“That’s the crown prince of Western Liang!” Duan Ling hissed.
Wu Du snorted derisively. “I’d beat him up even if he was the emperor.”
Duan Ling was, once again, struck speechless.
Helian Bo staggered back to his feet and met Duan Ling’s imploring gaze. He seemed to understand; rather than get angry at Duan Ling, he merely shot Wu Du a scathing look before he left.
Unfazed by the threatening glares from Helian Bo’s guards, Wu Du began checking over Duan Ling. “What did he do to you?”
“What could he do? We’re two guys!” Duan Ling exclaimed, exasperated.
Wu Du didn’t answer, turning Duan Ling’s face to scrutinize him more closely. Duan Ling showed no signs of having been forced by Helian Bo. Finding nothing amiss, Wu Du’s eyes wandered down, lingering on Duan Ling’s lips. Still flustered as he was from his surprise encounter with Helian Bo, Duan Ling’s eyes remained slightly red-rimmed. When their gazes collided, he flushed crimson. Both of them pulled away in an awkward hurry.
“If he tries anything with you again, I’ll teach him a lesson,” Wu Du declared.
The scuffle with Wu Du had happened so fast it was only now Duan Ling noticed a part of his sleeve was torn from Helian Bo’s earlier tugging. He didn’t see the missing piece anywhere, though; Helian Bo must’ve run off with it. Duan Ling found this both hilarious and baffling.
Wu Du tossed Duan Ling a towel for him to wipe his face. “The Tanguts are all barbarians; they’d even screw horses. What do they know about shame?”
“Okay, okay,” Duan Ling said soothingly, though his thoughts were elsewhere. The appearance of Helian Bo meant there was someone who could swear proof of his identity—but would anyone believe a foreigner? Initially, Duan Ling had only thought he needed to convince Bian Lingbai of his identity as Zhao Kui’s nephew so he wouldn’t be killed. Yet with the situation becoming inconceivably convoluted, the possibility of Bian Lingbai discovering his true identity was…terrifying.
And how would Helian Bo react? He’d always been a straightforward person with no head for calculation, which spelled bad news if he started digging around for information. Duan Ling was more worried Helian Bo would be pulled into this mess than he was about himself.
“How many men are in the Tangut party?” Duan Ling asked.
“Less than ten,” Wu Du replied. “I’m going to teach them a lesson tonight.”
“Don’t! It wasn’t what you thought.”
“What was it then? Tell me.”
What am I supposed to say?! Duan Ling screamed internally.
Elsewhere, back in his own accommodations, a thrilled Helian Bo was pacing back and forth in his room, a half-finished portrait on the table. Shang Leguan knocked and stepped inside to call for him, and Helian Bo followed him from the room to meet with Bian Lingbai.
Duan Ling was unbearably anxious. He didn’t know what to do next—he needed to meet with Helian Bo in private and explain what was going on, but it was impossible to slip away from Wu Du. Suddenly, inspiration struck.
“I’m going to see Mister Fei,” Duan Ling declared.
Wu Du had been sitting around stewing in petulant anger, but at this, he stood and changed into a fresh set of robes to follow Duan Ling out, sword in hand.
“Do you have to act like this?” Duan Ling said, exasperated.
“Stop yapping and go,” Wu Du snapped.
Thus Duan Ling had no choice but to go see Fei Hongde. He reported that Yao Jing thought she was marrying Shang Leguan, and Fei Hongde nodded.
“We should remain in close contact with the Tanguts to determine if there’s anything suspicious about the bandit incident. General Bian’s men seized the bandits’ possessions; have them send men to identify the items. If there’s any evidence, it can be passed along to Shang Leguan to act on it.”
Duan Ling considered this plan, then nodded, awed by Fei Hongde’s calculations—it was indeed the better move to hand the evidence to Shang Leguan if there were those opposed to Helian Bo’s marriage.
Bian Lingbai showed up without announcement. At the sight of Duan Ling, he asked, “What are you doing here?”
Duan Ling hesitated, awkward. He didn’t know whether Bian Lingbai had been informed of the fight between Wu Du and Helian Bo. As soon as Bian Lingbai looked from him to Wu Du, however, it was obvious he’d been informed of everything. “Wu Du,” he said, his tone sharp, “you have my respect as a guest here, and for protecting Zhao Rong. But do not make trouble under my roof.”
Wu Du smirked at him. “Not only will I cause trouble where I please, I’ll kill your entire family too! What’re you going to do about it, get that assassin who doesn’t even have one whole hand to kick me out?”
His outburst left Duan Ling speechless.
“Wu Du! Do not push me!” Bian Lingbai shouted.
“Wu Du, enough!” Duan Ling admonished him.
“What in the world happened today?” Bian Lingbai demanded.
What an utter disaster, Duan Ling thought. Aloud, he explained, “I was in the inner courtyard…singing. And then he burst in. And then… And then…”
“And then what?” Bian Lingbai said with a glower.
Duan Ling fell silent.
“Bian Lingbai.” Wu Du growled a warning.
Duan Ling gestured at Wu Du to calm down and hurried to answer: “The Tanguts are an open, enthusiastic bunch,” he said to Bian Lingbai. “Uh…um, he just wanted to be friends.”
“He came to me earlier, asking specifically for your company,” Bian Lingbai said. “I don’t know what’s going on, so I came to find out.”
Wu Du leveled a death glare at Bian Lingbai.
“Well, I’m here to ask you two, aren’t I?” Bian Lingbai corrected with speed.
“He’s not going,” Wu Du answered with a frigid edge.
“I want to go. It’s perfect timing to help Mister Fei ask about a few things,” Duan Ling said. “Can I?”
Wu Du stood and left the room without a word.
Should I just tell him the truth? Duan Ling wondered as he jumped to his feet and chased after him.