The slightly cool, soft sensation fell on his hand — how could Fang Linyuan possibly retain any rational thought?

Zhao Chu was already someone whose beauty could strike fear into the heart. When such a person smiled in the eyes and leaned in to kiss someone, it was more than enough to steal their soul away.

All the more so when he was the one Fang Linyuan held in his heart.

Fang Linyuan's fingers trembled twice, then went completely still. All the jumbled thoughts in his head — gender, status, power, strategy — disappeared without a trace in that moment.

Only Zhao Chu remained. There was no room for anything else.

When the kiss ended, the rouge on Zhao Chu’s lips was left behind on the back of his hand.

A faint smudge of red, blurred like a brand seared into his skin, tingling faintly, as if it had taken root beneath the flesh.

When Fang Linyuan looked up again, because the kiss had lingered for a while, the rouge on Zhao Chu’s lips had also smeared slightly.

His lips were still curved upward, and under the icy moonlight, the brilliant red of the rouge made him look like a bewitching spirit, the kind that lured souls away.

“Do you understand now?” he heard Zhao Chu ask. “How I feel about you.”

Fang Linyuan looked as if he had been bewitched, dazedly nodding twice.

He heard Zhao Chu let out a quiet laugh.

As he laughed, he looked at him, the expression in his eyes softening as if melting. Smiling, he once again pulled up Fang Linyuan’s hand and pressed it tightly to his lips.

Warm breath brushed over the back of his hand along with that muffled laughter — over and over, it made the skin itch, and Fang Linyuan subconsciously pulled his hand back a little.

“Sorry,” he heard Zhao Chu say as he shifted the hand slightly away from his lips.

Yet he still held it in his palm, firmly and securely.

“I just…” Zhao Chu looked up at him, his eyes gleaming and full of laughter.

He paused briefly, then let out a soft sigh with a smile and tightened his grip on Fang Linyuan’s hand.

“I’m just really happy.”

He didn’t say it aloud, but although he had appeared calm and composed just moments before, only he knew how nervous he had truly been inside.

The bottomless abyss beneath the crashing waves had nearly swallowed him whole.

How could he not fear Fang Linyuan’s rejection or disgust?

Zhao Chu could no longer remember exactly how long his feelings for Fang Linyuan had been growing. They were like thorny branches sprouting in dry earth — only a few inconspicuous twigs visible above ground, but long since rooted deep in his bones, his blood, his very soul, entangling themselves through his organs.

They could not be pulled out — not unless ripped out with his bones, his blood, and his still-beating heart.

He didn’t dare touch those feelings lightly. He had used all his strength to maintain a facade of dead calm.

He had imagined this moment before.

Roots grown too deep would, eventually, break through the earth.

Step by step, he had tested and restrained himself, as though searching for the safest moment. But he knew best — for him, there was no such thing as a safe moment.

It was nothing more than his entire heart. Nothing more than whether Fang Linyuan wanted it or not.

Thankfully, Fang Linyuan wanted it.

Zhao Chu could no longer suppress the wild joy of surviving disaster, nor the love that had grown in his heart for so long and no longer needed hiding.

He looked up at Fang Linyuan, until even Fang Linyuan’s gaze began to dodge his.

“…Why don’t you get up and talk properly?” Fang Linyuan looked away awkwardly. “Isn’t that uncomfortable?”

Who could endure being stared at with those eyes!

As Fang Linyuan looked away, Zhao Chu rose within the corner of his vision.

Then he sat down beside him.

He took out a handkerchief from his sleeve, and as he gently wiped the rouge from Fang Linyuan’s hand, he softly asked, “Why’d you turn your head away?”

Afraid this fox spirit is going to steal my soul tonight.

Fang Linyuan’s lips moved, but he said nothing.

The next moment, Zhao Chu wrapped an arm around his shoulders, and with a gentle yet unyielding force, pulled him into his embrace.

Fang Linyuan’s face rested right in the crook of Zhao Chu’s neck. With every breath, there was an invisible entanglement.

“I…”

Before Fang Linyuan could move, Zhao Chu’s voice sounded by his ear. “If you won’t look at me, then just let me hold you for a bit.”

A light sentence, barely more than a breath, but every word carried suppressed, surging emotion.

The slight vibrations from Zhao Chu’s chest sapped Fang Linyuan’s strength again.

So he remained in Zhao Chu’s embrace, the two of them quietly facing each other for a long time.

In that expansive silence, Fang Linyuan suddenly realized something. “…You’re my wife.”

His tone held a faint protest, as if the realization had just dawned on him.

Even if they were like this now, shouldn’t he be the one holding Zhao Chu? He was the husband! Always being held like this — what kind of decorum was that?

The more he thought about it, the more wrong it felt.

He pressed against Zhao Chu’s chest, trying to sit up. But before he could apply any real force, Zhao Chu had already pulled him back into his arms.

A low chuckle came from Zhao Chu’s chest, and at the same time, his arms tightened around him.

“That’s right,” he heard Zhao Chu say. “So, the two of us now — it’s both reasonable and legal.”

That’s not what I meant!

Just as Fang Linyuan was about to struggle and explain, Zhao Chu gently rested his cheek against Fang Linyuan’s forehead. That subtle skin-to-skin contact made Fang Linyuan lose his strength once more.

Zhao Chu’s arms held him tight, but his posture was light, almost delicate.

Fang Linyuan couldn’t help but feel dizzy under his touch.

In that daze, he no longer cared about “the husband leads, the wife follows” anymore.

He simply let himself sink slowly into the warm, gentle world of Zhao Chu’s breath and presence.

*

Though the Feast of Eternal Peace had ended, the envoys of the various nations remained in the palace, carrying on with their celebrations. The sounds of music and merriment did not cease even into the early morning of the next day.

Once the Qianqiu Banquet concluded, it marked the approach of the year’s end. According to the tradition of the Hongyou Dynasty, the foreign envoys would remain in the palace for several days of conviviality and sightseeing, and be invited to stay for the New Year’s Eve festivities.

Usually, envoys would return to their countries before the new year to report back, and wouldn’t stay all the way until New Year’s Eve. But even if they couldn’t stay that long, they would at least remain in the capital for another half-month before departing.

Early the next morning, someone from the palace came to the Marquis of Anping’s residence, saying that His Majesty would be in the Imperial Garden with several envoys today to watch the regular drills of the guards.

The attendants of the foreign envoys were all highly skilled in martial arts. His Majesty, caught in a moment of interest, had invited them to a friendly competition in the palace riding grounds, and summoned the Marquis of Anping and the Princess to join them in watching.

Such events were quite common during the period when envoys remained in the capital.

However, Fang Linyuan felt a bit awkward.

After receiving the imperial edict, he slowly dressed in a brocade robe and jade crown. As he stepped into the carriage, he happened to see Zhao Chu already seated calmly inside.

Fang Linyuan’s ears turned red, and he hastily averted his gaze.

He didn’t even know when it happened last night—he had actually fallen asleep in Zhao Chu’s arms. When he woke up in the morning, the room was empty except for himself, still clutching the embroidered quilt like he wouldn’t let go.

…He didn’t even know what he looked like after falling asleep!

Embarrassed beyond words, Fang Linyuan felt he had no face to meet Zhao Chu today.

As the carriage moved, Fang Linyuan sat upright and stiffly beside Zhao Chu.

His hands were clasped together, twisting and kneading as if they held a grudge against each other. After a while, he started picking at his neatly trimmed fingernails, clearly not knowing where to place them.

At that moment, Zhao Chu’s voice came from beside him. “Did you sleep well last night?” he asked.

Of all the things to bring up!

Fang Linyuan picked at his hand and softly replied, “Very well.”

Zhao Chu chuckled again beside him.

Fang Linyuan couldn’t understand why Zhao Chu laughed so much. Ever since yesterday, he’d been like this. It was as if his former cold and haughty demeanor had all just been the disguise of a fox spirit.

“All right, do you still want your hands?”

Before the laughter faded, a long, cool hand reached over and gently pried apart Fang Linyuan’s tightly knotted fingers.

Fang Linyuan was forced to raise his head and look at Zhao Chu.

He saw those peach blossom eyes rippling with light, and within the glimmering amusement in them was his own reflection.

Fang Linyuan’s ears burned again, and he turned his gaze away.

But then he heard Zhao Chu say: “What are you dodging for? Afraid I’ll eat you?”

Who’s dodging?!

Fang Linyuan, caught red-handed, grumbled silently in his heart.

He had no choice but to keep looking at Zhao Chu. His eyes had nowhere to hide, filled with bashful nervousness and a trace of joy he couldn't conceal.

After a brief moment of eye contact, Zhao Chu’s gaze seemed to deepen slightly.

The next moment, he gently raised a hand and covered Fang Linyuan’s eyes.

Fang Linyuan flinched. “...What are you doing?”

Then he heard Zhao Chu’s voice, deliberately softened, tinged with the restraint of something stirred within. “Better not look at me like that.”

That was all Zhao Chu said.

*

Around the riding grounds, a circle of ebony carved high platforms had been set up, covered in brocade. Behind the huanghuali wood (NT: rare and highly prized type of rosewood) tables and chairs with gold inlay stood zitan wood (NT: A type of valuable red wood) screens embroidered with Suzhou silk, worth their weight in gold. On the tables, tea smoke curled, and delicate pastries and fruits were laid out in Ru kiln dishes.

The martial contests in the field were indeed a spectacle.

Daxuan emphasized mounted archery and swordsmanship, while Goguryeo and other nations favored hand-to-hand combat. After the archery and sword contests were over, two tall and strong wrestlers behind Li Minshun stepped onto the stage.

“These two,” Li Minshun said with a smile to the Emperor of Hongyou, “are the strongest men in our Goguryeo. No one who’s faced them in hand-to-hand combat has ever beaten them.”

“Since all the brave warriors of various nations are gathered today, why not test strength through friendly competition? Let us see if our Goguryeo warriors still stand a chance when placed among the finest from across the lands.”

The Emperor of Hongyou was very interested. He clapped his hands and praised the idea, immediately sending two highly skilled palace guards to the arena to spar with them.

The foreign envoys watched with great enthusiasm.

Hand-to-hand combat was far more exciting than riding and shooting. The back-and-forth exchanges stirred one’s blood just by watching.

In no time, dust flew in the arena as the guards and the strongmen battled fiercely.

Li Minshun had come prepared—his men were indeed formidable.

After only twenty or thirty exchanges, the imperial guards were defeated and thrown to the ground.

The surrounding envoys gasped in amazement. The Hongyou Emperor showed not the slightest displeasure. Instead, he clapped and laughed, saying: “The warriors of Goguryeo truly are extraordinary!”

Li Minshun laughed along upon hearing this. “Your Majesty overpraises. It’s merely some unrefined skills. They won only because they’ve trained through repetition,” he said.

“And besides…”

Li Minshun’s gaze shifted toward Fang Linyuan, seated among the guests.

“The greatest warrior of Daxuan, the one who repelled the Turks, hasn’t even taken the field. How dare we make such bold claims?”

Suddenly named, Fang Linyuan’s brow twitched.

He turned to look at Li Minshun, only to see the latter raising his eyebrows, smiling at him with clear mischief.

On the other side, upon hearing Fang Linyuan’s name, the Hongyou Emperor immediately wore a proud expression.

He began praising how Fang Linyuan had shown talent in martial arts from a young age, and how he had brought back numerous victories from the borderlands in his teens. The surrounding ministers and foreign envoys joined in the chorus of admiration.

Li Minshun nodded repeatedly as he listened, then sighed: “If I could witness General Fang’s skills in person, then this trip would truly be worthwhile!”

As he said this, he looked once again toward Fang Linyuan.

Fang Linyuan frowned slightly.

It was all because he had secretly swallowed his frustration in private, and now wanted to get back at him here.

If it really came down to hand-to-hand combat, none of these so-called strongmen would amount to anything in his eyes. If they could stand upright after three moves from him, he, Fang Linyuan, would write his name backwards.

But right now, with court officials and noble guests all watching nearby, Li Minshun calling him out to the riding grounds to spar with these "strongmen"—no matter how you looked at it, it was like a cricket fight, just toying with him for amusement.

He didn’t need to think twice to realize just how impossible a position he was in.

Fang Linyuan slightly turned his head to glance up at the Emperor of Hongyou on the imperial seat. He saw that the emperor’s smile had faded a little, clearly not too pleased with the proposal either.

However, the Goguryeo envoys were completely oblivious and immediately began chattering:

“Yes! We’ve long wanted to witness General Fang’s heroic bearing!”

“Surely General Fang wouldn’t be afraid?”

“Please, General Fang, take the stage and give us a demonstration!”

Amidst their chatter, the emperor’s displeasure gradually turned to hesitation.

After a moment, he looked toward Fang Linyuan. “Lord Fang…”

But before he could finish, a calm and indifferent female voice rang out from the field.

“If His Highness of Goguryeo wishes to watch, then perhaps I should take the stage and spar with your two warriors instead.”

It was Zhao Chu.

Fang Linyuan was startled, turning his head to look at him.

He saw Zhao Chu sitting upright, lashes slightly lowered as he sipped his tea, expression indifferent, not sparing so much as a glance in the emperor’s direction or at the others.

At once, the air grew cold and silent.

The emperor’s words were stuck in his throat, and the few coaxing Goguryeo envoys also fell quiet.

Li Minshun, the instigator of all this, paused awkwardly before forcing a stiff smile and saying, “Your Highness, surely you’re making fun with us. You are a noble princess and a woman besides—how could our warriors possibly lay a hand on you?”

Beside him, the emperor’s expression also darkened. “Huining, no fooling around.”

But Zhao Chu smiled.

His brows held a trace of chill, lips curling into a mocking smirk. As he set down histea cup, he happened to lift his eyes—those dazzling features were like a poison-dipped peacock feather.

“If you already understand that principle,” he said, “then why do you insist on making the Marquis take the stage to spar with your Goguryeo men?”

As Li Minshun froze in place, her tea cup landed on the table with a crisp clink.

“A couple of flashy showmen putting on airs with their flowery punches and embroidered kicks, even they know better than to strike a woman. And yet Goguryeo, which spends its days too scared to breathe under pressure from the Six Tribes of Yanbei, thinks it deserves to have the man who drove back the Turks come down to spar with you?”

Zhao Chu gave a cool chuckle and looked directly at Li Minshun. “It would be wise to recognize your own worth.”

Her tone was light and effortless, but the words carried a deadly edge, leaving Li Minshun speechless for a long moment.

On the other side, the Hongyou Emperor's expression had turned utterly grim.

“Huining, mind your manners!” the emperor said, struggling to suppress his anger. “The Goguryeo envoys came to Daxuan with congratulations. Their few extra words stem only from curiosity—how could you speak such disrespectful things!”

But Zhao Chu lowered his eyes and didn’t even bother to respond to him.

For a moment, the emperor’s chest heaved with fury, and he couldn’t speak a single word.

Just then, the Empress Jiang was about to step in to smooth things over, when an inner attendant hurried up to the emperor’s dais, bowed, and leaned close to whisper something in the emperor’s ear.

The emperor’s expression changed, and he stood up.

“I have just remembered some urgent state matters to attend to. Empress, see to entertaining the foreign guests on my behalf.” His expression was stiff as he turned to Empress Jiang.

She quickly rose and agreed, while those in the hall stood and saluted.

The emperor left in haste amidst the crowd’s bowing.

Fang Linyuan finally had a chance to turn his head and look at Zhao Chu, who had just spoken those explosive words.

In truth, if he had gone up and sparred with the strongmen, he could certainly win with flair. As for being used as a source of amusement—if he just didn’t take it to heart, enduring it would be fine.

But…

By his side, there was this great serpent, coiled around him protectively within its own territory, not waiting for him to respond, already hissing and baring its fangs, scaring the intruders away.

The feeling was indescribably strange.

And just then, Zhao Chu slightly turned his head and looked back at him.

That fox-spirit face curled into a lazy smile directed at him.

…Seducing people again!

Fang Linyuan’s ears turned red, and he quickly looked away.

Meanwhile, seeing that the emperor had left, the mood in the arena grew awkward, and the martial matches naturally couldn’t continue.

Empress Jiang smiled and said, “It’s nearly noon, and the sun is blazing hot. Why don’t all of you come with me to Luming Terrace to enjoy an opera instead?”

Naturally, no one objected. The crowd all rose to their feet one after another.

The strongmen on the field also returned to stand beside Li Minshun.

Over there, Li Minshun seemed a little dissatisfied. As he stood up, he raised his voice, speaking pointedly to the strongmen beside him, “Forget it, it’s not a big deal. What’s the point in fussing over a mere woman? Just a few jokes, that’s all.”

The strongmen, eager to curry favor, quickly chimed in: “That’s right! How could we possibly spar with a woman? Raising our hands against a lady—that’d be nothing short of bullying the weak with strength…”

“That’s not quite right, Your Highness of Goguryeo.”

At that moment, a clear and cool female voice came from not far off.

Who was that?

Li Minshun impatiently looked up.

It turned out to be a tall woman of quiet, plain beauty. The coronet on her head was ornate, but the ceremonial robe she wore was noticeably more subdued than the others.

It was that widowed eldest princess.

A forced smile surfaced on Li Minshun’s face. He offered a perfunctory bow and said, “We were merely joking around. Your Highness, I hope you won’t take offense…”

But the princess cast only a faint glance his way, casually plucked a grape from the golden tray beside her.

“Huining wasn’t wrong,” she said, lifting her eyes to look directly at Li Minshun.

At that point, Li Minshun could only follow up awkwardly, “...Which part?”

“Those ‘flowery punches and embroidered kicks’—if that’s all it is, then don’t go talking big about not fighting women.”

As she spoke, she flicked her fingers lightly.

A dark blur cut through the air with a gust of wind—the grape shot out like an arrow, striking the ground directly in front of Li Minshun.

Pop! A soft but sharp sound rang out, the impact raising a slight tremor that startled Li Minshun.

When he lowered his eyes for a closer look, that fragile grape had actually been firmly embedded into the ground, which was frozen as hard as stone.

Li Minshun looked up in shock.

Only to see that the princess had already turned and walked away, not sparing him another glance.

*

The Hongyou Emperor had left to handle state matters, but even after the noon meal, he never returned.

The Empress, left presiding over the gathering, seemed faintly uneasy.

So, after the meal, the Empress claimed fatigue and dismissed the banquet. The ministers and their families all paid their respects and departed the palace.

On the way out, the officials couldn’t help but whisper to one another, speculating on what might have happened at court to cause His Majesty to withdraw so abruptly.

Fang Linyuan found himself curious as well.

But when he glanced sideways at Zhao Chu, he saw that the man was calm as ever, as if everything was proceeding just as he had anticipated.

Once they boarded the carriage, Fang Linyuan couldn’t help but ask Zhao Chu, “Do you know what made His Majesty leave just now?”

As expected, Zhao Chu nodded.

Fang Linyuan’s eyes lit up with curiosity. He immediately leaned in, eyes bright: “What was it?”

But the moment Zhao Chu met his gaze, something flickered in his eyes.

He simply looked at him, quietly, intently.

The intensity of his stare gave Fang Linyuan a little shiver inside. After a moment, he asked in a soft voice, “...What is it?”

Zhao Chu paused briefly.

Then, when he finally spoke, his voice was softer, and his eyes shimmered like rippling water, wrapping around Fang Linyuan completely.

“Nothing,” he said, as he gently leaned in closer.

A faint, cool breath instantly enveloped Fang Linyuan.

“I just… missed you a little.”

 

--

Author’s note:

Fang Linyuan: ?? I’m right in front of you, what do you mean you missed me?!

Zhao Chu: I want to...

Fang Linyuan: (dives forward to cover his mouth) You’re not allowed to think about it!!

 

 

Translator : DarNan