Resignation
"First, if you think about it carefully, the five years I promised Uncle Zhou about our marriage are almost up, but... I... I can't marry you yet. I have my reasons, and I'll explain if there's a chance later, but not now. Second, I'm going to Shanghan. I just decided these past two days. While I'm away at Shanghan... don't come looking for me. Third... third, I... I hope you can wait for me. Of course, I won't force you. I know... this is a bit much, I..."
"I'll wait for you," Zhou Ziliang interrupted before Tang Feng could finish speaking. Tang Feng was taken aback at first, then held his breath, forcing back the tears that were welling up in his eyes. "You'd better think it through. I'm going... and I may not return."
"I told you in Daze, don't apologize to me. I'll wait for you no matter how long it takes." Hearing Zhou Ziliang's reply, Tang Feng couldn't hold back any longer. He threw himself into Zhou Ziliang's arms, clutching the front of Zhou Ziliang's shirt, and said in a trembling voice, "Okay..." Actually, Tang Feng didn't know if what he did was right, or if it was fair to Zhou Ziliang. Who knew if he would ever return from Shanghan? If he found Su Zili and found a solution, that would be great. But if he didn't find a solution... If he went back, his version of himself in this world would disappear, or... die. How heartbroken would Zhou Ziliang be?
Seeing that Tang Feng's emotions had gradually calmed down, Zhou Ziliang asked gently, "Then may I ask, why did you go to Shanghan?"
Tang Feng straightened up, lowered his head, and said, "I...I want to go to Shanghan to do business. I don't want to get involved in the power struggles between the Crown Prince and his group in the pawnshop anymore. I'm tired." Tang Feng didn't want to tell Zhou Ziliang about the bell, nor did he want him to know about Su Zili. These past two days, Tang Feng had heard so much about Su Zili and vaguely sensed that Su Zili and her affairs were not simple. Tang Feng didn't want Zhou Ziliang to get involved, but Zhou Ziliang knew that Tang Feng's reasons for going to Shanghan weren't so simple, yet he still chose to respect his wishes.
The two men were lost in their own thoughts in the courtyard. When they learned that Madam Zhou had called them to dinner, Madam Zhou kept adding food to Tang Feng's plate and urging him to eat more. As Tang Feng was eating, he suddenly heard Old Marquis Zhou ask abruptly, "Isn't the five years you mentioned before almost up? When are you going to consider marrying Ziliang?"
This question struck a nerve with Tang Feng. Somewhat flustered, Tang Feng held his bowl, looked at Zhou Wuhai, and stammered, "I...I...haven't thought about it yet..." Zhou Wuhai frowned deeply. "What do you mean by that? If I remember correctly, you came to my house to apologize and told me personally that you would marry me in five years, didn't you?"
"Uncle Zhou has a good memory," Tang Feng said, head bowed, not daring to look up at Zhou Wuhai. Seeing Tang Feng's troubled expression, Zhou Ziliang patted Tang Feng's leg under the table to reassure him, then said, "Father, Xiao Feng has his own ideas, so please don't rush him." These words, however, did not soothe Zhou Wuhai's emotions; instead, they ignited his anger.
Zhou Wuhai slammed down his chopsticks, staring intently at Tang Feng, and said sternly, "Then how long is he going to wait?! Tang Feng, you've challenged my bottom line time and time again! You'd better think this through. The Marquis's Mansion hasn't wronged you; it doesn't matter who my son marries!" Tang Feng trembled at Zhou Wuhai's words, lowering his head. Zhou Wuhai was right; for so long, Zhou Ziliang had always been the one tolerating him, while he had never thought of Zhou Ziliang's feelings at all. Tang Feng loosened his grip and said, "Uncle Zhou is right... Your Marquis's Mansion has never wronged me. Ziliang... it doesn't matter who he marries, but this time... I have my reasons, which I can't tell you right now. When I return, I will apologize to you. No matter who Ziliang marries in the future... I will come to apologize." Tang Feng stood up, turned, and left.
No matter how much Madam Zhou called, she couldn't get him back. Seeing this, Zhou Ziliang quickly got up to chase after him. Madam Zhou was furious and stomped on Zhou Wuhai's foot, saying, "Are you sick?! Why are you scaring Xiaofeng?! What's wrong with delaying it for a year or two? When you were conquering the world, didn't you also delay my marriage for two or three years? Did I say anything?"
"How can that be the same! I went to conquer the world."
"How is it different! Oh! Your matter is a matter, but Xiao Feng's isn't? Let me tell you, your son can only marry Xiao Feng in this lifetime, otherwise you can wait and get a divorce from me!" Seeing Madam Zhou turn to leave, Zhou Wuhai panicked and hurriedly chased after her, "Oh! Weren't we talking about Ziliang's matter? Why are you talking about a divorce with me! Madam, Madam!"
Tang Feng had just reached the gate of the Prince's Mansion when Zhou Ziliang caught up with him. Zhou Ziliang grabbed Tang Feng and said, "Xiao Feng! Where are you going? Father was just saying that in anger, don't take it seriously. Besides, what are you saying! Who else could I marry in this life but you? Aren't we mutually in love and committed to each other until death?"
Tang Feng smiled wryly, "I always thought there was nothing wrong with our relationship, but now it seems I was too selfish. I've never given you anything in return."
Zhou Ziliang chuckled. "You're really making a fuss about yourself! I don't even feel wronged, but you're acting like I'm the one feeling wronged." Then, Zhou Ziliang straightened Tang Feng's body, lifted Tang Feng's chin, and made Tang Feng look at him. "Xiao Feng, look at me. I'll just ask you one question: I'll wait for you, do you believe me?"
"Of course I believe you! You would never lie to me."
"That's enough! You trust me, so it's not like you've given me nothing at all. In this world, deceit and scheming are truly disgusting, but trust, though seemingly insignificant, becomes the most precious thing. So this is enough."
Zhou Ziliang's words deeply moved Tang Feng. He took a deep breath and explained everything to Zhou Ziliang: "I went to Shanghan... actually, I was going to find someone."
Looking for someone?
"Hmm..." Tang Feng nodded. "I'm looking for Su Zili, the first prime minister of Yan Yun. I didn't know if you knew him, so I haven't mentioned him to you." Zhou Ziliang sighed. "Su Zili? How did you suddenly get involved with him?" Zhou Ziliang didn't have any particular impression of Su Zili. Zhou Wuhai couldn't stand the name at all in his early years, and people in the mansion rarely mentioned it. He first heard about Su Zili when he was a child, overhearing his parents' conversation.
"Uh... how do you explain this? Well, a few days ago I was sick, right? It was because I saw the bell that Su Zili used to wear in the pawnshop... and then I fainted! I've been having nightmares... like the ones you saw in the military camp... so I think..." Tang Feng didn't tell the whole story.
"I see! What are your thoughts on the pawnshop situation? Will you take a temporary post or resign?"
"Resigning... Although... I went to Shanghan to find Su Zili, I also went there to hide from someone. I don't want to put myself in such a predicament. I don't want to get involved in the Crown Prince's affairs or the Fourth Prince's affairs," Tang Feng said with a bitter smile. "If I stay here, how will the Crown Prince let me go?"
“It’s good that he’s out; Uncle Tang should be very pleased,” Zhou Ziliang said, which made perfect sense. Tang Zhaonan genuinely didn’t want Tang Feng to become an official and had always hoped he could run a small business. Tang Feng smiled. “I’m not worried about my father; I’m worried about whether the Crown Prince will allow it.” Thinking of Li Yunrui, Tang Feng felt that this trip to the Crown Prince’s residence would likely be a fierce battle. He knew without a doubt that Li Yunrui would obstruct him in every way possible, but he still had to face it. Zhou Ziliang had originally planned to go to the Crown Prince’s residence with Tang Feng, but Tang Feng refused. The less trouble with Li Yunrui, the better. Zhou Ziliang gave Tang Feng a few words of advice, telling him not to overthink things and to go home and rest.
After leaving the Marquis's mansion, Tang Feng did not go home, but instead went to the Crown Prince's mansion. In any case, he would eventually have to confront Li Yunrui, so it was better to end it quickly than to suffer for a long time. After entering the gate of the Crown Prince's mansion, Tang Feng saw the sedan chair parked at the gate and asked the steward, "Is the Crown Prince going out today?"
"Ah! You mean this sedan chair! This is Miss Lin's sedan chair, please come in, Mr. Tang!"
Tang Feng stood before the Crown Prince's study. Even before entering, he could hear the girls' laughter. Tang Feng chuckled. "Li Yunrui's got some nerve! He's already hooked up with a girl in just a few days." Suppressing his laughter, Tang Feng pushed open the door and saw Li Yunrui and the young woman, Miss Lin, face to face, chatting happily. Tang Feng bowed and said, "Tang Feng greets the Crown Prince."
Li Yunrui waved his hand, signaling Tang Feng to rise. "You certainly know how to pick a day. This is the future Crown Princess, Lin Xiaomei, General Lin's youngest daughter."
Tang Feng curtsied slightly. "Tang Feng greets...the Crown Princess." Lin Xiaomei covered her mouth and chuckled. "Tang Sicheng, please rise! I haven't married into the family yet; I can't accept the title of Crown Princess. Your Highness, I'll take my leave now. You two can continue your conversation."
Seeing Lin Xiaomei leave, Li Yunrui asked, "Speak! What is it this time? This time it wasn't me who came to see you." Tang Feng knelt on the ground and said, "I remember His Highness the Crown Prince promised me that he wouldn't have any contact with me for two years, so today I've come to ask His Highness for a favor."
Li Yunrui frowned, a bad feeling creeping into his heart for some reason. "Tell me about it."
"Your Highness, I wish to resign." Li Yunrui stared at Tang Feng's resolute eyes for a long time, then sighed. "Alright... I grant your request." Tang Feng abruptly stood up, and as if he hadn't heard clearly, repeated, "Your Highness... I wish to resign."
I approve.
Tang Feng never expected Li Yunrui to let him go so easily. He knelt on the ground and asked cautiously, "Are you in such a good mood today? You agreed so quickly?"
"What? Do you think Tang Sicheng will stay if I try to persuade him to?" Li Yunrui asked lazily, leaning back in his chair. "I am a little reluctant, but forcing you isn't a solution. What do you plan to do after you resign?"
Upon hearing this, Tang Feng thought to himself that Li Yunrui had finally come to his senses, and his expression gradually softened. "Go to Shanghan."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com