Admitting mistakes in the hall
Zhou Ziliang quickly helped Tang Feng up. Seeing that he had lost consciousness, he picked him up, intending to take him back to the Qi residence. However, he felt that he should stay. He turned to look at Li Yunyu, who was helpless beside him. The blame he was about to say did not come out. He just sighed. Li Yunyu had never seen such a scene before. Although he knew that Tang Feng was not in good health, he had never said that it was like this! Seeing the pool of crimson blood on Tang Feng's chest, Li Yunyu gasped. "Master... Master, he..." Zhang Mobai's eyes also reddened, but he hesitated because of Li Yunyu's status, and could only say, "The Grand Tutor is unwell. Doesn't Your Highness know? I have told Your Highness many times that praying for blessings is a waste of time and you shouldn't listen to slander. But what has Your Highness done?" Li Yunyu cursed herself inwardly for being blinded by greed. Biting her lip, she looked at the unconscious Tang Feng, unsure of what to do. "I... I'll stay and take care of Master," Zhou Ziliang quickly stopped Zhang Mobai when he was about to speak again. "Mobai, I know..." "You're worried about Xiao Feng, but he's a prince, you can't be disrespectful." Then, turning to Li Yunyu, she said gently, "Your Highness, this disaster relief was something you personally requested from His Majesty, and it was also the result of Xiao Feng's long and meticulous planning. Now you're just waving your hand and refusing to do it? What are the people of Luohe supposed to do? If you were the emperor, would you do the same?" Li Yunyu was speechless for a moment. "Alright then, Mo Bai, you take Xiao Feng back first. I feel his body is a little feverish. This place is right next to the disaster area, and there isn't even a doctor here. So quickly take him back to Liangzhou. I'll stay and accompany Your Highness to Luohe for disaster relief."
"That's all we can do," Zhang Mobai had no better options, so he had to listen to Zhou Ziliang and help Tang Feng into the sedan chair. On the way down the mountain, they saw Qi Ming standing to the side. The sight of him filled Zhang Mobai with rage. Grabbing Qi Ming by the collar, he said, "Wait until this is over, then I'll see how I deal with you!" He then shoved Qi Ming aside, got into the carriage, and drove back to the Qi residence. Holding Tang Feng's hand, Zhang Mobai frowned, lifted the curtain, and told his attendant, "Hurry back to Liangzhou and get the best doctor here, quickly!" Looking at the unconscious Tang Feng, Zhang Mobai sighed, "Little brother... is it really worth it? Is he really worth risking your life for?" At this moment, Tang Feng was less unconscious than as if he had returned to reality. Dizzy and disoriented, Tang Feng stared at the beeping IV drip beside him, sighing inwardly. "Am I dead or alive? There's no answer," he thought. "I've been struggling to stay alive for so long, and all I'm doing is half-dead." Tang Feng couldn't help but laugh. He used to mock Li Yunrui for being aloof and calculating; he wondered if Li Yunrui would laugh at him now if he knew him like this. Tang Feng didn't know what medicine was in the IV bag. He drifted in and out of consciousness, his eyes opening and closing repeatedly before he drifted off to sleep again.
When Tang Feng woke up again, he saw Zhang Mobai, who was asleep beside him. Tang Feng slowly sat up, intending to get some water, but perhaps he had choked on blood before fainting, as his throat was terribly swollen and painful. Afraid of waking Zhang Mobai, he sat still on the bed, reaching for a book beside him and starting to read. Zhang Mobai also sensed the movement beside him, and groping around, he looked up and saw Tang Feng wearing a robe, leaning against the bed reading. He quickly got up and hugged Tang Feng, exclaiming, "Little brother?! You're awake! You scared me to death... You slept for two days straight, and the doctor we called couldn't figure out what was wrong. He prescribed medicine, but you couldn't take it!"
"Alright, alright... cough cough cough, see, I'm fine! Don't be afraid." Tang Feng knew he had frightened Zhang Mobai, so he gently patted Zhang Mobai's back to comfort him. Zhang Mobai let go of Tang Feng, poured him a glass of water, and then heard Tang Feng ask, "Where's Ziliang?"
"He went to help the Ninth Prince with disaster relief." Zhang Mobai carefully observed Tang Feng's expression, and only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Tang Feng was not angry. "What did he help him with?"
"Ah? I suppose... Ziliang is also afraid... that if this matter isn't handled well, it will delay your return to the capital to report."
"It's Li Yunyu who's reporting for duty, not me. What's there to be afraid of? I don't care." Seeing Tang Feng's expressionless face, and realizing he wasn't joking, Zhang Mobai scratched his head. "Still angry? Don't be angry, little brother. I think His Highness the Ninth Prince probably knows he was wrong..."
Li Yunyu truly realized her mistake and behaved much better after accompanying Zhou Ziliang on the disaster relief trip to Luohe. Qi Ming, who followed behind, also became much more obedient. Everyone was startled by Tang Feng's outburst that day. Li Yunyu had known Tang Feng for several months and had never seen him so angry, let alone that she had actually made her husband vomit blood. She couldn't help but feel annoyed. During a break, Li Yunyu found Zhou Ziliang in the crowd, quietly sat down next to him, and cautiously asked, "Young Marquis Zhou, thank you for coming with me to the disaster relief."
"Your Highness, you flatter me. Originally, this was Xiao Feng's idea. He only wanted to train you, which is why he didn't come along. However, as it turns out, he may have let go too soon."
"Aren't you angry with me?"
“Of course I’m guilty,” Zhou Ziliang said, meeting Li Yunyu’s eyes. Li Yunyu felt a chill run down her spine. Zhou Ziliang was a seasoned veteran, his eyes carrying a cold glint that naturally inspired fear. But only for a moment, and then his gaze softened considerably. “He’s someone I cherish deeply. It would be a lie to say I’m not guilty for being angered like that by Your Highness. But Your Highness doesn’t need to take this too seriously. Everyone makes mistakes, but to err is human, to forgive divine.”
"I'm sorry... I really didn't think it through. I'll apologize to the master when I get back." Seeing Li Yunyu's appearance, Zhou Ziliang stood up, helped Li Yunyu up, and said, "Then Your Highness, please go back first! Everything here is almost done. The disaster victims have received proper assistance. All that's left is the finishing touches, which I can handle."
Although Li Yunyu felt embarrassed, she knew that staying might not be of much help. Besides, she wanted to check on Tang Feng's condition, so she agreed. Tang Feng had indeed improved considerably in the past few days; at least he no longer needed to be in bed. Today, seeing the nice weather, Zhang Mobai suggested to Tang Feng that they go to the small pavilion in the courtyard for some fresh air. They brought a chessboard, set up the game, and were about to play a game. Sitting in the pavilion, watching Zhang Mobai set up the chessboard, Tang Feng couldn't help but feel a little dazed. "It seems like we haven't played chess together since we left Lishan Academy."
"Yes, back then, your chess skills were the worst in the entire academy. I wonder if you've improved now," Tang Feng chuckled. "You're really bold. Don't you know the saying 'a scholar should be looked at with new eyes after three days' absence'?" He then took a chess piece from the chess box, held it between his hands, and tapped it on the stone table. When Zhang Mobai looked at him, Tang Feng glanced outside. Zhang Mobai followed his gaze to the corner where Li Yunyu's maid was. He was about to speak when Tang Feng slightly shook his head, so he swallowed his words. Zhang Mobai set up the chess pieces, and the two began to play, one piece at a time. "Your chess skills have improved, little brother! It seems Ziliang has been practicing with you a lot," Tang Feng rolled his eyes at Zhang Mobai. "Who do you think you are! Can't I study on my own?" Just as he placed a piece, someone came to report, "Grand Tutor... um... His Highness the Ninth Prince says... he requests an audience?"
"I won't see it!" Tang Feng glanced at Zhang Mobai and, seeing he hadn't moved, urged, "What? Hurry up and make your move!" Zhang Mobai shook his head. "Are you still angry?"
"Why should I be angry? What right do I have to be angry? Go and inform His Highness that I am seriously ill and refuse to see anyone. After returning to the capital, I will resign from my position as Grand Tutor. I am incompetent and unable to shoulder this heavy responsibility."
"This..." The servant looked at Tang Feng with some difficulty, hoping that Tang Feng would retract his order. Seeing that Tang Feng did not speak again, he could only sigh and turn to report to Li Yunyu. Li Yunyu frowned upon hearing the servant's words, then walked to the entrance of the Qi residence, lifted his robe, and knelt down. "Sir, Yunyu acted impulsively. Please punish me."
"Little brother, what about your belated regret!" Zhang Mobai looked at Tang Feng, but Tang Feng remained indifferent. "What's the use of regret? There's no medicine for regret in this world." "Little brother, he's a prince, that's enough. How can you make a prince kneel outside?" Tang Feng glanced at the chess pieces on the board, pondering his next move, when he heard Li Yunyu's apology and the commotion outside the wall. Tang Feng didn't need to listen to know what they were saying; it was nothing more than the prince kneeling outside, and the Grand Tutor inside having a death wish. Tang Feng placed the chess pieces on the table, stood up, and walked straight outside. Pushing open the door, he saw Li Yunyu kneeling on the ground, surrounded by people. "Come in!" Li Yunyu looked up and saw Tang Feng staring at him coldly, showing no intention of forgiving him. He said again, "Sir, it was Yunyu who acted on his own initiative, disobeying your orders. Please forgive me!" But Tang Feng's expression did not soften; he only said coldly, "Your Highness, you may not care about face, but I do. What do you think you are, kneeling outside? You are a prince, how..." "It was I who dared to punish you. The common people outside would think I was committing insubordination. If you really like kneeling, then come in and kneel. I won't stop you. Why drag me and Your Highness into this embarrassing situation outside?" After saying this, Tang Feng walked back inside. Li Yunyu thought about it and realized he was right. He slowly stood up, supporting his aching legs, and followed Tang Feng inside. Just as he was about to call out to Tang Feng, Tang Feng turned around and said, "Your Highness, didn't you want to kneel? Kneel then! There are only a few people in the manor now; there won't be any interesting rumors to spread."
"Sir, Yun Yu truly knows she was wrong..."
"You don't know! You only know I was angry, you only know I was out of my mind that day! But you have no idea why I was angry. Your Highness should reflect on this! If you can't even figure this out, you're not worthy to be my student." Tang Feng turned and left. When he returned to the pavilion, he had no heart to play chess with Zhang Mobai. He noticed that the maid who had been standing to the side had left sometime earlier, presumably to inform Li Yunye. Tang Feng pressed his throbbing temples, feeling inexplicably tired. "You really want to punish her?"
"What do you mean I should punish them? They did it voluntarily. Besides, if they made a mistake, shouldn't they be punished?"
"Tsk tsk tsk... Young man, aren't you being a little too harsh?"
Whether I'm strict or not depends on how others perceive it.
Zhang Mobai knew that Tang Feng had a sharp tongue but a soft heart and wouldn't punish him too severely, so he stood up and said, "I see you're not in the mood to keep me company, so I'll head back first. Don't stay outside too long." Tang Feng nodded and didn't try to stop Zhang Mobai. He rested his chin on his hand and looked through the stone door at Li Yunyu kneeling on the ground.
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