Chapter 63: Father-in-law Li Liyan’s Astonishment

New Year's Eve.

The county of Ti was abuzz with excitement. The streets were crowded with townsfolk, young and old, men and women alike, strolling along the vendors' stalls lining the roads.

Yet the most lively place lay several miles outside the city, at the Temple of the Nuwa Deity.

Thousands of Ti county residents, regardless of age or gender, watched as over a hundred robust men practiced the Nuwa dance.

The Nuwa dance traces its origins to the era of primitive hunting, rooted in totem worship and shamanistic rituals. By the time of the Zhou dynasty, it had become part of the ceremonial system.

Pre-Qin literature records the Nuwa rites as a hope to harmonize the seasons, seeking temperate weather, favorable winds and rain, abundant harvests, safety for people and livestock, and prosperity for the nation.

In the Han dynasty, the court's Nuwa ceremonies grew especially grand, establishing a tradition passed down through generations.

Every New Year's Eve, the city hosts a Nuwa dance event; not only do the city dwellers participate, but villagers from the surrounding countryside also flock to pray for peace in the coming year.

Within the Li residence.

Unlike the bustling marketplace nearby, no matter how busy the servants are preparing for the festivities, the atmosphere in the Li household remains subdued.

First, Old Li has yet to return to Ti county this year; second, there is still no news of Fu Zi Hou. Seeing the anxious expression of the old madam, everyone else in the household is naturally affected.

Li Shaozhi and Li Liyan, as well as Li Chengzhi, Li Chenggao, and Li Lingchuan, have all returned home.

Chengzhi and Chenggao are sons of the eldest son, Li Chongli; Lingchuan is Li Qiong's elder brother.

In recent years, only Li Chengzhi has resided in Pingyao county.

Li Chenggao and Li Lingchuan both serve as officials in Wuyang Prefecture with their fourth and fifth uncles.

"The Fu family must be very worried. Remember to stay a while when you visit!"

The old madam, seeing the servants have finished their preparations, instructs Li Shaozhi and Li Liyan to visit the Fu family and spend time speaking with their second son.

"Mother, don't worry!"

Neither Li Shaozhi nor Li Liyan is yet forty; especially Li Liyan, only thirty-three. Hearing their mother's instructions, both nod earnestly, then, led by Li Anren and Li Anjing, head out of the residence.

"Is Chai'er still unwilling to leave her room?"

The old madam watches as the fourth and fifth sons depart, then turns to her eldest granddaughter, Zhangsun Nonggui.

"That child is stubborn this time, clutching her sword and ignoring everyone. Not even her father could get her to open the door!"

Zhangsun Nonggui shakes her head.

All these years, Li Chai has yearned for family affection more than anyone, and obeyed her father Li Liyan unquestioningly. This is the first time she refuses to see him, even when he wishes to speak.

"Zi Hou must not come to harm!"

Zhangsun Nonggui sighs, her gaze drifting upward to the sky above the courtyard.

Fu family residence.

Guided by their sons, Anjing and Anren, Li Shaozhi and Li Liyan meet the members of the Fu family.

"You've come, and brought so many things!"

Old Fu eyes the Li family servants behind Li Shaozhi and Li Liyan, carrying over a dozen items, mostly wine and meat, and chides them lightly.

"Shaozhi pays respects to Uncle Fu!"

"Liyan pays respects to Uncle Fu!"

Upon seeing Old Fu, Li Shaozhi and Li Liyan bow respectfully.

Not to mention Shaozhi's youthful experiences with the Fu family, even Liyan's name has connections with Old Fu.

"No need for ceremony, come in!"

The weather is bitterly cold and Old Fu's legs are weak, so he waves them in to sit.

Fu Rui greets them with a respectful gesture; as he is older than both, Shaozhi and Liyan address him as elder brother.

Though Madam Tao is worried for her son and looks haggard these days, she tries to muster her spirits for the guests.

Madams Zhang and Tai urge Tao to rest, but seeing her insist on helping, occasionally wiping away tears, they can only let her be.

"Uncle, this is a medicinal herb Shaozhi brought from Wuyang Prefecture, reputed to cure cold in the legs. Uncle, please try it; if it doesn't work, Shaozhi will search for better ones!"

Li Shaozhi, seated by the hearth, looks concernedly at Old Fu.

Shaozhi is known for his petty grudges—when offended, he refuses to suffer loss and retaliates readily—but for those who have shown him kindness, he never forgets it.

Upon hearing that Old Fu's grandson was missing, Shaozhi used all his connections in Wuyang Prefecture, inquired everywhere, and contacted every city gate official, instructing them to notify him if they saw a youth named Fu Zi Hou.

Whether or not Zi Hou has been to Wuyang, his name is now known among all the gate guards and officers.

"Alright! With your thoughtfulness, I'll try this medicine!"

Old Fu nods, then glances furtively at Tao, his gaze returning to Shaozhi.

"Nephew, is there any news of Zi Hou?"

He asks in a low voice.

On hearing this, Shaozhi and Liyan exchange glances and shake their heads at Old Fu.

"There's still no news!"

Shaozhi says, seeing Old Fu's worried face, and quickly adds, "Uncle, rest assured, I've inquired thoroughly. The bandit Zhang Jin Cheng seems to have vanished as well!"

"If Zi Hou had come to harm, Zhang Jin Cheng would have returned to the prefecture, rallying his old rebel followers. But according to Liyan and his elder brother’s investigations, there’s no sign of Zhang Jin Cheng lately; even his old men cannot find him!"

Liyan adds, addressing Old Fu, Elder Liu, Fu Rui, and Fu Zhi.

Hearing Liyan's words, Old Fu, Fu Rui, and Fu Zhi all breathe a sigh of relief; perhaps this is the only good news at present.

"We don't even know where Zi Hou is. If only he hadn't chased the bandit that day—none of this would have happened!"

Old Fu sighs helplessly, casting a look at his two worthy nephews.

Shaozhi and Liyan can only remain silent; they could hardly imagine that, in such circumstances, one could lead troops to rescue Qinghe County when everyone else had abandoned it, and ultimately defeat the rebel army.

Perhaps it is precisely because Zi Hou is unlike most people that he achieved all this.

Thus, worried that the rebels might return, Zi Hou pursued Zhang Jin Cheng without hesitation.

Inside the Fu residence.

Although Old Fu and Fu Rui converse with Shaozhi and Liyan, the atmosphere is even more somber than in the Li household.

Young and restless, Li Anjing and Li Anren grow impatient sitting, especially as the sound of drums from the street signals the start of the daytime Nuwa dance.

They glance at their father and uncle chatting with Old Fu, exchange a look, and quietly slip out of the house.

Hearing their aunt call out to eat millet cakes later, Anjing and Anren reply, then hurry to the front gate, just as a youth dismounts from his horse.

On seeing him, Anjing and Anren's eyes widen in surprise, "Sixth Brother-in-law!"

Confirming their sight, Anren rushes back, shouting into the house, "Father, Sixth Brother-in-law is back!"

Inside, the house erupts as Old Fu, Elder Liu, Fu Rui, Shaozhi, Liyan, and others emerge; Madams Zhang and Tao rush frantically to the front yard.

As soon as Fu Zi Hou enters, Madam Tao bursts into tears, hastening to her son.

"Mother!"

Fu Zi Hou, seeing his mother's tears, feels a pang of guilt.

"Zi Hou, are you alright? Let mother see!"

Madam Tao's hands tremble as she inspects her son, pulling aside his collar to find bandages on his chest, her eyes instantly filled with pain.

"Mother, it's nothing!"

Fu Zi Hou gently reassures her.

"You rascal! Next time, don't be so reckless, or Aunt Zhang will break your legs!"

Madam Zhang scolds him with a smile, wiping her tears.

Fu Zi Hou nods, then sees his father and the others approaching.

"Zi Hou!"

Old Fu, with his cold, aching legs, limps rapidly forward, Fu Zhi and Madam Tai barely able to support him.

Seeing this, Zi Hou hurries to help, urging Old Fu to slow down. Spotting two unfamiliar men beside his father, he recalls Anren's earlier words and realizes who they must be.

"Zi Hou, pay your respects to Uncle Shaozhi and your father-in-law!"

Fu Rui, seeing his son safe, is overwhelmed, but restrains himself for now, urging his son to greet the guests.

"Zi Hou pays respects to Uncle Shaozhi and Father-in-law!"

Fu Zi Hou bows.

"No need for formality!"

This time, Shaozhi remains silent, letting Liyan speak.

Liyan, seeing Zi Hou for the first time, scrutinizes him and nods approvingly.

"Zi Hou, where have you been these days? Why was there no news at all?"

Old Fu, watching Zi Hou salute Elder Liu, frowns and questions him anxiously.

"Zi Hou had caught Zhang Jin Cheng, but on the way back, the bandits rescued him. I pursued them as far as Ji Prefecture, where I lost track. Zhang Jin Cheng was wounded, so I searched for days but couldn't find him."

Zi Hou explains, looking apologetically at Old Fu, Elder Liu, and his father.

"Sorry for worrying you all!"

He says.

"You must not be so reckless next time! Not only did we worry, your grandmother Li spent sleepless nights seeking news, and Chai'er has been holding your sword in her room! Your Uncle Shaozhi and your father-in-law searched all over Wuyang for you! Remember, never act rashly again!"

Old Fu admonishes, then, seeing Zi Hou's injuries, urges Madam Tao to check them inside.

"Mother, Father, my wounds are fine. I wish to visit Li residence with Uncle Shaozhi and Father-in-law first, so Grandmother Li won’t worry."

Zi Hou speaks softly, looking at Old Fu, his father, and mother.

Old Fu thinks it over and nods; Madam Tao, worried for her son, wants him to stay, but hearing her husband agree, she recalls Chai'er and restrains herself, nodding as well.

Shaozhi and Liyan, thinking of their mother and Chai'er, bow to Old Fu and Fu Rui.

Outside the Fu residence.

Liyan walks through the alley, observing his elder brother Shaozhi's fondness for Zi Hou, chatting and frequently patting his shoulder, and can't help but smile and shake his head.

Unlike himself, who loves literature, Shaozhi has been fond of martial arts and fighting since childhood.

Both his sons, Anjing and Anren, have only average talent for martial arts, making Shaozhi all the more pleased with Zi Hou.

"Uncle, Father-in-law, please wait!"

Zi Hou, feeling their affection and his wound's dull ache, stops by the carriage.

"You two should head home first!"

He says to Xia Jia and Cao Yong, who guard the carriage.

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

They salute, glance at Shaozhi and Liyan, then depart.

"Anjing, Anren, keep watch outside and don't let anyone approach!"

Zi Hou instructs Anjing and Anren.

Under Shaozhi and Liyan's puzzled gaze, Zi Hou waits for Anjing and Anren to nod, then gestures for them to board the carriage.

"Zi Hou, what is this?"

Liyan, seeing the carriage by the alley, wonders what Zi Hou intends.

"I wish for Uncle and Father-in-law to see someone."

Zi Hou replies, inviting them aboard, then steps up first.

Shaozhi and Liyan, though uncertain, do not refuse and follow him inside.

Within the carriage.

Shaozhi and Liyan, puzzled, watch as Zi Hou opens a wooden chest. Hearing his intent to show them someone, they both frown.

Why hide a person in a chest? What secret is there?

Has Zi Hou committed a crime, or is this person extraordinary?

Could it be Zhang Jin Cheng?

Their minds race with speculation as they peer into the chest.

Yet at a glance, Liyan's expression changes drastically, while Shaozhi's face contorts, eyes reddening visibly, and he grabs the person's sleeve.

"Xie Yan!"

Shaozhi's face twists with rage, nearly growling the name.

Looking at Xie Yan, bound and gagged, Shaozhi punches him in the face, causing Xie Yan to cry out in pain, blood streaming from his nose.

"Uncle, make him kneel before Uncle Shuyun’s shrine!"

Zi Hou urges Shaozhi to calm himself; killing him now would be too lenient.

"Good!"

Shaozhi breathes heavily, glaring at the dazed Xie Yan, loath to make things easy for this brother-killer.

Liyan’s face is no better, but he looks at his son-in-law with more questions.

Why is Xie Yan bound in a chest? Xie Yan is from the Xie clan, and everyone in Li residence knows how fiercely the Xie clan protects their own.

"It’s from the Xie clan. But this must never be spoken of."

Zi Hou, seeing his father-in-law’s bewilderment, explains quietly, then looks at Xie Yan.

"What? From the Xie clan!"

At Zi Hou's words, not only Liyan, but even Shaozhi, are stunned, staring at Zi Hou in disbelief.