Qu Huajun quickly felt the pity in Fang Linyuan's eyes.

He was so angry that he could hardly catch his breath.

How could there be such a person who takes advantage and still acts innocent! Even those hypocrites in the Yushitai who are full of loyalty and righteousness do not act as pretentiously as him. He's just a cunning villain!

(NT: yù shǐ tái 御史台, the Imperial censorate, responsible for monitoring the conduct of government officials, and reporting any misconduct or corruption to the emperor)

He stared at Fang Linyuan for a long time, and the words that came out of his mouth were squeezed out from between his teeth.

"Yes, nowadays, even the people in the marketplaces are singing about it. They say that the Marquis of Anping, who once shook the northwest and earned the title of General, is deeply in love with Princess Huining. He would rather give up his official position and titles in the golden Palace (NT: the Imperial Court), forsake power and wealth, and insist on marrying her. Now that his wish has come true, the couple is as harmonious as a pair of musical instruments."

Fang Linyuan felt a sourness in his mouth as he listened, and when he turned to look at Zhao Chong, he saw him lowering his eyes again.

As if sensing his gaze, Zhao Chong raised his eyes, meeting his gaze calmly and serenely.

As if he were not the other protagonist of this rumour.

This person probably never feels ashamed or embarrassed.

After a moment of eye contact, Fang Linyuan lost, silently shifting his gaze away.

But this seemingly affectionate eye contact deeply wounded Qu Huajun's eyes.

"Why, Marquis, with such good fortune, do you still need others to tell you?" he sneered.

When Fang Linyuan heard this, he looked at Qu Huajun, his eyes calm as still water.

Such good fortune is yours. He thought.

However, the dead calm gaze, when it fell into Qu Huajun's eyes, was simply understood as a provocation without fear.

"Fang Linyuan, do you really think I dare not touch you?"

Qu Huajun was persuaded away by the attendants and guards beside him.

*

Even as they walked away, one could still faintly hear his attendants advising him, saying that when the Marquis of Anping was twelve years old, he could draw a three-stone bow, and when he was fourteen, he killed the white tiger raised by the Turkic crown prince with his bare hands, definitely not a good person. Even if there were guards blocking them, the young master might not have the upper hand against him if they fought.

Qu Huajun's irritated and raised voice immediately followed: "What, is it this terrible just because he knows how to fight!"

The people nearby hastened to persuade him again.

Fang Linyuan heard their conversation from afar.

The incident of killing the white tiger did happen. But it was when he led a light cavalry to ambush the Turkic king's tent and coincidentally the soldiers released the tiger to bask in the sun, and he shot it dead with one arrow and brought it back as a trophy to present to the emperor.

How did it get back to the capital and become a story of him killing a tiger bare-handed? Then, if one followed this path, would his affair with Zhao Chu be twisted into Liang Zhu legend, where they transformed into butterflies and flew away together? (1)

Fang Linyuan's face became a little ugly.

For a while, the few of them remained silent until they reached the front of the Qingning Hall.

Huang Wei led the two of them up the steps into the hall, where the emperor and empress were already seated on the golden throne.

Palace maids and eunuchs stood on either side, all bowing their heads respectfully. The sunlight streaming in through the tall windows was filtered through golden curtains, giving everything in the hall a golden tone. Two golden beasts stood solemnly on either side of the imperial throne, with smoke curling from their mouths, filling the hall.

"Your servants, pay respects to Your Majesty and Empress, wishing Your Majesty ten thousand years and the Empress a thousand years."

Fang Linyuan and Zhao Chu knelt before the hall, paid their respects, and when they rose, the voice of the Hongyou Emperor's smiling voice echoed from the high platform: "Please rise quickly. People, bring seats."

Immediately, palace attendants came forward and led the two of them to seats on the side.

Once Fang Linyuan was seated, he looked up.

The Hongyou Emperor was sitting on the dragon throne on the high platform, dressed in a golden dragon robe with wide sleeves, looking no more than fifty years old. Although his features were not outstanding, he had the majestic demeanour of a long-standing emperor. However, his brows and eyes were always gentle and kind, and the people in the court praised him for his kindness and righteousness.

But despite his kindness, he had his own kind of toughness.

After ascending the throne, he not only reorganized the imperial examination system and recruited talented people from the commoners, but also, to prevent interference from the imperial relatives, set a precedent for selecting commoner women into the palace as concubines. Over the years, the court atmosphere had been cleared, and many honest and upright ministers had emerged from the current court.

And the woman beside him, Jiang Hongluan, was the first commoner-born empress of the Daxuan Dynasty. (NT: fictional dynasty and imperial characters)

She came from a scholarly family in Huainan, with a gentle and mild temperament, and ruled with great kindness. She had the appearance of a gentle and peaceful woman from the water country. When she looked at him and Zhao Chu, her eyes were gentle and content.

"It's hard for you two to come to the palace early. His Majesty always worries, always thinking that Huining has not left the palace for more than ten years and must have a lot of worries." She said with a smile. "Your Majesty, see, haven't I said it before? The Marquis of Anping is a good match for Huining and will take good care of her."

The Hongyou Emperor nodded in agreement, smiling, "That's right, Huining looks a bit rounder."

Fang Linyuan couldn't help but turn his head to look at Zhao Chu.

This man's features were naturally sharp, and only with careful grooming could he conceal the overly sharp edges. But even so, at a glance, he still had an extremely aggressive and cold beauty. Where was there any roundness?

... Also, the Emperor still didn't know that his daughter was actually a son.

As the ruler of the nation, not even knowing whether his child was a boy or a girl, Fang Linyuan suddenly felt a little sympathetic to the Hongyou Emperor.

He dared not show any slack on his face, slightly pausing his gaze on Zhao Chu's face before smiling and turning his head away, standing up to bow to the Hongyou Emperor, "It's all thanks to Your Majesty's indulgence that I am here today. If I fail to take care of the princess and cause Your Majesty to worry, then I will have a hard time justifying it."

Fang Linyuan felt like he had never told so many lies in his life. He could only make this statement smoothly by bowing his head in a gesture of respect.

"Please sit down. When the family gathers for a chat, constantly getting up and bowing makes me uncomfortable," the Hongyou Emperor smiled.

He relaxed his brows and eyes, looking very satisfied.

Fang Linyuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Jiang Hongluan also smiled beside him, "That's right. But Huining's personality is always a bit strong, so Marquis Anping, you'll have to take care of her more."

"Naturally," Fang Linyuan fabricated meticulously. "The princess is innocent and straightforward, and I cherish her like a treasure."

He had never taken the imperial examinations in his life, only hearing that those scholars would be drenched in cold sweat when they presented their memorials in the court.

Now it seemed they were not exaggerating.

Saying a few words was more uncomfortable than killing. Fortunately, hearing his response, the Emperor seemed very satisfied, turning to Zhao Chu and saying, "Huining, now that you are married, you should learn well to serve your husband and respect your elders,."

The voice fell quiet, and there was silence in the hall.

Zhao Chu was sitting in his chair, holding hot tea in his hands, slowly sipping it, as if he hadn't heard the Emperor's words.

The Hongyou Emperor frowned, his face showing displeasure. From the expression of Jiang Hongluan beside him, it was evident that it was not for the first time that Zhao Chu had ignored the Emperor

"Huining," Jiang Hongluan's gaze moved anxiously between the two of them, trying to mediate. "Your father is teaching you out of concern for you."

Zhao Chu leisurely placed the teacup back on the table.

Still behaving as if he hadn't heard.

Fang Linyuan looked at him with some astonishment.

Compared to the Emperor, Zhao Chu was usually considered extremely polite, even somewhat affable.

He was about to say something when he heard a crisp sound from the seat. It was the displeased sound of the Hongyou Emperor placing the teacup heavily on the dragon case.

The palace attendants around immediately knelt down.

"I'm speaking to you, are you deaf?" the Hongyou Emperor exclaimed angrily.

But Zhao Chu didn't even raise his eyes, still sitting there, saying, "I heard."

Light as a feather, facing the rare thunderous anger of the Hongyou Emperor, he appeared completely indifferent.

Jiang Hongluan hurriedly stood up.

"Forget it, Your Majesty," she reached out, gently stroking the Hongyou Emperor's arm, comforting him. "Huining is grown up now and doesn't like to talk much with her elders. Hualuan and Zhirou are in the back hall. Why not let Huining go see her sisters?"

Hualuan and Zhirou were the titles given to the Fourth Princess Zhao Yao and the Sixth Princess Zhao Pei of the current court. Hearing this, the Hongyou Emperor took a deep breath, slightly calming his anger, and waved his hand irritably.

Jiang Hongluan looked at Zhao Chu, her face showing a gentle smile. "Huining, go quickly. Zhirou said she missed you a few days ago."

But Zhao Chu didn't even spare her a glance.

As the palace attendants came to invite, Zhao Chu stood up, casting a glance at Fang Linyuan.

Fang Linyuan was also looking straight at him.

After a calm gaze, Zhao Chu turned his eyes away and left without saying a word.

Even after he had gone far, Jiang Hongluan still softly comforted the Hongyou Emperor. The Hongyou Emperor picked up the teacup, drank half of it in one go, and then felt better.

"I wonder where she learned such a bad temper," the Hongyou Emperor said.

"Huining takes after her mother, Your Majesty is kind, please bear with her more," Jiang Hongluan pleaded.

The Hongyou Emperor's eyes softened slightly.

Fang Linyuan stood up and spoke, "Your Majesty is angry. The princess has been gentle with me during her stay in my marquisate and has shown great respect to her elder sister in law. Perhaps she's just not good with words."

"You may sit," the Hongyou Emperor instructed. "There's no need for you to speak for her."

Fang Linyuan bowed his head.

"Seeing you today, there's another matter," the Hongyou Emperor continued. "A letter has arrived from Yumen Pass, inquiring about when you will return."

Fang Linyuan's expression momentarily changed, and then he felt ecstatic inside.

Originally, he had returned to the court last month to report to the palace, intending to return after the report. However, after the Emperor's reward and his marriage to Zhao Chu, he had been delayed in the capital until now.

The Emperor's words meant he could return to the border pass!

He raised his head eagerly, about to respond, but saw the Emperor sigh and say, "The affairs of Yumen Pass are complicated, but you and Huining are newlyweds after all. I cannot separate you two and make you spend your honeymoon apart."

Can't you? Of course you can! Please hurry up and separate us!

Fang Linyuan almost kneeled down on the spot to beg for the decree.

He rose from his seat, controlling his expression and said solemnly: "I have been devoted to the princess for many years, and now that I have Your Majesty's favour and have married the princess, I do not want to be separated from her,"

"However, it has been only a month since Longxi returned to the Daxuan Dynasty. The border is unstable, and the barbarian bandits are eyeing us. Whenever I think of the desolation of the cities of Longxi after being trampled by the Turkic hooves, I am restless day and night, and I dare not indulge in romantic feelings."

With that, Fang Linyuan bowed deeply to the Hongyou Emperor.

"Please allow me to return to Yumen Pass as soon as possible to resist the Turks!"

The Hongyou Emperor's face showed some emotion, and he exchanged a glance with Jiang Hongluan.

After a moment, the Hongyou Emperor sighed.

"It's fortunate to have you in Daxuan, both for me and for Daxuan," he said.

"This humble dare not," Fang Linyuan felt a bit embarrassed by his praise.

"Very well," the Hongyou Emperor said, raising his hand. "Yumen Pass lacks a capable commander, which has been troubling me. However, there's another matter I need you to handle on my behalf. Once that's settled, you can go back to Yumen Pass."

"Please go ahead, Your Majesty," Fang Linyuan hurriedly said.

"The envoy from the Turks, who has come to negotiate a ceasefire and trade, is on his way. It is said to be the Turkic Crown Prince Naren Temüjin." The Hongyou Emperor's expression became serious.

Naren Temüjin was the owner of that white tiger Fang Linyuan shot dead years ago.

Since then, Fang Linyuan had fought him many times and knew well how difficult he could be. Last year, when he led his troops to Yumen Pass, it was Naren Temüjin who led the defenders, resisting Fang Linyuan's siege for more than three months before finally being defeated.

"It is said that this man is rough and domineering, not a good person. The Ministry of Rites has been preparing to receive the envoy, but many things are not clear, and they have asked me for instructions several times. I thought since you have fought against him many times, you must understand him somewhat. I want you to assist in this matter, and after the contract is negotiated, you can return to Yumen Pass," the Hongyou Emperor explained.

After Fang Linyuan conquered Yumen Pass, the Turks sent envoys to negotiate for peace. According to the agreement between the two sides, the Turkic envoy would arrive in the capital in over a month.

Naren Temüjin had always been difficult, and there were bound to be complications in negotiating the contract.

Thinking of the desolate and cold Yumen Pass when he left, Fang Linyuan momentarily forgot about his own misfortune.

"This humble will obey Your Majesty's orders and will not fail Your Majesty's trust," he bowed his head.

The Hongyou Emperor nodded in satisfaction.

At that moment, an imperial attendant came to report, "Your Majesty, Sang Zhixin is requesting an audience in the study."

The Hongyou Emperor hmphed and waved his hand to dismiss the attendant.

"Well, since you've agreed, I can rest assured. It's late now, so go to the back hall and meet Huining," the Hongyou Emperor said.

All right, for the sake of the people on the border, I'll endure Zhao Chu for a while longer.

Fang Linyuan sighed inwardly and agreed. After bowing and seeing off the Emperor and Empress, an imperial attendant came forward to lead him to the back hall.

But just as he reached the door of the hall, he heard a somewhat sharp and petulant voice coming from inside.

"A princess who doesn't even have her own palace, marrying into someone else's family and becoming a door-to-door wife (NT: idiom, by joining her husband's household, she is expected to fulfill traditional roles and duties as a wife and daughter-in-law), that's you, Zhao Chu, isn't it?"

Fang Linyuan paused in his tracks.

From the sound of it, several princesses were arguing inside.

"Do you have the face to come back to the palace and pay respects to Father Emperor? It's really ridiculous!" the voice persisted.

Fang Linyuan didn't want to get involved in this commotion.

Without hesitation, he stopped his steps and was about to turn around.

Whoever wanted to clean up Zhao Chu's mess could go ahead; he didn't want to get involved in this turmoil.

But as he was about to move, he heard the voice of the palace attendant announcing loudly, "Marquis Anping has arrived—"

The door to the back hall opened before Fang Linyuan without any hesitation.

Looking up, Fang Linyuan saw three women in magnificent attire inside the grand hall.

The one dressed most splendidly stood arrogantly, clearly looking for trouble. Another, dressed in plain clothes, sat aside, holding a handkerchief to her lips, clearly in a mocking posture.

And Zhao Chu sat among them, eyes lowered, with an indifferent expression like a revered statue.

The attendants and palace maids around had various expressions, but without exception, they remained silent, and none of them intervened.

As the door opened, everyone in the hall, with their fragrance and flowing hair, looked up and turned their gaze toward Fang Linyuan at the doorway.

For a moment, he became the centre of attention for everyone.

Fang Linyuan's heart cooled halfway under their scrutiny.

It seemed like... apart from being a hero to save the beauty, there was no second option.

 

--

The author has something to say:

Zhao Chu: There is a second option after all.

Fang Linyuan: What?

Zhao Chu: You can just leave me behind and go by yourself.

Fang Linyuan: That makes sense... but why are you smirking!!

 

--

Notes from the translator

 

1) Liang Zhu legend

Also called the Butterfly Lovers.

This is a Chinese legend centred around the tragic romance between Liang Shanbo (梁山伯) and Zhu Yingtai (祝英臺), whose names form the Chinese title of the story. The title is often abbreviated as Liang Zhu (梁祝).

Zhu Yingtai was the ninth child and only daughter of the wealthy Zhu family; she convinced her father to allow her to attend classes in disguise as a man. she met Liang Shanbo, a scholar. Both felt a strong affinity for each other at their first meeting. They studied together for three years and were separated then reunited.

The joy of their reunion was short-lived as Zhu's parents had already arranged for her to marry a wealthy merchant, Ma Wencai.

Liang was heartbroken when he heard the news and his health gradually deteriorated until he became critically ill. He died in office later as a county magistrate.

On the day of Zhu's marriage to Ma, strong winds prevented the wedding procession from escorting the bride beyond Liang's grave, which lied along the journey. Zhu left the procession to pay her respects at Liang's grave. She descended in bitter despair and begged for the grave to open up. Suddenly, the grave opened with a clap of thunder. Without further hesitation, Zhu threw herself into the grave to join Liang.

Their spirits emerged in the form of a pair of butterflies and flied away together, never to be separated again.

Source: Wikipedia

 

2) Note: I know it’s not very nice, but I find Fang Linyuan’s reactions so funny ! He ‘truly cherishes his innocent and fragile’ Princess… (◔_◔)

 

Translator : DarNan