Chapter 3: The Eldest Miss and the Second Young Master

  It had snowed all night, and by the time the sky was just getting light on the second day, Tang Song went out for a stroll alone.

  Last night, he couldn't sleep, tossing and turning, thinking about many things, but the only thing he didn't know how to face was Mu Er. He wasn't really Tang Liang, and deceiving Mu Er's feelings made him feel extremely guilty. Last night, he had wanted to confess to Mu Er, but when their eyes met, he retreated, silently scolding himself for being useless.

  Tang Song wandered aimlessly for half a day and stopped in front of a jewelry store. He patted the few coins he had found yesterday in his pocket, pushed open the door, and greeted the owner: "Boss, do you sell copper mirrors here?" The boss smiled and took out several neatly arranged items from the cabinet, saying: "Tang Song, these copper mirrors are our new stock yesterday. Take your time to choose." Tang Song picked up a few mirrors and looked at them, finally holding up a copper mirror with a dark green frame and asking: "How much is this mirror?" The shopkeeper waved his hand and smiled: "I heard that Tang Song has recovered from a serious illness. This little thing is not worth much money, just take it." Tang Song repeatedly declined but couldn't resist the boss's kindness, so he thanked him and accepted the gift.

  After leaving the jewelry store, several vendors selling breakfast had already appeared on the street. Tang Song put the copper mirror into his bosom and headed back to the Cao residence. After fumbling around for half a day, he arrived at the kitchen, where he ran into Wang Fu Hai, the chef, who was preparing breakfast for the household. Seeing Tang Song standing foolishly in the doorway, Wang Fu Hai smiled and greeted him: "Tang, you're up early! Are you hungry? I'll make you some big meat buns and eight-treasure soup." Tang Song smiled and nodded: "No need to be polite, Uncle Wang. Yuan Ming has just recovered from his illness, and the old master ordered me to lend a hand. What can I help with?" Wang Fu Hai sighed and said: "I heard yesterday that you had no memory at all. I thought it was a joke." Tang Song saw that even this great chef considered himself useless, so he quickly took up the bun filling and dough, saying as he wrapped them: "Uncle Wang, how's my technique?" The old master knew he had underestimated Tang Song and smiled awkwardly. At this moment, a burnt smell wafted from inside the house, and the old master suddenly shouted as he rushed to the stove: "Ah, damn it! My precious eight-treasure soup has burned!" Tang Song chuckled to himself and continued wrapping buns.

  After lunch, Tang Song was bored and sat at the door, staring blankly. He happened to catch a glimpse of someone familiar passing by Cao's house. What left a deep impression on Tang Song was the second lady of the Cao family. The second lady was in her twenties, with a slender figure that was unmatched, soft and boneless, with every frown and smile accompanied by a flirtatious glance. When she entered the door, she smiled slightly at Tang Song, asked him a few questions, and her voice made Tang Song feel weak all over. With his eyes closed, Tang Song was indulging in his fantasies when his thigh was suddenly kicked hard by someone.

  "Ah yo!" Tang Song's feet retracted, and he looked up to see a beautiful young girl with a clear brow and bright eyes staring at him angrily. Beside her was a 16 or 17-year-old boy with a handsome appearance. Before Tang Song could speak, the girl scolded him: "You're so good, Tang Liang! You finally wake up, but instead of reporting to me, you're basking in the sun? Brother, do you think he should be punished?"

  That young man smiled slyly: "Heh heh, of course you want to punish him. But Tang Da Ge has lost his memory and probably doesn't recognize his sister anymore, so if you punish him now, wouldn't that be bullying?"

  That girl listened and suddenly frowned, angrily saying: "Good you Cao Renjie, again using words to tease me, today I will punish you together."

  Upon hearing this, Tang Song naturally understood the identities of the two people in front of him. He slowly stood up and bowed, saying: "If Elder Sister and Second Young Master have had a dispute because of Tang Liang, then Tang Liang is the one who has committed a great offense."

  Cao Renjie exclaimed: "Aren't you suffering from memory loss? How can you still remember me?"

  The Cao family's young lady on the side also stared at Tang Song with a pair of big eyes.

  Tang Song smiled and said: "As soon as I see the eldest sister and second young master, I remember both of you."

  The two of them heard it and their faces turned cold, they didn't say a word. Tang Song secretly cursed in his heart that something was wrong, fearing he had misspoken.

  "Cao's eldest miss let out a cold snort: "What's with the servant-like expression? We three grew up together since childhood, you never used to be so humble before your memory loss. Listen well, my name is Cao Danyang, and from now on, you'll still call me Danyang like before. This is my younger brother Cao Renjie... hmm, just call him Second Dog."

  Cao Renjie hastily retorted: "No, no, Brother Tang has never called me by my milk name before, he always calls me Little Jie. Brother Tang, I'll tell you my sister's milk name too, ah! Sister, what are you doing!"

  "Cao Ergou, have you gone mad? I'm going to teach you a lesson today!"

  "A good man doesn't fight with a woman, Cao Dajie, don't bully people too much! Ah! My head!"

  "Go die go die go die!"

  Tang Song looked at the two siblings frolicking in front of him, feeling warm inside. These two people didn't care about his identity and had become friends with him, and now they still came to visit him, which moved him deeply. It seemed that these ancient people were not as indifferent as he thought, it was just his own misconception. Tang Song laughed and stretched out his hand to grab the hands of the two, saying: "Fighting in the street, I'll take you two to see the official!"

  Cao Danyang's hand was caught by him, and his face turned red as he quickly pulled it back. He twisted and said: "Look at you, who looks like a person who has just recovered from a serious illness? Since nothing is wrong, I will also leave." After speaking, he walked away without looking back, Cao Renjie saw the situation, chuckled and followed him.

  Tang Song gazed at the two figures in the distance, and with a playful shout, he yelled: "Miss Danyang, your makeup looks great today! Don't get angry, or it would be a waste of that beautiful face!"

  Cao Danyang's footsteps came to a halt, and he muttered: "Mind your own business."

  After sending off his sister and brother, Tang Song returned to his own room. As soon as he entered the door, he saw Mu Er, this diligent little bee, tidying up his bed. Tang Song smiled and quietly approached her from behind, waiting for the right moment to suddenly let out a "Boo!" which startled Mu Er greatly. She turned around, saw it was Tang Song, and with a red face, scolded: "Tang Song, you're bullying me again."

  Tang Song smiled and sat on the bed with Mu Er, hugging her slender waist. Mu Er held Tang Song's arm and asked with a smile: "Brother Yuanming, you seem to be in a good mood today?"

  Tang Song closed his eyes, smelling the fragrance of Mu Er's body and said: "My good Mu Er has come to see me, I'm naturally very happy. However, Mu Er is a maid liked by the madam, you came to me, won't the madam blame you?"

  Mu'er felt Tang Song's hand on her buttocks with ill intentions, and she blushed as she shifted to the right, answering: "The doctor is very good, let alone tomorrow when Li Guan Shi from the inner courtyard will go to Bianjing City for procurement, Madam is currently instructing him."

  Before Tang Song, Mu Er had mentioned that this Li officer was in charge of internal affairs, while his own officer was in charge of external affairs for the Cao Mansion. Since he got into trouble, this Li officer has taken control of both internal and external affairs. Tang Song, taking advantage of the situation to tease Mu Er's buttocks with his right hand, asked: "Going to Bianjing? Can I go too? It's so boring being cooped up in the Cao Mansion all day."

  "You... go ask yourself!" Mu Er couldn't bear Tang Song's teasing and suddenly sat up from the bed, grasping her clothes with both hands, her face bright red as she said: "I don't care anymore, I'm going back."

  "Good girl, don't be angry, I have something here for you."

  Mu'er stood there curiously, tilting her head as Tang Song slowly pulled out a small copper mirror from his pocket. Suddenly, she felt a wave of emotion and her nose began to sour slightly. Tang Song handed the mirror to her, saying: "Last time I accidentally broke your mirror, today I specially found one that's quite similar, hoping you'll like it."

  Mei didn't want Tang Song to see her crying again, so she took the mirror and ran out immediately, covering her mouth without looking back.

  Li Guang, the long worker, was chopping firewood in the yard when he saw Mu Er covering her mouth and crying as she ran out of Tang's house. She was also putting something into her clothes. He was stunned and muttered to himself: "Wow, Tang is really skilled, he just got better from his illness and already got Mu Er under his control. When can I find a wife as beautiful as Mu Er?"

  Nothing happened that night.The next morning, Tang Song was summoned by the madam early in the morning. The madam first asked about his physical condition and then asked if he wanted to go to Bianjing City with Li Guanshi. Tang Song looked down and glanced at Mu'er beside the madam with his eyes, finding that this girl was smiling at him secretly, Tang Song immediately understood that this little girl had already spoken for herself. After agreeing, Tang Song bid farewell to the madam and exchanged a few glances with Mu'er before leaving.

  After leaving the backyard, Tang Song went to find Li Guan Shi. Li Da Mu, over 40 years old, was a martial artist by origin. He looked sturdy and strong, over 7 feet tall, giving people a rough impression. In fact, this Li Guan Shi not only knew books and reason but also excelled in management. The affairs of the Cao Mansion that went through his hands had never gone wrong. After talking with him, Tang Song felt he was a capable person. Li Da Mu showed Tang Song the things to be bought, and Tang Song couldn't help frowning. On the list were daily necessities, but the quantities were unusually large. Moreover, there was a special request to buy two pieces of red cloth. The two calculated together and were about to set off in their horse carriage when they unexpectedly ran into the second lady.

  The second lady stopped Tang Song, with a smile on her face and walked up to him in small steps. She took out a letter from her bosom and said: "Tang officer, I have a letter here, would you please take the trouble to deliver it to Mr. Pan of the rice shop when you enter the city?"

  "It's nothing, Yuan Ming will definitely deliver it to the lady."

  "That's all for now, thank you, Manager Tang." With that, the second mistress sashayed into the house.

  "Drive!" Li Daimu cracked his whip and the carriage headed towards Bianliang City. Tang Song sat in the carriage, full of expectation. Bianliang, the capital of the Great Song Dynasty, he had arrived.