Chapter 125: Breakfast Together

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Liuyitiao carried the parcel he had brought with him and, together with Xiao Dezi, once again arrived at the Lizheng Hall.

“Mr. Liu, please, this is the garrison of the Left Imperial Guards responsible for defending Lizheng Hall,” Xiao Dezi quietly introduced as he led Liuyitiao to a rather spacious courtyard about a hundred meters to the left side of the outer hall of Lizheng Hall. “The Left Imperial Guards number three hundred in total. Their commander’s surname is Feng, given name Xiaoyi. He is highly skilled in martial arts and is also the adopted son of the Duke of Yi State. He enjoys the deep favor of both the Emperor and the Empress, and his future prospects are boundless. Mr. Liu, you might consider befriending him.”

“Hmm, thank you for the reminder, Xiao Dezi. I understand,” Liuyitiao cupped his hands in gratitude toward Xiao Dezi. Though he did not know why Xiao Dezi was so earnest in helping him, he appreciated the goodwill.

Though small, the garrison’s atmosphere was solemn, with sentries posted in full.

As Liuyitiao and his companions approached the gate, the guards at the entrance stopped them. Only after Xiao Dezi produced a golden token were they allowed entry into the compound.

“Xiao Dezi, is this the Divine Doctor Liu?” At that moment, a young man about one meter seventy-five tall emerged from the main hall of the garrison. He briefly sized Liuyitiao up, then asked Xiao Dezi.

“Greetings, Commander Feng,” Xiao Dezi bowed respectfully and reported, “Commander Feng, this is the Divine Doctor Liu. By imperial edict, Divine Doctor Liu is to stay here for a time.”

“Hmm,” Feng Xiaoyi nodded lightly. He had received the same order, or he would not have come out to greet them. However, this divine doctor seemed rather young. Feng Xiaoyi glanced again at Liuyitiao, then clasped his hands and bowed to him. “Divine Doctor Liu, welcome.”

“Commander Feng, thank you,” Liuyitiao imitated Feng Xiaoyi’s formal salute and said, “I look forward to your kind assistance.”

“Oh?” Feng Xiaoyi’s eyes brightened at Liuyitiao’s straightforward and unpretentious manner of salutation. He asked, “Mr. Liu, have you perhaps studied martial arts yourself?”

“Heh heh, some skills passed down from my ancestors. I practiced for a couple of days, but only minor techniques, hardly worth mentioning. I fear I may embarrass you, Commander Feng,” Liuyitiao replied modestly, while beginning to observe Feng Xiaoyi.

The young man appeared only about twenty-one or twenty-two years old, tall and slender, somewhat lean, with a handsome and refined visage. Though clad in armor, he resembled a cultured scholar more than a soldier, a stark contrast to that fellow Fang Yiai.

“Mr. Liu, you are too modest. Please come inside,” Feng Xiaoyi’s attitude visibly improved upon learning Liuyitiao had some martial arts background. He rose to personally escort him. “I have already prepared a room for you.”

“Thank you, Commander Feng,” Liuyitiao cupped his hands in appreciation and followed Feng Xiaoyi along with Xiao Dezi.

Liuyitiao’s quarters were in the rear courtyard of the garrison, where the guards rested. Though crowded, it was orderly and quiet.

“Mr. Liu, here you are,” Feng Xiaoyi brought Liuyitiao to the innermost room and invited him inside. “The accommodations are somewhat simple. I hope you will excuse that.”

Liuyitiao surveyed the room. It was small, furnished with a bed, a table, four chairs, and a cabinet. In front of the bed were a copper basin and a washbasin stand, as well as a standing metal lamp filled with candles below.

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Simple and clean, far better than the cramped room Liuyitiao shared with his younger brother at home.

Liuyitiao went straight to the bed and gently placed his parcel on it. Smiling, he said to Feng Xiaoyi, “Commander Feng, you jest. This room is many times better than my own at home. How could I take offense? Many thanks.”

“Hmm, I am glad you are satisfied,” Feng Xiaoyi noted Liuyitiao’s rough cloth garments and understood that his family’s situation was modest.

“Mr. Liu,” Xiao Dezi stepped forward, “since your lodgings are arranged, I will not disturb your rest any further. I take my leave.”

“Hmm,” Liuyitiao cupped his hands politely. “Thank you for your care along the way, Xiao Dezi. Farewell.”

Feng Xiaoyi watched Xiao Dezi off, then smirked slightly and said to Liuyitiao, “Mr. Liu, that eunuch is just a lowly servant. There’s no need to be so formal with him, or he’ll get an inflated ego.”

Liuyitiao nodded and smiled quietly. Though eunuchs held low status now, their influence could not be underestimated. Was it not true that the eunuchs Zhao Gao of the Qin era, Zhang Rang of the Han, Gao Lishi and Li Fuguo of the Tang, and Yu Chaoren among others, all wielded vast power despite their rank?

Liuyitiao considered his relationship with Xiao Dezi as a kind of potential emotional investment. It cost nothing to be polite and show respect. Though it seemed insignificant now, who knew when Xiao Dezi might rise in power?

“Mr. Liu, I won’t keep you. You must be weary from your journey,” Feng Xiaoyi said. “Later, I will send a boy to attend to your daily needs. Should you require anything, do not hesitate to instruct him. It’s late now, so please rest well. I take my leave.”

“Commander Feng, take care!” Liuyitiao bowed and saw Feng Xiaoyi out. Then he closed the door, tidied the room a little, and lay down to rest.

The next morning, around five or six o’clock, Liuyitiao’s body clock stirred him awake. After freshening up, he stepped outside and began his daily morning exercises.

It was just before dawn, and a few people were already moving about the courtyard, seemingly practicing martial arts. Liuyitiao paid no mind, rolled up his sleeves, tucked in his shirt, and started a series of small, precise punches and kicks outside his door.

Leg stretches, arm swings, side kicks, single swings, elbow strikes—simple, agile, and quick.

Because it was a new place, he did not train long. After about fifteen minutes, when he was slightly warm and sweating, he stopped.

“Sir, have you finished your exercises?” A young servant boy approached, carrying a basin of steaming warm water. Bowing, he said, “Sir, you should wash your face first. I will prepare breakfast shortly.”

“Uh, who are you?” Liuyitiao pointed at the boy. Where had this child come from?

“Sir, you may call me Xiao Suo.” Seeing Liuyitiao’s confusion, the boy respectfully explained, “I was sent by Commander Feng to serve you. I live next door and arrived last night, but since you slept early, I didn’t want to disturb you. If you need anything, just tell me. I will do my best.”

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Xiao Suo placed the basin on the doorstep, deftly retrieved a towel from the water, wrung it slightly, and handed it to Liuyitiao. “Sir, please use this.”

“Hmm,” Liuyitiao understood. He took the towel, wiped his face lightly, then handed it back. Unaccustomed to having someone nearby, he said, “Xiao Suo, it’s early; you should go back to sleep. I’ll call you if I need anything.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Sir,” Xiao Suo bowed. “But since you’re awake, how could we servants sleep? If Commander Feng found out, he’d break my legs.”

Xiao Suo rinsed the towel again, wrung it out, and handed it back to Liuyitiao. Looking up at him with a grateful expression, he said, “From your words just now, I know you are kind and unpretentious. Serving you is my blessing.”

Liuyitiao took the towel and playfully patted Xiao Suo’s head. “You’re quite the smooth talker. I bet you’ve said that many times before, haven’t you?”

“Uh, Sir, you noticed?” Xiao Suo blushed but, seeing no anger, admitted frankly, “I have said it often, but this time I truly mean it.”

Liuyitiao shook his head with a smile and said no more. After drying his face, he handed the towel back. “All done. Go empty the water. Since you don’t want to sleep, come inside later and play some chess with me. I’m rather bored.”

In the past, after morning exercises, Liuyitiao could tend to the cattle or sweep the courtyard. Now, after his routine, he had nothing to do.

“Yes, Sir,” Xiao Suo replied and carried away the basin. Liuyitiao stepped inside.

However, his wish to play chess did not come to pass. Xiao Suo only knew how to play Go. Just as Liuyitiao was about to take on the role of teacher again, Xiao Dezi arrived.

The Empress had specially summoned Liuyitiao to dine with her.

“Xiao Dezi, did Her Majesty have any episodes last night? How is her complexion today?” Liuyitiao quickened his pace to walk shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Dezi, quietly inquiring.

Xiao Dezi smiled joyfully and glanced at Liuyitiao. “Thanks to your skill, Mr. Liu, after taking the medicinal meal you prescribed last night, Her Majesty slept soundly and feels much better. Her complexion is no longer pale as before. So early this morning, Her Majesty sent me to invite you and has graciously provided a meal. This is a great honor. Congratulations, Mr. Liu.”

“You are too kind, Xiao Dezi.” Liuyitiao cupped his hands and asked further, “Do you know who will be dining with us today?”

“No one special,” Xiao Dezi replied promptly. “Usually it’s just His Highness the Ninth Prince, Li Zhi. Oh, I almost forgot—the Princess of Yuzhang said she would come as well.”