Entering as the new bride, Zhao Chu was dressed in a vibrant crimson attire, adorned with a fox fur cloak. The collar of the cloak was thick and soft with fox fur.

"Your younger brother's wife, Zhao Chu, pays respects to the elder sister-in-law. Please have some tea," he said, kneeling respectfully before Song Zhaojin, presenting the tea with perfect etiquette. He neither displayed the airs of a princess nor showed any hint of disrespect towards Song Zhaojin's blindness.

Even the surrounding handmaidens exchanged approving glances.

Fang Linyuan turned away expressionlessly.

On the seat, Song Zhaojin smiled, reaching out to receive the tea from Zhao Chu's hands. Simultaneously, she took his arm, helping him up. "Your Highness, please rise quickly," she said.

Her eyes could only discern blurry shadows now, and her movements were somewhat laborious. "Your Highness marrying into the household is both an imperial gift and a sign of favour. It is my younger brother's good fortune. How could I accept such a grand gesture from Your Highness?" she said, her tone gentle and her speech methodical, radiating a generous and loving aura.

Zhao Chu's arm tensed slightly.

He lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on the hand supporting his wrist.

He wasn't accustomed to this treatment, nor was he comfortable with physical contact. Following her lead, he stood up, then sat beside her.

As he turned, his peripheral vision caught Fang Linyuan standing under the hall.

Fang Linyuan's expression remained unchanged, his demeanour calm, but his eyes were fixed on a corner, glaring at a delicate vase.

Zhao Chu's lips twitched slightly.

Those who could thrive in court were usually shrewd, driven by self-interest or leveraging threats, always able to compel others willingly.

But this man was peculiar. Despite being given a night to process, he still wore the look of someone forced into being a prostitute in a degrading situation, as if genuinely wounded.

Genuine feelings were just cheap bargaining chips fabricated by those in power to lure others. Who under the heavens truly possessed such intangible things?

Despite scoffing at it, Zhao Chu found himself intrigued. Even the stiffness from earlier dissipated somewhat.

"Now that I'm in the household, elder sister-in-law is my elder," he said slowly, his gaze drifting past Fang Linyuan's head. He continued in a measured tone, "Your kindness towards me and my husband, how could I betray your benevolence?"

Indeed, the vase seemed increasingly unforgivable, Fang Linyuan's gaze almost shooting flames at it.

"As long as you and my younger brother are affectionate, I am at ease," Song Zhaojin, unaware of the subtleties, said softly. "Si Chao."

A maid entered the hall upon hearing her call, appearing to be around thirty years old, dressed in the attire of a chief maid.

She carried a stack of account books, atop which rested an ancient wooden box.

"Si Chao was a maid left by the Lady of the Former Marquis, serving by her side and being the most literate," Song Zhaojin explained to Zhao Chu. "After the former marquise passed away, Si Chao and the household's accounts were left to me."

Fang Linyuan's eyebrows twitched, and he looked up at Song Zhaojin.

Si Chao had been his mother's attendant since she was in her twenties, managing the household affairs and finances. Even after his mother's passing, Si Chao remained in the household, now in charge of the accounts.

Why did his elder sister summon Si Chao? This display seemed as if she were entrusting the entire household's affairs to Zhao Chu.

At this thought, his gaze narrowed slightly, watching as Si Chao paid her respects, handed over the account books and box, and placed them in Song Zhaojin's hands.

"It's a pity I'm useless, blinded, unable to manage such a large estate," Song Zhaojin mentioned, handing the account books and the wooden box to Zhao Chu. "But now, these things should be entrusted to the right person."

She seemed to genuinely mean it, having only met Zhao Chu once!

Fang Linyuan looked at Zhao Chu again.

Zhao Chu appeared slightly surprised, and he didn't take the items Song Zhaojin handed him.

The person in control of the household accounts directly determined who the mistress of the household was, which was of great significance.

However, Song Zhaojin calmly explained, "These are all the household's account books and documents. You need not worry. If you find it cumbersome, Si Chao is here to assist."

Fang Linyuan's brows involuntarily furrowed.

"These are the keys to the household treasury," Song Zhaojin continued.

"Elder sister-in-law!" Fang Linyuan couldn't help but interrupt her.

Both seated individuals turned to look at him.

His elder sister wore a puzzled expression, while Zhao Chu, beside her, turned his head quietly, his calm, profound eyes carrying a sense of inquiry, like a beast lurking in the dark, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

As if any slight movement from him would pounce and sever his windpipe.

The hand by Fang Linyuan's side moved slightly.

He couldn't say much, revealing Zhao Chu's slightest bit. He didn't know Zhao Chu's current influence in the capital or how many spies he had cultivated.

His older brother had died for them; he couldn't easily endanger his elder sister and nephew.

...Even if what his elder sister handed out contained the details of the entire marquisate.

Fang Linyuan pursed his lips.

"...He's just entered, these trivial matters might overwhelm him," he declared slowly after a moment.

Zhao Chu's brow twitched, and a gentle, faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as he moved his gaze away.

"The household staff is simple, and Si Chao is managing things, so it's clear and straightforward," Song Zhaojin assured him. "If there are any complications, Si Chao is used to handling them. You need not worry."

The implication was clear: entrust the authority to Zhao Chu without burdening him.

"But..." Fang Linyuan wanted to argue.

"Younger brother," Song Zhaojin interrupted him disapprovingly.

"Please speak, elder sister-in-law," Fang Linyuan bowed his head.

"You have always wanted to marry the Princess, and now that your wish has been fulfilled, you should treat her well," Song Zhaojin underlined.

"...Yes."

"But you shouldn't be afraid to let her touch anything, keeping her secluded like this," Song Zhaojin continued. "Husband and wife are one entity, and you two can discuss and handle everything together."

Fang Linyuan couldn't express his grievances.

He couldn't say that this fake princess was nothing but a vixen, nor could he say that the lives of orphan and widow depended on this person.

Looking up, he saw Zhao Chu sitting there, lowering his head, quietly staying there, his long eyelashes like butterflies with their wings folded, a picture of a highland flower plucked by him.

The culprit, however, was sitting back and watching the fire the other side.

Fang Linyuan bit his teeth, he could only say four words.

"...I know I was wrong."

Since taking command and going to war, he had never suffered a defeat, never admitted defeat, but today he raised the white flag.

And in front of him, the humanoid fox had won a complete victory, the faint smile on his lips like the blade that severed the enemy's throat.

"Elder sister-in-law, rest assured, I will do what I should," the fox said, smiling lightly as he took the account books and wooden box.

*

The two returned without a word, all the way until they reached the courtyard gate of the Fu Guang Pavilion.

At this moment, there was a bustling crowd in front of the courtyard, servants carrying large and small items in and out, which was very lively.

Seeing the two return, Fang Linyuan's attendant, Yan Ting, smiled and greeted them, saying, "The Lord and Lady have returned! The Huaiyu Pavilion in Madam's courtyard is almost ready. If the Lord and Lady want to add anything, I'll send someone to take care of it right away."

Following his direction, Fang Linyuan turned around.

Adjacent to the Fu Guang Pavilion stood a splendid and spacious courtyard, with a graceful and elegant building in it. The plaque with the words "Huaiyu Pavilion" was already hung.

The two courtyards were separated by a wall, but because of the beautiful garden between them, a full wall could not be built. A man-made stream wandered through it, barely dividing the two courtyards. Apart from that, the two courtyards were practically indistinguishable.

Naturally, this was meticulously arranged by Fang Linyuan so that the two could be together day and night. Even the words "Huaiyu" were chosen by him from the classics, meaning talented but not showing off.

But now, seeing this exquisite and magnificent courtyard, Fang Linyuan couldn't muster a smile.

Yan Ting continued to chatter, "My lord, is there anything else you're not satisfied with?"

Fang Linyuan wasn't satisfied with the creek. He thought darkly. Why couldn't that stream be dug into a Yellow River's trench, so they would never see each other again.

He didn't say anything, but Zhao Chu beside him responded lightly, "Everything is fine. You've done well."

Hearing this, Yan Ting became even more energetic, praising, "My lady, you don't know, my lord put a lot of effort into this courtyard! Just look at those few West Mansion crabapple trees in front of the courtyard. My lord heard that you liked them and specially sent someone to pick them from Suzhou..."

"Shut up," Fang Linyuan snapped.

Yan Ting stopped talking, puzzled, and touched his mouth.

He didn't know why Fang Linyuan was unhappy. He saw Zhao Chu smile gently, his gaze sweeping past him and falling on Fang Linyuan.

Yan Ting suddenly realized.

Oh, the Lord is saving face. He must pretend to be a tough and resolute man in front of his beloved, fearing she would think him too soft-hearted.

Fortunately, the lady understands everything.

He used to think the lady was cold and unkind, too noble for the Lord to reach. The Lord marrying her was simply asking for trouble. But now, he saw that the lady was extremely understanding!

Yan Ting chuckled and stopped talking, retreating to continue directing the servants.

Meanwhile, Zhao Chu looked at Fang Linyuan, lightly saying, "You've been thoughtful."

Fang Linyuan turned back and saw Zhao Chu's curious gaze.

Even when smiling, those eyes were still cold as ice, truly worthy of a snake demon.

He pursed his lips, and after a moment of stiffness, said, "That's nothing. But about the elder sister-in-law. She sincerely cares for you. You must not let her down."

Their eyes met, his expression serious, but Zhao Chu's faint smile remained unchanged.

Oh, that gaze was like a knife.

This young general had learned to threaten him between the lines overnight.

Zhao Chu understood that Fang Linyuan was warning him not to make a move on his elder sister-in-law. That was fine. He had no interest in competing with family members.

He raised his eyebrows, showing a hint of tenderness, and lightly said, "The elder sister-in-law hopes that we can be harmonious. I understand."

"Harmonious with what?" Fang Linyuan's back shivered.

Without saying a word, he glanced at Zhao Chu, who remained unmoved, pretending to be deaf and dumb, and he didn't bother to argue with him anymore.

"It's enough for you to know in your heart," he said, turning around to leave.

But before he could take a step, he heard Zhao Chu calling him from behind, asking leisurely, "So, will the husband come to the Huaiyu Pavilion for dinner tonight?"

Again?!

Fang Linyuan turned his head, looking at Zhao Chu incredulously.

Two grown men, must they face each other every day and every night?

His gaze questioned Zhao Chu.

But Zhao Chu remained calm, standing with a faint smile, like a demon statue under the bright sunlight.

The relaxed expression and smiling eyes, under the dappled sunlight, seemed to be painted on the cold clay with oil colours.

The clay statue wouldn't be moved by anyone.

 

--
The author has something to say:

On his way back to the court, Fang Linyuan heard about a highly effective Matchmaking Temple.

He went there, lit incense, and made a wish: "I hope my beloved will also wish to be with me day and night."

Matchmaker: Alright~ That's what you said!

 

Translator : DarNan