The Glory After Rebirth [ɇÇ”Ÿä¹‹Å°Šè£] Chapter 133- 135

Chapter 133- Identify Yourself, You Sneaky Fraud

The next morning, when Ling Zhang woke up in Yuwen Tong’s bed, he was calm and not surprised at all. He had guessed that under no circumstances would Yuwen Tong take him to his own bedroom.

There was an arm around his waist, and he knew whose it was without having to turn his head back to check.

Maybe because he went to watch stars and the moon with Yuwen Tong the night before, he was now much more composed than he was the day before. Calmly, he moved Yuwen Tong’s arm off him.

A chuckle came from behind and with that the arm sprang around his waist and dragged him back. Hot air was breathed over his neck. “You woke up.”

“Let go of me. I want to get up.”

“Okay,” Yuwen Tong replied and then landed a kiss on his neck. “Off you go.”

Since the neck was a very sensitive area, that kiss almost brought all Ling Zhang’s hair rising. He immediately jumped off Yuwen Tong’s bed, turned around and shot him a dark glance. “Do that again and I’ll kick your ass.”

Yuwen Tong couldn’t help but chuckle.

Ling Zhang gave him a dirty look, dressed into his overgarment, straightened his clothes and then, without even flicking another glance at Yuwen Tong, swaggeringly walked out of the room.

Hearing the bodyguards outside repeatedly calling “Childe Ling”, Yuwen Tong couldn’t conceal the smile on the corners of his mouth no matter how hard he tried. ‘If some day, these guys address Ling Zhang as “Mistress”, I would probably be the happiest man in the world,” he thought.

Beneath the meaningful and delighted gaze of bodyguards, with a relaxed expression on his face, Ling Zhang walked out of the Green Bamboo Mansion. And then, to the stare of Xia Feng and some others whose faces were full of shock as if the sky was going to collapse, he returned to his bedroom.

“Xia Feng, get some hot water here. I need to take a bath and then change clothes.”

“Ye–Yes, Young Master!”

Xia Feng collected himself. ‘Young Master wants to take a bath and change clothes? Surely it’s not what I think…’

As if half-conscious, Xia Feng arranged for hot water to be delivered to Ling Zhang’s bathroom. “Young Master, would you like me to help you bathe?”

“That won’t be necessary. You may leave.” Ling Zhang paused, thought for a few moments and then declined.

Xia Feng swallowed back the words on the tip of his tongue, answered “Yes” and then took the servants out of the room.

Then he flicked a glance at the Green Bamboo Mansion next door, and with that deep distress showed on his face. He secretly made up his mind to keep his young master under close protection. ‘On no account should I let the man living next door do this to young master again!’

If Ling Zhang came to know what Xia Feng had pictured in his mind, he would definitely laugh so hard as to spew his tea onto Xia Feng’s face and query him, “What the hell has got into you?”

After taking a bath and changing clothes, Ling Zhang went to Ling Zhaowen’s place.

“Uncle, has everything been handled in Lu family?”

“There’s no hurry. Have you had breakfast?” Ling Zhaowen, who happened to be having breakfast, invited Ling Zhang to dine with him. “Come and grab a bite.”

Ling Zhang sat down and a servant immediately placed a bowl and a pair of chopsticks before him.

Breakfast was a bowl of congee with slices of lean and vegetable in it, five little steamed stuffed buns, a dish of sautéed bok choy, and six meatballs made of mashed pork and mushroom purée.

Ling Zhang quietly had breakfast with his uncle, who then informed him, “Everything’s properly dealt with. The mourning hall and all other related stuff have been removed. Ling family hired a taoist priest who’s going to hold a ritual in their house to expel bad luck the day after tomorrow which is believed to be an auspicious date for a ritual of this kind. I want you to go with me.”

“All right,” answered Ling Zhang. “Did Yuwen Tong tell you about grandfather?”

“Yes. He told me that your grandfather would arrive tomorrow.”

“I’ll go out of the city and pick him up.”

“It may not be a bad idea. Remember to take some men with you. Although Zhang Chong’s dead, some of his minions might still make trouble for us.”

“Yes, Second Master.”

“There’s a lot going on in the Prefecture Yamen and I might be too occupied to be able to spare any time to come back during the next few days, so you’ll have to spend more time at home keeping things in order. As regards the Marshal… If my guess is right, Dai Cheng is paying us a visit later today. Make sure we’re ready for it.”

“Good.”

“Zhang’er, you didn’t raise any objections when I mentioned your engagement to the Marshal that day. Are you still against it?”

Ling Zhaowen suddenly brought up his engagement. After a fleeting trance of surprise, Ling Zhang replied, “Uncle, I’ve already promised Yuwen Tong that I would go to the capital city with him. The engagement still stands.”

Ling Zhaowen’s eyes lit up and he couldn’t help but slap himself on the lap and observed excitedly, “Good! I’m very glad to know that you’ve thought it through and changed your mind!”

Ling Zhang fell silent. The excitement on his uncle’s face brought him wondering how eager his uncle was to see him marry Yuwen Tong.

He felt an urge to tell his uncle not to count his chickens before they were hatched, but after some thinking, he forbore from doing so, believing that he could always tell his uncle if he really decided to break off his engagement to Yuwen Tong, that it was unnecessary for him to cast a chill over his uncle on this occasion.

“I’m definitely going to inform your grandfather of this the moment he returns. He’d be very happy to hear this good news.”

Ling Zhang was at a loss for words.

After breakfast, Ling Zhaowen had a short rest and then left home heading for the Prefecture Yamen. When he was about to reach the yamen, somebody got in the way and stopped his palanquin.

“What’s the matter?”

“Second Master, someone is blocking our path saying that he’s here to deliver a letter.”

‘A letter?’ Ling Zhaowen knitted his eyebrows, opened the palanquin curtain and saw a stranger standing in front.

“Who are you?”

“You’ll find out after reading the letter, Tongzhi Ling.”

‘This accent… He’s from the capital city.’ Ling Zhaowen took the letter that Li Fu had checked, opened it, ran an eye over it and his face slightly changed.

As if having guessed what Ling Zhaowen was thinking about, the man who had delivered the letter said, “They’ll be waiting for you at the Fengtai Pavilion, Tongzhi Ling.”

After saying this, the person walked away and soon disappeared into the crowd.

Ling Zhaowen stared at the letter in his hands, deep concern on his face.

“Did anything happen, Second Master?” asked Li Fu in a low voice.

“Let’s go to the yamen first.” Ling Zhaowen put away the letter.

People of Yuwen family had invited him to a meeting at the Fengtai Pavilion. Yuwen Tong was living right in his house. He wondered why some other members of Yuwen family specially invited him to have a meeting elsewhere.

The only matter that concerned both Ling family and Yuwen family was the engagement between Ling Zhang and Yuwen Tong.

Ling Zhaowen was not as naive as his father. At the very beginning, he had suspected that the reason why people of Yuwen family had never staked out their position on this engagement was because they were not very happy about it, but after Yuwen Tong came to Tanyang and offered Ling family a lot of help, Ling Zhaowen’s suspicions had dissolved, but now…

‘It seems that some people of Yuwen family see this matter differently.’

“Li Fu, make some inquiries and find out the identities of those who invited me to room A on the second floor of the Fengtai Pavilion. Remember, try not to be spotted, and keep it secret. Don’t tell Zhang’er about this matter for the moment.”

“Yes, Second Master.”

At the corner of the street.

“Is it done?”

“Yes. I saw Ling Zhaowen read the letter with my own eyes.”

“Good.”

“Supervisor, what if Ling Zhaowen refuses to come?”

“He doesn’t dare.”

…

It was almost noon. Li Fu returned to the Prefecture Yamen.

“How did it go? Did you ascertain who those people are?” asked Ling Zhaowen.

“I did. There are three of them. The owner of the Fengtai Pavilion said that those three people’s clothing was low-key, but they were clearly rich. Their accent suggest they are from the capital city. They are very arrogant and have their noses in the air. I made some inquiries and found that they seem to have been staying in an inn in eastern city for two days,” replied Li Fu.

‘Those must be them.’ Ling Zhaowen thought for a while and then said, “Go there with me at noon. Stay alert. We shall leave at the first inkling of trouble.”

Li Fu nodded, “How about I go to the Fengtai Pavilion right now and make some arrangements in advance?”

“All right. Try to do it undetected.”

“I understand.”

At noon, Tao Feng invited Ling Zhaowen to have lunch with him.

“I’m sorry, Your Lordship, but I have an appointment and have to go to the Fengtai Pavilion this noon.” Ling Zhaowen had no choice but to decline.

Tao Feng gave a smile. “An appointment in the Fengtai Pavilion at noon? Is it the Marshal that you’re going to meet?”

“Not the Marshal, really. You may rest assured that I’ll mention the banquet to the Marshal after I return, Your Lordship.”

Tao Feng chuckled happily, “Now we’re talking. It seems that none of my thoughts can escape your eyes.”

After a quite wordy conversation, Ling Zhaowen managed to take his leave of Tao Feng and walked out of the Prefecture Yamen. Li Fu, who had been waiting outside, saw him and gave a bob of the head, indicating that all necessary arrangements had been made.

Ling Zhaowen got on the palanquin and went to the Fengtai Pavilion.

“Are you here to have lunch, Lord Ling?”

“Somebody’s expecting me in room A on the second floor.”

“Oh — ” the owner drawled meaningfully and then informed Ling Zhaowen in an undertone, “Those three people arrived here a short while ago. They’re already in the room.”

Ling Zhaowen nodded and went upstairs.

Li Fu rewarded the owner of the restaurant and thanked him.

The owner happily put the money away and added, “Those three people seem to be from some powerful background. I’m afraid they have a high-ranking backer. Please remind Lord Ling to be careful lest he fall victim to their tricks.”

“I will,” Li Fu responded and then walked upstairs as well.

Because of Yuwen Tong, all residents of Tanyang were very respectful of members of Ling family. If it weren’t for the fact that the battle the night before had alarmed them, many of them would have gone to the gateway of Ling family and prostrated themselves there to show their worship of the legendary war hero.

But people of Ling family found this rather embarrassing.

On the second floor, Li Fu knocked at the door of room A for Ling Zhaowen.

“Come in, please,” said someone inside the private room.

Li Fu opened the door and his eyes swept around the private room. There were indeed three people inside. Originally, all of them had been sitting, and it was not until they saw the door open that one of them stood up.

Li Fu took a small step backward to make way for Ling Zhaowen.

“May I ask if you are they ones who request my presence here? Please pardon me for my ignorance, but I don’t know who you are,” said Ling Zhaowen before any of the three people could talk.

The three men exchanged glances and then the one sitting in the middle seat, who was relatively shorter but looked more imposing than the other two, responded to Ling Zhaowen, “I’m Zhao Fugui, a supervisor of Yuwen family in the capital city. It was rather curt of me to invite Tongzhi Ling here. I hope Tongzhi Ling won’t lay any blame on me.”

“Well, I didn’t really take any offence, but I do suspect your identities. After all, there are now too many people who are aware of the Marshal’s presence in my house. Some even impersonated as members of Yuwen family to trick us into sending them gifts. Do you have anything that can prove you are who you claim to be?” Ling Zhaowen didn’t put up any pretence of politeness and there was even coldness in his tone of voice. He didn’t sit down but just stood at the door watching them.

This rather unfriendly manner brought frown to the faces of the three men. Supervisor Zhao asked, “What do you mean, Tongzhi Ling? Are you suspecting that we are frauds?”

“If you are really from Yuwen family, it would be far more reasonable for you to come to Ling family to meet me, but you chose to invite me to this place, making this meeting and yourselves stealthy. Is it not a natural thing that I suspect you’re frauds?”

“You! How dare you regard us as frauds!” a man standing beside Supervisor Zhao thundered. “Who do you think you are? You’re nothing but a petty official. What gave you the courage to lay scorn on us?”

“No matter whether I’m a petty official or a top-ranking one, I would never be polite to frauds. So tell me, are you frauds or are you really members of Yuwen family? Show me some proof.”

“This is outrageous! Ling Zhaowen, you’d better get rid of that attitude!”

Ling Zhaowen sneered and reprimanded, “So you have no proof? Then I’m afraid you’ll be taken into custody awaiting trial. You dared to impersonate members of Yuwen family. I have to admit that you really have quite some balls!”

Chapter 134: My Uncle Is Too Kind-hearted

Ling Zhaowen’s reprimand instantly brought down the momentum of the three men, leaving them speechless with rage.

This was exactly what Ling Zhaowen wanted. The seal on the letter that he had received in the morning seemed to be authentic, and he believed that there was an eighty-percent chance these three people were really from Yuwen family, but their stealthy behavior was a manifest indication that they harbored evil intentions. ‘These guys want to bully me? I’d like to see if they’re capable of it!’

“Li Fu, send for Yamen runners. I want these three frauds locked up in the prison of the Prefecture Yamen!”

“Yes, Marshal!”

“Wait!” Supervisor Zhao hurriedly stopped him. Through gritted teeth, he said, “I do have proof of identity.”

“Oh? Then show me.” Ling Zhaowen stared at him.

Hands trembling with rage, Supervisor Zhao gritted his teeth to calm himself down and produced his ID plate to show Ling Zhaowen.

Ling Zhaowen winked at Li Fu, who walked forward, took the ID plate and scrutinized it before handing it to Ling Zhaowen. Naturally, this spiteful course of action added fuel to the fury bubbling inside the three men.

“As far as I can tell, this is not a counterfeit. So you are really servants of Yuwen family. Then why did you intentionally avoid the Marshal, your master, and request an audience with me at this restaurant? Isn’t this too bold an action for servants to take? Or are you hatching some kind of sinister plot?”

After checking the ID plate, Ling Zhaowen slightly adjusted his attitude, reluctantly acknowledging their identities, but the tone in his voice didn’t soften at all. Instead, it went even colder.

The wording of Ling Zhaowen — “servants”, “audience with me”, “master” — was a manifest indication that he didn’t take these three servants seriously. When in the capital city, Supervisor Zhao and the other two had always been acting arrogantly on most occasions. Because of Yuwen family’s position and powerful influence, even high-ranking officials in the capital city would show some respect to Supervisor Zhao and the other two, which was why they could barely keep their temper under control after being treated this way.

‘What a clodhopper. He really thinks that just because we’re servants of Yuwen family, he gets to talk to us like this. He forgets that he’s a mere Tongzhi!’

“Tongzhi Ling, now that you’ve put it this way, I’m afraid we might have to stop saving your face. Our master is Marshal Yuwen’s uncle as well as the current patriarch of Yuwen family. He sent us, a couple of servants of his, here to deliver a message to you.”

Supervisor Zhao, who was infuriated by Ling Zhaowen’s deeds, directly mentioned Yuwen Zhi in an attempt to face Ling Zhaowen down.

“Is that so? The fact that your master is Marshal Yuwen’s uncle makes it even more unreasonable of you to try to keep this visit of yours secret from Marshal Yuwen. You’re but a couple of servants. Surely none of you is closer to the Marshal than his uncle is? Actually, your remarks have just aroused suspicion in me that this ID plate is a forgery.” Ling Zhaowen left Supervisor Zhao no chance to speak.

‘The attitudes of these guys alone suggest that they are not going to say anything kind!’ thought Ling Zhaowen.

But then he was on the alert. ‘What is Yuwen Zhi trying to do? Why does he want this engagement annulled?”

“You!” Supervisor Zhao’s face was dark with rage. “Ling Zhaowen, our master stated expressly that by no means would he allow anyone of Ling family to marry into Yuwen family, because you’re far from worthy. You’d better call off the engagement on your own account. Otherwise you’ll find that the flame of anger of Yuwen family is not something Ling family can survive!”

“This is outrageous!” Ling Zhaowen snapped. “I knew it. You’re undoubtedly frauds. How dare you impersonate servants of Yuwen family trying to ruin the marriage contract. This marriage contract was concluded by Old General Yuwen himself. Lord Yuwen is his son. He would never question his father’s decision. Who are you? Why are you trying to disgrace Lord Yuwen?! Li Fu, send for Yamen runners! They shall be taken into custody awaiting Marshal Yuwen’s further instructions!”

“Yes, Marshal!”

This time, without any pretence, Li Fu really ran out to inform Yamen runners.

Seeing this, the three men were thrown into panic. “You…You… Ling Zhaowen, we’re trusted followers of our master. How dare you do this to us! Even if some day your nephew marries into Yuwen family, life is not going to be easy for him! I advise you to come to your senses before things reach the point of no return!”

With a sullen look on his face, Ling Zhaowen refused to make any concessions. Of course he knew these people were really sent here by Yuwen Zhi, but if he compromised with them on this occasion, his nephew would surely be bullied by them after marrying into Yuwen family.

If it were before this morning, maybe he would have chosen to handle this matter in a more delicate manner, but his nephew had staked out his position on this issue saying that he was willing to stay engaged to Yuwen Tong, which meant that he would marry Yuwen Tong sooner or later. This being the case, he had decided to do whatever he could to support his nephew. Under no circumstances would he allow these people any chances to cause any harm to him.

“Supervisor, there are really some Yamen runners coming. We should leave!”

A man standing beside Supervisor Zhao craned out of the window and discovered that there were really a team of Yamen runners approaching quickly from the end of the street. His expression instantly changed and he anxiously informed Supervisor Zhao of it.

“Young Master bade us not to openly cross the Marshal. Let’s just go!”

Staring fixedly at Ling Zhaowen, Supervisor Zhao said through gritted teeth, “Ling Zhaowen, you’re not getting away with this!”

With that, he quickly left the private room with the other two and fled as fast as they could.

Ling Zhaowen didn’t try to stop them in the knowledge that they might resort to more aggressive methods if he pushed them too hard. ‘Let this be a deterrent to them.’

After they left, Li Fu waved at the Yamen runners in the distance. The captain gave a bob of his head, led his men into another street and disappeared.

“Second Master, all of them left.”

“Mount a watch outside that inn. Inform me if they leave.”

“Yes, second master,” Li Fu answered.

After leaving the Fengtai Pavilion, Ling Zhaowen returned to the Prefecture Yamen. He didn’t go home to question Yuwen Tong about this matter, since he knew very well what Yuwen Tong had been doing these days, and he believed that Yuwen Tong had nothing to do with this matter, but a word of warning was still necessary, so he had to figure out how to do it in a tactful way.

At this time. In the residence of Ling family.

“This way please, General Dai.”

“Thank you.”

As expected, Dai Cheng came to Ling family seeking an audience with Yuwen Tong.

“Marshal, you have been in Tanyang for over half a month. May I ask when you plan to go back to the capital city? His Majesty misses you very much.”

After taking a seat, Dai Cheng merely exchanged a couple of pleasantries before asking Yuwen Tong when he would return to the capital city. Though Yuwen Tong had made no intervention whatsoever in the matter of the Prefecture Guards of Tanyang, Dai Cheng and the emperor still seemed to be deeply concerned, bursting with impatience to have him depart for the capital city.

“I intend to go to the capital city with my betrothed. There are a lot of business to attend to in Ling family, so we need some more days to make preparations,” replied Yuwen Tong.

Ling Zhang watched Dai Cheng, an apologetic look on his face. “Surely General Dai wouldn’t blame me for it, would you? I have a great deal of arrangements to make. As you know, we don’t have many family members, and my grandfather is absent. I have to make sure everything is properly handled.”

Dai Cheng looked at Ling Zhang and let out a laugh. “You overthought it, Childe Ling. I was just relaying His Majesty’s message. Actually, it’s better if Childe Ling makes adequate preparations. After all, you’re engaged to the Marshal. There’s no doubt that you’ll be in the limelight when you’re in the capital city. You could never be too prepared.”

“Thank you for reminding me.” Ling Zhang showed faint timidity on his face.

There was no way to tell what Dai Cheng was actually thinking, but on the surface, he was laughing heartily.

After Dai Cheng left, faces of both Yuwen Tong and Ling Zhang went cold.

“They want you back so badly. Why are they so wary of you?”

“They’ve been like this ever since I took command of the Northwestern Army. They’re wary of me but they also need me.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask you what you plan to do in the future.”

Since the emperor had such a suspicious mind and was so wary of Yuwen Tong, Ling Zhang believed that sooner or later he would try to eliminate Yuwen Tong. ‘What would Yuwen Tong do when that day comes?’ he wondered.

Watching him, Yuwen Tong gave a mysterious smile and then craned to his ear, saying in an undertone, “Stay with me and you’ll find out.”

Ling Zhang looked at him. ‘Stay with Yuwen Tong?’

“Okay. I’ll wait and see, but you have to make sure I don’t die with you.”

Yuwen Tong briefly squinted his eyes. “Dying together sounds pretty good.”

Ling Zhang gave him a dirty look. ‘Who wants to die with you? Isn’t it better to stay alive and enjoy my life?’

Amused by the dirty look given by Ling Zhang, Yuwen Tong said, “Rest assured, I won’t let you die.”

‘I’ve merely held your hand and kissed you for a couple of times. It would be such a shame to let you die,’ he thought.

At dusk, Ling Zhaowen returned. After having dinner, Ling Zhaowen invited Yuwen Tong to the side hall.

“Is there anything you want to talk with me about, Uncle Ling?”

“Marshal, may I ask if there are any people in Yuwen family against the engagement between you and Zhang’er?”

Yuwen Tong’s face slightly changed. “Did anybody tell you anything?”

Ling Zhaowen gave a smile. “It seems that nothing escapes your eyes, Marshal. This morning, a man who claimed to be a supervisor working for Yuwen family came to me. He wanted me to call off the engagement on my own account, saying that he’s your uncle’s trusted follower.”

Yuwen Tong’s brows furrowed. “Where are they?”

Ling Zhaowen smiled, “I was worried that they might be frauds, so I threatened to lock them up. They got scared and ran away.”

After a short silence, Yuwen Tong let out a soft cough and observed, “I’m sorry you had to been through this farce. Rest assured, I’ll see to it that this matter is properly handled.”

“It’s a great relief to hear that Marshal is going to put this matter in capable hands, but Zhang’er…”

“I’ll tell him the truth without holding anything back.”

Ling Zhaowen gave a satisfied smile. “Then I shall ask no further questions. After all, this matter concerns Marshal’s family. Of course, there’s no need for you and Zhang’er to rush into marriage. Zhang’er has just reached adulthood after all. You might as well wait for a certain amount of time.”

Yuwen Tong fell speechless.

“I’ll have this issue handled after I return to the capital city.”

Ling Zhaowen raised his eyebrows and steered the conversation away from this matter to another topic.

Yuwen Tong’s face darkened after he walked out of the side hall.

He had just got rid of Yuwen Qi when these servants showed up. For fear that this matter might come to his knowledge, they had even dared to secretly invite Ling Zhaowen outside and threatened him. It seemed that he had been away from home for too long, and those people had forgotten what kind of person he was.

“Yao Yi, go and find those people and bring them to me.”

“Yes, Marshal!”

Seeing the cold, sullen look on Yuwen Tong’s face, Ling Zhang thought that something bad had happened.

“Did my uncle tell you anything? Is it serious?”

Yuwen Tong meant to keep it secret from Ling Zhang, but then he recalled that he had just promised Ling Zhaowen that he would tell Ling Zhang the truth. If he held this matter back, Ling Zhaowen might ask Ling Zhang about it afterwards and find out. He had no idea what Ling Zhaowen would say if that was the case. ‘What if he asks Ling Zhang to call off the engagement?’

He still remembered that the very reason why he had come to Tanyang in the first place had been that divorce paper.

Marshal Yuwen felt a fit of vexation, which was very rare.

“A couple of servants of my family came to Tanyang in the wake of Yuwen Qi’s leaving.”

The worry on Ling Zhang’s face was replaced by apathy after he heard this remark. “They talked to my uncle?”

Yuwen Tong gave a cough and then ventured, “Uncle Ling believed that they were frauds and threatened to lock them up. They were scared away.”

“They were scared away? My uncle was being too kind-hearted. If I were him, I would have directly broken their legs, put them in jail and left them to die.”

While saying this, Ling Zhang was staring at Yuwen Tong, which made Yuwen Tong’s blood freeze.

Chapter 135: Apprehension and Interrogation

Yuwen Tong was well aware that he would definitely be faced with immediate trouble if he didn’t stake out his position on this issue right now.

“I’ve already sent Yao Yi and some others to catch them. You’ll get your chance to vent your anger on them in whatever way you like.”

“What if I want them dead?”

“I’ll hand you a saber myself.”

“Humph.”

It wasn’t until after hearing this remark that Ling Zhang withdrew his stare at Yuwen Tong and said, “I’ll decide after they’re brought here.”

Yao Yi finished the job very soon. On that very night, Zhao Fugui and the other two men were restrained, brought to the courtyard of the Green Bamboo Mansion and dropped onto the ground.

“Ouch!” The three men heavily landed on the ground and yelled in pain.

“Which bastards were so bold as to abduct me?! Are you courting death?!” Cursing, they picked themselves up and wanted to find out who had dared to kidnap them. ‘Do they not know we work for Yuwen family? They must be seeking to meet their end!’

But on rising to their feet, they caught sight of Yuwen Tong who was watching them flintily. Instantly, they buckled at the knees, knelt down to the ground and broke out in a cold sweat. Face ghastly white, Zhao Fugui called in a trembling voice, “Mar–Marshal.”

“Am I eligible to kidnap you?” asked Yuwen in a cold tone of voice.

“No, no, no, that’s not what I mean, Marshal. It’s me who’s courting death. I’m as blind as a bat. I failed to guard my tongue. What I said is punishable by death!” Zhao Fugui raised his hand and slapped himself hard across the face.

The other two men were also terribly scared, trembling all over, too afraid to utter a word.

“Indeed, you should pay for what you did with you lives. Under whose order did you act so boldly as to threaten my future father-in-law? Was it Yuwen Zhi?”

“No, no. It’s just a misunderstanding… misunderstanding!” After cursing Ling Zhaowen, who had told on him, numerous times in his mind, Zhao Fugui quickly replied, “Master cares about you the most, Marshal. It was because he worried that you might fall prey to the tricks of Ling family that he sent us to Tanyang to warn them. If they have any sinister motives, our warning would surely serve as a deterrent to them.”

“Oh? So Yuwen Zhi did not send you here to pressurize people of Ling family to call off the engagement on their own account? I wronged you?”

“No, no, nobody’s wronged. As servants, we did that for your own good, Marshal. Please don’t blame yourself.”

These words sent all those looking on speechless. ‘What a plausible lackey this guy is!’

“You dared to come here and threaten people of Ling family right under my nose. I doubt whether there’s anything you don’t dare to do. Where’s Yuwen Qi?”

“We–Well…”

Yuwen Tong flintily stared at Zhao Fugui, who felt a cold shiver of fear run through him and replied, “Second Young Master is waiting for us in a small town in Yan Zhou.”

“I expressly bade him to go back to the capital city, yet he still chose to stay. It seems that I went too easy on him,” Yuwen Tong observed angrily. “Yao Yi, take these three people away and have them talk about what they’ve done.”

“Yes, Marshal!”

Finally, Zhao Fugui and the other two had an inkling that something was not right. Horrified, Zhao Fugui hurriedly crawled up to Yuwen Tong and grabbed the tail of his robe. “Marshal, I’ve realized my mistake. Please have mercy on me!”

Yuwen Tong’s face went cold.

For fear that Yuwen Tong might get angry, Yao Yi and some others quickly grabbed the three men and dragged them away.

“Marshal, please have mercy on us! Please!”

“Marshal, we’re servants of Master. What you are doing will compromise Master deeply!”

“Marshal–”

The next moment, all yelling stopped. Yao Yi and some bodyguards gagged Zhao Fugui and the other two.

“They’re just a couple of lackeys. Why are angry with them?” said Ling Zhang blandly after walking over.

Yuwen Tong responded immediately, “Of course my anger has nothing to do with a couple of lackeys. I’m angry because they were so bold as to disturb Uncle Ling and you.”

“They were merely following orders. Even if you kill them, it won’t make any difference.” The mastermind was still hiding in the capital city. Those who didn’t like the idea of him marrying Yuwen Tong would definitely dispatch a second, even a third subordinate like Zhao Fugui. If he was to have them handled once and for all, he must go to the capital city.

“They are your family. Are you sure that you still want to marry me when so many people are against it?”

Yuwen Tong gave a smile and then watched him and replied in a serious tone of voice, “I should be the one asking this question. Are you afraid?”

‘Are you afraid of these obstacles? Even if you are, I won’t let you give up.’ Yuwen Tong gazed fixedly at Ling Zhang but didn’t tell him these thoughts.

Ling Zhang appeared very composed. “I’m not afraid.”

‘Why would I be afraid? I have a score to settle with those people. It is them who should be afraid.’ Ling Zhang thought.

…

The next morning, Ling Zhang went outside the city to meet Ling Xingzhong and the others. He took twelve security guards with him in case anything unexpected happened.

Originally, Yuwen Tong had intended to go with him, but Dai Cheng chanced to pay him a visit, so he had to stay. He offered to have his bodyguards see Ling Zhang out of the city but Ling Zhang declined.

“I’ve already had twelve security guards with me. There’s no need for any more people.”

Even a team going on a tiger hunt wouldn’t require so many members.

Besides, the duty of Yao Yi and other bodyguards was to protect Yuwen Tong. If any of Zhang Chong’s minions by any chance had survived the battle, they might seek to make trouble for Yuwen Tong.

After waiting nearly an hour outside the city, Ling Zhang caught sight of the horse-drawn carriages of Ling Xingzhong and the others.

Delighted, Ling Zhang hurried up to them.

“Grandfather!” He first greeted Ling Xingzhong.

Due to several days’ tiring journey and his worry about the situation in Tanyang, Ling Xingzhong seemed fairly drawn.

Ling Zhang was grieved to see this. “Let’s go home right away, grandfather. It’s very undutiful of me to have put you through all this.”

Ling Xingzhong patted Ling Zhang’s hand. “Don’t beat yourself up over this. You’ve always been a dutiful kid. Grandfather is very gratified.”

After saying this, he gave Ling Zhang an appraising look and observed with a frown on his face, “Why do I feel that you’re thinner than the last time I saw you? Is it because you’ve been worrying about too many things these days? I’ll tell the chef to prepare some nourishing food for you. Look at you. Your cheekbones show.”

It was obvious that his grandfather himself was the one who was thinner. Ling Zhang was almost reduced to tears. “I’m okay. It’s because I’m still growing. Actually I’m much stronger now.”

He stretched out his arm to let Ling Xingzhong feel it. Ling Xingzhong felt his arm and found that his grandson had indeed become somewhat stronger, which dissolved his worry.

“Your aunt and the others are on the second carriage. Go and greet them. Then we’ll go home.”

“Okay.”

Ling Zhang went to the next carriage and saw Fu Caiwei. Ling Maomao had fallen asleep midway and had not woken up.

Watching Ling Maomao, Ling Zhang reached out his hand and gently scratched the boy’s cheek, then said to Fu Caiwei in a muted voice, “I’m sorry to have put you through two long journeys, aunt.”

“All that matters is that our family are safe. It’s well worth a couple of journeys. I can see that your face is so much thinner. Have you been picky about food again during my absence?” Fu Caiwei’s gaze rested on his face, a reproachful look in her eyes.

He used to be a picky eater in childhood but had got rid of that habit long ago.

Ling Zhang embarrassedly repeated what he had just said to Ling Xingzhong. Fu Caiwei reluctantly accepted his explanation.

“There’s a lot of things going on in the yamen, so uncle didn’t come here to meet you, but he’ll return at noon.”

“Nobody cares whether he comes here to meet us or not. Your presence alone makes aunt very happy.”

Ling Zhang chuckled, “Then let’s go home.”

“Okay. You must have had a bellyful of wind. Get on the carriage.”

“That won’t be necessary, aunt. Maomao will be woken up if I get on.”

The group of people slowly headed for the city gate. Yang Liuzi and the others were very happy to see Ling Zhang, and their delight deepened when they saw Wang Dashan and other security guards. Instantly, all of them fell into joyous chatting with each other.

However, Xie Shi, who was a man of few words, kept silent.

“Thank you for your trouble, Guard Xie. Your protection of my grandfather and others is the very reason why I’ve been at ease.” Ling Zhang walked up to him, thanked him and then brought up the matter of Yuwen Tong. “He’s okay as well. Originally, he had wanted to come here with me, but Dai Cheng paid him a visit, so he had to give up. Yao Yi and others have also returned. They are all in my home.”

Xie Shi gave a faint smile. “I’m glad to hear that. Thank you for telling me this, Childe Ling.”

“That’s totally unnecessary. Now I don’t know what to say,” replied Ling Zhang.

Xie Shi smiled again and steered the conversation away. “Childe Ling, have you accepted our Marshal’s offer?”

Caught off guard by this question, Ling Zhang blushed with embarrassment and gave a cough. “Why ask about this?”

However, Xie Shi had got the answer from Ling Zhang’s reaction. “In the past, all the Marshal cared about was winning battles. Even if he got any leisure time, he would spend it on drinking and riding. He has never got any soul mates by his side. All of us grew up with the Marshal. After the old general passed away, the Marshal’s parents also died one after another. The Marshal had been lonely all along. For such a long time, you are the first person that the Marshal would gaze at with that kind of special look in his eyes. All of us are very glad that the Marshal met you. The spirit of the deceased old general must be secretly blessing and protecting him, which is why the Marshal has put an end to the days of being alone.”

Ling Zhang listened very carefully and then said, “Why do you trust me so much? Are you not afraid that I was lying to him?”

“There’s no need for you to disparage yourself, Childe Ling. You’re a very good person. All of us have faith in you.”

Ling Zhang nodded. “I’m grateful for that. No matter whether I’ll marry Yuwen Tong or not in the end, never will I do him any harm. I, Ling Zhang, is not an ungrateful man.”

“I’m very much relieved to hear this remark of Childe Ling. But all of us want to see you and the Marshal get married. Nobody else will get our recognition.”

Ling Zhang lifted his eyebrows. “Such certainty might prove inadvisable.”

Xie Shi smiled yet again, “You’ll understand what I mean when you get to know the Marshal better, Childe Ling. The Marshal has come to the belief that you’re the one he’s meant to be with, and it’s never going to change.”

‘It’s never going to change?’ Ling Zhang made no comment but felt undeniable delight.

The procession slowly progressed into the city. Seeing Ling Zhang, all residents on the street spontaneously made way.

“It’s Master Ling coming back home, right?”

“Of course. Whom else do you think Childe Ling went out of the city to meet?”

“Is Childe Ling by any chance really going to marry Marshal Yuwen?”

“Sure thing. The news has spread through the whole world. They’ll definitely get married.”

“If only I could go and see the ceremony on their wedding day.”

“Thinking about it is all that you can do. Their wedding is no doubt going to take place in the capital city. You think you stand a chance of going to the capital city?”

“Stop acting like you can go there.”

“Well, I can’t either. But my damn husband wants to go real bad. Incidentally, did you go and kowtow this morning?”

“I did. Pity I didn’t see Marshal Yuwen.”

“Alas. Neither did I. What a pity. I wonder when Marshal Yuwen would come out. All I want is a glimpse of him.”

Ling Zhang on horseback, who had distinctly overheard the conversation, fell speechless.

Xie Shi, who was beside him, asked in perplexity, “To whom did they kowtow?”

After a few moments’ silence, Ling Zhang replied, “To your Marshal.”

This answer sent Xie Shi into a surprised trance. ‘What? They kowtowed to the Marshal? What’s going on?’