Chapter 312: The Wedding, Third Day of the Sixth Lunar Month

Moyuan descended the mountain and went to the Wine Tavern at West Bridge.

Manager Fei personally greeted him upon seeing him. He certainly knew who this was—Moyuan had an extremely sharp tongue. Last time, because a waiter had been slightly slow, Moyuan had lost his temper fiercely, causing quite a scene and embarrassment.

“Young Master Mo,” Manager Fei asked,” here for a drink?”

Moyuan waved his hand dismissively. “I’m here to buy some wine. Ten jars of Autumn Moon Brew. Deliver them to Flowing Cloud Temple later.”

As he spoke, he placed a money pouch on the table.

“Oh dear.”

Manager Fei glanced at it, looking somewhat troubled.

He explained, “Young Master Mo, the warehouse only has about three or four jars of Autumn Moon Brew left.”

“That’s all?” Moyuan was stunned.

Manager Fei said, “Please don’t be upset, Young Master. This wine is incredibly popular. Every year by this time, hardly any is left.”

Moyuan thought it over and didn’t argue further.

“Very well, three or four jars will have to do.”

He waved his hand. “Just carry them up the mountain for me.”

“Right away, sir! I’ll call for someone immediately.”

Manager Fei agreed with a beaming smile, finally accepting the money.

Moyuan had just stepped out the door.

A short while later, more guests arrived.

A man and a woman, looking tired and dusty, like travelers from afar.

“Please be so kind as to prepare ten jars of Autumn Moon Brew, to deliver to Flowing Cloud Temple,” the man requested.

“Huh?”

Manager Fei blinked in surprise. He looked at the two, suddenly finding them strangely familiar, as if he’d seen them somewhere before.

But try as he might, he just couldn’t recall.

The man asked, “Is something wrong, Manager?”

Manager Fei explained, “Someone was just here. He also asked for ten jars of Autumn Moon Brew, also to deliver to Flowing Cloud Temple. Sadly, the warehouse only had four jars left, and it’s all sold to him now.”

The man and the woman exchanged a glance, both taken aback.

The man chuckled dryly and asked, “The guy who just left… was he wearing black robes? With eyes that felt rather uncomfortable?”

“Yes, that was him!” Manager Fei confirmed.

“I know who he is.”

The man stated simply, then said, “Then we won’t trouble you further, Manager.”

Manager Fei looked at them quizzically. “If I may ask, do I… know you?”

The man paused slightly after hearing this, then replied, “Manager Fei, my surname is Tong.”

“Tong? Which Tong?”

Manager Fei pondered a moment, then it hit him.

“Oh my!”

Manager Fei exclaimed, “Master Tong! Doctor Tong!”

“It is me.”

Tong Zhihuan acknowledged. “Been away many years, weathered a bit. It’s natural you didn’t recognize me.”

Manager Fei nodded. “You’ve really changed, quite different from before.”

Manager Fei looked towards the gentle-faced woman beside him and asked, “And this lady is…?”

Tong Zhihuan glanced at Tao’er beside him and answered, “This is my Madam.”

Tao’er offered a warm smile, nodding slightly with grace.

Manager Fei paused again, then gave an appreciative sigh. “A perfect match! Truly a perfect pair…”

Tong Zhihuan and Tao’er looked at each other and smiled, their hands tightly linked.

Manager Fei poured out his praise, making them both slightly embarrassed.

After a few more exchanges of pleasantries, Tong Zhihuan bid farewell.

After leaving the tavern, the two didn’t return to Flowing Cloud Temple. Instead, they headed to Tongji Hall on the outskirts of West Bridge.

It was time to visit home.

Tong Caizheng and his wife, Madam Yu, saw their son return. The elderly couple’s eyes reddened instantly.

“My child, you’ve finally come home…”

Over the years, Madam Yu’s hair had turned white, and wrinkles now deeply marked her face.

She gently touched Tong Zhihuan’s cheek, murmuring about how she had missed him all these years.

Tong Zhihuan kowtowed several times, his heart heavy with guilt for failing to fulfill his filial duties for so long.

Only after the outpouring of sorrow were the two elders willing to sit him and his companion down to talk.

Tong Zhihuan introduced Tao’er.

“Father, Mother, this is Tao’er.”

Miss Tao’er spoke up, “Greetings, father and mother.”

The two elders exchanged a glance, both startled.

Tong Caizheng stared intently, then blurted, “You scoundrel! When did you get married?!”

“W-well, we haven’t… not officially married yet…” Tong Zhihuan stammered.

“Haven’t?!”

Tong Caizheng grew angrier. “You! You! You let this poor girl drift around with you? Enduring hardship?”

“Father, it’s not like that, I…”

“Where’s the bamboo switch? Where is that bamboo switch…”

He started looking for it.

Only after Tao’er offered soothing words did Tong Caizheng calm down.

Tong Caizheng took a deep, steadying breath and scolded, “That was thoughtless.”

Tong Zhihuan could only accept it, not daring a word of complaint.

Miss Tao’er gave a soft laugh, whispering, “Now you’re getting told off.”

Tong Zhihuan coughed lightly and scratched his head.

The elders scrutinized Tao’er carefully. Soon after, Madam Yu pulled Tao’er aside to talk – mostly everyday things, asking where she lived, what her family background was like…

Only Tong Caizheng found Tao’er looking more and more familiar.

“You seem… very familiar,” Tong Caizheng remarked thoughtfully.

Miss Tao’er replied, “I live at Flowing Cloud Temple. I actually saw you both many years ago, Master and Madam.”

“You live at Flowing Cloud Temple…”

The couple was stunned for quite a moment.

“You and Mr. Chen…” Tong Caizheng began cautiously.

Tao’er answered directly, “Tao’er once served by Mr. Chen’s side. I managed the Taoist Temple and also ground his ink.”

The old couple’s gaze turned simultaneously towards Tong Zhihuan. Their expressions shifted completely.

“Astonishing…” Tong Caizheng murmured under his breath.

Tong Zhihuan was confused, not understanding what his Dad meant.

“Astonishing what?”

“You stupid boy…”

“Huh?”

Tong Zhihuan was utterly lost. He just kept scratching his head.

Tong Caizheng offered no explanation, merely feeling extremely fortunate for his son. He decided not to scold him further about earlier issues. Instead, he brought up arranging their marriage.

Hearing the word “marriage,” Tong Zhihuan and Tao’er grew visibly nervous.

The elders urged them to hold the ceremony as soon as possible, ideally this very year. Doing it quickly was the best course of action.

Tong Zhihuan and Tao’er exchanged a look.

A wedding!

Truthfully, they had never considered things like this before.

After all, they weren’t quite like… ordinary people.

Coming back this time, Tong Zhihuan actually wanted to give Tao’er her rightful place. He knew Tao’er didn’t need such worldly tokens, but he personally felt duty-bound to do this.

And the thought had lingered in his heart for a very long time.

Tong Caizheng even pulled out the lunar calendar. After studying it for ages, he announced, “The second day of the sixth lunar month is favorable for marriage.”

“What do you think?” Tong Zhihuan asked Tao’er.

Miss Tao’er snapped out of her daze and stammered, “Isn’t that… too rushed…?”

“I will handle everything very well,” Tong Zhihuan assured her.

The gazes of both the old couple and Tong Zhihuan rested on Tao’er.

At that moment, Tao’er unexpectedly lowered her head, a faint rise of shyness coloring her demeanor.

“Well, then…”

Miss Tao’er finally lifted her head slightly, her cheeks flushed as she murmured, “Let it be the second day of the sixth month.”

Madam Yu and Tong Caizheng beamed. Madam Yu slipped the jade bracelet off her wrist and placed it on Tao’er’s hand.

Tong Caizheng then prepared the betrothal gifts – it simply wouldn’t do to let the girl come without gifts.

The old couple folded their hands contentedly. Madam Yu gazed at the pair before her and murmured softly, “How wonderful…”

“Ah, truly,” Tong Caizheng echoed.