Chapter Forty-Nine: The Suspicions Between the Li Father and Son

"Wuji! Was it truly that child who healed me?" Lying on the soft couch, Li the Second stared at the ice basin on the floor, suspicion coloring his tone.

The idea that a mere child had healed his wounds was something Li the Second could hardly accept from the bottom of his heart. If it were true, what kind of prodigy would this child become in the future? So young, yet able not only to treat injuries, but also to conjure ice in the sweltering heat. Outside, people fussed over alcohol, claiming it as some miraculous remedy. Yet Li the Second distinctly caught the fragrant scent of wine; if not for Yun Hao's interference, he would have tasted it already. Not to mention, the dishes the boy prepared were exquisite. Not even the cooks of Jinyang, nor the imperial chefs of the palace, could compare to his culinary skills.

As a descendant of nobility, Li the Second was a thorough paranoid. Anyone who approached him, or displayed anything out of the ordinary, became a source of suspicion. Suddenly, such an extraordinary child appeared; how could Li the Second not harbor doubts? Fortunately, Yun Hao's behavior still seemed within reason. Otherwise, instead of asking questions, Li the Second would have drawn his blade first. Anything out of the ordinary must be a demon—this was one of the Li family’s tenets. If something threatened his clan, Li the Second would not hesitate to become a guardian, slaying evil without mercy.

"Is it truly him? Others may lie, but do you think Lord Chai and I would deceive you?" Changsun Wuji replied helplessly. He had already said this eight times, for Li the Second had asked eight times.

"Do you think he could be from one of those hidden sects?" Li the Second's gaze flickered in the candlelight, as grim as a ghost from the underworld.

Li Yuan, in the Duke of Tang’s residence, was asking the same question. Li the Second’s severe injury was no small matter—no one dared hide it from Li Yuan, not even in his own illness. Li Jiancheng, stationed in Hedong, was rushing to Jinyang overnight, for as the eldest it was time to shoulder the family’s burden.

Chai Shao knelt before Li Yuan, pondering before he answered, "It’s hard to say for now. Judging by the mother and son’s accent, they’re likely from the Hebei region. I’ve already sent people to investigate, hoping for concrete news. But given the boy’s abilities, it’s very possible! Otherwise, how could he create ice in such heat?

As for making alcohol, that still falls within expectation. But I, Chai Shao, have studied hard; yet I’ve never heard of making ice with saltpeter. Had it not happened before my eyes, I’d slap any man who claimed it. Moreover, this boy personally cooked for the Second Young Master. Father-in-law, you’ve attended palace banquets as a duke; I dare say, not even the grand feasts of the palace compare to the boy’s dishes. All this is far beyond what a child of seven or eight could know. And today, our scouts learned that the boy once weighed a millstone with a bucket of water in the street, and measured a bamboo pole’s length by the sun’s shadow.

Father-in-law, could even the scholars of the Imperial Academy achieve such feats? If no one taught him, at his age, even if he studied in the womb, it’s doubtful he’d reach such accomplishments." Had Yun Hao been here, he would have been utterly astonished; he never expected Chai Shao to have done so much in just one day. Chai Shao had even sent men along the mother and son’s path to investigate their origins.

This man was not only handsome, but also thoroughly cunning. No wonder he eventually made it into the Hall of Lingyan among the twenty-four; none of them, truly, were as they seemed.

"Mm! You make sense. There’s something unusual about this. We must be cautious. Didn’t you say he has an elderly mother? Tonight, speak with Third Lady, and have her invite the boy to visit Second Young Master tomorrow morning. Try to sound out the woman as well. If the mother and son harbor ill intentions, they absolutely cannot stay…!" Tormented by dizziness, Li Yuan suddenly opened his eyes on the sickbed. His gaze glowed with a faint green light, like a fierce wolf.

If anyone saw Li Yuan and Li the Second together now, none would doubt they were father and son.

"Understood! I’ll speak with Third Lady. But for now, the child seems to bear us no malice. Though proud, he was earnest in treating Second Young Master. Today, Second Young Master’s condition was dire; without the boy’s help, he might not have survived. I saw it with my own eyes, without a hint of fabrication. The child of a master, eccentricities are to be expected." Chai Shao spoke, noticing Li Yuan closing his eyes again, clearly suffering another bout of illness.

"Father-in-law, if the boy truly healed Second Young Master, should we invite him to treat you as well? Your illness cannot be delayed."

"We do not yet know his true intentions. You know how the Sage suspects our family. If this is a trap, the Li clan could be utterly ruined. Since Northern Wei, my Li family has struggled for generations to build what we have today. My death means little, but I cannot allow the Li clan to suffer any mishap. Otherwise, how could I face the ancestors below?" Li Yuan sighed, nearly driven mad by his illness these days. Yet he dared not fully trust Yun Hao. Who could know the motives of this suddenly appearing youth? Especially now, when the Emperor is suppressing the Li family, caution is paramount! Caution, caution, and utmost caution!

"Yes! I’ll keep a close watch on the boy. In Jinyang, he has no friends or family; I’m not worried he’ll cause trouble." Chai Shao answered confidently, bowing deeply. Now that Li Jiancheng was rushing back from Hedong and Li Shimin was gravely injured, all affairs of the Li residence naturally fell to him.

"We must not be careless. What’s the story with that warrior Wu? Investigate thoroughly—why did his son meet the boy in the street? Why did the boy suddenly gain fame, and why did Wu recognize his talent and take in the mother and son? Don’t you think all this is too coincidental? Wu and Zhang, those two men, should be probed as well.

The situation now is not just about hidden currents; in many places, people have already gathered in the mountains to resist the court. The Great Sui’s empire is teetering. Whether our Li family can keep itself safe depends on how cautious we are. Remember: caution keeps the boat afloat for ten thousand years." After saying this, Li Yuan waved his hand.

Chai Shao gave a deep bow and withdrew.

ps: Down and out! New book, please collect and recommend!