The Empress' Livestream 433 Rebuilding Xiangyang District XVII

"What a sight to behold — this is much nicer than my straw house in the past, the ceiling is also tall, and I don't have to worry about hitting my head."

He tiptoed, stretched his arms to touch the door beam and a brief, honest smile spread across his face. His dark black eyes shining brightly, that simple, pure smile and expression...no matter who sees it will inevitably smile for him. Meng Hun is inwardly speechless, increasingly he discovered that his Langjun instructs with tireless zeal.

Meng Hun crossed his arms, lifted his head to see the door beam, "Hit one's head?"

"Yes, it seems like my head is too tall, if I'm not careful I will get hurt," Liyun cautiously replied.

He belonged to those whose clothes makes him look skinnier, his muscles are obvious when his clothes are taken off. His height is taller than most and the house is somewhat short for him. When entering the door, he must bend his head and waist otherwise he may injure his head and it'd be reddened. Disasters often happened, whenever he is hurt, his forehead will be pained for half a day and the straw house will vibrate multiple times.

Meng Hun was dumbfounded, "Fortunately, out lord took your head into account and specially built a tall door for you."

Without mentioning this, Meng Hun didn't realize that the house allocated to Liyun is indeed taller than most houses.

Meng Hun got his senses back. He can't help but hold his lord in high regards for being meticulous and felt touched on Liyun's behalf.

Even he thinks this way, let alone Liyun who has an unfeigned heart, the fondness he has for Jiang Pengji is on the rise. 

"My lord is excellent, Yun never imagined one day I'd get to live in such a house. I've always felt these houses can only be owned by officials and wealthy people." 

Liyun is sincerely, deeply moved. However, the words that followed changed context, "Since we have a house, let's work hard to become more reputable. Perhaps some woman will fancy Yun."

Liyun's features are rather mature, when he isn't speaking it is rather intimidating. Others thought he is arrogant, cold and unapproachable.

Truthfully, his heart is rather innocent, exactly like someone who stayed up in the mountains for years, ignorant of the ways of the world.

Meng Hun didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Han Mei was born handsome, well equipped with military skills, knowledgeable in military tactics. Possessing both brawn and brains, you will surely become someone great. With such talents, which lady will not be infatuated after a look at him? How is it that your words suggest it's difficult to find a bride?"

Liyun gasped with understanding and replied honestly, "Teacher meant Yun was born too tall... such that women are not attracted."

Being tall is not his fault, his growth spurt when he was thirteen or fourteen made him so fearful that he dared not eat.

Meng Hun was speechless.

Despite Liyun having a towering figure, he possessed a manly disposition he needed to be sturdier and mightier. What is it with being tall? 

Seeing his genuine expression, Meng Hun wanted to poke fun at him.

He walked around Liyun, reacted in astonishment then shared his opinion, "Han Mei isn't wrong to say this, you are indeed born too tall. Those ladies who are gorgeous are mostly petite. If you chose a gentle, delicate bride, when you hug her with your two hands to kiss her, from afar you both will look like father and daughter."

He spoke till his cheeks reddened, and Liyun felt very uneasy.

Luckily, he became more tanned recently, his blushing was not obvious on his face.

"It can't be, Han Mei… Don't tell your elder brother than you are still a virgin?"

Meng Hun was very entertained watching his reaction.　

In this era, to find a man that's still a virgin above 20 years old, it was more challenging than plucking the stars from the sky. 

He watched for Liyun's expression, as if watching a prehistoric organism.

Liyun said bashfully with some difficulty, "Teacher said keeping oneself chaste is for one's good."

It was unbearable for Meng Hun, he responded by asking, "Are you sure it isn't because there aren't any women within the deep mountains?"

Realization finally hit him as to why his lord likes to bully Liyun, this young punk, he was an easy target.

Meng Hun took Liyun along to survey the house briefly, it's different from third section housing that required more renovations, the small apartment that's second section required minimal changes. It has all the basic requirements, Jiang Pengji prepared sufficiently all the requirements for single men. She even got the craftsmen to build doors, windows and related items.

If his demands for quality of living isn't high, he can move into this residence directly.

Meng Hun's wife and daughter passed on for years, he has no intentions to remarry and does not have high expectations of where he lives.

As for Liyun…

"If you feel the residence is substandard, you can bring it up to the lord to use some skilled men to renovate the house."

He shook his head in reply, "This is good enough, I dare not request any more."

The area of second section houses aren't that big. However, considering the habit for military men to have their morning practice, the apartment specially has an empty space for training. Every morning, when Liyun wakes up, he can practice his spear, then open the side door after he ends, go to the neighbouring street to buy breakfast and fill his stomach before going to work.

"Yun wishes to go on leave to bring my teacher from the mountains over for his retirement."

Liyun's desire has always been to care for his aged teacher.

Meng Hun was in favour of this, and said, "This is an act of filial piety, the lord will surely approve of your leave."

The next day, Liyun successfully requested for three days of leave from Jiang Pengji.

Three days of leave!

Qiguan Rang's eyes were red like a rabbit's, his looked at Liyun bitterly.

 Everyone was equally busy, why was he allowed to take three days off?

Observing optimistic Liyun carry a bag of food when leaving Xiangyang district, Jiang Pengji laughed and smacked his shoulders playfully, "The able have many responsibilities, Wenzheng's job is of utmost importance. After the houses in the entire district are fully occupied and if you have not finished compiling the household records, the people will have no way to apply for house rental or buy new houses."

"Why don't the lord assign more men under Rang? "Qiguan Rang voiced his displeasure, obviously unwilling.

"I am not unwilling. Only throughout the whole of Xiangyang district, which scholar who can read and write dare stand before you?"

Jiang Pengji's mocking words made Qiguan Rang exasperated.

Moving to another scene.

Liyun wore clothes made of coarse material and carried a small sack and a silver-white spear as he journeyed under the scorching sun.

With only three days of leave, he must return before the deadline. Only then he will not disappoint the lord's goodness to him.　

After travelling for more than four hours, Liyun heard a series of moving carriage wheels sounding through.

Lifting his head to observe, from the horizon a small dot was approaching his direction.

"Young man, do you know much further is Xiangyang district from here?"

Liyun initially wanted to avoid but someone called out to him.

He replied, "It will take about four hours by foot."

That man had a sword around his waist, surrounding the horse carriage stood more than ten men. They all had this aura but they differed in intensity.

From his observations, the person within the horse carriage must be an important person.

Liyun silently pursed his lips, he looked coldly arrogant and unapproachable.

"Thank you, young brother."

The guard smiled kindly at him, though his eyes glanced at the spear that Liyun carried behind him, his eyes shone briefly.

"Sir, there is still a four hours journey."

"En, let's continue."

Liyun's hearing was exceptional. He clearly heard the voice coming forth from the horse carriage, it sounded poised, with clarity, yet his fatigue could not be hidden.

Chapter end