Tang Liuli glanced at Tang Yiyou, who nodded, and softly said, “Thank you for caring. I didn’t tell Ruo Si to avoid worrying him.”
“If he’s a man, he should solve it!” Tang Yingying suddenly spoke, glancing at Tang Yiyou. “Call him here, explain everything, and see his attitude!”
“Liuli, I think we should tell him,” Tang Yiyou said, feeling everyone’s gaze. “We can’t keep dragging this out. What if they come to propose marriage?”
“How about this,” he continued, “Let’s gather at our place in three days. I’ll host a banquet to celebrate our new home.”
What do you think?”
“The madam’s residence is…” Tang Yiyou, aware of my previous deception, chose not to press the issue further.
In the long street of Qingcheng in the west city, the name of the house will surely be seen by you three days later.
“Since that’s the case, then I’ll respectfully follow your command,” Tang Yiyou laughed.
It was soon time for the banquet. With many people present, the table was large. However, Die’er and Zhu’er insisted on leaving.
“Why must you two leave?” Tang Yingying asked, frustrated. “Is anyone here going to eat you? The dishes are already on the table; you should at least finish the meal!”
“Yes, young ladies,” Tang Yiyou added, “It’s rare for you to be here. Is the hospitality unsatisfactory?”
“No, no,” Zhu’er and Die’er exchanged glances and said hesitantly, “We suddenly remembered we have matters at home, so we must return. Please don’t take it to heart, Young Master Tang.”
“Yes, Yingying, we’ll head back first…” Die’er said, moving to leave.
“Are you afraid of me?” I asked, having eagerly seated myself as the dishes were served, but delayed by their insistence on leaving. “I won’t pursue past matters. As for them…” I looked at my several husbands and laughed, “You don’t need to be afraid either.”
Men don’t hold grudges. Since Young Master Tang has gone to such lengths to host us, please sit down quickly.”
Seeing me say this, the two no longer insisted and sat down silently. The three people from the Tang family looked at us without asking anything. After the meal started, the atmosphere wasn’t great. I was just busy eating, thinking it’s better not to bring so many people out next time.
“May I ask something?” Tang Yingying’s gaze was fixed on Leng Aohun, whose face was cold. Suppressing her urge to laugh, she asked, “Young Master Tang, did Old Master Tang only arrange a marriage for Liuli?”
Everyone understood what I meant. Tang Yingying glanced sideways and withdrew her gaze. Leng Aohun drank his wine gloomily while the others watched with schadenfreude.
Tang Yiyou then coughed lightly and said, “Indeed, only Liuli has a marriage arrangement. That family is an old acquaintance of the Tang household, and they have a young master of similar age, so the two families arranged this marriage to strengthen ties.”
“Oh.” Looking at Tang Yingying with a smile, I asked, “Pardon my forwardness, but for a beautiful young lady like Miss Yingying, might you have someone you fancy?”
“Me?”
Tang Yingying raised her eyes to Leng Aohun and smiled, “If I could meet a man like Commander Leng, perhaps I would consider it!”
What an arrogant woman! Even more so than Hua Xiao was back then.
“What’s wrong?” As soon as the little rascal heard I wasn’t feeling well, several people crowded around me.
“It’s nothing!” I was used to their exaggerated expressions, while a few others stood blankly aside, watching me being doted on by seven handsome men who coexisted peacefully.
“Xiao Ai is probably tired,” Nan Gong Mo said, “At this time, Xiao Ai usually goes to sleep.”
“Let’s go back!” Huo Ling Yun said, ready to carry me.
“If you don’t mind, please rest at our residence,” Tang Yi You suggested. “The madam has just eaten and is tired.”
“Young Master Tang makes sense, let’s wait,” Xiao Yao agreed. Everyone nodded.
“Sleep in my room,” Tang Liu Li said, leading the way.
After laying me on the bed, the group looked at each other. Before they could ask if they were going to wait, they felt their eyelids growing heavy and fell asleep.
After some time, I felt a shadow moving before my eyes, slowly opening my drowsy eyes… Tang Yi You? Seemed not to be.
For some reason, my eyes couldn’t see clearly. In a daze, it seemed to be the same face, but the expression was definitely of another person, with a barely perceptible smile and eyes that mixed righteousness with evil.
“Who are you?” I felt awake, but my whole body was weak, and my vision was still blurry. I remembered I was sleeping in Tang Liu Li’s room, “Are you… Tang Yi You?”
The person remained silent, their finger sliding lightly across my face, their smile growing more sinister and bloodthirsty.
I was afraid, especially that he might harm the child in my belly. “Who are you? What do you want?”
Only a silent laugh, more unrestrained and cruel. I was terrified that he was staring at my lower abdomen.
“Don’t you dare…” My fear grew, but my head felt increasingly heavy.
He reached out to touch my belly, then withdrew all traces of a smile and lightly touched my lips.
“You…” Just as shock filled me, my eyes slowly closed.
As if my soul returned to my body, I suddenly sat up in bed, looking around in confusion. Was I dreaming? I straightened my clothes and got out of bed, noticing the sun was setting. I had slept for quite a long time.
The maid nearby saw me awake and hurried over, “Madam, please wait. This servant will draw water to help you freshen up.” Before I could respond, she turned and left.
“Sister Xiao Ai, you’re awake,” Tang Liu Li walked in after finishing her grooming, “How was your sleep? They’re still waiting in the main hall.”
“Mm, fine,” I answered vaguely, following her back. I seemed to have had a nightmare. Thankfully, it was just a dream. If it were real… I unconsciously touched my lips. Just as I reached the main hall, Tang Yi You saw my movement and smiled, causing my face to blush.
“This is our family carriage, and this is Uncle Zhang who drives for me.” He continued, “I think this carriage can seat five people without a problem. The other three…” He looked at them with ill intent, then added, “The most skilled can fly back.”
Xie Ying lightly smiled, then followed Huo Ling Yun and Leng Ao Hun as they flew away.
“Young Master Tang, thank you for your hospitality. I will wait for your visit in three days.” He nodded and smiled at the two young ladies of the Tang household in farewell.
After boarding the carriage and lifting the curtain to look back at the Tang household gradually disappearing, a thought popped into his mind – ‘well-trained’!
This was the impression given by the servants of the Tang household—definitely not a straightforward merchant family.
“Xiao Ai, don’t you think there’s something strange about the Tang household?” Nan Gong Mo asked, seemingly unable to find a reasonable explanation.
“I feel something is off, but I can’t quite explain it,” Qiao Ruo Feng replied thoughtfully.
“What do you think?” the other two remained silent, finding it strange.
“You noticed it too?” Nan Gong Mo asked, surprised.
“Yes. The strangest thing about the Tang household is their servants, who seem well-trained and not like ordinary people.”
“Yes, indeed,” Qiao Ruo Si nodded, then asked with concern…
“I don’t know either. They haven’t done anything harmful; perhaps they have a background and just don’t want to explain.” Not wanting to dwell on it, Nan Gong Mo brushed it off.
Three days later, after breakfast, he heard a commotion outside. When he went out, he saw people hanging a plaque. Just as they were about to hang it, Tang Yi You arrived with his two sisters.
“I’ve just arrived at the right time,” Tang Yi You said, looking at the plaque in confusion. “This is…”
