A good strategy

Seeing Zhang Mobai return, Tang Feng got up and went out. "Where is he?" "I was afraid that leaving General Meng in the main hall would arouse suspicion, so I had him wait in the study first." Tang Feng nodded. "Then I'll trouble you to entertain the guests upstairs." "There's no need to mention these things between us, but you should also be careful. Eunuch Feng is here." Tang Feng was startled upon hearing this and couldn't help but feel puzzled. "What is Eunuch Feng doing here? Is it His Majesty's doing?" Zhou Ziliang shook his head. "It doesn't seem like it. If it were His Majesty's doing, he would probably read out the imperial edict and have you kneel to greet him." Tang Feng rested his chin on his hand and thought for a moment, then turned and took two quick steps towards the study. "I..." "I reckon it was a few years ago, when His Majesty bestowed the marriage, that Eunuch Feng seemed to say... he should be invited to the wedding banquet. So, it seems he's coming to interrogate me. You go ahead and hold him off. I'll go to the study to give him a few instructions and then I'll be right there." Tang Feng wasn't afraid of Eunuch Feng, but Eunuch Feng was someone who served Emperor Yun. If he saw Meng Lie in his home and then gossiped in front of the Emperor, and Emperor Yun heard it, he'd be in deep trouble. "Meng Lie!" Tang Feng pushed open the door and saw Meng Lie with a young girl beside him, her face covered with a veil. He stepped forward and asked, "Is this the person you brought?"

“Sir, please don’t look down on her because she’s a girl. As you know, I’m mostly in the military camp, surrounded by men. They’re not as thoughtful as girls, and they’re often clumsy. Besides, she’s brave and resourceful in our camp, and quite daring. Many men in the camp are no match for her!” Tang Feng carefully examined the girl and nodded. “I don’t know about other things, but just looking at her, she certainly has the air of a heroine.” The girl then bowed to Tang Feng and said, “My name is Ning Wan, and I greet Young Master Tang.”

Tang Feng pulled up a stool for himself and sat down, smiling slightly. "I wonder if the young lady has any background? This matter is dangerous. If you have anything on your mind, I advise you to go back as soon as possible." Ning Wan was dressed as a servant, presumably put on temporarily by Meng Lie to avoid attracting attention. The young lady looked young, but her demeanor was poised and confident, clearly indicating that she had received special training. Tang Feng was worried that this girl might be the child of the deputy general in the military camp, and that sending her to the palace would inevitably arouse suspicion. "Young master, please rest assured. I was rescued from Lin Yuan Pavilion by General Meng. My parents died when I was young, and the general had me learn etiquette from a maid for a few days. I have already made up my mind about entering the palace." Tang Feng was quite surprised to hear this. He didn't expect Meng Lie to be so thoughtful and couldn't help but praise him. "General Meng, I didn't expect you to be so impressive after just three days." Then, seeing Meng Lie scratch his head embarrassedly, Tang Feng covered his mouth and laughed. Just as Tang Feng was about to give Ning Wan some instructions, he heard Eunuch Feng's voice outside. "Young Master Tang, you didn't invite me to your wedding a few days ago. Now that you've moved, won't you even greet me?" Tang Feng thought to himself that this was bad. He couldn't let Meng Lie leave, and he didn't have time to give any instructions. He had no choice but to hurry out, open the door, and pretend to be calm. He cupped his hands and said, "Eunuch Feng, it's been a long time." Seeing Tang Feng emerge, Eunuch Feng smiled, but also seemed somewhat reproachful. "It seems the young master has forgotten his promise from back then?" Understanding Eunuch Feng's meaning, Tang Feng quickly apologized, "I wouldn't dare. Our wedding coincided with the mourning period for the Princess. The Princess was the late Empress's daughter, and His Majesty cherished her dearly. You, too, were a favorite of His Majesty, naturally too busy to attend. I, a mere commoner, dared not trouble you further with my wedding. Today, as you know, I've been ill since the housewarming. My health has been poor since the wedding, and I didn't invite you out for fear of aggravating your illness. It was truly my oversight not to send someone to inform you." Eunuch Feng, hearing Tang Feng's explanation, stopped his accusations and instead looked towards the study behind Tang Feng. "Young master, won't you invite me in for a cup of tea?" Tang Feng's heart tightened, but he smiled casually. "Tea is certainly welcome; it's a rare occasion for you to come. However, drinking tea in the study would be inappropriate. Perhaps you should come with me to the front hall?"

"No need. Young Master's health isn't good, and the front hall is drafty. Let's not risk him getting sick because of a cup of tea from me. I can't afford to offend the young marquis!" Without waiting for Tang Feng's reaction, Eunuch Feng went straight into the study. Tang Feng, startled, dared not breathe and followed closely, trying to salvage the situation. He saw only Ning Wan packing her things. Tang Feng quickly noticed the open window in the study and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "Young Master, everything is packed for you. Your favorite books are on the second shelf. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." Seeing that the young woman was quite young, Eunuch Feng couldn't help but be curious. "Young Master, are you hiring child laborers? The child is so young, yet he's already helping out at your residence?"

"You flatter me, sir. I found this child outside. She looked pitiful with no one to rely on, so I kept her in the manor to help out," Tang Feng said, giving Ning Wan a meaningful look. Ning Wan quickly curtsied. "You've come to congratulate my young master on his housewarming. You are a distinguished guest. I'll go pour you some tea." She took two steps back and left the room. Watching Ning Wan's retreating figure, Eunuch Feng sighed, "Not bad, young lady. You're quite shrewd. Your young master is also very lucky. He married the man he loved and even found a servant." Tang Feng smiled, inwardly agreeing with Eunuch Feng's assessment. "Luckily, Ning Wan reacted quickly, otherwise we would have wasted time finding someone else later." Tang Feng said, "You flatter me, Father-in-law. I, Tang Feng, am of average talent, but I was favored by Zi Liang and married into the Marquis's mansion. As for that child, it was just a coincidence. How could I have picked him up? It was simply a blessing from heaven." Tang Feng moved closer to Eunuch Feng and then inquired, "Father-in-law, please don't think I'm being nosy. I wanted to ask you about the Spring Festival holiday... My husband Zi Liang has been busy at court these past few days, and I'm not feeling well right now, so I can't help him. I was just thinking that during the Spring Festival holiday, he could take me out for a walk."

“Young master, there’s no need to worry. The spring break is just a few days away. But then again, with such fine weather, it’s only right to go out for a stroll.” Hearing Eunuch Feng’s somewhat approving tone, Tang Feng prepared to subtly suggest, “Spring is in full bloom right now, and the weather is indeed beautiful, perfect for going out. But I wonder if His Majesty, having worked diligently for the people this past year, also needs a rest?” Seeing Eunuch Feng remain silent, Tang Feng quickly added, “Please don’t take offense. Although I served as an official for a while, I never attended court and am not very familiar with the situation… Besides, if His Majesty doesn’t take the spring break, my son Ziliang, as a subject, would be failing in his duty, and I would be embarrassed to go out with him.”

"No, no, no, I was just thinking that although His Majesty takes a break during the spring vacation, he rarely leaves the palace. Perhaps this is a good suggestion. I will ask His Majesty about it when I get back." Before the tea was even served, Eunuch Feng stood up and said, "I won't stay any longer. I have important matters to attend to in the palace. I will certainly inform His Majesty of your good intentions, young master." Tang Feng quickly grabbed Eunuch Feng, frowning and pleading humbly, "His Majesty is already burdened with heavy responsibilities for the people, and it takes a lot of effort on him. How can he trouble himself for a commoner like me? Just understand this matter." Tang Feng then stood up and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture. "This humble subject is unwell, so I won't see you off any further. I wish you good health." Eunuch Feng nodded. He had witnessed Tang Feng's growth over the years; he had become eloquent and tactful, making Eunuch Feng think that one day he might be able to return to the palace as an official. "Young master, you are too kind. Please see me off here!"

Seeing that Eunuch Feng had gone far away, Tang Feng finally breathed a sigh of relief. He walked to the window and leaned out, saying, "General Meng, I'm sorry to have troubled you." Meng Lie, seeing that there was no more movement outside, slowly stood up. "You weren't discovered, were you? I heard something strange outside, so I wanted to take Ning Wan out to hide, but she didn't come out." Tang Feng, leaning against the window, was clearly in a better mood and said with a smile, "That girl is indeed clever. You should send her to the palace in a few days! Oh, right, don't send her to the Ninth Prince yet, send her to Consort Yun first, and... wait a minute..." "I need a letter; please take it with you, General." Seeing Tang Feng pressed against the window, not giving way, Meng Lie looked slightly bewildered. Tang Feng seemed to understand Meng Lie's meaning and teased, "What? General, instead of using the main gate, you want to climb through the window?" Meng Lie scratched his head sheepishly, clicking his tongue, and walked forward, inwardly cursing himself for not thinking things through. But when Meng Lie entered the doorway, he saw Tang Feng standing there waiting for him, holding a letter. "This letter must be delivered." "This is for Lady Yun. Instruct her to burn it after reading it. As for that young girl, please take care of her, General." Seeing that Tang Feng didn't intend to let him in, Meng Lie took the letter, clasped his hands in a respectful gesture, but muttered under his breath, "If the master doesn't want me in, he should just say so. Why make me go through all this trouble..." Meng Lie thought Tang Feng hadn't heard him and left with the letter, but Tang Feng had heard every word. "You're even complaining now? Luckily, we found a girl; otherwise, how could we dare let him do these errands again?" Tang... After leaving the backyard, Tang Feng saw that Zhou Ziliang had also seen the guests off before approaching him and saying, "Eunuch Feng's arrival just now scared me to death!" Zhou Ziliang also looked apologetic, "I originally wanted to go to the backyard to call you, but I couldn't get away. Who knew Eunuch Feng would just go straight there, and I couldn't stop him." Tang Feng waved his hand, walked into the main hall, sat down, and rested his forehead on his hand. As soon as his body relaxed, an overwhelming sense of fatigue washed over him. "It's alright, it's all resolved. It was really tiring to be so careful in everything I said, but thankfully you're here with me."

When Yun Lan saw Meng Lie coming to visit her, she was startled. After all, she was no longer the same as before. Emperor Yun would come to see her once or twice every few days. Meng Lie's sudden visit might be seen by Emperor Yun. Yun Lan quickly pulled Meng Lie into the house and said in a low voice, "General Meng, do you know that you cannot enter the inner palace casually?"

"That's why the master asked me to send someone to you," Meng Lie said, pulling Ning Wan out from behind him. "This is Lady Yun, the Ninth Prince's birth mother." He then took out Tang Feng's letter from his pocket and said, "This is a letter from the master to you. Please keep it safe. I have other important matters to attend to and won't stay any longer." After saying this, Meng Lie was about to leave when Yun Lan grabbed him. "Wait, General, please leave through the back door. Su Xi, lead the General through the back door so that no one notices." After Meng Lie left, Yun Lan looked at Ning Wan and opened the letter in her hand. "This woman has a clean background and is quick-witted. You can keep her by your side without worry. I originally wanted to send her directly to His Highness, but after thinking it over, His Highness's thoughts..." "Simply because of her upright character, having such a person by one's side could easily arouse suspicion. I urge Your Majesty to temporarily keep Ning Wan by your side; she can handle any matters that may arise. Regarding the spring retreat, I met Eunuch Feng today and subtly inquired whether His Majesty should leave the palace to meet the Ninth Prince. Although the Ninth Prince endures hardship and toil in the military camp, His Majesty is unaware of this. Only by seeing it with his own eyes can he be certain. I trouble Your Majesty to persuade His Majesty to stop there and avoid arousing suspicion." After reading the letter, Yunlan roughly understood Tang Feng's meaning. Looking at Ning Wan standing to the side, she removed the veil from her face but frowned. "How can she be so young? Still a child! This..."

Ning Wan cupped her hands in a respectful gesture. "General, you have been kind to me. My lowly life is not worth cherishing, Your Majesty need not pity me. Besides, His Highness is just a young man who has not yet come of age. I am not much younger than His Highness, there is nothing wrong with it!" Seeing that Ning Wan had spoken so earnestly, Yun Lan could not refuse any longer. She pulled Ning Wan into the palace and instructed her, "Then you will stay by my side from now on! Originally, the Master wanted to send you to Yun Yu, but Yun Yu is afraid... he cannot accept you immediately. I'm sorry to trouble you for now." Then she called Su Xi over. "Tomorrow, pick some flower petals for me. I will make some flower cakes for His Majesty and personally deliver them to him. This good plan must be told to the right people. Tomorrow is the fifteenth. Go and ask Yun Yu to come to my place."