Chapter 86: The True Culprit Behind the Scenes

At lunchtime, Old Liu still hadn’t gotten up. Given his gloomy mood, it was no wonder he couldn’t eat. Liu Yitiao went to check on him several times and found him buried under the covers, fast asleep, so he refrained from disturbing him further. He asked Liu He’s wife to set aside some lunch for Old Liu, then went about his own business.

It was almost two in the afternoon, and Liu Yitiao was giving his little donkey a bath when two distinguished guests arrived at the Liu household.

Gongsun Wuda and Gongsun Wenda.

One was the illustrious General of the Left Gate Guards, famed across the court; the other, a high and mighty figure in Sanyuan County. Their arrival left Liu Yitiao both honored and more than a little uneasy.

Yes, uneasy. These two, by all rights, should not have come at such a time.

Just yesterday, Gongsun Helan had been ambushed and gravely wounded by an assassin, and was still bedridden, unable to walk. In this situation, as Helan’s father and uncle, Gongsun Wenda and Gongsun Wuda should have been preoccupied with tracking down the mastermind behind the attack, not paying a visit to the humble Liu household.

Liu Yitiao put down his rag, straightened his clothes, and went to greet them. From a distance, he cupped his hands respectfully and said with a smile, “General Gongsun and Uncle Gongsun, forgive me for not welcoming you sooner. Please pardon my lack of hospitality!”

“Oh?” Gongsun Wuda looked in surprise at Gongsun Wenda, then turned to Liu Yitiao. “How did this young man know I am Gongsun Wuda? Have we met before somewhere?”

“I have lived in Sanyuan for a long time and never been to Chang’an, so I have never had the honor of meeting the General. I recognized you just now by a lucky guess—please do not take offense!” Liu Yitiao opened the main gate and bowed low to Gongsun Wuda. He then took the reins of their horses and invited them in with a gesture. “Please, General and Uncle, come inside. My humble home is plain and unworthy of your presence.”

“Haha, Brother, what did I tell you? I knew Nephew Yitiao would recognize you, but you wouldn’t believe me. Well, now you see? Hahaha…” Passing his reins to Liu Yitiao, Gongsun Wenda stroked his small beard in satisfaction and laughed heartily.

“You’re a clever lad. Tell me—how did you know it was me?” Gongsun Wuda stood at the threshold, refusing to step forward. He smiled at Liu Yitiao, “If your explanation makes sense, I’ll come in and acknowledge you as my nephew. But if not, I’ll turn my horse and leave at once.”

Surprised, Liu Yitiao glanced at Gongsun Wenda, thinking, What sort of test is this old man playing at? But seeing Gongsun Wenda only smiling and nodding, with no intention of stepping in, Liu Yitiao had no choice but to bow to Gongsun Wuda and say, “If that’s the case, then I shall presume to speak.”

Straightening, Liu Yitiao looked Gongsun Wuda up and down, considered for a moment, and began, “Though the General is dressed in plain clothes and rides an ordinary horse today, a person’s bearing, presence, and ingrained habits cannot be hidden by mere attire or a common mount.”

He continued, “I recognized the General based on three clues. First, from the very first glance, I knew you were a soldier—one who has fought on the battlefield and slain enemies, a true man of war.”

Liu Yitiao elaborated, “I saw it in your eyes and the way you rode your horse. Your gaze is sharp, looking at people and things as if they were lifeless objects. If I may be so bold, it is a gaze that holds utter indifference toward life—cold-blooded, to put it plainly. Only those who have killed, and could kill again, possess such eyes. Ordinary men cannot learn it. And one who has killed and still walks the streets with head held high is certainly no criminal.”

“Interesting. Go on,” Gongsun Wuda nodded with a slight smile.

“Also, in the way you ride—legs tightly gripping the horse, left hand on the reins, right arm bent and resting at your waist. Clearly, you are adept at mounted combat and accustomed to carrying a spear at your side. Even without a weapon in hand, your right arm instinctively stayed at your waist. I hope my guess is not mistaken?” Liu Yitiao bowed as he asked.

“Haha, Nephew Yitiao, you are quite remarkable. No wonder Helan wants to call you brother!” Gongsun Wuda laughed and stepped into the courtyard, clearly pleased with Liu Yitiao’s explanation. With hands clasped behind his back, he turned to Liu Yitiao, “From now on, you may call me Uncle, just as Helan does.”

Joy leaped in Liu Yitiao’s heart—this was a mighty patron indeed.

He tied up the horses by the rail, walked to Gongsun Wuda, and bowed deeply. “Uncle Gongsun, your nephew greets you with all respect.”

“No need for excessive ceremony,” Gongsun Wuda lifted his right hand slightly, formally acknowledging Liu Yitiao.

“Please, Uncles, take the seat of honor.” Once inside, Liu Yitiao invited the two brothers to the main chairs, served them tea, and then sat below them.

Gongsun Wenda, without ceremony, took a sip of tea and then asked with interest, “Did you not say there were three clues, Nephew? You have only named the first. What are the other two? I hope you will enlighten me.”

“The other two are your appearances and, Uncle, your manner toward the General.” Liu Yitiao glanced at Gongsun Wuda, and seeing no displeasure, explained carefully, “You are brothers, so you share many features. Moreover, when riding, you always stayed behind the General, and dismounted only after he did. Tell me, who else but the Left Gate Guard General, Gongsun Wuda, would be so alike in appearance to you, and receive your respect as well?”

“Nephew Yitiao, your observation is keen and your reasoning meticulous—admirable indeed!” Gongsun Wenda set his cup down and smiled. “No wonder you were able to plot the downfall of Wang Kui’s entire family.”

“What?” Liu Yitiao’s heart gave a jolt. Why bring up that matter now? He bowed slightly and said, “You flatter me, Uncle. I dare not accept the praise. Wang Kui broke the law and was sentenced by Lord Wang according to justice. I was simply the plaintiff, suffering from his persecution—I did nothing excessive. Perhaps you have misunderstood, Uncle.”

Not admitting to it? This lad truly has a promising future.

Gongsun Wenda laughed, “I only mentioned it in passing, Nephew. There’s no need to be nervous. It’s all in the past, and few would trouble themselves to investigate further.”

“Brother, you always talk in circles. Why not just get to the point? Must you always be so roundabout?” Gongsun Wuda chided his brother, then said directly to Liu Yitiao, “Nephew Yitiao, the reason we have come today, apart from thanking you for saving Helan’s life yesterday, is to inform you of something important.”

He paused for effect, then continued, “We have identified the man behind yesterday’s assassin. It is none other than Liu Peng, uncle to Wang Kui—the very man you orchestrated the demise of some weeks ago.”