"The Chen Death Warriors caught just about everyone. Only father, me, Jūn Zhōng Xīn, and Měng Tiān Cái are left that we know of." the young boy said as a stream of tears continued to drip from his eyes.
"Our families sent out over three hundred of our best and brightest, and only five of us survived and one known Han Family member? I see Elder Chen and Minister Peng had worked very hard." Commander Jiang said in a voice of such anguish, sadness, bitterness, and hurt.
"Han?" Wēi Wò Yàn questioned. Quickly understanding Wēi Wò Yàn asked, "Hàn Mín Yuè is still alive? The midwife said she died giving birth!" Wēi Wò Yàn exclaimed in shock.
Jiang Tài Píng eyes swung over to Liu Tián Qǔ and his gaze locked onto Liu Tián Qǔ's gaze. "With the help of Young Master Liu, I manage to keep her alive. It was a very close call, though."
Hàn Mín Yuè was not of the Four Martial Families. She was of the Hàn Family. The Hàn Family was the family that had an intense long fierce feud with the Chen Family.
The Hàn family was once a big strong, powerful family whose power was not far behind the four families. Slowly one by one, they fell victim to Elder Chen schemes until only the few who went into hiding were left. Jiang Tài Píng had his wife change her last name from Hàn to Jiang in an attempt to hide her from the Chen Family. The Chen Family would viciously killed every person they came across who carried the surname Hàn.
Liu Tián Qǔ decided it was time to stop playing the fly on the wall.
Liu Tián Qǔ watched as a cascade of emotion ripple across Jiang Tài Píng face and through his eyes. Jiang Tài Píng slowly walked over to the table where Liu Tián Qǔ was seated. Wēi Wò Yàn trailed in the wake of the Commander. Jiang Tài Píng seated himself across from Liu Tián Qǔ.
All the while, the big man never took his gaze off of Liu Tián Qǔas he walked over to where Liu Tián Qǔ was seated and sat across from her. He allowed the undisguised emotions he felt to show in his eyes and on his face. Wēi Wò Yàn also joined them at the table. He once more sat where he was seated before Jiang Tài Píng came charging into the Lounge.
After Jiang Tài Píng and Wēi Wò Yàn seated themselves across from her. Liu Tián Qǔ broke eye contact with the Commander to serve tea. Liu Tián Qǔ picked up the teapot and slowly poured a cup of tea for the Commander and a fresh cup of tea for Wēi Wò Yàn and herself.
After pouring tea, Liu Tián Qǔ set the teapot down once again on the tea tray. Liu Tián Qǔ cut Commander Jiang off as he opened his mouth to speak.
Liu Tián Qǔ softly said, "You don't have to explain yourself to me. You are not the only one with secrets. You are not the only one with things you do not wish to talk about. Just tell me what you need and how I can help you." At her words, big fat tears began to plop on the table. They fell from the eyes of the Commander and the Young Boy.
The Commander and young boy struggled to get their emotions under control. Liu Tián Qǔ looked back and forth from the Commander to the young boy and said, "I don't know the condition of Wēi Wò Yàn's father nor do I know what he was poisoned with. I am not 100% certain if it would help. However, in my possession, I have a pill called a Mythical Beast Medicinal Pill." Both Jiang Tài Píng and Wēi Wò Yàn frozen in complete utter shock. Wēi Wò Yàn's cup of tea almost slipped from his nerveless fingers.
Wēi Wò Yàn's teacup made a clattering sound as he clumsily set his teacup on the table. The Commander and the young boy was so shocked that they completely lost the ability to speak as they gawk mouth wide open at Liu Tián Qǔ.
"I was told that this pill was made of the blood, bones, heart, and marrow of the elusive wild beasts which live on the peak of the tallest mountain of the Northern Lands. I was told that this mountain is surrounded by the most dangerous forest in the Northern Lands. It is almost impossible to reach this mountain." Liu Tián Qǔ began to explain what was explained to her as the young boy and her Commander continued to gawk at her.
"I was also told that only the indigenous tribes that live on the outskirts of the forest know how to reach the mountain. Even then, many of them lose their lives in the process. These wild beast begin consuming the rare and most precious medicinal herbs found in abundance on the mountain from in their mother's womb. They continue to consume the rare and medicinal herbs of the mountain even after birth. The Beasts consume so much of these herbs throughout their life span. It practically turns them into a panacea." Liu Tián Qǔ said, repeating what the peddler informed her of concerning the Mythical Beast Medicinal Pills.
"It was explained to me that when the beasts are turned into a medicinal pill, the medicinal properties of the pills are so potent they are capable of healing almost any illness or poison. I don't know how true this is, but you can give it a try to see if it helps." Liu Tián Qǔ said.
Jiang Tài Píng finally managed to gather his wits about him. He stared at Liu Tián Qǔ with a confused uncomprehending expression on his face, "Do you understand the value of what you hold in your hand? A Mythical Beast Medicinal Pill is not something that can be bought even with gold!" Jiang Tài Píng exclaimed, "Why? Why would you give it away so freely?"
'Uh... I bought it with gold, and the peddler told me he traded a bottle of Nadelineian Wine for three pill bottles full of Mythical Beast Medicinal Pills. I barely talked the peddler into selling one of the pill bottles to me. Er... I only bought it because the name of the pill sounded awesome. How was I to know it was something this good? If I knew I would have convinced the peddler to sell me more! If it really is this good, why did the peddler sell it to me and at such a reasonable price!? Ah!? This stuff sounds priceless!' Liu Tián Qǔ inwardly thought.
"Honestly, I really didn't understand the value of it. I won the pill in a bet." Liu Tián Qǔ mixed truth with lies. The peddler warned her not to tell anyone she bought the Mythical Beast Medicinal Pills from him. It would only endanger the life of the peddler.
"Give it away so freely? I don't see it that way. Honestly, I don't know much about the four families. My master was a hermit. Most of my life, I lived in isolation, and the rest of it was spent outside of the Tolling Lands." Liu Tián Qǔ continued to mix truth with lies and occasionally outright lie with her eyes wide open.
"However, who in the Tolling Land haven't heard of the loyalty, the valor, and the love for the Tolling Lands that the heroic Four Martial Families had. Even when misunderstood by the masters they served, not one of the families chose to rebel," Liu Tián Qǔ explained.
"What is one pill? Even though I didn't attend the punishment of Elder Chen this morning. I heard that every official, nobleman, commoner, and even the royal family fiercely cried for the blood of Elder Chen in a rage for his misdeeds." Although Liu Tián Qǔ packaged her reason for helping into a pretty package and presented it to her Commander. Liu Tián Qǔ did have an ulterior motive for helping. Although she did feel the returning Four Martial Families were deserving of her help. She didn't help only out of the goodness of the heart.
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"They mainly called for Elder Chen's blood for how he schemed the Four Martial Families to almost total annihilation. They also call for his blood because he assisted in heralding the Melded Ore Blood Storm. I heard that his death was very gruesome and slow. I was told he died a very hard death. Why? Everyone knows why. There is no need for me to explain anything more to you. So let me ask you once more, what is one pill?" Liu Tián Qǔ asked her Commander.
The thick heavy emotions of the Commander and young boy fill the lounge. "Anything that I can do to help, I will, just tell me what you need. Money is not a problem. A place to stay is also not a problem. I have tons of empty courtyards all over the place." Liu Tián Qǔ invited the returning families to her Residence.
"I was not around to see the glorious days of the four families. However, like many others, I want to help do my part in restoring the four families. Much was lost that could never be regained. Unfortunately, the only path is the path forward. We cannot turn back time." Liu Tián Qǔ said in a sad voice. She felt very bad for these young people that were dealt a very raw deal in life.
"I thank young master L..." The Commander and the young boy simultaneously began to thank Liu Tián Qǔ.
"Don't," Liu Tián Qǔ shook her head, cutting Jiang Tài Píng and Wēi Wò Yàn off and waving away their thanks. "Just don't. No thanks, is necessary. Wēi Wò Yàn helped me this morning, and I promised to help him in return." Liu Tián Qǔ said.
"I will go retrieve that pill now. If your friends wish to attend the memorial tonight, then Wēi Wò Yàn's father should take the pill as soon as possible. I will send Hòu Dao with you, although she is not a doctor. Hòu Dao is extremely brilliant when it comes to herbal medicines. I strongly feel she will be able to help administer the pill to Wēi Wò Yàn's father stabilize him and help to get him here safely. I will ask Wang Fèn Yǒng to borrow his house doctor to watch over your friend when he arrives. Until we can find a house doctor of our own." Liu Tián Qǔ said as she rose quickly to her feet a hurried to her bedchambers to retrieve one of the pills.
Liu Tián Qǔ passed through the opened soft partition that separated the sitting/study area from the lounge. She quickly strolled through the sitting/study area to her bedchambers that was divided from the sitting/study area by a closed hard partition. Liu Tián Qǔ opened the closed hard partition to her bedchambers. She Qǔ entered her bedchambers and closed the hard partition of her bedchambers behind her.
Liu Tián Qǔ hurried over to a cabinet that sat in a corner of her bedchambers. Opening the cabinet, Liu Tián Qǔ retrieved a plain jade pill bottle. When Liu Tián Qǔ opened the pill bottle and gently shook one Mythical Beast Medicinal Pill from the bottle. An extremely strong, distinctive medicinal odor filled the room. Liu Tián Qǔ resealed the bottle and replaced it on a shelf in the cabinet.
Liu Tián Qǔ quickly snatched an empty snuff bottle from the cabinet. She carefully inserted the Mythical Beast Medicinal Pill into the empty snuff bottle and sealed it. Closing the cabinet, Liu Tián Qǔ quickly made her way back to the lounge, not forgetting to close the hard partition of her bedchambers behind her after exiting.
Liu Tián Qǔ immediately handed the snuff bottle containing the Mythical Beast Medicinal Pill to her Commander upon reseating herself. The Commander accepted the bottle with eyes full of gratitude and said, "Thank You."
"No, thanks, are necessary. I am just glad I can help," Liu Tián Qǔ said. Liu Tián Qǔ looked carefully at the Commander and the young boy and said, "Let me ask you. Do you want the return of the families to be a secret, or do you want everyone to know of your return?"
"No more hiding," the young boy said before the Commander could even voice his opinion.
"I've spent a lifetime hiding. I don't wish to hide anymore. We've committed no wrong. Our names were cleared of the wrongdoings we were accused of. So why must we still continue to hide? Plus, if others in the shadows wish to eliminate us before our return. Our hiding will only enable them," Wēi Wò Yàn said. "No more hiding."
After hearing the young boy's opinion, Liu Tián Qǔ looked at her Commander to listen to his opinion. The Commander only nodded his head, condescending to the young boys' opinion.
"Since that is your wish, then we will make a great fanfare of the return of the Four Martial Families." Liu Tián Qǔ said outwardly. Inwardly she mournfully kissed her days of peace goodbye.
Liu Tián Qǔ asked the Commander, "How many house guards were you able to hire so far?"
"I was able to hire two hundred and ninety-two house guards. All of them are from the martial world. They received the message that I sent out to the martial world. As soon as the Imperial City was unsealed, they immediately began flocking into the Imperial City. All of the warriors I hired are experienced warriors. However, they will need training to assemble into the life of a house guard."
"Excellent," Liu Tián Qǔ said before asking the Commander, "Are there any amongst the warriors you hired that you know or can trust?"
With a wry smile, the Commander said, "With this first batch that the I hired, I am aquatinted with most of them. Since I knew most of them from the Martial World, I was able to immediately hire them because I already knew their level of martial arts and capabilities."
"Even better," Liu Tián Qǔ nodded in satisfaction. "I want you to take two hundred warriors with you and safely bring everyone back. Do you have a carriage identification tag?" Liu Tián Qǔ asked the commander.
"No," the Commander replied. "It's been lost."
"It would have been perfect if we had a carriage identification tag of one of the families." Liu Tián Qǔ said. Well, then I guess we will have to use mine.
"My father has one," Wēi Wò Yàn said.
"Perfect!" Liu Tián Qǔ exclaimed glad her plan of the return of the four families was coming along.
"A while back, I sent Housekeeper Gao to commission a carriage I specially designed. She left not too long ago to pick it up. Commander Jiang, have your friend bought back on that carriage. Use my carriage identification tag when leaving the Imperial City. Switch it out for the Wēi Family carriage identification tag for the return trip." Liu Tián Qǔ commanded her commander.
"Take some of the horses that the Emperor gifted me with. Those who choose not to ride back on the carriage let them ride back on the horses." Liu Tián Qǔ said.
"Okay, Young Master Liu. I will do so," the Commander nodded.
"Commander, I want to designate fifty thousand gold for the returning families. This is not a charity. This is to maintain the dignity of the returning families. Before you leave the Imperial City. Stop and purchase several sets of clothing for everyone who is returning. Buy the most ridiculously expensive clothing that you can find that aline with the taste of your friends. You know their likes and dislikes. Everyone is planning to attend the memorial of Elder Wang tonight. They must dress very well to maintain the dignity of the four families. Do you understand?" Liu Tián Qǔ asked
"I understand, Young Master, thank you," Commander said in a hoarse voice full of emotion.
"Thank you, Young Master Liu," the young boy also said in a teary hoarse voice.
Liu Tián Qǔ waved away Commander Jiang and Wēi Wò Yàn's thanks and continued, "Also inform the returning families that my residence is under the supervision of Wang Fèn Yǒng. You can explain everything to them. They should be well informed before they decided whether or not they wish to come. If they do not feel comfortable staying here knowing that my residence is under Imperial supervision. Then it will give them time to find an alternative before they reach the Imperial City." Liu Tián Qǔ released a breath when she saw the Commander Jiang meaningfully nod his understanding of her real meaning.
"Commander, I must also inform Wang Royal Manor of recent events. I don't want any misunderstanding to form." Hoping that the commander would understand her true meaning without her having to spell it out. The Emperor was already unhappy with her, Liu Tián Qǔ wanted no more problems.
"That is for the best, the last thing we need is any more misunderstandings," Commander Jiang said with a deep understanding in his eyes. Seeing that the Commander understood Liu Tián Qǔ relaxed.
"Good, go see your wife now. You should have a good talk with her before you leave." Liu Tián Qǔ said meaningfully. After all Commander Jiang was going to bring back a child that his wife thought died at birth. It would be best for him to explain things to his wife first.
The Commander nodded his understanding before he and Wēi Wò Yàn rose from the table. The Commander and the young boy bowed deeply in gratitude before retreating from the lounge.