Chapter 180: Tumultuous Thoughts
Over the years, as the Tang Manor’s wealth grew significantly, the estate underwent extensive renovations, now more than double its original size.
Mr. Tang was aging. Two years prior, he had handed control of the family business to Tang Mingjing. Later, with Yun Xiang’s guidance and planning, the Tang family’s fortunes flourished.
Only then did Tang Mingjing understand the meaning of the divination offered by the gentleman years ago. The one who resolved the Tang family’s predicament had indeed been Yun Xiang.
It all seemed to unfold naturally.
As Chen Changsheng approached Tang Manor’s outer gate, he heard the clamor of activity within. It seemed like everyone was busy preparing something.
“Hurry! Move this to the far side!”
“Hey! Straighten that! Be very gentle — don’t mess anything up!”
The manor’s main gate was wide open, with servants moving in and out constantly, mostly carrying items.
The steward who used to serve Old Master Tang was now quite advanced in years. After establishing himself in the town, he’d retired to enjoy his twilight years. Once Tang Mingjing took charge, he promoted the old caravan leader to manager and had him fill in as the steward.
Headman Cao was directing the workers with their loads when he suddenly spotted a green-robed gentleman appearing at the gate. He frowned, seemingly failing to recognize the man.
Chen Changsheng examined him closely — then finally made out his identity.
“Could this be Caravan Leader Cao?” Chen Changsheng inquired.
Several years had passed; Caravan Leader Cao looked a bit older. He sported a long beard and wore a neat robe that made him appear quite proper.
“You are…”
Abruptly, he reacted.
“Mr. Chen!” he exclaimed, trembling slightly.
Chen Changsheng offered a gentle smile. “I hadn’t expected that after so many years, Headman Cao would still recall me.”
“Please come in, Mr. Chen!”
Headman Cao immediately invited him into the manor.
Following inside, Chen Changsheng entered as Headman Cao scurried ahead at a brisk pace, shouting:
“Young Master! Old Master!”
“Mr. Chen is here!”
“Young Mistress! Mr. Chen’s arrived!”
Headman Cao had a booming voice; his cry echoed throughout the entire manor.
All the bustling maids and servants turned towards the sound.
Looking towards the gate, they saw a green-robed gentleman step through the courtyard entrance.
“Such a handsome gentleman…” someone murmured in a low voice, awed by his features.
“Who is this guest? Why did Manager Cao become so flustered?”
“I’ve never seen him before.”
These servants and maids had joined the household fairly recently and hadn’t been introduced to Mr. Chen before. They wondered what kind of exalted guest could send Manager Cao into such a state.
Headman Cao’s shouts traveled all the way from the front hall onto the rear courtyard.
In his study, busy pushing beads across his abacus, Tang Mingjing jolted in alarm upon hearing it.
“Mr. Chen?”
He jerked up, dashing outside without hesitation.
At the very same moment, Old Master Tang had been trying to relax in the cool shade of the rear garden. He too snapped to full alert.
“Who’s arrived?”
Father and son practically collided as their rushing paths crossed within the corridor of the central courtyard.
“Father, go slowly!” Tang Mingjing called out.
Tang Shijie stumbled slightly. “You — you hold my arm.”
Tang Mingjing helped support his elderly father as they made their way to the main hall.
Meanwhile, Yun Xiang had been in the courtyard, transfixed by the lotus flowers blooming in a large ceramic basin.
Suddenly, those cries from the front courtyard reached her ears.
Yun Xiang snapped out of her daze, thinking perhaps she’d been daydreaming too intensely. She must have misheard.
“Mistress! Mistress!”
A maid ran into the courtyard. “There’s a Mr. Chen come to see us! Could that be… the gentleman you were always waiting for?”
Yun Xiang’s hand trembled faintly. A sense of unreality washed over her. “Mr. Chen…”
And then, she fully grasped it. She immediately leapt to her feet, dashing toward the main hall.
“Mistress! Slow down!”
…
Holding his father’s arm, Tang Mingjing reached the main hall and saw the gentleman walking into view.
He stared at the unchanged face of Chen Changsheng.
Tang Mingjing paused briefly — then immediately clasped his hands in salute. “Mingjing pays his respects to Mr. Chen!”
“Tang Shijie of the Tang family likewise pays his respects to Mr. Chen!”
Father and son performed deep ceremonial bows together.
Witnessing this scene, the surrounding servants were utterly astounded.
Even the master and young master demonstrated such reverence. Clearly, this guest held a status far beyond ordinary!
“Quickly, stand up! I scarcely deserve such gestures,” Chen Changsheng rushed forward, raising them both back upright.
“Mr. Chen, please sit.”
Tang Mingjing hastily gestured towards a seat.
Servants brought chairs; they all sat down in turn.
Chen Changsheng inquired politely, “I see the entire manor bustling — is some major occasion approaching?”
Tang Shijie patted his snow-white beard lightly. “To speak plainly, Sir — tomorrow marks Mingjing’s wedding day.”
Chen Changsheng paused briefly — turning to look directly at Tang Mingjing.
Tang Mingjing offered him a quiet, confirming nod.
Chen Changsheng broke into a smile. “Then my arrival comes at an auspicious time indeed.”
Tang Mingjing explained, “The wedding had been slated for this year all along. I kept hoping Mr. Chen might actually be able to attend; that’s why the timing was set within these recent days.”
“Yun Xiang didn’t find you yesterday — We feared it might be futile. But truly — here you stand!”
“I was much moved by your remembrance,” Chen Changsheng responded warmly. “I constantly wander these past years; I scarcely remain at my residence. Indeed, it’s fortunate I came today — else I might truly have missed it.”
“Absolutely no need to stand on ceremony!” Tang Mingjing insisted. “Your presence alone brings our Tang house immense honour.”
As they conversed, an unmistakable figure hurriedly rushed into the hall ahead of them yet again.
Yun Xiang arrived panting for breath — strands of her hair slightly disheveled. Her eyes locked onto the figure sitting with the others — the gentleman clad immaculately in robes of green.
Once her eyes fell on him? They refused to budge again.
Sensing the concentrated gaze from beyond the hall, Chen Changsheng paused ever so slightly. He turned, seeking its source.
There Yun Xiang stood rooted — frozen like an ancient sculpture.
Nine years had passed in the blink of an eye. Gone was the little servant girl; here stood an elegant young woman. Her expression bore traces of haste. Pure joy radiated from her eyes — yet mingled distinctly with nervousness.
She felt tumultuous panic churning inside her soul. Gathering herself at last, she advanced towards Chen Changsheng one trembling step at a time.
Her lips pressed firmly together — holding back some unspeakable torrent; when she reached him, she executed another deep curtsy of respect. Her head bowed low and meek. “Yun Xiang pays her respects to Mr. Chen.”
He regarded her thoughtfully. Gentle amusement glimmered in his expression as he spoke. “Nine years passed in the blink of an eye — You are grown now.”
Yun Xiang heard his voice — Somehow it struck some buried chord within her. She longed desperately to weep.
She suppressed the emotion physically — but tears threatened to spill from behind her stubborn lashes — staining delicate lids ruby red.
Chen Changsheng pressed further — softly, cautiously: “Have you finished studying your books then?”
“I’ve read extensively these past years, Sir.” she answered immediately, voice trembling almost imperceptibly. “I thoroughly studied everything originally given to me.”
“That’s excellent.”
Yun Xiang nodded her acknowledgement. Deep inside — words burned on her tongue — yearnings to communicate far beyond formality restrained only by decorum demanding silence. Reminding herself uninvited presence already broke rules? She swallowed the words.
She simply seated herself quietly nearby — amongst all gathered inside this hall? None felt sharper longing to perceive this visitor than she did at that exact moment.
Despite that? She outwardly appeared unnaturally serene — poised as tranquil waters frozen beneath winter ice.
Even Tang Mingjing grew perplexed — Why did Yun Xiang appear so exceptionally tranquil? Wasn’t meeting Chen Changsheng her deepest hope?
Though unknown to others?
The moment Yun Xiang perceived Chen Changsheng standing there alive and tangible?
Inside her? Emotion already surged violently as wild storm-tossed waves.
…
Her personal maid finally caught up to her mistress’ location. Standing silently behind the young woman.
Chen Changsheng resumed asking details concerning Tang Mingjing’s nuptials. Chatting easily with the patriarch and his son.
The attendant studied mistress Yun Xiang subtly — After settling onto her seat?
Yun Xiang’s gaze seemed locked permanently upon the visiting gentleman’s countenance.
Unbroken attention — Not looking anywhere else — even once.
The maid couldn’t help growing quite curious — Had Miss Yun Xiang experienced some deep encounter tying her to this gentleman in her past?
And yet — The past binding her?
Merely amounted to him imparting knowledge of written characters — perhaps a mere three or four.
But the emotion forged unexpectedly among them?
Had somehow endured — flowing ceaselessly through countless passing seasons since that long-gone day.