As they stood in the room, surrounded by her mother's past, Grandpa Tang smiled gently. "Come, there's more to see. I think you'll like the garden."
They wandered through the estate, and Tang Ning marveled at each room. They passed through an elegant sitting room with floor-to-ceiling windows, a cozy library filled with books, and a spacious kitchen with gleaming countertops. Everything was grand, yet it felt like home.
"if you should see the garden," Grandpa Tang said with a mischievous smile. "I think you'll like it."
"Oh? You've been keeping secrets from me, haven't you?" Tang Ning teased, raising an eyebrow.
"You'll see," he said, guiding her outside through a set of double doors.
The moment Tang Ning stepped into the garden, her breath caught. It wasn't just any garden—it was a haven of medicinal plants, herbs, and flowers. Some of them she recognized from her time with the Gu family, and others were entirely new.
"Grandpa…" she gasped, turning to him. "This… this is incredible!"
"I thought you might like a place to continue your studies," Grandpa Tang said, watching her reaction closely. "You've developed such a passion for herbal medicine. I wanted to give you a space where you could keep learning, right here at home."
Tears welled up in Tang Ning's eyes. "I don't know what to say… This means so much to me, Grandpa. Thank you."
"You don't need to say anything, Ning'er," Grandpa Tang said softly, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Just promise me you'll keep following your heart. Whether it's with the Gu family, your studies, or whatever else you choose… I'm proud of you."
Tang Ning smiled, her heart swelling with emotion. "I promise, Grandpa. I'll keep learning, and I'll make you proud."
He beamed at her. "You already have, Ning'er."
They stood together in the garden, the sunlight filtering through the trees, casting soft shadows on the ground. Tang Ning's mind wandered back to the mountain, to the time she had spent with Gu Yan and the Gu family. She had come so far, and now, in this new chapter of her life, she felt ready for anything.
"There's one more thing," Grandpa Tang said with a knowing smile. "I had your room prepared. I think you'll like what I've done with it."
Tang Ning's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Oh? Now I *really* want to see it!"
He laughed, leading her back inside. They climbed the stairs to the second floor, where he opened the door to a spacious, beautifully decorated room. The walls were lined with shelves of herbal texts, the bed was soft and inviting, and a large window overlooked the medicinal garden.
Tang Ning stepped inside, turning slowly to take it all in. "It's… perfect."
"I thought you'd like having your own study space," Grandpa Tang said, watching her reaction. "I wanted it to feel like a place where you could relax but also continue your work."
Tang Ning nodded, her heart full of gratitude. "It's more than I could've ever dreamed of. Thank you, Grandpa."
He smiled, his eyes filled with affection. "This is just the beginning, Ning'er. You're going to do great things."