He composed himself and sat down opposite Fu Shen: “The Ministry of Rites has set the wedding date on the twelfth of February, the Flower Festival. If you go to the Emperor now to say you want to return to North Yan, you’ll definitely be questioned and rejected. It’s better to wait. By the end of the year, you can submit a memorial stating that you’re about to get married and request to return to Yan Province to pay respects to your father and uncle, and inform your colleagues.”
Departing in the first month and returning to the capital in the second month, the Emperor will likely approve.”
Fu Shen thought for a moment and nodded: “That makes sense, let’s do it this way.”
He realized that since living with Yan Xiaohan, the number of times he said “let’s do it this way” had increased dramatically. He had no dissatisfaction with being stripped of decision-making power, but instead felt it was quite convenient. It seemed that Yan Xiaohan, as an “outsider”, could consider Fu Shen’s interests. Once or twice might be coincidental, but doing so consistently revealed a deeply hidden thoughtfulness.
“The feeling of not having to worry about things is really good,” Fu Shen silently sighed in his heart.
After discussing official matters, they fell into an awkward silence. After a while, Fu Shen took the initiative: “Your complexion was poor just now. Did something happen?”
Yan Xiaohan sat straight in the chair and shook his head: “Nothing.”
Fu Shen would have been surprised if he believed that. He couldn’t guess Yan Xiaohan’s thoughts, and probed: “Did you not sleep well, or… are you still angry about last night?”
Yan Xiaohan’s eyebrows moved slightly, looking somewhat surprised, but remained silent.
Fu Shen understood: this person said “nothing”, but his face was writing “I have something, I won’t say it, come and coax me”.
He thought: “I’ve spoiled you.”
But he continued to ask: “Are you really angry? Because I told you to roll away yesterday?”
Yan Xiaohan made a disdainful “hmph” sound through his nose.
