The Glory After Rebirth [ɇÇ”Ÿä¹‹Å°Šè£] Chapter 169- 171

Chapter 169: Blandishments of Yuwen Feng

“My cousin just came back to the capital city earlier this day, and he has already given people reason to gossip about him by not having returned home to see his elders. If we go back like this, soon rumors will be floating around in every corner of this city, which will seriously undermine my cousin’s reputation,” Yuwen Feng added.

With a frown on his face, the guard thought for a few moments and replied, “Then please wait a while. I’ll go inside and ask again.”

Yuwen Feng felt a sense of relief. “I appreciate it.”

The candid guard went through the front gate and, when he was out of the sight of those outside, rolled his eyes upwards. ‘They think I’m a fool? Had the Marshal not instructed me to let them wait longer, I would never have bothered walking back here.’

A few moments ago, Ling Zhang had been woken up by the voice of the guard coming to pass word of the presence of the visitors, but he had not distinguished his words. After a while, it had fallen quiet and he had drifted off again. At this moment, he was having a dream, in which he was still in Tanyang. He was enjoying himself in the dream when he was woken up again by the voice of the guard coming to report. Sleepy, he got a little annoyed. “What’s going on? Is it really too much to ask for them to let me have a good sleep?”

In the realization that Ling Zhang had been woken up twice in a row, Yuwen Tong, who didn’t have the heart to let him be awoken for a third time, got out of bed, held him in his arms and patted him. “It’s okay. Just go back to sleep.”

Ling Zhang rubbed his head against Yuwen Tong’s chest and then rolled over with his butt to Yuwen Tong.

Yuwen Tong was very much enjoying the rub given by Ling Zhang when Ling Zhang rolled over, leaving his arms empty and his heart filled with disappointment.

He felt an urge to put his arms around him and roll him over to let him rub his chest again but kept from doing so for fear that he might be woken up again.

Eventually, he resignedly straightened himself and went outside to deal with the two fools who had caused interruptions to their sleep.

…

“Cousin.”

Yuwen Feng and Yuwen Qi were finally led into the residential compound and also met Yuwen Tong.

“Sit. What is it you want to see me about?” After telling them to sit down, Yuwen Tong picked up a cup of tea and took a sip.

“Cousin, why didn’t you go home after returning? We waited for quite a long time,” said Yuwen Qi in a reproachful tone of voice immediately.

Yuwen Qi didn’t feel there was anything wrong with his tone at all. He believed that the reason why Yuwen Tong had not returned home was because that male courtesan, Ling Zhang, had bewitched him, that this was the sole reason. He had some time ago forgotten what his elder brother had reminded him of at home, why Yuwen Tong was angry, as well as the fact that he himself had been the one who went to Tanyang and threatened Ling Zhang. He had only himself to blame for Yuwen Tong’s giving him the cold shoulder.

Yuwen Tong didn’t even glance at him. He took another sip of tea and then put the teacup down on the table.

Seeing Yuwen Qi’s somewhat sulky face, Yuwen Feng hurriedly said, “Cousin, you and Childe Ling must be really tired after journeying for so many days. Given that Childe Ling has just moved into this residence, there must be many inconveniences here. You and Childe Ling might as well go back home. There are more servants there. My mother could also save you much bother of dealing with domestic chores, and you can rest better.”

Yuwen Feng’s words were much more tactful than those of Yuwen Qi. He had avoided mentioning the fact that Yuwen Tong had not returned home, and just focused on the convenience of living at home in order to convince Yuwen Tong to go back.

“My parents have also been looking forward to your return. After hearing that Childe Ling would come to the capital city with you, they have been eagerly anticipating the day they would see him in the flesh. Since Childe Ling is your betrothed, all of us are very curious about him.”

Yuwen Tong gave a smile, thinking, ‘Yuwen Feng is still as he always has been. Both his words and acts are rather diplomatic. No matter what he truly thinks, at least he never shows any signs on his face.’

“That’s very considerate of you. It’s just that Younger Brother Zhang and I are not there yet. I’m afraid there would be rumors and gossip if I let him live into the residence of Yuwen family just like this. Of course, he will move in with me after we get married.”

“You’ve already decided to marry Childe Ling? This is such good news.” Yuwen Feng appeared to be pleasantly surprised but was secretly taken aback. ‘Yuwen Tong is talking about getting married now. Is he really going to marry that Ling Zhang guy?’

“What? Are you out of your mind, Cousin? You really want to marry that Ling Zhang guy?! Ling Zhang is a nobody from an obscure family in a small place, and he’s a man! You are seriously going to sacrifice yourself just to honor that engagement?!” But Yuwen Qi jumped in a startled fashion.

Yuwen Feng’s smile froze, feeling somewhat annoyed. ‘Yuwen Qi is such an idiot!’

“An obscure family in a small place? Who the hell do you think you are?” Yuwen Tong looked at Yuwen Qi flintily.

Yuwen Qi was shocked. “What do you mean, Cousin? How could you compare me to that Ling Zhang guy? I’m in a totally different league from him!”

“You have neither learning nor skill, and are capable of nothing but acting arrogantly and domineeringly. Younger Brother Zhang outshines you in every aspect. Yuwen Qi, I told you not to be a busybody as far back as when I was still in Tanyang. It seems that my words just went in one ear and out the other.” Yuwen Tong replied in a cold tone. His words were so sharp that it took Yuwen Qi quite a while to pull himself out of shock.

“I–I’m not…” Yuwen Qi subconsciously tried to defend himself.

“Cousin, my younger brother is like this by nature. He has a quick tongue and always say what he thinks without much deliberation, but he means no harm, so cut him some slack. It is because he cares about you that he said those words. After all, neither of us have met Childe Ling, so we are somewhat uncertain about what kind of person he is. And we worry that you might get yourself into an unhappy marriage,” Yuwen Feng hurriedly remarked.

No matter how slack Yuwen Qi was, they were still brothers. He couldn’t just stand by and let his younger brother anger Yuwen Tong. These years, as Yuwen Feng’s rank rose, he had been feeling more and more deeply how formidable Yuwen Tong was, while Yuwen Qi barely had any acquaintance with the situation in the imperial court and was also opinionated, so he naturally couldn’t see this.

“There’s no need for you to worry about anything. I know very well what kind of person Younger Brother Zhang is. Besides, this is my marriage; it’s inadvisable for you to get too involved. After all, I’m in sole charge of the primary Yuwen family, and I’ve never interfered in any of the secondary Yuwen family’s affairs. Respect should be a two-way process. Am I right, Younger Brother Feng?” said Yuwen Tong slowly.

After a brief change of his face, Yuwen Feng replied, “You put it too seriously, Cousin. We have no intention to interfere with your marriage. We’re just fairly worried. Never has either of us meant any disrespect for you. Apart from anything else, we are family, and blood is thicker than water. You are our cousin. How could we not wish you the best?”

“I’m quite gratified to hear this, and I hope others share your opinion.” Yuwen Tong slowly flicked a glance at Yuwen Qi.

Yuwen Qi gave an involuntary shudder as he saw the unmistakable warning in Yuwen Tong’s eyes.

For fear that Yuwen Qi might make some other offensive remarks, Yuwen Feng said, “Where’s Childe Ling? Can we see him?”

Yuwen Tong replied, “He’s still sleeping.”

‘Still sleeping? He’s treating us like some insignificant nobodies?’ Yuwen Qi’s face changed and was about to make some sarcastic remarks.

Yuwen Feng, quick of eye and deft of hand, hurriedly kept him from speaking, rose to his feet and said, “If that’s the case, I think we should stop disturbing you and take our leave. When are you going back home, Cousin? My parents have been anxiously waiting for you. They haven’t seen you for quite a long time and miss you very much.”

Yuwen Tong responded, “Tomorrow I’ll visit my father’s uncle and then return home.”

‘Tomorrow?’ Yuwen Feng secretly frowned. ‘Judging from Yuwen Tong’s words, it’s impossible to get him back home today. No matter what, it’s good news that he’s not moving in with Ling Zhang. We can wait another day.’

“Then I’ll tell my parents after we get back, so that they could stop worrying. By the way, all of us are going to the welcome reception tonight. They’ll be able to see you,” said Yuwen Feng.

Yuwen Tong nodded. “Okay. Now if you have no other business here, you should be on your way back. Pardon me for not going to see you out myself.”

Yuwen Feng gave a smile. Before leaving, he suddenly put on a serious face and said, “Oh, I almost forgot this. Congratulations to you on your victory against the Wan Kingdom. After this crushing defeat, the Wan Kingdom won’t be able to regain enough strength to make trouble for us during the next few years. This is such a great victory that my parents have already burnt joss sticks in front of the memorial tablet of our ancestors to inform them of this good news. You should do the same when you get back, Cousin. Grandfather, uncle and aunt will no doubt be very happy to see you back.”

The last remark brought a slight change to Yuwen Tong’s countenance. When he spoke again, his tone had softened considerably. “I see. I’ll go back early in the morning.”

Yuwen Feng felt a sense of relief and said with a smile, “Then I’ll take my leave, Cousin.”

Yuwen Qi had been kept from speaking by his elder brother all along. Eventually, he had no choice but to utter “See you later” and then followed his elder brother out of the room.

After they left, Yuwen Tong pondered for a while and then rose to his feet and walked inside.

‘Yuwen Feng is indeed quite different from others. At least he knows what will sway me,’ Yuwen Tong thought. If there was still anything in Yuwen family he held dear, it would be what Yuwen Feng had mentioned. Indeed, after returning to the capital city with a victory, he should go to the ancestral hall and light some joss sticks.

At this moment, Ling Zhang, who had got up and taken a bath, was drying his hair. Seeing Yuwen Tong return, he asked, “Was it Yuwen Feng and Yuwen Qi who came here? They were here to ask you to go home?”

Yuwen Tong inclined his head. “They were anxious because I didn’t go back.”

Ling Zhang said, “I also thought that you would go home first after leaving the imperial palace.”

Yuwen Tong replied, “They showed such a lack of respect for you. I feel obliged to help you get even with them.”

Ling Zhang gave a smile. “Thank you, Grand Marshal. You should go back tomorrow. No matter what, that’s your home. You have to return and take a look.”

Yuwen Tong nodded. “Tomorrow morning we’ll pay a visit to my father’s uncle first. Then we’ll go back to the residence of Yuwen family.”

Ling Zhang thought for a few moments but didn’t decline. “All right, but know this, if they mess with me again, my words might get quite offensive.”

Meeting people of Yuwen family was unavoidable, so he might as well go and take a look. As the saying goes, ‘Knowing oneself as well as their enemy is the only way to stay undefeated.’

Yuwen Tong replied, “They won’t dare in the presence of me.”

Hearing his words, Ling Zhang could barely keep from laughing. ‘It turns out that Yuwen Tong is the most arrogant guy.’

“There’s a welcome reception in the imperial palace tonight. Are you coming with me?” Yuwen Tong inquired of him.

“They invited me as well?” Ling Zhang looked at him.

“The emperor asked me to take you there. I said that you were tired,” Yuwen Tong responded.

Ling Zhang thought for a few moments and said, “Give me some time to think about it.”

If he went there, those people would definitely focus their attention on him like a money. Some of them might resort to covert tricks or even stab him in the back. However, this was also an opportunity to strike up acquaintance with all dignitaries in the whole capital city, and only by getting acquainted with them could he find out who’s who according to what Tao Feng had told him previously. Since he had already come to the capital city, he couldn’t just hide in his own house. Sooner or later he would have to face these people, and the difference between facing them sooner and facing them later was merely that he would have gained more acquaintance with those involved forces in the capital city and be in a less passive position if the latter was the case.

“Okay. There’s still plenty of time left before the evening banquet starts. Take you time,” said Yuwen Tong, having no intention to try to rush Ling Zhang into making a decision.

When Ling Zhang said that he needed some time to consider, he had actually made a choice already. It was just that he had now developed a habit of weighing and balancing before taking action.

Chapter 170: A Negligible Favor

“I’ll go,” said Ling Zhang.

Yuwen Tong gave a smile, eyes gleaming with ill-concealed appreciation for Ling Zhang’s decision.

Ling Zhang had risen to his feet and summoned Xia Feng. “I’ll go to the imperial palace with Yuwen Tong tonight. Bring me all clothes in my wardrobe suitable for that kind of occasion.”

It was no exaggeration to say that this welcome reception would be a war without bullets, and he didn’t want to end up being an embarrassment to Yuwen Tong because of his poor taste of attire. As regards Ling family, Ling Zhang knew very well what level Ling family was at, but thinking of Ling family, Ling Zhang couldn’t help but recall those matters concerning his grandfather’s past. In the knowledge that this time, when he was in the imperial palace, there would definitely be some unthoughtful people raking those things up, Ling Zhang had a fairly flinty look in his eyes.

He was standing with his back to Yuwen Tong, so his facial expression didn’t come to Yuwen Tong’s notice. In an amused tone, Yuwen Tong said, “There will be something entertaining tonight.”

“Something entertaining?” Ling Zhang turned around. His eyes had returned to normal. “What do you mean?”

Yuwen Tong lowered his head and whispered something in Ling Zhang’s ears. Ling Zhang slightly squinted his eyes and looked at Yuwen Tong. “Wouldn’t that be beyond the pale?”

“Won’t that be a good thing? I thought we’d be celebrating my returning to the capital city,” Yuwen Tong replied, as if what he had just suggested were a matter of course.

Ling Zhang fell speechless with embarrassment.

‘This guy’s indeed wildly arrogant!’

Yuwen Tong walked into the inner room to check the garments that Xia Feng had picked. A lot of them had been rushed out before they departed for the capital city. After thinking for a while, Yuwen Tong picked one and said, “This will do.”

Ling Zhang followed inside, run an eye over all the attire selected by Xia Feng and looked at Yuwen Tong, a confused look on his face. “Why this one?”

‘It’s not that this one is unsuitable. It’s just… a little too sumptuous,’ he thought.

‘I don’t want to dress so… ur… cockily the first time meeting those people.’ Ling Zhang preferred to be low-key. ‘If I put on the finest clothes this time, how am I suppose to best myself in the future?’

Yuwen Tong said, “This looks pretty good. It suits you.”

Ling Zhang fell speechless with embarrassment. After a few moments, he commented, “It’ll make me appear a little cocky.”

But Yuwen Tong responded, “What’s wrong with that? I mean, your behavior earlier this day was already cocky enough. Don’t you think, Childe Ling?”

Ling Zhang exchanged glances with Yuwen Tong and with that his eyes gradually lit up. ‘That’s right. I appeared cocky enough earlier this day anyway. It would be a divergence from my previous behavior at the city gate if I wear low-key attire.’ Thinking of this, he said, “Okay. I’ll take this one.

Fortunately you reminded me of this. Otherwise I might let the cat out of the bag.”

…

“Just the two of you? Where’s Yuwen Tong?”

The moment Yuwen Feng and Yuwen Qi returned home, their mother, bursting with impatience, asked them where Yuwen Tong was, since whether she would be able to show her face in front of all those wives of officials in the capital city depended on this matter.

“Ask my elder brother.” After making a brusque reply, Yuwen Qi stormed into the living room.

Zheng shi, who failed to stop her younger son, had no choice but to look at her elder son and asked expectantly, “How’s it going?”

“My cousin will come back tomorrow,” Yuwen Feng responded.

“Tomorrow?” Zheng shi’s face changed. “He’s not coming back today?”

“I would never have taken ‘tomorrow’ for an answer had elder brother not been keeping me from speaking!” Yuwen Qi yelled in the living room.

Yuwen Feng’s face darkened. “Had I let you do the talking, he wouldn’t even set foot in this house again, let alone come back tomorrow.”

“Exactly what happened there? Can either of you two give me a clear explanation?” huffed Zheng shi.

“Yuwen Tong said that he would pay a visit to his father’s uncle early tomorrow morning before coming back here,” Yuwen Qi informed her.

“His father’s uncle?” Zheng shi’s forehead corrugated in a frown. “What did Yuwen Tong mean by that? It’s us who are the most closely related to him. Master, why do you think Yuwen Tong is doing this?”

Zheng shi anxiously went inside. ‘The root of Yuwen family is here. Yuwen You and his offspring are merely an offshoot. Yuwen Tong decided to visit them first instead of coming back here. Is he out of his mind?’

“How dare he!” Yuwen Zhi flew into a temper. With a piercing look in his eyes, he looked at Yuwen Feng. “Didn’t you say that you’d get him back? Tell me exactly what happened.”

“Father, elder brother didn’t have the balls to say a single word carrying weight. He agreed to Yuwen Tong’s every remark and made no efforts whatsoever to convince Yuwen Tong,” huffed Yuwen Qi loudly.

Yuwen Feng’s face darkened. “Yuwen Qi, curb your desire to stir up trouble.”

However, Yuwen Zhi instructed him, “Enough. Tell me the details.”

Resigned, Yuwen Feng had no alternative but to tell the whole story from beginning to end. “Cousin was displeased with us getting too involved in this matter. He cares about Ling Zhang more than we expected. Father, he’s sending a word of warning to you.”

Yuwen Zhi heavily smacked his fist onto the teapoy sending the tea set jumping. “Who does Yuwen Tong think he is!”

“Tell me about it. You’re his elder, Father. How could he treat you like this?” said Yuwen Qi.

“Stop being so talky, will you?” Yuwen Feng looked at him in displeasure.

Yuwen Qi reluctantly shut his mouth.

Zheng shi walked over. “Qi’er is right. It was indeed too arrogant of Yuwen Tong to show such a lack of respect for his elder. Master, I think I’m beginning to see the light –he’s trying to show favor to that Ling Zhang guy by humiliating us. That male courtesan is so crafty. It’s been such a short time yet he’s already had Yuwen Tong in the palm of his hand. And Yuwen Tong dared to commit such deed in contravention of all the heavenly laws of morality and filial love.”

Face stamped with coldness, Yuwen Zhi replied, “Humph! I’d like to find out how much longer that Ling Zhang guy could keep doing that!”

Yuwen Feng frowned. ‘It’s really inadvisable for us to have another disagreement with Yuwen Tong. Why can’t father and mother see this?’

“Father, if this does bother you, please wait until my cousin comes back to discipline him. Right now maybe you should subdue your anger lest there be any further disagreement with him.”

Yuwen Zhi looked at him in displeasure. “You have always had a pretty good sense of propriety. How did you come to be so short-sighted this time around? If I don’t state my stand categorically right now, that Ling Zhang guy will definitely turn this house upside down after he marries your cousin. Besides, he’ll have to get my consent first if he wants to marry into Yuwen family!”

“That’s right, Feng’er. If we don’t make our position known, outsiders will mistakenly believe that we are afraid of Ling Zhang. What kind of awkward situation will we be reduced to if that’s the case? Members of the honorable Yuwen family compromise with an unpresentable countryman? How are we supposed to show our faces if we let that happen?” Zheng shi agreed.

“Mother! Let’s not forget that we owe a debt of gratitude to Ling Xingzhong, Old Master Ling. If we go too far, what will outsiders think of us?” Yuwen Feng said.

“That’s just an insignificant favor,” commented Yuwen Qi in a scornful tone of voice.

“He saved our grandfather’s life,” Yuwen Feng solemnly corrected his younger brother. “One should repay the droplet of water received in raging thirst with a bubbling spring. It’ll be dishonorable of us to make life difficult for Ling Zhang, and we’ll be reduced to a terribly passive position once Ling Zhang fights back.”

“Even that’s the case, we can’t just stand by and watch Ling Zhang behave so cockily.” Yuwen Qi’s eyes briefly rolled left and right and with that he continued, a sinister look in his eyes, “We may figure out a way to–”

“Shut up!” His brother’s words were giving Yuwen Feng headaches. “Don’t you dare take any rash actions, unless you want us to part ways with our cousin, which I’m absolutely certain will be detrimental to us!”

“Elder Brother, why do you keep defending them? I thought you were supposed to be on your family’s side,” remarked Yuwen Qi who was hiding behind his mother.

Zheng shi’s face was stamped with displeasure. Clearly she shared her younger son’s opinion.

Yuwen Feng, who no longer had the patience to reason with the two of them, looked at Yuwen Zhi and said, “Father, on no condition should we fall out with my cousin.”

Yuwen Zhi replied, “I know where the limit is.”

Worry bubbled up inside Yuwen Feng. He kept feeling that things were going in the direction towards an end he wouldn’t like to see.

…

“Yuwen Feng and Yuwen Qi returned home empty-handed?”

“That’s right. Yuwen Tong didn’t leave Ling Zhang’s place at all.”

“Why did Yuwen Tong do that? How did he come to be so disrespectful to his family?”

Soon, similar conversations and various kinds of conjectures could be heard in streets and alleys of the capital city.

Tao Yi, who had also heard this, was in confusion, having no idea what was going on.

“Tao Yi, didn’t you say that you and that Ling Zhang guy were friends? How about you go and pay a visit to him?” A school friend of his egged him on.

But Tao Yi didn’t fall prey to his instigation. “It’s not the right time for me to visit him yet. Marshal Yuwen is still there. How can I turn up like this?”

“Ah? Pooh, I forgot that you are a big fan of Marshal Yuwen. You want to dress up first?” smiled his school friend.

Tao Yi gave a wave of his hand. “Stop talking nonsense. No matter what, I’ve got to prepare a present. I don’t want to strike the Marshal as frivolous. And–”

“Tao Yi!” someone suddenly yelled.

Tao Yi looked in that direction and saw that it was another school friend of his.

“What’s up?” Tao Yi asked.

“Mr Gu requests your presence. Someone from the Ling Mansion delivered a visitor’s card here!” the man replied aloud.

Tao Yi widened his eyes. “What?! Which Ling Mansion are you referring to?”

There were a lot of surnames in the capital city, Ling included, but when hearing the name “the Ling Mansion”, everybody in the capital city would only think of the one that had just been put to use earlier this day.

Tao Yi was afraid that he might have misunderstood.

“What do you mean by ‘which Ling Mansion’? The Ling Mansion, of course,” the man stressed the word “the”. “The Marshal’s betrothed. Your fellow-townsman, from Tanyang!”

Pleasantly surprised, Tao Yi immediately ran away.

“Is it really necessary to run so quickly?” asked the one who had been talking with Tao Yi, but after a few moments’ careful thinking, he believed that he himself might have become just as excited as Tao Yi was had he were in Tao Yi’s shoes.

“Mr Gu!” yelled Tao Yi after running into the courtyard house of his teacher.

“Stop yelling! It’s very undignified!” A sonorous voice like a crash of thunder was heard, which immediately sent Tao Yi into an awed silence.

Tao Yi hurriedly halted, adjusted his hat and clothes, slowed down his breathing and then made a bow with hands folded in front. “Mr Gu.”

The sonorous voice snorted, “Come in.”

“Yes, Mr Gu.”

Tao Yi obediently entered the room.

This was a spacious hall. There was no wall only a half-folded bamboo curtain at the far end of it, which allowed visitors to see the view of the back yard. The most obtrusive item inside was a desk in the front of the hall. A old man was sitting behind the desk, glaring at Tao Yi, a severe look on his face.

Tao Yi, as if having a guilty conscience, hung his head.

“How many times have I told you not to be so reckless and to develop some self-control? Look at yourself, you are still like this. For the sake of my reputation, you are not to tell any outsider you’re my student,” remarked the old man in a stern tone of voice.

Tao Yi listened quietly and then meekly admitted his mistakes.

Eventually, seeing the old man’s anger was allayed, he hurriedly asked, “Mr Gu, is it true that someone from the Ling Mansion sent a visitor’s card here?”

The old man slid him a sideways glance and replied, “Yeah. It’s said that your father had a lot of stuff delivered to the capital city. In order not to cause me disturbance, they sent a visitor’s card here first. Those things will be taken here tomorrow before their visit.”

“Wha–What about Ling Zhang? Did he say that he would come? And…”

“And what? You are not seriously expecting the Marshal to pay you a formal visit, do you?”

Tao Yi lapsed into an awkward silence again.

“This card is for you. Take it.” The old man tapped at the table where a visitor’s card was.

Delighted, Tao Yi stepped forward and picked it up, but after he read it, half of the delight on his face was replaced by disappointment.

“What’s with that face?” the old man inquired of him.

“Ling Zhang is coming here to see me, but the Marshal isn’t,” replied Tao Yi.

The corners of the old man’s mouth involuntarily twitched. “All right, go back to your books. Prepare yourself to receive the guest. Don’t be so frivolous. There’s no point dwelling on things that are not meant for you.”

Chapter 171: A Disturbance at the Gateway of the Imperial Palace

The gateway of the imperial palace was thronged with people and horse-drawn carriages. All palace lanterns were ablaze with light, making the compound so bright that it seemed as if daytime had not yet come to an end. There was a welcome reception meant for Yuwen Tong on this night. Surprisingly, apart from all court officials of all ranks and descriptions who had come here to help entertain the guest of honor, there were also a group of people wearing foreign-style attire present.

Yuwen Tong and Ling Zhang were sitting in a carriage. Lifting up the curtain, Yuwen Tong looked out of the window. The sight of this group of people instantly filled his eyes with amusement.

“What are you looking at?”

Ling Zhang, who couldn’t see the outside from his position, had no idea what Yuwen Tong was looking at, but judging from the mischievous look in his eyes, he believed Yuwen Tong must have come up with a stomachful of pranks.

“Those fools from the Wan Kingdom are still in our capital city. This welcome banquet is meant for me, yet they are so thick-skinned as to take the liberty of coming here as well. It seems that they could use another lesson.”

Yuwen Tong twisted his upper body aside and pointed at a group of people at the gateway of the palace to show Ling Zhang. Ling Zhang craned over, looked out and asked in dismay, “How come they are still here?”

“Who knows what they are dragging out their stay in our capital city to plot? They are not really on good terms with me. It’s very likely that they’ll stoop to dirty tricks. Stay close to me when we’re in there,” exhorted Yuwen Tong.

“This is the capital city of the Great Yue. Surely they won’t dare to do anything stupid with so many people present?” commented Ling Zhang.

“It’s hard to say. After all, they are a bunch of morons. Don’t try to gauge their thoughts from a normal people’s perspective.” Yuwen Tong’s comments on this group of people from the Wan Kingdom were utterly harsh and critical.

Ling Zhang inclined his head. “I’ll be careful.”

All guests ahead of them got out of their carriages and palanquins at the gateway of the imperial palace. The horse-drawn carriage of Ling Zhang also slowly drove up to the gateway and came to a halt. The plain carriage was a rather sorry sight and naturally attracted a lot of people’s attention. On top of that, there was no coat of arms or emblazonment of any kind on it, which gave people the impression that it had come to this place by mistake. As a result, some palace guards on duty at the gateway immediately walked up to the carriage with grim faces.

“Stop. This is the imperial palace. Identify yourselves.”

A team of palace guards surrounded the horse-drawn carriage, their weapons pointed at it.

Some of the people who were about to walk through the palace gate paused and turned around to look on, while others, who had a good opinion of themselves and scorned to waste their time watching the follow-up of some ignorant commoners’ failed attempt to sneak into the imperial palace, ignored this and entered the palace. Some sharp-eyed ones of those who stayed noticed that though this plain carriage bore no coat of arms, there was a makeshift identity board overhanging its door frame, which was engraved with the words “Ling Mansion”.

“The Ling Mansion?” someone exclaimed in a muted voice.

As if the two words “Ling Mansion” were something that could stimulate their nerves, all of them instantly focused their attention on that carriage.

“Is he by any chance the one who just entered the city earlier this day?”

“Marshal Yuwen’s betrothed?”

“The one who angered the Ninth Princess to tears at the city gate?”

Immediately, all lookers-on fell into private discussions with each other, staring at the carriage while talking. Some of them were merely curious, but more were waiting to see how the one inside the carriage would tackle this situation, malice glinting in their eyes.

“It is rumored that earlier this day, that Ling Zhang guy did something wildly arrogant –he was bold enough to talk back to the Ninth Princess. Yet he still dared to come here to attend the banquet. Has he taken leave of his senses? He’s but a countryman with neither scholarly honor nor an official rank. Does he seriously think he can get the permission to attend a palace banquet?”

“He’s really taken himself for somebody. Marshal Yuwen has not married him yet. Isn’t this kind of behavior too cocky?”

“And he’s a man. Tsk, tsk.”

These people sneering thought that their voices were low enough, but Ling Zhang and Yuwen Tong, with their excellent hearing, naturally heard each and every single word. Yuwen Tong’s face fell frosty, and the air about him changed drastically, as if he were giving off an aura of iciness.

Ling Zhang was impassive. Though he had some time ago guessed that some people in the capital city would gossip about him, it had never crossed his mind that they would do this as soon as he arrived at the palace gate, and in the presence of the envoys from the Wan Kingdom. ‘These guys are virtually like those gossipy women on the streets of Tanyang.’ Ling Zhang pulled a wry face. ‘This is how court officials of the Great Yue are like?’

“What? Yuwen Tong’s betrothed? The one for whom Yuwen Tong went to Tanyang and stayed there for a month? I heard that it’s a man. Well, this is new. As a man with a king’s title, I’d like to find out how charming a man has to be to bewitch Yuwen Tong. Had I known this earlier, we would never have resorted to war. We send a handsome male entertainer to Yuwen Tong and our victory will be certain, without a single casualty. Alas, what a misjudgment.”

There words were followed by some even meaner remarks. The man spoke with a heavy Wan-Kingdom accent, which was an unmistakable indication of his identity.

“There’s something you don’t know, King Ming’en. That Ling Zhang guy is merely a countryman. How charming could he be? Our Marshal will never let a person of this kind cloud his judgement,” an official of the Great Yue commented contemptuously.

“You don’t know that. Hey, you, Yuwen Tong’s chick inside the carriage, why don’t you come out and let us behold your beauty?” the previous speaker yelled at the carriage.

The curtain of the carriage was lifted up and all people stared unblinkingly. However, at the sight of the one emerged from inside, they were thrown into franticness and all the color drained from their faces.

‘Mar–Marshal Yuwen?!’

The palace guards besieging the carriage forgot to lower their weapons, goggling at Yuwen Tong in shocked silence, unaware of how come Yuwen Tong was on a carriage like this.

Yuwen Tong stood on the horse-drawn carriage. His piercing, cold eyes slowly swept through the people present, the anger and killing intent in them so horrifying that all people who had gossiped just now couldn’t help but give a cold shiver of fear. Everybody hung their head and didn’t dare to make eye contact with Yuwen Tong, their eyes darting back and forth.

A hush instantly descended over the crowd at the gateway of the palace. Even the sound of a needle falling to the ground would have been heard.

Among the diplomatic corps of the Wan Kingdom, face of a man dressed in sumptuous clothes also froze when his eyes met Yuwen Tong’s. The air about Yuwen Tong was so powerful that the man could barely breathe. He managed to force a smile and said, “It turns out Marshal Yuwen is also here. How come you traveled here on such a nondescript carriage?”

Yuwen Tong ignored him, turned around, lifted up the curtain and guided Ling Zhang outside.

Disregarded, the richly clothed man clenched his fists, but when he saw Yuwen Tong guide a young man out of the carriage, he found that the man was indeed exceptionally handsome. Wearing an exquisite, sapphire blue garment, in the light of the palace lanterns which were making this place as bright as day, the man looked like a jade statue coming to life, cutting quite a fine figure.

Expression in the eyes of the man in rich attire briefly changed. ‘This must be Ling Zhang, the one all those rumors are about, Yuwen Tong’s betrothed.’

It was not until Yuwen Tong and Ling Zhang got off the carriage together that those palace guards collected themselves, hurriedly put away their weapons and lowered their heads, sweating buckets.

Without even glancing at them, Yuwen Tong walked up to the diplomatic corps of the Wan Kingdom.

Seeing Yuwen Tong walking up to him, the sumptuously clothed man involuntarily straightened his back and was just about to say something when his vision briefly blurred, and with that someone kicked him hard sending him flying. He landed on the ground and his inner organs felt as if they had been displaced. The pain was so sharp that stars were dancing before his eyes.

“Your Royal Highness!”

All people present were startled. In alarm, members of the diplomatic corps of the Wan Kingdom hurriedly ran up and raised the gorgeously clothed man, who was unable to stand up by himself, to his feet.

“Why did you do this, Yuwen Tong?! Do you wish to see the peace accord between our countries invalidated?!” Envoys of the Wan Kingdom were both shocked and indignant, but they couldn’t help but feel afraid when they saw the frosty face of Yuwen Tong.

“I’m teaching him how he’s supposed to conduct himself.” Yuwen Tong walked up to the man again. Seeing this, those envoys of the Wan Kingdom hastily guided the gorgeously clothed man backwards for fear that Yuwen Tong might resort to violence again.

“Shan Congwen, if you wish to die sooner, I can offer you some help with that.” Standing before the gorgeously-clothed man, Yuwen Tong flintily looked down at him, stooped down and said in a low voice, “Why do you think I merely took seven cities of yours this time? Your head is on your shoulders only temporarily. If you have a death wish, I don’t mind taking it from you ahead of schedule.”

This remark struck fear into all envoys’ hearts. “You–You are way too arrogant!”

“Arrogant?” Yuwen Tong straightened himself, looking askance at them. “You may have a try if you want. Sooner or later I’ll collect the huge debt of blood you owe to Yuwen family.”

‘What does he mean?’ All envoys were rooted to the spot by this remark.

The gorgeously clothed man eyed fixedly at Yuwen Tong with hatred.

Yuwen Tong turned around and said, “If I were you, I would cower like a rat lest I can’t even make it out of the Great Yue.”

Then he returned to Ling Zhang’s side and exchanged glances with him. Ling Zhang briefly bobbed his head and then walked to the palace gate hand in hand with Yuwen Tong.

While walking past the couple of officials who had just gossiped about him, Ling Zhang suddenly halted and slightly raised his chin. After his eyes ran down their faces, he queried in a casual tone of voice, “May I have your names, Your Lordships?”

The couple of officials who were asked forced an awkward smile.

“I’m Zuo Yi working for the Ministry of Works.”

“I’m Zhang Zhengqing working for the Ministry of Vehicles.”

“I’m Ji Ting working for the Ministry of Vehicles.”

Ling Zhang could vaguely connect their names with the information that Tao Feng had told him previously. Zuo Yi, that Councilor of the Ministry of Works, was Peng Fang’s immediate subordinate. Zhang Zhengqing and Ji Ting, both of whom worked for the Ministry of Vehicles, were pretty old and mediocre. Except for Zuo Yi, all of them were the kind of people who held an office and enjoyed all the privileges without doing a stroke of work.

“Just now, I heard your words and feel that you have amazing eloquence. I’m Ling Zhang, a worthless person. I just arrived in the capital city earlier this day. A couple of my servants went to the market to buy food but were bullied due to their lack of acquaintance with the rules of this city. If they were as eloquent as you, that would never have happened. May I ask when you will be at your leisure? I’d like to take them to your places to learn from you.”

At first, people nearby didn’t understand what he meant. When they saw the light, the expression on their faces became weird.

Cheeks of Zuo Yi and the other two, in particular, flushed as scarlet as the color of pig liver with rage. “You mean fellow. Y–You!”

“You are unwilling?” Ling Zhang affected a confusion he didn’t feel. “I once read this sentence in a book, ‘An official should regard bringing commoners fortune and happiness as his meritorious service, and bringing them poverty and misery his sin.’ I thought that this was a general consensus among all high-ranking officials, that they all wanted the best for the people and were readily willing to help the people. All of us are from the countryside, and we had no one to help us get justice after being wronged. When I saw your amiable faces, I thought that you must be the kind of good officials that some people kept talking about, but it turns out that I, a countryman, was mistaken. The capital city swarming with high-ranking officials is literally overshadowed by Tanyang, which is a small city surrounded by rice paddies, for our Lord Tao is a good official who truly wants the best for his people.”

Eventually, he added, “Yuwen Tong, now I really regret having come to this city with you. It falls far short of what you described.”

Yuwen Tong took the hint and was very cooperative. He flicked a glance at the three officials, who were on the verge of fainting due to fury, and said coldly, “This came as a surprise to me as well. It seems that the capital city has changed during my several years’ absence.”

Feigning astonishment, Ling Zhang looked at him. “It turns out that you didn’t know this either. Alas. It makes sense. If I were you, I would have been unwilling to return to this city as well. It’s been less than one day since your return, yet people here have already started pointing at you and gossiping about you. Poor guy, you have so little respect from others for a marshal.

Let’s just go. The stink here is penetrating.”

“All right.”

Upon saying this, the two of them entered the palace, leaving the three officials consumed with rage and others transfixed with shock.

Inside a horse-drawn carriage that had just approached sat two old men. One of them said, “That man is Ling Zhang?”

“He’s quite sharp-tongued and has a gift of gab. Look at those fools, they were nearly reduced to coma due to anger,” the other one laughed.

“This afternoon, he had a visitor’s card sent to my place, saying that Tao Feng had had him deliver some stuff here, that he wanted to inform me first before visiting me so as not to cause me disturbance. This kid’s pretty polite.”

“You’re getting gifts as well? Me, too. Tao Feng is still as thorough as always.”

“You are his son’s teacher. How dare he not send you gifts? You might abuse your power and deliberately make life difficult for his son if he hadn’t.”

“What do you take me for?!”