Chapter 43 Are You Clear-Headed Now?

Ling Gurong had no idea.

The reason he was so energetic was that Tang Chaoyang had performed acupuncture with complete seriousness.

Meanwhile, Tang Chaoyang had already grown wary of Ling Gurong. This man knew the name Tang Chaoyang.

Because of the adjustment she made in the acupuncture point this time, Ling Gurong’s withdrawal symptoms dissipated very quickly.

“Are you clear-headed now?”

“Mm. Thank you.”

His voice was hoarse, and even the tips of his ears were red as he struggled hard to control his excitement.

Tang Chaoyang knew where to draw the line. She left the room first and had the guard stationed outside come in to untie the ropes around his wrists.

The guard felt extremely unlucky today. He very much wished he could pretend to be blind—he had actually seen his master in such a disheveled state.

Last time he had already been stunned to see his master hugging Tang Dahong, and now he’d seen…whatever this was.

With Tang Chaoyang no longer in the room, Ling Gurong stopped pretending to be a harmless little lamb.

His handsome face was calm, completely ignoring how wretched he looked at that moment.

After the ropes on his wrists were untied, he removed the outer robe he had used to cover himself.

“Bring in cold water.”

He needed to bathe first.

The guard respectfully went to fetch water.

Tang Chaoyang stood in the courtyard. She watched the guard carry cold water into the room, and she couldn’t help feeling she really shouldn’t have used that acupuncture point.

From a physician’s perspective, it had been the fastest way to bring him out of his withdrawal. At the same time, it served as a small lesson for him. But no matter how she thought about it, it seemed a bit humiliating for a young man.

Tang Chaoyang reflected on herself, wondering how she had ended up regressing like this.

Perhaps it was because she hadn’t sensed any danger in Gu Yuan, so she dared to act so freely.

Afterward, the two of them behaved as though nothing whatsoever had happened.

One performed acupuncture, the other lay quietly and cooperated. When the acupuncture was finished, he obediently took his medicine. Everything proceeded perfectly normally.

**

The first thing Ling Gurong did upon returning to the palace from Zhuque Alley was summon Yuwen Jie.

At the training grounds,

the two men were sparring, their taut muscles straining with exertion.

Ling Gurong and Yuwen Jie had been exchanging blows for quite some time.

They both fought with fierce force, though each took care to avoid truly dangerous strikes.

Chief Steward Feng stood to the side, watching the time. Since His Majesty had returned to the palace, he had called in the Commander just to spar.

His energy was really a bit too abundant.

The two men stopped at the same time.

Ling Gurong casually loosened his collar, revealing his wheat-colored chest. He took the handkerchief Steward Feng handed over and wiped the sweat from his neck. “Fei Yan is injured. Go make a trip to the Meng family.”

Yuwen Jie accepted the order, bowed, and withdrew.

Ling Gurong washed up and then went to the imperial study. As he reviewed memorials, he instructed a hidden guard: “Go investigate Tang Dahong’s true identity.”

Originally, he hadn’t wanted to employ the hidden guards to look into Tang Dahong. But if Tang Dahong really was Tang Chaoyang, he at least needed to be mentally prepared.

Tang Chaoyang had no idea her real identity was about to be uncovered.

Though even if she did know, there was nothing to be worried about.

She had only disguised herself for the sake of practicing medicine conveniently. Any sensible person should realize it would be unwise to offend the doctor who could cure them.

**

Today, the very first thing Fei An’an did after coming home from school was run to see the big rooster Mother had bought.

Tang Chaoyang had already instructed someone to build a larger chicken coop, but for today, the rooster had to make do in its cage.

“Mother, thank you! An’an is so happy!” Fei An’an’s little face was radiant with a bright smile.

Seeing her son’s beaming expression, Tang Chaoyang felt her mood lift as well.

However, when she heard what name her son had chosen for the rooster, she was utterly speechless.

Fei An’an propped his chin in his hand, staring at the rooster’s red comb, and decided, “From now on, you’ll be called ‘Dahong.’” (Big Red)

Tang Chaoyang: “……”

“No, this name doesn’t sound nice. An’an, why don’t you pick a new one, all right?” She was breaking out in cold sweat. Why did they have to give the rooster a name? Sometimes she truly couldn’t fathom a child’s logic.

Fortunately, Fei An’an was very obedient and didn’t insist on the name ‘Dahong.’ Since Mother thought it didn’t sound nice, he changed it. “Let’s call it Gugu.”

Tang Chaoyang raised her hand in support. “Good—Gugu it is! That’s a lovely name.”

Fei An’an nodded and said happily, “Gugu, I’m going to have a snack first. I’ll come back to see you after.”

**

Today, Madam Li, the First Madam of the Su family, had specially returned to her maiden home to sound them out regarding the matter Old Madam Wang had entrusted to her.

Her maiden family’s attitude was very clear: that concubine-born younger sister was unwilling to marry a man rumored to be cursed to bring death to his wives.

Such a marriage was plainly out of the question for the Li family.

Madam Li said to Nanny Zhao at her side, “Nanny, go out personally and inform Old Madam Wang that the Li family will not agree to this match.”

Nanny Zhao quickly nodded. “Yes, Madam. This old servant will see to it right away.”

When Old Madam Wang received the message, although she felt a pang of regret, she wasn’t surprised at all.

Old Madam Wang had already begun to consider finding her son a bride from a lower-ranking family.

When Wang Quan returned home from the academy, he heard his mother sighing. “Son, the Li family refused. I’m planning to look for a young woman of humbler birth.”

Wang Quan thought of the free-spirited Tang Chaoyang he had met on the street. After organizing his thoughts, he spoke slowly:

“Mother, your son wishes to marry Tang Chaoyang.”

Old Madam Wang looked at Wang Quan in surprise. “She is Prime Minister Fei’s former wife. Her reputation isn’t good. You must think this through carefully.”

Wang Quan nodded. “Your son’s own reputation as a wife-starver isn’t good either. And as long as she is content to stay home and be a proper wife and mother, her reputation will naturally improve.”

“I have heard that Prime Minister Fei has always been fond of Miss Dong, the Imperial Tutor’s daughter. I think…he wouldn’t mind if Tang Chaoyang remarried.”

Old Madam Wang felt her son’s analysis was reasonable. She fell silent, pondering for a moment, a trace of shrewdness in her gaze.

“In that case, tomorrow I will visit the Su family.”

She already had a plan in mind.

Tang Chaoyang’s maternal family was the Su family. The Su Old Madam and the others were very fond of that granddaughter.

If they could form this connection by marriage, it would indeed bring the Wang family some benefit.

Once Tang Chaoyang married into the Wang family, she could be made to behave properly, stay home peacefully, and avoid going out to show her face.

Later, she could help her son take another wife from a clean background and humble origins.

Wang Quan rose to his feet and bowed. “Mother, I will trouble you with this matter.”