Chapter Three: Brothers

  What should I do now?

  Just now, with a lame excuse, he had covered up the gentle-looking Luo Daifu. In the room, Liu Yanzhao was supporting his chin, holding a brush in his right hand and scribbling randomly on paper. At this moment, his mind was very confused.

  It's been three days, and he still can't believe it, feeling melancholy and sorrowful. He inexplicably came to this world, and everything from his past life is no longer accessible; he can no longer be accompanied by his parents.

  Past events were like tidal waves, constantly surfacing before his eyes, those forgotten details becoming increasingly clear, and soon he felt a moistness at the corners of his eyes.

  Outside the gate, a faint voice came from within the courtyard. It was unclear whether it was because there were no people around that made the sound seem somewhat loud, or because Liu Yanzhao's skills had reached a certain level, causing him to suddenly compose himself, pick up a military book and pretend to read it.

  "Sixth brother, I've come to see you!"

  Under the sound, Ba Mei's delicate body quickly appeared in front of Liu Yan Zhao, with sweat beads still on the tip of her nose, and a small crimson wooden box in her hands.

  "Ba Mei, have you finished your homework?"

  When he saw this lovely little girl, Liu Yanzhao's annoyance in his heart lessened a lot. He busily poured a cup of cool tea from the table and handed it to the little girl.

  She downed the tea in one gulp, and Liu Yanyu couldn't care less about the tea water on her lips. She opened the wooden box like a treasure, pointing at the different intervals inside, "Sixth brother, these are all the favorite things of the fish children. Every time I practice my skills and get tired, eating some of them makes me feel much more comfortable. Sixth brother got injured this time, so little fish is giving these to sixth brother, hoping that sixth brother can recover soon."

  Eighth sister's face was stern, her words were convincing, Liu Yanzhao couldn't help but smile along with her. The things in the wooden box, even if he didn't recognize them, he could still guess roughly what they were.

  It must be Xiaoyao's nonsense.

  "Hehe, how can Sixth Brother compete with Fishy for these snacks? Moreover, Sixth Brother is not seriously ill, so Eighth Sister, you'd better take them back."

  "Really? Brother Liu, your body is really okay?"

  Under Ba Mei's gaze, Liu Yan Zhao smiled and patted his chest, "That's natural, how could an elder brother deceive a fish?"

  "That's great!"

  Ba Mei was delighted, and while covering the wooden box, she whispered to herself, "This way, the fish can be eaten for a few more days, and I won't have to ask Mother to buy more."

  Seeing her like this, Liu Yanzhao couldn't help but burst out laughing. This little girl, it seemed that sending Zero over was a big decision for her, but the pure brotherly and sisterly love between them had a subtle impact on his heart.

  "Not yet gone, but heard the sixth brother's laughter, it seems that his body is not seriously injured, we worried too much!"

  Just as Liu Yanzhao's laughter had barely faded, a bright and clear voice came in, and soon four figures walked into his room, their stature similar to his, not robust, but exuding an aura of solemnity.

  This is the aura of a soldier, an air that only those who have experienced life and death on the battlefield can possess, inspiring awe in others.

  "Big brother, second brother, third brother, fifth brother, you're back! Did anything fun happen today that you can tell Yuer about?"

  Seeing the four of them, Ba Mei bounced forward a few steps, and the newcomers couldn't help but burst out laughing at the sight of Xiao Yu'er. The fierce aura that had just enveloped her entire body instantly dissipated.

  "The little fish has caused trouble for several elder brothers again. The eldest brother and we are busy practicing military training every day, where is the fun in the barracks? If you say something new, aren't you making it difficult for several brothers?"

  "Second Brother is right, Little Fish. If you want to hear interesting stories, let your sisters-in-law tell them to you. As for us old men, it's still not as thrilling as taking up guns and going into battle!"

  Hearing them say this, Ba Mei's big eyes widened and her small mouth pouted, "Hmph, Second Brother, Third Brother, you guys just know how to bully Xiao Yu. You clearly agreed to something but now you're going back on your word. I'm going to go tell Father and Mother!"

  "Ba Mei, Da Ge is busy with military affairs, why don't Liu Ge tell you some interesting stories instead?"

  These four people in front of me are probably the future Yang family's four sons, but why is one missing? Listening to the title of Eighth Sister, it seems that Fourth Brother is not here. Could it be like the story where he got separated during the battle with the Khitan people?

  Deeply impressed, there seems to be no news of Fourth Master, and in the mansion, it has even become a taboo. No matter how lenient Liu Jiyu and his wife are towards their subordinates, if anyone mentions Fourth Master, they will still be severely punished without mercy.

  Moreover, the armor on Dalang and others had not been removed, they must have just returned to the mansion. Liu Yanzhao understood that the emotions between these brothers should be very deep, so he certainly couldn't stay silent, which would seem abnormal and arouse suspicion in people's minds.

  "Sixth brother is usually clever and quick-witted, this matter should have been taken care of long ago, it's also good to let the few older brothers feel relieved!"

  Perhaps it was because of Liu Yanzhao's words that solved the difficulties of several people, Sanlang Liu Yanguang took the lead in joking and said, while the other brothers also followed with laughter, and Eighth Sister glared at them again with her eyes.

  After chatting for a while, they learned that Liu Yanzhao was not seriously injured. Liu Yanping and others got up to return and change their armor, but the eighth sister stayed behind with joy to listen to stories.

  Liu Yanzhao furrowed his brow, having heard many stories before. Even if he didn't have any goods in stock, with his Chinese language major background, he could still make something up on the spot.

  But the key is that it's unclear what type of story Ba Mei likes to listen to. Anderson's fairy tales might not work, as Xiao Mei is young but very clever and would likely ask countless questions about the irrational parts of those stories.

  Other classic short stories remembered in his mind are also set in modern times, and he has just arrived in ancient times, with some things not yet thought of suitable substitutes.

  Looking at Ba Mei's expectant face, Liu Yanzhao, who was just full of confidence, couldn't help but feel a little nervous. "Fish, what kind of interesting things do you like to hear?"

  Liu Yanzhao asked this, and Ba Mei immediately came to her senses, busily counting on her fingers, recounting everything she had heard, from the Sui and Tang Dynasties' Romance of the Investiture of the Gods, to Wei Qing and Huo Qubing's Northern Expeditions against the Xiongnu, to the Warring States Period's Iron Horse Golden Spear.

  Looking at the excited expression on her face, Liu Yanzhao was secretly shocked in his heart. What were these brothers thinking of doing? Were they going to raise Chu Chu's eighth sister into a boy?

  Even the legendary ancient Chinese tragic love story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai was not known to them, what a group of uncouth people. Liu Yanzhao couldn't help but feel resentful towards Dalang and others in his heart.

  Even if the Yangmen women are not inferior to men, but in the end, Eighth Sister is still a girl, and in Liu Yanzhao's eyes, which have changed souls, she should like gentle and beautiful stories.

  Having made up his mind, Liu Yanzhao's brain also flashed out what he thought was a classic work, The West Chamber, after finishing The West Chamber, then Journey to the West, and finally Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

  Of course, among them are the love stories of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, Du Shiniang and others, which allow Xiaoyi's mind to hold things other than fighting and killing that belong to her at this age. It seems that after turning around, Baimei has also passed the age of listening to stories.

  Outside, a young servant came to call them for dinner. It was only then that Liu Yanzhao realized it had gotten dark outside. The little girl listened intently, and he too got more enthusiastic in his storytelling, so neither of them noticed the change in daylight.

  "Sixth Brother, will we meet Yanyan again at this gathering?"

  Ba Mei supported her chin, full of expectation, looking at Liu Yan Zhao. After all, girls are still girls, and they can't resist these romantic stories.

  Moreover, Liu Yanzhao had studied it specially when he was in school, so the description of Xixiangji was vivid and lifelike, and he quickly grasped Baimei's weakness.

  "This can wait till tomorrow, it's getting late, let's hurry up and have dinner, or else Father, Mother, and Brother and Sister-in-law will be worried."

  "Then Sixth Brother will tell some stories after dinner, okay?"

  Tugging at Liu Yanzhao's sleeve, Ba Mei was full of pleading expressions, making him unable to help but smile, "Alright, I'll do as Yu'er says."

  As she walked with the lively and energetic Ba Mei towards the living room, Liu Yan Zhao's heart suddenly began to beat violently as they reached the corridor.

  Not for anything else, just because I'm about to see that renowned general of all time, Liu Jiye.

  With a nervous heart, Liu Yanzhao followed Ba Mei into the living room, where a large table was already filled with people, all of whom he had met before from the Liu household.

  Only the main seat was empty, and Liu Jiye's shadow was nowhere to be seen. Instead, it made Liu Yanzhao's heart calm down a bit, but also added some loss.

  "Sixth Brother, Eighth Sister, you've arrived, hurry up and take a seat, I'm starving!"

  Seeing the two, Sanlang Liu Yang laughed loudly and said, but was met with a white eye from Ba Mei, who ignored him and sat down beside Zhe Sai Hua, "Mother, did Father stay overnight in the camp again?"

  "Your father is busy with military affairs and becomes like this, come on, let's eat!"

  Put the bowl and chopsticks in front of Ba Mei, Zuo Saihua called out to start eating. She looked at Liu Yanzhao sitting next to Qi Lang and smiled, using her chopsticks to point to the dish in front of him, "Liu Lang, you love this San Xian Lian Hua Su the most, eat more today."

  "Thank you, mother!"

  The three fresh lotus flowers in front of him were fragrant and delicious, and they were probably one of the delicacies of the Song Dynasty. Moreover, Liu Luang loved to eat this thing every day, so Liu Yanzhao naturally didn't hesitate to take a bite first.

  There was no taboo about not talking while eating, and the meal was quite enjoyable. Liu Yanzhao's reconnaissance mission was also asked about, fortunately he had inquired with some of the people who followed him, so he could answer fluently.

  After dinner, Ba Mei began to pester Liu Yan Zhao about the story of the Western Wing, and this little girl's enthusiasm seemed to have infected several aunts, who were also quite interested. After all, The Story of the Western Wing was one of ancient China's most famous love stories, and although they were married women, they were not yet middle-aged, so they were easily drawn in by such tales.

  "Unexpectedly, Liu Lang can tell these stories so well. I didn't notice it before, perhaps because he has read some good books. Our Liu family will produce a high-ranking official soon, haha!"

  Sanlang Liu Yanguang was a bit of a lively person, and upon hearing Ba Mei's praise for Liu Yanzhao, he immediately started teasing. However, his words caused Zhe Saihua, who was holding her tea cup, to pause for a moment.

  "Third brother, how dare you speak so recklessly!"

  The eldest brother, Liu Yanping, immediately rebuked him, and although the brothers usually joked and laughed together, the elder brother was like a father. Liu Yanping's scolding made Liu Yanguang stretch his neck and stop speaking.

  "Never mind, Sanlang was just momentarily excited, and dinner is over anyway. You've all had a hard day, go back to your rooms and rest."

  The old lady said one sentence, and the people present got up and left one after another. Such a cold scene was seen by Liu Yanzhao, who also understood it in his heart.

  His current father, Liu Jiye, was a military general who had been a hostage in his early years. Although he gained the appreciation of Northern Han's Emperor Liu Chong and was granted the surname Liu, he could only serve as a household slave for the Liu family, doing tasks such as going to battle and killing enemies.

  Moreover, Han and Song were enemies, and Liu Jiyei, as a general leading the army, would certainly be constantly slandered by those with ulterior motives in the imperial court. The current Northern Han Emperor Liu Jiyuan was also a suspicious person, and when reusing Liu Jiyei, he would definitely be on high alert.

  So, if the news of Sanlang's ascension to the throne were to spread, the entire Liu Mansion would be implicated. These few brothers are skilled in battle, but they are still inexperienced in officialdom. The defeat at Jinsha Beach later on was probably also inevitable.