In his two years in Yunbei, Tang Ming had naturally learned more than just this, but these were undoubtedly the most important things.
As it was getting late, he tactfully stopped talking and said no more.
Zhu Changle indeed didn't pursue the topic further. She sat back down cross-legged and asked, "I'm going to Gu'an tomorrow. What are your plans?"
"I didn't trust Miss Zhu enough before. Otherwise, I should have asked you to check if they were still alive, rather than letting my grandfather know about my current predicament." Tang Ming stood up and bowed respectfully. "Please tell them I'm doing well, and that they shouldn't do anything. Just live as usual and wait for me to come home."
"Aren't you afraid they'll go to the Zhou Family once they hear from you? According to what you've said, the Zhou Family is a powerful clan in Gu'an. If something happened to you, it would be natural for them to swallow their pride and seek help from the Zhou Family," Zhu Changle waved off his bow and asked.
"If I asked for help, my grandfather would do so. But since I haven't, he'll know it's inappropriate. Besides, we've already set a three-day agreement. He'll wait."
Thinking of the Old Doctor's subtle probing that day, Zhu Changle nodded, "I'll relay the message."
"Thank you, Miss Zhu."
"We're helping each other, no need for thanks." Zhu Changle patted the wine jar. "I'm often running around outside. If you have any urgent matters and can't find me, go to my eldest brother. He's the most useful."
"Yes, the Zhu family is full of talented individuals. They will surely bring new vitality to Yunbei. I'm waiting for that day to come."
"I love hearing that. Don't worry, it won't take long to become reality."
Tang Ming bowed respectfully once more and took his leave.
Zhu Changle tapped on the wine jar as she saw him off. When his footsteps could no longer be heard, she said, "The Zhou Family is truly naive. They're holding his only two relatives hostage and still expect him to obey obediently?"
"It often works, but unfortunately Tang Ming is well-experienced and not easy to control."
That's true, Zhu Changle nodded. Xinshui County was the capital of Xingzhou. As the most prosperous place in the prefecture, one could encounter and learn far more than in an ordinary county. Moreover, from what Tang Ming said, he had apprenticed under an extraordinary master. Such a doctor would likely be an honored guest in the homes of local nobles and wealthy families. Having seen so much, the Zhou Family's crude methods were indeed not enough to control him.
"Hey Qiuli, don't you feel like even the heavens are on Yunbei's side?"
"Yes." Qiuli looked at the person hugging the wine jar with a satisfied expression and said. This wasn't just to please her. Without Luo Ding's decades of planning, without the Zhou Family's self-destructive coercion of Tang Ming, without the timely arrival of a capable and talented Zhu Maonian when they were fully prepared, and without this Zhu Changle who acted unpredictably yet played every card well, Luo Ding might have waited until his death without getting a chance to right the wrongs for Yunbei.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that even the heavens were on Yunbei's side.
However, "We can't rush. There must be someone behind this matter."
"I'm not rushing. We've already taken 90 steps out of 100. The last 10 steps must be taken steadily, one by one."
Zhu Changle used her index and middle fingers to mimic walking on the table, slowly and steadily. Unlike her usual habit of taking three steps and hopping twice, this perfectly resembled her methodical approach when handling affairs.
Footsteps were heard from outside, and soon Zuo Qing's voice rang out, "Fourth Young Miss, it's getting late."
"Why are you here?" Zhu Changle walked out of the room. "Is Big Brother awake again? Is his sleep that poor?"
"The Young Master is sleeping well. He's just worried about you working too hard and asked me to keep an eye on you. I came over when I heard Doctor Tang return to his room." Zuo Qing naturally reached out to take the wine jar, which Zhu Changle handed over.
"Did you just drink wine? Do you need some hot food?" Looking at Qiuli standing at the door, Zuo Qing smiled and asked, "Young Master Qiu, do you need anything? I can have someone prepare it right away."
Zhu Changle turned back, "Qiuli, are you hungry?"
"Are you hungry?" he asked in return.
"I'm not eating, I'm sleepy." Zhu Changle yawned, making her eyes appear even more moist.
Qiuli walked out, "Go to sleep."
"Alright, I'm heading back to my room. See you tomorrow."
Qiuli nodded, following her out unhurriedly. He watched her enter her room before turning back.
Zuo Qing observed this discreetly and reported it to the Young Master upon returning to the room.
Zhu Changwang was half-lying down with his eyes closed, resting. He had slept a lot during the day, so he didn't need much sleep at night. He had been waiting since Tang Ming was waiting outside.
"He does seem to care," Zhu Changwang opened his eyes and looked at Zuo Qing. "What do you think?"
Zuo Qing smiled, "You're teasing me again. How could I have any say in the master's affairs?"
"I'm asking you to speak, so speak."
Zuo Qing had been bought into the household as a child to accompany the Young Master until now. To him, the Zhu family was his home, and everyone in this home was family he should protect. Of course, there were degrees of closeness among family members, and the Young Master was the closest. When there was no one else around, their relationship was far more intimate than that of ordinary master and servant, and they spoke without the usual reservations.
"Young Master Qiu doesn't seem to have any intention of leaving. He's with the Fourth Young Miss every day, coming and going together. I've almost forgotten that he came to help because of the Master."
Indeed, he had almost forgotten too. Zhu Changwang looked at the canopy of the bed. He understood his father's concerns. It wasn't appropriate for the Zhu family to get involved in any more conflicts at this time. If people found out they were associating with this person, they might have to face more than just Prime Minister Zhu and Grand Commander He's factions.
"Don't worry, the Fourth Young Miss will handle it well."
"If it reaches the point where she needs to handle it, it's already not a small matter," Zhu Changwang shook his head. "If he lets things progress to the point of troubling Changle, he's definitely not a suitable match."
Zuo Qing immediately understood the Young Master's meaning. However, "These are all matters for the future. There's no rush. You should rest now. I just told the Fourth Young Miss that you were sleeping well."
"You've learned to use her to pressure me," Zhu Changwang chuckled, allowing him to remove the cushioning blanket. "You go rest too."
"Yes."
After a good night's sleep following the wine, Zhu Changle woke up early, feeling full of energy. She grabbed her sword and rushed to the dock.
Hearing the shouts and calls, she was pleased. Not bad, not bad. Whether their strength had increased or not, at least their spirit was strong and their presence imposing.
"Good morning, everyone!" She waved to the crowd and whistled as she ran towards the sea.
This time it wasn't for showing off, but for practice. Holding onto Little Golden's claws, she flew a bit farther. The previously calm sea surface suddenly surged with waves. She executed each move to perfection, exerting her full power until she was exhausted. Then Little Golden grabbed her by the waist and flew her back.
Everyone on shore was watching intently. Zhu Changning, who was supervising, was distracted, but those in horse stance unknowingly held it for longer. Aunt Feng, having seen this many times, wasn't alarmed. Qiuli, upon seeing her grabbed by Little Golden, immediately took off his outer robe and went to meet her.
If Zhu Changle was playing with the water, Qiuli was commanding it. He walked on the sea surface as if it were solid ground. Aunt Feng's expression changed slightly, and she involuntarily took a step forward.
Wearing someone else's outer robe and being carried back by them, Zhu Changle patted Qiuli's shoulder in a very brotherly manner to thank him. Ignoring her second brother who was glaring at her for some reason again, she only boasted to Aunt Feng, "I almost grasped the edge of the final move just now!"
Aunt Feng's eyes softened, "Faster than I expected."
"Of course, how could I let you guess so easily?"
