Chapter 67: Would You Like to Go to the Capital with Me? To Meet Marshal Yuwen
“Besides, I can’t conceal the news that I’ve come to Tanyang from those in the capital for long. People in Tanyang will also hear it within half a month at the latest.”
Ling Zhang was surprised to ask, “Do we only have half a month?”
Yuwen Tong agreed slightly, “Yes.”
Ling Zhang frowned and looked at him. Half a month was too quick but they still had many things to do.
“Half a month is enough.” Yuwen Tong said. He seemed to know what was on Ling Zhang’s mind.
“What we should do now is to find hard evidences to catch Zhang Chong, Imperial Concubine Shu, the Sixth Prince and their partners off guard. We don’t need to put up a desperate fight with Zhang Chong. The hidden weapons, the account books about trading with Jia Family, collusion with bandits and the secret routes are what we need to find.” Yuwen Tong continued.
Ling Zhang could understand that they should find weapons, books about Jia Family’s trades and collusion with bandits. But what was the secret route? Was that the reason why Yuwen Tong believed Zhang Chong threatened the imperial power and the reason that led the emperor to dispatch army to kill bandits and Zhang Chong?
“I will tell you after I find hard evidences.” Yuwen Tong said.
So Yuwen Tong had already come up with a plan to deal with Zhang Chong?
“I need to tell you something.” Ling Zhang told him Liu Yi’s words and said, “I asked Liu Yi and Wang Dashan to watch it. If they find the bandits, they will follow them to see where they come from.”
Ling Zhang wanted to check it by himself. But they didn’t have much time. So he thought he’d better let Yuwen Tong know about it.
Yuwen Tong raised his eyebrows. He finally knew Ling Zhang’s intention to let Liu Yi and Wang Dashan to watch.
“They are all good at Kung Fu. It’s okay to let them do it.”
Yuwen Tong thought, since Ling Zhang believed in Liu Yi and Wang Dashan, it was not bad to let them have a try. Anyway, Yuwen Tong had asked his people to watch too. Nothing could go wrong.
“Formation?” Yao Yi was confused, “I never heard that Ling Family was good at formation.”
“Just do as I told. Don’t talk nonsense.” Yuwen Tong looked at him coldly.
“I’m sorry. I’ll investigate it right now.” Yao Yi went out soon.
After Yao Yi left, Yuwen Tong used his brush to draw the half of the formation drawing he saw in Ling Zhang’s study. And he could remember all the details with just a glance. Ling Zhang would be so shocked if he were here. Because Yuwen Tong had such a good memory!
Looking at the formation drawing, Yuwen Tong had to praise its subtlety even though he just saw the half of it. By virtue of his profound knowledge about formation, he observed it and thought for a moment before he began to draw the other half of it.
What he drew was the same as Ling Zhang’s formation drawing!
“Great.” Yuwen Tong looked at the formation drawing and murmured, “But… it must be changeable. It won’t be hard to destroy the formation if twelve people stand in fixed positions. Only the moving formation can be the true one.”
Then he even painted another formation. Twelve people changed their places in it.
He didn’t stop until he drew eight different ones.
Ling Zhang would be so surprised if he were here at this time.
Yuwen Tong still wanted to continue. But he stopped before painting a new one. He muttered to himself, “I have to let my men perform it first. Then I can find the rest variations of it.”
“Twelve… Ling Family has twenty-four guards, which can form two sets of formation. Is it just a coincidence?” Yuwen Tong raised his eyebrows. No wonder Ling Zhang checked these guards so clearly. He must want to use them to practice the formation. After thinking about it, Yuwen Tong burnt all the eight drawings.
Such a great formation must make a difference in war. He had never heard of this kind of formation. Where did Ling Zhang or Ling Family learn it?
……
……
“Brother Tao, sorry to have kept you waiting.” Ling Zhang went to the front hall in a hurry.
Tao Yi suddenly came. Ling Zhang was afraid that Yuwen Tong was found. So he asked the servant to bring Tao Yi to the front hall. Then he ran here quickly.
Tao Yi was bored to sit there. Seeing Ling Zhang, he said happily, “You finally come. What are you up to in your yard?”
“Just checking some account books. I come right after hearing you are here.” Ling Zhang said. He of course didn’t check books. But Yuwen Tong was in his study and it would be impolite let him leave. After Yuwen Tong finally left, Ling Zhang walked here quickly.
“Why do you come to see me?” Ling Zhang asked.
“I’ll tell you some secrets.” Tao Yi smiled mysteriously, “Come on, let’s go to the restaurant. We can chat and drink.”
“Brother Tao, since it is a secret, it’s not good to say outside. If you want to drink, I will ask the servant to prepare something good.” Ling Zhang said.
Tao Yi complained, “It’s boring to stay at home. Don’t worry, I’ve ordered a room in restaurant and no one will bother us. Let’s go.”
Ling Zhang was speechless and had to go out with Tao Yi. They went to the Fengtai Restaurant again.
Entering the room, they ordered wine and dishes. After closing the door, Tao Yi said, “I heard from the capital that Marshal Yuwen would come back to report on his work this year. Well, do you want to go to the capital with me?” Ling Zhang didn’t know what to say. Tao Yi just wanted to tell him this secret?
Why should he go to the capital to see Yuwen Tong specially?
Yuwen Tong was in his house! If he were Tao Yi, he wouldn’t do it. “Brother Tao, why do you invite me to go to the capital city with you?” Ling Zhang asked.
“You like Marshal Yuwen very much, right? Don’t you want to see him?” Tao Yi said.
Ling Zhang’s feeling was complex. When did he say that he liked Yuwen Tong? Did Tao Yi become really stupid?
“I…” Ling Zhang suddenly stopped, if he said he didn’t like Yuwen Tong, Tao Yi must argue with him. Besides, Yuwen Tong was the great marshal and the God of Army. It might be true that some people didn’t care about him. But it would be a little strange if Ling Zhang hated him.
“I’d like to. But my uncle suddenly asked me to manage the herbs plantation. So I’m busy every day and have no time to leave.” Ling Zhang said with regret.
Tao Yi was disappointed, “Why do you suddenly run the herbs plantation? Why doesn’t your uncle urge you to study and achieve the first place in the Imperial Examination?”
Ling Zhang explained, “You know that I worry about my family’s situation. My family has conflict with Zhang Chong and Jia Family. At present, I can’t focus on studying.” If he couldn’t revenge and survive, it would be useless to achieve the first place in the Imperial Examination.
Thinking of Ling Family’s situation, Tao Yi sighed, “Yes. Zhang Chong turned more arrogant recently. Few days ago, Jia Zhong called many County Magistrates to send gifts to Zhang Chong, which made my father so angry. Jia Yuanling’s thing just finished. But Jia Family forgave Zhang Chong so fast.”
“Did Jia Yin go?” Ling Zhang asked.
“Jia Yin? He stays at home and refuses to see anyone.” Tao Yi said.
“So there must be some hard feelings between them.” Ling Zhang said.
“You are right.” Tao Yi nodded.
“You really won’t go to the capital with me?” Tao Yi asked him again to make sure.
Ling Zhang said, “I’m so sorry. Brother Tao, you just came back to Tanyang. Will you go to the capital so quickly?”
“I didn’t want to go back so fast. But Marshal Yuwen is coming back. I have to go there as soon as possible. Maybe I can see him once.” Tao Yi said.
Ling Zhang looked at him silently. A long time later, he began to say, “Brother Tao, you are behaving like a young girl yearning for love.”
Tao Yi spitted out a mouthful of wine and was almost choked to death. He corrected, “What are you talking about? I just admire him.”
Ling Zhang looked at him quietly and didn’t say anything.
Putting down the drinking glasses, Tao Yi said, “You also like Marshal Yuwen, don’t you?”
Come on! How did Tao Yi find he liked Yuwen Tong? He just echoed Tao Yi at that time and didn’t say more. Ling Zhang looked expressionless but was speechless in heart.
“Marshal Yuwen won’t run away. You will see him even if you go back late. Why are you leaving in such haste?” Ling Zhang asked.
“You are wrong. Marshal Yuwen will really run away.” Tao Yi said mysteriously, “You don’t know. Marshal Yuwen never stayed at the capital more than ten days each time when he goes back to report on his work. He will sure leave on the tenth day. And his reason is so perfect every time that even the emperor can’t refuse him.”
Ten days? Ling Zhang was stunned slightly. Yuwen Tong always stayed at the capital for less than ten days. Why?
Ling Zhang thought of something in his mind. But before he caught it, Tao Yi said again, “In addition, I heard that Marshal Yuwen didn’t have a good relationship with his family. So he didn’t want to stay at the capital for a long time.”
He didn’t get on well with his family?
“His uncle’s family are his only relatives and he doesn’t have any other elders to control him. How can he have a bad relationship with his family?” Ling Zhang was confused.
Tao Yi looked at him and joked, “Look, you also know about his family situation so clearly. How daredyou tease me just now?”
Ling Zhang was speechless.
Yuwen Tong told him that. He didn’t try to know Yuwen Tong’s family at all!
But he couldn’t explain it. Otherwise Yuwen Tong would be exposed.
Tao Yi laughed in a strange manner. He said, “I find that you are not honest. You look uninterested in him. But you hear about his situation secretly.”
Ling Zhang interrupted him with his emotionless face, “Brother Tao, I have to go back.”
Then he prepared to stand up.
Tao Yi stopped him immediately and said, “Okay, I won’t joke you again. You can still like him secretly.”
Ling Zhang almost lifted the table out of anger.
“We don’t know why he has a bad relationship with his family. Yuwen Family always concealed it. But…” Tao Yi hesitated.
“Complicated?” Ling Zhang asked.
“It’s not really true. Well, Marshal Yuwen’s uncle, Yuwen Zhi, is a little arrogant. He looks at others in a condescending way, which makes people uncomfortable. He is totally different from Marshal Yuwen. I feel it is not strange that he can’t get on well with Marshal Yuwen.” Tao Yi said.
“Have you ever made contact with his uncle?” Ling Zhang asked. Tao Yi’s words reminded him of the servants of Yuwen Family in his last life. He felt disgusted suddenly.
“How could I have any dealings with him? I just saw him in some occasions. But I was unpleasant each time. If you have an opportunity to go to the capital and see him, you’d better avoid him.” Tao Yi said.
Chapter 68: Telling Stories About Marshal Yuwen
Tao Yi decided to go to the capital city two days later. Seeing Tao Yi was so excited, Ling Zhang regretted a little. But he couldn’t tell Tao Yi the truth that he wouldn’t see Yuwen Tong even if he went to the capital right now.
Yuwen Tong guessed that the news he was in Tanyang might spread out in the capital soon. Tao Yi would spit out blood with anger when he knew it.
Ling Maomao came back from school when Ling Zhang and Tao were in the restaurant. He rushed to Ling Zhang’s yard with his big dog, Ada, and shouted, “Elder brother! Elder brother!”
“Second young master,” A servant said, “First young master is not here.”
“Where is my elder brother?” Ling Maomao asked.
The servant didn’t know Ling Zhang went to see Tao Yi. So he answered, “I don’t know, either. He is out for an hour.”
Ling Maomao’s eyes lit up suddenly. He said, “I know. He must have gone to see Brother Yuwen.”
After that, he ran out of Ling Zhang’s yard and to the Green Bamboo Mansion with Ada hurriedly. The gatekeepers didn’t stop Ling Maomao and Ada. After all, Marshal Yuwen had already told them that Ling Zhang and Ling Maomao could enter directly without his permission.
“Elder brother! Brother Yuwen!” Ling Maomao shouted as he ran.
Yuwen Tong heard it and went out. He asked, “Maomao, looking for your elder brother?”
“Brother Yuwen, is my elder brother here?” Ling Maomao ran to ask him. Ada ran fast behind him. But it stopped as soon as it saw Yuwen Tong and stood behind Ling Maomao, daring not to come close to Yuwen Tong.
“Your elder brother went out. Someone wanted to see him.” Yuwen Tong said.
“Ah? Who is it?” Ling Maomao looked so disappointed.
“Tao Yi.” Yuwen Tong answered.
“Oh. Brother Tao? Then they must be drinking in Fengtai Restaurant now.” Ling Maomao said.
Drinking? Yuwen Tong raised his eyebrows.
“You call him Brother Tao. Are you familiar with him?” Yuwen Tong asked.
“Brother Tao is my elder brother’s friend. I don’t know him well. But he is a good man because he always tells me stories about Marshal Yuwen.”
It was interesting that Tao Yi told Marshal Yuwen’s stories to Ling Maomao. Yuwen Tong touched his chin.
“What did he tell you? Would you like to share with me? I also heard some of his stories. If yours are great, I will tell you what I’ve heard.”
Ling Maomao’s eyes lit up quickly, “Really?”
“I never lie.” Yuwen Tong said.
Ling Maomao told Yuwen Tong in haste that he and Ling Zhang met Tao Yi when they walked on the street the other day. He said, “Brother Tao said that Marshal Yuwen is more handsome than the dough figurine my elder brother bought for me!”
Yuwen Tong curled the corner of his mouth. He felt that he found another character of Ling Zhang. To his surprise, Ling Zhang actually bought a dough figurine of him for Maomao.
“He is right. I… Marshal Yuwen is more handsome and stronger than the little dough figurine.”
“I’ve told you that. You should tell me stories about Marshal Yuwen!” Ling Maomao urged.
“Okay. Come here and I’ll tell you.” Yuwen Tong brought him into the house.
Ling Maomao followed and sat on the chair obediently, looking at Yuwen Tong with expectation.
“What do you want to hear?” Yuwen Tong asked.
“I want to hear everything about him!” Ling Maomao said loudly.
“There are so many stories. You are too young to hear the bloody facts in war. I’ll tell you a story about how scared the enemies got when seeing Marshal Yuwen.” Yuwen Tong said without any shame.
“Okay, great.” “Do you know Wan Country?” Yuwen Tong asked.
“Yes. It is our enemy with wild ambition.” Ling Maomao answered.
“You are right. There was a general called Chen Feng in Wan Country. He was is empress’s younger brother and got his position with the help of his elder sister. He was a stupid fat man. But he was so arrogant and ambitious, craving for greatness and success. When he came to the front line, he dared to provoke me… Marshal Yuwen on the first day. He claimed that he would behead Marshal Yuwen and take his head back to be rewarded.” Yuwen Tong said.
Ling Maomao gasped in astonishment and asked anxiously, “What happened next?”
“Marshal Yuwen didn’t say anything to him. He took an arrow and shot him directly. The arrow went straight into his hair, bruising his scalp. His blood fell down, which frightened him so that he wetted his pants. Then he tumbled off a horse and his fat body didn’t stop after rolling several times. Everyone was laughing at him.” Yuwen Tong said.
“Wow. Marshal Yuwen is so great!” Ling Maomao said with his shiny eyes.
Yuwen Tong was happy in his heart. He asked, “Guess what happened next?”
“What happened?” Ling Maomao asked him quickly.
“Chen Feng suffered from a serious illness when he went back, which made him become thin. Then he escaped to the capital if Wan Country as soon as he recovered.” Yuwen Tong said.
“Ah? He ran away.” Ling Maomao said disappointingly.
“Marshal Yuwen did that intentionally.” Yuwen Tong said.
“Why?” Ling Maomao couldn’t understand it.
“Although Chen Feng was a fool, he had an elder sister who loved him so much. In order to avenge him, she vilified Xue Chi, the general of Wan Country, in front of the emperor. Xue Chi was in frontier at that time. Then he lost his position and went back to stay at home in Wan Country.” Yuwen Tong explained.
Ling Maomao did not fully understand. He asked, “Then what happened?”
“Later, the new general of Wan Country was worse than Xue Chi and was killed by Marshal Yuwen.” Yuwen Tong continued.
Ling Maomao was shocked. Then he finally understood it and praised, “Marshal Yuwen is so clever!”
“He is not bad.” Yuwen Tong was not humble at all.
“You told him that. What if he inadvertently disclosed that to others?” Ling Zhang’s voice came from the door.
Yuwen Tong turned back and looked at him, “What do you think of the story?”
Ling Zhang walked into the house and said, “Great.”
Hearing it, Yuwen Tong felt he was happier than hearing Ling Maomao’s praise.
“Maomao, you can’t tell others the story Brother Yuwen just told you. Do you understand?” Ling Zhang said in a serious tone.
Ling Maomao nodded, “I get it. I won’t tell others.”
“Brother Yuwen, do you know other stories?” He looked at Yuwen Tong with expectations.
Yuwen Tong took a look at Ling Zhang and said, “Only story a day. I need some time to recall them”
Ling Maomao was a little disappointed, but also pleasant when he knew that he could hear a story every day. He promised, “I’ll come here every day.”
“Maomao, you can’t always come to bother Brother Yuwen.” Ling Zhang looked at him seriously.
“It doesn’t matter. I will ask people to tell him if I am busy.” Yuwen Tong said.
Ling Zhang looked at him disapprovingly. But he didn’t have the heart to turn down Ling Maomao’s request when seeing the expectation in his eyes. So he had to agree with Yuwen Tong.
“Elder brother, when did you come back?” Ling Maomao asked.
“I came back when you were immersed in the story.” Ling Zhang said.
“I have a day off tomorrow. Let’s go out to play!” Ling Maomao suggested.
“I’m busy tomorrow. I have no time to play with you.” Ling Zhang said. Yuwen Tong said they had only half a month. So he had to make some arrangements.
“What are you busy with?” Ling Maomao was a bit disappointed.
“It’s not safe outside recently. Let’s go out next time. I will ask the kitchen to prepare your favorite dessert tomorrow.” Ling Zhang comforted him.
“Okay. Why is it dangerous outside?” Ling Maomao asked.
“There are some bad guys.” Ling Zhang said.
“Who are they?” Ling Maomao asked again.
“They want to harm our Ling Family.” Ling Zhang explained.
Ling Maomao was shocked. Did anyone plan to hurt Ling Family?
“So you should be vigilant when at school. You can’t walk around. When seeing strangers, you should avoid and ignore them. Do you understand? You’d better stay with guards and servants. Don’t be out of their sights.” Ling Zhang told him.
Seeing his elder brother’s serious attitude, Ling Maomao didn’t dare to refuse.
After staying at Yuwen Tong’s house for a short time, he finally left with Ada.
“The story that you told Maomao… is it real?” Ling Zhang asked Yuwen Tong.
“Of course it is.” Yuwen Tong said.
“What happened after the new general was killed?” Ling Zhang asked.
“The Wan Country sends emissary to sue for peace. They will arrive at the capital soon.” Yuwen Tong said.
Ling Zhang finally understood that Yuwen Tong’s story was about the war this time.
“You didn’t kill Chen Feng because you believed he would let his elder sister try to get Xue Chi back?” Ling Zhang asked.
Yuwen Tong poured a cup of tea and drank it before saying, “I was not sure. But I thought it would probably happen. Besides Chen Feng, Chen Family has always wanted to aim at Xue Chi. The emperor of Wan Country was afraid that Xue Chi would threaten his power because he had got military power for a long time. The two parties wanted to weaken Xue Chi. But they didn’t find an opportunity. And Chen Feng was the opportunity I offered to them.”
“No wonder Wan Country dared to change the general in the war just because of such a ridiculous matter.” Ling Zhang said.
Yuwen Tong smiled mysteriously, “Wan Country might be stupid sometimes. But it is also clever.”
“Why?” Ling Zhang looked at him in confusion.
“After that, our emperor would definitely insist on asking me to stay in the capital. Wan Country doesn’t want me to go back to frontier, either. They sue for peace this time, but their true intention is to frame me up before our emperor. Our old emperor has a very suspicious mind. My military exploit is so high that he can’t sleep well. With the instigation of Wan Country, it won’t be long before he schemes something to find fault with me.” Yuwen Tong said.
Ling Zhang was shocked, “Why did you come to Tanyang? You should go back to the capital soon.”
Seeing that Ling Zhang was worried about him, Yuwen Tong felt quite happy in his heart. He said, “Don’t worry. He always wants to let me stay in the capital. But he never succeeded. No one can make me stay in the capital if I want to leave.”
Ling Zhang heaved a long sign of relief, “But how do you resolve this problem?”
“I’ve got a plan. We just have to be patient.” Yuwen Tong said.
What was all that secrecy about? But Ling Zhang was assured by Yuwen Tong’s confident attitude.
“Nevertheless, he is the emperor, the most powerful man in our country. If he decides to do you harm, how could you avoid it?”
Yuwen Tong sneered, “The imperial power sometimes is nothing.”
Then his face changed suddenly. He said to Ling Zhang, “Since you worry about me, why don’t you go to the capital with me?”
Ling Zhang was stunned. ‘Go to the capital with Yuwen Tong?’
Chapter 69: It Wasn’t Proper
Ling Zhang didn’t expect that Yuwen Tong would invite him to go to the capital. After all, their relationship was not that good.
“It is not proper for me to go to the capital with you.” Ling Zhang said.
“Why isn’t it proper?” Yuwen Tong looked at him.
Why? Ling Zhang slightly frowned. He didn’t have any relationship with Yuwen Tong. How could he go to the capital with him?
In this life, Yuwen Tong came to Tanyang. He said that he remembered the favor and was willing to help Ling Family. Ling Zhang appreciated that. However, besides that, there was only an awkward marriage contract between them.
Ling Zhang turned his head and didn’t look at Yuwen Tong, “Let’s talk about it later.”
After he finished Zhang Chong, he could go everywhere he wanted. He didn’t need to go to the capital.
Yuwen Tong looked a little serious in his eyes. Ling Zhang’s passive attitude showed that he didn’t want to go to capital with him. Ling Zhang’s attitude to him had softened obviously. But he still rejected. Why? At night, the delicious dinner was still put on the front hall. Ling Xingzhong was more and more satisfied with Yuwen Tong. And even Ling Zhaowen became kinder to Yuwen Tong.
Ling Maomao called Brother Yuwen frequently because of the stories about Marshal Yuwen. Ling Maomao even wanted to sit next to him but was stopped by his father.
Ling Zhang was the most silent person. Ling Zhaowen took a look at him, hinting Ling Zhang with his eyes to talk something more. But Ling Zhang pretended not to see it.
Ling Zhaowen was speechless.
Yuwen Tong glanced at Ling Zhang, his face unchanged but the look in his eyes getting profound.
“Zhang, what’s your opinion? Tell me.” After dinner, Ling Xingzhong called Ling Zhang and Ling Zhaowen to his yard. Then he asked Ling Zhang his view about the engagement with Yuwen Tong.
“Grandpa, I still want to break it.” Ling Zhang said.
“Why? I think you get on well with him these days.” Ling Xingzhong said.
“I treat him as my elder brother. But it doesn’t mean I will marry him. Grandpa, we have reached an agreement, right? Why do you want me to marry Yuwen Tong now?” Ling Zhang said and his tone became a little serious.
Seeing he got angry, Ling Xingzhong was somewhat shocked, “Zhang, you dislike him so much?”
Did he dislike Yuwen Tong? Ling Zhang was not sure about that. But he couldn’t forgive Yuwen Tong completely at present. How could he have time to think if he liked Yuwen Tong or not?
Ling Zhang turned silent and he didn’t look well. Seeing that, Ling Zhaowen said, “Zhang, something might not be true.”
Ling Zhang’s feeling was complicated. His uncle believed what he said was just a dream not something that had really happened in his last life.
“Grandpa, uncle, are you sure that Yuwen Tong wants to marry me?” Ling Zhang sneered slightly.
Ling Xingzhong looked at him in confusion, “Yuwen Tong never mentions that he wants to break off the engagement. He also gets on well with you. It has showed his attitude.”
“That’s merely your wishful thinking.” Ling Zhang refuted.
“Zhang, watch your tongue,” Ling Zhaowen said.
Ling Zhang took a deep breath and looked at Ling Xingzhong and Ling Zhaowen seriously, “Anyway, I don’t want to maintain the engagement. Grandpa, uncle, please respect my thought.”
“Well.” Ling Xingzhong looked at him for a long time. He finally sighed, “Okay. I won’t force you if you reject it. In terms of marshal’s attitude, he will live in Tanyang for a while. During this period, you can have more with him. If you still don’t want to marry him by the time he leaves, I will tell him.”
Ling Zhang was silent for a moment. Then he nodded, “All right. Thank you, grandpa.”
His grandpa didn’t want to give up. But he wouldn’t change his mind, either.
Yuwen Tong was kind to him and was willing to help him to defeat Zhang Chong. In addition, he took initiative to dredge his collateral channels and invited him to go to the capital together. He even said that he didn’t agree to break off the engagement.
Besides, he said that he helped Ling Family because he wanted to requite favors.
But in his last life, Yuwen Family broke the engagement directly and didn’t offer a hand when Ling Family was in danger.
So he still had many doubts in his mind and didn’t know what Yuwen Tong was thinking about.
Moreover, he didn’t care about his marriage because he just wanted to revenge.
“Go back. I heard that you slept late these days. You’d better go to bed early today.” Ling Xingzhong said.
“I know.” Ling Zhang said. Then he said good-bye to Ling Xingzhong and Ling Zhaowen.
Seeing Ling Zhang going away, Ling Zhaowen asked Ling Xingzhong, “Father, let’s give up if Zhang doesn’t want it.”
Ling Xingzhong sighed, “I agreed to break off the engagement because Yuwen Family has never mentioned it for all these years. So it took it that they didn’t take it seriously. But now Yuwen Tong comes to Tanyang and takes a fancy to Zhang. If they can get married, it will be a good thing for Zhang.”
“What do you mean?” Ling Zhaowen didn’t understand.
“Although you never told me anything, I am not blind or deaf. The situation of our Ling Family in Tanyang is not good. If Yuwen Family supports us, these problems will be solved easily. Yuwen Tong is powerful enough, and he has the ability to protect Zhang.” Ling Xingzhong said.
“Protect? Zhang is also a man. I don’t believe he needs others’ protection.” Ling Zhaowen said.
“How stupid you are. Do you forget the background of Zhang’s mother? Zhang needs a powerful backing, in case it is exposed one day.” Ling Xingzhong said.
Ling Zhaowen’s face changed instantly and he said after quite a while of silence, “Father, I finally understand your intentions.”
Ling Xingzhong snorted, “You think I don’t know that it was you who told Zhang about his engagement with Yuwen Family? At that time, as your father, I didn’t want to reveal it. But you even dared to tell Zhang something about his mother. If I didn’t stop you in time, the situation now will be terrible.”
Ling Zhaowen looked embarrassed, “Father!”
Oh god, he didn’t tell Ling Zhang about the engagement. But he couldn’t tell his father that Ling Zhang learned it from a dream.
However…
“Father, I can’t understand. Why did you stop me? He will know it sooner or later. He can prepare for it early if we tell him. Otherwise he might be taken by surprise.” Ling Zhaowen said.
“Alas, let’s talk about it later.” Ling Xingzhong sighed.
Ling Zhaowen was speechless but didn’t dare to disobey his father. So he had to give up.
Ling Zhang didn’t realize what his grandpa and uncle were talking about after he left. Tao Yi invited him to see Marshal Yuwen in the capital first. Then Yuwen Tong wanted him to go to the capital together. Now his grandpa and uncle also wanted him to marry Yuwen Tong. Why did everyone believe that he liked Yuwen Tong?
Where on earth did they find he liked Yuwen Tong?
Ling Zhang’s face changed many times. He kept silent in the yard. Then he raised his head to see the moon overhead.
“Marshal, Childe Ling has stood in the yard for a long time.” Someone instantly reported to Yuwen Tong in the Green Bamboo Mansion.
Yuwen Tong remained silent for a while. Ling Xingzhong and Ling Zhaowen called Ling Zhang to have a talk after dinner. Although Yuwen Tong didn’t hear their words, he could guess it according to Ling Xingzhong’s passionate attitude toward him at the dinner.
“Yao Yi, he feels it is inappropriate to go to the capital with me. Why would he think so?” Yuwen Tong suddenly asked Yao Yi.
Yao Yi was dazed for a moment. He didn’t know how to answer this question, either. Long time later, he faltered, “Maybe Childe Ling thinks he is not familiar with you.”
Yuwen Tong took a look at him and said, “I appear in front of him every day. Is it not enough?”
Yao Yi felt the pressure and explained, “I… It’s just a guess.”
Yuwen Tong’s face turned dark quickly. He complained, “Then you can just keep mute.”
Yao Yi closed his mouth soon and didn’t dare to say a word. He was bitter in his heart. Marshal asked it! How could marshal blame him when he couldn’t give a proper answer? He didn’t have any engagement with Childe Ling!
Well, hold on, did marshal mean that he wanted to take Childe Ling to get married in the capital?
Did marshal really want to marry Childe Ling?
Yao Yi became excited instantly. He asked, “Marshal, will Childe Ling become our Mrs. Marshal?”
Yuwen Tong paused for a while. Mrs. Marshal?
That sounded great.
“Got a problem with that?” Yuwen Tong asked him coldly.
“Of course not. I couldn’t agree more if you like him. And Childe Ling is good-looking and has a good temper. He is also kind to others, which is different from other arrogant noble ladies. Lord Ling once helped our old marshal. You also have an engagement. It’s a good thing that you get married with him!” Yao Yi said soon without any hesitation.
Yuwen Tong snorted coldly and was finally satisfied.
“Marshal, Childe Ling is still standing there. It is colder than last night.” The person came in to report again.
Yuwen Tong frowned and finally went out.
Ling Zhang was thinking about his engagement with Yuwen Tong. Seeing the moon, he gradually started to think of other things and forgot where he was.
He didn’t come back to himself until his body felt warm.
A cloak was put on him.
He turned his head and saw Yuwen Tong standing behind him.
“What are you thinking about? You almost become a stone.” Yuwen Tong said.
Ling Zhang wanted to give the cloak back to him. But Yuwen Tong stopped him and said, “You should either go back to your house or wear it.”
Ling Zhang pursed his lips and turned to walk to his house. His feet were a little rigid because of the long standing. So he walked slowly.
Ling Zhang took off his cloak and handed it to Yuwen Tong after arriving at the door of his house.
Yuwen Tong took a look at the cloak in his hand and held it. He asked, “Did your grandpa say anything?”
“Nothing. I was just lost in thought suddenly. How do you know I was standing in the yard?” Ling Zhang asked.
Yuwen Tong didn’t answer. But Ling Zhang had guessed it. He looked at the house next to him and said, “I almost forgot you have a group of great guards.”
“If it is related to me, I hope you tell me directly.” Yuwen Tong stared at him.
“Will you break off the engagement if I tell you?” Ling Zhang also looked at him.
It was truly about the engagement. Yuwen Tong thought. Then he answered quickly, “No.”
Ling Zhang looked at him for a long time quietly and said, “Then you’d better not ask me about it.”
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