On the day when Fang Linyuan entered the palace, Zhao Chu learned about Emperor Hongyou's decision to send him away from the capital.

That afternoon, someone came to inform Zhao Chu, saying that after Fang Linyuan returned home, he went to bid farewell to Song Zhaojin.

At that moment, Zhao Chu was sitting under the window, writing a letter to Shi Shen. The news from the court this morning stated that Emperor Hongyou had agreed to send an official from the Ministry of War, Mu You, who hailed from the imperial examination system of Jiangnan, to the south to supervise the local generals in subduing the unrest caused by the Sacred Lotus Sect.

Hearing the report from the servant, his pen paused.

A blot of ink instantly stained the paper as Zhao Chu's brows furrowed, silently rolling up the letter paper to the side.

"I understand, you may leave," Zhao Chu said, picking up another piece of paper without lifting his gaze.

The servant bowed and left.

Alone in the room, Zhao Chu, who had been hanging on the pen for a long time, only left a drop of fresh ink on the paper.

Fang Linyuan's departure from the capital was something he had known about early on, and at that time, he tacitly agreed, feeling it was convenient for everyone.

But...

After a moment, he rolled up the paper he had picked up earlier and set it aside again, putting down his pen and picking up the embroidered silk placed beside him.

On it were freshly stitched patterns, with fine needle tips piercing through the brocade. Zhao Chu let out a slow breath.

Occasionally, he felt restless, which was as normal as could be, and had nothing to do with Fang Linyuan's departure.

With lowered brows and eyes, his hand worked the needle and thread.

In these two years, he had increasingly turned to embroidery to calm his mind. The stitches and threads were meticulously arranged, requiring both meticulousness and appropriateness, like setting up a chessboard step by step.

However, as the pattern of the flying swallow gradually took on colour in his hands, his troubled thoughts remained unsettled.

If Fang Linyuan were to come now, he feared he wouldn't know how to face him.

He must be very excited, full of enthusiasm, as if he had brought him great news.

Those eyes of his must also be shining brightly, with a glimmer as clear as the snow on the outskirts.

Zhao Chu's brows slightly furrowed, and as the dark needle and thread pierced the silk, a few stitches back and forth, the flying swallow on the silk seemed to develop a pair of gloomy and cold eyes.

The swallow on the brocade stared coldly at him, like a mirror reflecting all his restlessness and anxiety.

Zhao Chu put the embroidered silk aside.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

Zhao Chu looked up and saw that it was Wu Xinghai standing outside.

"Has Fang Linyuan arrived?" Zhao Chu asked.

Wu Xinghai outside the door was taken aback, then shook his head and said, "I came to invite Your Highness for lunch."

"Where did he go?" Zhao Chu asked again.

"Well..." Wu Xinghai hesitated for a moment, then quickly bowed and said, "I'll go and ask right away."

With Zhao Chu's expression so cold, there must be something significant. It was either that this person had received instructions in secret or had leaked important information.

Wu Xinghai hurriedly sent someone to investigate.

When the news came back, it was just past noon. The food sent to the main hall had already cooled down, and His Highness was still by the window, not yet finishing the letter to be sent to the Eastern Factory.

"Your Highness, the investigation has been completed," Wu Xinghai said.

"Speak," Zhao Chu replied.

"It seems that Marquis Anping has shown no unusual behaviour," Wu Xinghai reported.

"Did you ask where he went?" Zhao Chu inquired.

"Marquis Anping... After lunch, he went to the market to buy a saddle," Wu Xinghai replied.

*

Zhao Chu was acting with great dedication, while Fang Linyuan truly lacked his composure.

Seeing that there was no one around, Fang Linyuan gently nudged Zhao Chu with his shoulder. "You knew about it already, didn't you? There's no need to keep acting when no one else is around."

However, Zhao Chu suddenly raised his eyes, and they were as cold as ice, making Fang Linyuan's back tense up.

Oh... Right, this person doesn't seem to enjoy jokes much.

Clearing his throat, Fang Linyuan regained his composure a bit. "You're quite well-informed, aren't you? I don't need to tell you anything; news from the palace must have reached your ears."

"Have you bought the saddle?" Zhao Chu asked him instead.

At the mention of this, Fang Linyuan suddenly became spirited.

"Yes! I bought three sets!" His eyes lit up.

"Indeed! The saddles here are different from those in the capital. They come in various styles and materials, and the craftsmanship is superior, although they may not be as durable as those sold in the border regions," Fang Linyuan explained. "I bought two extra pairs, made of suede with copper trim, which complement my Flowing Fire perfectly. Have you seen my Flowing Fire before? I rode it on the day of the wedding..."

But Zhao Chu turned his eyes away, icy cold.

"Have you decided on the departure date?" he asked again.

"We'll have to wait for the imperial decree," Fang Linyuan said, realizing belatedly that something was amiss.

He glanced at Zhao Chu a few more times and asked, "Do you need me to do anything?"

Zhao Chu's brow furrowed slightly. "No."

"Are you planning to leave the city to see me off?" Fang Linyuan asked unexpectedly. "That's not necessary. I'll inform my sister-in-law in advance and tell her that the dust outside the city is too much for you to endure."

He felt quite satisfied with himself, thinking he had saved Zhao Chu a lot of trouble.

But little did he know, from the perspective of the other person, it seemed as if he was eager to leave, afraid of being unable to shake him off.

Zhao Chu lowered his brows and eyes, saying nothing more.

*

The carriage stopped in front of Rongchang Street, and Fang Linyuan reached out to help Zhao Chu down from the carriage.

As the spring approached, Rongchang Street was filled with various flowers, and now it was bustling with the vibrant colour of gold. Being the capital, even the common folk had their own greenhouse for cultivating flowers and trees. Now, the vendors on both sides of the street had displayed a variety of blooming flowers, including peonies, gardenias, and many other species unfamiliar to Fang Linyuan.

As dusk fell, the flower market on Rongchang Street was already illuminated. The lights reflected off the flowers, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere amidst the darkness.

There was no curfew in Daxuan, and on such festive occasions, the streets were even busier at night. Amidst the glow of the lights and the fragrance of the flowers, the entire Rongchang Street was filled with the hustle and bustle of people, occasional street performers carrying chests, and wandering vendors adorned with colourful items.

"I only saw the Lantern Festival in the capital when I was a child," Fang Linyuan looked around. "But I didn't expect festivals like the Flower Festival to be so lively?"

Zhao Chu beside him remained silent.

Fang Linyuan noticed Zhao Chu's troubled expression all the way. Seeing him silent now, he didn't want to disturb him further, so he just walked into Rongchang Street with him, intending to enjoy themselves.

After all, he didn't know when he would return from this trip to the border. He didn't know when he would have another chance to celebrate the Flower Festival in the capital.

The crowd on the street made it difficult to move. Fang Linyuan looked up and saw a wooden frame selling bells ahead. When the night wind blew, various copper bells rang crisply in the wind, producing a pleasant sound.

Buy one for Flowing Fire, it will surely like it!

Fang Linyuan's eyes lit up, and he walked in that direction through the crowd.

However, just as he took a few steps, his wrist was suddenly grabbed by someone next to him, and he was abruptly pulled backward.

Caught off guard, Fang Linyuan bumped into the person's shoulder, and then a familiar warmth fell on his ear.

Zhao Chu!

Fang Linyuan was startled and quickly stepped back, pulling out his arm. "What are you doing?"

He saw Zhao Chu beside him slightly lowering his eyes, glancing at a few children who had just passed by where Fang Linyuan was standing.

"Are you afraid that I'll touch you?" Zhao Chu asked.

What kind of question is that!

Fang Linyuan looked at Zhao Chu with confusion.

Of course he wasn't afraid. When they were in the military, sleeping in the same tent with their comrades was nothing unusual, at most Zhao Chu, who always seemed eerie, would occasionally scare him.

"No." Fang Linyuan replied. "It's just too sudden."

Zhao Chu remained silent again.

"But today, I invited you out to thank you first." Fang Linyuan continued after a moment of thought. "I haven't been in the capital for a long time, and in the days to come, I'll have to trouble you to take care of my sister-in-law and nephew."

Zhao Chu turned to look at him.

Fang Linyuan hurriedly added, "It's not that I want you to accompany them every day, but my sister-in-law also cares about you a lot. If things work out, that's fine, but if the situation deteriorates, please write to me in advance, and I'll come to Yumen Pass to pick them up."

There was a flicker in Zhao Chu's eyes.

Before he could speak, Fang Linyuan was blocked.

It was a girl of about ten years old, dressed in tattered clothes, holding a basket of fresh gardenias. "Mister, buy some flowers for your lady!"

Fang Linyuan hesitated for a moment, but under the girl's eager gaze, he took out some silver and accepted the basket of flowers from her. "I'll take them all, you should go home early."

The girl thanked him repeatedly and when she handed the basket to him, she also took out a pair of clumsily woven heart-shaped knots and placed them in the basket.

"Wishing you and your wife harmony and happiness forever!"

The girl ran away happily, leaving Fang Linyuan holding a basket of flowers, feeling a bit awkward as he looked at Zhao Chu.

Should he give it to him?

Under Zhao Chu's cold gaze, Fang Linyuan said, "If you don't want it, I'll just hold onto it..."

Suddenly, there was a faint noise amidst the commotion not far away.

Fang Linyuan keenly caught the sound and turned to look.

Zhao Chu also furrowed his brow slightly and stopped in his tracks.

"It sounds like someone calling for help." He said.

In the next moment, the crowd ahead erupted into loud shouts, and some people were shouting and running back against the crowd, causing chaos in the street.

Fang Linyuan saw flames rising ahead.

"There are bandits! Run, there are bandits!"

Fang Linyuan's eyes sharpened, and he handed the flower basket to Zhao Chu.

"You protect yourself."

Before the words had even finished, he had already jumped up on tiptoe, crossing over the vendors' stalls and the wooden racks with tinkling copper bells, landing on the eaves. Stepping on the rattling tiles, he rushed towards the burning flames.

Like a hawk diving into the darkness.

Zhao Chu frowned.

Bandits? Naren Temüjin had already left the capital several days ago, so how could there suddenly be bandits causing trouble?

People in the marketplace were already running away in all directions, but Zhao Chu didn't hesitate. He bypassed the fleeing crowd and went straight towards the direction of the fire.

"Young lady, run! There are bandits causing chaos up ahead, setting fires and killing people all over the street, and they're even trying to snatch young women! Hurry!"

A passerby nearby, seeing Zhao Chu still heading in that direction, reminded him as he fled, reaching out to try and stop him.

Amidst the chaos, Fang Linyuan alone might encounter trouble.

Zhao Chu gathered his robes, and the soft silk slipped through his fingers.

Seeing this, the passerby sighed and turned to flee for his life.

As Zhao Chu's sleeve fluttered, a glint of silver flashed. Three embroidery needles slipped from his sleeve, landing in his hand.

 

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The author has something to say:

Fang Linyuan: My Flowing Fire is really beautiful, I'm not lying!

 

Translator : DarNan