Chapter Seven: Sleepless Night

“What did you say?” Yang Zixu turned his head to glance at Li Fu, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Following Li Fu’s gaze, Yang Zixu also saw that flash of emerald green. He looked again at Li Fu’s expression and understood.

“Stop staring, she’s already gone far,” Yang Zixu let down the carriage curtain, laughing. “Autumn Ye Qing of the Qiu family—your taste isn’t bad, kid.”

“Nonsense. I was merely curious about which noble house that carriage belonged to in the Eastern Capital,” Li Fu was a little nervous, as if his secret had been exposed, yet the corners of his mouth unconsciously curled up.

Yang Zixu, seeing this, sucked in a breath and said, “Let me tell you, don’t even think about her. Autumn Ye Qing is betrothed to the Shangguan family.”

Yang Zixu didn’t believe a word of Li Fu’s denial. He frequented all the pleasure venues in the Eastern Capital; Li Fu’s expression couldn’t fool his sharp eyes.

“I already said there’s nothing, but you insist on thinking otherwise—what can I do?” Li Fu adjusted his clothes, conveniently avoiding Yang Zixu’s piercing gaze.

Yang Zixu sneered, “Don’t bother denying it. With that lovestruck look on your face, only a fool would believe you.”

Li Fu was a little embarrassed and didn’t know how to respond.

“But there’s a way around it,” Yang Zixu said, seeing Li Fu’s disappointment, grinning mischievously. “Want to hear it?”

“What way?” Li Fu regretted his words as soon as he spoke, realizing he’d given himself away.

“Haha, I was right! You fancy her but won’t admit it. As for the way, well, it depends on how you perform…” Yang Zixu feigned seriousness, but his expression was unmistakably lecherous.

“Forget it. I have no other thoughts anyway,” Li Fu closed his eyes, refusing to look at Yang Zixu’s lascivious face.

…

Night fell. Li Fu tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. That shade of emerald lingered in his mind, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

Outside, the cold wind swept through the not-quite-shut window, the wailing sound echoing softly in the room. The bright moonlight streamed through a crack, illuminating Li Fu’s face like the warmth of spring, painting two rosy spots on his cheeks.

“Haha, I knew you wouldn’t sleep tonight, suffering from lovesickness!” Suddenly, the window was flung open and a head popped in, startling Li Fu.

Yang Zixu climbed in from outside with practiced ease—it was clearly not his first time. He shut the window and paced lightly around the room.

Li Fu lit the lamp, eyeing Yang Zixu strangely. The man was covered in frost, clearly having been outside for a long time, his face pale, rubbing his hands and breathing warmth into them.

“Why are you up doing such pointless things instead of sleeping?” Li Fu was a bit annoyed, as if blaming Yang Zixu for spying on him.

Yang Zixu trembled, stuck out a finger, and then snatched the still-warm quilt from the bed, wrapping himself tightly. Only then did his shivering stop.

“Whew…”

---

After a while, Yang Zixu exhaled a long breath.

“Do you know how hard it was for me? I didn’t dare release a single strand of true energy, just so you wouldn’t notice. I nearly froze to death.”

“Serves you right. Who told you to be up at midnight doing such pointless things?” Li Fu glared at Yang Zixu, though he still poured him a cup of hot tea.

“Pointless? And you—lying awake at night, lovesick!” Yang Zixu laughed triumphantly, as if he’d won a great battle.

“So you hung outside my window for hours just for that?” Li Fu eyed him oddly, not understanding the meaning of his actions.

“Of course. Anyway, if you want to pursue Autumn Ye Qing, I really can help you. Which mansion in the Eastern Capital doesn’t I know? Autumn Ye Qing doesn’t like Shangguan Qi at all; their engagement was arranged by the elders.” Sensing Li Fu’s displeasure, Yang Zixu hurried to explain, afraid he’d be thrown out the next moment.

“What can you do?” Li Fu couldn’t help but ask.

“First, you have to agree to three—no, several conditions,” Yang Zixu said smugly, ready to use this chance to make Li Fu sign a few little agreements, all in his favor.

“Several? Isn’t it just three?” Li Fu was speechless. Helpless, now that Yang Zixu had found his weakness, he regretted rescuing Yang Zixu from that dog’s mouth yesterday.

“All right, three it is.” Yang Zixu agreed readily, already satisfied.

“First, I want to see your so-called ‘National Strategy’,” Yang Zixu dropped his joking manner and spoke seriously.

Li Fu was surprised—don’t scholars in the Eastern Capital read ‘National Strategy’?

From the stack of books on the table, Li Fu carefully drew out a yellowed volume. Yang Zixu stared, recognizing it at once. Yes, yesterday when he entered Li Fu’s room, the book on the table was this very one, even the water stains were identical.

“Just so you know, you can only read it here, you can’t take it away. I still have to deliver it later,” Li Fu remembered his teacher’s instructions before leaving. If not for Yang Zixu tonight, he might have forgotten.

“You’re sure this is ‘National Strategy’?” Yang Zixu asked, carefully opening the book.

“I remember my teacher said it was, so it should be correct. I wanted to ask you earlier in the restaurant—don’t people in the Eastern Capital read ‘National Strategy’?” Li Fu shrugged.

“You’re really lucky,” Yang Zixu stared intently at the ancient book, scrutinizing every page.

…

Moonlight drifted eastward, nearing the hour of the tiger. Yang Zixu finally finished reading the thin ancient book. He slapped awake Li Fu, who was dozing by the bed.

“Finished?” Li Fu rubbed his sleepy eyes, puzzled as he looked at Yang Zixu.

Yang Zixu sat before him, his expression grave, left hand stroking his chin as if trying to scratch out a few whiskers.

“What’s wrong?” Li Fu frowned, never having seen Yang Zixu so serious.

---

“Do you trust me?” After a long silence, Yang Zixu finally spoke.

“I do,” Li Fu replied honestly, though he didn’t understand.

“Remember, never tell anyone you’ve read ‘National Strategy’,” Yang Zixu said solemnly, a stark contrast to his usual playful demeanor.

“Why?” Li Fu asked.

“‘National Strategy’ is of great import; it can’t be explained in a few words. By the way, you said you’re delivering it—where to?” Yang Zixu looked at Li Fu.

“Wait a moment.”

Li Fu opened the cabinet, searching his bag for a while until he found a box wrapped in red cloth. Inside were three letters and a half piece of jade. Before departing, his teacher had entrusted him with this box, instructing him to open it only after the Lantern Festival exam. It contained directions for what Li Fu should do in the Eastern Capital.

Though the time to open it hadn’t yet arrived, Yang Zixu’s demeanor was no joke; clearly, the origins of ‘National Strategy’ were significant.

Li Fu opened the box. One letter was addressed to himself. One was for the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and another for No. 63, Wanhua Alley—a place Li Fu didn’t know.

“How is it?” Yang Zixu asked anxiously after Li Fu finished reading.

Li Fu’s expression was grim. His teacher hadn’t explained much in the letter, only told him to accomplish one task…

“The book is to be delivered to the Imperial Ancestral Temple,” Li Fu said after reading, placing the letter on the lamp to burn.

“What did the letter say?” Yang Zixu watched Li Fu, not attempting to read it himself. He knew Li Fu didn’t want him to know, but couldn’t help asking.

“Nothing, just that I can go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple the day after tomorrow,” Li Fu replied earnestly.

“Are you all right? Going to the Imperial Ancestral Temple? Do you know, only the Three Dukes and His Majesty are allowed inside. Not even all royalty can enter,” Yang Zixu was baffled.

In the Great Tang, everyone knew the Imperial Ancestral Temple was forbidden, even among the royal family only a select few could step inside. Li Fu couldn’t possibly be unaware.

Moreover, he said he could go—meaning not only must he go, but he would enter openly and justly. But where did his confidence come from?

“It’s fine. Sleep now. Tomorrow in the Eastern Capital will be even more exciting than today,” Li Fu said energetically, suddenly feeling a warm current flowing through his body…

Tonight, the Eastern Capital was sleepless—not only for these two young men within the room.