Shen Fa squinted his eyes and chuckled slyly, "If you really want to thank me, just don’t beat me up in the future!"
Yang Ge fought back the urge to punch him in the face and replied irritably, "Cut out the act, will you? Do you really think I have no idea why you’re putting on this show?"
Shen Fa showed no shame and asserted boldly, "To learn literature and martial skills for the glory of the Emperor’s house... Brother, I’m doing this for your own good!"
Yang Ge gritted his teeth and squeezed through clenched teeth, "You never change!"
Shen Fa, with a grin, said, "Talking about yourself?"
Yang Ge: "I’m talking about you!"
Shen Fa: "Both of us have the stubbornness of born mules; neither of us has the right to mock the other."
Yang Ge fell silent.
Shen Fa patted his shoulder, "We both want to do practical things for the country and the people. Even though we differ in our principles and methods, we are on the same path. His Majesty values me, and he certainly won’t forget about you. For now, you just live your life steadily. When the time is ripe, you will shine brilliantly once again!"
His advice to "live life steadily" made Yang Ge burst into laughter, "You used to hate me for living life on a wing and a prayer, and now you’re advising me to settle down?"
Shen Fa: "This is... haha... How are you running the house? I haven’t even had my meal yet, and you aren’t arranging a seat for me?"
Yang Ge pointed at Hu Qiang, who was trying his hardest to shrink himself into invisibility, "He’s Zhang Mazi, not me. I’m just a waiter; how could I arrange anything for you?"
"Smack."
Shen Fa slapped Hu Qiang hard on the shoulder and said mockingly, "Oh, so you’re Zhang Mazi, huh?"
Hu Qiang shuddered and hurriedly pulled up his mask, pointing to his face, "Fake Mazi, fake Mazi..."
Shen Fa straightened his mask for him, then slapped his head to the side, "If I say you’re Zhang Mazi, then you are Zhang Mazi, got it?"
Hu Qiang meekly agreed, "Yes, yes, I am Zhang Mazi."
Yang Ge, unable to watch anymore, rolled up his sleeves: "With all that talking, how about I put on a Nine Pipes mask and join your conversation?"
Shen Fa grabbed the fake Mazi’s head and quickly walked toward the door, "No need for that, he makes for great company!"
I can’t bully the real Mazi, but who says I can’t have a little fun with a fake Mazi?
Yang Ge watched him leave and then solemnly placed the imperial edict before the spirit tablet, managing a forced smile, "You’re illustrious now, aren’t you? This is the rank of a fifth-grade official. Even that county magistrate will have to bow to you. When you see Zhang Lao Shuan and Mad Dog’s father, you should really show off and make them jealous..."
The more he spoke, the softer his voice became, the image of the old man crumpled in the corner, basking in the sunshine and grinning toothlessly resurfaced in his mind.
The sunlight faded, leaving only a wisp of blue smoke.
And took with it where he came from...
...
"Dad, you called for me."
Yang Tiansheng stepped briskly into the hall, grabbed the teapot from the table, and gulped it down.
Yang Yinghao swatted at his hand, distressed, "Put that down, you brat! This is the Longjing tea from Lingyin Temple’s eighteen bushes..."
"Smack."
Yang Tiansheng slapped the teapot back on the table, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and scoffed, "Stingy!"
Yang Yinghao took a deep breath, picked up a letter beside him, and handed it to his son, "Take a look at this."
"Hmm?"
Yang Tiansheng took the letter, glanced at the signature, and immediately blurted out, "When did Yang Ge write to you? How come I didn’t know?"
"Smack!"
Yang Yinghao slapped the solid wood table and shouted sternly, "Sit down!"
Seeing his father’s forehead veins bulging, Yang Tiansheng quickly sat down and scanned the letter swiftly, about to exclaim with joy.
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Yang Yinghao slapped the table again and scolded, "Look at you, two years of running wild and you’ve forgotten all manners—no proper way to stand or sit... Sit up straight!"
Yang Tiansheng swallowed the "awesome" he was about to exclaim, sat upright, and murmured "stuck in the old ways" to himself, but earnestly said, "Father, I’ll take care of this matter and ensure we uphold Ming Sect’s reputation!"
Yang Yinghao rubbed his forehead, trying to suppress his irritation, and said calmly, "Did you only read half of it? This matter is risky!"
Yang Tiansheng: "I know it’s risky, didn’t Yang Ge spell it out clearly? This is taboo, it may provoke an attack from imperial forces... Are you still worried about that?"
"It’s not about fear."
Yang Yinghao exhaled a weary breath, "It’s about whether it’s worth it or not! Emperor Xiping is in the prime of life, not lacking in cunning or capability. The border troops have just won a major victory in the north, and it would be unwise to challenge him at this juncture."
"What’s so unwise about it?"
Yang Tiansheng twisted his mouth sarcastically, "Either way, it’s just another battle. If we continue to keep a low profile, do you think the court will let us off the hook? It’s a battle either way. If we can accomplish this, the people of Jiangzhe will remember our good deeds. Even if we lay low for a while afterward, it’s worth it!"
"If we’re afraid of even this, then we might as well not talk about rebellion in the future. Let’s discuss how to change the doctrines, and everyone can live as wealthy landowners, peacefully making money—no need to carry the stigma of rebels, getting beaten without the perks!"
Yang Yinghao automatically ignored his son’s seditious words and hesitated, "While that’s true, but the Emperor is duking it out with powerful officials. It’s one thing for Ming Sect to watch from the sidelines and benefit as a bystander, but to get involved and try to calm both sides is to expend effort and offend both... No matter how you calculate it, it just doesn’t add up!"