Too alike.

Fang Linyuan's eyes were always bright. Although it was just a glance, he clearly saw that person's figure was exactly the same as Zhao Chu's.

Just now, when the wind blew, in the corner of his eye, Fang Linyuan even caught sight of a white bandage covering the person's right hand, as if it were wrapped around a wound.

The person's long curtain hat covered their face, and Fang Linyuan couldn't see their appearance. He quickly focused his gaze in that direction with the help of the still blowing wind.

"What is Lord Marquis looking at?" Yu Tao was also drawn to look in the direction Fang Linyuan was staring.

However, the bustling streets of the capital city were filled with people, and by the time Fang Linyuan looked directly, the person's figure had already disappeared into the crowd.

He paused and replied, "Ah, it's nothing. Just saw someone passing by, who looked very much like... my wife."

Hearing this, Yu Tao hurriedly tiptoed to look outside.

But beneath the Moonlight Pavilion, the comings and goings were all ordinary dressed commoners.

If a princess were to arrive, there would not only be conspicuous entourages but also splendid decorations. At a glance, there was no trace of a princess. How could Lord Marquis see through it all?

A teasing smile inadvertently appeared on Yu Tao's face as he looked at Fang Linyuan.

It was said that Lord Marquis has admired the princess for a long time, and it seemed to be true. Even a passing commoner on the street, he could see as the princess's figure. He was really infatuated with the princess to such an extent!

At this moment, a colleague beside them chuckled, "Sir Yu, why are you and Lord Marquis standing by the window? If you want to avoid the wine, you should ask us if we agree or not!"

Yu Tao laughed, "Where's the wine avoidance? Lord Marquis saw someone outside the window who looked like the Fifth Princess, so I came over with him to take a look!"

Fang Linyuan was taken aback, then quickly turned his head and signalled Yu Tao not to say more.

But the people present burst into laughter.

"They say Lord Marquis is affectionate, and now we've truly seen it!"

"So, Lord Marquis, did you find the princess?"

"Just this one meal of wine, and Lord Marquis misses his wife like this? It's better for us to leave early, lest Lord Marquis sees through everything..."

These civil officials gossiping about others' families were no better than the old women at the street corner. Sitting nearby, Zhuo Fangyou didn't have their eloquence, so he just laughed heartily.

Fang Linyuan was grinding his teeth.

Stop laughing, what's so funny! The figure just now really looked like Zhao Chu. I'll show you later if you don't believe me!

But he didn't dare to show any displeasure as the rumours outside were circulating. Instead, he awkwardly laughed along with their whispers, sat down, and drained his cup of wine.

He covered the bitter curve of his mouth with the wine cup.

Forget it, it doesn't matter.

Once that Naren Temüjin would leave, he would return to the border. At that time, no matter what they said, it won't matter.

*

When Fang Linyuan returned home, he specifically asked the gatekeeper if Zhao Chu had been out today.

However, the attendant at the gate said that Madam had been staying indoors to recuperate for the past few days and had not gone out.

That made sense. Thinking of the person just now wearing men's clothing, Fang Linyuan didn't think much more about it and put the matter out of his mind.

The next day, he was summoned to the palace by the emperor.

Just as Yu Tao had told him beforehand, the Emperor had a troubled expression on the Dragon Throne.

"Fang Qing, today I summoned you to the palace because there is a matter on which I cannot make up my mind, and I wanted to ask for your opinion," Emperor Hongyou said.

"Your Majesty, please speak."

"That Naren Temüjin claims to have been widowed for many years and wishes to marry a Han woman. I think, Turkistan is a barbaric land. Whether it's marrying a princess, a county lord, or a courtier's daughter to him, it's too much of a favour. So, I refused," Emperor Hongyou said.

"What Your Majesty says is very true," Fang Linyuan underlined.

"But that Naren Temüjin refuses to back down. Yesterday, the Deputy Minister Sang Shilang suggested to me to select a beautiful palace maid from the palace and bestow her as a county lord to marry into Turkistan, echoing the romantic tale of Princess Zhaojun marrying into the Xiongnu," Emperor Hongyou said. (NT: Wang Qiang, courtesy name Wang Zhaojun, one of the four beauties of ancient China. she was sent to marry Chanyu Huhanye of the Xiongnu Empire in order to establish friendly relations with the Han dynasty through marriage.)

"After you returned from beyond the borders, I've been pondering over this, and I still want to hear your opinion."

Fang Linyuan didn't hesitate, bowed his head, and said to Emperor Hongyou.

"If Your Majesty asks for this humble subject's opinion, this humble subject is indecisive. But, stationed at Hulao Pass for many years, there is one thing that this humble subject is very clear about."

"Speak freely, Fang Qing."

"Today's Turkistan is not the same as the Xiongnu supported by the Han Dynasty. That Naren Temüjin, the man's wife died because he dreamed of her being unfaithful and woke up to kill her with a sword," Fang Linyuan said. "Although palace maids are not princesses, they are Han women under the protection of our Great Daxuan. This humble subject privately believes that as long as the garrison troops of Yumen Pass guard the city gate for one day, even if it is a villain in prison or a prostitute in a brothel, they cannot be married to this bloodthirsty killer."

At this point, Fang Linyuan deeply bowed his head.

"If we, ten thousand soldiers, cannot even protect a weak woman, how can we talk about guarding Great Daxuan for ten thousand years?"

Emperor Hongyou fell into silence.

After a long while, he sighed heavily.

"Am I not also thinking the same way?" he admitted. "But those barbarians are stubborn and won't let go. Negotiating with them is about the livelihoods and national interests. Now it's endless entanglement, and I really have no way."

Fang Linyuan was silent for a moment before bowing again.

"Perhaps this humble subject can give it a try."

*

The snow gradually melted, and the sea hibiscus outside Zhao Chu's window gradually sprouted leaves and buds, casting a sparse diagonal shadow on the flower window.

Although spring was not yet in full swing, peonies from the flower house had already been sent to Zhao Chu's pavilion. Zhao Chu sat under the window, his right hand palm wrapped in gauze, seemingly unaware, meticulously pruning the branches.

Wu Xinghai placed the letters sent by the Eastern Factory on Zhao Chu's desk with both hands (NT: sign of respect).

"Your Highness, a letter has been delivered by Minister Shi," Wu Xinghai said. "The messenger specifically asked this servant whether Marquis Anping's attendance at the court today was with Your Highness's approval."

Zhao Chu's hand paused for a moment, and he turned to look at Wu Xinghai.

Naren Temüjin had come to negotiate in the capital, and now the court was the place where he discussed the terms of the contract with the courtiers.

"He has entered the court today?" he asked.

Wu Xinghai nodded. "This servant just found out."

"Go inquire." Zhao Chong's eyes darkened, and he put down the silver scissors.

Wu Xinghai was startled by his sudden cold gaze and quickly responded before retreating.

Zhao Chong picked up the envelope on the table.

Fang Linyuan was in court today; it was likely that Emperor Hongyou was uncertain about marrying off a lady, and he wanted to ask Fang Linyuan’s opinion. The court was in constant debate, and it was probably going to continue for a few more days. Emperor Hongyou, who was always cautious, must have consulted Fang Linyuan, and he would surely ponder for another two days.

But why was Fang Linyuan sent to negotiate with Naren Temüjin today?

Zhao Chu hadn't even flipped to the second page of the letter in his hand.

Song Yan placed a cup of hot tea next to Zhao Chu and paused for a moment before asking softly, "Your Highness, are you feeling upset?"

Zhao Chu's hand paused slightly.

He looked up and saw Song Yan with her eyes lowered and her expression as calm as a statue.

She had always been like this. Zhao Chu had been raised by her since childhood, and for more than ten years, he rarely saw her show any unnecessary emotions.

"It's nothing, Matron need not worry," Zhao Chu said.

Was he feeling upset? Certainly not. Song Yan was always experienced, with sharp and piercing eyes, but now it seemed even she had moments of faltering.

With that in mind, Zhao Chu calmly put down the confidential letter he had only read the first line of and took a sip of the tea on the table.

It was brewed very strong. Sometimes when his mind was unsettled, Song Yan would deliberately brew it to calm and clear his mind.

It was unnecessary.

Zhao Chu lowered his eyes and took another sip.

What's going on with Wu Xinghai? He was asked to inquire about the news from the palace, but he still hasn't returned?

As a military general, how could Fang Linyuan know the intricate dealings among civil officials? Just the other day, the palace sent over a list of officials for the treaty negotiations, with Sang Zhixin's fellow townsman at the helm, and most of the rest were subordinates of Zhao Jin's uncle, Su Xiang.

This was Zhao Chu's trap, making Zhao Jin think he had gained an advantage, then go and challenge Sang Zhixin, while his own people would withdraw, waiting for the two tigers to fight each other.

But now, there wasn't a single person of his own in the court, which made Zhao Chu feel quite annoyed.

With predators all around, the entire court couldn't produce a single good thing, and Zhao Chu wondered how Fang Linyuan, who had suddenly been given orders, would handle it.

He took a sip, then another, the bitter taste soaking into his lips and tongue, yet he didn't set the teacup down for a long time.

Just then, footsteps were heard outside the door.

Zhao Chu suddenly raised his eyes, but instead of Wu Xinghai, it was the eunuch waiting outside.

Zhao Chu's expression darkened.

But before he could speak, the eunuch outside said, "Your Highness, the gatekeeper sent word that Marquis Anping has returned to his residence."

Zhao Chu paused slightly, "So soon?"

"They said it was personally escorted back by Huang Gonggong (NT: Eunuch Huang) from the palace," the eunuch said. "Eunuch Wu specially sent word back, asking if Your Highness wishes to see Marquis Anping."

*

Fang Linyuan had just returned to the Fu Guang Pavilion and hadn't even had a chance to drink tea when a servant came to report that Princess had summoned him to the Huaiyu Pavilion.

How did Zhao Chu get this information so quickly!

With nothing urgent at the moment, thinking that Zhao Chu might want to ask about the Turkic peace talks, Fang Linyuan went straight to the Huaiyu Pavilion without delay.

As soon as he entered the bedroom, he saw Zhao Chu arranging flowers.

Fang Linyuan couldn't help but take a few more glances.

He didn't quite understand this, but the flowers in front of Zhao Chu looked pretty with their vibrant colors. The scissors in his hand seemed to be made of snowflake silver, studded with gemstones, even more dazzling than the vase of flowers.

The attendants had already been dismissed, and seeing no one around, Fang Linyuan sat down in front of Zhao Chu.

Zhao Chu still had his eyes lowered, holding the flower branches in one hand, and with a few snips of the scissors, the branches were neatly trimmed.

"Is your hand better?" Fang Linyuan asked unexpectedly.

Zhao Chu hummed in response and put down the scissors.

"You went to the court just now, to the Hall of Courtly Remonstrance?" Zhao Chu asked.

Fang Linyuan nodded, "Yes. Naren Temüjin intended to marry a Han woman, and the Emperor asked me to negotiate with him."

"Did you persuade him?" Zhao Chu asked.

" Naren Temüjin promised not to mention the marriage again." Speaking of this, Fang Linyuan smiled.

"The Emperor wanted me to stay in the palace for a drink, but those civl officials are really powerful, so I declined quickly."

He didn't realize how good he looked when he smiled, nor did he see Zhao Chu, who was looking down at the flower branches, also smiling faintly.

Fang Linyuan was unaware. Thinking of something suddenly, he said, "Speaking of which, everything went smoothly today, thanks to you."

He saw Zhao Rong pause with the scissors in hand, looking up at him, waiting for his next words.

Perhaps it was the good weather today, but Fang Linyuan, for the first time when he met Zhao Rong's eyes, noticed that they didn't resemble a snake's as much.

He could even vaguely see a hint of a smile, like the faint ripples under thin ice at the beginning of winter.

Zhao Rong probably really liked arranging flowers.

Fang Linyuan couldn't help but turn his gaze away, looking again at the vase of flowers.

However, he still didn't understand elegance and remained unable to see what made Zhao Rong like the flowers so much.

 

--

The author has something to say:

Fang Linyuan: What's so beautiful about these flowers...

Zhao Rong: It’s beautiful.

Fang Linyuan: I'm asking what's beautiful about them, why are you looking at me??

 

Translator : DarNan