The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 905 - 883: Avoiding

Chapter 905: Chapter 883: Avoiding

Although Madam Tang was somewhat irritated, she still heeded his advice and stayed for two more days, making sure her presence was sufficiently seen out and about to confirm her recovery. Only after everyone who should know of her wellness had become aware did she pack her belongings and leave with her son.

County Magistrate Tang personally escorted them to the city gates and draped a cape over her, whispering, "You go stay in Luojiang County for a few days. You’re acquainted with Ms. Cui. If you can’t find enjoyment in her company, Manbao is also in the county town. I’ll send someone to fetch you in a few days."

Madam Tang stared at him and asked, "To fetch me back here?"

County Magistrate Tang sighed internally and whispered, "Back to the capital."

Madam Tang couldn’t help but lean in closer, pinching the flesh on his waist and twisting it, she asked through gritted teeth, "Just what perilous business are you conducting behind my back?"

County Magistrate Tang hissed in pain and begged softly, "This isn’t something a minor official like me is investigating alone. It involves Lord Wei, my father, Zhangbo, and even my father-in-law. No one is spared. How could I dare tell you?"

As County Magistrate Tang spoke, he paused and added, "By the way, Ms. Cui and Zhangbo have just married, and with Zhangbo’s temperament, he is certainly saying nothing to her. So it’s useless to ask her. And you, try to help them bond a little, she is your cousin after all."

Madam Tang released the pinch on his waist and huffed, "They are already married. Do they still need my help to bond?"

County Magistrate Tang sighed, "You haven’t seen how they interact together. It’s hardly like they are a couple. I think the steward and Zhangbo are closer than they are."

Madam Tang was skeptical, then with County Magistrate Tang’s assistance, she boarded the carriage. He held his waist and leaned on the carriage, saying, "You’ll see how they interact as husband and wife and you’ll realize how good I am to you."

Madam Tang snorted, let the curtain fall, and commanded the coachman directly, "Go."

The coachman glanced at their lord before cautiously flicking the reins. County Magistrate Tang quickly got out of the way to avoid being run over by the wheels.

Watching the carriage finally depart, Lord Tang let out a long breath.

Leaving the city gates in the early morning and traveling by carriage, they barely arrived as the sky was turning dark. Fortunately, County Magistrate Tang had sent a fast rider ahead to notify Ms. Cui. Therefore, she had prepared a guest courtyard, hot water, and meals in advance, ensuring Madam Tang received excellent hospitality upon her arrival.

Other than County Magistrate Yang, Ms. Cui had no other acquaintances or family in Luojiang County. Whether it was because of Yang Heshu or for her own sake, Madam Tang’s visit was warmly welcomed.

Additionally, County Magistrate Yang had truly been too busy these days. If not visiting the countryside, he spent a good half of his time in the office handling matters, and the rest immersed in his study.

Moreover, Ms. Cui had found it harder to see Manbao ever since they left County Magistrate Tang. The three had rooted themselves in the study, taking their morning, noon, and evening meals all in the courtyard there. They occasionally strolled in the garden in the mornings, but usually, Ms. Cui had just woken up at that time and would miss them.

So, Ms. Cui was really bored.

Thus, as soon as Madam Tang dismounted from the carriage, she received Ms. Cui’s enthusiastic welcome, who even hoisted up Tang Dalang, who could already walk, and gave him a little bounce.

Tang Dalang, at the nominal age of three and already able to speak, sweetly called her "Auntie" and then fixed his gaze on County Magistrate Yang, who was smiling nearby, finding him very familiar.

County Magistrate Yang extended his hand toward him, "Dalang, do you still remember your uncle? Last year, I held you."

Madam Tang let a servant hand over the child to County Magistrate Yang, saying with a laugh, "How could he forget? After you left, he talked about you for days, wondering why the very handsome uncle had disappeared. Zhihe grew quite jealous for quite a while."

County Magistrate Yang laughed, "That must be my sister-in-law teasing me. Tang brother is good-looking too. With his father around, how could Dalang find someone else more attractive?"

Madam Tang knew that he didn’t like people commenting on his good looks, so she didn’t needle him further. As she walked inside alongside Ms. Cui, she looked around and asked, "Didn’t they say Manbao and the others were also here? Where are they?"

Ms. Cui paused before replying, "They’re in the study."

"What are they still doing in the study at this hour?" Madam Tang complained, "I let it slide when they didn’t say goodbye to me earlier, but now they don’t even come out to welcome me when I visit. This is preposterous! No, I’ll go fetch them myself."

Yang Heshu, fearing she would barge into the study and see something inappropriate, quickly said, "Sister-in-law, why don’t you go sit in the hall first? I’ll send someone to call them. They probably haven’t had their evening meal yet, so tonight we can all welcome you together."

Madam Tang gave Yang Heshu a teasing, semi-smiling look, "It really is strange; you two brothers are investigating some case that you don’t want us adults to know about, yet you don’t mind these three kids being around. What is it? Afraid we’ll leak secrets or get ourselves killed? Aren’t you worried they might do the same?"

Yang Heshu just gave a shallow smile, cradling Tang Dalang as he sidestepped and laughed with a smile, "Please take a seat inside, sister-in-law. Someone, bring Madam Tang some fine tea."

Madam Tang secretly scoffed; no wonder some people in the capital said Yang Heshu was a hypocrite. Despite the envy those words might contain, his smile was indeed annoying.

Madam Tang decisively took Ms. Cui by the arm and walked in, leaving Yang Heshu and her son behind.

Yang Heshu, still smiling, played with Tang Dalang briefly and then ordered a servant, "Go invite Young Master Shan and the others, telling them that we have an esteemed guest, and ask them to join us for dinner."

The servant obeyed and went outside the courtyard to pass the message to Zhangbo, then stepped aside to wait for further instructions.

After a while, Miss Man and the two young masters came out with red eyes and asked, "Who is the esteemed guest?"

"It’s Madam Tang who has arrived."

"Oh, so County Magistrate Tang truly brought Madam Tang over," Manbao, being friends with Madam Tang, instantly brightened up and clapped her hands, saying, "Then we’re not doing any work tonight. Come on, let’s go welcome Madam Tang."

The servant then smiled and said, "Madam Tang is already seated in the hall, just waiting for you."

Remembering Madam Tang’s personality, the three of them involuntarily shrunk their necks.

Bai Erlang said, "Why don’t you go? I’m not familiar with Madam Tang."

Bai Shan also said, "It’s not good for us boys to be present when you girls are talking. You go ahead; I’d better continue working."

The servant then laughed and said, "Young Master Shan, Young Master Bai Er, our master is also there."

The three of them immediately stopped worrying and let out an "Oh—" followed by, "So Lord Yang is there too; let’s go pay our respects to Madam Tang first."

With County Magistrate Yang present, surely Madam Tang wouldn’t hold it against them for not having gone out to welcome her, right?

Yet upon arriving at the entrance, Madam Tang cast a reproachful glance at them, complaining, "After all the kindness I’ve shown you, I travel all the way from Yizhou City, and you don’t even come out to receive me?"

Unable to help herself, Manbao retorted, "Madam Tang, it’s only a little over two hundred li from Yizhou City to here; how does that add up to a long journey?"

Madam Tang tapped her forehead and said, "It’s called an exaggeration, understand?"

Feeling something was amiss, she pulled Manbao into the light and took a closer look. With a gasp, she asked, "Why are your eyes full of red veins? What have you been doing?"