Chapter 6: What's Going On?

Because those around him were close friends, Yang Guozhong was no outsider, and Yang Yuhuan could not help but voice the doubts in her heart: "Your Majesty, Guozhong, have you noticed that Fourth Brother has changed a great deal from before!"

Li Longji stared at Yang Wei, chuckled, and nodded. "Yuhuan is correct. He has indeed changed."

Yang Guozhong also studied Yang Wei for a long moment before finally nodding in agreement with his words.

Yang Wei remained composed. He immediately considered how to respond. He bowed to Li Longji and Yang Yuhuan and said, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, anyone who has undergone these past few days' experiences will experience such a transformation. I endured blood and fire, life and death atop the city walls of Tongguan. I witnessed thousands upon thousands perish before my eyes, their blood turning the rivers red. Anyone tempered by battlefield trials would undergo the same change as I!"

"Mmm, Wei'er speaks wisely. Having faced the crucible of life and death, having been forged in battle, a man matures in an instant!" Li Longji immediately embraced Yang Wei's explanation.

Yet a different doubt lingered in his heart. How had the once unassuming Yang Wei acquired such military prowess—to command Tongguan's defenses so ably and to subdue its garrison commanders? From the dispatches that had reached the capital, Yang Wei appeared decisive, ruthless. Upon his arrival at Tongguan, he had slain the Yan Mountain Prince, Huo Baigui Ren, and even executed the eunuch supervisor who had been close to Yang Guozhong, right before the assembled court. This bore no resemblance to the Yang Wei he knew. Li Longji would not voice this unease at the moment.

Yang Guozhong shared the same doubt. He could not fathom how his once-dormant son had become so decisive, so mature, so unlike the youth he had raised. His little son had never been like this.

Yang Wei discerned the subtle strangeness in the glances of Li Longji and Yang Guozhong. He offered an embarrassed smile and explained, "Your Majesty, during those days I lay injured and unconscious, I dreamed of many strange occurrences. I seemed to understand things I had never known, as though I had commanded armies in battle and been guided to rescue Tongguan at once. Upon waking, I heard that the rebels would assault Tongguan and grew anxious about the front line. I urged my father to hold the pass rather than sally forth. After the defeat at Lingbao reached our ears, I realized we must dispatch an army at once, or Tongguan would fall. That is why I requested command."

Seeing that Li Longji and Yang Guozhong appeared neither wholly convinced nor entirely persuaded, Yang Wei added, "Your Majesty and Father, you watched me grow. You know I was always wiser than my brothers. Such a showing in a crisis is not so strange. Huo Qubing was only seventeen when he won his great victories. Before that, he had accomplished nothing remarkable. Many men only discover their true mettle after they have acted."

Yang Wei's explanation still felt unconvincing. Yang Yuhuan spoke at once. "Your Majesty, Wei'er is right. Many people lack the chance to prove themselves. Before they are recognized, they are dismissed as useless. Such was the case with Prime Minister Ma Zhou in Emperor Taizong's time. No one saw his talent until the emperor discovered it. Wei'er is the same. Until Your Majesty appointed him, everyone viewed him as a profligate who wasted his days. Only in the emergency did his true abilities reveal themselves. Your Majesty, since Wei'er has acquitted himself so splendidly, you must give him greater responsibility."

Yang Wei was astonished. A sudden warmth stirred in his chest toward this beautiful woman. He did not know what motive lay behind her words.

"Mmm! Yuhuan speaks truly," Li Longji stroked his beard, nodding with a smile. "Wei'er's performance has astonished me. Even his own father was taken aback. I believe he will accomplish many more wonders and surpass his brothers in talent. Such men must be employed heavily, or heaven will punish us!"

"I do not presume to deserve such praise from Your Majesty, nor such commendation from the Noble Consort!" Yang Wei bowed again, adding humbly, "I merely acted with boldness and have no regrets. Your Majesty does not rebuke my rashness, and I am profoundly grateful. I hope to return to Tongguan to lead the army until the rebellion is quelled. Please grant me leave to do so. I will not fail Your Majesty's expectations!"

Yang Wei had not anticipated that his return to the capital to report would end in such a twist. Crown Prince Li Heng had declared on the spot that he was unfit to continue commanding and would appoint another general to lead the Tongguan forces. Even his own father, Yang Guozhong, had not strongly supported his request. Yang Wei had nearly faltered.

Who was the Crown Prince Li Heng? He would soon become the Tang emperor, the renowned Emperor Suzong. He was no ordinary man.

Fortunately, Li Heng had not pressed the matter further, and few ministers rose to oppose his continued leadership as supreme commander.

The decision to let him return to Tongguan as Deputy Commander-in-Chief was already made. It would not change.

"Mmm, since you have requested repeatedly and your father supports you, I shall approve it. You may continue to Tongguan to lead the army against the rebels. Your title as Deputy Commander-in-Chief remains unchanged. Your post as General of the Dragon-Wu Guard is preserved. I also fulfill all the rewards I promised."

Li Longji spoke, his gaze drifting to Yang Guozhong at his side. He smiled and said, "Guozhong, it appears Wei'er's future rank will not fall beneath that of his brothers. I hope he will rely on his own abilities to seek even higher positions. Yang Wei, I hold high expectations for you. Do not disappoint me!"

"I will give my utmost, sparing no effort!" Yang Wei straightened, chest thrust forward, and pledged his word.

"Excellent!" Li Longji yawned quietly and continued, "Guozhong, you and Wei'er should discuss Tongguan's affairs thoroughly. If any matter proves irresolvable, come to me. I have risen too early today and wish to rest. Go now. Wei'er has only just returned from the front. The situation there is no longer critical, so there is no need to hurry back. Return to the mansion, rest for a couple of days, and restore your strength before proceeding."

"Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your concern!" Yang Wei bowed once more. Li Longji's kindness left him feeling slightly unreal.

Yang Guozhong stepped forward and bowed. "Your Majesty, Your Highness, this servant and Wei'er will take our leave!"

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, this servant takes leave!" Yang Wei bowed after Yang Guozhong.

Li Longji waved them away.

Yang Yuhuan, who had been gently massaging Li Longji's shoulders, smiled radiantly as Yang Wei bowed.

Yang Wei returned the smile, then let his eyes linger a moment on Yang Yuhuan's delicate, beautiful face before turning to go. The look he cast was bold, almost aggressive—the natural gaze of a man upon a woman. It was not contrived.

The intensity of that final glance left Yang Yuhuan inexplicably flustered. She quickly turned her head.

Yet once he had left, her eyes followed his retreating figure. She wondered what had come over him.

When had Wei'er become like this?