“Because my improper thoughts toward you are real too”

This sentence had almost drained all of Fang Linyuan’s strength.

The moment the words left his mouth, he didn’t dare even look at Zhao Chu’s expression, spun around sharply, and broke into a run. His mind was in a haze—he couldn’t believe he had actually said such words aloud. Now there was truly no room for turning back.

Zhao Chu would probably be disgusted with him, right? Fortunately, he was about to depart for the frontier; by then, life and death would separate them, and he wouldn’t disgust Zhao Chu for too long.

It was just a pity… the first time someone’s heart truly stirred, it had to be such a defeat in flight… huh?

Fang Linyuan had barely taken a step before his wrist was grabbed and held in place.

He turned in surprise and saw Zhao Chu, one hand gripping his wrist, expression calm, yet his eyes were fathomless.

Then Zhao Chu stepped closer, very near.

He… what is he doing?

Fang Linyuan’s mind temporarily froze, staring at Zhao Chu, raising his other hand.

It stopped just before touching Fang Linyuan’s cheek, hovering so close that both could feel each other’s warmth.

Fang Linyuan’s ears flushed red.

Then he heard Zhao Chu’s low, soft voice. “You…”

His eyes showed a mix of helplessness and gentleness. The words seemed stuck, hesitating like his hand, not knowing what to say.

After a moment, with a sigh of relief, Zhao Chu’s features lit with a smile. The hand hovering over Fang Linyuan’s cheek tightened, as if trying to grasp something through the air.

“This… you never let me know,” Zhao Chu noted. “Silly, aren’t you?”

…Huh?

Can such a thing just be casually revealed?

Fang Linyuan was dizzy from Zhao Chu’s attitude.

Zhao Chu withdrew his hand and said, “Wait for me here.”

“Ah?” Fang Linyuan paused.

Zhao Chu turned halfway, then stopped, fixing his gaze on Fang Linyuan.

In full view of everyone, that look made Fang Linyuan flush with embarrassment.

Next, Zhao Chu raised his hand again, placing it on the cheek Fang Linyuan had almost touched but never did.

The pad of his thumb traced Fang Linyuan’s lips, as if replacing some other gesture.

“Wait here, for me. Don’t go anywhere.”

Zhao Chu strode away. Fang Linyuan stood there, stunned, covering his mouth.

What was Zhao Chu doing just now?

He didn’t scold or hit him, yet reached out to touch his mouth?

Fang Linyuan’s heart raced, as if he had fallen into a dream.

*

The day of Fang Linyuan’s departure for the campaign arrived.

The Empress appointed him General Yunhui (NT: litt. Cloud radiance), under the command of the Yanzhou garrison, serving as a deputy, heading to the Yanzhou frontier.

That day, the sky was clear and the wild geese flew high. Fang Linyuan bade farewell to his mother and elder sister-in-law, mounted Liuhuo, and rode out of the northern city gate.

The accompanying guards were already waiting, a massive procession numbering over a thousand. Compared to a typical third-rank general’s entourage, it was overwhelmingly grandiose.

But Fang Linyuan said nothing, merely fell in line, waiting silently.

At that moment, a eunuch’s announcement rang from the city gate.

“The Fifth Highness has arrived—”

Fang Linyuan looked up to see Zhao Chu, mounted on a tall white horse in full attire.

…Zhao Chu.

Fang Linyuan’s ears burnt red.

That day, Zhao Chu had returned directly to Dou Qingyi’s hall, knelt before her, and requested to go on the journey, to travel to Yanzhou with Fang Linyuan.

Although Dou Qingyi did not scold him, her gaze was strange and complex.

After a long pause, she said, “Linyuan is indeed a good child. But did you ask for his opinion?”

Zhao Chu lowered his head, posture upright, words resolute: “He is also pleased with me.”

Then, silence fell.

Dou Qingyi’s brows furrowed tightly, observing Zhao Chu for a long time, pressing her temple.

“The Fang family has been loyal for generations. The Duke of Anguo and his eldest son are trustworthy generals keeping Yumen Pass safe.”

She tossed the memorial onto the desk, speaking with some irritation: “You handle that side yourself. Don’t let personal feelings add trouble to my empire. Now, leave.”

Within the hall, tensions were high, yet Zhao Chu hadn’t said a word to Fang Linyuan.

That day, he returned quickly to Fang Linyuan, never stopping, and grabbed his wrist.

“Let’s go,” he said.

Fang Linyuan paused. “To where?”

Zhao Chu looked at him, brows lowered, smiling. “Wherever you go, I will follow.”

*

Later, when Fang Linyuan asked him again, Zhao Chu only said that his mother, the Empress, had agreed.

“Agreed to what?” Fang Linyuan asked.

Zhao Chu just turned his head slightly and smiled at him.

“Agreed to everything.”

Seeing Zhao Chu again and remembering this, Fang Linyuan’s ears felt as if they were on fire, nearly scorching his hair.

The ceremonial guards and troops set off in a grand procession, vast and overwhelming. He rode alongside Zhao Chu, not daring to glance at him even once.

At that moment, Zhao Chu reached over and handed him a small brocade-wrapped package.

He looked up and faintly smelled a slightly roasted fragrance from inside.

“At this time…” he looked at Zhao Chu.

Zhao Chu said, “Eunuch Wang had me bring this for you. Yanzhou is harsh and cold; after this, you probably won’t taste his craftsmanship for a long while.”

Zhao Chu had not taken Eunuch Wang out of the palace. This trip to Yanzhou to supervise the military was done with only a few attendants and travel gear, looking far too minimal.

Fang Linyuan understood Zhao Chu’s intent.

His desire to go to the frontier was no joke. If he were to defend the border and achieve merit, he could no longer live like a young master surrounded by silks and embroideries.

Under Zhao Chu’s watchful gaze, Fang Linyuan reached out and took the package from him.

But the moment he grasped it, Zhao Chu reversed his hand and held Fang Linyuan’s hand.

Fang Linyuan jumped in surprise. “You…”

Zhao Chu tilted his head and looked at him: “You said you had improper thoughts about me, yet you never acted on them improperly.”

…Why did he even feel aggrieved?

Fang Linyuan, afraid of being seen, tried to pull his hand back, but feared the package in his hand would fall apart, ruining Eunuch Wang’s thoughtful gift.

He frantically looked around. Fortunately, the guards in front and behind were heads-down on the road, and no one would rudely stare at the Fifth Highness.

“Let go quickly,” Fang Linyuan whispered, glaring at Zhao Chu.

But Zhao Chu lightly hooked a finger, his gorgeous features smiling, looking like a clever fox spirit.

“Could it be that your improper thoughts are fake?”

Fang Linyuan felt as if a fox had seized his throat. He dared not struggle, yet the sharp teeth pressed gently, tingling and tickling.

He could only admit defeat: “They’re real, very real.”

The little fox then raised the corner of his brow and gently let go.

Fang Linyuan hurriedly withdrew his hand, holding the package with one hand while urging his horse forward.

He then heard Zhao Chu’s voice float lightly from behind.

“That’s good,” he said. “Because my improper thoughts about you are also real.”

Translator : DarNan