Chapter 115: Fang Yiai (Please Vote for Me)

“Ru Si!” Liu Yitiao cried out joyfully, looking up in surprise.

Encountering an old acquaintance in a foreign place—this indeed was an unexpected delight. Liu Yitiao had a deep impression of this handsome young master. When they first met, he had felt quite inferior, a sour taste lingering in his heart.

“Mr. Liu, I hope you’ve been well!” In the blink of an eye, Li Ru Si came down from the second floor personally, followed by the same young servant boy as before.

“Thanks to Young Master Li, Yitiao is doing well.” Liu Yitiao handed the reins to his left hand and politely extended his right hand.

Having been in this world for so long, he was used to either cupping his hands or bowing, to the point where he nearly forgot the custom of handshaking. But seeing Li Ru Si, the first person he ever shook hands with, Liu Yitiao instinctively reached out his hand again.

“Ah?!” Li Ru Si was softly surprised by Liu Yitiao’s gesture, a faint blush creeping onto his fair face. Yet he gently extended his right hand, placing it in Liu Yitiao’s.

After a couple of shakes, Liu Yitiao still felt the smoothness of Li Ru Si’s hand.

Releasing the grip, Liu Yitiao noticed the young servant’s eyes glaring fiercely at him, just like last time—as if Liu Yitiao had done something unforgivable. Feeling puzzled, Liu Yitiao mimicked the last exchange and secretly shot a glare back.

“Hehe,” Li Ru Si chuckled upon seeing this, sensing that although Mr. Liu was gifted, he still retained a childlike heart. He turned his head and sternly admonished the servant, “No rudeness to Mr. Liu!”

“Oh, understood, Young Master.” The servant begrudgingly withdrew his gaze and obediently stayed behind Li Ru Si.

Liu Yitiao felt no embarrassment; instead, he flashed a victorious wink at the servant. Pouting, the boy refused to look at him any further.

Li Ru Si glanced at Li Ji He, who had been standing quietly beside Liu Yitiao, and shot him a warning look. Then he pointed to Li Ji He and asked Liu Yitiao, “Mr. Liu, may I ask who this gentleman is?”

“Respectfully replying to Young Master Li,” Li Ji He promptly stepped forward without waiting for Liu Yitiao to answer. Bowing, he said, “I am Li Ji He, sent by our young master to invite Physician Liu to examine the old madam.”

“Oh?” Li Ru Si’s eyes brightened. Turning his head, he looked warmly at Liu Yitiao, “Mr. Liu, you are also skilled in medicine?”

“Uh, just a bit of knowledge, just a bit,” Liu Yitiao replied modestly—it was only veterinary medicine after all. His confidence wavered somewhat. In this situation, even if he claimed ignorance, no one would believe him.

At that moment, a stable hand from the shop came out to take the reins from Liu Yitiao and Li Ji He, leading the horses to the stable beside the tavern.

“You are too modest, sir. Being called a miraculous physician surely means extraordinary medical skills. And as for your talents, Ru Si greatly admires them. Come, please follow me upstairs. Ru Si insists on sharing a drink with you!” Li Ru Si warmly took Liu Yitiao’s arm and led him into the Qingfeng Pavilion. The servant shot a fierce glare at Li Ji He, then followed. Only Li Ji He wore a pained expression, shoulders slumped, thinking, “Who have I offended? Why do I have to endure this disdain twice for no reason?”

***

Upstairs, Liu Yitiao was surprised to find dozens of scholarly gentlemen dressed in splendid attire gathered there. Upon seeing them arrive, the scholars nodded politely to Li Ru Si, clearly recognizing him.

Li Ru Si invited Liu Yitiao to a refined seat by the window, seated him, and personally poured a cup of clear wine. “Come, Mr. Liu, please drink this cup to the brim!”

“Hehe, if so, I won’t be polite.” Liu Yitiao smiled lightly, accepting the cup and tilting his head to drink its contents.

After setting down the cup, he noticed the atmosphere in the tavern had shifted. In an instant, the previously genial scholars now all stared at him with reddened eyes, as if Liu Yitiao owed them a great debt.

Absurd! Liu Yitiao shook his head, ignoring them. After sharing another drink with Li Ru Si, he unabashedly picked up chopsticks and began enjoying the fine dishes on the table.

Such impoliteness! The servant standing behind Li Ru Si blushed slightly at Liu Yitiao’s unrestrained manner. Li Ru Si, however, kept smiling, thinking a true man is not constrained by trifles. To remain composed and eat heartily in front of so many scholars, Mr. Liu was the first such man he had seen—a true gentleman.

“Hmm?” While chewing, Liu Yitiao realized something was amiss. Where was Li Ji He? Searching the entire second floor, he found no trace of him. Turning to Li Ru Si, he inquired, “Young Master Li, why hasn’t Ji He come upstairs?”

“This Qingfeng Pavilion’s second floor isn’t open to just anyone!” Before Li Ru Si could answer, a scholar wearing a yellow robe and green hat standing nearby approached their table. With his chin raised and a proud expression, he said, “This is a gathering place for the capital’s talented scholars who meet daily to share literature. It’s not a place for farmers or soldiers to barge in! This gentleman’s friend is quite sensible, knowing it’s shameful to come up here and wisely staying on the first floor—unlike some others.”

“Wu Zi Teng! Watch your words!” Li Ru Si shot the scholar a warning glare.

“It’s nothing,” Liu Yitiao waved off Li Ru Si’s concern, casting a cold glance at Wu Zi Teng. He then picked up a piece of food and turned to the servant, “Young servant, please go downstairs and invite Ji He up. Tell him it’s Mr. Liu’s order. If he refuses, then Mr. Liu will no longer concern himself with his young master.”

The servant glanced at Li Ru Si, who nodded, then obediently went downstairs.

“Wu Gongzi, was it?” Liu Yitiao looked up at Wu Zi Teng, playing with his wine cup as he spoke softly, “May I ask who established the rules you just mentioned? Was it the sages, great Confucian scholars, or any law of our Great Tang? Forgive my ignorance, but I have never heard of such regulations. Perhaps you could enlighten me?”

“Uh?” Wu Zi Teng was speechless, for these had always been unwritten rules quietly followed by many, without formal codification. He sought help from a scholar behind him.

Seeing this was merely a pawn, Liu Yitiao smiled faintly, drank his wine, and ignored him.

When the servant returned with Li Ji He, Liu Yitiao picked up the wine pot and poured a cup for him. As Li Ji He approached, Liu said, “Come, Ji He, sit here with me and drink this cup to the brim!”

“Yes, Physician. Thank you, Physician.” Li Ji He respectfully accepted the cup and drained it, though his tone betrayed his lack of confidence.

***

It was no wonder—officials in the capital were never minor. While Li Ji He’s rank might be significant in Sanyuan County or elsewhere, in Chang’an, anyone casually appearing was likely of much higher standing. Judging by the noble attire of these young masters, their families must wield considerable influence. He had to be cautious.

Moreover, surrounded by these literary gentlemen, feelings of inferiority inevitably crept into his heart.

“Come, Young Master Li, Ji He, let us not be reserved. Don’t let outsiders spoil our good spirits.” Liu Yitiao raised his cup, signaling to Li Ru Si and Li Ji He.

Visiting a tavern was for pleasure and indulgence; such sour souls should not disturb their enjoyment.

After draining his cup, a faint smile played on Li Ru Si’s lips. Liu Yitiao’s actions and words, whether intentional or not, stirred the scholars’ ire. Soon, an entertaining scene was sure to unfold.

“May I ask, sir, do you hold any official rank?” As expected, no sooner had he set down his cup than someone challenged Liu Yitiao.

“Have you ever attended a private academy? Do you understand propriety, ritual, integrity, and shame?”

“Do you know poetry? Have you produced any notable works?”

The clamor of questions came like a flock of annoying crows.

Annoyed, Liu Yitiao reached into his pocket and withdrew a silver crescent-shaped token, placing it on the table. The scholars instantly fell silent, their eyes showing fear as they looked at the token.

Li Ji He was equally astonished, finally relaxing his tense nerves. He looked at Liu Yitiao with growing reverence. The Silver Moon Token of General Gongsun’s Mansion was no ordinary item.

Li Ru Si stared at the token with curiosity, clearly unaware of its origin. Yet seeing the previously hostile scholars now mute, he could guess the token’s importance.

“I am but a farmer,” Liu Yitiao said calmly, scanning the scholars before picking up the token and twirling it in his hand. “No official rank, no private schooling, and no great works published. But I have practiced martial arts for a few days. If any of you are interested, I am willing to spar.”

The scholars all stepped back, startled by Liu Yitiao’s words. Though General Gongsun’s influence in Chang’an was limited, old Gongsun Wuda was notorious for his fiery temper and strong protectiveness. The several beatings administered by Gongsun Helan had taught them not to provoke the Gongsun family. It was useless to fight; their family would never stir trouble over such trifles.

Liu Yitiao glanced around and finally looked at the scholar who had just signaled Wu Zi Teng, asking, “Young master, do you have any interest in this?”