Chapter Thirty-One: Falling to the Ground as Brothers, Why Must They Be Blood Relatives?

  "Zi La", Tang Wei Xi pushed open the door, his face turned serious.

  "Come on in."

  Tang Guan looked inside and found it was the ancestral temple of the Tang family. The Tang clan wasn't very widespread, but this particular branch happened to have settled in Hangzhou while migrating to Fujian.

  The Cowherd and the Seventh Maiden exchanged a silent glance, unsure of what to make of Tang Wei's actions. They immediately supported Tang Guan as he entered the ancestral hall, where the only objects inside were the incense burner and the memorial tablet on the wall, along with a few straw mats.

  "Kneel down," Tang Weixi said, looking up at the spirit tablet.

  Xiao Qi and Niu Lang hastily settled Tang Guan first, then knelt down on the couch.

  Tang Weixi also knelt down on the mat in front and said: "Our ancestors are above, our descendants are not worthy, and our family is sparse. Dehua Zhao reports to heaven, praying to adopt two righteous sons to prosper the Tang family's incense."

  Niú Láng and Xiǎo Qī were overjoyed at the same time, excitedly looking at Táng Guān, who also broke into a smile.

  Having said that, Tang Weixi paused for a moment and continued: "Thanks to the blessings of our ancestors, I have been gifted with talent and literary skills. I have been favored by the wise and have received the imperial edict."

  Tang Guan listened on one side, staring at the ancestral tablet above, thinking to himself: "You all bless me, although these things have nothing much to do with you, but after all, I've worshiped you many times."

  "Now Dehua has adopted a son, Tang..."

  Tang Wei Xi stopped talking, he originally wanted to say Tang Niu Lang and Tang Xiao Qi, but changed his mind thinking the names were indeed awkward.

  When they saw Tang Weixi suddenly stop, Niu Lang and Xiao Qi felt a little strange. Tang Weixi said in a low voice: "Too anxious, forgot to give you names"

  Xiao Qi became excited upon hearing this. He had been nicknamed Xiao Qi for five or six years, and in his heart, he still yearned to be one of those famous children with a name and surname.

  Niu Lang and Xiao Qi suddenly looked at Tang Wei Xi with full of expectation, Tang Wei Xi hesitated for a long time before saying: "Guo Bing, you are the child of our family, from now on you have an older brother and younger brother, so in front of your ancestors, give names to your two brothers."

  Tang Guan was taken aback by his words and hesitated for a moment. This was the first time he had experienced someone giving him a nickname.

  The cowherd rubbed his head and smiled: "Young master, don't be too complicated, I don't know many characters. Give Xia Qi a good-sounding one, he's smart and can read books with you."

  Tang Guan smiled slightly and said: "Niu Lang Ge, you have a strong body, since that's the case. How about we call you Tang Niu?"

  "Tang Niu?" The cowherd murmured in agreement, nodding his head. This name was easy to remember, and he didn't have high expectations anyway. Being able to marry into the Tang family was already an unexpected joy; from now on, he would have no worries about food or clothing, which was far better than living a solitary and bitter life in the wilderness.

  "What about me? What about me?" Little Qi asked Tang Guan anxiously.

  "Xiao Qi, you were originally a noble gentleman from a good family. From now on, we are brothers. I will take the place of your father and give you a new name, Tang Liang Jun. What do you think?"

  "Mr. Tang Liang?" Little Qi scratched his head and muttered: "How is it written?"

  Tang Guan looked around and saw a stone basin filled with water under the altar, dipped his hand in it and wrote "Tang Liang Jun" on the ground.

  Xiao Qi looked and looked again, still feeling it was difficult to write, but also thought it sounded good. He immediately smiled and said: "Good, I have a name now too."

  Tang Guan looked at Tang Weixi and said, "Father, is this okay?"

  Tang Weixi murmured two names, nodded in agreement, but didn't know that later on Xiao Qi would be ridiculed several times because of this name. In "Zhongyi Hou Zhuan", it is written: "Zhongyi Hou was a clever and quick-witted person, often clashing with me at court, his fierce and straightforward manner earning him the nickname 'Tang Stealer'!"

  All that is for later. For now, let's put it aside. Niu Lang and Xiao Qi were overjoyed to have gotten their names, Tang Wei Xi silently recited a few lines in her heart, and a smile also appeared on her face.

  He didn't lack wealth and material possessions. Since it was hard to find bosom friends, taking in two sworn brothers wasn't a difficult task for him.

  Moreover, after a hundred years, they all entered the Tang family and became members of the Tang family. The three veins opened at the same time, spreading their leaves. There is also the son Tang Guan, who seems to have a bright future ahead of him, and it can't be said that in the future, the Tang family will also be able to settle down in the capital city.

  "Dehua now has two adopted sons, the eldest son Tang Niu is kind and brave. The second son Tang Guan is naturally talented and overflowing with energy. The third son Tang Liang Jun is unparalleled in benevolence and righteousness, clever and agile. Descendants will surely report to their ancestors that they have been well protected by the four gentlemen of the Tang family."

  Tang Guan also found it hard to take things seriously, and thought of a line from a poem: "Falling to the ground makes brothers, why must they be close relatives?"

  Tang Niu and Tang Liang Jun's friendship, having seen through the superficiality of later generations' Tang Dynasty crowns, is extremely precious. Later generations' friends would rather avoid them to escape punishment.

  Tang Weixi finished speaking and stood up. Tang Niu and Tang Liangjun saw this and wanted to help Tang Guan up, but Tang Weixi said: "Wait"

  The two of them stopped in an instant, and Tang Wei Xi spoke up: "As your father, I have taken you into the Tang family, opening a new branch on our family tree. This is just one chapter. You brothers must also learn from Liu Guan Zhang's Taoyuan Sanbai, from now on being as close as flesh and blood, and as harmonious as hands and feet."

  The three of them exchanged a glance, and in fact, Tang Wei said this for the sake of Tang Guan. At present, Tang Niu and Tang Liangjun are still young and can't see anything yet. Since ancient times, there have been many white-eyed wolves. In the future, they may encounter unexpected events, so several people made a vow, and with this guarantee, these two sons will not be raised in vain.

  Tang's eyes were certain, he didn't really believe in vows and that sort of thing, but as the saying goes "when emotions reach a true place, even falsehoods become true"

  Tang Guan immediately said: "I am Tang Guan!"

  The Cowherd and Weaving Maiden also watched some acrobatic performances, knowing that this was a real ritual, they became serious.

  "I am a foolish cow"

  "I am Tang Liang Jun"

  Tang Guan continued, "Today, the three brothers of my Tang family stand before our ancestors and swear an oath to become sworn brothers. We do not seek to be born on the same year, month, and day, but we vow to die on the same year, month, and day. From now on, our lives are bound together, and whoever betrays this oath will be punished by heaven and earth!"

  The Cowherd and Weaving Maiden were taken aback, the Weaving Maiden's eyes turned red as she shouted: "This is a breach of faith! Heaven will destroy you!"

  "Betray this oath! Heaven's wrath and earth's destruction!"

  A few people's voices were not loud, Tang Guan had injuries on his body, and it was inevitable that he would be short of breath. However, the sound echoed in the empty ancestral temple, this voice went from near to far, as if piercing through the blue sky, reaching the vast Chinese divine continent.

  The relationship between the three was simple and pure, from being strangers to becoming brothers, the two words "fate" are just so strange. Sometimes a moment of passion can become an unbreakable bond for life.

  Friendship, unlike that elusive love, is tangible and palpable. Tang Guan sharing a bowl of rice with Xiao Qi in prison, Niu Lang racking his brains to repay kindness, all these are vividly etched in my mind.

  Tang Weixi silently watched the scene of several people swearing an oath, and let out a soft sigh. Ever since Tang Guan recovered from his illness, the peaceful life of the Tang family was no more. First, it was Lin Yuheng's arrival, and then they also took in two adopted sons.

  Two men set up the Tang crown and looked at Tang Wei Xi, gazing at the three people's faces full of smiles, then glanced at the two people's shabby attire and said: "Go Bing, take Eldest and Third to tidy up, later go to your mother's room to see us"

  Tang Guan nodded upon hearing this and whispered with the two of them before leaving the ancestral hall.

  Tang Weixi glanced at the ancestral tablet, let out a soft sigh, and turned to leave.

  The ancestral hall fell silent once again, with only the three characters "Tang Liang Jun" still visible on the ground.

  Inside the Tang Emperor's bedroom.

  There's a saying that when people encounter happy events, their spirits are lifted. Tang Guan felt the same way due to this sworn brotherhood, and even the pain from his injuries seemed much lighter. Looking at Xiao Qi washing and changing behind the screen, he chuckled: "Are you done yet? You're taking longer than Hu Er to bathe."

  Xiao Qi hummed a tune while walking, and upon hearing this, she turned around and asked: "Guang Ge, is Xun Er your wife?"

  "Haha, come on, come on, not yet" Tang Guan heard Xiao Qi's words and couldn't help but smile. This Xiao Qi was a street urchin who always thought Lin Yuhui was Tang Guan's childhood sweetheart.

  "How can you watch her take a bath?"

  Xiao Qi changed into her clothes while talking, and Tang Guan was about to speak when she suddenly froze.

  A handsome young boy emerged from behind the screen, although his youthful energy had not yet dissipated, a hint of elegance was already visible between his eyebrows, and the few loose strands of hair on his forehead made him look somewhat unruly. Wearing his own black Mongolian attire, he looked exceptionally dashing, and it wasn't hard to imagine that in the future, he would be an uncommonly handsome man.

  Xiao Qi saw Tang Guan staring at her intently, thinking she had put on her clothes inside out, checked again and found nothing wrong, then looked up.

  Tang Guan suddenly came back to himself and laughed: "Haha, I didn't expect it, you're still a little Zhengtai"

  Xiao Qi was stunned and asked: "What is a Shota?"

  Tang Guan smiled and said directly: "With this appearance, I can sell you to the palace as a concubine, it's absolutely reliable."

  "Feizi?" Xia Qi was even more bewildered, having no idea what Tang Guan was thinking.

  Tang Guan gazed at Xiao Qi's handsome appearance and smiled slyly. In this era where women hold power, there are countless male concubines like Feng Xiaobao.

  "Are all princesses women?" Little Seven suddenly asked after a moment's thought.

  "Hey, it's a woman, let's not mention it for now. Niu Ge's side should be about the same, let's go first."

  Originally, there were no suitable clothes for Niu Lang in the Tang Mansion, so Lao Wang had to take him to a fabric store to buy some. Xiao Qi happened to be similar in build to himself and wore his own clothes which fit perfectly.

  Xiao Qi immediately helped Tang Guan up and walked into the courtyard. On the other side, Old Wang also brought a young man into the courtyard.

  Tang Guan took a glance and saw Tang Niu wearing a cyan robe with short sleeves, looking more spirited than before.

  Tang Niu was also slightly stunned when he saw Xiao Qi, and after being together for a while, although he knew that Xiao Qi was handsome, but dressed up, it had a shocking beauty.

  Tang Niu stroked Tang Guan and went straight to Madame Tang's room.

  At this time, in Mrs. Tang's room, Tang Weixi was somewhat nervous and occasionally glanced at his wife's expression.

  "Two adopted sons?" Madam Tang asked softly after a long while.

  Hearing the lady's gentle tone, Tang Weixi's face lit up with joy and he said: "It's that cowherd boy and Little Seven."

  Husband...

  "Ah!" Tang Wei Xi responded to the call, but suddenly felt a sharp pain in his ear. Madam Tang pinched his ear and scolded, "You old rascal, one son is enough trouble, yet you want to raise three of them!"

  "Madam is right, Madam is right." Tang Weixi nodded repeatedly in agreement.

  In fact, the two had a clear division of labor. In front of outsiders, the master of the house was naturally Tang Weixi. But once they were in their private chambers, Mrs. Tang became the true master.

  Three figures entered the room, and as soon as they caught sight of this scene, they were stunned.

  Mrs. Tang found the newcomer and hastily let go of Tang Weixi's ear to look over.

  It was Tang Guan and three others; when Tang Guan saw the two men's appearance, he couldn't help but smile secretly.

  Tang Weixi said in a serious tone: "You three come over here"

  Tang Niu and Xiao Qi glanced at Mrs. Tang's robust figure, although it wasn't their first time seeing her. But this time was different, they couldn't help but feel apprehensive.

  Mrs. Tang looked at the two of them and when she saw Xiaogui, her eyes lit up in front of her, beckoning: "You come over"

  Xiao Qi swallowed hard and stepped forward. Madame Tang stretched out her hand to stroke Xiao Qi's head, saying: "You're even more handsome than before you got sick."

  Tang Guan was taken aback by his words, thinking that he had already grown up to be a fortunate misfortune, and for a moment doubted whether he was the biological son of the two.

  Mrs. Tang looked up and glanced at Tang Niu, beckoning with a smile: "Fatty, you come over too"

  Tang Niu supported Tang Guan Nuonu as they walked forward, and was actually called "Fatty". As it turned out, although he lived a lonely and bitter life, he was the type of person who absorbed things extremely well, and had grown quite robust.

  Mrs. Tang looked at the three boys in front of her and became excited too. She originally had some knots in her heart, as Tang Wei Xi didn't discuss with her before taking in two adopted sons. Now seeing one refined and extraordinary, one robust and powerful, she also felt happy.

  It is said that raising children can prevent old age, ordinary families have at least two or three sons, but the Tang family, despite their wealth, only has one son, and now that he's grown up, they cannot have any more.

  He also took in two adopted sons, which can be said to have tightened Tang Weixi's thoughts on taking a concubine. Of course, Tang Weixi himself only dared to think about it and didn't have the guts to do so. He had married Madam Tang when they were young and they had been husband and wife for decades.

  "This is great, our family now has three sons, and in the future, we'll have someone to rely on." Madam Tang said with a smile to Tang Weixi.

  Tang Weixi saw Mrs. Tang agree and secretly let out a breath of relief.

  "Quickly call your mother," Tang Weixi urged, looking at the two wooden men.

  Xiao Qi looked up at the two of them, and was stunned. All he could say was that happiness had come too quickly, he had always envied those who had a father and mother, and now seeing the appearance of the two, it gradually overlapped with the fantasy in his heart.

  Vision gradually became blurred, and she cried out: "Mother"

  "Ah, good boy, good boy!" Mrs. Tang smiled and responded with a nod, then looked at Tang Niu again.

  Tang Niu felt a pang of sadness but suppressed it and shouted: "Father! Mother!"

  "Good...good..." The two of them immediately happily agreed.

  Tang Guan gazed at the scene with a hint of emotion, feeling a strange sensation in his heart. As someone who had crossed over from another world, he was like a lone reed, and initially, he didn't have any sense of belonging.

  He met Lin Yuxun and others one after another, and Tang Guanjun gradually had a concept of home. He, who relied on his grandfather in his previous life, felt a warm and harmonious feeling for the first time.

  "Is this home?" Tang Guan murmured to himself, watching as Mrs. Tang wiped away Xiao Qi's tears and Tang Wei handed Tang Niu the fruit from the table with a smile.

  ，！