Tang Mian returned in short order.
“There’s no useful information from the county yamen,” she reported. “They only know that he left home more than a decade ago, and his household registry was transferred to Pingman Prefectural City very early on. Grandmother Tang should know about this.”
After all, transferring a household registry was no small matter. According to yamen procedures, the parents would at least have been informed.
Tang Jin’s grandfather had passed away long ago, so the county yamen would certainly have notified Old Madam Tang.
Tang Jin frowned in thought. It seemed the only breakthrough lay with Eldest Uncle Tang and his son—or perhaps she could use the System to probe Old Madam Tang.
She glanced at Tang Mian, who was gulping down tea. “Thanks for your help. Please clear the table. Tomorrow, I’ll let you try some new dishes.”
With that, she turned and headed to the back courtyard.
In the room, Old Madam Tang sat on the bed, her gaze fixed on the window, her expression heavy with unspoken worries.
Chu Lingyue sat primly at the table, lost in thought.
Tang Jin spoke up to break the silence in the room. “Grandmother, wife, you’re still awake?”
Old Madam Tang turned her head and shot her a glare, as if to say, Isn’t that obvious? What a pointless question.
Chu Lingyue lowered her eyes silently, saying nothing.
Tang Jin sat down on the edge of the bed and steadied her nerves before speaking carefully. “Grandmother, can you tell me why you refuse to acknowledge Eldest Uncle and his son? Did he do something wrong back then?”
“There’s nothing to it,” Old Madam Tang replied listlessly, as if she couldn’t muster the energy. “This old lady simply doesn’t want to acknowledge them.”
【Ding! Reward: one plate of Eight Treasure Rice】
Tang Jin understood. Eldest Uncle Tang must have committed some grave offense in his youth—one that had left Old Madam Tang harboring resentment to this day. Even after more than a decade apart, she still refused to forgive him upon their reunion.
Recalling the look Eldest Uncle Tang had given her, Tang Jin hesitated before asking, “Grandmother, is your refusal to reunite with him somehow related to me?”
Old Madam Tang’s eyes suddenly darkened. She stared intently at Tang Jin for a moment before looking away. “What could it possibly have to do with you? You were only a child back then. Don’t overthink it—I’m tired.”
With that, she lay down and turned her back to them, clearly unwilling to continue the conversation.
【Ding! Reward: one plate of Mustard Shrimp Balls】
The System’s chime echoed in Tang Jin’s mind, leaving her baffled. So it really was related to her?
But how could that be?
As Old Madam Tang had said, Tang Jin had only been a few years old at the time. Could Eldest Uncle Tang have tried to abduct her, only for Old Madam Tang to discover it?
What other explanation could there be?
Tang Jin racked her brains but came up empty. Old Madam Tang clearly had no intention of discussing it further and refused to cooperate.
With an inward sigh, Tang Jin turned to the silent Chu Lingyue. “Wife, shall we go to the kitchen and chat for a bit?”
Earlier, to detect Tang Nianen’s lies and claim the System’s rewards, she had brought out eight bowls of century egg lean meat congee. She had sold a few more vegetable dishes that evening, leaving ten empty spots on the goods shelf.
The congee she had taken out couldn’t simply be put back now. With Old Madam Tang refusing to talk, she figured she might as well ask Chu Lingyue a few questions to stock up on more dishes.
To her surprise, Chu Lingyue shook her head. “I’m tired too. Let’s rest early tonight.”
Tang Jin watched wide-eyed as Chu Lingyue went out to wash up, returned to the room, and climbed into bed. She was left momentarily stunned.
Where was all that promised cooperation?
Why was this woman suddenly acting so out of character?
On the bed, Chu Lingyue pulled the quilt over her ears and slowly closed her eyes.
She didn’t want to talk to Tang Jin. The woman’s words were far too improper… She needed some peace and quiet.
Old Madam Tang claimed she was tired, but her mind was in turmoil. One moment she recalled the incident from over a decade ago; the next, she remembered the look her eldest son had given Tang Jin. Her eyelids twitched uneasily.
With a long sigh, she rolled over—and accidentally met Tang Jin’s gaze.
After a moment of silence, Old Madam Tang frowned. “Why aren’t you sleeping, child? What are you staring at me for?”
It made her heart race with anxiety, fearing Tang Jin might notice something.
Tang Jin rolled her eyes inwardly but blurted out, “I’m looking at my wife, not you.”
Old Madam Tang opened her mouth to ask what there was to see in Lingyue, but the next instant, she coughed awkwardly twice. “Well then, tonight I’ll sleep on the floor. You keep Lingyue company on the bed.”
She had been careless. The young couple was still in their prime, and sleeping in separate beds wasn’t ideal. This needed attention—lest it harm their relationship.
Tang Jin waved her hands hurriedly. “Grandmother, that’s not what I meant.”
She was merely curious why Chu Lingyue had suddenly stopped cooperating and had zoned out staring at her for a moment.
But Old Madam Tang wasted no words. She got out of bed briskly, spread her quilt on the floor, and teased, “Enough chatter. Get your quilt onto the bed quick. So shameless.”
Tang Jin: !!! She couldn’t explain herself if she tried. Who was the shameless one here? Could this old lady stop jumping to conclusions?
Chu Lingyue: … Her mind was a tangled mess. Recalling Tang Jin’s bold words earlier, sudden realization dawned.
So this person had sworn up and down she had no interest in trying anything, yet here she was proving false to her words?
Utterly brazen… No chance!
That night, Old Madam Tang blew out the candle. Glancing at the suspiciously quiet bed, she muttered to the night sky, “This old lady is getting on in years, and my eyes aren’t what they used to be. At night, I can’t see a thing.”
Her unlucky granddaughter had better cuddle up to Lingyue and sleep soundly.
Tang Mian, who had just lain down, sat bolt upright upon hearing this, legs crossed. “As a martial artist, once I enter meditation, I hear nothing at all. Do whatever you like.”
Was the newlywed night talk about to begin? She desperately wanted to eavesdrop.
Tang Jin was speechless. Had one old lady and one young one lost their minds? Did she look like someone so desperate?
Even if she were, with those two present, what could she possibly do?
It wouldn’t be appropriate to do anything.
Just then, Chu Lingyue stiffened. In a low voice, she said, “I’m tired.”
Old Madam Tang: “Ah.”
What a disappointing granddaughter. At the very least, give her a hug under the covers. The young couple had been separated for so long—don’t let the spark fade completely. They couldn’t keep cramming into the same room forever; they needed to find a small courtyard and move out soon.
Tang Mian: “Ah.” She lay back down. What a letdown from her little sister-in-law.
Tang Jin felt utterly frustrated. She hadn’t thought or said a thing, yet everyone was acting like she was some sex-starved deviant. She was innocent!
“Wife, I truly meant nothing by it. Grandmother’s the one who insisted I sleep on the bed.”
Didn’t those two understand? Did this woman? They were only wife and wife in name.
Chu Lingyue silently scooted further inward, putting distance between them. She said nothing, yet it felt like she had said everything.
Tang Jin: …
She felt more wronged than Dou E in the snow. What on earth did this woman take her for?
With a heavy sigh, she turned her back as well, scooting outward to prove her point with actions.
The next morning, before Tang Jin had fully woken, a cold voice cut through the air: “Let go.”
Tang Jin blearily opened her eyes and locked gazes with the person in her arms.
Chu Lingyue was clutched tightly against her, her eyes gleaming with profound meaning.
As if to say, Let’s see you talk your way out of this.
The corner of Tang Jin’s mouth twitched. She had known better than to share a bed with Chu Lingyue. Sure enough, if this woman woke even slightly earlier, there would be no explaining herself. She was done for—her innocence couldn’t be washed clean even in the Yellow River.
“Wife, you have to believe me. I just like hugging something when I sleep. There’s absolutely nothing else to it.”
She gazed at Chu Lingyue with utter sincerity, her expression devout.
It was simply a habit from her modern life—hugging a body pillow to sleep. It wasn’t intentional.
“Let go. I believe you,” Chu Lingyue said. Meeting Tang Jin’s earnest gaze, she gave a light struggle.
Tang Jin quickly released her arms. In the next instant, the System’s chime rang out.
【Ding! Reward: one pot of Hot and Sour Beef】
Tang Jin went numb. Staring at Chu Lingyue, she insisted, “Wife, believe me—I really don’t have those kinds of thoughts. No matter how much silver you offered, I wouldn’t do that sort of thing.”
She was a proper person, through and through.
Chu Lingyue sat up, her plain, pale face betraying no emotion. “A-Jin, no need to say more. I understand.”
【Ding! Reward: one plate of Candied Sweet Potatoes】
Tang Jin fell into deep contemplation. This woman didn’t understand at all!
Sure, she was a little curious—it was only human nature. But she truly had no intention of doing anything with Chu Lingyue. Why couldn’t she make herself clear?
Watching Chu Lingyue dress and get out of bed, Tang Jin noted that Old Madam Tang and Tang Mian were unusually absent from the room. She rubbed her brow and gave up on further explanations.
Today, she would go house-hunting. She was determined to have a separate bed from Chu Lingyue—a separate room, even.
In the courtyard, Tang Mian was chopping wood. Spotting them, she called out, “Grandmother Tang went out early. She said we shouldn’t wait for her for breakfast.”
Tang Jin and Chu Lingyue exchanged a glance, both reading the implication in each other’s eyes. Old Madam Tang had most likely gone to see that father and son pair.
“What’s for breakfast this morning? I’m starving,” Tang Mian said, her eyes brimming with anticipation. Her little sister-in-law had promised new dishes today. How exciting—she could finally feast again.
Tang Jin headed straight to the kitchen and brought out the eight bowls of congee. “Porridge for breakfast. We’ll heat it up first.”
Tang Mian’s eyes widened. “You promised new dishes today!”
How could her little sister-in-law go back on her word? She’d been looking forward to it all morning.
Tang Jin set the bowls on the stove. “New dishes at lunch. This is all we have for breakfast.”
She had no appetite for elaborate food right now. She just wanted to hurry off and find a house—and inquire where Old Madam Tang had gone.
Meanwhile, the moment Old Madam Tang stepped out, she stood by the roadside outside the restaurant, scanning her surroundings. Spotting a familiar figure, she strode toward it.
“Grandmother, good morning! Father said you’d come find us early, so he sent me to wait,” Tang Nianen said with a fawning smile. His legs felt a bit weak, though. Old Madam Tang was holding her cane again—surely she wouldn’t beat him right there on the street.
“Lead the way,” Old Madam Tang said coldly. Mother and son as they were, she knew her eldest’s character well—and of course, he knew hers.
How ironic.
“Right away.” Tang Nianen ducked his head and obediently led her toward Tower Beyond Towers across the way.
On the second floor, a window quietly clicked shut. Eldest Uncle Tang hurriedly rolled onto his stomach on the bed, crying out in pain with exaggerated oohs and aahs.
The moment Old Madam Tang entered, she saw him like that and couldn’t help frowning. “Enough with the theatrics. Get down here.”
“Ow, Mother, you’ve come. Your son truly knows he was wrong. That business from back then wasn’t entirely my fault…” Eldest Uncle Tang winced dramatically, clutching his back as he shakily climbed out of bed.
“Shut your mouth and kneel,” Old Madam Tang barked sharply.
“Mother…”
“Kneel!”
Eldest Uncle Tang’s heart jolted. Seeing her raise her cane without another word, he dropped the pitiful act and knelt neatly on the floor.
Madam Tang drew a deep breath and turned to Tang Nianen. “Out.”
Tang Nianen glanced at his father kneeling obediently on the ground, then at Old Madam Tang’s impassive face, before silently retreating outside the door.
In the private room, now empty save for mother and son, Old Madam Tang finally spoke. “Eldest, do you remember what I told you all those years ago?”
Eldest Uncle Tang looked up, his face streaked with tears. “Mother, you might disown me, but a son can never be unfilial to his mother. I know I was wrong, but that whole mess wasn’t just my fault alone. I was just muddle-headed for a moment. Mother, please forgive me. If you’re still angry, go ahead and beat me. As long as I can stay by your side and serve you, you could beat me to death for all I care.”
But Old Madam Tang set her cane aside. She gazed wistfully at his face, her brows knit in sorrow. The room fell so silent you could hear a pin drop, the quiet heavy and oppressive.
It was a long while before she let out a bitter laugh, her eyes brimming with an inescapable regret.
“I’ll say this only once,” she said. “If you ever show your face in front of Tang Jin again, if you dare utter so much as a single careless word to her, this old lady will go straight to hell right alongside you. I may have given you your life, but you’re a grown man now—I have no right to take it back. So I’ll pay you back with mine. If you won’t let me live out my final years in peace, then you and I, mother and son, will settle our rights and wrongs before King Yama himself. You know I always do what I say.”
With those words, she fixed her eldest son with a piercing stare. Her eyes held a dead, hollow emptiness, as if she were fully prepared to throw her life away at any moment, with not a shred of attachment left to this world.
Eldest Uncle Tang shuddered under her gaze. He worked his mouth for a moment before managing a bitter smile. “Even after all these years, there’s still only Second Brother in your heart, isn’t there, Mother? You still won’t believe me.”
If not for her favoritism, he never would have lost his head and done what he did back then.
As memories of the past flooded back, the hatred in his eyes burned just as fiercely as it did in Old Madam Tang’s.
Seeing that he was still hopelessly unrepentant, Old Madam Tang reached into her bosom and drew out a kitchen knife.
Eldest Uncle Tang’s pupils contracted in shock. “Mother, do you truly want your son’s life? In your eyes, am I just inferior to Second Brother in every way? Would you really kill me for his sake?”
