Chapter 71: I Truly Need You

Fang Xu supported Qiu Chuji as they returned to his own courtyard. After confirming that Qiu Chuji was unharmed, Fang Xu awkwardly left the courtyard. The events of the morning were still vivid in his mind. How could he possibly have the nerve to insist on sharing a bed with Qiu Chuji now, especially since Qiu Chuji clearly disliked it? Why should he behave unreasonably if Qiu Chuji was unwilling?

What lingered most in Fang Xu’s mind, however, was the feeling he had while walking Qiu Chuji back—the sense that Qiu Chuji’s chest muscles were unusually developed. Why did this thought arise? It was simply because, from Fang Xu’s perspective, his arm had been pressed against Qiu Chuji’s chest the entire way. Distracted by the flashbang, Qiu Chuji hadn’t noticed any of this; otherwise, he certainly wouldn’t have reacted with such indifference.

Fang Xu didn't leave the courtyard immediately. Instead, he sat beneath the peach tree, idly playing with the bamboo tube containing the flashbang’s main ingredient. In Fang Xu’s view, this small bamboo tube could potentially revolutionize warfare in the future. Why did his thoughts turn in this direction? Because he knew that within a few days, he would be leading his people south.

The southern lands seemed to be growing restless, and Fang Xu intended to see for himself what was happening there. As a man, he felt it was his duty to take action, and it would also help relieve Qin Suwen in Xianyang of some of her burdens. Nevertheless, Fang Xu didn’t plan to act without waiting for Qin Suwen’s reply, whether she permitted it or not—he knew well enough that her temperament would likely forbid him from heading south.

But who else could go, if not him? In the entire court, Fang Xu could not find anyone more suited to the task. Moreover, with Old Wu and his companions providing close protection, his sense of security was considerable.

Fang Xu wrote down his plans and thoughts, as well as his reflections from recent days, then instructed a guard to deliver the letter to Xianyang at full speed. By the morning assembly, it should have arrived. He wondered what sort of reaction Qin Suwen would have upon reading his letter.

A smile crept onto Fang Xu’s lips. He rose, brushed the dust from his clothes, and just as he was about to seek out Old Wu and the others for a night's lodging, Qiu Chuji's door slowly opened. Qiu Chuji leaned against the doorframe, looking somewhat uneasy as he gazed outside. Upon seeing Fang Xu beneath the peach tree, he seemed to relax, though his demeanor became shy.

“Is something the matter?” Fang Xu asked curiously, watching Qiu Chuji at the door. There was a faint flush at Qiu Chuji’s eyes, but at least his spirit had revived.

“Are you not coming in to rest? What are you planning to do?” Qiu Chuji asked in a small voice, uncertain why he spoke such words, but nonetheless he did.

“Are you asking me? Didn’t you just say you didn’t want me here?” Fang Xu pointed at himself, somewhat stunned, looking at Qiu Chuji, who kept his head lowered.

“I just don’t want to disturb Old Wu and the others while they’re resting. Come in if you like.” With that, Qiu Chuji turned away from the doorway.

Fang Xu understood that Qiu Chuji had left the door open for him—perhaps still shaken by the earlier flashbang. Fang Xu gently pushed open the door and entered, only to find Qiu Chuji already lying under the quilt, with a brand new quilt laid out beside him.

“Is this for me?” Fang Xu asked, pointing at the new quilt with a smile that was half amused and half helpless. Qiu Chuji, lying on the inner side, offered no answer. It was as if he were already asleep, but his steady breathing told Fang Xu otherwise.

Fang Xu wondered if he had somehow offended Qiu Chuji; why else would Qiu Chuji’s attitude towards him have grown so cold? No matter how he pondered, Fang Xu could not pinpoint what he had done wrong.

“Is there something I’ve done poorly?” Fang Xu asked, sitting at the edge of the bed, his voice low with curiosity.

Even when Fang Xu posed his question, Qiu Chuji remained silent, leaving Fang Xu to smile wryly in resignation.

“The latest by the day after tomorrow, we’ll be leaving this place,” Fang Xu continued, not pressing further, but murmuring to himself. This time, Qiu Chuji finally reacted.

“Is that so? Do you know where you’re going?” Qiu Chuji turned and looked at Fang Xu, who nodded with a smile.

“I plan to head south; there are matters to be dealt with there.” Fang Xu did not mention the unrest in the southern lands, for Qiu Chuji still did not know his true identity. If he revealed it now, things might spiral beyond his control.

“Why tell me?” Qiu Chuji, sensing Fang Xu’s intentions, gripped the quilt tightly and spoke with a hint of hostility.

“I hope you’ll come south with us. What do you think?” Fang Xu asked, somewhat embarrassed, for this had been his plan all along.

“To the south? What about the Quanzhen Temple? It can’t be left unattended.” Though Qiu Chuji was tempted, the thought of the temple forced him to decline.

“The villagers will look after the temple, and I’ll assign guards to watch over it. Right now, I need you,” Fang Xu replied earnestly.

“Do you realize what you’re saying?” At Fang Xu’s words, Qiu Chuji abruptly sat up, staring at Fang Xu in disbelief.

“Of course I know what I’m saying. I truly need you right now!” Fang Xu understood the meaning behind his words, and in his mind, he was simply expressing his genuine thoughts.

Perhaps Qiu Chuji had misunderstood his intentions, but that was something he could not help.