Zhao Chu's expression revealed some surprise.

“...You still remember this?” He looked at Fang Linyuan.

Fang Linyuan was slightly stunned as well, seemingly not expecting that he had guessed correctly.

Then, his brows and eyes curved into a smile.

“I have a good memory,” he said, jumping down from the seat and walking over curiously. “But, why have you kept this piece of clothing here for so long?”

Zhao Chu’s gaze lingered on the garment for a moment. Then he lowered his eyes and took it out.

Winter fabrics were usually in warm colours like red, orange, or yellow, designed to make people feel warmer during the icy, snow-covered days.

But this jacket and skirt were a clear, cool blue—a colour that already felt desolate in summer, let alone in the snow-blanketed chill of winter.

The stitching was rough.

The cotton padding inside the jacket and skirt was thin, not the lightweight silk floss commonly used in the palace. Instead, it was filled with heavy kapok, which tended to become damp and heavy in the palace’s humid environment, making it neither warm nor comfortable.

The edges of the garment were also stitched with coarse cotton thread. In places where the cotton stuffing poked out, it had been patched up with another strand of blue silk thread.

Zhao Chu cradled the jacket and skirt in his hands. After a brief pause, he said, “This is the last thing my mother left me.”

As he spoke, a thought seemed to cross his mind, and he gave a soft chuckle. “Her sewing was never very good.”

“This was made by the late Empress herself?” Fang Linyuan widened his eyes slightly in surprise. He reached out cautiously, wanting to touch it, but hesitated and drew his hand back.

Zhao Chu directly handed the jacket and skirt to him.

“Yes,” he said. “She knew that I would lack coal and warm clothing every winter, so she took apart her own winter clothes to sew this for me.”

Fang Linyuan’s hand, resting on the jacket and skirt, froze slightly.

He looked up at Zhao Chu and saw his eyelashes lowered. Though the corners of his lips were curved upward, there was a subtle tightness to his expression, as if he was suppressing something.

Fang Linyuan’s palm happened to brush against a patched area on the garment.

It was a torn section, the damage uneven, as though it had been caught on a tree branch.

Such damage was notoriously difficult to repair, and the child who had tried to fix it back then clearly hadn’t yet mastered the exquisite needlework he now possessed.

The stitching on the patch was meticulous and careful, but in the end, it left an ugly scar like a winding centipede.

The jacket and skirt were no longer wearable.

Fang Linyuan seemed to faintly grasp what Zhao Chu was trying to suppress.

Leaving aside the reasons for Empress Dou’s fall from grace, it was clear that the emperor did not favour women who practised swordsmanship.

People were entitled to their likes and dislikes—this was human nature and entirely reasonable.

But when people were divided by rank and status, those born to embody traits despised by those in power seemed to bear an innate guilt that brought endless suffering.

Yet how innocent they were.

Fang Linyuan found himself at a loss for words for a while. He watched Zhao Chu let out a soft laugh, reaching out to take the jacket and skirt back from him, and said, “It’s nothing. Did I scare you?”

His voice was light, his tone softer than before, as if he were deliberately pretending nothing was wrong.

But Fang Linyuan, almost instinctively, blurted out: “Let’s take it home.”

Zhao Chu suddenly looked up at him.

He saw Fang Linyuan holding the blue jacket and skirt in both hands, turning to look at him as well.

“...What?” Zhao Chu seemed not to understand, tilting his head slightly, his eyes locking directly with Fang Linyuan’s.

In the dim light, Fang Linyuan’s hands tightened slightly around the garment.

It was just a piece of clothing. Where it was stored shouldn’t have made any difference. The palace’s attendants were meticulous with their care; even eight or ten years later, it wouldn’t rot or decay.

But Fang Linyuan knew clearly that he didn’t want to leave them here.

Even he couldn’t explain who he meant by ‘them.’

Perhaps it was the love and determination of a mother protecting her child. Perhaps it was the silent but deep bond between mother and son. Or maybe it was the Zhao Chu of that time.

The Zhao Chu who walked through snow in thin clothing, the Zhao Chu who stubbornly and silently stitched this garment under a lonely lamp at night—or perhaps it was the Zhao Chu of now, who quietly endured everything and masked his wounds with indifference.

Holding the clothing, Fang Linyuan looked at Zhao Chu, his gaze carrying a quiet yet resolute determination.

“It’s too cold and damp here,” he said. “Let’s take it away.”

*

Taking a piece of clothing out of the palace wasn’t difficult.

That night, the Marquis of Anping, after catching a chill in the Princess Huining’s chambers, borrowed a cloak to wear and took his leave from the palace.

In the carriage, the Marquis of Anping smiled slyly, pulling the blue jacket and skirt out from under his borrowed cloak and carefully folding it.

“See? I told you—taking something out is easy,” he said, proudly holding the jacket and skirt in front of Zhao Chu like a treasure, shaking it slightly for effect.

But Zhao Chu noticed the care in his movements.

His hands were cautious as he held the garment, and his gaze was gentle, as if both Zhao Chu and the garment were something fragile and precious.

Zhao Chu had never been looked at in such a way before. It left him with an unsettling feeling of unworthiness, a mix of hesitation and helplessness.

It was as though he had wrapped himself in a beautiful disguise and deceived an innocent young deer into trusting him.

He looked at Fang Linyuan. After a moment of hesitation and deliberation, he finally raised his hand and lightly patted the top of his head.

"I’m fine," he said. "It’s all in the past."

At that moment, he knew he should be pretending.

After all, pity was always the easiest emotion to manipulate, and a weak, pitiful demeanour was the most effective way to elicit sympathy from others—guiding them, tempting them.

Yet, Zhao Chu said something entirely plain and gentle instead.

He simply wanted to comfort Fang Linyuan.

But he saw Fang Linyuan looking at him intently with those deep black eyes, eyes that didn’t waver or change because of his words.

After a moment, Fang Linyuan said, "You really are a strong person."

He meant it sincerely.

Zhao Chu, after a brief moment of stunned silence, smiled. His usually cold and strikingly sharp features—so sharp that they often seemed almost cruel—softened unexpectedly.

"No," he admitted. "I’m still not reconciled."

His words were blunt, even unkind to himself, but that undisguised honesty carried a strange tenderness.

It was as if he truly wanted to show Fang Linyuan the darkest corners of his heart. And yet, that deep darkness, once exposed, revealed not malice but only the vulnerable, scarred flesh beneath the armour.

"Her hands weren’t made for needlework," Zhao Chu said. "And she shouldn’t have had to make clothes for anyone."

Fang Linyuan understood that he was speaking about his mother. He watched as Zhao Chu lowered his gaze to look at the garment.

"She did nothing wrong," Fang Linyuan blurted out.

When Zhao Chu raised his eyes to look at him, Fang Linyuan clenched his hands on his knees. Unable to suppress the impulse, he reached out and placed his hand on Zhao Chu’s wrist.

"She was an extraordinary person," Fang Linyuan added. "She could read, she could wield a sword—and she could love you. She didn’t do anything wrong… The only thing wrong was the fate she ended up with."

Zhao Chu opened his mouth slightly, staring at him with wide eyes, looking a bit stunned. Yet in that stunned expression, there was a hint of vulnerability, even fragility.

"But," Fang Linyuan continued, "while the past cannot be changed, in the future, there will be countless others like her."

"If one day you find yourself in that position and allow them to live the way she would have wanted, that will still be her greatness—her glory. "

*

That day, after saying those words, Fang Linyuan almost jumped out of the carriage on the spot.

What was he saying! He—he—he… had actually dared to say such treasonous words!

What “one day”… what “that position”… how had those words slipped out of his mouth without him even realizing it!

He hastily slapped a hand over his own mouth, looking at Zhao Chu in horror.

But Zhao Chu, instead of being angry, smiled.

His laughter was very soft, carrying the natural clarity of his voice, and when it spread through the carriage, it sounded especially pleasant.

“Don’t worry,” he said, his hand gently rubbing the top of Fang Linyuan’s head. “I’ll keep it a secret for you. I won’t tell anyone.”

Fang Linyuan could tell Zhao Chu was joking with him, but he still felt uneasy, afraid that he might have inadvertently revealed some disloyal thoughts.

...It was probably Zhao Chu’s fault for leading him astray.

He looked at Zhao Chu, who was wearing that fox-like smile again, and silently grumbled in his heart. He shifted his head slightly to the side.

He couldn’t let this big fox get any closer.

*

The next day, news spread throughout the palace that Saihan had been officially appointed as a concubine.

According to Emperor Hongyou’s promise, she was named Consort Yu and granted residence in the Yaotai Palace. Meanwhile, the Turkish envoys would remain in the capital for a while. It was said that the emperor had invited them to stay until after the Mid-Autumn Festival before they would head north.

This was, indeed, a common diplomatic courtesy between two neighbouring countries.

Foreign envoys would often stay in the capital for a short while after their official business, both to reciprocate the hospitality and to show the magnificence and power of the empire by taking the guests on tours of local attractions. Additionally, the presence of a new consort in the palace would allow the envoys to witness the emperor’s favour and generosity, showcasing the sincerity of the alliance.

Thus, the capital was filled with festive and harmonious scenes, while Fang Linyuan, along with General Zhu Song and other commanders responsible for the defence of the capital, remained vigilant, not daring to relax even the slightest bit.

Days passed.

During these days, Emperor Hongyou was basking in the pleasure of his newfound favourite, feeling thoroughly pleased with himself.

He had always preferred obedient and gentle women from the southern Jiangnan region, but over time, the women in the palace would grow more calculating. They not only lost their charm, but they also started causing him trouble.

In recent years, he had grown tired of the obedient women.

But this Turkish princess, on the other hand, was like a bright morning sun, bringing a refreshing change.

Bold, beautiful, unrestrained, yet innocent, like a young calf—rushing forward without causing harm.

He spent several consecutive days staying at Saihan’s palace, and for once, he exhibited rare, exclusive favour.

However, since the Turkish envoys had not yet left the capital, and Saihan carried the responsibility of maintaining peace and stability between the two nations, the women in the palace dared not say much.

After several days, Emperor Hongyou felt a few years younger.

He was exhausted from the political manoeuvring at court. To him, the women in the harem were supposed to be like this—graceful as fine feathers, able to speak but without causing any trouble, offering relaxation and joy.

So, on this day, when the weather was fine and after the court matters had temporarily settled, he took the Empress and Saihan to the imperial garden by the Qujiang Pond to enjoy the summer.

Several ministers from the Ministry of Rites and the Turkish envoys accompanied them, sharing tea by the Nine-Curve Corridor by the lake in the imperial garden.

The Empress, being creative, had set up a small stage by the lake and invited performers from the court to sing Kunqu opera. The soft, melodic Wu dialect sounded like the gentle, affectionate waters of the Jiangnan spring. The hot summer wind blew gently, and the willow trees swayed, perfectly matching the delicate winds and light rain of the season.

The Turkish envoys were also listening intently.

Although they didn’t understand the lyrics, they were still awed by the grace and beauty of the actress portraying Du Liniang on stage.

They were thoroughly enjoying the performance, and had eaten most of the fruit and melons from the ice chest by their side. Having fun, they also began praising Emperor Hongyou, saying, “Your Majesty’s capital truly feels like a heavenly realm. We didn’t want to leave once we arrived!”

Emperor Hongyou loved hearing such words. Upon hearing this, he laughed heartily and turned to look at Saihan, who was sitting beside him.

“Then stay a little longer,” he said.

“Yes, indeed,” said Empress Jiang with a smile. “When Crown Prince Naren Temüjin came last time, he had so many matters to attend to that he left in a rush and didn’t have time to enjoy more of the capital.”

“Your Majesty is right.” Saihan smiled along, but didn’t spare a glance at the Empress. “Next time, if my brother comes to the capital again, I’ll have him stay for a whole month.”

The Empress’s face tightened slightly, but neither Emperor Hongyou nor the ministers and envoys noticed the underlying meaning. Hearing her playful remark, everyone laughed heartily.

At that moment, a red-robed eunuch hurriedly approached the lakeside, hurriedly saluted Emperor Hongyou, and then bent forward to stand by his side.

He whispered something to Emperor Hongyou, and immediately, the emperor’s face changed, and his smile disappeared.

The envoys nearby exchanged curious glances.

Emperor Hongyou smiled briefly, stood up, and said, “There’s suddenly something urgent in the court. Empress, please continue enjoying the performance with the envoys. The next play, Changsheng Hall, is quite good. Zhen will return later and join you for the meal.”

The Empress immediately rose and nodded in agreement. She and Saihan, along with the others, bowed to see Emperor Hongyou off.

She furrowed her brows slightly, watching his retreating figure with a hint of worry.

She was highly skilled at reading lips, and with a quick glance earlier, she saw the eunuch’s terrified expression and heard him mention something about Chongzhou.

Her gaze lingered on Emperor Hongyou’s back for a moment, when she heard Saihan ask from beside her, “Empress, what are you looking at?”

The Empress paused, quickly turned around, and smiled at her.

“It’s nothing,” she said. “Hasn’t Consort Yu always wanted to hear the story of Empress Yang from the Ming dynasty? Since His Majesty is busy, how about we change the play and go directly to Changsheng Hall?”

“That’s fine.”

Saihan didn’t get an answer and immediately showed a disappointed expression. She glanced at the Empress and, without further words, sat back down on the soft couch, clearly disinterested.

*

As expected, there was trouble in Chongzhou.

The eunuch hurried back to report that the army sent to suppress the bandits in Chongzhou had returned in defeat. Not only had they suffered heavy losses, but even the commander, Fan Yushu, had been gravely injured. When he was sent back to the capital, he had just managed to escape death.

However, for the next few months, he would have to remain bedridden to recover.

“You’ve done a great job!” Emperor Hongyou roared in anger from the main hall of the imperial garden.

“A few mountain bandits, and you can’t handle them? Do you want me to personally lead an expedition?”

The man who had come to report was the deputy commander who had accompanied Fan Yushu. He too had been wounded, and his arm was wrapped up in white bandages, with a cloth tied around his neck.

Trembling like a leaf in the wind, he kneeled on the floor, too scared to raise his head.

“This subordinate is incompetent!” When Emperor Hongyou exploded in anger, he immediately kowtowed to the ground. “We managed to suppress the bandits all the way to the north, but when we reached Ningbei County, there were about a hundred bandits entrenched in the Chongzhou mountains. They occupied a natural fortress, which was easy to defend but hard to attack. We attempted several direct assaults, but…”

“But what?”

“But these bandits seem not to be ordinary criminals. They are highly skilled in military tactics, and every time they…”

Emperor Hongyou interrupted angrily.

“So bandits aren’t ordinary people now? What? Are my soldiers, trained with my resources, weaker than mountain bandits?”

“Your Majesty, please calm down, please calm down!” The deputy commander, terrified, kept kowtowing.

Emperor Hongyou’s chest heaved violently.

A group of bandits wasn't much of a problem, but the real issue was that the Turkic envoys had not yet left the capital. The fact that the army of Daxuan couldn’t handle a hundred or so bandits was something that the envoys must never know.

Otherwise, where would his face be? Wouldn’t the prestige of Daxuan be completely shattered in their eyes?

He glared at the deputy commander below.

If the Turkic envoys weren’t here, these defeated generals should have been executed immediately.

But the immediate priority now was not to deal with them.

Emperor Hongyou stared at him for a long time, then finally sighed deeply.

"Considering your years of service guarding the capital and your hard work, Zhen will pardon you this time," he said.

"But this is the last time. There will be no next time."

"Yes! Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live His Majesty!" the deputy commander replied, overjoyed.

Emperor Hongyou waved his hand, and an inner servant immediately stepped forward to assist the deputy commander, helping him out of the main hall.

Emperor Hongyou raised his hand to his forehead, and Huang Wei, who was standing beside him, quietly stepped forward and placed a cup of tea by his side.

Then Emperor Hongyou spoke.

"Send someone to the Sixteen Guard Command," he said, furrowing his brows.

"Summon Fang Linyuan to see me."

*

Fang Linyuan was summoned from the Sixteen Guard Command to the imperial garden at Qujiang Pond, where he met Emperor Hongyou in the main hall.

Emperor Hongyou had a worried expression on his face and waved his hand. Huang Wei immediately stepped forward and presented the battle report from Chongzhou to Fang Linyuan.

"My minister, the Turkic envoys will be leaving the capital in about ten days and will pass through Chongzhou. The situation is urgent. Without you, Zhen truly wouldn’t know what to do," said Emperor Hongyou.

Fang Linyuan took the report and saw that it noted how the bandits in Ningbei County had occupied a natural fortress. The military forces sent to suppress them had suffered hundreds of casualties, with eight dead and the commander severely injured.

"Your Majesty means…"

"The capital’s defence forces still have about two thousand men available. I’ve already sent someone to the palace to retrieve the military tokens. You will receive the order today, and once you’re ready, you can depart immediately," said Emperor Hongyou.

Fang Linyuan left the imperial garden holding the imperial edict.

As he exited the gates of Qujiang Pond, he saw a wounded officer in military attire waiting by his horse. The officer hurried forward as soon as he saw Fang Linyuan and saluted him.

"General Fang!" the officer said. "I’m under General Fan’s command. General Fan said that if you are to take his place, I must give you a message."

Fang Linyuan nodded.

"I was about to ask you," Fang Linyuan said, presenting the battle report. "Are you sure this report is correct? They return defeated, and yet only eight are dead?"

"It’s absolutely true!" the officer quickly replied.

"That’s the suspicious part! When we reached Ningbei County, we managed to eliminate seven or eight bandit camps, but none of them were as well-trained as the ones in Ningbei. They had already received word and refused to leave their strongholds. They only defended themselves, and the few times they attacked…"

The deputy commander hesitated and looked at Fang Linyuan.

"All the attacks were directed at General Fan. After he was severely injured, without a commanding officer, they lowered their flags and stopped coming out."

Fang Linyuan slightly furrowed his brow. "So, their goal was just to drive out the troops suppressing the bandits?"

"From the looks of it, yes!" the officer said.

"But this is strange. I... I dare not tell His Majesty," the officer added hesitantly.

Fang Linyuan nodded upon hearing this and thanked him.

"Someone in the camp is already organizing the troops for you!" the officer added, as Fang Linyuan turned to mount his horse.

"General, why not stop by a nearby inn for a meal before you leave? After lunch, you can set off right away."

Fang Linyuan shook his head. "I have something urgent to attend to, so I won’t trouble you."

"If there’s anything, I can handle it for you!" The officer quickly said, eager to please.

His servile flattery was just like his superior’s.

But Fang Linyuan, sitting on his horse, turned his head and looked at him, smiling slightly.

"I need to go back and bid my wife goodbye," he said.

"You don't have to worry about these matters, do you?"

 

--

The author has something to say:
The deputy commander sat up in bed at 2 a.m. and thought to himself, “I really said too much!!!”

 

Translator : DarNan