Indeed she was correct. All over the Imperial City in the homes of many influential nobles, officials, and ministers of the Imperial court. Meetings were held, it didn't stop there. In many of the private rooms of many of the best restaurants, wine houses, and brothels in the Imperial City. Meetings were being held amongst groups of generals, commanders, nobles, officials, and ministers. The question on everyone's lips was, 'who was the Master of the new Liu Residence?'

The head of the Liu Family, the Matriarch of Liu Family, and the Elders of Liu Family quickly began investigating if the new Master of Liu Residence was of relation to their Liu Family.

While they investigated, the Liu Family turned away hundreds of servants. These were the servants of nobles, officials, and ministers that was sent to the Liu Family to inquire if the master of the new Liu Residence was of the Liu Family. Until the Liu Family could give a definite answer, the Liu Family decided to tell everyone that Liu Residence was of no relation to Liu Manor or the Liu Family.

Unbeknownst to Liu Tián Qǔ, Wang Fèn Yǒng decided to assist her in buying more time. Wang Fèn Yǒng had over one hundred of his shadow guards disguise themselves and go out and spread false rumors about the Master of the new Liu Residence.

That evening rumors of the new Master of Liu Residence flew all over the Imperial City. There was a rumor that the Master of the new Liu Residence was an old Elder. There was a rumor he was a single bachelor looking for a wife. There was a rumor that Master of the new Liu Residence was, in fact, an Imperial family member in disguise. There was a rumor that he was really a commoner that the Emperor had favored. There was a rumor that the Master of Liu Residence was a Young Lord of tender years. The rumors were plentiful and rife. However, in every rumor heard, there was one thing that remained the same. It was that the Master of the new Liu Residence was a close friend of Wang Fèn Yǒng.

"The Liu Residence warriors I saw earlier were not average warriors. I have already began investigating which armies those warriors were recruited from. However, so far, my investigators have been unable to find out who they are. Much less where, and when the warriors of Liu Residence were recruited," said a General who was one of the generals who had gathered in a private room of a famous restaurant in the Imperial City.

"Well, they damn sure didn't materialize out of thin air," said a grumpy retired Elder who was once a high ranking official.

"There seem to be more afoot here. The Imperial family seems to be shielding this new master. Every spy and investigator of mine came back with a different story. I don't know what to believe. They only consistency is that this Master Liu person seems to be a friend of Wang Fèn Yǒng. Who has ever heard of Wang Fèn Yǒng having a friend?" A low-rank Minister asked in a mocking tone of voice. "The whole of the Tolling Lands knows that Wang Fèn Yǒng is a strange, cruel person who would rather kill a person than talk to them." The low ranking Minister said with eyes full of doubt and confusion.

"I also think something strange is going on. This Master of the new Liu Residence appeared out of nowhere. He moved right next to Wang Royal Manor. When I walked past the Liu Residence a while ago, I notice that the signboard of Liu Residence was written in the Emperor's handwriting." A retired old noble said voicing his reason for agreeing that something strange was going on.

"There is something else that I find strange," The retired noble continued, "When the Emperor personally escorted the returned Four Martial Families to Liu Residence. I followed along as well so I could get a look at this new lord of Liu Residence. What I found most suspicious was that the honor guards of the Emperor, Wang Royal Manor Guards, and Liu Residence house guards kept everyone from approaching the new Liu Residence as the Emperor visited with the Master of the new Liu Residence. Therefore I was unable to see what he looked like. It's like the Imperial Family is hiding him." the retired noble finished in a mildly vexed voice.

"I also think there is something strange going on," a young noble scholar said in agreement. "No one can verify what this Master Liu of the new Liu Residence looks like. A servant of my manor has a friend that worked in Elder Wang's medicine shop as a shop worker. From what my servant told me, there was a Young Master Liu who ordered a large batch of strengthening potions to be delivered to Liu Residence. I send someone to investigate. However, the shop worker suddenly changed his story. It was as if someone sealed his mouth. Everyone in the phoenix medicine shop is claiming that no such delivery has ever been made to the new Liu Residence. For some reason, I get the feeling they are lying to cover for the Lord of Liu Residence."

All over the Imperial City scenarios of this sought was taking place. Wang Fèn Yǒng had silenced the workers of the medicinal shop. He also silence the workers of the bookshop, the blacksmith, the potter's shop, the woodshop, the glass shop, the mercenary guild, everywhere Liu Tián Qǔ went Wang Fèn Yǒng sent someone to silence the people who could have identified Liu Tián Qǔ. What Liu Tián Qǔ failed to realize was that Wang Fèn Yǒng still had shadow guards shadowing her. However, this time, Wang Fèn Yǒng had ordered the guards to protect her whenever she went out.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Wang Fèn Yǒng didn't like the idea that Liu Tián Qǔ had no house guards or shadow guards. So he took matters into his own hands and quickly assigned a one of his best teams of shadow guards to watch over her. That was how Wang Fèn Yǒng knew everywhere Liu Tián Qǔ went. That was how he was able to trace her footsteps and protect her by sealing the mouth of everyone who could identify her.

All of the investigators and spies who were sent to investigate Liu Tián Qǔ was not having an easy time of it. Elder Chen, who could have identified Liu Tián Qǔ was dead. Wang Fèn Yǒng sealed the mouth of everyone who could have identified Liu Tián Qǔ. Wang Fèn Yǒng then sent his Shadow Guards to spread false rumors all over the Imperial City. No one dared to approach Liu Residence after the Emperor's earlier warning. No one wanted to be accused of disturbing the peace of the Four Martial Families. No one could have convinced the investigators and spies that someone high up in power wasn't shielding the new Lord of Liu Residence.

*****************

On a raised platform in the square of the Imperial City. Four specially made gigantic tables were being set up. There was one table for each of the four families. These tables were being loaded with ritual food as an offering for the departed spirits of the Four Martial Families.

Each table had a massive container set up for the burning of joss sticks. Each table also had a huge brazier for the burning of joss paper. Next to the braziers were specially designed containers that held a massive amount of joss paper in it.

There were also massive containers that held tons of willow branches in the square. Many were concerned. The departed spirits of the Four Martial Families were not only a few. Many were worried some of the departed spirits would be grudgeful.

So Elder Wang charged over a hundred servants with filling massive contains in the square with willow branches for those who felt the need for one.

A good distance away from the raised platforms. An Army of servants were setting up food serving stations, an enormous portable kitchen, and extremely long low tables in the square. The tables were numerous. These were the tables where the mourners could drink tea or wine, and eat food that would be cooked in the portable kitchen and served at the food stations.

Elder Wang was obviously setting up a big operation in the Imperial square. Many citizens stood around watching. Some even pitched in to help out. All over the Imperial City, many were getting ready to attend the memorial. Many were even traveling from other cities, towns, and villages to attend. The influx of people into the Imperial City was too numerous to count. It only increased after news of the return of the Four Martial Families traveled outside of the Imperial City.

Earlier that day as the Emperor escorted the returning Four Martial Families to the new Liu Residence. Hundreds of thousands of messenger birds took to the air. More than half of the messenger birds left the Imperial City carrying the news of the return of the Four Martial Families.

Many people took to the road immediately. These people traveled none stop in the hope of reaching the Imperial City in time for the memorial being held by Elder Wang.

Liu Residence

This phenomenon took hold of the Imperial City while Liu Tián Qǔ sat at a low table in the lounge of the courtyard of the Commander in Liu Residence. Liu Tián Qǔ to a moment to relax as she had tea in the company of Jiang Tài Píng and his wife, Jiang Mín Yuè. There was a glow of complete happiness surrounding Jiang Mín Yuè. She looked so much healthier than when she first arrived at Liu Residence. However, it was easy to see that she was not yet back to full health.

"Time would fail me to express my gratitude to you, Young Master Liu." Jiang Mín Yuè said. "When we left the Martial World and came to the Imperial City. Our standard of living quickly deteriorated as we pooled together funds for the treatments I needed during pregnancy and after giving birth. Things weren't going well, so meeting you have been a godsend to my husband and me."

Liu Tián Qǔ gently shook her head and said, "No, thanks is necessary, I didn't assist you to receive thanks. I assist because I saw your need, and Jiang Tài Píng's sincere, earnest plea moved my heart."

Liu Tián Qǔ looked at the couple and said, "Congratulations on retrieving your youngest son safely." In a gentle manner, Liu Tián Qǔ asked, "Were you able to verify the identity of the baby for true."

Jiang Tài Píng nodded and said, "Yes, we are absolutely sure that the baby is our child. There is a way to verify children of the Jiang bloodlines."

"Unknown to many, there is a secret way to verify a child of the Han bloodlines as well. Using these methods, we were able to verify for true that the baby is definitely our child." Jiang Mín Yuè told Liu Tián Qǔ.

"I also carefully question the midwife to make sure she wasn't lying. There is no way that an average person could stand under the special strategical questioning of the Jiang Family." Jiang Tài Píng informed Liu Tián Qǔ.

"Good," Liu Tián Qǔ said. "This is very good. I am so happy that things worked out." Liu Tián Qǔ looked at Jiang Mín Yuè and said, "I wanted to come over earlier when I first found out. However, things kept happing one after the other. Then I had to immediately prepare for the arrival of the other returning families, so I wasn't able to come over."

Jiang Mín Yuè immediately waved away Liu Tián Qǔ explanation and unspoken apology, "Young Master Liu, there was no need. In fact, I sincerely want to thank you for sending extra help. I also thank you for all the extra baby clothing, toys, the bed, and all the many other things that arrived as well. Truthfully I was so worried and hopeful about the arrival of my second son. That my thoughts were consumed with the possibilities of other things, I didn't even think to get the things that would have been soon needed. I would have been in a quandary with the arrival of my youngest son," Jiang Mín Yuè quickly explained with a light laugh.

"No thanks is necessary. As long as your happy and things ended well, then all is well. "Liu Tián Qǔ said.