The next day, Fang Linyuan went back to the Honglu office and busied himself again.

The guards, the procession, the martial law, the roads when the Turks entered the capital, and the arrangements for the food sent to the Royal Kitchen were gradually perfected. Fang Linyuan personally went to inspect various places during these days, and there were basically no mistakes.

The messengers from the official post also came and went a few times.

Every time the Turks passed through a town, they would come to report to the capital. Just the day before, a messenger came saying that Naren Temüjin’s entourage had passed Yuzhou and would arrive in the capital in three days.

Now, only the officials who would go out of the city to meet the Turkish envoys were left undecided.

"Of course, it must be Lord Marquis!" Yu Tao smiled and said, "Besides Lord Marquis, who can control those wolves in the north?"

After finishing official business that day, Yu Tao came to Fang Linyuan's table with some cakes made by his own kitchen for idle chat.

 

"That's right. Lord Yu hasn't seen it in the capital, but on the day Marquis captured Yumen Pass, he chased Naren Temüjin more than a hundred miles away!" Zuo Fangyou also came over, handing some snacks to Yu Tai, vividly recounting.

"When Naren Temüjin fled, he even lost all his belongings. We followed Marquis and picked up cattle, sheep, and jewels all the way. When we reached Luerhai, we even picked up two concubines he left behind!"

By now, it was close to the Wu hour (NT: 11h 13h), and many officials from the Ministry of Rites had some free time. Having become familiar with Fang Linyuan over the past few days, they were now sitting in their respective positions, listening with interest.

One official asked, "Since you chased them for a hundred miles, why didn't Marquis claim that territory for our Emperor?"

"Wouldn't that be forcibly seizing someone else's territory?" Another official remarked. "Those barbarians might do that, but we in Daxuan never stoop to their level!"

"What territory do barbarians have to speak of? They're like wolves and tigers, best driven far to the edge of the sky!"

"Sir, you're mistaken..."

Several people engaged in a lively debate.

Seeing them argue heatedly, Fang Linyuan quickly intervened with a smile, "Gentlemen, you may not know, but the area outside Yumen Pass is a vast wilderness. It's uninhabited, uncultivable, easy to attack, and hard to defend. It's not suitable for stationing troops."

"Oh..." Several civil officials suddenly seemed to understand.

"It's worthy of Marquis! I've lived many years, but I didn't know about these things."

"I heard that there are many thorny plants outside Yumen, with no branches or leaves. Marquis, is that true?"

The officials gradually became more animated.

But at that moment, a sneer came from outside the door.

Fang Linyuan looked up and saw a man of short stature, with a thin back, dressed in luxurious silk attire and wearing a jade crown, standing at the door surrounded by a group of eunuch guards.

However, the wide sleeves of his robe seemed a bit too large for his frame, giving him a childish appearance, as if a boy were wearing an adult's robe.

Fang Linyuan didn't know who the newcomer was, but he noticed that the officials around him stood up and bowed to the person.

"We pay our respects to His Royal Highness, the Third Prince."

It was Zhao Jin, the Third Prince, the only adult prince under the emperor's knee.

Of course, the disguised men don't count.

He had some history with Zhao Chu. They were among those who bullied Zhao Chu by the Taiye Pool back then.

Fang Linyuan had heard some rumours during his time at Hulao Pass. It was said that Empress Dowager Dou was relegated to the cold palace by the Emperor after causing the death of the Third Prince's mother, Su Yunshuang.

Presumably, Zhao Jin also regarded Zhao Chu as the enemy who killed his mother.

Fang Linyuan stood up and bowed along with the others.

He bowed, but Zhao Jin didn't let them rise for a long time.

Then, footsteps could be heard faintly approaching Fang Linyuan's direction.

After a moment, a splendid robe came into Fang Linyuan's view.

It was Zhao Jin's.

Then, Zhao Jin's voice echoed above him.

"When this prince came to the Honglu Office, he heard the commotion from afar. But I wonder, who is loudly boasting here, disturbing this prince's peace?"

The tone was drawn out, mocking, and directly aimed at Fang Linyuan. It was clear that trouble was brewing.

Most likely, it was because of Zhao Chu.

Fang Linyuan sighed inwardly with resignation.

When would these people understand the principle of right and wrong? If they didn't like Zhao Chu, why did they only come to him? Why did they specifically come to the yamen to cause trouble for him, Fang Linyuan?

He was speechless in his heart but had to maintain a respectful demeanour on the surface.

"With all matters settled, I will converse with the officials of the Honglu Office," he said, maintaining his bow.

Zhao Jin sneered, dissatisfied with his response.

"Converse?" he said. "This prince hears it again, are you exhibiting your achievements on the border?"

Fang Linyuan remained silent.

The guards beside him brought a chair for Zhao Jin, and he sat down in front of Fang Linyuan, crossing his legs.

"Did the emperor assign such an important matter to you so you could be lazy here, bragging and chatting?" he demanded.

This time, Fang Linyuan didn't speak, but Yu Tao beside him cautiously spoke up, "Your Highness, Marquis Anping has been diligently fulfilling his duties at the Honglu Office these days..."

"Did I ask you?" Zhao Jin interrupted sharply.

Yu Tao trembled, shrinking his shoulders like a quail, not daring to say another word.

However, Zuo Fangyou stood up straight and spoke respectfully.

"It was I who initiated it. Your Highness, please punish me," he said.

Fang Linyuan was shocked.

Zuo Fangyou had always been straightforward, even during his time at the border. If he angered Zhao Jin today by speaking too much, he might suffer in the future.

"What kind of person are you?" Zhao Jin frowned at him.

Fang Linyuan spoke before Zuo Fangyou could.

"I have no intention of boasting, nor do I wish to disturb Your Highness," he said. "I am simply concerned that if I delay any important matters, I may not be able to bear the consequences."

"General, with your remarkable achievements, what can't you handle?" Zhao Jin sneered coldly.

Each word was sharp and sarcastic. Fang Linyuan wondered where Zhao Jin learned such behaviour, being a grown man.

Maybe it was Zhao Chu. Zhao Chu's words were also harsh. Brothers... no, the two of them were alike.

Before he could respond, Zhao Jin lazily sighed and said, "But there is indeed something to be done today. This prince came today to assess the conduct of the officials on behalf of the emperor. Now it seems that the assessment is almost complete, and I can report back to the emperor."

He looked at Fang Linyuan and grinned maliciously.

"General, someone as shallow and frivolous as you, who likes to boast about his achievements at the slightest opportunity, even if you have made some military exploits, you are not qualified to be an envoy to greet foreign dignitaries, right?"

Fang Linyuan really didn't understand why such a trivial matter was worth Zhao Jin's trip.

Just to find fault with him so he wouldn't be eligible to go out of the city to welcome Naren Temüjin?

He had defeated Naren Temüjin to the point that the latter even abandoned his wife and children. Even if they met on the frontier, Naren Temüjin should call him grandfather.

Yet, they still wanted to welcome him? They were giving him face.

After Zhao Jin left, Fang Linyuan didn't care much. It was the colleagues from the Honglu Office who came forward to comfort him.

They probably also understood that in the eyes of others, he was already a hero for defeating the Turks and handling the affairs of the Turks entering the capital. Now, finding an excuse not to let him leave the city to show off was just the Third Prince saving face.

But he cared the least about these things.

What's the use of face? Could it be as useful as the armour worn by border soldiers or the winter clothes worn by the common people to keep warm?

In the end, it was him who comforted his colleagues.

*

After finally persuading them all to leave, as soon as Fang Linyuan returned to the mansion, a servant came to report that the princess was waiting for him inside.

Zhao Chu was so well-informed.

Fang Linyuan didn't really want to see him, but since Zhao Chu had come to his door, there must be something he wanted to discuss.

So, even though he didn't want to, Fang Linyuan still had to grit his teeth and enter the room. As soon as he entered, he saw Zhao Chu sitting in the hall, with a table full of dishes in front of him.

Seeing him coming, the maids around all smiled and greeted him, leading him into the hall and inviting him to take a seat.

Then, Fang Linyuan saw the maid beside Zhao Chu standing at the door, giving a faint signal to the maids.

All the maids in the room received the order and left one after another, quietly and quickly. The last one even closed the door for them.

Fang Linyuan was stunned.

He was amazed at Zhao Chu 's skill in training his subordinates. When he turned his head to look at him, he saw him sitting calmly in his original place, serenely looking back at him.

It made sense. With Zhao Chu 's methods, what was so difficult about training a few maids?

Fang Linyuan didn't say much more and directly asked, "Do you have something to tell me?"

Zhao Chu responded with a grunt.

Fang Linyuan thought he had something to say or some orders to give, so he waited for Zhao Chu to speak while picking up his chopsticks and reaching for the steamed fish on the table.

But Zhao Chu didn't say a word. He just picked up something from the side and placed it next to Fang Linyuan.

With a glance, Fang Linyuan's chopsticks were scared back into the plate.

On his side, there was a brand-new inner garment. The fabric was soft and smooth, the stitches delicate and fine, with embroidered begonia dew on top, just a few stitches, but the petals seemed alive.

And on the cuff of the inner garment, there was a shallow character "璴" (NT: Chu) embroidered.

Fang Linyuan's eyes almost fell into the plate.

"Is this for me?" he asked.

Zhao Chu nodded.

"Did you make it?" he asked again.

Zhao Chu nodded again.

Fang Linyuan was so scared that he threw his chopsticks back onto the table and moved the embroidery frame under his seat a step away, watching Zhao Chu guardedly.

"You came today just to give me this?" he felt like he had seen a ghost.

And in front of him, Zhao Chu picked up the inner garment without expression and looked at Fang Linyuan.

"It's not poisoned," he said lightly.

"Why did you make clothes for me?" Fang Linyuan remained vigilant. "Is it something I should wear close to my body?"

"To meet you alone, it's naturally to cover up the eyes and ears of others," Zhao Chu looked at him coldly.

Fang Linyuan finally relaxed.

He was scared to death, thinking Zhao Chu was sick and wanted to be a virtuous wife and mother for him.

He breathed a sigh of relief, picked up the embroidery frame and sat back, picking up the chopsticks again. But in his heart, he couldn't help but sneer.

Zhao Chu was too meticulous in his actions. Just because he came back, he specially made a piece of clothing, he was indeed a talented person for big events.

Yet, Zhao Chu 's cold eyes didn't move from his face.

Although the clothes were indeed used to cover up, when Zhao Chu saw Fang Linyuan's cautious appearance, he felt a little uncomfortable for some reason.

He looked down at the garment.

He was always diligent, and when it came to embroidery, even the palace embroiderers couldn't match him. When he was about ten years old, Zhao Pei was even jealous enough to hide needles in his fabrics.

Although this garment was made by him casually, the stitches and patterns were all excellent.

How did it end up being despised by Fang Linyuan like this?

His eyes became a little unfriendly.

 

Translator : DarNan