Chapter 1236: TangNing Vie (2/2)

As for the matter of the empty red envelopes, Long Feiye told Han Yunxi, “Let it go. We’ll see how those old wives react before talking it over!”

Han Yunxi knew they would face more vexing affairs upon their return to court, but she passed the next few days having fun. On the fourth day of the New Year, Long Feiye started making preparations to go back. With the kingdom newly established and a bunch of government affairs and Northern Li awaiting him, he couldn’t stay away for young.

“Big bro, Ning Jing and I will stay a few more days before coming to find you?” Tang Li chuckled.

Gu Qishao was currently perched on the roof and rolled his eyes at the comment, but stayed silent. This teahouse belonged to him, so what use was it for Tang Li to ask Long Feiye?

Long Feiye was in the middle of packing his own things as he replied, “You should ask Rui’er, this teahouse belongs to him.”

Gu Qishao loved the retort. Amused, he hung upside from the roof to peek into the rooms. Tang Li was currently carrying little Tang Tang. He ran to Rui’er and asked in a kindly tone, “Nephew, how about Uncle Li and Auntie Jing live here?”

Little Rui’er was currently stacking up papers. He ignored Tang Li, but did spare Tang Tang a brief glance before returning to his work.

“Darling Rui, you guys go home first, but let Uncle Li stay here, all right?” Tang Li asked.

Rui’er turned around and ignored him. His attention was wholly on Tang Tang. “Tang, are you a mouse?”

Tang? Mouse?

Han Yunxi and Ning Jing exchanged puzzled looks.

“You’re the mouse!” Tang Tang shrieked angrily.

Rui’er didn’t vie with this big sister. He was supposed to “yield” to her after all. He just didn’t get why she was so clingy, just like Lil Thing. Lil Thing was always hanging around the Grand Tutor. Meanwhile, he’d rarely seen this little big sister leave her father’s side in the past few days.

Little Tang Tang had no idea what Rui’er was thinking. She was innocent, after all--it was her father who loved to carry her around all day. She couldn’t do anything about it!

Too lazy to pay her any attention, Rui’er ignored them. When Tang Li answered him two more times, he simply covered up his ears. Seeing Tang Li look frustrated in response made Ning Jing want to mock him. Meanwhile, Tang Li was desperately hoping Long Feiye would have a daughter soon. He’d like to see how Rui’er treated his own little sister!

At this moment, Long Feiye looked over and said, “Tang Li, come back to Yunning with us. It’ll be Rui’er’s first birthday soon. You can decide whether or not to invite your father.”

The Tang Clan was in charge of creating weapons and constructing the imperial palace and capital. Both of these were monumental tasks. Construction projects would eventually end, but weapons would be needed as long as a country continued to exist! Long Feiye didn’t want any chaos to break out in the Tang Clan, much less for Tang Zijin to be impeached by the court just because he was too busy building to make weapons. There were too many other parties who coveted the job of weaponsmaster, Baili Yuanlong chief among them!

Naturally, Long Feiye was long aware that the general had allied with his southern cohorts. But he still hadn’t exposed Baili Yuanlong or made any moves despite knowing the entire situation. Baili Yuanlong would never know how stifled or uncomfortable he felt in his heart. After all, the Baili Army and its general were different from others! He trusted their clan the most and relied on them above all others. Baili Yuanlong had endured with him for over ten years, accompanying him from Tianning’s internal discord to the establishment of the Great Qin. Yet now he was the number one opponent to guard against!

The history books had a saying: If you shoot all the birds, then the bows become useless. If all the rabbits are shot, then the hunting dogs are useless. You might as well eat them for their meat. It was a saying to show how people who lost their worth became expendable.

But how many cases were in fact actually sovereigns forced to act against their will, because their retainers harbored intentions to overpower their masters?

If Baili Yuanlong had allied with anyone else, he could open one eye and close the other. Yet the Jiangnan generals he’d chosen had long entertained thoughts of rebelling because they hadn’t received any positions or benefits!

Tang Li had yet to grasp the true meaning behind Long Feiye’s words, but he grew alert at his brother’s serious tone. His smile fading, he nodded resolutely. “All right! We’ll definitely go with you.”

Long Feiye glanced towards Gu Qishao, who was still hanging upside down outside the doorway. Gu Qishao suddenly felt nervous and thought he would ask him to go back to Yunning too. But Long Feiye only said, “Don’t block the way. Move aside!”

Gu Qishao’s face fell as he nearly toppled down from fury. Instead, he flew up to sit on the roof and silently mused that it was best Long Feiye didn’t invite him to Yunning. He now had perfect time to visit Jiangnan and find some nice tea.

Han Chen likes spring tea, is it? Then I’ll definitely find some better than Long Feiye’s!

Gu Qishao was the first to depart from No. 7 Teahouse. Long Feiye’s group followed soon behind. Their New Year’s holidays had ended prematurely, but many more matters were awaiting Long Feiye and Han Yunxi back at Yunning Palace!