Ling Zhang was busy for checking the herbs on the order and getting familiar with the operation of the Herb Farm as soon as he arrived. He didn't return to the residence in the village until late at night when Ling Maomao had been already sound asleep in his bed.

"Has he been naughty tonight? Did he have dinner?" Ling Zhang asked the servant.

"Second young master had been waiting for you to come back. He didn't go to sleep until just now. And he ate only half of the meal."

Ling Zhang frowned. Only half of the meal?

"Wasn't the meal to his taste?" Ling Zhang asked.

"It seems that this meal suited his taste well. He was just waiting for you to come back and worried about you. That's why he ate so less."

Ling Zhang immediately realized that Ling Maomao must have lost his temper when he didn't show up for dinner. 'What a naughty boy.' Ling Zhang really didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He said, "Leave a servant for the vigil, and let others go to rest."

"Yes, young master," the servant answered.

After washing up, Ling Zhang helped himself to a meal. Then he went to the bedside and gently pinched Maomao's face. "Little rascal, so naughty on the first day."

Although he was in an unfamiliar environment, as long as there was Ling Maomao around, he could fall asleep safely.

He hadn't dreamed for days. But he didn't know why he dreamed again this evening and the dream was a little bit familiar...

A tall man stood silhouetted against the light in front of Ling Zhang. He couldn't see his face clearly, but he recognized the man through the man's sharp eyes.

That was Yuwen Tong in his dream...

"Never dream to break the engagement!"

"I am coming to find you."

Ling Zhang was scared to break out in cold sweat as he heard the last words in his dream.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he found that it was already dawn. He woke up even later than usual.

Ling Zhang was too tired yesterday, and he had a dream in the early hours of the morning, so when he got up, he couldn't help but rub his temples to clear his mind. He had no idea why he dreamed about Yuwen Tong again. Damn it.

Ling Maomao was still snoring. Ling Zhang got up to get dressed and wash up. At this time, the sky was brighter. Ling Zhang faintly heard the sound of people in the village getting to work.

"Maomao, get up soon. Join me to run around the place." Ling Zhang tried to wake Maomao up.

Ling Maomao opened his eyes in a daze then looked at his brother in confusion. "Run around what?"

Ling Zhang smiled at him. "You will know it soon."

Ling Maomao was still lingering in his bed, but soon he was pulled up by Ling Zhang. After dressing and washing, Ling Maomao was forced to run around the open space outside the village with his brother.

The open space was so wide that they could run freely without hindrance.

Ling Maomao showed an expression of being cheated. "Big brother, you lie to me."

"After finishing running, I will show you around the village. Hold on," Ling Zhang said.

Ling Maomao almost cried with a bitter face.

After running two times around the place, Ling Maomao was allowed to have a rest. When the little boy wanted to sit down on the ground directly, he was ordered to walk for a while after running.

"Take care of him. Massage his arms and legs." Ling Zhang commanded the servants. Then he went on to run alone. After running, he did horse stance and practiced the martial arts.

At this time, the sun was already high up in the sky, shining over the herbs and bringing out a mixed aroma of bitterness and astringency that tasted a bit sweet after being inhaled.

While Ling Zhang led his little brother to morning running, a group of men entered Tanyang and galloped along the quiet street in the early morning to Ling Family. Ling Family had already opened the gate as Ling Xingzhong and Ling Zhaowen waited for the arrival of the Marshal at the door in person.

They were coming! The man in the lead demonstrated such majesty and imposing aura that made the two's eyes brighten up.

Yuwen Tong kept everyone's face in his mind with only a quick glance at Ling Family's gate. He didn't find anyone of the same age as Ling Zhang. It was clear that Ling Zhang wasn't here.

Yuwen Tong frowned slightly, and this subtle action was barely noticed by others. 'So he isn't home?'

He was surprised to learn of this engagement with the Ling Family. But since the Ling Family wanted to end it, he would not force them to do otherwise. The purpose of his visit to Tanyang was mainly to find a new solution to the problem he might face back to the capital, and he also intended to do Ling Family a favor; another purpose was to probe into the situation of Tanyang at his convenience. On the contrary, he didn't mind the termination of their marriage contract at all.

But Ling Zhang's absence left Yuwen Tong with a strange feeling at this moment, a hint of unspeakable and subtle displeasure.

What did Ling Family mean?Were they afraid that he would fall in love with Ling Zhang at first sight and marry him?

Despite all the thoughts in mind, he just kept that cool look.

"Greetings, my lord." Ling Xingzhong said as he led the rest member of Ling family to pay their respects.

In view of the fact that Yuwen Tong didn't want to reveal his identity, Ling Xingzhong and Ling Zhaowen didn't honor him as Marshal. They had discussed this matter in advance so as not to ruin Yuwen Tong's plan.

Yuwen Tong dismounted at once. He came up to Ling Xingzhong and helped him up. "Oh, please, Lord Ling. Let's not stand on ceremony. As a junior, how can I accept your kneeling."

"All of you here get up."

"Thank you, my Lord." Ling Zhaowen led others to stand up.

Yuwen Tong was not only tall and straight, but also had a powerful aura, which made people feel oppressive. For a moment he was the center of attention. The Ling Family's servants had never seen anyone with such an imposing temperament. They instantly became quiet, even breathing carefully.

"My lord, your coming from afar is really a pleasure for us. I haven't been to the Capital for many years. How is your family?" Ling Xingzhong asked.

"Thank you for your regards. Everything is fine," Yuwen Tong said. "My grandfather mentioned you many times when he was alive. Your kindness to our family will always be in my mind."

Ling Xingzhong didn't expect that Yuwen Tong would take the initiative to mention the past. His tone was sincere, and it was clear that he did remember how the Ling Family had helped them in the past. This surprised and delighted Ling Xingzhong. As long as Yuwen Family still remembered their kindness, they would not blame Ling Family for breaking off the engagement.

Ling Xingzhong and Ling Zhaowen were relieved when they heard Yuwen Tong's words. Yuwen Tong made a good impression on the two of them.

"I am glad that your grandfather remembered me. I just did what I was supposed to do in that year. So it was not worth mentioning," Ling Xingzhong said.

"A favor, even a small one, received during times of dire need should be repaid with redoubled effort. You saved my grandfather's life, so don't be so modest. As long as I am alive, I will remember your kindness."

Ling Xingzhong said with a smile, "I really do not deserve your praise, my Lord. However, if you still feel indebted to me, my Lord, why don't stay here, and we shall call it even?"

"Thank you a lot. I am serious, Lord Ling. How can your kindness to us be easily forgotten?" Yuwen Tong insisted.

Ling Xingzhong smiled. "My Lord, please."

Yuwen Tong nodded, then walked into Ling Mansion with Ling Xingzhong. At the same time, he glanced at Ling Zhaowen and asked, "May I ask who is this?"

"This is Zhaowen, my second son. He is currently holding a position at the Prefecture Yamen of Tanyang as a Right Tongzhi." Ling Xingzhong said.

Ling Zhaowen folded his hands to show respect.

Yuwen Tong nodded as a response and pretended to inadvertently ask, "I didn't see your grandson just now. Isn't he at home?"

Yuwen Tong took the initiative to mention Ling Zhang, which confused Ling Xingzhong and Ling Zhaowen. They answered honestly, "Yesterday, he took his cousin to the Herb Farm in the south of the city. So he didn't know your coming. I have sent a message to the Herb Farm to inform him. And I will get him back soon."

It turned out that he didn't shun me. Yuwen Tong's inexplicable displeasure was immediately replaced by inexplicable happiness.

"Young Master, someone is looking for you. He seems to be in a hurry." A servant hurried in from outside.

Ling Zhang handed over the order with the shopkeeper of Jiang's Herbs, then sent him away. This was the first time that Ling Zhang had dealt with such a transaction so formally. Unfamiliar to so many details, he was so busy that he didn't even have time to drink water. It was not until noon that he finished all the work. As soon as he was preparing to sit down and have a rest, someone came in to find him.

"What happened?" Ling Zhang asked the man who came from the Ling Family.

"Old Master asks you and the second master to go back home soon, because we have a respected guest," the man replied.

Back now? A respected guest visited? What kind of distinguished guest demands my presence? Ling Zhang was confused. Why was grandfather in such a hurry to get him back?

"When did the guest come?" Ling Zhang asked.

The man answered, "I set out at dawn. Before I left, Old Master and the Second Master were waiting at the gate for the arrival of the distinguished guests."

So early. What kind of guest would visit before dawn?He was specially told to go home. If he left now, it must be evening when he got home...He couldn't believe that the guest would stay overnight.

So the guest must have come from other places. Ling Zhang didn't know why he was a little panicked. He remembered, at an inopportune moment, the dream he had in the early hours of this morning... Damn it, that guest couldn't be Yuwen Tong.

"Okay. Wait a moment. I will pack up and take Maomao home."

They had packed their luggage and were about to get into the carriage. At the same time, Zhou Quanfu, the manager of the Herb Farm, suddenly ran over, panting, "Young Master, bad news!"

Ling Zhang stopped and looked at Zhou Quanfu, "What happened?"Zhou Quanfu was a thoughtful and careful person who had been in charge of the Herb Farm for a long time. He was experienced in all kinds of emergencies, therefore unlikely to lose his cool before ordinary matters.

Ling Zhang had a sense of foreboding at this moment.

"Several farmers are detained by the Prefecture Guard," Zhou Quanfu said.

As expected. A dark look formed on Ling Zhang's face. He said, "When were they detained? And why would the Prefecture Guard do that?"

"It happened Just now. There is a pool in the forest to the west of the Herb Farm. Usually our farmers will go to that pool to get the water for the herbs. On the other side of the forest is the encampment of the Prefecture Guard. The herb farmers and the Guards has been at peace for a long time, but today the patrols suddenly showed up, accused farmers of trespassing into their encampment, and arrested the herb farmers back to the encampment for punishment," Zhou Quanfu said.

Ling Zhang frowned. Zhang Chong's request for the Court's permission to expand his encampment of the Prefecture Guard had not yet been delivered to the Capital. Why claiming the land in such a haste? Besides, that forest did not belong to the encampment of the Prefecture Guard at all, why would they detain the farmers?

"Where are the farmers?" Ling Zhang asked.

"They've just been taken away. The farmers are on foot, so they won't get to the encampment too soon."

Ling Zhang looked at the servant who came to get him home. "Something urgent happened here. So I can't go back home right now. Please tell my grandfather and my uncle about it."

The man was in a dilemma because his task was to take Ling Zhang back. But now there was an emergency at the Herb Farm, so he hesitated for a moment and then nodded. "I will go back soon, Young Master."

After that, the man galloped back to Tanyang City.

Ling Zhang watched the man left, coldness glistening in his eyes.

'If he rides fast enough, he can get back to Tanyang in less than two hours. And it may take him another hour to travel from Tanyang to the encampment. It is obviously too late.'

'It must be Zhang Chong's doing. What Zhang Chong wants is an excuse to harm the Ling Family. If no one of the Ling Family reach there, Zhang Chong will not punish the farmers.'

'But if the farmers are brought into the encampment, things will become more difficult to deal with. Unlike in Prefecture Yamen, the encampment is under the jurisdiction of Zhang Chong. He can do whatever he wants. If he dies there, no one will know.'

The farmers were arrested when Ling Zhang took over the Herb Farm. It was obvious that their target was Ling Zhang.

Ling Zhang calmed down when he thought about this. He told himself that he couldn't act on impulse.

The best solution was to rescue the herb farmers before they were taken into the encampment.

A bright idea suddenly occurred in his mind as he looked at the direction of the encampment. He said to Zhou Quanfu, "The people of Jiang's Herbs set out only moments ago, and their carriages are loaded with herbs, so they won't go too far. Manager Zhou, send someone to catch up with them and stop them. And tell them that we have something important to ask them for help."

"Young Master, you mean to..."

"The forest doesn't belong to the encampment of the Prefecture Guards yet. Their purpose is to lure me into a trap. They thought that once I entered their encampment, they could put any charge on me. We must save the farmers before they were taken into the encampment. They are unjustified in this matter, so they certainly don't hope it to be revealed. Therefore, we need the shopkeeper of the Jiang's Herbs to do us a favor at this time."

Zhou Quanfu's eyes brightened, "Got it. I will do that right away."

Ling Zhang summoned the twelve guards and said to them, "Five of you stay to take care of Maomao, the rest of you come with me."

"Yes, Young Master." They obeyed the order quickly and efficiently to divide themselves into two groups.

Their performance really surprised Ling Zhang. It seemed that firing the nine guards was with its rewards.

Ling Maomao didn't want to be left at the village. He took Ling Zhang's hand and said, "Big brother, take me with you."

Ling Zhang didn't indulge Maomao this time. He said seriously, "No, you should stay here and don't run around."

Ling Maomao was clever boy who knew how to behave by the expression of his brother. So when he saw his brother's serious face, he knew he couldn't be willful anymore. He let go of Ling Zhang's hand and said in an aggrieved tone, "Okay, you must come back soon."

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Ling Maoao knew it must be a tricky matter this time and was naturally worried.

Ling Zhang perceived Maomao's fear and nervousness. He patted Maomao on the head. "Don't be afraid, I will be back soon."

Ling felt a little relieved finally.

Without delay, Ling Zhang mounted a horse and went in pursuit of the carriage. Seven of his guards joined the chase as well.

What a coincidence, when he caught up with the carts of the Jiang's Herbs, he happened to encounter with the patrols of the Prefecture Guard.

Ling Zhang reined in the horse in the middle of the road and stopped the patrols, "Stop!"

Ling Zhang's sudden appearance caught the patrols off guard. The leader's face suddenly darkened, "How dare you block the way of the Prefecture Guard?"

Ling Zhang snorted coldly, dismounting the horse. He first glanced at the people of Jiang's Herbs who stopped at the roadside and nodded to the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper calmly nodded in reply and glanced at the patrols and the herb farmers who were detained. Having figured out what was going on, he said after some ponderation, "Young Master, may I help you?"

That question alone was a great gesture of kindness. Ling Zhang said gratefully, "Thank you a lot.. Not for now. Please wait for a moment and then you can return to Tanyang city."

The shopkeeper was lost in thought after hearing Ling Zhang's words. He said, "I will wait for a while then."

Hearing the conservation between Ling Zhang and the shopkeeper, the leader of the patrols became angrier. He said, "How dare you! Who are you? Take your men and leave, now!"

Obviously, he was unconfident when he said those words. So the shopkeeper completely ignored him.

"You!" The leader of the patrols was flustered and exasperated. "Drive them away."

"Hold it right there!" Ling Zhang said coldly. "You people from the Prefecture Guards have gone too far, don't you think? First, you detained our farmers on a whim. Now you're driving us away for no reason at all? Since when did the Prefecture Guards start to act like a bunch of lowly bandits?"

"How presumptuous of you!. How dare you slander the Prefecture Guard? Aren't you afraid we will arrest you back to the encampment and let our Commander punish you?" the leader said.

"Well, it seems you cannot state their crimes. Do you admit that you are detaining the farmers for no reason?" Ling Zhang said.

"Bullshit!" the leader's face looked unnatural. "They broke into our encampment. Shouldn't they be arrested?"

"Young Master, please save us. We were wronged. We were just fetching water in the forest next to our Herb Farm to water the field. And it is far from their encampment. It doesn't belong to the Prefecture Guard at all," the farmer who was arrested shouted.

"Many herb farmers were present at the time, and they could testify!"

"As they said, they didn't break into your encampment. You should release them," Ling Zhang said.

The patrols looked at each other in confusion. They were just acting on orders. And they knew clearly that the forest there did not belong to the Prefecture Guard. So they said with guilty consciences, "If you have anything to say, say it to the Commander when we reach the encampment. The Commander will decide whether you're being framed or not."

They were still unwilling to release the farmers. It was obvious that they were trying to force him into their encampment. Ling Zhang burst into anger at this time.

The shopkeeper of Jiang's Herbs frowned slightly. He had already seen through what was going on. He said, "You are so unreasonable. People in Tanyang will scorn you! Aren't you afraid of that?"

"It is none of your business. Get out of here. Don't get into trouble," the leader said.

They didn't even try to cover up their intention.

Ling zhang sneered. 'This is not Prefecture Yamen, but their territory. Without other people around, Jiang's Herbs alone doesn't pose any deterrence to them'

"Listen to my command, go back to Tanyang and invite Lord Tao here to do us justice," Ling Zhang said.

'Anyway, I can't let them take the farmers back to their encampment. I need to stall them.'