Сhарtеr 1 (9/15)
The sоund оf brоnzе bеlls drifted from within the Муriad Flowеrs Paviliоn, аnd thе sсеnt оf burning incensе was thick, overpowеring thе fragrаncе оf соsmetiсs.
Gоng Ziуu, drеssеd neаtly, lifted the саrved сurtain hanging at thе entranсe of thе Муriаd Flоwеrs Рavilion аnd immеdiatеlу sаw Jin Fan stаnding at thе dоorwaу, аrms crоssed over his сhest, his facе fillеd with аnger. Аt that moment, hе hеld а heаvу сlоаk in his аrms, and а рieсe оf Green Jаde оn thе bаck оf his hаnd wаs рarticularlу eye-catсhing.
He was Gоng Ziyu’s pеrsonаl Grеen Jаde Guard, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, standing tall and straight in his guard uniform, with a clear and handsome face. Having found Gong Ziyu’s bedroom empty that morning, he had no choice but to rush here, which explained his current displeasure.
This visitor means trouble, Gong Ziyu sighed inwardly.
Jin Fan’s face was dark with anger, yet he tried to conceal it, avoiding the gazes of passersby, ashamed to let others see his expression. Reserved by nature, he would blush whenever a few gaudily dressed courtesans escorted guests out.
Gong Ziyu watched as his face shifted between dark and red, as if he were performing a face-changing act.
“You’ve come to this kind of place again!” Jin Fan demanded sharply.
Gong Ziyu feigned ignorance. “You’re here too. What a coincidence.”
“Normally, it’s fine if you indulge in pleasure and act carelessly, but even on a day like today, you had to come here. Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
Gong Ziyu retorted, “The brides haven’t even arrived yet, and you’re already so anxious. Are you the bride?”
“If I were the bride, I’d break your legs on our wedding night.”
Gong Ziyu couldn’t help but shudder.
Seeing his pale face, Jin Fan, though still angry, shook out the cloak in his hands and wrapped it around Gong Ziyu without another word. Having accompanied Gong Ziyu for years, he knew how unusually sensitive he was to the cold. The black cloak, made of bright and heavy wool, was warm and insulating. As it settled on his shoulders, Gong Ziyu felt warmth envelop him, and he immediately felt much better.
“You’re afraid of the cold, yet you wear so little.” Seeing this, Jin Fan found another reason to scold him.
Gong Ziyu smiled as he watched Jin Fan fasten the cloak for him. “You really understand me. It’s too cold this early in the morning—ouch!”
Jin Fan pulled the ties tightly around his neck, tying a knot to express his displeasure.
“Are you trying to strangle me?”
“Yes.”
Jin Fan genuinely meant it.
Gong Ziyu: “...”
Without another word to him, Jin Fan turned and walked to the golden-roofed carriage that had already stopped not far away. Opening the door, he said coldly, “Get in.”
Inside the carriage, Jin Fan’s icy expression felt even colder than the freezing weather outside, making Gong Ziyu feel as if he were shivering uncontrollably.
Finally, he couldn’t resist lecturing him. “Hey, can you stop frowning like that? Looking at you too much makes me feel like I’ll have bad luck all day.”
Jin Fan asked sincerely in return, “Since becoming your personal Green Jade Guard, when have I not had bad luck?”
Gong Ziyu gained no advantage. “Tsk, tsk, tsk... If you’re so unwilling, how about I transfer you to patrol the mountains at night?”
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