Chapter 21: The Beauty (I)

There is a peerless beauty dwelling in a secluded valley.
A single glance of hers can topple a city; a second glance, a kingdom.
Had he not seen it with his own eyes, Li Kuo would never have believed such a stunning woman existed in the Tang Dynasty.
Just a bit more, and she would appear plump; just a bit less, and she would seem gaunt. Her striking figure, exquisite appearance, and skin as smooth and fair as sheep-fat jade made her an unparalleled beauty.
If Princess Yang’s beauty lay in her full figure and Lady Guo’s in her charming demeanor, then Li Niang’s beauty truly stemmed from her pure and delicate temperament. The young man was momentarily stunned, his palms sweating as he didn’t know how to react to this sudden turn of events.
Li Niang clung tightly to Li Kuo’s thighs, fearing he might abandon her in an instant. With Colonel Wu dead, she had no one to rely on and was at the mercy of the Wu family. Wu Tawei, the eldest son of the Wu family, had always disliked her, believing she had seduced their father and undermined his position in the family. Little did he know that as a woman freed from a brothel, she had little choice at all.
Now that Colonel Wu was dead, Wu Tawei would surely seek revenge on her. Given his vengeful nature, it was likely he would sell her to a brothel to vent his anger. Having finally escaped that miserable life, how could Li Niang easily give in? Unfortunately, as just one of Colonel Wu’s concubines, she had no real control over her own fate. That’s why, upon hearing that someone wanted to buy the Wu family’s house, she rushed over without hesitation, determined to ensure her master bought her along as well.
As for the age or appearance of this master, she didn’t care—even if it meant marrying a sixty-year-old man, it was better than enduring humiliation in a brothel every day.
When she saw the man who wanted to buy the house, Li Niang was overjoyed. He appeared to be a young man of about seventeen or eighteen, with a robust build, though his features still carried a youthful innocence. Marrying such a handsome young man as a concubine was surely better than being humiliated in a brothel, right?
Once determined, Li Niang wouldn’t give up easily. She wasn’t worried about her age at all. Though she was four or five years older than him, she took great care in maintaining her skin. If she didn’t reveal it, few would guess her true age. Besides, for men, a woman’s most important trait is charm—once they fall for it, they can’t let go. And for someone who came from a brothel, mastering a man’s heart was effortless.
“This young lady, please stand up first. We can talk things over slowly.”
Li Kuo really didn’t know how to address Li Niang, so he sighed and tried to help her up.

Shen Liniang shook her head instead, biting her jade-like lips and saying, “If this master refuses, I will kneel here and die.”
“Well, Young Master Wu, what do you think…”
Li Kuo was at a loss for words and turned his gaze to Wu Dawei.
“You wretched Shen Liniang, get up right now! If you keep delaying, I’ll take you to the authorities to see if your delicate skin can withstand torture!”
Wu Dawei felt humiliated in front of outsiders and, in his anger, cursed loudly, pointing at Liniang while trembling.
“Young Master, please listen to Liniang. Ever since I married into your household as a concubine, I’ve become part of the Wu family—something I never deny. If you’re willing to keep me in the house, even as a lowly maid, I won’t complain at all. But now that you’re pushing me to the brink, I have no choice but to protect myself. If you won’t give me a chance to live, I’ll die right here in the Wu household.”
Shen Liniang stared at Wu Dawei with firm determination, unyielding in the slightest.
“Good, good, what a clever Shen Liniang! You want to fight to the death? Fine, I’ll tell you—no matter how you sue, you won’t win an inch of justice!”
Wu Dawei wasn’t worried about losing the lawsuit at all. Since Shen Liniang had had her identity cleared by their grandfather and been brought back to the household, she was already part of the Wu family. Put nicely, the servants called her the Seventh Lady; put bluntly, she was just a maid in the Wu household. Who did she think she was? She wasn’t even a concubine to their grandfather! With justice on his side, Wu Dawei couldn’t possibly be at a disadvantage anywhere!
Li Kuo didn’t want to interfere in the Wu household’s affairs. But since things had escalated to this point, he was somewhat involved. Not wanting to see Shen Liniang cry, Li Kuo cleared his throat and said, “Young Master Wu, we can sit down and talk this through. I don’t think Liniang is unreasonable.”
Wu Dawei snorted coldly, “This is my family’s business. There’s no need for Master Li to worry. By the way, Master Li, are you here to buy a house or to meddle? If you’re not buying anything, our Wu household won’t entertain strangers!”
“You! Wu, how dare you speak to our Seventh Brother like that? Do you know who he is?”
Chen Xiaoliu, displeased by Wu Dawei’s arrogant attitude, stepped forward and warned him.
“He? He’s just a merchant with a little money. To be honest, I despise scoundrel merchants like you the most. Enough! I won’t sell this house. What if I have money? I’m not afraid of getting stained with your greed!”

Not wanting Li Kuo to get involved, Wu Tawei simply issued an order to drive him away, his words harsh and piercing. “You, fine! Don’t say I’m bullying you with my power. Today, Lord Chen Liu will teach you a lesson. Pay close attention—this man before you is the newly appointed military envoy of Shule, the young hero who defeated the Tubo tribes, General Li Kuo!” Chen Xiao Liu sneered and revealed Li Kuo’s true identity. Since Wu Tawei was bullying others with his power, he shouldn’t blame Chen Xiao Liu for fighting back. “What? He’s Lieutenant Li Kuo from Shuiman Jiuku City?” As an official of the imperial court, though not holding a high position in the Six Ministries, Wu Tawei had at least read some of the imperial gazettes. He stared at Li Kuo in disbelief, unable to connect the young hero who had defeated the barbarians with this kind-faced young man before him. “If you truly are General Li Kuo?” Wu Tawei asked tentatively, his voice trembling. “To be honest, it is indeed I.” Seeing that things had come to this, Li Kuo smiled and took out his identification badge from his waist to hand it to Wu Tawei. Wu Tawei glanced at it quickly, dismissed any illusions, and immediately knelt down. “General Li, please forgive my ignorance. I failed to recognize such a noble person as you. I deserve death. Consider this house yours, and if you like Li Niang, take her with you as well. I beg you, out of consideration for my ignorance, please don’t hold it against me…” Wu Tawei must have watched many operas, as he could change his attitude as quickly as an actor. Just moments ago he had been domineering toward Li Kuo, but now he had lowered his stance drastically. It wasn’t surprising he was so panicked—if Li Kuo resented his words and used his position to slander him through the Ministry of Personnel, it would be easy for him to get a poor evaluation. In that case, not only would he have no chance of promotion, but if no one in the court spoke up, Young Master Wu might even be demoted to a remote county due to poor performance, never to return to the capital. But Li Kuo clearly wasn’t the kind of man to abuse power. With a slight smile, he said, “What are you talking about, Young Master Wu? It’s only natural for you to sell the house and me to buy it—money exchanged for the house. If I took the house without reason and did something that dishonored our family, my mother would surely beat me to death right here at the doorstep.” “Young Master Li truly has great magnanimity. I admire you greatly!” Wu Tawei immediately stood up with a smile, offering flattering words. “But as for Li Niang…” Li Kuo frowned, hesitating to speak.

Wu Tawei thought Li Kuo had changed his mind and hurriedly said, “Lady Liniang, please take her away. Consider it my way of showing my respect for you. Please don’t be polite—just do it.”

Li Kuo turned to look at the gaunt-faced Lady Liniang and sighed inwardly. With things having escalated to this point, if he didn’t “take her in,” Wu Tawei would immediately sell her to a brothel, leaving no chance of turning things around. It was better to “take her in” first and, once things calmed down, give her some silver to help her find a good family.

After making up his mind, Li Kuo smiled and said, “Since Young Master Wu is so kind, I have no choice but to accept his offer.”

After a brief pause, Li Kuo turned to Shen Liniang and asked, “Liniang, would you like to come with me?”

Liniang pressed her delicate lips together and replied shyly, “I am willing.”

“Great! It’s truly a match made in heaven!”

Wu Tawei stepped forward with a seductive smile, his eyes narrowed to slits.

“Since ancient times, heroes have been paired with beauties. General Li is so valiant—following you must be a blessing for Liniang as well.”

Wu Tawei cleared his throat and said, “If General Li needs anything, just let me know. Though I’m not very capable, I’m still willing to serve under General Li.”

“In that case, thank you very much.”

Li Kuo raised the corners of his mouth slightly and nodded at Wu Tawei. “Here are a thousand guan in flying money, which can be exchanged at Xu Changhui. Please accept it, Young Master Wu.” (Note 1)

Wu Tawei accepted the flying money with deep gratitude and said, “Then this deal is settled! Now that this house belongs to the general, please take Lady Liniang away first. Let me take a few days to pack up my belongings. In three days, bring your family here!”

“That’s only proper!”

Li Kuo bowed to Wu Tawei in agreement.

Note 1: Flying money: According to the “Book of Tang: Treatise on Food and Goods,” “At that time, merchants who went to the capital would deposit money with the various provincial submission offices, military agencies, and wealthy families, so they could travel light to different places. They could withdraw the money upon presenting the vouchers, which were called flying money.” In other words, the earliest form of paper money was not Jiaozi from the Northern Song Dynasty but flying money from the Tang Dynasty. The earliest record of “flying money” in historical texts dates back to February of the sixth year of Yuanhe (811); it is slightly advanced here for narrative purposes.