Quick Travel to the Clouds

Chapter 688 My Family 6

Yun Chu's illness came on quickly and ended just as timely. With the whole family's meticulous care, her condition improved at a visible speed in just over half a month.

Although he is still strictly restricted from going out, his face has finally regained some color and he can lean on the warm couch to read for a while.

Dufy was swift and decisive, and had already made all the arrangements.

The shop was managed by a trusted manager, while the prince's residence had a reliable chief clerk overseeing its affairs.

A few days later, on a clear and sunny day, the area in front of the Chang Le Prince's Mansion was bustling with activity.

Several spacious and comfortable carriages, lined with brocade, were ready to depart, and servants were orderly loading the last of the luggage onto the carriages.

The carriage was decorated with exquisite dark patterns on the side walls, and the interior was lined with thick, soft cushions. Smoke was rising from the stove specially prepared for Yun Chu.

Tang Wencheng supported Du Feiqin, his face showing a faint reluctance to leave the comfortable life in the capital, but even more so, anticipation for accompanying his daughter on her long journey.

Tang Yunlian excitedly helped Yun Chu into the car, and began to describe her imagination of Jiangnan.

Tang Yunmo was busy checking the rouge and powder she had brought and several newly acquired musical scores. Her eyebrows were beaming, and the worries of Qingfeng Tower seemed to have been blown away by the spring breeze of Cuiyun Mountain and her sister's sickly appearance, and left behind.

The wheels rumbled on, and the majestic vermilion gates of the Prince's Mansion gradually disappeared from view. The once vibrant and prosperous Kangdu City, a symbol of status and prestige, became blurred in the dust.

---

On the same day that the Tang family carriage left the gates of Kangdu, the servants sent by the young masters Li, Wang, and Zhang were once again turned away.

"What?! The whole family has gone on a long trip? Where to?! When will they be back?!" The servant boy from the Li family jumped up and down, his face turning green with worry as he thought about the lack of funds for the hunting grounds in Xishan.

"His return date is uncertain?" the Wang family servant exclaimed. "Young Master Yunlian... he didn't even inform us?!" He spoke as if Tang Yunlian were their personal treasury, available at their beck and call.

The Zhang family servant was so angry that he blurted out, "It must be that jinx! That sickly fellow dragged the whole family away! He ruined our young masters' mood!"

The gatekeeper of the Prince's mansion remained expressionless, displaying the aloofness and authority befitting a prince's residence: "How dare we, your servants, inquire about the masters' itinerary? Please return." With that, the gate slowly closed, emitting a heavy thud.

The three servants looked at each other, their faces now devoid of any of the ingratiating smiles they once wore.

All that remained was endless disappointment and resentment. Without Tang Yunlian's brocade purse and her generous spending, their "good days" were indeed over.

When they reported back to their masters, the three young masters, who usually lived a carefree life relying on their "money bags," smashed cups, broke fans, and cursed "broom spirit" and "sickly wretch" for a long time after hearing the news.

---

On the second floor of Qingfeng Tower, there is still that elegant window seat.

Fan Shaojie is alone today.

The same steamed shad, the same crab meat lion's head meatballs, the same eight-treasure duck, and that pot of twenty-year-old Shaoxing wine. Only, there was no one across from us, and the atmosphere was desolate.

Time passed slowly, and the sun outside the window shone from noon until the afterglow of dusk spilled onto the corners and eaves of the building. At the top of the stairs, the waiter's figure was always the same, but there was no bright red color as expected.

The dishes on the table had gone cold, and the wine jug was empty.

Fan Shaojie's expression shifted from feigned composure to growing impatience, and finally to a grim and gloomy one. His fingers gripped the edge of the table so tightly that the veins on the back of his hands writhed like earthworms.

“Tang, Yun, Mo…” These three words were almost ground out from between his teeth, carrying a chilling intent.

Ever since he lost face in front of his friends last time, he had been holding back a lot of anger.

I thought that the devoted princess, having been hurt, would return to her usual self in a few days, perhaps even bringing gifts to apologize and appease me.

At that time, he could publicly humiliate her with the most offensive words and vent his anger!

One day, two days, three days... half a month! A whole half month!

There was no word from her! No "chance encounter" at Qingfeng Tower, no expensive gifts or snacks delivered to the mansion by servants! The woman seemed to have vanished into thin air!

Today, he deliberately came here to sit alone, wanting to see when she would finally give in and show up again. He even rehearsed his harsh words and disgusted looks countless times.

However, what awaited them was...

The servant behind him cautiously approached and whispered, "Young master... I just found out... the Prince of Chang Le's mansion... the entire family... has left the capital... They're said to be traveling in Jiangnan... Their return date... is uncertain..."

"Clap!"

Fan Shaojie crushed the teacup in his hand, the porcelain shards piercing his palm, and blood mixed with the cold tea dripped onto the exquisite Eight Treasure Duck.

He felt no pain, only a cold, furious rage, mixed with immense humiliation, shooting from the soles of his feet to the top of his head!

Not only did she not apologize, she... she actually dared to go on a family trip without a word?! What does she take him, Fan Shaojie, for?! Someone she can play with and discard at will?!

"Fine...fine...fine you, Tang Yunmo!" Fan Shaojie's eyes were bloodshot, his facial muscles contorted, and his chest heaved violently with rage. "Hiding, huh?! Running away, huh?! You think you can hide forever?!"

He stood up abruptly, ignoring the blood flowing from his palms, his voice trembling slightly with extreme anger: "If you have the guts, then don't come back to Kangdu City! Otherwise... otherwise I will make you... I will make your Chang Le Prince's Mansion... pay the price!"

Those insidious and ruthless vows, like the hiss of a venomous snake, swirled in the elegant seats of Qingfeng Tower, yet were destined to land only on the empty seats.

Looking out the window at the city of Kangdu, its lights just coming on, he felt that all the prosperity he saw was ironic.

This time, he not only lost face, but was also like a clown who had been completely forgotten and abandoned. This hatred had penetrated to the bone.

Time flies, and two months later, the Tang family's carriage finally entered Meizhou.

This place truly lives up to its reputation as a water town in Jiangnan, with its small bridges, flowing water, and bluestone paths reflecting the shimmering waves. The air is filled with the moist fragrance of lotus blossoms and the delicate aroma of gardenias.

Meizhou's weather is mild and pleasant, and Yun Chu's body is like a withered branch gently caressed by a spring breeze, gradually regaining its vitality.

Her pale cheeks gradually regained a healthy blush, and her eyes became more lively; she was no longer the porcelain doll that would collapse at the slightest breeze.

Often, she would lean against the carved wooden window of the mansion, gazing at the misty river outside, where the awning boats swayed gently, and the boatwoman's melodious Wu dialect drifted on the wind. Du Feiqin would then gently embrace her, her eyes filled with a gratified smile: "My Chu'er, the mountains and rivers here are truly nourishing."

Tang Wencheng and Du Feiqin built an elegant residence in the west of the city, by the river.

The house is filled with flowers and trees. Every morning, when the mist is thick, water droplets hanging under the eaves drip onto the moss, making a crisp sound.

Tang Yunlian, a carefree young master from the capital, found everything new and exciting upon his arrival.

He couldn't sit still and always loved to wander into the city alone, wanting to bring home everything he saw—a piece of Suzhou brocade for his mother, a pot of plum wine for his father, and some exquisite little trinkets for his sister.

Tang Yunmo also became much more well-behaved, learning to help her mother with housework. Occasionally, she would play the zither in her boudoir, and the music she played had lost its former restlessness, instead adding a touch of the gentle charm of Jiangnan.