Chapter 67: I Miss You

The sky was already growing dim, and the myriad stars began to reveal themselves. Fang Xu did not answer Qiu Chuji’s question—why was that? Because at that moment, Fang Xu saw the county magistrate and his adviser approaching from not far away.

Fang Xu then rose and went to greet the county magistrate and his adviser with a respectful salute. They had come to inform Fang Xu that the renovation would continue tomorrow; for today, the work would end here.

After all, there was no other way. No matter how enthusiastic the villagers were, rest was essential. They couldn’t be expected to work on empty stomachs, could they?

Naturally, Fang Xu made no objections and simply asked the county magistrate to convey his thanks to the villagers.

Hearing Fang Xu’s words, the county magistrate nodded with a smile and then signaled to a bailiff behind him.

One of the bailiffs stepped forward, carrying already slaughtered chickens, ducks, and fish, and handed them to Fang Xu. The magistrate expressed the hope that Fang Xu would not disdain such humble fare.

In the magistrate’s eyes, Fang Xu’s attire was sumptuous and elegant—who could say if he was accustomed to the simple poultry raised in this remote region?

Fang Xu truly had not expected the magistrate to be so considerate. Before he could refuse, Old Wu and Qiu Chuji behind him were already swallowing audibly, barely able to contain themselves.

Old Wu was used to eating and drinking heartily, having long defended the northern frontiers against the barbarians. He was well accustomed to such fare. Yet in the past two days, they had hardly seen meat, let alone wine.

Old Wu felt his mouth had gone bland from lack of flavor. When he saw the bailiff holding out the chicken, duck, and fish, how could he be polite? He stepped forward in a flash and took them.

“Young Master, since it’s a kind gesture, you shouldn’t refuse! It wouldn’t be right!” Old Wu stood beside Fang Xu, grinning, still holding the poultry and fish.

Fang Xu could only smile wryly; clearly, he could not refuse now. He cupped his hands in thanks to the magistrate and his adviser.

After Fang Xu accepted, the magistrate and his men departed from the Quanzhen Monastery. The walls outside the monastery had all but vanished into nothingness, making the place seem even more desolate.

Fang Xu watched Old Wu, who was eyeing the fish and meat in his hands, and couldn’t help but shake his head in amusement.

He quickly noticed that Old Wu wasn’t the only one examining the meat—even Qiu Chuji was doing the same.

But Fang Xu soon understood. Last night’s dinner had already made it clear how impoverished the Quanzhen Monastery truly was.

Qiu Chuji’s supper had been nothing but sweet potato porridge, with only some pickled vegetables on the side. It seemed he hadn’t tasted meat in a long time.

Fang Xu found it both amusing and puzzling—Qiu Chuji was a Taoist, yet he lived as austerely as a Buddhist monk.

“Well then, since we’ve accepted it, allow me to show my skills tonight!” Just as Old Wu was about to hand the chicken, duck, and fish to Qiu Chuji for him to prepare, Fang Xu intercepted him.

At Fang Xu’s words, Qiu Chuji and Old Wu exchanged glances, and each saw a trace of worry in the other’s eyes.

“Young Master! Please! Remain calm! There’s only so much meat—if you ruin it, what will we do?!” Old Wu hurried after Fang Xu’s retreating figure, and Qiu Chuji couldn’t help but follow as well.

...

“Ugh! I truly can’t eat another bite! Really! Well, maybe just one more chicken wing!” Old Wu burped, yet still clung to a greasy chicken wing.

“Young Master, your cooking skills are truly impressive! I’m convinced!” Old Wu looked around at the satiated companions, his gaze sincere as he addressed Fang Xu.

Fang Xu rolled his eyes at Old Wu, feeling just as exasperated as he was amused. Why? Because Old Wu hadn’t stopped eating from the start, leaving Fang Xu dumbfounded—anyone would think he’d been starving Old Wu.

Just as Fang Xu was about to speak, he heard a soft burp from beside him. Looking over, he saw Qiu Chuji bowing his head in embarrassment.

After all, Qiu Chuji had eaten as much as Old Wu, and Fang Xu couldn’t help but laugh without saying anything more.

“If only there were some wine—how wonderful that would be!” Old Wu sighed, looking at the greasy chicken wing in his hand.

“If you want wine, there is some in the abbot’s quarters. I’ll fetch it for you!” Qiu Chuji said as he hurried off, perhaps to escape his embarrassment.

“Young Master, when do you plan to return? Time is running short!” Once Qiu Chuji had left, the guards who had been sprawled on the ground sat up, their expressions grave as they looked at Fang Xu.

Old Wu also put down his chicken wing and asked Fang Xu seriously.

“It may be a few more days. There’s no help for it. Qin Suwen... Did His Majesty send for me?” Fang Xu asked the guard beside him, who was responsible for communicating with Qin Suwen.

“His Majesty sent a message by carrier pigeon, hoping you would read it carefully.” The guard produced a bamboo slip from his robe and handed it to Fang Xu, who deftly unrolled it and withdrew the letter inside.

The letter stated that the northern barbarians had grown unusually quiet of late, as if a sudden calm had settled in. But in the south, the Tushi had become unexpectedly active.

Qin Suwen was concerned there might be some underlying issue and wished to know Fang Xu’s opinion.

Fang Xu frowned slightly upon reading this—was it merely coincidence? He doubted it.

After all, Qin Suwen had previously told him that someone among the southern Tushi had been colluding with the barbarians. Now, the barbarians’ silence could well be the prelude to a fiercer assault.

The calm before the storm was always eerie. At present, Qin Suwen could not dispatch troops south to suppress the Tushi, who in their region wielded power akin to an emperor.

Even Qin Suwen’s orders were largely ignored, which was precisely why he had sent Bai Qi to guard the south.

At the end of the letter, Qin Suwen confessed that he rather missed Fang Xu—a sentiment that made Fang Xu’s heart tremble. After all, he had never before experienced what it meant to be missed by another.