Chapter 169 - Blandishments of Yuwen Feng (1/2)

“My cousin just came back to the capital city earlier this day, and he has already given people reason to gossip about him by not having returned home to see his elders. If we go back like this, soon rumors will be floating around in every corner of this city, which will seriously undermine my cousin’s reputation,” Yuwen Feng added.

With a frown on his face, the guard thought for a few moments and replied, “Then please wait a while. I’ll go inside and ask again.”

Yuwen Feng felt a sense of relief. “I appreciate it.”

The candid guard went through the front gate and, when he was out of the sight of those outside, rolled his eyes upwards. ‘They think I’m a fool? Had the Marshal not instructed me to let them wait longer, I would never have bothered walking back here.’

A few moments ago, Ling Zhang had been woken up by the voice of the guard coming to pa.s.s word of the presence of the visitors, but he had not distinguished his words. After a while, it had fallen quiet and he had drifted off again. At this moment, he was having a dream, in which he was still in Tanyang. He was enjoying himself in the dream when he was woken up again by the voice of the guard coming to report. Sleepy, he got a little annoyed. “What’s going on? Is it really too much to ask for them to let me have a good sleep?”

In the realization that Ling Zhang had been woken up twice in a row, Yuwen Tong, who didn’t have the heart to let him be awoken for a third time, got out of bed, held him in his arms and patted him. “It’s okay. Just go back to sleep.”

Ling Zhang rubbed his head against Yuwen Tong’s chest and then rolled over with his b.u.t.t to Yuwen Tong.

Yuwen Tong was very much enjoying the rub given by Ling Zhang when Ling Zhang rolled over, leaving his arms empty and his heart filled with disappointment.

He felt an urge to put his arms around him and roll him over to let him rub his chest again but kept from doing so for fear that he might be woken up again.

Eventually, he resignedly straightened himself and went outside to deal with the two fools who had caused interruptions to their sleep.

…

“Cousin.”

Yuwen Feng and Yuwen Qi were finally led into the residential compound and also met Yuwen Tong.

“Sit. What is it you want to see me about?” After telling them to sit down, Yuwen Tong picked up a cup of tea and took a sip.

“Cousin, why didn’t you go home after returning? We waited for quite a long time,” said Yuwen Qi in a reproachful tone of voice immediately.

Yuwen Qi didn’t feel there was anything wrong with his tone at all. He believed that the reason why Yuwen Tong had not returned home was because that male courtesan, Ling Zhang, had bewitched him, that this was the sole reason. He had some time ago forgotten what his elder brother had reminded him of at home, why Yuwen Tong was angry, as well as the fact that he himself had been the one who went to Tanyang and threatened Ling Zhang. He had only himself to blame for Yuwen Tong’s giving him the cold shoulder.

Yuwen Tong didn’t even glance at him. He took another sip of tea and then put the teacup down on the table.

Seeing Yuwen Qi’s somewhat sulky face, Yuwen Feng hurriedly said, “Cousin, you and Childe Ling must be really tired after journeying for so many days. Given that Childe Ling has just moved into this residence, there must be many inconveniences here. You and Childe Ling might as well go back home. There are more servants there. My mother could also save you much bother of dealing with domestic ch.o.r.es, and you can rest better.”

Yuwen Feng’s words were much more tactful than those of Yuwen Qi. He had avoided mentioning the fact that Yuwen Tong had not returned home, and just focused on the convenience of living at home in order to convince Yuwen Tong to go back.

“My parents have also been looking forward to your return. After hearing that Childe Ling would come to the capital city with you, they have been eagerly antic.i.p.ating the day they would see him in the flesh. Since Childe Ling is your betrothed, all of us are very curious about him.”

Yuwen Tong gave a smile, thinking, ‘Yuwen Feng is still as he always has been. Both his words and acts are rather diplomatic. No matter what he truly thinks, at least he never shows any signs on his face.’

“That’s very considerate of you. It’s just that Younger Brother Zhang and I are not there yet. I’m afraid there would be rumors and gossip if I let him live into the residence of Yuwen family just like this. Of course, he will move in with me after we get married.”

“You’ve already decided to marry Childe Ling? This is such good news.” Yuwen Feng appeared to be pleasantly surprised but was secretly taken aback. ‘Yuwen Tong is talking about getting married now. Is he really going to marry that Ling Zhang guy?’

“What? Are you out of your mind, Cousin? You really want to marry that Ling Zhang guy?! Ling Zhang is a n.o.body from an obscure family in a small place, and he’s a man! You are seriously going to sacrifice yourself just to honor that engagement?!” But Yuwen Qi jumped in a startled fas.h.i.+on.

Yuwen Feng’s smile froze, feeling somewhat annoyed. ‘Yuwen Qi is such an idiot!’

“An obscure family in a small place? Who the h.e.l.l do you think you are?” Yuwen Tong looked at Yuwen Qi flintily.

Yuwen Qi was shocked. “What do you mean, Cousin? How could you compare me to that Ling Zhang guy? I’m in a totally different league from him!”

“You have neither learning nor skill, and are capable of nothing but acting arrogantly and domineeringly. Younger Brother Zhang outs.h.i.+nes you in every aspect. Yuwen Qi, I told you not to be a busybody as far back as when I was still in Tanyang. It seems that my words just went in one ear and out the other.” Yuwen Tong replied in a cold tone. His words were so sharp that it took Yuwen Qi quite a while to pull himself out of shock.

“I–I’m not…” Yuwen Qi subconsciously tried to defend himself.

“Cousin, my younger brother is like this by nature. He has a quick tongue and always say what he thinks without much deliberation, but he means no harm, so cut him some slack. It is because he cares about you that he said those words. After all, neither of us have met Childe Ling, so we are somewhat uncertain about what kind of person he is. And we worry that you might get yourself into an unhappy marriage,” Yuwen Feng hurriedly remarked.

No matter how slack Yuwen Qi was, they were still brothers. He couldn’t just stand by and let his younger brother anger Yuwen Tong. These years, as Yuwen Feng’s rank rose, he had been feeling more and more deeply how formidable Yuwen Tong was, while Yuwen Qi barely had any acquaintance with the situation in the imperial court and was also opinionated, so he naturally couldn’t see this.

“There’s no need for you to worry about anything. I know very well what kind of person Younger Brother Zhang is. Besides, this is my marriage; it’s inadvisable for you to get too involved. After all, I’m in sole charge of the primary Yuwen family, and I’ve never interfered in any of the secondary Yuwen family’s affairs. Respect should be a two-way process. Am I right, Younger Brother Feng?” said Yuwen Tong slowly.

After a brief change of his face, Yuwen Feng replied, “You put it too seriously, Cousin. We have no intention to interfere with your marriage. We’re just fairly worried. Never has either of us meant any disrespect for you. Apart from anything else, we are family, and blood is thicker than water. You are our cousin. How could we not wish you the best?”

“I’m quite gratified to hear this, and I hope others share your opinion.” Yuwen Tong slowly flicked a glance at Yuwen Qi.