Chapter 64: The Li Family Ancestral Hall! Do Not Imitate the Ancients!
Luoyang City.
Within a towering and majestic imperial palace, in a secluded chamber where the sounds of birds flitted softly, a eunuch entered with small steps.
“Your Majesty! An urgent report from Qinghe Commandery!”
The eunuch knelt, hands raised, not daring to lift his head.
“Qinghe?”
Yang Guang, whose eyes were covered, suddenly heard the voice. He pulled off his silk blindfold and turned to the eunuch.
“Bring it here!”
Yang Guang, his expression displeased, considered for a moment before addressing the eunuch.
“Your Majesty~!”
At that moment, a stunning beauty approached Yang Guang from behind, gently wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing herself to his back, her voice soft and alluring.
Despite being accustomed to the company of women, Yang Guang still felt his body go limp at her tender call. Yet, mindful of the recent affairs in Qinghe Commandery, he resolved to glance at the report before succumbing to her charms.
Turning to the kneeling eunuch, Yang Guang reached out and took the report from the eunuch’s raised hands, unfolding it to read.
He had braced himself for news of Qinghe’s fall, but as he read, his expression shifted to surprise.
“Hmm?”
Interest sparked in Yang Guang’s eyes as he read more closely. Moments later, his face broke into a hearty laugh.
“Good! Such a fine young man! Truly Heaven favors Great Sui!”
Breathing deeply, Yang Guang held the report, his eyes alight with excitement.
Just then, another eunuch came forward, head bowed.
“Your Majesty! The Grand Chamberlain requests an audience!”
The eunuch announced.
“Yu Shiji—what brings him here?”
Yang Guang, puzzled, paused. He instructed the beauty behind him to don a sheer shawl and wait on the bed, then allowed Yu Shiji to enter.
A short while later.
Seated on an exquisite couch, Yang Guang watched as Yu Shiji and Feng De Yi approached, bowing in respect.
“Your servant greets Your Majesty!”
“Rise!”
Yang Guang was fond of Yu Shiji and Feng De Yi. Yu Shiji was learned and aligned with his views, while Feng De Yi’s secret arts brought him much pleasure, making them favorites in his court.
“Your servant has heard the siege of Qinghe has been lifted and came to report—truly Heaven favors Great Sui!”
Yu Shiji congratulated Yang Guang as he rose.
“I have already seen it! I was just considering how to reward the young officer mentioned in Yang Shan’s report. Though still youthful, he is so valiant—should I summon him to guard Luoyang?”
Yang Guang spoke, a look of indecision on his face.
“Your Majesty! In my opinion, this youth is of humble birth and too young. Luoyang is the capital; if it is guarded by one of low birth, I fear foreign envoys might mock us!”
Feng De Yi raised his hand and advised Yang Guang.
Feng De Yi, adept at navigating court through flattery, knew well that Yang Guang prized his reputation above all. His three campaigns against Goguryeo were testament to this. Feng De Yi had already heard the young officer was Li Gang’s grandson-in-law, and was determined not to allow him near the emperor, lest Li Gang regain favor.
Feng De Yi was also from Xi County, and had married Yang Su’s cousin. When Yang Su targeted Li Gang, Feng De Yi and his wife both acted against the Li family in their hometown. Having finally driven Li Gang from court, Feng De Yi would not let him return.
“What do you think?” Yang Guang, after considering, looked to Feng De Yi.
“I hear the young officer is brave and fearless, yet the current troubles in Sui are mere banditry. The true threat is the Turks, who invade repeatedly. Perhaps…”
Feng De Yi glanced at Yu Shiji, then at Yang Guang.
“Appoint him as a brigade commander and send him to Mayi to lead the troops!”
Feng De Yi spoke softly.
Yu Shiji also raised his hand in agreement.
Both men inwardly cursed the Cui and Yang families; usually, all reports of banditry passed through their hands before reaching the emperor. This time, involving the Yangs and Cuis, the entire city seemed empty, and the report from Qinghe had reached Yang Guang before they could act.
“Brigade commander…”
Yang Guang was about to follow their advice when suddenly, a delicate hand slipped around his waist, caressing him as a melodious voice whispered in his ear.
“Your Majesty, I have heard that Wang Ren Gong, the governor of Mayi, once served as governor of Ji County. When he was transferred, the people and officials of Ji County wept and pleaded for him to stay! If he bears resentment from his demotion, perhaps it is unwise to send a hero under his command. Would it not be better to keep him in Taiyuan to guard the north for Your Majesty?”
The beautiful woman spoke softly, drawing closer and whispering in Yang Guang’s ear.
“Moreover, it is said the soldiers who resisted the Turks have spoken—Your Majesty should seize this chance to reward the hero and proclaim to the world that merit will be rewarded. If anyone goes unrewarded, there must be some fault!”
Her words changed the expressions of Yu Shiji and Feng De Yi, who prepared to speak but saw Yang Guang inhale sharply.
“Hiss~~~! My beloved, your words are so very true~~!”
Yang Guang, utterly enchanted by the siren behind him, could hardly compose himself. He turned to Yu Shiji, Feng De Yi, and the eunuchs.
“Convey my command: grant him the title of Martial Captain, station him at the Eagle Command in Taiyuan, place him in charge of infantry and cavalry, reward him with gold and silk…”
Yang Guang ordered, eyes closed, his breath quickening.
“Yes!”
“Yes!!”
---
Hearing Yang Guang’s command, the two eunuchs beside him departed, while Yu Shiji and Feng De Yi grew grim.
They glanced at Yang Guang, then at the alluring woman behind him.
Seeing the Lady Cui both teasing Yang Guang and gazing at them with amusement, Yu Shiji and Feng De Yi felt a chill.
The Lady Cui truly had skill!
Months before, Yang Guang and his officials were surrounded at Yanmen by a massive Turkic army. To encourage the defenders, Yang Guang promised lavish rewards to all who stood firm. Yet, after victory, only 1,500 out of 17,000 heroes were rewarded, damaging his trust across the realm.
They had not expected Lady Cui to invoke this incident.
“Your servant will take his leave!”
With matters settled, Yu Shiji and Feng De Yi did not linger. Exchanging glances, they silently resolved that Lady Cui must never be allowed to go to Jiangdu.
………………………
Li Residence, Xi County.
Kneeling beneath the pavilion, Li Chengzhi, Li Chenggao, and Li Lingchuan chatted leisurely. Li Chengzhi rarely returned, so their conversation was endless, filled with tales and laughter.
Li Qiong sat nearby, pouring tea for her brothers and cousins.
Li Zhaotian listened quietly; still young, she had never traveled far, so stories about Taiyuan and Pingyao seemed wonderfully novel.
But as she glanced at her brother Li Le, whose mind was elsewhere, her heart felt heavy.
Li Zhaotian knew her brother was thinking of their sixth brother-in-law. Ever since hearing how he led troops to defeat the rebel Zhang Jin Cheng and slew the fierce general Xu Jinping, Li Le had been waiting anxiously for his return.
Days passed with no news, and Li Le waited in vain, day after day.
Her smile faded as she looked at her cousin, secretly resolving to study hard and train in martial arts—striving for her own future…
But as she pondered, sadness overwhelmed her.
Compared to her fourth sister Li Qiong’s feud with the Liang family, her mother said the Xie family of Chen Commandery was even more formidable.
Even her uncles, grandfather, and his old friends were powerless.
Even if she married a noble, it would do no good!
“Uncle! Uncle!!”
“Sixth brother-in-law!!”
Suddenly, her cousins rose, and her brother’s excited cry rang out. Li Zhaotian turned quickly and saw, beside her fourth and fifth uncles, the familiar youth—
Sixth brother-in-law!
He was back!!!
Li Zhaotian stared in astonishment, her small eyes fixed on the young man.
“Call all servants and maids to the front courtyard—no one is to enter the ancestral hall today!”
Li Shaozhi strode quickly, instructing the servants, then turned to the Li family children under the pavilion.
“All of you, follow me to the ancestral hall!”
Li Shaozhi spoke sternly, leading the way.
The young Li family members were bewildered, unsure why they were summoned to the ancestral hall. Seeing their usually jovial fourth uncle so serious, and even their fifth uncle’s usual genial face replaced by gravity, no one dared disobey.
“Sixth brother-in-law! Sixth brother-in-law!!!”
Li Le rushed out of the pavilion to meet Fu Zihou, his excitement overflowing.
“Come! To the ancestral hall!”
Fu Zihou smiled at Li Le’s enthusiasm, then glanced at Li Zhaotian, who looked puzzled. Fu Zihou offered no explanation, instead asking Li Le to fetch their sixth sister.
“Very well!”
Li Le obeyed immediately, running toward the rear courtyard.
Fu Zihou followed his uncle Shaozhi and father-in-law, heading to the Li family ancestral hall.
In the courtyard, Li Chengzhi, Li Chenggao, and Li Lingchuan were baffled. They guessed the youth was their cousin’s husband, but wondered why their uncles did not introduce him, nor did he pause to greet them.
Among the family, perhaps the most conflicted was Li Qiong, watching the backs of Li Shaozhi, Li Liyan, and Fu Zihou.
Li Family Ancestral Hall.
On New Year’s Eve, the hall was ablaze with candles, far more than usual.
Learning that Fu Zihou had arrived, a figure soon hurried in.
Standing beside Li Liyan, Fu Zihou heard footsteps and turned to see a disheveled, sorrowful girl with reddened eyes.
Remembering the words of Cui Wenjin and his grandfather, Fu Zihou smiled at Li Cha.
Li Cha said nothing, only bowed her head and stepped behind Fu Zihou, carrying his sword.
“Zihou!”
Moments later, the old lady of the Li family, Li Jingjie, Madam Zhou, Madam Bao, Madam Wei, and Madam Changsun all entered.
Seeing Fu Zihou unharmed, the old lady finally relaxed.
“Granny Li!”
Fu Zihou, knowing he had worried her, felt guilty.
“As long as you’re safe! That’s all that matters!”
The old lady, sensing Fu Zihou’s thoughts, repeated herself.
Li Jingjie stepped forward from among the Li children, moving to stand beside Shaozhi and Liyan.
“Fourth brother, fifth brother, why have you called everyone to the ancestral hall? And why are the servants and maids sent to the front courtyard?”
Li Jingjie asked, puzzled.
Not only Li Jingjie, but the old lady, Madam Zhou, the other women, and all the Li children were confused.
Li Qiong, too, was perplexed—why did Fu Zihou’s return prompt their uncles to summon everyone here?
---
“Zihou, you brought him—being a son-in-law of the Li family, you should present him!”
Li Shaozhi did not answer his second brother Jingjie, but with reddened eyes, looked from the memorial tablet of their third brother to Fu Zihou.
At this, everyone turned to Fu Zihou, unsure who Shaozhi meant.
Fu Zihou approached his father-in-law Li Liyan, opened a wooden box, and lifted out Xie Yan.
Xie Yan had visited the Li family years before, seeking to study; many in the family recognized him.
The younger generation perhaps did not know Xie Yan, but the old lady, Madam Zhou, Madam Wei, Madam Changsun—at first sight, they cried out.
“Xie Yan!”
“Xie Yan!”
The old lady’s breathing quickened, her face pale as she approached. Confirming the man in Fu Zihou’s hands was her son’s killer, her hands trembled.
“Why did you kill my husband? Why did you kill my husband, ah…!”
Madam Bao, eyes red with fury, rushed forward, grabbing and striking at Xie Yan, her despair overwhelming as memories of her lost husband drove her to tears.
“Xie Yan!”
Hearing the old lady and Madam Bao, the younger Li family members were stunned, staring at the man in Fu Zihou’s hands.
He was the one who killed Uncle Li Shuyun.
“You killed my father!!!”
Li Le cried out, pounding Xie Yan’s head with all his strength, his pain and grief from the past two years pouring forth.
In the carriage, Fu Zihou could restrain Li Shaozhi, but here, seeing Li Le, he remained silent, letting him strike Xie Yan.
Sighing, Fu Zihou glanced at Li Cha, saw her astonished face, and when she looked at him, his lips moved slightly.
He was telling her: you need never blame yourself again.
Seeing Li Cha suddenly smile, her tear-stained face showing warmth, Fu Zihou felt, for the first time, a deep satisfaction as a man. Yet, noticing Li Qiong’s complex expression, he immediately looked away.
He signaled Li Le to rise, then dragged the bloodied Xie Yan to kneel before Li Shuyun’s memorial tablet.
“Li Le, Li Zhaotian—kneel and bow to your sixth brother-in-law!”
Fu Zihou had barely released Xie Yan when the old lady’s words rang out. Turning, he saw Li Le and Li Zhaotian bowing to him in tears, and hurriedly helped them up.
When Madam Bao and the old lady also tried to kneel, Fu Zihou was startled.
“Granny Li, Madam Bao, this is my duty! You have always cared for me and the Fu family—being your son-in-law, it is only right!”
Fu Zihou dared not let them kneel, urging them to focus on honoring Uncle Li Shuyun.
In the ancestral hall, everyone watched Fu Zihou, speechless.
Only now did they understand why he had been absent all this time.
Gazing at Xie Yan kneeling before the memorial tablet, the family could not describe their feelings for Fu Zihou.
Li Residence.
The memorial lasted over an hour, the hall filled with the old lady’s and the women’s sobs.
Afterward, unable to bear hearing his loved ones cry, Fu Zihou withdrew early. His father-in-law had issued instructions regarding Xie Yan, and the family would not speak of it again.
Corridor.
Fu Zihou leaned against a wooden beam; with the family’s affairs settled, he still had to distribute Lady Cui’s promised gold to those who fought, alive or dead.
Though Cao Yong and Xia Jia were helping, it would take time; he hoped to finish before dark.
Hearing footsteps, Fu Zihou turned to see Li Cha approaching.
When she reached him, she handed him his sword. Fu Zihou smiled, taking it.
Noticing the scabbard and hilt were wrapped in soft silk, not only prettier but warmer to the touch, he was about to draw it when Li Cha, looking exhausted, handed him a small cloth.
Fu Zihou saw writing and read it.
It said: the debt is paid; wherever you roam, may you always carry this sword.
“…If you are gone, your wife will follow.”
Fu Zihou recited the words, then stared at the cloth wrapped around the sword.
Was there writing inside—promises, addresses?
He had heard of the ancient custom: when a husband went to war, his wife would wrap cloth around the sword; if the husband died, whoever returned the sword would receive the promised money, and the wife would take her own life with it.
Fu Zihou had only heard of such things.
But now, holding the cloth, he looked at Li Cha, who bowed her head. For the first time, he felt a weight in his heart—not suffocating, but heavy and profound.
Suddenly.
Fu Zihou smiled, scolding Li Cha gently.
“What if you lost the sword? What if someone stole it? Don’t follow the ancients—silly girl!”
He finished, seeing her raise her face, slightly aggrieved.
Fu Zihou chuckled, ignored her, and gazed into the distant sky, pondering what rewards, beyond Lady Cui’s promise, the Sui dynasty would bestow.