Chapter 373 — Observing Quietly
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 2 of 4
Of the three camps and twenty-two guards of the Personal Guard Corps, the Divine Machine Camp ranked first. That Ma Youming, barely past twenty, could sit in the Assistant Commander's seat there owed something to his good birth — but his own abilities were second to none as well. Who could be making things hard for him?
And over what grievance?
He thought of Jiang Yi.
It was Ma Youming who had introduced Jiang Yi to him in the first place, and Ma Youming who had begged him to transfer Jiang Yi to the Five Wards Command. Their private friendship was plainly a good one, and in the Divine Machine Camp the two were nine times out of ten counted as one faction. Now both Jiang Yi and Ma Youming were uncomfortable there, which pointed to a factional quarrel; if he lent Ma Youming a hand now, he would most likely be dragged into that quarrel himself.
But Ma Youming was his friend, and this favor he must certainly grant.
Only, he belonged to the Jinwu Guard. Reaching across the line was a great taboo in the army.
Song Yantang had been riding high these days; many men, in envy and spite, were waiting to pull him down or to watch him fall. But if he meant to overawe his own father, he must possess a strength that could crush all before it; he must be loud, and louder still, until the very mention of his name frightened men out of crossing him — only so could he stand where he could not be overthrown.
If at such a moment he thrust a hand openly into the affairs of the Divine Machine Camp, he would only turn its grandees against him. For himself he would not have cared, but where his friend was concerned he could not afford to be careless.
Last night he had been too taken up with Dou Yan to give the matter proper thought.
Song Yantang quietly instructed Chen He: "Go tell Du Wei to look into how many hills there are in the Divine Machine Camp these days."
Forewarned is forearmed; a little knowledge could do no harm.
Chen He slipped out of the hall without a change of expression.
Song Yantang turned with the others to look toward the western side of the hall.
* * *
Ma Youming waited until he and Song Yantang had left Yuqiao Alley, and still Song Yantang had not brought up yesterday's business.
His face went dead white.
How had he forgotten that?
He had been drunk last night; besides the chance that he had not poured everything out, there was another — that Song Yantang had taken all he said for drunken rambling, feigned ignorance, and let the whole thing pass without a ripple.
Ma Youming was sure he had not misjudged Song Yantang.
He judged that with any other matter Song Yantang might not have acted so; but this touched upon... Song Yantang was not only a Vice Commissioner of the Jinwu Guard, he was also the heir of the Duke of Ying's house. Even if he did not think of himself, he must think of his clan...
At the thought, Ma Youming wilted like an eggplant struck by frost.
Dou Yan was in good spirits.
She had settled her uncle's worries and given him her warning; compared with the last life, he would surely live more easily now.
She discussed it with Song Yan: "Uncle says they set out on the twelfth of the second month. I want to give them two thousand taels as a parting gift, and then invite uncle and his family to a meal. What do you think?"
Song Yan thought it over. "Why not hold the banquet here at home? It will let uncle see how we live."
Dou Yan nodded and smiled. "Just as well. Once uncle has been seen off, we will hold Sulan's wedding."
Song Yan warned her gently, "Your months are growing heavy. Take care not to wear yourself out."
Dou Yan nodded, dimpling, and once home she threw herself with great relish into the preparations for entertaining her uncle.