite of Zhao Chu for its stunning yet lightweight design.

However, when the headpiece was laid out before him, Zhao Chu glanced at it and calmly said, “Change it to the set with jade and pearls.”

Juan Su was momentarily taken aback. That set, with its intricate yet subtle design, required effort to complement Zhao Chu's striking beauty without clashing. She recalled that he didn’t need to go out today…

When she hesitated, Zhao Chu slightly turned his head to glance at her.

It wasn’t just her imagination; he seemed even more stunning today than usual.

It wasn’t an illusion!

After serving Zhao Chu for many years, she could clearly see that his makeup today was far more delicate than usual—not heavy, yet vividly elegant, drawing the eye irresistibly.

Especially… Since he usually hated his overly beautiful eyes.

Yet today, he had added a touch of rouge at the corners, giving his already striking look an innocent allure.

Usually, such a dangerously alluring feature was something he avoided.

Juan Su’s heart raced, but she didn’t dare to show any hesitation. She quickly brought out the jade headpiece and laid it before Zhao Chu.

In the mirror, Zhao Chu raised his eyes to look at himself.

Clear and clean, he had a soft glow, translucent aas water. He nestled the hairpins into his hair, and under the adornments of jewels, he appeared even more beautiful to the point of being almost enchanting l.

The bright red was too glaring and aggressive, and the little deer was easily frightened by it.

With the summer sun blazing, reversing the approach would be even more refreshing and comfortable for people’s eyes.

After placing the last hairpin, The crab apple carved from green jade came to life, with a large, lustrous pearl glimmering softly in the sunlight.

Under the embellishments of pearls and jewels, Zhao Chu calmly regarded his reflection.

Fang Linyuan went out every day, exuding a vibrant charm that attracted many envious gazes—yesterday it was Xiao Yingchun, tomorrow it would be Li Yingchun or Zhang Yingchun.

Meanwhile, Zhao Chu had to remain in the inner chambers, waiting for him.

Afraid that he would be charmed by others, yet unable to clip his wings, Zhao Chu decided to cultivate his allure to keep Fang Linyuan's attention, making sure that no chaotic flowers or plants outside could catch his eye.

Fortunately, he had a face worth showing off.

Zhao Chu quietly met his own gaze in the mirror, stood up after a moment, and reached out to pluck a blooming begonia from the window.

The jade and pearl were translucent and delicate, resembling dragons painted with countless strokes, leaving his eyes unadorned.

Zhao Chu slightly tilted his head in front of the mirror, gently inserting the begonia into his hair.

With the pearls and jewels complementing the fresh petals, even the priceless pearl-bedecked begonia seemed to acquire a soul.

Zhao Chu lowered his eyes calmly.

Not only did he want to dim the allure of those wildflowers, but he also hoped to have Fang Linyuan’s gaze linger on him a little longer.

*

Fang Linyuan noticed something slightly different about Zhao Chu today. He seemed even more beautiful than usual, but with a hint of redness at the corners of his eyes. During breakfast at Huaiyu Pavilion, Fang Linyuan asked the attendant if Zhao Chu had taken his medicine the previous night.

Juan Su hadn't received any instructions from Zhao Chu. When questioned, she shot a quick glance at Zhao Chu and deciphered his response from his expression: “…Yes, my lord.”

Fang Linyuan’s brows knit slightly upon hearing this, and he looked at Zhao Chu with concern. "Your cough still hasn't healed?"

Zhao Chu paused, the spoon halting near his lips.

Turning to the side, he caught Fang Linyuan’s gaze full of worry. Raising his hand, he brushed against the delicately applied rouge at the corner of his eye.

Even Zhao Chu found himself momentarily speechless.

The sincerity in Fang Linyuan's deer-like eyes was so genuine that all of Zhao Chu's intentional attempts at seduction dissolved, replaced by a gentle warmth.

…It could only be him.

After a brief pause, Zhao Chu murmured, "Almost healed."

Almost, yet still stubborn! You likely coughed through the night, leaving those red marks near your eyes.

Fang Linyuan, aware of Zhao Chu’s usual obstinacy, hesitated but chose not to expose him.

“Ensure His Highness takes another dose today,” He thought for a moment, raised his head, and instructed Juan Su.

Juan Su looked at Zhao Yan again with inquiring eyes.

After getting it, she nodded, “Yes, my Lord.”

Fang Linyuan added, “Don’t forget to wear something warmer today and stay out of the wind.”

Zhao Chu, who had specially chosen dress of delicate blue gauze, sa thin as clouds and smoke, paused again before replying, “Okay.”

Satisfied, Fang Linyuan finished his meal, took up his sword, and left for the garrison.

Zhao Chu, unseen, watched him leave, slowly pulling out a jade hairpin. It was as if an army, defeated, had cast aside its weapons and armor, yet the commander appeared to accept surrender willingly.

He lowered his eyes, a soft, resigned smile forming at his lips.

A blind man who couldn’t even see the seduction in his eyes...

But that was fine, Zhao Chu thought.

 

--

The author has something to say

Here’s a special Children’s Day extra featuring the little lord and the little princess. Wishing all my little friends a joyful holiday!

P.S.: To clarify before the extra: the age difference between the princess and the general is three years. The princess is 18, and the general is 21. Occasionally, there may be fluctuations in age references because the young lord is indifferent to age and sometimes uses traditional age counting.

 

 “The Little Lord Isn’t Happy Today”

Earlier, Fang Linyuan couldn’t remember much, but he had met Zhao Chu once before, during a New Year's Eve banquet at the palace when he was six.

The emperor and empress sat on a high platform, with the stunning Dowager Empress beside a cute little girl who appeared serious for her age. Courtiers praised her as a beauty, identical to the empress.

However, Fang Linyuan didn’t pay attention to that.

His father had just returned from Lingnan to test him and his brother's studies. His brother excelled academically, making Fang Linyuan feel mischievous. Having just been punished the day before, he was still sore and had no interest in celebrating the New Year.

His little face frowned as he didn’t touch his favourite dish of pearl and jade dumplings.

He was destined to become a great general; why should he be forced to memorize useless poems?

Even young soldiers could be killed but not spanked. Fang Linyuan was stubbornly determined to oppose his father.

At that moment, his father pinched his chubby cheeks.

“Who are you challenging?” His father calmly threatened. “Sitting there with a long face at a palace banquet? Do you want to lose your head? The emperor will drag you out and behead you you if he sees you.”

His father... that heartless man! If he couldn’t recite some poetry, would the emperor really execute him?

Little Fang Linyuan was almost angry to death.

On the platform, the emperor began a game of poetry, saying they needed to recite poems related to the New Year or drink.

As the emperor led the challenge, and the ministers followed suit;  it was then the third prince’s turn.

The third prince, raised by the favoured concubine, sat next to her, looking red-faced and unable to recite a single line.

Fang Linyuan indignantly told his father, “The third prince can’t recite poetry either; why doesn’t the emperor punish him?”

His father clicked his tongue. “You little brat...”

“Together we welcome the new year and bid farewell to the old year in one night.”

Suddenly, a young voice echoed from the platform: it was the silent little princess next to the Dowager Empress.

“Look at the Fifth Princess! Just three years old and she can recite poems!” Fang Duan immediately said to Fang Linyuan.

Before Fang Linyuan could respond, the third prince exclaimed, “You only know that line, so don’t show off!”

The little princess looked up with her round, dark eyes, gazing quietly at him.

“The north wind blows, snow begins at four; auspicious omens from heaven greet the new year.”

She sweetly recited another line.

“You…”

“Tonight in my hometown, I long for a thousand miles; tomorrow I worry for another year.”

The little princess was expressionless.

“Third brother, there are many poems about New Year’s Eve,” she said.

The third prince turned pale, while Fang Duo watched the eloquent girl, wishing he could spin around from envy.

“Look at her! Just look at her!” He poked Fang Linyuan’s back. “See that!”

Fang Linyuan was so angry that hefelt like exploding.

“Okay, okay! I see! She’s amazing! I’ll memorize the poem ‘Blue blue collar’ when I get back, alright?” (NT: “Qingqing Zijin” (青青子衿) is an ancient Chinese poem from The Book of Songs one of the oldest collections of Chinese poetry.)

“Blue blue collar’!” His father was equally exasperated.

Fang Linyuan’s face puffed up like a bun.

He wasn’t enjoying this New Year at all.

First, it was because of his father, and second, because of that little princess, who seemed like a star descended from the heavens.

-

Note from the translator :

The poem “Blue blue collar” (Qingqing Zijin- 青青子衿) expresses longing for a cherished one.

"Blue, blue is your collar;
My heart is full of longing.
Even if I do not come to you,
Will you not send me a word?"

"O you adorned with blue girdle-gems,
Long, long do I think of you.
Though I do not come to you,
Why do you not come to me?"

 

“How restless you are,

by the lookout tower on the wall!
One day without seeing you

 Feels like three months. “

 

Translator : DarNan