Chapter 84 Your father, like a raging fire, really likes you.
"Oh?" Cui Jin broke the silence. "Before His Majesty arrived, he didn't say who he would reward today?"
“I only just made this decision myself.” Mu You’s gaze lingered on A Jiu. “Just now at the Heavenly Furnace, A Jiu was worried about me and jumped up. I was deeply moved. A Jiu had visited the palace several times before and we had a very pleasant conversation. She has won my heart.” Mu You swept his gaze across the various faces of the crowd. “I hereby bestow upon A Jiu the Fish-Tally.”
"Transfer the fish-shaped talisman?"
Ji Fangyi exclaimed, "What is the fish-shaped tally?"
“Yes…” Feng Shisan opened his mouth but then held it back. “I’ll tell you later.”
"Exchanging fish-shaped tokens?" Lou Cangyu, still immersed in joy, suddenly snapped back to reality, his gaze drifting towards Ajiu, his face falling heavily.
Seeing that Ajiu was standing there motionless, Cui Jin coughed and said, "Ajiu, the Emperor wants to reward you, why don't you come forward and receive your reward?"
A-Jiu took a step forward, feeling as if she had stepped into a cloud, experiencing a soft, unreal sensation. Looking up, she saw everyone staring at her. She steadied herself, stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and bowed her head, saying, "A-Jiu is here."
Mu You nodded to Cui Jin, who then took out a token-like object from his sleeve. A Jiu slowly raised her head, saw the object Cui Jin handed her, and looked blankly at Mu You. "Your Majesty, A Jiu is unworthy of this reward. I dare not accept it."
“The Emperor has bestowed this upon you; how can you refuse?” Cui Jin glanced at him with his single eye. “A-Jiu, are you going to defy the imperial decree?”
"A-Jiu dares not." A-Jiu avoided Cui Jin's abyss-like, gloomy eyes, braced herself and accepted the fish-shaped tally. She glanced at it quickly with her eyes downcast and then clenched it tightly in her palm. "A-Jiu thanks Your Majesty."
"With the fish-shaped tally in hand, you can enter and leave the palace as if it were empty." Cui Jin smiled, a half-smile playing on his lips. "Ajiu, this is the Emperor's high regard for you. You must cherish this regard and never disappoint the Emperor."
"A-Jiu, yes sir."
Mu Chenbi gazed indifferently at the scene before him, his dark eyes revealing neither joy nor anger. Luo Yichen stared at the fish-shaped token clutched by Ajiu, his hand unconsciously reaching for his waist. Guan Ye noticed this action and, upon closer inspection, saw that Luo Yichen had a token tucked diagonally at his waist, its shape remarkably similar to the one Ajiu had received. Luo Yichen was the leader of the Eagle Guard, a position of considerable rank. Ajiu's possession of the same fish-shaped token indicated that this reward was indeed highly valuable.
"Your Highness," Luo Yichen finally said, somewhat aggrieved, "that's a fish-shaped tally."
"So what?" Mu Chenbi raised his phoenix-feather eyelashes, looking straight at Ajiu, his eyes reflecting his deep, sea-like face.
Guan Ye shifted her gaze slightly and saw that Mu Chenbi's gaze towards A Jiu was ambiguous, with an indescribable sense of apprehension. Guan Ye felt a little uneasy and was about to look away when she unexpectedly met Mu Chenbi's peripheral vision. That ambiguous meaning suddenly turned into a burning intensity, and Guan Ye quickly looked away towards the towering Heavenly Furnace.
“Today is truly a good day.” Mu You took a deep breath and stood up, pressing the armrest of his chair. “I know that Xingguo Workshop did not bring many blacksmiths to the capital. In order to shoulder the great responsibility of Xingguo, we need not only iron ore, but also capable and skilled craftsmen. I will choose a day to go to the inner workshop and select twenty blacksmiths. With the completion of the Heavenly Furnace, Xingguo Workshop cannot be idle and should be put to great use.”
Pei Yuan's chest heaved, his eyes gleaming with barely concealed excitement. He looked back at the lingering smoke above the Heavenly Furnace, his heart already boiling with anticipation.
—"The emperor departs to return to the palace."
—"Respectfully seeing off His Majesty."
Ajiu opened her palm, glanced at the fish-shaped tally, then gripped it tightly, carefully tucking it into her bosom. Looking up, she saw Mu Chenbi standing before her, and clasped her hands in greeting, "Your Highness."
"Hand over the fish-shaped tally." Luo Yichen interjected, "A-Jiu, right? This favor is the envy of everyone."
Ah Jiu raised her chin slightly, "Don't you have one too? You're so envious!"
Luo Yichen pressed his hand to his waist, unaware that this person had noticed him at some point. "I served as an Eagle Guard for five years, and only after becoming the leader did I receive the Fish-Trust. How many times have you even seen the Emperor?"
"Oh?" Ajiu said languidly, "Then Chief Luo should reflect on why he waited five years."
"That's enough." Mu Chenbi looked somewhat displeased as he scrutinized Ajiu and said, "Father Emperor likes you very much."
Ajiu remained calm. "I didn't know the reason before, but I only found out today. It's because of His Highness."
Mu Chenbi turned around and saw Guan Ye a few steps away. His tense expression suddenly relaxed, and his eyes shone like stars through the wisps of smoke. As he walked towards her, he said, "Do you still stand by your promise?"
Guan Ye strode closer, her expression still somewhat unnatural, but without any hesitation. "Xingguo Warehouse is now a royal merchant estate. You are the Crown Prince. How can the court's business be allowed to fail?"
"The imperial court is the imperial court, and I am me." Mu Chenbi opened his arms to her, and when she didn't respond, he leaned closer, his eyes filled with inquiry. "You dare to take two of my blows, but you don't dare to forge a sword for me?"
"Who wouldn't dare?" Guan Ye raised her head. "I promised you, and I will definitely do it."
Mu Chenbi laughed heartily, "This is the Guan Ye I know."
"Then are you...?" Guan Ye stared intently at Mu Chenbi, her face stern, "the person I know."
Mu Chenbi frowned, a tenderness in his eyes that only Guan Ye could see. "No matter when, I will always be the person you first met."
Guan Ye turned her back, then glanced at Mu Chenbi, raising her arm at him. Mu Chenbi smiled, his phoenix-feather eyelashes gently falling, perfectly concealing the glint in his eyes.
Just as Ajiu was about to chase after Guan Ye, Feng Shisan and the others had already surrounded them. Ji Fang reached out to touch him, but Ajiu nimbly dodged, and Ji Fang missed. The group started laughing and joking. Luo Yichen, following behind Mu Chenbi, couldn't help but turn his head to look at the commotion behind him, muttering, "They've never seen anything like this before, getting so excited over a fish tally."
"And what about yourself?" Mu Chenbi asked without turning his head. "When you got it back then, weren't you overjoyed for several days?"
"Your Highness," Luo Yichen said, a bitter feeling welling up inside, "he's just a swordsman..."
Mu Chenbi glared at Luo Yichen, who quickly shut his mouth in fright. "Just swordsmen? You've fought them before. How skilled are they? Are they someone you can underestimate?"
"Your subordinate knows his mistake." Luo Yichen knew he had misspoke. Of the five swordsmen from Xingguo Ward, he had only fought two of them before. The one who called himself the Thirteenth Young Master had restrained moves; a gentleman's exchange of blows was not about risking his life. That's why he was barely able to repel him. As for Pei Yuan's newly adopted son, Lou Cangyu—no, it should be Pei Cangyu—his moves were fierce, forcing his opponent to use all his strength. He thought he and the Crown Prince had fallen into a trap, so he had used all his abilities. Even so, he was almost driven to the brink of death by the sword in Lou Cangyu's hand…
If we truly fall into a trap today, if Pei Cangyu truly harbors murderous intent…
Luo Yichen was still shaken, clenching his fist and repeatedly pounding the back of his head. The two alone were already difficult to deal with, let alone that guy named Ajiu… who hadn't even made a move yet… Although he suppressed his anger and didn't draw his sword, Luo Yichen could still sense the ruthless aura hidden deep within him, especially… his face…
Luo Yichen gasped, wanting to turn around and look at Ajiu again, but he turned halfway to the side, wanting to look but losing his courage.
"—Let me take a look." Ji Fang twisted his waist and reached for the fish-shaped talisman on A Jiu's body. "Just one look."
Ah Jiu took out the object, weighed it in her hand, and said, "What, is your injury healed? Doesn't it hurt anywhere anymore?"
Ji Fang chuckled and jumped up. "It's been ready for a while now. Give it to me, give it to me. Look at how stingy you are."
Ajiu stopped teasing him and handed the fish-shaped tally to Ji Fang. Ji Fang snatched it, wiped it with his sleeve, squinted at it in the sunlight, and kept clicking his tongue in admiration, "This is... made of gold or silver, it has some weight to it."
Feng Shisan scoffed disdainfully, but his big eyes were also fixed on what he was holding, revealing a hint of greed. "Are you blind? Gold is gold, silver is silver, but look at what you're holding, it's clearly brass."
“It’s made of bronze,” Ji Fang exclaimed. “No wonder it’s so heavy.” Ji Fang looked for Lou Cangyu, but saw him standing far away without coming over. He called out to him, “Cangyu, come and touch it.”
Seeing them all crowding around Ajiu, Lou Cangyu felt uneasy. But Ajiu had received an imperial fish tally, and although he didn't know exactly what it was, it must have some significance since it was personally bestowed by the Emperor… Lou Cangyu forced a smile and strolled along unhurriedly. Ji Fang, however, was impatient and rushed up to him, waving the fish tally in front of him. “Isn’t it impressive?”
"It was bestowed by the Emperor, of course it's impressive." Lou Cangyu glanced sideways at Ajiu, who had a smug look on her face, her words carrying a hint of sourness that she couldn't quite detect.
"Cangyu, feel it." Ji Fang placed the fish-shaped talisman into his stiff palm. "How is it?"
Lou Cangyu awkwardly weighed it in his hand. "It's a gift from the Emperor, so it's naturally a good thing. Ajiu, you must keep it safe." He then handed the fish-shaped tally to Ajiu. "They're all clumsy and careless. If they drop or lose it, the Emperor will blame them."
"Hey." Feng Shisan's face darkened. "Crude and clumsy? Lou Cangyu, how dare you talk to me like that?"
Hearing him still addressed as "Lou," Cangyu's face darkened. He glared at Feng Shisan, who was still speechless. Feng Shisan was about to retort when Xiao Ma quickly stopped him, glancing at Lou Cangyu and giving Feng Shisan a meaningful look. Feng Shisan understood and let out a muffled snort.
“So it was my fault for saying the wrong thing and upsetting him.” Feng Shisan looked at Lou Cangyu, who was standing tall and proud. “You’ve really forgotten that the person standing in front of us isn’t surnamed Lou anymore, but Pei, right, Pei Cangyu?”
Before Lou Cangyu could respond, Feng Shisan tapped his head with the hilt of his sword, feigning annoyance. "Wait a minute, the ward master's adopted son, that's Xingguo Ward's young master? Little Ma, shouldn't we call him... Young Master Pei?"
“The young master is on the island.” Ji Fang said honestly, “Xingguo Ward… has only one young master.”
Lou Cangyu's expression grew increasingly grim. Ajiu took his fish-handling token and put a hand on Lou Cangyu's trembling shoulder. "We haven't congratulated you on becoming Xingguo Ward's adopted son yet. The ward master has high hopes for you, and we will definitely help you as well."
"You are someone who has gained the Emperor's special favor," Lou Cangyu said coldly. "I, Pei Cangyu... am far inferior to you."
“Ji Fang is right, Xingguo Ward only has one young master.” Feng Shisan rested his chin on his hand, pretending to be deep in thought. “Then we can only call him Second Young Master Pei, Second Young Master Pei!” Feng Shisan almost applauded his own wisdom. “It’s Second Young Master Pei.”
Xiao Ma chuckled and looked at Lou Cangyu, saying, "That's a good title. One is Second Young Master Pei, and the other is Thirteenth Young Master. Brothers are brothers. Even if Cangyu rises to prominence, he will still be brothers with everyone."
Lou Cangyu lowered his eyes. He had once so desperately wanted to rid himself of the Lou surname, which had brought humiliation to his family, but on the day he finally succeeded, he felt no joy in having achieved his wish. Pei Cangyu… the Pei surname that he had longed for, now placed under the name Cangyu, was so ridiculous.
“Second Young Master Pei,” Guan Ye interrupted crisply, “it sounds very nice, but I still think calling you Cang Yu is easier to pronounce. If Cang Yu doesn’t mind, we can still call you by your name, how about that?”
"Whatever." Lou Cangyu looked dazed, picked up his sword, and turned away dejectedly.
When Ji Fang saw that he was about to leave, he opened his mouth to call out, but he didn't know what name to call him. He licked his dry lips and then said nothing more.
"Today is truly a wonderful day!" Feng Shisan looked up at the red sun in the sky. "It would be a shame not to have a drink on this beautiful day."
"If you're craving wine, just say so. Why make up excuses?" Guan Ye suppressed a laugh. "I just heard the brothel owner tell Steward Pei to prepare wine and meat. We definitely have to drink wine, and we'll have a big drinking session."
Feng Shisan grinned, as happy as a child who had just received candy. Suddenly, he looked up sharply and shouted at Lou Cangyu's back, "Cangyu, are you going to drink tonight's big feast or not?"
Lou Cangyu stopped in his tracks, as if stunned for a moment, then suddenly brandished the sword in his hand and waved it at the person behind him, "If I can't drink you, Thirteenth Young Master, then I'm not some Second Young Master Pei."
Everyone burst into laughter, and Ji Fang, relieved, beamed with joy. Ajiu subtly moved to Guan Ye's side, and when no one was looking, hooked her little finger with her own, her thumb gently stroking her knuckles. She tilted her head and leaned close to Guan Ye's ear, asking, "What did Mu Chenbi say to you when he left?"
Guan Ye had just pulled her little finger out when A Jiu grabbed her wrist again. In front of everyone, she couldn't retaliate, so she could only put her hand behind her back, pretending not to hear anything, and look up at the sky.
“I heard everything.” Ajiu straightened her head and looked straight ahead. “He begged you to forgive him for lying to me. He wants you to forgive him.”
Guan Ye lowered her eyes and remained silent. A Jiu released her wrist with a snap. Guan Ye was caught off guard, and her wrist wobbled. She frowned and was about to retort when A Jiu turned his head and his eyes suddenly shifted. Their eyes locked, and neither of them gave in.
“I didn’t blame him for deceiving me,” Guan Ye said, deliberately glaring at him with her big eyes.
Ajiu slowly lifted her eyelids, gave Guan Ye a meaningful smile, and walked towards Xiao Ma and the others with her sword in hand, leaving Guan Ye with only a swaying back view. The swordsmen chatted idly, and Guan Ye paused for a moment, then turned and left as well. Her red robes were like fire, and her departure was so dramatic that it shook the earth.
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