After My Emperor Fanfiction Was Discovered – CH37

Chapter 37: I Made It 

The Liu family was of noble scholarly standing, and the disciples of the venerable scholar Liu were spread across the realm.

At the height of its fame, students seeking instruction would line up all the way to the street outside the Liu estate.

Scholars of the Great Qi dynasty took pride in having studied under the Liu family, and often referred to each other as senior or junior brothers.

However, being recognized personally by Elder Scholar Liu as a true disciple, and becoming a fellow student with his eldest grandson Liu Ting, was extremely rare.

Casual calls didn’t count—Han Min was the only junior disciple officially acknowledged by Liu Ting.

At this moment, a young servant ran through the courtyard shouting, “Second Young Master Han is here!”

The elderly man seated in the hall had snow-white hair but a vigorous spirit, eyes bright and alert, fingers occasionally flicking a string of paulownia wood prayer beads, producing a crisp sound.

Behind him on the wall hung a portrait of his late teacher.

The boy ran up to him, bowed, and panted, “Great-Grandfather, Second Young Master Han has arrived.”

“I know.”

Elder Scholar Liu set the beads down on the table and, with a casual tone, allowed a slight tremor of his beard—a faint smile.

On the table was a paper-folded little green frog. He pressed it lightly, and the frog leapt high.

Soon, he spotted a few vague shadows behind the folding screen.

Squinting, he could have identified them when they were younger by their silhouettes, but now they had all grown up, and he could hardly recognize them.

Liu Ting led Han Min, with Jiang Huan and Chu Yu following behind.

Once they stopped in the hall, Liu Ting let go of Han Min’s hand, gently supporting him by the waist and nudging him forward.

Han Min, seeing his teacher after so long, felt a hint of nervousness.

He pressed his lips together, and when he spoke, his voice was hoarse: “Teacher.”

Elder Scholar Liu braced himself on the table, stood up, and stepped forward a few paces.

Worried that his teacher might not be steady, Han Min hurried to support his arm.

Then he rested his head on his teacher’s shoulder, first acting playful.

When he spoke again, it was even harder: “Teacher.”

Elder Scholar Liu smiled, patting his head, “Still exactly the same as before, even with so many people watching.”

At that moment, a young servant brought a kneeling cushion. Elder Scholar Liu glanced at it, then held Han Min’s hand and led him back: “No need to kneel, come sit next to me.”

The couch was soft, and the servant brought tea cups and snacks prepared earlier.

Liu Ting and Jiang Huan paid their respects and found seats, while Chu Yu stepped forward with a bow.

Elder Scholar Liu had not met him before, so he turned to Han Min: “Who is this young gentleman?”

“Last year’s third-ranking scholar, Chu Yu. Lord Chu.”

Elder Scholar Liu nodded and looked at Chu Yu: “I rarely go out, my apologies.”

Chu Yu cupped his hands politely: “I’ve long heard of Elder Scholar Liu’s reputation.”

Elder Scholar Liu smiled warmly at Han Min: “I had Liu Ting call you many times. Why are you only arriving now? Did you quarrel with His Majesty again and anger him, so he wouldn’t let you leave?”

“No.” Han Min set down his tea cup, feeling slightly embarrassed, “His Majesty and I are harmonious as Emperor and minister, truly.”

“So you came alone? His Majesty didn’t send anyone with you?”

“Eunuch Yang and the others came with me.” He glanced around quietly. “Not sure where they are now… Eunuch Yang wouldn’t get lost.”

Elder Scholar Liu’s expression froze: “They came too?”

“Yes. Eunuch Yang petitioned His Majesty earlier to leave the palace, and then…”

Before he could finish, Elder Scholar Liu sprang up and hurried out at a brisk pace.

“Teacher?”

Sure enough, the old eunuch they had seen earlier stood in the corridor.

Hanging there were a dozen birdcages, with green sparrows and parrots.

Behind the cage, Eunuch Yang was teasing the birds: “Chuchu, how did Old Liu keep you so thin, chuchu?”

Elder Scholar Liu blocked in front of the cage, complaining: “Who are you calling ‘chuchu’? You call every cat or dog ‘chuchu.’”

Han Min poked his head in: “Cats are ‘mimi,’ dogs are ‘chuchu.’”

Elder Scholar Liu smiled at him: “Min’er go play in your senior brother’s courtyard, let the kitchen make sweet rice dumplings for you.”

He turned and saw Eunuch Yang carrying a huge cage to hang under the eaves.

It was Turnip Head’s cage.

The birds, sensing the scent of the hawk, chirped wildly in panic.

Han Min exclaimed: “Old Yang, you can’t hang that here! That’s a bird of prey—it will be a disaster!”

Han Min stepped forward and took both Turnip Head and the cage: “I’ll hold it myself.”

He stood between the two elders, moving aside: “I’ll go find my senior brother.”

Elder Scholar Liu watched him leave and said to Eunuch Yang: “He’s much thinner.”

“He was even thinner when he arrived. I’ve fattened him up quite a bit,” replied Eunuch Yang.

“When will you return to the palace?”

“I’m not going back.” Eunuch Yang walked to his side. “I petitioned His Majesty earlier. Now I’m officially retired.”

Elder Scholar Liu teased: “Ah, that’s good. Most retired eunuchs have saved up a lot and even have ten adopted sons. Why come stay with me?”

“Old friend. How can I leave you? I’ll go stay with Old Liang later. Once Min’er is settled, I’ll go to the Han residence. You old men aren’t good enough; Old Han treats me well. With him, I learned characters I hadn’t known decades ago.”

Elder Scholar Liu laughed: “I’ll teach you characters.”

Eunuch Yang pouted: “I haven’t seen you teach students like this. You’re too fierce, I won’t learn.”

In Liu Ting’s room, Han Min hugged a worn cushion, leaning at a slant on the couch.

Liu Ting, seeing him drowsy, signaled Jiang Huan and Chu Yu to stay silent: “Go sit in the flower hall and let him rest.”

He stepped forward to help Han Min get comfortable, to avoid aches from lying awkwardly.

Chu Yu waved him off, came to Han Min, pulled his hairband, and in a teasing whisper said: “Han Min, let’s braid little pigtails.”

Han Min jolted awake, pushing him away, flustered: “Fu Xun? Go away!”

Chu Yu laughed, running his hands through his hair: “You’re so boring. We’re all sitting here, and you still managed to sleep.”

Now fully awake, Han Min was pulled over: “Come, let’s play chess. The loser will be punished.”

They set up a small table and chessboard. Han Min and Chu Yu sat together; Liu Ting and Jiang Huan on the other side.

Jiang Huan seemed disinterested, leaning back, watching.

Han Min and Chu Yu whispered and argued quietly over moves.

Liu Ting did not rush them, smiling gently.

The black and white pieces fought; finally Liu Ting played a move that reversed the board. He smiled just the same.

The two losing players exchanged a glance. Han Min softy called: “Senior Brother.”

Liu Ting laughed helplessly: “No.”

“Beautiful Senior Brother, very beautiful Senior Brother.”

After a few more calls, Liu Ting wavered: “Alright, alright.”

Before he could finish, Jiang Huan pulled him aside: “No, let’s continue.”

Liu Ting tried to intervene but was blocked, finally resigned: “Play with Senior Brother Jiang then.”

With the strict Jiang Huan on board, Han Min dared not act spoiled and carefully placed his pieces, even avoiding whispering to Chu Yu.

Jiang Huan’s style was sharp, systematically reclaiming the positions Liu Ting had set gently.

The game ended quickly.

Jiang Huan packed up the board: “Wasn’t the loser supposed to be punished?”

Chu Yu interjected: “I have an idea, but not sure if Han Min will agree.”

Han Min: “Tell me.”

“I’ve wanted to meet Lord Wen Bianzhang (Wen Yan), but he’s injured and I don’t know him well. If Han Min takes me, I can see him.”

“That’s not really a punishment. Besides, you may be asking the wrong person,” Jiang Huan said with raised eyes. “He hasn’t gotten along with Wen Bianzhang.”

Han Min contradicted: “No way. We’re close. We reconciled a few days ago. I saw a calligraphy copy at his place. Tomorrow I’ll take Zuoshi (Chu Yan) to borrow it so you can see.”

Jiang Huan lightly laughed: “Tomorrow is my day off. Bring us along too; I want to see how you reconciled.”

Han Min agreed: “Sure. If Wen Bianzhang and I are close, can Senior Brother Jiang lend me the interrogation files after reviewing the Duke of Gong?”

Jiang Huan glanced at Liu Ting: “Xizhou, your junior is like this?”

Liu Ting smiled warmly: “He wants to see. Let him. If you refuse, he’ll ask His Majesty. What can you do?”

Han Min bowed: “Thanks for speaking for me, Senior Brother.”

After dinner, Chu Yu harnessed his carriage and returned to his residence.

Someone from the Duke of Gong’s mansion came requesting him, Jiang Huan also went over.

Han Min sat writing scripts; Little Jizi organized luggage.

He lifted a garment: “Young Master, where did this come from? I’ve never seen it.”

Han Min turned, realizing he hadn’t worn it either: “Where did you find it?”

“From a package.”

He examined the fabric and remembered: “Ah, my senior brother gave this to me the first time he saw me outside the palace.”

“You never wore it?”

“No, I didn’t. Why?” Han Min touched his chin.

Ah, when he brought the package back to Funing Palace, Fu Xun had seen it.

Fu Xun said it was probably made by Liu Ting’s fifteen-year-old sister, Liu Yu. To avoid misunderstanding, Han Min hadn’t worn it, intending to return it later… and then forgot.

“I’ll return it to my senior brother.”

He folded the garment, held the package, and opened the door.

He lived in Liu Ting’s courtyard, convenient for visiting.

The room was lit, shadows of Liu Ting writing at the desk.

Han Min knocked, got permission, and entered.

He placed the package on the desk: “Senior Brother, this is for you.”

Liu Ting looked up and immediately recognized it: “What happened? Didn’t fit?”

“No, I didn’t wear it. I mean… who made it?”

Liu Ting smiled knowingly: “Who did you think made it?”

“Your second sister?”

“I know etiquette well enough not to give you her clothes. At that time, the Empress Dowager commanded all families to offer prayers at Jianguo Temple for the late emperor. My grandmother, mother, and second sister weren’t home yet. Besides, you know her; she wouldn’t know sewing.”

Han Min felt awkward: “Then…”

Liu Ting sighed, shaking his head, the cinnabar mark between his brows glowing in candlelight: “I made it.”

Han Min froze, then quickly hugged the garment to his chest, proudly: “Then I’m keeping it.”

Author’s Note:
Someone is going to get jealous.
Old Fu: Why are you wearing something Liu Yu made for you?
Min-Min: She didn’t make it. My senior brother did.
Old Fu: !!! Both siblings like you, I can’t allow this!!!
Min-Min: ???