Chapter 64: A New Hope
Why did Tang Shuwan have such an idea?
Because among the direct descendants of the Tang family, Tang Ju's branch is the worst off.
The root cause of this problem was that Tang Ju only had two daughters and no sons, which resulted in the family's resources not being tilted towards him.
Even the position of Leshou County Magistrate, a minor official of the seventh rank, was obtained by Tang Ju with great effort...
Tang Shuwan still remembered that when the family left Shendu and rushed to Leshou County to take up their posts, someone in the family made fun of Tang Ju, saying that he was bringing shame to the family by going to the remote place of Yingzhou, Hebei Province , to serve as a county magistrate.
He also asserted that Tang Ju would not be promoted, and the best case scenario would be that he would stay as the magistrate of Leshou County for the rest of his life.
But now, Tang Ju is actually going to resign.
Tang Shujing could imagine how much ridicule they would endure when their family returned to the capital in disgrace...
Tang Shuwan was well aware of the difficulties at home, but she was just a weak woman. Although she was proficient in poetry, songs, calligraphy, chess and painting, what was the use?
Sometimes she couldn't help but fantasize that if she were a man, maybe Tang Ju's situation would be improved, at least he would be able to get more resources from the family.
But... she was trained to be a lady from a noble family since she was a child...
On the contrary, her younger sister Jing'er behaved and spoke like a man, which made her very envious. However, it was useless, as having no children meant having no children.
In addition to his wife, Madam Chen, Tang Ju also had two concubines, but they had no children...
In the quiet back hall, neither the father nor the daughter said anything else.
Tang Ju drank his tea silently, while Tang Shuwan silently picked up the pot and added more tea.
All of them had frowned.
At this time, the county magistrate's wife, Mrs. Chen, walked into the back hall holding an exquisite small wooden box. After seeing the situation in the hall, she didn't say a word, but sat down on the chair next to Tang Ju with the small wooden box in her arms.
Tang Shuwan silently took the clean cup and poured tea for Mrs. Chen.
"Madam, how is the packing going?" Tang Ju asked. Since he had decided to resign, he naturally needed to move out of the county government's backyard.
"Husband, don't be anxious..." Mrs. Chen placed the small wooden box on the coffee table and opened it carefully. Several large stacks of banknotes lay quietly inside.
After Tang Ju turned his head to take a look, he couldn't take his eyes away.
I couldn't help but think, "My family is so rich."
But he usually doesn't even have ten copper coins on him...
"Husband, how about we increase the reward a little bit?" Mrs. Chen was wary of her husband, afraid that he would suddenly come to steal the money.
“How much?”
"One or two?"
"puff!"
Tang Ju spat out a mouthful of old tea. Following the trajectory of the spray, the tea would wet the silver bills in the small wooden box.
But at the critical moment, Tang Ju turned his head and looked to the other side.
After spraying the tea, I started coughing violently.
Tang Shuwan quickly moved behind Tang Ju and massaged his back to help him calm down.
"Are you okay, husband?" Mrs. Chen smiled awkwardly.
"It's okay, cough cough...it will be fine in a while." After stopping coughing, Tang Ju shook his head and said , "There's no point in raising the reward now."
" Then ... increase it by one hundred taels? One thousand one hundred taels is already a lot." Mrs. Chen said.
Tang Ju continued to shake his head.
Madam Chen gritted her teeth, like a brave warrior who had cut off his arm, "Then add one thousand taels, a total of two thousand taels, there will definitely be brave men under a heavy reward!"
Tang Ju still shook his head and sighed, "This case is almost unsolvable because there are no clues. Even if the reward is increased to 10,000 taels, it will be useless."
"Oh!" Mrs. Chen sighed, silently closed the lid of the small wooden box, and then held it in her arms.
Tang Ju's eyes twitched, but he didn't say anything... Who made him henpecked?
Why!
Madam Chen sighed for a while, then suddenly looked at her eldest daughter Tang Shuwan and said, "Wan'er, why don't you go find Liu Ziyun and see if you can ask the envoy for help?"
"Mom, don't mention Liu Ziyun!" Tang Shuwan's face fell.
Before, Tang Ju and the governor of Yingzhou intended to bring Liu Ziyun and Tang Shuwan together. Although Tang Shuwan was not very willing, she was bound by the family rules of her scholarly family and did not dare to resist openly.
"Why? Wan'er, please don't be polite at this time..."
"Mom, after Liu Ziyun learned about the murder on the city wall, he fled back to the state capital overnight..." Although Tang Shuwan felt aggrieved when she heard this, she was actually very happy in her heart... She could finally get rid of that annoying guy.
"Uh..." Mrs. Chen was confused.
"This..." Tang Ju was also confused.
They naturally knew that Liu Ziyun had some interest in their eldest daughter, but they did not expect that when the critical moment came, Liu Ziyun actually ran away?
Tang Shuwan suddenly had an idea. She mustered up the courage to hold Tang Ju's hand and said, "Daddy, let me decide my marriage. Liu Ziyun is just a coward..."
"Shut up!"
Tang Ju frowned and interrupted Tang Shuwan.
Tang Shuwan immediately lowered her head and kept silent. The family education she received since childhood made her dare not talk back to Tang Ju.
The way she bowed her head and admitted her mistake made Tang Ju very satisfied, because it made him experience the pleasure of being a father.
If it were Tang Shujing, the unfilial daughter, she would definitely stick her neck out and quarrel with him.
"Since ancient times, children's marriages have been arranged by their parents and matchmakers! How can you make the decision on your own? This is a disgrace to the family. Go back and copy the "Female Rules" ten times. I want to check it."
"Yes!" Tang Shuwan lowered her head, with a hint of grievance in her voice.
"That's right."
Tang Ju nodded with satisfaction and a knowing smile on his face. He felt that he was successful in teaching Tang Shuwan to become a perfect lady.
Even though he lost his official position, after returning to the capital, everyone in the family would give him a thumbs up when talking about Tang Shuwan's character.
However, at this moment, a maid ran over to report, saying, "Alang, Madam... the second young lady broke in, and brought people with her..."
What?
Tang Shujing brought people into her own home?
The successful smile on Tang Ju's face suddenly froze and then disappeared completely.
As for the second girl, Tang Shujing, based on Tang Ju's understanding, she is definitely capable of doing such a thing.
Tang Ju couldn't help but stand up, his face turned pale, and he was ready to give Tang Shujing a lecture.
After I resign from my official position, I will focus on teaching Jing'er, otherwise how will she get married in the future... Tang Ju thought to himself as he stood up.
Mrs. Chen also stood up. She had no idea what to do with her daughter Tang Shujing, but it was really immature for her to be so rash at this time.
Tang Shuwan also frowned slightly. Although she envied her sister for being able to wander around like a man, she also felt uncomfortable with some of her words and actions.
After Tang Ju stood up, he had just taken a step when he heard Tang Shujing's shout from the back hall: "Daddy, we have a clue, we have a clue!"
After hearing this, Tang Ju, Mrs. Chen and Tang Shuwan were all shocked.
The anger on his face immediately disappeared, replaced by an expression of anticipation and surprise.
Originally, Tang Ju was ready to resign from his post.
But then another clue came.
There really is always a silver lining!
