Chapter 2: The First Meeting with King Wu

  The medicine was still steaming with heat, and in the bitter medicinal liquid, there was a hint of sweetness. It seemed that Lu had intentionally added some honey to the medicine.

  "Thank you, Mother..." Now that I'm here, I'll just play along with the role. I don't want to make this mother in front of me sad, although she's a notoriously jealous woman who has gone down in history as a great female chauvinist and feminist icon. But more than that, she's a mother, a doting mother who only has eyes for her children. Over the past few days, I've finally understood why Fang Yi became such an overindulged son - it's all because of this woman in front of me. If I said I wanted to go rob a house, Lu would definitely help me set up the ladder. If I wanted to go mug someone on Chang'an Street, Lu would surely prepare a sharp knife and a black headscarf for me.

  "Mother... I'm fine now." The word "mother" already feels more natural. Standing up, the Tang Dynasty was not good, mainly because there were no chairs, only those small stools without backrests, or kneeling on a low couch, my legs started to go numb from sitting on high-backed chairs for too long, and if I knelt down again, I would definitely get cramps.

  "Jun Er, next time you're short of money, come directly to me for it. Don't do such foolish things again. Although a jade Ruyi is not a big deal, after all, it was bestowed upon your father by the Emperor..." Madam Lu also stood up, holding my hand and speaking softly, her eyes filled with affection gazing at me intently.

  "Uh-huh... okay, kiddo knows he was wrong..." I'm not Fang Lao's meathead who only grows muscle and not brain, I'm a grown-up with autonomous consciousness, deeply understanding the socialist eight honors and eight shames modern youth traveler (extremely strong note: not a volunteer).

  "Good, good, good... You're indeed the daughter's child, Fang Sheng. Look at how sensible Second Young Master is." Lu Shi held my face in her hands, lifted up her head to look at me, with a proud expression on her face.

  "Indeed... worthy of Young Master Jun..." The old man's face was slightly twisted, as if his stomach was cramping. When did I develop a habit of observing others' expressions? It's strange. "Milady, milady..." A servant rushed over in a hurry.

  "What's the big deal, it's just a trivial matter." Lu Shi suddenly transformed into a different person, from a kind mother to a strict mistress of a wealthy family, leaving me staring in amazement. Is this acting?

  "Madam, forgive me. His Majesty King Wu has arrived to pay his respects to the young master... He is waiting in the front hall." The servant stammered.

  "Who?!" Wu Wang was slightly stunned, did I know him?

  "Your Majesty's third son, Wu Wang Li Ke, is a clever boy. It's been a while since we last met, so be more careful. Although you have epilepsy, don't be too reckless in front of the Emperor." Lu Shi was somewhat uneasy and whispered to me while pulling my hand.

  "Alright, I know." He replied with his mouth, but his mind was still in a daze. Wu Wang Li Ge, he seemed to have vaguely heard of this guy's name from TV dramas. The ending... Oh my god!... it seemed that Fang Yi Ai being executed had something to do with this rebel. His head was a mess, and he followed the servant in a daze towards the front yard...

  --

  As soon as I entered the front hall, I saw a tall and handsome young man in his early twenties sitting upright on the soft couch, slowly savoring tea. He was wearing a luxurious dark blue silk shirt that showed off his elegant demeanor, looking like Takeshi Kaneshiro. His electric eyes sparkled with charm as he thanked the maid who was pouring him tea, and sure enough, the maid immediately became flustered, her face turning bright red, almost dropping the teapot. If this were on the street, she would probably have been screaming with excitement already. With his refined manners, there was a hint of evil charm, too handsome to the point of being excessive, so handsome that it's suspicious, coming to my house to flirt with my sister, looks like this guy is here to sabotage me, how despicable!

  He stomped his feet heavily, and the man with electric eyes finally shifted his gaze from the blushing maid to the doorway. As soon as he saw me, his eyes lit up: "Ah... Brother Jun, I was worried about you! Have your injuries improved these past few days? The other day, I met with Fang Xiang, and after hearing what he had to say, I was truly anxious. Today, I specifically made time to come visit my younger brother."

  The evil spirit's electric eyes man jumped down from the soft couch, walked over with big steps, and wanted to hold my hand, with a worried face.

  "Ah..." Are we familiar? Both the elder and younger brothers have come out. "Your Highness... your humble servant... I, little brother... uh, what was it again, I've met Your Highness before." Damn this ancient era, Lu Shi is really something, why didn't they tell me how to address myself first.

  Maybe my expression was a bit distorted, and this Li Shuai was at a loss for what to do. Holding hands wasn't right, not holding hands wasn't right either, maintaining a hook shape, but still very handsome. The maid standing by with an odd expression, her face red, seemed to be suffocating, her eyes rolling wildly.

  "His Majesty King Wu, please forgive my son's offense. He has a headache and often forgets things of the past... considering my humble face..." Just then, a lifesaver arrived. Ah, I should say that my mother, Madame Lu, walked in from outside with a dignified and elegant smile on her face, looking like she was about to give a speech at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  "Li Ke has seen Mrs. Fang before. After his mother asked him to ask about Mrs. Lu on her behalf." Li Ke smoothly bowed to Lu, his movements fluid and natural, as if the earlier awkwardness had never occurred.

  "Your Highness has killed me." Lu's face was slightly smiling, and she nodded slightly in response, patting my hand: "Jun'er, this is Wu Wang Ke, Your Highness. You don't remember? Usually, you two don't distinguish between superior and inferior, calling each other De Ge and Jun Ge. I've scolded you many times for it, but you never listen. I didn't think that today... Ah, forget about the past, and you'd actually become estranged." Lu's gentle voice echoed in my ear. My strong mother, timely rescue, selling cakes, amnesia, perfect excuse.

  "...to De brother, little brother... Little brother was injured a few days ago, here..." I pointed to my head and gestured: "So many things can't be remembered..."

  Li Ke seemed to want to smile, with a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth: "No need, I came specifically to see my younger brother today. If there's anything you can't remember, it doesn't matter, I'll remind you at any time." Today, I came especially... Li Shuai's eyes flickered rapidly, his gaze darting towards the door, just like when he and his former classmates used to cover for each other. It was too familiar, almost as if one of his old classmates had traveled through time with him.

  Helplessly, she stayed with Lu: "Mother, I'll accompany the master here, you should go rest first. These past few days, Mother has been working tirelessly, I really..."

  "It's still my son who understands me, Your Highness, please forgive me for being rude...". Lu Shi turned her face and beckoned to Ding, a well-known family servant, in a slightly stern tone: "Fang Cheng, remember, follow the young master closely, don't take half a step away from him. If anything happens to the young master, I will hold you accountable."

  "Little one, obey..." Pitifully, the rough and unrefined Fang Cheng stood before his mother-in-law like a sheep. It seems that in the esteemed House of Fang of the Tang Dynasty, my old mom is the one in charge.

  "The kid will definitely listen, mom don't worry too much." Cool, looking at this nearly two-meter-tall, muscularly-packed bodyguard, wearing a tight-fitting suit, walking down the street with an air of confidence, not afraid of fighting or collecting protection fees.

  "I bid you farewell..."

  "Mother walks slowly""Mrs. Fang walks slowly"I see off Mother with Li Ke.

  "Good brother... indeed a high move, I really admire you." Just after Mom had moved to the back hall, Li Shuai beside me gave me a thumbs up. This guy doesn't look like that polite and modest Li Ke from TV dramas at all.

  "What?!" Is there really a high bid?!

  "Alright, alright, stop pretending. Let's go, Hua Mei is still waiting outside. To celebrate your escape from the evil clutches of your brother, I'll treat you today at Yun Wen Pavilion..." Li Ke pulled me up impatiently and we left.

  Stumbling out of the Fang Fu, Li Ke dragged him out and saw a luxurious carriage parked outside. The window curtain was lifted, and a delicate face appeared in the window, with a slightly tilted cloud bun, pouting her small mouth, and a pair of eyes more agile than a green butterfly, anxiously looking around. Estimated age: 14 or 15... Wow, another little loli! Are all the beautiful women in the Tang Dynasty lolis?

  "Third brother is here! ...How come it took so long, waiting for Xiaomei to almost sit still." The voice was tender and gentle, better than many singers in later generations.

  Just then, Li Ke gave me a slap on the shoulder: "Go up, do you want to wait for your mother to catch us again?" The temperament of Li Shuai Guo, originally gentle and courteous, was gone, replaced by a perfect spoiled brat.

  "Oh..." I responded, using my hands and feet to climb onto the carriage, and poked my head inside. Before I could even sit down properly, I heard that pretty little loli exclaim: "How dare you!" Her voice was crisp and clear...

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  P.S: I hope you all find it funny after reading, that's the effect I need. Life is already too heavy, and when reading books, I hope everyone can get a sense of relaxation.