Tian Yu and Tang Yuan stayed at Hongyuan again. Tian Yu tried to avoid being alone with Zhao Moyan, so she always saw them as a family of three. As she stayed at Hongyuan longer, Tian Yu met more people, among whom Shangguan Qing left the deepest impression. He was a middle-aged man of high moral character, now the magistrate of Shancheng County. It was said that he had been demoted here, mostly because he knew Zhao Moyan's father, which led to him being ostracized in court and frequently demoted. This was his fourth demotion, but he was able to come here this time thanks to Zhao Moyan's help. However, Tian Yu never greeted them. Whenever she saw guests arriving from afar, she would take Tang Yuan back to the East Courtyard. Zhao Moyan seemed to understand this and rarely invited guests to stay for meals, except for Li Yong.
That day, Zhao Moyan and Shangguan Qing came out of the study after finishing their official business. It was already dark. Zhou Bo stepped forward and said, "My lord, dinner is ready. Madam and young master are waiting for you to dine."
Zhao Moyan waved to Shangguan Qing and said, "It's getting late, Uncle, please stay and have dinner with me tonight!"
"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony. We parted so hastily last time that I didn't get a proper look at the young master. I'll have to take a good look at him today," Shangguan Qing said with a smile.
The two entered the living room, where Tian Yu and Tang Yuan were already playing rock-paper-scissors. The loser would have their nose flicked. Tang Yuan's nose was already red from being flicked, but she still wanted to play. When Tian Yu saw Zhao Moyan and Shangguan Qing enter, she quickly pulled Tang Yuan to stand up straight and bow.
Zhao Moyan smiled and introduced, "This is my wife and son. Please excuse their appearance, Uncle."
"Hahaha, I apologize for disturbing you, Madam and Young Master," Shangguan Qing said with a hearty laugh, looking at Tangyuan with great delight.
"You're too kind, Lord Shangguan. We won't disturb you. Please have a seat!" Tian Yu said with a smile, seeing that Zhao Moyan wanted her to stay and have dinner with them.
“Tangyuan, this is Grandpa Shangguan, a good friend of your grandfather from the past,” Zhao Moyan explained to Tangyuan.
"Hello, Grandpa Shangguan." Tangyuan said with a smile to Shangguan Qing.
"Good, good, good, what a good child. Brother Zhongyi will be overjoyed if he knew." Shangguan Qing said with a smile, patting Tangyuan's head.
After everyone sat down, the servants began to serve the dishes, and Zhao Moyan instructed the steward to bring up a bottle of wine.
Shangguan Qing smiled and asked, "Where did your ancestors come from, Madam?"
"Me!? I fled here from famine, I have no family left." Tian Yu explained after a moment of surprise.
"I've also heard some things about you and the Marquis, but I don't know if I should ask."
"Lord Shangguan, please eat first. We can discuss any issues after you've filled your stomachs," Tian Yu reminded Tangyuan.
"Yes, let's eat first! Let's eat first!" Shangguan Qing said with a smile after understanding.
During the meal, Shangguan Qing didn't raise any other questions. He just chatted casually with Zhao Moyan and told Tangyuan about his grandfather, Zhao Zhongyi. He seemed very happy and drank a lot of wine with Zhao Moyan. After Tangyuan finished eating, Tian Yu asked Qiuju and Lvliu to take Tangyuan back to his room to rest.
After watching Tangyuan leave, Shangguan Qing said, "Madam is a good wife and a good mother."
"You flatter me, Lord Shangguan."
"But why is Madam unwilling to stay by the Marquis's side?"
Tian Yu was surprised by his direct question and wondered how Zhao Moyan would explain. Zhao Moyan smiled and said, "Uncle has had too much to drink."
"I wasn't drunk. I could tell you were working yourself to the bone earlier, and I found out later that it was because of her, wasn't it?"
“No, Uncle, that’s my official business. If I don’t handle it, who will?” Zhao Moyan said.
"Stop making excuses. I don't know what happened between you, but your uncle hopes you're both doing well."
Feeling awkward about the question, Tian Yu could only force a smile and leave the problem to Zhao Moyan to solve himself.
"Uncle, I will. You've had too much to drink. I'll send someone to take you home!"
"No need, niece-in-law, you must treat my nephew well and not let his good intentions go to waste!"
"Lord Shangguan, I don't understand what you mean." Tian Yu was a little confused and wanted to ask for clarification.
"Uncle!" Zhao Moyan interrupted Shangguan Qing before he could speak.
"You, you, sigh! I'd better leave. You young people can handle your own affairs!" Shangguan Qing looked at Tian Yu, then at the silent Zhao Moyan, shook his head, sighed, and left. Zhao Moyan and Tian Yu chased after him and saw him to the door, then had a carriage prepared to take Shangguan Qing home.
Tian Yu turned to look at Zhao Moyan, hoping for an answer. Zhao Moyan looked at her sullenly, and whether it was from drinking or something else, Tian Yu could see a hint of resentment and helplessness in his expression. Just as Tian Yu was about to look closer, Zhao Moyan turned and went into the courtyard. Tian Yu shook her head in confusion and followed him in. She wondered what she had done wrong. Why did everyone think she owed Zhao Moyan something? But she was the one who had been abandoned. She was already being kind by not hating or resenting him. What more did he want? Did he have some secret she didn't know about? That shouldn't be possible! Tian Yu shook her head.
Tian Yu did not follow Zhao Moyan but turned around and went back to the East Courtyard on her own. Zhao Moyan stopped when he heard the noise behind him and went to the study after a while.
Tian Yu returned to the East Courtyard to check on Tang Yuan, who was already asleep. She told the two maids to go and rest as well, and then went back to her room to change into men's clothing before leaving through the back door.
After waiting for a while in a guest room in the backyard of the Misty Rain Pavilion, Yu Niang arrived. She was becoming increasingly approachable and charming. Tian Yu handed Yu Niang a song she had recently written. Yu Niang looked at it, and when she didn't understand something, she asked Tian Yu for clarification. Tian Yu patiently explained and then sang it for her a cappella. Yu Niang smiled and said, "What a pity! If you had also come to this Misty Rain Pavilion, perhaps we could have become the largest brothel in the entire Wu Kingdom, and even become famous throughout the world."
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