Chapter 35 Sleeping Together

It was late, and for a man and a woman to be alone in the same room was, in Wu An’s view, improper. He asked Shangguan Wan’er to leave first, then tidied up the study before rising to welcome his guest.

Zhou Xing was a man whose career had started at a low rank, as he had not passed the imperial examinations initially. It was during the Wu Zhou period that he made a name for himself through the ruthless methods of a cruel official, and it was also during that era that he truly began to rise.

Wu An knew that Zhou Xing was not merely a villain; he was well-versed in the laws of the Great Tang and possessed great learning, making him an outstanding figure even among the many notorious officials of the Wu Zhou era. However, because of his humble origins, he had spent years being suppressed in the official bureaucracy, which gradually twisted his personality into one that was extreme and vengeful.

His choice to visit just before the curfew was highly significant; clearly, he hoped to have a long talk with the new master of the Duke’s mansion.

Wu An dressed and prepared to head out, but after a moment, he paused at the doorway. He glanced at the stove in the room, took off his fur coat, threw it aside, and only then opened the door.

"Bring me over."

Outside the vermilion gates, snowflakes drifted through the dim light. A gaunt old horse shifted its hooves incessantly, white mist puffing from its nostrils, shivering from the cold. Beside it stood a thin man, appearing to be in his thirties, though his temples were already streaked with gray.

He stood silently before the gate, suddenly stunned to find the old horse nudging his hand with its head, looking at him with eager eyes.

"Are you hungry?"

Zhou Xing stroked its head, saying with a touch of apology, "All my spare money these past few days went toward buying gifts for others. I'll buy you some more fodder tomorrow."

The old horse could not understand human speech, but it kept nudging its master. That shameless display reminded Zhou Xing of himself. He pursed his lips and pulled his hempen robe tighter.

He looked up again, staring at the vermilion gate that seemed as if it had never been opened. The servant who answered the door had not taken the money he offered, only promising to pass on his message before closing the door and heading inside. By now, Zhou Xing realized his shoulders were covered in snow, yet there was no sound from within the mansion, as if it were dead. Subconsciously, he shuddered, brushing off the accumulated snow with stiff hands.

"Hah..."

Zhou Xing let out a laugh and was about to turn away when he heard movement from inside. He wasn't sure if he had misheard, but he remained where he was, waiting quietly.

Rapid footsteps approached, followed by the voice of the servant, who seemed to be speaking to someone with a tone full of panic.

"Young Master, you’ll catch your death of cold like this!"

"Creak..."

While Zhou Xing was dazed, the gate swung open abruptly. A handsome young man stood there, wearing only a single layer of clothing.

"May I ask if you are... are you Chief Clerk Zhou? Please, come in."

Zhou Xing looked at the youth’s face, identifying him instantly, then his gaze fell upon the man's attire, and he asked hesitantly, "You are...?"

"Please forgive the lack of decorum, Chief Clerk Zhou."

Wu An revealed a perfectly measured, honest smile and, to Zhou Xing’s astonishment, took his hand directly.

"I was just about to rest in the study when I heard you were waiting outside. I hurried out in such a rush..."

Before Zhou Xing could reply, Wu An continued, "Look, it’s cold outside, and I’m not properly dressed. Shall we go into the study to talk?"

"Very well..."

Zhou Xing uttered, watching as the servant led his old horse through the gate. Even within the courtyard of the Duke’s mansion, it felt warmer than the world outside. The servant grabbed a handful of vegetable leaves to entice it, and the old horse, ignoring its master entirely, trotted happily after him.

"Chief Clerk Zhou?"

Zhou Xing snapped back to reality and hurriedly said, "Commander Wu, please, you are too kind. Though I am a few years your senior, I would not dare to accept such courtesy. My surname is Zhou, given name Xing, and I am but a low-ranking chief clerk in the department."

The two sat down in the study. The lingering warmth of the stove made the cramped room feel like spring, making one want to loosen their collar after sitting for only a moment.

Zhou Xing had initially assumed that Wu An was merely putting on a show. But since he himself had no reputation and held no significant office, why would such a person bother to act like a humble patron of talent? This was the Empress’s own nephew, a noble Commander of the Folding Shield Guards, yet he was treating a minor official with such high regard.

At this thought, a flicker of gratitude entered his eyes as he looked at Wu An.

Wu An sent a maid to boil tea. A moment later, when the tea was served, he rose personally to pour for Zhou Xing. The latter was increasingly flattered—a treatment he had never received in all his years of bureaucratic social maneuvering.

"It is so late, yet you have come to visit. Why not stay the night? Let me play the host properly."

Wu An said nothing of the reason for Zhou Xing’s visit, and the latter felt that this Commander must have guessed his intention and was using hospitality to deflect it, feeling a sudden, involuntary sense of shame.

But the next moment, Wu An changed the subject, asking abruptly, "Brother Zhou, you came in such a hurry—is there some urgent matter?"

"This... to be honest, I heard some news, and I thought I would come early to warn you, Commander."

"Oh?"

"After the commander of Hexi, Li Jingxuan, first lost and then won, the wind in the court has shifted. Many are already lobbying on his behalf..."

Zhou Xing said this while meeting Wu An's gaze, continuing slowly:

"Including within the Three Departments, many officials are preparing a joint memorial to request your execution, to appease the world."

"I see."

Wu An did not look surprised. For him, ever since he had killed Hao Chujun and Xue Zhen, he had lost all respect for the so-called grandees of the court.

You have your family heritage; I have my Tang saber.

"Additionally..."

Zhou Xing hesitated for a moment before adding, "Some say that in the last few days, you have been slaughtering civilians and oppressing the people in the city. They claim to have obtained witnesses and evidence, and they intend to submit a memorial to the Imperial Court tomorrow."

Wu An narrowed his eyes slightly. This, he did not know.

In a flash, Wu An conceived of several solutions, but most required relying on the Empress or other factions. That would make the situation he had worked so hard to secure extremely passive once more.

"I am aware of this matter now. Since you have come, Brother Zhou, you must have a way forward. Please, instruct me."

Wu An spoke with the straightforwardness of a rough soldier, inserting the topic without any embellishment. Yet, Zhou Xing felt the man’s tone was sincere, and his responses were exactly what he had anticipated, which made him feel quite at ease.

"I wouldn't dare..."

Zhou Xing leaned in and whispered a few words. Wu An listened intently, then, thinking of something, continued to ask questions.

Zhou Xing did not speak in riddles; he answered patiently. The more Wu An asked, the more natural Zhou Xing’s expression became, responding one point after another in an orderly fashion.

"I understand what must be done tomorrow."

Wu An spoke, showing no sign of rising to see his guest out. He had originally intended to go to great lengths to win Zhou Xing over, but he had not expected the man to be so cooperative.

It was like a mutual understanding between experienced partners, a silent, rhythmic chemistry.

However, this one incident was not enough to build a solid alliance of interests. Wu An did not want to turn their relationship into a base transaction; there had to be a layer of camaraderie on the outside so that they could drop their shame and do business on the inside.

It was like the beginning of a seduction—first soothing her by saying her husband only cares about working and doesn't understand her feelings, and when she is moved, they can then proceed with their illicit affair.

Wait...

Wu An frowned slightly. That seemed to insult himself as well.

Zhou Xing lowered his eyes, drinking his tea silently, waiting for the other to see him out or continue the polite small talk, hoping that for the sake of appearances, the other would ask him to stay the night.

Commander Wu’s response today had exceeded Zhou Xing’s expectations. While he deeply desired more promises and guarantees, he knew well that he was the weaker party and must not skip steps in their social dance.

Wu An spoke then:

"Brother Zhou, why not stay tonight?"

He gestured to the daybed in the study.

"Let’s sleep here together."