Chapter 152: Going Home

Undeniably, a clever drinking game can truly liven up the atmosphere at the dining table, even when there are only two or three people present.

Liu Yitiao's "Frog Diving Game" instantly energized both Gongsun Helan and Li Rushi. Even the young attendant standing nearby wore an eager expression, itching to join in.

And so, the three of them counted for over an hour. After more than thirty frogs had splashed around in the water, Li Rushi succumbed to the alcohol first and passed out drunk across the table.

At this point, Liu Yitiao pulled the half-intoxicated Gongsun Helan to his feet to take their leave. Handing Li Rushi over to the attendant, the two of them stumbled out of Clear Wind Pavilion and made their way toward General Gongsun's residence.

"Brother," Liu Yitiao supported Gongsun Helan, feeling somewhat dizzy himself as they walked with unsteady steps, asking, "This elder brother noticed that your attitude toward Young Master Li was exceptionally respectful, as if you wished to grow close to him, yet your expression also held a hint of apprehension. Might I ask why? This is entirely unlike your usual demeanor, Brother."

"Oh, that? Well, that cannot be said, absolutely not," Gongsun Helan shook his head. Though somewhat intoxicated, his mind retained a sliver of sobriety. Turning his head toward Liu Yitiao, he said, "Since Young Master Li chose to conceal his identity from big brother, this younger brother certainly wouldn't dare expose him. Otherwise, Young Master Li would be terribly angry, and the consequences would be severe—ahem, consequences this younger brother simply cannot bear, cannot bear at all."

"So mysterious? Even a fearless brother like you feels intimidated. It seems this Young Master Li's background must be extraordinary." Liu Yitiao smiled indifferently and said, "Well, since Brother cannot speak of it, then let us drop the matter." In any case, after parting ways today, they might never meet again. Who Li Rushi was, or what status he held, had no real connection to him anyway.

"It's not that this younger brother is afraid of her—I mean, him. Well, it's a bit complicated to explain. Let's just say I'm afraid." Gongsun Helan raised a hand, gesturing for a long while without managing to make any sense of it, and finally gave up on explaining altogether.

"Young Master Liu, Young Master Helan, you're back." Seeing Liu Yitiao and Gongsun Helan returning arm-in-arm with unsteady steps, Gongsun Li hurried forward to greet them. He beckoned several servants to help steady the two of them and escorted the visibly intoxicated young masters back to their respective rooms.

Basins, towels, hangover soup—after a flurry of activity, they finally managed to tuck the two young men into bed.

By the next morning, around six o'clock, Liu Yitiao rubbed his still-throbbing head and climbed out of bed.

Today was the day he was heading home; how could he linger in bed?

After dressing and washing his face with the help of a servant, Liu Yitiao set off toward the martial arts hall of the Gongsun residence. Having lived here for over twenty days, he was quite familiar with General Gongsun's estate and no longer needed anyone to guide his steps.

Generally speaking, at this hour, Gongsun Wuda would invariably be practicing martial arts and exercising his body in the martial arts hall.

Sure enough, as Liu Yitiao stepped into the hall, he found it brightly lit with candles. Gongsun Wuda had already finished a brief session and was now seated on a nearby bamboo chair, sipping tea and resting.

"Your junior pays his respects to Uncle Gongsun!" Liu Yitiao stepped forward, bowing respectfully to Gongsun Wuda.

"Ah," Gongsun Wuda smiled and nodded, gesturing for Liu Yitiao to sit beside him. "You were heavily hungover last night, nephew; why didn't you sleep a little longer in your bed?"

"Haha, thank you for your concern, Uncle," Liu Yitiao said, nodding toward Gongsun Wuda. "As martial artists, practicing our craft is like sailing against the current—if you do not advance, you fall back. How could I dare to slack off for even a single day? Even someone as formidable in martial arts as you, Uncle, still practice in this hall every morning before attending court. Compared to you, Uncle, this nephew still has a long way to go."

That was the truth. Though Gongsun Wuda was getting on in years, his physical prowess was not the least bit diminished. When exchanging blows, his movements remained as light and agile as ever, possessing a vigor that was even fiercer than that of a robust young man. If he were to fight ruthlessly, Liu Yitiao would be no match for him.

"Practicing martial arts is like sailing against the current—if you do not advance, you fall back. Well said, well said! Nephew's words are exceptionally profound!" Gongsun Wuda tapped the table lightly, cast an admiring glance at Liu Yitiao, and continued, "That phrase carries great depth and suits this old man's heart entirely. In the practice of martial arts, the greatest taboo is the single word 'laziness'. How does the saying go? Sloth breeds a thousand hardships. Only diligence is the foundation of success. In this regard, nephew, you have done well. That little rascal Laner is no match for you, so it is no wonder your martial arts surpass his."

Though Gongsun Wuda was a military man, he certainly had a way with words. He raised his teacup, took a gentle sip, and gazed at Liu Yitiao with narrowed eyes.

The more he looked, the more pleased he felt. It was no wonder the second master had often sighed in his ear, wishing he had fathered a daughter instead, so that he could have made this clever young Liu man his son-in-law.

"You praise me too highly, Uncle." Liu Yitiao lowered his head slightly and said to Gongsun Wuda, "Actually, the reason this nephew came over at this hour, apart from wanting to stretch my limbs, is primarily to take my leave of you, Uncle Gongsun. Once Helan wakes up a little later, we will set off for Sanyuan. Having been away from home for so long... well, to speak rather unheroically, this nephew misses home."

"Haha, leaving home and missing home—that is only human nature. Besides, this is your first time away from home, nephew, so it is quite inevitable." Gongsun Wuda set down his teacup and said with a nostalgic tone, "Thinking back, when this old man first entered the army, wasn't I longing to return home every single day? I remember once when I found an opportunity and sneaked back secretly, only to be caught by the old master and given a severe thrashing. But later on, I slowly grew accustomed to it..."

As he spoke, the old man seemed to drift away, sinking into memories of the past with an expression that shifted between melancholy and joy.

Seeing him like this, Liu Yitiao knew better than to interrupt, so he simply sat quietly and sipped his tea.

"Ah, yes." Fortunately, after just two sips of tea, Gongsun Wuda roused himself from his reverie. He cast an apologetic look at Liu Yitiao and laughed, "When a man grows old, his mind tends to wander, and he constantly recalls things from the past. I hope nephew will excuse this foolishness of mine. Ah, I have a morning court session shortly, so I'm afraid I won't be able to see you off. Please feel free to depart at your leisure. Sanyuan is not far from here anyway, and a short ride on horseback will get you there. Whenever you have free time in the future, you must come visit often."

"As you say, Uncle," Liu Yitiao responded affirmatively.

"Master," the head steward, Gongsun Qi, entered from outside and bowed to Gongsun Wuda, saying, "It is time for the morning court. The carriage and horses are already prepared outside; you should be on your way."

"Very well." Gongsun Wuda nodded, then stood up and said to Liu Yitiao, "Nephew Yitiao, duty calls, so I cannot keep you company any longer. When you and Laner set off shortly, whatever you need, just speak to Ah Qi; he will make all the proper arrangements for you."

"Understood, Uncle. Safe journey to you." Liu Yitiao rose to see Gongsun Wuda out. After practicing in the martial arts hall for nearly another half hour, he also left to return to his room and pack his belongings.

"Big brother, will that donkey of yours actually make it?" After breakfast, Gongsun Helan sat in the carriage parked before the gates, crossing his legs and squinting sideways at the little white donkey Liu Yitiao was leading. He curled his lip involuntarily and asked with deep skepticism.

"Brother, never judge a donkey by its cover. This elder brother has told you before, my donkey is a one-in-a-million hundred-li steed. It runs swiftly and steadily, and sitting upon its back will be no less comfortable than riding in your carriage. If you don't believe it, we can always have a race later." Liu Yitiao reached out to gently stroke the soft fur on Liu Wuhen's neck, letting the donkey's tongue lick the back of his hand as he felt the waves of affectionate joy emanating from it.

Having not been ridden for nearly a month, and nourished by the finest fodder in General Gongsun's estate, Liu Wuhen had gained quite a bit of muscle. Its physique was even more robust than when they had first arrived, its eyes were bright, and its coat was sleek. Altogether, it looked... well, a great deal more handsome.

"Very well, I just hope big brother won't lose too miserably then." Gongsun Helan laughed smugly, looking entirely confident of victory and acting rather arrogant.

"Young Master Liu, Young Master Helan, all the baggage has been properly stowed. If there are no other issues, you may set off now," Gongsun Qi said to them as he approached.

"All right, all right, since everything's ready, let's get moving." Gongsun Helan waved dismissively at Gongsun Qi. The driver of the carriage cracked his whip, and the vehicle rolled away toward the northern gate of Chang'an City.

Liu Yitiao swung himself up onto the donkey, cupped his fists in farewell to Gongsun Qi, and urged his mount forward to follow closely behind.

After spending over twenty days in Chang'an, he was finally going back.

Sitting sideways on Liu Wuhen's back and playing with the reins in his hand, Liu Yitiao let out a long breath of relief.

At the same time, he secretly rejoiced that this trip to Chang'an had not resulted in any major disasters. Not only had he managed Empress Zhangsun's condition and cured Li Chengqian's foot ailment, but more importantly, he had indirectly removed Li Tai as a potential security threat.

Thinking of the imperial edict Li Shimin had granted him, and pondering the contents of that decree, a smile naturally crept once again to the corners of Liu Yitiao's mouth.

Three hundred qing of land and fifty plow oxen—this journey had indeed been quite a bountiful harvest, without suffering any heavy losses of capital.