Author Archives: darkredcurtains

A few rounds of wine in, much of the sense of estrangement within the room had dissipated. Though the old familiarity remained out of reach, they had thawed enough to make easy conversation.

Xiao Chi’ye scheduled their dinner party to take place before the state banquet. Chen Yang brought the invitation to Shen Zechuan, but it was Ge Qingqing who received it.

Fresh vegetables were a scarcity in winter, and these days, the highest prices in Qu Capital were commanded by green produce. Xiao Chi’ye had received a bonus from Li Jianheng, and tonight, there was a plate of crisp, slivered cucumber on his table. “”Pickles for your side dish, to rouse the spleen and cure dullness.””1Continue reading “Book One, Chapter 40: Savagery”

A charcoal fire toasted in the main room. Chen Yang had been kneeling for a little under an hour by this point. Xiao Chi’ye sat in the central chair, reading a book on military tactics. Beyond the room’s curtained doorway, every Imperial Guard officer remained in attendance on their knees. There was silence, inside andContinue reading “Book One, Chapter 39: Beasts of Prey”

Snow fell ceaselessly for several days, and Xiao Chi’ye grew ever lazier in that time, even making fewer trips to the training grounds. He had befriended a few merchants from the Longyou trading group of late, and made arrangements for the purchase of some valuable goods: pearls from Yongquan harbour, jade from He province; small,Continue reading “Book One, Chapter 38: Military Discipline”

The world darkened before Shen Zechuan’s eyes, and suddenly he was a lot closer to Xiao Chi’ye. He heard Xiao Chi’ye say, “What d’you know, it really is the smell on me. God it’s strong.” Shen Zechuan pivoted on that point. “You brought in hand cannons for the Guard?” “Copper cast.” Xiao Chi’ye lifted hisContinue reading “Book One, Chapter 37: Hand Cannons”

In a swift flick, borrowing Xiao Chi’ye’s move from some time ago, Shen Zechuan sent a spray of water flying at his face, and amongst the distraction grabbed his clothes back from him. Momentarily blinded by the water in his eyes, Xiao Chi’ye reached up for a dry towel, looped it over Shen Zechuan’s head,Continue reading “Book One, Chapter 36: Scent”

Wind stole into their sleeves, the cold sinking needle-like into their bones. Then Shen Zechuan turned away and sneezed, shattering the charged stand-off between them. Sopping wet from head to foot, he flapped a hand at Xiao Chi’ye, and asked stuffily, “Have you got a handkerchief?” Xiao Chi’ye took one step forward, and handed oneContinue reading “Book One, Chapter 35: First Snow”

“What.. what the hell…” At the sight of the smile on Shen Zechuan’s face, Ji Lei abruptly began to shuffle backwards along the rails. “What the hell do you want with me!” “You’re asking me, are you?” Shen Zechuan said cheerfully. “Is that the question you’re asking me?” His eyes darkened. Shen Zechuan beckoned loftilyContinue reading “Book One, Chapter 34: Interrogation”