Translator: Antonia
Finally, Duke Fang and Qi Wuyou met for the first time with the help of Childe Wushuang. Qi Wuyou had always been interested in Fang Junqian. For a time, he was curious about what on earth made this man so respected by Childe Wushuang.
So was Fang Junqian.
In their first meeting, Fang Junqian, Xiao Qingyu and Qi Wuyou talked for three days and nights in a row. No one knew what they had discussed. Nor was there a record. The conversation that nearly changed the world landscape later was destined to be annihilated by the truth of history…
People only knew that when Duke Fang walked out of the commander tent, the first thing he did was to appoint Qi Wuyou as the General Military Advisor of Bafang Army.
Since then, Qi Wuyou was completely loyal towards Fang Junqian and never betrayed him for his whole life.
Two months later, Qi Wuyou was recognized and acknowledged by everyone and quickly become Figure No.3 in Bafang.
Figure No.1 and No.2 thus had a much lighter workload. With such a hardworking advisor, Duke Fang felt happy to be lazy. Once he had free time, he took Xiao Qingyu to travel around and enjoyed themselves in beautiful scenery.
Time fleeted.
In a blink, summer left and here came winter. Fang Junqian and Xiao Qingyu had lived in Bafang for almost a year.
Over the past year, Duke Fang, away from the capital"s intrigues and conspiracies, played chess, read, chatted, appreciated tea, practiced sword, painted, made poems, enjoyed moon and flowers and travelled in beautiful scenery— The world was unbelievably wonderful when he was around.
Many many years later, when Fang Junqian recalled the carefree time spent here, he finally believed that all he pursued and waited for in his life was maybe, probably and exactly that very moment…
Winter was here. Xiao Qingyu feared of cold. Hence, Fang Junqian told him again and again—to air the quilt in the suns.h.i.+ne, to close the windows at night, and to take with him a thermal jar… Even Zhang Jinya knew that the seemingly decisive resolute Duke Fang was in fact very garrulous.
“Qingyu, I"m going to show you something!” Fang Junqian hastily stepped into his room, shaking off the snowflakes on his coat. Daqing had a bitter winter in both north and south, but the northwest lacked the moist in the southeast where the capital was located. Even the wind was dry and cuttingly painful on people"s faces!
Outside, it was just clear of a light snow, but the room was as warm as spring. Xiao Qingyu was wrapped in white-fur cloak and holding a book. Seeing him, he nodded as greeting.
Seeing his devotion in books, Duke Fang immediately advised, “Qingyu, read less. You"re pus.h.i.+ng old Li and others to death. Don"t you fear they would kill themselves out of shame?”
Xiao Qingyu said coldly, “Don"t blame others for your own ignorance.”
It turned out Childe Wushuang still worried about his slow students.
Fang Junqian laughed, “Don"t be upset, Qingyu. I have a gift for you.”
Xiao Qingyu looked up at him suspiciously, wondering what was his trick this time.
They went out of the camp and got on a carriage. The horse galloped for nearly a quarter and soon drove into a forest.
When he got off the carriage, Xiao Qingyu, a calm person, was dumbfounded.
A courtyard was quietly situated by a clear lake at the foot of a mountain, exquisite and tasty.
Peach trees were planted in the yard, and coldly sweet orchid"s aroma could be smelled from the corners.
In an instant, Xiao Qingyu thought he was back to his courtyard in the capital…
Fang Junqian whispered gently behind him, “This is the gift for you…”
Heaven knew how much time and energy Fang Junqian had spent on this courtyard.
As he entered, Xiao Qingyu couldn"t be more astonished—exactly the same! The austere potted plants, the antique guqin on the table, the soft comfortable couch with curtains, the orderly placed books in the bookshelf. He randomly picked one, and it was Hangqing Tactics which he yet finished reading…
“In the Spring Festival, everyone goes back home… I can"t return to the capital and detain you here in Bafang too.”
Xiao Qingyu subconsciously tried to avoid the upcoming conversation, his voice cold and hard, “I don"t have home. I"m just a visitor of every place where I"ve been to.”
“Then I give you a home today.” Fang Junqian said immediately.
The white-clothed youth was back to Fang Junqian who couldn"t see his expression. He only heard his voice, soft but bitter—
“Perhaps for Qingyu, the courtyard in Bafang isn"t important. However, to me, this is home…”
Xiao Qingyu bowed his head quietly, deadpan. Duke Fang didn"t hear the subtle sigh out of his lips.
The generals understood Duke Fang"s behavior.
They didn"t object at all to giving a courtyard to Childe Wushuang who had contributed greatly to Bafang.
Besides, everybody knew Duke Fang"s affection to Childe Wushuang, and they decided to turn a blind eye to his jobbery.
Advisor Qi teased and explained for Fang Junqian— “After all, Duke is also a man.”