Xiao Chun watched intently as Yan Xiaohan pushed the wheelchair opposite, leaning down to whisper a few words in Fu Shen’s ear, their posture intimate.
“…The main hall is spacious, and burning charcoal can’t compare to indoor warmth… Dress up, don’t play tricks…”
Xiao Chun closed his eyes and pinched his thigh hard.
Damn, it hurts.
Yan Xiaohan took the initiative to withdraw, leaving the space for the two, and before leaving, he poured a cup of tea to warm Fu Shen’s hands, and casually gave a half-smiling glance at General Xiao, who looked pale.
The autumn river was sparkling, the night sky clear as water. Yan Xiaohan stood under the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, fingertips brushing a few scattered fallen petals, eyes half-closed in thought.
Emperor Yuantai wanted to transfer the Northern Yan military power from Fu Shen through him. This transfer wasn’t as simple as getting rid of Fu Shen. The Northern Yan cavalry had been passed down through generations in the Fu family, becoming an unspoken rule.
The current Ying Guo Gong, Fu Ting Yi, was not skilled in military affairs, and the future heir Fu Ya was a useless playboy. Whoever took over would be good for Emperor Yuantai.
Thinking about this, the timing of the Qingsha Gorge assassination was indeed too coincidental.
However, Fu Shen was tough to kill. Emperor Yuantai could only settle for the next best thing. The Jing Ning Hou must not have descendants.
This was a peaceful transition method, with the difference being whether Yan Xiaohan could make Fu Shen consider him as “one of his own”.
In these past few days, Fu Shen’s attitude suggested he wanted to divide the alliance between Yan Xiaohan and Emperor Yuantai, but he didn’t show any further intention to win him over. Fu Shen seemed to have other plans, but in his current state of complete immobility, he didn’t look like he could stir up any storms.
Moreover, he still had a shackle of “righteousness” on his hands.
Today, the Ministry of Rites had begun to calculate the wedding date, and the next step would be to send someone to verify the birth dates and prepare the six rites. He needed to have an honest conversation with Fu Shen.
In the game between Emperor Yuantai and Fu Shen, he couldn’t just be a chess piece pushed around.
He wrapped himself in the autumn night’s chill, standing in the darkness, seemingly separated from the human world by a barrier, his silhouette bearing an indescribable loneliness.
After a long time, the main hall door was opened from the inside. When Xiao Chun saw him standing in the courtyard, he was clearly startled, suspicion immediately appearing on his face. Fu Shen was farther away, but with his good eyesight, he saw Yan Xiaohan at a glance. Their gazes met briefly in mid-air, then slid away like two swimming fish.
Yan Xiaohan brushed off non-existent dust from his sleeve and walked past Xiao Chun into the room, asking casually, “Finished talking? Seeing the guest out?”
As he walked, cold air swept forward. Fu Shen felt slightly uncomfortable: “How long have you been standing outside?”
Yan Xiaohan misunderstood his meaning and gave a light laugh: “With two high-ranking Northern Yan military officers here, how would Yan dare to offend?”
“I think you’ve gone stupid from the cold,” Fu Shen scoffed, pushing the hot tea on the table towards him.
Yan Xiaohan took his cup from in front of Fu Shen, saying, “Thank you for your consideration, my lord.”
Fu Shen frowned: “…That was my cup.”
“Just warming my hands, I’m not drinking,” Yan Xiaohan said with a face full of innocence. “What does my lord think?”
Fu Shen: “…”
Xiao Chun watched them banter, almost thinking they were flirting, no, confronting each other. If not for his years of understanding of Fu Shen and knowing he didn’t have those preferences, he would have thought they were putting on an act.
“General,” he approached Fu Shen, “Since this matter is temporarily settled, please return to the mansion to recuperate. The carriage is waiting outside.”
“No.”
Two gazes turned to the speaker, with Fu Shen raising an eyebrow.
Yan Xiaohan: “My lord is suffering from a cold, and his leg injury is not yet healed. The mansion lacks medical resources and might worsen his condition.
“Why not stay here and let Shen Yice nurse you back to health before making further plans?”
“What plans?” Fu Shen asked with a smile, though his eyes held no mirth. “The plan to marry you?”
Yan Xiaohan replied, “Otherwise, does my lord think he has any other options?”
Fu Shen’s smile faded: “You want to confine me?”
Yan Xiaohan shook his head and said, “Let’s talk privately,” taking Fu Shen to a more remote location, leaning in to whisper in his ear.
Fu Shen listened silently for a moment before turning to Xiao Chun: “Did you see all of that?”
Xiao Chun blankly nodded.
Fu Shen said, “Then it’ll be like this.”
“What? General…” Xiao Chun was bewildered.
Fu Shen impatiently said, “You saw it. Yan Qin, the investigating envoy, is coveting my beauty and forcibly detaining me in his mansion, not allowing me to leave. So if anyone looks for me during this time, just say I’m recuperating at his residence.”
Xiao Chun glanced at Yan Xiaohan.
Yan Xiaohan was struck by the sudden accusation but managed a teeth-gritting smile: “As the lord says.”
Xiao Chun suddenly understood why Yan Xiaohan had such a bad reputation in the court; it was said that every time he argued with Fu Shen, regardless of the outcome, the next day’s narrative would be “The court’s running dog is oppressing the loyal again.”
After seeing Xiao Chun off, they returned to the bedroom.
Fu Shen said: “Explain what you meant just now. You dare let Xiao Chun go without understanding?”
Yan Xiaohan narrowed his eyes, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll really confine you?”
Fu Shen wanted to kick him: “Stop talking nonsense.”
Yan Xiaohan: “Stay here with me during this time, and I’ll help you get a chance to return to Yanzhou. I’ve made myself very clear.”
“I’m not asking about that, Yan Xiaohan,” Fu Shen said word by word, “I’m asking which side you’re really on.”
You are the emperor’s most favored subject, the most trusted confidant, just a step away from the pinnacle of power. Why would you help someone who is naturally your political enemy?
Yan Xiaohan still had narrowed eyes, but the previous gentle mockery had disappeared. He seemed to instantly don an impenetrable armor, saying casually: “Since there are officials who are not absolutely loyal, of course there are those with divided loyalties.”
Fu Shen: “You don’t need to belittle yourself…”
“My lord,” Yan Xiaohan laughed, “don’t be naive. You’ve long known what kind of person I am, so why bother trying to cover for me? Although we’re both in the court, you govern the country, while I’m merely an official. Not for fame, only for profit; not for the world, only for myself.”
“Pursuing profit, choosing where to settle – this is the way of officialdom.”
“So,” he said, “I’m not on your side. I’m on the side most beneficial to me.”
He was a chess piece, and also the third person holding the chess board.
He could be used by one side, charging forward, or he could overturn the entire board at a moment’s notice.
Since Emperor Yuantai doesn’t like his weapons to have too many ideas, he might as well make him a defenseless loner.
Because the chess piece is unhappy.
“Fine, good,” Fu Shen laughed from anger, “then why did you bring me back? Why not just let me die at the palace gates?”
Yan Xiaohan said carelessly: “Of course because I covet your beauty, my lord.”
Fu Shen: “…”
He, a decisive military commander, most hated the circuitous atmosphere of the capital’s officialdom. Yan Xiaohan knew his temper, laughing lightly and pacifying him before he could explode: “Fu Shen, stop trying to find excuses for me.”
