Quick Travel to the Clouds

Chapter 695 My Family 13

As the night deepened and the dew grew heavy, the noise gradually subsided, and the two families gathered at the riverside pavilion to admire the moon.

Outside the window, a bright, jade-like moon hangs in the dark blue sky, its clear light bathing the water town.

After several rounds of drinks, when the atmosphere was in full swing, Tang Wencheng and Du Feiqin looked at each other with smiles. Du Feiqin put down her celadon teacup and looked at Jiang Junyou's parents—a well-known scholarly family in Meizhou.

"...Brother Jiang, sister-in-law," Tang Wencheng's voice was deep and resonant, tinged with a hint of solemnity, "the children get along well too. I observe that Junyou is of upright character and outstanding talent, a perfect match for my Mo'er. Today the moon is full and the family is reunited, I wonder..." His unfinished words were understood by everyone present.

Mr. Jiang stroked his beard and nodded with a smile: "Brother Tang, you flatter me. It is my son's good fortune to have won the favor of your daughter. Miss Yunmo is bright and straightforward, which complements the simple and honest style of my family. It is also fate." Mrs. Jiang also nodded gently, holding Du Feiqin's hand, her eyes full of joy.

All eyes turned to the two parties involved. Jiang Junyou stood up, tall and elegant, and bowed deeply to Tang Wencheng and his wife. His gentle gaze looked frankly at Tang Yunmo, whose cheeks were flushed and whose eyes were already shining: "Junyou admires Miss Yunmo's true nature and hopes that Uncle and Aunt will grant your request."

Tang Yunmo lowered her head shyly, her fingers tightly gripping the hem of her dress, yet she clearly called out, "Daughter...is willing!" Her voice was soft, but it carried an undeniable firmness and overflowing sweetness. The room immediately filled with lighthearted laughter and blessings.

Life after the engagement was like honey. As autumn deepened and the air in Meizhou turned cool in early September, the Tang family began packing their belongings, preparing to return to the capital for the wedding. An atmosphere of excitement mixed with reluctance filled the mansion.

Du Feiqin and Tang Wencheng were busy taking inventory of the items they had brought, closing the West City Villa, and making the final handover with the merchants in Jiangnan.

The maids and servants bustled about the house, carefully packing boxes of Jiangnan silks, porcelains, and embroideries prepared for Tang Yunmo. These would become a distinctively Jiangnan-style component of the future princess's dowry.

Tang Yunmo was somewhat uneasy. Sometimes she would sit by the riverside pavilion, gazing at the familiar shadows of the covered boats, and gently stroke the betrothal gift that the Jiang family had just sent her—a jade bracelet with excellent water content and exquisite carving.

The thought of being separated from Junyou soon filled her heart with a bittersweet mix of emotions and longing. But the thought of the busy and anticipated wedding preparations that followed her return home overshadowed that sadness with overwhelming anticipation.

She began to actively pull Yun Chu along, studying the thick dowry lists and discussing the embroidery patterns that were popular in the capital.

Tang Yunlian was deeply engrossed in her studies and received meticulous guidance from her strict teacher, Gu Ting. Unable to bear the interruption, she took the initiative to suggest staying in Meizhou temporarily to continue her studies.

Tang Wencheng and Du Feiqin readily agreed. With Gu Ting by their side to take care of and supervise them, it would be a hundred times better than returning to Beijing and being led astray by their old cronies. Gu Ting solemnly promised, "Uncle and Aunt, rest assured, Yunlian's studies and safety will be taken care of by me."

The bustling city of Kangdu remains as vibrant as ever, and the vermilion gates of the Chang Le Prince's Mansion, silent for several years, have reopened, but everything has changed.

The first to become restless were the three young masters, Li, Wang, and Zhang. As soon as they learned that the Tang family had returned to the capital, they hurriedly sent servants to deliver invitations to pay their respects.

The gatekeeper of the Prince's residence looked at the familiar visiting cards with a calm and distant expression: "The young master is still studying in Meizhou, and his return date is uncertain. Please return."

After the servant reported back, another round of smashing cups and bowls and foul curses erupted in each of their residences—"It's that sickly brat again! It's not enough that he's a burden on the whole family, he even keeps his brother out here!" "That useless jinx, he's ruined my fun!"

—The resentment was almost tangible, but this time, their curses could no longer reach the ears of the Tang family, nor could they shake the Prince's Mansion in the slightest.

The private room on the second floor of Qingfeng Tower once again became a battleground for Fan Shaojie's burning pride.

He carefully selected an outfit that was more elegant than the one he wore a year ago, and even chose a seat with a view of the staircase.

The dishes on the table were as exquisite and expensive as ever. He harbored a deep resentment, conceiving countless harsh and vicious words, just waiting for Tang Yunmo, whom he considered "shameless," to once again take the initiative to fawn over him.

He wanted to trample on her admiration in front of everyone, mock her mercilessly, and make her lose face, so that he could atone for the great humiliation of paying the bill alone last time!

Time dragged on from noon to dusk; the food grew cold, the wine was gone, and even the waiter's eyes began to show a subtle hint of pity.

Fan Shaojie held the teacup, which had long since gone cold. His knuckles turned white from the force he exerted, his face was ashen, and the expectation in his eyes turned into an increasingly deep gloom and resentment.

The servant he had sent out to gather information finally came running up, panting, and whispered in his ear the news that almost made him vomit blood:

"...Young Master...Princess Yunmo of the Chang Le Prince's Mansion...is already engaged in Meizhou! Young Master Jiang...they've even exchanged betrothal gifts...it's said...he'll be getting married next July!"

"Clap!"

He crushed the teacup in his hand, the broken porcelain shards piercing his palm, blood mixed with the cold tea dripping onto the glossy Eight Treasure Duck, the red color glaringly bright.

Pain? I can't feel it anymore.

He felt a chilling, bone-chilling hatred and an unprecedented sense of humiliation surge from the soles of his feet to the top of his head!

That stupid woman who used to chase after him not only dared not return to Beijing or contact him, but also dared... dared to promise herself to someone else?!

His chest heaved violently, and Fan Shaojie abruptly stood up, ignoring the blood streaming down his hands and his bloodshot eyes that seemed to want to devour someone:

"Fine... fine, Tang Yunmo! You've climbed up to someone else, haven't you? You think just because we're engaged I can't touch you? You've made me, Fan Shaojie, the laughingstock of the whole capital... How can I let you get away with this!"

Fan Shaojie was completely consumed by resentment and lost his reason. He no longer waited for any opportunity to be "publicly humiliated," but returned to his residence and, gritting his teeth, summoned his trusted servant, Afu.

"Ah Fu! Go!" His voice was hoarse and venomous as he pulled a large silver ingot from his purse and threw it at the beggar. "Find me the lowest, most shameless thugs and beggars! Tell them to spread the word throughout the East and West Markets, teahouses, and brothels! Spread it like wildfire!"

The servant trembled in fright: "Young...Young Master, what...what are you sending?"

Fan Shaojie's face contorted, contorting like a demon: "I'll tell you! Tang Yunmo of the Chang Le Prince's Mansion! A fickle woman! Seducing a stranger in Jiangnan, forgetting her old lover! Ha, and make it sound convincing!"

"She still has the love poems she wrote for me back then hidden at the bottom of my trunk! She said how... how shamelessly she harassed me! She said the most nasty things possible! I want to ruin her reputation, make the Jiang family break off the engagement! Make her a laughing stock in the whole capital!" He imagined Tang Yunmo breaking down and crying after the rumors spread, and he felt a little relieved. He grinned wickedly.

However, all his malicious schemes were completely exposed in front of Yun Chu, whom he saw as sickly and insignificant.

From the moment she arranged for her family to leave Kangdu, she had already planted invisible "eyes and ears"—fire iron flying ants—both inside and outside the Tang residence.