The Glory After Rebirth [ɇÇ”Ÿä¹‹Å°Šè£] Chapter 64- 66

Chapter 64: Do You Need Me to Dredge the Meridian Channels for You?

“Lord Yuwen, His Majesty demands your and Mrs. Yuwen’s presence in the Palace.”

Yuwen Mansion was the home of Yuwen Tong, who was the most powerful Marshal of Great Yue. Yuwen Zhi smiled and bribed emperor’s eunuch who called Wang Baolu. “Eunuch Wang, do you know why His Majesty summons us so suddenly?” Yuwen Zhi asked.

Returning the money to Yuwen Zhi, Wang Baolu said with a bothered tone, “Not that I don’t want to tell you, my lord, but I really don’t know what His Majesty wants. But rest assured, His Majesty looks peaceful.”

Bribing the eunuch didn’t work, so Yuwen Zhi felt a bit vexed. Though he kept scolding the eunuch inwardly, he still pretended to be grateful. “Thank you for letting me know. I will go to see His Majesty with my wife right away,” Yuwen Zhi said.

“Lord Yuwen, that’s very kind of you. I will be going then. And I will await your arrival in the Palace,” Wang Baolu said.

“Eunuch Wang, take care,” Yuwen Zhi said.

As soon as he saw Wang Baolu off, Yuwen Zhi immediately went to find his wife, Zheng shi.

“Why would His Majesty suddenly summon us?” Zheng shi asked with puzzlement while changing her clothes under the serve of her maid. Although she was nearly forty years old this year, she didn’t look her age and still kept her charm.

“I don’t know. Wang Baolu didn’t want to tell us anything. He returned the money I gave him as well.” A dark look formed on Yuwen Zhi’s face as he spoke.

“What? Is there something wrong?” Zhang was shocked. And she became hesitant while dressing herself.

“No matter what happens, we must to o the Palace right away. Be flexible, this time His Majesty specially asks me to take you, he will definitely ask you some questions. Leave it to me when you don’t know how to answer and I will do it,” Yuwen Zhi said.

Zhang responded in panic. After getting dressed, she went to the Palace with Yuwen Zhi.

In the Palace, the Emperor looked at them with no expression on his face.

“Your Majesty, what is your order for me and my humble wife? ” Yuwen Zhi said after secretly observing the Emperor’s countenance.

Zheng stood behind Yuwen Zhi and lowered her head. The emperor’s silence frightened her.

“Yuwen Zhi, do you know where my Marshal is?” The Emperor was sitting in there and said slowly.

Yuwen Tong? Yuwen Zhi was confused as he replied, “He should be on his way back to the Capital.”

The Emperor looked at Yuwen Zhi for a long time with his sharp eyes before speaking, “It seems that you don’t know where he is either.”

“Your Majesty, did he do something wrong? If so, please forgive his mistake for the sake of his devotion to defending the territory of Great Yue,” Yuwen Tong knelt on the ground and said.

Zheng also hurriedly dropped to her knees.

“Don’t be nervous. I didn’t say he did anything wrong. You make excessive demands on Yuwen Tong,” the Emperor said.

Yuwen Tong admitted his error and asked for punishment in a hurry, Zheng did the same.

“Get up. I have something to ask you,” the Emperor said.

Yuwen Zhi and Zheng stood up. He said, “Please, your majesty. I will tell you everything I know.”

“When did Yuwen Tong get engaged? Why are you keeping this secret?” the Emperor said.

What the Emperor said stunned Yuwen Zhi and Zheng. Engagement? What was that?

“Engagement? There’s no such a thing.” Zheng wore a puzzled look as she turned to Yuwen Zhi.

The Emperor glanced at Zheng then tat Wang Baolu, who, after getting the hint, said, “Marshal Yuwen has gone to Tanyang to look for his fiancé.”

Tanyang? Zheng was still confused, but Yuwen Zhi’s face changed drastically.

The Emperor’s eyes had changed too, he stared at Yuwen Zhi and asked, “Do you recall anything?”

At first Zheng looked at her husband in bewilderment, whereafter, something occurred to her. She gradually widened her eyes. “That’s impossible!”

“How dare you! Are you questioning His Majesty?” Wang Baolu berated.

Zheng was shocked to repeated kowtows, “Your Majesty, please spare me. I was just surprised to Yuwen Tong’s engagement, I absolutely dare not question you. Please forgive me.”

Yuwen Zhi also joined in the kowtows as he pleaded, “She was indiscreet. Let me take her punishment.”

“Take it easy. Not a big deal, don’t make a fuss. Wang Baolu, don’t scare Mrs. Yuwen,” the Emperor said.

“That’s my fault,” Wang Baolu said.

“Yuwen Zhi, what was on your mind?” the Emperor asked.

Looking at his trembling wife, Yuwen Tong knew that if he didn’t tell the truth, the Emperor would not let him go easily. And the most crucial thing was that Yuwen Tong exposed this matter himself. According to his tough personality, there was no way he could hide this matter. “I just remembered an old past. Please forgive me for not answering your question in the first place.”

“Ah? An old past?” the Emperor sounded interested in this matter.

“This engagement was settled twenty years ago. The other side is the eldest grandson of Ling Xingzhong, who used to serve as the Shilang (Vice Minister), ” Yuwen Zhi said.

The Emperor frowned, as if he were trying to recall. After a while, he suddenly realized, “It’s him. I remember that he resigned and returned home very early.”

“Your Majesty, you are so wise. Lord Ling did return to his hometown, Tanyang. When my father and Lord Ling set this marriage contact, the eldest son of Lord Ling was just married, and his elder daughter-in-law was just pregnant. They all didn’t know the gender of the kid, so it was a sloppy decision. Later, Lord Ling returned to Tanyang and our two families didn’t contract each other anymore due to the far distance. Then I heard a businessman from Tanyang who said that Lord Ling’s daughter-in law had a son. At that time, I thought that since his family got a boy, the marriage contact was invalidated. After so many years, I have almost forgotten this matter,” Yuwen Zhi said.

“Really? A boy?” the Emperor smiled. “That is a bit unexpected. Then why Yuwen Tong said that he was going to Tanyang to find that boy? What’s going on here?”

“This… Your Majesty, I haven’t seen my nephew for three years. I never wanted to tell him about it. And I have no idea exactly where he learned about it. I never thought he’d go to Tanyang to find the boy. After all, they are both men and can’t get married,” Yuwen Zhi took it for granted.

An ambiguous smile appeared on the Emperor’s face, “You are too blinkered. The empress of the founding emperor of our country is a man. The marriage of two men is no longer a novelty in our civilized country.”

Yuwen Zhi froze. ‘What does the Emperor mean? Does he support Yuwen Tong marry Ling Family’s eldest grandson?’

“Your Majesty, what do you think of it?” Yuwen Tong didn’t dare to make a final decision.

The Emperor’s answer was very ambiguous, “We can talk about it after Yuwen Tong comes back to the Capital. No need to rush things.”

Yuwen Tong hurriedly said, “Yes, your majesty.”

Zheng, beside Yuwen Zhi, turned pale. After getting out of the Palace, she asked in a hurry, “Master, how could Yuwen Tong know about this engagement? We never told him.”

“The most important thing now is not how he learned about it, but this matter has been known by the Emperor!” Yuwen Tong looked extremely gloomy.

“What should we do? Our plan…” Zheng shi asked anxiously.

“Put it aside. Let me think it over,” Yuwen Zhi said. “His Majesty’s attitude towards this matter was so strange just now. So we have to stop finding in-laws for him.”

Zheng was shocked, “But, but didn’t we just promise…”

“Hum, promise? It’s just a polite formula,” Yuwen Zhi said.

Then he hit the wall of the carriage angrily. That sound startled Zheng.

“Master,” Zheng yelled.

“What exactly is he thinking? He hasn’t come back home in so many years, and every time I talked to him about his marriage, he never cared. Now he went to look for the man who comes from a declined family. Now this scandal is well known. Does he mean to disgrace our Yuwen Family?” Yuwen Zhi said angrily.

“Master, now we just sit by and see him marry that man?” Zhang said unwillingly.

“I will never agree to it,” Yuwen Zhi said.

Zheng wanted to say something, but stopped while seeing Yuwen Zhi was in a temper.

*

Tanyang…

The wonderful feeling of warmth was flowing around Ling Zhang’s whole body, which made him feel amazing. Ling Zhang couldn’t help but ask Yuwen Tong, “Is this inner power?”

“Yes.” Yuwen Tong looked up at him and said, “How are you feeling now?”

“I’m good now,” Ling Zhang said. Seeing that Yuwen Tong’s hand was still on his ankle, he hurried away. “That’s enough.”

Yuwen Tong got up and said, “I have found that some parts of your body’s meridians are not very smooth, which will affect your heath. If you like, I can help you to improve it.”

After listening to what he said, Ling Zhang was very interested. But as soon as he thought that doing so might bother Yuwen Tong, he hesitated.

“To help you clear your meridians not only requires my inner power, but also a medicated bath. I found a lot of herbs in Tanyang, so it is not difficult for you to find those herbs. When the meridians of your whole body are cleared, your body will improve, and it’ll also be easier for you to learn martial skills,” Yuwen Tong said.

Ling Zhang was tempted. He had been practicing every morning so that he could learn martial arts. Yuwen Tong’s suggestion was perfectly tailor-made for him, which was difficult for him to refuse.”Of course, you can take your time to think about it carefully. I’m not in a hurry to leave,” Yuwen Tong said.

Ling Zhang agreed without much hesitation, “Would it bother you much?”

“It doesn’t matter. It is also a kind of inner power training for me,” Yuwen Tong said.

“Thank you, please then,” Ling Zhang said.

“That’s easy. I’ll give you the prescription when we get back. And then you can ask someone to prepare these things for you. These two methods must be used together for good results,” Yuwen Tong said.

Ling Zhang nodded, “Okay, I will have the herbs ready as soon as possible.”

Ling Zhang’s attitude towards Yuwen Tong softened unwittingly because of this offer. Ling Zhang didn’t think he could accept Yuwen Tong’s kindness yet treat him uncivilly after. He was never a man so ruthless.

The two returned to the woods to lead their horses out, and headed back to Tanyang. After giving the horses back to the shop, they walked back to Ling Family. However, they heard the some noises before they got into the house.

Chapter 65: Trouble at the Gate

“What happened?” Ling Zhang quickened his steps.

Yuwen Tong followed closely after and, with good eyesight, already got a clear view of what was happening.

There were four men and four women in costly raiment kneeling at the gate of Ling Mansion and kowtowing. They seemed to keep shouting something like, “Young master Ling, please let go of our son.” The Ling Mansion’s servants tried to drive them away, but this group of people still lingered around and wouldn’t go. The servants couldn’t drive them away by force but only prevented them from entering. Ling Zhang frowned when seeing the stalemate.

After approaching, Ling Zhang heard and saw who these people were.

“It’s them,” Ling Zhang sad with a scowl.

“Who are they?” Yuwen Tong asked.

“They are the parents of the four people who had conspired with Jia Yuanling to frame me. Jia Yuanling, the ringleader of the affair, was sentenced to exile; the four men, each of whom being punished differently, are now in the prison of the Prefecture Yamen,” Ling Zhang said.

Their sentence had been announced for long ago. Why did their parents suddenly show up here at this time and act as disgusting rascals?

Ling Zhang walked over with a cold face, “Are you looking for me?”

As soon as Ling Zhang appeared, these people immediately surrounded him. As if some fresh meat thrown towards a pack of hungry wolves. Ling Mansion’s servants quickly stood in front of Ling Zhang to prevent him from getting hurt.

These men knelt on the ground with a thud.

They cried, “Please give my son a break! My son was drunk; he wasn’t in his right mind, which was why he did something shameless. Young master Ling, please put a word for my son and let Lord Tao show mercy!”

“Young master Ling, please! Please forgive my son! I’m willing to do anything for you!”

What happened in front of the Ling Mansion attracted many onlookers.

Seeing this, Ling Zhang’s look turned colder.

“If I kill them and ask for your forgiveness, will you forgive me?”

“What do you mean? Young master Ling, why do you want to kill my son?” a man shouted.

“Then why should I forgive them? Just because you kneel down to me and beg my pardon? Get them out of here! If they refuse to leave, go to the Prefecture Yamen and call the Yamen runners. Tell them that some people here are trying to break into the Ling Mansion, they act insanely as if they are going to do violence,” Ling Zhang said.

“Got it!” a servant said.

Wang Dashan came with the guards, planning to drag them away.

“Ah…they are trying to kill us, the Ling Family’s people want to kill us! There is no justice at all!” This man who was dragged by Wang Dashan kept talking nonsense, which attracted a lot of onlookers.

“That’s enough. There is no time to waste. Sue them,” Ling Zhang said.

Wang Dashan nodded then sent someone to notify the government in a hurry.

“Ling Zhang, on what ground are you suing us? My son just got drunk and made a small mistake, why did you ruin him? You are so cruel. Now you want to put us in jail, too? We have no crimes and you can’t do that. Do you want to bully us because your uncle is a government official?”

“Young master, this…” Wang Dashan frowned.

“Ignore them,” Ling Zhang said.

“Ooh, my god. The Ling Family’s people are so unreasonable. We didn’t do anything wrong, we just ask for forgiveness here. But they not only refused our apology, but are trying to put us in jail and kill us. They want us dead!”

“The Ling Family wants to misuse their power to oppress us. They flout the law themselves, though they keep telling everyone to obey it. They think they can look down on us, just because someone in their family is an official.”

They were going too far and there were more and more onlookers. Funny thing was, the onlookers blindly sympathized with those who looked weak. No matter what the truth was, they were already gossiping about Ling Family.

Ling Zhang looked at their charade with a cold look. If this happened in the past, he must have panicked. As for now, he had become very composed. What could these people do except gossiping? They wouldn’t make any difference. Everything would come to light after going to the court.

No matter how loud those people shouted, Ling Zhang didn’t care. However, Ling Family’s servants could not help but worry because these shameless guys redoubled their efforts to slander when seeing the servants not taking any measures at the behest of Ling Zhang.

Though there were more and more onlookers, the Ling Family’s people still stayed perfectly cool, calm and collected. These people were shouting even harder, louder and more outrageously.

Those gossips gradually quieted down. Especially after Yuwen Tong, who was behind Ling Zhang, unleashed his powerful aura. Many people here were silenced by his imposing temperament.

These people were beginning to lose patience when they saw that the head constables of Yamen were about to coming. One of them tried to break free from the guards and rushed to a pillar in front of Ling Family’s gate, but was caught before he could break through and pinned to the ground.

“Indecent assault…”

Her shouting came to sudden stop as a stone hit the woman’s mute acupuncture point.

Ling Zhang pretended not to see anything, though he clearly saw the stone shooting from behind him. This was obviously done by Yuwen Tong.

The woman looked pale when she found herself suddenly speechless. She tried to break free, but failed.

Ling Zhang had seen through the tricks of these people already. What they wanted to do was to make some trouble so as to turn Ling Family into the target of public criticism.

More importantly, Ling Zhang’s uncle would be promoted to left Tongzhi in a few days. If something bad happened at this critical moment, the promotion of his uncle would come to nothing.

In his previous life, they had taken advantage of Ling Zhang’s youth, ignorance and recklessness to make his uncle lose his position. And now they wanted to use the same dirty tricks in this life. How disgusting they were!

“Stop! What do you want to do? How can you do this…”

Two thuds sounded in succession, the man froze suddenly not able to either speak or move. Ling Zhang sneered at this man. He knew that these men were in desperation, they just tried to humiliate the Ling Family in public. But what a pity! As long as Yuwen Tong was present, he would certainly not let them do what they want.

Suddenly another man appeared in the crowd, trying to say something in anger. Then another two sounds of little puff came, which froze the man before he could speak.

Finally, someone in the crowd sensed something strange and changed their countenance. Although they didn’t know who did that, they could feel that the person must be a Kung Fu master and they couldn’t afford to mess with him. These people looked around themselves, trying to find the one doing this.

It was interesting that Yuwen Tong was standing behind Ling Zhang, head slightly lowered, and his powerful aura restrained, which made him difficult to be found by others. In this way, those people would only regard him as Ling Zhang’s subordinate, rather than the master they were looking for.

The people of the Prefecture Yamen also came at this time, which made those men completely lose their opportunity to frame Ling Family.

Together with these Yamen runners, Ling Zhang escorted the four men and four women to the Prefecture Yamen. Tao Feng was willing to offer a helping hand, and cooperated with Ling Zhang to do the same thing they did last time. Tao Feng allowed all the people to watch the trial process and figured out the culprits. In the end, he punished everyone with ten lashes then released them.

It was indeed a fact that Ling Zhang couldn’t do anything to these people, but the punishment was enough to keep them in bed for a while.

Ling Zhang had already known who was behind this.

“Zhang’er, you should be grateful to the Marshal for helping us today. Otherwise, this matter can’t be handled smoothly,” Ling Zhaowen whispered to Ling Zhang.

Ling Zhang looked at his uncle with a mixed feeling. He began to doubt if his uncle was still on his side. It seemed Yuwen Tong had won his uncle over.

“What’s up? Why do you look so strange?” Seeing Ling Zhang walk over, Yuwen Tong asked with doubt.

Ling Zhang glanced at him and said, “Thank you for your help.”

Yuwen Tong smiled, “Never mind. It’s a piece of cake.”

He seemed to know why Ling Zhang looked so strange. It turned out that this little hedgehog was not used to apologizing to or thanking him.

“Let’s go back. Don’t keep Lord Ling waiting,” Yuwen Tong said.

Ling Zhang nodded. He was relieved that Yuwen Tong had no special reaction to his thanks.

A few days ago, Ling Zhang was still fantasizing about how he would humiliate Yuwen Tong when they first met. And he originally wanted to throw the divorce letter on Yuwen Tong’s face. But what he didn’t expect was that he apologized to Yuwen Tong just a few days later.

What happened these days was like a dream to him. Although only a few days passed, it was like going through a long time for Ling Zhang.

Ling Xingzhong was waiting for him as expected. “How’s it going?”

Ling Zhang told Ling Xingzhong the result.

Ling Xingzhong nodded with satisfaction. “You handled this well today. Of course, don’t forget to thank the Marshal.”

Ling Zhang, “…”

He had heard such words once just now!

“I already thanked him.”

Ling Xingzhong gave him a disapproving look and said, “It is not enough. Stay with the Marshal these days. If you have anything to do, just leave it to your uncle.”

Alright, just a few days. Anyway, he had to ask Yuwen Tong to help him smooth his meridian channels. So Ling Zhang nodded and promised at last.

“Good boy. I know you are the most sensible,” Ling Xingzhong said.

So if he hadn’t promised to stay with Yuwen Tong, he would be a bad boy? Ling Zhang was in a complicated mood right now.

He would be a fool if he didn’t see through his grandfather’s intention. His grandfather did so to enable him and Yuwen Tong to build deep feelings through more contact.

“Young master, Liu Yi has settled down, he can be on duty tomorrow,” Wang Dashan said.

“Okay. Well done, Captain Wang,” Ling Zhang said.

“That’s what I’m supposed to do,” Wang Dashan said.

“Inform him to come to me. I have something to ask him.” Thinking of what happened at the encampment of the Prefecture Guard, he quickly asked Wang Danshan to deliver a message to Liu Yi.

He wondered if Liu Yi had discovered something. After all, Yuwen Tong told him that Zhang Chong had the intention of threatening the imperial power.

Although he had suspected Zhang Chong before, it was just a guess. Yuwen Tong wasn’t a man who talked nonsense. And he believed that Zhang Chong must be plotting something.

Liu Yi came soon, “Young master, did you send for me?”

“I have something to ask you, Brother Liu. I heard you planned to join the army in Tanyang, didn’t you? Why did you choose to come to Tanyang instead of going to Yanzhou?” Ling Zhang asked.

Chapter 66: The Formation Drawing

Although being suddenly asked about this question, Liu Yi answered without hesitation, “Yanzhou is safer than here. Its Prefecture Guard has enough soldiers so that it doesn’t need me too much. But I heard that Tanyang is a bandit place and its Prefecture Guard recruits new soldiers every year. So I came to have a try. I want my martial skills fully exploited.”

“Why didn’t you join them?” Ling Zhang asked.

Liu Yi didn’t answer instantly this time and hesitated for a while.

“Tell me what you think. I will keep the secret.” Ling Zhang guaranteed.

Liu Yi said, “I am not worrying about it. Young master, I know you have conflict with Zhang Chong, the commander of Prefecture Guard. Can you resolve it?”

“What do you mean?” Ling Zhang didn’t show his attitude hurriedly, but waited for his explanation.

“The Prefecture Guard in Tanyang is abnormal. With strong soldiers and horses, they never suppress bandits. They are either planning to exterminate bandits at one fling or plotting something else. I’ve inquired about the Prefecture Guard during the period since I came to Tanyang. And I feel they are so strange.” Liu Yi said.

“Are you worrying about them rebelling?” Ling Zhang concluded directly.

After hearing Ling Zhang’s blunt words, Liu Yi’s face changed. But he finally nodded, “Yes. Ling Family has conflict with them. If they really rebel, it will be hard for Ling Family to resist.”

Ling Zhang believed that Liu Yi sincerely wanted to remind him.

“Thanks for your words. Ling Family has already been involved and the conflict with Zhang Chong can’t be resolved. If you feel scared, you can leave now. I won’t stop you.”

Liu Yi looked at Ling Zhang seriously for a long time before saying, “Thanks for your kindness. I’ve made a decision since the moment I chose to be Ling Family’s guard.”

“Great.” Ling Zhang stood up and said, “Brother Liu, you are so loyal. Let me tell you the truth. If Ling Family wants to live, we must kill Zhang Chong who is our enemy. We will have more frictions with him in the future. You’d better be prepared.”

“The reason why I let you come is that I heard you had explored Tanyang’s Prefecture Guard Station. Did you find anything special?” Ling Zhang asked.

Liu Yi understood Ling Zhang’s thought. He thought for a moment before replying, “I once sneaked into its periphery to search at night. And I found a group of people acting suspiciously went to the station. Although they were in casual wear, their behaviour was like bandits.”

“Are you sure they are bandits?” Ling Zhang asked quickly.

Liu Yi thought back again and said more firmly this time, “I think it is most likely true.”

Even though Ling Zhang had believed the Prefecture Guard colluded with the bandits living in mountains, he didn’t find any hard evidences. At present, he finally knew that they connected in the dead of night.

Zhang Chong would definitely lose his power if Ling Zhang caught them when they were together with bandits or got tangible proofs about the Prefecture Guard collaborating with bandits.

“Brother Liu, I want you and Captain Wang to do something.” Ling Zhang said.

“Young master, please tell me.” Liu Yi said.

“I want you and Captain Wang to stay at the Prefecture Guard’s Station at night. If someone like bandits appears again, you should follow them to find where they are from.” Ling Zhang told him.

Liu Yi agreed immediately, “Okay.”

“You might have to watch them for a long time. Don’t hesitate to tell me if you have any problems. I will solve them all for you.” Ling Zhang said.

“Young master, don’t worry. I often served as a bodyguard on a journey and walked at night many times before. We are all good at Kung Fu. And we can do it in turn.” Liu Yi said.

*

“Marshal, Childe Ling wrote a letter to Xiafeng to let him check the background of Liu Yi, the new guard.” Yao Yi told Yuwen Tong instantly what he had found as soon as Yuwen Tong came back.

Yuwen Tong nodded, “Thank you.”

“Marshal, Childe Ling investigates the guards so cautiously. Is he planning anything?” Yao Yi asked.

When Yao Yi mentioned Ling Zhang, Yuwen Tong’s face turned soft. He said, “Ling Family’s situation now is not good. He checks all the servants and guards because he is afraid someone seek chances to harm Ling Family.”

“He’s right. The people making a scene at the gate just now must be instigated by someone.” Yao Yi said.

Yuwen Tong took a look at him and asked, “Since you know someone wants to wrong Ling Family, don’t you know what to do next?”

Yao Yi was stunned for a while before he began to understand Yuwen Tong’s meaning. He said, “I will let our people investigate it soon!”

Yuwen Tong drew back his sight satisfactorily and said, “Zhang Chong traded with Jia Family today. It isn’t a big deal. But they have traded many things for two years, which can enable them to produce a large number of weapons and other military supplies. Zhang Chong must hide them in a place. We should find it.”

“Yes.”

“Besides, Jia Family records each deal with Zhang Chong in a book. The book is very important. Find it. You are not familiar with the fake account book. Tell Yue Qi to inform Xiao Liu that he should come to Tanyang quickly.”

“Yes.”

“Get it done soon.”

“Yes.”

After Yao Yi left, Yuwen Tong took a writing brush and wrote all the herbs that the medicated bath needed to dredge main and collateral channels. After that, he also wanted to add something. But he finally stopped writing after thinking for a moment. He murmured, “I’d better teach him personally about this kind of thing.”

Some light flashed in his eyes when he thought about something.

Folding the prescription, he stood up and went out.

Ling Zhang began to prepare the Trap and Kill Formation of Twelve after he assigned the task to Liu Yi and Wang Dashan. There were twelve guards in Ling Family when Liu Yi came. Ling Zhang believed Liu Yi was reliable. He had asked Xia Feng to investigate Liu Yi, just in case. After getting Xia Feng’s letter, he would teach them the Formation.

Twelve people stood in twelve different directions with twelve variations, which needed much time to let them learn it completely.

Which variation they should know first? Ling Zhang pondered as he painted twelve changes on the paper.

“Young master, Lord Yuwen comes.” A servant outside the study said.

Ling Zhang stopped drawing quickly and used a white paper to cover it.

He just saw Yuwen Tong. Why did Yuwen Tong come to see him again?

“Let him in.” Ling Zhang stood up and left the desk.

Yuwen Tong came from outside. His hands were behind him and seemed to be holding something.

“This is the prescript. Take it and prepare all the medical materials mentioned in it. After that, we can begin to dredge your main and collateral channels.”

Ling Zhang took it and read carefully. It was easy to get them except a few kinds of herbs.

“Thank you.”

“You’d better have a medical bath seven times, which is an uncomfortable process. I hope you won’t complain at that time.” Yuwen Tong said.

“If I can’t bear it and blame you, I won’t be worth your help. You can stop helping me at that time.” Ling Zhang said calmly.

Yuwen Tong raised his eyebrows slightly, “I’ll wait and see.”

As they spoke, Yuwen Tong glanced at Ling Zhang’s desk casually. A thin wind blew through the window and snatched at the upper paper, showing a half of the formation drawing. The ink was still fresh. Yuwen Tong paused to look at it for a moment. Then he looked away as if nothing had happened before Ling Zhang could notice.

Although he just saw a half of it, Yuwen Tong knew it was a subtle formation. It was different from the Yuwen Family’s formation carried on from generation to generation because it had something more.

To his surprise, Ling Zhang knew the very great formation.

Yuwen Tong was lost in thought. He looked at the study secretly when talking with Ling Zhang. But he didn’t find anything about formation besides the formation drawing.

According to what he heard and saw in Tanyang, people from Ling Mansion didn’t know that Ling Zhang mastered formation. It might either because Ling Zhang hided it or because Ling Family concealed it intentionally. So no one knew it.

Well, he must check Ling Family’s history and background seriously.

Yuwen Tong stopped thinking these speculations and confusions temporarily. He asked Ling Zhang, “Do you know who asked these people to make trouble in front of the gate today?”

“It must be Jia Family and Zhang Chong. Jia Family is always jealous about my uncle’s position, which is the contradiction between our family and Jia Family. They make trouble to Ling Family at this time because my uncle will be promoted to the Left Tongzhi and people from Lu Family will replace his position to be the Right Tongzhi. As a result, Jia Family still can’t find the chance to get it. Then they become desperate.” Ling Zhang said.

“I get it. What about Lu Family?” Yuwen Tong asked.

“Lu Family is also famous in Tanyang. Its head, Lu Kui, is my uncle’s close friend and now is the County Magistrate of Wu County. He will be promoted to the Right Tongzhi this time.” Ling Zhang explained.

At the mention of that, Ling Zhang inevitably thought of the miserable condition that the entire Lu Family was killed in his last life.

He realized that Lu Kui taking the position of Right Tongzhi was also a reason why the murderers killed Lu Family.

“Lu Family also has a herb plantation in the east of city, which is a little smaller than ours.” Ling Zhang continued.

Yuwen Tong nodded, “Since they have this intention and fail this time, they will surely think of another way to make trouble.”

Ling Zhang said, “I know. There will be more troubles before my uncle becomes the Left Tongzhi. Do you want to live in another place? If your identity is exposed, you will be hard to check Zhang Chong secretly.”

“No, I like it here.” Yuwen Tong said.

Ling Zhang touched the top of his finger slightly. Yuwen Tong’s words made him comfortable even though he didn’t know why.

“Besides, if I live here, I can help you in time if something happens. Don’t you want me to help you?” Yuwen Tong asked.

Ling Zhang paused for a while and said, “Do you think I will dislike such a big patron?”

Yuwen Tong smiled lightly, “I’m shocked that you admit I am a big patron.”

Ling Zhang’s face tightened a little. He didn’t want to say that at all. But admitted or not, he was not so wary of Yuwen Tong these days.

In addition, it didn’t need him to admit Yuwen Tong’s power..