“What’s going on here? Why on earth is Commander Wang doing a boatman’s work?”

Ling Daye had the habit of taking an afternoon nap. Waking from his sleep, he glanced out the window out of habit — and the moment he did, he sensed something was off.

That figure scrubbing the deck with his backside raised in such an unflattering posture — wasn’t that Wang Tong, the man at His Highness the Crown Grandson’s side?!

Even the head boatman would scorn such filthy work. How had the mighty guard commander of the Eastern Palace’s Crown Grandson come to be doing something like this?

The more Ling Daye thought about it, the more it bothered him, which was why he had specially summoned Ling Ji to get to the bottom of it.

Ling Ji cleared his throat and answered vaguely. “It’s probably that Commander Wang did something wrong or said something wrong, displeasing His Highness, and was punished by being made to scrub the deck.”

Well, that wasn’t exactly a lie!

As for the matter of Ling Jingshu sparring with the Crown Grandson — better not to tell Ling Daye about that… it wouldn’t do to frighten Father!

Ling Daye wasn’t so easily fooled, however, and shot Ling Ji a suspicious look. “Why would His Highness suddenly fly into a rage for no reason? Do you know something you haven’t told me?”

“How could that be,” Ling Ji lied without batting an eye, his face the very picture of honest sincerity. “If I knew the truth of it, how would I dare to keep it from you, Father.”

Ling Ji had always been filial and obedient, and Ling Daye assumed he had no reason to hide anything.

Ling Daye was soon reassured, and after a moment’s thought, said, “I’ll go right now and put in a word with His Highness, to spare Commander Wang his punishment. It’ll be a good chance to build some goodwill with him.”

Ling Ji: “…”

Seeing Ling Daye already rising to his feet, Ling Ji hastily spoke up. “Father, that wouldn’t be wise.”

Ling Daye raised an eyebrow. “What’s unwise about it?”

Because the moment he went, the matter Ling Ji wanted to keep hidden would be completely exposed. Given the Crown Grandson’s temper, being made to confront a sore spot like that — Ling Daye himself would likely bear the brunt of his displeasure.

Ling Ji racked his brains and finally hit upon the most fitting excuse, putting on an expression of deep concern:

“Father, His Highness’s moods are hard to predict, and perhaps the reason he punished Commander Wang isn’t something he wants others to know. If you go and plead on Commander Wang’s behalf, and it happens to upset His Highness — wouldn’t that be a case of losing more than you gain?”

Ling Daye thought it over and nodded in approval. “Your concern isn’t unreasonable. Fine then. Commander Wang’s punishment has little to do with us anyway. There’s no harm in not pleading his case.”

Why risk offending the Crown Grandson over a mere Wang Tong, after all.

Ling Ji secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Ling Daye patted Ling Ji’s shoulder with satisfaction. “A’Ji, you’ve really grown up now — you think things through far more thoroughly than you used to.”

Ling Ji, shameless as it felt, accepted Ling Daye’s praise. “Thank you for the compliment, Father.”

In his heart, though, he silently prayed that tomorrow, when they went to pay their respects to the Crown Grandson, His Highness would not bring up the matter himself.

Before long, the fleet of ships left the dock once more, setting off slowly.

Only a few guards remained on deck keeping watch; the rest returned to the cabins to rest. The boatmen, having rested for two hours, had regained their strength, and rowed with renewed vigor.

Poor Wang Tong kept his head down the whole while, scrubbing the deck.

Given Wang Tong’s physical strength, this kind of work wasn’t actually that taxing. The real problem was the loss of face he simply couldn’t afford…

Don’t think that just because his head was lowered, he didn’t know. The guards on several of the official ships were secretly enjoying the spectacle!

Once they returned to the capital, this embarrassing tale would no doubt spread through the Crown Prince’s Residence in no time. It would be a miracle if the other guard commanders didn’t come mock him for it…

Truth be told, this whole undeserved calamity of his today had come about because he’d meddled where he shouldn’t have.

If he had just held back from raising his head, from signaling to Ling Ji, the Crown Grandson would never have taken his anger out on him.

Scrub, scrub, scrub!

Scrub harder!

Wang Tong, stewing in a bellyful of frustration, threw his entire body’s strength into it, scrubbing the deck before him until it gleamed spotlessly clean.

Given the Crown Grandson’s temperament, even once his anger had passed, he would never withdraw an order of punishment once given. That cold, unyielding follow-through was simply something required of those in positions of power. There was no way Wang Tong was getting out of scrubbing the deck for half a day…

Sure enough, it wasn’t until near evening, when the ships had stopped to rest, that the Crown Grandson finally sent someone to summon him.

After scrubbing the deck for half a day, even someone as strong and sturdy as Wang Tong felt his whole body ache and weaken. But in front of the Crown Grandson, he absolutely could not let it show.

Wang Tong rallied his spirits, cupped his hands, and reported. “Your Highness, this subordinate has finished scrubbing this ship’s entire deck. There’s not a speck of dust left on it.”

The Crown Grandson gave a hum of acknowledgment, and after a moment said, “You’ve been worn out half the day. There’s no need to stand night watch tonight. Go back to your cabin and rest.”

His tone was no different from usual.

Still, for the Crown Grandson, taking the trouble to say even this much already counted as a roundabout way of offering comfort.

Wang Tong felt a touch of gratitude stir in his heart, and hastily thanked him before taking his leave.

Before withdrawing, Wang Tong quietly glanced up at the Crown Grandson. The daytime anger had vanished without a trace; the young man before him had returned to his usual noble, indifferent demeanor.

After this whole affair, that Miss Ling the Ninth had surely left an extremely deep impression on His Highness.

The next day, before the ships were set to depart, Ling Daye and his son once again came aboard the official ship carrying the Crown Grandson.

They performed their bows, paid their respects, and carefully, subtly offered a few flattering remarks to curry favor and build some goodwill. Everything proceeded just as usual.

Ling Ji stole a few glances at the Crown Grandson… and at Wang Tong standing beside him.

There stood Wang Tong, just as on any other day, looking energetic and devoted as he stood behind the Crown Grandson.

Ling Ji couldn’t help feeling secretly impressed. After scrubbing the deck for half a day, one night later he was already back to looking full of vigor. To have risen to the position of the Crown Grandson’s guard commander — this Wang Tong was indeed no ordinary man.

The Crown Grandson suddenly asked, “Director Ling, are the Ling Xiao siblings accompanying you to the capital in order to seek treatment at Huichun Hall?”

Ling Ji’s heart clenched.

Why would the Crown Grandson bring this up? Could he still be angry about yesterday’s matter?

Wang Tong suddenly felt his whole body start to ache, an inexplicable, dreary premonition rising in him that he might be scrubbing decks again.

Ling Daye, too, hadn’t expected the Crown Grandson to suddenly bring this up, and was momentarily caught off guard before hastily answering. “Indeed so. May I ask why Your Highness suddenly inquires about this?”

The Crown Grandson said evenly, “Wei Yan has strict rules, and won’t pay any heed even if ordinary people come to plead with him. He only leaves the palace to give treatment two days a month. If you wait honestly in line, you’ll likely have to wait several months. As a mere fourth-rank Director at the Ministry of Works, I doubt Wei Yan would pay you any attention even if you went yourself.”

Ling Daye: “…”

Even if it was the truth, did he have to put it so bluntly! A little more tact wouldn’t have made it any less understandable.

Ling Daye’s smile turned somewhat stiff. “Your Highness speaks truly…”

The Crown Grandson continued evenly, “Once you’re back in the capital, you and your son come to the Crown Prince’s Residence to collect this prince’s calling card. From then on, take the card with you whenever you go to Huichun Hall! Wei Yan will always grant this prince some small face.”

Ling Ji: “…”

Wang Tong: “…”