Chapter 1209: TangNing Lodging complaints (1/2)
Chapter 1209: [TangNing] Lodging complaints
Time was tight for the construction of the imperial capital. Long Feiye had already pressed Tang Zijin twice, so everyone assumed he’d spend the year at the capital instead of passing it in the Tang Clan. Unexpectedly, he suddenly appeared on the doorstep on the 15th day of the twelfth lunar month.
Ning Jing carried little Tang Tang with one hand while holding hands with Tang Li in the other. She saw Tang Zijin as soon as she stepped out the door and instantly noticed his severe expression. She was startled, but Tang Li hardly reacted. Little Tang Tang was delighted and cried, “Gran...gran’pa...grandpa…”
“Father, you’ve returned,” Ning Jing bowed.
Unfortunately, Tang Zijin ignored her and little Tang Tang. His gaze rested on his son. This was his first time seeing Tang Li since finding out he’d lost his mind because of Ning Jing. He had always hated his son as iron that couldn’t turn into steel!
He had endured when the boy ran away from his arranged marriage.
He had endured when Ning Jing drugged him, forcing him to marry her.
He was hoping that Tang Li could use Ning Jing to gain benefits from the Di Clan so as to help his “big brother” Long Feiye render meritorious service. At the very least, he could have earned a noble rank of “king” for them! Instead, the boy had turned into an idiot because of Ning Jing, tossing his parents and the Tang Clan aside! This was unbearable!
Tang Li didn’t react as Tang Zijin stared at him and started walking his way. That was no different from his old, sane state. He didn’t have the habit of butting heads with his father, preferring to take his lectures or hide far away.
“Grandpa...grandpa...carry!”
“Grandpa, carry me...carry…” Little Tang Tang began to fuss. Children didn’t know any better, so she wanted her grandpa to hold her after not seeing him for ages.
“Ning Jing, why aren’t you taking the child away yet?” Tang Zijin didn’t spare little Tang Tang a single glance. Feeling pity for her daughter, Ning Jing prepared to leave. She wouldn’t get involved in matters between father and son. No matter what Tang Zijin did, he would never dare to try anything against Tang Li. Tang Li might be able to anger his father to death, but it didn’t work the other way around.
Yet as soon as Ning Jing released Tang Li’s hand, he grabbed hers again, wanting to leave together. Ning Jing only shook him off without a word. Tang Li didn’t grab her again, but began to follow after her. His eyes had never rested on Tang Zijin as he walked past the man like air.
Tang Zijin finally lost it. “Unfilial son, stop right there!”
Ning Jing continued to walk away while Tang Li kept following her, ignoring his father. Tang Zijin waited a while, but turned around after sensing no reaction. He saw that Tang Li had already followed Ning Jing clear to the other end of the courtyard.
“Unfilial son! You won’t even acknowledge your father!” his face turned green with rage as he chased after him, but Tang Li still didn’t react. At last, Tang Zijin couldn’t help but shout, “Ning Jing, stop right there!”
Ning Jing stopped and Tang Li instantly halted. Tang Zijin couldn’t help smiling coldly at the sight. Although he hadn’t been at the Tang Clan, he had been concerned with Tang Li’s wellbeing all this time. As expected, Tang Li still listens to Ning Jing even after losing his mind.
“Someone come, carry Tang Tang away. Today this old man will teach the unfilial son a lesson and beat him until he wakes!” Tang Zijin said loudly.
Little Tang Tang didn’t understand her grandpa, but she could tell he was yelling at her father. Frightened, she burst into tears, struggling out of her mother’s arms to throw herself at her daddy. Tang LI might have lost hs wits, but he still cherished his wife and daughter.
He held Tang Tang and began to coax her. “Don’t cry, don’t cry. Daddy will take you to play. Don’t cry, okay?”
“Okay,” Tang Tang’s childish voice had hints of a sob, tender enough to melt one’s heart.
Tang Li said to Ning Jing, “You, come too, okay?”
Tang Zijin was furious enough to let smoke come out of his nose. Ning Jing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but she asked loudly, “A’Li, your father wants to talk to you. You stay here, alright?”
Tang Li immediately shook his head. Tang Zijin was so angry he instantly charged at Tang Li with his sword, but Tang LI evaded him so well that Tang Zijin was left helpless. The father and son ended up chasing each other around the courtyard, causing the heavy-hearted Ning Jing to break into a sudden smile. Little Tang Tang was afraid at first, but when her father never got hit, she began to giggle instead. “Daddy, run faster, faster! Hurry!”
By the time Lady Tang rushed over, Tang Zijin was already tired out and panting for breath, leaning on his sword to rest. Tang Li stood far away, staring blankly at him. If Lady Tang could ignore Tang Li’s expression at this instant, she would find the scene overwhelmingly familiar! She wanted to laugh and cry. It had been ages since Tang Zijin had chased after his son.
“Old father, when did you come back? You didn’t tell me a thing,” Lady Tang said.
Tang Zijin turned to her and snapped, “It’s all thanks to you!” So speaking, he tossed his sleeves and stalked off, leaving Lady Tang at a loss. She hadn’t seen him in over half a year. Even if Tang Zijin didn’t miss her, how could he rear his ugly head this way? Feeling aggrieved, tears rose to Lady Tang’s eyes.
“Tang Zijin, you stop right there! What did you just say?” she huffed as she chased after him.
Ning Jing finally exhaled in relief. She knew that Tang Zijin was dominated by his wife, so as long as her secret was safe, Lady Tang would still stand by her side. With her protection, Tang Zijin shouldn’t be able to try anything against them. But soon enough, she realized she had been oversimplifying things.