In the next few days, Miao Shiba still, on a daily basis, reported to Yuwen Tong everything Ling Zhang did. Meanwhile, every day Ling Zhang still ate three meals with Yuwen Tong. Every night Yuwen Tong came back from the consultation hall very late and could see without fail that Ling Zhang had been waiting for him all along. On one occasion, when Yuwen Tong returned, he walked in without having a guard pass word of his presence and found Ling Zhang giving huge yawns, his eyes watering from drowsiness caused by the long wait. At the sight of him entering, Ling Zhang immediately rose to his feet and made towards him.

Sometimes Ling Zhang went to the consultation hall to deliver some late-night snack to him and then stayed there to help him sort memorials to the throne.

"A staff member of the Ministry of Rites paid Childe Ling a visit during the day to deliver to him a thick pile of pamphlets about the ritualistic rigmarole of the wedding ceremony. After reading them, Childe Ling wanted a couple of the steps omitted, saying that they were too time-consuming and cost too much money, that right now the imperial court needed money to help the people restore their lives and he should cut down the expense as much as he could," Miao Shiba reported to Yuwen Tong.

"He's consulted with the Ministry of Rites about it already?" asked Yuwen Tong.

"Not yet. There are too many of the formalities, and Childe Ling has no acquaintance with any of them, so it took him quite some time to familiarize himself with them. He hasn't found the time to confer with the Ministry of Rites yet. Currently, staff members of the Ministry of Rites are occupied with the preparatory work for your enthronement. As far as I could tell, Childe Ling seems to intend to wait until after the enthronement to discuss it with people of the Ministry of Rites," answered Miao Shiba.

Miao Shiba cast a look at Yuwen Tong and then continued, "In the past couple of days Childe Ling has been bustling around from dim dawn to dark. What with the tons of chores in the imperial palace and the wedding preparations, he couldn't hardly spare any time to rest, except when he dines with you at dinner time. There has been nothing out of the ordinary about Childe Ling over the last few days. With all due respect, I don't think Childe Ling is keeping anything back from you, Sire."

Yuwen Tong's countenance remained unchanged. He just flicked Miao Shiba a glance.

Miao Shiba hurriedly bowed his head, breaking out in a cold sweat.

But Yuwen Tong didn't reprove him. He just told him matter-of-factly, "All you need to do is continue to keep watch on him."

"Yes, Sire," Miao Shiba hastily answered.

Yuwen Tong followed Miao Shiba with his eyes as he left. He was not angry with Miao Shiba for his taking the liberty of making that comment. Miao Shiba was his personal bodyguard and was supposed to obey every order from him, but Yuwen Tong also hoped his bodyguards would care about Ling Zhang just as much and bear Ling Zhang's safety in mind all the time. As a result, Yuwen Tong wasn't annoyed about Miao Shiba's attempt to defend Ling Zhang. He just wondered what Ling Zhang was concealing from him exactly.

Ling Zhang was indeed very tired due to the hectic schedule. At this moment he was fast asleep, unaware of what Yuwen Tong had left to do after he drifted off. When Yuwen Tong returned to the bed and took him in his arms, Ling Zhang just subconsciously wriggled in Yuwen Tong's embrace, shifting into a more comfortable lying position, snoring lightly, bearing a similarity to Whitie the fox in its sleep. Yuwen Tong planted a kiss on his cheek.

...

Yuwen Tong worked day and night in the consultation hall for ten solid days before he finally had all the pressing state affairs settled. Governors of the many prefectures were coming into the capital city one after another. The Wan Kingdom's and the Luohai Kingdom's replies had also arrived, both saying they would send some top-ranking officials and imperial family members to attend the wedding ceremony. It was at this point in time that members of the Ling family arrived in the capital city.

On this day, Yuwen Tong specially cleared his morning and went to the city gates with Ling Zhang to meet the Ling family.

There were five horse-drawn carriages, escorted by over thirty armed guards. It was quite a big team.

"Grandfather."

"Old Master Ling."

Ling Zhang and Yuwen Tong bowed to Ling Xingzhong with hands folded in front when he had got out of the carriage. Ling Xingzhong hastened to raise Yuwen Tong. "I'm far from deserving of this level of formality from you. Please rise."

Yuwen Tong and Ling Zhang straightened themselves at the same time, standing shoulder to shoulder. Ling Xingzhong looked at him, appearing sentimentally gratified.

"How are you feeling, Grandfather? Did they drive too fast? Are you having any discomfort?" Ling Zhang asked him.

Ling Xingzhong patted his hand and replied, "I'm fine. At my advanced age as I am, a journey like this won't break me. On our way here, your uncle and the others had the drivers drive slowly. I was anxious to see you and wanted them to pick up speed, but they disagreed."

Holding Ling Xingzhong's arm to support him, Ling Zhang studied his countenance. At the sight of the weariness on his face, Ling Zhang came to know that the journey had been an ordeal for the old man. Feeling a mixture of guilt and heartache, he said, "Let's go into the city right away."

Ling Xingzhong smiled, "There's no hurry. Greet your uncle and the others first."

At this time Ling Zhaowen also got out of his carriage, followed by Fu Caiwei and Ling Maomao, so Ling Zhang and Yuwen Tong walked up to them.

Ling Zhaowu took Ling Zhang's place, supporting Ling Xingzhong. "Father," he said.

Considering him, Ling Xingzhong asked, "How have you been? You look better than the last time I saw you."

Ling Zhaowu, somewhat guilty about his aged father having to worry about him due to his physical condition, answered, "With Mr. Mu treating me, I couldn't have been unhealthy even if I wanted myself to be. Now I can run as fast as and jump as high as the next man, so there's no need for you to worry about me. I haven't been able to stay in Tanyang to keep you company, and neither was I among the team escorting you to this city. I'm an unfilial son."

Ling Xingzhong shook his head. "I'm not really in desperate need of your company. It's not like I'm dying or something. Nursing yourself back to health is the best way for you to show me your filial affection."

Ling Zhaowu felt even more terrible after hearing these words.

On the other side, Ling Zhang and Yuwen Tong greeted Ling Zhaowen and Fu Caiwei. Ling Zhang held out his hand to Ling Maomao, who stepped over and took it.

"Uncle, Aunt, you and Grandfather must be tired after such a long journey. Let's enter the city first, shall we? Maomao will be going with me."

Naturally, Ling Zhaowen and Fu Caiwei agreed. If truth be told, Ling Zhaowen felt quite flattered, for Yuwen Tong's status was different now, but he had still personally come to the city gates to meet them.

Ling Zhaowu accompanied Ling Xingzhong into a carriage. Ling Zhang, after walking Ling Zhaowen and Fu Caiwei into their carriage, scooped up Ling Maomao to put him into the saddle on Snowflake the horse, and then mounted her and looked at Yuwen Tong.

Yuwen Tong gave a bob of the head and instructed aloud, "Enter the city."

The large group of people started to progress through the city gates. Residents who didn't dare approach and were looking on in the distance watched them leave, and then fell into discussions with each other.

"So those people are the Ling family from Tanyang?"

"Yeah. They're future in-laws of the emperor."

"It's true what they say, 'When a man becomes an immortal, even his dogs and chickens will ascend into heaven.' After Childe Ling marries His Majesty, the Ling family will definitely get super-rich in an instant."

"Twenty years ago, when Ling Xingzhong left the capital city, a lot of people regarded him as a laughing stock. Now I guess none of them dare utter a word about it."

"Shh! Keep your voice down. The Ling family will soon become a juggernaut nobody dare mess with, so guard your tongue if you don't want to get into any trouble."

Ling Zhang was on Snowflake's back with Ling Maomao sitting in front of him against his chest. His sense of hearing was unusually sharp, so he naturally heard these discussions distinctly, but he chose to ignore these gossipy characters.

"Maomao, straighten your back." Ling Zhang reached out a hand to clap Ling Maomao on the back.

Ling Maomao obediently sat bolt upright, his curious eyes sweeping the streets of the capital city, his voice inevitably imbued with amazement. "Big Brother, the capital city looks much prettier than Tanyang!"

"Of course it's different from Tanyang. It's the capital of this country. You see those people over there? They are all staring at us, at the Ling family. You're the youngest son of the Ling family, and from now on they'll be paying attention to your every act and every move as well."

Ling Maomao twisted his head around to look at him. "I know. During the journey Grandfather and my parents all kept telling me that I must mind my manners and must not mess around in the capital city, that I must not disgrace you."

Ling Zhang smiled, "Actually what they meant was you must not disgrace the family name. In the next couple of days I'll spare some time and show you around the city."

Eyes lighting up, Ling Maomao delightedly let out a cheer, but soon he restrained himself and said with a faintly dispirited face, "Well, maybe it's best if you don't."

"What's the matter?" Ling Zhang looked at him, puzzled.

"My father told me that you were very busy, that I was not to attach myself to you after getting to this city. He said you would soon become the prince consort, which would be all the more reason for me not to attach myself to you," replied Ling Maomao.

Ling Zhang's face took on a slightly surprised look at this answer. He raised his hand with the intention to rub Ling Maomao's head but paused briefly and then patted Ling Maomao's shoulder. "It's okay. Sparing some time to show you around won't be too much trouble. Even if I become... Even if I move into the palace, I'll still be your big brother, and I'll be there for you whenever you need me."

Ling Zhang was having rather mixed feelings. The towering imperial palace was standing right in the distance. Right now he and Yuwen Tong were still able to leave the palace to meet his family, but after Yuwen Tong acceded to the throne, after the two of them got married, finding an opportunity to do something like this would be much more difficult.

...

The Ling family's arrival in the capital city arrested the whole city's attention. Everybody knew they were genuinely future in-laws of the emperor and would become one of the forces in this city, so almost everybody was trying their best to nose out as much information about the Ling family as possible.

The Ling Mansion, which had always been a quite special place in the capital city, was thrust into the limelight once again.

Fortunately, back at the time when Yuwen Tong had been looking for a house for Ling Zhang, he had taken into consideration the possibility that people of the Ling family might one day come to the capital city to live with Ling Zhang. The Ling Mansion was huge, and there were more than enough rooms for all members of the Ling family.

"In-law, it's been a while since we last met. You seem to be aging backwards," said Ling Xingzhong with a smile as he met Ji Yin.

Ji Yin said, "You must be joking, In-law. I'm a geriatric now as well. How could I possibly look young? Did everything go smoothly during the journey?"

"Yes. Thanks to the guards you sent to protect us, no trouble-maker dared to bother us. The journey was quite uneventful," replied Ling Xingzhong.

"I'm glad to hear that. Now that you've arrived safe and sound, Zhang'er could now set his mind at ease," said Ji Yin, leading Ling Xingzhong inside.

Given that Yuwen Tong's identity was different now, theoretically he should be walking in front, but he didn't show the slightest inclination to do that. Instead, he, along with Ling Zhang, was proceeding abreast of Ling Zhaowu and Ling Zhaowen, heading towards the far end of the residential compound.

"It surprises me that this residence also has such a large drill ground," said Ling Zhaowen as they walked past the drill ground.

"It was Yuwen Tong who helped me purchase this residence. He specially picked one with a drill ground so that it'd be more convenient for the guards to practice their formations, and more convenient for me to practice kung fu every morning as well," said Ling Zhang. "There's also a pond and a garden over there. The rear yard is vast and has been unoccupied all this time. Apart from these, there are also some separate courtyard houses on the left and the right sides. I've been saving them for you for quite some time. All of them have been cleaned, waiting for you to move in."

Ling Zhaowen gave a little cough. Yuwen Tong's status was different now. Why was Zhang'er still calling him by his full name?

"Brother Zhang, Uncle Ling and Aunt Ling are probably tired after such a weary journey. We should let them get some rest," said Yuwen Tong on the side.

Ling Zhang inclined his head. "You're right. Uncle, Aunt, let me walk you and Maomao to your room."

"You may just have someone else take us there." Ling Zhaowen hurriedly declined Ling Zhang's offer after throwing a glance at Yuwen Tong. Having seen that Yuwen Tong was on Ling Zhang's heel all along like his shadow, he really feared that if he accepted the offer, Yuwen Tong would go with them, which would be a level of formality far above his station. "You should go and keep your grandfather company," he added.

Since Ling Zhaowen had put it this way, Ling Zhang had Xia Feng lead Ling Zhaowen and the other two to the courtyard house prepared for them. He himself, along with Yuwen Tong, accompanied Ling Xingzhong to another courtyard house.

When they reached the gateway, Ling Xingzhong paused, pivoted around and said, "Don't bother to walk me any further. Lao Li will unpack and take care of everything else for me as well."

Ling Zhang wanted to stay to keep him company, so Yuwen Tong on the side said, "Maybe it's better if Brother Zhang stays here to keep you company, Old Master Ling. I'll go to the front yard to see how the arrangements for the welcome reception are going."

Ling Zhang was rather surprised. Preparations for the welcome reception were not something that Yuwen Tong needed to personally supervise. Why was he doing this?

Then he glanced at Ling Xingzhong who unnoticeably heaved a sigh of relief, and with that he suddenly came to understand the reason why Yuwen Tong had offered to leave was because he could tell that his grandfather was feeling uneasy.

Ling Zhang's lips briefly clamped together and he said to Yuwen Tong, "Come to think of it, my maternal grandfather probably has something to confer with you about. Also, the Clan Leader should arrive here soon. I'll stay here with my paternal grandfather for a few moments and then go there."

Yuwen Tong gave a nod. "All right."

When Yuwen Tong had left, Ling Zhang guided Ling Xingzhong into the house.

Ling Xingzhong took a seat and looked at him. "Zhang'er, the Marshal will soon ascend the throne. His identity is different now. How could you have him go to the city gates with you to meet us? It's against the etiquette."

Ling Zhang kept silent for a brief moment and then replied, "We didn't think much about it. He's been quite busy lately. It's not everyday he could spare the time to do something like this."

Ling Xingzhong patted Ling Zhang's hand and said, "You must not do anything like this again. He will be the emperor after the enthronement. Leaving etiquette aside, for the sake of his safety alone, you two should be more cautious."

If truth be told, Yuwen Tong's personally meeting them had indeed boosted the Ling family's respectability earlier this day, and Ling Xingzhong also felt overwhelmingly flattered. It could be said that the Ling family had gained a firm foothold after this act of Yuwen Tong's. However, Ling Xingzhong was also a little worried that Ling Zhang would be impeached because of this. There was no hurry about the Ling family gaining a foothold in this city, but if Ling Zhang was impeached before his nuptials, it would put him at a disadvantage.

"I see. I promise I'll be more discreet," said Ling Zhang. "Let me guide you to your room to change, Grandfather."

Ling Xingzhong would like to have a word with his grandson, so he didn't decline. With Ling Zhang supporting him, he washed his face, changed and then settled himself in a chair in the main living room. Butler Li was giving instructions to the servants, bustling around. Even so, the main living room was still very quiet. All servants were staying away from the main living room so as not to disturb their masters.

"How's the current situation in the capital city? During the journey we heard a lot of rumors which we didn't know were true or not. I was only too anxious to get to the capital city right away, but what with my senility, I had no choice but to travel here at a gentle pace," said Ling Xingzhong.

Ling Zhang analyzed the current situation in the capital city for Ling Xingzhong.

Ling Xingzhong listened quietly. When Ling Zhang had finished speaking, he observed with a sigh, "Right now the first priority is to have the Marshal accede to the throne as soon as possible. Only after his enthronement would the political situation truly stabilize and other matters become easier to handle."

"The date has been fixed already, and staff members of the Ministry of Rites are racing against time to finalize the ritualistic arrangements," said Ling Zhang.

Ling Xingzhong gave a bob of the head. "Originally Tao Yi wanted to come here with us, but a serious case suddenly happened in Tanyang and he had to deal with it first. There will probably be another two days before he arrives in this city. Incidentally, how's Tao Yi? I heard that he moved into the Ling Mansion. Why am I not seeing him?"

Ling Zhang explained, "He returned to the Oriental Rite Academy after the abdication ceremony. His teacher, after all, is a distinguished scholar. Thanks to the abdication ceremony, many of the literati have now let go of their personal antipathy towards Yuwen Tong. As his teacher has an influence on a lot of literary men's opinions about the imperial court, I want to draw him over to Yuwen Tong's side, and Tao Yi went back to the Oriental Rite Academy to help convince his teacher."

Ling Xingzhong pondered over it for a few moments and then said, "Lord Pei, Tao Feng's respected teacher, and Lord Hu, Tao Yi's teacher, they go way back. It'll advantage you two even further if you manage to get him on board as well."

Ling Zhang said, "Currently I don't have a clue how to rope Lord Pei in. Also, it would be presumptuous to pay him a visit. Do you have any good ideas, Grandfather?"