The Glory After Rebirth [ɇÇ”Ÿä¹‹Å°Šè£] Chapter 70- 72

Chapter 70: You Are Not Being Honest

“We can have a discussion about why you want to break off the engagement.” Yuwen Tong suggested.

Ling Zhang said, “There is no reason. We are just not right for each other.”

Yuwen Tong shook his head, “No. I think we are.”

Ling Zhang almost laughed in his exasperation due to him. Then his eyes turned cold, “Are you serious? Answer me with your heart.”

“Of course. I don’t think I need to tell a lie.” Yuwen Tong looked at him seriously.

…

Ling Zhang stretched out to close the door and said, “I’m going to sleep. You’d better go back.”

Yuwen Tong held the doors with his arms and asked, “No one told you that you can’t sidestep the problems?”

“Are you sure what you said to me is real?” Ling Zhang asked angrily.

“So that’s what you’ve be struggling about? You think I’m lying?” Yuwen Tong was a little mad, “What makes you have such a false impression?”

“No. I was just asking casually.” Ling Zhang was discomposed at present. He shouldn’t have asked the question. But he can’t help it. Yuwen Tong forced him all the time. But he couldn’t tell whether Yuwen Tong was willing to marry him or not.

Yuwen Tong had treated him like that in his last life. But at present, Yuwen Tong changed his attitude just because they met earlier and no one vilified him. Yuwen Tong even claimed they were right for each other. How could Ling Zhang believe such a person?

“Ling Zhang, you are not being honest.” Yuwen Tong lowered his head to look at Ling Zhang. He stood near the door and blocked the scene outside. There was no light in the room. So Ling Zhang couldn’t see his expression. But he could see Yuwen Tong’s fierce and deep eyes clearly.

Feeling the strong pressure and danger from Yuwen Tong, Ling Zhang couldn’t help stepping backward.

At the next moment, Ling Zhang felt the back of his waist was hugged by Yuwen Tong’s arm. Then he was dragged into Yuwen Tong’s arms.

Feeling the warmth on his lips, Ling Zhang was stunned and became angry.

When he tried to push Yuwen Tong away, Yuwen Tong had already left his lips. Lowering his head to look at Ling Zhang, he said, “Well, I found you are really difficult to deal with. I don’t know what you’re worrying about. But if you are not sure, you can just wait and see what I’ll do next.”

“Go to bed if you like. I will find you tomorrow.”

Then Yuwen Tong loosened his arms and turned to leave.

Ling Zhang stood there quietly watching him go away. He raised his hand to touch his lips and wiped it hard. Finally he stopped and stood in silence.

Did he just need to see what Yuwen Tong would do?

How could Yuwen Tong become so confident?

“Marshal, you come back.” Yao Yi and others were talking about something in the yard. They scattered as soon as they saw Yuwen Tong back, all wearing ingratiating smile.

Yuwen Tong looked at them coldly, “You got quite a nerve.”

They dared to eavesdrop on his conversation with Ling Zhang.

“We… We didn’t hear anything.” Yao Yi said.

Yuwen Tong snorted coldly, “Go away.”

Yao Yi and others ran away quickly. In the twinkling of an eye, Yuwen Tong couldn’t see a person in the yard.

It was the first time for the guards to see their marshal fail. They couldn’t bother their marshal at this time! However, Childe Ling definitely matched their marshal. He was so brave.

“Captain, should we help marshal?” Someone asked.

Yao Yi turned to look at him and said, “What can we do? Are you a moron? Marshal said that he can make it by himself.”

“But…”

“Shut up. Marshal will peel off our skin if he knows we do something secretly.”

“Captain, we won’t do anything to Childe Ling. Marshal is confused why Childe Ling doesn’t trust him, right? We can investigate it.”

“Investigate?” Yao Yi thought of that letter marshal asked him to write to Yue Qi. Then he frowned and said, “No need to rush. Let’s wait for some time.”

In the capital.

“Vice captain, there is a letter from Tanyang.”

Yue Qi took the letter sent by his men and opened it, looking surprised before he burnt the letter.

“Come over here, we’ve got an order from marshal.”

……

“Young master, everyone is here.” Wang Dashan called all the guards to come before dawn.

Ling Zhang nodded, “A few days later, I will teach you a set of formation, which is used to trap and kill enemies. It can take full use of your power to kill a person who is stronger than you easily.”

Formation? Even Wang Dashan and Liu Yi were so shocked, let alone others.

“Young master, what kind of formation is it?” Wang Dashan asked after exchanging a glance with Liu Yi.

“You can call it Small Trapping and Killing Formation. It needs a good teamwork between you twelve. After the twelve guards come back from the herbs plantation, they should also practice it. When you all grasp it, it will become a Big Trapping and Killing Formation. At that time, you will be a strong troop.” Ling Zhang said.

Big Trapping and Killing Formation? Wang Dashan, Liu Yi and others were more astonished at what they just heard.

“Well, do you have anything else to ask?” Ling Zhang looked at them.

“Young master, at your service.” The guards said.

“Okay. I have to tell you in advance. We must practice many times to learn it as it requires good cooperation, which will be very hard. Everyone has to hang in there.” Ling Zhang said.

“Young master, don’t worry. We can endure hardship.” Wang Dashan promised.

“Yes. We also practice very hard to learn Kung Fu. If the formation can kill people stronger than us like you said, we’d like to have a try.” Liu Yi said.

“Yes. We are all willing to practice it.” Others also said.

After screening all the guards and some of his tough way of handling matters, Ling Zhang was now highly respected by the guards.

“Good. Empty boasts are useless. I will know your resolution when you begin to practice. Now I need to know what you are good at. Don’t hide it. Show me all your skills.” Ling Zhang said.

Although Ling Zhang came here to exercise every morning and almost knew what they were good at, he still wanted to observe it carefully.

Wang Dashan quickly arranged everyone to show their Kung Fu to Ling Zhang.

Some were good at boxing, some kicking, some could use knifes, some like swords, some whips, and others spears. Of course, by ‘good at’ it didn’t mean that could compare with the soldiers of Yuwen Tong.

After seeing it one by one, Ling Zhang remembered each one’s advantage. Then he said, “Besides that, I need to know whether you can work with each other well. Captain Wang, you are more familiar than me in that. Please.”

Wang Dashan nodded, “Please leave it to me.”

The method that Wang Dashan came up with was really interesting, which included all twelve people. But their teamwork was so terrible.

Ling Zhang frowned deeply.

The guards were a little nervous when they saw Ling Zhang frowning.

“I knew your teamwork would be bad before practicing. But I never expected it would be so terrible. You’d better try hard to train it before practicing the formation.”

All guards didn’t dare to make a noise.

Wang Dashan said, “Young master, I believe they will make progress if we give them some time.”

“Please give us some time.” Guards said.

Ling Zhang agreed, “I can give you time. But you must do it well.”

“From the teamwork test just now, I find some of you were quite rigid in cooperation. Are you on bad terms at ordinary times?”

Ling Zhang stared at a few guards with his fierce eyes.

The ones being stared looked awkward and didn’t dare to meet Ling Zhang’s eyes.

“I won’t blame you. It’s normal to have frictions. But we must resolve it. Now you can tell me. I hope I can mediate in your dispute.” Ling Zhang said.

The guards were so embarrassed. Looking at each other, they faltered and didn’t say a complete sentence.

“Is it hard to say?” Ling Zhang said, “Well, others can leave now. You guys stay.”

“Yes.” Liu Yi went away with others.

Only the three persons and Wang Dashan left.

“Now you can tell me what happened.” Ling Zhang required.

“We, we…” One of them raised his hand to scratch his head and smiled awkwardly, “It’s about a girl.”

“A girl?” Ling Zhang couldn’t understand, “Do you three like the same girl?”

“No, no, no. It’s not true. We were once in a brothel…” The man was too shameful to say with his red face.

The brothel? Ling Zhang’s eyes became fierce. He asked, “You have a conflict due to a prostitute?”

“It has been such a long time. How could you still argue with each other about that?” Wang Dashan said.

“Captain Wang, do you know it?” Ling Zhang asked him.

“Ha, sorry to let you know it. The three went to the same brothel on the same day. Then they all took a fancy to the same beautiful girl. In the end, the girl didn’t choose any of them. But they fought with each other.” Wang Dashan said.

“You guys, tell me what happened.” Ling Zhang looked at the three men.

The three men looked at each other. Then person at the right stood out and said, “At the beginning, the girl wanted to stay with Qiu Bing. But Zhou Xiang wasn’t happy and said he saw the girl first and he should get her. Qiu Bing didn’t agree. He said that the girl had chosen him and Zhou Xiang couldn’t grab her. Then Zhou Xiang blamed that he was too selfish. Gradually, they began to fight. I wanted to stop them. But they didn’t listen to me and hit me. Finally, we three fought with each other. The girl also went away with someone else.” Both Qiu Bing and Zhou Xiang lowered their heads out of embarrassment.

“Zhao Kun, you don’t like that girl?” Wang Dashan asked.

Zhao Kun said, “The girl isn’t so beautiful.”

Ling Zhang was speechless.

“Zhao Kun just wanted to help. But you two hit him. As friends gathered by fate, you two should apologize to him first.” Ling Zhang looked at Qiu Bing and Zhou Xiang.

Qiu Bing scratched his head and looked at Zhao Kun, apologizing, “I’ve always wanted to say sorry. But I feel shameful to say that.”

Zhou Xiang also said awkwardly, “I’m sorry, grandson.”

“Grandson?” Ling Zhang’s eyes became cold instantly and stared at Zhou Xiang.

Zhou Xiang got a chill over his spine quickly and explained in a hurry, “Young master, don’t get me wrong. I didn’t curse him. It is his nickname s. It’s just a joke.”

Zhao Kun snorted, “You’re just taking advantage of me. I will forgive you if I can punch each of you once.”

Chapter 71: Something About Your Uncle

Qiu Bing and Zhou Xiang looked at each other, gnashing their teeth, and said, “Okay.”

Zhao Chen hit them one by one without any unnecessary ceremony.

“Oops, you beat me so hard,” Zhou Xiang couldn’t help but laugh after saying that.

“Great, it’s settled then. All that has left is for you two to work things out,” Ling Zhang said, looking at Qiu Xiang and Zhou Bing meaningfully.

Sensing the coldness in Ling Zhang’s eyes, Qiu Bing and Zhou Xiang trembled, “Young master?”

“Since you wanted to compete, then duke it out. Whatever the result is, I hope you don’t haggle over the things happened in the brothel. An upright man should not do such a short-sighted thing ever. I am ashamed of what you have done. Don’t bear any grudge if you lose, it must be because you are incompetent. All you can do is practice hard and win the next match.” Ling Zhang said.

Qiu Bing and Zhou Xiang were a little relieved, but when they looked at each other again, their eyes were full of passion.

They repressed themselves at the beginning of the competition because of Ling Zhang’s presence. Neither of them used weapons, fighting hand to hand. They exchanged several rounds of fists and hit each other hard. Gradually, their anger rose and fought with their full might.

Ling Zhang pulled a poker face while watching them fight but could barely hold back his impulse to roll his eyes as he didn’t expect that these two men would fight this hard for a prostitute’s favor. They must be having a real boring life.

A fight was the best way for them to resolve the conflict. Anyway, there was no animosity between them.

Gradually, the anger dissipated between Qiu Bing and Zhou Xiang, instead that was a battle about winning and losing.

Qiu Bing was thinner than Zhou Xiang, and more flexible; Zhou Xiang was not as flexible as Qiu Bing, but more powerful. In this hand-to-hand combat, Zhou Xiang gained the upper hand. They both threw a punch, and as their fists collided, Qiu Bing backed a few steps, while Zhou Xiang only took a step back.

They both stopped, panting hard. And their face looked funny. Besides his flexibly, Qiu Bing also had sharp fingernails, which left bruises and scratches on Zhou Xiang’s face.

Therefore, judging from the injuries on their faces, Zhou Xiang looked more miserable.

“End of the competition. Zhou Xiang won,” Wang Dashan said.

Qiu Bing and Zhou Xiang’s tensed up bodies were relaxed immediately, and then the two of them lay on the ground together, gasping for breath.

“Your face is much uglier than mine,” Qiu Bing said to Zhou Xiang.

“Pah, you fight like a woman, I didn’t try my best,” Zhou Xiang said.

“So why did you still beat me?” Qiu Bing shouted.

“Even so, you lost, what a shame,” Zhou Xiang said.

Qiu Bing shouted, “You can count on it, I will take you on when I can stand up.”

“Do you think you can scare me? Come on!” Zhou Xiang said.

Ling Zhang didn’t stop them, because he could tell that there was no grudge between them. As for what they wanted to do in private, that was their own business.

“From now on, all the grudges should be written off. If you guys act like a bunch of jealous women, get out of house.”

Qiu Bing and Zhou Xiang didn’t dare to be loquacious again, and they hurriedly promised that they wouldn’t make the same mistake again.

“Captain Wang, get a doctor for them,” Ling Zhang said to Wang Dashan.

“Thanks, but we don’t need it, young master. We all have rough skin, so we just need to apply some medicated wine,” Qiu Bing said in a hurry.

“Only if you guys recover early can my plan be carried out soon,” Ling Zhang looked at him.

Qiu Bing scratched his head awkwardly, “Thank you then, young master.”

Standing above the roof of the Green Bamboo Mansion in the distance, Yuwen Tong had been watching what happened at the guards’ residence the whole time. He rubbed his chin, saying, “It has been settled so quickly.”

“Marshal, is this the reason why you asked me to find out where Ling Family learned about this formation? Is that a great one?” Yao Yi asked curiously.

“Curious?” Yuwen Tong glanced at him.

Yao Yi nodded honestly. A tactical formation that made the Marshal curious must be unusual.

“You will know it when they start trainning,” Yuwen Tong said.

Yao Yi hummed in disappointment. “Why bother to ask if you didn’t intend to tell me, marshal?!”…

The Jia Family…

“Your Lordship, the plan failed, are we really going to let Ling Zhaowen get the position of left Tongzhi? And there’s also that Lu Kui.” A middle-aged scholar with beard said to Jia Zhong.

“Adviser Qian, I invite you here for advices, not for questions,” Jia Zhong stared at him with cold eyes.

Adviser Qian gave a reluctant smile. “I do have an idea, but the successful implementation of this idea needs your cooperation.”

“Tell me then,” Jia Zhong’s attitude softened a bit.

“Do you still remember that Ling Zhaowen made an inspection tour in Tai Countylast May and stayed at the Liu Family for a night?” Adviser Qian asked.

Jia Zhong nodded, “County Yamen was being overhauled at that time and there was no place to live, so Liu Family vacated a yard for all Yamen officials. That’s when he came. So what?”

“You don’t know much about it. At that time, there was an affair.” Adviser Qian’s eyes turned bright.

“An affair? Is that related to Ling Zhaowen?” Jia Zhong looked at Adviser Qian doubtfully.

“Right, it is said that the daughter of Liu Family, Liu Chengfang, fell in love with Ling Zhaowen. But Liu Weiling never agreed. In fact, Ling Zhaowe has gotten married, even if she married him, she could only be his concubine. Because of this, Liu Chengfang had several conflicts with her family. Liu Weiling worries that this will tarnish the family reputation once it is exposed, so he asks the Liu Family to keep this a secret,” Adviser Qian said.

Jia Zhong hummed in a cold tone, “Liu Chengfang has such a bad taste that she falls in love with Ling Zhaowen.”

“Your Lordship, Liu Chengfang hasn’t given up until now. Recently, Liu Weiling wants to betroth his daughter to someone, which makes his daughter make a scene. Finally she is grounded by Liu Weiling. You probably don’t know that Liu Chengfang has a beautiful face and a nice figure. She is a darn beauty.”

“Ling Zhaowen is a man, do you think he can restrain himself if he knows that there is such a beauty determined to marry him? What we should do is to create him a chance, then…”

Adviser Qian then leaned over to whisper in Jia Zhong’s ear.

“He really takes a big advantage,” sneered Jia Zhong after hearing the proposal.

Adviser Qian gave a sinister smile and said, “Your Lordship, don’t worry. After what we set up, Liu Chengfang will be a woman with bad reputation. You will have her as you please by that time.”

Evil thoughts flashed in Jia Zhong’s eyes as he said, “Then let’s get started.”

“Got it,” Adviser Qian said.

As they two planned all this, a man in black crawled on the roof, and slipped away after a long time when he found that the men in the house had left.

…

After staying the guards’ residence for a whole morning, Ling Zhang got a basic idea of the ability of the twelve guards. All they needed was some time to cultivate tacit understanding. When the right time came, Ling Zhang could teach them the Trap and Kill Formation of Twelve.

But Formation was changeful, so it was difficult for the guards to grasp the essence of it. It would take a long time for them to learn it well.

After getting changed in his own room, Ling Zhang got a message from Fu Caiwei’s maid.

“Young master, this is the list of herbs you need. Madame asked me to bring it here for you to check.”

Ling Zhang nodded, taking the multi-page list and examining it carefully. He found that the names of the two herbs on the list were circled with red ink. “Can’t find these two herbs?”

The maid said, “No, but these two herbs need to be bought from the north. Butler Wang had made some inquiries, finding that Jiang’s Herbs happen to have a batch of goods to be transported from the north to Yanzhou, including th two kinds of herbs you need. Madame has talked to the shopkeeper of Jiang’s Herbs. So we just need to wait two more days for them to deliver the herbs.”

“Okay, say thanks to her for me,” Ling Zhang said.

The maid bowed and said, “Young master, is there anything else you need me to pass on?”

Ling Zhang looked through the list and found that the deployment of each was clearly written by his aunt, which could be understood at a glance.

“No, you can go back.”

“Then I’ll excuse myself, young master.”

When he got Yuwen Tong’s prescription, he knew immediately that some herbs were hard to get. Fortunately, they got the help of Jiang’s Herbs this time. Otherwise they would have to go to the north to buy these herbs, which would take him several times longer than it did now.

After putting down the list, Ling Zhang came to the desk. He wrote down all the Kung Fu that the twelve guards were good at and put their names one by one in the twelve directions of the formation drawings. Meanwhile, he wrote down on paper the various plans he had come up with while thinking about how to arrange these people perfectly.

He was so absorbed in what he was doing that he didn’t notice how many times the servants had come to invite him to lunch, and he didn’t even notice that the servant who invited him was no longer the previous one.

Standing at the door, Yuwe Tong noticed what Ling Zhang was busy about and had guessed it all. So he asked, “What keeps you so concentrated?”

Startled by the voice, Ling Zhang’s hand that was holding the brush trembled, and an ink drop spread on the paper. Looking up, he found that Yuwen Tong was already standing at the door. He quickly put away the things on the table and asked, “What brings you here?”

Yuwen Tong said, “You didn’t come to lunch after being invited several times by different servants, so I volunteered here to find you.”

Not until Ling Zhang had put away his things did Yuwen Tong walk into the room, leaving Ling Zhang enough time to react.

Ling Zhang got up and left his desk. “I just casually answered, but almost forgot.”

As he approached Yuwen Tong, he somehow remembered the soft kiss last night, which made Ling Zhang pause his step and feel uncomfortable.

Yuwen Tong, as if not noticing anything, walked naturally to Ling Zhang, “Then let’s go. I would like to talk to you about something after lunch.”

“About what?” Ling Zhang naturally bypassed Yuwen Tong and took the lead in going out.

Yuwen Tong was so close to him that he involuntarily tightened his back.

A vague smile flickered in Yuwen Tong’ eyes when he glanced at Ling Zhang’s tight back. Then he said, “Something about your uncle.”

“My uncle?” Ling Zhang stopped suddenly, “What’s wrong with him?”

“Not about what your uncle did, but what someone is going to do to him,” Yuwen Tong said.

Chapter 72: Honey-Trap

‘Someone is going to do something to uncle?’

Ling Zhang frowned immediately.

Standing in front of him, Yuwen Tong suddenly reached out and tapped between his brows with his finger. “What are you panicking about? Since I know about it, I won’t let anything happen to him.”

Ling Zhang froze, leaning back slightly. He pushed aside Yuwen Tong’s finger, wearing an unnatural look.”Then let’s go for lunch now.”

Yuwen Tong withdrew his hand, pretending not to see Ling Zhang’s uneasy look.

Ling Xingzhong felt sorry again for his eldest grandson’s decision while seeing Ling Zhang and Yuwen Tong walk in side by side.

‘They make such a perfect match, but why does Zhang’er not like this engagement?’

Looking at his father’s gloomy expression, Ling Zhaowen also felt helpless. He didn’t expect that his father was so satisfied with Yuwen Tong.

Although it was lively during the meal, the atmosphere was obviously not the same as before. Except for Ling Maomao, others all knew well about the reason for this change.

“Can you tell me what happened now?” Ling Zhang couldn’t help asking after leaving the front hall.

“Jia Zhong is trying to frame your uncle up in a honey trap,” Yuwen Tong said.

“A honey trap?” Ling Zhang felt it unbelievable, “My uncle and aunt are true to each other. They have been married for so many years, and my uncle never gives another woman a second look. Some people say my uncle is a typical henpecked husband. People all over Tanyang know about it. So how can Jia Zhong use honey trap?”

“Maybe that’s why he is planning that. Once your uncle falls into the trap, he will be more seriously affected,” Yuwen Tong said.

“What are they going to do?” Ling Zhang asked.

“Did your uncle ever make a stopover in Liu Family of Tai County last May?” Yuwen Tong asked.

‘Last May?’ Ling Zhang was dazed for a moment. This memory seemed very distant for him, a man who had lived through two lifetimes. He thought it over for a long time before he finally recalled that it had really happened. His uncle got angry after coming back from the Tai County, saying that Tai County’s Yamen extorted money from the Prefecture Yamen under the pretext of maintaining the house.

“It did happen,” Ling Zhang said.

“During your uncle’s stay in the Liu Family, he was taken a fancy by Liu Chengfang, the unmarried daughter of Liu Family. She really wanted to marry your uncle, but her father, Liu Weilng, didn’t want her to be your uncle’s concubine. So her father grounded her at home. Jia Zhong knows about it, wanting to take advantage of Liu Chengfang to frame your uncle up,” Yuwen Tong said.

Ling Zhang clenched his fist in anger. ‘Those scumbags!!! Trying to frame our Ling Family again and again!’

He didn’t believe that his uncle would be bewitched by this Liu Chengfang. But once the other side used some sinister tricks, his uncle could easily fall into their trap when he was unprepared.

“Thank you,” Ling Zhang said to Yuwen Tong in earnest.

Yuwen Tong must have sent someone to keep a close watch on Jia Family, otherwise, he wouldn’t have known so much in detail quickly.

“I told you that your business is also mine, so don’t say thanks,” Yuwen Tong said.

Ling Zhang looked at him, wanting to say something, but swallowed it back before the words came out of his lips as he simply didn’t know what to say.

“Remind your unclenow,”Yuwen Tong said. He seemed to have a pair of eyes with insight into Ling Zhang’s mind.

Ling Zhang, lips zipped, nodded and turned to leave.

Ling Zhaowen had to go to the Yamen in the afternoon, so he went back to his house and tidied up his clothes again before going out.

Ling Zhaowen was a bit confused when Ling Zhang came, “Zhang’er?”

“Uncle, I have something to tell you.”

…….

That evening, many people came out of the Prefecture Yamen. Ling Zhaowen still had some things to discuss with Tao Feng, so he didn’t leave on time. If on normal days, there would be few people outside. But he saw someone waiting for him when he went out.

“Lord Ling, you haven’t been dining together with us for a long time. How about joining us?”

The people waiting for him at the gate were all his colleagues at the Prefecture Yamen. Usually they got together once in a while. Ling Zhaowen sometimes joined them but sometimes not, depending on where they were going.

“I still have something to deal with in my family. I am so sorry. Maybe next time,” Ling Zhaowen declined.

“Your father is at home, and your nephew is so capable. What kind of emergency is it that makes you in such a hurry to get home now? You have refused our invitation three times. So you must join us for a drink this time.”

“They are right, Lord Ling. Don’t worry, we know that you don’t want to upset your wife, so we choose to go to the restaurant instead of any other place.”

“You can rest assured.”

Ling Zhaowen wanted to refuse, but two men came up to him and pulled his arms. “Come on, come on. Just have a drink. It won’t take you too long.”

Feeling it impossible to refuse again, he went with them finally.

The restaurant they went to was called Fengtai Restaurant, which was not far from the Ling Family. Ling Xingzhong felt a little relieved.

“We have already ordered a private room upstairs. The wine we have ordered is also the latest from Taifeng Restaurant’s cellar. We’ve also asked a hunter to go up the mountain and hunt for today’s meal. We have asked this restaurant to prepare the dinner. We planned to come here at the right time, but we delayed for a while to wait for you. Now, the meal should have been served.”

These people clustered round Ling Zhaowen into the Fengtai Restaurant and went straight to the second floor.

They did book a room, which was completely cut off from the outside. It was also spacious and undisturbed, definitely a right place for drinking and chatting.

The dishes in the room were indeed served and hot. They could enjoy these dishes at anytime.

“How do you feel? Are you relieved? These people are all our colleagues.”

Ling Zhaowen indeed relaxed his vigilance, and was invited to sit at the head of the table.

“We won’t talk about work today, just little chat. What do you say, Lord Ling?” Someone asked.

Ling Zhaowen nodded, “Of course.”

“We all know that you are so forthright. Lord Ling, please try these dishes and see if you can tell what it is.”

Now that Ling Zhaowen had been invited to the head of the table, he must take the first bite. He first tried the braised meat in front of him, which was soft, tender and delicious.

“What do you think of it? Did you taste what kind of meat it is?”

Ling Zhaowen was a little surprised, “Venison?”

“That’s right. It took the hunter quite a long time to catch the deer.”

“Hurry up, everybody try it.”

With the delicious food, they naturally began to drink wine. After a few cups of wine, everyone’s face turned a little hot.

After a few more drinks, everyone flushed.

Ling Zhaowen had a moderate drinking capacity and was slightly tipsy after several cups. After being urged several times to drink, he drank some more and became drowsy.

“No, no, I can’t drink any more. I…I would be scolded by my wife if I was drunk,” Ling Zhaowen said.

“Lord Ling, you…you are so henpecked that you are ruled by your wife!”

“Yes, if my wife dares to bind me like this, I…I shall have to divorce her!”

All began to talk nonsense and boasted how they dominated their wives at home after getting drunk. And they complained bitterly about their wives and concubines in an arrogant way.

Ling Zhaowen never complained about his wife, so he didn’t join them. He staggered to his feet and said, “I really have to go back, you guys enjoy yourselves.”

“Lord Ling, don’t go, let’s have more.”

“Right, right, if you refuse, you despise us.”

“Let’s have more.”

Ling Zhaowen was tugged back to the seat, and the cup in front of him was filled again. So he had no choice but to drink.

After the first drink, there came the second, the third… At last, he could hardly get up.

The rest of people were drunk, some even lying on the ground. They were either asleep or talking nonsense; anyway none of them was sober.

Ling Zhaowen struggled to get up, but it made no difference even after he tried for a long time. His vision gradually blurred, and he had difficulty to concentrating. He didn’t even see clearly when the door of the private room was opened.

“Hum, as expected, he is drunk. Hurry up, take him next door.”

“Got it.”

Ling Zhaowen was lifted from the chair and carried outside. He was completely drunk that he thought the men supported him were his servants and coachman who usually served him, so he didn’t struggle.

The men carried him out of the room and put him next door directly.

A woman was waiting for him in the next door. Her face was half veiled except for her eyes; she was wearing pink clothes and delicate jewelry; only a woman of wealthy family would dress up like this.

“Miss Liu, we have brought Lord Ling to you. Whether you can take this chance depends on yourself.” The man who brought Ling Zhaowen in looked at the woman with evil eyes, saying in a disgusting tone.

The veiled woman kept her eyes on the drunken Ling Zhaowen. She didn’t care at all about the eyes cast by others. She said, “Now that I have promised you, I will not go back on my word. You guys get out.”

“Oh.” The man who brought Ling Xingzhong in gave a disdainful laugh before he took others out from the room and closed the door.

Ling Feng was sitting on the chair in the room, completely stoned, and almost fell into a stupor.

The woman came over in delight. “Lord, lord, do you still remember me?”

She looked at Ling Zhaowen obsessively, reaching out to touch his face. “Dear Lord.”

Ling Zhaowen frowned slightly. Although he was no longer conscious, the strange voice of this woman made him instinctively wary. He wanted to resist and wake up.

“Lord, soon you will be mine. You must marry me. I have been looking forward to this day for a long time. I can do anything for you!”

The woman stared at Ling Zhaowen like crazy. She took off the veil from her face. Her red lips should have been beautiful, but now her face looked distorted and demented with excitement, which made her as frightening as a ghost.

“…” The woman put her hands on the handle of the chair that Ling Zhaowen was sitting on then slowly approached him.

When she was about to touch Ling Zhaowen, she was suddenly hit by a stone shot through the window. The stone hit her right on the acupuncture point, which made her unconscious.

Ling Zhaowen, who was drunk, suddenly opened his eyes, looking much sober than before.