The Glory After Rebirth [ɇÇ”Ÿä¹‹Å°Šè£] Chapter 265- 267

Chapter 265: An Apology from Zheng Shi?

An intelligence report submitted to Yuwen Tong, however, said that Zheng shi had taken Yuwen Qi to that temple to meet someone, whose identity was cloaked in a shroud of secrecy, and who had a powerful force in the capital city as his backer.

Yao Yi and some others, in order not to alarm the mastermind, let that man leave.

After pondering for a few moments, Yuwen Tong gave a sneer. This person wielded such great power in the capital city, and his methods were so familiar. He wondered whether this man who had suddenly shown up to upset his plan was the same person who had killed Su Zhi previously.

“There’s no way Yuwen Qi could make a full recovery from his broken legs after a single meeting with that man. After that man shows up a few more times, your opportunity to reveal his identity will arise. Currently, our first priority is the matter Xie Shi has been dealing with. Go and see if he’s found anything.”

“Yes, Marshal.”

This was the day when Yuwen Zhi’s old servant would go to that teahouse. Xie Shi had been lying in ambush in there for quite some time.

…

In the teahouse.

When the storyteller reached the most heart-thrilling part of the tale and all customers in the teahouse had their attention fixed on him, one particular person quietly left the hall making towards the privy in the back yard. This person was slightly hunched and stayed in the privy for a long time before exiting.

After walking through the privy door, he cautiously looked around and didn’t return to the hall of the teahouse until he confirmed that nobody was watching.

Xie Shi cocked an eye at a spot near the foot of the wall behind the privy. With a sudden flicker of his figure, he disappeared.

When Yao Yi arrived, Xie Shi was still not back yet. The guard that had accompanied Xie Shi to the teahouse was wavering between going to look for Xie Shi or continuing to wait when he caught sight of Yao Yi and called in a pleasantly surprised tone, “Captain!”

“How’s it going? Has Xie Shi found anything out?”

“He isn’t back yet.”

Yao Yi patiently waited, but after nearly two hours, Xie Shi still hadn’t returned, and neither had Xie Shi sent an SOS. Uncertain of whether Xie Shi was in danger, Yao Yi decided to go and look for him with the guard and was just about to set off when Xie Shi showed up, a funky odor about him.

Yao Yi clapped a hand over his nose. “Where the hell have you been? Why do you smell so weird?”

Xie Shi shot a dark glance at him. “I ascertained where that venomous snake went. Let’s go back and report to the Marshal first.”

After returning to the residential compound of the Yuwen family, Xie Shi took a bath, changed clothes and then went to see Yuwen Tong. He said, “Marshal, that snake went through a back-wall of the imperial palace. As it’s small and not easy to spot, nobody apart from me noticed it entering the palace. I vaguely saw the snake worm its way into a utility room before I lost sight of it. There were guards on the other side of the palace wall, so I didn’t go inside without your consent.”

Yuwen Tong was unsurprised at this reply. What had happened corresponded with one of his speculations, which would probably lead to the most troublesome eventuality.

Yuwen Zhi had been secretly keeping in contact with someone in the imperial palace. Given that there was some kind of link between this person’s duties and a utility room, his or her status was probably not high, but it was also possible that he or she was a servant of someone of higher rank. As things stood, there was no other clue whatsoever to that person’s identity apart from this.

“Send a message to our informer in the palace. Tell him to figure out a way to enter that utility room seven days later and see if he could find anyone suspicious there.”

“Yes, Marshal.”

“Marshal, how about I personally go in there? I could gauge its approximate position without seeing it, for I’m more sensitive to the smell of that snake.” Xie Shi offered to perform the task of his own volition.

Yuwen Tong thought for a few moments and said, “That might not necessarily be a bad idea, but although the utility room was not heavily guarded, you must be careful as well. Make sure nobody sees you. Your life is much more important than these matters.”

Xie Shi promised solemnly, “You may rest assured that I’ll be very cautious, Marshal.”

…

“Marshal, Second Mistress came with her servants and handmaids. She…”

Yao Yi walked inside to report, a peculiar expression on his face, as if there was something in his mind he couldn’t quite understand.

Seeing his countenance, Yuwen Tong asked, “What’s the matter?”

“Second Mistress brought many gifts and a large group of servants and handmaids, saying that she came here to apologize and wanted to help make preparations for the wedding. And she chanced upon First Mistress and Childe Han’s wife and had a talk with them. I worried that she might be mean to others, so I stopped her. She’s waiting outside.”

By “First Mistress”, Yao Yi was referring to Fang shi, Yuwen Chi’s wife as well as Yuwen You’s daughter-in-law, and Childe Han, naturally, was Yuwen Han. Both of them were here to help with the preparatory work of the wedding.

A flicker flitted across Yuwen Tong’s eyes and he said, “Let her in.”

Soon Zheng shi entered, followed by a lot of servants apart from Nanny Zhong and a couple of handmaids, who were carrying dozens of caskets containing valuable gifts.

“Tong, please forgive me for saying those aggressive words previously. I apologize to you. Your cousin has also paid the price for his impulsive deeds, and he still hasn’t recovered from his broken legs. For the sake of your grandfather and your father, please pardon us for our mistakes. I brought these gifts to offer my congratulations to you. They’ll prove useful on your wedding day. All of them come from my private collection which I’ve been keeping for many years. Though not very valuable, they’re definitely an expression of my good will.” Zheng shi had started talking on entry, occasionally dabbing the corners of her eyes with her handkerchief, as if wiping tears, a seemingly guilty look on her face.

Then Nanny Zhong beside Zheng shi knelt down and started kowtowing repeatedly, begging pardon, and all other servants and handmaids immediately followed her lead.

The corners of Yao Yi’s mouth twitched and he looked at Yuwen Tong.

Yuwen Tong, a very calm expression on his face, neither forgave nor refused to forgive her, and it was very hard to tell what he was thinking.

Secretly anxious, Zheng shi directly began to weep. “I know our non-acceptance of Ling Zhang put you in an awkward position. You may rest assured that we will never say another negative word about you two being together. You can marry him as you please. I promise I’ll stay on good terms with him in the future and I won’t pick on him.”

“You really think so?” asked Yuwen Tong, his tone still bland, giving little away.

“Of course. I never go back on my word. Childe Ling will be the legal mistress of the first branch of the Yuwen family after marrying you, and will no doubt need some time to accommodate himself to his new role. I will help him get used to it as quick as possible. Rest assured, we’ve all accepted him,” said Zheng shi.

‘This woman sounds as if Childe Ling needed your acceptance to be the legal mistress of the first branch. Who does she think she is? Isn’t she worried that she might hurt her tongue by talking so big?’ thought Yao Yi scornfully, feeling that on no account would the Marshal be hoodwinked by such lame acting of Zheng shi’s.

However, the next moment, he heard Yuwen Tong say, “I’m very glad to hear that. Now that Aunt has accepted Brother Zhang, relations between the two branches of the family will return to normal.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. You may rest assured that Aunt will be nice to him.”

Zheng shi, overjoyed to hear this, promised that she would be kind to Ling Zhang.

Yao Yi’s mouth hung open. What had he just heard? The Marshal couldn’t see through such a terrible lie of Zheng shi’s? He really fell for it?

“Mar–”

“Yao Yi, get some men here and put away these gifts from my aunt.”

Yao Yi had tried to persuade Yuwen Tong but the latter had interrupted him before he could finish his first word. He was fairly reluctant, but Yuwen Tong’s sudden interruption had also made him come to realize that this matter was not as it seemed, so he answered, “Yes, Marshal.”

It was at this moment that Yuwen Tong told those servants and handmaids on their knees to stand up.

“Ahem, wait,” Zheng shi suddenly added with a smile, “As I’m your aunt, it’s my unshirkable responsibility to arrange your wedding. Previously I was being foolish and narrow-minded, leaving you no choice but to go to Yuwen You’s branch of the family to seek help. Now that we’ve sorted things out, maybe it’s time you told them to return and let me take over. I promise you’ll have an elaborate wedding.”

Yao Yi inwardly rolled his eyes upwards. ‘What a nerve.’

Unswayed, Yuwen Tong replied, “I don’t dare put you to that much trouble, Aunt. Given that Granduncle and Uncle have already moved in here to help, it’d be inappropriate for me to ask them to leave. People will laugh at the Yuwen family if I do that. Am I right, Aunt?”

Zheng shi said with a fixed smile. “Yeah, you’re right. I was being unthoughtful. Then… how about I have Nanny Zhong and some others stay here to help? Nanny Zhong is poised and competent. I’m sure she’ll prove helpful.”

Yuwen Tong flicked a glance at Nanny Zhong standing on the side. On sensing Yuwen Tong’s glance, Nanny Zhong shuddered unnoticeably and bowed her head, not daring look at Yuwen Tong’s eyes.

“Okay, then. Thank you for your kindness, Aunt. Yao Yi, take Nanny Zhong and the others to my elder aunt. Tell her to make arrangements for Nanny Zhong to help.”

“Yes, Marshal.”

It was only when Yao Yi took Nanny Zhong and some servants away that a real smile – a smug one, though – appeared on Zheng shi’s face. Seeing Yuwen Tong’s face which had been impassive all along, Zheng shi didn’t feel like staying a single extra moment and soon made an excuse and left.

Shortly after she took her leave, Yao Yi walked inside and said anxiously, “Marshal, how could you allow Zheng shi’s servants to stay? I could tell at a glance those people harbor evil intentions!”

Yuwen Tong cast him a sidelong look. “You think I need you to tell me that?”

“Then why did you–”

“I just want to find out what Zheng shi is up to – no, what the one Zheng shi answers to is up to, to be precise. Keep a close watch on them, and be careful not to alarm them.”

Yao Yi was secretly startled. The one Zheng shi answered to? It seemed that the Marshal had had some speculations about it some time ago. Now wonder he’d accepted Zheng shi’s offer.

“I’ll see to it that proper arrangements are made.”

“Um. And inform my elder aunt of this matter so that she’ll be prepared.”

“Yes, Marshal.”

…

Fang shi felt a sense of relief when she’d been told Yuwen Tong’s intention. As a woman, she had an instinct that Zheng shi entertained dark schemes, and had worried that Yuwen Tong had fallen prey to Zheng shi’s trick, but now she fully relaxed safe in the knowledge that Yuwen Tong had had everything planned out, and set out to make arrangements for Nanny Zhong and other servants sent by Zheng shi to start working. In order to prevent them from creating diversion to make trouble, Fang shi had them work together, not giving them any chances to split up, and even when their assignment was of little importance, she’d also have someone have half an eye on them.

Nanny Zhong, feeling that Fang shi was so good at this that she probably wouldn’t be able to find an opportunity to make her move, secretly clenched her teeth and sent a message back to Zheng shi, who went very angry after reading it and found that Fang shi was such a pain in the neck.

Originally she had been the mistress of this residential compound and should be the one in charge of the preparatory work for Yuwen Tong’s wedding, but Yuwen Tong, without asking for her consent first, had invited Yuwen You’s branch of the family to move in, which had infuriated Zheng shi. She had wanted to reason with Yuwen Tong, but unexpectedly, Yuwen Tong had soon demanded he and his uncle divide up the family property and live apart, denying Zheng shi the opportunity to express her anger, so she had decided not to lift a finger, expecting to see them botch up the wedding. However, Fang shi had turned out to be handling everything pretty well, giving Zheng shi no chance to tease about anything. Anger had been smoldering inside her for quite some time, and now, after receiving Nanny Zhong’s message, she flied into a temper and prepared to go there and do something to make things difficult for Fang shi.

Chapter 266: Be a Good Boy and Stay Still

“…Nanny Zhong has been serving this family for many years and is more experienced than you. I sent her here to help you make preparations for Tong’s wedding, not to let you suppress her. Sister-in-law, the previous disagreements between Tong and the second branch of the family were just some misunderstandings. Now that we’ve cleared the air, as the mistress in charge of domestic matters of the Yuwen family, I should’ve taken over the preparatory work for Tong’s wedding. Tong is just too embarrassed to have you go back, because he was the one who invited you here in the first place and doesn’t want to hurt your feelings, but it doesn’t meant that you have the final say in these matters. If you keep sidelining Nanny Zhong, I’ll have no choice but to talk with Tong, and in that case, he might cast aside the consideration of face and have you leave.”

Zheng shi’s voice was quite loud and it was not easy for Yao Yi not to overhear her. He walked up and said, “May I ask why you’re standing here, Mistresses? First Mistress, the Marshal would like a word. Second Mistress, if you have no other business here, please go back home.”

The forms of address, “First Mistress” and “Second Mistress”, struck Zheng shi as extremely unpleasant. As Second Mistress of the Yuwen family, she was of much higher status than Fang shi who was First Mistress of another branch, but Yao Yi had addressed them in such an ambiguous fashion that people unaware of the truth might get the misconception that Fang shi was a notch above her!

Zheng shi was very displeased at the words, but Yao Yi hadn’t really made any mistakes by addressing them this way, so she said sulkily, “Guard Yao, do you by any chance still have difficulty distinguishing your Marshal’s family members from outsiders? Do I need to teach you how?”

“My apologies. It’s just that the Marshal has something to consult with First Mistress about and requests her immediate presence. If Second Mistress has any business of urgency, you may tell me and I’ll make sure the Marshal is informed of it,” said Yao Yi.

Fang shi was a smart woman and knew Yao Yi had specially come here to help her out, so she immediately said, “Now that Tong wants to talk with me about something, I’ll go there right now.”

After saying this, she left with her handmaids without further ado, leaving Zheng shi and Yao Yi staring at each other where they stood.

Zheng shi was consumed with anger, but she also knew that if she really went to talk to Yuwen Tong, he might not necessarily side with her in this matter, for in Yuwen Tong’s eyes, Fang shi was a closer family member than her!

“Let’s go back.” Zheng shi, even more unwilling to stay in this place where she could do nothing but stare at Yao Yi, stormed off, followed by her handmaids.

Nanny Zhong was left on the scene, face to face with Yao Yi, her face full of embarrassment.

Yao Yi threw a glance at her. “Nanny Zhong, you’ve been in this family for many years, so I think you’re more acquainted with the rules than most. Do what you’re supposed to do, and don’t make trouble for the Marshal. If you feel these assignments degrade you, you may return straight away.”

Nanny Zhong hurriedly said, “Don’t misunderstand me, Guard Yao. I make no pretence to being overqualified. I’m going back to help First Mistress right now.”

With some servants in her wake, Nanny Zhong also hurried off, knowing that Zheng shi wouldn’t be able to offer her help any time soon, that she was now on her own.

After these people who had tried to make mischief cleared off, Yao Yi looked at the thick letter in his hand and almost jumped, his grim expression instantly vanishing. With that he hastily headed for the Marshal’s chambers. If he was late, the Marshal would definitely be angry with him.

However, Yuwen Tong didn’t blame Yao Yi after receiving the letter. “Did you dismiss Zheng shi?”

“Yes. I think she won’t come back any time soon,” replied Yao Yi.

Yuwen Tong said, “Her servants wouldn’t be able to find a chance to make their move if you watch them too closely. Go consult with my elder aunt and figure out a way to allow Nanny Zhong an opportunity.”

“Yes, Marshal,” Yao Yi answered and quickly left for fear that Yuwen Tong might blame him for not having delivered the letter quicker.

When Yao Yi had left, Yuwen Tong hurriedly opened the envelope and started to carefully burrow in it. As expected, he found another, thinner envelope in it. After opening it, he began reading the letter word by word with rapt attention, as if trying to engrave these words in his mind. As his eyes moved along the lines, a smile curled the corners of his mouth. When he’d finished it, a regretful sigh escaped his lips, as though he wished he’d read it slower.

He’d read it too quick, and his longing was on the verge of overwhelming him.

Had there not been so much unfinished business to deal with, he would go back to the manor immediately. For him, the only place he would call home was where his darling was. And he was now terribly homesick.

Ling Zhang missed him as well. During the past few days when Yuwen Tong had been absent, he had neither slept well nor eaten well, and had lost a lot of weight for greatly missing Yuwen Tong. If it weren’t for the fact that the Yuwen family had delivered dowry to Tanyang, which had made it inconvenient for him to go to the Yuwen family, he would have returned to the capital city to see Yuwen Tong already.

He gave it some thought and still failed to refrain. “Brother Wang, find me an unobtrusive carriage. You and Brother Liu are to disguise yourselves and accompany me back to the capital city.”

Wang Dashan was totally unsurprised at this sudden decision of Ling Zhang’s and immediately went to make preparations without asking any questions.

After hearing about it, Miao Shiba requested permission to go with them on the spot.

Miao Shiba had orders to stay with Ling Zhang, so Ling Zhang gave his consent in the knowledge that it was inappropriate to leave him behind.

The four of them, Ling Zhang, Wang Dashan and Miao Shiba sitting in the carriage, Liu Yi who had seldom appeared on public occasions acting as the driver, covertly entered the city and then returned to the Ling Mansion.

Yuwen Tong’s eyes, in an instant, became scarily bright at the message that Ling Zhang was in the Ling Mansion. He put Yao Yi in charge of everything and then quickly left.

Reading the various lists in his hands, Yao Yi began to have headaches, which were worsened by the thought that he also had to keep a weather eye on the moles that had been allowed entry. “I’d rather go back to the north-west to fight another war!”

Yao Yi’s complaints would never reach Yuwen Tong’s ears. He had rapidly returned to the Ling Mansion unseen by any spies of any side. At the sight of Ling Zhang sitting in the chamber, he hurried up, swept him into his embrace and inhaled deeply. “I miss you so much.”

The next moment, he perceived that something was not quite right, immediately let go of Ling Zhang and gawked at him with a frown. “What happened? Why are you so much thinner?”

Ling Zhang was speechless. Though he did feel that he probably had lost some weight, it was actually almost impossible to tell the difference owing to his robes. How had Yuwen Tong come to notice it instantly?

“Some of your meat is gone.” Yuwen Tong’s heart ached badly for Ling Zhang. During the brief hug he’d just given him, he’d felt that the figure in his arms was considerably slimmer than before. It’d been merely a couple of days since they’d last seen each other, but Ling Zhang had become thinner. How could his heart not ache for him?

“You haven’t been eating well in the manor? What have your security guards and Miao Shiba been doing? Are they all dead? How could they let you become so thin?” Yuwen Tong’s temper began to fray. He was just about to leave to punish them when suddenly he felt Ling Zhang grab a handful of his waist.

Ling Zhang gave the part of his waist a little squeeze, stroked his chest and back and finally said, “How could you blame my men when you yourself are thinner as well? Have people of the Yuwen family been denying you food?”

Yuwen Tong’s burning anger was replaced by another kind of intense feeling when Ling Zhang was stroking him. He said, “No. It’s just that I miss you so much that I couldn’t sleep well or eat well, which is really torturous.”

“I miss you just as much.” Ling Zhang’s heart ached for him as well, but he had to intercede for Wang Dashan and the others. “So it’s not their fault. They’ve been doing their best to have me eat more.”

Yuwen Tong immediately came to understand, put his arms around Ling Zhang again and scooped him up, intending to go to the bed.

Ling Zhang held his arm. “Wait a moment.”

Yuwen Tong lowered his head to look at him. “I can’t.”

Ling Zhang’s breathing had changed somewhat. It’d been quite some time since the last time he’d had physical contact with Yuwen Tong, and now their bodies were tightly against each other once again, so naturally he was also anxious. Even if he himself were not anxious, his body was. However…

He still had to make an effort for himself.

“Put me down first.” Ling Zhang patted his arm.

Yuwen Tong, who had distinctly sensed the change in Ling Zhang’s breathing, wondered how Ling Zhang could still insist on being put down, but he didn’t have the heart to decline, so he managed to subdue his urge and let Ling Zhang stand on his feet.

Ling Zhang gripped Yuwen Tong’s wrist and drew him towards the bed. Yuwen Tong was bemused. Hadn’t he tried to carry Ling Zhang to the bed? Why did Ling Zhang want to walk there? Before he could figure out what Ling Zhang was thinking, he was suddenly pushed down onto the bed. Lying there, Yuwen Tong quizzically watched Ling Zhang standing at the bedside, bewildered by the manifest excitement gleaming in his eyes. Although he was very happy to see his darling making the first move so willingly, but why did the gleam of excitement in his eyes strike him as a little weird?

Unsurprisingly, the next moment, he saw Ling Zhang slightly raise his chin and look askance at him. “This time around, I want you to be a good boy and stay still.”

Yuwen Tong was excited, expectant but also had an inkling that something was not quite right. After thinking for a fleeting moment, he still gave a nod of agreement. “I won’t move.”

The corners of Ling Zhang’s mouth curled at this reply, and then he raised his hands, undid his buttons and unfastened his belt, maintaining his haughty bearing, the movement of his hands so slow and graceful that it was extremely tempting. Yuwen Tong swallowed hard several times in a row.

Ling Zhang, who could tell a mile off what he was thinking, inwardly gave a snort and kept undressing himself. When he had stripped down to his snow-white underwear the top few buttons of which had also been undone, he suddenly bent over Yuwen Tong, hands on the bed on Yuwen Tong’s sides, looking down at him. “Am I attractive?”

“Yeah!” blurted Yuwen Tong, almost choking on his own saliva.

Ling Zhang, eyes glinting, gazing at him with a beam on his face, gently pressed a finger to Yuwen Tong’s Adam’s apple, lightly slid his well-trimmed fingernail all the way down, causing Yuwen Tong’s eyes to redden, and then abruptly ripped open Yuwen Tong’s collar to reveal his muscular chest dripping with masculine charm. Ling Zhang stared hungrily at it and couldn’t tear his eyes away for quite a while. Though the two of them had made out many times, he was still deeply attracted to Yuwen Tong’s figure.

Yuwen Tong’s Adam’s apple was moving restlessly, his lower abdomen feeling so tight that it was hurting, but he had promised Ling Zhang that he wouldn’t move. Besides, he was eager to know what Ling Zhang was going to do, so he exercised all his self-restraint and lay still, sweating buckets from the effort.

It was quite some time before Ling Zhang seemed to come to himself. And then, his hand, which was caressing Yuwen Tong chest in a half-intentional manner, slid to Yuwen Tong’s belt, nimbly unbuckled it, stripped him naked swiftly and then said to him with a smile, “Today all you have to do is lie still. I’ll make sure you enjoy it.”

At first Yuwen Tong was perplexed, and when he finally came to realize what Ling Zhang intended to do, he was sent into a brief moment’s stupefaction. Was his darling trying to swap roles with him?

Chapter 267: The Discovery of Nanny Zhong’s Intentions

Yuwen Tong kept silent for quite a while and then said, “Okay. A promise is a promise.”

Ling Zhang was fully turned on, and Yuwen Tong was utterly bewitched by the gleam in his eyes. Beneath Ling Zhang’s gaze, the Marshal nearly lost all sense of dignity and surrendered himself to temptation.

Ling Zhang inwardly gave a smug snort, feeling that on this occasion he would remain on top of Yuwen Tong till the end.

…

…

‘On top, my ass!’

‘Yuwen Tong is such a perfidious wily old fox!’ Ling Zhang’s waist felt as though it would break for wriggling!

Although Yuwen Tong had undertaken to let him be on top and he was indeed on top, things weren’t going as he had expected at all!

His waist was covered with a thin quilt, which was just enough to conceal the fantasy-inducing marks on his body. An arm stretched out of it.

Ling Zhang smacked his fist onto the bed in anger. He’d been so close to a win. Why hadn’t he hung in there? Yuwen Tong had merely tempted him with his charms, and he’d fallen pray to it, giving up his great advantage, and been confounded by the “enemy”, heaving on top on him, shouting himself hoarse.

A chuckle came from behind and with that a strong arm swept Ling Zhang, who was hammering the bed in annoyance, into an embrace. Yuwen Tong hugged him bodily and tightly in contentment, as if the two of them had merged into each other and inseparably become one.

“We may have a second try next time,” croaked a satisfied voice beside Ling Zhang’s ear.

Ling Zhang couldn’t even be bothered to struggle. In a broken voice, he said, “In your dreams!”

Yuwen Tong buried his face in Ling Zhang’s neck and snickered, “I definitely will.”

While saying this, Yuwen Tong tightened his embrace. “Last night you were so tempting, and I couldn’t resist it. You know it – my will is always extremely fragile in front of your charms.”

Ling Zhang gritted his teeth in indignation. So it was his fault?

Yuwen Tong’s hand reached inside the quilt and slowly kneaded Ling Zhang’s waist. A stream of warmth gently flowed into Ling Zhang’s body, easing his discomfort. As he recalled the unbridled, passionate moments they’d had the night before, another flurry of thrill swept over him.

After the warm energy reached the depths of his body, the soreness in his waist and thighs gradually ebbed away. It was so comfortable that Ling Zhang almost breathed a sigh, but at the thought of his lapse the night before, he clenched his teeth and stifled it, refusing to give Yuwen Tong the satisfaction of knowing that he was feeling comfortable.

Yuwen Tong had distinctly heard a extremely faint half-sigh, but when he looked at Ling Zhang, he saw a sulky face. After giving it some thought, he came to understand what Ling Zhang was thinking about. There was amusement in his eyes, but when he spoke, his voice was quite tentative, as if he were asking for pardon. “How do you feel? Do you want me to do it harder or more gently?”

Yuwen Tong was doing it perfectly, but Ling Zhang deliberately waited for quite a while before saying, “Harder. Are you underfed or something?”

Yuwen Tong just used a little bit more strength, and the difference was barely noticeable. Of course he wouldn’t really exert more power, which would be a foolish thing to do, but he still sensibly asked, “How about now?”

Ling Zhang, feeling that the strength had hardly changed and the massage was just as comfortable as it had been, inwardly gave a snort and observed reluctantly, “Acceptable.”

Yuwen Tong dramatically heaved a sigh of relief and then started kneading more solicitously, putting more effort into the massage.

Ling Zhang turned, lay prostrate on the bed, twisted his head aside, cast a sidelong glance at Yuwen Tong and asked, “Are you going to keep you promise?”

“Yes.” Yuwen Tong was fully aware of what he was referring to, and his reply was absolutely unhesitating.

“Then the next time I’ll be on top. You know what I’m talking about. Don’t you play dumb.”

“Okay, but…”

Ling Zhang was instantly on the alert, staring at him.

“I cannot guarantee I’ll be able to control myself if you’re too tempting. You know, my self-restraint is completely useless in front of you.”

Ling Zhang, “…”

He asked with modesty, “Then may I ask what do I have to do to prevent myself from striking you as tempting?”

Yuwen Tong tossed him a highly significant glance. “Even if you’re dressed like a beggar, you’d still be deadly tempting in my eyes.”

How the hell was this supposed to help?!

Ling Zhang angrily swiveled his head to the other side, not feeling like saying a single extra word to Yuwen Tong.

But Yuwen Tong was very contented. In a very good mood, he continued massaging Ling Zhang attentively.

After missing each other for several days, the two of them finally had had a nice night together, which had alleviated their painful yearning significantly, but now Yuwen Tong must return. Though he was most unwilling to part from Ling Zhang, it was their wedding that he had to prepare for, and no matter how much effort he had to make, he had no doubt it was worthwhile.

“It’s time I went back. For the sake of our wedding, I’d better stay sharp and keep an eye open for those people. We’d have less to worry about when we go to the Millennium Pavilion, too.”

After hearing this, Ling Zhang kept silent for a few moments and then uttered “Um.”

In this brief “Um”, Yuwen Tong detected a note of deep reluctance to let him leave, and his firm will was teetering on the brink of collapse. “How about you stay here for another two days? I’ll come over at night to keep you company, okay?”

Ji Yin, in order to prepare Ling Zhang’s trousseau, had been mysteriously absent for days. The revamp of the manor involved a formation that they planned to arrange, which was a matter brooking no carelessness, so Ling Zhang couldn’t be away from the manor for long, but he didn’t want to part from Yuwen Tong so soon either. “I’ll stay one more night. Tomorrow I’ll return.”

Yuwen Tong found this rather regrettable and decided to try his best to get everything handled as quick as possible so that he could come back to his lover sooner.

…

After spending another night in the Ling Mansion, Ling Zhang, concerned about the progress of the revamp, went back to the manor.

He had a premonition that it probably wouldn’t be long before they departed for the Millennium Pavilion.

He felt that he needed to have the artisans work more quickly, that he at least had to wait until all important parts were finished to let them loose on the project.

When Ling Zhang had left, Yuwen Tong, going somewhat fretful, asked Yao Yi, “Nanny Zhong still hasn’t done anything?”

“We allowed her an opportunity. This old woman seemed to be fairly cautious and didn’t take action immediately, but I guess if she really plans to do anything, she’d definitely do it in the next two days,” answered Yao Yi.

Nanny Zhong was indeed being very cautious, for she knew very well what what she was going to do concerned. She was even a trifle hesitant, because her mistress firmly believed that that man would keep his promise, utterly heedless of what consequences she would have to take if anybody found out about it.

Not until Zheng shi ran out of patience and sent someone to ask her did Nanny Zhong finally make up her mind. She was just an old handmaid, and it was impossible for her to have her mistress change her mind. The only thing she could do was pray that everything would go as her mistress expected.

Nanny Zhong had been under tight surveillance from the very beginning. Once she did anything suspicious, Yuwen Tong’s men would soon notice. As a result, shortly after she planted something into the storeroom in Yuwen Tong’s courtyard house, what that thing was came to Yuwen Tong’s knowledge.

Looking at that thing placed in front of him, Yuwen Tong didn’t even sneer, his eyes so cold that they almost scared the lives out of others in the room.

Yao Yi and some others, who had broken out in a cold sweat with fright, couldn’t help but exclaim in disbelief, “Is she out of her mind? Has Zheng shi gone crazy?!”

There was no room in their minds for discretion. The moment he saw what the thing Nanny Zhong had planted was, an emanation of intent to kill burst out of Yao Yi in spite of himself. Apart from him, Xie Shi and all the others had murderous air about them.

“Marshal, I’ll go and kill her!” Xie Shi, fists clenched, turned around storming towards the door.

“Stay where you are!” thundered Yuwen Tong.

“Marshal!” Xie Shi appeared indignant and reluctant, and so did some others.

Yao Yi and Yue Qi exchanged glances. Both of them quickly calmed down and tried to dissuade them. “If you do that, the Marshal will be convicted of murdering his own uncle and aunt. In that case, the situation would really be irreversible.”

Xie Shi and some others shuddered from head to foot, gritting their teeth.

“Destroy this thing immediately. No, take it somewhere else.” Yuwen Tong’s eyes glinted icily.

“Where do you want it taken, Marshal?” Yao Yi was confused.

Yuwen Tong flintily uttered the name of a place. Yao Yi and some others were deeply shocked. Those who had been perplexed at first slowly came to understand, all their eyes going red from fury.

“Tell our scouts to make sure this thing is safely hidden. It hasn’t served its purpose yet.”

“Yes, Marshal!” Yao Yi answered immediately and instructed Yue Qi to do the delivery, for he himself had been acting as a butler lately and been under the watch of a lot of people as well.

“Take the secret passage,” Yuwen Tong told Yue Qi.

Yue Qi nodded with a serious face, picked up that thing and left through a secret passage.

…

“Go and inform Mistress that it’s done.” Nanny Zhong, after planting that thing in the storeroom, covertly sent a handmaid to deliver a message back.

The handmaid had no idea what it was about, but she knew very well how stern Zheng shi was, so after hearing Nanny Zhong’s instruction, she didn’t dare delay for a single moment, hurriedly made towards her mistress’ chambers and accidentally walked into Yuwen Feng halfway there.

“I beg your pardon, First Young Master! I didn’t mean to!” The handmaid gave a start, but after seeing that it was Yuwen Feng, she felt a great sense of relief. Unlike Zheng shi, Yuwen Feng never meted out arbitrary punishment to servants. The handmaid knew that at least she wouldn’t lose her life.

Yuwen Feng did have no intention of punishing her. He just asked, “Why are you in such a hurry? Has anything happened?”

Unaware of whether or not she was allowed to disclose it to Yuwen Feng, the handmaid had no choice but to answer ambiguously, “Nanny Zhong wants me to deliver a message to Mistress. I was anxious to go back to Mistress and bumped into you by accident in my haste. Please forgive me, First Young Master.”

“Nanny Zhong? She’s in the first branch, isn’t she?” said Yuwen Feng.

The handmaid lowered her head. “Yes.”

Yuwen Feng looked at her. “What kind of message does Nanny Zhong want you to deliver?”

The handmaid replied, “It’s about some preparatory work for the Marshal’s wedding. Although Mistress did no more than assign Nanny Zhong to help, she’s been paying close attention to it all along.”

Yuwen Feng’s brow corrugated in a frown at these words. Normally, it wasn’t members of a collateral branch who should be put in charge of the preparation for this wedding, but…

‘Never mind. Now that Mother has come around, accepted Ling Zhang and wouldn’t make any more trouble, I should have nothing else to complain about,’ he thought.

“Off you go. And don’t be so flustered. It’s very undignified.”

“Yes. I won’t dare act like this again.”

After Yuwen Feng walked away, the handmaid heaved a sigh of relief and hurried off. When she was in front of Zheng shi, she tentatively reported, “Mistress, Nanny Zhong said that it was done.”

On hearing this, Zheng shi, who had just returned from Yuwen Qi’s chambers, instantly grabbed the handmaid’s arm, her fingernail almost sinking into the handmaid’s flesh. “Really?!”

The handmaid was in pain but didn’t show it on her face. She answered, “These were indeed Nanny Zhong’s exact words, Mistress.”

Zheng shi was overjoyed. “Great. Great. This is just great!”