Chapter 5: Reclining Chair

Fang Yiai stood at the door of the room, took a deep breath, and firmly held the letter containing secrets that his mother had given him.

Fang Yiai waited until Fang De led the people to bring the things over, then got up and walked out of the room, coming to the courtyard where he placed several large bamboo strips into the water to soak. Fang Yiai looked at the wood and tools, thought for a moment, and then started working. At this time, everyone else had already left, but Fang Fang was curious and stayed behind, as he wanted to see what the second young master was up to. Fang De saw Fang Yiai skillfully operating the plane and thought he must be seeing things; when did the second young master learn carpentry? Fang Yiai worked enthusiastically, feeling very satisfied, thinking that the carpentry skills he learned from his grandfather in his previous life were still with him.

Fang De scratched his head, wondering what was going on. The second young master was actually doing carpentry work himself. If the master found out, he wouldn't know how to deal with the second young master. Fang De treated Fang Yiai like his own child and didn't want him to be punished. Seeing Linglong leaning against the door smiling, Fang De said somewhat unhappily, "Linglong, you're still smiling. Why don't you try to persuade the second young master? If the master finds out, the second young master will be in trouble again."

"Linglong, if my persuasion worked, I would have done it long ago. Unless the master comes over," Linglong said with a smile. She didn't want to stop the second young master; maybe he could create something interesting.

Fang De had no choice but to agree. He wouldn't tell the master about this, as it would harm the second young master. So, Fang De went outside and ordered, "Fang Quan, come here. From now on, keep your mouth shut. If anyone gossips in front of the master, I'll deal with them." Fang Quan knew how powerful Fang De was, so he obediently responded and went to pass on the order.

Fang Yiai quickly finished the six supports and then took the large bamboo strips out of the water, bending them forcefully. However, the bamboo strips immediately returned to their original shape. Fang Yiai, out of breath, said to Fang De, "Uncle De, could you help me start a fire? The bamboo strips are too elastic; they need to be heated to maintain their shape."

Fang De now knew he couldn't stop the second young master from acting crazy, so he agreed and started a fire in the courtyard. Fang Yiai held the bamboo strips over the fire, which required skill. If not done correctly, the bamboo could break. Fang Yiai carefully felt the bending of the bamboo, but the fire was too strong, and he was drenched in sweat. Linglong, watching from the side, felt very sympathetic. The second young master could have let the servants do this, but he insisted on doing it himself. Linglong squatted beside Fang Yiai, using a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his face. Seeing Fang Yiai's serious expression, Linglong suddenly realized that the second young master was actually quite charming, something she hadn't noticed before.

Fang Yiai struggled to heat two bamboo strips into a U-shape, which would serve as the handles of the reclining chair. The handles were slightly blackened from the heat. Fang Yiai stood up, but his legs were numb from squatting for so long. He almost stumbled and fell, but Linglong quickly supported him, saying, "Second young master, be careful. If anything happens to you, how can I explain it to the lady?"

"Fang Yiai, don't worry, I'm fine. My legs are just a bit numb. I'll be fine after a few steps," Fang Yiai replied, knowing that if anything happened to him, Linglong would also be in trouble. Looking at Linglong's beautiful face, Fang Yiai felt very fortunate. Such a beauty was his maid, something he could only dream of in the future. With Linglong's help, Fang Yiai returned to the bed and sat down. He felt extremely tired and fell asleep.

Linglong came in with a basin of water, intending to have the second young master wash his face, but found him already asleep. She shook her head, a faint smile on her beautiful face. She put down the basin, took off Fang Yiai's shoes, and covered him with a blanket. After doing this, she propped her chin on her hand and watched Fang Yiai. Linglong thought the second young master didn't take care of himself well; it was March, and he fell asleep without a blanket, risking a cold.

After some time, Fang Yiai opened his eyes and saw Linglong dozing off at the edge of the bed. He sighed, patted her face, and said, "Linglong, if you're tired, go rest. Why stay here watching over me?"

"Second young master, you're awake. I'll get you a basin of water. The water from earlier is cold," Linglong said happily, then tried to get the basin. Fang Yiai quickly held her hand and said with a smile, "Linglong, I'm not that delicate. Cold water is refreshing. Sit here with me!" Fang Yiai didn't care if Linglong agreed and pushed her onto the bed, then went to the basin to wash his face. Indeed, the cold water in March was very refreshing.

Linglong had no choice but to comply. She thought the second young master was too unconventional and didn't act like a young master at all.

At dinner, Fang Yiai faced a barrage of questions from Fang Xuanling. The old man glared and said, "Jun'er, what did you do this afternoon? I heard you took away our large bamboo strips. Be careful; if you cause trouble again, I'll break your legs."

Fang Yiai saw his father's bristling mustache and felt helpless. He was now a closely monitored object, and any slight movement would attract attention. Fang Yizhi, his older brother, was covering his mouth and laughing, but his wife, Du Shi, pinched him hard, making him stop. Fang Yiai laughed, thinking his brother was a henpecked husband. Fang Xuanling, seeing Fang Yiai still laughing, felt his authority was being undermined and said angrily, "Brat, you're still laughing? Tell me what happened!"

"Father, I didn't do anything bad. I just used the bamboo strips to make something. I promise I didn't cause trouble. Besides, Linglong was watching me. How could I misbehave?" Fang Yiai explained, feeling both amused and exasperated. Why did the Tang Dynasty prime minister have so little confidence in his son? Fang Yiai hated the original Fang Laoer, who had to bear the consequences of his actions. After cursing, Fang Yiai shook his head, realizing how foolish it was to curse himself.

"Old man, stop shouting. Are you letting us eat? If you're full, go back to your study and sleep there tonight!" Lu Shi, seeing Fang Xuanling's angry face, felt annoyed. Her son had just settled down, and this old man was already showing off his authority. So, the Tang Dynasty prime minister was in trouble and had to sleep in the study that night.

"Ah, lady, the study is cold. Besides, I did this for Jun'er. If he had said he was making something, it would have been fine. Why did I have to be suspicious?" Fang Xuanling looked innocent, his left hand making a claw gesture at Fang Yiai. Fang Yiai, seeing the old man threatening him, had to flatter Lu Shi, "Mother, don't be angry. Father did this for me. Besides, Father has a leg problem. It's not good for him to sleep in the study. Let's let it go this time; it's not a big deal."

"Old man, look at you. You're older than your son, yet you're less sensible. For Jun'er's sake, I'll let it go this time. If you show off your authority at dinner again, I'll deal with you," Lu Shi said, petting Fang Yiai's head. The Tang Dynasty prime minister had no choice but to nod.

After returning to his west wing, Fang Yiai saw Linglong sitting on the bed waiting for him. It seemed she had done nothing after dinner but wait for him. Fang Yiai patted her shoulder and said gratefully, "Silly girl, you don't need to wait for me. After dinner, do whatever you want, even go out to play."

Linglong was moved by Fang Yiai's words. She had never seen a master treat a servant so well. She smiled and shook her head, "Second young master, I'm just a maid. Serving you is my duty. The things you mentioned are for the young lady. If I did them, people would criticize me. Besides, the lady asked me to take care of you. How can I leave you alone?"

"Silly, I've told you before, I'm very healthy. I don't need your care. I have hands and feet," Fang Yiai said, sitting down beside Linglong. Linglong, seeing him sit, instinctively stood up. Fang Yiai, seeing this, smiled bitterly and said, "Linglong, don't be so formal. It makes me feel uncomfortable. Am I that scary? If you feel uncomfortable, just imagine me as a small servant or a lapdog. That way, you won't be afraid!"

Linglong, hearing Fang Yiai's absurd words, laughed, covering her mouth and saying, "Second young master, no one talks like that. Calling yourself a dog, the master would beat you if he heard!"

Fang Yiai, seeing Linglong laugh so happily for the first time, thought she was very beautiful, like Wang Yuyan, making him want to protect her.

Fang Yiai held Linglong's hand and said, "Silly, smile more. You look very beautiful when you smile."

Linglong didn't respond but asked, "Second young master, it's late. Should you change and go to bed?"

Fang Yiai was taken aback. It was only the ninth hour, which was around 8 PM in modern times. How could he sleep now? He looked at Linglong and said, "Linglong, it's too early. How can I sleep?"

"Second young master, it's not early. We usually rest at this time," Linglong said, puzzled. She thought the second young master had lost his memory and didn't know when to sleep, which was very pitiful. Fang Yiai realized that in the Tang Dynasty, there was little entertainment after dinner, and people had nothing to do but sleep. No wonder ancient people had so many children; they probably just made babies after turning off the lights. He needed to find some entertainment, or he would be bored to death.

Fang Yiai decided to go to bed since there was nothing to do. He nodded and saw Linglong start to undress him. Fang Yiai was shocked and grabbed his clothes, stammering, "Linglong, what are you doing?"

Linglong rolled her eyes, finding Fang Yiai's reaction amusing, "Second young master, I'm just helping you change. It's my duty!"

Fang Yiai realized he had made a mistake again. In the Tang Dynasty, helping the master change and warm the bed was a basic duty of a maid, but Fang Yiai, with a 21st-century soul, was not used to it. He had to smile awkwardly and say, "Linglong, my head is a bit messed up. I'm not used to it yet. I said you don't need to serve me. I can do it myself. You should go to bed; you must be tired."

After sending Linglong away, Fang Yiai sat on the bed, thinking about the evil old society.

The next morning, he saw Linglong standing by the bed, smiling at him. He realized he was only wearing a white undergarment, which was essentially a pair of white shorts. He said embarrassedly, "Linglong, could you please go out for a moment? Let me put on my clothes."

Linglong covered her mouth and laughed. She was wearing a white gauze dress and a light yellow bodice, her neck and chest white and delicate. Fang Yiai's eyes were fixed on her. Linglong, without hesitation, pulled back the blanket and said, "Second young master, there's no need to be embarrassed. You need to get used to it, or people will laugh at you."

Fang Yiai had no choice but to comply. He didn't expect the usually gentle Linglong to be so bold. Since Linglong didn't mind, he, as a man, shouldn't be afraid. He blushed and awkwardly dressed himself under Linglong's watchful eyes.

Linglong, watching the second young master, felt a ripple in her heart, a feeling she couldn't quite describe.

The early bird gets the worm, and the lazy man gets hurt. Fang Yiai, blushing, awkwardly dressed himself under Linglong's direct gaze.

Linglong, watching the second young master, felt a wave of emotion, a feeling she couldn't quite explain.

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End of Chapter 5

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