Tang De’s Trouble

Proofreader/Editor: Nene Yashiro

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At the third crow of the rooster, Tang Jiwei groggily grabbed his clothes and started putting them on. Qiao’er, who was waiting in the adjacent room, immediately brought in water upon hearing the noise.

“Master, why are you up so early today?” Qiao’er smiled, handing him a handkerchief, her face glowing with brilliance.

Tang Jiwei washed his face, feeling more awake, tidied his clothes, and said, “I’ve gotten used to waking up at this time every day.”

Qiao’er then brought in mouthwash, took the handkerchief, and handed the spittoon to Tang Jiwei. ^[1] Spittoon is a container for spitting

After using the mouthwash with a refreshing minty scent, Tang Jiwei felt much more awake. Getting up early to attend court every day was a bit lazy, so he had to pay attention to small reminders like these to avoid neglecting his duties.

He walked out of the inner room. The sky was still dim. Qiao’er had finished tidying the bed and came out, looking up to see her master standing by the window, gazing at the snow-covered plum blossoms outside.

—

The graceful and refined demeanor of the man was something she had never seen, even though she had served many high-ranking officials and had been sold several times. She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, lamenting how many good men there were in this world, and that her lowly status only wished for someone who could understand warmth and coldness.

Qiao’er entered the room with Tang Jiwei’s cloak, gently draping it over his shoulders, saying, “Young Master, it’s cold now, you must take care of your health!”

Tang Jiwei turned around and smiled, pulling the cloak tighter around him and coughing a few times, just as if to match the moment.

Qiao’er immediately said, “See, I was right. You caught a cold last night, I’ll go find a doctor to make some medicine for you!”

Tang Jiwei waved his hand, not concerned, and replied, “It wasn’t from last night, it must have been from when I was sending someone off yesterday. It’s nothing serious!”

Qiao’er sighed, her face youthful but her heart already mature and steady. She advised, “The old lady even brought you a bowl of lotus seed tea to clear the heat. If she finds out you’ve caught a cold, she’ll be so worried she’ll get upset!”

Tang Jiwei turned his gaze from the red plum blossoms to Qiao’er, supporting his chin as he sized her up, causing Qiao’er’s heart to flutter until he finally stopped.

“You’re quite the expert now. Looking at you now, there’s no trace of the timidity you had when you first came to the mansion.”

Tang Jiwei occasionally teased her, which added charm to his personality. As a young and handsome scholar, Qiao’er, an unmarried maid, could not bear the teasing, so she blushed and bowed her head in embarrassment.

“Go and make me some ginger soup. After hearing you speak, I realize that our bodies are given to us by our parents, and we shouldn’t neglect them,” Tang Jiwei said.

Qiao’er smiled brightly, brighter than the plum blossoms of winter, and, pleased that her words were taken seriously, lifted her skirt and headed out.

Not long after, Ye Sheng, a servant from the front yard, hurried into the room. He met Qiao’er in the hallway and learned that Tang Jiwei was already up, so he immediately entered without delay.

“Young Master, I have something to report!”

Tang Jiwei coughed a few times while covering his mouth with a fist, moved to the round table, and said, “Speak, what’s the rush?”

Ye Sheng was the nephew of the gatekeeper. Not particularly crafty but not overly simple either, he was loyal but not a one-track mind. Tang Jiwei valued him for his ability to maneuver among different people and had placed him in the front yard on purpose.

Ye Sheng bent at the waist respectfully and said, “Last night, Old Master Tang Er came by. He said that young Master Tang De got into some trouble!”

Tang Jiwei paused while lifting his teacup, his brow furrowing. Since it hadn’t disturbed him in the middle of the night, it wasn’t life-threatening. Tang Jiwei felt slightly relieved.

He asked in a calm voice, “What happened? Did something go wrong with his business in the south?”

Ye Sheng replied, “It seems that Second Master wanted to transport silk from Suzhou to the capital for sale. The goods were already on the canal, but unexpectedly, the boat had an issue and sank. Thankfully, there were no injuries, but all the goods were lost.”

Tang Jiwei’s throat itched, and in a hoarse voice, he muttered, “As long as they’re safe.”

Ye Sheng continued, “Old Master Tang Er came last night because of this matter. Young Master Tang De hasn’t arrived in the capital yet, and the creditors have already come knocking for the debt!”

Tang Jiwei took a sip of tea, asking, “Creditors? How much did he borrow for the goods?”

Ye Sheng said, “Old Master Tang Er mentioned about five hundred taels, which is actually quite light for a first-time deal. I heard those big merchants usually invest thousands of taels in such businesses!”

Tang Jiwei replied, “So, is Second Uncle asking me to help?”

Ye Sheng hesitated for a moment, stammering, “Old Master Tang Er might be asking to borrow money from you.”

Tang Jiwei pressed his forehead and said, “You may leave now, let me think about it.”

Ye Sheng left, and Tang Jiwei felt uncomfortable in his throat, his head heavy. Thinking about the “huge” debt his uncle owed made his headache worse.

Five hundred taels seemed like a trivial amount in his past life, but now it was a different matter. His salary barely covered the expenses of the household, and the money for hiring maids and servants had been saved up long ago. It would be a struggle to come up with twenty taels, let alone five hundred.

Tang Jiwei spent some time practicing calligraphy in the study. Qiao’er then came in to tell him breakfast was ready. After drinking ginger soup, Tang Jiwei felt a terrible burn in his throat. His mouth had no taste, and his stomach was empty, but he didn’t feel like eating.

He set down his brush and asked Qiao’er to put away the calligraphy, then proceeded to the front.

Tang Jiwei suspected that his mother, Madam Xiao, already knew about the situation. He had heard some vague noises the previous night, and if she hadn’t stopped him, he would probably have gotten up to worry about Tang De’s situation.

“Little one, I heard from Qiao’er that you’ve been coughing a few times this morning. What’s going on? After breakfast, come with me to see the doctor. If you don’t treat a small illness, it could turn into a bigger one!” Madam Xiao said as she looked at Tang Jiwei’s pale face, her heart full of concern, but with a hint of reproach in her words.

Tang Jiwei sat down and said, “Alright, I’ll go with you. But I’ll also visit Second Uncle’s house afterward.”

Madam Xiao’s expression immediately darkened, and with a snort, she said, “How quickly you forget how he came to my house and caused trouble. It hasn’t even been that long, and now you’re not asking anyone for help?”

Tang Jiwei gestured for Qiao’er to serve him less porridge and smiled helplessly. “Mother, you’re holding a grudge. Last time, Second Aunt was in the wrong. Tang De and Second Uncle didn’t know about it, so why bring them up?”

Madam Xiao added some sour vegetables to his bowl and sighed, “Am I really such a hard-hearted person? I’m just complaining a bit. Your second uncle has always been straightforward and doesn’t indulge in schemes, and I know that. I’m just angry at that evil woman, who usually stays silent, but when the time comes, she tries to pressure us! I just can’t stand it!”

Qiao’er, standing beside them, smiled and said, “If Old Madam is really upset, you should go and see her. Tell her a few words to let her know how it feels to be in our shoes. That would be more satisfying!”

Madam Xiao laughed and playfully swatted her, teasing, “You little rogue, I didn’t know you were the one scheming. I didn’t see that coming!”

Qiao’er blushed and remained silent. She had only dared to speak a few words because of the polite and respectful demeanor of the Tang family towards others. In the past, she would never have had the courage to speak like this.

Tang Jiwei glanced at Qiao’er. Upon meeting his calm gaze, Qiao’er immediately lowered her head in fear. She only dared to joke with the old madam, and that was because of their long relationship. But in front of this master, who never revealed his emotions, she deeply respected him from the bottom of her heart.

Unexpectedly, Tang Jiwei simply said, “Qiao’er makes a valid point. If you can’t swallow your anger, just vent it. This matter is still something I can help with!”

Looking at Qiao’er, who was trembling with fear, the Madam Xiao gently squeezed her hand and smiled at her, offering comfort. She understood her son’s methods well—if not for his smooth handling, even the servants in this house wouldn’t be able to bear his smile.

After the meal, Tang Jiwei gave some instructions to Ye Sheng and took the old madam in the carriage to a street in the south of Weihe River.

“My son, I’ve been thinking for a long time. Mi’er is probably having a hard time in the palace. Can you think of a way to get her out?” the Madam Xiao asked.

The carriage rocked gently, and Tang Jiwei, who was about to fall asleep, was instantly awakened by the Madam Xiao’s words.

His head felt heavy and uncomfortable, but after a moment of clarity, he said, “Mother, do you think we can just enter the palace as we please? Forget getting Mi’er out, even if I want to talk to her, there are spies everywhere. If anyone knows that she’s my cousin, it would likely be the greatest danger to her.”

Madam Xiao, who was looking so dignified and imposing, had only adopted such a demeanor due to the hardships of life. If she wasn’t firm, how could a widow raising her son survive without being bullied? But since Tang Jiwei passed the imperial examination and moved into the imperial residence, her life had improved, and she had slowly started thinking about the people around her. Her heart had softened considerably.

“I only pity her. That child doesn’t have bad intentions. I’ve watched her grow up, so I know. It’s probably because of her mother’s influence. Mi’er is beautiful, and it’s easy for her to be led astray. Looking back, I should have asked more when her mother came to borrow money. Perhaps we could have avoided pushing Mi’er into this situation,” she sighed.

Tang Jiwei understood that his mother was kind-hearted and clear about right and wrong. Even though his second aunt had angered her, she still thought of Mi’er’s well-being, which was rare and commendable.

“Mother, Mi’er has chosen her own path. We can’t change that. It’s useless for others to say anything. Only when reality makes her understand will she come to her senses. Now she’s in the prime of her ambition, and she may not listen to what you say. Don’t blame yourself. This is not something we can fix.”

Madam Xiao looked at her son, who had grown into a handsome young man, and her heart warmed. She could no longer change others’ lives, but having raised her son well, she was content in her heart.

Tang Jiwei, seeing that his mother’s expression had lightened, felt at ease and closed his eyes to rest again. The cold he caught the previous night made him feel especially sluggish.

When they crossed the Weihe River Bridge, Tang Jiwei started to feel a bit more awake. He lifted the curtain of the carriage and saw a congee stall at the corner. A young boy, wearing ear guards, was moving back and forth in the steaming heat. In winter, more people came to drink congee. Lu Yuan, constantly moving through the crowd, had his nose red from the cold. When he received money from a customer, he smiled broadly, his teeth showing like the snowflakes in early winter—cold, yet bright.

“Stop for a moment!”

Tang Jiwei said to Madam Xiao, “I’ve run into an old acquaintance. Mother, go ahead first, I’ll be right there.”

Madam Xiao, seeing the cold outside and noticing Tang Jiwei’s cough, knew he was stubborn, so she didn’t stop him and said, “I’ll have the coachman wait nearby for you. Go and come back quickly.”

Tang Jiwei smiled and nodded, lifted the thick curtain, and stepped out of the carriage.

From a distance, Lu Yuan saw the carriage and thought it was passing by. But before he could lift his head again, Tang Jiwei was already standing in front of him.

“Why are you free today?” Lu Yuan asked without hiding his familiarity, smiling happily, perhaps because Tang Jiwei hadn’t ignored him and had actually stopped.

Tang Jiwei looked around at the people, then observed Lu Yuan, who was still speaking but never stopping his work. Normally, when speaking with someone, it’s polite to maintain eye contact, but Tang Jiwei, having been reborn, wasn’t as particular as before. He simply stood there, chatting with Lu Yuan.

“Business seems good. Are you a little boss now?”

Lu Yuan smiled widely, his white teeth gleaming. He filled a bowl of congee, handed it to a customer, and then returned. “It’s alright. How about you, Lord Tang? Is your career going smoothly?”

Tang Jiwei stood with his hands behind his back, basking in the winter sunlight, standing at this humble stall with an air of elegance and grace. He bent down to joke with a young boy. If this moment were to be captured by a painter, it would be a timeless image—an outstanding young man, full of spirit and talent, who shared a genuine connection with another, regardless of their status.

“Lord Tang’s career is going well, so you’ve come to promote your old acquaintance?” Lu Yuan asked.

Lu Yuan’s eyes widened, and he opened his mouth in surprise, asking, “Such good fortune?”

Tang Jiwei stopped smiling, looked at the still-growing young boy, and said, “If you don’t mind, would you like to become my disciple? Come to my house, and I will teach you the way of the world. If you’re willing, of course.”

Lu Yuan paused for a moment. His face, frozen from the cold, turned a deep red as he quietly said, “If you’re worried that I’ll spill your secrets, you needn’t. I may not be a gentleman, but I’m certainly no villain.”

Tang Jiwei shook his head. “Do you think I’m that kind of person?”

Lu Yuan shook his head. “I know you’re not, but I just wanted to be sure. I’m too ordinary and plain to deserve your favor, both in this life and the last!”

Tang Jiwei turned his head to look at the curtain of the carriage, where Madam Xiao was looking in their direction. With a deep, emotional tone, he said, “Lu Yuan, trust me! We are fated. Helping you helps me as well. If it weren’t for you, perhaps no one would even remember that Gu Zhengguan ever lived in this world.”

Lu Yuan looked up in surprise, his face innocent and pure.

—

“If you agree, come to my house tomorrow during my rest, and I will definitely help you with everything!”

After speaking, Tang Jiwei gave Lu Yuan a meaningful look before leaving. As he hurried toward the carriage, he thought to himself. He really wanted to help Lu Yuan escape from this poor life, but he also wanted to be a little selfish. He thought privately, if Lu Yuan forgets him, then Gu Zhenguan will truly be gone!

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Author’s Note:

Seeing many readers dissatisfied or arguing about the emperor’s aggressive nature below, Lan Lan couldn’t help but speak a little more bluntly! *Ahem*

A young prince who spent many years in hiding and plotting finally obtained the throne, and in his heart, the throne became the most important thing. No one could stop him from obtaining this imperial seat that cost so much bloodshed. At this point, the emperor was still young, and when faced with the choice between the country and the person he admired, he chose the country (PS: Of course, he was misled by slander). Even though he was mature beyond his years, he was still afraid of Gu Zhenguan’s rejection. His feelings were not accepted by the world, and when Gu Zhenguan died, he might realize what he had lost. After losing his lover, he then encountered someone who resembled Gu Zhenguan, what would he do then?

 Han Zhen is actually quite pitiful. He achieved great success, building an era of prosperity, but his heart remained empty. He lost a part of himself called Gu Zhenguan!