Chapter 18: Heroes Emerge from Butcher's Den

  The night was dark and the mountain road was cool, with a gentle breeze blowing. The moon had not yet risen high in the sky, but several figures emerged from the grass thicket. Tang Guan saw that the terrain was open and he had an excellent memory for routes, so everything was clear in his mind.

  The Cowherd and Weaving Maiden, however, did not know what to say. They met with Tang Guanping, and the Weaving Maiden even stole his money bag, but he didn't blame her when they met.

  "Little Lord, why did you want to help us?"

  Xiao Qi couldn't help but ask, thinking of the few people who had been lonely and helpless since childhood, they were already used to being looked down upon by the world. At this time, seeing Tang Guan's elegant appearance, he was actually so generous to himself and others, and most importantly, that bag of money was a staggering amount for him, it was hard to imagine why Tang Guan was so calm about it.

  "Heroes often emerge from among butchers and hunters, while traitors are frequently found among scholars." Tang Guan smiled faintly in the soft moonlight.

  "I'm not a good person, but I know what it means to have a kind heart. Take good care of that little sister." Tang Guan's words, which seemed like self-mockery, as well as the poem that was hard to understand, left both of them speechless for a moment. They had never met a young man like Tang Guan before.

  Tang Guan's heart moved as he spoke, and he asked: "How did Niu Lang and Xiao Qi get their names?"

  The two of them were also invigorated by the words. Xiaowu hastily replied, "There are seven fairy maidens in that temple, and Niulang called me 'Little Seven' because he thought I was handsome."

  A faint smile appeared on his face, and the cowherd slightly shook his head: "I'm a cowherd for a wealthy family in the mountains. I did have an old father, but he passed away when I was four."

  Tang Guan heard this and shook his head secretly. This world is good if you say it's good, and bad if you say it's bad. It's already a miracle that these orphans can survive.

  "Heaven and earth, ruler, parents, teachers; men's golden knees. Don't call me 'Lang Jun' anymore, just call me Tang Guan. From now on, don't kneel down casually, it's so exhausting to spend one's life kneeling."

  "Brother Guan!" Little Qi was overjoyed and immediately beamed with delight at the familiar term of endearment.

  The cowherd remained reserved, "Young master, it's so late, why don't I send you to the town?"

  "It's none of your business, you can leave now," he said and turned around to walk away, when suddenly a dazzling flash of light appeared.

  "Found it! Here! Come quickly!"

  "Haha, finally found it! Now Tang Yuanwai will have to pay a heavy price!"

  A flash of firelight approached from afar, and Tang Guan's heart skipped a beat as he heard the words. "Ha! Young brother! It really is you! Come back with us!"

  "Spare my life, good fellow!" Tang Guan hadn't even seen the newcomer clearly, but under the astonished gaze of Niu Lang and Xiao Qi, he directly knelt down with his hands clasped together, they vaguely remembered that just a moment ago this young man was teaching them not to kneel down casually.

  His face changed so quickly that it was almost unbelievable, and for a moment, Qi Qi was stunned.

  "Goodbye, young master!" The person holding the torch suddenly moved away, but it was a middle-aged man dressed as a farmer, who hastily helped Tang Guan up.

  Tang Guan only then saw the person clearly, let out a sigh of relief, and thought that his old man had been killed by a vendetta from the jianghu, and that he himself had been exposed and was going to be kidnapped.

  He immediately stood up and asked as if nothing had happened: "Uncle, are you going to climb the mountain to catch a big worm?"

  "Go away!" Just as Tang Guan was asking questions, a voice startled him.

  "Oh no, I've been discovered!" Tang Guan muttered to himself. The newcomer was none other than Tang Weixi. It turned out that he had invited Tang Guan for dinner in the evening and found his son nowhere to be found. Lin Yuheng was forced to tell the truth after being questioned repeatedly, and immediately gathered the family's servants and farmers to search.

  "Oh dear, it hurts" wasn't just him, a fat woman came forward without saying a word and grabbed Tang Guan's ear, who was none other than Mrs. Tang.

  "Mom, stop twisting it, it's falling off, it's falling off!"

  "You little scamp! What are you doing here?" Madam Tang scolded Tang Guan while looking at Niu Lang and Xiao Qi.

  "The child came out for some fresh air and unexpectedly wandered off. Luckily these two young men escorted the child down the mountain."

  Tang Weixi let out a silent sigh of relief and looked at Xiaoyi and the other, walking forward to say: "Thanks for your trouble, you two"

  Xiao Qi and Niu Lang stared at each other in dismay, seeing Tang Guan frequently making eye contact, hurriedly waving his hand in response.

  "One day there will be retribution, one day there will be retribution" Tang Weixi saw these two shabbily dressed children and thought they were country kids, so he just responded with a couple of sentences and then carried the Tang crown back.

  Tang Guan walked away and looked back at the two of them standing there in a daze, their eyes fixed on each other. Only then did he slowly move further and further away while pretending to listen to his parents' nagging.

  The mountain below, which was originally bright and radiant, fell into darkness once again. Cowherd sighed lightly, "Let's return."

  Having said that, he and Xiaoxi climbed up the mountain together.

  "Thank you, thank you"

  "Thank you, thank you," Tang Weixi said as he thanked the villagers and tenants while asking Old Wang to take some copper plates to give to these people.

  These people naturally smiled with joy when they got the money, and Tang Guan, who was beside Tang Wei Xi, only understood what the man meant by "broken fortune" at this time.

  Never thought parents would be so concerned about themselves, and couldn't help but feel a little moved.

  Finally, everyone has been dealt with, and Tang Weixi put on a serious face: "You want to go out, it's okay, let Old Wang accompany you!"

  "The kid knows he's wrong" Tang Guan said, pulling his head down, although he had a lot of clever comebacks, but at this time talking back was no different from hitting a gun muzzle.

  "You old thing! You're saying that if it weren't for you, Guan'er could have slipped out quietly?" Madam Tang suddenly interjected.

  It's strange to say that this mother herself is not heartbroken when scolding, but when her husband scolds their son, she can't help but speak out.

  "Madam is right, madam is right, it's all my fault, it's all my fault." Tang Weixi's "slave nature" that had been suppressed for many years was suddenly revealed, and he immediately forced a smile to respond.

  Tang Guan thought of the three people in the broken temple, and compared them to his current family situation. He couldn't help but feel a warmth in his heart. Some people were already on the boat, yet they still weren't satisfied; some people stood on the bridge, watching.

  At this time, a figure quietly walked into the room, Tang Guan couldn't help but give her a light glance, it was Lin Yuhong who had leaked the secret.

  Lin Yuxun's face was slightly pale at this time, with a white flower on her hair, and she was in mourning for her children. She had not yet married, so she could only dress like this, which made her look even more pitiful and lovely.

  Tang Guan saw her so haggard, and his eyes turned gentle. Mr. and Mrs. Tang saw their son exchanging glances with Lin Yuhui from time to time, and they looked at each other without saying a word.

  "Don't sneak out again in the future!" Tang Wei Xi said as he saw Tang Guan return safely, and he couldn't help but sit down and say.

  "The child understands now"

  "You all go back and rest first, Xun Er. Tomorrow you come out with me to clear your mind." Madam Tang, although being straightforward, also had her own measure, understanding the thoughts of her husband, immediately instructed.

  Tang Guan didn't leave the room with Lin Yuxun until now. Tang Weixi let out a soft sigh, "Ah"

  "Old devil, your son is back, what are you sighing about?"

  "This kid was born with a good physique, unfortunately..."

  Madam Tang heard this and slightly got angry, "You old devil, she is our family's adopted daughter!"

  "Sister, don't always praise me, how dare I have such a heart? I was thinking about what Mrs. Lin said before she passed away"

  Mrs. Tang heard this and also became interested, and couldn't help but ask: "You've finally spoken up, what did Lin sister instruct you to do previously?"

  Tang Weixi let out a soft sigh and gestured to Madam Tang to lean in close, saying: "If forced, I'd rather die than yield!"

  "Ah!" Madam Tang's face turned pale upon hearing this, her husband understood that she was aware of his intentions. When they had taken in Lin Yuxuan as their adopted daughter, it was not only to gain a reputation but also because they thought she was a beauty, a stunning young woman who would make an excellent wife or concubine for their son in the future.

  But now, as soon as she heard this sentence, she exclaimed in surprise. It was clear that Mrs. Lin had put down her last dignity and almost threatened to explain that if Lin Yuhuan was forced to choose a partner, she would not let go even if she became a ghost.

  After a long while, Mrs. Tang came back to her senses and said: "Xun'er is such a lovely child, she looks just like I did when I was young."

  Tang Wei's old face suddenly turned red upon hearing this, but he dared not laugh, if Tang Guan heard it, he would definitely burst out laughing and fall to the ground.

  "Let's take a break for now. The children will have their own blessings in the future, let's talk about it later." It was only after a long while that Tang Weixi finally spoke up.

  Mrs. Tang nodded and walked into the bedroom together.

  Tang Guan, who was used to the late-night battles of later generations, was still lively and energetic at this time, and actually followed Lin Yuhuan to her boudoir.

  "Little Lord, you should go back." Lin Yuxun tried to push him away several times, but couldn't overcome Tang Guanzhong's stubbornness, and finally let him in. As soon as he came in, Tang Guan didn't treat himself as an outsider at all, and directly sat on the bed.

  "Alright, you, I finally managed to get out, and it's all for your sake."

  Lin Yuxun's face turned red as she pouted and said: "You're just talking nonsense, it was you who wanted to go out and have fun"

  "Who said that?" Tang Guanbian said and took out something from his pocket and put it on the table.

  Lin Yuxun stepped forward to take a look and saw that Tang Guan was like a treasure chest, pulling out some clay dolls and trinkets.

  These are all the little things that girls like, and Lin Yuhong, who has been depressed since his mother's death, also had a bit of joy at this time. Seeing Tang Guan holding one and talking about it, he felt warm in his heart.

  "Look at this doll, doesn't it look like me?" Tang Guan held up a big-headed doll and teased Lin Yuxin, who smiled lightly.

  Tang Guan was delighted to see the beautiful woman happy, and he couldn't help but talk endlessly about what he had seen and heard today.

  "When I have time another day, I'll introduce you to a few new friends."

  "Alright, you'd better hurry back now, or Uncle Wang will be worried again when he can't find you."

  "Old Wang's place is no good, he must live next to me! It's really unlucky." Tang Guan heard this and his face fell, the classic nickname "Old Wang next door" always made him laugh and cry.

  "Nonsense, Uncle Wang is a good man, hurry back now, tomorrow I still have to accompany the lady"

  "Alright, alright, you're driving me away." Tang Guan waved his hand, looking unhappy, and got up to leave.

  Lin Yuxun's face tightened as she recalled her mother's words to keep a distance from the Tang family, especially Tang Guanyu, but not to provoke them.

  "Gotcha, I'm outta here!" Tang Guan turned his head and gave Lin Yuheng's nose a quick swipe before walking out the door.

  Lin Yuxun lightly touched her face and didn't turn off the light, instead she took out a grasshopper from her sleeve and stared at it blankly.

  Tang Guan walked out of the warm boudoir and strolled in the chilly courtyard, gazing up at the bright moon overhead. He couldn't help but mutter to himself: "Uncle Chen, you wouldn't take my poems and say they're your own, would you?"

  Chen Yunsheng has been gone for several months, and there is no news from him. Tang Guan, who has been worried about this matter all along, cannot help but transfer his own inner "shame" to others.

  A horse-drawn carriage was traveling on a mountain path, surrounded by several robust middle-aged men with swords at their waists, vigilantly gazing around.

  "Achoo!" Chen Yunsheng suddenly let out a loud sneeze while he was half asleep and half awake.

  Open your eyes and touch your nose. The driver heard the noise, laughed and said: "Chen Langjun, it's cold, wear more clothes...wear more clothes..."

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