Chapter 64: “Tang Rong’s Hope”

When Tang Mi arrived at the Baima Temple, it was still quite early, before dawn.

The little novice monk guarding the north and west side doors rubbed his eyes and asked, “Is that Sister Ban Xia? Where have you been going so early?”

“The young lady likes to drink tea, so I went to collect dew,” Tang Mi lowered her head and said, raising the food box in her hand.

“I see,” the little monk quickly opened the door for Tang Mi. “It’s almost dawn, Sister, you should go rest soon.”

“I have to collect dew every day these few days, so I’m troubling little master,” Tang Mi said, taking a small silver coin from her waist and handing it to the little monk.

The faint fragrance hit his nose, and the little monk instantly blushed, hurriedly refusing, “Little monk just opens the door here for you every day, no need for silver.”

“Little master, take it and buy some tea,” Tang Mi insisted, handing over the coin and then entering.

The little monk looked at Tang Mi’s graceful figure walking away, subconsciously sniffed the silver coin in his hand, which seemed to still carry her scent. He blushed again.

A cold wind blew past, making the little monk shiver. As he trembled, trying to put away the silver, he suddenly realized the coin was gone.

He was stunned, blinking and looking at his empty palm again.

It was completely empty, no silver at all.

He was dumbfounded, immediately looking down to search, but from dusk until dawn, he couldn’t find that little silver coin anywhere.

The little monk stared blankly at his empty palm, feeling as if he had just woken from a dream.

North wing room.

Tang Mi gently knocked on the door, immediately hearing Ban Xia’s anxious voice, “Who is it?”

“It’s me,” Tang Mi replied softly.

Hearing Tang Mi’s voice, Ban Xia quickly opened the door.

Tang Mi entered and closed the door behind her.

Seeing Tang Mi, Ban Xia almost cried with joy, “Miss, you finally came back. I was so worried.”

At this late hour, she was really afraid something had happened to her lady. If anything did happen, she felt she couldn’t make up for it even if she died ten thousand times.

Tang Mi knew Ban Xia was truly worried and smiled, pinching her cheek, “See, I’m safe and sound.”

“No one noticed I wasn’t here, right?” Tang Mi asked as she took off her cloak.

Ban Xia quickly took it from her and hung it up. “Of course no one noticed. If anyone did, it would be the Old Lady waiting for you right now.”

Tang Mi raised her brow dismissively, her grandmother wouldn’t wait inside the room, she’d probably send someone secretly down the mountain to look for her.

Ban Xia looked at the food on the table and asked, “Miss, have you eaten dinner? This was sent by Yunxiang last night. I didn’t let her enter, just took the food and sent her off. Should I heat it for you?”

“I’ve eaten,” Tang Mi said, handing the food box to Ban Xia. “Take it to the small kitchen.”

“Okay,” Ban Xia took the food box, then softly said, “Miss, you should rest now; it will be dawn soon.”

“Mm,” Tang Mi replied and went to sleep.

Because she had stayed up late, Tang Mi slept until well past mid-morning.

“Nanny Gui has come twice to check on you. I told her you slept restlessly last night, so she said not to wake you,” Ban Xia reported while helping Tang Mi freshen up.

Tang Mi quickly washed and then went to the Old Madam Tang’s room.

“Mi’er, you’re awake. Are you feeling unwell anywhere?” Old Madam Tang quickly took her hand as Tang Mi entered.

“Grandmother, don’t worry. I’m fine,” Tang Mi reassured her.

Old Madam Tang saw Tang Mi’s complexion was decent but still looked worried. “Ban Xia said you slept restlessly. Were you frightened by what happened last time? Should I get a doctor to check on you?”

Tang Mi’s eyes flickered lightly as she smiled. “I’m fine. Actually, I’m just sleepy. The air here is good and quiet, so I’m lazy and don’t want to get up early in the morning.”

She stuck her tongue out a little in embarrassment.

Seeing Tang Mi’s adorable expression, Old Madam Tang fondly patted her cheek. “As long as you’re not scared, sleep as late as you want. After all, you’re not in the mansion, so just treat this as a trip.”

Old Madam Tang then looked at Nanny Gui and said, “Gui’er, don’t wake the young lady in the morning.”

“Yes,” Nanny Gui smiled and responded promptly.

After chatting a while, Qin Shi arrived with Tang Ying and Tang Rong. Lin Shi and Tang Ning followed.

“Greetings, grandmother.”

“Grandmother.”

They all bowed to Old Madam Tang.

Old Madam Tang glanced at Tang Rong. “Are you feeling better?”

Tang Rong quickly bowed her head, “Thank you for your concern, Grandmother. I am much better now.”

Qin Shi smiled and added, “Yes, much better. It’s just that she was frightened yesterday and had nightmares, waking up several times at night, so she slept in today.”

Old Madam Tang looked at Tang Rong’s still slightly pale face and sighed, “Your health isn’t good; just stay here a few more days to recuperate. Let your mother take care of you. If it’s still not good, your mother can stay here for a while too. It’s not like she needs to manage the household right now.”

Old Madam Tang’s words nearly made Lin Shi laugh out loud.

Qin Shi’s face darkened instantly, furious.

Tang Rong was also furious, barely holding back her anger and about to curse.

They had planned to go pray at Tianjie, but Old Madam Tang’s words knocked the wind out of their play-acting.

After sitting a while, Qin Shi and the others left in a huff.

As soon as she got back to her room, Tang Rong angrily smashed a set of cups.

The sharp sound immediately made Qin Shi hurry to close the door.

“My little ancestor, what are you making a fuss about now? Making such a big noise, you really think Old Madam Tang is blind and deaf?” Qin Shi scolded while helping the others clean up the broken porcelain.

Tang Rong glared and shouted, “She is blind and deaf! I’ve done so much already, I copied the Buddhist scriptures, admitted my mistakes, even did the three kowtows praying at Tianjie. Why won’t she let me stay at the Tang mansion?”

Seeing Tang Rong yell so loudly, Qin Shi hurriedly scolded, “Can’t you keep your voice down? Do you even want to stay at the Tang mansion or not?”

“Do you think she wants me there? Did you hear what she said? She definitely won’t let me stay!” Tang Rong stomped her foot in frustration.

Seeing her like this, Qin Shi comforted, “Don’t be anxious. Your second sister said she has a way to get you to stay. Just be patient for a few more days.”

Tang Rong’s eyes immediately lit up with hope. “What way does she have?”

“She didn’t tell me. She just said she definitely can get you to stay. She won’t say more and just wants me to cooperate with what she’s doing.”

Qin Shi patted Tang Rong’s hand with concern. “Be patient a little longer. Trust your second sister. She will definitely let you stay at the Tang mansion.”

“Okay.” Tang Rong’s previously gloomy eyes suddenly sparked with hope again.