Chapter 665: Can you marry her without a heart? (1/2)
The guide only felt a sense of release at Ning Jing’s orders. He stopped trying to coax Tang Li’s group and grinned instead. “Then Young Clan Head Tang, your group can just rest first. We’ll set out when everyone’s not so tired.”
Then he went to sit on a rock himself, the very picture of going with the flow.
This…
Tang Li’s mouth twitched. Although he didn’t mind dragging things out, Long Feiye and Han Yunxi still needed the cover eventually to rescue the two Chu elders imprisoned in the consortium. Tang Li glanced back at Long Feiye. It would be their turn next.
Long Feiye couldn’t get much intel from the guide’s exchange with Tang Li, but he’d long sent men to familiarize themselves with the terrain. The only mystery left was this large canyon, which they’d left alone for fear of startling the snake in the grass. If Cloud Realm Trade Consortium knew to put up its guard, then it’d be much more difficult to save the two Chu elders.
Thus, they had to use more prudent methods for their investigations. Long Feiye gave a light cough, which signaled Han Yunxi to help Lady Tang out of the carriage. She didn’t forget to secretly wink at him, which he returned with a curve of his lips. Even with a completely different face, Han Yunxi’s wink was still as bewitching as always.
Once Tang Li saw his mother and Han Yunxi walk over, he continued to keep up his act. Quickly dismounting his horse, he cried loudly, “Mother, the wind is strong here. Why did you get off the carriage? Hurry and go back! Rest well. In the future I’ll have your daughter-in-law personally pick you up in the future!”
Lady Tang only glared at Tang Li and ignored him before looking towards the guide. He quickly rose to his feet and said, “Lady Tang.”
“This brother, my son is ignorant and rude. For my sake, I ask that you please do not lower yourself to argue on his level,” Lady Tang said seriously.
The guide was pleasantly surprised by this show of favor and stood bewildered. Meanwhile, Lady Tang swiftly pressed a large gold ingot into his waistband. “Let’s pretend that everything just then never happened. Don’t you go spreading it about, either. Hurry and bring over the blindfolds. It’s better we get into the canyon faster to avoid missing the auspicious hour.”
The guide touched the gold ingot by his waist and knew it to be sizable weight. He smiled inwardly. While Young Clan Head Tang is shameless, Lady Tang is all about face! If Tang Li dragged things out here, news of it would really disgrace the Tang Clan.
“Your ladyship exaggerates! Nothing much happened just then. If you’ve rested well, then let’s set out on our journey,” the guide quickly made way.
Tang Li observed this all in silence. Although he didn’t know why, he was certain the gold his mother had slipped the guide was questionable at best. Knowing his mother’s personality, she would rather turn back than wait around here any longer. How did Han Yunxi manage to curb his mother’s temper after just a few days? Moreover, now that she had his mother on her side, would he ever need to fear his father again?
At this, Tang Li realized he shouldn’t be thinking that way. Han Yunxi wasn’t going to be his future wife, after all. What was the use even if she won over his parents? It was more useful to have Long Feiye as a shield to protect her from any bullies in the Tang Clan.
“Still not leaving? If we miss the auspicious hour, see how this ol’ mother will deal with you when we get back!” Lady Tang scolded sternly as she passed by Tang Li.
Tang Li only held an air of (fake) resentment as he allowed the black-suited guards to blindfold him. He didn’t dare to voice a single word of protest. The guide only smiled coldly at his reaction, then told one of his men, “Go report to President Jing that Young Clan Head Tang greatly fears Lady Tang, so much that wouldn’t even fart in her presence. Meanwhile, it was Lady Tang who asked to be led to the canyon first for fear of missing the auspicious hour.”
Was Tang Li really afraid of Lady Tang?
In actuality, Lady Tang was nervous the whole way back to her carriage. This was her first time ever scolding her son. She couldn’t bear the thought. After all, she hadn’t raised her voice to Tang Li once ever since he was born. She doted on him so much that his own father both envied and hated the boy out of jealousy.
Once Tang Li and the rest were wearing their blindfolds, the black-robed guards began to lead their horses down the mountain. Meanwhile, the guide secretly took the gold at his waist and tested its hefty weight before slipping it into his sleeve in satisfaction. Even after he died, he wouldn’t know that it was this gold ingot that took his life.
Hoofbeats and wheels rolld against the ground as the long procession vanished quickly into the canyon. A guard was even stationed in the carriage, making it impossible for Han Yunxi and Lady Tang to converse. The two of them had talked non-stop the whole way here from morning to night. Relationships between people really were determined by affinity; Han Yunxi liked Lady Tang’s disposition, while Lady Tang enjoyed Han Yunxi’s personality.
If Han Yunxi wasn’t Long Feiye’s consort, Lady Tang mused to herself, I definitely wouldn’t allow Tang Li to miss a daughter-in-law like this.
One hour later, the carriage stopped. The black-robed guards helped them undo the blindfolds and withdrew. Han Yunxi raised the carriage curtains and saw that they’d ended up in a huge garden comparable to the size of the Plum Blossom Sea. Had it been specifically designed for the canyon?
Directly in front of them was a broad and imposing hall, looking splendid in green and gold. Its aura was comparable to that of an imperial palace. An old man dressed in golden silk robes stood at the entrance. When he saw Tang Li dismount his horse, he slowly descended the steps. Tang Li was filled with doubts. This old man was dressed quite well and carried a distinctive air about him. He was…
The guide quickly rushed forward. “Old Master, this is Young Clan Head Tang from the Tang Clan.”