Chapter 103: Chapter 102 Are You a Little Pig?
When Tang Shunyan and ng Zhaojun arrived at the mother’s courtyard, a maid led them to the dining hall to eat.
Mrs. ng and Lady Tang were already sitting at the table, which had cups for tea but no dishes yet.
Jufeng first whispered into Lady Tang’s ear about their delayed return, emphasizing ng Zhaojun’s multifaceted talents.
Lady Tang maintained her smile while waiting for her son and the young guest to co to the al. As she waited, she grew very hungry, continuously nibbling on snacks and becoming sowhat impatient. After hearing Jufeng’s words, her smile faded.
In her heart, she pondered if the daughter of the ngs was too outstanding, might she overshadow her son?
Having such a friend could perhaps spur her son to grow, or it might crush his confidence. If it ca to marrying in the future, would such a strong woman be a blessing or a curse for her son?
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The thought of having such a domineering daughter-in-law weighed heavily on her, and being a concubine-born Lady Tang, her jealousy slightly shook her composure, regretting perhaps she had looked for a daughter-in-law for her son too early.
Fortunately, they only shared an understanding and no tokens of betrothal had been exchanged, nor had an arranged marriage been settled.
Many thoughts flashed through Lady Tang’s mind, and she regained her smile, saying to her son and Miss ng who had just sat down:
“I heard you two have been getting along well. Miss ng is particularly talented with abilities in Qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Even at such a young age, she is so skilled. Yan’er, you should also try hard, okay? Don’t let a girl outdo you.”
Tang Shunyan, having been spoken to by his mother in front of Mrs. ng, ng Zhaojun, and the maids of their mansion, felt utterly useless and embarrassed, his face flushing red as he lowered his head and said:
“Mother is right, ng Zhaojun is indeed incredible, I admit defeat. Please, Mother, ask the teacher to teach Yan’er this skill! Your son will certainly learn diligently.”
“Well, Yan’er, considering your young age, I thought academic pressure might be harmful to your growth. But since Miss ng has shown such excellence at her young age and you are eager to improve, when your father returns, we will have him ask the teacher to instruct you in this skill.”
Lady Tang’s words made Tang Shunyan nod his head.
ng Zhaojun proudly smiled to herself, thinking it fortunate that her future mother-in-law admired her. How smart could ancient people be? Could they compete with her?
Mrs. ng was pleased to hear Lady Tang praising her daughter but humbly responded:
“The young Master of the Tang family is so intelligent at such a young age, he will certainly surpass my daughter in the future. My daughter rely shows modest talent. When n seriously pursue learning, they often excel beyond won, and Lady Tang’s encouragent will soon show results.”
Lady Tang, initially a bit annoyed inwardly, simply uttered pleasantries. Her previous thoughts faltering, she changed the subject, saying:
“Look at , talking away. Are you hungry? Maid, serve the dishes.”
The conversation paused as Tang Shunyan ate quietly, served by Mrs. Li.
ng Zhaojun, having arrived in ancient tis, had learned so ancient etiquette from her mother and used so health practices from a past life. She generally ate only till half-full, focusing on vegetables over at, especially avoiding fatty ats and foods.
Having tea and snacks in the morning, she had already indulged in the delightful taste of honey.
Now not very hungry, she reluctantly took a few bites before quietly setting down her chopsticks.
Mrs. ng managed to maintain a good figure, and over these two years, always following her daughter’s dietary requests, not only had she kept in good shape, but had also recovered well postpartum, she too put down her chopsticks after a few bites.
“How cos the dishes cooked today don’t suit your tastes?”
As the hostess, Lady Tang felt obliged to encourage her guests to eat more. Being pregnant, she had not yet eaten her fill, and it felt awkward to be the only one eating while the guests had stopped.
“Of course not, Lady Tang, you alone are eating for two. Don’t mind us; make sure you eat your fill.”
Mrs. ng put down her chopsticks and of course wouldn’t eat anymore; she gently sipped the tea brought by the maid.
“Oh, then I won’t pretend in front of you all—I haven’t had enough yet.”
Lady Tang truly felt that Mrs. ng was right, she mustn’t starve herself for the sake of appearances, not with the child in her belly suffering from hunger.
“Tang Shunyan, now that we are all full, would you like to listen to my playing the qin?”
ng Zhaojun didn’t want to sit there and wanted a reason to be alone with Tang Shunyan.
“No, ng Zhaojun, I have classes this afternoon and I’m used to taking a nap. I’d rather go back to my room to rest for a while. We can listen to your music so other ti.”
Tang Shunyan had been working hard all morning, and he was still just a kid; the sleepiness was overpowering and he couldn’t muster up the energy to entertain guests.
“Tang Shunyan, are you a little pig? How can you sleep right after eating? You’ll end up becoming a big fatso if you always do this.”
ng Zhaojun was sowhat unhappy, rarely visiting the Tang Mansion and here Tang Shunyan was, busy with howork and then sleeping. She was unwilling to let him go back for a nap during such a short visit.
Granny Tang, who was eating, heard ng Zhaojun calling her son a little pig, and her chopstick-wielding hand paused; her expression turned irate, and she cursed inwardly:
“This despicable girl, how dare she call my son a little pig—does that imply I’m a sow?”
Lady Tang was eating, but at hearing soone else call her son a little pig, when others had put down their chopsticks, and she was still eating, wasn’t that subtly implying she was a sow?
This had so logic to it—The ngs’ upbringing really was poor. How could the hostess of the house talk about her son like he was a pig?
Rage made Lady Tang put down her chopsticks, unable to continue eating.
Young Madam ng put down her chopsticks, and the maid Jufeng advised, “Young madam, you should eat a bit more; you’ll be hungry again in a while.”
Lady Tang gave Jufeng a glare, full of anger—how could she eat?
Jufeng seed to comprehend Lady Tang’s intent and said, “Young madam, why don’t you have a cup of honey tea instead and perhaps so snacks?”
Lady Tang didn’t nod and said, “I’ll eat when I’m hungry.”
Lady Tang’s interaction with Jufeng seed to catch Mrs. ng’s attention, who tugged on ng Zhaojun’s sleeve, signaling her to stop pushing the issue.
ng Zhaojun didn’t understand her mother’s intent and still wanted to say sothing?
Hearing ng Zhaojun talk this way about him, Tang Shunyan’s young heart, which had once harbored a bit of fondness for ng Zhaojun, now turned sowhat resentful.
ng Zhaojun not only impeded his freedom to sleep but also called him a little pig in front of so many people, and he was cherished and precious, wasn’t he?
The young master’s stubborn temperant ca forth, ignoring ng Zhaojun completely, waving to Mrs. Li, and then bowing to his mother, he left her courtyard with Mrs. Li.
ng Zhaojun wanted to follow, but Mrs. ng held her back.
Previously, Lady Tang would sleep after a full al, but today, not having eaten her fill yet, she did not desire to entertain Mrs. ng and her daughter any longer. She could only send them away, using fatigue as an excuse.
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