Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 157: Aunt and Uncle

Sisi was not afraid of Tang Wanzhuang at all. After all, she had not revealed her true face yet, so she would not even know who she was. With that being the case, what did she have to be afraid of?

Regardless, she was full of grievances at this moment. She had painstakingly bound those bandages so tight, only for Tang Wanzhuang to casually undo them and then criticize her for doing them improperly. The benefactor of your Tang Clan has been lying in bed for so long. You know how to treat the injury, but you don’t come to treat it. But when someone else helps him with his injuries, it’s not good enough? Who does she think she is, acting so superior?

Seeing how sulky Sisi was, Tang Wanzhuang pursed her lips, unable to refute her for a moment.

Although it seemed like Sisi had not done much in battle, who really knew just how much she had contributed below the sword pond? Even if she had not done much directly, just accompanying and assisting Zhao Changhe theoretically made her a benefactor of the Tang Clan, so Tang Wanzhuang really could not just get angry with her.

But helping Zhao Changhe apply ointment...

Tang Wanzhuang was very hesitant.

She was not as easygoing as Sisi, and besides... there were certain aspects of Zhao Changhe’s identity and their relationship that made her wary. Both sides were tacitly avoiding certain things, so would applying ointment lead to something unexpected?

Tang Wanzhuang really could not bring herself to do it, so she looked at Sisi and said apologetically, “It really isn’t my place to do something like this. Since you’re Mister Zhao’s maid, can you please...”

Sisi stomped her foot. “You’re known for your intelligence, yet even someone like Tang Buqi figured out I’m not a real maid and you haven’t?!”

Tang Wanzhuang: “?”

She had a lot to do since arriving, and she had not asked about such things yet. How am I supposed to know something like that... Wait, if you’re not a maid, then what were you doing just now?

Zhao Changhe, watching the two women staring at each other, could not help but laugh. “Come on, Sisi, don’t make things difficult for First Seat Tang...”

Sisi became even more annoyed. “Oh, look at us, both just untouched virgins. But I’m supposed to accompany you, while she, with her pure and aloof demeanor, gets treated like a queen! She’s practically an old auntie, what’s with all the pretense?!”

“Where are you talking about...” Zhao Changhe looked at Tang Wanzhuang, impressed by the fact that she was actually revealing rare embarrassment. He could not help but give Sisi a thumbs up in his mind. It was not easy to make Tang Wanzhuang feel uncomfortable like this. However, he could not say any of his thoughts out loud. He could only smooth things over. “I’m not that familiar with First Seat Tang. We’re only people who carry out official business with one another. On the other hand, you’re someone who’s been my partner in battle.”

Sisi blinked. Tsk... It’s annoying how good he is at talking.

She snorted deliberately and said, “Are you seriously saying that? Then how come you call Tang Buqi your eldest nephew so intimately? It doesn’t sound like you’re only carrying out official business with one another.”

Tang Wanzhuang glanced at Zhao Changhe with an expressionless face.

Now it was Zhao Changhe’s turn to look embarrassed, “Uh... That was just a joke, a joke...”

Sisi said leisurely, “To those who treat you well, you talk as if they’re promiscuous. To those who maintain their dignity and act pretentious, you talk as if they are innocent and deserving of respect. I’m not stupid. You two can enjoy your innocence together. I want to see if the one willing to help you treat your injuries is the promiscuous woman or the innocent official.”

After saying that, she turned around and left, slamming the door behind her.

Inside the room, Zhao Changhe and Tang Wanzhuang looked at each other. Tang Wanzhuang had no idea who Sisi was and thought she was jealous, but Zhao Changhe knew why she had lost her temper.

It seemed that his obvious respect for Tang Wanzhuang had rubbed her the wrong way. She probably felt like she’d been taken advantage of and felt aggrieved.

However, she still had not explained her background. So, what exactly was he supposed to think of her?

Tang Wanzhuang sighed and asked, “Did that girl misunderstand something? Do I need to explain things to her?”

Zhao Changhe shook his head and replied, “No, there’s no misunderstanding... I can only say that the fate of people getting to know each other is really strange. Well, you can just leave the ointment there. My injuries are mainly on the front side, so I can apply it myself. I don’t need anyone to pamper me. I’m not that delicate.”

For some reason... Maybe because Sisi had left and the situation was less awkward, or perhaps it was Zhao Changhe’s natural attitude that made Tang Wanzhuang feel more at ease, but she did not feel like there was any problem now. She casually picked up some ointment and applied it on the worst of Zhao Changhe’s shoulder injuries.

Zhao Changhe was taken aback but did not say anything. Actually, as long as there was not any awkwardness between men and women, something like this was quite normal. Talking about it made it less awkward.

He thought for a moment, then brought up another topic, “Now that we’ve settled the two matters in Yangzhou and Gusu, I believe that I’ve already done enough as a secret agent, right?”

Tang Wanzhuang chuckled and said, “In recent years, there has not been an agent of the Demon Suppression Bureau with greater achievements than you... It’s only been a short while since you arrived in Jiangnan, yet you’ve already put a stop to such major cases. If that isn’t enough, then nothing else will be.”

“So Dragon Bird and the Six Harmonies Art are simply things that I earned through my own accomplishments. You better not bring that topic up with me again in the future. The jade token is on the table over there. You can take it back.”

Tang Wanzhuang looked puzzled. “This token should be very useful to you. It grants you a lot of authority without any of the responsibility. Why are you returning it to me?”

“I don’t know if it’s merely fate... I used to roam the jianghu, seeking revenge and righting wrongs. But ever since I got that token, all I’ve been doing is solving cases. It’s really strange. Although I can’t say that doing so hasn’t been interesting, I don’t want to keep investigating cases all the time. It’s very tiring.”

Tang Wanzhuang chuckled helplessly. “Wasn’t that because you came to Jiangnan with the intent to target the Maitreya Cult, knowing that the Maitreya Cult was operating secretly in Jiangnan? You shouldn’t be surprised that you’re solving cases all the time when you’re the one looking for cases to solve. Where does fate come into play here? Keep the token. If you still somehow end up in situations where you have to solve cases, then you can just smash it if you really think it is what is causing that.”

Zhao Changhe said happily, “That’s settled then.”

“You’re afraid of constraints, after all.”

“Perhaps.”

Tang Wanzhuang carefully applied the ointment and thought for a while, then said, “Speaking of Dragon Bird... Now that its power has been revealed, interested parties like Maitreya, my elder brother, and several others are likely aware of what it is. Even if you get rid of the saber, it’s already too late. Trouble will still surely follow you. What are your plans?”

“It’s not a big deal if Maitreya knows. I was worried about attracting trouble before, but I’ve already offended him to death anyway. We’ve long been at loggerheads, so what difference does it make if he knows that I have the saber?”

“What if he spreads the news to others? Like Vermillion Bird.”

“It's unlikely. He’s not just a martial artist concerned with personal grudges; he’s a rebel leader with political considerations.”

“Such as?”

“If he’s the only one who knows the secret and he captures me in the future, he might stand to gain something. Would he really leak it to the Four Idols Cult for their benefit, allowing them to further boost their reputation for killing a prince? Or would he keep the valuable information to himself? If I were him, I would definitely not leak this information to others. Well, whether he actually thinks the same is hard to say. After all, a madman can do anything.”

Tang Wanzhuang chuckled again, “You say you’re not suited for the court, but I find you more fitting with each passing moment.”

“Give me a break,” Zhao Changhe retorted. “The imperial court is rotten, whether it’s Xia Longyuan or the Tang Clan. Am I supposed to join the court and learn how to sacrifice everything for others like you? I’m not sick in the head.”

Tang Wanzhuang continued applying the ointment absentmindedly, not responding.

Zhao Changhe added, “As for your elder brother and the others knowing, I trust that you’ll keep them quiet. That was never really a problem to begin with, right?”

Tang Wanzhuang came back to her senses and a hint of a blush spread across her face. “I can indeed keep them quiet, but the issue is how they’ll perceive it. I’m afraid that my father would rush from the capital to see you in a few days if news of such actions were to get out.”

Zhao Changhe remarked, “Have you ever considered that this is a simple matter? I don’t understand why someone like you, who’s known for her wisdom, would be troubled by such trivialities.”

Tang Wanzhuang asked curiously, “Simple?”

“Of course, it’s simple,” Zhao Changhe said matter-of-factly. “All I have to do is tell your family that I have no interest in a twenty-eight-year-old lady, and that would be the end of it.”

As Tang Wanzhuang listened, her expression unconsciously turned fierce, and her hand involuntarily applied more pressure.

The strength of someone ranked third on the Ranking of Earth was no joke. Even the slightest increase in force made Zhao Changhe’s eyes bulge. “Holy crap, are you trying to kill...”

“Brother Zhao, brother Zhao!” The door suddenly burst open, and Tang Buqi rushed in. “My dad said... Uh, wait, did you just say ‘kill’? Uh...”

He looked at Zhao Changhe, who was lying on the bed with his bare chest, and then at his aunt, who was sitting on the edge of the bed applying ointment to him. His mind echoed with the phrase “kill your husband.” His face turned a myriad of colors as he slowly backed away, his back hitting the door frame with a loud thud as he then fell to the floor outside the room.

Taking a deep breath, Tang Wanzhuang suppressed the anger and embarrassment bubbling within her, then she gritted her teeth as she said, “Is it a part of Tang Clan’s etiquette to barge into people’s rooms without knocking?”

Our Tang Clan’s etiquette also doesn’t allow women to touch men like this before marriage.

Tang Buqi muttered in his mind. However, how could he actually dare to say that out loud to his aunt? His expression was on the verge of tears as he said, “Uncle said that I don’t need to knock in the future if we’re to be friends...”

Zhao Changhe’s mouth hung wide open.