Chapter Four The Moon Goddess's Residence

Walking along the bustling streets of Xianyang, watching the throngs of people coming and going, Li Yu, after more than half a year of living and interacting here, had gradually blended into this world. Yet the loneliness that descended with nightfall was something only Li Yu could truly understand.

Although an orphan in the modern world, even orphans have friends. He wondered if his friends would be sad or troubled by his disappearance, and whether the person who had tried to force him into marriage would regret it—though perhaps not, for that man had adopted more than just Li Yu. He wished him health and longevity; in that era, someone like him was already a rare, outstanding soul.

Glancing at Gai Nie, who walked half a step ahead, Li Yu caught up and asked, “Brother Gai, is there a woman you admire?” Gai Nie continued forward as if he hadn’t heard. Li Yu pressed on, “Or do you prefer men, Brother Gai?” At this, Gai Nie could no longer maintain his composure. He turned to Li Yu and replied, “A man must establish his career before he starts a family.”

Li Yu found this tedious; soon they’d all be wanted fugitives—what talk of careers? It would be better to focus on passing on one’s lineage, preserving one’s genes at least! Unlike Gai Nie, who risked his life to protect other people’s children—Li Yu could not fathom this logic. The minds of the ancients truly worked differently from those of modern people.

After crossing two streets, they arrived at a grand residence along a lively road. The mansion bore no name, but on the plaque above the gate were four bold characters: “Welcoming Worthy Talent.” On either side, parallel couplets read: “In Qin, there are many who seek talent, searching the world for swift steeds; Xianyang holds an open heart, always respecting men of virtue since ancient times.” The words, worn with age, spoke of Qin’s eagerness to recruit the wise.

Excitement welled in Li Yu’s heart as he watched Gai Nie knock on the gate and step inside. They were received by an elderly man, evidently in charge of hospitality, who, recognizing Gai Nie as one of the king’s personal guards and seeing the royal warrant, led them to a separate house. The layout resembled an ancient villa complex; each house was detached, two stories high, and similar in style.

The old man knocked on a door, which was opened by a woman. Seeing Gai Nie, she asked, “What business does the king have with me?” Li Yu, upon seeing her, felt a slight disappointment, but his innate appreciation for beauty soon took over. The woman’s first impression was one of mystery, tinged with noble aloofness. Her purple hair was coiled atop her head, with two strands hanging on either side, adorned with sky-blue crystal hairpins. Behind her, blue hair ornaments fanned out like a halo, silvered leaves and beads adding delicate flourishes.

An ice-blue, teardrop-shaped pendant hung from her brow, suspended by a blue-violet ribbon with faint light-blue patterns. A nearly transparent azure veil draped from her eyes to her waist. She wore a pale blue short robe over a deep blue, wide-sleeved dress and a moon-white cross-collared inner garment. The gown trailed along the floor, its hem striped with violet, enveloping her in an aura of enigma.

She was tall and slender, appearing seventeen or eighteen, yet somehow exuding the charm of someone in her late twenties or early thirties, making her age impossible to guess. While Li Yu was appraising her, she, too, looked past Gai Nie to study Li Yu.

With sword-shaped brows and star-like eyes, a straight nose, and thin lips, his fresh, handsome features seemed sculpted from jade. A faint smile graced his face, imparting an air of effortless calm, making a fine first impression. Out of professional habit, the woman tried to divine his background, but as she began to calculate, a dizziness overcame her and she nearly fainted backward—only to feel a warm, steady hand at her waist, preventing her fall.

Steadying herself, she saw the young man who had just been under her scrutiny was now supporting her. An unfamiliar and wonderful, yet frightening, feeling stirred within her. The arts of yin and yang were meant to transcend worldly concerns, to seek the essence of all things, yet this sudden racing of her heart left her unsettled. Standing up with some tension, she thanked Li Yu, then turned to Gai Nie. “What business does the king have with me?”

Gai Nie, ever the stoic swordmaster, naturally had little interest in women. Normally, his speed should have surpassed Li Yu’s, but only Li Yu would dash forward to play the hero rescuing the damsel.

Gai Nie replied, “His Majesty wishes to know whether your Yin-Yang School’s Dongjun is currently in Xianyang.”

At the mention of Dongjun, the woman’s face, which had just flushed red, turned pale. With a frown, she said curtly, “My senior sister is not here,” and turned to leave.

Li Yu quickly interjected, “Sister, if Dongjun is absent, might the Moon Goddess be present? I have long yearned to meet her, having heard she is as noble and cold as a fairy from the Palace of Cold Radiance, a rare beauty in this world. Might I have the honor of a meeting to ease my longing?”

At this, the woman’s face, having turned pale, instantly blushed again. She spat, “Scoundrel!” and slammed the door.

Li Yu mused, So much for being lofty—she’s just an inexperienced girl pretending at being a goddess! Even if she is a goddess, I could pull her down to earth!

At that moment, Gai Nie said, “That was the Moon Goddess herself.” Li Yu rolled his eyes; as if he hadn’t recognized her at first glance! Who would have thought her temperament differed so sharply from her appearance—so youthful and naive! Sniffing the lingering warmth on his hand, his previously refined expression gave way to a barely suppressed grin.

Since Yan Fei was not present, Li Yu decided to return home and rest. The day had been exhausting—up before dawn, now almost midday, and he hadn’t touched a drop of water. All he wanted now was something to eat and a good, long sleep.

Once outside, Li Yu turned to Gai Nie. “Brother Gai, it’s nearly noon. How about we find a place for a meal?” Before Gai Nie could answer, an elderly man appeared, leading a horse-drawn carriage. Bowing first to Gai Nie, he then addressed Li Yu, “I am Wu Pei, a palace secretary and official historian. By order of the King of Qin, I have come to escort you back to the residence.”

A palace secretary? Wasn’t that Zhao Gao’s position before he became Director of the Carriage Office? This old man must be Zhao Gao’s predecessor—the king’s current secretary! Li Yu saluted him, recalling seeing him in court that very morning, standing at the king’s side like an immortal descended from heaven.

Wu Pei replied courteously, “In a few more days, I shall have to address you as Chief Architect. Let me congratulate you in advance!” Li Yu demurred, “No need for such formality. I can return on my own—how could I trouble the secretary to escort me personally?”

Wu Pei smiled, “His Majesty has granted you a residence, which you have yet to visit. Allow me to show you the way.” Li Yu was taken aback. So the king’s morning promise had been fulfilled so quickly! He had expected to wait several days. Now, finally, he had his own home, after days of hiding in others’ houses, forever on edge. Overjoyed, he replied, “Thank you, sir! Shall we set out?”

Turning to Gai Nie, he asked, “Brother Gai, would you care to see my new home?” Gai Nie clasped his fists. “Now that our task is done, I must return to report to the king. Farewell.” He left without another word but paused after a few steps, calling back over his shoulder, “Congratulations!” before disappearing into the distance.

Li Yu smiled wryly. So very Gai Nie—cool on the outside, warm within. Such friends were worth having.

Settling into the carriage, Li Yu noticed an ornate wooden chest inside, filled with neatly stacked gold ingots. Wu Pei’s voice sounded from outside, “These are His Majesty’s gift to you, from the royal treasury.” Li Yu hastily called out his thanks to the King of Qin.

With a shout from the driver, the carriage rolled slowly through the streets. Inside, Li Yu excitedly examined the gold, then suddenly recalled something. “Sir, could we make a detour? I need to fetch something.” “Of course! Just direct us,” came the reply.

Looking at the simple house he had lived in for over a month, Li Yu felt a wave of emotion. He picked up his backpack, locked the door, and rode away.

His new residence lay near the estate of General Meng, in a courtyard guarded by two imposing stone lions, each taller than a man. The plaque read “Marquis of Wu’an’s Mansion”—the legendary residence of Bai Qi, Lord Wu’an! Li Yu had not expected the king to be so generous. He had thought he would be given a small official residence, like the Moon Goddess, but this was the grand estate of a marquis!

After Wu Pei confirmed everything, Li Yu reluctantly pushed open the gates. Inside was a stone-paved courtyard the size of half a football field—simple and unadorned, lacking the ostentatious luxury of other noble homes. Passing through the courtyard, he entered the main hall, where a giant painting of a fierce tiger hung on the wall, lifelike and intimidating—clearly the work of a master.

Wu Pei called out, “Attend!” and ten young women entered, the eldest not yet twenty, the youngest barely into her teens—a pleasing sight.

“These are also His Majesty’s gifts,” Wu Pei explained. “All have been trained in the palace and are most capable!” He performed a parting salute. “My task is complete. His Majesty awaits my report—I must take my leave.” As Li Yu was about to see him off, Wu Pei waved him back. “No need to escort me. This estate has been unkept for some time; you will have to tidy it yourself. Farewell!” With that, he turned and left, closing the main gate behind him.

Li Yu turned to the girls. “Who is in charge here?” The eldest stepped forward. “I am Xiao He, and I lead the others for now. Does this arrangement please my lord?” Li Yu nodded, “Very well, you will continue to lead them.”

He pointed to the box at his feet. “The gold inside is a royal gift. Use some to furnish the house and buy food. Clean the main residence first, leave the other rooms for later—there’s no need to clean them all at once.” He handed over the entire chest of silver, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and went to explore the interior, leaving the girls marveling at how easygoing their new master seemed—and at the full chest of silver in Xiao He’s hands.

The marquis’s estate was truly vast. At first, Li Yu doubted he would need ten attendants, but after a brief tour, he realized his error. Without dozens of servants, it would be impossible to keep such a place clean, let alone tend to the stables, carriage house, kitchen, and storerooms. He had underestimated the luxury of the ancients, especially the powerful—worlds apart from common folk.

Half an hour later, as hunger made his stomach clamor, a little girl from the group came running. With a bow, she announced, “Master, the meal is ready!” This was the youngest of the ten.

Rubbing his belly, Li Yu smiled, “Finally! Any longer and I’d have starved!” He asked, “What’s your name?”

The little girl blushed, “My lord, my name is Xiao Tao.”

Sitting at the table before a large bowl of white rice and an unfamiliar soup, Li Yu scooped up some meat with a bronze spoon. “What kind of meat is this?” he asked.

“It’s wild rabbit,” Xiao Tao replied. “Is there more, or is this all?” “There’s a whole cauldron of rabbit meat. If you want more, Master, just ask.”

Just as Li Yu was about to begin, something felt off. With ten attendants standing before him while he knelt to eat, he felt awkward. “Bring the cauldron here—everyone eats together!” The girls exchanged glances, silent. “What, my word means nothing? Go, go!” Xiao He stepped forward, “Master, the cauldron is too heavy for us to carry…”

Li Yu slapped his forehead, “My mistake. Each of you take a bowl of meat soup and join me. I’ll wait.”

Soon, the girls knelt in two rows along the table, eating their rabbit meat with care. Only then did Li Yu nod in satisfaction and begin to eat himself.

Afterward, patting his full belly, he declared, “From now on, we all eat together. It’s more lively that way. Eating alone is no fun.” He stood, saying to Xiao Tao, “Show me to my room—I need to rest.” He grabbed his backpack and followed her through two doors to the master bedroom, marveling at how far he had to walk just to sleep. The mansion was inconveniently large; he couldn’t help but feel a little spoiled.

After sending Xiao Tao away, Li Yu undressed and fell into bed, sleeping soundly until moonrise. When he awoke, refreshed, he tidied up and opened his door to find Xiao Tao still waiting outside. “Have you been here all this time?” he asked.

She pouted, “Master, it is customary to have someone attend the lord while he sleeps. I’m too young for the heavier work, so I do the lighter tasks. Does Master dislike me?” She pretended to wipe tears.

Li Yu replied helplessly, “I have hands and feet and no need for such fuss. From now on, you don’t have to attend me unless I call you. Just find a nearby room for yourself.”

He patted his stomach. “Is supper ready?” “Of course, Master, we’ve just been waiting for you.”

In the main hall, seeing everyone gathered, Li Yu said, “There’s no need for so many rules here. As long as you do your work—cooking, shopping, whatever your duty is—you’re free to leave if you ever wish. Just let me know, and I’ll give you your contract and an extra month’s wages.”

Xiao Tao asked, “Master, what are wages?” Li Yu was surprised. “You mean you work here for nothing?” Xiao He explained, “For Master to take us in and feed us is the greatest kindness—we dare not hope for more.”

Li Yu rubbed his forehead. “From now on, you’ll receive a salary—call it monthly money. Each of you gets one string of cash per month; Xiao He, you get one and a half. It’s settled.” He sat down to eat, watching the excited girls and smiling with satisfaction.

Having slept all afternoon, Li Yu was now wide awake. After sending Xiao Tao to her own room, he wandered the estate, planning improvements—a chair to sit on, for his legs had suffered enough from kneeling for half a year; a large table for everyone to dine together. Many plans would have to wait for the advancement of ironworking and papermaking.

Lost in his thoughts, Li Yu suddenly noticed someone in the courtyard—as if the person had always been there, though he hadn’t seen them before. Instinctively, he recoiled, but upon recognizing the visitor, a shock ran through him, followed by wild joy. He rushed forward, afraid they would vanish if he was too slow, but just as he drew near, the figure disappeared.

He began to doubt his own eyes and muttered to himself, “Could it be true—‘what you think of by day, you dream of at night’? Have I really gone mad thinking about Feiyan lately?”