Princess Hejia did not expect to see Fang Linyuan here.

She was in the middle of speaking enthusiastically when suddenly, she heard him interrupt. His words were calm and measured, yet unyielding, leaving her rooted to the spot.

Princess Hejia was stunned. She looked up and saw the unparalleled general standing tall and graceful beside Zhao Chu.

He was very tall and exceptionally handsome. Though his expression was cold, it made his star-like eyes appear even deeper and brighter.

With one hand resting on Zhao Chu's shoulder, the gesture seemed somewhat too intimate for a public setting. Yet, the two of them were so strikingly beautiful that, for a moment, they looked like a scene from a painting.

And it had to happen at this moment.

Fang Linyuan's protective intentions were clearly revealed.

Princess Hejia's face darkened, her teeth clenched in frustration, and she didn’t want to look in that direction again.

Irritated, she turned her eyes away, only for the portly, mediocre man beside her to catch her gaze at that very moment.

Princess Hejia felt as though her teeth might shatter from clenching them so hard.

She had always been strong-willed since childhood. As the youngest and most beloved unmarried princess of her father, she deserved the best marriage.

But how could such a useless man come from the prestigious Prime Minister's household?

Zhao Chu's husband stood there, adorned with remarkable military achievements that earned everyone's admiration. Yet, this good-for-nothing, mediocre in talent and cowardly in nature, crouched in the corner, not even daring to breathe loudly.

When she glared at him, Dou Huairen, sitting beside her, shuddered and immediately picked up the wine jug from the table.

But he saw that her cup was still full and didn’t need refilling.

Dou Huairen froze, then cautiously glanced at her, his eyes filled with timid confusion.

What a brainless fool.

Princess Hejia felt nauseous just looking at him.

On the contrary, standing beside Zhao Chu was a young general as elegant as an orchid and as striking as a jade mountain.

How could she swallow such bitterness without grinding her teeth to dust?

Over there, the Duke's family hurriedly stood up.

They had witnessed the drama between the two princesses but dared not speak up. The eldest daughter-in-law, supporting the elderly lady's arm, discreetly patted her back to calm her.

"General, you've arrived! We failed to greet you properly. Our apologies. Please, take a seat..." The Duke, who was over fifty, smiled and stepped forward to welcome him.

Just then, Princess Hejia let out a sharp, piercing sneer from the side.

"The General has arrived at just the right time," she said, glaring sideways at Fang Linyuan with a venomous expression.

"We women were just joking and bickering, and the General had to eavesdrop. Such manly courage."

Her ability to twist the truth left Fang Linyuan somewhat surprised.

Her earlier harsh words had been heard by everyone present, yet she had the audacity to call it mere bickering?

He looked at Princess Hejia and saw her arrogant expression, as if she was certain he wouldn’t dare argue with her.

But she was mistaken.

Fang Linyuan pressed down on Zhao Chu, who was about to stand up, and instead of getting angry, he smiled, looking directly at Princess Hejia.

"Your Highness, you are mistaken. I merely overheard you saying something about me being unable to wait. I was curious and wanted to ask you about it," Fang Linyuan said.

"Are you skilled in fortune-telling, predicting that I am nearing my end? Or were your words simply curses meant to pressure the Fifth Princess into taking a concubine for me?"

"You..." Princess Hejia's eyes widened.

How dare he compare her to a lowly fortune-teller!

"I respect you as my royal aunt, but even as an elder, meddling in your nephew's household affairs seems improper," Fang Linyuan continued, his expression unchanged.

He wasn’t good at arguing, but when it came to reasoning, he could articulate his points clearly.

Princess Hejia was immediately furious.

"You sure know how to bite back!" she shouted, standing up in anger.

"Why don’t you teach your own wife to keep her hands out of my household affairs!"

Huh? What had Zhao Chu done to her household?

Fang Linyuan glanced down at Zhao Chu, who looked up at Princess Hejia with calm composure.

Clearly, Zhao Chu had no intention of explaining.

Understood. Either it was baseless or insignificant.

Fang Linyuan's resolve hardened, and he looked directly at Princess Hejia. "May I ask what affairs of your household Her Highness has been meddling in?"

This time, it was Dou Huairen, who had been shrinking back to watch the drama, who panicked.

Why was this being brought up!

If the matter of keeping a mistress was exposed in public, would he still be able to keep his official position?

He was so flustered he almost jumped up, but he couldn’t think of a solution. His eyes darted to Zhao Chu, waiting for him to step in and resolve the chaos.

But Zhao Chu remained with his head down, seemingly doing nothing.

Fortunately, Princess Hejia was so angry she almost fainted, but she couldn’t muster a response.

What could she even say? Admit in public that she couldn’t control her husband and allowed him to have an affair? She was too proud to lose face like that!

At a loss, she glanced around before suddenly turning her furious gaze back to Fang Linyuan.

"You’re feigning ignorance!" she shouted.

How could he not know about Zhao Chu helping Dou Huairen keep a mistress? He must be pretending!

But in her rage, her words came out like a tantrum.

Her face flushed red, her handkerchief crumpled tightly in her hand, and the jewels in her hair clinked rudely, completely devoid of the grace befitting a royal lady.

But Fang Linyuan truly didn’t know.

Seeing Princess Hejia so furious she seemed on the verge of madness, he was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure how to handle her.

Just then, a calm, cool voice tinged with a hint of grievance came from beside him.

"Enough, General."

Fang Linyuan looked down and saw Zhao Chu, who had just raised his head at that moment.

His peach-blossom eyes glistened with unshed tears.

His expression was still cold and composed, yet he looked like a dewy begonia, both strong and delicate.

How could anyone blame such a person?

Fang Linyuan was stunned.

Then, he saw Zhao Chu's gaze drift, filled with grievance and helplessness, as he glanced at Princess Hejia.

"Auntie must have her reasons. General, please don’t blame her."

Fang Linyuan couldn’t have been clearer now!

Yes, how could he have forgotten? The Zhao Chu by his side was a fox spirit who had cultivated into human form!

Not far away, the furious Princess Hejia was also stunned.

What was going on! Just moments ago, Zhao Chu had been silent as a clam, but as soon as Fang Linyuan arrived, he became as soft as a dodder vine, as if he had no backbone at all!

And Fang Linyuan, standing before him, seemed particularly susceptible to this.

His expression softened, and a faint smile appeared in his eyes. For a moment, it was as if a cold, divine weapon had been bathed in the bright morning light.

"I understand," Fang Linyuan said. "Her Highness Princess Hejia is an elder, and we should show her respect and deference."

Zhao Chu nodded gently, his eyes lowering with a tender expression.

What a reasonable, gentle, and virtuous couple they made.

For a moment, Princess Hejia was left speechless, completely cornered by them.

She shot a fierce glare at Dou Huairen beside her, stood up, and strode away.

The root of all this trouble was that useless good-for-nothing!

Behind her, Dou Huairen hurriedly stood up, not daring to say a word, and floowed gloomily away after her.

He didn’t care about Zhao Chu’s fate, but if he stayed a moment longer, he might find himself homeless again tonight.

*

While Princess Hejia was consumed by rage, Fang Linyuan hadn’t forgotten that this was the birthday banquet of the Duke’s elderly mother.

Seeing Princess Hejia stride away, Fang Linyuan turned and stepped forward, bowing respectfully before the Duke’s mother.

"My wife is not skilled in speech, and our family matters have caused a disturbance at your birthday banquet. I apologize for the disruption, Madam, and to the Duke."

The elderly lady and the Duke quickly waved their hands. "General, you are too kind. It is we who have been poor hosts. Please do not take offence."

Princess Hejia dared to cause a scene at their banquet not because she was particularly bold, but because the Duke’s family, though a prestigious century-old lineage, had little real power left beyond their noble title. How could they dare to provoke these two princesses?

Fang Linyuan smiled at their words. He took a brocade box from Yan Ting beside him and handed it to the Duke with both hands. "A small token of apology on behalf of my wife."

The Duke thanked him with a smile and presented the box to his mother.

When the box was opened, inside was a string of 108 jade prayer beads, deep green in color and translucent.

(NT: The number 108 is considered sacred in many Eastern spiritual traditions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism. It is believed to represent the universe's wholeness and the interconnectedness of all things.)

"This is..." The elderly lady’s face lit up with surprise, and she immediately looked up at Fang Linyuan.

Fang Linyuan smiled. "These were obtained last year when I visited Lingyan Temple in the mountains near Yumen Pass. They were blessed by a high monk."

This had originally been a casual gift he brought along, but after the commotion, it had unexpectedly served a greater purpose.

Not only was the elderly lady too surprised to speak, but even the Duke’s expression showed astonishment.

The Duke’s mother was from Longxi and had always been devoutly Buddhist. How could she not know of the ancient Lingyan Temple built into the loess cliffs outside Yumen Pass?

"General, how did you know..." The Duke was so surprised he was momentarily at a loss for words.

Tears welled up in the elderly lady’s eyes.

"Is Lingyan Temple still standing?" she asked. "I had thought that the lands occupied by the Turkic barbarians would not spare our Great Xuan’s Buddhist temples..."

"After the Turks seized Yumen Pass, they went to the mountains to search for Lingyan Temple," Fang Linyuan replied.

"But the monks, to protect the Buddha statues from desecration, dismantled the wooden ladders in the temple, vowing to perish with the temple. The Turkic cavalry waited for three days, but when no one emerged, they left."

Upon hearing this, the elderly lady wiped her tears and began chanting Buddhist prayers.

"General, you are truly thoughtful. Please accept my gratitude," the Duke said.

Fang Linyuan quickly reached out to stop him. "No, no, Your Grace, you honour me too much. Today, it was our family who disrupted your banquet. If you show me such courtesy, I won’t know how to repay it."

His lighthearted tone made the Duke and his mother laugh, and the tense atmosphere gradually eased.

The stiff expressions of the Duke’s family softened, and the guests below began to resume their conversations.

"That was truly frightening. Her Highness’s temper is really..."

"Enough, don’t say more. If it reaches her ears, who knows what kind of scene she’ll make."

"Right, right. But General Fang, he truly is a good man..."

As the guests chatted and laughed, the banquet gradually regained its lively atmosphere. The gongs and drums on stage sounded again, and a lively performance of ‘The Dragon and Phoenix Bring Prosperity’ began.

*

On the way back, Fang Linyuan learned from Zhao Chu that Princess Hejia’s outburst was due to Dou Huairen keeping a mistress.

"Wait... if Minister Dou is keeping a mistress, why did she come to make a scene with you?" Fang Linyuan asked, puzzled.

"The household you investigated last time in Chunlai Lane belongs to Dou Huairen," Zhao Chu explained calmly. "He was afraid his wife would find out, so he used my name."

"So you were just an innocent victim," Fang Linyuan said.

"Innocent?" Zhao Chu tilted his head slightly, looking at him. "You think it has nothing to do with me?"

His question left Fang Linyuan confused.

"Of course," Fang Linyuan said. "Why wouldn’t it?"

"I’ve known about Dou Huairen’s mistress for a long time," Zhao Chu reminded him. "The deed to the property is in my name."

"But the woman and child are Dou Huairen’s. It’s not like you forced him to have a child with that woman, right?" Fang Linyuan said. "Besides, grievances have their source, and debts have their debtor. How could she bully and humiliate you so aggressively while her husband just stood by and watched?"

Zhao Chu remained silent.

Of course, Dou Huairen wouldn’t just stand by and watch. After today, there would likely be more trouble waiting for him. When that time came, the spoiled, useless old man would come crying and begging Zhao Chu to clean up his mess again.

Zhao Chu raised his hand and gently pressed his temple.

Perhaps his mother’s plan was to kill him after everything was done, he thought.

Beside him, Fang Linyuan turned to look and saw that Zhao Chu’s expression was blank, with no trace of joy after their victory.

Could it be... that he was really taking the blame for Dou Huairen’s mistakes?

Fang Linyuan studied Zhao Chu and thought, yes, that must be the case. Although Zhao Chu always appeared gloomy and fierce, he was actually quite pitiful.

The Emperor didn’t love him, and his relatives treated him like an enemy. That uncle of his was even worse, hiding his own dirty deeds behind Zhao Chu’s name.

Though he seemed to live in luxury, Zhao Chu had always been alone.

Fang Linyuan’s heart softened.

As an outsider, he couldn’t help with family matters, but he could still do something within his power.

At the very least...

He should let Zhao Chu know that he was, in fact, a kind and lovable person.

*

Zhao Chu was lost in thought when he noticed Fang Linyuan suddenly lean in close to him.

Fang Linyuan smiled, his expression mischievous, but when their eyes met, he pretended to be serious.

"Speaking of which, Zhao Chu, you can’t hide what you’ve done from me," Fang Linyuan said. "Don’t even think about keeping it a secret."

His feigned seriousness couldn’t hide his smile, and the corners of his mouth curled up to reveal a pair of sharp little canines. His expression seemed like he was trying to intimidate Zhao Chu, but his eyes were soft and bright, filled with anticipation, like a little tail wagging proudly under Zhao Chu’s nose.

That little tail struck Zhao Chu squarely, leaving him momentarily speechless. Zhao Chu paused slightly, his eyes fixed on Fang Linyuan.

Fang Linyuan, standing before him, grew excited. "Scared you, didn’t I?"

He let out a mischievous laugh, then added with mock seriousness, "If you’re scared, then guess what you’ve been doing behind my back?"

Zhao Chu’s throat moved slightly.

Fang Linyuan was now facing him directly. The carriage wasn’t spacious, and as it swayed, Fang Linyuan’s warm breath brushed against Zhao Chu’s face.

So close... so close that it felt as if the entire world had narrowed down to Fang Linyuan’s bright, lively smile.

Zhao Chu’s hand, resting at his side, clenched slightly. Under the soft gauze of his sleeve, the veins on the back of his hand bulged imperceptibly.

In an instant, desire surged within him. The thought he had buried deep in his mind broke free like a crazed beast, shattering its cage. It burst out, gripping his heart and screaming in his ear.

It told him loudly that he wanted to possess Fang Linyuan entirely, and he couldn’t wait a moment longer.

*

Seeing Zhao Chu’s eyes freeze for a moment, Fang Linyuan really thought he had scared him.

Ha, Zhao Chu probably never expected that Fang Linyuan was referring to him sending someone to rescue him in the Golden Hall today, right?

Seeing Zhao Chu’s stiff expression, Fang Linyuan grew even more excited.

He must be overthinking again, right? Let him stew for three more seconds, then Fang Linyuan would loudly tell Zhao Chu—

I’ve known all along, you’re a good person!

As Zhao Chu remained silent with a cold expression, Fang Linyuan’s fierce act was about to crumble. He counted silently in his heart—

Three, two, one—

Clang!

Just then, a few playful children suddenly ran in front of the carriage. The coachman, startled, quickly pulled on the reins.

The carriage suddenly slowed, causing the entire compartment to jolt violently.

Just as the last number left Fang Linyuan’s lips, the carriage jerked sharply, throwing him off balance. He tumbled forward, heading straight for a collision.

In the next moment, soft silk enveloped the gold-embroidered robes.

Fang Linyuan crashed into Zhao Chu’s arms.

*

Fang Linyuan turned red from head to neck in an instant.

The body beneath the gauzy silk was firm yet resilient, distinctly masculine. It didn’t hurt when he collided with it, but it felt as if he was being wrapped in an embrace.

Or… perhaps not just felt like.

He really was being held by Zhao Chu.

Though Zhao Chu didn’t appear particularly robust, his muscles were tight and firm, like the leather sheath of a long blade. But this sheath was wrapped in the sweet, lingering fragrance of osmanthus, like the delicate petals of autumn laurel falling softly—elegant, proud, sweet, and cool.

In that moment, Fang Linyuan truly couldn’t tell if Zhao Chu was a man or a woman.

It was as if he had been framed layer by layer in the web of a great demon, losing his senses, on the verge of becoming a ghost beneath its silken skirts.

His life, his essence, were being drawn away thread by thread by the spider’s web.

Yet he didn’t feel any pain, because the layers of the web were soft and resilient, filled with sweetness.

In a daze, he fell into a false, hazy dream of sweetness.

*

Fang Linyuan quickly pulled away.

He wasn’t normal! What was he thinking?!

He practically jumped up, quickly sitting down on the other side of the carriage. In his mind, he frantically recited something—anything—to pull out the memory of Zhao Chu in men’s clothing and place it firmly in front of him.

But…

Damn it, Zhao Chu looked too good in men’s clothing!

It was as if he were a young, beautiful demoness sent by the Bodhisattva of the South Sea to test Tang Sanzang’s resolve, using every trick to seduce him.

(NT: In the classic novel ‘Journey to the West’, Tang Sanzang (a monk) is on a sacred mission to retrieve Buddhist scriptures from India. Along the way, he faces numerous trials and temptations designed to test his faith, virtue, and determination)

…What seduction?!

How could he think a man was seducing him?!

Fang Linyuan truly felt like his brain was sick.

Fortunately, Zhao Chu didn’t speak another word for the rest of the journey. When the carriage stopped in front of the residence, Fang Linyuan jumped out as if fleeing, putting a full three steps between himself and Zhao Chu.

He needed to clear his head.

“I… I was just joking with you earlier,” Fang Linyuan said, remembering what had happened in the carriage and turning back to Zhao Chu before running off.

Zhao Chu, who had just stepped out of the carriage, looked at him.

After just a brief touch, Fang Linyuan was avoiding him like the plague.

It seemed… he was still afraid of him.

But Zhao Chu hadn’t even shown him the beast within his heart.

Its claws were so sharp, it could shatter all his reason in an instant; it was so mad, it would devour Fang Linyuan’s very bones and blood before it was satisfied.

Fang Linyuan didn’t know how it had roared and burned when he had fallen into Zhao Chu’s arms.

Even Zhao Chu himself couldn’t deny that this was the form his filthy desires had taken.

…And Fang Linyuan was already afraid.

Zhao Chu didn’t speak.

Fang Linyuan looked at him from a distance and continued.

“What I wanted to say earlier was that I know about the things you’ve done for me in secret,” he said.

“I know you’re a good person, a really good person.”

Few people ever said such things to Zhao Chu. No one praised him, and no one spoke to him with such sincerity and earnestness.

But…

Even the restless, roaring beast in Zhao Chu’s heart came to a halt.

After a moment, it turned away dejectedly and retreated into its cage.

Greed, possessiveness, the madness that devoured reason—all of it slowly melted away in that moment, flowing into Zhao Chu’s limbs.

It became soft, gentle, and helpless.

You little fool… Why did you have to call me a good person at a time like this?

 

--

The author has something to say:

Zhao Chu, holding a “good person" card with a troubled expression: “…”

 

Translator : DarNan