open and covert struggles
Tang Feng knelt on the ground, cold sweat pouring down his face. He couldn't see Emperor Yun's expression at that moment, nor did he know if the emperor was pleased or angry. Emperor Yun remained silent in the hall, and the ministers dared not utter a word. After a long while, Emperor Yun suddenly laughed, "The first time I saw you, you were also kneeling here, crying and begging me to grant you marriage. Now you're much more composed."
"I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's kindness in remembering this humble subject," Tang Feng said, prostrating himself on the ground with his eyes closed. He only wanted the emperor to return home quickly. He was caught in a dilemma: asking for a reward was one thing, not asking for one was another. He had no idea if he was right or wrong. Tang Feng suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for Zhang Mobai, whose days at court were filled with the constant fear of walking on thin ice.
"Since you have no desire for reward, then so be it. I will not force you. I hope you can continue to serve my Yan Yun without any distractions."
"Thank you... thank you, Your Majesty." Tang Feng rose and glanced at Emperor Yun, who sat high on the dragon throne. This was the first time he had seen Emperor Yun. He was dressed in a black dragon robe, his brows were furrowed, and his eyes revealed a murderous aura, yet the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned. For a moment, Tang Feng couldn't discern his changing emotions. Only after Tang Feng stepped down from the hall did he realize that he was covered in cold sweat.
"Master Tang, you're out so soon?" The palace maid who brought Tang Feng in was waiting at the palace gate. Tang Feng waved his hand, "Don't follow me, I can go back by myself."
"That won't do, Master Tang. These are the rules. Once you enter the palace, you must follow them. My lord, this way please." The young palace maid bowed and gestured for Tang Feng to proceed. Tang Feng, seeing this, couldn't refuse and had no choice but to follow the maid's instructions. He had heard from the maid that officials like Tang Feng, who had been granted titles but held low ranks, could only wait at the main gate for the other officials to leave after court before being allowed to pass together. Tang Feng didn't care about that; perhaps he could even run into Zhang Mobai and travel back together.
Before even reaching Xuanhe Gate, Tang Feng heard someone calling his name from behind. Turning around, he saw it was Xu Chang'an. Tang Feng frowned. Wasn't this the person he didn't want to see, who had to show up? However, Tang Feng didn't want to openly confront him, after all, Xu was Li Yunheng's subordinate. He had finally managed to sever ties with the Crown Prince; if Li Yunheng suddenly appeared, he wouldn't be able to explain himself. "Lord Xu!" Tang Feng bowed respectfully.
"Lord Tang, there's an old saying, 'A scholar should be looked at with new eyes after three days' absence.' I remember back at Lishan Academy, you didn't even know how to bow properly, and your grades were the worst in the academy. Now, not only are you much more polite, but you're also much more respectful and humble. If the teacher knew, he would surely be very pleased." Tang Feng smiled. "Lord Xu, you've been well too! You're still the same as you were at Lishan Academy."
"Lord Tang, you jest," Xu Chang'an said, handing the tablet to Tang Feng. "Lord Tang, do you know what this is?"
Tang Feng rolled his eyes. "Huban, what's wrong?"
"My tablet is made of ivory and jade, while Lord Tang, I've heard that your journey to the Qiang and Hu tribes was fraught with danger, and you've rendered great service to Yan and Yun, yet you still use a tablet made of locust wood. Ah no! You don't even have the chance to use a tablet when you don't attend court. The Crown Prince is benevolent; even if he is rewarded, he won't leave any benefits for his subjects. Our Prince Cheng pities you and hopes to visit you at your residence sometime so that you can make further contributions in the future. Isn't this tablet made of ivory and jade?"
Tang Feng laughed heartily after hearing this, then said, "Lord Xu, you said I've changed a lot in just three days, but I think I haven't changed much since I was at Lishan Academy. I still hate two-faced people just as much. Don't you agree?" Tang Feng glanced up and saw Zhang Mobai coming out, so he waved and bowed, saying, "Lord Xu, I don't care whether my official tablet is gold or silver. Please just consider it that you've come to the wrong person!"
"Young man, what are you doing with Xu Chang'an?" Zhang Mobai saw Tang Feng and Xu Chang'an talking together as soon as he finished court, and alarm bells went off in his mind. He quickly asked.
"He sent me, probably Li Yunheng. I performed a great service to the Qiang and Hu tribes, and now the imperial court is bestowing rewards upon me, putting me in the spotlight. Plus, the Crown Prince hasn't publicly stated his opinion, so Li Yunheng probably sees this as a good opportunity to sow discord!" Tang Feng found it amusing; it was surprising that someone as proud and arrogant as Xu Chang'an would humble himself to come to him. It was just a pity he hadn't turned around and seen Xu Chang'an's furious expression.
Zhang Mobai and Tang Feng boarded the carriage, and Zhang Mobai said softly, "Li Yunheng has been quite well-behaved these past few years. It's just unexpected that he's still so arrogant now that Li Yunrui has been made Crown Prince. But to be honest, Xu Chang'an hasn't attended court for quite some time now."
"Why?" Tang Feng asked, somewhat puzzled. After all, given Xu Chang'an's personality, he would never be absent from any situation where his authority could be demonstrated.
"They say he's ill, but I have a feeling it's not that simple. The people under Li Yunheng haven't been out much lately, and even Li Yunheng himself is completely subservient in court. He listens to everything Li Yunrui says without question."
“I can understand Xu Chang’an’s situation, but this Li Yunheng…” Tang Feng took off his official hat and put it aside, rubbing his aching forehead. “This is impossible… Li Yunheng doesn’t seem like that kind of person at all! Could it be that the sun really rose in the west?”
"Your Highness, Xu Te has entered," a servant knelt at the door of Li Yunheng's study, with Xu Chang'an standing beside him. From inside, a voice said, "Let him in!" Xu Chang'an entered and saw Li Yunheng sitting on the couch, eating fruit. He knelt and bowed. "Your Highness, I went to see Tang Feng today as you instructed." Li Yunheng looked up, a hint of joy in his eyes. "How was it?"
"It's like casting pearls before swine! Tang Feng is stubborn and utterly foolish. I've tried to persuade him repeatedly, but all this wealth and glory seems unable to tempt him," Xu Chang'an said, somewhat exasperated, though he didn't want to show it. Li Yunheng smiled. "I heard... back then, Tang Feng resisted an arranged marriage, leaving behind a five-year agreement not to marry. That's about it now."
"Your Highness means..."
"Judging from the Qiang and Hu matter, Tang Feng is talented, but not to the point where I must bribe him. As long as he doesn't interfere with my important affairs, I can turn a blind eye and let him go." If it weren't for a scout reporting that Tang Feng's relationship with the Crown Prince was strained, Li Yunheng wouldn't have let Tang Feng go either. Tang Feng may not have talent, but putting that aside, he certainly has a sharp mind.
Having understood Li Yunheng's meaning, Xu Chang'an pondered for a moment and said, "What Your Highness says is indeed reasonable... We have endured humiliation for so many years, while that Prince Duan has been enjoying all the limelight. Shouldn't Your Highness also..."
“Wait a little longer,” Li Yunheng waved his hand. “Now is not the time. Li Yunrui has just been appointed Crown Prince, a new official making his mark. Do you think he will lower his guard so quickly? Once he lets his guard down, I will kill him with every stroke of my sword.”
After Tang Feng arrived home, before getting out of the car, he whispered in Zhang Mobai's ear, "Little madman, I've made up my mind. I'm getting married to Ziliang in a few days. Can you help me think of a way... just... please don't let Ziliang know. I want to give him a surprise." Zhang Mobai, upon hearing this, looked like a proud father watching his son get married, his face beaming with pride. "You really are making me so happy! Little brother, don't worry, you don't need to ask. I'll arrange everything for you. I'll go home now to choose a date for you. And... oh yes, and the wedding dress. Do you want it made of cloth or hand-sewn? And the bridal sedan chair... the sedan chair has to have presence! No, no! If you don't tell Zhou Ziliang, how will he come to marry you with an eight-bearer sedan chair and a ten-mile-long red procession? Marriage is different from other weddings; he'll give you a betrothal letter."
"Little madman, little madman! Listen to me," Tang Feng covered Zhang Mobai's mouth, then said in a low voice, "I asked you to help me think of a solution, not to meddle..."
"What do you want me to do?"
Tang Feng smiled somewhat embarrassedly, then tugged at Zhang Mobai's sleeve and said, "I... I've never been married before, I don't know the procedures. Let me take care of things on my end first, and then... I'll let Ziliang handle his side... Do you understand?"
"I understand, I understand, little brother, let's get out of the carriage and talk, okay? It's so hot, why do you insist on squeezing the two of you into this sedan chair?" Zhang Mobai pulled Tang Feng out of the carriage and walked specifically to the gate of his mansion to say, "Logically speaking, I've never experienced marriage before and can't be of much help, but! I'll find a way to help you. We're like family, don't worry! I'll take care of this. Just wait peacefully in the mansion!"
Tang Feng nodded, repeatedly emphasizing to Zhang Mobai before leaving not to tell Zhou Ziliang. Zhang Mobai assured Tang Feng repeatedly before he felt at ease. Back home, Tang Feng went to his study, took out writing paper, and began to write a letter. Who was it for? It was for Li Bao'er. After all, Li Bao'er had taught Tang Feng a lesson about his unpredictable relationship with Zhou Ziliang, and he wanted to thank her properly. Tang Feng included his upcoming marriage in the letter and sent it to Li Bao'er.
Just as Tang Feng finished writing, he heard Liu Yiwan knocking on the door. "Young Master! The Young Marquis is looking for you." Tang Feng put the letter on the stationery and said, "Help me mail this letter. I'll go right away." Liu Yiwan received the order and was about to leave when she turned back and added, "Young Master, the Young Marquis is waiting in your room. Please go quickly!"
"I'll go right away." After Liu Yiwan left, Tang Feng tidied up the study before heading out. He had just reached the door when he saw Zhou Ziliang standing outside waiting for him. "No...didn't you say you'd wait for me in the room?"
"I noticed you hadn't come out for a long time, so I thought something might be wrong and came to check on you."
"Did you need something?" Tang Feng looked up at Zhou Ziliang. "Nothing much? Want to have dinner at my place today?" Zhou Ziliang shook his head. "I'm taking you out today. I've already spoken to your uncle."
"Where are we going? Can't you tell me?" Seeing Tang Feng's confused look, Zhou Ziliang said gently with a smile, "Just go, I wouldn't lie to you." After saying that, he took Tang Feng's hand and walked out. Zhou Ziliang helped Tang Feng onto his horse before telling him, "Today is Madam Chen Ke's birthday. She wants to celebrate properly. Originally, it was supposed to be at Zuixianju, but... Chen Ke was afraid of extravagance, so she changed it to the military camp. She specially asked Uncle Zhang to stew beef. I remembered that you didn't get to eat it before you went to Qianghu, so I thought I'd take you along to join in the fun."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com