submission

Seeing that Emperor Yun had spoken, Tang Feng and the others returned to their seats. Zhang Mobai whispered behind Tang Feng, "Everything went smoothly." Tang Feng shook his head slightly, "Not necessarily. I've blatantly made enemies." Tang Feng's words were reasonable. The banquet lasted all day, and Emperor Yun only announced its end when night fell. After Emperor Yun left, everyone went home with some of their close friends. Tang Feng stood at the door waiting for Zhou Ziliang to come out. He had just entered the court and didn't have many connections, but Zhou Ziliang was different. As a founding elder, Zhou Wuhai had many people who wanted to curry favor with him, and he was surrounded by layers of people. Zhou Ziliang had no choice but to stand aside and deal with them as well. Tang Feng leaned against the outer wall, his hands clasped over his chest, and closed his eyes to rest. But he heard a woman's voice he had never heard before, "Grand Tutor Tang, I have long admired your name. May I ask if we can chat for a few minutes in the courtyard?"

Tang Feng was startled and opened his eyes to see a woman before him dressed in magnificent attire, wearing a golden crown, and dressed in a very alluring manner. Tang Feng glanced at the maid beside the woman, who said, "Grand Tutor Tang, this is our Consort Rong. Why don't you quickly pay your respects?" So this was Li Yunheng's birth mother. Tang Feng had never met Rong Ji before, yet the voice sounded familiar. For a moment, he couldn't quite place where he had heard it before. Tang Feng paused for three seconds, then immediately reacted, bowing and saying, "Greetings, Consort Rong. This humble subject frequents the imperial court and is still unfamiliar with some of the rules. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

“It is true that you are somewhat lacking in knowledge of the rules, but it doesn’t matter. The Grand Tutor holds a second-rank official position, which puts him in a precarious position. In the future, someone will surely teach the Grand Tutor how to conduct himself.” Tang Feng sensed a hint of hostility in Rong Ji’s words and quickly apologized, “Your Majesty is right. This humble subject has acted inappropriately, and I hope you will forgive me.”

"Alright then, I've come to see the Grand Tutor today. Would you mind if we admired the lotus flowers together? I've always heard of your exceptional talent, and I'd love to meet you today. I wonder if you would do me the honor?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Feng sensed a conspiracy and decided to decline, citing illness. "Your Majesty's kindness is appreciated, but I have been unwell recently, and the physician at home advised against exposure to drafts."

"Lord Tang, what do you mean by this? If you are unwell, you should rest at home. We've already come to the Dragon Boat Festival feast, what's a few more minutes to enjoy the flowers?"

Seeing that Rong Ji's expression was not good, Tang Feng could not refuse any longer and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down. It's just that it's almost curfew, and it is indeed inappropriate for me to stay in the palace. However, if Your Majesty insists, then how about this, may I call another person?"

"You're going to try and bargain with me?"

"No, that's not it," Tang Feng chuckled softly, looking down. "It's just... I wanted to find a witness for Her Majesty and me! Everyone knows why Consort Xiao was imprisoned in the Cold Palace. I don't want to hurt the relationship between Her Majesty and His Majesty over a mere lotus flower."

Rong Ji frowned, cursing Tang Feng for being too cautious. After thinking for a moment, he could only instruct a maid to invite Xu Chang'an over. "Lord Tang, since it's just a matter of testifying, it doesn't matter who comes with you. I'll invite Xu Tejin to come along. You don't mind, do you?"

Tang Feng knew Rong Ji wanted to get rid of his people so she could trick him into revealing information or frame him, but he didn't refute her. "Your Majesty, please go ahead," Tang Feng called out as Rong Ji turned to leave. "Zi Liang! Her Majesty Rong invites me to admire the flowers together. Xu Tejin will be accompanying me. Don't worry, wait for me at the door!" Tang Feng and Zhou Ziliang were still some distance apart, so Tang Feng was putting in his best effort. Zhou Ziliang heard the call and waved to Tang Feng. Rong Ji frowned; she truly hadn't expected Tang Feng to have such methods. Tang Feng's shout had been heard by almost all the ministers and their families walking along the corridor.

"Your Majesty, my husband has been visiting me very closely since I fell ill. He gets anxious if I'm not by his side for even a few minutes, and I'm sure he'll scold me when I get home... I was a bit rude just now, but I was afraid of taking up Your Majesty's time." Rong Ji looked at the innocent-looking Tang Feng and didn't say anything more. After all, so many people were watching, so she could only nod. "It's alright. The young marquis dotes on you; everyone in Xiling knows that. The wedding before the New Year has been the talk of the town." At this moment, Xu Chang'an was also brought over by a maid. After bowing to Rong Ji, he glanced at Tang Feng and couldn't help but sneer, "Isn't this Grand Tutor Tang? You're actually willing to associate with someone like me?"

"No, no, I wouldn't dare." Tang Feng looked at Xu Chang'an, then at Rong Ji who had already walked some distance away, and said in a low voice, "I'm not being arrogant, I just find it truly disgusting to work with people of ill intent. Lord Xu, please forgive me." He then cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Xu Chang'an, and quickly took a few steps to catch up with Rong Ji.

"Lord Tang doesn't like Lord Xu?" Rong Ji saw Tang Feng follow her. She had overheard quite a bit of what they had just said, and given the heated exchange between Tang Feng and Xu Chang'an at the banquet, Rong Ji couldn't help but want to test Tang Feng. "What aspect are you asking about?" Tang Feng smiled and continued, "I'm the kind of person who says what I like and dislike what I don't. Your Majesty should be able to tell, right? I'm a man of my word. I dislike some of Lord Xu's behavior, but I won't implicate others."

Rong Ji looked at Tang Feng and slowly stopped. "Is that so? Doesn't Lord Tang understand the principle of 'when beating a dog, consider its owner'?"

"Your Majesty is joking. In your words, who is the dog and who is the master? Tang Feng really doesn't understand."

"Don't understand? Lord Tang is so intelligent, how could you not understand? Today in the main hall, I saw you were quite eloquent," Rong Ji said with a smile, but her words carried a hint of sarcasm. Tang Feng wasn't afraid. He glanced at Xu Chang'an and then at Rong Ji. "Your Majesty, if you want to know the meaning of the saying 'beating a dog to see its owner,' I naturally understand the literal meaning. But if you insist on applying this to the banquet just now, I truly don't understand. My argument with Lord Xu was merely a matter of fact. As for 'beating a dog to see its owner…' Your Majesty, who is this dog… Lord Xu… or…?"

"Enough!" Rong Ji composed himself and continued, "As expected of the tutor personally chosen by His Majesty for the Ninth Prince, his eloquence is truly remarkable! Lord Xu, what do you think?"

Xu Chang'an glanced at Tang Feng, then sneered, "If Lord Tang is merely a tutor, that's fine. But if he's shown any compassion, then who knows? After all, human hearts are unpredictable, and Grand Tutor Tang is known for his meticulousness. What do you say, Grand Tutor Tang?"

Tang Feng shrugged. "I was indeed speaking up for His Highness the Ninth Prince, but since he said so, I naturally had to go along with it. After all, if His Highness the Ninth Prince is punished, my future will probably be difficult too! Your Highness, don't you think so? Isn't that what a dog is good for?" Tang Feng knew that this whole affair was mostly because he had made excuses for the Lin family, and now they were trying to find fault with him! "Your Highness, you said that I went to the palace to save the master, and Lord Xu went to the palace to serve His Majesty, but what about Shen Qinghang? In this situation, who is the master and who is the dog? Shouldn't Your Highness think about it carefully?"

Rong Ji fell into deep thought, and just as he was about to speak, Tang Feng continued, "Your Majesty... judging from the sky, I must return to take my medicine. It seems I won't be able to accompany Your Majesty to admire the flowers."

"Alright, with your health like this, let the imperial physician take a good look at you later. How can a quack doctor do it?"

Tang Feng thanked Rong Ji and turned to leave. Xu Chang'an watched Tang Feng leave and asked, "Your Majesty, are you just letting him go like that?"

"Well, Tang Feng is caught in the middle but can't get any leverage over him. He speaks so succinctly, but what he said does make sense. We need to investigate the relationship between Shen Qinghang and Li Yunye. I used to think Li Yunye wouldn't amount to anything, but now it seems I was wrong. Everyone who wants the throne should be wary of him."

Tang Feng walked out of the palace and saw Zhou Ziliang sitting on the edge of the carriage waiting for him. "Where's the coachman?"

"I told him to go back first. Get in the carriage, I'll drive." Tang Feng didn't get on the carriage after hearing this, but sat down next to Zhou Ziliang. "Let's go! We've been out for too long today, I want to go back and rest early."

"Don't sit here, it's windy outside."

Seeing that Zhou Ziliang was a little angry, Tang Feng didn't listen. He curled up on Zhou Ziliang's lap and said, "It won't make a difference if I stay a little longer, really. Stop nagging. I've heard so much nonsense today, my head hurts." He then rubbed against Zhou Ziliang's waist a couple of times. Zhou Ziliang naturally couldn't do anything about it. He took off his cloak and covered Tang Feng with it, freeing one hand to hold Tang Feng's waist, afraid that the carriage would be unstable and he would fall off again. "The atmosphere at the banquet today was quite tense."

"You didn't hear what happened earlier? It was even more tense." Tang Feng closed his eyes, pulled Zhou Ziliang's arm around his, and then said, "Xu Chang'an is backed by Li Yunheng, Li Yunheng is backed by Consort Rong, and who is backed by Consort Rong?"

"Who else could be behind a weak woman? She probably just wants to rise to the top and become Empress Dowager." After Zhou Ziliang finished speaking, he didn't hear Tang Feng's response for a long time. He looked down and saw that Tang Feng had fallen asleep, and only then did he slowly breathe a sigh of relief.

After Tang Feng and the others moved back to the Tang residence, they never went back. Qin Jiujiu was always worried about Tang Feng's health and absolutely did not want him to go back, so the two of them had no choice but to stay at the Tang residence. At this time, Qin Jiujiu and Liu Yiwan were already waiting at the door. When Liu Yiwan saw the two of them return, he quickly stepped forward and pulled the carriage, "Young Marquis... Young Master, this is..."

"He's asleep. I'll carry him back to his room." Qin Jiujiu saw Zhou Ziliang pick up Tang Feng, causing the cloak covering him to fall to the ground. She quickly picked it up and followed him, asking in a low voice, "Why are you back so late? I saw that the others who attended the banquet had already returned."

"It's nothing, a few things happened, but it's all resolved." Zhou Ziliang gently placed Tang Feng on the bed and covered him with a blanket. Then he pulled Qin Jiujiu aside and asked, "Miss Jiu, did anyone come to the Tang residence today?"

"Huh?" Qin Jiujiu was taken aback by the question. After thinking for a moment, she shook her head. "No, as you know, since my godfather passed away, the Tang family has become much quieter. In addition, Xiao Feng has just taken office, and there are very few officials from the court visiting him."

Zhou Ziliang nodded, then said, "Alright, Sister Jiu, if someone named Lin Siwen comes over in the next few days, regardless of whether Xiaofeng is home or what he's doing, don't refuse him. Just let him stay at the manor."

"What kind of request is this... Alright, alright, you guys rest first, I'm going back too." Qin Jiujiu glanced at Tang Feng lying on the bed before leaving with peace of mind.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Tang Feng heard a knock on the door. "Young Master! Young Master! Come out quickly! Miss Jiu said that the one named Lin Siwen has arrived." Tang Feng opened his eyes, but after a long while, his head was spinning from being exposed to the wind all day yesterday, and he could barely open his eyes. Leaning against the headboard, he mumbled, "Lin Siwen?"

"Yes, Miss Jiu said that yesterday the young marquis specifically instructed that as long as Lin Siwen comes..."

"I have to wake you up no matter what," Liu Yiwan said, but before she could finish, Zhou Ziliang came in with a tray of food. He pushed open the door and said, "It wasn't easy to clear the Lin family's name. Lin Siwen is here to express his gratitude. Xiao Feng, shouldn't you seize this opportunity?"

Tang Feng shook his head, rolled over, and got out of bed. "How long have you been waiting?"

"One incense stick... Young Master... You... You're not dressed yet!" Tang Feng couldn't care less about anything else; he was afraid Lin Siwen would just leave like that. After all, expressing gratitude was one thing, but submitting was another. Upon entering the main hall, Qin Jiujiu frowned at Tang Feng's appearance and scolded, "Look at you, all flustered and anxious! Do you still think you're the same as before? With your current condition, you should have dressed properly before coming in. Besides, you still have guests to meet..."

"My sister will tell me in a bit, and I'm getting anxious..."

"Grand Tutor Tang, please don't be anxious. I've come here not just to express my gratitude." Lin Siwen heard the commotion outside and got up to check. She was surprised to see Tang Feng alone in his nightgown, sweating profusely and looking anxious. She quickly guessed what Tang Feng meant. Seeing that the two had met, Qin Jiujiu didn't want to disturb them further, so she said, "You two talk, I'll go prepare some tea."

After Qin Jiujiu left, Lin Siwen knelt down with a thud, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Lin Siwen, thank you so much, Grand Tutor, for saving my life!" Tang Feng quickly helped him up, saying, "Such a grand gesture, young general, you flatter me. I know that both the Lin family and the Crown Prince were harmed by villains. So naturally, I would help them. However, my abilities are limited, and the entire Lin family can only help you escape danger."

"I understand what you mean, Grand Tutor. His Majesty already distrusts the Lin family because of the Eastern Palace case. Your saving my life is already a great favor. Furthermore, I don't want His Highness to be involved in danger because of the Lin family. How could I face my sister and brother-in-law if that happened? Grand Tutor, I've said before that I'm not here just to express my gratitude. Although the Lin family is not what it used to be, the military forces in Muxi are still under our control. I am willing to do my utmost to assist His Highness and Grand Tutor. I wonder if you would mind?"