Chapter 124: Moving into Lizheng Palace

The Ouyang family? Director Yu of the Secret Surveillance? I had heard about them before from Liu Ertiao. They seemed to be two remarkable contemporary calligraphy masters. That kid Liu Ertiao was still a fan of theirs; his study was filled with numerous rubbings of their writings, and every day he would copy at least two sheets, much like how Liu Yitiao once practiced penmanship imitating Pang Zhonghua.

“I’ve heard of them, but I’ve never had the chance to meet,” Liu Yitiao stood up as well, already guessing why these two masters wanted to invite him. The Song typeface appeared during the Tang dynasty, and the stark differences in character forms naturally attracted the attention of those passionate about calligraphy.

Figures like Ouyang Xun, a renowned scholar, were among the first to be intrigued.

“Uncle Gongsun, are you not aware?” Fang Yiai rose and said to Gongsun Wuda, “A new style of calligraphy has recently become popular in Chang’an, earning high praise from Master Ouyang and Director Yu. Now, hearing that the progenitor of this calligraphy has arrived in Chang’an, it’s only natural that these two masters would extend an invitation under such circumstances.”

“A calligraphy master? Is it our worthy nephew Yitiao?” As expected, the elderly Gongsun Wuda was unaware.

But that was hardly surprising. In a general’s mansion like his, the servants, guards, and other staff were mostly mere warriors skilled with arms, few were literate, and even those who were knew little about calligraphy. It was quite normal that the Liu family’s calligraphy was unknown to him.

Fang Yiai nodded in agreement. In truth, his own master had sent him today precisely to invite Liu Yitiao for a meeting.

“Uncle Gongsun, Yitiao must still focus on devising a cure for Her Majesty the Empress tomorrow, so it’s inconvenient for him to go out. I ask you to kindly decline on his behalf. Thank you for your understanding.” Liu Yitiao bowed respectfully to Gongsun Wuda, making his stance clear—he did not wish to attend.

It wasn’t that Liu Yitiao was putting on airs; he knew scholars loved prestige, and officials also craved fame, but that was all just surface. It was like Duke Ye who admired dragons—not for the creature itself, but for the reputation it brought.

Much like how people treated merchants in this era: they praised the goods and competed to buy them, but looked down upon the merchants themselves.

Liu Yitiao’s views were somewhat biased, painting all with the same brush. But well, that was that—he had no desire to live off such empty fame.

He bowed once more to Gongsun Wuda, Yang Bofang, and Fang Yiai, excused himself, and left the main hall, heading toward the rear chambers.

“Yitiao, wait for me,” Yang Bofang came up from behind, matching Liu Yitiao’s pace and smiling, “Sit with your uncle a while. It won’t disturb your contemplation, will it?”

“You’re joking, Uncle Yang,” Liu Yitiao smiled wryly. “Those words just a polite excuse. Don’t you see through me? Come on, please follow me to the guest room. We haven’t met in some days, and I’d like to catch up.”

Liu Yitiao asked a young servant for some small dishes, then sat down with Yang Bofang in his chamber, opening a bottle of wine.

Liu Yitiao poured wine for Yang Bofang and raised his cup. “Uncle Yang, a toast to you first!”

Yang Bofang waved his hand, smiling. “It’s just us two here, no need for formalities. Sit down, please.”

Once Liu Yitiao settled, Yang Bofang raised his cup, and the two clinked glasses.

“Yitiao,” Yang Bofang began, pouring himself a drink and then topping off Liu Yitiao’s cup, “I saw from the start that you and I are alike—disliking restraint. That’s why you turned down that golden opportunity that many would dream of. So, I find you quite to my taste.”

“Uncle Yang is perceptive!” Liu Yitiao replied. “The world of fame and fortune is too illusory, full of scheming, something I am not good at. So I can only choose to stay far away.”

“Hmm,” Yang Bofang nodded, took a sip, and said, “But you’ve made such a stir, it’s going to be hard to avoid attention. Think about it—Fang Xuanling, Ouyang Xun, Yu Shinan, even the Emperor and the Crown Prince have noticed you. Plus, you have a potential enemy—Prince Wei, Li Tai. If you cure Empress Zhangsun, more enemies will appear, like the other consorts and their princes.”

“So if you don’t figure out a way now, it’ll be tough to avoid trouble later.”

“Uh?” Liu Yitiao hadn’t considered this before. He carefully refilled Yang Bofang’s cup and asked, “What do you think I should do? The Liu family’s calligraphy has already spread, and I cannot avoid the attention. Empress Zhangsun is kind and virtuous, and I cannot ignore her illness. My mind is a bit muddled—please, Uncle Yang, advise me.”

“Simple. Hide your talents!” Yang Bofang downed his cup and looked at Liu Yitiao. “Use your youth and humble origins to conceal yourself. Your advantage lies in being young and a small landowner with no official rank. No one would guess you’re a calligraphy master at first sight. Even if they hear rumors, few would believe it. So, don’t write calligraphy in public. If you must, change your style—don’t use Liu family calligraphy for now. It’s okay if it looks ugly. The key is to avoid recognition.”

“As for Empress Zhangsun’s illness, one word: delay! Haven’t you already recommended Daoist Sun to the Emperor? Just stall until he arrives. As long as you keep the Empress alive until then, you’re doing your part. With Daoist Sun’s presence, her condition will surely improve. No need to worry or feel guilty.”

Yang Bofang continued, “And about Li Tai—his attempt to kill you was probably not just because you saved the Crown Prince, but also because he feared your medical skills. You saved the Crown Prince’s life; it’s not impossible you’ll save Empress Zhangsun again.”

“That’s normal in the royal family. Don’t be too alarmed.” Seeing Liu Yitiao’s shocked expression, Yang Bofang added, “Though Empress Zhangsun is Li Tai’s mother, she’s also his biggest obstacle to the throne. Li Tai is dangerous—he’s ruthless, even towards his own mother. Be very cautious around him.”

“But for now, the old Gongsun has weakened him so he can’t cause much trouble. Don’t worry too much.”

“Uncle Yang speaks wisely. I am grateful for your counsel,” Liu Yitiao bowed. Yang Bofang’s words gave him great insight. He could not follow all of it, but much was worth considering.

As for Li Tai, a chill crept into Liu Yitiao’s heart. Judging from Li Tai’s various underhanded moves today to interfere with the Empress’s treatment, the prince truly had no maternal feelings. For such a man, Liu Yitiao smiled coldly—he wouldn’t mind finding an opportunity to sully his reputation.

“Young Master Liu, the master requests your presence. It seems there are visitors from the palace again,” said a servant named Zhangsun Li from the front yard, bowing to Liu Yitiao. “They say they want to arrange for you to stay temporarily in the palace, so you can attend to Her Majesty’s illness at any time. Please hurry and see.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Liu Yitiao was puzzled. Weren’t other men forbidden from residing in the palace? Or did Tang dynasty rules differ from elsewhere?

He nodded to Yang Bofang and said, “Uncle Yang, please stay here. I’ll go find out what this is about.”

“All right, you go ahead. Don’t worry about me; your real work is more important,” Yang Bofang nodded and waved him off, drinking alone.

The visitor from the palace was the eunuch Xiaodezi.

Seeing Liu Yitiao emerge, Xiaodezi bowed. “Greetings, Master Liu. I am your humble servant, Xiaodezi.”

“Eunuch, greetings,” Liu Yitiao returned the bow. “May I ask what summons you bring?”

“Master Liu, please call me Xiaodezi,” the eunuch said with a smile. “I’m just a eunuch, so it’s too grand for you to address me formally. If others hear, they’d say Xiaodezi has no manners,” he said, bowing again.

Liu Yitiao recalled that eunuchs during the Tang dynasty mostly served as messengers with little real power, their status perhaps not even higher than a commoner like himself.

“Well then, Xiaodezi,” Liu Yitiao said awkwardly, “what brings you to see me now?”

“It’s like this,” Xiaodezi said respectfully, “Her Majesty the Empress took the medicinal meal you prescribed and feels much better. She’s very grateful and sent me to express her thanks.”

“The Empress is too kind. It’s my duty,” Liu Yitiao bowed in reply.

“Also,” Xiaodezi continued, “the Emperor fears the Empress’s illness may flare up at night when it’s hard to care for her. So he wishes to have you stay temporarily in the guard quarters of Lizheng Hall. This will save you the back-and-forth between the general’s mansion and the palace, and if anything happens to the Empress, you can attend to her promptly. So please prepare and come with me to the palace.”