So this was what Zhao Chu meant when he said he had "other arrangements"!

Facing the enthusiastic smile of Boss Zhu, the merchant, Fang Linyuan widened his eyes in shock, unable to say a word for a long time.

However, he did not feel displeased about being deceived. In fact, at the very moment he saw Zhao Chu, the bright sunlight outside almost made him dizzy.

At that moment, a bright joy seemed to rise in his heart, washing away all his drowsiness and the melancholy of leaving home.

But all his attention was focused on his current astonishment. Their eye contact did not last long.

Beside him, a servant from the Hou Residence saw Fang Linyuan in a daze and hurriedly reminded him, "My Lord?"

Fang Linyuan quickly snapped back to reality and turned his head away at once.

The people from the Hou Residence were still here—Zhao Chu must not be discovered!

Under the confused gaze of his servant, he cleared his throat and reached out to take the letter handed to him.

The letter was presumably dictated by Song Zhaojin and transcribed by her maid. It stated that Zhao Chu had fallen ill suddenly and seriously. The situation sounded severe, and she urged Fang Linyuan to decide based on the circumstances—if he could finish His Majesty’s orders quickly, he should return to the capital as soon as possible.

Yet, the princess in question was standing right before his eyes.

Under the concerned gaze of the servant, Fang Linyuan adjusted his expression.

However, the genuine urgency he had felt just moments ago had completely dissipated—it was difficult to even act it out again.

"The imperial decree takes precedence. I won’t be able to return in the next few days, so please deliver a message to my sister-in-law for me," he said, lowering his gaze as he accepted the letter.

"I’ve heard that the maid attending to Her Highness was once a female physician at the Imperial Medical Academy. Her medical skills are exceptional. With her by the princess’s side, there should be no major issues."

The servant nodded in acknowledgment but hesitated as he looked at Fang Linyuan. "My Lord, then you…?"

Indeed, he had remained a little too calm.

But he was not Zhao Chu—he wasn’t born with multiple faces, nor could he act with such natural ease!

With no other choice, Fang Linyuan paused before adding, "His Majesty’s decree is of utmost importance, and I cannot afford any distractions. As for matters at the residence, make sure Suichao pays extra attention on behalf of my sister-in-law. Keep a close watch on the princess’s condition, and if anything happens, report to me immediately."

He attributed his composure to his duties, and the servant finally understood, nodding in agreement. After confirming that Fang Linyuan had no further instructions, the servant bowed and took his leave.

Watching the servant’s horse gradually disappear against the ceremonial procession, Fang Linyuan turned and looked again at Zhao Chu’s carriage.

It seemed that Zhao Chu had finished speaking with his attendant, as the curtain of the carriage had now been drawn down.

There was only a single swaying carriage, followed by a few others and an endless procession of grain transport wagons stretching toward the shimmering morning horizon.

This person really was…

Fang Linyuan, who had been feeling slightly down, suddenly felt as if a cat had curled up in his chest—warm and soft, yet making his heart pound.

He stared at the carriage for a moment before abruptly dropping the curtain.

Acting on his own, deceiving everyone… Fang Linyuan thought to himself.

Yet, he couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from curving upward, his bright eyes reflecting the light.

*

Heading Northward

The further north they travelled, the colder the autumn wind became.

After passing the vast golden wheat fields of Jibei, they entered the official road leading to Chongzhou. Moving beyond Jizhou, the terrain gradually became rugged, with rolling mountains rising and falling.

The southern slopes of the mountains were covered in lush vegetation, but the northern slopes were barren and desolate. The further north they went, the sparser the trees became, and the wind carried more and more sand past the carriage windows.

At this time of year, the regions of Chongzhou and Yanzhou were plagued by fierce sandstorms.

The autumn wind, mixed with fine sand, scraped roughly against their skin, heavy and unrelenting—it felt as if the wind itself had taken solid form.

On the mountain roads, the wind was even stronger than elsewhere.

By dusk, they were travelling along a north-south mountain pass, a place notorious for its fierce seasonal wind.

The mountain wind howled outside the carriage, carrying tiny grains of sand that lashed against the windows. The doors and windows creaked under the pressure, rattling incessantly. As the sky darkened, Heng Feizhang purposely stopped the convoy and came to ask Fang Linyuan whether they should rest for the night.

When the curtain lifted, Fang Linyuan saw Heng Feizhang standing beside the carriage.

He was in his thirties, with a clean and refined face, a neatly trimmed moustache on his upper lip, now trembling in the wind.

The wind was so strong that it had dishevelled his hair, loosening strands from his headdress. His wide sleeves billowed uncontrollably, repeatedly slapping against his face. As he struggled to hold his sleeves down, he squinted and strained his voice to speak against the wind.

"General, should we stop and rest?" he shouted.

Fang Linyuan glanced ahead and surveyed the surroundings before shaking his head.

"There’s no shelter from the sandstorm here—we can’t stop," he said. "Let’s keep moving forward. In about ten more miles, we should reach the nearest post station."

Heng Feizhang nodded with difficulty, cupped his hands in salute, and then quickly ran back to his horse, fighting against the wind.

Fang Linyuan lifted the curtain and looked up at the sky with some concern.

Beyond the swirling yellow dust, the sky was dark and heavy, an ominous shade of deep red. Rain seemed imminent, and if it started to pour before they reached the post station, their journey would become even more difficult.

Sure enough, they hadn’t travelled much farther when raindrops as large as beans began dripping down, carried by the wind in a relentless downpour.

Autumn rain brought a chilling dampness that drilled into the bones.

With mountains ahead and behind, they had no place to take cover and could only rush forward through the storm.

The rain-laden wind howled through the gaps in the carriage, making the entire vehicle tremble, while the cold moisture seeped inside, chilling them to the core.

Caught off guard by the sudden rain, even Fang Linyuan felt the sharp bite of the cold.

He pushed open the window.

The moment the curtain was lifted, a blast of wind and rain, mixed with sand, lashed against his face, making him frown.

Straining to see through the storm, he looked outside.

The situation inside the carriage was already unpleasant, but for the guards and soldiers riding outside, it was even worse. Their robes and armour were soaked through, yet they had no choice but to keep pressing forward against the freezing wind and rain.

Fang Linyuan furrowed his brow and turned to look behind him.

The merchants’ carriages, much smaller and simpler than the official escort, had no means of shielding against the storm.

At the very front, Zhao Chu’s carriage was already creaking from the relentless wind. Its window coverings flapped wildly, slamming against the wooden frames as the storm raged on.

Fang Linyuan suddenly felt a tightness in his chest for no apparent reason. However, their convoy was still two or three li away from the post station.

A sudden gust of wind blew in, lifting the carriage curtain high into the air. Fang Linyuan quickly grabbed it and pulled it back down, shutting the window firmly.

He sat back inside the carriage.

Yet, somehow, even though the wind and rain were now shut out, he still felt an inexplicable sense of unease, as if his heart was suspended in midair with nowhere to rest.

Right—in this kind of weather, the attendants and soldiers had no carriage or horses to shield them. Marching in such wind and rain, while he remained seated in the carriage—

This was truly inappropriate.

But for some reason, as he thought about this, the image that surfaced in his mind was not of the soldiers but of Zhao Chu's carriage, swaying precariously in the storm.

He had always been frail. Even back when they were on the river, just a bit of cold wind would make him cough incessantly—how could he possibly endure such harsh wind and rain?

At that thought, Fang Linyuan found himself unable to sit still any longer.

Through the window, he turned back to glance behind him again.

Perhaps it was because he knew that Zhao Chu had embarked on this journey north solely for the sake of his loyalty and righteousness. If it weren’t for that day, when Zhao Chu had followed him closely in secret to help him, if it weren’t for the moment when he confided in Zhao Chu about his desire to intervene in Yanzhou’s affairs, then Zhao Chu likely wouldn’t have had to do all this…

Fang Linyuan’s thoughts were a tangled mess until, at last, as dusk settled, the convoy finally stopped in front of the post station along the official road.

The post station didn’t seem very large. Compared to their grand procession, it looked rather small and modest. However, there were only farmlands and villages stretching for dozens of li in every direction. To reach the nearest town for rest would take another hour or two of travel.

This was the only place within dozens of li where they could stay for the night.

As soon as the convoy stopped, a post station officer came out with an umbrella to welcome them.

One of the post station attendants approached Fang Linyuan’s carriage and handed over an umbrella. At the same time, Heng Feizhang hurriedly got off his horse and came to greet him.

Fang Linyuan, however, simply waved his hand and jumped down from the carriage himself.

“Have the men dismount first, take the horses to the back courtyard to be tied up, and get inside quickly to shelter from the rain,” he instructed Heng Feizhang.

Heng Feizhang nodded in acknowledgment. Fang Linyuan then turned to the post station officer. “I must trouble you to prepare dry clothes and lodgings, and have hot water boiled as well. If the soldiers fall ill from the cold, I’m afraid it will delay the journey ahead.”

The officer nodded repeatedly in agreement and extended the umbrella toward Fang Linyuan.

But in such strong winds, an umbrella was of little use.

“No need.” Fang Linyuan pushed it back. “I’m fine.”

With that, he paused slightly and turned to look at the merchant convoy behind him.

“But as for those gentlemen transporting grain and silver,” he continued, “I must ask you to take extra care of them. The grain they’re transporting must not be allowed to get damp or soaked in the rain.”

The officer responded at once, repeatedly agreeing, and his gaze toward Fang Linyuan carried an even deeper sense of admiration.

This general truly put others before himself! He made sure even the horses and grain were taken care of, yet he himself was still standing out in the wind and rain.

Fang Linyuan, however, remained completely unaware of the officer’s admiration.

As he was ushered into the post station, he kept glancing back over his shoulder.

Just in time to see Zhao Chu stepping out of his carriage.

An attendant was holding an umbrella for him, but with the wind and rain raging on, the moment the carriage door opened, raindrops immediately splattered onto him.

He raised his hand, pressing his clenched knuckles against his lips, as if enduring something.

The next moment, the post station’s walls blocked Fang Linyuan’s view.

*

Zhao Chu was most likely sick again.

Thanks to Fang Linyuan’s instructions and the careful arrangements of the post station officials, the attendants and soldiers soon changed into dry clothes and gathered noisily in the post station hall.

A fire had been lit for warmth, and steaming dishes were laid out on the tables. Fang Linyuan even took out some silver to provide them with a jar of warm yellow wine—a perfect way to ward off the cold after being caught in the rain.

The soldiers and attendants took notice of his concern and care, and they were all deeply moved.

Beside him, even Heng Feizhang couldn’t help but praise, “General, you truly care for your men like your own children. I must admit, I am far from your equal.”

Fang Linyuan only smiled and shook his head, glancing toward the door from time to time.

“Have the merchants come in yet?” Seeing the empty space outside the post station, he asked.

Heng Feizhang hadn’t been paying attention. Upon hearing the question, he looked toward the window. “I don’t see them… I wonder what’s going on…”

Just then, the post station door swung open.

The station officer rushed inside, hurriedly shaking the rain off his umbrella. His official robe was utterly soaked, dripping water onto the floor.

Heng Feizhang quickly stood up and asked, “My lord, what’s the matter?”

The post station officer handed his umbrella to a nearby attendant, looking somewhat embarrassed under everyone’s gaze. He wiped his face and smiled at Fang Linyuan and Heng Feizhang.

“Forgive me for making General Fang and Lord Heng laugh. The rain outside is too heavy. The merchants were still securing the rain covers on the grain, so I went to open the back courtyard gate for them…”

Zhao Chu is sick, yet he still hasn’t come inside!

Fang Linyuan immediately stood up and walked toward the door. The people around him were startled. Behind him, Heng Feizhang quickly called out, “General, where are you going…”

Fang Linyuan’s steps halted. Only then did he realize his own loss of composure.

Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself and turned back. “…I’m going to check on the grain supplies. You’ve all worked hard today—go ahead and eat, no need to follow me.”

With that, he grabbed the oil-paper umbrella leaning against the wall, pushed open the door, and stepped out into the rain.

Since Fang Linyuan had told them not to follow, the people inside dared not act rashly. They could only watch as he raised the umbrella and disappeared into the downpour, then glanced at each other in silence.

After a moment, the post station officer sighed. “To risk himself for a few carts of grain—General Fang is truly a man of great righteousness!”

*

Zhao Chu stood in front of the stables in the back courtyard, holding his umbrella with one hand.

The grain carts had already been moved inside, but the wind was so strong that rain was still being blown into the shelter, causing the oilcloth covers to flap wildly. They had to be secured with an additional layer.

A few merchants and their cart drivers were bustling about in the stable.

They were all from the Yanzhou Chamber of Commerce—not nearly as wealthy or influential as Young Master Zhu. If Zhu hadn’t taken the lead in this effort, personally donating more than sixty percent of the grain, they wouldn’t have been able to gather this much food or secure the government’s support.

As a result, they all held him in great respect. Seeing him dressed in white, they urged him to go inside the post station, saying the stable was too dirty.

Zhao Chu had no intention of refusing at first.

But after observing for a moment, he quickly realized that these clumsy merchants and cart drivers, who only knew how to handle carriages, had no idea how to properly deal with such heavy wind and rain.

Every time they secured one side of the rain covers, the wind would lift another, leaving them scrambling in vain. Zhao Chu watched them fumble for a long time, his brows furrowing deeper.

At this rate, how long would it take for them to get the covers in place? If the grain got wet and ruined, it wouldn’t just be them getting scolded—Fang Linyuan would be the one truly anxious.

He recalled how, earlier, Fang Linyuan had glanced back at the grain carts several times despite the wind and rain. It was clear how much importance he placed on this shipment.

Zhao Chu’s expression tightened slightly. He turned and walked back into the rain, umbrella in hand.

To think that a group of merchants and labourers who had spent their lives struggling in the markets had to rely on someone like him—who had been raised within the palace—to direct them.

Fortunately, Zhao Chu was naturally composed, and a little rain wouldn’t cloud his judgment. Before long, under his instructions, the group managed to efficiently secure the first cart’s rain cover.

But by then, his clothes were already thoroughly soaked.

The damp fabric clung uncomfortably to his body. To make matters worse, the old ailment in his throat flared up again, leaving an itchy, stinging sensation that only irritated him further.

Seeing that the merchants were finally getting the hang of it, he stopped speaking and simply observed them in silence.

Just then, he vaguely heard the sound of footsteps approaching through the rain.

Zhao Chu tilted his head slightly and caught sight of a tall, upright figure. The oil-paper umbrella concealed the person’s face, but the hand gripping the handle was visible—its long, slender fingers distinct, so pale they seemed to glow in the dark, rain-soaked night.

Fang Linyuan again?

Zhao Chu, chilled to the bone, frowned slightly.

With him here, the grain wouldn’t come to harm. Why couldn’t this young general rest easy? Why did he insist on stepping into the storm?

Gripping his umbrella, Zhao Chu strode toward Fang Linyuan.

The two met face to face beneath the rain and the edge of their umbrellas. As their gazes locked, Zhao Chu saw the unmistakable worry in Fang Linyuan’s eyes.

He had intended to scold him, but in that moment, something in his heart softened. Any lingering irritation melted into a sigh.

“The grain is fine. You should go back—”

“Why are you still out here?!”

The two of them spoke almost in unison.

Zhao Chu paused slightly.

Through the curtain of rain, he saw that Fang Linyuan’s eyes were filled entirely with him—all his worry seemed to be because of him.

The next moment, Fang Linyuan took a step forward.

Another umbrella was placed in front of Zhao Chu, shielding him from the cold rain blowing in from the northwest.

And because of this motion, Fang Linyuan’s warm, firm body happened to press right into his embrace.

Through the damp clothes clinging to their skin, the heat of Fang Linyuan’s body seeped through Zhao Chu’s own chill, pressing against his flesh.

In the midst of the freezing wind and rain, only Fang Linyuan’s body was warm.

The heavy, wet robes created an illusion—making it feel as though their bare skin was pressed together.

He could feel the heat of Fang Linyuan’s living, burning body, right against him, right in his arms.

Zhao Chu’s entire body went rigid.

“You… You go first. ”

When he spoke again, his voice was already hoarse.

*

Fang Linyuan’s robes were still dry—there was no dripping rainwater, and naturally, he could not feel Zhao Chu’s body shifting between heat and ice.

He simply assumed Zhao Chu was being stubborn.

With wind this strong, what use was an umbrella! In just this short while, Zhao Chu was already nearly drenched. He was so afraid of the cold, and there wasn’t even a doctor at the post station. What would they do if he got sick?

Fang Linyuan ignored Zhao Chu’s attempts to push him away, only gripping the umbrella tighter, carefully shielding him from the rain.

“They’re all busy—why don’t you go inside and get out of the rain first?” Zhao Chu remained silent, but Fang Linyuan couldn’t hold back from scolding him a little more.

“Miss Juansu isn’t here either. You should be more careful.”

Yet Zhao Chu still didn’t reply. He only stiffly stepped back a little, turning his body slightly away, leaving half of his back exposed to Fang Linyuan.

He’s still avoiding me! Just a few words, and he’s already unhappy?

Fang Linyuan wanted to say something more, but when he saw Zhao Chu’s silent figure, there was a faint air of grievance about him.

…Forget it.

“All right, I wasn’t trying to blame you.” His voice softened slightly, but he still stubbornly held the umbrella over him.

“The post station has already prepared rooms for you. I’ll watch things here—go inside and change your clothes first.”

But what Fang Linyuan didn’t know was that right now, Zhao Chu needed to stand in the cold rain for a while.

Alone.

His shoulders and back were tense—not just from suppressing his untimely desires, but from the fear that if Fang Linyuan noticed, he would find him filthy and repulsive.

And yet…

In the corner of his vision, Fang Linyuan’s outstretched arm, holding the umbrella for him, was gradually getting wet. Half of his back was soaked, and his warm body was still pressed close against him.

That unwelcome heat and the unbearable softness in his chest—both existed within this same body of his.

Zhao Chu closed his eyes.

It felt like he had been banished  into the mire by the gods themselves.

He cautiously, carefully turned slightly, first pressing down on Fang Linyuan’s arm and forcibly pushing his umbrella back over his own head.

“I’m fine,” he said in a low voice. “You go inside first. These merchants are travelling with me—I’ll be going back with them soon, it won’t take long.”

He still needed to stand in the rain for a while. The wet, biting cold could at least help him stay calm—for now. After all, the drenched robes clinging to his body offered no concealment whatsoever.

“You…” Fang Linyuan grew anxious.

He was just about to say something else, but Zhao Chu’s current state no longer allowed for any further entanglement at such close proximity.

The great python, always so cold, proud, and ruthless, had finally, under the weight of this fierce, blasphemous desire, lowered his head helplessly before the blazing god.

“I know I was wrong.” His voice was slightly hoarse as he spoke softly.

“Go back first, all right?”

 

--

The author has something to say:

Fang Linyuan: This guy is avoiding me—he must be sick but too embarrassed to tell me!

Zhao Chu: …Wife, save me.

 

Translator : DarNan