“It is fair.” Tang Fan says decisively, getting up, heading to the bedroom. “While I think about what kind of purchase that could make you act like this, you can think about whether it is worth keeping a secret.” or Sui Zhou goes on Tao/bao

Tang Fan writes a new romance novel that reaches new heights of obvious pining, Wang Zhi takes matters into his own hands, a guest comes to stay, and Sui Zhou continues to be a irresponsible combination of jealous and oblivious. (This takes place somewhere nebulously in the middle of the series, but really it could happen at any point, no spoilers)

To draw out a likely blackmailer, Sui Zhou and Tang Fan have to manufacture some blackmail material.

If Tang Fan believed Sui Zhou harbored any amorous intent towards him, well, to put it mildly, Sui Zhou wouldn’t need to lace his tea with any aphrodisiacs.

A divergence in episode 31: Instead of Tang Fan going to Jin San, Jin San pays a surprise visit to Huanyi Brothel.

What Tang Fan wants, Sui Zhou wants to give.

It should be easy enough to share. But Sui Zhou knew that sometimes, things can be a little more complicated.

Tang Fan chats up a drunk patron to get some evidence.

Under absolutely no circumstances is Runqing allowed to touch the wok.

The Emperor looks at Tang Fan’s confused face and elaborates. “Tang Fan, you have caused quite a stir in the palace,” he pauses, “as Lady Tang.” Tang Fan frowns at Sui Zhou and Wang Zhi, both who are not quite meeting his eyes. “Your majesty, I don’t understand.” The Emperor smiles. “It is simple. The Empress Dowager wants a wedding. If you marry into the palace, Noble Consort Wan will be unhappy. If you don’t marry Sui Zhou, the Empress Dowager will be unhappy. We don’t want them unhappy.” - In which every party is once again scheming, Tang Fan and Sui Zhou are pawns, but somehow it ends up okay.

Dong-er wasn’t dumb, she had seen these symptoms before, she knew what they meant. Tang Da-ge’s pregnant.

"There is nothing truly new on earth, they say. There was a time Wang Zhi believed that." Tang Fan and Sui Zhou have brought new experiences, sensations, and feelings into Wang Zhi's life since the moment he met them, and even after several years of friendship, things can still be new. (A story set several years after canon, exploring the physical side of the trio's growing romantic relationship.)

Tang Fan goes undercover and Duo'erla gets forcibly made a distraction. It all turns out okay, though.

In which there’s a jewellery thief on the loose, Tang Fan plays dress up, gets a mild concussion and also a boyfriend.

"Surely I don't need underthings to be in proper disguise," Tang Fan says, chewing on his lip.

Three days after Wang Zhi leaves the capital, bits and pieces of his extensive library begin arriving at Sui Zhou's house.

The boys have some fun at Joyous Brothel at the end of a long, hard case.

If he hadn't seen a vibrating butt plug on top of the stack of "absolutely mission critical clothes" Wang Zhi had left for him, Sui Zhou would have dismissed the faint buzzing as a phone vibrating, and Tang Fan's look of shock as a surprising bite of food. It's not. He is definitely wearing a vibrating butt plug and it definitely just turned on. Sui Zhou is not sure what to do with this information.

Sui Zhou couldn't believe what he was seeing... Two of the most wanted criminals, who always seemed to be able to slip away, were having dinner on the other side of the restaurant. Sui Zhou had been tracking them for over a year, and the fact he hadn't caught either was a convenient black spot on a record that his boss was intent on tarnishing.

The plan—Tang Fan got distracted, typical—the breakdown of the plan is this: he and Sui Zhou will invite Wang Zhi for a final dinner at the brothel. Then they will ask him if he might wish to join them thereafter. They will make it clear that Wang Zhi is very welcome to share their bed for the night.

The beginning of something

“The electrician is a Tang dynasty spy,” he says, dumping some of his eggs in Tang Fan’s bowl. Tang Fan nods, shovels more food in his mouth, and starts talking again.

Wang Zhi decides to try something. Tang Fan assists.

It's a lovely morning in the capital, and you have acquired a horrible goose.

Ding Rong shakes his head. He opens his mouth and closes it. It would be inappropriate to- “Ask. Whatever you want to know, just ask.” Wang Zhi says, his breath fanning over the vulnerable underside of Ding Rong’s wrist. “How are you-” not dead. Ding Rong chastises himself for being crass. “still alive?” Ding Rong did not ever expect that Wang Zhi is an alpha.

Tang Fan needs some help blocking out some positions for his latest novel.

Tang Fan never spares a smile for any of the girls at Wang Zhi’s establishment, he’s noticed. That's alright, though. It means Wang Zhi gets his attention for himself. - An exploration of Wang Zhi and Tang Fan's relationship.

Sui Zhou just wants a drink to take the edge off after a shit day.

It’s Wang Zhi’s first visit back to the capital in three years. It’s sobering how little has changed, yet he feels like a different person.