Chapter 17: Taking Risks with One's Own Body (2)

  Liu Sanwu, the maternal uncle of Liu Yitiao, is the only relative of the old Liu family with some status. He is a landlord and has 100 mu of good land in San Yuan County, which also has a small reputation. However, Liu Yitiao had never seen him before, because Liu Laoshi was not on good terms with this Liu Sanwu.

  The grudges and grievances between them were not clear, but since the death of Liu Yitiao's short-lived grandfather, the old Liu family had stopped all contact with the Liu Sanwu family. Liu Sanwu was also happy to have no poor relatives coming to his door, and he never visited the old Liu house again. The relationship between the two families was left there.

  But today, the old willow family is in trouble, and the only relative who can help is this Liu Sanwu.

  So, Liu Yitiao came to the door.

  Liu Yitiao's outfit today is very shabby, a yellowish-brown long shirt with a hem that barely covers his knees and two palm-sized flower-shaped patches on his buttocks. A typical dress of a poor family.

  Originally, he thought that dressing like this in front of Liu Sanwu's house would be met with a cold reception, but the development of things was beyond Liu Yitiao's expectations. The steward of the Liu mansion was very enthusiastic and almost fawningly welcomed Liu Yitiao to the main hall of the Liu mansion. Liu Sanwu sat there smiling in wait.

  Unlike the obese old man he had imagined, Liu Sanwu was a spirited and slender little old man. His deep-colored eyebrows, his face full of wrinkles, and his half-white goatee made him look very distinctive.

  Liu Yitiao took two steps forward, bowed and greeted Liu Sanwu: "Greetings, Uncle. I'm here to pay my respects!"

  Liu Sanwu nodded and said, "You're Liu Laoshi's eldest son? You've grown so big in just a few years? Sit down casually, we're all from the same ancestor, you don't have to be too restrained here."

  "Thank you, Uncle. With this one stroke, I've made a name for myself." Liu Yitiao bowed again and sat down in the lower seat next to Liu Sanwu.

  Liu Sanwu nodded and signaled the servant to bring up the tea, saying to Liu Yitiao: "This is Qingcheng tea that has just been transported from Bashu. How does it taste?"

  Liu Yitia nodded in gratitude, picked up the green porcelain tea bowl on the table, and brought it to his nose for a sniff. A faint scent of tea wafted into his lungs. Liu Yitia mentally evaluated this tea: its aroma was ordinary, and its color was only mediocre. Although it was Qingcheng tea, it was far inferior to Qingcheng Snow Bud.

  Of course, as a guest, these true words cannot be spoken. Moreover, looking at Liu Sanwu, who is also a tea lover, it's even more impossible to use these words to attack him.

  With a slight smack of his lips, Liu Yitiao opened his mouth to praise: "Fresh, natural, with a hint of sweetness hidden in the bitterness, good tea!"

  Liu Sanwu's eyes lit up, and a smile bloomed on his face as he said, "From these few words of yours, I can tell that you're also a tea lover, unlike those young whippersnappers at home who only know how to gulp it down and waste it. I still have some of this tea left; take some with you when you leave."

  Liu Yitiao stood up and bowed, saying: "Thank you, Uncle, for your kindness. However, I didn't come here this time for these tea leaves, but to ask for something important. My father..."

  Liu Sanwu held out his hand to stop Liu Yitiao's words and said, "I already know about your parents' situation and the purpose of your visit. Don't worry, although I have some disagreements with your father, we are still relatives by blood after all. When our clansmen are in trouble, I won't stand idly by. Last night, I sent someone to make connections at the yamen, so they won't suffer too much in prison for now. As for the lawsuit, someone has already gone to grease the wheels, and it's likely that they'll be released soon. You don't need to worry too much."

  Unexpectedly, Liu Yitiao was very surprised. He didn't think that a distant relative who hadn't been in contact for over a decade would be so enthusiastic about helping him. If this were to happen in modern times, it would be unthinkable. Liu Yitiao couldn't help but sigh in his heart, Ah! The kindness of people in ancient times is truly good!

  "Thank you, Uncle, for lending a helping hand. Such great kindness, I will definitely remember it in my heart and repay it someday!" With a bow to the ground, Liu Yitiao's expression looked very sincere.

  "No need to be like that, I'm helping you only because both our families share the same surname Liu and belong to the same clan. I couldn't bear to see you suffer in prison, not for your gratitude." Liu San invited Liu Yi to sit down, saying: "If you're still feeling uneasy, just stay here and keep me company while I drink a few cups of tea. Nowadays, there are not many young people like you who understand and love tea."

  Liu Sanwu got up and walked to Liu Yitiao's side, picked up the teapot and poured another cup into an empty cup, handed it to Liu Yitiao: "Now you taste again, is the flavor of this tea different from before?"

  He hastily took the cup with both hands, tilted his head back and poured it into his belly, closed his eyes to savor for a moment before saying: "The entrance is bitter, the abdomen is fragrant, the taste is rich and mellow, the teeth have a lingering fragrance. This tea is indeed different from the previous one, with an added thickness and less impetuousness."

  Liu Sanwu stroked his beard and laughed loudly, saying: "I really didn't misjudge you, you are indeed skilled in the art of tea." He then went on to explain by himself: "The first cup of tea, the tea leaves have not yet fully unfolded, so the poured out tea water only has a tea fragrance but no tea flavor. You can taste a hint of sweetness because the water used for brewing is from a sweet spring."

  "The second cup is the essence of Qingcheng tea, and you can describe its taste and characteristics in one mouthful, which shows that your research on this way is quite profound. What a pity, such a good tea friend can only accompany me to drink once."

  Liu Sanwu exclaimed loudly towards the end, and with a glance at Liu Yitia's eyes, it was as if he was looking at a dead man.

  Liu Yitiao's expression didn't change, he quietly sat there, picked up the teapot and poured another cup into an empty one, placed it in front of his nose to take a light sniff, saying: "Yes, this might be our first and last time drinking tea together. What a pity, Uncle."

  "Willow, you're a piece of work!" Willow Sanwu's eyes flashed with cold light as he said in a sinister tone: "After drinking two cups of my Broken Heart Powder, you still have the leisure to indulge in such idle pursuits. It's truly admirable. But I wonder if you'll still be so carefree when the medicine takes effect later?"

  Liu Yitiao looked at Liu Sanwu with a smile, his eyes filled with pity. He said slowly: "My father once told me that Liu Sanwu is the most selfish and stingy person. He would beat his own son for a single copper coin, and cut off his own relatives for half a pancake. Think about it, how could such a person warmly entertain a poor relative who has broken ties with him, and even brew a pot of Qingcheng tea worth one or two silver coins?"

  "But you still drank it, didn't you?" Liu Sanwu was not intimidated by Liu Yitiao's words. He continued to speak in a gentle and pleasant tone: "Anyone can be wise after the event, but this won't save you. Today, you will definitely die here."

  "Really?" Liu Yitiao picked up his teacup again and poured the tea water down his throat, saying: "What if I don't die?"