In the afternoon, Tian Yu took Tangyuan and Xiaoju for a stroll through the streets of the county town. The three of them bought quite a few things, from small items like pastries and books that Tangyuan liked, and hair accessories and jewelry that Xiaoju liked, to larger items like clothes, shoes, cosmetics, and so on. Finally, they went to the Yuelai Restaurant to thank Manager Qian for the congratulatory gift. Manager Qian was overjoyed and invited them into a private room, asking if Tian Yu was free recently, as his boss would be visiting the mountain city soon and hoped to meet her. Tian Yu didn't immediately agree, but said she would definitely come if she had time. Manager Qian also asked Chen Chong what he had been up to lately, as he hadn't hunted in a long time. Tian Yu explained that he had some family matters to attend to and should be free soon. When Tian Yu took her leave, Manager Qian ordered someone to pack up several of the restaurant's newest dishes for Tian Yu to take home and try, hoping to get some feedback. Tian Yu gladly accepted.
By the time they returned to Zhao Moyan's residence, it was already dark. As soon as they entered, Uncle Zhou asked, "Girl, where have you been all afternoon? The Marquis has been waiting for you to come back for dinner."
Has he returned?
"I've been back for a while now."
"Well, there are still some dishes here, Uncle Zhou, please set them out!"
Uncle Zhou took the food box and led Tian Yu and the others to the living room. Zhao Moyan was sitting in the hall reading a book. The food was already laid out on the table. Uncle Zhou took the food from the box Tian Yu had given him and arranged it. Two servants came over and took away the things Tian Yu and the others had bought. Tangyuan called out "Father," and Zhao Moyan nodded in response, which startled the servants. It seemed Uncle Zhou hadn't lied, but Tangyuan's call probably meant everyone in the courtyard knew. After they washed their hands, Zhao Moyan looked up and said, "Let's eat!" He put down his book, got up, and sat down at the table.
Tian Yu, Tangyuan, and Xiaoju also took their seats. Actually, the three of them had been snacking all afternoon and weren't hungry at all, but knowing Zhao Moyan was waiting for them to have dinner together, they forced themselves to continue eating. However, after a short while, Tangyuan and Xiaoju said they were full and left with Maorong, leaving Tian Yu and Zhao Moyan to eat alone. Tian Yu didn't have much of an appetite either, only eating a few bites of the dishes the innkeeper had given her. The taste was okay, but nothing special; however, they were good with rice and looked quite appealing. Tian Yu kept glancing at Zhao Moyan, thinking for a long time about how to start a conversation.
"Something wrong?!" Zhao Moyan said without even looking at Tian Yu.
"It's nothing, I just wanted to discuss with you whether Tangyuan and Xiaoju could stay here tomorrow, and I'll come back to pick them up in a couple of days." Tian Yu finished speaking and looked at Zhao Moyan nervously, afraid that he wouldn't agree.
"Can!"
Tian Yu breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the answer and quickly served food to Zhao Moyan. She also said that she would take good care of Tangyuan and wouldn't cause him any trouble, and that she would come to pick them up soon.
That evening, Tian Yu explained to the two children that they could stay there for a few days because she had to go home for a few days due to some family matters. She would come back to pick them up and take them home together in a few days. She also told them to be good and not to run around, and that Tangyuan should study hard with his father. Tian Yu noticed that Tangyuan was a little unhappy, so she hugged him and comforted him for a long time before he fell asleep.
The next morning, before Tangyuan was even awake, Tianyu hired a carriage to go home. Zhao Moyan saw her off without saying a word. Tianyu glanced at the gate, worried she might not be able to bear leaving Tangyuan behind, but Chen Chong was still waiting for her, so she steeled herself and left. Tianyu thought that with Zhao Moyan there, nothing should happen. Not long after Tianyu left, Zhao Moyan called Li Yong over and gave him a few instructions, then also rode his big black horse out of the county town.
Back home, she fed the poultry and cleaned the furniture. Soon Chen Chong arrived, looking exhausted, and gave Tian Yu a package. He asked where she had been yesterday, and Tian Yu explained what had happened, including that Tangyuan and Xiaoju were still with Zhao Moyan, and that they would go to pick them up after their wedding. Chen Chong hugged Tian Yu and said okay. Sensing that Chen Chong was troubled, Tian Yu asked him what was wrong, but he wouldn't say, only that he was a little tired from preparing things these past two days. Tian Yu let him rest in the west wing, sitting by his bedside and singing him the song she had sung for him the first time. After a long while, Chen Chong finally fell into a deep sleep, sleeping until the afternoon. During that time, Tian Yu went to the river to wash some clothes from home. There, she encountered a strange old fisherman wearing a straw hat. Tian Yu couldn't see his face clearly, but from his speech, he seemed to be a scholar with considerable cultivation. He asked Tian Yu if she knew why the fish in the river weren't taking the bait that day. Tian Yu thought for a moment and said, "Jiang Taigong fishes; those who are willing will take the bait. Today, these fish are probably unwilling." Tian Yu told him to come back another day. He laughed heartily upon hearing this. Tian Yu didn't want to continue the conversation; Chen Chong was still at home, and if he woke up and couldn't find her, he would be worried. So she packed her clothes and left. That evening, Tian Yu cooked noodles, and after they ate, Chen Chong and Tian Yu quietly watched the stars and moon in the yard. They were both silent, quietly enjoying their rare time together. Chen Chong spoke first: "Tian Yu, that song you mentioned before, 'The Furthest Distance in the World,' isn't there a few lines left? What are the last few lines? Can you finish telling me?"
Tian Yu didn't want to talk about it. They were getting married tomorrow, and she didn't want to think about the sad poem. She said, "That poem is too sad. I don't want to talk about it today. How about we change to another one? I'll tell you about it another time."
"Okay, what poem does the Snail Fairy want to recite for me today?"
Seeing that Chen Chong was still unhappy, Tian Yu took Chen Chong's hand and said, "We made a vow of life and death together. I will hold your hand and grow old with you."
Chen Chong held Tian Yu's hand tightly and murmured, "We made a vow of life and death, to be together forever. I hold your hand and we will grow old together."
After looking at Tian Yu for a long time, Chen Chong asked again, "Tian Yu, is that really what you think?"
Tian Yu nodded and said, "Yes, of course."
"Okay, wait for me. I will definitely come to marry you first thing tomorrow morning."
"Okay, is everything at home ready?"
"Everything's ready, all we need is a bride." Chen Chong said, and the two of them laughed.
Chen Chong gently kissed Tian Yu's forehead before leaving. After seeing Chen Chong off, Tian Yu took a hot bath, returned to her room, locked the door, and opened the package Chen Chong had given her. Inside was a bright red wedding dress and matching hairpins and pendants. Everything was ready; tomorrow she could marry Chen Chong. After so many years and two lifetimes, she could finally have her own home and family. Looking at the wedding dress in her hands, Tian Yu could hardly believe it. After looking at it for a long time, Tian Yu finally went to bed to rest. Perhaps she was too tired today, because she quickly fell asleep.
Unbeknownst to Tian Yu, as dark clouds obscured the moon outside, a shadowy figure blew a sleeping potion into her room. Immediately after, a white-clad figure pulled him away and threw him outside the courtyard. The white-clad figure gave chase, and two more masked figures appeared. The white-clad figure led them into the woods, trying to distance themselves from Tian Yu's residence. A fight ensued, with the three masked figures, all highly skilled, pressing forward relentlessly. Suddenly, a shadowy figure flew in from afar, joining the white-clad figure back-to-back to fight the three masked figures. After a fierce struggle, all three were injured and fell to the ground. Seeing the situation was dire, they helped their companions up and quickly fled. The two remaining figures exchanged a glance and quickly returned to Tian Yu's residence. After confirming Tian Yu was unharmed, they stood again at the courtyard gate. The clouds parted, and in the moonlight, it was clear that the white-clad man wielding a sword was Zhao Moyan, and the other, holding a knife, was Chen Chong, who had just left.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
