Chapter 3

【A new year has begun, sending blessings first! 2014, a year filled with love, with flowers blooming and fires burning brightly. I wish all the book friends great fortune and success! ——There will always be someone who loves you for a lifetime!】

Xue Shao called for Yuenu to practice archery again.

Among the six arts of Confucianism—rites, music, archery, chariots, calligraphy, and mathematics—archery is listed. In the martial Tang Dynasty, more than half of the people, regardless of gender or age, had practiced archery. However, those who could shoot as accurately and quickly as Yuenu were few.

Xue Shao began to like this girl, Yuenu. At the age of eighteen or nineteen, she was half-ripe and just beginning to bloom, like a perfectly ripe peach, the golden years of a woman's life. If she were in the 21st century, she would have just started university and would probably call Chengyu "Uncle."

Or, "Weird Uncle."

Previously, Xue Shao, who was fond of beauty and had a gentle disposition, regarded Yuenu as a rough and tough man, using her as a groom or bodyguard, or simply ignoring her. There was no way he would have any intimate relationship with her.

Now, Xue Shao treated Yuenu as a capable assistant, like a personal secretary.

Looking at it this way, she could also serve as a martial arts sparring partner.

Xue Shao, who had the mark of a soldier in his bones, naturally developed a love for cold weapons and ancient martial arts, and felt a strange sense of closeness to Yuenu, who practiced martial arts.

"Yuenu, who taught you martial arts?" Xue Shao asked.

"Master, it was my adoptive father who taught me," Yuenu answered truthfully, thinking that she had been with Master for more than two years, and this was almost the first time he inquired about her martial arts.

"Where is he?"

"My adoptive father is with the eldest son, in Jizhou."

The "eldest son" Yuenu referred to was clearly Xue Shao's older brother, Xue Yi, the current Marquis of Hedong and Prefect of Jizhou.

"Starting tomorrow, I will practice martial arts with you every morning to strengthen my body. Otherwise, my body will eventually collapse," Xue Shao said. "Today, we'll stop here. Go and wash up and change clothes, don't catch a cold."

"Thank you, Master!" Yuenu felt somewhat overwhelmed by the unexpected kindness.

When had the licentious and domineering young master of Lantian ever been so considerate to her, a rough and tough maid?

"Go quickly!"

"Yes, Master!" Yuenu bowed and, gathering her courage, took a deep look at Xue Shao, her heart fluttering and her cheeks blushing as she hurried away.

Xue Shao picked up the sword Yuenu had left behind, and the bright blade reflected his face.

Seeing this unfamiliar yet strikingly handsome face, Xue Shao felt a bit depressed, wishing he could paint his face with red and green makeup, which was the familiar look he knew.

"Hum—" Xue Shao swung the sword forcefully and shook his head.

"Still, the Tiger Tooth saber is more handy!"

At this moment, a servant from the mansion ran over, saying a guest had come to visit.

"I said no visitors," Xue Shao wanted to have some peace for a while.

The servant quickly handed him a letter, saying, "I did explain, but the guest said to let Master read the letter first before deciding whether to meet."

Xue Shao took the letter and read it. The handwriting was excellent, with a style reminiscent of the great calligrapher Wang Xizhi. This was not surprising, as Emperor Taizong loved Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, and as a result, more than half of the scholars in the Tang Dynasty followed this style.

The letter mentioned some "news about Brother Xue" from the palace.

The visitor's name was Li Xianyuan. Since he dared to call Xue Shao "Brother Xue," it was clear they had a close relationship. Xue Shao recalled and indeed had such a friend, a minor official in charge of the calendar in the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

If we consider only their official ranks, Li Xianyuan was a bit below Xue Shao, a member of the imperial family. However, people tend to gather with those of similar interests, and Li Xianyuan and Xue Shao were very much like-minded. Moreover, Li Xianyuan had a famous uncle, a renowned fortune-teller, who was also a well-known figure in Chinese metaphysics and had reportedly taught Li Xianyuan a few tricks.

This famous fortune-teller had served as a fifth-rank Imperial Astronomer and was highly trusted by the royal family. In the history of Chinese metaphysics, he was a towering figure.

His name was—Li Chunfeng.

"Please bring him in and serve tea in the main hall," Xue Shao instructed the servant, thinking to himself: How did the palace get news about me?

Could it be that, as history suggests, Xue Shao is about to meet Princess Taiping?

...

Li Xianyuan, in his early twenties, was also a man accustomed to a life of luxury and pleasure. Today, he entered the Xue mansion as usual, dressed in fine clothes and wearing a golden crown, with a beautiful young woman following behind him.

As they entered the mansion, Li Xianyuan instructed the woman, "When you see Master Xue, don't be impolite or nervous. Just think that you will be sharing a bed with him tonight, and that will be fine."

The woman nodded gently, her lips slightly pursed and her face blushing, but her eyes, filled with seductive charm, were already brimming with desire.

Li Xianyuan smiled to himself, thinking: This woman is full of charm and skilled in the art of seduction; she will surely win Master Xue's favor!

However, as soon as they entered the main hall of the Xue mansion, Li Xianyuan was momentarily stunned. The Xue mansion, which was always filled with pleasure and beauty, now had only two male servants standing to greet guests. The luxurious gold and jade decorations and the exquisite ancient paintings were mostly gone, and even the fragrant and valuable couches and tables had been replaced with high tables and chairs.

"What... is this?" Li Xianyuan was confused, thinking he might have entered the wrong house.

At this moment, Xue Shao and Yuenu arrived. Though he did not walk with the usual grace, there was a sense of vigor about him.

Li Xianyuan's eyes widened: The graceful and elegant Master Xue Chengyu, how is he different from before, with a newfound vigor?

He was so stunned that he forgot to greet Xue Shao. Xue Shao took the initiative, "Brother Li, how have you been?"

"I am remiss!" Li Xianyuan hurriedly bowed, "Thanks to Brother Xue, I have been well. But it has been a while since I visited, and Brother Xue..."

"Just a whim, I got tired of the old decorations," Xue Shao said casually, not giving him a chance to ask more. "Brother Li, please take a seat. Yuenu, serve the tea."

As a guest, Li Xianyuan could not ask more. However, he was not used to the sudden change. Even sitting on the new redwood chair felt uncomfortable.

After the guests and host were seated and the tea served, Xue Shao got straight to the point, "Brother Li, what brings you from Chang'an to see me?"

The young woman standing behind Li Xianyuan, with a delicate mind, gracefully walked forward and bowed deeply, "Shuilinger greets Master Xue."

Li Xianyuan said earnestly, "I recently had the good fortune to meet such a fine beauty, Shuilinger, and today I bring her to Brother Xue, hoping to bring him joy."

Xue Shao smiled, understanding their intentions. In the past, the licentious Xue Shao and his friends often exchanged concubines for pleasure. In the Tang Dynasty, this was a common entertainment among the nobility and elite. Concubines and servants were collectively called "slaves" and could be freely bought, sold, and exchanged.

Since Li Xianyuan had offered Shuilinger, Xue Shao, out of politeness, would naturally let him choose one of his concubines to take back. When Shuilinger knelt down, Li Xianyuan looked around and saw only Yuenu. Disappointed, he examined her more closely. Though she rarely showed her face, was plain and somewhat cold, and did not exude the charm of Shuilinger, she had a unique beauty and a strong, captivating presence that aroused a man's desire to conquer her. Her tall and curvaceous figure, especially her full breasts, made any man's innate masculine impulse impossible to suppress... Xue Shao's women were never inferior!

Li Xianyuan's eyes lit up.

Yuenu's face was as cold as ice, her gaze sharp. She did not resemble a gentle and weak young lady or a fearful and humble servant, but rather a ruthless female demon, ready to draw her sword at the slightest provocation.

Li Xianyuan felt a chill: This maid is so fierce!

Xue Shao waved his hand calmly, "Brother Li, I appreciate your kindness. A beauty like Shuilinger should be enjoyed by you yourself."

"Ah?" Shuilinger and Li Xianyuan were both stunned: Was this really coming from the mouth of Master Xue Shao of Lantian?

"Brother Li, don't misunderstand," Xue Shao smiled, "I have been unwell recently and, following the doctor's advice, am cultivating my body and mind. Therefore, I cannot be close to women for a while. Moreover, I have hired a martial arts instructor to teach me, to strengthen my body."

"Oh, I see, I was too hasty. Shuilinger, step back!" Li Xianyuan was relieved, initially thinking Xue Shao found his beauty too ugly.

A satisfied smile appeared on Yuenu's icy face.

"Let's get to the main topic," Xue Shao said again.

"Agreed," Li Xianyuan said, "I heard some rumors in the palace yesterday, not exactly secrets, but they are somewhat related to Brother Xue, so I did some inquiries."

"What is it?"

Li Xianyuan said, "Has Brother Xue heard any rumors about the current two emperors selecting a husband for Princess Taiping?"

"I have heard a bit," Xue Shao's heart brightened: Indeed!

"Previously, the two emperors selected several potential husbands for Princess Taiping, but none of them, whether foreign princes or sons of prime ministers, met the princess's standards. In fact, several times when she was supposed to meet the candidates, she either feigned illness or acted out, making the situation very awkward. Over time, the two emperors had no choice but to put the matter on hold," Li Xianyuan said.

"Brother Li, you've been talking for a while without getting to the point—what does this have to do with me?" Xue Shao knew he was deliberately being mysterious.

"It has a lot to do with you," Li Xianyuan smiled, "Recently, someone recommended the young master of Lantian as a suitable candidate for the princess."

"Oh?" Xue Shao feigned surprise.

Li Xianyuan felt his information was valuable and became more enthusiastic, "Brother Xue's name is known throughout the region. In terms of lineage, status, and appearance, Brother Xue is the most suitable match for Princess Taiping—Brother Xue knows that Princess Taiping is seventeen, the youngest and most beloved daughter of the two emperors. When the Tubo proposed to marry her, the Empress refused and had a Taoist temple built for her to pretend to become a nun, with the name Taiping, to politely decline the proposal. Now that the princess has grown up, it is time for her to marry—anyone who marries her will be the first prince consort of the Tang Dynasty!"