Immortal Travel of Longevity

Dong Chiyu parted ways with them outside the tavern. She simply gazed from afar, watching the woman who had seemed so majestic to her now tugging at the Mister's arm like a child.

An indescribable envy swelled in her heart.

A single tear fell. Gazing at the city gates in the distance, she let out a long breath. The last glow of dusk spilled over her, leaving behind a silhouette.

Like her spear, she was devoid of emotion.

...

Tang Mingjing's funeral was held only after Tang Manor had settled down.

The fengshui master had chosen an excellent location where the mountains and waters complemented each other. From afar, one could see travelers on the road. It wasn't entirely peaceful here; it held a scattered trace of human vitality.

Tang Yuerong felt her father had left far too many things unsaid in life. Though he no longer had the chance to speak, resting here meant he might at least faintly hear the passing voices.

Chen Changsheng poured a pot of wine before the grave.

Uncle Chen's spirits were low. She didn't know what to say, and felt it best to say nothing at a time like this.

Chen Changsheng gazed at the tombstone. The name inscribed upon it could not help but remind him of his time at Tang Manor many years ago. Tang Mingjing had still been young then. Later, when the man married, Chen Changsheng had even gone to drink at his wedding.

He could not help but feel pity for Tang Mingjing.

Likely because his death had been so sudden; he had passed away with so many words left unspoken.

Chen Changsheng had gone to the City God Temple to ask. Tang Mingjing had already entered Reincarnation. As a mortal of flesh and blood, his departed soul could not linger long. After the burial, once his first seven days had passed, he had moved on. Fortunately, the City God had intervened to protect him earlier; otherwise, with his physical body remaining unburied, his soul would have been barred from the Yellow Springs and scattered to nothingness long ago.

The City God told Chen Changsheng that Tang Mingjing had left no important words behind when he departed.

He only said that he was tired and wanted to rest.

And a single sigh.

He had lived his entire life with cautious diligence, as if treading on thin ice. He had expanded Tang Manor, caused the realm's commercial veins to flourish, and forged a trade route that gave countless people a livelihood. As a single man, he had achieved something that dozens of emperors had failed to do.

By connecting the trade routes of various prefectures and establishing commercial regulations, the single character "Tang" had elevated the status of merchants, ensuring they were no longer ignored and discriminated against. This was unheard of in ages past.

Chen Changsheng recited a Daoist scripture to accumulate karmic merit for him, just as he had done for Old Huang at Qingxian Temple back then.

Ruyi asked, "If Ruyi passes away, will Uncle Chen recite this scripture for Ruyi too?"

Chen Changsheng paused. "Do you want to hear it?"

Ruyi shook her head. "I don't want it to be like this. Uncle doesn't live happily; you aren't at ease..."

Chen Changsheng smiled and nodded. "Ruyi is right."

When Uncle Chen said those words, Ruyi also felt the helplessness within them.

So Uncle Chen understood it himself.

She was thinking...

Grandpa Huang was gone, Sister Yun was gone, and now Lord Tang was gone too...

In the distant future, if everyone the Mister cared about—and everyone who cared about the Mister—was gone, would Uncle Chen still choose to keep living?

She seemed to understand his thoughts.

Caught in such conflict and helplessness, Uncle Chen could only live for others. He simply couldn't keep living for himself.

Ruyi stepped forward and grasped his hand. "Don't be too sad, Uncle Chen..."

Chen Changsheng shook his head. It was unclear what he meant.

He poured the last drops of wine from his Wine Gourd before the grave.

Chen Changsheng stood up. "Let's go," he said.

His words were fewer than ever.

Mao'er followed after him, leaping onto Chen Changsheng's shoulder.

"Chen the Good Man, Chen the Good Man, you're unhappy again."

Even a cat could see it clearly.

Chen Changsheng reached up and rubbed Lihua's head. "It's a good thing that I can be unhappy. The day I can no longer feel unhappy, that's when things will truly be broken."

Ruyi paused for a moment, pressing her lips together.

Lihua was a bit confused. "What does that mean?"

"Lihua isn't smart, so you wouldn't understand."

"Ah!"

Lihua cried out, "Chen the Good Man is talking nonsense! Lihua is very smart, okay!"

"Right, right," Chen Changsheng agreed with a nod.

Lihua suddenly recalled something. "Lihua just remembered! Chen the Good Man said you would bring Lihua dried fish."

Chen Changsheng paused. "Ah..."

He let out a helpless laugh.

"This Chen forgot."

Lihua's tail swished back and forth. "Lihua knew it! But since Lihua can see you're unhappy, I'll forgive you this once. Next time—you definitely can't forget next time."

"Then I must thank Lihua."

"Hmph, hmph."

Lihua tilted its head up, looking exceedingly smug.

After returning to Shangjing City, Chen Changsheng headed to Tang Manor.

Tang Yuerong seemed to have received the news. She had already ordered the Kitchen to prepare a meal and was simply waiting for his arrival.

She waited at the manor gates, gazing into the distance.

Only when the figures of two people and a cat appeared did Tang Yuerong let out a faint sigh of relief.

"Tell the Kitchen to start cooking! They're here."

"Yes!"

In the blink of an eye, the manor was bustling with activity.

Tang Yuerong stepped out to greet him. Arriving before the Mister, she bowed respectfully. "Tang Yuerong greets Mister Chen!"

Chen Changsheng paused for a moment before helping her up. "Let's talk inside," he said.

In the short time it took to walk from the entrance to the main hall, several woks in Tang Manor's Kitchen had sprung into action. The soups and stews that had been keeping warm were brought to the table. Every dish served was freshly made and piping hot.

It was clear that Tang Yuerong had put a great deal of thought into this.

"In his early years, your father spared no effort for the trading firm. He rarely even had the time to care for his wife and daughter. Though born into a wealthy estate, you are still a girl with a bitter lot. For a young woman to take over such a heavy burden now... it truly is hard on you."

These words struck straight to Tang Yuerong's heart.

She couldn't help but feel a surge of sorrow, yet she didn't dare let her tears fall.

Having experienced all she had recently, she finally understood her father's past difficulties. She couldn't cry, nor could she laugh; everything was simply so heart-wrenching and sorrowful.

Just like right now.

She even had to hesitate over how to address him.

She wanted to call Mister Chen her uncle-in-law, but feared it would be inappropriate, as the relationship between her aunt and Mister Chen had never been clear. She wanted to call him uncle, but worried the Mister would think she was trying to flatter him and take offense. In the end, all she could do was call him Mister.

Even over a matter as simple as this, she had to think carefully before she dared to speak.

Chen Changsheng said, "Your father, your aunt, and I are all old friends. You don't need to call me Mister. If you are willing, you can just call me Uncle. If you face any difficulties, feel free to speak up."

Upon hearing this, Tang Yuerong hurriedly stood up and bowed in gratitude. "Yuerong greets Uncle."

Just as she was about to bow, Chen Changsheng pulled her up.

Chen Changsheng said, "You don't need to be so polite to This Chen. I know you face hardships from all sides. The trading firm's affairs have forced you to become incredibly disciplined, but This Chen does not wish to see you act like this at the dinner table. You should make a fuss when you want to make a fuss, laugh when you want to laugh, and cry when you want to cry. That is how it should be."

"Look at Ruyi. How wonderful she is."

Hearing her name, Ruyi lifted her head.

Her mouth was stuffed with food, her cheeks bulging outward, and a single grain of rice was stuck to the corner of her lips.

She smacked her lips.

She didn't seem to understand why her name had been called.

Seeing this sight, Tang Yuerong couldn't hold back a burst of laughter. In that moment, the heavy weight in her heart finally eased just a little.

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