Chapter 22: Li Residence
“Catch them!”
“Stop them…”
“Who dares stop me?! Death!”
The sounds of intense fighting reached his ears, and Xiao Yi recognized Zhang Mantun’s voice, realizing the Imperial Guard was not after him.
He looked around and saw a square stool outside the bamboo garden. He picked it up, propped it against another wall, stepped onto it, and looked out through the small flower-shaped window hole.
He happened to see a rider gallop out onto the long street, causing his gaze to involuntarily fix.
Xiao Yi had never thought anyone was more handsome than himself, yet at this moment his heart surged.
Zhang Mantun’s two-meter-tall strong physique was clad in imposing Bright Light Armor, his breastplate reflecting the firelight, the beast-shaped shoulder armor looking ferocious. Underneath his leg skirt, cowhide battle boots rested in the stirrups, and beneath him was a tall, armored war horse with a shoulder height of nearly seven feet.
This man and horse stood before the Imperial Guard blocking them like colossal beasts, exuding a terrifying pressure even before engaging in battle.
“Giddy up!”
Zhang Mantun spurred his horse forward, unafraid of swords, spears, or arrows. With a “bang,” he knocked aside several Imperial Guards. Even those who tried to cut the horse’s legs were swept away by the spear he wielded. In an instant, he charged out of Xiao Yi’s sight.
Xiao Yi had to expend great effort to escape the Shi Residence, while Zhang Mantun only took one round.
“Shi Deyu is at the corner gate!” Suddenly, a shout came from afar, accompanied by a sharp whistle.
The horse’s hooves clattered, and Zhang Mantun actually turned back, charging into the Imperial Guard ranks again like a god of war, disappearing once more from Xiao Yi’s sight moments later.
Rousing.
Xiao Yi stood there for a long time, only hearing the cheers of the Imperial Guard.
Zhang Mantun might be dead or captured, but the spirit of charging into battle left a lasting impression on Xiao Yi. He couldn’t help but wonder if, having been given a chance to be reborn in chaotic times, he simply wanted to survive.
Soon, he suppressed the turmoil in his heart and calmly told himself that survival was the prerequisite for everything.
“Who dares intrude?!”
A sudden challenge came from behind.
Xiao Yi turned his head and saw more than ten guards approaching, gripping their daggers tightly.
Qiu Shuang quickly stepped in front of him.
“I am the daughter of Grand Tutor Li. I know the old madam of your esteemed residence; she once gifted me a golden peony flower adornment when I was young. I have come for a late-night visit, please inform them.”
“A visit? By climbing over the wall?”
“It was my mistake. You only need to ask, and you will know I speak the truth.”
“Search them first and take their weapons.”
“Alright.” Qiu Shuang gave Xiao Yi a reassuring look and whispered, “Don’t worry.”
Xiao Yi had been worried she was trying to trick him, but seeing her certainty now put him slightly at ease.
He figured that seeking an audience with the old madam would be more reliable than directly approaching Li Tao.
On the other side, an elderly man who looked like a steward began discussing in hushed tones with the guard leader. The steward was hard of hearing, and the guard leader occasionally raised his voice, allowing snippets of their conversation to be overheard.
“Master is finally asleep, why not ask Protector Lang first? It was he who reminded us…”
Xiao Yi listened intently, guessing that “Protector Lang” was someone who had noticed the unusual activity at the Shi Residence and alerted the Li Residence’s servants, likely someone concerned about the current situation.
He soon met the person in question.
In a side hall, a man was sitting at a table reading by candlelight, fully dressed late at night.
“Protector Lang, thanks to your reminder to be careful, we have indeed caught someone climbing over the wall into the mansion.”
Protector Lang turned around. He was a young man of about twenty-four or twenty-five, with a proper appearance and bright, intelligent eyes. He possessed a gentle, scholarly demeanor.
However, his cheeks bore a faint reddish-brown hue from years of wind and sand, and his clothes were simple, unlike a Prime Minister’s son.
As Xiao Yi observed him, the man was also observing Xiao Yi. They met each other’s gaze for a moment, and a flicker of understanding seemed to flash in his eyes.
“Protector Lang,” the old steward stepped forward, “this young lady claims to be Grand Tutor Li’s daughter. I am unsure which Grand Tutor Li this is… and these are what we found on him.”
Protector Lang’s gaze shifted from Xiao Yi, he glanced at Qiu Shuang, and then at the luggage in the old steward’s hand, saying indifferently, “There is no Grand Tutor Li in the court.”
Qiu Shuang bowed and said, “Your Excellency must be a young master of the Li Residence. My father’s given name is Song. He was honored as Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor and was unjustly persecuted three years ago.”
“I am young and of little knowledge and have never heard of him. May I ask where the young lady is from?”
“My ancestral home is Raoyang, Shenzhou.”
“A coincidence, we are from the same place. However, I do not hear the local accent, only the official dialect of Tokyo.”
Qiu Shuang knew he was questioning her and said, “I was born in Yique and grew up in Tokyo. I only returned to my hometown to observe mourning in Tianfu the sixth year.”
“Where is your ancestral home in Raoyang?”
“Jingxin Township, also known as Wugong Township, because my ancestors were enfeoffed as Duke Anping for five generations.”
“Heh, still trying to pull strings?! If that’s the case, you should recognize me!”
Protector Lang suddenly uttered a frightening sentence, but Xiao Yi noticed a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Qiu Shuang faltered for a moment, widening her eyes as she looked at the man before her, in disbelief.
“You recognize me?”
“Could it be… Uncle Zhao’s elder brother?”
“Hahaha. Li Fang, courtesy name Mingyuan, a native of Raoyang, Shenzhou, and a descendant of the Great Tang’s Duke Anping.”
A mischievous smile appeared on Li Fang’s face. He bowed to Xiao Yi, announced his name, and added, “I have come to the capital for the imperial examination and am temporarily staying at Lord Xin Chen’s Residence.”
Xiao Yi didn’t know why he suddenly turned to him. He returned the bow and said, “Xiao Yi, I have no courtesy name, no ancestral home, and no distinguished family background.”
“The ‘Xiao’ from Xiao He, the ‘Yi’ from resolute?”
“The ‘Yi’ from playing chess.”
Li Fang smiled and casually remarked, “A good name.”
Qiu Shuang said, “Clan brother, he is…”
Li Fang raised his hand slightly, stopping her words, and turned to the Li Residence’s servants, saying, “My cousin and I haven’t seen each other for many years. May we speak for a moment.”
“Of course.”
The Li Residence’s servants then withdrew.
Li Fang sighed deeply, gathered his sleeves, and became serious. He said to Qiu Shuang, “The last time I saw you, you were only six or seven years old. That year, the Western Li family’s prosperity is still vivid in my memory… I am very sorry about what happened to our uncle. At that time, our family had to draw a clear line to protect ourselves, and I feel ashamed toward our uncle.”
Two tears rolled down Qiu Shuang’s eyes. She immediately wiped them, suppressed her sobs, bowed deeply, and said, “It’s understandable, brother, please don’t mind. Now that the Shi family has been destroyed, I beg you to save my younger sister.”
Li Fang asked, “The Shi family has been destroyed?”
Xiao Yi said, “The Imperial Guard has already entered the mansion to search it. They are likely beyond saving.”
“What about Su Fengji?”
“It should be him who assisted the Emperor in launching the coup.”
Li Fang asked, “Specifically how?”
“I only know that Nie Wenjin, the Commander of the Right Wing, defected.”
“Alright,” Li Fang said, “Although the Shi family is gone, Su Fengji still holds a crucial position. The imperial decree for my uncle’s case is sealed. How can I dare to save you?”
Qiu Shuang clearly faltered, her face turning pale, her fingers unconsciously tightening on her skirt hem.
Li Fang continued, “Even if I wanted to save you, this is Lord Xin Chen’s residence. He has retired from his post and is living in idleness. I am merely a guest here, how could I have the ability to save you? What if we are implicated? So many servants have seen you tonight. What if word leaks out?”
Xiao Yi understood; Li Fang was not obligated to risk his safety to help them.
What to do?
His gaze shifted to a stack of scrolls on the table. He saw a corner of a silk-brocade-bound paper peeking out from underneath, faintly showing a red seal, which looked somewhat familiar.
It was… the seal of the Ministry of Personnel. He had seen it not long ago when he accompanied Shi Deyu to receive his official appointment.
Thinking of Li Fang’s mention of “coming to the capital for the imperial examination” and Feng Sheng’s words about “examination fraud,” he suddenly had an idea and confirmed that these were official documents.
It seemed Li Fang had genuine talent, but without going through Su Fengji’s connections, how could he achieve a high rank in the examination? Since he was Su Fengji’s disciple, why did he address him by name instead of “Minister of Works”? Therefore, Li Fang’s inclination was self-evident.
Moreover, this person was insightful and capable, far superior to Feng Sheng.
“Brother Li laying out the harsh realities first is the act of a gentleman.”
Xiao Yi spoke, bowing respectfully to Li Fang. “Not helping is your right; helping is a favor. If Brother Li can assist us, we will never forget the risks you took and your kindness tonight.”
“When talking about favors, let’s first talk about sincerity. I don’t even know your identity yet.”
“Brother, he is Xiao Yi, a servant from my household, who was confiscated along with me.”
“A fine ‘servant’! Majestic bearing, outstanding demeanor, wearing a fine linen robe, a green sable cloak, adorned with fine jade, carrying a hand crossbow and a dagger, with prepared luggage, possessing gold and silver jewels of immeasurable value, and also skilled in both civil and military arts. He was able to escort you from the Shi Residence to this place, not to mention that he likely has a clearer understanding of tonight’s situation than even Shi Deyu might have?”
Qiu Shuang said urgently, “Brother, why don’t you believe me? When we returned home that year, you met him once. He was serving tea, and you disliked him for blowing his nose and didn’t accept it.”
“I don’t remember such an event.”
Li Fang’s lips twitched slightly, revealing an imperceptible smirk.
Xiao Yi knew Li Fang did not believe Qiu Shuang’s words at all. Having transmigrated, he lacked the mindset of a servant, and it was impossible to convince someone who understood the world and was extremely confident.
He couldn’t reveal the truth of his transmigration.
Should he impersonate Second Young Master Shi? Li Fang seemed to suspect this.
No, they could guess, but he shouldn’t make things up, as it would be more troublesome if it were exposed.
After much deliberation, he decided to leverage Li Fang’s guilt towards Li Song, his dissatisfaction with Su Fengji, and showcase his own value. Therefore, he spoke with sincere earnestness and bowed.
“To be frank, Brother Li, since Grand Tutor Li’s clan was annihilated, I have striven for self-improvement, with the sole aim of eliminating Su Fengji and avenging them. Thus, I was cultivated by Shi Deyu and became his close advisor, which is why I had some foresight regarding tonight’s disaster and was prepared.”
Li Fang looked at him thoughtfully for a while, unsure whether he believed him or not. The corners of his lips curved upwards into a half-smile, and he said, “My words are useless. You two wait here, I will go and persuade Lord Xin Chen.”
