Chapter 266 - Be a Good Boy and Stay Still (1/2)

Yao Yi had just received a thick letter from Miao s.h.i.+ba, which gave a minute account of what Childe Ling’s life had been in the manor during the past few days, so he hurriedly made towards the Marshal’s chambers to deliver it, but unexpectedly, he chanced upon a drama.

“…Nanny Zhong has been serving this family for many years and is more experienced than you. I sent her here to help you make preparations for Tong’s wedding, not to let you suppress her. Sister-in-law, the previous disagreements between Tong and the second branch of the family were just some misunderstandings. Now that we’ve cleared the air, as the mistress in charge of domestic matters of the Yuwen family, I should’ve taken over the preparatory work for Tong’s wedding. Tong is just too embarra.s.sed to have you go back, because he was the one who invited you here in the first place and doesn’t want to hurt your feelings, but it doesn’t meant that you have the final say in these matters. If you keep sidelining Nanny Zhong, I’ll have no choice but to talk with Tong, and in that case, he might cast aside the consideration of face and have you leave.”

Zheng s.h.i.+’s voice was quite loud and it was not easy for Yao Yi not to overhear her. He walked up and said, “May I ask why you’re standing here, Mistresses? First Mistress, the Marshal would like a word. Second Mistress, if you have no other business here, please go back home.”

The forms of address, “First Mistress” and “Second Mistress”, struck Zheng s.h.i.+ as extremely unpleasant. As Second Mistress of the Yuwen family, she was of much higher status than Fang s.h.i.+ who was First Mistress of another branch, but Yao Yi had addressed them in such an ambiguous fas.h.i.+on that people unaware of the truth might get the misconception that Fang s.h.i.+ was a notch above her!

Zheng s.h.i.+ was very displeased at the words, but Yao Yi hadn’t really made any mistakes by addressing them this way, so she said sulkily, “Guard Yao, do you by any chance still have difficulty distinguis.h.i.+ng your Marshal’s family members from outsiders? Do I need to teach you how?”

“My apologies. It’s just that the Marshal has something to consult with First Mistress about and requests her immediate presence. If Second Mistress has any business of urgency, you may tell me and I’ll make sure the Marshal is informed of it,” said Yao Yi.

Fang s.h.i.+ was a smart woman and knew Yao Yi had specially come here to help her out, so she immediately said, “Now that Tong wants to talk with me about something, I’ll go there right now.”

After saying this, she left with her handmaids without further ado, leaving Zheng s.h.i.+ and Yao Yi staring at each other where they stood.

Zheng s.h.i.+ was consumed with anger, but she also knew that if she really went to talk to Yuwen Tong, he might not necessarily side with her in this matter, for in Yuwen Tong’s eyes, Fang s.h.i.+ was a closer family member than her!

“Let’s go back.” Zheng s.h.i.+, even more unwilling to stay in this place where she could do nothing but stare at Yao Yi, stormed off, followed by her handmaids.

Nanny Zhong was left on the scene, face to face with Yao Yi, her face full of embarra.s.sment.

Yao Yi threw a glance at her. “Nanny Zhong, you’ve been in this family for many years, so I think you’re more acquainted with the rules than most. Do what you’re supposed to do, and don’t make trouble for the Marshal. If you feel these a.s.signments degrade you, you may return straight away.”

Nanny Zhong hurriedly said, “Don’t misunderstand me, Guard Yao. I make no pretence to being overqualified. I’m going back to help First Mistress right now.”

With some servants in her wake, Nanny Zhong also hurried off, knowing that Zheng s.h.i.+ wouldn’t be able to offer her help any time soon, that she was now on her own.

After these people who had tried to make mischief cleared off, Yao Yi looked at the thick letter in his hand and almost jumped, his grim expression instantly vanis.h.i.+ng. With that he hastily headed for the Marshal’s chambers. If he was late, the Marshal would definitely be angry with him.

However, Yuwen Tong didn’t blame Yao Yi after receiving the letter. “Did you dismiss Zheng s.h.i.+?”

“Yes. I think she won’t come back any time soon,” replied Yao Yi.

Yuwen Tong said, “Her servants wouldn’t be able to find a chance to make their move if you watch them too closely. Go consult with my elder aunt and figure out a way to allow Nanny Zhong an opportunity.”

“Yes, Marshal,” Yao Yi answered and quickly left for fear that Yuwen Tong might blame him for not having delivered the letter quicker.

When Yao Yi had left, Yuwen Tong hurriedly opened the envelope and started to carefully burrow in it. As expected, he found another, thinner envelope in it. After opening it, he began reading the letter word by word with rapt attention, as if trying to engrave these words in his mind. As his eyes moved along the lines, a smile curled the corners of his mouth. When he’d finished it, a regretful sigh escaped his lips, as though he wished he’d read it slower.

He’d read it too quick, and his longing was on the verge of overwhelming him.

Had there not been so much unfinished business to deal with, he would go back to the manor immediately. For him, the only place he would call home was where his darling was. And he was now terribly homesick.

Ling Zhang missed him as well. During the past few days when Yuwen Tong had been absent, he had neither slept well nor eaten well, and had lost a lot of weight for greatly missing Yuwen Tong. If it weren’t for the fact that the Yuwen family had delivered dowry to Tanyang, which had made it inconvenient for him to go to the Yuwen family, he would have returned to the capital city to see Yuwen Tong already.

He gave it some thought and still failed to refrain. “Brother w.a.n.g, find me an un.o.btrusive carriage. You and Brother Liu are to disguise yourselves and accompany me back to the capital city.”

w.a.n.g Dashan was totally unsurprised at this sudden decision of Ling Zhang’s and immediately went to make preparations without asking any questions.

After hearing about it, Miao s.h.i.+ba requested permission to go with them on the spot.

Miao s.h.i.+ba had orders to stay with Ling Zhang, so Ling Zhang gave his consent in the knowledge that it was inappropriate to leave him behind.

The four of them, Ling Zhang, w.a.n.g Dashan and Miao s.h.i.+ba sitting in the carriage, Liu Yi who had seldom appeared on public occasions acting as the driver, covertly entered the city and then returned to the Ling Mansion.