For some reason, Tan Qu suddenly felt like sighing.
Thankfully, the rest of the journey passed without incident.
Though Qi Shan and Yu Hai had a personal grudge, business was business. He had not been negligent when it came to the bigger picture, and had ordered people to make proper arrangements for the Qu Country delegation. As Qu Country's chancellor, Yu Hai had his own tent; the others were settled nearby. When a Kang Country official was about to lead Tan Qu away, Yu Hai raised a hand to stop him. "No need. He's staying with me."
The Qu Country delegation was not surprised.
They had noticed on the way here that Chancellor Yu's relationship with this mysterious young gentleman was extraordinary. He also seemed reluctant to let anyone else interact with the young man, which struck them as quite strange. The delegation was not close to Yu Hai, and they knew better than to gossip like those long-tongued busybodies.
Formal negotiations began the next day.
Tan Qu had stayed up late organizing the cumbersome documents for Yu Hai. When Yu Hai said he would take him along, Tan Qu said, "That... wouldn't be appropriate, would it?"
It wasn't the sort of occasion he ought to attend.
"What's inappropriate about it? You're already here."
Tan Qu hesitated. "It's just—"
Yu Hai understood his concern. "I already told Qi Yuanliang in advance that you're light-sensitive and suffer from a strange ailment, so you have to wear a veil. He may be shameless, but he isn't a mean-spirited bully. He won't give you a hard time. If he insists on making trouble for you, he'll only shame himself to death."
Tan Qu's mouth twitched slightly.
A flicker of obscure hesitation and confusion crossed the young man's face.
Gui Long was usually a