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n“There’s quite a long distance between Jiangzhou and Tanyang, and I’m pretty sure my grandfather is not the only one in the Great Yue who has the expertise in authenticating antiques. What was it that made you decide to come to Tanyang to ask my grandfather for help?”

nLing Zhang sat down in the left-hand seat without the courtesy to ask the guests to take a seat first, a bland look on his face, which made it difficult for people to gauge his mood. Unable to tell what Ling Zhang was thinking about, the two middle-aged men became cautious.

n“We admire Old Master Ling for his wide knowledge of antique authentication, and we also heard that Old Master Ling used to be in charge of the restoration work of sacrificial vessels of the last dynasty during his tenure as an assistant minister in the Ministry of Rites, which was why we took the liberty of coming here to trouble Old Master Ling to take a look. We know this is very impertinent, so we’ve prepared handsome honoraria to express our gratitude.”

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nHandsome honoraria? a cold look flashed across Ling Zhang’s eyes. “Just now you mentioned sacrificial vessels. Was it by any chance sacrificial vessels of the last dynasty that you acquired?” “Well, we are not sure, which is the very reason why we came here to ask Old Master Ling for help.”

nThese two men had very sufficient reason. Either they had been preparing for this for quite some time, or someone would intervene halfway to the end of this matter, which would lead to the eventual turn of events that happened in his last life.

nIn his last life, he suspected that there was something behind this antique authentication thing, because it was very unlikely that a man as discreet as his grandfather would make this kind of mistakes. It seemed as if someone had taken advantage of this matter to undermine Ling family.

nAnd it was not that difficult for him to guess who that person was.

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nAs regards whether there was any kind of relation between these two merchants from another city and Jia family, it would only take a few inquiries to find that out.

nOriginally, he had had no time to fix these two men. Now that they came to him on their own account, they had only themselves to blame for what was going to happen to them.

n“It has been years since the last time that my grandfather authenticated any antiques for others. Besides, we don’t have the heart to let an old man go on such a tiring long journey. I hate to say this, but I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. Please go back.”

n“Uh… Childe Ling, we’ve covered quite a good deal of ground to come here. Please at least let us have an audience with Old Master Ling.”

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nThe two people were unwilling to be dismissed like this.

n“Somebody come and see our guests out,” Ling Zhang ordered directly.

nThe two men had never expected that Ling Zhang would be so unfriendly to them. Not only had he been giving them the cold shoulder from start to finish, now he even ungraciously asked them to leave.

n“You…”

n“Surely you won’t be so ungracious as to insist on staying?”

n“Come on. Let’s get out of here first.” The fat one gave the thin one a pull, forced a smile at Ling Zhang, said “Thank you for your time” to him and then dragged the thin one out of the room.

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n“That Childe Ling was so rude. We came here to invite his grandfather with total sincerity, but he didn’t even have the common courtesy to let us take seats. We had barely made any remarks when he asked us to leave – without even asking a single further question about who we are. This is unbelievable. They don’t seem like a literary family at all. As far as I can tell, they are even more ignorant of formality than country folks are!” observed the thin middle-aged man after they left Ling family.

n“Next time, let’s go and talk to Old Master Ling directly. By some unlucky chance, he’s not in today.”

nAfter the two men walked far away, someone immediately went out of the mansion of Ling family and followed them. There was also another person who immediately returned to report to Ling Zhang.

n“Find out where those two people stay and report to me without delay.”

n“Yes, Young Master.”

n“Did Old Master say when he would come back from Lu family?”

n“No, he didn’t.”

n“Inform me when he returns.”

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n“Yes, Young Master.”

nXia Feng came back at around noon, saying that Jia Yin had an exceptionally sepulchral look on his face when he returned to the city. It was rumored that Zhang Chong’s men forced him to leave after he made a scene in the Prefecture Encampment.

n“After Jia Yin returned to Jia family, someone covertly sent word out that Jia family severed their business relationship with Zhang Chong and would never sell ore to him again, that they intended to find a new buyer and also said…” “Said what?”

n“They said that from now on Ling family would be an implacable enemy of Jia family, and anyone who had contact with Ling family were also enemies of Jia family. There was also a lot of other bluster.”

nLing Zhang sneered, “When Jia family had Zhang Chong at their back, nobody dared to mess with them. But now, Zhang Chong is no longer their ally. Jia Yin really thinks people would still follow his orders like they used to? He has just dug his own grave.” ‘In no circumstances will Zhang Chong give up that mine. If Jia Yin keeps acting so arrogantly, ha…

nBut a dog will fight if cornered. Jia Yin is now like a rabid dog, which might launch an attack on us at any moment. I have to warn grandfather to try not to leave home during the next few days so that Jia Yin won’t be able to grab any chances to hurt him,’ Ling Zhang thought.

n“Young Master, is there anything we should do about it?”

n“Of course there is. This is such a golden opportunity. It would be such a shame if we don’t take advantage of it and add some fuel to their conflict.”

nAfter thinking for a while, Ling Zhang waved his hand gesturing for Xia Feng to come close to him, and then minutely whispered something into his ears.

n“Rest assured, Young Master. I know what to do,” replied Xia Feng after hearing Ling Zhang’s words. “Shall I go and make arrangements right now?”

n“Go ahead.”

nYuwen Tong walked over and happened to see this scene. He leisurely sized Xia Feng up with penetrating eyes.

nXia Feng inexplicably felt a cold shiver of fear. ‘Lord Yuwen seems to be somewhat displeased with me.’

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nLing Zhang didn’t notice this. On the sight of Yuwen Tong, he recalled the two remarks that Yuwen Tong had made beside his ears. As a result, when he spoke, his tone of voice was somewhat unnatural, “Why did you come here?”

n“To talk to you about something, of course. I happened to see you guys whispering to each other. What was it that you were talking about? I’d like to hear it.”

n“We were not whispering. I was giving Xia Feng an assignment.”

n“You could have just done it in your normal voice. There’s nobody else around to hear you anyway.”

n“Well, you are here.”

n“Rest assured. Your secret is safe with me.”

n“You’re so thick-skinned.”

n“Sort of. Would you like to give me a pinch and confirm it?”

nLing Zhang fell speechless.

nHe really felt an urge to pinch him to death.

nThen he flicked a glance at Xia Feng.

nXia Feng took a hint and left. With that the alarm in him dissolved and he involuntarily gave a gasp of relief.

nXia Feng couldn’t help but turn his head back to glimpse at the house. He didn’t know if he was imagining things or not, but he kept having this feeling that the way his young master and Lord Yuwen communicated with each other was somewhat weird. ‘That Lord Yuwen’s background and identity have always been shrouded in mystery. Even Old Master acts respectfully in front of him. And there has been frequent spells of his mysterious absence during his staying in Ling family. Who is he exactly…’

n“What is it that you want to talk about?” Ling Zhang asked Yuwen Tong in the room.

nYuwen Tong said with a serious look on his face. “I have to go out against tonight. Take the medicated bath two hours ahead of schedule, if it’s convenient for you.”

nLing Zhang was confused. “Go out again? Haven’t you already got everything figured out?” Yuwen Tong nodded. “There’s something else that I want to find out about, which is why I need to pay another visit to the Prefecture Encampment.”

nLing Zhang held back the words which had sprung to his lips. After keeping silent for a while, he observed, “Just because your… your kung fu is good doesn’t mean that you can go in and out of that dangerous place whenever you want. If they spot you, you’ll be in deep trouble.”

nBut Yuwen Tong was very pleased to hear this. “You’re actually worrying about me, which is pretty rare, but rest assured, I won’t get spotted by Zhang Chong’s men.”

nLing Zhang replied. “What worries me is that the big plan will be compromised if you get exposed.”

nYuwen Tong heaved a long sigh. “A couple of days ago, someone gallantly prepared all kinds of delicacies for me. It’s been only such a short time, but that person has already forgotten how good I’ve always been to him.”

nLing Zhang fell speechless.

n‘This guy is acting as if I hurt his feelings. If it weren’t for that he made those frivolous remarks in the morning, I would never have been reduced to feeling uneasy even though I’m merely sitting in the same room with him,’ Ling Zhang thought.

nMaybe because the tense back of Ling Zhang melted Yuwen Tong’s heart, the latter said, “Fine. I’ll stop teasing you. You don’t really seem like any of those pedants who were spoon-fed with outworn knowledge in The Four Books( (The Great Learning, The Doctrine of the Mean, The Confucian Analects, and The Works of Mencius) and The Five Classics(The Book of Songs, The Book of History, The Book of Changes, The Book of Rites and The Spring and Autumn Annals). How come you cannot even handle a couple of jokes?” Ling Zhang looked at him and disagreed with Yuwen Tong. “Do you joke this way with everybody you know?”

n“If I tell you that you are the first one that I’ve joked with in this manner, is there any chance you will immediately fall sulky again?”

n“I…”

nYuwen Tong suddenly grew serious. “I won’t push you, so there is no need for you to be nervous.”

nLing Zhang was stunned and left at a loss for words by Yuwen Tong’s remarks.

n“It has come to my knowledge that Jia Yin went to the Prefecture Encampment and made a scene there. He’s gone too far, which made it very difficult for Jia family and Zhang Chong to trust each other like they used to. Zhang Chong has a strong demand for ore, and he won’t stand by and watch Jia family sell their ore to another buyer. It’s advisable for you to add some fuel to the flames of their rage and have them start a dog fight.” Yuwen Tong abruptly steered the conversation away from their relationship and started talking business. Ling Zhang, who was still in a trance, did a double take.

n“So you actually heard what I said to Xia Feng just now?”

n“I did. Would you like me to help?”

n“That won’t be necessary. I think Yao Yi and Guard Zhang have enough tasks to perform. And I have no intention of burdening them with my own problems.”

n“I see. Anyway, if by any chance you need my help, don’t hesitate to let me know. And in case of my absence… I assigned two of my subordinates to stay in the Green Bamboo Mansion. You can contact them when in need of help.”

n“Okay.”

nYuwen Tong was indeed a very busy man. After staying in Ling Zhang’s place for only a short amount time, he took his leave, saying that he would come over again to help Ling Zhang unblock his meridians at night.

nOriginally, Ling Zhang had had a lot of issues waiting for him to figure out, but it was not until he sat there for quite a long time that he recalled this.

n‘Exactly what did Yuwen Tong mean by that remark? What is he going to do about our engagement?

nI have already expressed my intention of breaking off the engagement, but after such a long time, there has still been no sign of his agreement.

nDoes he really want to marry me?’

nLing Zhang hurriedly shook his head, believing that he must have been affected by the couple of frivolous remarks of Yuwen Tong’s, which was why, surprisingly, he was actually considering the possibility that Yuwen Tong really wanted to marry him. ‘Have I really been too close to Yuwen Tong recently?’ he wondered.

n‘But currently, we’re allies. I need Yuwen Tong’s help to get revenge, and I can’t avoid meeting him because of this petty matter of my personal feelings.

nIt’s been almost half a month and the deadline is drawing near. Soon Yuwen Tong will have to leave Tanyang. One way or another, this matter will surely come to an end. I might as well cross that bridge when I come to it.’

nLing Zhang put all these miscellaneous thoughts aside. In order to collect himself, he specially sat down and wrote two full pages of Chinese characters in Xiaokai(regular script in small characters, as used in Chinese calligraphy exercises).

n“Young Master, Second Master returned and required your presence.” He had just finished writing when a servant called him from outside.

n“I see.”

nLing Zhang believed that it must be about the matter of Jia family.

nAs expected, after Ling Zhang entered the study of Ling Zhaowen, Ling Zhaowen told him, “Stay at home and don’t go outside unless you have to during the next few days. Jia Yin is like a rabid dog which bites everybody in its sight.”

nThis was the very advice that Ling Zhang had planned to give his family members. Ling Zhaowen anticipated him.

n“Earlier today, a close colleague of mine had a minor disagreement with a member of Jia family. A couple of servants of Jia family put a sack over his head and beat him up. While striking him, they also threatened to beat him every time they see him if he keeps in contact with anyone of Ling family. Due to the absence of any definite proof, there is nothing he could do about it. Currently, he’s staying at home recuperating from the injury.” Ling Zhang had anticipated that Jia Yin would do something crazy, but that person was merely a man who was relatively close to Ling family, yet Jia Yin still attacked him like a rabid dog?

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