The bell and drum struck four times. The Lantian Marquis residence’s lights lit up one after another. The servants busily started fires and boiled water, preparing for the master to wash and make breakfast. The stable hand washed and brushed the great blue horse clean, preparing the saddle and bridle. The personal guards dressed in new clothes, inserting their sabers into their waist belt guards. Aunt Yun bustled back and forth, not daring to be careless in the slightest. Today was the first time the head of household would attend the grand court assembly to have an audience with His Majesty.

There are no human rights! Yun Ye was pulled from bed with great difficulty by the old madam. He stood drowsily by the bedside, allowing the old madam to wipe his face and brush his teeth. The bitterness of the willow twig didn’t drive away his sleepiness.

The old madam wouldn’t allow the maidservants to help. She lovingly washed her grandson with warm water herself. Daya and Xiao Ya supported their brother from behind, afraid he might accidentally fall.

He put on his official robes, wore the golden crown—since he wasn’t yet an adult, he couldn’t wear an official hat—changed into thin-soled deerskin quick boots on his feet, securely fastened the ceremonial sword to his belt. Not until the old madam wanted to apply powder to his face did Yun Ye suddenly wake up. He couldn’t apply this—he wasn’t a transvestite. He quickly said it was getting late, so he wouldn’t apply powder. The old madam’s face was full of regret, feeling her grandson should be able to dress up even more beautifully.

He swallowed a large bowl of thin porridge in two or three bites. Feeling his spirit return to his body, he was naturally refreshed and invigorated.

The central gate of the Yun residence opened. Maidservants and servants stood on both sides. The old madam, wiping tears, was supported by the housekeeper aunt as she sent Yun Ye out. The little girls also cried in streams. He hurriedly consoled them—it wasn’t a separation of life and death, just attending morning court.

Since it wasn’t yet time to open the ward gates, the entire ward market was quiet. A cold, thin crescent moon hung in the sky. It was now four o’clock in the morning. The clip-clop of horse hooves was especially crisp. Yun Ye exhaled a puff of white breath, once again cursing the inhumanity of morning court.

Aunt Yun had already greeted the ward official. The ward official, whose waist was hung with keys, opened the four ward gates one by one and requested Yun Ye’s signature. Those below the third rank didn’t have the qualification to open side doors in the ward walls. Tang law stipulated that no one could open ward gates at night without reason. Those who did so without authorization would be exiled three thousand li. Three thousand li! Whether to desolate wilderness or remote backwater, they wouldn’t let you be comfortable.

Turning out of Yong’an Ward, he came to Vermillion Bird Avenue. On the street there were only patrolling soldiers, no other officials passing by. After verifying his identity, the military soldiers of the Military Commissioner all saluted in unison, leaving two men carrying huge lanterns to lead the way ahead.

The Taiji Palace was in the north of the city, built against the mountain. Yun Ye needed to traverse more than half of Chang’an City to arrive. Residing facing south with one’s back to the north was an imperial privilege. Of course, ordinary common people living in north-facing rooms was harmless—Li Er wouldn’t manage even this.

There were more and more carriages and horses on the street. Upon seeing the marquis residence’s ceremonial procession, they all stopped their horses and halted their carriages, waiting for Yun Ye to pass by with his nose in the air before moving.

Yun Ye struck Liu Jinbao with his whip: “Can’t you be less arrogant? You’re making others think you’re the marquis.”

Liu Jinbao hurriedly shrank his neck, turned his head and grinned stupidly at the marquis, provoking a burst of laughter from the surrounding personal guards.

They arrived at the Imperial City. From afar he could see the gate brilliantly lit, heads crowding together, mutually clasping hands in salute, talking and exchanging pleasantries—a harmonious scene. However, looking at the flames flickering everywhere on the torches, one knew that countless deadly conflicts were brewing, waiting to erupt at morning court.

Yun Ye was a military official. Before his eyes were all civil officials. Seeing Yun Ye, a mere youth, yet wearing a purple-gold crown on his head, dressed in fourth-rank crimson robes, a ceremonial sword representing military official status hanging at his waist, but with an unfamiliar face, they whispered to each other making inquiries. Yet no one knew him, so they arbitrarily assumed he was some family’s child who had inherited his father’s noble rank and come to the grand court assembly to gain some experience.

“Stinking brat, what are you doing in a pile of civil officials when you’re a military official?” His neck hurt—a familiar feeling. He didn’t struggle.

Old Cheng completely ignored the civil officials’ contemptuous gazes, hauling Yun Ye to the front military official formation and setting him behind himself: “This old man will introduce you to the various elders. They’re all heroes who came through life-and-death battles. Don’t be discourteous.”

Yun Ye hurriedly agreed. He exchanged a glance with Cheng Chumo in his green robes, and together they followed Old Cheng’s steps.

“This is your Uncle Qin, this old man’s life-and-death friend. His health isn’t good now. You boy are full of strange abilities—tomorrow examine your Uncle Qin carefully!”

A tall man with a waxy yellow complexion stood ahead, smiling as he looked at Yun Ye. After Yun Ye made a grand bow in respect, he helped him up and scrutinized him from top to bottom: “What a handsome young man. Zhijie has told this old man all about you. It’s just unfortunate not to have met your master—truly a regrettable matter. That you could stab out the bad news in advance, this old man recognizes you as a good child. None but one of great compassion could do this. When your household is settled, come to this old man’s home and we’ll talk in detail.”

For a moment, Yun Ye couldn’t connect the amiable old man before him with the supremely righteous Qin Qiong, Qin Shubao from “Romance of the Sui and Tang.” He’d seen him often before—almost every household had a painting of his venerable self on their door. It was said his venerable self had eight hundred famous friends and countless unknown friends. Astride his yellow charger, wearing a purple-gold crown on his head, draped in golden chain mail armor, a pair of copper maces on his back, wielding a tiger-head gold-bored spear—taking an enemy general’s head from amid ten thousand troops was like reaching into a bag for an object. Yet such a peerless hero was hunched over, occasionally coughing lightly. Looking at this hero who had less than ten years of life remaining, Yun Ye choked up and couldn’t speak.

Old Cheng’s expression was very poor. He saw all of Yun Ye’s reactions. It should be regret, yes, regret. Thinking of how his old brother had fought all his life, seizing three passes by day, capturing eight strongholds by night, with martial prowess few in the world could match, receiving the title Duke Yiguo and Grand Pillar of State when the new emperor ascended the throne—what was there to regret? Only his health made Old Cheng worry. His old brother had once said: “From youth in military service, experiencing more than two hundred battles, repeatedly suffering severe wounds, calculating all the blood I’ve shed amounts to several pecks—how could I not be ill?” This boy didn’t think highly of his old brother’s health. Tomorrow, yes tomorrow, he’d grab this boy and make him think of ways to cure his old brother’s injuries and illnesses.

Yun Ye didn’t know Old Cheng was already scheming against him. He was still conversing in low voices with Qin Qiong, constantly asking about the old Duke’s past heroic bearing, frequently making Qin Qiong laugh heartily. He developed great fondness for this overly familiar boy.

“This boy is the Marquis of Lantian, isn’t he?” A pitch-black mountain moved over—eight feet tall and also eight feet around the waist. He had no neck at all, his face covered in unruly whiskers. He lifted Yun Ye to face him: “This old man wants to have a good look at what kind of boy can offer grain with a yield of fifty dan per mu.”

Yun Ye felt like he was caught in an animal trap, his whole body unable to move. Without asking, this must be Yuchi Dasha’s father, Yuchi Laosha. He originally wanted to call him Uncle Yuchi, but thinking of his ordeal at Niu Jinda’s hands, feeling indignant in his heart—not everyone could just pick him up like a chicken—he temporarily changed his mind and shouted “Yuchi Laosha” several times in his heart to console his weak little soul.

“Uncle Yuchi, may you be well. Your nephew Yun Ye pays his respects to you.” He hurriedly answered. If he delayed any longer, he might end up half-paralyzed again.

“Boy has decent features in his eyes and brows, just a thin body. Holding you in hand, there’s no weight. Not like us good fellows from the military.” This fellow immediately stamped Yun Ye with the mark of being half-crippled with one opening of his mouth.

“Looking like you with no human appearance, who would my seven or eight daughters marry? Except for your Black and White sisters-in-law who were blind enough to take a fancy to you, wouldn’t other young ladies jump into wells at the sight of your Living King of Hell’s face?”

Good heavens, who is this? So bold? Even Yuchi Gong’s jokes can be made so casually? He stared dumbstruck at the approaching figure—graceful bearing, purple robes cut to fit perfectly, court tablet held in his bosom, sleeves fluttering like an immortal.

“Taoist nose, you don’t speak human words. No wonder your household is full of daughters—Heaven is punishing you!” Yuchi Laosha wasn’t weak either, cursing back immediately.

If Yun Ye still didn’t know the name of this person who’d arrived, he’d have watched “Romance of the Sui and Tang” in vain. Xu Maogong, now called Li Shiji, who in the future after Li Er kicked the bucket would be called Li Ji—he’d have to avoid using the emperor’s personal name. Born a bandit, heart ruthless enough, hands vicious enough, following three masters and one and a half died. Fortunately Li Er had great fortune and wouldn’t be cursed to death for the time being. Since he couldn’t curse Li Er to death, only he himself could be unlucky. In the future he’d have a son, and his son would give him a grandson called Li Jingye, who would very professionally rebel, with the result that he’d rebel his entire family into Iron Hill tomb.

Stay away from this fellow. This was an inauspicious figure. Especially his daughters mustn’t be married—whoever married them would be unlucky. Moreover, he had a habit of using his sons-in-law as scapegoats, taking a knife to them. He’d eliminated two out of three sons-in-law, with one more narrowly escaping death to become legendary. This affair would occur during the eastern expedition against Goguryeo. Even if his daughters were celestial beauties, they mustn’t be married.

He hypocritically paid respects to Uncle Li, absolutely achieving the utmost reverence. Flattering words poured endlessly from his mouth in a torrent. Who in the twenty-first century couldn’t handle flattery?

Uncle Li’s face glowed red and his whole body shook. His eyes and mouth twisted askew as if he wanted to vomit. Cheng Chumo rubbed his arms in a state of having goosebumps all over his body, hesitating whether to come over and cover Yun Ye’s mouth. Old Cheng was somewhat stunned. Qin Qiong’s face showed unusual expression. Yuchi Gong’s face was full of fury—just now Yun Ye hadn’t flattered him like this.

“Uncle Li possesses both civil and martial virtue, laughing proudly across the world. With one raised hand rivers flow backward, with one palm turned over, mountains collapse and earth splits, wuwu…”

Li Ji finally couldn’t take it anymore and covered Yun Ye’s mouth: “Stinking brat, where did you learn such crooked ways?” He was somewhat dizzy from Yun Ye’s flattery and hadn’t yet comprehended the reasoning within. He just felt this boy had a loose tongue and lacked military integrity, looking down on Yun Ye somewhat from the bottom of his heart.