Chapter 111: Fine Feathers Make Fine Birds (Fourth Installment)

In Old Wu’s view, the level of risk Fang Xu faced on this journey south was self-evident. Having spent time on the road together, Old Wu felt he had gained a general understanding of Fang Xu’s character. While Fang Xu’s personality was certainly to Old Wu’s liking, he knew it did not sit well with the local powerful families and the entrenched bureaucracy.

Why was this? Naturally, it was because Fang Xu’s arrival had disrupted the established order of the southern commanderies. It signaled that the imperial court might be planning to assert its influence in the south, leading many to desire his elimination. They wanted to make Qin Suwen understand that the south was only nominally under her control. After all, the south was an incredibly massive cake, one that had been carved into four equal slices, each belonging to one of the four great landed families. These four families would then toss the scraps from their portions to the lesser families and local governors who pledged allegiance to them. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement that had stabilized the south for centuries.

However, Fang Xu’s appearance threatened to shake this deep-rooted foundation, directly infringing upon their interests. It implied that Qin Suwen intended to claim her own share, something the southern commanderies and families would never allow. In their eyes, their own portions were already meager enough; how could they possibly be willing to slice off a piece for Qin Suwen? Therefore, the best course of action was to eradicate Fang Xu entirely, serving as a warning to Qin Suwen.

This meant that there were countless people now seeking his life. Even Zhuge Jun, who called Fang Xu a brother, fell under Old Wu’s suspicion. It was an unfortunate reality—some people might treat you like a brother to your face while preparing to stab you in the back. Did Fang Xu not know this? Of course he did. He understood that he was infringing upon their interests and had become a thorn in their side.

Even so, Fang Xu had to press on, for only by doing so could he forge the Great Qin into a unified, unbreakable whole. Of course, the sleeping Fang Xu was unaware that people were already impatient to strike at him. If he knew, he would surely be quite surprised.

"Young Master, Young Master, wake up!" Fang Xu was shaken awake, blinking blearily at Old Wu and Gu Bei. He clearly didn't understand why they were waking him. Wasn't there nothing to handle today? The auction was over, and he had finally managed to get some rest.

"Young Master, have you forgotten that Miss Shangguan and Young Master Zhuge invited you to the Danyang Temple Fair today?" Gu Bei reminded him.

"Did they? Why don't I remember?" Fang Xu asked, looking at Gu Bei in confusion. He had absolutely no recollection of this. When had he ever agreed to go to the Danyang Temple Fair with Zhuge Jun and Shangguan Lian?

"Young Master, you agreed to it yourself when Young Master Zhuge brought you back last night," Gu Bei couldn't help but remind him.

At these words, it suddenly dawned on Fang Xu that when Zhuge Jun had dropped him off at the inn last night, Shangguan Lian had indeed said something to him. But at the time, he had been so exhausted that he hadn't clearly heard what she said. Gu Bei, however, had heard it perfectly. In his view, an invitation from the likes of Zhuge Jun and Shangguan Lian was a matter of great importance. He was well aware of their status and was stunned that Fang Xu had actually forgotten about it.

"Young Master... you didn't really forget, did you?" Gu Bei asked, looking at Fang Xu with a pained expression. Fang Xu scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.

"It’s not too late to get up now, is it?" Fang Xu asked, thinking that for a local temple fair, surely they weren't too late. But seeing the strange looks on the faces of Old Wu and Gu Bei, he followed their gazes to the door, where two figures stood waiting. His embarrassment deepened instantly.

"They're already here?" Fang Xu whispered. Old Wu and Gu Bei nodded in unison.

"Damn it! Where are my clothes? Where did my clothes go?" Fang Xu scrambled out of bed, only to find that the clothes he had hung up were gone.

"Young Master, please wear these for now." Old Wu, having anticipated this, produced a set of luxurious outer robes from behind him and placed them by Fang Xu’s side.

"Old Wu, what is this?" Fang Xu asked, eyeing the opulent garments with suspicion. He didn't think he had enough money to buy such things.

"Young Master Zhuge instructed me to give them to you. Don't hesitate, just put them on," Old Wu replied honestly. Fang Xu didn't dwell on it further. He dressed while wondering where his own clothes had vanished.

Once Fang Xu was fully dressed, Old Wu and Gu Bei couldn't help but exclaim. It was truly a case of "clothes make the man." If his previous attire had a rustic feel, this set highlighted his inherent elegance and presence. To Old Wu, even the scions of the nobility didn't seem as imposing as Fang Xu looked now.

"I apologize for keeping you and Miss Shangguan waiting," Fang Xu said, opening the door to find Zhuge Jun and Shangguan Lian waiting patiently.

Both Zhuge Jun and Shangguan Lian were momentarily stunned, unable to react for a second upon seeing Fang Xu’s transformation.

"Young Master Zhuge? Miss Shangguan?" Fang Xu waved a hand in front of them, finally snapping them out of their daze.

"Brother Fang, clothes really do make the man! You look so different that I almost didn't recognize you!" Zhuge Jun remarked with a sigh. Fang Xu was speechless; was that a compliment or a jab?

"You are too kind, Brother Zhuge. I must thank you for these robes," Fang Xu said with a polite bow. Zhuge Jun, however, just smiled with a slight tilt of his lips.

"If you really want to thank someone, Brother Fang, you should thank Miss Lian'er. She chose these robes herself!" Zhuge Jun emphasized the word "herself," causing Shangguan Lian to lower her head in a fit of shyness.