Chapter 40: The Affectionate and Righteous Tang Boy

Tang Chuyao was hesitant to easily trust others, so she was somewhat skeptical of Xu Rulan’s words.

She needed to investigate these matters herself to know the truth.

“The child beside Aunt Lan is…”

Tang Chuyao did not finish her sentence, but Xu Rulan immediately understood, thinking of Tang Chuheng. Xu Rulan’s expression softened, “Young lady, you don’t need to worry; Heng’er is not!”

“Heng’er is a very well-behaved child, he is the one I gave birth to!”

For some reason, at that moment, Tang Chuyao felt a bit of sympathy for her scummy father, who had four children. Except for her and Tang Chuying, the two sons were not his!

How ironic!

If only she were not the daughter of that scummy father…

Tang Chuyao nodded, not saying anything. It wasn’t easy for her to trust others.

“Since Aunt Lan has entered the household, we will inevitably have to interact in the future.”

“There’s no need to call me ‘young lady’ or ‘little lady’; just address me like everyone else!”

“Alright, Miss!” Xu Rulan replied respectfully, then seemed to think of something and spoke again, “Today, I heard Aunt Mei say that she has been with the master for four years. Could it be that Aunt Mei was already with the master before Madam entered the household?”

Tang Chuyao was not too surprised; ever since she learned that Tang Chuying was a year older than her, she had guessed it!

Seeing that Tang Chuyao had no further instructions, Xu Rulan took her leave…

“Miss, is Aunt Lan one of our General’s residence people?” Dujian asked, watching Xu Rulan’s departing figure.

“That remains to be seen…” Tang Chuyao decided to observe Xu Rulan a bit longer before making any judgments.

Dujian nodded thoughtfully.

After Dujian left, Tang Chuyao called for Yeyu.

“Miss, what are your orders?” Yeyu asked respectfully.

“How is the investigation into Tang Youze’s affairs coming along?”

Yeyu informed Tang Chuyao of the findings, “Miss, we have only uncovered these recent affairs.”

“Tang Youze indeed met Xu Rulan six years ago and has been keeping her outside.”

“Xu Rulan gave birth to a child for Tang Youze five years ago, named Tang Chuheng.”

Yeyu paused for a moment before sharing a strange piece of information with Tang Chuyao.

“The small courtyard where Xu Rulan lives is indeed hers, but she pretends that the courtyard is rented. Tang Youze gave Xu Rulan a sum of silver to buy the courtyard.”

Seeing Yeyu’s slightly furrowed brow, Tang Chuyao asked, “Are you trying to say why Xu Rulan would do this?”

Yeyu nodded, saying, “I am indeed puzzled!”

Tang Chuyao recounted the information Xu Rulan had told her earlier, and Yeyu’s mouth dropped open in shock, “Tang Youze is living in a vast green grassland!”

Tang Chuyao did not respond, then instructed, “Look into whether Tang Youze has had any dealings with the Liao dynasty over the years.”

“Yes!” Just as Yeyu was about to leave, a sketchbook fell from her.

It landed right by Tang Chuyao’s feet. She bent down to pick it up and glanced at it, titled “The Future Child Can’t Get Enough of Me.”

Yeyu suddenly felt awkward and hurriedly spoke, “Miss, can this be returned to me?”

Tang Chuyao did not open it; the cover illustration depicted a pair of men and women on a bed, obscured by a gauzy curtain, making it hard to see clearly, but it was vaguely evident that they were both unclothed, which could certainly stir one’s blood…

Tang Chuyao looked at Yeyu, dressed in a black fitted outfit, her hair tied up high, not smiling, and she certainly did not seem like someone who would secretly possess such a book!

Alas, one should not judge by appearances!

“Miss, please don’t misunderstand; this belongs to Yeyufeng!” Yeyu said without changing her expression.

“Mm.” Tang Chuyao responded lightly and then returned the sketchbook to Yeyu.

Yeyu turned to leave, feeling very anxious, unsure if Tang Chuyao believed her.

No matter how thick the incense in Rongjintang was, it could not cover up the stench in the room.

Aunt Mei did not attend to Rongjintang last night, and now that something had happened with Tang Youze, she had no mood to take care of the old lady, even though the old lady was also her aunt.

After a night, Aunt Mei gradually calmed her emotions.

With Tang Chuying’s marriage approaching, her main concern was to help Tang Chuying secure a dowry from Tang Youze.

Aunt Mei recalled the small courtyard she visited yesterday; although it was not large, the furniture and decorations inside were worth quite a bit.

It seemed Tang Youze still had a lot of spare money; otherwise, how could he afford to keep a woman outside the estate?

Once Tang Chuying married Gu Huaifeng, she would slowly deal with Xu Rulan!

When she arrived at Rongjintang, a foul odor hit her face. The weather was hot and the whole room was filled with an unbearable stench.

Aunt Mei covered her mouth and nose, noticing that only Granny Zhao was present, which made her a bit angry. “Granny Zhao, why are you the only one here? Where are the other servants?”

Granny Zhao breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Aunt Mei. She was just about to tidy up the bed where the old lady had been.

“Aunt Mei, you’re just in time! The young lady came early this morning and dismissed many of the servants, including those in the old lady’s courtyard. Currently, it’s just me serving.”

As she walked over, she had only been thinking about how to get money from Tang Youze and had not noticed that there were no servants left in Rongjintang!

Looking around the courtyard now, it was a mess…

She was unwilling to deal with the old lady’s troubles and quickly turned to leave. Granny Zhao opened her mouth to say something as she watched her leave but said nothing…

In Wutong Courtyard, Tang Youze was playing with Tang Chuheng, teasing the koi in the fish tank.

Aunt Mei hadn’t even stepped through the courtyard door when she heard the sound of children laughing. Upon entering, she saw the scene before her.

Tang Chuheng was pointing at the koi in the tank, giggling, while Tang Youze held him, looking at him with a doting expression.

Xu Rulan was dressed in a lake blue dress, smooth in texture, clearly made of fine silk.

A jade hairpin was tucked into her hair, and the pearl earrings on her ears sparkled under the sunlight.

The most eye-catching was the necklace around her neck, a pearl necklace with each pearl round and full, emitting a jade-like luster, strung together with golden threads.

Xu Rulan brought a cup of tea to the two of them, handing it to Tang Youze, who took a sip and then looked at Xu Rulan with gentle eyes.

Aunt Mei was twisting the handkerchief in her hands, filled with anger. The clothes and jewelry Xu Rulan wore were worth hundreds of taels!

Tang Youze was so generous to her! He had never been this gentle with her!

Beside her, Bitao quietly reminded, “Aunt, don’t forget our purpose for coming here…”

Aunt Mei suppressed her anger and strode towards the three of them.

“Master, I have come today to apologize to Aunt Rulan!”

Tang Youze frowned at Aunt Mei; he knew Mei Xiaoe’s character well and didn’t believe she would bow down so quickly.

The moment Xu Rulan saw Aunt Mei, she instinctively trembled and hid behind Tang Youze.

“Mm.” Tang Youze replied lightly, noticing Xu Rulan’s fear, and quickly wanted to send Aunt Mei away. “You don’t serve in Rongjintang; what are you doing in my courtyard?”

Aunt Mei was infuriated, her teeth itching. He still knew that Wutong Courtyard was his!

She had never lived in this courtyard, yet now it was being taken over by this seductress!

Yesterday, when Tang Youze brought Xu Rulan into the estate, he had her stay in Wutong Courtyard that very night!

Tang Youze truly regarded her as a servant now! How dare he send her back to Rongjintang!

Bitao tugged at Aunt Mei’s sleeve. Aunt Mei steadied her mind, suppressing her anger, and said, “I came to apologize to Sister Rulan; secondly, I have important matters to discuss with the master!”

Tang Youze looked at Aunt Mei for a moment, then turned to Xu Rulan and said, “Rulan, you take Heng’er to Heyuan first!”

Then he instructed a young servant beside him, “Take Aunt Rulan and the young master to Heyuan!”

Aunt Mei’s eyes widened in shock. Heyuan?

That was the best courtyard in the entire estate, originally Pool Ran’s courtyard, which had been vacant since her death!

Even so, not a single brick or tile in Heyuan had been moved!

Including the belongings Chi Ran had used during her lifetime, everything had been left untouched there!