Chapter 98: The Noble Consort Throws the Pot

Early the next morning, the second butler of Gao Lishi’s residence took Li Qing’an to view the house. Li Qing’an had originally planned to go with the three maids to see it together, but Xiao Lian fell ill from catching a chill at night. So, Li Qing’an took care of her carefully, while Ru Hua accompanied him to inspect the new house.

The new house was located in the southern part of Guangfu Fang. To the left was Guangfu Temple, and to the right was a three-zhang-wide river called Wulu River, named so because people claimed to have seen five sika deer drinking by its banks. The water was clear and calm, and the scenery along the river was beautiful, with dense willows and locust trees. The willows had already sprouted, brimming with greenery. Gao Lishi’s villa was surrounded by this river.

It was only when Li Qing’an saw the mansion in person that he realized just how much favor he had received. The Wulu River formed a semicircle here, encircling the entire mansion. The river was artificially diverted, creating an isolated house in the middle of the water, connected to the main road by a stone bridge.

“General Li, this island mansion was originally Yao Chong’s villa. It later fell into the hands of Prince Ning, who had it renovated. In the 29th year of the Kaiyuan era, our master did Prince Ning a great favor, so Prince Ning gave this mansion to my master’s family. Although it’s not large, it’s extremely valuable—no 50-mu estate can compare to it.”

Butler Luo sighed in admiration. The master was even unwilling to give this mansion to his own brother-in-law, yet he gave it to Li Qing’an, showing just how much he valued him.

“General Li, let’s go inside and take a look!”

The butler stepped onto the bridge. At that moment, Ru Hua quietly pulled at Li Qing’an’s sleeve and whispered, “Big brother, I really like this mansion. I want to move in tonight.”

Li Qing’an chuckled. “Then shall we move in together tonight?”

“Go! You’re up to no good again.”

Ru Hua pouted, looking unhappy, but her delicate fingers traced patterns in Li Qing’an’s palm, making him itch uncontrollably. This little maid…

“General Li, come in quickly!”

The door was already open, and Butler Luo was waving at them from the entrance.

“Hehe! Coming.”

Li Qing’an led Ru Hua inside the mansion. It was a mid-to-high-class residence, covering eight mu of land, surrounded by tall walls. Due to the owner’s status, it wasn’t a large, domed mansion like Yang Huahua’s; instead, it consisted of exquisite, unique small houses arranged in four sections, separated by decorative walls. At the entrance was a screen wall, with various auxiliary rooms and servants’ quarters on either side. There were numerous buildings, with a complex layout.

After passing through a moon gate, one entered the inner courtyard. In the center was a large courtyard, with the main hall directly to its north. The main hall was spacious enough to accommodate dozens of people sitting together, with four side rooms on each side. An exterior corridor with decorative eaves connected the side rooms.

In the center of the courtyard stood an ancient apricot tree that was hundreds of years old, standing eight or nine zhang tall, its crown resembling an umbrella that covered most of the courtyard. At the east and west corners of the courtyard grew ancient osmanthus trees, each three hundred years old.

Ru Hua looked up at the tree in awe, staring at it blankly. Li Qingan slowly walked up to her and asked with a smile, “What are you thinking about?”

“There was also an ancient apricot tree like this in the courtyard where we lived as children. A group of us kids, around seven or eight years old, would climb it every day to play. Once, I fell from the tree because of being naughty and almost lost my life. The memory is still fresh in my mind. Seeing this tree makes me feel like I’m back in my childhood.”

Li Qingan wrapped his arms around her waist and laughed, “You can climb it after you move in! I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything.”

“Then I’ll hide in the tree and throw apricots at your head, hehe!”

Ru Hua jumped up and tapped Li Qingan on the head. He quickly grabbed her delicate wrist and winked, saying, “Then I’ll catch you and spank you!”

After saying that, he patted her round, soft buttocks twice with his hand, reluctant to let go.

“Big brother, you’re so mean! Taking advantage of others.”

Ru Hua punched his shoulder twice with her small pink fist, staring at him intently. Li Qingan felt a surge of heat. Seeing Manager Luo coming out of the guest hall, he took Ru Hua’s hand and said with a smile, “Let’s go! Let’s take a look at the inner courtyard.”

As soon as they entered the inner courtyard, Li Qingan and Ru Hua exclaimed in unison. There was a small river over a zhang wide winding through the courtyard, with weeping willows, peach trees, plum trees, and various exotic flowers planted on both sides. Dozens of pavilions and towers were hidden among the green trees and flowers.

The most amazing part was that this river originated from the Wulu River, flowed through the back residence, and then returned to the Wulu River at the other end, forming a small lake of one mu in area under the east wall. The water was less than a person’s height and crystal clear.

“General Li, the biggest feature of this inner courtyard is that the garden and the buildings are integrated. There are three small buildings and over twenty rooms in total. All the furniture is complete and brand new, added just last year,” said Manager Luo with a smile as he handed a large sandalwood box to Li Qingan. “The property deeds and all the keys are in this box. There are instructions on them, so you won’t get it wrong.”

“Thank you!” Li Qing’an took the box and asked with a smile, “This mansion is so quiet— isn’t there even anyone to look after it?”
“There is! There’s an old couple. Today is the second day of the first lunar month, so they’ve gone back to their hometown in Xianyang and will return in a few days.”
Butler Luo bowed with a smile and said, “The mansion has been handed over to General Li. Then I’ll be leaving.”
“Thank you, Butler Luo, for showing me around today. I’d like to take another good look around before leaving.”
“Very well. Then I’ll take my leave.”
After Butler Luo left, Li Qing’an locked the main door and went back to the backyard. He said to Ru Hua, who was swaying gently on the swing, “Now it’s just the two of us. What do you think we should do?”
“What do you say?”
Ru Hua gently bit her lip, giving Li Qing’an a charming glance before jumping off the swing. She took his hand and rushed toward a small building.
…
An hour later, Li Qing’an left the new mansion with Ru Hua. Riding on his horse, full of energy, he said with a smile, “I didn’t expect even the bedding to be brand new. We only need to buy some household items. Ru Hua, what do you think we still need?”
Ru Hua leaned against the carriage window. The sunlight illuminated her pretty, rosy face, making her look like a lazy cat basking in the winter sun.
“Hmm! You decide! I’m not in the mood right now.”
Li Qing’an laughed proudly. “I’m in great spirits. This afternoon, I plan to take Ru Shi to see the house.”
“You jerk! I’ll tell my sister so she won’t fall for it.”
Li Qing’an laughed heartily. “Maybe she’s willing to fall for it!”
Just as he finished speaking, a horse rushed over in the distance. “General Li! General Li!”
It was Butler Luo again. Li Qing’an was surprised and went to greet him. “Butler Luo, is there something you need from me?”
“Go back quickly! Two gentlemen have urgent matters to discuss with you.”
…
The last time Li Longji arranged to teach Yang Guifei to shoot arrows was on the third day of the first lunar month, that is, tomorrow. But since Yang Guifei had to accompany Li Longji to formally receive foreign envoys visiting Chang’an the next day, she didn’t have time. She wanted to start lessons earlier, so Gao Lishi sent two eunuchs to find Li Qing’an.
Half an hour later, Li Qing’an arrived at Xingqing Palace. Teaching the empress to shoot arrows wasn’t as simple as a teacher carrying a book into a classroom in later times. First, she had to bathe and change clothes, have lunch, then put on the guard uniforms prepared by the palace. Her own belongings were not allowed in at all and were kept by someone special, to be returned upon departure.

Li Qing’an put on a brand-new set of white warrior’s robes, wearing a gauze hat, a leather belt around his waist, and black leather boots, looking vibrant and imposing. He was led by three guards into the inner palace, to the Chenxiang Pavilion where Yang Guifei often stayed. The area designated for Yang Guifei to practice pot-throwing had been prepared—right by the Longchi Lake, surrounded by lush greenery with tender sprouts of sobering grass. In the distance lay the shimmering lake surface, with several willow trees swaying gently in the wind, their branches already showing signs of green.

This year’s New Year came late, and it was already early spring. A fresh, slightly warm spring breeze blew, refreshing and pleasant to the skin.

The practice area was thirty zhang long and wide, with a three-foot-tall golden-necked vase standing in the center—this was the standard pot for throwing in the palace. Around it stood over twenty palace maids, each holding a jade disc with a small golden arrow on it, which gleamed in the sunlight. In the four corners of the area stood a dozen palace guards at a distance.

“Her Majesty has arrived!” a guard called out from afar.

A sound of jewelry jingling could be heard, and a fragrant breeze drifted over. Yang Yuhuan, the favorite concubine of Emperor Li Longji of the Tang Dynasty, appeared surrounded by a group of palace maids and beauties.

Today, she wore her hair in a high bun, with a phoenix-shaped jade hairpin inserted diagonally among her black hair. She wore a multicolored Shu silk shawl over her shoulders, a bright yellow short-sleeved top, a purple long skirt that trailed on the ground, and a red belt tied around her waist, hanging down between her legs. Her chest was exposed, revealing smooth, fair skin like clouds. Her beauty was like two rising moons.

Li Qing’an stepped forward, knelt down halfway, and bowed, saying, “Your servant Li Qing’an pays his respects to Her Majesty!”

“General Li, rise!”

Yang Yuhuan’s voice was gentle and melodious, pleasing to hear.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Li Qing’an stood up and then took a closer look at one of the four most famous beauties in history.

If Changsun Mingyue was like a delicate peony, then Yang Yuhuan was the most gorgeous among them—a beauty that captivated hearts. Her beauty lay not only in her indescribably delicate features but also in her charm. The way her eyes sparkled made people long to remember her forever. Every smile, gesture, and step carried an innate allure.

Yet Li Qing’an’s extraordinary vision caught a faint, indescribable sadness in Yang Yuhuan’s eyes.

Yang Yuhuan also observed this young man full of youthful energy. His bright gaze made her smile as she nodded—she really liked this unique young man.

“General Li, let’s begin!”

“Your Majesty, let’s talk about holding the arrow first. Although it is often said that the grip should be two inches behind the arrowhead, that’s not necessarily true in practice. Everyone’s finger length is different, and their sense of touch varies, so I think there’s no need to be too strict—it should be adjusted according to each person.”
“Then, General Li, where do you think I should hold it?” Yang Yuhuan asked with a gentle smile.
She raised a golden arrow, her sleeves sliding down to reveal a section of pure white jade-like skin. Her wrists were plump, with fair skin and red muscles, slender and smooth without joints.
Li Qing’an was about to reach out to correct the position of her wrist when a eunuch beside him cleared his throat softly. Li Qing’an quickly withdrew his hand and said with a smile, “Your Majesty, find the position that feels most natural and comfortable to you—that’s the best position for you.”
Yang Yuhuan frowned slightly and said, “But this has always been the most natural position for me. Yet after shooting, it doesn’t feel right. I always feel it’s not as smooth as I’d like. I think it’s because my grip on the arrow is wrong. General Li, could you help me correct it?”
Li Qing’an was at a loss. He had noticed a slight issue with her finger placement that needed minor adjustment. When teaching Ru Shi to shoot arrows, he would wrap his arms around her, hold her wrist, and help her find the right feel. But could he do the same with Yang Yuhuan?
Two eunuchs, one on each side, were watching him! At that moment, Li Qing’an suddenly realized something—historically, An Lushan and Yang Guifei never were together like that. Unless Li Longji deliberately wanted him to bear this disgrace, it was impossible. How could Yang Guifei be alone in a room with a man?
“Your Majesty, use only seven-tenths of your strength with your fingers. Lift the arrowhead slightly upward by half an inch—yes! Keep your wrist relaxed, don’t tense it up—no! Your finger position is wrong.”
Finally, Li Qing’an couldn’t resist and pulled apart Yang Yuhuan’s index finger, lifting it a little. He then tilted her wrist slightly upward while holding it, saying with a smile, “A straight shot won’t even reach inside the pot.”
Despite the old eunuch’s continuous coughing, he pretended not to hear. If he really wasn’t allowed to touch her, they should have made that clear in advance. Since nothing was said, he guessed it wasn’t actually forbidden to touch Yang Yuhuan’s hand; otherwise, Li Longji wouldn’t have allowed him to teach archery. It was just that the eunuch disliked it.
Sure enough, as he corrected Yang Yuhuan’s finger position and held her jade-like wrist, she didn’t show any anger. Instead, she said in a sweet voice, “Mm! It does feel much better now.”
“Your Majesty, try shooting an arrow from ten feet away.”
No! It seems the posture of my waist and hips is also a bit wrong. No, I can’t touch that part.

“Your Majesty, lift your head a little more—yes! Stand straight and tighten your abdomen; find the right feel, then throw the arrow with about 70% of your strength!”
With a smile on her lips, Yang Yuhuan gently flicked her fingers, and a golden arrow was shot toward a golden vase ten feet away. With a ‘clang!’ the arrow bounced off the vase’s mouth and flew straight into it.
“I hit it!” Yang Yuhuan cried excitedly, clenching her fists against her chest.
The maids and eunuchs around her laughed and said, “Congratulations, Your Majesty.”
“Congratulations, my dear.”
At that moment, Li Longji’s laughter came from afar. He was about to preside over the ceremony to appoint Pei Kuan as Minister of Rites and Yang Shenjin as Minister of Works, and he had some free time, so he came to watch his beloved consort shoot arrows.
The maids stepped aside, and Li Longji walked over quickly. Yang Guifei was overjoyed and said, “Third Brother, this is the first time I’ve hit the target.”
“That’s because you’ve found a good teacher!” Li Longji said with a smile as he walked up to Li Qing’an.
Li Qing’an quickly bowed and said, “Your Majesty, I pay my respects.”
“General Li, this isn’t official business time—be casual.”
Li Longji also picked up an arrow, stood ten feet away, aimed at the vase’s mouth, and shot. The golden arrow flew straight into the vase.
“Your Majesty, what excellent marksmanship!” Li Qing’an said with a slight smile.
“That’s not enough!”
Li Longji shook his head and laughed, “Back in the day, I could hit the target from fifty feet away with five arrows in a row. I can no longer feel that same skill.”
Yang Yuhuan laughed again and said, “General Li, I’d like to shoot another arrow from twenty feet away. Please teach me.”
“Very well. Your Majesty, follow the principles I just mentioned—find the right feel and adjust your posture.”
Li Qing’an ran to her back and squinted at the trajectory of her arrow. Li Longji shook his head smilingly. “My dear, you won’t hit the target like this. You need to hold your wrist steady and learn how to apply force. Come, let me teach you.”
Li Longji stepped forward, placed his hand on her shoulder, and grabbed her wrist. Unexpectedly, Yang Yuhuan twisted her body and said, “Third Brother, I don’t want your help. What you teach me will surely fail. General Li, please teach me.”
Li Qing’an gave a wry smile, feeling overwhelmed. Seeing him in trouble, Li Longji laughed heartily and said, “My dear, you’re making things difficult for him. How about you shoot one arrow first, and let General Li point out any mistakes.”
Li Qing’an had already seen the problem—their hips were raised too high, and they needed to be lowered.
“Your Majesty, haste makes waste. You should practice well from ten feet away first; then shooting from twenty feet away will come naturally.”
“I still have to try!”

Yang Yuhuan threw the golden arrow. Sure enough, it didn’t even touch the mouth of the bottle. Frustrated, she said to Li Longji, “Third Brother, go and do your things! With you here, General Li is too hesitant to teach me.”

Li Longji chuckled. “Very well! I’ll leave then. My dear, I’ll compete with you in archery tonight.”

With that, he turned to Li Qingan and said with a smile, “General Li, since I’ve allowed you to teach the Imperial Concubine how to shoot, I won’t hold you back on certain matters. Act like a proper teacher and teach my beloved concubine well—I’ll reward you generously.”

“Your servant obeys!”

Li Longji left, and Yang Yuhuan smiled. “General Li, let’s continue!”

“Majesty, would you like to shoot from ten feet away or twenty feet away?”

After thinking for a moment, Yang Yuhuan smiled and said, “I want to beat Your Majesty tonight, so teach me to shoot from twenty feet away.”

“Very well! Majesty, stand in the proper position and lift your wrist a bit.”

Li Qingan stepped behind her, gently placing one hand on her shoulder and the other on her delicate, boneless hand.

“Pay attention to the strength I apply.”

A eunuch nearby coughed loudly and snapped, “General Li!”

Li Qingan had no choice but to release Yang Yuhuan’s wrist. Sighing, he said, “Majesty, it’s better to practice from ten feet away.”

Yang Yuhuan’s expression darkened. She turned and angrily rebuked the old eunuch, “My teacher is teaching me how to shoot. What right do you have to interfere? Get out of here! And you all—leave too!”

Yang Yuhuan rarely lost her temper in the palace. Seeing her angry, the eunuchs fled in fear, leaving only a dozen of her trusted maids in the training area.

Yang Yuhuan turned to Li Qingan with a smile. “General Li, I know you’re in a difficult position, but now that you’re my teacher, I hope you’ll teach me using normal methods. Even if there’s slight impropriety, I won’t blame you.”

“Your servant remembers.”

This time, Li Qingan released her. Smiling, he said, “Good! Let’s start over, in the same position as before.”

He once again placed his hand on her shoulder and held her delicate hand. “Majesty, feel the strength I apply carefully. No—keep your chest out and abdomen in. Not like that.”

After repeating this several times, Yang Yuhuan still didn’t understand. Finally, he couldn’t hold back and gently pressed on her plump, rosy buttocks.

Her hand flew away, and with a “thud!”, the golden arrow flew straight into the narrow mouth of the bottle.

“It hit! General Li, let’s try another shot.”