Chapter 26 Early News Broadcast

  "Hey, why are you running? I'm giving you a ride..."

  "No need, it's still bright outside. Tomorrow, my brother will come to find you, remember to wait at home. I'll ask for leave on your behalf early tomorrow morning, and take good care of yourself at home, don't fall seriously ill." Li Fu said this as he stood at the end of the corridor without turning his head, then hastily left, as if being chased by a ghost. No choice, safety first, so he signaled to House Uncle to send someone to follow, to ensure that our princess is sent safely to the palace gate. Otherwise, if anything happens, the Emperor will not spare my family."

  As soon as I stepped back into the house, I realized that Li Yu's words were contradictory. She told me to take a leave of absence and rest at home to recover my body, but then she said that her brother Li Ke was coming. With that arrogant young master arriving, how could I possibly get any rest? What did this little girl mean?

  Can't think it through, I don't want to think about it anymore. Sitting on the stool, I gaze at my left hand wrapped like a mummy. Qing Die whispers beside me, "Young Master, is it too tight? Shall I rewrap it for you? The princess...the princess's wrapping skills are really..." Qing Die trails off, afraid of offending this powerful figure.

  I completely understand what's on her mind, shaking my head: "It doesn't matter, anyway we'll have to take a break at night, don't bother." I'm a bit happy, it's rare, Li Shu who usually goes against me is actually being nice to me.

  The green butterfly subtly curled her lips, looking quite disapproving. Soon, she found what she was supposed to do and began to spread out my still slightly damp hair with a comb: "Young master, next time you should be more careful... otherwise, the old master and mistress..." Alright, I got it... I didn't find her nagging annoying, but instead felt a warm and fuzzy feeling.

  "Master, come here and let me put this on you. You've been soaked in the icy water for too long, if you don't warm up a bit, you might fall ill tomorrow."

  "It's nothing, just a small wound. By the way, where are my dad and mom?" He smiled at her, indicating that he was fine.

  "The old master hasn't returned from his morning court session yet, and the madam has gone out, saying she's going to the residence of Duke Wei."

  "Oh..." Mom has been up to something lately, running around every day, either going to this national government office or that county government office. I asked her but she didn't say anything, just mysteriously smiled at me. It's strange, mom wasn't so into gossip before?

  "I heard it from the emerald bamboo beside the lady, that the lady has been sneaking out of the house these past few days, and all she's heard are praises for you, Young Master. And some of the lady's whispers about where Old Master actually hit you on the head..."

  "What?! What are you trying to do? Are you going to use this method to bring another group of cross-dressers from the 21st century?! The result is very likely that the spoiled brats of the Tang Dynasty will be angrily sporting a Buddha's head full of bandages on the streets..."

  Thinking of the religious people on this street, my mood has become very comfortable, too comfortable. It would be even better if Uncle Cheng and Li Ye's father also knew this secret. In my mind, I fantasize about the two of them with their bald heads and pockmarked faces crying in mourning... Hahaha... This young master is indeed not a gentleman.

  "Green butterfly!" Jumped up and took a deep breath of fresh air.

  "In..."

  "Come, sit down, I'm in a great mood today, so I'll paint a full-body portrait of you."

  "Master... Your body..."

  "It's okay, sit still, don't move, look at me, what's with the red face? Let you see and you'll see! ...This girl, isn't she just painting? What a shame."

  Picked up the chicken... Zhen Guan pen, started creating the second hard-pen portrait of the Tang Dynasty.

  ---

  Woke up early, feeling dizzy and numb all over, apparently I'm not suited for winter swimming. Lying on the soft couch like a dead chicken. Green Butterfly gently pressed my forehead, this girl is so considerate, her soft little hands made my head feel comfortable, her mouth spraying fragrance, whispering gossip about the neighbors, so-and-so's family's second son likes so-and-so's daughter, so-and-so's daughter has a crush on the scholar from next door, the watchdog in the front yard got into another fight with the watchdog from the national duke's mansion yesterday and came back victorious...

  In short, without this little girl's gossip, I'm like listening to the morning news on TV in the morning of later generations.

  "Are you saying Chun Tao likes that little boy Fang Cheng?" Chun Tao was a small maid by my mother's side, really petite and delicate, about 1.5 meters tall and 70-80 kilograms in weight, just an estimate... just an estimate, I didn't actually measure it haha.

  "Yes, I forced that girl to confess once, her face turned red like sauce, and it was hard for her to admit it." Green Butterfly pursed her lips and smiled, a very charming smile, which made me feel very comfortable.

  "What about that house? That guy's height..." It's a bit hard to imagine, a two-meter giant and a one-and-a-half meter, weight-wise... completely not on the same level. Chun Tao this girl...... her taste is really unique.

  "I said so too, but Spring Peach just likes Brother Fang's down-to-earth personality."

  "Yes... House Cheng, indeed very down-to-earth." Honest people are good like this, I don't want to have any sinister characters around me, absolutely cannot learn from the treacherous and sinister Li family's three siblings.

  Just as I was thinking of this, I heard a very familiar laugh, followed by the sound of Fang Shu trying to please someone: "Please slow down..." Could it be that handsome guy with piercing eyes?

  Li Ke burst in with a flurry of snowflakes, tossing his outer garment to Qing Die, and plopped himself down on the couch, grasping my hand: "Younger brother, I've been worried sick about you..." Geez, no need to be so affectionate, right?

  Quickly withdraw your hand: "Brother, you're being too affectionate, aren't you?..." This guy must have also gone winter swimming with me yesterday and got burned to the point of delirium.

  "Brother, why are you talking like that? I came to share some good news with you." Li Ke was beaming with joy, removing his gloves by the coal stove and rubbing his hands together.

  "What's there to be happy about?" I pulled the gloves over, hmm... strange, this pair of gloves is finely crafted, the leather quality is much better than my last one, this guy actually plagiarized my idea... too... infuriating.

  "After presenting the samples of horse hooves and gloves to the Emperor, the Ministry of Works immediately produced a batch, which was sent to the north before winter, and received feedback that they were very welcome among the soldiers in the north. The Ministry is now rushing to produce more. My brother, you have made a great contribution to the country!" Li Ke patted my shoulder, his face beaming with joy, as if he was the one being praised instead of me.

  "What?" This guy is indeed not a good bird, with the same moral character as Li Yu, my...my patent fees seem to be hopeless now, my hands are shaking with heartache, I am a young master without work or life source, seeing money slipping away from me, can't I be angry?

  "Haha... Younger brother, don't be annoyed. I didn't mean to steal your credit. When I presented these things, I already told the Emperor that they were all your achievements..." Li Ke took the tea water handed over by Green Butterfly and took a sip.

  "Oh... that..." I really wanted to ask if he had any material or spiritual rewards, but thinking about it, I gave up. I was afraid that this guy would report me and my old man, who is selfless and only cares about the country, would scold me and cut off my allowance.

  "Brother, you're still young and have already made great contributions to the country. Really... Ah, I heard from Xiaodie that you've taken a liking to someone?" Li Ke squeezed his head over, hooking my neck, pretending to be mysterious. Lüdie stood elegantly beside me, her small hands clasped together, her eyes not daring to glance sideways, a pair of beautiful little ears perked up high.

  What does it mean? Isn't it just looking at other girls' homes a few more times? Is this what they call a match made in heaven? Can't stand the three siblings of the Li family.

  ----

  Chapter 2 is out, everyone please vote, collect and leave a footprint. I'm going to sleep now, too tired... Can't take the torture from Li siblings anymore...