With this first-luck gift, in days to come you’ll surely be able to find your beloved one.

 

That year on New Year’s Eve, Duke An, Fang Duo, returned to the capital in triumph with his eldest son Fang Linze.

At the beginning of the year, the Turkic cavalry, stirred by Daxuan’s internal turbulence, had been restless and repeatedly invaded the Yumen Pass frontier. At the time of the female emperor’s enthronement, despite the turbulence in the capital, she ordered Fang Duo and his son to lead heavy troops to Yumen Pass.

Over the course of a year, the Turkic cavalry were beaten into retreat step by step. The usually arrogant Turkic Khan even voluntarily submitted a letter of surrender, willing to acknowledge Daxuan as suzerain and offer tribute each year.

Whether this willingness to pay tribute held any true sincerity remained to be seen, but Fang Duo’s determination to demand tribute was something the whole world had witnessed.

Thus, that New Year’s Eve, Fang Duo not only returned with Fang Linze, but also brought back herds of cattle and sheep and tribute stretching for several li, all the way into Shangjing.

Fang Linyuan saw his elder brother in the palace.

After a year apart, his elder brother had grown more robust, his skin darkened, yet he was still as bright and handsome as ever—Linyuan recognized him at a single glance.

At that moment, he had been practicing horsemanship and archery on the riding grounds with Zhao Chu and the other companions.

When he turned his head, he saw his elder brother, and at once spurred his horse forward. Before he had even stopped in front of Fang Linze, he was already laughing and shouting: “Brother!”

Fang Linze stood smiling, reached out to grasp the reins, and steadied the horse in place.

Fang Linyuan swung down from horseback in one motion and threw himself straight into his brother’s arms.

“Brother, I’ve missed you so much!”

Fang Linze couldn’t help but laugh, holding his younger brother by the shoulder and giving him a gentle pat. “All right, we’re still in the palace—you must mind your decorum.”

But Fang Linyuan was reluctant to let go.

“Has Father also returned to the capital? Mother said it would be some time before you came back, I thought it would be ages before I saw you again!”

“Father has gone to present himself before His Majesty. The Turkic tribes have submitted tribute, and His Majesty wishes to establish trade with them—those details all require Father to report and discuss with the Empress.”

As Fang Linze spoke, he gently pushed Linyuan aside, then turned his head and inclined it in salute toward someone not far behind: “This general pays respects to the Fifth Highness.”

Eh? Fifth Highness?

Fang Linyuan turned, and only then realized Zhao Chu had stopped not far behind at some point, quietly watching them.

And as for himself, he was still nestled in his brother’s arms.

Flushing red, Fang Linyuan quickly withdrew.

In the moment of excitement he had forgotten to introduce his best friend from the past year to his elder brother.

But before he could speak, Zhao Chu had already nodded to Fang Linze, dismounted with a light leap, and said: “General Fang, no need for excessive formality.”

Though all of them were of a young age, somehow these two carried themselves with such solemn seriousness that Fang Linyuan alone seemed like a little child.

Scratching his head, he stepped aside to make some room.

He then heard his elder brother say with a smile to Zhao Chu: “My mother often mentioned Your Highness in her letters. Linyuan is young and playful, prone to mischief—these past days he has been fortunate to have Your Highness’s care and indulgence, preventing him from causing any grave trouble.”

But Zhao Chu only shook his head and slowly replied: “He is very good.”

He had always spoken little, as if words were as precious as gold (NT: idiom for speaking rarely and concisely), so such a reply was only normal.

Yet for some reason, Fang Linyuan felt his ears burn, as though there were something peculiar about this praise.

His elder brother, however, laughed upon hearing it.

“Father and I brought back two young ponies from the frontier. If Your Highness does not mind, please choose one to keep and ride.”

*

Two sturdy young foals—one pure white, the other a vivid red—were led into the riding grounds. The surrounding boys all stared wide-eyed.

“Which does Your Highness prefer?” Fang Linze asked. “These two ponies are twins of the same dam, a true pair, both rare and precious steeds.”

At the words “precious steeds,” Fang Linyuan’s eyes lit up.

His gaze swept up and down the two ponies, lingering long on the little red one.

So beautiful. With such a strong form and brilliant coat, once it ran it would surely look like flowing fire.

Yet he did not notice that when Zhao Chu heard the words “a pair,” his eyes flicked over the ponies and then, without betraying expression, shifted quietly toward him.

Meanwhile, Fang Linyuan was still engrossed in conversation with his elder brother.

“Brother, won’t you keep one for yourself?” he asked.

His brother smiled and shook his head. “Ponies this young cannot yet be taken into battle. I already have my own horse.” Saying this, he turned to Zhao Chu.

But Zhao Chu tilted his head slightly and asked Fang Linyuan: “Do you like it?”

Fang Linyuan turned his head, and saw Zhao Chu leading the red pony by its reins.

At such a moment, surely it should be the prince who chose first.

He hesitated, his eyes lingering on the pony, then shifting back to Zhao Chu. If Zhao Chu liked it, he would give it up. Gritting his teeth, Fang Linyuan resolved himself.

But unexpectedly, in the next instant, the reins were placed into his hands. The little red horse was drawn closer, standing docilely before him.

“It suits you very well.”

Turning his head, Fang Linyuan saw Zhao Chu smiling faintly at him.

*

Zhao Chu accepted the white pony, and as a return gift sent to the Duke’s manor a set of black iron tiger-skin saddles, along with eight great chests of gold, jade, and treasures, saying it was to add to the eldest son’s betrothal gifts.

In the courtyard, Fang Duo paced around that overly generous reward several times, before finally stopping beside Fang Linyuan and clapping his shoulder hard.

“Ow!” Fang Linyuan staggered from the force. “What are you doing, Father!”

When he turned back, he saw his father with arms crossed, looking at him and saying: “You rascal, it seems Fifth Highness is quite fond of you?”

Fang Linyuan gritted his teeth and rubbed his shoulder.

What kind of words were those! He and Fifth Highness had the best friendship under heaven!

His father only laughed and said: “I thought you brat would stir up quite a lot of trouble in the palace. Those letters sent to Yumen Pass—only your elder brother believed them.”

“Or was it me lying for Yuan’er, deliberately making things up in those letters?” His mother glanced at him sidelong.

“Of course not, madam has never lied.” Fang Duo hurriedly accompanied his words with a smile.

As for his elder brother, after carefully putting away the saddle, he still didn’t forget to remind Fang Linyuan: “It’s just a single horse. Even if it’s a rare treasure-steed from the frontier, His Highness’s return gift is too generous. In a few days, you should certainly prepare something in return for His Highness.”

Naturally, Fang Linyuan didn’t need his elder brother to remind him of that.

He nodded his head fiercely several times, patting his chest again and again: “Brother, don’t worry! I know Fifth Highness is the best person, I’ll never let him suffer a loss.”

Fang Linze only smiled and rubbed his head.

But after that day, it was Fang Linyuan’s turn to rack his brains.

The things Zhao Chu had given his elder brother were indeed far too precious. If it were a matter of equal value, he couldn’t afford it. Zhao Chu, moreover, didn’t seem to care much for silver or jewels.

Then, what should he give?

He pondered long and hard for several days. At last, two days before his elder brother’s wedding with Song Zhaojin, he finally came up with an idea.

Thus, on that day, when Zhao Chu—attending the wedding banquet in place of the Empress—arrived with his carriage at the Duke’s Mansion which was adorned in red banners and festoons, he saw Fang Linyuan waiting at the gate.

The young noble today was also full of festive joy. The deep crimson robe he wore did not overshadow the hosts, but instead lit up his face until it glowed red, making his smile shine all the brighter.

Zhao Chu nearly had his eyes dazzled by that smile.

“You…” He was just about to ask why Fang Linyuan was here, how long he had waited, when he saw Fang Linyuan already take two steps forward to welcome him down from the carriage.

“I stand here on behalf of my father and brother to greet your Fifth Highness!”

He smiled as he spoke. His bow was not the most proper, but his expression was as if concealing some treasure, gaze burning brightly as he stared straight at Zhao Chu.

It was Zhao Chu instead, who for a moment dared not look at him again.

He lowered his eyes, gave a quiet “Mm,” then leapt lightly down from the carriage, landing at Fang Linyuan’s side.

“Let’s go,” he said, brushing the fallen snow from Fang Linyuan’s shoulder. “Have you waited long? Are you cold?”

Fang Linyuan shook his head quickly, took hold of his sleeve, and walked shoulder to shoulder with him through the vermilion gates.

All around were guests offering greetings. The red lanterns above the gate swayed in the wind, the great double-happiness character reflected against the snow. For a moment, it seemed like only the two of them were walking together, side by side in one world.

Zhao Chu said nothing, but crossed the threshold with him.

Further inside, there were still many guests passing by. Fang Linyuan led Zhao Chu along a side path to a quieter spot behind the hall, then, with a secretive air, pulled something from his sleeve.

“This is for you!” Fang Linyuan lowered his voice, but could not hide the eager joy in his tone. “No one else has one.”

Zhao Chu looked down, and saw a very large red envelope, thick and heavy, warmed through by Fang Linyuan’s body heat.

In that instant, it felt as if all the sunlight in the world had suddenly crashed into his arms.

He raised his eyes to look at Fang Linyuan.

But Fang Linyuan couldn’t read the meaning in his gaze—he only thought Zhao Chu didn’t understand what it was.

“This is today’s wedding banquet’s tou cai !” Fang Linyuan said with a bright grin. “If you accept it, then I’m passing today’s joy on to you!”

(NT : tou cai : litt. the first lucky gift. At weddings (especially in traditional Chinese culture), during the banquet, guests receive little gifts. The very first gift handed out or received is considered the tou cai, bringing extra good fortune)

“With this first-luck gift, in days to come you’ll surely be able to find your beloved one.”

A beloved… is it?

Zhao Chu raised his eyes, looking at Fang Linyuan standing before him.

Under the vast heavens, with gold and red all around, he was smiling at him.

And this time, it truly felt like all the warmth and light of the world had crashed into his arms.

 

Translator : DarNan