TFWYH – Chapter 674 So That’s How It Is

The Ling family continued their routine, leaving early and returning late each day, busy with their own affairs.

Gu Hengcang’s visit had not affected them in the slightest.

Ling Yue and Ling Chen didn’t even know it had happened.

Ling Chen was doing fairly well. Aside from his dislike of attending the academy, his daily life was not much different from what it had been back in Xiangxi Town.

Ling Yue, however, was far busier.

Every day she made a point of visiting both the Beauty Workshop and the hotpot restaurant.

Even though Yu Ziqing had told her there was no need to come personally, she still couldn’t put her mind at ease.

Fortunately, her attention had recently been completely captured by the idea of opening a jade gambling shop.

After carrying out her daily inspections of the Beauty Workshop and the hotpot restaurant, she would wander through the streets looking for a suitable storefront.

But…

The more she searched, the more discouraged she became.

People saw that she was young and a girl, and assumed she was joking. Most of them would dismiss her after only a few words.

Even those willing to listen, and willing to rent their shops to her, treated her as an easy target and quoted outrageously high prices.

After several days, Ling Yue’s confidence gradually gave way to numb resignation.

At last, she recognized a painful truth.

In the eyes of others, she was just a little girl.

As for connections, the only person she could really count on was Yu Ziqing.

The only people she could rely on were her elder brother and sister-in-law.

Even Gesang had sought cooperation with her because of her brother and sister-in-law.

Once she realized that, the young girl wilted.

This time, she had wanted to build something on her own.

After all, Tang Wan had taught her for so long, and she had been confident that she could succeed.

But now…

Ling Yue lowered her head and trudged home in disappointment.

People in this world loved to judge by appearances.

She was simply too young.

Meanwhile, Tang Wan had just gotten up.

After breakfast, she was preparing to go out.

It was at that moment that honored guests arrived at the house.

Wan Zhenxiang, Eunuch Wan, came dressed in ordinary clothes, accompanied by a group of young eunuchs who were also dressed as commoners.

After A’Da reported their arrival, Tang Wan quickly had them invited inside.

A short while later, Wan Zhenxiang entered the main hall with a hearty laugh.

However…

His laughter stopped abruptly when he swept his gaze across the room and landed on Madam Jiang’s face.

In fact…

His expression turned to shock.

As the emperor’s most trusted attendant, he was intimately familiar with all the imperial consorts and the wives of the princes.

But what exactly was he looking at?

That… that face…

Wasn’t that the face of the Second Prince’s Consort?

Eh?

No, that wasn’t quite right.

The Second Prince’s Consort was somewhat younger.

Then this woman must be…

A flash of realization struck him.

The emperor’s recent favoritism and indulgence toward Ling Yu.

His unusually warm attitude toward Tang Wan by association.

Everything suddenly connected in Wan Zhenxiang’s mind.

So that’s how it is…

His heart was in turmoil.

But he was a man who had weathered countless storms. Within moments, he regained control of his expression.

His attitude toward Tang Wan instantly became even more respectful.

“Greetings, County Lady Wengnai. This servant has intruded upon your home. I hope Your Ladyship will forgive the disturbance.”

“There is no need to be so polite, Eunuch Wan.”

Tang Wan raised an eyebrow and made a small gesture for him to rise.

“May I ask what brings you here today?”

“Yes, yes, a guest is a guest!” Madam Jiang said cheerfully. “Please sit down. I’ll go make some tea for everyone.”

With that, she started walking toward the door.

Had Wan Zhenxiang not seen Madam Jiang, he might have accepted the offer.

But now that he had pieced together the truth, how could he possibly dare?

He hurriedly stopped her.

His attitude toward Madam Jiang was even more respectful than toward Tang Wan.

“Madam, please don’t trouble yourself. This servant has come today to deliver something to County Lady Wengnai. Once the items have been delivered, I should be taking my leave.”