In my dream of returning to the Tang Dynasty, I snatched Wu Zetian from my lap.

"It's her again."

Li Yuanchang subconsciously looked toward the source of the sound.

He hesitated for a while, then, realizing he wasn't sleepy, he followed the sound.

Wushe isn't very big, but it's like a maze. Without a guide, you'd definitely get lost in the monotonous Japanese-style bamboo houses and mist.

Li Yuanchang eventually found the girl in white in a small pavilion in the middle of a lake.

In the darkness of the night, the white-clad figure with flowing hair startled the guards, who almost thought they were seeing things and had bumped into something dirty.

Li Yuanchang was both amused and exasperated; how could this young girl be so bold?

It's important to know that nights in ancient times were not like nights in the 21st century. There were plenty of streetlights and buildings along the way.

In ancient times, it was pitch black. Without a lamp, you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. There were few people around, and it was eerie. You would feel uneasy wherever you went.

He told his men to wait where they were, and then he walked across the small bridge alone and quietly approached the girl from behind.

The girl sang, her voice drowning out the footsteps, seemingly unaware of what was happening.

Li Yuanchang, feeling playful, suddenly patted her shoulder from behind.

The girl instinctively turned around, saw someone, her face paled, she screamed, and lost her balance.

puff! !

She fell into the lake along with her instrument and immediately choked on the water.

Li Yuanchang was stunned for a moment, then quickly jumped into the lake and pulled the person out.

When the guards saw that something was wrong, they rushed over quickly.

Crash!

It took a lot of effort for Li Yuanchang to finally pull the person out.

"Cough cough cough!"

After getting ashore, the girl coughed incessantly, knelt on the ground, and was still in shock.

Li Yuanchang took off his coat and covered her with it to prevent her from being exposed.

"Thank you, thank you."

"What are you doing here?"

The lake water washed away the white powder on her face, revealing her true skin. Her skin could no longer be described simply as snow-white; it was the skin of a true young girl, as translucent as mutton fat jade.

Water droplets clung to it, shimmering in the moonlight, and Li Yuanchang was momentarily lost in thought.

Little girls are so great!

He chuckled and wiped the water from his face: "I heard you singing again, so I came to check it out."

"I thought you'd be very brave, but..."

The girl said awkwardly, "You suddenly appeared behind me, I thought..."

"What did you think? Did you think there was a ghost?"

The girl nodded and slowly stood up.

"Haha, you're not here to mourn someone again, are you?"

"No, I just couldn't sleep at night, so I came out for a walk to clear my head."

"You live here too?"

The girl nodded.

"Then what are you to the Ōtomo clan?" Li Yuanchang asked curiously, since the main branch had been basically wiped out.

Those who are still alive now are not descendants of Jisaburo, Yamazaki, or the like.

Judging from her attire and the range of her movements, this girl must be of high status.

"My name is Akari Ōtomo."

She is the nineteenth daughter in the family.

Li Yuanchang nodded, and a familiar name suddenly popped into his mind: Mingli Jing.

However, Akari Otomo is clearly several levels prettier.

"Aren't you called Hinako?"

That was my childhood nickname.

"I see."

"You play the piano very well," Li Yuanchang praised, appreciating this talented woman.

"Thank you, sir."

He first bowed respectfully, then took the initiative to invite her.

"You're soaking wet, and it's cold at night. Why don't you go inside and change your clothes, get some warmth, and have a cup of ginseng soup?"

Li Yuanchang glanced at the lakeside pavilion and agreed without hesitation.

The two entered the attic one after the other, while the guards stood watch outside.

The current Ōtomo Shogunate is no longer under the control of Jisaburo; in a sense, Li Yuanchang is the person behind the scenes, so he doesn't need to worry about his actions.

"Hey, why is there nobody here?"

Behind the Japanese-style screen, Li Yuanchang was quickly changing his clothes.

In another room, Akari was also changing clothes.

The voice reached out, and Akari, who was putting on her tube top, felt embarrassed, but still replied, "Sir, this is my private territory. I don't like others getting close, so..."

"Oh? Then wouldn't I be doing you a disservice?"

"No, sir, it's alright."

"You are a good person, and a benefactor to the entire Ōtomo clan. Akari Raku and you get along well."

Li Yuanchang changed his clothes and came out: "You know me?"

"My lord, of course I know. How could I not know about all the things that have happened to the Ōtomo clan recently? Although I don't know exactly who you are, judging from your imposing presence and the many guards always by your side, you must be a distinguished guest of the family."

As she spoke, Akari changed into clean clothes and came out.

At this moment, she had no makeup on, was completely bare-faced, and her long black hair was casually tied back. She stunned Li Yuanchang as soon as she appeared.

This is more convincing than any movie filter used in later generations. Her features are delicate, her face is oval, and she has a pure, Japanese-style look. Her overall temperament is like a daisy.

Mingli was taken aback, feeling slightly embarrassed, and dared not look Li Yuanchang in the eye.

"Please wait a moment, sir. I will prepare some ginseng soup for you to warm you up."

Li Yuanchang did not speak, but watched her leave.

From the side, her profile has a subtle resemblance to Ishigaki Senshima, but it's very faint. The two are women with completely different styles and a large age difference.

Perhaps a beautiful woman's profile always carries a touch of sophistication.

Before long, Akari started simmering a pot of ginseng soup in the attic.

At Li Yuanchang's invitation, she knelt down in the middle of the bamboo mat and began to play a tune.

This zither is different from those of the Tang Dynasty, yet they seem to share the same origin. I wonder if it was transmitted from the Central Plains.

Although the melody is somewhat feminine, Akari's fingertips bring out a unique charm.

Li Yuanchang listened to the auditory feast, his gaze also falling on Akari's daisy-like face, watching this visual feast.

The song is over.

Akari slightly raised her eyelashes: "My lord?"

It took Li Yuanchang a while to come to his senses. The drummer cheered, "Great music! Great music!"

"This is the best piece of music I have ever heard in my life!"

Akari was a little embarrassed by the praise: "You flatter me, sir. My skills in playing the zither and dancing are both poor. Please forgive my poor performance."

"Oh, you can dance?" Li Yuanchang's eyes lit up.

Dancing is great, dancing is great!

"I know a little bit." Akari nodded.

"Then, would Miss Akari be so kind as to perform a dance for me?"

Akari glanced into his deep eyes, lowered her head, and then nodded.

"Let's begin!" Li Yuanchang sat down on the ground, in high spirits, not at all sleepy.

Akari slowly rose and bowed at a ninety-degree angle, a standard gesture of etiquette for Japanese women.

"My lord, I'll make a fool of myself in the open."

As she spoke, she slowly took off her shoes, revealing her delicate, boneless feet, with toenails like lotus petals.

No need to look anymore, the price has been capped, the price has been capped!

Li Yuanchang shouted three times in his heart, his eyes never leaving Mingli's small and exquisite feet.