As dusk settled, the carriage drew to a gentle stop before the Fan Residence. Fan Li’s first thought upon alighting was to dismiss Zhao Tieniu, telling him his services were no longer required. Unfortunately, his thoughts moved slower than the man’s tongue.
Before Fan Li could utter a word, the oafish Zhao Tieniu boomed, “My lord, I heard you and my lady speaking in the carriage. Rest assured, I am at your service, however long my lady wishes to continue these outings. We toured the East City today. Tomorrow, I shall plan a different route, perhaps a visit to the West City?”
Fan Li’s face darkened. The audacity! Not only had he eavesdropped, but he had the nerve to admit it openly! And what was this about planned itineraries? Did he think he was a tour guide?
Through gritted teeth, Fan Li asked, “Zhao Tieniu, did I ask for your services tomorrow? Are you not weary?”
“What? My lord, you underestimate me! This is nothing! A leisurely carriage ride? Recall when I escorted you through the territories of Wei, Han, and Wu, travelling day and night to reach Yunzhou? I never complained of fatigue then! Rest assured, my lord, I am a soldier of the garrison army, your man! Command me as you will. Think nothing of it!” The man finished with a dazzling, almost painfully bright smile.
“Tieniu,” Han Yue, having also alighted from the carriage, addressed him directly. “You’ve worked hard today. Return home and rest. I shall see you tomorrow.”
Fan Li was astonished. The aloof and arrogant Sage Ruler Han Yue had actually remembered Zhao Tieniu's name. And those words, “tomorrow,” they were practically an imperial decree, making it impossible for Fan Li to dismiss the man, even if he wanted to.
“Thank you for your concern, my lady. I shall take my leave. I’ll have the carriage ready for you and my lord at the gates tomorrow morning.” With a jaunty wave, the burly soldier departed, leaving Fan Li to stare after his retreating figure.
Fan Li grimaced. He sincerely hoped that figure would not reappear tomorrow.
“Why are you not going inside?” Han Yue asked, glancing at the residence gates, then at Fan Li. Were they planning to stand there all evening, enjoying the breeze?
“Go… inside?” Fan Li was bewildered.
Han Yue suddenly lowered her head. The setting sun bathed her face in a warm glow, enhancing her already striking beauty. Was this the meaning of the saying, “Sunset’s beauty is boundless?”
A strange thought flitted through Fan Li’s mind, startling him. Had he gone mad? To covet the Sword Sage’s beauty? Surely the Four Swords of Zhu Xian would descend upon him for such impudence!
“I…” Han Yue hesitated, as if gathering her composure. “I shall see you home.”
“Oh… oh. Thank you,” Fan Li stammered, feeling even more foolish than Zhao Tieniu.
They turned and entered the residence, Fan Li leading the way, Han Yue following a respectful pace behind. The servants, having overheard Zhao Tieniu's earlier pronouncements, and now witnessing their return, assumed the worst.
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One particularly astute, or perhaps overly eager, servant announced loudly, “Welcome home, Second Master and Second Madam!”
Fan Li flinched, glaring at the servant, silently urging him to retract his words. But it was too late. A chorus of “Welcome home, Second Master and Second Madam!” echoed through the residence, its cadence strangely reminiscent of the street vendors’ cries of “Candied Hawthorns for sale!”
“Second Brother, you’ve returned?” Fan Zhengming, standing in the main hall, observed them with a curious expression.
“Elder Brother…” Fan Li grimaced, unsure how to explain the situation.
Fortunately, Fan Zhengming, though unaware of the day's events, at least remembered Han Yue's previous assassination attempt. He eyed her warily, feeling a sense of helplessness. A fourth-rank Great Vehicle expert could easily carve a path of destruction through the Fan Residence. There was nothing he could do to stop her. Why had his brother brought such a dangerous individual home, without even summoning Wu Gang for protection?
“Now that you’re home, I shall take my leave,” Han Yue announced suddenly.
Fan Li, feeling as if he had been granted a reprieve, readily agreed. “Yes, yes!”
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” Han Yue added.
“Yes… see you tomorrow,” Fan Li replied, knowing he couldn’t, and wouldn’t dare, refuse.
Han Yue, ever polite, even offered a farewell to Fan Zhengming. “Marquis Liyang, I apologize for the intrusion.”
Strange. Why wasn’t she using her title, Sage Ruler? Fan Li was puzzled.
“Safe travels, Sage Ruler. I shall see you out.” Fan Zhengming, as befitted the elder brother and head of the family, remained composed throughout the encounter.
Once Han Yue had departed, he turned to Fan Li. “Second Brother, what is the nature of your relationship with Sage Ruler Han Yue?”
“Amicable, I suppose. I doubt she’ll attempt to assassinate me again,” Fan Li replied, wondering why his brother was asking.
“Amicable?” Fan Zhengming shook his head. “Second Brother, with a small sacrifice on your part, perhaps you could persuade Sage Ruler Han Yue to join our side.”
Fan Li was astonished. He knew the Pure Land’s Sage Rulers were fiercely loyal to Yao Guang. It was a loyalty that transcended the usual bond between ruler and subject, bordering on familial affection. They saw Empress Yao Guang as an elder sister, even a mother figure. Qing Qiu, with her extreme rationality, was an exception. But she was an anomaly, her temperament vastly different from Han Yue’s.
“Could I truly sway her allegiance from Empress Yao Guang?” Fan Li’s imagination ignited. “What sacrifice do you propose, Elder Brother?”
Fan Zhengming, never one for theatrics, pointed at Fan Li. “Marry her.”
Sacrifice was usually associated with courage. But Fan Zhengming’s answer left Fan Li speechless.
“Elder Brother, you jest,” Fan Li chuckled, shaking his head. He hadn’t informed Fan Zhengming of Empress Yao Guang’s marriage proposal. This was entirely his brother’s idea. Remarkable! Truly worthy of the head of the Fan Clan Trading Company, the most steadfast supporter of his “treacherous” career.
“Elder Brother, political marriages are rarely stable. Even birds sharing the same nest eventually fly their separate ways,” Fan Li argued.
Fan Zhengming nodded. “Indeed. Political marriages lack a foundation of affection. Forged in mutual benefit, they ultimately dissolve when those interests diverge.”
“Second Brother, hear me out.”
Fan Li sighed, resigning himself to his brother’s lecture. But the anticipated lengthy discourse never materialized. Instead, Fan Zhengming offered a single, startling observation: “I believe Sage Ruler Han Yue is fond of you.”
Within the Great Chu imperial palace, Xiang Chong lay exhausted upon the dragon bed, his body utterly spent. Yet, the alluring beauty beside him was too tempting to resist. Even if he could only move his eyes, he would continue to feast upon the “scenery.”
“With a Sage Ruler by my side, even the vast rivers and mountains of my empire seem… less appealing,” Xiang Chong declared, believing his words to be a profound expression of love.
A flicker of disdain crossed Bai Rong’s eyes. To exchange his empire for a woman? Was this the extent of Xiang Chong’s ambition? Yet, she snuggled closer, her body pressing against his.
“Your Majesty, since I am now your woman, there is no need for such formal titles. Call me Rong’er.”
“Yes, yes, of course, Rong’er,” Xiang Chong replied, delighted. For a shallow man like him, a woman’s apparent submission was enough to satisfy his vanity.
“Rong’er, is it truly as you say? Even if Sage Ruler Han Yue has developed feelings for Fan Li, she will still complete Empress Yao Guang’s mission?”