"Haha." Originally half of Ling Zhang's body had been limp because of Yuwen Tong's grip on his wrist, but this loud clank brought his mind out of the half-trance and a chuckle escaped his lips. Fortunately this door hadn't broken, or else they'd have to have someone replace it, which would be quite embarrassing.

Yuwen Tong, at the sight of his curved smiling eyes, was aroused even further. Teeth clenched, he drew Ling Zhang into the bathroom, shut the door, swept him into his embrace, pinned him against the back side of the door, looked down at him and said under his breath, "How dare you laugh at me?"

"You did a shameful thing, and I'm not allowed to laugh about it?"

Ling Zhang slightly moved his body and shifted his position to make himself more comfortable, leaning against the door, his curved smiling eyes gleaming with a mixture of fox-like cunningness and fox-like charm, not at all afraid of Yuwen Tong's feigned ferocity.

Yuwen Tong felt as though his soul were being disembodied, the yearning in his eyes intensifying. "Then I shall have you know the consequences of laughing at me."

After saying this, he pressed his lips onto Ling Zhang's before Ling Zhang could utter another word.

Ling Zhang put his arms around Yuwen Tong's back and opened his mouth in a very cooperative manner.

Yuwen Tong paused fleetingly and then his tongue started wriggling violently in Ling Zhang's mouth.

...

It took the two of them almost two hours to finish their bath, and sure enough their dinner had gone cold completely some time ago.

While their masters were having an intimate moment, servants were also pretty happy. When Ling Zhang and Yuwen Tong went to the dining room after bath, another tableful of freshly prepared dishes had been served. The chef had also specially cooked congee, and whom it was meant for was self-evident. Ling Zhang's face went green at the sight of the congee. He shot a dark glance at Yuwen Tong who seemed fully refreshed, firmly pushed the congee to the front of Yuwen Tong, sat down and started wolfing down those meat dishes.

The delight on Yuwen Tong's face didn't fade at all when he saw the congee, and he didn't try to coax Ling Zhang into drinking the congee. The ointment prepared by that court physician had proved miraculously effective. Ling Zhang's body had adapted to it noticeably, and Yuwen Tong now had a better control of his movement and wouldn't hurt Ling Zhang, so it was okay if Ling Zhang didn't drink congee.

But seeing Yuwen Tong happily drinking the congee, Ling Zhang went a little displeased. While eating meat, he was introspecting – he clearly had already figured out a way to get on top of Yuwen Tong, but he always forgot it when he was giddy. It must be because he hadn't been eating enough meat that he couldn't keep his mind clear!

"Slow down a little bit, or you'll end up overeating again."

Given that there had been several occasions when Ling Zhang had overeaten, Yuwen Tong worried that it was bad for his health, so he had been keeping an eye on Ling Zhang when dining, careful not to let him eat too much.

Ling Zhang ignored him, focusing on eating meat. It was true that he missed Yuwen Tong very much after a two-day separation, so much that he had lost control of himself at the sight of him, but after the flurry of excitement was over, he'd come back to his senses and didn't feel like even talk to Yuwen Tong. In the knowledge that Ling Zhang was being difficult, Yuwen Tong looked at him with doting eyes.

Beneath this gaze of his, Ling Zhang found himself having difficulty venting his anger on him, so he started talking business. "The Millennium Pavilion has given a reply. My grandfather said that he could take us there after the revamp of the new manor is over. When do you think is convenient for us to go?"

As the Millennium Pavilion was brought up, Yuwen Tong's face grew somewhat serious. "Almost all necessary arrangements have been made. We may depart after your grandfather gets everything done in the manor."

This matter had been on their to-do list for quite some time. All Ling Zhang had to do was ask the Imperial College for a few days off. The only thing they'd been worried about was that people of the Millennium Pavilion might not agree to meet them. Fortunately things had gone fairly smoothly. Both of them were fully aware that Ji Yin must have put a lot of effort into this to make it happen.

"I think I'll be staying in that manor before we depart." Ling Zhang didn't have the heart to let his grandfather dealing with everything in the manor on his own. When he'd been in the manor over the past two days, Ji Yin had had a smiling face all the time. Thinking about the past, Ling Zhang felt rather upset and was inclined to spend more time with Ji Yin. "Can you talk to the principal and have him grant me leave of absence?"

If Yuwen Tong intervened, the principal would definitely consent. However, Ling Zhang had had a fairly guilty conscience when he'd mentioned his idea of asking for leave, for he'd done this too many times since he'd entered the Imperial College, and it was not at all something a studious student would do.

"No problem," answered Yuwen Tong. In all likelihood, they'd be engaged on preparations for their wedding after they returned from their journey to the Millennium Pavilion, and after they got married, they'd be heading for the borderlands, so Ling Zhang was bound to drop out of the Imperial College. Fortunately Ling Zhang wasn't very interested in scholarly honour or official rank. He'd entered the college because he wanted to learn some knowledge and broaden his horizons, and he wasn't really determined to finish his study in it.

Nevertheless...

There was no way Yuwen Tong was allowing the two of them to live apart in their respective manors, which, though separated by only a short distance, would keep the two of them from meeting, leaving them missing each other. He had made up his mind that if Ling Zhang went to stay in that manor, he would go with him one way or the other.

"Ahem, there's another thing," Ling Zhang suddenly said in a different tone, his face going faintly pink. "Have you and my uncle agreed on a date?"

Date? Yuwen Tong's eyes slowly brightened, looking at Ling Zhang feverishly. "Uncle Ling selected two dates. The closer one is in three months, and the other half a year."

Yuwen Tong knew better than to ask Ling Zhang how he'd come to know that he'd consulted with Uncle Ling about the date for their wedding. His eyes were fixed on Ling Zhang. "How about the one three months later?"

Ling Zhang's eyes uneasily strayed elsewhere, for he found Yuwen Tong's passionate gaze somewhat unbearable. "I'm afraid that'll be too hasty. We haven't made any preparations yet."

A hint of disappointment appeared in Yuwen Tong's eyes. In fact he was also aware that it would be too hasty, but as Ling Zhang had asked about this issue, he couldn't help but want to hold the wedding as soon as possible. In his opinion, those complex ceremonies were totally unnecessary, and the two of them getting married was the only thing that mattered, but he also knew that how much preparation he made represented how much the Yuwen family valued this marriage, so he must show patience.

"Then we'll do it after half a year."

Ling Zhang agreed and lowered his head to help himself with some rice, a flush on the tips of his ears.

Watching this, Yuwen Tong couldn't help but raise his hand and lightly pinch the tip of his ear. Actually he was more inclined to nibble it and savor it slowly, but they were now having dinner, and there were some servants on the side. If he went too far, his sweetheart would no doubt get annoyed.

"I really want to marry you right away," croaked Yuwen Tong, thinly veiled earnestness and urgency in his eyes.

The tip of Ling Zhang's ear held between Yuwen Tong's fingers reddened even further at this remark. He swallowed the rice in his mouth and said inarticulately, "Cut the nonsense."

Yuwen Tong heaved a soft and long sigh. "I can't wait – can't to have everybody know that we're husband and wife."

Now Ling Zhang was thoroughly not in the mood for eating. He put down his bowl and took Yuwen Tong's hand off his ear. "Stop it... What's the hurry? All you have to do is wait half a year."

As a matter of fact, half a year might not be enough for them to get everything ready either. After all, Tanyang was rather far away from the capital city, and preparations for the various preliminary ceremonies would be highly time-consuming. On top of that, the Yuwen family would also have to... As this thought occurred to him, Ling Zhang's countenance suddenly changed, the flush fading. He looked at Yuwen Tong. "Who will be the elder in charge of these things?"

Yuwen Tong was briefly stupefied, plainly also recalling some troublesome issues. He replied, "My granduncle has agreed to help. My two uncles and aunts will also move into the residence and stay there to offer assistance until the wedding is over."

Ling Zhang nodded. "Wouldn't your second uncle kick up a stink when he finds out that you invited your granduncle?"

Yuwen Tong's eyes went cold. "He doesn't dare."

Seeing this, Ling Zhang lapsed into silence. After a while, he said, "I compromised once, but I won't do it for a second time. If they mess with me again, on no account would I show them any mercy, and even you won't be able to stop me."

Yuwen Tong raised his hand to stroke him. "I know. If that really happens, you won't have to do anything, because I'll handle it for you personally."

Contented finally, Ling Zhang said, "Although half a year later sounds a better choice to me, I still have to ask my paternal grandfather, uncle and maternal grandfather for their opinions. It's best if they make the final decision."

Yuwen Tong inclined his head solemnly. "Okay."

'I must have the elders give their consent. Half a year is already too long,' thought Yuwen Tong.

After they finished discussing the topic of their wedding, Ling Zhang brought up the matter that Tao Yi and some others had been worrying about during the past few days. He inquired of Yuwen Tong, "Have you heard of it?"

Yuwen Tong nodded. "It was the very reason why granduncle called me over. He wanted me to talk some senses into the emperor. I told him that my persuasion would only have the opposite effect – the emperor would definitely become more determined to build an imperial mausoleum if I try to talk him out of it."

The corner of Ling Zhang's mouth briefly worked. "Building an imperial mausoleum will undoubtedly arouse enormous public indignation. I wonder what's got into the emperor."

Yuwen Tong's face slightly fell. Sure enough he was angry about the emperor's stubborn decision to build a mausoleum. He and his troops had risked life and limb fighting at the front, but instead of considering how to make this country a better place, the emperor had been dwelling on how to strengthen his reign all along, with his mind concentrated on checks and balances; and the others had been resorting to every expedient to embezzle public funds like bloodsuckers draining a beast of its blood. It was really amazing that the Great Yue hadn't been subjugated, and the emperor probably had his ancestors' spirits to thank for it. In the final analysis, Yuwen Tong was just a marshal in command of the armies, not the ruler of this country, and he couldn't do anything as he pleased. For fear that he might suddenly rebel, the emperor had been keeping a weather eye on him as though he were some kind of thief who could steal his country at any moment, and in no circumstances would he allow Yuwen Tong to interfere in this kind of affairs.

"Although it might not have the desired effect, I have sent in a memorial raising an objection to the building of an imperial mausoleum before leaving the city."

Ling Zhang looked at him in surprise. "Didn't you say that your persuasion would have the opposite effect?"

"I couldn't not try to persuade him. People of the Great Yue have suffered a lot during the war that lasted so many years, and officials of all descriptions have been exploiting them all along. It's not everyday that we get a large sum of compensation like this to ease the financial stress, but instead of using it on the people, the emperor wants to use it to build a tomb. If I hadn't tried to talk him out of it, my grandfather's memorial tablet might fall onto my head next time I step into the ancestral hall."

Yuwen Tong had a scowl on his face, and Ling Zhang could guess that though Yuwen Tong had sent in a memorial to persuade the emperor, the emperor wouldn't change his mind.

"Before you returned, I'd received a message saying that this task had been assigned to the King Duan, and the emperor will reward him after he gets it done, which is why the King Duan's followers are all doing everything they can to make it happen. The building of the imperial mausoleum is a foregone conclusion now."

Words had really failed Ling Zhang. The Zhongxin Marquess would probably go berserk when this came to his knowledge. Maybe he should give Ji Feng a word of warning, telling him to spend more time with his grandfather after his return. If the old man developed some kind of disease because of rage, this school friend of his would be upset.

Ling Zhang spent two days with Yuwen Tong and then went back to the new manor, Yuwen Tong accompanying him.

As Ji Yin's eyes fell on Yuwen Tong who was in disguise, a spasm crossed the corner of his mouth without anybody noticing.

"This is the date Old Master Ling, Uncle Ling and I agreed on. Please have a look, Mr. Ji."

Yuwen Tong handed Ji Yin a piece of paper with the date he and Ling Zhang had fixed. Ji Yin took a look at it, did a quick mental calculation factoring in their Eight Characters (in four pairs, including the year, month, day and hour of a person's birth, each pair consisting of one Heavenly Stem and one Earthly Branch, formerly used in fortune-telling), felt that there was nothing wrong with the date, and said, "Then let's start going through the process. On this occasion, your family are supposed to make the first move."

"I understand. I'm going back to the city to consult with my elder right now."

"You mean with your second uncle?"

"At my request, my granduncle has agreed to be the representative. My other two uncles and aunts have moved into the residence of the Yuwen family temporarily to help me handle these things."

Ji Yin looked at him with very admonitory eyes. "What about your second uncle?"

A brooding gleam of wildness could be faintly seen in Ji Yin's eyes, which was a manifest indication of what consequences Yuwen Tong would have to take if he angered him.

"Rest assured, Mr. Ji, I'll have everything properly handled."

Yuwen Tong understood what Ji Yin's warning meant. He was fully aware that unlike Ling Zhang's other family members, Ji Yin had no misgivings and was a consummate kung fu expert to whom people's lives meant nothing in some circumstances, and who could kill as he pleased. Taking the lives of Yuwen Zhi's family was probably as simple as trampling a couple of ants to death. Ling Zhang was Ji Yin's grandson, and also the only thing he cared about in the world outside the Millennium Pavilion. He'd have no scruples whatsoever about killing a couple of people for Ling Zhang's sake.

Ji Yin believed that Yuwen Tong had understood his warning. The wild and murderous look in his eyes disappeared, and he appeared a genial old man once again.

...

"I'm going back to the city. You stay here and be patient. Make sure you're accompanied by your bodyguards when you're going elsewhere. Xie Shi is staying here as well. Wait for me to come back."

When the two of them were alone, Yuwen Tong exhorted Ling Zhang to be careful, saying that he was going back to the city to consult with his family with the wedding, that he would return to this manor this very night if he could.

"What my grandfather meant was–"

"Mr. Ji said that for your good. I can totally understand."

Ling Zhang, worrying that Yuwen Tong was under pressure due to Ji Yin's words, wanted to say something but Yuwen Tong interrupted him. He could understand what Ji Yin had said that. If he were Ji Yin, he would have done it in an even more dramatic way. He himself was under the constraint of the promise he'd made previously, but it was his burden to bear and he didn't want Ling Zhang to share it. He would have everything dealt with all on his own.

However, Ling Zhang was unable to set his mind at rest. He had a sneaking worry.

What with Yuwen Qi's broken legs and Su Zhi's death, both Yuwen Qi and Zheng shi hated Yuwen Tong to the core. Yuwen Zhi held him in contempt and was against this marriage from the very beginning, and had even stooped so low as to threaten his family. He had been on very bad terms with Yuwen Zhi all along. Afterwards, Yuwen Tong pressured Yuwen Zhi into breaking Yuwen Qi's legs, threatening to disown them if he refused to do that, and there had been grudges between the two of them ever since. It could be said that their relations with Yuwen Zhi's branch of the Yuwen family were so terrible that they literally couldn't bear sharing the same house with each other. He knew this very well, and so did Yuwen Tong. Now that it was impossible for the two sides to live in the same residence, breaking up the family was inevitable.

But given the status of the Yuwen family, breaking it up wasn't a simple thing. Back then when Yuwen Tong had been forcing Yuwen Zhi to make a decision after Yuwen Qi set a venomous snake on him, he'd prepared for breaking up the family, but at that time the conditions hadn't been ripe for it, and forcibly breaking up the family would bring a lot of trouble –getting the emperor's consent alone would cost them dear. Yuwen Zhi's making concessions had actually been a mutually beneficial choice. But now the circumstances had changed. Shan Congwen had returned to the Wan Kingdom, and the terms of the truce between the two countries had become unchangeable.