New ink fragrance in old times

Seeing Lin Xiya's face livid, with anger and confusion flashing in her eyes, Tang Ming panicked and quickly reached out to grab her sleeve, eagerly explaining:

"My dear, don't be angry. I really have a reason for doing this. Listen to my explanation. I did this all for Qing'er."

Lin Xiya's rage grew even stronger. She suddenly pulled back her sleeves, stared at Tang Ming with a sharp gaze, and asked in a trembling voice:

"For Qing'er? Do you know that Qing'er almost... that day? You kept saying it was for him, but you almost hurt him!"

As she spoke, she was extremely angry, raised her hand, and slapped Tang Ming hard.

Tang Ming moved his shoulder in pain, but there was no anger on his face. He just lowered his head with even greater guilt.

This time, I was indeed too impulsive and reckless. I did not consider the feelings of my wife and children, and even put my children in danger.

Tang Ming took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down from the excitement. He spoke again, his voice trembling but sincere:

"My dear, please listen to my explanation. I really didn't mean it. Qing'er is already old enough to go to school. As a father, how could I not consider him? I originally planned to send him to the community school this year, but you also know that the teachers there are ultimately limited in knowledge and ability. Compared to the teachers in the clan school, there is still a big gap."

After hearing this, Lin Xiya's face remained icy cold. Her eyes were filled with disappointment and anger, as if they wanted to pierce through Tang Ming:

"You're still quibbling! What does this have to do with you taking Qing'er and the others to work as farmhands? When did your sisters ever truly consider Qing'er a member of their family? Also, have you ever considered how I and the children feel?"

Her voice was choked with sobs, and it was obvious that this matter was a thorn in her heart.

Seeing this, Tang Ming felt even more guilty. He shook his head and continued, "My dear, please listen to me. I originally planned to send Qing'er to study in the clan, but as you know, the ability of the teachers in the clan is not much different from that of the community school. If this continues, Qing'er's future will be worrying."

Tang Ming leaned closer to Lin Xiya and whispered, "You know, my brother-in-law's child started learning to read at the age of five, but our Qing'er still hasn't. How can I not be anxious?"

Lin Xiya nodded, this was indeed a source of worry for her.

"Well, I'm thinking of spending more time with them. They all have special teachers at home who teach their children. If Qing'er can go, I'll be able to find a guarantor for the county exam in the future. More importantly, I also want to take this opportunity to inquire about Dalang and see if I can find a good way out for him."

At this point, Tang Ming's tone was filled with helplessness and self-blame. His eyes were slightly red, as if tears would fall at any moment.

"I really didn't expect things to turn out like this. Over the past few years, I've been helping out at my sisters' homes. I originally wanted to pave a way for Qing'er, but I didn't expect people's hearts to be so unpredictable that Qing'er became someone else's stepping stone. Madam, this is all my fault. I was inconsiderate and acted too impulsively."

As Lin Xiya listened to Tang Ming's explanation, her anger gradually subsided, replaced by a deep sense of worry and helplessness. She looked at Tang Ming's face, which was filled with guilt, and felt a mixture of emotions.

As a mother, she also hopes that Qing'er can get the best and have a bright future. She understands that Tang Ming does this for the sake of the children.

She took a deep breath, tried to calm herself down, and then said:

"Tang Ming, you must give me an explanation for this matter. Qing'er and Xin'er can't suffer this for no reason. And as for our parents, do you know what to do?"

Although her voice was soft, every word was powerful, and each word was like a hammer, hitting Tang Ming's heart.

Tang Ming felt a mixture of emotion and guilt in his heart. He held Lin Xiya's hand tightly. Her hands looked a little rough due to long-term labor, but in his eyes at this moment, they were the most precious treasures.

He said affectionately, "My dear, I know I was wrong. I've already reassured my parents, especially my mother. She definitely won't lose sight of the main points for a few petty gains. As for my sister and the others, the elders of the clan have already stepped forward. Don't worry, our children's suffering will not be in vain."

Lin Xiya looked at Tang Ming's determined and sincere eyes, and the anger in her heart gradually subsided. She nodded gently, and her voice became much softer: "I believe you, Tang Ming. But don't hide things from me in the future. We are husband and wife, and we should be honest with each other."

After hearing this, Tang Ming nodded vigorously: "My wife, don't worry, no matter what decision I make in the future, I will discuss it with you first."

"Ah."

The anger in Lin Xiya's eyes seemed to dissipate gently with the breeze, replaced by a faint tenderness and relief.

Tang Ming saw Lin Xiya's expression soften, and the heavy stone in his heart finally fell. He quietly moved his feet, almost in a flattering manner, to Lin Xiya's side, and whispered softly:

"My dear, a day without seeing you feels like three years have passed. During this period, my husband's thoughts about you have been like a surging tide, unending."

Lin Xiya couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth slightly, with a hint of teasing and ridicule in her eyes:

"Stop talking nonsense, Tang Ming. I haven't seen you in person these days, but your 'shadow' has been running here quite often, right? Don't think I didn't notice that old woman coming to the Lin family last time. Did you follow her?"

When Tang Ming heard this, he quickly waved his hands, his eyes filled with innocence and anxiety, like a misunderstood child:

"Oh, my lady, you really misunderstood me. I was just worried about you. You know that old woman has bad intentions. I was afraid she would harm you, and even more afraid that she would hurt our children. That's why I followed them quietly. If anything happened, I could help them in time. Last time, I even covered for you, otherwise you and the children would have been exposed."

At this point, Tang Ming seemed to remember something and added, "And my brother-in-law, if it weren't for me, he would have been discovered too. He was standing on the roof, and if I hadn't covered him, he would have been discovered by that group long ago."

Lin Xiya couldn't help but burst out laughing after hearing this, and the teasing in her eyes became even more intense: "You're sensible. Besides that time, have you come here secretly before?"

Tang Ming felt a little embarrassed when Lin Xiya looked at him. He scratched his head and chuckled:

"My lady is so clever that I can't hide anything from you. Actually, after that incident, I was still worried and came a few more times quietly without alerting anyone."

A hint of tenderness and helplessness flashed across Lin Xiya's eyes. "No wonder, Sanlang said he felt someone was following him in the back mountain. I guess that was you."

Tang Ming smiled awkwardly: "I didn't expect that Sanlang would notice it. He is so thoughtful. I was careless."

At this point, the two smiled at each other, as if all the misunderstandings and barriers had vanished at that moment. The air was filled with an indescribable warmth and sweetness.

However, this tranquility did not last long. A faint cry suddenly broke the rare peace.

Lin Xiya immediately pulled herself away from this warmth, a look of maternal tenderness and anxiety instantly appearing on her face: "Linlin is awake."

Tang Ming also reacted quickly. He patted Tang Lin gently in the quilt and coaxed her softly: "Linlin, be good. Daddy is here. Don't be afraid."

Tang Lin seemed to feel her father's embrace, and her crying gradually stopped, except for the occasional sob. Her little hands tightly grasped Tang Ming's clothes, and her eyes were filled with dependence and peace of mind.

Lin Xiya quickly took out Tang Lin's small clothes and put them on her gently and skillfully. As she put on the clothes, she spoke softly to Tang Lin, trying to soothe her anxiety after waking up:

"Linlin, it's cold today. Mommy will dress you warmly so you don't get cold. Let's go to the kitchen with Daddy to warm ourselves by the fire, okay?"

Tang Lin seemed to understand what her mother said. She showed a childish smile and waved her little hands in the air, as if responding to her mother's suggestion.

Seeing her daughter so cute, she gently kissed Tang Lin on the forehead, then turned to look at Tang Ming, her eyes full of tenderness: "Let's take Linlin to the kitchen, roast some fire, and warm her up."