Send to the border region

Tang Feng figured he'd gotten through to Qin Jiujiu, but he wondered if he should also talk to Zhang Mobai. Knowing Zhang Mobai's temperament, he'd definitely let him go, but there would be no shortage of nagging. The next day, Tang Feng called Zhou Ziliang, Zhang Mobai, and Yang Fei, saying they wanted to have a good get-together at Zuixianju. He hadn't been there since being chased by the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan.

The meal was lavish, which, according to Tang Feng, was a real treat for Zhang Mobai and his wife. Tang Feng hadn't seen Yang Fei much since returning from Lishan Academy. "Long time no see, you squinty-eyed guy! I've actually missed you. What have you been up to lately? I haven't seen you anywhere!" Tang Feng had barely finished speaking when Yang Fei quickly got up and closed the doors and windows of the private room. He then lowered his voice and said, "Oh, I've been busy with important matters lately. I haven't had time to hang out with you. I'm not like you, just a lowly official who doesn't care whether I go to court or not. Let me tell you! You're not in court, so you don't know..." Yang Fei was about to continue when Zhang Mobai gave him a hard poke in the stomach. "Showing off all that! Don't say such things when your little brother isn't in court. What if something happens later and you get caught up in it?"

Tang Feng shook his head, pulling Zhang Mobai along. "Oh, I thought it was something serious! You two see each other every day in the court, and you're not afraid, so why should I be?" He then nudged Yang Fei's arm with his chopsticks, signaling him to speak quickly.

Yang Fei took a sip of tea and said, "Alas, it's a tragic story. You know Zhang Minghai? The Commander-in-Chief of the Xiling Guards, a military officer, insists he embezzled the pawnshop's account books. The Ministry of Revenue has had discrepancies in the pawnshop's accounts for a long time, but because the investigation was sporadic and incomplete, His Majesty was furious and ordered the Guards' Office to take over the case. We investigated for a month, but found nothing. It's just that Sima Ru, whether making excuses or having ulterior motives, insists that Zhang Minghai stole it. It's strange, though; most people would think it's baseless, but His Majesty actually believed it..."

Then Zhang Mobai added, "There's definitely something fishy going on here. Your Majesty is wise. When Yanyun was first established, you didn't let any of the corrupt officials from the previous dynasty go unpunished. How come you're turning a blind eye here? The pawnshop is related to the Crown Prince's reputation, but Your Majesty is ignoring the investigation, as if... as if he wasn't the one who was angry about the pawnshop's corruption back then. Eh? But Li Yunrui is quite anxious. He came to the Ministry of Revenue several times to personally check the accounts, but in the end, it all came to nothing..."

Tang Feng, resting his chin on his hand, listened quietly to Zhang Mobai and Yang Fei's conversation. He shared their curiosity, finding the whole affair rather strange. Discrepancies in the accounts weren't unusual; after all, the problem had been brewing since the time of Lishan Academy. However, after so many years of investigation, they had finally uncovered it. But... this result was too outrageous. Tang Feng was an official in the pawnshop, and he hadn't even fully grasped the ins and outs of the pawnshop yet. How could a mere governor be allowed to embezzle from it?

Seeing the atmosphere gradually cooling down, Tang Feng chuckled and said, "Little madmen, I'm treating you to dinner... mainly to say goodbye. I'm planning to go to Shanghan and stay there for two years before coming back."

Zhang Mobai's eyes widened upon hearing this. "Huh? Why the sudden decision to go to Shanghan? When are you leaving? Why didn't you tell me beforehand?" Tang Feng scratched his head and said, "Don't worry, this was a last-minute decision. Going to Shanghan... I want to try my hand at business. Li Yunrui is putting too much pressure on me, and I really don't want to get involved in their mess anymore."

After listening, Zhang Mobai, though reluctant, chose to respect Tang Feng's wishes. Zhang Mobai looked at Zhou Ziliang and asked, "You know too?"

“I understand,” Zhou Ziliang placed a piece of meat on Tang Feng’s plate. “And… I plan to go with Xiao Feng.” This answer seemed to be exactly what Zhang Mobai had expected, so he simply nodded to show his agreement and instructed Zhou Ziliang to take good care of Tang Feng.

Tang Feng stared at Zhou Ziliang, his face filled with disbelief. He had told Zhou Ziliang that he was going to Shanghan, but he hadn't heard Zhou Ziliang say he was going with him! Just as he was about to ask, Zhou Ziliang grabbed his hand.

Several people were somewhat upset by Tang Feng's departure, and finally Zhang Mobai spoke up, "Um... I might not be able to see you off the day after tomorrow. The Ministry of Revenue is scrutinizing the pawnshops' accounts closely lately, and I've been incredibly busy these past few days." Tang Feng nodded; it wasn't a problem. It wasn't like they'd never see each other again, so whether he saw them off or not wasn't that important.

After finishing their meal, the group stood at the entrance of Zuixianju Restaurant. Zhang Mobai said he couldn't stay with Tang Feng any longer; he needed to return to the Ministry of Revenue. Everyone there was working late into the night, and it wouldn't be right for him not to go. Tang Feng didn't say anything more. Watching Zhang Mobai and Yang Fei leave, Tang Feng pulled Zhou Ziliang aside and asked, "It's your turn. Tell me! What's the deal with coming to Shanghan with me?" Zhou Ziliang smiled. "I told my father to mobilize troops back to the northern frontier. When you return, I can also see you off. Before, when you went to the Qiang and Hu tribes, no one took care of you on the way, and you suffered a lot. So... this time I want to send you to Shanghan. The northern frontier and Shanghan are only separated by a wall; at least... let me see you arrive safely in Shanghan."

Tang Feng stared at Zhou Ziliang for a moment, then slowly nodded. He had rejected Zhou Ziliang too many times, so this time... he didn't want to refuse again. "Then... I'll ask you one last time, are you really sure? Wait for me, even I don't know when I'll be back."

"Of course, if I cannot wait for you, I, Zhou Ziliang, would rather remain unmarried for life and guard the frontier alone, just so that when you return, the first person you see when you step into Yanyun is me."

Tang Feng lowered his head, took Zhou Ziliang's hand, and then said, "Ziliang... I want to go to your house today."

"Okay! I'll go back and have my mother prepare some food for you." Zhou Ziliang turned to leave, but Tang Feng grabbed him. "I... I didn't mean that, I..." Tang Feng rubbed his hands, blushing, and stammered, "I want to... stay at your house tonight."

Zhou Ziliang was stunned upon hearing this, his eyes filled with barely concealed amusement, and he asked in a trembling voice, "Xiao Feng... is it true?"

Tang Feng nodded. "After my outburst a few days ago, I reckon Sister Jiu won't object anymore, so tonight... I'd like to stay at your place." Hearing this affirmative answer, Zhou Ziliang was overjoyed. He took Tang Feng's hand and headed towards the Marquis's mansion, even buying him a serving of osmanthus-flavored glutinous rice lotus root on the way.

Back at the Marquis's residence, Madam Zhou was overjoyed to learn that Tang Feng would be staying overnight. She busied herself in the small kitchen preparing stewed pig's trotters for him, and then instructed the servants to prepare a guest room. However, Tang Feng stopped her, shyly whispering in Madam Zhou's ear, "Auntie, don't bother. I... I'll just share a room with Ziliang tonight." Madam Zhou immediately smiled and said, "As you wish, as you wish. Auntie will go and prepare."

Because of Madam Zhou's attitude, Tang Feng was always treated with respect by the servants in the Zhou household. They addressed him as "Young Master" repeatedly. The old steward, carrying a tray of food, said to Tang Feng, "Madam and Master said they have some business to attend to and asked you to dine in the room. If you need anything tonight, just call us; we'll all be waiting outside."

Tang Feng watched the old steward rush out, then turned to Zhou Ziliang sitting at the table. "You seem quite composed. What's going on in your household... everyone's acting so mysteriously." Zhou Ziliang stood up, walked to his bedside, and picked up a piece of white silk cloth. Lilies and longans were scattered everywhere underneath. Zhou Ziliang sighed. "I think my mother might have misunderstood you. She probably thinks you're going to consummate our marriage today."

Tang Feng dropped his chopsticks while picking up meat, staring at Zhou Ziliang in astonishment. "A...a consummation of marriage?"

Zhou Ziliang, fearing Tang Feng would misunderstand and also afraid of frightening him, quickly explained, "No... it's not what you think. I didn't intend to consummate our marriage today. My mother was mistaken. Don't worry, as long as you don't agree, and even after we're married, it won't be the same. I won't touch you."

Tang Feng chuckled at Zhou Ziliang's expression. "I haven't said anything yet, why are you in such a hurry to explain? Of course I trust your character, and besides... after we're married, it's only natural for us to consummate our marriage. You don't need to worry about me disagreeing." With that, Tang Feng picked up a piece of braised pork knuckle from the plate and placed it in Zhou Ziliang's bowl. "Auntie's braised pork knuckle is so tender and fragrant. If I hadn't come, I wouldn't have known your braising skills were so good. Sit down and eat! What are you still standing there for?"

Tang Feng enjoyed the meal, which reflected the life he sought: a life of tranquility and detachment from worldly affairs. However, life is rarely smooth sailing. Tang Feng, chin in hand, watched Zhou Ziliang eat.

Zhou Ziliang put down his chopsticks and looked at Tang Feng. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Tang Feng smiled, his eyes narrowed. Even if life ended at this moment, looking at the scenery, beside you, this life would be complete.

The next day, Tang Feng left. Zhou Ziliang pulled Tang Feng aside and told him to leave through the back door, saying that Madam Zhou would definitely block the door later. This didn't lie to him. Tang Feng had barely left when Madam Zhou came in, smiling at Zhou Ziliang and saying, "Little Feng, are you still not up? It's alright, it's alright, Mother won't disturb you. Um, Mother knows, it's the first time! It's inevitable that you'll feel uncomfortable, so..."

"Mother, Xiaofeng hasn't woken up yet, please wait a while before you talk!" Zhou Ziliang pushed Madam Zhou out, closed the door, and sighed. Luckily, Tang Feng wasn't there, otherwise he would have been mortified.

Nothing actually happened between Tang Feng and Zhou Ziliang. Aside from sleeping in the same bed, Zhou Ziliang didn't even touch Tang Feng. Upon returning home, Tang Feng urged Qin Liuliu and Liu Yiwan to pack their things, explaining that they would depart early the next morning. Seeing Tang Feng return, Liu Yiwan asked, "Young Master... what were you doing all night?"

Tang Feng threw the handkerchief in his hand at Liu Yiwan's face. "Where I go is none of your business. Hurry up and pack your things. Don't think I want to take you with me. If it weren't for Sister Jiu insisting that I take you with me, I would rather you stay in the manor forever."