Chapter 166 - 156: To the Tang Mansion

Chapter 166: Chapter 156: To the Tang Mansion

Having already gotten Mr. Gu’s consent, Tang Qingshan didn’t take Xiao Man to see him again. Though he didn’t show it, he was anxious to get home and couldn’t wait to leave. So after bidding farewell to Zhou Hui Lan, he took Xiao Man by the hand and headed straight for the front gate.

The uproar over the new clothes eventually reached Mr. Gu, and the old man was furious. "Not allowed to wear the same clothes? What kind of nonsense is that? What about the army, then? This is utterly ridiculous! You’ve all gotten too comfortable, with too much time on your hands! I see no reason to celebrate the holiday. Immediately—right now—send her to the army for some proper training!"

Gu Shaoling was so scared she nearly fainted.

Old Mrs. Gu’s heart ached for her granddaughter. Using a mix of coaxing and gentle threats, she finally convinced Mr. Gu not to send Gu Shaoling to the army. Instead, he would lock her in the dark room. She would be let out before dinner, but only if she showed proper remorse.

The dark room wasn’t just an empty threat. The Gu family’s rules were strict, and such a place really existed. Not only was there a dark room, but they even had a dungeon!

Xiao Man followed Tang Qingshan along a newly swept bluestone path. The sun had just come out after the snow, and its rays felt wonderfully warm.

Xiao Man looked up at Tang Qingshan. He really did look like Tang Qingyun—his height, features, bearing, and even his voice were similar. But his words and actions were completely different. Seeing Tang Qingyun gave Xiao Man a reflexive urge to keep her distance, but she didn’t feel that way about Tang Qingshan. She was perfectly happy to let him lead her by the hand.

Tang Qingshan looked down at Xiao Man. "Your hands are nice and warm. How about your feet? Are they cold?"

Xiao Man shook her head and lifted one foot, showing him the pretty, little red leather boots she was wearing. ’Gu Shaoqin really has a good eye,’ she thought. ’This style of boot wouldn’t look outdated even decades from now, and he somehow managed to find a pair. No wonder so many girls like him; it’s not without reason.’

The little girl’s silent yet expressive, innocent, and adorable face amused Tang Qingshan. He chuckled and gently stroked Xiao Man’s head. "Why don’t you be my daughter from now on, okay? You look so much like me, everyone would believe it!"

Xiao Man said, "If I didn’t look like you, if I were a really, really ugly freak, would you still ask me to be your daughter?"

Tang Qingshan chuckled. "Why would you say something like that?"

"It’s just common sense. People like beautiful things. Everyone wants a respectable, presentable child they can be proud of. If they had an ugly freak, they’d want to throw it as far away as possible to avoid being dragged down, losing face, and disgracing the family name, right?"

Tang Qingshan stopped in his tracks. He bent down to look into Xiao Man’s eyes and said earnestly, "There isn’t that much perfection in this world. So-called ’respectability’ is just a fleeting, superficial thing. Your own life and your own feelings are what’s most real. Every child born into this world has the right to be cherished by their parents. Any parent who feels their child isn’t presentable is unfit! If my child turned into the ugly freak you speak of, I would still cherish and adore them, because they are my child, my family, connected to me by blood! What does it matter what others think? Who could ever replace your own family? For you to have such thoughts, it must mean you’ve seen something like this before. Listen to me: we can’t control others, but if it happens to us, you must remember this: you can never, ever abandon family! No matter how ugly they become, they are still connected to you. That can’t be changed; the bond can’t be broken! Your only choice is to love them and protect them with all your might, to keep them by your side! Throwing them away is wrong. You’ll never have a moment’s peace in your life if you do."

Xiao Man stared at her own uncle, her eyes slowly turning red. Her voice trembled. "You’ve never been through something like that. How... how can you think this way?"

"Silly child, Dad Tang is forty years old. I’ve experienced a lot and seen even more. You think I wouldn’t have some thoughts on the matter?"

Tang Qingshan patted her back. "Is there anything you want to tell Dad Tang?"

Xiao Man blinked and sniffled, only then realizing they were standing at the main gate of the Gu Mansion. A black sedan was parked at the bottom of the steps. She shook her head. "Not right now... Where are we going?"

"We’re going to my house to see Grandma Tang. She’s sick, very sick. I was hoping you could see her, alright?"

Xiao Man nodded. "Okay!"

A little boy jumped out from behind them. "Me too! I’m going too!"

It was Gu Shaoqin.

Tang Qingshan and Xiao Man were both speechless. ’This little guy had been following them silently the whole time. And here we thought he was content to play the invisible man.’

Just then, Zheng Shaojin walked out from the gate. "Shaoqin, your mother is looking for you. You should go back."

Gu Shaoqin looked at Xiao Man. "I’m going with Xiao Man to Uncle Tang’s house! We’ll come back together tonight!"

The words were barely out of his mouth when the Third Son’s wife came rushing out. She first nodded and smiled at Tang Qingshan. "Brother Qingshan, you haven’t left yet? It’s a holiday today, so drive safely."

Then she came forward and grabbed Gu Shaoqin. "Your father is with your grandfather, and he’s looking for you. Hurry up and come inside with me!"

Gu Shaoqin was slight of build and not very strong, so he couldn’t resist his mother. As he was being dragged away, he looked back at Xiao Man and called out, "Xiao Man, we’ll come pick you up tonight! I have a New Year’s gift for you..."

Xiao Man waved at him. "Go on inside. I know."

Tang Qingshan watched Xiao Man’s calm and natural demeanor and grew even fonder of her. He said, "I should explain something. Grandma Tang has a very serious liver disease. The doctors say it’s contagious, so a lot of people are hesitant to be around her. But as long as we take the proper precautions, it’ll be fine."

Xiao Man returned his look with a confident smile. "As far as I’m concerned, things like contagious diseases are no big deal. But you didn’t mention I’d be seeing a patient. I’ll need to bring my things—my satchel and my bundle of herbs are still in the room."

Zheng Shaojin quickly said, "Wait here, I’ll go get them! I’ll be right back!"

Tang Qingshan was overjoyed by Xiao Man’s words. He opened the car door, pulled out a camera, and actually took several pictures of her. He even set it up for a photo of the two of them together, saying with a laugh, "Little one, aren’t you still an apprentice? Shouldn’t we be a little more humble? Talking so big like that... it’s fine if you just scare people, but you won’t have any peace if you attract the wrong kind of attention."

Xiao Man chuckled. "I know. I’m just speaking freely since it’s with family."

"Right, with family, it’s no problem!" Tang Qingshan beamed, feeling like he could never get tired of looking at this little girl. He secretly made up his mind. ’No matter what, I’m going to win this little treasure over. She has to become my daughter!’

Zheng Shaojin returned with Xiao Man’s green satchel and the bundle of herbs and tried to get into the car with them. Tang Qingshan stopped him. "I’ll take care of Xiao Man. You don’t need to come; we don’t want your grandmother to worry."

Zheng Shaojin looked a little sheepish. "I should go see Grandma Tang, too. I’ll be back in a little while, my grandmother won’t even know."

"Come visit after the New Year," Tang Qingshan reassured him. "I’ll give Grandma Tang your well wishes. She’ll understand. It’s New Year’s Eve today, you should stay home."

Zheng Shaojin looked to Xiao Man, who nodded at him. "Don’t worry, Brother Shaojin. I’ll be alright."

Tang Qingshan smiled in satisfaction and rolled up the window. The car pulled away from the Gu Mansion, driving off smoothly and quickly.