“This… we’ll talk about it later if there’s a chance. Cough cough cough, this old lady is tired and needs to head back.” Old Madam Tang quickly changed the subject and turned to Tang Jin. “Tang Jin, escort me home.”
Tang Jin knew the old madam was about to grill her on the family recipes. She shot Chu Lingyue a meaningful glance. “Wifey, let’s accompany Grandmother back together. Lai Di, tidy up quickly and hurry over—the city gates are closing soon.”
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Old Madam Tang walked in the middle, with Tang Jin and Chu Lingyue flanking her on either side.
The old madam kept her composure remarkably well. It was not until they stepped through the door of her home that she turned to the two who had been silent the whole way. “Out with it. Who made those dishes?”
Even as she said this, her gaze fell squarely on Chu Lingyue.
Her own granddaughter surely lacked such skills. So why had Lingyue handed the credit to Tang Jin?
Tang Jin and Chu Lingyue stood side by side. The moment they heard her words, they knew it was time to put on a performance.
Seeing the old madam staring at Chu Lingyue, Tang Jin smoothly went with the flow. “To be honest with you, Grandmother, my wife made all those dishes. She’s recovered some of her memories and worries her background might cause issues, so she let me take the credit for now.”
Chu Lingyue’s eyes flickered, and she nodded.
That was her best effort at playing along.
Sure enough, after studying them for a moment, the old madam—for reasons known only to herself—did not press further. She seemed convinced.
She pondered for a bit longer before turning to Tang Jin. “Lingyue has such talent. Your restaurant should do just fine now. Tang Jin, you treat her well. If this old lady hears you’ve been up to your old tricks again, I’ll smash every bone in your body.”
The old madam raised her cane for emphasis, her words a stern warning.
Tang Jin quickly raised her hand in a solemn vow. “Grandmother, rest assured. I’ll live well with my wife and never let her down.”
Chu Lingyue nodded again, the picture of docility.
Only then did a trace of satisfaction appear on the old madam’s face. “If you know how to live well together, that’s enough. Don’t fail to cherish her, or it’ll be too late for regrets.”
Tang Jin and Chu Lingyue chorused their agreement, both inwardly heaving a sigh of relief. They had passed this hurdle.
The old madam waved them off. But instead of resting once they were gone, she headed out the door herself.
At the Chu family home, when Tang Second Aunt heard Old Madam Tang had come calling, she hurried out to greet her. “Eldest Uncle’s wife, what brings you here so late?”
Though she looked down on her good-for-nothing niece Tang Jin, she still respected the capable old madam.
The old madam got straight to the point. “Tang Second, this old lady won’t beat around the bush with you. Who told you to keep tabs on Tang Jin? And who passed along the word that she was opening a restaurant in the county seat?”
Tang Second Aunt’s face stiffened, her tone turning awkward. “No one did. I was just worried about that child Tang Jin and thought you should keep an eye on things to stop her from going astray.”
She had known this eldest uncle’s wife was not one to fool. The reputation of Tang Village’s number one fierce woman was well-earned.
The old madam’s expression darkened, and she did not mince words. “Save it. This old lady wants to meet the mastermind pulling your strings, or I won’t leave.”
Tang Second Aunt dabbed at the corner of her eye with a handkerchief, thinking it over briefly. “Eldest Uncle’s wife, please wait a moment.”
With that, she turned and went back inside the Chu family home.
She was just the messenger. Who knew what had gotten into Miss Chu, obsessing over Tang Jin day after day? It was exhausting.
Before long, Tang Second Aunt returned.
“Eldest Uncle’s wife, Miss Chu invites you in for a talk.”
As she spoke, she covertly sized up the old madam, who moved with steady poise. She could not help admiring her inwardly.
The Chu family had only moved to Tang Village a few years ago. Scholar Chu held the title of Provincial Graduate, had wealth beyond measure, and had even funded the repair of the ancestral hall. That was how they had planted their roots here.
They had even renovated the Chu family home into something so opulent and grand—it was truly eye-opening.
Back when the Chu family was hiring servants, it had been the first time Tang Second Aunt saw such a splendid courtyard, gilded and gleaming. She had not known where to put her feet. Yet here was the old madam, utterly unfazed. No wonder she was the famously fierce first woman of Tang Village—she had seen it all.
The old madam made her way to the study in the backyard of the Chu family home, where she finally met the person she had come to see.
“Please have a seat, old madam. Tea is served.” Chu Shaoyang gave a slight bow, her every gesture exuding refinement and poise. Yet she treated others with gentle warmth, without a trace of arrogance.
“You flatter me, Miss Chu. This old lady is no ‘old madam’—don’t say such things.” Old Madam Tang sized up the clear-featured young woman with a calm expression, her thoughts complex.
A few years back, right after the Chu family arrived in Tang Village, her granddaughter had caught one glimpse of Chu Shaoyang and declared she would marry no one else. She had pestered the family endlessly about it.
But it was clear Miss Chu had no interest in Tang Jin. A noble lady like her was beyond the reach of humble farm folk like them. The old madam had advised and even beaten her granddaughter over it, to no avail—Tang Jin had fixated on the idea, and eight horses could not have dragged her away.
It was not until Tang Jin passed the Scholar exam, mustered her courage to confess, and was rejected that she drowned her sorrows in drink in the county seat. On her way back, she had stumbled upon Chu Lingyue collapsed by the roadside and insisted on marriage, heedless of anything. Only then had the old madam stopped paying attention to this young miss of the Chu family.
Chu Shaoyang wore a faint smile, her voice soft and warm. “May I ask what brings you to see me, old madam?”
Playing coy, was she?
The old madam settled into her seat, with no intention of dancing around the subject. She cut right to it. “Miss Chu, I know Tang Jin caused you plenty of trouble before. It was this old lady’s failure to discipline her properly. Rest assured, if she acts out again, I’ll break her legs myself and keep her out of your sight. In return, please show mercy.”
Don’t keep watching Tang Jin. Don’t cause her trouble anymore.
Some things went without saying. She trusted this young miss was sharp enough to understand.
Chu Shaoyang smiled, her gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny. “You worry too much, old madam. I have no intention of making things hard for her. The reason I had someone keep an eye on Tang Jin this time was simply concern that the money I lent her might not be repaid.”
With that, she produced the IOU and handed it over.
Old Madam Tang’s heart skipped a beat. When had Tang Jin borrowed money from them?
That wretched child— she really needed a good thrashing!
She did not even glance at the paper. “This old lady is illiterate. How much did Tang Jin borrow?”
“Twenty taels.” As Chu Shaoyang spoke, she offered the IOU again. “Actually, there is another way to settle this. If you agree to one request from me, this IOU will vanish, and I’ll even gift you a thousand taels of silver besides.”
A thousand taels of silver! Such a fortune—the old madam had never laid eyes on so much in her life…
She was stunned at first, but calm quickly returned.
At her age, she no longer believed in pies falling from the sky. Such a lavish offer surely came with a steep price—and what could she possibly offer in return? She was no one of great ability.
The old madam steadied her breathing, her voice laced with confusion and probing. “What is it you want this old lady to agree to, Miss Chu?”
Chu Shaoyang toyed with the IOU in her hand and slowly uttered a few words: “I want Chu Lingyue.”
