He had shown Zhao Chu the scar on his neck, so why was there no response from him now?

Momentarily puzzled by the lack of response, Fang Linyuan glanced at Zhao Chu, who remained expressionless, then turned to look at himself in the mirror on the dressing table.

The scar had long disappeared. Compared to the deep sword wounds on his body, it was practically insignificant.

Fang Linyuan glanced suspiciously at Zhao Chu again, but found that the latter had already averted his gaze.

This guy was always so rude.

Fang Linyuan scoffed, loosened his collar, and headed towards the outer room.

At that moment, a hand suddenly pressed on his shoulder.

Fang Linyuan turned around, only to see Zhao Chu with one hand on his shoulder and the other reaching towards his neck.

What was he up to now?

He had never seen any man so fond of using his hands like this. As Fang Linyuan tried to step back to avoid, Zhao Chu caught hold of his collar.

With a light tug, he loosened it.

When Fang Linyuan looked down, he saw that Zhao Chu had straightened his collar, which he had just messed up.

Meanwhile, Zhao Chu had already turned back to the mirror, busy removing his hairpin.

How odd.

*

The Zhongshun Marquis Residence was one of the oldest noble families in the capital. Although the descendants who inherited the title in recent years were somewhat incompetent, they still held a respectable position in the capital.

When Fang Linyuan and Zhao Chu's carriage stopped in front of the Zhongshun Marquis Residence, the official road in front of the mansion was already crowded with carriages and horses.

However, as soon as the carriage curtain was lifted, Fang Linyuan saw the smiling face of the Marquis's wife welcoming them by the horses.

"Marquis Anping arrived early! Madame pays respects to Her Highness the Princess. Please get out of the car, both of you."

Although Fang Linyuan had been away from the capital for many years, he had some impression of the Marquis's wife.

When he first returned to the capital, the threshold of the Anping Marquis's mansion was almost flattened by people asking for marriage arrangements. At that time, he was solely focused on marrying Zhao Chu and declined all the marriage proposals.

However, unlike the others, the Zhongshun Marquis's wife personally came to visit, and he couldn't refuse her.

Originally, he thought that refusing her in person would offend her, but unexpectedly, after the Marquis's wife heard his straightforward confession of love for Zhao Chu, she looked admiring and praised him for his sincerity, saying she hadn't misjudged him.

She was indeed a straightforward and sincere person.

Seeing the Zhongshun Marquis's wife welcoming them personally, Fang Linyuan got off the carriage and paid his respects. He then received the gift list from Yan Ting and handed it over, and instructed his attendants to deliver the gifts into the mansion.

"Fang Marquis has been away for many days, and yet he looks so good," the Marquis's wife said with a smile.

Just as Fang Linyuan was about to reply, he felt the carriage behind him sway gently.

Turning around, he saw Zhao Chu stepping out of the carriage, adorned with pearls and jade that dazzled his eyes.

The corners of Fang Linyuan's mouth twitched. He turned around and helped Zhao Chu down from the carriage.

Seeing this scene, the Zhongshun Marquis's wife covered her mouth and smiled, "Marquis and the princess are truly deeply in love. On the day of the wedding, there were too many guests, and I didn't have a chance to congratulate the Marquis on his wishes coming true."

Feeling the strong and powerful hand on his wrist, Fang Linyuan concealed his bitterness with a smile and said, "Thank you again, Madam, for your blessings that day."

The Marquis's wife looked at him, smiling with her teeth showing, and then bowed to Zhao Chu who had dismounted from the carriage, leading the two of them into the mansion.

Many dignitaries had already gathered at the banquet. As soon as they arrived, all eyes were on them.

The young general who returned victorious from conquering the barbarians and the Princess Huining, who was the talk of the town, were not only the hottest and most unattainable new elites in the capital but also the legendary immortal couple widely spoken of in the streets.

All sorts of gazes fell upon them in unison.

Fang Linyuan was never good at handling such situations, especially since he hardly knew any of the people present.

Fortunately, before he could feel embarrassed, the Marquis's wife on the side called her second son and instructed him, "Xiu Liang, Marquis Anping has just returned to the capital not long ago and probably doesn't recognize many people here. I'll take the Princess to the ladies' section to be seated. You should take care of the Marquis."

The Marquis's second son, Zuo Xiuliang, hurriedly agreed and led Fang Linyuan to the table.

Zuo Xiuliang was now in his thirties, and over the years, he had repeatedly failed the imperial examinations. Currently, the entire Marquis's mansion only had his eldest brother serving as an official in the court, albeit with only a minor sixth grade position.

Perhaps because of this, the entire mansion was extremely attentive to Fang Linyuan. Zuo Xiuliang, who had grown up mingling in the capital since childhood, was naturally adept at socializing and took care of him every step of the way, introducing him to everyone who came forward, leaving no detail unattended.

Like a fish in water, talking and laughing; Fang Linyuan couldn't help but look at him with a new perspective.

As the sun reached its zenith, the courtyard opened for the banquet. The various dignitaries temporarily paused their socializing and sat down at the table to eat and drink.

Fang Linyuan had also become acquainted with Zuo Xiuliang. After a couple of drinks, they began conversing.

"I see the Second Young Master is also a capable individual with great skills. When you enter the court as an official one day, you're sure to make a name for yourself," Fang Linyuan remarked.

Zuo Xiuliang, however, shook his head with a smile.

"Among the aristocratic children in the capital today, how many can achieve military feats on the battlefield like Marquis Fang? I don't aspire for that. For now, I just want to enjoy my days and relax," Zuo Xiuliang replied.

Fang Linyuan was momentarily surprised by his straightforwardness.

After a moment, he smiled and said, "If the Second Young Master prefers a carefree life, it's also an interesting pursuit."

Zuo Xiuliang chuckled ambiguously and finished his drink.

"I have a good rapport with Marquis Fang, so I'll speak frankly. Marquis, you can listen if you wish," Zuo Xiuliang said, then gestured with his chopsticks towards the entrance, "Look, they're bringing in congratulatory gifts now, but there's only the list, no one accompanying them."

Fang Linyuan looked up and saw the plain, red-clothed boxes being carried into the mansion one by one.

"Who sent those?" he asked curiously.

"Ah, Mr. Sang from the Ministry of Personnel, Mr. Qiu from the Ministry of Rites, Mr. Yuan from the Ministry of Revenue..." Zuo Xiuliang began to count on his fingers. "Oh, there are too many to count. They're all the noble gentlemen of the court."

"They send gifts but don't come in person. Why is that?" Fang Linyuan was even more puzzled.

Zuo Xiuliang chuckled, "Why else? They're avoiding us."

"That doesn't make sense. If they're avoiding, why bother sending gifts?" Fang Linyuan smiled at the paradox.

"Marquis will understand in the future. It's become a custom in the capital," Zuo Xiuliang explained, clinking his glass against Fang Linyuan's, sighing.

"We send invitations, and we can't favour one over the other. We have to send them to the residences of all the noble gentlemen in the court. They don't care to come, but they also don't want to appear rude, so they just send gifts without showing up," Zuo Xiuliang elaborated.

Fang Linyuan furrowed his brow.

Since the imperial examinations were widely opened, many common-born scholars entered the court as officials, as he had heard even in the frontier. Scholars were always aloof and avoided mingling with officials, which was understandable, but to codify it in such a way, Fang Linyuan had never seen before.

Beside him, Zuo Xiuliang continued, "So, we're the disliked ones now. Why bother studying hard for the imperial examinations and be looked down upon?"

Zuo Xiuliang had indeed opened up to Fang Linyuan although they did not have a deep relation, but his complaints were understandable.

There were always mutual courtesies between aristocratic families. Especially for a prestigious family like the Zhongshun Marquis Residence, deeply rooted and influential even before the Emperor, they would care about a small gesture of respect. On the other hand, the civil officials' avoidance only made them feel humiliated.

Just as Fang Linyuan was about to console him, an annoyed voice came from behind, "Second Brother, you've had too much to drink."

Fang Linyuan turned around to see Zuo Xiuyan, the eldest son of the Zhongshun Marquis who currently served as an official in the court.

"Elder Brother..."

"Go sober up in the back and stop talking nonsense here, disturbing Marquis Fang," Zuo Xiuyan said displeased.

Zuo Xiuliang muttered a few times defiantly and got up, walking away.

"My younger brother has always been so frivolous and outspoken since childhood, please forgive him, Marquis," Zuo Xiuyan apologized, picking up a cup of wine from the attendant and offering it to Fang Linyuan.

Fang Linyuan quickly got up and said, "It's nothing. Just a few drunken jokes. I'll forget them once I've heard them."

Zuo Xiuyan smiled gratefully and shared a cup with him, saying, "I must also apologize for any oversight in the hospitality. Please forgive me."

"We should also congratulate the eldest young master on the birth of his son," Fang Linyuan smiled.

"The sun is perfect now, and my wife has already brought the child to the courtyard. If you don't mind, Marquis, you can go and take a look," Zuo Xiuyan suggested with a smile.

Fang Linyuan turned around and saw the group standing in the courtyard through the floral windows.

At the banquet, everyone was indulging in food and drink. Some people had already left in pairs to stroll around the courtyard, and quite a few had gathered in the courtyard by now.

From afar, one could see a woman, surrounded by nurses and maids, holding a child and chatting with those around her. The woman closest to her, wearing the most splendid emerald crown, adorned with pearls and jewels, was undoubtedly Lady Zhongshun, who was smiling as she passed the child she held to the woman beside her.

That woman, standing tall among the crowd, was notably fairer than those around her, especially with her fox-like beauty, which stood out.

Who else but Zhao Chu?

He seemed unfamiliar with holding a child, and he disliked crowded environments. Now, with a soft and squishy infant suddenly thrust into his arms, he stiffened as if he might reveal a fox tail any moment.

Meanwhile, the women around him were all smiling and gathering around to play with the child.

"Ha-ha."

Fang Linyuan couldn't help but chuckle.

"Marquis?" Beside him, Zuo Xiuyan was puzzled and followed his gaze.

He saw, at the end of the gaze of the youthful and vigorous young general, clear and bright like a row of jade columns, Princess Huining, who was holding a child and rarely radiating a hint of maternal brilliance.

Zuo Xiuyan instantly understood.

"Is the Marquis looking at the princess?" Even someone as composed as him couldn't help but show a teasing smile.

Of course, he was looking at Zhao Chu!

Fang Linyuan, not content with just seeing Zhao Chu's embarrassment, grabbed Zuo Xiuyan's sleeve, urging him to look as well.

"Yes." His face beamed, his eyes filled with playful affection as he stared at Zhao Chu. "I've never seen her like this before."

Just holding someone else's child made the Marquis so happy.

If one day the princess had a child with the two of them, I wonder how happy the Marquis would be. Zuo Xiuyan sighed inwardly.

Little did he know that Fang Linyuan was only thinking about why there wasn't a tool to capture such moments.

If he could, he would replicate this scene ten times, a hundred times, and stick them all in the Huaiyu Pavilion, so that Zhao Chu would have nightmares every day, dreaming of his embarrassed look while holding a child.

Hehe, it would drive him crazy.

 

--

The author has something to say:

Zuo Xiuyan: kdlkdl

Fang Linyuan: ??? What are you banging your head against now?

 

Translator : DarNan