Fang Er summoned Liu Meng again.
He dispatched two hundred brothers to assist Guan Chang and the others; more people made for easier work.
After expressing his gratitude repeatedly, Yan Yunqi departed with two hundred Skyfire Army soldiers.
The pickup truck and armored vehicles were still with Li Shimin, so Fang Er had no choice but to take the landing craft from the Yuan Hao back to the manor.
As for the Third and Fifth Battalions, he would let Liu Meng and Zhang Tian take their legs and return.
Zhao Gang piloted the boat, while Fang Er and Chai Yue sat on it. The small boat cut a white line across the water, sailing from the Ba River into the Longshou Canal.
Fang Er disembarked from the landing craft by the workshop.
He looked at the workshop, which had once been neatly arranged, now reduced to a leveled plain.
Only a massive blast crater at the gunpowder workshop remained in its place.
Sensing Fang Er's displeasure, Chai Yue tenderly took his hand.
"Young Master."
Fang Er forced a smile as he looked at her. "I'm fine. We'll start over."
The two walked ahead hand in hand, with Xiao Qing and Xing'er following behind.
The four of them headed towards Fang Family Manor.
Along the way, the manor's residents saw Fang Er and greeted him with surprise.
Fang Er nodded to each of them in response.
Upon entering the home, he found Empress Zhangsun with a group of princes and princesses studying in the courtyard, being taught by Zhang Zhimin.
This young man from a merchant family had now prospered.
Old Master Zhang from Chang'an City boasted to everyone that his nephew was a tutor for the royal family, acting exceptionally proud.
Seeing Fang Er and Chai Yue enter the courtyard, Li Chengqian and Li Ke proactively stepped forward to bow.
"Greetings, Shan Zhang."
Fang Er nodded slightly, then walked towards Empress Zhangsun.
"Your subject, Fang Anzhi, greets the Empress."
"Yue'er greets Auntie."
Chai Yue, following by Fang Er's side, bowed to Zhangsun.
Empress Zhangsun's habitually furrowed brow finally relaxed. She pulled Chai Yue over and asked Fang Er,
"Anzhi and Yue'er have returned. Has His Majesty returned to court?"
Fang Er nodded. "They have all returned."
Empress Zhangsun glanced at the princes and princesses in the courtyard, then said,
"Since that is the case, I should take them back to the palace. I have been here all this time, causing trouble for the household staff."
Fang Er quickly waved his hands. "Your Majesty speaks too kindly. With your presence, my humble abode has been greatly honored."
Empress Zhangsun took his words as politeness and said no more, beckoning to Li Chengqian and the others.
"Go and pack your things, we are returning to the palace."
"No! Mother, I want to stay here."
To her surprise, Princess Changle, Li Lizhi, hid behind Chai Yue, unwilling to go back.
Her tender little face held a look of terror.
Empress Zhangsun felt a pang in her heart. This girl had been frightened.
Chai Yue crouched down and looked at her. "Alright, alright. If Changle doesn't want to go back, she can stay here and be a companion to sister."
After speaking, she turned to Empress Zhangsun. "Auntie, why don't we let Changle stay at the manor?"
Empress Zhangsun sighed. "If that is the case, then Yue'er will have to take extra care of her. Laizi, you stay too, to look after Changle."
"Yes, this subordinate receives the order."
Lai Yifaxing bowed.
Half an hour later, with their belongings packed and under the escort of imperial guards, Empress Zhangsun led Li Chengqian and the others back to the palace.
Fang Er sat down on the lounge chair in the courtyard.
Chai Yue took Changle to the backyard.
Only Fang Er and Lai Yifa remained here.
Lai Yifa sidled up to Fang Er. "Marquis, I have a request."
Fang Er casually took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth.
"What is it, speak."
Lai Yifa quickly fumbled for a fire starter in his怀, helping Fang Er light his cigarette.
Then, he stammered, "I wish to ask the Marquis to petition His Majesty for a favor, to allow us to leave the palace."
Fang Er's eyebrows rose.
"I am but a minister from the outside. How can I interfere with matters within the palace?"
Just then, Sun Simiao came from his side courtyard, seemingly having heard Lai Yifa's previous words.
He walked up to Fang Er and said,
"This kid, if he stays in the palace any longer, his life might be in danger."
Lai Yifa, being clever, pulled a chair for the old man and served him.
Their words made Fang Er even more confused. Why would his life be in danger?
So, Lai Yifa began to tell his story.
It turned out that before entering the palace, this fellow had been a book boy for a landowner named Zhou.
One day, he went shopping with his master.
This young master Zhou met a friend halfway and they agreed to go to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion for some fun.
After entering, the two scoundrels each found a courtesan and went upstairs, leaving Lai Yifa to wait downstairs.
But Lai Yifa waited and waited, and his master never appeared.
At this time, Lai Yifa was only ten years old and didn't understand anything about men and women.
Growing impatient, he went upstairs to look for him.
After climbing a few steps upstairs, he encountered the madam of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.
The madam, seeing that he was handsome and refined, asked, "Young master, what is your esteemed name?"
Lai Yifa felt a tickle at his thigh, so he scratched himself while saying, "Lai Yifa."
However, his movements and the name he uttered were misunderstood by the madam.
The madam rubbed her silk handkerchief on his face twice. "I didn't expect you to be so passionate, young master. Well said, well said."
After speaking, she called out downstairs, "Ruhua! Come out to meet your guest!"
ps: Three chapters delivered. Yesterday's requests were 1494, and there's one more chapter today, which will be delivered later. Please support with your love, and request more updates.