The man's fingertips caressed the cup as he looked at the steeping tea leaves. "Old Master Tang, you should consider my brother."
"Your brother's temper..." Old Master Tang was helpless. "Not mentioning the little devil in the family that's difficult to deal with. You know our family's situation better. She doesn't have a good relationship with her stepmother, so she probably doesn't want to be someone else's."
Thinking of his nephew, the man's lips curled up slightly. He remembered that the little guy liked sweet food. The cake here is not too bad. He would bring some for his nephew when he returned.
"Also, I think you are more suitable for each other. My granddaughter has the best temper in Pingjiang." old Master Tang brought up his granddaughter, and a smile appeared in his eyes.
"However, relationships can't be forced. I won't give you any pressure. Alright, let's not talk about this. You've listened to the performance, drank tea, and eaten cakes. You've seen her too. Come with me. It's good weather for a walk."
"Okay."
The old man pursed his lips and looked at him with a complicated expression.
***
At this moment in the Tang family.
After hearing Zhang Liyun's words, Tang Wan pursed her lips and smiled. "That's right. It's a good thing that father isn't around. Otherwise, with his temper, he would definitely get into a fight with grandfather."
"The old man is a man of his word. Your father's heart aches for you. Actually, no one is at fault." Deep down, Zhang Liyun did not like Tang Wan.
When she got married, Tang Wan was not young anymore. She was already sensible and could not be influenced. However, she had a good personality and was not arrogant. After all these years of staying together, although there were conflicts, it was still a rather peaceful relationship.
In the end, they were secretly competing with each other. However, as the old man's health declined, the conflicts gradually surfaced.
"Wan Wan, who do you like more among the two young men from the Jiang Family?" Zhang Liyun probed.
"I've never met them, so I can't say that I have any particular affinity toward any of them."
"Would you want to go upstairs later? If the Jiang family comes over and your father and grandfather aren't around, I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it if they insist on talking to you about this marriage."
She smiled kindly, as if everything was for the good of Tang Wan.
However, Tang Wan put down her teacup with rather huge action. She sneered, "Aunt Li, you don't have to beat around the bush with me. I know very well what you're scheming. The news has already spread outside..."
"They said that you want Tang Mo to replace me and marry into the Jiang Family!"
"Wan Wan, who did you hear this nonsense from?" Zhang Li Yun did indeed have this intention. With that, her own position in the Tang family would be further strengthened. In the future, she might just receive a bigger share of the inheritance.
"I don't need to ask around. Naturally, someone will tell me."
"Since you've said so, I won't hide it from you. I've thought about it before, but I'm doing this for your own good."
"For my own good?" Tang Wan raised her eyebrows.
"Your father didn't agree, but the old man insisted on marrying you. The Jiang family only wants one daughter from the Tang family, so Mo can totally marry him.
"It's all thanks to the Tang family that we have been able to live such a good life for so many years. We have to return the kindness somehow."
"Compared to Mo's happiness, I hope that you can live a happy life."
Tang Wan took a sip of warm tea. It was clear that she had wanted to use her daughter for her own greed. Yet, she managed to twist it, making it sound like it was for Tang Wan's good. The audacity!
"Aunt Li, since you're doing this for my own good, then I'll be frank with you." She put down her cup and straightened her back.
Every move she made showed her upbringing and grace. This was something that could not be learned.
"If Tang Mo marries into the Jiang family, how will the public think of me? They might think that I didn't want to marry her, and that's why I pushed her out.
"Who knows, they might even frame me for being ruthless and mistreating my stepsister."
"Furthermore... If you allow the marriage to happen, how will the Jiang Family think of me? Will they say that I look down on their family? And that I am merely looking for someone convenient to decline the marriage proposal?
"If you really have my best interests, you shouldn't have put me in such a dilemma."
"Last but not least, Aunt Li..." Tang Wan curled her lips into a smile. Her eyes, which seemed to calm down, instantly shot out a trace of fierceness.
"The Jiang family... isn't a place for anyone to enter! If you want to give it to them, they might not be willing to accept it."
Her last words were no longer just words, but a knife that stabbed into the mother and daughter's hearts.
"I can handle my own matters. Even if I don't want to get married, I will personally tell the Jiang family. You don't have to worry, Aunt Li.
"There are some things I heard. Perhaps you should be worried that Father will hear them too.
"If I can figure it out, he will, naturally."
Zhang Liyun's face turned pale. In fact, she didn't think much previously. She only knew that if Tang Mo could enter the Jiang family, her future was all but secured. She would never have to bow to Tang Wan anymore!
It was one thing for her intentions to be exposed, but she was even given a warning. Her exquisitely made-up face was already showing signs of cracking.
She had been in the Tang family for more than ten years. This could be considered her first direct confrontation with Tang Wan. Tang Wan usually stayed in the old mansion with the old man. Recently, they moved into the city as the old man's health was declining and needed frequent medical visits.
The ladies from Pingjiang were famous for being gentle and demure, while Tang Wan, as the model of a socialite in the circle. She was the best of the best.
Every move she made was elegant in nature.
But who knew that the wild nature in her bones was hard to tame.
***
Just when the atmosphere was in a stalemate, Madam Chen suddenly spoke.
"Sir, when did you return?"
The few people in the living room turned around and saw a few people standing not far away from the door.
Old Tang was leaning on a walking stick. He had a head full of white hair and a white beard and dressed in a black suit. Although he had reached the end of his life, his eyes were turbid, but his gaze was extremely deep, as if he could see through people.
"Grandfather." Tang Wan immediately stood up.
"Sir."
"Grandfather!" Zhang Liyun and her daughter hurriedly stood up as well. They did not know when he returned, nor did they know how much he had listened to their conversation. Their eyes were a little flustered.
Tang Wan's gaze fell on the man who was diagonally behind him.
With just a glance, Tang Wan would always remember the appearance she had when she first saw him..
When the man tilted his head to look at her, it was as if there was a wet breeze blowing past. There was a patch of green shade swaying above his head, spreading layers of warm greenery under his white clothes.
He followed Old Master Tang forward. He had originally hidden under the shade of the trees, and when he stepped out of the light..
The sky was just right. The sunlight was intense and scorching hot. When it fell on his body, his entire body seemed to be shrouded in a layer of light. There was a gentle warmth in his eyes, but the corners of his lips were cold and desolate.
His body seemed to have thousands of rays of light. He was a proud man, and wasn't afraid to show it through his exquisite facial features.
"This is the second son of the Jiang family." Old Master Tang introduced as they entered. Although he was the second son in the family, it was said that he was ranked fifth in the entire Jiang family tree. Therefore, everyone in Sijiu City addressed him as Fifth Master.
"Ms. Tang."
His voice was warmer than that of the mountain breeze, but if one listened carefully, one could tell that he was cold and distant.
He looked at Tang Wan again and called her politely, "Ms. Tang."
For a moment, Tang Wan felt as if her heart was about to jump out of her chest. It hit her chest hard, as if her ribs would break in any moment.
It was too quiet around her, and everything would be magnified infinitely.
For example, her frantic heartbeat and chaotic breathing.
At this moment, her mind was filled with the comments of the people in Sijiu City,
This master of the Jiang family, tsk --
With looks to die for.
Unfortunately..
He didn't have long to live. He wouldn't live past 28 years old.
Tang Wan pursed her lips at that time and felt that it was a pity. Since he was described as such, why couldn't he live longer.
The wise would always suffer.
However, only after that did she understand how it was for consequences to lived on.
At this time, a certain someone was also sizing up Tang Wan. Along the way, Old Master Tang had praised her many times and described her as gentle and demure, but the truth seemed to be different..
Her gentle skin looked like the warmest wine, but little did he know... there in it hid the wildest soul.