Li Chengyi replied with a smile. Then, he praised, “You’ve changed a lot. I can see the shadow of our fourth brother from you.”
Li Chengru was much flattered, but he didn’t want to show how happy he was. So he asked faintly, “Why do you think so?”
“Do you remember what he told us? He said we must be sympathetic to the people and understand what they really need. So he often mingled with the people incognito and thus rooted out many corrupt officials. But that was also why he was hated by so many of those officials. You not only protected the Xiaos all this way, but are also mindful of their future. I can see you are not an idle dandy anymore.”
Li Chengru was so taken aback by his brother’s praise that he felt almost dizzy. Li Chengyi said, “If you don’t want to go back, you can stay here and help me with some affairs. Many refugees are coming here and some of Qian Qi’s soldiers will also be stationed here. We need to settle them down, prevent disturbances and also subsidize them. You can learn how to govern a city.”
Li Chengru never cared about such things before. They were so sensitive that anyone involved would be considered fair game by treacherous people. He hated it so much. But now it was the sixth king who proposed this suggestion in his own domain, so Li Chengru didn’t need to worry.
He replied, “My ability is limited and I know nothing about politics. But since you are my brother, I can help share some of your burdens. But I’m used to a leisurely life, so please, go easy on me.”
Li Chengyi laughed again. “Don’t worry. You can begin with some simple work.”
…
Ye Xiaoxian and her companions lived cozily in the post house. Knowing that they were Xiao Baoshan’s relatives, the owner provided warm water to them to have a comfortable bath. They could stay here until Xiao Baoshan was back. But sooner or later, they would still be assigned to a tribe like many officials’ relatives in Baoning city. After all, the city was so poor that the sixth king wanted everyone to be diligent and thrifty. Even his wife would go to the tribes to teach them how to spin and knit wool.
Several days later, the sixth king summoned Ye Xiaoxian and Li Hongmei to the palace. Since Ye Xiaoxian was transferred to this dynasty, this was her first time to come to such a splendid place and meet such a distinguished person.
Of course, Li Chengru was an exception. On arriving the palace, Li Hongmei felt a bolt of jitters. In contrast, Ye Xiaoxian had an easy grace. Although it was a palace, its furnishings were not as good as those in modern times. Its glory was easily overshadowed by a four-star hotel in the 21st century. Ye Xiaoxian had visited the Forbidden City once. The rooms where Imperial concubines lived were simple and crude and they were less comfortable than modern commodity housing.
As Ye Xiaoxian and Li Hongmei walked in, they were impressed by the well-mannered servants who looked dignified and conservative. Involuntarily, the two women straightened their backs. Soon after they were led to the hall, someone announced that the sixth king was coming.
Li Hongmei was so afraid that she knelt and kowtowed immediately. Seeing that Ye Xiaoxian was still standing straight, she warned her hurriedly, “Little Ye, what are you doing? Kneel and kowtow like me.”
But Ye Xiaoxian was reluctant. How could I, a woman with a modern soul, abase myself to kowtow? I only kowtow when worshipping ancestors in modern times, she thought. But as she learned from television series, one had to kneel to a higher-status man in ancient times. Realizing that she was a commoner, she finally knelt and made a kowtow.
Li Chengyi had been observing the two women. Li Hongmei behaved like any commoner meeting a person of such status. But Ye Xiaoxian looked calm and somewhat unyielding. If she had been dressed more smartly, she would have been as glamourous as anyone. He admired a woman like her most. At the same time, he understood why Xiao Baoshan said his wife gave him hope to live — she deserved a man’s protection.
Li Chengyi let them have a seat and began asking various questions, including whether they were used to the local life and whether they had met any trouble on the journey. He didn’t mention Xiao Baoshan at all. Li Hongmei was so nervous that she jabbered and stammered. Eventually, Ye Xiaoxian spoke for her. She replied to every question fluently and with confidence.
In the end, Li Chengyi asked, “You must have due consideration before deciding to have life anew in Baoning city. What do you plan to do here?”
Ye Xiaoxian said, “I heard we would be assigned to a tribe. That being the case, we will try to create a good life, with adequate food and clothing for all family members.”
The sixth king was surprised that she didn’t ask for anything like a house or money. He asked them over just to know what they wanted. As long as their requests were reasonable, he would then satisfy them.
But Ye Xiaoxian’s reply made the sixth king very confused. Xiao Baoshan had said his wife was a village woman, but how could a village woman possess such a broad mind? Did she really want nothing? Or was she just afraid to ask for anything?
Just then, Ye Xiaoxian said, “But I have something to ask you for help.”
The sixth king couldn’t help thinking: It seems that I can’t make judgments so fast. How could a village woman let go of an opportunity to obtain money?
“What is it?” he asked.
Ye Xiaoxian said, “We are ordinary people and can withstand any hardship. But Xiao Baoshan has a younger brother who used to study very well in Qinghe county and even became a Confucian apprentice. If possible, I want him to continue his studies here. However poor we are, we should ensure he gets a good education.”
Li Chengyi felt shocked. How did a village woman have such worldly wisdom? How did she know the importance of education? The countryside was where labor was in shortest supply. In most such families, the boy would be expected do more work.
The sixth king asked with a smile, “Why do you want him to study? Why don’t you let him help share your burden? You want him to study to win promotion and get rich?”
Ye Xiaoxian replied, “Indeed, he can share much burden for us. But education is also very important. It is not for money, but for wisdom. I hope he can learn more and better serve the people in the future.”
Li Chengyi was very satisfied with her answer. He nodded and said, “He should continue his studies. But there is not a good school in Baoning city. If the boy is really a good learner, he can stay in the palace and study with my children.”
Li Hongmei was panicked by his generous suggestion. But before she could decline it, Ye Xiaoxian said, “Thank you so much!”
…
Since Li Chengyi was very busy, Ye Xiaoxian and Li Hongmei didn’t stay long in the palace. When they return to the post house, the Xiaos and the Lius poured toward them immediately. They envied it so much that the two women could meet the sixth king.
“What is the sixth king like? Does he look like Li Chengru?” Squire Liu asked.
“What did the sixth king say to you? Now that Baoshan has made such great achievements in the war, would the sixth king award you a house so that you don’t need to work in the tribe?” Liu Qianqian asked.
Xiao Tieshu also asked, “Did you beg him to give us a job with a fixed salary in the government?”
Old Mr. Xiao cursed, “Isn’t it better to ask for money directly? With money, we can buy a house here. Or he may as well let us live long in this post house. I feel quite comfortable here.”
Li Hongmei tutted. “Don’t daydream about it. I heard that even the sixth king’s wife has to work here. You’re just a commoner. How could the king let you stay idle here?”
Li Hongmei hadn’t dared to say a word in the palace. But back to the post house, she was more than proud and cocky.
“The sixth king isn’t like what you imagine. He is modest, unassuming, steady, and slightly elder than Mr. Li. As for the way he talks… ah, although his voice is low, it is deep and sonorous. Since we entered the palace, we had found over thirty soldiers there. His robe, tut-tut, it is gloriously made of fine cloth.”
Squire Liu asked, “Isn’t it made of silk by the best weavers in Jiangsu province? Something with delicate tiger patterns?”
Li Hongmei flushed. “But what I saw was cloth.”
Squire Liu said, “I think you’re right. It is said the sixth king loves his people as his own children. He’s diligent, thrifty and never extravagant.”
Hearing that, Li Hongmei raised her voice again, “The sixth king said Baofeng could study with his children. As such, Baofeng can continue his studies and may become a cultivated talent or perhaps even a great scholar in the future.”
Xiao Tongshu asked, “You made only one request to the sixth king? Nothing else?”
“Yes, only one. I was too scared to talk at that time. This request was even made by Little Ye.”
Old Mr. Xiao cursed again, “If I had known that, I would have gone to the palace to talk to the sixth king. You foolish women!”
Li Hongmei protested, “If you had gone there with us, you would have been more frightened than me.”
Hearing what they had said, Xiao Baofeng looked at Ye Xiaoxian with gratitude. He hadn’t expected that the only request was about his education. But Ye Xiaoxian seemed not to listen to their conversation. She had been sitting aside absentmindedly since returning.
Before she left the palace, Li Chengyi said to her alone, “I know what kind of person Baoshan is. I heard that he wrote a letter of divorce to you, but I guess he still loves you. He just doesn’t want to get you into trouble. He is a thoughtful person who considers others whether they need it or not. He said he had planned to commit suicide two years ago, but you gave him the hope to live on.”
Ye Xiaoxian had thought his words over on the way back. Her nose was stuffy with a twinge.
Xiao Baoshan, come back and give me an explanation if you’re not a coward!
She stared at the sky, lost in thought.
