Yuwen Tong was unaware that his subordinates had been worried that he might die single and alone. If it came to his knowledge that they had so little confidence in him, he would undoubtedly fly into a rage and have them stand in the drill ground for a full day as a punishment.
Yuwen Tong scooped up Ling Zhang, who had been in dizziness during the kiss and eventually drifted off to sleep, and carried him into the bedroom. Ling Zhang unconsciously rubbed his face against Yuwen Tong’s chest, sleeping soundly with his mouth slightly open. Yuwen Tong’s chest felt nice and warm, an intense desire churning inside him. He couldn’t help but lower his head and kiss Ling Zhang on forehead, cheek and mouth.
What had happened earlier this afternoon had indeed made him very unhappy. He felt that his uncle had been growing increasingly interfering. He had warned his uncle several times in an effort to persuade him stay out of his business, but his uncle was too stubborn and refused to listen to reason; even Yuwen Feng had more sense than he did. Yuwen Tong knew that his uncle had been harboring grudges against his grandfather for his keeping him from joining the army. When young, his uncle had been a very conceited man who believed that he would definitely be able to render meritorious service on the battlefield with his wide knowledge of military strategy and tactics, who was unaware that those theories he’d learned from books were totally useless when faced with the cruelty of an actual war. Besides, at that time, the Great Yue had been in decline for years, and every battle was of utmost significance; any small careless mistake might lead to the subjugation of this country, which meant that people couldn’t risk letting his uncle gain experience through mistakes. As regards the situation in Yuwen family, Yuwen Tong’s grandfather and parents had all gone to the front, and his uncle was the only pillar of this family left. In those trying times when the future of the whole country were hanging in the balance, having his uncle stay in the capital city had actually been a precaution against extermination of this family. However, his uncle didn’t – or was unwilling to – see things this way, always believing that his grandfather’s decision had ruined his whole life, that Yuwen Tong had snatched from him the glory that was rightfully his.
In that year, Yuwen Tong’s father, on his deathbed, exhorted Yuwen Tong to come back home more often and take good care of his uncle and other family members if he could. During these years, he had always been true to his word. Though he had had to stay in the border areas most of the time, he had planted some men in the capital city, who’d been keeping a close watch on the residential compound of Yuwen family. This was also a protection for his uncle and others. The emperor was wary and afraid of him, but the more so, the more misgivings he had about causing any member of Yuwen family any harm. Instead, he had to ensure their safety, which was yet another form of protection for members of Yuwen family.
However, in recent years, his uncle had been growing more and more discontented with the current situation. He had even interfered in his marriage. Not only had he tried to keep the engagement between him and Ling Zhang secret from him, he also had the fond hope of gaining a final say on his marriage. In the final analysis, he merely wanted to stay in sole charge of the whole Yuwen family and have Yuwen Tong in the palm of his hand, which might be just two smaller ones of his ambitions…
Yuwen Tong took no pleasure in assuming the worst about the intentions of his kin, but he really felt he should teach his uncle a lesson, because if not, his uncle would always be as oblivious of the reality as he had been since youth, mistakenly believing that everything was under his control, which would only reduce Yuwen family to a more disastrous situation.
“Uh.”
Ling Zhang, who had been in a sound sleep, was woken up as Yuwen Tong took the liberty of kissing him. He unhappily uttered “Uh” and twisted his head aside trying to avoid Yuwen Tong’s lips.
Yuwen Tong raised his head to look at Ling Zhang and with that all the thoughts that had been bothering him were dismissed from his mind.
The next morning, Ling Zhang woke up very early and his head felt a trifle uncomfortable. He removed the arm around his waist and got out of bed, intending to go and wash his face to clear his head.
Seeing him get up, Yuwen Tong, who had been awake for quite some time, also got out of bed and asked, “Are you going to visit Tao Yi today?”
“Yeah.” Ling Zhang inclined his head and vaguely recalled what happened the night before. Feeling that being kissed to sleep was really somewhat shameful, he gave Yuwen Tong a dirty look. “Where’s Whitie?”
“I had Yao Yi take care of it.”
‘We were having such a good moment last night. You think I would let that white fox cub ruin it? I’m not a fool,’ thought Yuwen Tong.
The corners of Ling Zhang’s mouth involuntarily twitched. He had a servant bring hot water and towels into the room. After he washed his face, his mind felt a lot clearer.
Yuwen Tong kneaded Ling Zhang’s temples and said, “I had them prepare lean pork congee and stir-fried bok choy.”
The night before they drank some liquor, so he believed that it would be best if they had a light breakfast.
Since the breakfast wasn’t ready yet, Ling Zhang went to the drill ground, where he practiced fighting skills for two hours. Then he returned, changed clothes again and sat down to have breakfast with Yuwen Tong.
It was after he sat down that Ling Zhang recalled something that he had forgotten for quite some time. With that he queried Yuwen Tong, “Are there any particular places you need to go to today?”
“I have to go to the Ministry of War first, and then the imperial palace. I think I won’t be able to return until night.”
“Then I’ll talk to you about it at night.”
Yuwen Tong didn’t ask him what it was about, since he would find out after he came back at night.
Before leaving, Ling Zhang summoned Liu Yi. “Elder Brother Liu, you once told me that you needed to look for an old friend of that kung fu expert. If it’s urgent, you may go and attend to it first.”
“Thank you for your kindness, Young Master. I’ll go out and make some inquiries today,” replied Liu Yi.
Ling Zhang inclined his head. After a few moments’ thinking, he exhorted, “Take care of yourself.”
Liu Yi responded earnestly, “Rest assured, young master, I’ll be cautious.”
‘Young master didn’t ask any further questions about where I’m going to look for that person. Clearly we ought to be discreet, given that we have just arrived in the capital city. This shows how much young master trusts me, and I must be cautious when I’m out there. Though looking for an old friend for the kung fu expert is a promise of great importance, it has compromised young master’s safety,’ Liu Yi thought.
…
“That’s enough, Tao Yi. Have you any idea how many clothes you’ve tried on?! You’re meeting a fellow-townsman, not going to a blind date. Is this really necessary?!”
Tao Yi tore his clothes off again, changed into another outfit and replied, “He’s not just any fellow-townsman!”
‘Ling Zhang is now Marshal Yuwen’s betrothed, which means that some day they’ll get married and he’ll be the wife of the Marshal. I’ll be lending Ling Zhang a certain dignity if I dress up. How can I risk letting others say that Ling Zhang has dealings with a poor guy who cuts a sorry figure? That would undoubtedly take a heavy toll on Ling Zhang’s reputation,’ he thought.
As a result, when Ling Zhang saw Tao Yi, he was almost dumbfounded by Tao Yi’s unduly gorgeous clothes.
“Elder Brother Tao, why are you dressing like this?” Ling Zhang looked at him in astonishment.
Tao Yi replied happily, “What do you think? I specially dressed so formally in order to be in tune with you.”
Ling Zhang immediately came to realize that Tao Yi had done this out of kindness, and he did feel slightly touched. “Well, thanks. That’s very kind of you, Elder Brother Tao.”
“There’s no need for that. We’re friends, remember?” replied Tao Yi after patting himself on the chest, but the next moment, his countenance changed drastically. With a ferocious look, he looked at Ling Zhang and observed, “No. There’s a score I’ve got to settle with you first. You sly old devil, when we were in Tanyang, you didn’t mention a single word about this to me. I was so kind-hearted as to specially ask you whether you wanted to go to the capital city with me to see Marshal Yuwen, but you couldn’t even be bothered to drop a hint to me when the Marshal was staying right in your home! I traveled thousands of miles to come here only to be informed that the Marshal was in Tanyang! Tell me how you are going to make up for my several-thousand-mile wasted journey. Know that I won’t forgive you easily if your answer is not satisfactory.”
Ling Zhang, who had a somewhat guilty conscience, replied cooperatively, “How about you tell me what kind of compensation you want? I’ll do anything I can.”
Instantly, a smile as bright as a blossom lit up Tao Yi’s face. “I’d like an audience with the Marshal.”
Ling Zhang was not surprised at all that Tao Yi wanted him to make it up to him this way. After a few moments’ thinking, he responded, “All right, but you have to wait until Yuwen Tong is available. He has just returned to the capital city and there are a lot of things he has to attend to.”
Naturally, Tao Yi raised no objection whatsoever. He agreed almost immediately for fear that Ling Zhang might go back on his word, but –
“You called the Marshal by his full name?!”
Ling Zhang looked at him in surprise. “I shouldn’t have? What am I supposed to call him other than ‘Yuwen Tong’?”
Tao Yi was open-mouthed for quite a while. And then in a resigned tone of voice, he remarked, “You got me on that one. It didn’t occur to me that you two are going to marry each other. Ah, ah, ah, I’m so not reconciled to this. Why isn’t my surname Ling?!”
Ling Zhang fell speechless.
He squinted his eyes and looked at Tao Yi. “Why did you say that? You want to compete with me?”
Tao Yi replied dramatically, “I’m a man of striking appearance and great presence, one of the very few prodigies in the capital city. I’m telling you, if anybody is to marry me, one of his ancestors’ spirit would definitely have to manifest and lend him extremely good luck!”
The corners of Ling Zhang’s mouth involuntarily twitched. “Okay, then. I’ll introduce you to Yuwen Tong and see if his ancestor’s spirit would manifest or not.”
Tao Yi hurriedly wiped the dramatic expression off his face. “No, no, I was just joking. Don’t take my word for it. The Marshal might hack me to death.”
“Not necessarily. After all, you are of both striking appearance and great presence, and also one of the very few prodigies.”
Tao Yi was reduced to imploring once again. It was not until Ling Zhang was pleased that he heaved a sigh of relief. “By the way, those things were delivered to me yesterday. My teacher asked me to tell you this and thank you on behalf of him.”
Ling Zhang replied, “The old lord’s gratitude is something I don’t deserve. I merely brought those things here in passing. Where’s the cart-driver of your family? He went back?”
“No. My father told him to stay in the capital city, saying that he could be of service to me,” responded Tao Yi. After a few moments, he queried seriously in a lowered voice, “I heard about what happened at the city gate and at the banquet in the imperial palace the day you entered the city. You are not in some kind of trouble, are you?”
Ling Zhang replied, “I’m fine. It’s some others who are in trouble.”
Tao Yi smiled, “My teacher told me that you were quite eloquent and didn’t let any of them get the best of your confrontation with them at the banquet.”
Ling Zhang was somewhat embarrassed. ‘Does this mean that I left a bad impression on the old lord?’
Tao Yi consoled him, “My teacher is not like any of those pedantic people. He said that your criticism was well-founded and full of dash. I think he held an approving attitude towards what you said back there.”
‘Really?’ Ling Zhang felt even more embarrassed.
“How–How’s everything going with you and Yuwen family? I don’t think you know this – the two of you leaving the residential compound of Yuwen family early last night has come to the knowledge of everybody in the whole city. Did Yuwen Zhi pick on you back there?” Tao Yi asked.
Ling Zhang slightly furrowed his brow. “The whole city know about it now?”
Tao Yi gave a bob of his head and commented in a serious tone, “This is the only downside to being in the capital city: news spreads really quick here, especially news about you, who now have a special identity. Remember, you must be very cautious about your every move in this city. Otherwise you will be surprised by how many eyes have been covertly watching you.”
Ling Zhang replied, “Thank you, Elder Brother Tao. I’ll be careful.”
‘But I’m afraid no matter how careful I am, what’s meant to happen will still happen to me,’ he thought.
“Then… may I ask what happened in the residential compound of Yuwen family?” Tao Yi couldn’t help but ask curiously.
Ling Zhang responded with a smile, “Nothing serious. It’s just that Yuwen Tong had something to attend to, so we left early.”
There was no telling whether Tao Yi bought it or not, but he clearly knew very well how to behave in this delicate situation. Instead of persisting with his questioning about it, he asked, “Do you still remember what I mentioned to you about the situation in Yuwen family when we were in Tanyang?”
“I do.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I believe that, no matter what, you have a grasp of the situation you’re in and know what’s the right thing to do. All in all… Alas, since you’ve already come to the capital city, you’re definitely willing to marry the Marshal. The Marshal is your most powerful backer, and you must hold tight to him. With the Marshal on your side, nobody will dare to cause you any harm. If anything does happen, you can always come to me. Though there might not be much I could do, at least I can help you figure something out.”
