Chapter 12: Old Man (3)　

“Earlier, did you not say that it makes you think you have more dignity as an official? Why are you scraping it all off?” Ruan-shi didn’t understand.

Tang Song Nian did not answer. He took the wet cloth towel, wiped his face, and turned left and right in front of the bronze mirror. It took a while before he nodded with satisfaction.

Ruan-shi thought for a bit, then understood, and let out a chuckle.

Tang Song Nian’s handsome face turned crimson, and he turned his hand to get the ointment. Holding his mouth, he coughed and asked, “Is Little Treasure asleep?”

“Yeah, learning to walk in the daytime is so tiring. How can you not sleep at the moment?”

Tang Song Nian also heard Bi Wen talk about his daughter’s toddler days. He said proudly, “This little girl is as tough as I am, not afraid of hardship.”

Ruan-shi’s heart sank: “Yes, yes, like you, just like you.”

After a pause, he laughed, “That stubborn, domineering temperament is the most like you.”

Tang Song Nian’s thin lips slightly curved, eyes failing to hide his emotions.

The next morning, Xu Yun Yao was held in the house by Bi Wen in a daze. She suddenly saw a dashing young man with a fair complexion and handsome knife-shaped eyebrows, with a smile on his face.

Tang Huai Zhou? She was a little agitated and became attentive. Right at the next moment, though, she completely sobered up.

Wrong, wrong, Tang Huai Zhou was still a little boy poking at the ant nest on the ground!

So this is old man Tang Song Nian?

Seeing her daughter looking at him curiously with her dark eyes wide open, Tang Song Nian felt satisfied. He held out his hand, slightly scratched the tip of her daughter’s nose, and strode through the door with a smile.

Xu Yun Yao touched the tip of her nose and lamented inwardly: Don’t know what wrong medicine this old man has taken, turning into a white flour scholar.

“Master, the old Madam sent someone back to the main house early in the morning to invite the big master.” Mo Yan briskly walked to keep up with Tang Song Nian and lowered his voice to report.

Tang Song Nian stamped his foot, and his voice sank: “I know; just do as I told you earlier!”

Mo Yan bowed and arranged the task entrusted to him.

Tang Song Nian first called county deputy magistrate to discuss the work-related matters. Then, they met with several rich businessmen in the city. After the crowd receded, they went back to the study to process the official documents sent on the same day. About an hour later, a servant came to report that the big master had arrived.

At East Residence, where Wang-shi resided.

Tang Bai Nian had forced down his excitement and asked his stepmother Wang calmly, “Are you looking for me?”

Wang-shi nodded. She was slightly uncomfortable hugging the dark ebony box on her lap and said, “I’ve heard all about you. Since Prefect Wu appreciates you so much, you can’t miss this good opportunity. This is what your father had accumulated. I’ll just save up again…”

“Mother, save up what? Tell second brother and me too?” Tang Song Nian’s voice suddenly sounded and interrupted Wang-shi’s words. Her eyelids quivered, and she lifted her eyes to see Tang Song Nian and Tang Zhang Nian brothers marching in tandem.

End of Chapter