Chapter 236: Chapter 216: Breaking Off the Engagement

Chapter 216: Dissolving the Engagement

The moment Tang Qingshan and Grandma Tang returned to Beijing, the Tang Mansion burst into life. There was no need to even make a phone call; the Gu family, from the old to the young, practically turned out in full force. Other close relatives and old friends who lived nearby also heard the news and rushed over to visit.

Having not seen her old friend for five or six days, Old Mrs. Gu missed her dearly. She was also curious about what wonderful things her friend had brought back from the South. Her eldest daughter-in-law, Zhou Hui Lan, wanted to know how Manman was doing, so the two of them had Gu Shaozhen drive them over first. Grandpa Tang and Grandma Tang then decided to host a family banquet that evening, and once the invitations went out, even more people showed up.

The women, young and old, gathered around a large pile of local specialties from the South, examining them with curiosity. Meanwhile, Gu Shaozhen and Zheng Shaojin helped Tang Qingshan process the rolls of film. When the large batch of photos was ready, everyone scrambled to look at them, praising the beautiful mountains, clear waters, and lovely scenery of the South. Without exception, they were all green with envy over the lush, fruit-laden vegetable garden at Xiao Man’s Grandpa and Grandma’s house. Old Mrs. Gu saw photos of Grandma Tang happily picking melons, cutting vegetables, trimming a large wall of roses, and feeding two little black pigs and a large flock of fat chickens with a long-handled spoon or a woven basket. She cried out loud with envy and regret, wishing she had gone with Grandma Tang. Then, when she got to a photo of Zheng Shaolian, she saw how fit, capable, and brilliantly her grandson was smiling. Old Mrs. Gu immediately started wiping away tears, crying out at the photo, "Oh, my dear grandson!" which sent everyone into another round of laughter.

After dinner, Grandma Tang distributed some local products from the South to their relatives and friends. Xiao Man had instructed her that she could generously give away the various pickled vegetables, sauces, cured pork, chicken, and duck. The dried fish fillets, dried shrimp, and grains were to be kept for Grandpa, Grandma, and her father to eat themselves. She had only explained to Grandma Tang that the dried fish and shrimp were rare, and that the coarse grains from the South had low yields but high nutritional value. In truth, these grains had been growing in her space for centuries, making their energy and value extraordinary. The dried fish and shrimp were also grown and prepared in the space. The various sauces were just condiments, and since condiments are naturally rich and flavorful, they wouldn’t arouse suspicion. The other items had been stored in the space, their quality enhanced by the Spiritual Energy they absorbed. While also rare and precious, they were ultimately different from things authentically produced within the space.

After seeing all the guests off, Grandma Tang delightedly prepared to take a fragrant bath. Her granddaughter had prepared the mix for her this time, adding fragrant flower petals to various herbs. It not only relieved fatigue and strengthened the body but also beautified the skin. In the kitchen, when she lifted the lid of the large iron kettle used to brew the medicinal soup, a fresh floral scent unique to mountain forests and open wilds instantly wafted out, filling the entire living room. Tang Qingshan helped his mother pour the medicinal bathwater into a large wooden tub while Grandpa Tang watched from the side, his face full of envy. He muttered under his breath, and if his son hadn’t been there, he would have begged his old wife to let him have a soak too.

Shoved out of the bathroom by Grandma Tang, the father and son returned to the living room and sat down. Earlier in the day, they had been in the study discussing the recent situations of Tang Qingyun, Manman, Hao Hao, and Wu Xiaowen. Grandpa Tang knew his eldest son was tired and told him to go to his room and rest, but Tang Qingshan said he wasn’t in a hurry and brought up another topic instead.

"Father, before Mother and I left for the South, Uncle Gu mentioned that Shaojun seemed to have a vague idea of what happened at home. He called back with a request—what was it? Have you found out?"

Grandpa Tang pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Your uncle only said that Shaojun seemed to have a feeling about it. In reality, Shaojun doesn’t know about our family’s situation with the switched granddaughter. However, he did indeed propose to dissolve the engagement!"

"Dissolve the engagement?" Tang Qingshan’s expression showed no surprise as he raised an eyebrow. "What did Uncle Gu say?"

"He gave him a reply: Come home and we’ll talk about it then!"

"So he might be willing to agree? Father, what are your thoughts?"

"Your uncle is just teasing his eldest grandson. The marriage between the Gu and Tang Families was the will of our ancestors; how could it be dissolved so easily? Xuanxuan is not a Tang Family Girl. Normally, since the Tang family raised her for thirteen years, she could have been kept as an adopted daughter of the second branch to form a marriage alliance. However, Wu Xiaowen raised her poorly. At such a young age, she developed ill intentions, deliberately hiding the truth and preventing Manman from returning to the Tang family, thereby harming the interests of the legitimate Tang daughter. She cannot be kept! The Gu family naturally wouldn’t acknowledge her either. That’s why your Uncle Gu readily agreed with Shaojun. When Manman returns to Beijing for the holidays, we will hold a banquet to formally announce to our relatives and friends that she is being transferred to your name. As the eldest granddaughter of the main branch, she will be betrothed to Shaojun. This time, your Uncle Gu said, they must hold a grand engagement ceremony."

"Father, there’s no need to be in such a hurry," Tang Qingshan said.

Grandpa Tang replied, "It’s not a matter of being in a hurry. This day was bound to come sooner or later. Back when you and Qi Yue..."

Tang Qingshan smiled. "Qi Yue and I were childhood sweethearts. From a young age, I was taught to cherish her and that I would marry her when I grew up. Our families even held an engagement ceremony. From then on, I was set on Qi Yue. Outsiders said I was infatuated and devoted, but only I knew that, in a way, it was just simpler. I truly did dote on and like Qi Yue; in my heart, she was as important as Qingyun. And it’s not that she didn’t like me, but in the end, she was unwilling to marry me. Her reason was that there was no romantic love between us, only the affection of family! Father, that’s what happens with fiancés who are engaged as children. Their feelings can easily change into something else."

Grandpa Tang looked at his son. "There’s nothing wrong with young people pursuing romantic love, but you must understand that love eventually transforms into familial affection. That isn’t a deterioration; it’s a deepening. That is what makes a husband and wife’s bond even stronger. Are you saying you don’t have high hopes for Shaojun and Manman? But Shaojun is truly a good young man. We’ve watched him grow up. Our Manman is pure, kind, and gentle. She’s nothing like Qi Yue, who was naive, ignorant, and easily fooled. So this pair will have a smooth, happy, and long-lasting life together!"

"I don’t doubt that. In fact, when our Manman grows up, she could marry any man she chooses and she would still be happy and fulfilled!"

Grandpa Tang: "..."

"Qingshan, you... what are you really trying to say?"

"Didn’t Shaojun already make his request? I want to ask you, Father, to take this opportunity and agree to it. Let’s dissolve this engagement!"

Grandpa Tang’s eyes widened. "How could we do that? This engagement was arranged by our ancestors, and your Uncle Gu and I are both happy to see it happen. After our generation passes away, this marriage will ensure that the relationship between the Tang and Gu Families continues... Get this ridiculous idea out of your head right now."

"Father, Manman is our family’s eldest granddaughter, and she is being registered under my name. I have the right and the duty to oversee her marriage. Shaojun is right. This is a new society now; we shouldn’t be so fixated on that childhood engagement. The two of them aren’t a good match in terms of age. One is already mature, has dated, met countless people, and is ready for marriage at any time. The other has not even had her first stirrings of love... This is unfair to Manman. She has barely met any good men and has had no chance to choose for herself. If she gets engaged to Shaojun now, what happens in six or seven years when Manman is truly grown up and meets someone better?"

Grandpa Tang paused. "That couldn’t happen, could it? Once she’s engaged, she will naturally accept Shaojun and won’t look at anyone else."

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