Chapter Fifty-Six: Crimson Attire and Integrity!

"Brother Yi, you’re back!" As soon as Li Xueyan saw Li Yi return, she hurriedly got up and ran to his side, concern written on her face. Bingyu brought over some sobering soup and a towel, and Li Xueyan carefully wiped Li Yi’s face. Changle had wanted to help as well, but after a moment’s thought, she quietly withdrew her foot.

After drinking the soup, Li Yi finally felt a bit more clearheaded.

"Out with it—who slipped out without permission this time?"

"Brother Yi, don’t worry! We all asked for leave this time!"

Li Yi let out a sigh of relief. "That’s good, then."

"Brother Li, what about Lichen?"

Seeing Li Zixuan’s worried face, Li Yi smiled wryly. "What, you’re already missing him? It’s only been a week! He’ll be in training for three months, you know. This is just the beginning. Don’t worry, nothing will happen to him!"

Li Zixuan replied glumly, "Oh."

Li Yi couldn’t help but chuckle. "Alright, here’s what we’ll do. You and Xueyan can visit them at noon, but only for fourteen days—and not every day, at most seven days. You can’t stay too long each time, or it’ll interfere with their training. Is that okay?"

A bright smile broke out on Li Zixuan’s face, and she nodded in agreement.

Changle, who had been listening from the side, was confused. "Li Yi, what are you up to now?"

"What do you mean, 'up to'? I’m handling proper business, of course."

"Well, my father will be organizing a winter hunt with the ministers in two days. Will you be going?"

"Winter hunt? What’s that?"

"Every year, my father enjoys hosting a winter hunt, inviting ministers of the fifth rank and above and their families. The purpose is to strengthen ties between the royal family and the ministers. I’m not sure why, but it’s earlier than usual this year."

Li Yi paused, surprised. Earlier than usual? "Isn’t this just a social gathering? Looks like Li Er has been troubled lately. Or perhaps he’s trying to lure out a snake from its hole... Ah, the emperor’s mind is even more complicated than a woman’s."

Changle, seeing Li Yi lost in thought, pouted so much she could almost hang a vinegar jar on her lips. "So, are you going or not?"

"I’d rather not go; I’m busy enough as it is. But do you think I can afford not to? I just returned home and hardly know anyone. This is a perfect opportunity; how could I miss it?"

"Then it’s settled!"

"Wait, you’re not going too, are you?"

"What, you don’t want me to go?"

"Of course not! By the way, does anyone here know Daoist Master Yuan Tiangang?" Li Yi suddenly remembered he hadn’t yet visited that legendary figure since coming to Chang’an. His master had specifically instructed him to do so; he couldn’t delay any longer.

Changle stared in surprise. "You know Master Yuan?"

"More than just know him. By seniority, I should call him Senior Brother!"

Everyone cried out in astonishment. "Senior Brother?"

"Brother Yi, Master Yuan is over fifty years old!"

"Uh, that’s what my master told me. How would I know?"

"Oh! I forgot—Brother Yi’s master is Master Wang!"

Changle finally understood. "Master Yuan lives at Xuandu Palace in Chongye Ward, but he’s rarely there; he often travels far and wide."

Li Yi nodded. "I see. Thank you."

...

The girls sat together a while longer before they left as a group. Li Yi followed, for he needed to return to the Jiang estate to continue training the boys.

On the way he said, "Bingyu, prepare two gifts for me tomorrow. Let’s see—some furniture, wine, and tea, bring some of each. Oh, and a chef who can cook new-style dishes."

"Young Master, why so many things?"

"What do you think? I’d be terribly rude if I didn’t pay a visit since Xueyan’s parents have been back for so long. It’s thanks to Aunt’s reminder. Tomorrow, she’ll take me to visit the Prince of Rencheng’s residence."

"Then why two gifts?"

"Take a guess."

"Oh! The second one is for the Emperor, isn’t it?"

"You clever girl, you know but still you ask!"

"But what reason will you give for sending them?"

"What reason do I need? He’d be thrilled for me to take the initiative. If I don’t bring something, I bet he’d ask for it himself!"

Bingyu’s eyes widened. "Really? You must be joking, Young Master. He’s the Emperor!"

"Sigh, Bingyu, you’re still too innocent..."

...

When Li Yi arrived at the Jiang estate, he found the boys practicing obstacle runs. He looked around and saw no one slacking off, nodding with satisfaction. These were truly talented young men chosen from the various armies—his grandfather hadn’t wasted his favors in the selection. Still, as long as they were well trained, it would be worth it.

In the evening, Li Yi gathered them for a talk.

"Congratulations. You’ve survived Hell Week. Starting tomorrow, you’ll enter Purgatory Week. As always, I’ll be waiting for you all to pass through the Inferno—when you do, I’ll hold a celebration for you myself! Now, let’s begin class. Today’s lesson is infiltration through disguise. What does that mean? It means..."

...

The next morning, after his exercises, Li Yi returned to the Li residence.

"Oh dear, Aunt, what are you doing?" In his room, Li Yi looked anxious, arms crossed defensively over his chest, shrinking into a corner, while Madam Cui stood holding a bright red object, amused and exasperated.

"You rascal, I’m just going to put some makeup on you—why are you dodging?"

Li Yi’s eyes were wide as saucers. "Makeup? Why would a grown man need makeup?"

Madam Cui rolled her eyes. "So men don’t wear makeup? You’re visiting someone today, so of course you should be formal. Makeup is essential! Stop fussing and hurry up!"

Only then did Li Yi remember that men in the Tang dynasty often wore makeup. Even Chairman Mao had said, "Not fond of rouge, but of arms," yet here Tang men preferred rouge to arms! "Damn, how could I forget such a thing? No, they’re them, I’m me. I can’t lose my dignity over this. Absolutely not!"

After a moment’s thought, Li Yi tried, "Aunt, just look at your nephew’s face—so handsome and distinguished! I really don’t think makeup is necessary."

The way he cringed, as if a speck of powder might land on him, made Madam Cui shake her head in amusement. Only today did she realize her nephew was actually afraid of something.

She looked at Li Yi, then at the bright red rouge in her hand, and finally put it down with a sigh. "Alright, alright, we’ll do as you say. With a face as handsome as yours, you really don’t need it."

Li Yi sprang up in delight. "Long live Aunt!"

Madam Cui laughed. "You rascal, always causing trouble. Since you’re not putting on makeup, let’s go quickly!"

"Yes! Let’s be off!"

...

At that very moment in the Prince of Rencheng’s residence, a similar scene was unfolding.

"Miss, it’s time to put on your makeup!"

Li Xueyan puffed out her cheeks like a bun. "Makeup? No way! Mother knows I like Brother Yi, yet she wants me to see someone else? No, I won’t wear it!"

Yiyi, the maid, was taken aback. "Miss, isn’t the guest today your future husband?"

Li Xueyan froze. "What? Brother Yi is coming today? He didn’t tell me!"

"Maybe he wanted to surprise you. I heard from Lady’s maid Xiaodie last night that the guest is the Duke of Weiguo’s grandson—so it must be him."

"Really? That’s wonderful! Hmph, rotten Li Yi, coming to my house without telling me first. Yiyi, check if my hair is messy. Oh no, why am I wearing this dress!"

"Miss, please don’t panic. You look fine—just need a little makeup."

"Makeup? Brother Yi doesn’t like me with makeup! Go find me another dress, this one is so ugly!"

"Yes, Miss, right away!"

...

Half an hour later, Yiyi called out loudly, "Miss, Miss, your future husband is here!"

Meanwhile, Li Yi was hesitating at the prince’s front gate, nerves stretched taut. It was like a bride entering the sedan chair, or a groom making his first visit—his first time at this. In all his lives, past and present, he’d never had any experience with this sort of thing. Of course he was nervous!

"Rascal, why are you dawdling? With me here, what’s there to fear?"

Li Yi clenched his teeth. "It’s do or die. If I can’t get through this, there’s no point even thinking about facing Li Er. Let’s go!"

He shut his eyes, gritted his teeth, and strode inside.