Chapter 32: Why Is It Him Again?

It wasn’t until noon that Ban Xia came to report:
“I heard the Old Madam did not agree to the Qin family’s proposal, and Madam Qin was also firmly opposed, she even kicked Madam Qin out.”

Tang Mi wasn’t surprised at all by the result.

In fact, the Old Madam never thought much of the Qin family. The only reason Qin-shi had been able to marry into the Tang family back then was because Third Uncle had been reckless, getting Qin-shi pregnant out of wedlock. The Old Madam had no choice but to agree to the marriage.

Now it was clear her judgment had been right, Qin-shi’s character truly left much to be desired.

As for Tang Ying, there was no way she’d marry Qin Qingyu. Even if the Old Madam had agreed, she wouldn’t go through with it.

Besides, Tang Ying was likely already involved with Prince Yu, Ye Junyu. And Ye Junyu would never let Tang Ying marry Qin Qingyu, so that marriage was doomed from the start.

Nan Garden.

Qin-shi downed three cups of water in a row but still couldn’t calm her anger.

“That toad wants to eat swan meat! Does Qin Qingyu not even look at himself in the mirror? What gives him the right to marry you? You’re going to be a princess consort, maybe even an empress one day and he thinks you’ll marry someone like him?”

“Mother!” Tang Ying quickly interrupted when she realized her mother was getting carried away.

Qin-shi pursed her lips in displeasure. “The Qin family has the audacity to try and match you with that boy. You don’t even know how arrogant your uncle was acting like there’s no one else in the world you could marry but Qin Qingyu!”

Tang Ying’s eyes turned cold, equally displeased. “Uncle has always been petty. I doubt this matter will end easily.”

Seeing her daughter worried, Qin-shi quickly reassured her.
“Don’t worry, I would rather die than let you marry into the Qin family. I’m counting on you to become a princess consort or even the empress someday.”

The last part she said in a softer voice, but it was clearly her greatest hope in life.

Tang Ying, however, didn’t share her mother’s optimism. She just hoped the Qin family wouldn’t stir up more trouble.

…

Tang Mi, thinking about going to the Lantern Festival with Tang Feng in the evening, went early to report her plans to the Old Madam.

“You two are going to the Lantern Festival?” The Old Madam looked surprised that she enjoyed lanterns.

“It’s just that I’ve neglected Feng’er too much in the past, so I want to spend some time with him. From now on, I want to be there for him more,” Tang Mi explained honestly.

The Old Madam was pleased to hear this and nodded approvingly.
“I’m very happy to hear that.”

The growing distance between the siblings had always worried her, and now that Tang Mi was willing to bridge that gap, how could she not be overjoyed?

“It’s fine to go enjoy the lanterns,” she added, “but just the two of you going out, I’m not comfortable with that. How about letting your elder brother accompany you?”

Tang Mi’s face instantly darkened. She clenched her fists and forced a stiff smile.
“There’s no need to trouble my elder brother. Feng’er’s already grown up, he can protect me.”

The Old Madam gave her a pointed look.
“Feng’er is still a child, and you rarely leave the house…”

Before she could finish, Tang Mi raised an eyebrow and interrupted,
“If you’re really worried, how about letting Nanny Gui accompany us?”

She turned and smiled at the old woman.
“Nanny Gui hasn’t been to a Lantern Festival in years, right?”

Nanny Gui instantly beamed, looking expectantly at the Old Madam.

Seeing her expression, the Old Madam relented,
“Fine, you go with them, but make sure to keep a close eye on them.”

Nanny Gui quickly responded with a cheerful smile,
“Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of the young miss and young master.”

“Go on, then,” the Old Madam waved them off dismissively.

Tang Mi bowed and left with Nanny Gui.

As they stepped out of Mingchun Garden, they ran into Tang Feng who ran over excitedly,
“Sister, did you get permission?”

“Yes,” Tang Mi replied with a smile.

“Nanny Gui is coming too?”

“She’s coming to carry a lantern for you,” Nanny Gui teased.

Tang Feng pouted, “I can carry it myself, I’m not a child anymore.”

“Let’s go.” Tang Mi chuckled and led the way out.

Tang Feng hurried to catch up.

The Lantern Festival was being held on South Street in the capital, not far from the Tang residence, so they walked there instead of taking a carriage.

“So this is what a lantern festival looks like outside,” Tang Mi marveled as she looked at the colorful lanterns and the lively atmosphere.

In her past life, she had never seen such a scene not even once, not even before her death.

She had never stepped outside. Her first time out, she was harmed. Then after marrying, she simply moved from one cage to another. There had never been anything this beautiful in her life.

Her sigh was free of resentment, yet still heartbreaking.

“If you like these lanterns, I can buy you some,” Tang Feng said, not quite understanding her feelings, but wanting to make her happy.

Tang Mi laughed and ruffled his hair.
“I don’t need any lanterns. But if you like them, I’ll buy them for you.”

Tang Feng blushed and turned his face away proudly.
“I don’t want a lantern, I’m not a kid anymore.”

Nanny Gui didn’t understand their hesitation.
“Why not buy one? It’s rare for you two to come out. If you like it, buy it.”

The two looked at her, then exchanged a smile.
“Let’s buy a lantern for Nanny Gui.”

“Great!” Tang Feng agreed readily.

“No, no! I’m too old for lanterns,” Nanny Gui waved her hands, flustered.

“You’re the one who said: if you like it, buy it,” Tang Mi teased, pulling her to a stall.

“Which one do you like?” Tang Feng asked as he examined the lanterns.

Seeing they were sincere, Nanny Gui chose a lotus lantern.
“The Old Madam likes lotuses. Why not this one?”

“Then we’ll buy two, one for you, one for Grandmother,” Tang Feng said generously.

He also carefully chose a lantern for Tang Mi.
“This one is for you.”

Tang Mi took the rabbit lantern curiously.
“Why a rabbit?”

Tang Feng’s face turned red as he mumbled,
“You don’t like it?”

“Of course I like it.” She took the lantern and picked one for him.
“This one’s for you.”

“Why a goldfish?” he asked.

Tang Mi smirked.
“Trade answers, tell me why you picked the rabbit, and I’ll tell you why I picked the goldfish.”

Tang Feng blushed again and clutched his goldfish lantern without replying.

Tang Mi watched his stubborn little figure and smiled softly.

She didn’t realize how many young noblemen on the street had just fallen for her smile.

They continued strolling when Tang Feng suddenly tugged her sleeve excitedly.
“It’s Cousin!”

Tang Mi followed his gaze and saw not far away…

Jun Qianche and… Xiao Fengze!

Her heart clenched tight.

Why is it him again?!