Chapter 130: Tao Ming’s Drunkenness (Part III)

Tao Ming’s suppressed emotions finally erupted. "How many things have you lied to me about? You keep professing your love, yet eight out of every ten words you say are false!"

Su Nanxing held her tightly. "My love, you have to believe me. I truly love you."

"Everything you told me before was a lie! Even your parents were fabricated!"

"Everything I know about you comes from the lies you spun. I have no idea who the real you is!"

Listening to Tao Ming’s accusations, Su Nanxing felt a wave of panic. Gritting his teeth, he promised, "My love, once tomorrow’s business is handled, I will take you to a place and tell you all my secrets. How about that?"

"I don't want to know. I’m afraid I can’t handle it."

"I swear, you are the only woman I have ever had!"

Tao Ming looked at Su Nanxing with cold eyes. "Do you think I care?"

"You're acting just like a petulant Ruanruan right now; what am I supposed to do?" Seeing Tao Ming’s refusal to communicate, Su Nanxing recalled how Ruanruan would act up and wondered how Tao Ming usually pacified her.

"I..."

Su Nanxing stifled her words, flipping her over and pinning her beneath him, giving her no chance to speak. Tao Ming struggled fiercely until she gradually lost her strength, finally lying still.

Seeing that she had stopped fighting, Su Nanxing lay on his side, holding her quietly. "My love, I promise I will never lie to you again," he whispered softly.

Tao Ming rolled over onto him, baring her teeth to bite his shoulder in spite, but in the end, she only gave him a gentle nip.

Su Nanxing wrapped his arm around her waist and whispered in her ear, "My love, it’s been so long since you were the one to take the initiative."

Looking at Su Nanxing’s face, Tao Ming’s tears began to fall again. Su Nanxing was on the verge of breaking down—what exactly was wrong with her?

In the next room, the Seventh Prince heard their entire exchange clearly. He felt a sense of relief, hoping they would argue even more so he wouldn't have to endure their public displays of affection as a lonely bachelor.

Suddenly, Su Nanxing’s voice drifted through the wall: "My love, slow down."

This was immediately followed by the sound of Tao Ming’s moans.

The Seventh Prince sighed helplessly. *Here we go again. Can’t you two be mindful of your health?* With a wave of his hand, he erected a sound-insulating array and pulled the covers over his head to sleep.

***

Tao Ming lay in Su Nanxing’s arms, staring blankly at the canopy of the bed. Su Nanxing, still clearly unsatisfied, nuzzled against her ear. "My love..."

Tao Ming said weakly, "Why did I end up in bed with you again?"

Su Nanxing’s hand traced down her arm. "I love you, and you love me; it would be abnormal if we didn't end up together."

"I was planning on giving you the cold shoulder for a few days." Tao Ming caught his hand. "It’s not too late to start now."

Su Nanxing guided her hand to himself. "My love, you must face your own needs."

Tao Ming gave him an annoyed squeeze. Su Nanxing shrieked in pain, "Do you want to leave me a widow before we're even married?"

Tao Ming let go and glared at him. "The streets are full of men."

"My love, are you jealous?" Su Nanxing took her hand and continued to tease her.

Tao Ming felt a bit confused. Jealous? Jealous of whom? The women in the brothels? No, that wasn't it. She wasn't angry because of the brothel women; she was panicking because of the overwhelming sense of powerlessness that came from not knowing Su Nanxing’s true past.

Seeing her silence, Su Nanxing leaned forward with a slight push. Tao Ming returned to her senses, wrapping her arms around his neck and murmuring, "I feel so hollow inside, as if a piece of me is missing."

Su Nanxing began to move slowly. "I will help you fill it."

***

As the sky began to brighten, Su Nanxing rose and returned to the Su Manor. Today was the day for the formal delivery of the betrothal gifts, and he could not afford to miss the auspicious hour.

The gates of the Su Manor were thrown wide open. A line of carriages stretched down the entire street, all overflowing with crates. Su Nanxing checked the list of gifts one last time, and after confirming everything was correct, he turned to a servant. "Go."

The servant took the order and headed straight for the Dongchang Building. Upon arrival, he took the pre-cut list of betrothal gifts and posted them neatly on the outer wall of the building's main entrance. A large crowd quickly gathered to watch.

"Good heavens, the Su family is being incredibly generous! I remember when the twelfth young master got married, there were plenty of gifts, but they were all cheap trinkets."

"The twelfth master married a distant relative; how can she compare to a noble daughter of the Qin family?"

"With such lavish gifts, aren't they trying to embarrass the Qin family?"

"What do you know? How can the Qin and Su families be compared to commoners?"

"That’s true. Commoners can't afford a dowry, so they make the betrothal gifts look meager to avoid the suspicion of selling their daughters."

"I wonder how much the Qin family will send as a dowry?"

"We'll see on the wedding day."

***

Seeing Su Nanxing’s radiant expression, Qiao Ruowei teased, "You're this smug just for delivering the gifts?"

"Mother, please don't mock me." Su Nanxing was impatient, riding his dragon-horse with a spirited and triumphant air.

"The auspicious hour has arrived!"

Su Nanxing smiled at Su Yanfeng and Qiao Ruowei. "Father, Mother, we are leaving."

Su Nanxing led the way, followed by Su Fang and Su Pei, with the procession of cargo-laden carriages trailing behind.

They traveled along Dong'an Lane into Shengdong Avenue, needing to circle the Imperial City before heading toward the Qin residence on Daqin Street in the west of the city.

Su Nanxing was desperate to reach the Qin mansion, but hindered by the speed of the carriages behind him, he could only ride his dragon-horse at a leisurely pace. He smiled at the surging crowds on both sides, making his way toward the Qin residence with calm and grace.

The road was packed with onlookers. Those who had seen the list at the Dongchang Building were excitedly telling others about the Su family’s grand gesture.

Some married women, watching the carriages pass by, felt a pang of envy and pinched their husbands' arms, complaining, "Look at the grandeur of their betrothal gifts, and compare it to ours."

The husband retorted, "The Qin family can afford a dowry, but can yours?"

"My dear, I was just speaking casually."

***

Tao Ming was dragged out of bed by Tao Sisi early in the morning. As Tao Ming washed up, Tao Sisi asked curiously, "Did you two argue last night?"

"Yes."

Tao Sisi hesitated before asking, "Will Nanxing still come to deliver the gifts today?"

Tao Ming raised her voice. "He wouldn't dare not to!"

"So you made up right after the fight?" Tao Sisi teased.

"Mother, are you that eager for me to break up with him?"

Ruanruan ran in from outside, calling out, "Mommy, Mommy!"

Tao Ming wiped her face quickly, walked over to scoop Ruanruan up, and kissed her cheek. "My little treasure."

Ruanruan wrapped her arms around Tao Ming’s neck and tilted her little head. "Mommy, did you and Daddy fight?"

Tao Ming pinched Ruanruan’s little nose. "How did you know?"

Ruanruan pushed Tao Ming’s hand away and poked her cheek. "We heard everything!"

Recalling the intensity of last night, Tao Ming felt a bit guilty. "What else did you hear?"

"Grandma said it was too late and time to sleep, so I went to sleep."

Tao Ming breathed a sigh of relief. As long as she hadn't heard anything else, it was fine.

Leading the two little ones out of the room, Tao Ming saw the Seventh Prince standing at his doorway, watching them with a smile.

"Cousin, good morning." Seeing his strange smile, Tao Ming felt a surge of panic.

"Morning. You two made so much noise last night that I couldn't get any sleep." The Seventh Prince intentionally spoke in a vague, teasing tone.