Chapter 21: One Should Not Drink Water Indiscriminately

Song Shiyu lay prone on the rooftop, lifting a grey tile to observe everything that had just transpired within the room.

Her mother appeared exactly as she had in her previous life. Despite no longer being burdened by a young, ignorant daughter, she remained worn thin by exhaustion and worry. Yet, this life was different from the last. She was no longer a burden; having lived through two lifetimes, she would become her mother’s greatest support.

As noon approached, the mountain air grew warmer, shedding the chill of the morning, and the atmosphere was filled with the clear, crisp scent of grass.

Li Xubai had finished his vegetarian meal at Wanfo Temple. Perhaps due to the specific instructions of those people earlier, the meal had been exceptionally generous. Thinking of Song Shiyu, whom he was meant to meet outside, he packed the leftovers into a bundle and headed toward the mountain gate.

Just as he reached the gate, two shadows flickered, and a pair of guards emerged, blocking his path.

"Halt." The taller guard looked Li Xubai up and down, his expression dripping with disdain. "Which household are you from?"

Li Xubai was stunned; no one had questioned him when he entered. Then again, he had followed that group inside, and surely no one would have dared to question them. Remembering the "Miss Gu" who had hoodwinked him, his eyes darted around, and he put on a fawning smile. "I am a coachman from the Gu estate, here to deliver some things for the Madam."

"The Gu estate? The residence of Grand Tutor Gu?" the guard asked.

"Yes, yes, exactly," Li Xubai nodded frantically. "So, can I leave now?"

As he spoke, he took a step forward.

"Step back!" The two guards drew their swords without a word, forcing Li Xubai back. "Even someone from the Grand Tutor's estate cannot leave."

"Why? I just came to deliver something. How can it be that I can get in but not get out?" Li Xubai panicked. The Li family had a whole household waiting to be fed—what was he supposed to do if he couldn't return?

The guard was unyielding. "My apologies, but by the Empress Dowager’s decree, starting from today, no one is permitted to leave Wanfo Temple!"

Li Xubai felt like crying. It was over. He was trapped here, and he didn't even have a place to stay! He trudged back, dejected, instinctively returning to the side chamber where he had stayed while feigning unconsciousness. He pushed the door. It was unlocked, and the furnishings inside remained unchanged.

It seemed no one else had been assigned to the room. With nowhere else to go, he would have to settle in here and scavenge for food.

"Hey, little brother, you haven't left yet?" The guard who had carried Li Xubai into the temple saw movement in the chamber and hurried over to check. Seeing Li Xubai, he couldn't help but smile.

Li Xubai felt stifled. "I intended to leave, but I got as far as the gate only to be turned back by the guards. They said it's the Empress Dowager’s decree that no one is allowed to leave starting today."

"Ah, right, that is indeed the case." The guard realized, adding some water to an iron kettle and setting it on the stove to boil.

"Why won't they let us out? I have younger siblings at home waiting for me to feed them." Li Xubai held his head, sighing repeatedly.

The guard comforted him, "Don't worry, little brother. Perhaps the Empress Dowager will return to the capital tomorrow, and you'll be able to go then."

"The Empress Dowager is returning to the capital tomorrow?" Li Xubai asked, startled.

The guard quickly smiled. "No, no, I was just guessing."

Li Xubai calmly observed the guard. The man appeared to be about his age; even if he had some schemes, he was likely inexperienced. He did not press further, instead introducing himself: "My surname is Li, given name Xubai, and I am the second child in my family. 'Little brother' sounds too distant; you can call me Second Brother. May I ask how to address you?"

"Second Brother," the guard replied readily, smiling. "My surname is Yang, given name Changsheng, and I am the third child. Just call me Third Brother."

Having exchanged names and rankings, their relationship suddenly warmed, and they began to chat more freely.

"So, Second Brother is not from Qishan, but from our Bianliang City. I have heard of the Lulu Tong Carriage Firm; it is quite famous." Hearing that Li Xubai was a clerk at the firm, Yang Changsheng showed no contempt, but rather became even more cordial.

Li Xubai felt a surge of suspicion, though his expression remained neutral. "Oh, no matter how famous it is, it's still just a merchant business. I'm just a small errand runner; I can't compare to you, Third Brother, holding such a prestigious position as an Imperial Guard."

The water in the iron kettle boiled, releasing a cloud of white steam. Yang Changsheng quickly poured the tea, and the room was instantly filled with fragrance.

"Second Brother, try this tea. I brought it from home," Yang Changsheng smiled. "Being an Imperial Guard sounds prestigious, but in reality, it’s just for show. I earn the wages of an errand runner while worrying about losing my head; there’s really no benefit to it at all. I only got this job through family connections; I certainly don’t have the capability myself."

Li Xubai smelled the tea and took a small sip. The tea was fragrant and clear, with no bitterness, leaving a sweet aftertaste, and the tea liquor was a vibrant green. It was premium Huangshan Maofeng.

In his previous life, Li Xubai had been a tea enthusiast. Even as a young man, he had always carried a large tea jar like an old man, drinking wherever he went. He had tasted nearly a hundred types of tea, but there were fewer than ten that could surpass the quality of what was in front of him.

He began to regard the seemingly honest Yang Changsheng with heightened vigilance. A guard who could casually bring such expensive tea from home meant one of two things: either this tea was not considered valuable in his home, or his family was exceptionally wealthy or influential.

"Good tea, truly good tea," Li Xubai praised sincerely. "Where did you get such excellent Huangshan Maofeng, Third Brother? It is top-tier."

Yang Changsheng smiled dismissively. "My old man has some connections. This tea is just a tribute from others; it’s nothing much." He poured another cup for Li Xubai. "Come, if you like it, I'll pack some for you to take back and enjoy."

Li Xubai became even more wary of Yang Changsheng. The man was either truly generous or had ulterior motives.

After a few cups, Li Xubai’s head began to feel heavy, and his vision blurred until Yang Changsheng’s face appeared doubled. He had just enough time to think, *This is bad,* before he slumped onto the table in a stupor.

"Second Brother? Second Brother? What’s wrong? Wake up." Yang Changsheng called out and nudged him, his face showing not a trace of anxiety.

Although Li Xubai was lethargic and lacked the strength to move or speak, his consciousness remained faintly active. He heard the brief sound of a door opening and closing, then Yang Changsheng returned to his side and nudged him again. He had no strength to respond, and his eyelids grew increasingly heavy as his remaining clarity began to fade.

This was not a good sign.

Just as panic began to set in, he felt his body lighten as Yang Changsheng hoisted him onto his back. The crisp air, mingled with the faint scent of grass, rushed toward him. Li Xubai realized that Yang Changsheng was carrying him deep into the heart of Wanfo Temple.

Using his last ounce of strength and consciousness, he bit down hard on the tip of his tongue. The sharp pain and the taste of blood allowed him to remain conscious for one more fleeting moment.