In the end, Tang Chuxia still escaped.
Such social embarrassment, when discussed by many, can toughen one’s skin, but it cannot alleviate the awkwardness of feeling out of place.
After she left, she realized why did she run away?
She could have explained herself, especially since she had a medical report indicating her physical frailty.
Suddenly remembering the medical report, she thought, "Oh no."
Sure enough, when she ran back home, she heard Hu Shuanghong holding Madam Tang’s hand, marveling, "I didn’t expect Xiaxia to have such strength, she really made a merit this time. I heard, if it were not almost winter, she could have gone to the capital!"
Madam Tang was smiling so broadly that she couldn’t close her mouth, a face full of joy.
She feared the two mothers were so excited they might forget something important.
"Mom, Aunt Hong, is my medical report useless now? Do I still need to go to the countryside?"
It really won’t work!
It’s not that Tang Chuxia didn’t want to participate in labor, but she genuinely wasn’t cut out for farming. Farming isn’t simply scattering seeds into the soil and leaving them be—whether it was weeding or watering or other various maintenance tasks, it truly made Tang Chuxia profoundly realize how tough farmers have it.
Facing the loess, back to the sky, it’s not something everyone can do.
At least in Tang Chuxia’s heart, farmers are the most incredible people in the world. They possess the most humble characters, do the hardest work, yet still maintain their reverence for life.
She definitely wasn’t cut out for that.
Most importantly, every industry has its suitable people, and she was not one of them.
No matter how many thoughts crossed Tang Chuxia’s mind, at this moment she looked particularly pitiful. Madam Tang hurriedly hugged her: "Don’t go, what are you going to the countryside for!"
Going to the countryside?
With so many children in their family, serving in the military, working, all contributing to the country, why must only their daughter go?
Hu Shuanghong tugged at Madam Tang’s arm: "Be careful, the walls have ears!"
Madam Tang was still not pleased—others might not understand, but Hu Shuanghong did.
"We know Xiaxia’s health issues well. If we check again it will still be the same. I certainly won’t tolerate anyone using this as criticism!"
Hu Shuanghong firmly stood by Tang Chuxia’s side, and Tang Chuxia was very happy, hugging Hu Shuanghong’s arm: "Aunt Hong, I really like you!"
Hu Shuanghong laughed heartily: "Then be my goddaughter!"
Tang Chuxia gave a dry laugh, trying to find a way to decline.
Being a goddaughter could stir up some issues with pretend siblings, who knows what ethical topics could be dragged into—better not, she still planned to allure Gu Beihuai.
Fortunately, she didn’t need to worries, as Aunt Hong sighed resignedly and said, "Let it be, it’s better I secretly dote on this girl. If that naughty boy of mine found out, who knows what trouble he might stir up!"
She knew Gu Beihuai too well; he was a real scoundrel.
Tang Chuxia truly laughed sincerely this time.
Sometimes, she thought the karmic ties left by the original host weren’t entirely useless. Even if she really developed something with Gu Beihuai, everyone would press their heads in disbelief.
The original host was amazing!
She couldn’t help but admire.
Hu Shuanghong changed the subject and said to Tang Chuxia, "It’s good you’re back too. Let’s go over together this afternoon!"
She patted Tang Chuxia’s shoulder and said to Madam Tang, "I’ll go back to prepare as well, and we’ll head out together this afternoon!"
Madam Tang nodded, letting Hu Shuanghong leave first, then said to Tang Chuxia, "Just now, your Aunt Hong came with people to report that an elder has passed away. We will have to go as well later!"
Thinking about the woman she had seen when she left the Gu Family, which had caused Gu Nanzhi to misunderstand, Tang Chuxia couldn’t help but ask, "Who was the woman who reported the death?"
Madam Tang sighed, "Strictly speaking, you should address her as Sister Yanzi. She’s the granddaughter of the deceased elder!"
Wasn’t reporting a death normally a matter handled by the men in the family?
Why was it reported by a granddaughter?
That’s what she asked, and Madam Tang nodded, "According to tradition, that’s true. But all of that elder’s sons and grandsons are gone, only this granddaughter remains. She’s been tough, not asking for help from the family, managing it all on her own."
Madam Tang was very appreciative of the one called Yanzi.
Watching Madam Tang take out a black armband and quickly tie several small white flowers, she learned the story of the elder.
An extraordinary person, if it were not for the early persecution and subsequent withdrawal, perhaps he would still hold a place among the most central in the capital.
Unfortunately during the war, his sons went to the battlefield, eventually none survived, and the grandsons who grew up also followed in their father’s footsteps, all brave yet ultimately sacrificing their lives for the country.
Only a granddaughter remained by the old man’s side, which kept him from losing all hope. He struggled on to raise her until a big earthquake struck recently. The old man happened to be in the epicenter and was barely alive when rescued.
After settling his affairs, he passed away.
Tang Chuxia sighed involuntarily.
She had not expected the old man’s life to be so fraught with hardship.
"That man participated in countless battles, a true iron man, yet it was the departure of his descendants that drained all his vigor. So you see, Xiaxia, mom doesn’t hope for you to be highly capable, just safe and sound," Madam Tang couldn’t help but express her emotions.
Tang Chuxia immediately nodded obediently, "I will always be with mom!" This was the original host’s request, to make the Tang Family’s life as smooth as possible.
Madam Tang laughed, "What silly things to say, once you’re married and have your own children, you will eventually build a family of your own!"
Why bring up such topics? It always made her feel as though her future life would be very miserable.
For a better future life, Tang Chuxia figured it was best not to think too much. Without even a man in her life yet, there was no need to think about having children.
Yet unexpectedly, when she arrived at the funeral hall, she bumped into the Hu Family. Tang Chuxia hadn’t noticed at first, but Gu Nanzhi pointed it out to her, then she saw Tang Wanqiu at Hu Mingcheng’s side.
It was just... annoying!
Tang Chuxia signaled to Gu Nanzhi to pay them less attention. Let them be as they wish.
"But she is still your sister now, and she is mourning under the identity of the Tang Family. Are you sure it has nothing to do with you?"
Gu Nanzhi pointed to the content on the ritual list, noticing Tang Wanqiu’s name under the Tang Family’s section.
Tang Chuxia, from a respectable family in her previous life, understood the etiquette well, seeing how Tang Wanqiu stood by Hu Mingcheng’s side under the identity of the Tang Family.
That was utterly sickening.
She had broken off the engagement with Hu Mingcheng, but it wasn’t widely advertised. Many people might still think she had an engagement with Hu Mingcheng, yet he didn’t bring her but his sister-in-law instead.
What would outsiders think?