The emperor still made it up to Ling Zhang, but those were just some cloth, precious medicine, gold ingots etc. They were merely a token gesture.

Ling Zhang expressed his gratitude and walked back to Yuwen Tong's side. Yuwen Tong unnoticeably scratched Ling Zhang's palm. Ling Zhang pretended nothing had happened but secretly gripped Yuwen Tong's restless fingers. 'He's merely going through the motions. Anybody can do this. I may not be as sophisticated as these civil officials and military officers filling this hall, but I'm not a fool either,' he thought.

After what had happened, not only the emperor was no longer in the mood for a banquet, those civil officials and military officers also knew it was inadvisable for them to stay. As a result, they all rose from their seats intending to take their leave.

Ling Zhang flicked an uncertain glance at the envoys of the Wan Kingdom, wondering, 'Exactly what was it that they came here for?'

Maybe because Ling Zhang's confusion was so deep that it somehow generated some kind of influence on the envoys, they finally made their move. The gorgeously clothed man sitting at the front, whose name was Shan Congwen, who was the King Ming'en from the Wan Kingdom, rose to his feet and said to the emperor, "Your Majesty, there's a particular matter I'd like to consult with you on behalf of my country."

The emperor, who was leaving and suddenly stopped by Shan Congwen, grew impatient. 'What is wrong with this Shan Congwen guy? He's been in this city for such a long time. What is it that he waited until this occasion to bring up?' he wondered.

"What do you want to consult with me, King Ming'en?"

"Your Majesty, I on behalf of my father petition you for your consent to unite our two countries by marriage. My father is willing to marry one of my sisters into the Great Yue, sealing amity between us with a marriage alliance," replied Shan Congwen.

'A marriage alliance? This matter was discussed once, but Shan Congwen had been hesitating all along and never given an official response. Why did he bring this up on his own account today?' some officials wondered.

"Originally, my father had intended to have my sister marry into the imperial family of the Great Yue, but she was very wilful and wanted to choose her husband herself," Shan Congwen continued.

'Choose her husband herself?'

All officials patiently sat back into their seats with the intention to find out what this prince of the Wan Kingdom had got up in his sleeve.

"Oh? May I ask which meritocrat Her Highness has her eye on?" the emperor asked in a lukewarm tone of voice. 'She refused to marry into the imperial family and insisted on choosing her husband herself? These guys from the Wan Kingdom probably don't quite understand the current circumstances. They're here to sue for peace, not to put on airs.'

"She has her eye on Marshal Yuwen and wishes to make an affectionate couple with Marshal Yuwen," responded Shan Congwen, looking in the direction of Yuwen Tong.

Yuwen Tong directly rolled his eyes upwards. 'Fuck! I knew these fools of the Wan Kingdom harbored evil intentions.'

Ling Zhang curved his lips in a sneer. 'Does this Shan Congwen guy regard me as invisible? And Yuwen Tong is also an asshole. It's annoying enough that he attracts the attention of so many girls in the Great Yue, and now even a princess of the Wan Kingdom intends to marry him.'

Yuwen Tong had just rolled his eyes upwards when he saw the sneer on Ling Zhang's face. Taken aback, he hurriedly adjusted his attitudes and responded in severe and categorical terms, "I refuse. I don't like women of the Wan Kingdom, especially princesses. A single glance at them would ruin my appetite for food. I would rather let His Majesty have me beheaded than marry her. No, that won't work. If I die, Younger Brother Zhang would end up being a widow. Jesus, it never crossed my mind that you were such a sly devil, Shan Congwen. You are doing this because you want not only to have me killed but also my Younger Brother Zhang living in widowhood. Is there really not a single eligible man left in the Wan Kingdom? She doesn't even want to marry into the imperial family of the Great Yue? Who does she think she is? If His Majesty is willing to make a response to her, that would be because he's kind enough to save her face. If not, she would end up becoming a woman nobody wants to marry. She really thinks she's more beautiful than a goddess? Get out of here and save me the embarrassment, will you? If you insist on staying and making yourselves uncomfortable, I happen to be itching for another war. And I assure you this time I won't take just seven common cities. My troops will directly occupy the capital city of the Wan Kingdom. And after that... Humph!"

Yuwen Tong made a torrent of words. Faces of envoys of the Wan Kingdom were dark with rage and they were nearly reduced to vomiting blood with fury. Even the emperor and civil officials and military officers in the hall were sent open-mouthed. It had never crossed any of them's mind that Yuwen Tong, who had always been a man of few words, would in certain circumstances talk in such a flow of eloquence. And his terms were so... so ...

'Is this man really Yuwen Tong? Is he by any chance an impostor?!'

There was a deathly hush in the hall. Everybody was dumbfounded.

Ling Zhang covered his forehead with his hand, his facial expression manifestly suggesting that he couldn't bear to watch this scene any longer. 'Isn't Yuwen Tong being unduly arrogant?!'

"Yuwen Tong, You're going way too far. You really think we are afraid of having another war with the Great Yue?!" Finally, Shan Congwen was angered to the verge of tearing up the peace accord.

"Yuwen Tong, how dare you insult our princess! We will make you pay for this, whatever the cost!" Other envoys also flied into a rage.

Yuwen Tong gave a sneer. "You want to quarrel? Were you not the ones who refused to be reasonable in the first place? Actually I've seen tons of such deeds of your country. It's like a thief crying 'Stop the thief'. You guys of the Wan Kingdom always want to profit yourselves at the expense of others whenever you have the chance. What kind of trick are you trying to play this time? Force me to marry your princess?"

"Yo–You!" It probably had never occurred to envoys of the Wan Kingdom that Yuwen Tong was so 'shameless'. They rolled their eyes upwards in fury and nearly lapsed into unconsciousness.

"That's enough, Aiqing Yuwen. Stop being rude to the King Ming'en and envoys of the Wan Kingdom. They are our honored guests. Don't give others the excuse to accuse us of being impertinent." The emperor finally collected his thoughts and kept Yuwen Tong from making any more remarks to anger the envoys further.

"King Ming'en, you heard it yourself. Aiqing Yuwen is unwilling to accept the offer of marriage of your country. Aiqing Yuwen is betrothed to Childe Ling, and I wouldn't force him into marrying anybody even if the engagement didn't exist. I think it's only advisable if you talk to your sister and have her reconsider it, King Ming'en."

This time, the emperor was heartily on Yuwen Tong's side. 'Yuwen Tong is a marshal. If he married a princess of the Wan Kingdom, wouldn't he be able to stage a revolt any time he wants?' The emperor would do anything to stop that from happening. It was impossible for him to let Yuwen Tong forge an alliance with the Wan Kingdom by marrying their princess.

It took Shan Congwen quite a while to recover himself. He had almost been enraged to death by Yuwen Tong.

"Yuwen Tong is such a vulgar man. Even if my sister insists on marrying him, I will never agree." Shan Congwen spitefully criticized Yuwen Tong.

Then he tried to incite Ling Zhang. "Childe Ling, you saw it yourself. Yuwen Tong is nothing but a boor of brawn. I suggest you think twice before marrying him."

Ling Zhang replied frostily, "Such concern of yours is unnecessary, King Ming'en. No matter what kind of man Yuwen Tong is, it's me who's going to marry him, not you. Surely you don't... have your eye on Yuwen Tong as well, do you?"

Shan Congwen's face twisted. "I wouldn't even if I were blind!"

"That's very reassuring," said Ling Zhang.

All others were speechless.

Yuwen Tong appeared quite contented, without a shred of displeasure on his face.

The emperor gave a soft cough and remarked, "All right, so much for the discussion about contracting an alliance by marriage. I'm tired and would like to take my leave early. You may continue. I'd appreciate it if you would keep Aiqing Yuwen company making sure he fully enjoys this banquet."

The emperor, bursting with impatience, quickly left for fear that Shan Congwen might make any other irritating remarks.

Since even the emperor had left, Yuwen Tong, who had no intention to stay in this place mingling with these people, also rose from his seat and said, "I'm also tired. I think I'll go back. I hope you guys enjoy the wine."

Ling Zhang also stood up, made a bow to the officials with hands folded in front and then followed Yuwen Tong out of the hall.

Civil officials and military officers exchanged glances in embarrassment and then excused themselves from the banquet one after another on all kinds of pretexts.

The King Duan had followed in Yuwen Tong wake when he saw him leave. The King Hui, who had been having a sullen face all along due to the matter of the Ninth Princess, was among the last ones to leave.

People of Yuwen family also lagged behind. Yuwen Zhi's countenance had been sulky from start to finish. Seeing there was nobody else around, Yuwen Qi directly observed, "Is Yuwen Tong out of his mind? He turned down a princess' proposal!"

Yuwen Zhi rose from his seat and replied, "Let's go back home first and talk later."

He was still sensible enough to know that this was not the right place to talk about this matter.

Yuwen Zhi was shamed once again on this day. Except for the King Hui, he was the one whose face was the sulkiest.

After people of Yuwen family also left, a young eunuch stealthily glanced around the hall and didn't leave until he confirmed that there was nobody else left.

Meanwhile, the King Duan caught up with Yuwen Tong and Ling Zhang. "Marshal, Childe Ling."

Yuwen Tong and Ling Zhang had no intention to hear whatever nonsense the King Duan had to say, but they didn't have a choice, for the King Duan had already kept pace with them.

"Is there anything else you'd like to talk about, Your Highness?" queried Yuwen Tong.

The King Duan replied with a smile, "I'm leaving the palace as well. We're going the same way, so I'd like to walk along with you two."

Yuwen Tong hated to be going the same way with this man.

"What you just said back in there really made me feel avenged. The Wan Kingdom is the vanquished, yet they still acted so cockily. Just now Shan Congwen was so angry that even his face twisted," said the King Duan who believed that he had started the conversation with the right topic. The expression on his face seemed to be suggesting that he and Yuwen Tong were bound by a common hatred for enemy.

Yuwen Tong inwardly gave a sneer. 'Even if I had not made those remarks, the emperor would still have declined the request of the Wan Kingdom on all kinds of pretexts. There's no way the emperor will allow me to contract an alliance with the Wan Kingdom by marriage. Feel avenged? No words can help anybody get revenge. Without the blood of several hundred thousand troops of the North-western Army as the price, my words, no matter how powerful they sounded, would be of no more use than bullshit.'

"I merely said what's really on my mind. Is this what you want to talk to me about, Your Highness?" responded Yuwen Tong.

Seeing Yuwen Tong didn't seem to be happy, the King Duan hurriedly changed the topic. "Of course not. Actually, I want to invite you and Childe Ling to my place to have dinner the day after tomorrow."

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. I was never a politician. I'm afraid there's nothing I can help you with. If you'll excuse me, I'd like to take my leave," said Yuwen Tong.

"You are being too modest, Marshal. In fact, I just want to invite you and Childe Ling around to have some fun. It has nothing to do with politics," explained the King Duan.

Yuwen Tong said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, for I won't be able to find the time in any of the next few days."

The King Duan's face briefly froze and with that he replied with a smile, "There's no need for you to apologize, Marshal. I'll invite you again when you are available."

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness," said Yuwen Tong.

On the rest of the trip, the King Duan said no more about inviting Yuwen Tong and Ling Zhang to anywhere. He walked Yuwen Tong and Ling Zhang to their horse-drawn carriage and said, "Then I'll take my leave."

"Safe journey home, Your Highness," replied Yuwen Tong.

The King Duan got into his carriage and left. Officials of all ranks and descriptions, who had just walked out, saw that Yuwen Tong got into the carriage of Ling Zhang. Those who were aware of what had happened earlier at the front gate knew what was going on, while those who were unaware of it watched in astonishment.

"Why did the Marshal get into Ling Zhang's carriage? Is he by any chance still going back to the Ling Mansion?"

"Shh, you forgot that tonight in the Taiqing Palace, Lord Yuwen didn't seem to like that Ling Zhang guy at all, and Ling Zhang is no pushover either. It's now crystal clear whose side the Marshal has taken."

"It's surprising that this Ling Zhang guy is so manipulative."

"Why did you make those remarks just now?" inquired Ling Zhang in the horse-drawn carriage.

Yuwen Tong replied, "Shan Congwen is not really a fool, and neither is anybody in the imperial court of the Wan Kingdom. The ruler of any country is wary of subordinates whose personal prestige threatens to exceed his or hers. Of course those people of the Wan Kingdom knew that a proposal to contract an alliance by marriage would one way or another be rejected by the emperor. They made it anyway only to drive a wedge between me and the emperor, deepening the emperor's wariness of me. There's no doubt they will make a further move. I cannot let them seize the initiative and reduce me to a passive position.

Besides, given that the Wan Kingdom specially waited until I returned to the capital city to make the proposal, they're definitely confident that they can make trouble for me with their next move. I'll upset their plan first and then find out exactly what it is that they're up to."

Ling Zhang inclined his head. Although those remarks that Yuwen Tong had just made in the palace sounded arrogant and domineering, they had kept envoys of the Wan Kingdom from saying whatever it was that they'd planned to say next. If the Wan Kingdom had still insisted on having their princess marry into the Great Yue after Yuwen Tong put it that way, it would be a reproach to not only Shan Congwen but also the whole Wan Kingdom. It was just that the intention of the Wan Kingdom was still unknown.

Seeing the two of them return to the Ling Mansion, Wang Dashan and others, who had been in deep concern because this was the first time that Ling Zhang had visited the imperial palace, heaved a sigh of relief.

"Young Master, how's everything going at the banquet in the imperial palace?" Li Sicai walked over and took the cape Ling Zhang had just unfastened.

Li Sicai had been designated butler in this residence after arriving in the capital city with Ling Zhang. Xia Feng and Wang Qing were assistant butlers. Li Sicai had been teaching Xia Feng on the journey to this city all along in the knowledge that Ling Zhang thought much of and also had high expectations of Xia Feng. Though he was the chief butler now, he had given Xia Feng a free hand in many affairs in the residence and had also been offering him directions. As regards Wang Qing, he knew very well why he had been assigned to the capital city. He just offered some assistance and never interfered in these things.

"Not bad."

At the banquet in the imperial palace this night, Ling Zhang had matched those officials of different ranks to the names and information he had been told. Thanks to Yuwen Tong, he had witnessed several interesting occurrences this night, which had helped him come to a preliminary understanding of the situation in the capital city.

"Did you meet those people of Yuwen family?" Li Sicai inquired of him in a low voice.

Ling Zhang gave a bob of his head and noticed that Yuwen Tong, Yao Yi and a couple of others, though looking in other directions, actually had pricked up their ears. He inwardly gave a cold snort and then gave Li Sicai and others a sketchy account of his confrontation with Yuwen Zhi at the banquet. Then he exhorted them, "Today I thoroughly offended Yuwen Zhi, so there will no doubt be some trouble in the future. You have to be careful. If anybody of Yuwen family comes here to make trouble, you don't have to be forbearing or conciliatory, but you do need to have a sense of propriety. Don't let them get anything on you."

Li Sicai and others nodded, their faces solemn.

In fact, before coming to the capital city, they had also predicted that people of Yuwen family, which was a noble family of high social status, might look down upon their young master, but because of Yuwen Tong, they had been very well disposed towards other members of Yuwen family, believing that even if they thought little of their young master, they wouldn't stoop to such ungrateful things, but now it came to their knowledge that they had been mistaken, that Marshal Yuwen's uncle and his family didn't welcome their young master. For Li Sicai and others, their young master's origin was indeed not as noble as that of people of Yuwen family, but he was the best master in their eyes, and they wouldn't let anybody bully him.

"You may rest assured that we will never let those people bully anybody in this place, Young Master." Wang Dashan patted himself on the chest. All security guards behind him threw out their chests and patted them, promising that they would never allow people of Yuwen family to bully their young master.

Yuwen Tong, who had been listening with his ears pricked up all along, was speechless.

Yao Yi and others, having mixed feelings, looked at their marshal. In their eyes, there were sympathy, reproach and also anxiety... Anyway there were many different meanings contained in that look, which they didn't know whether their Marshal would be able to understand or not.

...

Shortly before bedtime, Ling Zhang washed, changed clothes and planned to go to bed. Outside, Yuwen Tong wanted to enter but Li Sicai standing at the doorway stopped him.

"Marshal, our young master is going to bed. It's pretty late. If your business is not urgent, please wait until tomorrow."

Yuwen Tong was speechless.