Uncle-nephew relationship
Tang Feng finally fastened his belt, his slightly cool hand hooking Zhou Ziliang's little finger. "I've got the pig's trotter soup in mind. You'd better bring it to me for dinner, or even if your parents are watching over you, you'll have to sleep in the study." Zhou Ziliang smiled helplessly. "Of course, a promise is a promise. My Marquis's mansion certainly won't shortchange you on a bowl of pig's trotter soup."
Tang Feng hadn't been back to the Marquis's mansion for a long time. Besides, he had always treated the servants well, and on his way to the main hall, many maids and servants greeted him, which he nodded in return. As soon as he entered the main hall, Madam Zhou pulled him aside and scrutinized him closely. "What's wrong? You're not feeling well, yet you're running around all day. Are you trying to drive your mother crazy?" During the time Tang Feng was unconscious, Madam Zhou had heard Zhou Ziliang recount everything that had happened in Wanliang. She felt genuinely sorry for Tang Feng, but this was... Tang Feng felt a little embarrassed by all this, but since Madam Zhou was holding him back, he didn't dare to move. He could only whisper, "Mother... that's a major event for Yan Yun, I should go. Besides... how can I refuse His Majesty's decree? Not going would be disobeying the imperial order!" "Disobey what imperial order!" Madam Zhou tapped Tang Feng's forehead. "I heard from your father that you're eager to go." Then, realizing her voice was a bit loud, she softened her tone and said slowly, "Little Feng, I know you're young but have great ambitions..." "Your ambitions have nowhere to go, but your health doesn't allow you to do this. The journey to Wanliang is long and arduous, taking half a year. Even Ziliang lost a lot of weight after that trip, let alone you. And you, you acted first and informed me later, as if you wanted to make sure your mother was worried about you." Tang Feng tugged at Madam Zhou's sleeve and shook it, then looked at Zhou Ziliang with a pitiful expression. "I... Mother... I'll definitely tell you next time if anything happens. Let's eat, I'm so hungry I'm dizzy, feel me. I even had a fever when I came to see you, and you, you..." "You'll have to scold me!" Hearing Tang Feng's excuses, Madam Zhou lost her temper. She told the servants to quickly bring the food and pulled Tang Feng to a seat. "Come on, eat more. Has Wanliang been mistreating you? You've become so thin, almost skin and bones, after being gone for half a year." Tang Feng had been ill for so long, so his appetite was naturally not as good as before. Thinking back to how Tang Feng used to devour two or three bowls of rice at her house, but now he only ate a few bites before putting down his chopsticks, Madam Zhou couldn't help but feel sorry for him. "Why aren't you eating? Is the food at home not to your liking?"
"No, Mother, I just eat slowly and want to rest for a while," Tang Feng chuckled awkwardly, silently picking up his chopsticks again and adding a few vegetable leaves here and there. At this moment, Zhou Wuhai spoke up, "Don't worry about it. He insisted on getting involved in royal affairs, and now look what's happened." Tang Feng felt a little embarrassed and smiled apologetically, saying that he had troubled his father, but was interrupted by Madam Zhou, "Would it kill you to say less? The child is in such a state, can't you even offer a few words of comfort?"
Hearing the elderly couple arguing nearby, Tang Feng moved closer to Zhou Ziliang and said in a low voice, "I'm full... Why don't we go back first?" Zhou Ziliang knew Tang Feng was in a difficult position, so he patted Tang Feng's back to comfort him, then whispered in his ear, "Then let's go first, leave it to me." Zhou Ziliang cleared his throat and said to Madam Zhou, "Mother, I feel that Xiao Feng's fever is quite high, so I want to take him downstairs to rest. You and Father, please don't argue, it's not good for Xiao Feng to hear it." Madam Zhou naturally had no objection, touched Tang Feng's forehead, and then said, "No matter how busy things are at the court, you must take care of your health. Go back and rest with Ziliang. Your father is just a rough man, he doesn't think before he speaks, don't take it to heart."
Tang Feng smiled and shook his head. "Mother, what are you saying? I'm never such a petty person." He then looked at Zhou Wuhai and took a step back apologetically. "What Father said isn't unfounded. I got involved in this myself, and I did get sick when I went to Wanliang. So I'll be more careful when I get back."
After Tang Feng came out, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. Zhou Ziliang chuckled when he saw this, "That's just how my dad is, don't take it to heart." Tang Feng was displeased upon hearing this. He took a few quick steps and suddenly turned around, startling Zhou Ziliang. Tang Feng was very close to him, and Zhou Ziliang could clearly feel Tang Feng's breath on his cheek. Tang Feng squinted and smiled, "In your eyes, am I really that petty?"
"No, it's just that perhaps after seeing so many of your methods of handling things in court, I always felt that Xiao Feng was the kind of person who holds grudges." Tang Feng raised an eyebrow, tapped Zhou Ziliang's chest, and said with some displeasure, "Hold grudges? Ziliang, you'd better watch your words. You can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. Which eye of yours saw me holding grudges? Hmm?" Zhou Ziliang quickly apologized and pulled Tang Feng's hand, leading him into the house. "Alright, alright, Xiao Feng isn't holding grudges. Xiao Feng was acting in self-defense."
Tang Feng rolled his eyes behind him, but didn't pursue the matter further. "Help me book a restaurant tomorrow."
"So anxious?" Zhou Ziliang understood Tang Feng's meaning perfectly well, but he was also concerned about Tang Feng's health. Tang Feng nodded, "Don't worry," and then raised his hand (the one Zhou Ziliang wasn't holding) to touch his forehead. "My fever isn't too high anymore. I'll probably feel better after a good night's sleep tomorrow." Tang Feng was indeed anxious. The spring hunt was fast approaching, but he hadn't yet discussed his plans with Li Yunyu, and he hadn't resolved his relationship with Li Yunye. Tang Feng lowered his eyes, thought for a moment, and finally said, "No, I'll go to his residence to see him myself tomorrow."
The next morning, after Zhou Ziliang confirmed countless times that Tang Feng was no longer feverish, he was finally released from the Marquis's residence. Tang Feng walked slowly, perhaps because he hadn't fully recovered. Although his fever had subsided, his cough persisted, so he dared not walk quickly. By the time he arrived at the Jade Prince's residence, it was almost noon. When Tang Feng arrived, Li Yunye was having tea with Wen Yunsheng. Upon seeing Tang Feng, Li Yunye was first surprised, then hurriedly stepped forward, "Grand Tutor Tang? You actually came here?" Wen Yunsheng also stood up upon hearing Tang Feng's arrival. Tang Feng said, "What? Your Highness came to my residence yesterday, and now that I'm here, why aren't you welcoming me?" Li Yunye shook his head and quickly led Tang Feng into the courtyard, "How could I not welcome you? I just didn't expect you to actually come looking for me."
“I mentioned back in Wanliang that we could have a meal together sometime, but unfortunately yesterday I was still ill and Ziliang wouldn’t let me out. I’m feeling better today, so I came right away.” Wen Yunsheng put down his cup, a slight smile playing on his lips. He chuckled, “Grand Tutor Tang’s attitude towards the Prince has undergone a complete 180-degree turn. Has something upsetting happened to you recently? Or have you encountered someone who’s causing you distress?” Tang Feng didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he sat down at the stone table with Li Yunye, took a sip of tea, and said, “I’m like a reed; no matter what the wind blows, whoever blows it the strongest, I’ll bend to it. Isn’t that what a strategist is like?”
"So, Grand Tutor Tang now thinks the Prince's wind is stronger than the Ninth Prince's?" Seeing Wen Yunsheng's knowing yet unspoken expression, Tang Feng wasn't angry. He simply looked at Li Yunye. "That's not important. What's important is what the Prince thinks." Ever since Li Yunye had questioned the oddities of Tang Feng's words earlier, it was unlikely he would completely trust him; at most, he could only be considered somewhat skeptical. Seeing that Li Yunye didn't respond, Tang Feng wasn't annoyed. He put down his teacup and said seriously, "It doesn't matter if the Prince doesn't trust me. I'm just securing a way out for myself." However, my relationship with His Highness the Ninth Prince, whether Your Highness believes it or not, is not that close. Although I am not his closest relative, in the context of the relationship between ruler and subject, I have been quite devoted. Tell me, which strategist would be willing to risk their life to accompany him on this journey? He is ungrateful, but I don't care, after all, my ambitions lie elsewhere. Yet he repeatedly questions and doubts me. Your Highness, you know I am a man who cannot tolerate any injustice." Tang Feng then stood up without looking at Li Yunye's reaction and said, "Your Highness, would you do me the honor of accompanying me to Zuixianju today?"
Li Yunye looked at Tang Feng, still pondering Tang Feng's words, unsure whether to believe him. Wen Yunsheng then spoke up, "Grand Tutor Tang, no matter what, you've served the Ninth Prince for over a year. Everything you've done for him inevitably raises doubts about the veracity of your claims. Furthermore, if you truly only resent the Ninth Prince's suspicion of you, you can withdraw from the succession struggle and live the life of a nobleman's son. There's no need to be so fixated on this."
"I know what I want. I have things I haven't finished, and I can't leave until they're done." Tang Feng stood up, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Li Yunye, and said, "Actually, I have many choices. The Ninth Prince was entrusted to me by Li Yunrui back then, so naturally I'm more inclined to serve him. However, his actions over the years have truly embarrassed me, which is why I'm considering seeking refuge with someone else. As for why I chose you, it's simply that between you and Li Yunheng, I lean more towards you, Your Highness. But if you truly doubt me, then there's really nothing I can do. Please pretend I was never here today. Farewell."
"Tang Feng! Is Li Yunyu really treating you badly?"
"Your Highness, only you know the true extent of your suffering."
Seeing Tang Feng leave, Li Yunye slowly sat down, picked up his teacup but found the tea had gone slightly cold, so he put it back. "What do you think?" Seeing Li Yunye speak, Wen Yunsheng simply shrugged indifferently. "I have no particular opinion, but His Highness the Ninth Prince has been granted the title of Prince by His Majesty. Is it really a good idea for you to let Tang Feng go now?" Li Yunye was quite annoyed by Wen Yunsheng's nonchalant attitude. "Didn't you also doubt Tang Feng's credibility?"
"You can't completely believe Tang Feng's words, since you didn't witness his falling out with the Ninth Prince. But you can't completely disbelieve him either. Tang Feng is a very arrogant person. He refused to agree to your request so many times before, but this time he not only agreed but also humbled himself to come to you, which means that what he said might be true. If you dismiss it all at once, who knows if Tang Feng will come again?"
Although Tang Feng was rejected by Li Yunye, he wasn't unhappy. On the contrary, he felt it was more advantageous for him. The less Li Yunye trusted him, the better the outcome of the spring hunt. He simply wanted to see Tang Feng and Li Yunye break up, and Tang Feng would naturally grant his wish. He had originally planned to see Li Yunye in a couple of days after arriving at the Marquis's residence, but unexpectedly, Liu Yiwan was already waiting for him there. "Young Master... the Ninth Prince has arrived at the Tang residence. The Ninth Miss sent me to fetch you." Tang Feng was immediately flustered. He and Li Yunye had been in a cold war back in Wanliang, and he hadn't figured out how to tell Li Yunye about the spring hunt. He was also afraid that Li Yunye might act rashly and delay things further. However, Tang Feng didn't refuse. He got into the carriage heading back to the Tang residence. On the way, Tang Feng thought of many things to say to Li Yunye to reconcile, explaining that he was only pretending to assist Li Yunye, that he was acting in Li Yunye's best interests, and that he had no other choice. But ultimately, he felt it wasn't quite right. Li Yunyu was a stubborn person; could he really accept doing this? Tang Feng alighted from the carriage just as he heard Li Lin'an's silvery laughter coming from the Bai residence. "You should go back first. If His Highness asks, just say I have some business to attend to and will be back soon."
After seeing Liu Yiwan off, Tang Feng entered the Bai residence. Everyone in the Bai residence recognized Tang Feng, and upon seeing him, they hurriedly led him to see Zhang Mobai. "Little brother, you just returned from Wanliang. Why aren't you resting? What brings you here to see me?" Tang Feng saw Zhang Mobai holding Li Lin'an, sitting on a stone bench, so he went over and gently rubbed Li Lin'an's round face, then said, "How can I rest? I still have to go back and coax our prince."
"You two had another fight?" Zhang Mobai looked displeased, and his grip on Li Lin'an tightened. Li Lin'an felt uncomfortable and struggled to break free. Zhang Mobai quickly adjusted his position and then said, "You're helping him so much, and he not only lacks courage and ability, but he even argued with you? Little brother, are you sure you didn't misjudge him?"
"It's not his fault, it's that I colluded with Li Yunye right in front of him," Tang Feng explained, teasing Li Lin'an in Zhang Mobai's arms. "Shen Qinghang is a former subordinate of the Crown Prince. Although he sided with Li Yunye, he secretly helped us along the way. This time, he wants to get rid of Li Yunye, and we are all just bargaining chips." Zhang Mobai frowned, somewhat worried. "It's too dangerous. Li Yunye isn't stupid. You've helped the Ninth Prince so much along the way, how could he not see your loyalty? If you rashly go to him now, you'll definitely be suspected." Tang Feng shook his head. "Of course he'll be suspicious. He won't believe me until he sees me and the Ninth Prince fall apart. So I want him to see with his own eyes that the Ninth Prince wants to kill me." Zhang Mobai suddenly looked at Tang Feng, disbelief and incomprehension written all over his face. "Little brother! Are you crazy? What do you want to do?"
"Next month during the spring hunt, I want His Highness to kill me personally. Of course, I won't actually die; all I need is for His Highness to shoot me in the shoulder with his own arrow, so that Li Yunye will believe what he sees."
Seeing Tang Feng's nonchalant tone, Zhang Mobai slammed his hand on the stone table. "Do you know that swords and spears have no eyes? You're playing with your life! How can you guarantee that His Highness's archery skills are exceptional? Besides, your health hasn't been good these past two years. What if you're seriously injured? If you die, how can you face Ziliang? How can you face us?" Tang Feng knew why Zhang Mobai was so agitated, but he couldn't help it. He grabbed Zhang Mobai's sleeve and shook it. "Don't be so loud, you'll scare Lin'an. Okay, okay, just trust His Highness and the imperial physician! I'll be fine, don't worry."
Zhang Mobai stared at Tang Feng for a long time without speaking. Finally, seeing the determination in Tang Feng's eyes, he could only sigh heavily, "Does Zhou Ziliang know?"
"Know"
“Alright, if he finds out, I won’t stop him anymore.” Seeing the worry in Zhang Mobai’s eyes, Tang Feng stood up and patted him on the back. “Come on, come with me to my residence, bring Lin’an with you.” Zhang Mobai didn’t quite understand what Tang Feng was going to do, but he still stood up and followed. He didn’t expect Tang Feng to take him to see Li Yunyu. In front of Li Yunyu, Tang Feng took Li Lin’an from Zhang Mobai’s arms and placed him in Li Yunyu’s arms. Seeing Li Yunyu’s flustered appearance, Tang Feng quickly supported Li Lin’an and said, “Hold him tight, don’t drop the child.”
"Sir..." Li Yunyu hadn't expected this. She had arranged to meet Tang Feng today, but a few days ago in Wanliang, she hadn't dared speak to him because she was unaware of the close relationship between Tang Feng and Li Yunye, fearing she might disrupt Tang Feng's plans. Now back in Xiling, she couldn't contain her curiosity any longer and came to the Tang residence. But who knew Tang Feng would not only stand her up for an hour, but also shove a child into her arms? "Whose child is this?"
"If you really think about it... he should call you Uncle Nine."
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