Chao Ge’s ten-day period of offering prayers at the Shrine ended, and Liangzhou welcomed the first day of the New Year.
“Master,” Yan Guan bowed to Chao Ge, “this morning’s meal includes braised radish and pork ribs, barley porridge, lamb buns, and glutinous rice flower tea.” Chao Ge had been vegetarian for ten days, with not a drop of oil in his stomach, and Yan Guan, pondering what to add to the meal, did not want to make it too greasy.
At night, there was a banquet to host the officials, so it needed to be a bit more formal. Chao Ge, with his back to Yan Guan as he braided his hair, merely nodded in response.
“Can you braid hair?” A sudden question caught Yan Guan off guard.
Yan Guan naturally could not, as after arriving in Liangzhou, he had not even bothered to tie his hair properly, simply gathering it together with a cloth strip.
Seeing that Yan Guan was standing there, unsure of what to do, Chao Ge understood he couldn’t and called out, “Come here, I’ll teach you.”
Yan Guan moved over and stood behind Chao Ge. “String these on,” he was handed a few turquoise beads.
Yan Guan obediently did as told, afraid of pulling Chao Ge’s hair too roughly, and moved very carefully. Chao Ge, emotionless, watched the reflection in the copper mirror. The young man’s features were calm and gentle, focused as he threaded beads onto the end of Chao Ge’s hair. Suddenly, a memory of the Confucian classics he once studied came to mind. The people of Liang seemed to have a unique attachment to hair—an expression of romantic love, much like the fleeting beauty of wind, flowers, snow, and moon. Now, as someone held his hair in their hands, Chao Ge felt a secret sense of pleasure stir in his heart. [I can’t with this guy]
Before long, a few turquoise beads had been threaded on. Chao Ge withdrew his gaze, took the ends of his hair, and swiftly braided two locks together. “Did you understand? Give it a try.”
Yan Guan, imitating his actions, clumsily picked up a few strands of hair and intertwined them, finally securing it with a bright red coral bead.
“Hmm, not bad,” Chao Ge praised him, and while doing so, grabbed a handful of amber and agate from the box and placed them into Yan Guan's hands.
“Auspiciousness and good fortune,” Chao Ge said, lifting his palm as if to pat Yan Guan’s head. But after hesitating for a moment, he curled his fingers back and lowered his hand.
Yan Guan, stunned by the sudden bounty, didn’t even notice Chao Ge’s movements. In a daze, he echoed, “Auspiciousness and good fortune.”
Seeing Yan Guan’s dazed expression, Chao Ge almost wanted to laugh. Feeling a lightness in his heart, he said, “You don’t need to prepare any more meals today. Let’s go for a stroll outside the palace. The streets should be lively.”
Unexpectedly, Yan Guan shook his head. “I don’t know how to talk to people, so I’d rather not go. The palace is lively enough.”
Chao Ge, being much taller than him, observed his expression for a moment to ensure he wasn’t upset, then simply let it go.
“Have you gained weight?” Chao Ge suddenly asked.
“Huh?” Yan Guan hadn’t expected that question and mumbled vaguely, “Mm, the meals from the kitchen are quite good.”
Chao Ge was very pleased. He thought to himself that the older staff in the palace really knew how to take care of people. Yan Guan had been with Chao Lun for so long without gaining weight, but after only a few days here, his complexion had already improved so much. [That’s only coz Daxi moonlights as a town-crier]
Yan Guan felt a bit anxious, thinking, Does the Master dislike his attendants getting fat? After hesitating for a moment, he nervously suggested, “I’ll eat less in the future.”
Oh no! Chao Ge, who had taken the trouble to instruct the nannies to take good care of him, realised Yan Guan had misunderstood. He quickly said, “Absolutely not! The winters in Liangzhou are harsh. If you don’t gain some weight, you’ll freeze to death!” Chao Ge’s face was serious, showing no hint of embarrassment at using such a severe warning.
Yan Guan widened his eyes in surprise but obediently nodded in agreement.
After they went outside, Yan Guan found a fragrant sachet to carry the items with him. Just as he finished, he bumped into Geqi, who was coming on shift. “Where’d you get that!” Geqi asked.
His sudden movements when stashing the items must have looked suspicious, like someone caught in the middle of doing something sneaky, which led to the misunderstanding. Yan Guan hurriedly explained that they were a gift from the Lord.
Geqi crossed his arms and stared at him for a while, but in the end, he let him go.
As soon as Yan Guan was out of sight, he rubbed the goosebumps on his arms and took off running. Geqi is so scary. ‘The master is much kinder,’ he thought to himself, completely unaware of how strange his wording was.
The kitchen was busy preparing for the evening banquet, so with nothing to do, Yan Guan wanted to help. But he ended up being shooed away. Feeling at a loss, he held the large cat the nanny had handed him. “Take it for a walk,” the nanny had said, so Yan Guan, not knowing what else to do, wandered aimlessly around the palace with the cat.
He didn’t dare go too far, as the New Year’s banquet meant heightened security everywhere. It was cold outside, so Yan Guan found a quiet corridor to sit down. The building had a floor heater, and the warmth radiated through the walls. Leaning against the wall, Yan Guan lazily stroked the cat.
He couldn’t tell if the cat was just fat or simply old, but its throat sounded like a boiling kettle, purring away. Yan Guan found this amusing and said to himself, “What’s your name? Li Nu,” as he picked up the cat and squeezed its paw. [貍奴 (Línú) - lit., cat-servant/slave]
The cat, ever prideful, acted like it didn’t hear a thing. It gave a big yawn, licked its paw, and burrowed back into Yan Guan’s arms, determined to continue its interrupted dream.
Yan Guan didn’t disturb it again, thinking, ‘In the whole palace, this cat is the freest. It’s something to be envied.’
The window of the palace behind the corridor had been quietly opened. Chao Ge leaned against it, and who knows how long he had been watching through the narrow window slit, no wider than half a palm.
Outside the corridor, snow continued to fall. Yan Guan was leaning against the wall but didn’t feel cold, burying his chin into the cat’s thick fur. From a distance, he looked like a handsome young man wrapped in a scarf. Chao Ge, inside the room, was sweating profusely from the heat, yet he still ordered the floor heater to be stoked even higher.
Daxi couldn’t stand the heat anymore. “Master, why don’t you let Yan Guan come inside?”
Chao Ge wiped the sweat off his brow, his gaze unwavering. “The cat follows its master. If he comes inside, it’ll just run off and hide,” he said, smiling.
Daxi thought to himself, ‘The Lord’s fallen for someone and lost his wits’. He couldn’t understand it. According to the customs of the grasslands, if you liked someone, you just told them directly. There was no need for all this beating around the bush.
Only Chao Ge understood that if he showered Yan Guan with flowery words or grand promises right from the start, it would be meaningless—what the people of Liang would call frivolous. He might not be a perfect gentleman, but his feelings for Yan Guan were sincere and deep. He hid them cautiously, not wanting anyone with ill intentions to notice and harm Yan Guan because of it. Yet, in the end, such restrained desire either leads to crippling self-doubt or an insatiable urge for possession and control…
Seeing that the snow had lightened, Yan Guan patted his sleeves, and got ready to leave. But he suddenly heard a noise from the palace behind him. A corner of a lotus-patterned robe peeked out from around the corner, and Yan Guan quickly set the cat down and bowed in greeting.
Just as he extended his hand, a broad and warm palm gently lifted him up. “No need. How did you end up here?” The voice carried no displeasure, and it seemed like the speaker was just making casual conversation.
“I was walking around with the cat. I didn’t know Master was here…”
“Pastries, they’re still warm. Have some to fill your stomach. There’s still a little time before the banquet starts,” as he spoke, a plate of pastries was placed in front of him.
Yan Guan thanked him and, holding the plate, followed behind Chao Ge. Daxi winked at him, signalling for him to eat while it was still hot. Yan Guan picked up a piece and popped it into his mouth. It was a chestnut cake, warm and fragrant. He started counting the pieces, intending to save a few for the kitchen staff.
The person walking ahead seemed to have eyes on the back of his head. “Stop counting. The kitchen staff will have plenty to eat at the banquet.”
Yan Guan’s face turned red, and he mumbled an acknowledgment before stuffing another piece into his mouth.
When they returned to Hui’en Palace, the plate of pastries had been completely eaten. Yan Guan, feeling as satisfied as a well-fed cat, thought no one was watching. He stood in the corner, using his finger to pick up the crumbs on the plate, then licked them off with the tip of his tongue.
Chao Ge’s gaze froze for a moment before quickly shifting back to the documents in his hand. But in his heart, it was as if a cat’s tail had lightly brushed against him, leaving him with a soft, ticklish feeling that he couldn’t shake. [aiyooo]
In the end, he couldn't resist and waved Yan Guan over. He had noticed Yan Guan's casually tied-up hair when he had tricked him into braiding his hair that morning.
Chao Ge reached out and pinched a strand. "So, still can’t braid, huh?"
Yan Guan was startled. “Ah, uh…,” he actually remembered how, but he never thought about tidying himself up.
The next second, his vision dimmed as Chao Ge stood up, blocking the light. From somewhere, he produced a string of red agate beads. Before Yan Guan could recover from the shock of the Lord personally braiding his hair, the translucent red beads were already woven into it.
“Th-thank you, Master…,” Yan Guan stammered, barely able to speak coherently.
“Go figure out how to braid it yourself,” Chao Ge stopped at the right moment, knowing that pushing too hard might scare him away.
Yan Guan retreated to the side once again. Chao Ge rubbed his fingertips, feeling a bit of regret. Watching Yan Guan struggle to smooth his loose hair, Chao Ge almost burst out laughing.
The New Year’s banquet was held in grand style, and Chao Ge went to the main hall early.
The front hall was bustling with activity, the clinking of cups and lively conversations filling the air. But in the inner chamber behind the great hall, silence hung heavy, and everyone quietly observed each other's expressions. Finally, the stillness was broken.
"Master, forgive my bluntness, but travelling south to Sangta at the start of the New Year, whether or not there will be an outbreak of disease… Such rumours are damaging."
Chao Ge's expression remained calm. "I’m aware, but Sangta is far from the capital and is a strategically crucial location. If I don’t personally go, I fear it will leave room for troublemakers to stir up unrest."
Tseten, sitting off to the side, remained silent. It was clear that Chao Ge had already informed him of his plans beforehand.
The minister still wanted to persuade further. "If no epidemic arises and the Lord leaves the capital, the Second Prince will be unable to handle everything alone. Wouldn't that just create an opening for the schemers in the court? And if an epidemic does break out, those people will start spreading rumours about the throne and the Lord. Rumours can be terrifying, Master, please think carefully!"
"My decision is made. Today, I am simply informing you all. After the New Year, Tseten will assist the Second Prince in handling the court’s affairs. All of you here are capable ministers of the court—I trust you won’t fail in managing this. When I went to Liang Dynasty for half a month, things were handled the same way, and we will do the same now."
Chao Ge had been in power for five years, and even as a young man, he had been influential in his territory. Now, he commanded even more authority. The ministers understood that there was no changing his mind, so they could only bow and take their leave.
In the front hall, the banquet commenced. Chao Ge knew he wouldn’t enjoy their endless chatter, so he only sat for a short while, drinking a few cups of wine. He didn’t like watching these people’s hypocritical flattery. Since the important matters had already been discussed, he was about to leave when someone stopped him by the arm.
"Master, wishing you health and prosperity in the New Year—shall I offer a toast?" There weren’t many people who could boldly stop him like that. It was Ba-Yun Bulagan
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