One wave subsides, another rises.
They always traveled slowly but returned quickly. The group had rushed for over a month to get there, but on the return trip, they enjoyed sightseeing and arrived in Fenghe City in just over half a month. Following Yang Fei's suggestion, they stayed at Zuixianju again. The landlady was as welcoming as ever, except this time there were many more empty rooms, allowing each person to have their own. After tidying up, Tang Feng sat at the table, pondering what Zhang Mobai had told him a few days ago. Although Tang Feng was now tentatively dating Zhou Ziliang, he didn't want to hurt her feelings. After much deliberation, Tang Feng decided to be honest with Zhou Ziliang. Standing at Zhou Ziliang's door, Tang Feng didn't know why his heart was pounding. Taking a deep breath, Tang Feng knocked on the door, "Zi...Ziliang, are you there?"
"What's up?" The door opened shortly after the knock, and Zhou Ziliang stood in the doorway looking at Tang Feng. "Come in, it's drafty in the hallway, you might catch a cold." Seeing Tang Feng enter, Zhou Ziliang closed the door and turned to ask, "What's the matter?"
"Can't I come to you even if there's nothing wrong?" Tang Feng rolled his eyes at Zhou Ziliang. "I came to discuss something with you, about a few years ago... about my resisting the arranged marriage, you know?"
"The commotion in Xiling is huge, and I've only heard the gist of it," Zhou Ziliang nodded. Hearing this, he could roughly guess what Tang Feng was going to say. "So?" Zhou Ziliang sat on the stool, shelling peanuts, seemingly unconcerned.
"I...I told your father before that we should postpone the marriage. That was my way of making peace. This time when we go back to Xiling, I'm going to take you to meet my father, but...I'm afraid they'll bring the engagement forward."
"What do you mean by that? Tell me! What do you want?"
"I...I don't want to get married so soon!...Is that okay?" Tang Feng's voice trailed off, unsure if Zhou Ziliang would be angry. After speaking for a while without a reply, he slowly looked up at Zhou Ziliang, who pushed a package of peanuts in front of him. "The boss lady's peanuts are pretty good. Try some, but eat less, be careful not to get a sore throat."
"I'm talking to you about something serious! You told me that eating too many peanuts causes internal heat?"
“I’m talking to you about serious matters too!” Zhou Ziliang smiled. “I know what you’re worried about. You’re afraid I’ll be angry, aren’t you? It’s okay. I told you before in Daze that no matter how long it takes, I’ll wait for you.”
Tang Feng was both touched and very happy. He took Zhou Ziliang's hand and said, "Then... when we get back to Xiling, I'll take you to meet my father. If the old man brings up the matter of marriage then..."
"I told you, my five-year promise with Xiaofeng hasn't expired yet, and I can't keep my word."
They left in the warmth of spring, and returned to find the grass lush and the birds singing. Upon reaching the gates of Xiling City, the four of them boarded their respective carriages. After a brief farewell, Tang Feng also got into his carriage. Liu Yiwan, pulling the carriage, turned her head towards Tang Feng inside and said, "Young Master, Master and Miss Jiu are already waiting at the gate. Let's hurry back."
Upon hearing Liu Yiwan mention Qin Jiujiu, Tang Feng got up, leaned over the carriage door, lifted the curtain, and asked in a low voice, "Speaking of Sister Jiujiu, I haven't asked you yet! What's going on between you two!"
"Young Master, why are you asking this so formally!" Liu Yiwan had his back to Tang Feng, pulling on his horse so Tang Feng couldn't see his expression. "Fine! You won't tell me then! Fine, fine, anyway, Sister Jiu is Father's goddaughter. You can't come crying to me later if he's betrothed to some young master!"
"Young Master, you are like a second parent to me!" Liu Yiwan suddenly lifted the carriage curtain and threw herself onto Tang Feng. "You must stand up for me regarding my relationship with Miss Jiu!"
"Do I really need to decide this?" Tang Feng said with a hint of disgust, pulling Liu Yiwan off him. "Go away, get out of here. Don't make me want to punch you as soon as I get home."
"If this were really so easy to solve..." Liu Yiwan gripped his riding crop. "Why would I need to trouble you?"
"Is progress not going well?"
"That was quite difficult. I... I'm of lowly status to begin with, and liking Miss Jiu is already overstepping the bounds. If I were to say it to her face... wouldn't the master kick me out? So, young master, I... I dare not express my feelings, but I really... really like Miss Jiu."
Tang Feng stared at the slightly dejected Liu Yiwan, then kicked the door shut. "Pull your carriage! If you ride in it, when will I get home?!" Liu Yiwan scratched his head and smiled sheepishly. "It's not that you insisted on asking! I'll get going now."
They were almost at the Tang residence when Tang Feng said softly from inside the carriage, "Confessing your feelings is about expressing your emotions, not about demanding a relationship. If you really like her, pick an auspicious day and I'll go tell my father."
Although the voice was soft, Liu Yiwan heard it clearly and cracked his whip on the horse's rump. "Young Master, we're almost there!" Tang Feng, hearing this, pulled back the curtain and saw a lively scene at the entrance of the Tang residence; there must have been at least a dozen people coming out! As soon as Tang Feng got off the carriage, he saw Old Master Tang standing at the front. He quickly lifted his robe and gave a deep bow. Old Master Tang was almost moved to tears. He had spent three years at Lishan Academy; he didn't know how much he had learned or how much hardship he had endured, but he had certainly mastered the art of greeting. "Feng'er, get up quickly!" Old Master Tang helped Tang Feng up. "You've studied diligently at Lishan Academy for three years, but have you received any recognition or honor?"
"This..." Not sure if being the head instructor counted as truant, Tang Feng respectfully replied, "Father, I am not talented; I can only say that I have studied diligently and behaved honestly. I have never held any official title."
"What kind of friends did you make?"
"Everyone in the academy, from left to right and up to down, is a friend, but the closest are still the few true confidants in Xiling."
Grandpa Tang nodded in satisfaction. "Then... the final exam." Actually, what Grandpa Tang was most pleased about was that Tang Feng was able to return this time. He was really afraid that Tang Feng would stay at the academy for another three years, then he would have no face to attend court in the future.
"I..." Before Tang Feng could finish speaking, a deafening sound of horses' hooves could be heard.
"Imperial edict has arrived!"
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