Fang Linyuan finally relaxed, and Zhao Chu also began to discuss official business with him.

"Zhao Jin went to Hongdu Office today. He had already decided to recommend He Hongfang from the Ministry of Rites to represent you in greeting the emissary outside the city. He deliberately sought out a pretext, it's not that you acted improperly," Zhao Chu said.

Fang Linyuan nodded at the words, then couldn't help but sigh, "If he's already made up his mind, he should just go and report to the emperor. Why bother troubling me?"

"If he can't find a legitimate reason, he won't dare to report it easily," Zhao Chu remarked.

It was using him as a pawn.

Fang Linyuan didn't mind, nodded, and went on to eat his meal.

"Do you understand the implications of this?" Zhao Chu asked again.

"I never wanted to meet that Naren Temüjin in the first place. If he's willing to go around in circles to help me avoid this trouble, then I'm happy to have some peace and quiet," Fang Linyuan said.

Zhao Chu looked at him, silent for a moment.

Today, Zhao Jin wanted to assert his authority in court and also to use Fang Linyuan to suppress him, Zhao Chu.

That He Hongfang was just a nameless official from the Ministry of Rites, but he had recently finally gained access to Zhao Jin's connections, spending quite a bit of money on it.

Now many people in the court knew that he had used money to gain access to the Third Prince's residence. Those cunning foxes were watching in the shadows. The Third Prince had only recently entered the court. If He Hongfang could really secure a good position, then everyone in the court would recognize his abilities.

Fang Linyuan was just a tool borrowed to showcase the authority of the Third Prince.

And Zhao Jin chose him not only because he was prominent and attracted attention, but also because he was tied to Zhao Chu on the same boat, his outstanding achievements bringing Zhao Chu glory as well.

So Zhao Jin was eager to step on him.

Zhao Chu knew he was never the patient type to explain these things to others, never feeling guilty for implicating others.

He came today just to explain to Fang Linyuan that if he felt wronged, he could seek compensation from him to avoid future grievances and troubles.

But now, as he watched Fang Linyuan single-mindedly eating, Zhao Chu's heart inexplicably calmed down.

He even felt a rare cramp of hunger.

Unconsciously, he picked up his chopsticks, and the trivial matters that usually weighed on his mind faded away, even the gloomy and cold emotions he always carried seemed to smooth out.

It was like a breeze blowing away the clouds.

It seemed he had come to find Fang Linyuan just to sit opposite him and quietly share a meal.

Well, he didn't mind; he could get compensation for him from Zhao Jin. Zhao Chu thought to himself.

But then, he heard Fang Linyuan speak.

"I know what you want to say. He's scheming against you, but also making it difficult for me. In the end, he's just taking things from me as favours and giving you a show of strength," he said.

Having spent a long time on the border, Fang Linyuan may not understand the complex machinations of the capital's elite, but he was not blind.

"It's fine, I don't mind. I don't want the things he's taking, so he can have them," he added.

As Zhao Chu, who had been eating with his head down, heard this, a slight smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He truly was a carefree young general, Zhao Chu thought.

"Anyway, in two days, Naren Temüjin will arrive. Once he leaves, I'll leave too. By then, whatever calculations you guys make, it won't concern me anymore," Fang Linyuan continued.

The chopsticks Zhao Chu was lifting paused in mid-air, the smile disappearing from the corner of his mouth.

Leave. He really wanted to leave desperately.

As if this place was a dangerous pit, like the inner garment he made, making him avoid it like snakes and scorpions.

The dark clouds that had dissipated seemed to have returned.

Zhao Chu's mood cooled down, and the shadow of the black cloud cast into his eyes, making his gaze a bit darker.

But Fang Linyuan remained oblivious. Seeing his chopsticks suspended in the air, he reached out and picked up the venison furthest away from him. "Can't reach it? Let me help you," he suggested.

But just as he reached halfway with the plate, he saw Zhao Chu's chopsticks fall and pick up two stalks of greens.

"No," he said. "I just remembered something else."

"What?"

Zhao Chu pointed to the inner garment by his hand. "This, remember to wear it."

"What?!"

This time it was Fang Linyuan who was stunned.

His eyes widened, the plate of venison hovering awkwardly in mid-air.

"Why?!" he demanded. "Personal clothes, who am I supposed to show them to?"

But Zhao Chu remained calm, his eyes downcast, lashes casting a dense shadow.

"So, I embroidered words on the cuff," he said lightly. "They show."

"You..." Fang Linyuan didn't expect him to be so thoughtful.

Even in a fake husband-and-wife relationship like theirs, the details were so meticulous. What kind of thousand-year-old fox spirit this was!

Fang Linyuan couldn't argue, but the thought of wearing clothes sewn by a man made him uncomfortable all over, like having thorns all over his body.

His mood for eating disappeared, and he dejectedly put the venison back on the table, silently cursing Zhao Chu as a fox repaying kindness with enmity.

Meanwhile, Zhao Chu sat calmly across from him, leisurely putting the greens in his mouth.

He was lying.

Embroidering words on the cuff was nothing more than a habit he had always had. When he was young, he refused to learn the needlework that only girls would do, but he had to. Afterwards, every time he finished embroidering something, he added his name to it, intending to remind himself of how deeply the shame had repeated itself over and over again.

After experiencing so much later on, he forgot about these little things, but the habit remained.

But he insisted on lying, forcing Fang Linyuan to actually wear this garment.

The more Fang Linyuan avoided him like snakes and scorpions, the more he couldn't help it, wanting to wrap him tightly in his embroidered robe like a spider web.

*

Soon, the decree appointing He Hongfang of the Ministry of Rites as the imperial envoy to guide the foreign envoys quickly spread.

There were discussions throughout the court.

Some said the Emperor's move was to overshadow Marquis Anping, while others said it was the Third Prince who was targeting Marquis Anping. And more praised the Third Prince's extraordinary abilities, surely deeply trusted and valued by the Emperor, to be able to act so decisively.

These words were all put into envelopes and sent to Zhao Chu's dressing table.

Although it was already spring, the weather was still not warm. The floor heating in the Marquis's mansion had only stopped for two days, and charcoal braziers were still burning in the Huaiyu Pavilion.

"The Turkic envoys will arrive tomorrow," Zhao Chu said.

Wu Xinghai, who delivered the message, nodded and confirmed, "Yes, the postmaster from the periphery came personally to report. He said the envoys arrived at the relay station today and will rest for a day. They will arrive in the capital early tomorrow morning. Just now, a decree came from the palace. Tomorrow evening, the palace will hold a banquet in the Chonghua Palace to entertain the envoys. His Highness and Marquis are both invited to attend."

Zhao Chu chuckled coldly.

"Has that matter been arranged?" he asked.

"It has been done according to His Highness's orders," Wu Xinghai answered. "Rumours have been spreading in the suburbs for the past two days. He Hongfang, who mistrusts the people of Yumen Pass, has decided to lead the group out of the city alone tomorrow."

Zhao Chu tossed the letter into the charcoal fire in front of him.

The firelight reflected on his face. He lowered his eyes and watched quietly as the flickering flames licked the paper, instantly swallowing them up.

"Continue to watch the movements in the palace," he said.

*

Early the next morning, they had to go to the Chonghua Palace for the banquet.

Fang Linyuan got up early and practiced two sets of spear routines in the courtyard. After having breakfast, he was urged to prepare for the banquet.

Hanlu and Jingzhe carefully took out Fang Linyuan's elaborate and grand marquis ceremonial attire, ironed it smooth, while he was invited into the inner room for a bath and incense. The etiquette in the capital was always intricate, especially concerning court protocols, where even the slightest mistake was unacceptable.

During the bath, Fang Linyuan couldn't help but mutter secretly in his heart, thankful that he wasn't the one going out to welcome the guests.

If he had to get up in the middle of the night, dress properly, and go out to welcome Naren Temüjin, he would have kicked him back to his celestial realm with one foot.

By the time the bath was finished, it was close to noon. Fang Linyuan put on his silk robe and stepped out of the inner room. Just as he was drying his hair, a servant rushed in from outside.

"Marquis, there's news from the Honglu Office, something has happened!" the servant exclaimed urgently.

"What's going on?" Fang Linyuan pulled off the towel from around his neck.

The servant took out a letter from his pocket and said, "This is sent by Master Zhuo, he said that the nobleman who went out of the city this morning to welcome the envoy has been insulted by the envoy. It's causing a big commotion in the capital!"

Fang Linyuan was stunned and quickly took the letter, opening it to read.

The handwriting on Zhuo Fangyou's letter was hurried, indicating urgency.

He said that He Hongfang went out of the city to welcome the Turkic envoy, but due to his connection with Fang Linyuan, he refused to let him stand guard on the side and drove him into the city instead. Unexpectedly, when Naren Temüjin and his delegation arrived, He Hongfang greeted them by the roadside, but Naren Temüjin didn't even dismount from his horse. He rode past He Hongfang and went straight into the city.

As for what happened afterward, with Naren Temüjin galloping through the streets of the capital, followed by his delegation, Zhuo Fangyou briefly mentioned it and didn't elaborate further.

Fang Linyuan's brow furrowed deeply.

He had already scared Naren Temüjin during his time on the border, to the point that last year, whenever this guy saw him leading troops, he would flee without a fight. Now that the Turks had suffered a big defeat, and he was in the capital, Fang Linyuan thought that this guy wouldn't dare to make any reckless moves.

But he didn't expect him to be so audacious, fearing he might have gotten drunk even before entering the capital.

"Did Zhuo Fangyou mention where the envoy will go next?" Fang Linyuan asked.

"Master Zhuo mentioned briefly that they will go to the palace to meet the emperor. They are only waiting for the evening banquet," the servant said.

Fang Linyuan waved his hand. "You may leave."

After that, he wiped his hair while instructing Hanlu, "Hanlu, is my ceremonial attire ready?"

"It's just been pressed and smoothed, not yet scented. Why the rush, Marquis? There are still two or three hours before entering the palace."

"No, we need to leave early. Officials who arrive early at the palace will be left in the rear hall to drink tea. If Naren Temüjin causes any trouble again, the Emperor will surely summon me."

With that, he hastily dried his hair a few more times and then handed the towel to Yanting, while reaching out to grab the silk robe he had just worn out of the bathroom. He then asked, "Where is my inner garment?"

"I'll get it right away!" The maid hurriedly went to fetch it.

Soon, the maid returned with a soft and smooth inner garment embroidered with dew-drenched begonias, handing it to Fang Linyuan.

As Fang Linyuan was halfway through changing his clothes, he suddenly noticed that the maid was holding the garment made by Zhao Chu.

"Not this one, take it away!" Fang Linyuan was startled. "Bring another one!"

The maid didn't know why he made such a request, but seeing his urgency to leave, she didn't dare to ask more. "Yes, I'll go get it... Madam?"

She raised her head, revealing a surprised expression on her face, quickly bowing and said, "Madam is here!"

Fang Linyuan turned his head and saw Zhao Chu, who had somehow arrived without him noticing, standing quietly by the screen at the door of his bedroom, watching him quietly.

Is this person a ghost? Fang Linyuan thought.

Even ghosts wouldn't make a sound when walking.

"Why is Madam here?" he asked casually, but his eyes lowered, indicating that he didn't want to engage with Zhao Chu.

However, in the instant his gaze fell, he saw his bare chest, with his robe half untied and his silk shirt gaping open.

He was startled and quickly wrapped himself in his robe, looking at Zhao Chu vigilantly.

 

--

The author has something to say:

Fang Linyuan: It's weird. Clearly, I'm a straight guy, yet I have to guard against being seen by men...

 

Translator : DarNan