The Glory After Rebirth [ɇÇ”Ÿä¹‹Å°Šè£] Chapter 349- 351

Chapter 349: A Stroll in a Night Market

Given that Ji Yanlai had brought his nephew out of the mountains and had not disguised himself or made any efforts to cover his tracks, Yuwen Tong’s speculation about Ji Yanlai’s intention of putting an end to his secluded life had proved right.

It was in the afternoon on that very day that Yuwen Tong left the imperial palace and went to the Ling Mansion.

Ji Yanlai, taking his nephew with him, settled in the Ling Mansion. He was acting in a very natural and carefree manner, as though this was more of a sightseeing tour for him.

“Nobody is able to stop you now, and you’ve succeeded in what you set out to do. I think it’s time for us to talk about our deal,” said Ji Yanlai.

Yuwen Tong replied without preamble, “Brother Ji, previously you didn’t name your price. Now you may be honest with me about it.”

Ji Yanlai said, “We’ve been cooped up in the mountains too long, which is why, inevitably, many of my people feel they could use some fresh air. They want to find somewhere in the outside world to settle down. Since this whole country is now in your pocket, we naturally will need your authorization to get a place like that.”

Yuwen Tong said, “The retreat in the Sanguan Mountains where your clan have been living in seclusion is like an Arcadia, but it’s indeed quite boring to be cut off from the outside world for too long. Your terms strike me as understandable, but you’re not the next person, Brother Ji, and given that you’ve asked this condition, I suppose you’ve already found somewhere that takes your fancy.”

On hearing this, Ji Yanlai flicked Yuwen Tong a thoughtful look and then said, “You don’t seem surprised at all, as though you some time ago divined what terms I’d make. Maybe you’ve also got a shrewd idea of which place I want.”

Yuwen Tong made no reply and just gave a smile.

Ji Yanlai, who didn’t mind, said, “Well, you didn’t guess wrong. There’s indeed a spot that catches my fancy. Rest assured, I have no interest whatsoever in getting involved in any power struggles, and I won’t be so insensible as to move somewhere close to your turf and make an eyesore of myself. It’s an island that I want. What with its special geographical location and surroundings, it’s completely uninhabited. Also, it’s not big – just big enough to accommodate my clan, actually. Us making it our settlement won’t affect you in any way.”

Yuwen Tong looked at him, waiting for him to be more specific.

At the sight of the expression on Yuwen Tong’s face, Ji Yanlai came to know that his previous speculation had proved right, that Yuwen Tong had indeed guessed his terms beforehand.

“The island I want lies to the east of the Morning Star Island. There’s a certain distance between the two. Around the island are hidden reefs and whirlpools, which makes it inconvenient for ships to approach. It’s not really a fairyland anybody would dream of going to. If truth be told, my clansmen are probably the only ones capable of navigating through those underwater rocks and whirlpools unharmed and living on that island. On top of that, there are navies stationed on the Morning Star Island, who would keep watch on us for you, so there’s no need for you to worry about anything.”Read manga at our MangaBob.com

Yuwen Tong’s face creased into a smile. “I know what you mean, Brother Ji. Since I made you a promise that day, I naturally will accept this condition of yours. Apart from nearby hidden reefs and whirlpools, that island also bristles with dense woodlands and rocks, and I’m afraid it won’t be easy to make it habitable in a short time. Do you have any plans to deal with that, Brother Ji? I can offer you some help if you want.”

Ji Yanlai tossed Yuwen Tong another glance and responded, “No wonder you succeeded in taking the throne. I like your straightforwardness. If you really mean to help, just tell the navy on the Morning Star Island to let us through the waters. We can build ships by ourselves, and transforming the terrain of the island is also within our power. All these are just trivial matters. Aside from instructing the navy to stay out of our way, I also need you to give my clansmen legal identities, which will be beneficial to both of us, because some day some of my people might have to leave the island to go to the mainland to attend to some business, and somebody in charge might want to check the records to find out who they are.”

Yuwen Tong observed, “That’s a trivial matter as well. I’ll send someone to Haizhou. He won’t get onto the island. If there’s anything you need, just talk to him and he’ll handle it.”

Ji Yanlai said, “Then it’s settled.”

Yuwen Tong said, “Yeah. Brother Ji, tell me when you’re going to Haizhou so that I can make arrangements in advance.”

Ji Yanlai said, “There’s no hurry. I’ll have to go back to our mountain retreat to deal with something after your enthronement and your wedding ceremony, and I’ll tell you when to send your man after I return.”

Yuwen Tong gave a bob of the head. “I see. I’ll be occupied with the enthronement preparations and some other pressing matters for some days, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to stay in your company for long. If there’s anything you need to talk with me about, you may have someone deliver a message to me or directly go to the imperial palace to see me.”

Ji Yanlai raised his eyebrows. “All right.”

Both Yuwen Tong and Ji Yanlai were the kind of people who preferred to dispense with formalities and get straight to the point. After talking about their deal and then having dinner with the others, Yuwen Tong returned to the palace. Ling Zhang stayed, intending to spend the night in the Ling Mansion.

Having agreed on the terms with Yuwen Tong, Ji Yanlai, who had no other business to attend to, started acting like a tourist even more. At night, he said he wanted to take Cong outside to have a walk on the street and enjoy the night view of the capital city.

Since Ling Zhang had decided to stay in the Ling Mansion, he naturally had to accompany them. Thinking that they were going for a stroll, he conveniently brought Ling Maomao with him. Ling Zhaowu and Ling Zhaowen were playing chess with Ling Xingzhong and uninterested in wandering around on the street at night. Ji Yin, who was making efforts to sort out the preparations for Ling Zhang’s wedding, decided not to go either.

A large group of people left the mansion, Ling Zhang followed by Wang Dashan and some other bodyguards, Ji Yanlai by five guards of the Millennium Pavilion headed by Ji Donglin.

Ji Yanlai cast a look over his shoulder at those in their wake and asked, “Doesn’t it strike you as a little dramatic to have so many people on your heels?”

Ling Zhang replied, “My personal safety concerns not only myself now. Besides, I wouldn’t have been allowed to come out if I don’t bring them with me.”

His elders wouldn’t permit it, and Yuwen Tong would immediately return from the palace and tell him off. For the sake of Yuwen Tong and his own safety, Ling Zhang didn’t think bringing Wang Dashan and the others with him was too much trouble.

Ji Yanlai curled his lip and made no more remarks. Soon all his attention was fixed on the streetscape. He was not wearing the gorgeous robes that he had worn in that great hall of the Millennium Pavilion on that day. Instead, he was dressed in plain blue attire, his hair casually tied at the back, looking like someone who didn’t care much about his appearance. However, owing to the kind of natural aloofness in his temperament and his handsome face, the scarlet mole in the middle of his forehead seemed to hold the power of enchanting any eye that beheld it, and the air of aristocracy about him deterred most people from looking him in the face.

Because of the company of a man like this, Ling Zhang believed that it had been a very wise decision to bring Wang Dashan and the others with him. Ji Yanlai was too obtrusive.

However, Ji Yanlai seemed to be totally unaware of this. He was enjoying the streetscape in a very relaxed and contented fashion, his eyes full of curiosity – yes, curiosity. Though his pair of eyes appeared placid, noble and apathetic, Ling Zhang could still tell that right now Ji Yanlai’s heart was actually brimming over with excitement and curiosity.

Maybe because on first acquaintance Ji Yanlai had joined them for broiled pheasants unasked like someone who was always ready to strike up friendships with others, it struck Ling Zhang that Ji Yanlai was actually very easy to figure out, that he was the kind of person who was not secretive and always explicit about his true thoughts.

Along the way he and Ji Yanlai were bringing up the rear, Ling Maomao and Cong walking in front hand in hand. Ji Yanlai was feasting his eyes on all kinds of things on the street, while Ling Zhang was keeping an eye on Ling Maomao and Cong.

Though the two boys were new friends to each other, the friendship between Ling Maomao and Cong had clearly developed considerably already. Ling Maomao’s hold on Cong’s hand was pretty firm, which made him look very much like a big brother. Cong was constantly asking all kinds of questions as his attention frequently shifted from one thing to another. Ling Maomao, gripping Cong’s wrist tightly to keep him from running into the crowd, was casting about desperately for answers to Cong’s questions, many of which were unknown to him, and he had to twist his head back to seek help from Ling Zhang. Ling Zhang, who was watching over them all the time, came to his cousin’s help whenever he was needed.

“Wow, what’s that?!”

They had progressed along this street for only a few moments, but Cong and his uncle had asked at least ten questions already. Of course, the boy’s questions were very different from his uncle’s, but in a sense they were actually… the same.

“That’s an acrobatic feat. The ball-shaped bundle of coloured silk ribbons has some small bells attached to it to attract people’s attention. The bells jingle constantly when the performers are tossing and catching the ball. Right now there are too many people here, so we can’t see any of the performers. We could only see the colorful ball. You want to go and see it?” said Ling Zhang.

Cong shouted a reply before Ji Yanlai could say anything. “Yes, Brother Zhang! Please take us there to have a look!”

After saying this, he shifted his gaze to Ling Maomao who was holding his hand. “Brother Maomao?”

Ling Maomao looked over his shoulder at Ling Zhang. “Big Brother, I’d like to see it as well.”

Though Ji Yanlai hadn’t said anything, his eyes which were staring in the direction of the uproarious crowd was making his intention very clear.

Ling Zhang, “…”

“Okay then, let’s go and have a look. Liuzi, take some men over there and have the crowd make way for us. Be careful not to hurt anybody.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Yang Liuzi led some men to the audience and forcibly had the boisterous crowd part to allow Ling Zhang and the others to get through.

Residents of the capital city, who saw dignitaries on a frequent basis, were no stranger at all to being forced to make way. They were all very cooperative but also quite curious about who was coming.

What with the many upheavals that had happened in quick succession in the capital city, the atmosphere in this city had been subdued for a very long time, and it had been quite a while since the last time an exuberant gathering like a night market had been organized. It had been only when news of Yuwen Tong’s victory over the allied forces of the Wan Kingdom and the Luohai Kingdom spread back to the capital city that the mood in the city changed somewhat. Afterward, when the prince had abdicated in favor of Yuwen Tong, the atmosphere had seemed to break some kind of impasse and residents had resumed having night markets. Recently, many officials from provincial cities had been coming into the capital city, adding to the gaiety of the occasion.

However, as many high-ranking officials had been brought down during the previous political turbulence, those who had survived had been laying low and staying at home all the time since the abdication ceremony. They were either engaged in enthronement preparations or busy with other matters. Very few of them were still in the mood for a walk on the street at this point in time.

Lookers-on shifted their gaze from the acrobats to Ling Zhang and his companions. Unsurprisingly, Ji Yanlai attracted everybody’s attention immediately.

“Wow, he’s so good-looking. Who is he?”

“Good-looking? He’s more attractive than all those with pretence to beauty that I’ve ever met.”

“That’s a man. I’ve never heard of any men as good-looking as him in this city before.”

“There’s also a child.”

“Look at the other guy. He’s pretty charming as well. Who is he?”

“Someone from out of town?”

“I think so. I’ve never seen him before.”

Another man said with a hiss of surprise, “No. One of them looks somewhat familiar to me…”

Chapter 350: Ling Zhang Was Recognized

Eventually someone noticed Ling Zhang and recognized him. Ling Zhang had first arrived in the capital city with the air of someone who was going to make themself known to the whole city, and on this day, it could be said that there wasn’t a single person in this city who had not heard of his name yet, which was why his being recognized on this street caused quite a sensation.

Almost immediately after he was recognized, all residents nearby quieted down, and even the acrobatic troupe stopped dead.

Although the official wedding ceremony hadn’t been held yet, there was a general consensus among all residents in the capital city that Ling Zhang was the future consort.

When a consort arrived, all subjects present were supposed to kneel and keep quiet to pay their respects to him or her, but the problem was that Ling Zhang and Yuwen Tong were not officially married at the moment. Though everybody knew he would be the consort, according to the rules, he shouldn’t be addressed as such until the title was officially conferred upon him.

Then what should they do? All residents on the scene were at a loss what to do. Some of them reflexively sank to their knees but didn’t know what they should say. Others didn’t kneel but wondered whether or not it was appropriate for them to remain standing. Eventually they were all on their knees, unaware of what to say. For a moment it was a fairly peculiar scene.

Ling Zhang, “…”

He hadn’t thought that it would come to this. These people knelt down before him in such a sudden fashion that he was sent into a stupor.

“You may rise, all of you.” Unable to figure out what he should say, Ling Zhang had no alternative but to ask them to stand up.

The residents all felt relieved, rose to their feet and then continued gazing at Ling Zhang silently.

The acrobats stopped performing. Seeing that the acrobatic feat they wanted to see was suspended, Ji Yanlai, Ling Maomao and Cong all appeared rather disappointed, their enjoyment spoiled.

Ling Zhang intended to have the acrobatic troupe resume their performance, but all these people had now come to know his identity and looked faintly scared of him, and if by any chance the acrobats made any errors out of nervousness, it would be a real bummer. Moreover, because of these people’s kneeling down to him, residents in the distance had noticed and were all looking in this direction. If they kept walking around, they would only end up being the focus of attention from start to finish, and the liveliness of this occasion and the pleasure of strolling the streets would be lost as well.

Resigned, Ling Zhang had to admit that he had become a spoilsport by being recognized.

“I’m sorry, but it seems that this saunter of ours has come to an early end,” Ling Zhang said to Ji Yanlai.

A heavy pleasure seeker as he was, Ji Yanlai was a reasonable person. He said, “Never mind. I’ll stay in the capital city for another couple of days anyway. I can do this another time.”

Ling Zhang thanked him and then shifted his gaze to Ling Maomao and Cong. “We have to go back. As compensation for this, I’ll have my men buy some goodies and interesting stuff and bring them back, so that we can have some fun in the residence.”

Ling Maomao was a big boy now and knew when to heed adults’ words. In addition, this city was strange to him and he was still a trifle uptight. A moment ago when the large crowd had knelt down in their direction, he had been somewhat frightened. On hearing Ling Zhang’s arrangement, he obediently bobbed his head. “Okay, Big Brother. Let’s do it your way.”

Cong was still young, but children could be very sensitive to the change in the atmosphere in some circumstances as well. He had evidently sensed the strange gaze from the eyes of people nearby, which was different from how it had been just now. He gave a nod and said nothing, just inching his little body behind Ling Maomao in an effort to hide from those looking in his direction.

Ling Zhang’s eyebrows contracted slightly. Without saying anything else, he pivoted around and started to lead them back. At the same time he instructed Liu Yi to take some men and buy some food and toys and then bring them back to the Ling Mansion.

They had gone out in high spirits but returned fairly dispirited. All of them seemed a little bit down.

Ling Xingzhong, Ling Zhaowu and Ling Zhaowen, who were playing chess in the ante-room, along with Ji Yin who was sitting on the side counting something on his fingers, were all somewhat puzzled as to why they had come back so early. “Eek? Why are you back so soon? It’s been less than an hour.”

Seeing they appeared in low spirits, Ling Zhaowu asked, “Did something happen when you were on the street?”

“It was my fault. I should’ve taken into consideration the possibility of someone recognizing me.” Ling Zhang gave them an account of what had happened out on the street.

All his elders lapsed into silence and were absorbed in thought for a few moments. Then Ling Xingzhong observed, “Your identity is different now, and it’s indeed inappropriate for you to walk on the street like this. We just haven’t adapted ourselves to these changes. What happened tonight should be taken as a word of warning for us.”

Ling Zhaowen felt sorry for Ling Zhang. “You mean from now on Zhang’er couldn’t even go out into the street?”

Ling Zhaowu remained silent, but the slight frown on his face showed that his heart also ached for Ling Zhang.

“‘You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs,’ as the saying goes. You and Yuwen Tong had been celebrities already even before your identities changed. There’s a very high risk that you’ll be recognized. For the sake of your safety, you need to wear a disguise before going out into the street. Surely Yuwen Tong has someone at his command who knows how to disguise people, I suppose?” said Ji Yanlai matter-of-factly.

Comprehension dawned on the faces of all others at these words, as though they had just woken up from their dreams, and with that the atmosphere lightened instantaneously.

Ling Zhang smiled, “That’s so true, Clan Leader. I’m sorry for spoiling your enjoyment tonight. I should’ve made some preparations beforehand.”

Ji Yanlai said, “Like I said, it’s no big deal. I’ll do it another day.”

Ling Zhang said, “But Clan Leader, your appearance is too obtrusive. Given what happened out there just now, I’m afraid you would also be the focus of attention when you’re on the street.”

Ji Yanlai said, “I don’t mind that. They could only stare at me and it wouldn’t cause me any inconvenience.”

Ji Yanlai wasn’t worried that he might not be able to go out into the street again, because he also had some disguise skills. Besides, being stared by a large group of people never gave Ji Yanlai any feelings of embarrassment. Also, he didn’t feel there was anything awkward about those people following on his heels.

Although their saunter down the street had ended early, Liu Yi and some others soon returned with tasty foods and interesting toys. There were two tablefuls of a variety of delicacies and drinks: snacks peculiar to the capital city, wonton that was only available by night, fine wine from restaurants, appetizing courses that went with wine… They all gathered together to enjoy the occasion. The two little boys, Ling Maomao and Cong, were laughing happily all the time. This to some degree made up for the regrettable early end of their stroll on the street.

After Liu Yi and the others brought those things back, Ling Zhang specially had them spare a portion of the food for him and then personally delivered it to Fu Caiwei who was staying in the rear yard.

Previously, when they had been in Tanyang, Fu Caiwei would typically be present at family gatherings like this. The Ling family was not really a large family, so they had fewer rules compared with most other families, but right now, what with Ji Yanlai’s presence and the fact that this was the capital city, Fu Caiwei had decided to stay in her room. In the capital city she had to be more discreet about her words and deeds and couldn’t act as freely as she would in Tanyang.

After delivering the food to his aunt, Ling Zhang invited Mr. Mu to the ante-room and the group of people chatted until the end of the Hai Hour (21:00-22:59) to turn in.

Ling Maomao and Cong were quite sleepy. After they were taken away by their respective elders, Ling Zhang and Ji Yin were the only ones left in the ante-room. Ji Yanlai had taken Cong away. Ling Zhaowen had brought Ling Maomao back to his room. Ling Zhaowu and Mr. Mu had accompanied Ling Xingzhong to his courtyard house. Ling Zhang was keeping his maternal grandfather company.Read manga at our MangaBob.com

When the two of them was walking out of the ante-room, Ji Yin asked Ling Zhang, “Are you going back to the palace early tomorrow morning?”

Ling Zhang cast a look at the night sky to gauge the time and then replied, “Yuwen Tong should be still awake at this time, so I’ll go to the palace after walking you to your room.”

He had originally planned to spend the night in this mansion, but because of what had happened out on the street tonight, he missed Yuwen Tong very much, feeling that he wouldn’t be able to sleep even if he stayed here, so he might as well return to the palace.

Ji Yin didn’t try to dissuade him. “It’s late. Be careful on your way there. Bring enough bodyguards with you.”

Ling Zhang inclined his head. “Grandfather, those…” He gave a little cough and then continued, “There’s no need for you to do anything more about my trousseaus. Haven’t you made a list of them already? Just let the Ministry of Rites handle it when the time comes. Those things on the list are already more than enough to astonish them.”

Ji Yin said, “Things are different now. At that time it was a marshal that you were engaged to marry, but now you’re going to marry an emperor and become his consort. How could the trousseaus be the same? Under no circumstances will I embarrass you.”

Ling Zhang pulled a wry face. “Grandfather, any aristocratic family in this city would find it difficult to prepare trousseaus like those without liquidating their assets. You’re probably the only one who could afford those things. They will be sensational enough. Those staff members will definitely black out from shock. If you add anything more to the list, they will black out from shock – they will fall ill because of it, so please stop adding to the list lest it become something life-threatening. Currently, the situation in the imperial court is still unstable and there are a lot of things they need to attend to. If they really fall ill, Yuwen Tong would be swamped with work, and so would I, Grandfather.”

Ling Zhang tried to convince Ji Yin. It struck him that the list was scary enough already. If his grandfather added to the list anything else that would make the hair on his scalp prickle, the list would not be astounding but frightening. In that case, Ji Yin and the others at his back would be investigated intensively, which would inevitably ruin their peaceful lives.

Ji Yin tossed him a fairly disapproving glance. “These things are a mere trifle. If those people are really that useless, we might as well scare them to death.”

Ling Zhang gently shook Ji Yin’s arm and softened his tone. “Grandfather.”

Ji Yin, “…”

Ji Yin couldn’t at all bring himself to say no to Ling Zhang when he was behaving in a spoiled manner. Ling Zhang was his only grandson, the apple of his eye. How could he have the heart to put Ling Zhang in a difficult position?

“Let me think about it.”

Seeing Ji Yin was swayed, Ling Zhang decided to make hay while the sun shone. “Grandfather, think about it – you’re giving me so many trousseaus, all of which will be recorded, and sometimes it might be inconvenient for me to utilize them. If there’s really something else you want me to have, you could just give it to me in private. As for the list, it’s long enough already and you don’t want to overdo it.”

Ji Yin fell silent. After giving it some thought, he believed that his grandson had got a point, but he still said, “I’m still going to add to the list, but there are only two more things I’ll include. You’re a man, and you don’t have any high-ranking family members who could offer you support. I fear that you’d be at a disadvantage if I don’t do something dramatic to psych those people out, but your words make some sense as well, so I’ll give you some of the trousseaus in private and they won’t be recorded.”

On hearing that his grandfather still planned to add another two things to the list and both of them seemed to be something precious, Ling Zhang felt both moved and somewhat apprehensive. “Grandfather, what about your own life if you give me everything? You’ve been leading a secluded life in the Millennium Pavilion for many years. No matter how many possessions you have, I’m sure they’re not inexhaustible. All the things you are giving me are your own savings, and you might need them some day. I–”

Ji Yin raised his hand and interrupted Ling Zhang. “I’ll be fine as long as you’re fine.”

Ling Zhang was briefly astonished and then felt a twinge of sorrow. “Grandfather…”

“Those things are lifeless, no matter how much they value, and they’ll be of more use to you than they were to me. I’ll rest easier knowing that they’re in your hands. I’m only to anxious to give you as much as I could, to let you have as much to rely on as possible.”

Chapter 351: Changes in the Specifics

After walking his grandfather back to his room, Ling Zhang returned to the palace. The guards on duty at the gates, seeing him come back at such a late hour of the night, were briefly stupefied and then hastened to respectfully let him through.

Ling Zhang directly made towards the consultation hall. At the sight of the candlelight streaming from the windows of the hall, he came to know that Yuwen Tong, as expected, hadn’t gone back to turn in.

He entered the hall in haste. His footsteps were not heavy, but Yuwen Tong in the hall had put down his writing brush and looked squarely in his direction.

Yuwen Tong could divine who was coming just by listening to the footsteps.

Yuwen Tong’s eyes carefully raked Ling Zhang from head to foot. After confirming that Ling Zhang was fine, he asked, “Why did you come back here at such a late hour? Did something happened?”

Ling Zhang first threw a glance at the tall stack of memorials to the throne on the desk, gauged how many memorials Yuwen Tong had to deal with, and then answered, “Nothing special. I sat there talking with my maternal grandfather, my paternal grandfather and some others for the whole night. We drank some wine, too.”

“You didn’t go out into the street?” Yuwen Tong asked him.

Yuwen Tong should’ve been unaware of their stroll down the street, but now that he was asking about it, it meant he knew everything that Ling Zhang had done.

Ling Zhang was not really surprised to hear this. Miao Shiba who had been staying by his side was Yuwen Tong’s personal bodyguard, and it was a normal thing that Miao Shiba had been reporting his whereabouts to Yuwen Tong. Besides, now the situation in the capital city had changed, and so had Yuwen Tong’s status. Staying more informed of the activities in the capital city was something Yuwen Tong ought to do.

“I was recognized, and it was inconvenient for us to continue the stroll, so we went back, though we had barely walked out of the street corner,” answered Ling Zhang.

A flicker appeared in Yuwen Tong’s eyes. He had a hunch that this had been the very reason why Ling Zhang chose to come back to the palace at such a late hour of the night. “I want to hear more details.”

Ling Zhang had originally had some thoughts and feelings to share with Yuwen Tong, but since Yuwen Tong was bringing this up, he gave Yuwen Tong an account of what had happened on the street. “Actually there isn’t anything special about the chain of causality, but it was only at that moment that I got a different feeling about the change of my identity. On the day we went to the city gates to meet my grandfather and the others, I told Maomao that in the future a lot of people would be keeping watch on every act and every move of the Ling family, that he needed to be more careful and shouldn’t go out to play unaccompanied. I was lecturing him, feeling that I’d already adapted myself to the changes, but in fact I hadn’t. I failed to prepare well enough, which caused the Clan Leader’s and the others’ enjoyment to be spoiled.”

As a matter of fact Yuwen Tong had guessed the reason when he came to know it had been because Ling Zhang was recognized that he ended their stroll at the night market early. He had no intention of imposing any constraints on Ling Zhang. He wanted Ling Zhang to enjoy as much freedom as he used to do, but since their identities had changed, there were some restrictions they had to face up to.

At this time, Ling Zhang added, “So from this day on, when we want to go out into the street, we should have Guard Yao disguise us first, so that we’ll be spared these troubles. I’ve thought about it. If we wear some simple disguise and are not followed by too many guards, common people would never be able to recognize us. I think it’ll be quite interesting, but right now we both have our hands full, and we probably have to wait until all this is over to get a chance to go to a night market.”

Yuwen Tong, who had come up with quite some words of comfort, was briefly astonished at these remarks. Seeing that Ling Zhang’s face didn’t register any dejection but was etched with an itch to have a go, he couldn’t help but give an inward smile. “No matter how busy we are, I think it’s within our power to spare one night for a stroll down the street. I’ve been cooped up in here for several consecutive days, and I barely know anything about how the lives of people out there are progressing, so I think maybe going out to take a look would do some good.”

Ling Zhang’s eyes brightened. “When are we going?”

Yuwen Tong’s heart melted somewhat at the earnest gaze from Ling Zhang’s sparkling eyes. He had an urge to suggest that they do it right now, but it was late at night and the night market had some time ago ended. After giving it some thought, he answered, “Tomorrow night.”

A beam instantly spread across Ling Zhang’s face, his eyes narrowing slightly, gleaming delightedly like stars, which for an instant sent Yuwen Tong’s mind wandering.

Ling Zhang didn’t really have any feelings that he had to go to the night market. He was not among those who were confined to the palace most of the year, and he had no obsession. He just wanted to relaxedly have a walk with Yuwen Tong, because after all it had been a long time since the last time they’d done that. More importantly, Yuwen Tong had been working flat out lately and scarcely had any spare time. He hoped to have Yuwen Tong get some rest, even if it was just an hour or two.

At this time, Yuwen Tong reached out a hand, drew him over to let him sit on his lap, held up his chin and kissed him on the lips.

Ling Zhang’s vision blurred fleetingly and when things came back into focus again, he found himself sitting on Yuwen Tong’s lap, his chin raised, Yuwen Tong’s smell enveloping his whole being. Soon he started feeling giddy from the kiss.

…

Yao Yi and some others, who had been on guard duty outside the consultation hall, wasn’t paying attention to the sound from inside the hall, so right now they were unaware that their two masters were in a vigorous lip-lock. They were listening to Miao Shiba who had just begun to casually relate what had happened on the street earlier this night.

“There’s an unduly high chance that the Marshal and Childe Ling would be recognized if they go out into the street. Childe Ling said that from this day on, they would disguise themselves first before going out,” said Miao Shiba.

Yao Yi observed, “That’s easy. Actually I think we’re partly to blame for it. Childe Ling would have had a good time at the night market had we thought of that eventuality earlier.”

Arms folded over his chest, Miao Shiba said, “It was my fault, but… apart from Childe Ling, we also haven’t adjusted to the changes in his and the Marshal’s identities. This was just a minor mistake. Had it been anything serious, even my death wouldn’t be enough to atone for it.”

Yao Yi inclined his head. “You’re right. It seems that I need to talk to our brothers and remind them to be more discreet.”

After saying this, Yao Yi shifted his gaze to Miao Shiba and added, “You’ve been staying by Childe Ling’s side all along lately. Did you find out anything about the matter that the Marshal wants you to look into?”

Miao Shiba shook his head. “No. Childe Ling looks perfectly normal. I couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary no matter how hard I try. And Childe Ling’s relations with his family members seem very normal as well. Also, Master Ling has been behaving no differently than before when interacting with Childe Ling. I’m even beginning to suspect that…” He gave a cough and continued, “Anyway, it strikes me that Childe Ling is not concealing anything.”

Yao Yi, however, fingered his chin. “The Marshal wouldn’t have instructed you to do that if he hadn’t noticed something. Think back carefully – has there been any particular changes in Childe Ling’s tone or facial expression when he was talking with his father?”

Miao Shiba raised his head and started searching his brain, mumbling “Um” repeatedly in spite of himself from the effort of racking his brains. “Well, not to be pedantic, but does a minor change in the way Childe Ling addresses his father count?”

Yao Yi immediately inquired of him, “What kind of change?”

Miao Shiba answered, “Previously when Childe Ling was talking to his father, he would directly use ‘you’, but recently he’s begun to use the honorific form of ‘you’. He’s not doing it in an affected fashion. It seems to be a very spontaneous change of attitude. People wouldn’t observe this change unless they spend a lot of time staying by Childe Ling’s side and listen to his conversation with Master Ling, so at first I didn’t pay any extra attention to it, but earlier tonight, when we were drinking, I saw Childe Ling pour Master Ling’s wine and offer him more food, and he looked at Master Ling from time to time, as though counting the times Master Ling sipped the wine. When Master Ling drank a little too fast, he would stare at Master Ling and Master Ling would stop. It strikes me that they are now closer to each other than before, but you wouldn’t be able to feel it unless you notice this detail.”

Yao Yi said, “This should be a clue. Remember to report it to the Marshal later.”

Miao Shiba replied, “All right.”

“But, Captain, it shouldn’t be a bad thing that Childe Ling and his father are closer to each other than before, right? It’s understandable that previously Childe Ling felt a little estranged from Master Ling, what with the separation of over ten years. After all, they are father and son. It’s a natural thing that they became close again after they broke the ice,” added Miao Shiba.

Yao Yi said, “You’ve got a point, but you still have to tell it to the Marshal. He’ll know what kind of decision to make.”

Miao Shiba said, “I know. Don’t worry.”

“Was there anything else apart from this?” Yao Yi looked at him.

Miao Shiba shook his head. “For the moment, nothing else. Childe Ling doesn’t leave the palace to go to the Ling Mansion very often, but maybe he’ll do it again in a day or two. That Ji Yanlai guy has just arrived, and both Childe Ling’s and the Marshal’s attitudes towards him seem to be different from the ones they have towards others, so I think Childe Ling wouldn’t just leave him in the Ling Mansion and ignore him. I’ll observe more carefully when I have the chance.”

Yao Yi said, “Okay.”

…

In the hall, Ling Zhang’s head was still spinning because of the caress from Yuwen Tong, so he naturally couldn’t hear the conversation between people outside who had deliberately lowered their voices, but Yuwen Tong’s internal energy was uncommonly powerful and equaled by very few, so he had heard each and every word that Yao Yi and Miao Shiba had said.

He was fully aware of the reason why Ling Zhang and Ling Zhaowu had been more polite than close to each other, and previously he had predicted that barring accidents, the relations between Ling Zhang and Ling Zhaowu would remain in this state for a very long time, because after all, some wounds could be healed by nothing but time, and the father and son needed time to nurse their damaged bond, which was a fact that wouldn’t change any time soon, but now it had changed…

This was definitely anomalous. There was no doubt that something had happened, something he didn’t know of, something that could explain why Ling Zhang had become much clingier than he used to after he returned to the palace on that day.

It seemed that going out of the palace for a walk with Ling Zhang was very necessary, and maybe he would be able to find out something about it by talking with Ling Zhaowu personally.

These thoughts flashed across Yuwen Tong’s mind in an instant and he soon buried them fathoms deep. After all, right now nothing could make him crazy as enjoying this romantic moment with his darling in his embrace could.

Ling Zhang was unaware of what kind of decision that the one kissing him had made instantly. He just felt his waist and legs going limp from Yuwen Tong’s fondle, and eventually he still failed to keep Yuwen Tong from carrying him back to the Infinite Fortune Palace…

Thus, naturally, Yuwen Tong for the second time ignored a pile of memorials to the throne on the desk.

After hours of sex, Ling Zhang fell into a heavy sleep. Yuwen Tong stayed with him and they slept for a very long time. It was noon already when they woke up the next day.

None of the courtiers had come to hurry Yuwen Tong. They were all conferring with each other on state affairs in the consultation hall, as though they all found it understandable that Yuwen Tong could use some extra sleep after so many hectic days, so none of them went to disturb him.

The corners of Ling Zhang’s mouth twitched for a few moments when he got up. “You haven’t acceded to the throne yet, and we’ve been acting like this already. If word gets out, I’ll be terribly disgraced.”