The personal guards had begun to sense that something was, perhaps, probably, possibly, not quite right about Shen Qingwu.

She’d always been quiet and reserved, not one to join in their idle chatter, but she’d never before hidden things from them, done anything secretive. Yet the farther this journey took them from the capital, the more the guards began to suspect that, perhaps, probably, possibly… someone was hidden away in that carriage.

That someone was their General’s secret lover.

At midday, they took a brief rest in a stretch of woods.

Some men rotated watch, others napped. Shen Qingwu slipped over to that carriage once more, bringing out dried provisions she’d been secretly carrying all along for the person hidden inside.

She shut the carriage door behind her—cramped space, just the two of them.

Zhang Xingjian, seeing Shen Qingwu’s composed expression yet the fine sweat beading her forehead, understood that this all-day sneaking around was clearly weighing on her.

He felt a pang of pity for her. His wife, who stood so tall and unyielding before the world—why should she have to resort to such furtive, thief-like behavior?

Zhang Xingjian said, “Really, there’s no need to be so careful. Even if they knew I was here, they’re your own personal guard—they shouldn’t go spreading it around carelessly.”

Unmoved, Shen Qingwu even scolded him for it. “You trust people far too easily, and that’s how you get deceived. How do you know that just because they’re my guards today, they won’t betray me tomorrow?”

He trusted people far too easily, was too easily deceived…

Zhang Xingjian only smiled and said nothing.

Zhang Xingjian said, “Her Majesty already knows I’ve left the capital.”

Something flickered in Shen Qingwu’s eyes.

Zhang Xingjian had told her earlier that he’d cleared his leaving the capital in advance with the Female Emperor. By year’s end, official business would be sealed for the season, giving the Chancellor a stretch of free time. And Zhang Xingjian, with his usual thoroughness, had already handled much of the post-holiday business ahead of schedule.

He’d worked himself to exhaustion, all so he could leave the capital in a private capacity and accompany Shen Qingwu part of the way.

To keep anyone from noticing the Chancellor’s absence, he hadn’t brought a single one of the Zhang family’s covert operatives along.

He’d already worked out how to handle the aftermath too—he would simply claim the Chancellor had fallen ill.

For the Female Emperor, this wasn’t without its benefits—since ancient times, imperial power and the power of the chancellery had always maintained a delicate balance. And because she was a woman, though the court’s ministers said nothing openly, each of them undoubtedly harbored their own private calculations. The Zhang family, as the leading great clan, meant that most ministers naturally leaned toward Zhang Xingjian, preferring to consult with the Chancellor on every matter.

If Zhang Xingjian were “ill” for a few months, it would only help Li Lingge consolidate her own imperial authority.

So Li Lingge had chosen to look the other way.

Zhang Xingjian wanted to leave the capital, and Shen Qingwu wanted to steal him away too… For Li Lingge, it cost her only a few months of extra effort to do something that benefited them both, while earning their gratitude besides—why wouldn’t she?

Sitting there in the carriage, Shen Qingwu found herself thinking back to that day—when she’d told Li Lingge she wanted to take Zhang Xingjian with her, Li Lingge hadn’t been surprised at all, only gazing at her in silence for a long while.

Thinking back on it now…

Belatedly, Shen Qingwu murmured, “So you’d already told Her Majesty you wanted to leave the capital, which is why she wasn’t the least bit surprised by what I said?”

And Shen Qingwu vaguely sensed that Li Lingge’s reaction that day had looked very much like… wistfulness, sorrow, envy, jealousy.

But all that complicated emotion had been concealed beneath the Female Emperor’s silence.

Zhang Xingjian reached out, draping his arm around Shen Qingwu’s shoulders, laughing helplessly. “Wutong, you might manage to hide me for a day, but you can’t hide me forever. Your subordinates are bound to find out I’ve come along with you—there’s no keeping it secret…”

Shen Qingwu remained stubbornly insistent. “Then I’ll just try my best to hide it until I can’t anymore.”

She knew perfectly well that the Chancellor leaving the capital without authorization was a serious crime, and the fewer people who knew, the better. She trusted her own comrades, of course, but where Zhang Xingjian was concerned, she was always more careful than she was even about herself.

Shen Qingwu asked Zhang Xingjian, “Are you lonely, being cooped up in this carriage all day?”

Zhang Xingjian seized the opening at once, lowering his eyes with a wistful expression. “You won’t let me out, and I’m so bored.”

Shen Qingwu immediately reassured him. “Once we reach the next stop, I’ll send them all out to gather evidence, and then I’ll take you out, we’ll go for a walk around town.”

Zhang Xingjian said, surprised, “Neglecting official duty for personal pleasure?”

Shen Qingwu said, “How is that neglecting duty? I’ll be gathering evidence too… you’re coming along with me, aren’t you going to help?”

Zhang Xingjian perked up with interest.

He said, “That sounds nice.”

And so things proceeded exactly according to Shen Qingwu’s plan.

When they arrived near Qingzhou and settled into a posting station, Shen Qingwu sent everyone else out. Once her companions had all left, Shen Qingwu, filled with excitement and caution both, led her husband—whom she’d been hiding away the whole journey—out of the carriage.

While out gathering evidence, she made sure to buy Zhang Xingjian a whole new set of clothes—he could make do without, but Shen Qingwu certainly wasn’t short on money now.

Before heading back that night, Shen Qingwu remembered to put a veiled hat on Zhang Xingjian, covering his face—absolutely mustn’t let anyone recognize him.

Zhang Xingjian resisted slightly. “Is this really necessary?”

Weren’t veiled hats normally only worn by women?

What kind of man wore something so ostentatious… it wasn’t as though he were playing some celestial maiden descending to earth.

Not wanting him recognized, Shen Qingwu decided a rain hat would do just as well—if he ran into her guards, he could simply keep his head down.

Shen Qingwu said, “The rain hat is what I wear. Why would you wear one too? You should wear this instead.”

At the clothier’s shop, Shen Qingwu fitted the veiled hat over his head, then readjusted his hairpin for him. Beyond his light cloak, the pure white curtain of the veil fell down around him; Shen Qingwu stepped back two paces, admiring the hazy, ethereal beauty of her husband, dressed this way.

He’d always been a handsome, elegant young man to begin with, refined in bearing—she hadn’t quite understood it before, but now that she knew how to dress him properly, he looked even more striking.

Zhang Xingjian glanced down at the green robe and plain veiled hat he now wore.

Zhang Xingjian glanced outside at the dim, overcast sky.

Zhang Xingjian thought: dressing me like this—do you actually want people to recognize me, or not?

Just as he was about to say something, he heard the shopkeeper’s wife praising them enthusiastically: “My dear, your husband really is a handsome one, you have wonderful taste. I have a few more outfits here that would suit him perfectly…”

He watched Shen Qingwu, thoroughly flattered, growing dizzy with pleasure and heading eagerly toward the new clothes.

Zhang Xingjian hurriedly called out to stop her. “My dear, shouldn’t you check your coin purse and provisions first?”

He reminded her, “…Weren’t you supposed to be keeping me hidden away like a treasure? Is this really how you hide someone?”

Shen Qingwu, however, said, “I’m not buying this for you. I’m buying it for myself.”

The corner of Zhang Xingjian’s smile stiffened slightly.

He’d read too much into it, it seemed.

Fortunately, the veiled hat hid his face; he was quite sure Shen Qingwu couldn’t see his expression.

He composed himself and said, “Even so, this won’t do.”

Shen Qingwu considered this, then asked him, “Do you have any money on you?”

Zhang Xingjian shook his head.

Shen Qingwu said, “You’re in my custody, and your money isn’t on you. Right now you’re the fish and I’m the cutting board—what right do you have to an opinion?”

Zhang Xingjian: “…”

He thought she’d gotten the idiom wrong again.

But Third Young Master Zhang only sighed, wistful. “My lady, you look down on me.”

Shen Qingwu’s expression didn’t change; she simply turned back to the shopkeeper’s wife.

Overhearing their little quarrel, the shopkeeper’s wife blinked, then quickly changed her tune: “Indeed, this lady could certainly use a new outfit too…”

Shen Qingwu spent every coin she had, outfitting herself in an entirely new wardrobe, and, swayed by the shopkeeper’s flattering words, bought a whole armful of new clothes besides. Thoroughly satisfied, the two of them left together with Zhang Xingjian.

She was thoroughly pleased with herself.

His opinion didn’t matter one bit.

In the end, Zhang Xingjian went out wearing the outfit Shen Qingwu had chosen for him; all he asked was, “Are you sure about this?”

Shen Qingwu nodded firmly. “I’m sure.”

Zhang Xingjian spread his hands. “Fine, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Shen Qingwu very quickly came to regret it.

Zhang Xingjian had always possessed an exceptional bearing to begin with, and this flowing green robe and veiled hat only added an indescribable, seductive allure to him.

The colder and more aloof he seemed, the more bewitching he became.

Passersby in the streets kept sneaking glances at the two of them.

Restless young women kept trying to find excuses to approach and strike up conversation.

Shen Qingwu: “…”

By the thirteenth time some young woman had thrown herself down in front of them, whimpering in pain, Shen Qingwu’s face had gone as black as the bottom of a pot.

Zhang Xingjian burst out laughing.

The young woman sat on the ground, sobbing softly. “I think I’m hurt… kind sir, could you lend a hand…”

Shen Qingwu said, “No.”

However much she loved rescuing people, she didn’t love having others eye up what belonged to her. She grabbed Zhang Xingjian’s hand and leapt into the air, scaling rooftops to escape the crowd.

Back at the posting station, things were no calmer.

Seeing that most of the station’s lanterns had already gone dark, Shen Qingwu figured her comrades were each occupied with their own duties, and led Zhang Xingjian in through the back entrance.

But as they walked along the corridor, she suddenly sensed a presence closing in behind them, and immediately spun around, pulling Zhang Xingjian behind her to shield him.

He was hauled around like cargo.

As always, he played the part of cargo with perfect composure, not making a sound. But as he was pulled along, his flying robe hem and the fluttering veil of his hat only lent him an extra touch of seductive allure in the dim candlelight.

At least, the comrade Shen Qingwu now found herself facing stared, dumbfounded, at the white-veiled, green-robed man standing behind her.

Shen Qingwu coughed. “What are you doing here?”

The subordinate looked at her. “…General, who is he?”

Shen Qingwu answered, unruffled, “No one.”

The subordinate fell silent for a long moment.

He finally managed, with difficulty, “General Shen, allow me to remind you—you’re already a married woman.”

Beneath his veil, Zhang Xingjian smiled silently.

He’d already recognized this subordinate—one of several young men in the Imperial Guard whom he himself had arranged to place there. This particular young man was a hidden piece, positioned to protect Shen Qingwu, meant to alert Zhang Xingjian in advance should anything serious happen.

Though it was a piece Zhang Xingjian had never actually made use of.

Just an idle move on the board—as long as she lived well, he had no need to control the Imperial Guard’s every action. He didn’t want his suspicious streak exposed, didn’t want Shen Qingwu to think he was sick with worry, that he wanted to control her.

Shen Qingwu looked at this subordinate, silent for a long moment, and finally forced out, “So what?”

The subordinate: “…”

The subordinate reminded her, “Your husband is the Chancellor of the realm, head of the Zhang clan—half the ministers in the capital follow the Chancellor’s lead.”

Shen Qingwu said, “Oh, my husband really is impressive.”

The subordinate, thinking she was genuinely being obtuse, grew anxious.

The subordinate didn’t want to concede so quickly.

The subordinate said, “How can you keep a lover behind the Chancellor’s back?! What happens if people find out?”

Shen Qingwu said nothing.

The subordinate heard a soft chuckle—gentle laughter, coming from beneath the veiled hat.

The subordinate glared at him irritably. “What’s so funny! I’m talking to the General, what business is it of yours?!”

He was furious, disgusted: what kind of grown man skulked around hiding his face like this, with not an ounce of dignified strength about him.

This man, wearing a veiled hat in broad daylight, willingly playing the General’s little kept lover. What a disgrace to men everywhere!

The subordinate raised his voice. “Our Chancellor Zhang is gentle as jade, learned and accomplished, a man of vast knowledge and countless talents!”

Zhang Xingjian propped his chin, entirely at ease.

The subordinate grew even angrier. “Our Chancellor Zhang has fine lineage, fine looks, fine bearing, fine temperament—what part of you can even compare?!”

Shen Qingwu said, “Why are you shouting so loud?”

The subordinate said, “General!”

Shen Qingwu said, “You’re shouting so loud you’re going to frighten… my kept lover.”

The man behind her laughed softly again.

Right in front of the subordinate, with utter shamelessness, that man reached out and gently tugged at their General, even trailing a finger lightly across the back of her hand.

The subordinate trembled with fury: never had he seen such a scheming male fox spirit! In broad daylight, and the General was already utterly enchanted!

Shen Qingwu said, “Enough, I understand the situation now. You’re the one I trust most, so don’t go spreading word about my… kept lover.”

The subordinate said, grief-stricken, “General!”

—How could you be this kind of person!

Shen Qingwu said, “A man can have three wives and four concubines—why can’t I keep a lover?”

The subordinate said, “But that’s Chancellor Zhang…”

A man like Third Young Master Zhang, and you’re still not satisfied, he still can’t fulfill you?

If people in the capital found out about this, if the Zhang family found out… whether you can even keep your position as General would become a real question!

You’ll be cast off by the Zhang family, Third Young Master Zhang will sever ties with you, and then we’ll all have to pick a new side to align with. With that terrifying temper of yours, you’re bound to make a scene, and everyone will suffer for it. If this reaches the Female Emperor’s ears, whose side do you think she’ll take…

The subordinate, thinking far ahead, laid out the pros and cons for Shen Qingwu.

Seeing Shen Qingwu remain silent, the subordinate grew anxious. “General, what are you even thinking?”

What Shen Qingwu was thinking was: “I didn’t realize I had someone under my command who actually thinks things through. You should use your head more often from now on—you could be my right-hand man.”

The subordinate brightened slightly. “Yes, General… wait, no, General! I’m trying to warn you! You mustn’t offend the Chancellor over some kept lover.”

Shen Qingwu said, with startling naivety, “If you don’t tell him, how would he ever find out? If he does find out I’m keeping a lover, it can only be because one of you told him. If I really do end up breaking with Zhang Yuelu, the blame for informing on me will fall squarely on you.”

Shen Qingwu threatened them: “In that case, you’ll be the first one I kill.”

While the subordinate stood there dumbstruck, Shen Qingwu strolled off toward her room with her kept lover in tow, utterly unbothered.

Once back in the room, all manner of things inevitably followed, and the subordinate was furious to no end.

The subordinate followed after them, shouting, “General, let me heat some water for you!”

Shen Qingwu said, “Why so loud, you’ll scare my kept lover.”

Her “kept lover” stepped into the room and removed his veiled hat, laughing without pause.

Zhang Xingjian buried his face in her shoulder, listening to the subordinate’s furious shouting outside; his warm breath brushed against her neck, faint and dense, like a kiss.

Teased into a blush, Shen Qingwu’s neck flushed red, itching.

She said, casually, “Happy now? Willing to wear the clothes I bought you?”

He lifted his beautiful face, laughing so hard his eyes glistened.

He nodded. “Willing. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Shen Qingwu said, “Found it entertaining?”

He nodded.

Shen Qingwu had known perfectly well that a man who loved to play as much as he did would enjoy something like this.

She wrapped her arms around his waist, hinting he should get into bed.

He agreed readily.

Though Zhang Xingjian, stroking her chin, added, half-joking, “But no actually taking three husbands and four lovers, mind you.”

Three husbands and four lovers—what nonsense was that.

Shen Qingwu couldn’t help but laugh.

Ever since acquiring a “kept lover,” Shen Qingwu could finally, brazenly summon her lover into her room whenever she pleased.

As long as her subordinates never saw Zhang Xingjian’s actual face, everything was fine.

And once her subordinates learned her secret about the “kept lover,” Shen Qingwu stopped bothering to keep up appearances—whenever she had a spare moment, she’d sneak into the carriage to be with her lover, honey-sweet and inseparable.

The young men under her command grew increasingly desperate and anxious, terrified that if Chancellor Zhang ever found out, he’d punish every last one of them.

After discussing it privately, they resolved to make every effort to talk General Shen out of this—she had, after all, simply fallen into the same mistake every man in the world falls into; better to turn back before it was too late, a prodigal’s return being worth more than gold.

That kept lover of hers—there was really nothing so special about him.

Sure, he was tall, had a straight back, even walked with a certain grace… but a man who wore a veiled hat all day long, what kind of respectable fellow was that?

They speculated that this male fox spirit must have fed the General some kind of enchanting potion, and decided they needed to warn this “demon” off.

So one day, after a snowfall, they schemed to send Shen Qingwu off on some errand, then surrounded the carriage, determined to have a word with this male fox spirit.

Inside the carriage, Zhang Xingjian propped his chin in his hand, thoroughly bored, watching the soldiers outside put on a show of bluster and threats.

They said, “If you leave the General, we’ll guarantee you wealth and glory.”

Zhang Xingjian thought: I don’t need to leave the General—the General already guarantees me wealth and glory.

Sensing the flaw in their own logic, they changed tack. “Listen up, whoever’s in there—we’ve prepared a medicine. Take it, and we won’t trouble you further.”

Zhang Xingjian grew curious.

He gave a small cough and adjusted his voice slightly, making it sound more timid. “What medicine?”

Someone said, “Never mind what it is, just take it.”

Zhang Xingjian said, “I won’t take it unless you tell me.”

The soldiers, watching the time, grew increasingly anxious that Shen Qingwu might return early and catch them bullying her little lover.

One of them blurted out hastily, “It won’t hurt you at all. It’s just a contraceptive draught.”

Zhang Xingjian raised an eyebrow.

He said deliberately, “I don’t want it. I’m counting on rising in status through my child, you know.”

His subordinates were nearly driven to death with fury.

One shouted, “Stop dreaming! Do you honestly think the General is going to bring you back to the capital with her?”

The man inside the carriage said with a smile, “If you keep shouting like that, you’re going to summon Wutong out here.”

The young men outside were enraged near to fainting.

They stammered, “You call her Wutong too?”

Unable to contain their fury any longer, one of them scrambled up onto the carriage, meaning to yank the door open and teach this man a lesson. Zhang Xingjian hurriedly blocked the door and hastily put his veiled hat back on.

At that moment, Shen Qingwu’s voice rang out. “What’s going on here?”

The soldiers bullying him froze in place.

The wicked little fox in the carriage said, aggrieved, “General, they’re bullying me, they want to kill me, I’m so scared.”

The soldiers all glared as one at the carriage wall, wishing they could reach through and skewer the troublemaker inside.