Quick Travel to the Clouds

Chapter 689 My Family 7

That afternoon, Tang Yunlian strolled into the bustling market of Meizhou again.

The crowds surged, and the vendors' cries mingled with the bargaining in the Jiangnan accent.

He was drawn to a street stall: it displayed a "jade pot from a previous dynasty," and the seller was a lean man with a smile on his face, praising the jade pot as "like frost under the moon" and imbued with "the auspicious energy of the imperial tomb."

Tang Yunlian, seeing the exquisite carvings on the jade pot and its cool touch, impulsively decided to buy it.

Little did he know, it was just ordinary stone polishing and coloring.

As he took out the banknotes to pay, a long, strong hand suddenly grabbed his wrist—the person was Gu Ting.

Gu Ting was twenty-one years old. He was as handsome and broad-minded as the landscape of Jiangnan: his figure was as upright as ink bamboo, his eyebrows and eyes were deep but with a scholarly air, and he wore a simple and neat blue cloth robe. At his waist was an ancient sword sheath that concealed its sharpness.

His voice was not loud, but clear and resolute: "Young master, why the rush? This thing is nothing but a counterfeit from the marketplace, not worth your pure heart."

When the vendor realized he had been exposed, his face changed drastically. He tried to argue, but Gu Ting only gave him a cold look, as sharp as a icy wind: "If you continue to deceive unfamiliar customers, I will report you to the yamen runners and punish you according to the Market Regulation Law." The vendor immediately fell silent and slunk away, packing up his stall.

Tang Yunlian then realized what was happening.

Turning to look at Gu Ting, she saw that the other party had a calm expression, without the slightest hint of mockery, and simply said, "Young master, are you a newcomer? This market is in chaos, you must be careful."

Tang Yunlian was filled with gratitude and surprise: this man had actually seen through the scam and even exuded an air of authority! He quickly bowed: "I am Tang Yunlian, thank you for your help. If you don't mind, please do me the honor of having a drink with me so I can express my gratitude!"

Gu Ting looked at Tang Yunlian's clear, bright eyes, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded slightly: "Gu Ting. It's nothing, no need to spend money."

The two then entered a restaurant called "Drunken Jiangnan" next to the bustling city.

Tang Yunlian habitually forgets her manners when ordering food—braised lion's head meatballs, steamed sea bass, ham and bamboo shoots, stir-fried shrimp with soy sauce… repeatedly saying, “Brother Gu helped me, so I should treat you with the utmost hospitality.”

The waiter smiled and wrote it down, but was interrupted by Gu Ting's light cough when he was announcing the names of the dishes.

Gu Ting frowned slightly, like dew on ink bamboo, his tone gentle yet unquestionable: "Young Master Tang, there's no need for such extravagance between us. A lavish spread only adds to the ostentation."

He went straight to the waiter and changed the order: "Two dishes and a soup will be enough—stir-fried bamboo shoots with artemisia, braised pork with preserved mustard greens, and a bowl of water shield and fish ball soup. As for the wine, a pot of ordinary Shaoxing wine will suffice."

Tang Yunlian stood there stunned. This was the first time in his life that he had been "taught a lesson" like this.

Seeing his unease, Gu Ting softened his expression slightly: "The best flavors of Jiangnan lie in their elegance, not their complexity. Why not try more of the local specialties?"

The two sat down at a nanmu wood table by the window, where willow branches swayed in the breeze along the riverbank. Gu Ting moved calmly, pouring the wine slowly and deliberately.

During the meal, Tang Yunlian couldn't stop talking—from the interesting stories of the Chang Le Prince's Mansion to her younger sister Yun Chu's recovery from illness, and then chatting about her old travels in Kangdu, completely unaware that all her family's secrets had been "handed over".

Gu Ting, however, remained as composed as if savoring fine tea, only occasionally interjecting, "Oh? Your father, the Prince, also enjoys this?"

"Miss Yun Chu is blessed with good fortune; no wonder your mother is so pleased." In her words, she had already figured out seven or eight parts of the Tang family's true nature.

In contrast, Gu Ting only mentioned "son of the Gu family of Meizhou" and said a few other words.

He raised his glass and sipped his wine, a slight smile playing on his lips—this young master Tang's mind was as pure and clear as a stream, a rarity indeed.

As the sun began to set after dinner, Tang Yunlian insisted that Gu Ting accompany her back to the mansion.

As they passed the stone bridge, Gu Ting walked steadily as usual, but Tang Yunlian kept inviting him to her home: "Brother Gu, your talent and demeanor are truly heroic! Please let my family see your brilliance."

Gu Ting wanted to decline, but seeing the Tang family mansion in sight, a grand courtyard standing by the river with the plaque "Changle Villa" hanging above the gate, he knew that the Tang family was no ordinary family. He was worried that if the young master Tang encountered any misfortune again, it would implicate the prefectural government, so he sighed and said, "Since we have come all this way, I thank you for your hospitality."

Tang Yunlian happily led Gu Ting through the gate, and as they passed through the hanging flower archway, Gu Ting secretly admired: Although it was a Jiangnan residence, the courtyard was spacious, and the swaying bamboo shadows revealed the majesty of a royal palace in the capital.

Little did anyone know, in the corridor next to the main hall, Yun Chu was already reclining on the brocade couch, her slender fingers gently twirling a jade-colored flying ant the size of a walnut—this fire iron flying ant had already "transmitted" the scene of the market back in real time.

Yun Chu smiled slyly: What a Gu Ting! The son of the Prefect of Meizhou is not only exceptionally talented in literature (he passed the imperial examination last autumn) but also possesses superb martial arts skills. The neighbors all praise him as "Gu Lang is neither arrogant nor humble, and he stays true to himself."

Making friends with such a person is a hundred times better than being associated with those纨绔 (spoiled brats) in the capital!

She then summoned Chunhua and whispered in her ear, "Have the kitchen prepare a set of exquisite Jiangnan-style desserts—new tea with lotus root starch and osmanthus cake."

Looking out the window, I saw my brother and Gu Ting walking towards the moon gate. In the sunlight, Gu Ting's brows seemed to exude a wisdom as flowing as green mountains and clear water.

Yun Chu silently thought to herself: "A storm is brewing, and this is the only way to help my brother."

After Gu Ting took his leave, Tang Yunlian was still immersed in the excitement of making new friends. She was standing under the front corridor, gesturing at the artificial hill and pond, seemingly savoring Gu Ting's swift and decisive exposure of the scam, her face full of admiration.

"Who did my brother bring back today? From afar, his back looks so upright." A soft voice came from behind.

Tang Yunlian turned around and saw her younger sister, Yun Chu, wearing a light purple velvet cloak with piping, standing gracefully under the moon gate, holding the hand of her maid, Chunhua.

Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass window, casting dappled shadows on her pale face. Her clear eyes, seemingly able to see into people's hearts, gazed at him with just the right amount of curiosity.

Tang Yunlian immediately perked up, strode over to her side, and exclaimed excitedly, "Chu'er! Did you see that? That's Brother Gu Ting! We were so grateful to him at the market today..."

He couldn't wait to recount his afternoon's encounter at the market, how Gu Ting had exposed the scam like a divine intervention, how he had calmly and collectedly deterred the fraudsters, and the untimely yet convincing advice he received at the restaurant. He spoke at breakneck speed, his face filled with the relief of surviving a close call and pure admiration for Gu Ting.

"You didn't see it, Brother Gu's gaze towards that swindler was truly like a knife!" he concluded, his eyes gleaming.

Yun Chu listened quietly, occasionally coughing softly, appearing exceptionally focused.

Once her brother had finally finished talking, she smiled and said softly, "This young master of the Gu family, judging from what you've said, is truly a gentleman. He is literate, chivalrous, and upright—a rare find indeed."

“That’s right!” Tang Yunlian nodded vigorously, as if she had met a kindred spirit.

Looking at his adoring expression, Yun Chu lowered her eyelashes and gently twirled the sash of her cloak, as if casually mentioning, "Since he's so powerful... it's fate that you've become friends with him, brother. However..."