Before half a quarter had passed, a figure entered through the main gate and bowed with a cupped-hand salute. "Young Master, the Prime Minister's residence has heard of your return and requests your presence for a discussion." Tang Lici set down his teacup. "I know what the Prime Minister wishes to discuss. Go and reply that unless the Prime Minister's residence can guarantee the safety of everyone in my household, including the State Preceptor's residence, I will not speak with him." The red-clad servant looked awkward. "It's the Prime Minister's residence's Ma, the head of security, who has come."
Tang Lici leaned back lazily in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the white porcelain. "Ma or Niu, it makes no difference. Very well... tell him that if, by the eighteenth day of the twelfth lunar month this year, everyone in my household—including Yunfei—remains unharmed, I will discuss the matter he is so eager to know about. If Prime Minister Zhao is unwilling, then so be it. After all, that person has little to do with me, and whether they live or die is of no concern to me." The red-clad servant bowed nervously and retreated, clearly taken aback.
Tang Lici watched the servant's retreating figure before slowly rising and making his way to Tang Weiqian's room.
Through the window, Tang Weiqian's back was clearly visible as he fiddled with something on the table. Tang Lici stood by the bed, making no effort to conceal his presence. His gaze fell upon a bottle of pills in Tang Weiqian's trembling hands, which he was about to put into his mouth. With a soft sigh, Tang Lici pushed the door open, steadied Tang Weiqian, and poured him a cup of water to take the medicine.
"You... what are you doing here?" Tang Weiqian swallowed the pill and gasped for breath. "I told you to come see me only after you're dead! In your eyes, I was never your adoptive father to begin with! Why are you here? Get out, get out!" Tang Lici offered no explanation, waiting until Tang Weiqian's outburst subsided before asking gently, "I heard Yunfei is ill?"
Tang Weiqian froze. "Where did you hear that?"
Tang Lici paused briefly, then sighed softly. "So it's true?"
Tang Weiqian fell silent. After a long moment, he clutched his chest and said bitterly, "She's gravely ill. I visited her once, but she said nothing—only asked when you would return."
Tang Lici said nothing more. Suddenly, he raised two fingers and struck two acupoints on Tang Weiqian's chest. Caught off guard, Tang Weiqian gaped in shock at the adopted son he had once pulled from a well. "You—"Tang Lici paid no heed to Tang Weiqian's astonishment, gently loosening his robe to reveal an egg-sized tumor at the center of his chest, its appearance truly horrifying. Though unversed in medicine, he pressed his palm against Tang Weiqian's chest, channeling a stream of Inner Energy that followed the blood vessels. He sensed the tumor pulsed with blood flow—not merely a mass of flesh but seemingly connected to major vessels within. With a soft "click," he employed a meridian-severing technique to block the vessel linked to the tumor, then intensified the True Power in his palm, forcing a surge of scorching Inner Energy into the growth.
Tang Weiqian let out a scream, feeling as though wildfire had erupted in his chest. "You demon fox! What sorcery have you cast on me—" The flesh instantly charred, the tumor withering into a blackened husk as if seared by flames, yet not a drop of blood spilled. Gaping, Tang Weiqian felt the searing Inner Energy still circulating within. Tang Lici closed his eyes, focusing as his Internal Force—condensed from his vital essence—guided Tang Weiqian's blood flow. Moments later, warmth suffused the older man's body, vitality brimming in every limb. The earlier agony in his chest seemed a distant memory. "What sorcery did you use on me?"
Tang Lici raised his left hand to his lips. "Shh—close your eyes. Sleep well."
Before the words finished, Tang Weiqian's consciousness already wavered. He struggled to keep his eyes open but soon succumbed to deep slumber. Tang Lici continued channeling True Power without pause. Though uncertain of the tumor's nature, incinerating it with solar-essence True Power proved far more direct than salves or medicines. Yet the growth's vascular connections meant the meridian block couldn't stem bleeding indefinitely. To prevent fatal hemorrhage, he had to infuse Inner Energy to seal the wound during Tang Weiqian's blood circulation—maintaining the flow until vessels naturally clotted and scarred. Any interruption would unleash a fatal gush.
Afternoon faded into night. Tang Weiqian slept soundly until sunlight warmed his blankets the next morning. Blinking awake, he found himself on a bed, Tang Lici still seated nearby. His chest ached faintly, now bandaged and medicated. The physician who'd previously declared his impending demise stood by, beaming. Tang Weiqian scowled. "Why are you here?"
The doctor bowed repeatedly. "Master, the scourge in your chest is utterly eradicated! Your life is saved, all thanks to the divine skill of the Imperial Uncle—his miraculous hands far surpass this humble one's."
Tang Weiqian jerked upright in irritation, but Tang Lici restrained him gently. "Physician Li, my foster father is recovered. You may withdraw." The man scurried out as if spared execution.
"You too—out! I need rest!" Tang Weiqian turned his back.
"As you wish." Ever deferential, Tang Lici rose without protest. Pausing at the door, he added softly, "Your chest injury remains delicate. Avoid sudden movements."
Tang Weiqian pretended not to hear.
"Also, I'll meet Yunfei today." With a flick of his sleeve, Tang Lici departed.Tang Weiqian turned his head, his aged brows deeply furrowed. It seemed he had something to say, but in the end, he remained silent.
A Shui walked down the street carrying Feng Feng in her arms. The residence of the Imperial Father-in-law was still far away. After walking over a hundred steps, she let out a soft sigh, bowed in the direction of the residence, and then turned back toward Apricot Sun Bookstore.
An hour later.
A carriage slowly approached from East Street, adorned with intricate carvings and decorations, its curtains hanging like rippling emerald water. As the carriage swayed, the curtains trembled like undulating waves, exuding boundless elegance. The carriage came to a gentle stop in front of Apricot Sun Bookstore, and a figure lifted the curtain to step out. Clad in snow-white robes, wearing pristine cloud-patterned shoes, and with a piece of mutton-fat jade hanging lightly at his waist, his appearance was even more breathtakingly beautiful against the backdrop of his attire. With each unhurried step, his sleeves fluttered gracefully—this was none other than Tang Lici.
A Shui stood at the door, holding Feng Feng in her arms. As she watched Tang Lici approach slowly, she bowed in greeting. She ought to have said something, but instead, she remained silent. Tang Lici smiled gently, appearing no different from before. "It's been a long time, Miss A Shui. I hope you've been well?"
"Thank you for your concern, Young Master Tang. I've been doing fine," she replied with a smile. Tang Lici stepped forward and lightly patted Feng Feng's head. She extended her arms to hand Feng Feng to him, and he took the child into his embrace. Feng Feng beamed with joy, tugging at Tang Lici's silver hair before suddenly opening his mouth and babbling, "Ah... ah..." His little hands clutched at Tang Lici's robes as he mumbled indistinctly, "Niu... Niu Niu..." Tang Lici froze, and so did A Shui. Then, she couldn't help but laugh. "He's just started learning to speak. I've been trying to teach him to say 'Mama,' but he hasn't managed it yet. Just now... he might have been trying to call for his mother..." Tang Lici lifted Feng Feng and handed him back to A Shui. "I was just passing by. It's been a while, so I wanted to see how you were doing." A Shui took Feng Feng back into her arms. "Where are you headed, Young Master Tang?"
"I'm going to the palace. I took a slight detour," he replied with a faint smile, patting Feng Feng's head again. "Since you seek a quiet life, I won't disturb you further. Farewell." His tone was polite and detached, as if the rift that had formed between them that night at Good Cloud Mountain had never happened. His words and gaze remained as gentle and caring as ever, his demeanor as graceful as always.
"Young Master Tang, take care," she said, making no move to keep him. She watched as Tang Lici boarded the carriage and departed. Bianjing lay in the opposite direction—he had clearly come here specifically to see her, and she understood that. But what did it matter if he had come to see her? What he wanted, she was unwilling to give, and what she sought was entirely different from his desires.
Why had he suddenly returned from Good Cloud Mountain? Had he come back specifically to enter the palace? If so, then he must have returned to see someone there... Her thoughts drifted slightly as she gazed in the direction Tang Lici had gone. In her arms, Feng Feng whimpered a few times. She looked down to see him clutching her clothes, quietly sobbing against her chest, his little face streaked with tears. Startled, she quickly wiped them away and asked softly, "What's wrong? Are you hungry?" Feng Feng tugged at her sleeve, his tiny finger pointing in the direction Tang Lici had gone, and burst into loud wails. "Niu Niu... Niu Niu... Waaah... Niu Niu..." Her heart ached as she held him tighter. He missed Tang Lici, but Tang Lici... could never truly be Feng Feng's "Niu Niu" forever.Tang Lici boarded his carriage and departed, the fine steeds galloping towards Bianjing. In truth, Apricot Sun Bookstore was quite a distance from either the residence of the Empress's father or Bianjing itself, but Tang Lici naturally paid no heed to such matters. After several hours of travel, dusk had already fallen when he entered the Chui Gong Hall through the Xihua Gate to pay his respects to Taizong and request an audience with Yunfei.
Upon hearing that Tang Lici sought to see Yunfei, Taizong was both startled and suspicious. The rumors of Tang Lici being a "fox demon" had spread far and wide, and Taizong had heard them as well. He had always been wary of this imperial brother-in-law, avoiding him whenever possible. Now, with Tang Lici suddenly asking to see Yunfei, Taizong wondered what ulterior motives he might harbor. After a long silence, Taizong replied slowly, "Yunfei has recently fallen ill and is not fit to receive guests. Imperial Brother-in-law should return for now. Once she recovers somewhat, she will naturally invite you."
Tang Lici smiled faintly. "It is precisely because I heard of Yunfei’s illness—and that it is quite severe—that I have come to see for myself. I possess certain mystical arts, and perhaps ailments that the imperial physicians cannot cure, I can."
Taizong, already wary, was even more alarmed upon hearing this. He thought to himself, This... this thing must not be openly offended. If he truly is a fox spirit or some other demon, we can quietly eliminate him later by other means. For now, it’s best not to provoke him. If he can actually cure Yunfei, that would be a good thing.
"Since Imperial Brother-in-law has another method of healing, We shall seek it for Yunfei. Wang Ji'en, inform the Ciyuan Palace that the Imperial Brother-in-law requests an audience."
The chief eunuch Wang Ji'en bowed and left to carry out the order. Tang Lici gazed at Taizong, his smile still elegant. "Your Majesty has recently captured thieves for the people, rewarded the families of fallen soldiers, opened granaries to relieve famine, and even reduced sentences for prisoners in both capitals by one degree. Such deeds have won the hearts of the people. As I traveled, I heard much praise, and I rejoice on Your Majesty’s behalf."
Taizong had indeed been rather proud of these recent accomplishments and couldn’t help but smile slightly. "Is that truly what the common folk say?"
Tang Lici withdrew an object from his sleeve and placed it slowly on the table. Taizong fixed his gaze upon it. "What is this?"
Tang Lici replied, "This is a radish harvested from the fields this autumn."
Taizong’s expression brightened. "Could this be—?"
Tang Lici smiled faintly. "Your Majesty’s guess is correct. This is from the hundreds of miles of farmland submerged by the river waters stirred up by the falling stone in July—newly grown radishes."
In July, a meteorite had fallen in Fuzhou of Jie Prefecture, causing the waters of the Longdi Gorge to reverse course and destroy vast stretches of farmland. And yet, Tang Lici had brought back freshly grown radishes from that very land.
Taizong was overjoyed. The July meteorite incident had secretly weighed on his mind as a possible divine punishment. But seeing these radishes grow so swiftly, perhaps the falling stone was not a curse but an auspicious omen.
Just as the two exchanged smiles, Wang Ji'en returned respectfully to report that Yunfei awaited Tang Lici behind a curtain in the Ciyuan Palace.
Tang Lici took his leave of Taizong and departed, his steps measured and his bearing dignified.
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