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Chapter 222 The Sleeping Immortal Enters the Palace

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the grand archery competition in the royal gardens drew to a close. The drums and gongs fell silent, and the air was thick with the mingled smells of smoke and sweat.

The emperor was very satisfied with the performance of his officials today, especially the neat and powerful drill of the palace guards, which demonstrated military might.

Emperor Chai Rong was overjoyed and immediately issued an edict: "The generals and soldiers have worked hard in today's drills. The Privy Council shall compile a list and, in accordance with custom, generously reward all the armies, both inside and outside the capital, with wine and meat as a reward to show the Emperor's grace!"

Once the decree was issued, everyone understood that this was a routine reward before the expedition.

A deafening roar of "Long live!" erupted both inside and outside the training ground, instantly boosting the morale of the troops.

The attendant bowed and accepted the order, then quickly withdrew to arrange the specific details.

At this moment, Dou Yi, a Hanlin scholar who had been prepared, stepped forward. Holding a piece of paper, he bowed to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty inspires the army with archery and horsemanship, and comforts the soldiers with generous rewards. Your combination of kindness and severity is truly the demeanor of a wise ruler. I am unworthy, but I would like to offer a poem to commemorate this grand event and to praise Your Majesty's virtue and power."

Chai Rong smiled and nodded: "Minister Dou is quick-witted and has outstanding literary talent. I have high expectations for him."

Dou Yi cleared his throat slightly and recited loudly: "In the deep spring of the imperial garden, the strong bow is drawn, the eagle feathers pierce the sun and pierce the rainbow. The fierce beasts are arrayed, the wind and clouds stir, the drums urge the tigers and leopards to fight. Heaven blesses the wise ruler to open up a great cause, following the benevolence and righteousness to punish the disobedient. We await the inscription of our victory on Yanran Mountain, and the triumphant songs to resound throughout Bianjing..."

His poems are beautiful and powerful, depicting the magnificent scene of soldiers drawing their bows to pierce the sun and arraying themselves like mountains on the training ground, praising the emperor's wisdom and benevolence in governing the country, and looking forward to the bright future of the royal army's southern expedition and the sweeping away of the world.

After the poem was finished, all the ministers clapped their hands in praise, and applause and echoes rose and fell.

Chai Rong, seated on his throne, nodded in approval, saying, "Excellent! Minister Dou's poem greatly enhances our military morale and is in line with my intentions! It should be recorded in the daily records and disseminated to the entire army!"

Dou Yi bowed in gratitude and withdrew amidst the approving gazes of the assembled guests.

Before long, the imperial carriage set off and returned to the capital city, surrounded by ceremonial guards.

The civil and military officials who attended the banquet also dispersed like the tide.

Li Yi mounted his horse, eager to return home.

Fu Erniang was still on the mat, her two newborn children were exquisitely beautiful and at the most lovable age. He wished he could fly back to the mansion immediately and hold those soft little people in his arms.

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the streets and alleys of Tokyo in a golden-red hue, and the hooves of horses clattered on the rammed earth pavement, urging people to return home.

The lanterns in front of the Li residence were already lit with a soft glow.

Li Yi had just reined in his horse and dismounted when a figure emerged from the shadows of the porch – it was Zuo Congqin.

After Fu Erniang gave birth safely, Li Yi's "father-in-law" returned to the outskirts of the city to continue focusing on experimenting with gunpowder formulas and granulation.

Seeing him appear at dusk, and seemingly waiting for him at the door, Li Yi was quite surprised and paused in his steps.

Zuo Congtan cupped his hands in greeting and got straight to the point: "General Li, my senior brother has arrived in Tokyo. I would like to borrow your esteemed residence's hall and invite him to my residence for a chat in a couple of days. I wonder if this would be convenient for you, General Li?"

Hearing that it was just a small matter, Li Yi naturally had no reason to disagree.

He waved his hand dismissively and said, "Why be so formal, Daoist Master? Although I address you as Daoist Master, Ling'er is by my side, and we are truly father-in-law and son-in-law. Daoist Master's senior brother is a distinguished guest of our household. Please invite him in; all expenses will be arranged by our household."

As Li Yi spoke, he quickly walked into the courtyard. At this moment, all he cared about was his wife and children in the inner quarters; he didn't care about his fellow disciples!

However, after taking only a few steps, Li Yi suddenly stopped.

He suddenly turned around, a look of surprise on his face: "Wait! The senior brother the Daoist mentioned, could it be that Sleeping... Fuyaozi Chen Tuan?" Zuo Congqin paused for a moment, then nodded: "That's right!"

"Uh, Master Chen Tuan really came to Tokyo? When did this happen? Why didn't the Master mention it before?" Li Yi couldn't help but ask several questions, his tone revealing his surprise.

It's no wonder he lost his composure. After all, the other party was a reclusive master who was famous in history and on par with Ding Shaowei, and was also known as the "Sleeping Immortal." Legend has it that he was both a teacher and friend of Lü Dongbin.

This title is truly too prestigious!
This was not because Li Yi was superstitious about ghosts and gods, but because Zuo Congqin in front of him was a living example... Nearly sixty years old, his physical condition and appearance were maintained as if he were in his forties. Under the medical conditions of ancient times, this was a rare and remarkable way of maintaining health.

The so-called art of immortality is obviously too far-fetched, but the exquisite Taoist health preservation techniques such as breathing exercises and taking medicine are very likely.

Not to mention that Chen Tuan lived to be over a hundred years old before passing away. Who wouldn't want to see such a figure in person? Li Yi was no exception.

Zuo Congtan explained, “I only learned that my senior brother had arrived in Tokyo yesterday when I happened to run into my junior sister outside the city. I heard that he was summoned by the Emperor of the Great Zhou. He arrived in the middle of last month and has been staying in the palace temporarily. My junior sister said that the Emperor is going to lead a military expedition in person and is preparing to release my senior brother.”

"After tomorrow and the day after, the two of them will set off westward back to Mount Hua to continue their secluded cultivation. That's why I thought of inviting my senior brother to my residence before he leaves, otherwise, with mountains and rivers separating us, our reunion may be a long way off..."

Upon hearing this, Li Yi couldn't help but wonder: When did Chen Tuan enter the palace? How come I didn't know?
But then I thought about it again. Since the suburban sacrifice in the first month of the lunar calendar, I had been busy with military affairs and then distracted by Fu Erniang's childbirth. I really hadn't paid much attention to things in the palace.

As for where Zuo Congqin got this "junior sister" from, he had no idea at all.

Li Yi couldn't help but ask, "Why haven't I heard you mention this junior sister before, Daoist Master? Since they are from the same sect, why don't you invite her to stay at your residence temporarily? It would be good to have someone to look after her if they live nearby."

Zuo Congtan smiled helplessly and slowly shook his head: "To be honest, General Li, I only met this junior sister yesterday. She was taken in as a disciple by my senior brother on behalf of our master, just like when my senior brother introduced me to the sect. I haven't seen my senior brother for more than ten years and I didn't know about this."

“If my junior sister hadn’t been carrying my treasure gourd with her, I wouldn’t have dared to ask her, and I would have missed the opportunity. Fortunately, after arriving in Tokyo, my junior sister temporarily stayed at a nunnery outside the city, so she had a place to stay.”

The stories of a master accepting disciples on behalf of another and a magic gourd... Li Yi was increasingly confused, feeling that the "Sleeping Immortal" was indeed elusive and unpredictable.

He suppressed his curiosity, knowing it wasn't the time to delve deeper, and nodded, saying, "I see. Daoist, please make the arrangements as you see fit. The servants in the manor will all obey your orders; just let me know if you need anything."

Li Yi then stopped talking and turned to walk straight towards the inner courtyard.

As you walk through the corridor and courtyard, a faint scent of baby milk gradually fills the air. The master bedroom door is ajar, letting in dim light and soft voices.

Li Yi pushed open the door and entered, where a warm and inviting scene greeted him—

Fu Erniang leaned against the brocade cushions, her slightly plump face glowing with maternal warmth as she sipped the steaming, nourishing medicinal soup from Guo Shi's hand.

Guo's expression was gentle and focused, and her movements were meticulous.

Not far from the bed, Xuan'er and Zuo Ling'er were huddled around an exquisite cradle.

Xian'er gently shook a small jade bell, making a clear and melodious tinkling sound, which amused the two little ones in the cradle to open their big, dark eyes and look curiously in the direction of the sound.

Zuo Ling'er bent down and carefully touched one of the baby's soft little hands with her fingers, her face filled with innocent joy, and she occasionally let out a soft laugh: "Look, he grabbed my finger!"

Inside the cradle, the two little bundles wrapped in swaddling clothes seemed to sense the teasing of their aunts. Their little mouths moved slightly, making soft babbling sounds, and their tiny fists waved unconsciously in the air.

As dusk settles and a cold wind rises outside the window, this warm and cozy house isolates us from the harshness and hustle and bustle of the outside world, leaving only the tranquility of being surrounded by loved ones.

Li Yi stood at the door, quietly watching this scene, a smile involuntarily spreading across his lips.

(End of this chapter)