Tang Mingfan seemed to age several years instantly, letting out a long sigh.
Still, he opened the money box and took out two ten-tael silver ingots, handing them to Tang Zhuojun.
Looking at the few remaining coins, Tang Zhuojun felt miserable and stammered, “Father, I’m not reckless with money. Please trust me— I’ll repay it…”
She didn’t dare mention borrowing the loan from the pawnbroker, fearing it would anger her father.
Faced with such unconditional trust and generosity, she wanted to strangle the original owner.
“Your father trusts you now because you’re different from before— not for anything else, but because it’s the first time I’ve tasted your cooking,” Tang Mingfan said, eyes reddened. “You take after your mother. She cooked so well— even with the cheapest ingredients, she made them delicious…”
Back then, the family was poor, his wife was a child bride, and life was hard. But she cooked every tasty thing she could find for her family, passing away before he could achieve his success. This was a pain Tang Mingfan could never forget.
Seeing her father’s tears streaming down his face, Tang Zhuojun felt a lump in her throat.
She hugged the money box and solemnly said, “Father, from now on I’ll manage the household. I promise everyone will eat well and be warm. I won’t squander money anymore.”
She had taken over his daughter’s body and been given a second life, so she had to live it beautifully and repay every debt that should be repaid—for her sake.
Tang Mingfan swayed as he stood up and returned to his room, slowly digesting his grief.
The next day, before dawn had even broken, Tang Zhuojun was woken by noises outside.
“Be gentler, don’t wake your sister,” Tang Mingfan said in a low voice.
Tang Boxin seemed to be pouring water into a basin. With a clang, he threw down the water ladle.
Tang Mingfan let out a long sigh. “That is your sister… forget it, forget it. You don’t need to see me off. I can go by myself.”
Tang Boxin softened his tone. “Father, I warmed up two steamed buns for you. Take them to stave off hunger.”
“No need. Meals are provided in the palace.”
“But only after the court is dismissed, how long will that be?” Tang Boxin said anxiously.
Only then did Tang Zhuojun vaguely remember— so early that even the chickens hadn’t crowed— her father still had to go to court.
Court sessions started extremely early. On top of that, their family was poor and had no carriage, so her father had to walk and therefore rise even earlier.
Since no one dared be late for court, officials all arrived ahead of time. During that time, they would take out the food or snacks they had brought to fill their stomachs a little, so they wouldn’t be too hungry during court.
Although the emperor, out of consideration, provided meals, those were served only after court was dismissed— and by then they were already cold and not very tasty.
Only Tang Mingfan would earnestly take advantage of that “free meal.”
Tang Zhuojun felt deeply uncomfortable at heart. She got up, threw on her clothes, casually twisted her hair into a bun, and hurried out.
“Father, wait a moment. I’ll fry you two eggs. Eat before you go— it won’t take long.”
If she hadn’t prepared anything today, so be it. Tomorrow she would definitely get up early and prepare good food for her father.
“No need. Save the eggs for Linlin.”
“It’s fine, there are more. I’ll be quick.” Tang Zhuojun was already rushing into the kitchen.
Granny He was already boiling water, so using that fire, she swiftly made the fried eggs and brought them out. “Father, eat before you go.”
“All right, all right, all right.” Tang Mingfan nodded repeatedly as he looked at his completely different daughter.
The eastern sky began to glow with a pale, fish-belly white.
Perhaps this life was finally starting to see the light.