Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Beauty in Decline, Hero at the End of the Road Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Beauty in Decline, Hero at the End of the Road Tang Li tacitly agreed.
Seeing her not speaking, Song Baiyan continued, “Parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words are undoubtedly correct, but in today’s society, young people’s own thoughts are more important.”
Tang Li subconsciously responded, “Aren’t you a young person as well?”
After speaking, she realized that her tone was not appropriate.
Tang Li slightly pursed her lips, while Song Baiyan simply smiled and then said, “I’m already old, not like you young people in your teens and early twenties.”
It’s rare for people to admit they are getting old.
Especially those who are prospering in their careers and society.
If they truly accepted aging, ancient emperors wouldn’t have sought the elixir of life in their later years.
The decline of a beauty, the downfall of a hero, are the most helpless sorrows in the world.
This kind of sorrow is both the most sympathetic and the most regrettable.
Listening to Song Baiyan’s self-deprecating response, Tang Li couldn’t help but remember seeing him outside Tan Palace in her previous life, peering through the half-lowered car window. The 35-year-old man had temples seemingly touched by frost, and though he was not in good health, he did not show weakness. Instead, the lines of his features became even more stern and defined.
That year, a severe unrest took place in the western region of S country.
As the national leader, Song Baiyan delivered an important speech at Tan Palace regarding the matter.
Tang Li still remembered the report she saw on television at that time.
Dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and a sea-blue tie, Song Baiyan stood at the podium. The reporters’ flashes flickered incessantly, highlighting his tall and straight figure and his mature, reserved demeanor. The emblem of the white-headed sea eagle on the left lapel of his suit, with every gesture, he exuded the dignity and gentlemanly ambience of a person in power.
Two months later, the turmoil in the west was forcefully suppressed by military power.
At this moment, however, Tang Li could not equate the man before her with that authoritarian politician.
Perhaps because Song Baiyan had never shown her an inaccessible side.
“Having caused such a scene tonight, it’s feared that the Lai and Xia families might no longer be able to become in-laws,” said Song Baiyan as he lowered his head to place the purple clay teapot back on the coaster, “That problem you asked about earlier has naturally resolved itself.”
Tang Li didn’t continue the conversation.
Clearly, she was adhering to the principle that less talk leads to fewer mistakes.
Song Baiyan looked at her clever appearance, “You also know you’ve done something wrong, afraid of being reprimanded?”
…Her actions at the Xia Family indeed couldn’t be hidden from him.
A truly smart person, after watching Lai Yuaner repeatedly accuse her, and carefully observing Xia Lang’s reaction, would almost certainly believe she had a hand in the discord.
Lai Wenyan didn’t confront her on the spot because there was no evidence.
As for Ouyang Qian and her husband Xia Zhengguo—
They both knew full well about Xia Lang’s mental condition, and because they knew the truth, they dared not say anything.
If they denounced it publicly, it would mean admitting that they were deceiving her into marrying a mentally ill person.
The nature of the matter would only become more egregious…
Suddenly, there was a knock on the study door.
A small head peeked in between the door, Song Jingtian took a look at Tang Li and then eagerly turned towards Song Baiyan, “Big brother, I need a tutor for my studies.”
Song Baiyan knew who he wanted and didn’t keep anyone.
Tang Li was pulled out of the study by Song Jingtian, and the little guy started accusing her, “Look at me, even at this time I didn’t forget to come to your rescue. Do you deserve me for what you’ve done?”
Tang Li asked, “Have you finished copying your character table?”
“I was just about to go back and copy it.” Song Jingtian led her to his room: “You wait here for a bit, and when Uncle Hu comes back, I’ll have him take you back to school.”