Chapter Twenty-Nine: Lady Lü

After obtaining this incarnation, all of Li Yu’s plans were thrown into disarray. Although Yanfei had given him a stern warning that this technique must not be used recklessly nor shared with others, lest disaster befall him, this was no mere trick of deception like the Zhu family’s illusion; it was a true duality of soul and body, potentially even two separate lives, though Li Yu had not dared to test its limits.

He took Yanfei’s warning as an expression of care, readily agreeing to everything, and marveling at her generosity—she was indeed the legendary ideal candidate for a proper wife. From that night forward, Yanfei moved into Li Yu’s home, much to his delight; his house was beginning to feel more and more like a real home.

Yanfei, however, refused to share a room with Li Yu, claiming that they had not yet formally married, and settled in the room next to his.

Today, Li Yu planned to visit Prime Minister Lü’s residence to discuss the details of their expedition to Han. The support of Lü Buwei was indispensable to the plan; though Lü was not as powerful as he once was, decades of political experience and a vast network of protégés made him a force to be reckoned with—at least half the officials in court owed their positions to his patronage.

On this festive occasion, not wishing to arrive empty-handed, Li Yu wrote a couplet himself, with Yanfei grinding the ink for him—a scene imbued with warmth.

When he knocked on the Lü residence’s gates, a girl in her teens opened the door, eyeing Li Yu curiously. “Who are you looking for?” she asked.

“I am Li Yu, come to pay New Year’s respects to Prime Minister Lü,” Li Yu replied with a bow.

“You’re looking for my father? He’s entertaining guests. Many people have come today—you’re late!” the girl explained.

Li Yu stared in surprise at the girl. “Are you the Prime Minister’s daughter?” She didn’t resemble Lü Buwei at all, who was quite unattractive.

In truth, Li Yu was mistaken; Lü Buwei had been quite handsome in his youth, though age had now withered him.

The girl glanced at the calligraphy in Li Yu’s hand. “Everyone’s giving calligraphy and paintings this year—yours is nothing new.”

Li Yu knew well that calligraphy was in vogue this year, thanks in no small part to the widespread use of paper.

“Miss, my calligraphy is unlike any other,” Li Yu said with confident smile.

“Everyone says that,” she replied, clearly skeptical.

Li Yu felt exasperated—was this girl raised among renowned artists?

Just then, Lü Buwei approached, seeing Li Yu at the door. He hurried forward, smiling. “What an honored guest! How could my daughter refuse you at the door? Grand Craftsman, please, come in.” He opened the gate wide and gestured for Li Yu to enter.

“You’re the Grand Craftsman? You invented paper?” the girl asked in surprise.

“That’s right,” Li Yu nodded, smiling.

“I thought you’d be an old man! Turns out you’re just a kid—only a few years older than Gan Luo!” she exclaimed.

Li Yu nearly stumbled—children speak without filter, he reminded himself silently.

Lü Buwei came forward, apologizing, “Don’t mind her, Grand Craftsman. My daughter is spoiled.”

Li Yu nodded, indicating he took no offense, and followed Lü Buwei into the reception hall.

The hall was crowded, and when Li Yu entered, everyone paused in surprise—not many had expected him, as his circles rarely overlapped with theirs.

Those quick to react greeted him with a bow, and the others soon followed suit. Li Yu responded to each in turn, finally approaching Lü Buwei and presenting his calligraphy.

Lü Buwei hadn’t expected Li Yu’s visit, and upon opening the scroll, laughed heartily. “Li Yu, your calligraphy is excellent!”

He handed the scroll to Lü Fang, who read it aloud:

“Like the noble squire, revered among sages.
Seeking wisdom through study, bearing the way with humility.
Poetry and classics as compass, a model for scholarship.
Ascending with the times, leader among scholars.”

Lü Buwei was thoroughly pleased, and the crowd nodded in agreement, praising Li Yu’s literary talent.

“A sycophant’s verse—what’s so good about it?” came an untimely voice. Li Yu saw it was Lü Buwei’s daughter.

Lü Buwei frowned. “Insolent—such lack of manners! Get out!”

The girl stuck out her tongue and dashed away.

Lü Buwei shook his head apologetically. “My daughter, Niangrong, has been spoiled from a young age—I hope you won’t mind.”

Li Yu shook his head, smiling. “Your daughter’s innocence and liveliness are blessings, Prime Minister.”

“What brings you to see me today?” Lü Buwei asked.

Li Yu bowed and glanced around at the others, his meaning clear.

Lü Buwei smiled. “Then wait for me in the study a moment; I’ll join you soon.”

Lü Buwei led the way to the study. Behind the rockery, Niangrong watched Li Yu depart, clearly plotting some mischief.

Li Yu didn’t wait long in the study before the door cracked open and a small head peeked in.

“Miss Lü,” Li Yu greeted, rising.

Niangrong, fearless, grinned. “I heard the Grand Craftsman is skilled in archery and horsemanship—would you show me your martial arts?”

She drew a whip and lashed it at Li Yu.

Startled, Li Yu dodged quickly, sending the study into chaos. Fortunately, his progress in Taiji, especially after breaking through with Yanfei, had greatly improved his agility and perception—otherwise, he would have been in real trouble.

As footsteps neared outside, Niangrong stowed away the whip and slipped out the window, leaving behind a devastated room and a shaken Li Yu.

When Lü Buwei opened the door, he immediately understood the situation, and could only helplessly lead Li Yu to another room. “My daughter is rarely by my side—she’s always with her two older brothers, so her temperament is rather unruly.”

Li Yu waved off the concern, adopting a sage-like tone. “It’s nothing—youth is the age of carefree joy.”

Lü Buwei paused, thinking, “You’re not even older than her…” but didn’t say it aloud. Li Yu, after all, could never be measured by his age.

Li Yu said, “Prime Minister, I’ve come to discuss the expedition to Han. How are your arrangements?”

Lü Buwei stroked his beard. “Preparations are nearly complete; all that remains is for you to oversee the overall command. I’ve never seen such a war—fascinating.”

Li Yu replied, “In this era, the nobles hold sway, which is its greatest flaw. They’ve never understood the power of the people, nor cared for their voice.”

Li Yu was troubled; if things continued as they were, the famous phrase, ‘Are nobles and generals born of a different breed?’ might never come to pass, altering the course of Chinese civilization.

But, as the saying goes, the river finds its way at the bridge; talents emerge with each generation. The future belongs to those who come after.

Li Yu hoped that through this eastern campaign, Ying Zheng would witness the destructive power of the people, and at least gain some reverence for them.

Lü Buwei observed Li Yu closely—the more he watched, the more extraordinary this young man seemed, as if he didn’t belong to this age, his ideas utterly out of step with the times.

Had Li Yu known Lü Buwei’s thoughts, he would have been astonished.

Suddenly, Lü Buwei, as if struck by an idea, asked, “Grand Craftsman, what do you think of my daughter’s looks?”

Li Yu was stunned. What did he mean?

Recovering, he smiled, “Miss Lü is intelligent, lively, and a heroine among women.”

“Are you married, Grand Craftsman?” Lü Buwei pressed.

Li Yu replied earnestly, “I am unworthy, but I already have five wives.” If he couldn’t guess Lü Buwei’s intentions now, he would be a fool. He had no desire to be tangled further with Lü Buwei—things were complicated enough because of Zhao Ji.

Five wives—what madness! Lü Buwei was thunderstruck by Li Yu’s answer.

“You mean five spouses?” Lü Buwei wanted to confirm.

Li Yu nodded.

Well, this eccentric youngster was truly unconventional—marrying Niangrong to him might not bring her happiness. Lü Buwei dropped the matter and shifted the discussion.

He knew Niangrong had feelings for Li Yu; it was best to cut them off quickly—perhaps he should send her back to her hometown soon.

Leaving Lü Buwei’s residence, Li Yu stood at a crossroads—south led to Liu Feixu’s, north to Zhao Ji’s.

Should he try it? Li Yu was tempted.

But then he realized he hadn’t brought extra clothes; one incarnation would have to go about naked. He had to give up and went first to Zhao Ji’s.

The New Year had passed, and Zhao Ji’s plan to leave Xianyang Palace was underway, with her destination being Yong City’s Grand Zheng Palace. When Li Yu learned Zhao Ji was moving there, he was startled—fate had come full circle, and now it was his turn.

Li Yu habitually lay in Zhao Ji’s embrace, stroking her majestic form. “Mother, why must you go to Grand Zheng Palace?”

Zhao Ji stroked Li Yu’s head. “Yong City was the old capital of Qin, and Grand Zheng Palace was its ancient palace. It’s conveniently located—I’ve thought long and hard before deciding.”

Li Yu nodded, unconcerned; at worst, he could escape with Zhao Ji. He was unafraid—though he hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

As long as their secrecy held, there was no wall he couldn’t scale.

…

After accompanying Zhao Ji, Li Yu visited Liu Feixu, and by the time he returned home it was already evening. Like a husband returning from a day’s labor, Yanfei diligently helped him fetch water and wash his face, making Li Yu feel embarrassed.

He insisted on doing it himself.

At night, the two dared not practice the Twelve Emperor’s Arts again; though it was exhilarating, they feared another incarnation might appear. Li Yu wasn’t bothered, but the woman disagreed—it couldn’t be done alone.

Jingni, three months pregnant, already showed a maternal glow, no longer wearing her close-fitting dress and fishnet stockings, which Li Yu found regrettable.

Seeing Jingni in her home clothes, Li Yu handed her a cup of goat’s milk. “Sister Jingni, goat’s milk is good for the pregnancy. Drink more—I’ll take care of Xiao He and bring you a cup every day.”

“Thank you,” Jingni replied sincerely.

Li Yu loved seeing Jingni so earnest, wondering if she’d be like that in bed one day.

Just then, Tian Mi, nearly forgotten, approached Li Yu and said, “Sir, do you have a moment? I wish to speak with you privately.”

Li Yu glanced at her. “Come to my room.”

He entered first, waited for Tian Mi to follow, then sat, watching to see what she would say.

Once ready, Tian Mi walked up to Li Yu, suddenly kneeling with an aggrieved expression. “Sir, I’ve thought it through—I am willing to serve you and help you control the Peasant Faction.”

Li Yu shook his head. “I’m not much interested in the Peasant Faction—a scattered lot, not a real force. I want more than the Peasant Faction; I want the entire martial world to speak with one voice. Your joining them is merely the first step. I’ll support you to become the leader of Kuiwei Hall. I hear the current leader, Wu Kuang, is fond of you—you can use this.”

Tian Mi was stunned. Was she to employ her charms against Wu Kuang? Wasn’t she meant to seduce Li Yu? Now she had to seduce that brute? Was this all she was good for? She was unwilling.

Thinking this, Tian Mi suddenly became coquettish, casting Li Yu a sultry glance. “Are you really willing to let me go to that brute’s den? Don’t you have any pity for a beauty like me?” She reached out toward Li Yu’s crotch.

Li Yu responded coldly, “You want to be my woman? Only if you ever lose your selfishness. And I detest those who imagine themselves clever. You should know what most attracts me about you. Don’t play games with me.”

He stood, walked to the door, and paused. “In a few days, Lord Changping will collect you. Entering my household isn’t easy—many wish to, but few succeed, least of all you.” As he said this, he thought of Zhao Ji and Hu Ji. As for Liu Feixu, she could come anytime, but chose to remain at Yixiang Court to help Li Yu.

Sure enough, that afternoon, Liu Feixu brought Li Yu news that made him tremble with excitement. At last, it could begin.