Chapter Twenty-Six: Tian Mi

The Li Residence was welcoming guests for the first time, and the maids took this very seriously—especially Xiao He, who bustled about tirelessly. Even though Li Yu told her there was no need for such fuss, she wouldn’t listen, insisting that this concerned her master’s reputation and could not be taken lightly.

Just as the dinner hour arrived, Xiong Qi’s carriage appeared punctually at the entrance to the Li Residence. Li Yu stood at the door to greet them personally.

Lord Changping stepped down from the carriage, dressed in a casual brocade robe, and stood before the vehicle. Li Yu hurried forward, greeting him, “Elder brother, it is truly my honor to have you join me for this meal. Please, come in.”

Lord Changping laughed heartily. “You’re too polite, little brother. There’s another guest in my carriage, someone who invited themselves—don’t be offended!”

“How could I? Any friend of yours is a friend of mine. There’s no question of turning friends away. Please, come in!”

At this, a young woman stepped out of the carriage. She was in the prime of youth, her features alluring, her every movement graceful and light. Beneath each eye was a beauty mark, adding to her charm. Her heavy smoky makeup and the high-slit dress she wore hinted at seduction, making her allure nearly irresistible.

What is she doing here? Li Yu feigned ignorance. “Elder brother, won’t you introduce this beautiful young lady?”

Lord Changping caught the look in Li Yu’s eye and nodded inwardly—still full of youthful vigor! Let’s see how you deal with this one. With a broad smile, he said, “This is my goddaughter. Her nickname is Mier.”

Li Yu smiled, “Mier—a fitting name for such a lovely lady. Please, come in.” He gestured invitingly, all gentlemanly poise.

Once everyone was seated, Li Yu asked Xiao He to bring Jingni to join them, seating her by his side.

When Jingni saw Mier among the guests, her brow furrowed slightly, clearly displeased.

Lord Changping, sensing the atmosphere, asked curiously, “And who is this?”

Li Yu laughed, “This is the sister I’ve recognized, whom I am currently pursuing. Please don’t laugh, elder brother.”

Lord Changping thought to himself, As if I haven’t investigated? She’s from the Luowang network, that’s all. But, knowing Li Yu’s character, his pursuit is probably genuine—Mier will have her work cut out for her!

He then asked, “Was your journey to the northern frontier smooth?”

Li Yu replied, “Thanks to your blessings, all went well.”

“Oh? I heard there was an assassination attempt on your way. Is that true?”

Li Yu brushed it off, “Where did you hear that? It was just a few petty thieves, nothing serious.”

Lord Changping’s face darkened with anger. “Who would dare such a thing—an attempt on the only royal brother of Great Qin? If I ever find out, I’ll see they pay dearly!”

Li Yu smiled, “No need for anger, elder brother. Such trivial matters are not worth your concern. Besides, when you succeed Lord Lü, don’t forget about me.” His tone was teasing.

Lord Changping seemed delighted. “Of course not. We’re more than brothers. If you ever need anything, just ask.”

Li Yu grinned, “It’s a promise then.”

Lord Changping’s expression grew troubled. “I do have a favor to ask of you, little brother.”

“What is it?”

Pointing at Mier, Lord Changping explained, “This girl’s father has served by my side for many years, as close as a brother. But my wife at home cannot tolerate her presence. I was hoping you could shelter her here for a few days until I can make proper arrangements.”

So it’s the beauty trap again, Li Yu mused. Or perhaps Liu Feixu told them about my preferences—fox-like women? If Liu Feixu is a nine-tailed fox, this one is, at best, a little fox. If only she were five or six years older. He felt a pang of regret.

Even as his mind wandered, Li Yu’s face remained unchanged. He replied, “It’s a rare request from you, elder brother, and a simple one at that. How could I refuse?”

Just then, Mier, silent until now, flashed a coquettish smile. “Thank you for your kindness, sir. I am deeply grateful. Please, allow me to offer my respects.” She bowed to Li Yu, her high-slit dress parting with her movement to reveal glimpses of alabaster skin—enough to turn any man’s head.

Li Yu rushed forward to help her up, his hand meeting smooth, soft skin. To his surprise, her small hand mischievously tickled his palm.

She’s a woman who truly understands men—a pity she’s from the Peasant School.

Still savoring the touch, Li Yu was startled by a sudden sharp pain at his waist—Jingni’s fingers had somehow come to rest there, pinching and twisting with a vengeance.

He froze, then grinned ecstatically—Jingni was jealous!

Mier, seeing Li Yu’s expression, thought she’d succeeded in charming him. Inside, she scoffed: So much for the world’s cleverest man—he’s just another victim at my feet.

Not far from Lord Changping’s residence, two men occupied a small two-story house. One carried a massive sword on his back; the other’s shadow flickered in the lamplight. After a while, a deep, weary voice broke the silence. “Stop pacing. You’re about to blind me.”

The voice was low and despondent, as if burdened with unspoken troubles.

With an exasperated sigh, the restless figure finally stopped, but not before slamming a fist into the wall, the force making the thatched hut shake. A gruff, impatient voice followed. “Brother, what’s your problem? When the Chief was here, you said nothing. Now that she’s gone, you drown yourself in drink every day. If you like that woman Mier, why not just say so?”

“Now that she’s gone, and you’re like this—what do you want me to do? Should I go bring her back for you?”

“Big brother, don’t say that. The Chief said this mission is critical for the future of the Peasant School—there’s no room for error. Besides, we planned this for half a month, and… she agreed to go.”

The lamplight revealed a rugged, square-jawed face, his eyes full of sorrow. His clothes were rough but clean, the only ornament a string of six beads at his chest, signifying some special meaning. The most valuable thing on him was likely the jade pendant at his waist.

“In that case, why are you still like this?”

The tall man sat opposite him—skin dark, features coarse, eyes fierce. He was like a wild beast, impossible to look at directly. His mood was clearly soured by his companion’s melancholy, a murderous aura radiating from him. The giant sword on his back only accentuated his wildness.

These two were Wu Kuang, steward of the Kuiwei Hall of the Peasant School, and his sworn brother, Chen Sheng, the hall’s master and future Sheng Qi.

“It’s nothing. She’s gone now. I just feel a little sad, but time heals all wounds. Instead of talking, why not have a drink with me?”

Wu Kuang forced a smile, not wanting his brother to worry.

“Sigh, why do you torment yourself? I never thought much of that woman anyway—pretty as a fox, but not worthy of you. It’s for the best she’s gone.”

Chen Sheng snorted, clearly unimpressed with Mier.

A fox-faced woman like Mier didn’t seem like a proper lady—how could she be worthy of his brother!

“There’s no need to speak of her like that, big brother. Mier is one of our own, and she risked her life for the Peasant School this time, even venturing to Xianyang. She may even have to sacrifice herself. Do you know what that means for a woman? I won’t let you belittle her!”

Wu Kuang, perhaps in love for the first time, frowned and retorted.

“She never cared for you, so why are you like this?”

Chen Sheng raised his hand as if to strike, but checked himself, glaring at Wu Kuang in frustration.

“She told me, before she left, that she didn’t think she was good enough for me, and didn’t want people to say she relied on her looks. So she wanted to go out and prove herself.”

Wu Kuang’s eyes softened with tenderness.

All these years, Mier had been under the protection of Kuiwei Hall—no dangerous mission ever assigned to her, no one in the Peasant School daring to touch her, thanks to the brothers’ formidable martial prowess.

Mier was indeed beautiful, her foxy face and alluring figure causing much gossip. The Peasant School was, after all, made up of many peasants, and their tongues could be sharp.

“She really said that?” Chen Sheng looked at Wu Kuang in surprise, re-evaluating Mier.

“She told me privately before she left. She said if she failed this mission, I should forget her. So, she’s not the kind of woman you think she is.”

Wu Kuang’s voice was steady, his eyes full of love and pain—the ache of finding then losing true love.

Love blinds even the most talented in martial arts, and Wu Kuang was no exception. The problem was, his experience was too shallow.

“Sigh…”

Chen Sheng clenched his fists for a long time, uncertain what to say, his face clouded with indecision. Finally, he looked at Wu Kuang and asked, “Brother, do you really love her? If you do, I’ll go get her back for you.”

“…It’s her choice. I don’t want to force her.”

Wu Kuang, somewhat indecisive by nature, fell silent for a while before gently refusing to let Chen Sheng take risks. Most importantly, it was the Chief’s command, and Mier accepted it.

Even if his heart was reluctant, knowing Mier cared for him was enough. Even if the mission failed, as long as she lived, he would marry her. That was the vow they made that night—a promise deep in his heart.

…

After the meal, Lord Changping left Mier at the Li Residence and returned home alone in his carriage.

Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, Li Yu turned to Mier, who had accompanied him to bid farewell. “Your godfather has gone. Stay here for a few days, and you’ll see him again soon. No need for such sadness.” He wrapped an arm gently around her shoulders, and Mier, playing the part of a delicate woman, leaned into him with a soft sob—so plaintive anyone unaware of the truth would be moved to pity.

Mier was assigned a room in Li Yu’s courtyard. Xiaotao, seeing this, pouted even higher than her nose—one Hu Ji gone, now another Mier arrives…

As usual, Li Yu retired to Jingni’s room, lying on the floor mat. “Sister, were you jealous earlier?”

“No,” Jingni denied flatly.

“Sister, the woman tonight is from the Peasant School—the same group that tried to assassinate me last time. She’s one of them,” Li Yu explained patiently.

“Then why take her in?” Jingni asked.

“I’m trying to get leverage on Lord Changping. No matter how careful you are, it’s impossible to guard against everything. Sometimes it’s better to lay it all out.”

“Do as you see fit,” Jingni said.

“Sister, in a few days, I’ll be going to Han. You should stay home and rest, take care of yourself.”

“Wherever you go, I go,” Jingni replied.

Before Li Yu could respond, Jingni turned over and went to sleep.

Though he told Jingni not to follow, Li Yu felt warm inside at her willingness. Jingni didn’t say much, but every word came from the heart—a quality few possessed.

At dawn, Li Yu breathed in the air from two thousand years ago, feeling the flow of energy rotate within him. Now, he could control his qi for an extended period outside his body. As he moved through his Taiji forms, the energy responded smoothly to his movements.

Jingni watched Li Yu’s practice, fascinated by the unfamiliar martial art. She had never seen anything like it, but could tell it was powerful—even though Li Yu had only mastered the basics. If she knew he’d been training for less than three months, she’d be even more amazed.

Just then, the door creaked open and Mier emerged, instantly captivated by Li Yu. The lingering energy still swirled around him, his clothes fluttering in the breeze, elevating his entire aura. Thinking of the rumors that Li Yu’s looks matched his cunning, Mier, who had once doubted them, now believed. Suddenly, the mission didn’t seem so hard to accept.

“Good morning, Miss Mier. Did you sleep well?” Li Yu greeted her with his signature warm smile.

“Thank you, sir. I rested well. Might you be free today?” Mier asked proactively.

“I’m sorry, Miss Mier. I have to visit the Xianyang Palace today,” Li Yu replied apologetically.

He wasn’t lying—his schedule lately was packed, visiting the palace to accompany his legal wife and spending time at the Fragrant Pavilion with his concubine. Luckily, Hu Ji wasn’t around.

Thinking of Hu Ji far away, Li Yu was filled with longing. Hu Ji, wait for me—five years from now, when the world is at peace, we’ll never be parted again.

Zhao Ji clearly slept more than before. Watching her asleep in his arms, Li Yu kissed her forehead, picked up his clothes, and quietly left the room.

At the Fragrant Pavilion, in the inner chambers, Li Yu said to Liu Feixu in his arms, “I wanted you to come with me to Han, but now that you’re expecting, you shouldn’t travel. Wait at home for my news.”

Liu Feixu replied, “We are one now—wherever you go, I go.”

Li Yu was deeply moved, and kissed her passionately.

With a little Jingni at home, Li Yu bid farewell to Liu Feixu and headed back.

“Li Yu—” a sweet voice called out. Li Yu thought he was hearing things, scratching his ear in disbelief and looking toward the sound.

Suddenly, his eyes stung as tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.