Chapter 151: 127 Trial Marriage First Night, deep down fondness, learning to get close
After dinner, Tang sat on the sofa, leaning back and talking with the Jiang Familyâs old madam about going to Peach Garden to watch an opera once the old master was fully recovered from his surgery.
"...After the New Year, there will be some new plays, and then we can all go together," the old madam said with a smile.
"I heard that her son found a partner, too? I havenât seen the kid, but his reputation out there isnât good. Heâs not been seen for a long time, how did he find a wife..." Tang asked in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, the old madam couldnât help but click her tongue, "I donât understand these things, but even his son has found a match, and look at our family, we look decent enough on the outside, how come..."
As she spoke, her eyes fell on Jiang Yanting.
"Oh dearâthese past years, each family in Beijing is having one celebration after another, yet our turn somehow never comes, itâs so frustrating."
At that moment, Jiangjiang was sprawled on the carpet, playing with a puzzle. Jiang Yanting lifted his foot and kicked his little bottom, "Go upstairs, Iâll take you for a bath."
"Huh?" Jiangjiang looked confused. He had just started playing, "I donât want to bathe now."
"You want to bathe!"
Before Jiangjiang could say another word, he was scooped up and carried straight upstairs.
With a cold snort, the old madam helplessly shook her head, "Old Tang, look at this, every time I bring this up, off he runs."
"Itâs the same with all kids..."
Tang Wan and Jiang Jinsang sat to one side, simply listening quietly, but they hadnât expected that the spotlight would suddenly turn on them.
"Wanwan, Xiaowu, you two should also go rest soon, itâs late, and youâve been out all day, you must be tired," the old madam told them.
"Itâs okay, not too tired, Iâd like to sit a while longer," Tang Wan replied with a forced smile, feeling awkward as if she suddenly assumed a different identity everywhere.
"Isnât it better to rest in your room? Whatâs the point of sitting here?" the old madam teased, "Old Tang, look at these two kids, why have they suddenly become strangers to each other."
"It does seem a bit awkward."
"Doesnât it look like theyâre newlyweds..."
...
Tang Wan sat to one side, wishing she had a shell like Lord Wansui, so she could just shrink into it and hide away.
"Wanwan..." Jiang Jinsang suddenly leaned in close, lowering his voice, "Wait a few minutes for me, weâll go back to the room together."
"Ah?" Tang Wan looked perplexed, still not recovered, as he had already stood up and left, though she wasnât sure if he was going to the backyard or to the washroom.
Seeing the two of them like this, the old madam couldnât help but tease, "Already starting to whisper to each other, tsk tskâ"
Tang Wan hung her head, just wishing Jiang Jinsang would return quickly.
**
After dinner, Tang Yunxian called Zhou Zhongqing once more, simply to discuss the old masterâs decision regarding the surgery.
"...Doctor Zhou, Iâm really sorry to disturb you so late," Tang Yunxian said to him politely, his words full of respect.
"Mr. Tang, youâre too polite, treating patients is my duty," Zhou Zhongqing replied, understanding in his heart that the old coupleâs plan had succeeded.
He was an accomplice and didnât deserve Tang Yunxianâs gratitude, feeling guilty about it.
"Weâll still need to trouble you in the future."
Tang Yunxian thanked him again before hanging up. Turning around, he noticed Jiang Jinsang had appeared behind him at some point, "Why arenât you resting so late?"
"I wanted to talk with you for a bit."
Tang Yunxian guessed what he wanted to discuss and smiled, but still asked, "About what?"
"Regarding the trial marriage with Wanwan and me, I know youâre probably uncomfortable about it, but given the circumstances at the time..." Jiang Jinsang pursed his lips, "But rest assured, I know my limits. I am clear about what should be done and what shouldnât."
"You canât be blamed for this." Tang Yunxian chuckled softly, "My father has always liked you. This time, it was just an excuse for him to bring you two together, thatâs all."
Tang Yunxian wasnât naive, things started off normally, but towards the end, the old masterâs act was too obvious, and he could see through it...
However, up to this point, he didnât know that Zhou Zhongqing was also in cahoots, so he didnât suspect the old masterâs illness and felt that Jiang Jinsang was also a victim who had been forced into all this, and he felt somewhat sorry for him.
"I originally wanted to find an opportunity to talk to you, considering youâre a victim too. My fatherâs temper, sometimes it really can make people jump, Iâm afraid you and Wanwan will be inconvenienced during this period..."
"Not at all." Jiang Jinsang was more than willing to spend time with Tang Wan, certainly not feeling inconvenienced.
"Donât worry, once my father has the surgery, Iâll take care of this matter. It wonât cause any further trouble for you."
Jiang Jinsang just smiled...
But by the time Tang Yunxian thought to take care of it, it might truly be too late.