Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 1126: Tong San Caught Red-Handed
Tong San came specifically for Gu Jin’an, so how could he listen to Elder Xu’s words? He said, "Elder Xu is right, but we came especially to congratulate Brother Gu and wanted to meet him soon. Please kindly tell us where Brother Gu’s house is."
He also pointed to his family’s housekeeper and said, "This is the Tong Family’s housekeeper. I’ve instructed him to wait here so that even if Brother Gu returns, we won’t miss him."
Elder Xu inwardly sneered, thinking, young lad, you sure know how to speak, even preparing a backup plan. But can an old man like me be led by the nose by you?
Elder Xu said, "Why go to such trouble? Besides, it’s not every day that the second-place college examination scholar comes to my door. How can you leave without having a meal? It would be too discourteous. Come on, come on, follow the old man inside for a few drinks before discussing anything else."
As he spoke, he pulled Young Master Tong San and headed towards the guest hall of his house.
Young Master Tong San was quite angry and wanted to shake off Elder Xu, but Elder Xu seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. He turned back and smiled at Young Master Tong San, saying, "Scholar Tong, you must keep up. I’m getting old, and I’m afraid pulling you might cause me to fall. An old man falling can lead to a stroke, which is quite frightening."
Young Master Tong San knew martial arts and was about to forcefully shake off Elder Xu’s hand. Upon hearing this, he reluctantly held back his strength, not daring to do anything to Elder Xu.
Elder Xu was very hospitable, keeping Young Master Tong San and his group for a banquet and even introducing them to the neighbors of Qingzhu Lane. Young Master Tong San was like a monkey being watched for a long time. There was even an ignorant old woman who wanted to set him up on a blind date!
Young Master Tong San looked at the elderly, skinny woman in front of him, munching on a chicken leg with a mouthful of yellow teeth and rice grains on her face, and nearly retched.
Liu Wenqing quickly interrupted, "Mother-in-law from the Tang family, I am not married yet either. Why not help matchmake me instead?"
The mother-in-law of Tang Daming, upon hearing this, looked at Liu Wenqing and asked, "Are you the young master from the Liu family that runs a Carriage Inn?"
Liu Wenqing nodded, "Indeed, our Liu family has Carriage Inns in both Linhe Prefecture and Hushan Prefecture, plus two Manors. We live quite well."
However, the Carriage Inns of the Liu family didn’t earn much. The two Manors were quite small, mostly dry fields. The annual yield barely covered the family’s food needs, so there wasn’t much large money to speak of. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be currying favor with Young Master Tong San.
The mother-in-law of Tang Daming didn’t mind and started discussing a suitable girl from a certain lane with Liu Wenqing.
Young Master Tong San was becoming very annoyed. After a few bites of food, he couldn’t hold it in any longer and stood up, "Elder Xu, I’ve had the food and drink. Please tell us where Brother Gu’s house is. We have to congratulate him and then return home to entertain guests."
He also passed the Scholar examination. His home must be full of guests now, and as a promising young gentleman, he must return home to greet them, or else he would be accused of becoming arrogant overnight.
Squad Leader Song, who had accepted benefits from the Tong family, said, "Elder Xu, Young Master Tong San genuinely wants to befriend First Place Gu. Please kindly inform us of the location of First Place Gu’s house."
This time, Elder Xu didn’t make it difficult. He said, "Alright then. The Gu family’s house is at the end of Hushui Lane in East City."
"So that’s where it is." Young Master Tong San was delighted. After bowing to thank Elder Xu, he led everyone straight to Hushui Lane in East City.
Unfortunately, the last house in Hushui Lane wasn’t the Gu Jin’an’s house but another residence of the Xu family.
The Xu family servant laughed brightly, but what he said made Young Master Tong San want to kill someone.
The servant said, "Our Old Master is rather old and often mistakes things. He must have confused the addresses of the two houses. This isn’t the Gu family’s residence; it’s ours, the Xu family’s."
Well, isn’t that a coincidence?
Young Master Tong San trembled with rage, knowing full well that Elder Xu had played him, and he angrily said, "Old rascal!"
Daring to trick me, just wait. The Xu family will get what’s coming in the future!
The other young masters, upon witnessing this, were both tired and scared, not daring to speak up.
Young Master Tong San knew today was an important day for him and didn’t want to cause a scene outside because of the Xu family or the Gu family. So, with a calm expression, he said, "Let’s go, return to the residence."
Hearing this, everyone felt as if they were granted amnesty. They climbed into two Tong family carriages and returned to the Tong residence.
The Tong house was already full of guests. Da’an was waiting for Young Master Tong San and, seeing him return, hurriedly came down the steps and said, "Third Young Master, you’ve finally returned. If you didn’t come back soon, the Second Young Master would have been beside himself. The Old Master has been looking for you to entertain the guests."
Even though Old Master Tong had hoped Young Master Tong San would be the top scorer, he wasn’t too upset that he came in second and wanted to take Young Master Tong San to meet the guests.
Although Young Master Tong San was displeased with Elder Xu’s trickery, he could only compose himself to entertain the guests in the front courtyard.
However, before heading to the front courtyard, he told Liu Wenqing, "Invite your cousin Wenqing over. He’s one of our brothers. As I’ve passed the Scholar examination, I should invite him to the banquet."
Upon saying this, the other young masters didn’t find anything unusual, but Liu Wenqing and Dalun were nearly frightened to death. What is the Third Young Master thinking? This is too bold; if caught in the act, what future is there?
But Young Master Tong San was already fuming with anger and needed something cheerful to do. Otherwise, he couldn’t swallow his bitterness. Seeing Liu Wenqing hesitate, he angrily asked, "What’s wrong, you don’t want to do it? Do you not want your family’s Carriage Inn anymore?"
Liu Wenqing’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly replied, "I’ll go right away."
Liu Wenqing hurried to Liu Wenqing’s family and told him about Young Master Tong San’s invitation, also having a moment of conscience, he said, "Tong Qiuyuan isn’t what you think. He has a habit of visiting the Immortal Monarch Hall. Consider our cousinly relationship, I advise you not to go, lest you regret it."
Liu Wenqing didn’t believe him at all and replied, "Liu Wenqing, are you afraid that if I get acquainted with Young Master Tong San, you’ll lose your status, so you’re saying this to scare me and ruin my prospects? I tell you, you’re dreaming. Once I befriend the Third Young Master, success is sure to follow, and you won’t be able to bully me anymore!"
Liu Wenqing refused to listen to advice and, with a gift in hand, boarded the Tong family carriage.
Liu Wenqing was angry too. Seeing Liu Wenqing refuse to believe him, he simply left him alone and brought him to the Tong house. They dined in a side hall in the front yard with guests of lesser status.
They ate until it was completely dark, and only when Liu Wenqing was drunk was he taken to a guest room in the Tong family, told to rest until the morning after sobering up.
Liu Wenqing believed Young Master Tong San truly considered him a brother; thus, he envisioned a future by his side, free from Liu Wenqing’s dominance, and drunkenly thanked Da’an, "T-Thank, T-Thank the Third, Third Young Master for me." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦
Da’an smiled and said, "No need for me to thank on your behalf. You can thank him yourself later."
With that, he left the room and told Dalun outside, "Keep an eye out. I’ll go call the Third Young Master; don’t let anything go wrong."
Yet none of them knew, Xiao Sui had already informed Gu Jin’an about Young Master Tong San’s preferences, and Gu Jin’an had made preparations. Young Master Tong San better not act hastily, or he’d surely be caught in the act tonight!
