Liu Ti醤 Q� suddenly remembered something she wanted to asked the butler, "Uncle Zhou, I meant to ask you. Is there a need for me to worry about Doctor Ru?"

　　With a slight frown on his face, Bulter Zhou asked, "What Young Master Liu mean is...?"

　　"When I introduce you and the Doctor to each other, I noticed that you already knew each other. Do I need to worry about him drawing a connection between you and I, and forming a conclusion on my identity?" Liu Ti醤 Q� looked over to see the deep confusion on Zhou Yu and housekeeper Gao`s face. With so many gears in motion and the butterfly effect in flux. Liu Ti醤 Q� knew it would only be a matter of time before her true identity was exposed.

　　Liu Ti醤 Q� looked at the hesitant Bulter who was reluctant to respond in fear of revealing Liu Ti醤 Q�`s true identity, which he already swore not to disclose.

　　"Butler Zhou, it`s okay. I`ve already revealed my true identity to Wang Royal Manor. That means the emperor will shortly find out about it if he hasn`t already. The Emperor granted me the privilege of securing my residence and building an army without first knowing my true identity. However, with the events that have been happening lately, that will quickly change. Instead of allowing him to go digging and incidentally cause my identity to be exposed to the wrong people, I`d decided it was better for me to tell him instead. I still need just a bit more time." Liu Ti醤 Q� watched as the Butler eyes flickered back and forth between her and his wife.

　　Understand that the Butler was still seeking permission, Liu Ti醤 Q� nodded her head and said, "Uncle Zhou, please inform Aunty Gao and Zhou Yu of my identity."

　　Liu Ti醤 Q� sat back in her chair, suddenly feeling very tired as the butler informed his wife and daughter of Liu Ti醤 Q� true identity. Liu Ti醤 Q� watched the shock, horror, and pity roll across the housekeeper and Zhou Yu`s face. Poor Zhou Yu had even started to cry.

　　After the butler finished explaining, he said, "We don`t have to worry about the doctor. I became acquainted with the doctor from when both he and my wife worked in the palace. I met the doctor through my wife."

　　"The Doctor was and Imperial Physician?" Liu Ti醤 Q� asked in surprise.

　　"Yes, he was once an Imperial physician and a very good one too." Housekeeper Gao nodded in confirmation

　　With a thoughtful look on her face, she asked, "So he is an alchemist, and he was an Imperial Physician. Why did he leave the palace to work at Wang Royal Manor?"

　　"Several years ago, Doctor Ru got into conflict with a Tea Master that had just entered the Imperial Palace. From what I heard, the new Tea Master tried to steal Doctor Ru processing techniques for making tea. When that didn`t work, he had even gone as far as trying to scheme a situation that would force Doctor Ru into a position where he was ordered to teach it to him. Doctor Ru had refused to work with the New Tea Master. He resigned his position and left the Imperial Palace before it could happen," The housekeeper informed Liu Ti醤 Q�

　　In sudden excitement, Liu Ti醤 Q� asked, "Doctor Ru is also a tea master?"

　　"Yes," the housekeeper looked surprised that the Young Lord didn`t already know. "The Ru family have always produced the best tea masters. Their secret hand rolling techniques and tea processing techniques have been passed down in the Ru family for many generations. Although Doctor Ru entered the palace as an Imperial Physician, at the Dowager Queen request, he also worked in the Imperial Tea Pavillion."

　　"Good! This is very good. I see that the Doctor and I must have another talk." What Liu Ti醤 Q� needed most was an experienced Tea Master. Although Liu Ti醤 Q� knew recipes to hand roll tea and processing techniques to create good tea. She was by no means an expert.

　　The only reason she knew so much about teas was that in her past life, Liu Ti醤 Q�`s paternal grandmother was obsessed with collecting ancient sacred tea processing techniques and hand rolling techniques. She would only drink the tea that was made by two people. One was a specific tea master who, for many generations, ancient sacred tea processing techniques, was passed down in his family. The second person was a monk who Liu Ti醤 Q�`s paternal grandmother became friends with. He was also an expert tea master.

　　Liu Ti醤 Q�`s childhood illness had also fed her paternal grandmother`s obsession. Her paternal grandmother was obsessed with finding good teas to bring back for Liu Ti醤 Q� to drink. In doing so she passed her love for teas on to Liu Ti醤 Q�. Liu Ti醤 Q� grandmother died when Liu Ti醤 Q� was fourteen years old. Her grandmother left her tea collection to Liu Ti醤 Q�. Liu Ti醤 Q� treasured it greatly. The tea collection was a symbol of her grandmother`s love for her.

　　Shortly after, Liu Ti醤 Q� dismissed the Butler, Zhou Yu, and the Housekeeper after requesting that they keep her true identity to themselves a bit longer.

　　********************

　　Liu Ti醤 Q�`s brain felt fried from all the drama going on in her residence. She needed a break and a bit of time to process the events of late.

　　It was early evening, and Liu Ti醤 Q� was on her way to the stables for the second time that day. She had just left the kitchen after giving pointers to Head Chef Yin, and Baker Gui. Liu Ti醤 Q� also left a large amount of Durian to be delivered to the guests.

　　After sending someone to inquire, it was confirmed that W-i Y襫g Mng, Jkn ZhMng X+n, and Mng Ti
n C醝 were voracious lovers of Durian, but W-i W� Y鄋 had never tried the fruit. Liu Ti醤 Q� directed the Head Chef to have a basket of fruit consisting of Lycee, Loquats, and Durian sent to each guest.

　　Liu Ti醤 Q� also instructed him to have four baskets of fruits sent over to Wang Royal Manor. One basket each for the Lord, Lady, Heir, and the second young master. Liu Ti醤 Q� gave the Head Chef a letter that was to be added to Little Dumpling`s basket. Liu Ti醤 Q� had taken a moment earlier after talking with the Butler, Housekeeper, and Zhou Yu to write a letter to little Dumpling of the happenings of late.

　　While leaving her final orders with the Head Chef, Liu Ti醤 Q� had also sent word ahead to have her horse W-i Gu
ng readied for her. She had been neglecting her horse ever since she bought her. So she wanted to take W-i Gu
ng out for a good run. Liu Ti醤 Q� also wanted to get away from everything for just a little while.

　　Outside of the walls of Imperial City

　　Outside of the Imperial city, Liu Ti醤 Q� rode her horse way from the walls of the city. Within a three miles radius of the Imperial city, all the land was open flat land with no boulders, trees, shrubs, or bushes. It was only grassy fields with low cut grass divided by paved roadways leading from the Imperial City in different directions. This was done to prevent enemies from sneaking up on the city in times of war.

　　It was also the perfect environment for Liu Ti醤 Q� to exercise her blind horse. When Liu Ti醤 Q� was approximately a mile from the city, she turned the head of her horse in a direction that would lead her in a circle around the city.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

　　Liu Ti醤 Q� then change the pace of her horse from a walk to a trot. She allowed W-i Gu
ng to trot awhile before seamlessly melding into a canter. From a canter Liu Ti醤 Q� allowed W-i Gu
ng to go into a full gallop. Liu Ti醤 Q� loosened the reins a bit and let the horse have its head.

　　Liu Ti醤 Q� had moved far away from the Imperial City. She wanted to be able to see anyone approaching or traveling on any of the roads leading to and from the city well before they approached her galloping blind horse.

　　Liu Ti醤 Q� was too busy to fully enjoyed the thrill of once more charging forward on the back of a horse. Although Liu Ti醤 Q� had loosened the reins on W-i Gu
ng, Liu Ti醤 Q� had to continually guide the horse to run in a pattern that would take them around the city. Galloping on a blind horse was a lot of work. Liu Ti醤 Q� could not relax and enjoy the ride as she would on a seeing horse. She had to be the eyes of the horse.

　　Liu Ti醤 Q�`s head was constantly in motion as she kept a sharp eye on her surroundings. Throughout W-i Gu
ng`s gallop Liu Ti醤 Q� had to be careful to avoid the many travelers she came across as she charged across the roads leading to and from the city. She was able to see them well in advance, which allowed her to avoid them during the gallop.

　　As Liu Ti醤 Q� galloped her blind horse around the Imperial City crossing the many roads leading to and from the city. Liu Ti醤 Q� began to wonder who trained the blind horse. It was obvious to her that whoever owned W-i Gu
ng had spent a lot of time, love, and care on her. Another thing that amazed Liu Ti醤 Q� was the stamina of the horse. It took a long time before Liu Ti醤 Q� sensed that the horse was tiring. Only then did she smooth the horse through her paces back to a walk. Liu Ti醤 Q� then began to walk the mare to cool her down.

　　************************

　　While Liu Ti醤 Q� was galloping her horse around the Imperial City, inside the Imperial City, a fervor was taking hold of the city.

　　Earlier that day during court, the Emperor brought forth the discussion of the Map of the Northern Lands that was made by Li Chkn Y�. The map was then carried into the Meeting Hall by several eunuchs. All the Officials and Ministers were granted the opportunity to view the map. Great excitement took hold of the Imperial court as everyone gathered around the map to view it.

　　A long while later, the Emperor called forth the Minister of War to report to the court on the findings of the scouts sent out to verify the accuracy of the map. Each scout was sent out with a replica of a piece of the map. They were given the task of verifying the accuracy of the section of the map they were given.

　　The tall, slender stalwart, sturdy, quiet Minister of War had came forward and gave his report to the gathered Imperial court. "So far over three hundred and seventy-nine teams of scouts were sent out. Three hundred and fifty-seven teams have returned. All of the scouts that returned reported the map to be a hundred percent accurate. After all the scouts have returned and they are well-rested, they will be sent out once more to verify a different section of the map." The tall, quiet man had hardly finished his report before an uproar of excitement ripped through the court.

　　No one needed to tell these Ministers and Officials of the court the value of this map, everyone already knew.

　　It was a long time before everyone calmed down. Shortly after, the Emperor dismissed court by saying, "I know everyone is excited concerning this development. However, everyone is to show up for court tomorrow. Tomorrow we will be discussing refilling the vacancies on the border left behind by the warriors that were found by the truth-tellers to be involved in treason and eliminated. Tens of thousandths of warriors were implicated. As of now, G騯 Warriors, Sh
Q� warriors, and Shadow Dragoon Warriors are manning the garrisons. I also personally rode the borders of Josper and Leandore and called to duty all the reserved Imperial Shadow Warriors garrisoned near those borders. For now, they are guarding our borders as well." Those were the stops the Emperor had made before returning to the Imperial City.

　　"However, that is not a permanent solution." Rising from the throne, the Emperor said, "Dismissed." and departed from the Meeting Hall, leaving pandemonium in his wake.

　　The Ministers and Officials streamed out of the Imperial Palace, carrying news of the Map of the Northern Lands. Messenger birds took to the skies of the Imperial City as messages flew back and forth. The news of the map quickly spread throughout the Imperial City. Many of the Ministers and Officials Immediately got to work investigating the maker of the map. Everyone who heard of the map immediately knew that the map would herald great change, especially for military deployment and martial movement.

　　**************************

　　On her way back to the Imperial Cities, Liu Ti醤 Q� came across one of the most bizarre scenes she ever seen with her own two eyes. Just ahead of her standing around an old broken down horse that finally breathed it`s last and died was a family of four, a young mother with two daughters and a son who was a toddler that couldn`t be more than one or two years old. The mother was skin and bones. She was impossibly skinny. Her face looked more like a skull than a face, and her face was badly bruised as though she was beaten.

　　She walked around the dead animal, looking down at it with a look of finality on her face. Liu Ti醤 Q� noticed that the young mother shuffled more than she walked. The young mother walked with a severe limp. She had big eyes. Her eyes looked like two big horrible wounds that starkly stood out in her skull like, boney face.

　　Liu Ti醤 Q� heart stuttered in her chest when she looked into the woman`s eyes. One look into the woman`s eyes, and Liu Ti醤 Q� knew she would be taking the woman home with her. Liu Ti醤 Q� seen eyes like that before. In her previous life, Liu Ti醤 Q� volunteered in a center that housed demented war veterans, veterans that couldn`t function in society, veterans that suffered from severe post-traumatic stress disorder, and many other issues.

　　Liu Ti醤 Q� had met a veteran there who was sometimes cognitively present and look and acted normal. Then there times when he was cognitively absent. During those times, his eyes were empty. He would have to be taken care of just like a baby was taken care of because there literally was no one home. It was like his soul checked out of his body, and his body was just an empty, vacant shell.

　　The young mother`s eyes looked similar to the eyes of the war veteran when he was cognitively present. Although the war veteran looked and acted normal during that time, one look in his eyes would tell you a different story. Through his eyes, you could see a deeply wounded soul. A wound so deep, painful, and devastating it continuously bleed. The smallest movement would tear apart the wound making it impossible for the wound to heal.

　　By looking into the mother`s eyes, Liu Ti醤 Q� could tell that the mother had gone through something that the average person wouldn`t have been able to survive. She looked weary down to her bones and the very depths of her soul. However, what captured Liu Ti醤 Q� was the barely hidden flame that Liu Ti醤 Q� saw in the depth of the young mother`s eyes. It burned quietly and fiercely of determination and will power. It silently told Liu Ti醤 Q� of the strength and courage of the woman who stood before her.

　　The young mother was dressed in dirty rags that swallowed her whole. She looked like an undying skeleton who was breathing only because she couldn`t die. However, contrastly her children were clothed in well-made clothes. Although their clothes were dirty from travel, nonetheless, they were well made, and the children also looked to be well fed.

　　The eldest child was a young girl who looked to be a tomboy. The young girl was dressed in male clothing, but she made no attempted to hide her gender. The eldest daughter carried the toddler on her back. As Liu Ti醤 Q� was drawing abreast of the family, Liu Ti醤 Q� heard the young girl say, "Well, since he`s dead, we might as well cook him and eat him. It makes no sense to bury edible meat when I am hungry."

　　The young girl spoke with such an eccentrically droll voice that if the situation wasn`t so sad. Liu Ti醤 Q� would have burst into laughter. The young girl wasn`t trying to be funny. She was just a realist who was definitely her mother`s child. Her eyes burst, glittered, and glowed with the flames that were hidden in her mother`s eyes.

　　The second child was a young girl who was about seven or eight years old. She looked up at her oldest sister in complete horror. Her eyes were all agog, opened wide in shock. Deep unwillingness fill her eyes, and her mouth was gaped wide open. Finally, she pointed at her oldest sister in an accusatory manner and said, "Eldest sister, are you saying we should eat Grandpa Boots? Grandpa Boots have been with us forever! He was always nice and was our dearest horse grandpa! Now you say we should eat him?" As the young girl spoke, her eyes grew bigger, the wrinkle of disgust on her nose became more pronounced, and her eyes grew watery.

　　The eldest girl looked at her younger sister with a deep look in her eyes that didn`t belong in the eyes of a young girl and asked, "Would you rather starve?"

　　The second young girl seemed to wilt. Her shoulder slumped and folded inward. She looked like a hot air balloon that was drained of all the air. Her bottom lip trembled, and tears dripped down from her eyes, but her head shook like a rattle drum. No, she didn`t want to starve.

　　"We haven`t eaten all day. Grandpa Boots must have understood our plight and decided to sacrifice himself." The eldest young girl said in a dry droll voice as she eyed the old broken down dead horse.