FS 08

Chapter 08

“There is no need for Your Highness to concern yourself with this matter.”

“True enough. Our Young Master Lanze is untouched by the mundane world and keeps his distance from women. Every day, he either plays the qin and reads, cultivates himself through painting, or practices quiet meditation. He doesn’t even have a personal maid by his side. He’s truly more free of worldly desires than a monk.”

The night was tranquil. Linzhou’s laughter seemed to stir even the koi in Huaqing Pool. The fish gracefully swam in groups to the feet of the young man dressed in white.

“Zhou Qiao! What are you doing here?!”

The shout struck like a clap of thunder.

The koi darted to the bottom of the pond, while the birds that had been sleeping peacefully scattered into the night in fright.

The slender figure hiding behind a pillar in the corridor trembled in shock. Turning around, Zhou Qiao saw Gu Tingwei standing with his hands on his hips, looking exactly as he had when catching thieves who stole military provisions.

Her beautiful eyes widened. Just as she was about to drag Gu Tingwei away, a teasing voice sounded behind her.

“Who’s there?”

Zhou Qiao suddenly felt the same embarrassment as someone caught red-handed peeking at a handsome man bathing.

Seeing Gu Tingwei staring at her suspiciously, Zhou Qiao silently cursed him for ruining everything. She straightened her clothes, clasped her hands behind her back, and walked out.

“Oh? It’s the Young General?”

“Ah, yes.” Zhou Qiao forced herself to remain calm and looked around. “This General heard some unusual movement here and came to investigate. Since everything is fine, the two of you carry on chatting. I’ll be leaving now.”

“What unusual movement?” Gu Tingwei walked over after her. “Why didn’t I hear anything?”

Zhou Qiao choked on her words and shot him a fierce glare.

“How could the extraordinary hearing of this General possibly be compared to that of an ordinary mortal like you?”

Gu Tingwei could never tolerate being challenged. Seeing that the two were about to start arguing, Linzhou smiled.

“I have yet to congratulate both Generals in person on your triumphant return. Seven years on the Hu Frontier—you have both worked hard.”

Speaking of something she was proud of, Zhou Qiao nodded without the slightest modesty.

“Guarding the borders and defending the nation is the duty of every citizen of Northern Jin! I simply happen to have a little more talent than others in martial arts and archery, so naturally I have to shoulder a little more responsibility!”

Still young, Zhou Qiao’s eyes sparkled brighter than the stars overhead. Her lively expression showed none of the exhaustion or hardship one would expect from someone who had survived the battlefield. Instead, she was full of vigor and vitality, brightening the mood of everyone who saw her.

“Lanze, this is the Third Miss of the Protector General’s Residence. And this is the Cavalry General—though now he should be called the Young Master of Grand Commandant Gu’s residence.”

Gu Tingwei cupped his fists.

“My name is Gu Tingwei. I know who you are—the Prince of Southern Chu.”

Zhan Lanze returned the salute.

Linzhou looked toward Zhou Qiao. Gu Tingwei noticed her staring blankly at Zhan Lanze and tugged lightly at the end of her hair.

Zhou Qiao quickly came back to her senses.

This was awful. She had actually been so captivated by his face that she lost herself in it. How embarrassing.

Hurriedly copying Gu Tingwei’s gesture, she cupped her fists.

“My name is Zhou Qiao.”

Seeing Zhan Lanze looking at her, she inexplicably added,

“Do you remember me?”

Both Gu Tingwei and Linzhou looked at Zhan Lanze. From the way Zhou Qiao spoke, could the two have known each other before?

Bathed in moonlight, Zhan Lanze stood tall in his white robes, as elegant and distant as the bright moon and a gentle breeze.

“I’m sorry.”

The light in Zhou Qiao’s eyes dimmed instantly. Her voice caught for a moment before she suddenly smiled with her usual pride.

“Then make sure you remember this General from now on.”

If he didn’t remember, then so be it. Thinking back on all the foolish things she had done in the past still made her burn with embarrassment. Now she was the Young General personally acknowledged by His Majesty and the newly appointed Zhonglang General of the Yanlin Army. She was far more impressive than she had been before.

Just then, the sound of horns echoed through the palace. It was time for the palace gates to be sealed and for the Imperial Guards to change shifts for their patrols. Anyone who did not belong inside the palace had to leave immediately.

Watching Zhou Qiao and Gu Tingwei bickering as they walked away, Linzhou smiled and asked,

“Do you really not know her?”

“No.”

With that, Zhan Lanze turned and headed toward the temporary palace.

Linzhou leisurely caught up.

“Now that’s strange. During the banquet, when she stood alone in the hall arguing with Father Emperor, your eyes never left her for even a moment. Then afterward, she just happened to follow you here. Could there really be such a coincidence in this world?”

When Zhan Lanze remained silent, Linzhou stopped walking.

“If you truly have no interest in her, then there’s no harm in me pursuing her, is there?”

The man ahead came to a halt.

Raising an eyebrow, Linzhou continued,

“A face this stunning even without a trace of makeup is truly rare these days. Her bold and spirited personality is just as likable. She’ll be coming of age soon, so I’d better make my move first. Otherwise, if someone else wins her over, this prince will be lying awake all night again.”

Chapter 4: Gathering Information

Outside the palace gates, Gu Tingwei followed after Zhou Qiao, clearly trying to curry favor.

“Hey, what exactly are you angry about?”

Without even turning around, Zhou Qiao replied,

“You only know how to ruin things!”

She had finally overheard something private about Zhan Lanze and thought she might learn whether he already had someone he liked. But Gu Tingwei’s loud shout had completely spoiled the opportunity.

Thinking of it, Zhou Qiao suddenly spun around.

“Why did you follow me to Huaqing Pool? What are you plotting?”

For once, Gu Tingwei actually blushed.

“I… I just wanted to ask you something.”

As sharp as ever, Zhou Qiao looked him up and down.

“What? Need to borrow money? His Majesty rewarded me with gold, and now you’re jealous? Let me tell you right now—don’t even think about it!”

As the son of the Grand Commandant, why would he ever need to borrow money? Gu Tingwei looked utterly speechless.

“It’s got nothing to do with that!”

“Then what is it?”

“I wanted to ask… about Miss Zhou.”

“About me? What is there about me that you don’t already know?”

Gu Tingwei couldn’t tell whether she was genuinely dense or just pretending. Did he really have to spell it out?

“I’m asking about your elder sister!”

A strange silence settled over the two.

Zhou Qiao narrowed her eyes.

“My elder sister? Why are you asking about her?”

Why else? Naturally because he’d taken a fancy to her!

But Gu Tingwei feared that Zhou Qiao would gossip after returning home. If the story reached Zhou Li’s ears and sounded like he was being frivolous, wouldn’t that ruin everything?

Gu Tingwei prided himself on his mastery of military strategy. There was no way he would allow idle meddlers to destroy his promising romance.

Even if… that meddler happened to be his future sister-in-law.

Clearing his throat, Gu Tingwei said,

“My father is now the Grand Commandant. All the military forces in the capital are under his command.”

The implication was obvious: as the Grand Commandant’s only son, he was more than worthy of the Protector General’s daughter.

“So?”

Zhou Qiao clearly failed to catch the hidden meaning. Instead, she puffed out her chest proudly.

“Well, my father is the Protector General, and my eldest brother is the Commander of the Imperial Guard. It’s Uncle Gu who’s the Grand Commandant, not you. What’s there to brag about?”

“…”

Gu Tingwei was left speechless.

There was no point beating around the bush with Zhou Qiao—she simply wouldn’t understand.

So he decided to get straight to the point.

“Your… your sister—”

Before he could finish, a gentle female voice called out to Zhou Qiao.

After the banquet ended, Zhou Qiao had lied, saying she urgently needed to use the restroom. Zhou Li had therefore left the palace first with the other ladies and waited in the carriage.

But after waiting for more than half an hour without Zhou Qiao returning, Zhou Li grew worried that she had gotten herself into trouble again. So she came back to look for her.

As she reached the palace gate, she spotted the two figures.

Hearing Zhou Li’s voice, Zhou Qiao turned around.

“Elder Sister!”

Her call perfectly cut off the words Gu Tingwei had been about to say.

“Elder Sister, why didn’t you wait in the carriage? At night…”