Chapter Eleven: Revelation

Returning to the He residence, Li Yang turned and walked toward the back courtyard. It was now the autumn equinox, and the fruit trees lining both sides of the courtyard were heavy with ripe fruit. Madam He sat beneath the shade of a tree, her head tilted as she studied the account book in her hands.

“Madam, your health is delicate—you must remember to rest on time!” Li Yang approached Madam He with a cup of tea. The musk fragrance drifting from her seemed to soothe his spirit, enveloping him in tranquility.

“You little rascal, where have you been playing this afternoon?” At his words, Madam He looked up with a radiant smile, her voice soft and gentle, her laughter ringing through the courtyard like the crisp chime of a bell.

“I just wandered through the nearby woods, hoping to catch some wild game for you to nourish your body,” Li Yang replied with a fawning grin.

Madam He pinched his cheek, then pouted her delicate lips in mock annoyance. “You’re always so secretive. There are venomous insects and fierce beasts in those woods. What if you get hurt?”

Her tone, full of indulgence, treated him entirely like a child, and Li Yang’s body stiffened in embarrassment.

“I adore children,” Madam He said, her expression suddenly tinged with sadness. “If only my own body were more willing, I wouldn’t have to live alone here in Nuqing County.”

She seemed to drift into thought, and after a long pause, she continued, “It won’t be long before that heartless man brings that seductress back to divide the family wealth. Of all the unfilial deeds, leaving the family line without an heir is the worst. I have failed the He family.”

With that, she pinched Li Yang’s cheek again and glanced at her account book. “Little rascal, can you read and write?”

Li Yang nodded, saying, “Although I was poor from childhood, I knew the importance of learning. Whenever I had a chance, I would sneak into the classroom next door to listen in, so I know a few basic characters.”

“Not bad! You’re young but clever and hardworking, and it’s rare that you understand the value of reading and writing.” She smiled. “My maiden name is Zhao. When I was young, my family was prosperous and ranked among the official circles of the capital. I had tutors of my own. But then chaos struck, our family fell overnight, and I ended up on the streets. It was then that I met that dead man.”

Li Yang fell silent at her words, unsure how to comfort her on such a delicate topic.

“Where did Master He go? He hasn’t come back in all these years,” he asked after a long pause.

“That dead man keeps a mistress in the provincial capital. I found it easier not to see or hear, so I moved back home. He runs the He family’s business, traveling far and wide to handle external affairs. I stay here in peace, managing our nearby enterprises and keeping the family accounts.” Madam He sighed, her breath fragrant as orchids, and the scent made Li Yang, reclusive for years, feel weak at the knees.

“If you want to achieve great things, you must be literate and numerate. That dead man can’t do without me because I keep the accounts and manage all the He family’s business. Every penny he spends is clear to me!” Her eyes dimmed. “But last year I heard that woman is pregnant. In the past few months, she’s become restless, meddling in family matters and stirring up trouble.”

“You’ve been at the He residence for some time now, and since you’re literate, why not help me with the accounts?” Madam He sighed. “It’s a pity I’m not more learned. With your intelligence, you’re sure to have a bright future.”

“If not for your generosity these past years, my brother and I would have starved long ago. To help you is my greatest wish,” Li Yang replied readily.

“Silly child, don’t be so formal. If you wish, just call me godmother!” Madam He teased him with a laugh.

“I may look young, but I’m already fifteen. If I call you godmother, wouldn’t that make you seem old? I think I should call you elder sister instead.” Li Yang grinned, showing his perfect, white teeth.

“You’re fifteen?” Madam He looked at him in surprise, pinching his cheek again. “With that baby face, I thought you were twelve or thirteen at most.”

Feeling the sting on his cheek, Li Yang thought darkly, I only told you my age so you’d be mindful of propriety, not so you could keep pinching my face.

Despite his frustration, Li Yang didn’t forget his purpose. “Madam, I came to ask for leave. I have some matters to attend to in the coming days and need to be away for a while—three to five days at the shortest, no more than half a month at the latest. Would that be all right?”

“Going out? Where to?” Madam He raised her beautiful brows in mild confusion.

“To tell you the truth, when I was a child, I studied alchemy and medicine with a wandering Daoist. I was too young and inexperienced then, but now I’m finally seeing some results. I want to go into the mountains to gather herbs.”

“Oh, so you have such skills? But the mountains of western Hunan are dense and perilous. Just write down what you need and let the steward purchase it for you. Why go yourself?”

Though Li Yang spoke earnestly, Madam He dismissed it as childish nonsense.

“Please take a look, madam…”

Since he had decided to stay in the He residence, some things could no longer be hidden. Li Yang did not argue; instead, he took the golden toad and the Nuqing chicken from his pocket. As soon as they were exposed to the wind, they grew into two enormous beasts, standing guard at Li Yang’s side.

Even Madam He, worldly as she was, recoiled in shock at the sight of these two creatures the size of calves, nearly falling to the ground.

Li Yang was quick to steady her and reassured her, “Don’t be afraid, madam. These two beasts are my spirit guardians. They’re docile and won’t harm anyone without cause.”

“Some of the herbs I need can’t be found in any shop, and with these two protecting me, you needn’t worry about my safety.”

Madam He was no ordinary woman; she soon regained her composure and sighed. “Very well! Since you have such abilities, what do I have to fear?”

She looked at Li Yang with a complicated gaze before returning to her usual aloofness. “I always knew you weren’t ordinary, but I never guessed your skills ran so deep. With such powers, why act as a servant here? Are you toying with a helpless woman like me for amusement?”

Li Yang could only smile wryly and explain, “You misunderstand, madam. You saved my life—I would never deceive you. With warlords carving up the land and the world in chaos, to have a peaceful life here in the He residence is all I desire. Why would I risk everything for more?”

Seeing that Madam He was unconvinced, he continued, “I’ve been in Nuqing County for several years. If I’d wanted to trick you, I wouldn’t have waited until now.”

“You little rascal, no wonder you’re always so secretive,” Madam He said at last, her suspicions easing. Though she hadn’t interacted much with Li Yang, there was little in Nuqing County that escaped her notice. With his abilities, had he harbored ill intent, he would not have needed such explanations.

“If you have things to do, go quickly. But don’t stay out too long, and don’t get up to mischief…”

Li Yang could only force a smile and bow in farewell, thinking to himself that a woman’s mind was best left unguessed; her mood changed faster than the turning of a page.