Abandoning Wife and Selling Daughter? Turning Around to Marry a Powerful Minister and Wiping Out Your Entire Clan! - Chapter 34

No wonder Zhang Xiaolan was surprised. It had only been two days, yet this man was already strutting outside?

Shouldn’t he be recovering at home?

“Madam Zhang, could you stand up first? Although I am in a wheelchair, it would be improper to lose etiquette.”

The man’s expression was serious. Only then did Zhang Xiaolan realize she was still sitting on his lap. Her cheeks heated up, and she quickly stood up.

“I lost my balance while walking. Please forgive me, sir,” Zhang Xiaolan apologized politely.

“It’s no problem. My humble surname is Tang, and my name is Lifeng,” the man hesitated slightly before adding, “Courtesy name, Yunchuan.”

Zhang Xiaolan’s words got stuck in her throat.

A courtesy name was something only close acquaintances used. They had only just met—why would he tell her this?

She decided to ignore the matter.

“Lord Tang, what brings you here?” Engaging in small talk felt safer.

“My home is in the east city.” The young servant behind Tang Lifeng pushed his wheelchair as they walked alongside Zhang Xiaolan.

After exchanging a few casual words, they arrived at Zhang Xiaolan’s house.

“I have reached my doorstep. Lord Tang, I shall take my leave.” Zhang Xiaolan had no desire to associate with officials. It was too complicated and exhausting—not everyone could endure swallowing their grievances.

“Wait,” Tang Lifeng reached out and grabbed Zhang Xiaolan’s wrist. Seeing her startled expression, he slowly let go and coughed into his fist. “Ahem, I have yet to thank Madam Zhang for saving my life. If not for you, I would have surely perished.”

“You’re too kind, Lord Tang. I just happened to pass by.” Zhang Xiaolan quietly hid her hand behind her back. “Besides, the one who truly saved you was General Yan. At most, I only assisted.”

Neither of them knew what to say next, and an awkward silence filled the air.

“Madam Zhang, could you—”

“Lord Tang, do you still—”

Both spoke at the same time, making the moment even more uncomfortable.

Zhang Xiaolan wished she could dig a hole with her embroidered shoes and disappear.

Tang Lifeng finally broke the silence. “I recently returned to the capital after an unfortunate encounter with bandits. My family is hosting a banquet—would Madam Zhang do me the honor of attending?”

“This may not be appropriate…” Zhang Xiaolan saw the determination in his eyes and decided to be honest. “I was divorced and cast out, separated from my daughter. My status is lowly, Lord Tang need not be so courteous.”

It would be best to never see him again. One look at Tang Lifeng, and she knew he was not easy to deal with. His gaze was firm, his face sharp, and his lips pressed together so often that faint lines had formed at the corners.

But it was his eyes that were the most dangerous—deep and dark, capable of pulling people in if they weren’t careful… like right now.

Zhang Xiaolan snapped back to reality. “Lord Tang, what did you say?”

“My household consists only of me and my servants. Besides, this is merely a gesture of gratitude—what does your status have to do with it?” His gaze was clear and sincere. “Moreover, I have also invited the Yan family. You need not worry.”

That scoundrel! She swore his eyes had just sparkled with amusement—as if he was laughing at her!

Without thinking, Zhang Xiaolan agreed.

The moment she got home, she regretted it.

Why did she say yes?

She finally understood how deep an official’s mind could be. Just his eyes had confused her—what a menace.

But since she had agreed, there was no turning back.

She had no doubt that if she refused further, Tang Lifeng would find other ways to make her accept.

Inside the house, Zhang Xiaolan was frustrated; outside, Tang Lifeng found himself feeling equally ridiculous.

At that moment, he had spoken his courtesy name on impulse.

When Zhang Xiaolan was momentarily dazed, was he not the same?

The only difference was that he regained his senses sooner.

Besides, what he had asked was not even about his household matters.

“Tian Dong, let’s return home.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Tomorrow, send an invitation to the General’s residence and invite them over. We’ll call it a housewarming banquet.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Before that, ask Madam Zhang which day she is available before setting the date.”

“Yes, sir.”

Tang Lifeng said no more. If he kept speaking, Tian Dong would probably be unable to hold back his laughter.

He was probably already making fun of him in his mind.

Why did Madam Zhang feel like a fairy?

At their first proper meeting, their impressions of each other were equally bad—one thought the other was a menace, while the other thought she was a fairy.

The next day, when Zhang Xiaolan saw Tang Lifeng’s servant standing at her doorstep, she was stunned.

“My lord invited you to a banquet yesterday but forgot to ask when you would be available, so he sent me to inquire.”

Zhang Xiaolan opened her mouth but had no idea what to say.

What could she say? An official was asking for her availability—her first instinct was fear!

“Would five days from now be convenient for you?” Tian Dong seemed uninterested in waiting for her answer and simply suggested a date.

“Yes, yes,” Zhang Xiaolan finally found her voice. This was how an official should behave!

She forced a smile, sent Tian Dong off, and hurried to Fenghua House—it was her first day as the new kitchen manager.

She also had to cover as a pastry chef since Master Zhao had yet to arrive.

The moment she agreed to Manager Zhang’s request, he immediately promoted her. It seemed the opening of the new shop was urgent.

After assigning tasks, the kitchen staff dispersed to their duties.

A new manager always made changes, and Zhang Xiaolan took the opportunity to organize things properly.

The division of labor in the kitchen was already sound, and the recruited staff were trustworthy. The previous manager, Madam Lin, had a habit of taking small advantages but had committed no major wrongs—helping familiar people find work was common and not worth nitpicking.

But Zhang Xiaolan had once been the lady of a large household, overseeing numerous businesses.

In just one day, she sorted out the kitchen’s affairs and even improved the efficiency of dish preparation.

That evening, Manager Zhang distributed a reward from an important guest, boosting the kitchen staff’s enthusiasm.

Days passed quickly, and soon, it was time for the banquet at the Tang residence.

Zhang Xiaolan requested leave the day before and now carried two packets of pastries as she made her way to Tang’s mansion.

At the imperial city gate, the guards verified her invitation and called for Tang’s household to escort her in.

As she arrived at the Tang residence, she happened to meet the people from the General’s mansion.

She wanted to step aside and let them enter first, fearing she might offend them.

But Yan Yuyang, still a child at heart, blurted out, “Madam Zhang!”

With her identity exposed, she had no choice but to step forward and greet the General and his wife.

The General and his wife were kind, and their other family members were gentle as well. At the banquet, Zhang Xiaolan even saw Manager Hao.

She had heard from her nanny that Manager Hao was the head steward of the Emperor’s private treasury.

Lord Tang was indeed extraordinary.

Zhang Xiaolan silently warned herself—after this meal, she must stay away from him.

“Madam Zhang, General Yan, I, Tang, thank you both for saving my life! I am still recovering, so I offer tea in place of wine!”

Despite his scholarly appearance, his voice was loud—he had likely trained in martial arts.

Just moments ago, she had decided to keep her distance, but since the banquet wasn’t over yet, Zhang Xiaolan put on a smile and raised her cup in return.

When the banquet finally ended, she informed the old housekeeper that she was leaving.

“Madam Zhang, please wait!”

Zhang Xiaolan cursed internally but kept her polite smile. “What advice does Lord Tang have for me?”