The scars left after being injured are always more sensitive.

The Marquis's ceremonial robe was spacious yet heavy, adorned with heavy gold and jade on the waistband, pressing down on Fang Linyuan's back under the close-fitting inner garment.

It was unclear who Zhao Chu intended to show the embroidered flowers on the inner garment to, but the delicate stitches formed patterns that rubbed uncomfortably against the scar on his back when he moved.

Fang Linyuan always wanted to reach out and touch it, but wearing the ceremonial robe demanded solemnity, so he had to endure it.

Was Zhao Chu deliberately using this garment to torment him?!

However, thinking of Zhao Chu coming specifically to remind him today, Fang Linyuan gritted his teeth and considered it a balance for him.

Zhao Chu's words were not pleasant, but he could understand.

After calming down, he also knew that he had messed up under pressure and had forgotten the difference between ruler and subject. Even if that Naren Temüjin feared him, he was still just a subject. With the complicated officials in the capital, him entering the palace without permission, wanting to help the emperor, would only give others a handle to use against him.

He was about to return to Yumen Pass; it was not the time to cause trouble now.

Moreover, when he returned to Yumen Pass, there would be plenty of opportunities to deal with Naren Temüjin; there was no rush at this moment.

He would make this arrogant man regret, and if he ever dared to come to the capital again, he would have to bow his head and tuck his tail.

But...

Wasn't this embroidered inner garment too difficult to wear?!

Fang Linyuan uncomfortably twisted his shoulders, glanced at Zhao Chu, and peeled open the container of the secret order he had given.

It really was like a fox spirit, the container was small and fragrant, just like a piece of candy... Huh?

As he peeled off the paper, he found a piece of candy lying quietly inside.

Fang Linyuan looked at Zhao Chu suspiciously, but he remained like a statue, looking out the window, leaving only a swaying silhouette of pearls and jades for him.

Fang Linyuan tentatively picked up the candy and licked it.

...It's sweet.

Is it really candy??

Could it be that Zhao Chu sealed some letter in the candy? No way, they both lived in the same mansion; was there something so confidential that they couldn't discuss it privately?

Fang Linyuan couldn't figure it out. This time, he put the candy in his mouth and bit into it.

A crisp sound.

His tongue cautiously wrapped around it, but it was empty. Besides the candy, there was nothing else.

*

Fang Linyuan still didn't understand Zhao Chu's intention even after finishing the candy.

Forget it, if he played dumb, it was his problem if others couldn't understand. If there really was some secret message in the candy that he swallowed, then blame Zhao Chu.

As the carriage slowly stopped outside Tian Shu Gate, when the two got off the carriage, the splendid sunset had dyed half of the imperial city red. Outside Tian Shu Gate, the nobles' carriages and horses were bustling, and when they saw the two of them get off the carriage, many noble ministers came forward to greet them.

Early, the palace officials were waiting at the gate, leading them all the way into the palace gate, heading towards the Chonghua Hall.

Along the way, one could see the importance the palace attached to this envoy's arrival in the capital.

Though not deliberately decorated, everything appeared refreshed, even the bronze animals along the way were polished to a shine. Before dark, the entire imperial city was already brightly lit, with the guards and eunuchs standing by adorned in brand new ceremonial attire. Even the crystal palace lanterns in front of the hall had been replaced with the best quality ones.

Having endured the years trampled by the Turkic cavalry, Emperor Daxuan wanted to showcase the splendid and peaceful scene to these barbarians.

Upon entering the Chonghua Hall, the sounds of silk and bamboo music had been playing for a while.

The magnificent hall was illuminated by thousands of lamps and candles, making the entire palace as bright as day. Dressed-up nobles and courtiers conversed inside the hall, and the light from the candles reflected off the jewels on their loved ones' hair ornaments.

On the golden rack below the jade steps stood green peacocks from Nanyang, their dazzling tail feathers dragging on a soft carpet worth a hundred gold coins per foot.

"The Empress Dowager instructed that the Fifth Princess likes grapes, so the Imperial Kitchen specially prepared them." The eunuch smiled as he led them to their seats, speaking as he did so.

Outside the hall, the snow had not yet melted, but the tables were filled with fresh fruits. The grapes glistened with dew, reflecting the brilliance of gold and jade, presenting a luxurious and extravagant scene.

However, Zhao Chu simply sat down without even a glance.

Seeing the awkward expression of the eunuch, Fang Linyuan smiled and helped him out, saying, "Thank the Empress Dowager for her consideration. Please convey our regards to her on our behalf."

The eunuch smiled and readily agreed before leaving.

As the time for the banquet approached, the hall was already bustling with courtiers and their loved ones sitting together, chatting in groups of three or five, creating a lively atmosphere.

Fang Linyuan had nothing to do, so he reached out and plucked a grape from the plate. "Grapes in this season?... Mmm, so sweet."

Beside him, Zhao Chu, with an expressionless face, glanced over.

The stern young general was earnestly eating the grape. Such fresh fruits in this season must have been brought out in an iced container. As the young general took a bite, he seemed to be startled by the chill, shivering slightly.

But then, his eyes lit up as if the grape was indeed exceptionally delicious.

Zhao Chu never liked such extravagant fruits in winter; they would only be sent to Zhao Pei Palace. Yet, at banquets, Jiang Hongluan would hypocritically send some to him, claiming that he liked them, thus provoking jealousy from Zhao Yao and Zhao Jin, who would then trouble him even more.

Such a boring trick.

Meanwhile, Fang Linyuan glanced over and saw Zhao Chu beside him, once again staring at him expressionlessly as he ate.

Why was he even watching him eat?

Fang Linyuan paused for a moment, following the principle of putting on a show in front of others, and pushed the golden plate towards Zhao Chu.

"Do you want some?" he asked.

Before Zhao Chu could answer, a commotion erupted in the hall.

Zhao Chu's lips moved, but Fang Linyuan had already been drawn to the sound. He turned his head and saw seven or eight Turkic people in their traditional attire swaggering into the hall.

The leader, standing at nine feet tall, was huge and robust, with a wolf fur collar on his fur coat, adorned with gemstones on his forehead and neck. His beard and braids formed a whole.

"... Naren Temüjin." Fang Linyuan heard Fang Linyuan mutter softly.

The guards stood on both sides, but their group seemed oblivious to them, chatting and laughing loudly as if in their own world, drawing the attention of everyone in the hall.

The eunuch bowed to them and led them to their seats, but they stopped at the door, loudly conversing in their Turkic language and pointing at the guards nearby.

The expressions of the people in the hall turned ugly, and faint curses could be heard from some officials, calling them uncivilized barbarians.

Zhao Chu glanced sideways and saw Fang Linyuan quietly putting the grape back on the table.

Not knowing what they were saying, Naren Temüjin laughed and stepped forward, reaching out to grab the peacock's tail feather.

"What are you doing?"

At that moment, a clear voice sounded in the hall, interrupting them.

Everyone turned to see a young marquis in a purple robe and golden belt standing up from his seat. Under his jade crown was his handsome face, which was now looking at them coldly.

It was Marquis Anping, the hero who defeated the Turks!

Beside him, Zhao Chu's hand, originally intended to hold him back, slowly retracted.

Naren Temüjin turned his head, originally looking like he was about to erupt in anger, but when he saw Fang Linyuan, he paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, speaking in broken Han language.

"Jade Yanluo! No wonder it wasn't you who came out to meet me; you're hiding here being lazy!"

As he spoke, he withdrew his hand from grabbing the peacock's tail, striding into the hall.

Seeing him approaching, Fang Linyuan's face showed a trace of annoyance.

People all said that Naren Temüjin was a ruthless and magnanimous general. To maintain military morale, he didn't hesitate to use his cowardly son as wolf fodder in front of the battle lines. Even though Fang Linyuan killed countless of his subordinates, he still showed respect to Fang Linyuan.

But Fang Linyuan knew that he was born lacking humanity.

He wasn't ruthless; rather, other people's lives, including those of his sons and subordinates, were no different to him than the cattle and sheep in his herd. And his respect for Fang Linyuan was also because he finally encountered a worthy opponent, which stimulated his wild nature and made him set a clear goal to defeat and kill him in his lifetime.

The blood flowing in his veins was that of a grassland wolf; he just happened to have a human appearance.

Listening to him boasting, Fang Linyuan looked at him coldly and replied, "Welcoming you? Don't forget why you're here."

Naren Temüjin stopped directly in front of his table.

"Long time no see, Jade Yanluo. I heard that you married a wife as soon as you returned to the capital. Is she the princess of your Daxuan Kingdom?" As he spoke, he shifted his gaze to Zhao Chu's face.

Suddenly, there was a moment of silence.

He stared straight at Zhao Chu for a long time, his expression revealing a blatant greed.

Zhao Chu coldly raised his eyes to look at him, seemingly indifferent.

Fang Linyuan saw the terrifying expression on Zhao Chu's face, as if he was about to skin him alive right then and there.

Naren Temüjin burst into laughter. "Such a beauty! No wonder you're willing to exchange eighteen cities for her!"

Fang Linyuan tilted his head. "Did you get drunk before coming here?"

"Of course not," Naren Temüjin replied.

"Then how could you forget that the eighteen cities of Longxi are part of my Daxuan's territory?" Fang Linyuan remarked.

Naren Temüjin laughed a few times, seemingly indifferent, still staring at Zhao Chu.

"There's one more thing I want to remind you," Fang Linyuan continued.

"What is it?" Naren Temüjin smiled and asked.

"Daxuan has always been clear about grievances, and I am a person who repays kindness and grudges." Fang Linyuan said calmly. "So, how many cattle, sheep, and pastures are you planning to offer to compensate for insulting the envoy of Daxuan and riding freely in our country?"

The smile on Naren Temüjin's face stiffened, and he finally looked at Fang Linyuan.

But Fang Linyuan had no intention of stopping there.

"Today, His Majesty is hosting a banquet to welcome you, and guests are treated with respect. I'll give you a chance to name your terms." Fang Linyuan said. "If you don't say it, then when the grass in the northern border grows back, I'll go and take it myself."

The hall fell silent, not a sound could be heard.

Naren Temüjin was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter a few times.

"As expected of you, Jade Yanluo!" he said. "Today, the official who picked me up irritated me. It was my fault, so I apologize to everyone here."

With that, he turned around and bowed towards the officials at the banquet.

The faces of the people present were all surprised.

Even though his attitude was not respectful, everyone could see that today, the Turkic crown prince, who had been domineering in the capital, was forced to yield under the threat of Marquis Anping.

Indeed, Marquis Anping, who pacified the northern border, managed to scare this barbarian with just a few words.

The people present showed admiration and joy, while some officials exchanged silent glances with each other.

Naren Temüjin turned his head back, and although he was speaking to Fang Linyuan, his gaze fell on Zhao Chu's face next to him.

"We'll have many opportunities to meet again later, Jade Yanluo. You must have a drink with me."

Watching Naren Temüjin turn around to take his seat, Fang Linyuan breathed a sigh of relief.

If he had allowed these few barbarians to behave recklessly, it would have surely caused an embarrassing scene when the banquet started and His Majesty arrived. The courtiers would gossip, and the barbarians would become even more audacious.

Fang Linyuan withdrew his gaze.

But at that moment, he met Zhao Chu's icy gaze head-on.

Zhao Chu sat in place, his fox-like eyes staring intently at him.

Somehow, Fang Linyuan sensed a hint of resentment in her gaze.

Fang Linyuan shivered.

He almost forgot!

He suddenly realized, Naren Temüjin had been staring at Zhao Chu with lecherous eyes for quite some time.

Having treated Zhao Chu as a man for so long, he almost forgot that in front of others, Zhao Chu was a woman, and moreover, his wife.

If he allowed this to go unchecked, how would he explain it if he was gossiped about in the future?

Fang Linyuan was afraid of being exposed, so he quickly spoke up.

"Stop."

Naren Temüjin turned back.

"You haven't apologized to my wife yet." He said.

 

Translator : DarNan