Seek refuge

"Face?" Zhou Ziliang was amused and pinched Tang Feng's cheek hard. "I hope your oath today works, otherwise, I'll have to confine you to your quarters." Zhou Ziliang turned and bowed to Li Yunyu, saying, "Your Highness, Xiao Feng has been unwell. It's windy today, so I'll take him back first. Please don't blame me." Li Yunyu shook his head. "It is indeed windy today. I didn't notice. I'm sorry to trouble you to accompany me." "Your Highness, you're too kind. Xiao Feng does like being with Your Highness. It's been so long since the beginning of spring, and you haven't invited me out for a spring outing. It's clear that Xiao Feng still cares about Your Highness." Zhou Ziliang smiled. He knew that Li Yunyu had lived in the Prince's Mansion for a long time, with only his elder brother to take care of him. Tang Feng was, for him, the last reliance on his deceased brother. He hoped to treat Tang Feng as an elder and hoped to receive some favor from Tang Feng. Upon hearing this, Tang Feng pouted and muttered, "You wouldn't let me go out... and you're blaming me for not inviting you? You have the nerve to say that..." Although it was just a soft mutter, Zhou Ziliang overheard most of it. He glanced at Tang Feng, who quickly lowered his head, too scared to speak. Zhou Ziliang then clasped his hands in a fist salute to Li Yunyu, saying, "Then I'll take my leave. General Meng is waiting for you by the river. Please go back now!" Seeing Li Yunyu leave, Zhou Ziliang turned to look at the nonchalant Tang Feng. He tapped Tang Feng's forehead and chuckled, "I was so worried today, and you just sneaked out without even saying goodbye!" Tang Feng was a little embarrassed and said shyly in a low voice, "I was so bored in the hospital, I just wanted to get some fresh air, but you wouldn't let me... I promise I won't go out next time." Zhou Ziliang felt a pang of pain in his heart. Although he was worried about him, he hadn't really considered Tang Feng's feelings. Even though Tang Feng was sick, it was still boring at home, and he himself... Being away from him so often, it was understandable that he felt frustrated. Zhou Ziliang apologetically took Tang Feng's hand. "I'm sorry... I haven't considered your feelings at all. How about this? Although it's windy today, the weather is indeed sunny. Why don't you accompany me for a walk along the river?" A hint of surprise flashed in Tang Feng's eyes. He took Zhou Ziliang's arm and said, "Then I want to eat out today, and I don't want to drink the herbal medicine when I get home..." "Eating out is fine, but not drinking the herbal medicine is not allowed." Seeing that Tang Feng's request was becoming increasingly demanding, Zhou Ziliang quickly interrupted and then asked, "You've been running around quite a bit today. Are you tired? Is your chest tight or painful?" Tang Feng shook his head, afraid that Zhou Ziliang would overthink things, and quickly reassured him, "No, if my chest really hurt, would you still be here to see me? I would have been on the boat long ago, pulled back by the old man. How could I be waiting for you to come looking for me?" Seeing that Tang Feng really didn't seem to be in any trouble, Zhou Ziliang finally breathed a sigh of relief, took Tang Feng's hand, and walked along the Wei River towards home. "It seems you had a good chat with the Ninth Prince, even managing to lure him out to fly a kite. You've got some nerve," Tang Feng knew Zhou Ziliang was teasing him. However, the time he spent with Li Yunyu hadn't been particularly pleasant, nor was it particularly bad; they were both very respectful, maintaining a proper distinction between ruler and subject. "What do you mean 'had a good chat'? Our statuses are different, so it's not appropriate to be too intimate. But His Highness seems to care a lot about this… Today he insisted I call him by his name, which I dared not do. He got angry if I didn't. I'm just glad this little devil doesn't have much power now; otherwise, what would happen later? One wrong word and he'd slaughter my entire family!" Tang Feng seemed to be joking, yet also quite serious. He didn't want to get too close to Li Yunyu. Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger; Li Yunyu was destined to become the crown prince. He feared that if their relationship became too close, it would arouse suspicion from outsiders, and he also worried that Li Yunyu's mind might change after becoming emperor, and he might be betrayed. "His Highness the Ninth Prince has always been upright, so don't overthink it." In just a few words, the two arrived at Taibai Tower. Taibai Tower was a well-known tavern in Xiling. Although it couldn't compare to the fame of Xiaoyao Tower, the taste of its food and the aroma of its wine still stood out among many taverns. "I heard that Taibai Tower's steamed fish with Qingjiang water is delicious, would you like to try it?" Tang Feng asked, but he was already standing at the threshold of Taibai Tower. Zhou Ziliang was also dragged along by Tang Feng. "You've already decided, so you don't need to ask me. Just order." The two booked a private room upstairs. Zhou Ziliang specifically chose a room with a view. They didn't order too much. Tang Feng picked a few specialty dishes: steamed fish with Qingjiang water, stir-fried bamboo shoots, and chicken and egg custard. Tang Feng, resting his chin on his hand, couldn't help but complain, "Isn't this a bit too bland?"

“But Xiaofeng ordered all of these himself,” Zhou Ziliang poured himself a cup of tea, slowly sipping it, waiting for Tang Feng to renege. “Then I want to eat stir-fried beef.” Tang Feng’s hand secretly reached for the menu, but Zhou Ziliang stopped him first. “No! It’s too spicy, you can’t eat it.”

"asshole...."

"What did Xiaofeng say?"

"I said, steamed eggs... Steamed eggs are delicious, you should try some." Tang Feng glanced at Zhou Ziliang and sighed. Sure enough, this man was different after marriage compared to when they were dating. Back at Lishan Academy, Zhou Ziliang would buy him whatever he wanted to eat. Now, he had to be mindful of Zhou Ziliang's mood. Just as Tang Feng was lamenting the hardships of life, someone entered the room. "Tang Feng, Zhou Ziliang, long time no see!" Tang Feng looked up, a hint of shock flashing in his eyes. "Shen Qinghang..." Tang Feng and Zhou Ziliang exchanged glances. Not long after Li Yunrui's death, Tang Feng fell ill because of Qin Liuliu's affair and hadn't gone out or inquired about anything. He only knew that Emperor Yun would purge the previous Crown Prince faction, but he hadn't expected that Shen Qinghang would be spared.

"What? We were classmates for three years back then, aren't you going to welcome me?" Ignoring Tang Feng's shock, Shen Qinghang turned and called over the waiter, "Bring me another set of chopsticks and a bowl, we'll eat together." Tang Feng's face twitched involuntarily upon hearing this, "Who said we're eating together? You're just showing up uninvited."

"I heard you were sick, and I was going to visit you, but I ran into you here instead. All these years, you're still the same—fearless and always talking without thinking. It's only early spring, and it's still chilly, yet you're still out here," Shen Qinghang glanced at Zhou Ziliang and continued, "Does that mean you're feeling better?"

"Thanks to you, I'm still alive." The waiter brought Shen Qinghang a bowl and chopsticks, which Shen Qinghang took without ceremony and began to eat. Tang Feng watched Shen Qinghang put down his chopsticks and suddenly asked, "Lord Shen, the Crown Prince was killed before the New Year, where were you?" Zhou Ziliang didn't expect Tang Feng to ask so bluntly and quickly looked at Shen Qinghang, who looked up at Tang Feng and smiled, "I've been loyal to the deposed Crown Prince for so long, but in the end he didn't listen to me and destroyed himself step by step. Why should I risk my life and fortune? I went to Lanxi before he mobilized his troops. I just returned yesterday."

"But I seem to remember that Lord Shen was very loyal, so why would he betray me?"

"Tang Feng, I remember you never concern yourself with court affairs. Why are you suddenly so interested in this?" Shen Qinghang narrowed his eyes, staring at Tang Feng. He stood up, and Tang Feng, seeing that Shen Qinghang was somewhat angry, quickly reassured him, "Don't be angry! I just wanted to ask why Your Majesty didn't include you in the purge of the Crown Prince's remaining supporters. I was just a little curious." Seeing that Tang Feng had no hostility, Shen Qinghang slowly sat back down. "Strategists have no loyalty to speak of. It's my fault for being blind and following the wrong master. I plan to pledge allegiance to Prince Yu." Upon hearing this, Tang Feng's hand, which was adding food, froze for a moment. He then glanced at Shen Qinghang. "Prince Yu? Lord Shen, to be two-timing... is that not advisable?"

"When did I say I was going to have my cake and eat it too?"

"Alright," Tang Feng nodded. "Even if Lord Shen truly intends to pledge allegiance to Prince Yu, then... what about His Highness the Ninth Prince?"

"The Ninth Prince is powerless and out of favor. He's almost of age and still not a prince. What hope is there for such a prince? Tang Feng, you don't need to try to trick me. I know Li Yunrui begged you before he died, but unfortunately, the Ninth Prince is not suitable to be the crown prince. No matter how much you help him, it will be to no avail. Moreover, you are not suitable to be a strategist. I admit you are very talented, but you are too straightforward and lack shrewdness. Getting involved in this will only leave you hurt."

Tang Feng smiled and placed a piece of fish on Shen Qinghang's plate. "Lord Shen, His Highness the Ninth Prince has no power or influence, and I am not suited to be a strategist. So why did you come all this way to tell me this? Are you afraid of His Highness the Ninth Prince, or are you afraid of me?"

"Tang Feng, do you know what you're saying?! I think you've gone mad with illness!"

Seeing Shen Qinghang put down his chopsticks and turn to leave, Tang Feng picked up his rice bowl and continued eating. "Shen Qinghang... I'm afraid he's back for another reason." Zhou Ziliang put down his teacup and sighed, "And you... why be so blunt?"

"Hmph, ulterior motives? He's just luring the snake out of its hole. He knows I'm going to assist the Ninth Prince, and he even specifically mentioned that Li Yunrui's death is related to the Jade King. If he really wanted to sincerely defect, he wouldn't follow the powerful Prince Cheng; he'd go after the Jade King. He came here specifically to tell me this, and I'm truly grateful to him for thinking so highly of me." Tang Feng shoveled down a couple of mouthfuls of rice, his appetite completely gone. He slammed down his chopsticks and said angrily, "I don't want to eat anymore. The food was already bland, and then I ran into this unlucky guy who said I was too straightforward and lacked cunning. He practically pointed at my forehead and called me a naive fool! Well then, I'll be full of cunning and outsmart him in every way." Seeing Tang Feng's anger, Zhou Ziliang quickly served him a bowl of steamed egg custard. "Don't be angry. Since you're getting involved in this, there will inevitably be a lot of headaches ahead. Don't skip your meal."

"So cunning... and he even schemed against me... I curse him to sleep on the streets." Tang Feng rolled his eyes, took the steamed egg custard from Zhou Ziliang, and muttered, "I don't ask for anything else, I just hope His Highness will be a little smarter."

After leaving Taibai Tower, Shen Qinghang went to the Jade King's Mansion. Li Yunye was deeply impressed by Shen Qinghang. He knew that this person was loyal to Li Yunrui, but Shen Qinghang's talent was obvious to all, which made Li Yunye somewhat hesitant. "Why do you suddenly want to pledge allegiance to me?"

Li Yunye's words were already within Shen Qinghang's expectations. He remained calm and composed, simply cupping his hands in a respectful gesture. "It's true I was loyal to the deposed crown prince, but I pleaded with him earnestly, yet he wouldn't listen to a word. Such a ruler is better left unserved. I left Xiling for Lanxi beforehand, knowing he was already a spent force, no longer a threat. Now I know Your Highness is wary of me, but I came with a pledge of loyalty."