Futile Devices Scans

Early the next morning, Li Si left the palace with a bulging bundle of sweets tucked inside his clothes and returned home to visit Grandma and Godmother.

Grandma’s legs had completely recovered. The blind old woman had regained her former hearty vigor and was deftly rolling out dough at the little stove in the courtyard.

Godmother was beating and washing clothes in the courtyard. She raised her head and said, “Granny, once you’ve rolled out the dough, sit down and rest. I’ll light the fire. Be careful not to burn yourself.”

The old woman gave a carefree wave of her rolling pin. “I’ll do it!” She felt her way toward the stove with practiced ease and began lighting the fire.

Afraid that she would burn her hands, Godmother hurriedly put down the clothes and ran over. The old woman was no weaker than she was, and the two tugged back and forth as Grandma protested, “What’s so difficult about lighting a fire? Good girl, just let me do some work. Sitting idle every day makes me restless…”

They struggled so fiercely that neither heard the knocking at the courtyard gate. Li Si leapt up and caught hold of the courtyard wall, poking his little head over it as he called, “Grandma! Mother!”

Godmother hurried over to open the gate for him. The three clasped one another’s six hands, overjoyed by their reunion. Li Si had missed them terribly. Seeing that Grandma’s legs had healed and that Godmother’s face had grown somewhat rounder, no longer as haggard and gaunt as before, made him so happy that he could not stop smiling.

Godmother had watched Li Si grow up and had never seen him smile before. During the months he had previously remained in the capital, although Li Si had become cleverer and more sensible than before, he had still been silent and withdrawn every day, weighed down by worry. Yet after this second journey to Kuiyuan, he had returned rosy-cheeked, lively, and cheerful.

She could not stop smiling either and told his blind grandmother, “Granny, the child looks wonderfully healthy! He’s grown sturdier too! Oh, look at that little face smiling—he looks just like a child from a New Year print!”

Grandma exclaimed, “Good, good, good! My precious grandson!” She reached out to feel Li Si’s New Year-print face, and he obediently rubbed his cheek back and forth against her cracked palm like a little puppy.

Once he had rubbed his fill, Li Si hurriedly took out the warm little cloth bundle tucked inside his clothes and shared the delicate palace sweets with his two elders. He then circled around them like a little puppy, supporting Grandma one moment and steadying Godmother the next. “What are you doing? Are you making a meal? I’ll do it, I’ll do it! Hurry and rest!”

Li Si seized the tasks of lighting the fire and cooking the noodles, then helped Godmother hang the washed clothes throughout the courtyard. As he worked, he chattered to his two loved ones about everything he had seen and experienced in Kuiyuan.

The three sat together in the little courtyard, each holding a large steaming bowl of pulled noodles in broth. The rising heat warmed their faces until everyone looked flushed and joyful.

Li Si lowered his head and earnestly slurped down his noodles. After putting away the bowls and chopsticks, he began chattering to Grandma and Godmother about Elder Sister’s steamed cakes and Cook Wu’s sliced-noodle soup.

Godmother asked worriedly, “My son, everyone says the Xiao army is coming back again. Did you return to defend the city? Will you be all right?”

Li Si had many matters weighing on his mind, but he feared frightening Grandma and Godmother and could not tell them. By now, he was gradually beginning to understand why Brother Xiao had once hidden some of his worries from him and why Little Brother also concealed certain plans.

He merely said, “I returned to take care of something important.”

Then he reassured them, “Mother, Grandma, neither of you needs to worry. Pacification Commissioner Li told me that on this southward campaign, the Xiao army failed to capture Kuiyuan and has not completely occupied Hebei either. The Xiao Second Prince has advanced deep into enemy territory with an isolated army, which is extremely dangerous. As long as we firmly defend the capital, he may be unable to hold out for long and will retreat again.”

Godmother breathed a sigh of relief. “May it be so. May Heaven protect Great Xuan.”

–

Whether Heaven intended to protect Great Xuan remained uncertain. Yet despite how obvious the situation was, Great Xuan’s emperor could not understand it and had once again been frightened out of his wits by the Xiao army’s ferocious advance.

After placing Li Gang under house arrest, the emperor asked the assembled officials at court whether they should fight or seek peace, and how many cities they ought to cede.

The officials argued until the court became a pot of chaotic porridge. The pro-war faction led by Venerable Pacification Commissioner Zuo insisted upon defending to the death, but the peace faction bombarded them with endless objections. Coupled with the emperor’s obvious inclination toward begging for peace and surrender, the pro-war faction was placed at an overwhelming disadvantage.

The elderly commissioner was already seventy-seven years old and had long suffered from chronic illness. The argument inflamed him so badly that he fainted in the middle of court. The emperor seized the opportunity to order that the old gentleman be sent home to recuperate properly and no longer involve himself in affairs of state.

To demonstrate his sincerity in seeking peace, the emperor decided to send his own younger brother, Prince Kang, north of the Yellow River. Prince Kang was ordered to enter the Xiao encampment personally and inform the Second Prince of Great Xuan’s desire for peace, attempting to exchange greater reparations and annual tribute payments for the surrender of less territory.

All the troops under Venerable Pacification Commissioner Zuo were also transferred to the command of other generals.

–

Li Si knew nothing of these disputes within the imperial court.

Before the Xiao army arrived, he made the most of his time caring for the household. He ran back and forth to the market several times, carrying home several baskets of charcoal and food, then repaired every crack in the courtyard wall and each leaking corner of the roof.

He worked for the entire day. When the night grew quiet, Godmother locked the courtyard gate and the house door, then pulled him into a corner of the main room and dug a little earthen jar from a crevice in the wall.

After removing the stopper and peeling away layer after layer of cloth and oiled paper, she revealed several neatly folded banknotes, dozens of strings of copper coins, and a ledger illustrated in charcoal.

“My son, during the months you were away, your colleague Tao Shi often came to look after Grandma and me. Your Second Uncle’s death compensation, your monthly salary, and the reward money for the two of you going to Kuiyuan were all delivered by Young Master Tao on your behalf. Young Master Tao said that besides your superior, Administrator Li, someone else inside the palace has also been looking after us, but he could not say who. He merely told us to live without worry.”

“Young Master Tao said the reward was originally promised to be three thousand strings of cash. Administrator Li urged them repeatedly, but in the end, they issued only three hundred strings per person. Together, yours and your Second Uncle’s came to six hundred strings, all converted into banknotes here. Godmother hasn’t touched any of this money. I recorded every sum Grandma and I spent in our daily lives. I cannot read, so I drew everything here instead. Count it and see whether it all matches…”

Li Si covered Godmother’s hand and pushed the bundle back into her arms. “Mother, I can’t count. You can decide how to arrange it. Spend whatever the household needs. Buy more clothes for yourself and Grandma, and eat and dress well. Don’t be frugal.”

Madam Yao was not his birth mother, yet he trusted her so completely. Her eyes grew damp as she nodded repeatedly. “I will take good care of Grandma. Rest easy, my son.”

–

Mother and son tidied the room and helped Grandma into bed.

The night had grown deep, and both elders had retired. Li Si stood alone in the dark courtyard, preparing to scoop out a basin of water and wash himself.

His hand suddenly paused, and he tilted his head alertly.

There were footsteps outside the courtyard gate. He heard them clearly: the steps were hurried, accompanied by the sound of dripping water, stopping and starting throughout the alley. They did not resemble ordinary footsteps.

Li Si rose slightly onto his toes and silently glided over to the stove to retrieve his saber.

In the blink of an eye, he had glided back beside the courtyard gate and pressed his ear closer to listen.

The uninvited guest paced back and forth several times as though trying to confirm something. Little Brother had said that he would “send someone to find you,” but if this person had been sent by Little Brother, how could he be uncertain where Li Si lived?

This must be a thief harboring sinister intentions.

The footsteps paced back and forth a few more times. Suddenly, the man leapt, attempting to catch hold of the high courtyard wall and peek inside.

Li Si had happened to repair the cracked courtyard wall that very day. He also thought the wall was not high enough and feared that hooligans might take advantage of a siege to break into homes and rob them, so he had raised it by another two feet.

The newly laid mud bricks had not even dried. The thief pulled against the wall, and with a tremendous crash, an entire section of fresh bricks collapsed. He fell heavily to the ground with a loud thud.

The man was certainly tough enough to endure pain. He did not make a sound.

The noise was so loud in the night that even Godmother and Grandma, who had not yet fallen fully asleep, were awakened. Godmother hurriedly threw on some clothes and came out carrying an oil lamp.

She saw Li Si standing behind the courtyard gate with his saber. He gestured to her, and Godmother raised her voice to ask, “Who is it? Who’s outside?”

An awkward cough came from outside, accompanied by the sound of someone brushing broken bricks from his clothing. An adult man with a Hedong accent said nervously and awkwardly, “Elder Sister, forgive the disturbance! May I ask whether this is the home of Deputy Envoy Li Si of the Imperial City Directorate?”

Godmother froze and looked toward Li Si, only to see her godson throw aside his saber. Without time to speak or even breathe, he hurled himself at the courtyard gate. He yanked the heavy bolt free with tremendous force and flung it to the ground with a clang.

–

The man outside saw the gate fly open and someone shoot through it, so he raised both arms defensively before his face. The instant he recognized the familiar figure, however, he hurriedly spread his arms and clumsily caught Li Si in a full embrace.

Li Si leapt straight onto him, his two little colt legs flying three feet off the ground in delight. He cried out in disbelief, “Brother Xi—”

“Shh, shh.” Zhang San hurriedly covered his mouth. “Keep your voice down. There are patrols nearby.”

Li Si wrapped both legs around Zhang San’s body and clung tightly to his neck as though trapped inside a dream. He lowered his voice and exclaimed in a rapid stream, “Brother Xiao! Brother Xiao! Did you fall out of the sky?”

Zhang San answered, “It’s me, it’s me. I came from—cough—I came out of the water.”

“The water? You’re so wet…” Li Si exclaimed incoherently, lowering his head to kiss him, but Zhang San turned his face aside.

Li Si had no time to wonder why he refused the kiss. Still hugging his neck, he repeated in amazement, “You—you’re so wet!”

“I already told you I came through the water… Stop talking nonsense. Hurry inside before the patrol comes.”

–

The tattooed characters on Zhang San’s hands and face were far too conspicuous to withstand questioning by a patrol. As a general of Hedong, he had traveled a thousand li south and secretly entered the capital without any imperial transfer order. His conduct was outrageously beyond the pale. If he were caught, Great Xuan’s laws would undoubtedly sentence him to beheading.

Zhang San himself knew that he habitually courted death and could not implicate his comrades. When he reached the outskirts of the capital, he clearly saw Li Gang’s familiar army encamped outside the city, yet did not approach to greet them. He evaded the defenders upon the walls, secretly entered the Bian River after nightfall, and swam through the waterway beneath the city gate’s barbican with a reed between his lips for air, infiltrating the city.

–

Li Si was so delighted that he refused even to put his feet on the ground. He remained hanging from Zhang San as the man carried him into the courtyard. Zhang San wrapped one arm around his waist and had only just closed the gate with the other when Godmother’s astonished voice came from behind them. “My son, who is this young gentleman?”

Li Si jumped down from Brother Xiao’s body, only then remembering that Godmother was still in the courtyard. Knowing nothing of propriety or avoidance, he tightly clasped Brother Xiao’s hand and dragged him in a few quick steps before her. “Mother! This is Brother Xiao!”

Zhang San bowed awkwardly and nervously. “G-greetings, Madam. I am Zhang San. My personal name is Xiao.”

Godmother heard her son talk about Brother Xiao every day and could not have been more familiar with him. “Young Master Zhang, please come inside. It’s cold in the courtyard. Come indoors and talk. I’ll find you a clean set of clothing.”

Godmother went inside to search through Li Si’s old clothes. Grandma had also heard the commotion and rose to dress and tidy herself, wanting to meet their guest.

–

Li Si led Zhang San into the main room first, found him a stool, and fetched a cloth to dry his hair. Zhang San undid his hair and let the long, dripping strands hang loose while Li Si wiped them.

After wiping once, Li Si could not resist burying his face against the back of Zhang San’s neck, rubbing enough water onto himself to soak his entire face.

“How did you come here? How did you find my home?”

Zhang San’s damp ear was warmed by Li Si’s breath, and his face began to burn as well. He wanted to say something sweet, but remembering that the two elders were in the adjoining room, he coughed and whispered, “You’re allowed to come looking for me, but I’m not allowed to come looking for you?”

Li Si cried, “You are! You are!”

Delighted and impatient, he tried to cling to Brother Xiao and kiss him again. Yet the usually shameless Zhang San did not dare behave outrageously before Li Si’s family. He pushed and shoved him away, gesturing toward the adjoining room. “What are you doing? Stop clinging to me.”

Li Si had not seen him in more than ten days. Why should he not cling to him? The two of them were husband and wife. What was there that Godmother and Grandma could not see?

Zhang San’s shameless face burned hotter. Unable to push him away and seeing that Godmother had not yet emerged, he could only cup Li Si’s face and lightly peck his lips. “Enough, enough. We’ll talk about it later.”

Li Si still wanted to cling to him, but Godmother came out carrying a dry set of clothing before withdrawing into the other room again.

Zhang San thanked her repeatedly, hurriedly stripped naked, and changed into the clothes. Li Si claimed he was helping him dry and dress, but seized the opportunity to grope him several times. Zhang San could not help laughing softly and cursed in a nearly inaudible nasal murmur, “Little lecher.”

This time, Li Si was the shameless one. Not only did he smile after being scolded, he secretly kissed Zhang San again.

–

Once Zhang San had changed, Godmother helped Grandma out of the room. The family sat together in the main room and exchanged introductions. All three were curious why Zhang San had come and how he had found the Li household.

It was a long story.

Only a few days after Li Si left Jinyang with Pacification Commissioner Li, another carrier pigeon arrived from Kuiyuan reporting that the city’s provisions were nearly exhausted. Even if everyone ate bran and thin gruel or boiled tree bark and wild grass, they would probably be unable to endure another month.

Although the newly rebuilt Jinyang City was as secure as an iron fortress and capable of defending itself, it could not rescue Kuiyuan. Zhang San understood that before reinforcements arrived from the south, Kuiyuan, Jinyang, and Tianmen Pass were trapped in a rigid and hopeless deadlock. Blindly defending and waiting was no solution. After thinking for an entire night, he simply entrusted Jinyang’s defenses to Liu Wu and one of the deputy generals Li Gang had left behind. Once everything was arranged, he mounted Big Black Ghost and galloped south alone, hoping to catch up with Li Si in the capital, lend him his strength, kill Perfected Master Shen Xiao as soon as possible, help relieve the siege of the capital, and allow the reinforcements to return swiftly to Kuiyuan.

Riding a divine steed capable of traveling a thousand li, he pressed onward day and night. In less than five days, he reached the capital and temporarily left Big Black Ghost in a forest outside the city. Then, as already described, he entered the city alone through the waterways.

–

As for how he knew that water route, four years earlier, he had accompanied an army south on the campaign to suppress Fang La’s rebellion and had stopped with the troops outside the capital along the way. He was young and playful at the time and wanted to sneak into the city to see the capital’s excitement, so he had entered through the water under cover of night. He had also met Brother Xu because of it, but that was a story for another time.

–

After entering the city this time, he remembered Sisi once telling him that, to make his guard rotations and care for his family more convenient, he had rented a little courtyard in the inner city. It stood southeast of the imperial palace beside the Bian River, with three willow trees growing side by side before the gate and a cluster of monthly roses planted inside.

Zhang San therefore followed the Bian River from the outer city into the inner city and found the three willow trees. He wanted to climb onto the courtyard wall and see whether any monthly roses grew inside, only to land solidly on his backside…

—From this, it seemed Boss Zhang truly was unsuited to climbing walls and leaping from heights. Such flying-and-vaulting work was best left to Boss Zhang’s little colt bride.

–

By the time the family finished talking, the night had grown late. Godmother and Grandma retired, and Li Si led Zhang San back to his own room.

Besides the main room, the courtyard Li Si rented had bedrooms on both the eastern and western sides. Godmother and Grandma slept in the eastern room, while Li Si lived alone in the western one.

Li Si filled a basin with water and began wiping himself down inside the room. Zhang San crept over to close the door, peeking furtively several times toward the elders’ room before shutting it.

The instant the bolt dropped into place, his tiger nature was fully revealed. He turned and strode forward, impatiently pouncing upon Sisi and throwing him onto the bed.

“Huh?” Li Si cried out. The dripping cloth in his hand had not even been returned to the basin before Zhang San pressed him onto the bed with a thud, and his startled cry was swiftly smothered.

The two grown men created quite a commotion inside the room, making the wooden bed bang repeatedly. Godmother’s faint voice came from the eastern room. “My son? Did something happen? Did you fall?”

In the blink of an eye, Li Si’s trousers were already hanging around his ankles, and his little face was flushed crimson. Brother Xiao, completely naked, straddled him while tugging at his clothes. Reacting extremely quickly, Zhang San raised his voice and called, “Madam! Nothing happened! We accidentally knocked over the water basin!”

The basin was still sitting perfectly upright on the table. With the wet cloth draped over his head, Li Si was shoved by Brother Xiao and could only violate his conscience by calling along, “Mother! Nothing happened! Please go back to sleep!”

No further sound came from Godmother’s room. Zhang San breathed in relief and gestured for Li Si to raise his arms, then stripped the final scrap of cloth from his body. He lowered himself, pressing their bare bodies together as he embraced Li Si and complained softly beside his ear, “Why are the walls in your home so thin?”

Li Si was burning all over beneath him and could only concentrate on breathing. Unable to speak, he frantically stroked and kneaded Zhang San’s chest with both hands.

“Hehe, little lecher. You were already groping me while helping me change earlier. You must have been terribly pent up…”

–

A brief separation made their reunion sweeter than newlywed bliss. Keeping their voices down, the two made love inside the room like a pair of illicit lovers, finally releasing all the unbearable yearning and impatience in their hearts.

Only then did they collapse together across the pillows, holding each other tightly as they calmed their breathing.

After one satisfying round, Li Si was finally no longer burning with impatience. He buried his face against Brother Xiao’s shoulder and slowly began acting spoiled.

Brother Xiao’s damp breath brushed his ear as he asked, “Little Fool, what do you plan to do next?”

The damp sensation made Li Si shiver, and he curled even more tightly into Brother Xiao’s arms before telling him everything that had happened since his return to the capital.

Hearing that Little Brother intended to do something so audacious, Zhang San was also startled. “He truly dares to do such a thing? How will he escape afterward? Won’t the capital descend into utter chaos? Wouldn’t the Xiao army seize the opportunity to attack?”

Li Si shared the same worries but replied, “Little Brother said he has made arrangements.”

Zhang San thought for a while, then remarked, “The moment I saw that opening in the roof of the tunnel, I knew that boy had ideas of his own!”

He sighed and lowered his head to kiss the crown of Li Si’s hair.

“Let us trust him. I’ll remain here and wait with you.”

Li Si nodded. The word “with” filled him with such happiness that he could not stop smiling. Unable to restrain himself, he buried his face in the thick softness, while his fingers wandered downward…

With his face buried in the hot, yielding warmth, he mumbled emotionally, “You—you’re so wet.”

“You’re the one who got me like this earlier… Stop fumbling around and hurry up and get inside me…”

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