Chapter 66 - Are You Regretting It?
The following day, Tang Yue slept until the sun had risen high. At dawn, Ping Shun's slumber was disrupted by a splash of cold water. He gawked incredulously at the quartet of formidable women. “Are you all… Are you all out of your minds?”
“Noble Heir, kindly pardon us. We're merely obeying the young master's instructions,” one of the women murmured softly.
Not that they lacked fear, but in their hierarchy of loyalty, their allegiance first went to their master, then to the heir.
“You ought to get up and go for a morning run,” another woman handed him fresh clothes, her tone firm.
“I'm not running! What can you do to me, Noble Heir?” The Noble Heir sprawled out on the bed. “Go to hell!”
Yet, his resistance was short-lived. A basin of frigid water rained down, extinguishing his resolve.
“Young master instructed me that if you refuse to rise, we should continue dousing you,” she added.
When it came to shamelessness, Tang Yue still held the upper hand.
After Ping Shun was compelled to complete twenty laps around the small sports field, he witnessed Tang Yue emerge from the door, appearing groggy and even indulging in a languid stretch.
His legs gave way, and he sank to his knees. His chest felt as though it contained a weighty load of sand. Each breath was akin to a blade's edge slicing through him. The intensity with which he regarded Tang Yue was keener than any blade.
Tang Yue brushed him off, directing him to freshen up and take a brief rest before having breakfast. The morning meal comprised plain rice porridge, bereft of any embellishments. On the table sat two piles of cold vegetables, smooth and unadorned.
Yet, after each meal, Tang Yue served him two bowls of clear soup, fortified with various herbs and ingredients. The taste was somewhat peculiar, but it possessed detoxifying properties.
In addition to the clear soup, Tang Yue substituted his usual drinking water with Lotus Leaf Tea. No adverse effects arose from this alteration.
Nonetheless, to Tang Yue's astonishment, on the first day, Ping Shun merely experienced slight stomach discomfort. Subsequently, whether it was through massage or other methods, his digestion remained impervious to easing. Tang Yue couldn't help but sigh. The digestive systems of ancient people were truly resilient.
Intensive workouts coupled with a well-balanced diet were among the most efficient strategies for rapid weight loss. While a lapse in vigilance during later phases could result in a rebound, it would, at the very least, yield some results.
For half a month, Tang Yue and Ping Shun coexisted peacefully. Daily routines involved intense physical exertion, with exercise intensity escalating incrementally. The menu transformed daily, featuring diverse types of congee, yet fundamentally it remained congee. Despite not growing tired of the regimen, Ping Shun's craving for meat persisted.
On occasion, Tang Yue would take him hunting for wild sustenance. He'd reward Ping Shun with fragrant roasted meat for displaying commendable performance.
By the end of two weeks, his formerly smooth hands and feet had noticeably strengthened. His biceps no longer held a layer of fat, and he retained his proficiency in archery.
Once he surreptitiously ventured out at night, dedicating hours to capturing a wild rabbit. Employing Tang Yue's guidance, he personally roasted the meat. Regrettably, he overlooked cleaning the rabbit's innards, consuming only the legs while the rest remained untouched.
Following his meal, he deliberated for quite some time. The temptation to seize this chance and return home, avoiding the ordeal at the Yueyang Marquis's Mansion, was strong. Yet, when contemplating the transformations occurring within his body, he clenched his teeth and steeled himself.
Unbeknownst to him, once he harbored thoughts of escape, concealed guards would swiftly usher him back to the premises of Yueyang Marquis's Mansion.
Tang Yue paid no heed to this matter, devoting his attention to daily weight records. He immersed himself in researching methods to maximize fat consumption and refining his exercise regimen.
The pair embraced a life of “tuning out external noise, wholly focused on weight loss.” It wasn't until Tang Yue overheard a mention of Wang Zizhao one day that he realized more than a month had elapsed without their meeting.
“I wonder how his leg's recuperation is coming along…” Lounging in the shade of the small playground's trees, Tang Yue enjoyed the fruit prepared by his wife, all while observing the basketball match on the court.
The sport was currently in vogue, somewhat akin to modern-day football. However, the space within Tang Yue's compound didn't allow for a proper field, so he improvised with a rudimentary basketball court.
Ever since Tang Yue introduced them to basketball, a contingent of men had become enamored with the sport. A mere call from Tang Yue to play sufficed to gather them, brimming with enthusiasm.
Tang Yue had advised them to do their best to thwart Noble Heir, forcing him to take a few extra steps, though not depriving him of the ball entirely. Doing so would maintain his eagerness.
Gazing at the group of athletically-built men exerting themselves on the court, Tang Yue seemed to recapture a semblance of his college days. It was a sentiment of pure admiration, untainted by any ulterior motive. The scene was quite beautiful.
Nonetheless, these picturesque moments were intermittently disrupted. Amidst the assembly of well-defined figures stood a plump little dumpling. His presence was impossible to miss given his bodily proportions.
Contrasting his state a month prior, Ping Shun was no longer as rotund as a ball. Though he still carried weight, it was as though he'd been sliced twice from the side. His horizontal dimensions had significantly decreased.
Tang Yue's notebook indicated a weight loss of 23 pounds. Presenting this outcome to State Duke Heng would certainly garner his satisfaction.
Tang Yue wasn't planning to release him so hastily. The man's resolve was too feeble. Without someone to monitor him upon his return, he'd revert to his old habits swiftly. Letting his efforts go to waste wasn't part of the plan.
Furthermore, Tang Yue had noticed numerous positive attributes in this young man. Beyond his sharp memory, he displayed swift calculation skills. Tang Yue intended to arrange for instruction in business management and accounting. Despite harboring many lucrative ideas, he lacked the interest in commerce. Nurturing this young man would be a wise investment.
However, given the current diminished status of businessmen and State Duke Heng's precarious position, challenges existed.
Moreover, evaluating the young man's trustworthiness was still pending.
“Young master, a representative from Prince Zhao's Mansion has come with a message. Wang Zizhao has requested your presence,” the butler traversed the array of wooden stakes with some effort and approached to deliver the news.
Tang Yue straightened in his reclined chair, inquiring, “Wang Zizhao? Did they reveal the purpose?”
The butler's gaze shifted to the field, and his voice faltered. He was so stunned that he couldn't articulate a response. Temporarily ignoring Tang Yue's query, he stammered, “Is that… Noble Heir?”
Throughout the month, aside from Tang Yue's clientele, not even Yueyang Marquis was permitted entry into the premises. This measure aimed to shield visitors from witnessing the dismal state within and subsequently spreading the news. Consequently, this marked the first time the butler encountered Ping Shun in a month.
Familiarity might have mitigated this transformation's impact. However, extended absence made the butler almost unrecognize Noble Heir.
He had shed more than twenty pounds, his once rounded facial features now distinctly visible. His eyes were no longer squinted, revealing the definition of his almond-shaped eyes.
There was another reason Tang Yue insisted on keeping him around. With his complete weight loss, this kid was bound to become quite the handsome gentleman. Perhaps the hierarchy of the four most handsome men in Ye City would have to be rearranged. In such a scenario, allowing him to roam freely outside without a complete transformation might only lead to more trouble for the families of the young ladies he encountered.
However, that was a secondary concern. The primary reason was, he wasn't keen on investing his time and effort in others. He worked so hard to slim people down, and he wanted women like Tang Ya to benefit from his endeavors. Any way he looked at it, it didn't sit well with him.
“He really managed to shed so much weight.” The butler let out a sigh.
Tang Yue didn't find it astonishing. Such intense exercise and dieting would naturally show swift short-term effects, especially when dealing with a weight exceeding two hundred pounds. The initial stages of weight loss would be particularly rapid, with the pace gradually slowing after a certain period.
“Uncle Quan, let's focus on business. What does Wang Zizhao want from me?”
The butler snapped back to reality and patted his forehead. “My apologies, I got carried away. Wang Zizhao dispatched his men solely to fetch you. However, he didn't specify the nature of his request. There's word circulating that Wang Zizhao's leg has recuperated. Today, he's hosting a banquet for a few State Dukes, as well as princes and princesses. I assume he's inviting you to the banquet.”
“No details?” Tang Yue pondered aloud. “Isn't that rather informal? It's not formal in the slightest.”
“You might not be aware, but there's never been an official announcement for banquets held at Prince Zhao's Mansion. To my knowledge, this is just the second instance of Wang Zizhao hosting guests ever since he established his estate at the age of ten.”
“When was the first time?”
The butler smiled, then continued, “The first occasion was when Wang Zizhao inaugurated his mansion. It was on the day of his move-in, when he also announced the engagement to County Princess Tangxi.”
“Wait… Who's Wang Zizhao engaged to?” Tang Yue involuntarily raised his voice.
“County Princess Tangxi, but…” Noticing Tang Yue's intense gaze, the butler coughed and glanced around cautiously. He lowered his voice and confided, “The Prefecture Lord's Mansion has actually proposed a cancellation of the engagement just a few days ago. I don't believe the marriage is still on.”
“Is the news reliable? Why didn't I hear about it?”
“Of course not, young dandy. You're not one to frequently venture out. It's quite understandable that you're unfamiliar with it.” This affair concerned the royal family's reputation. Only the nobility dared to discreetly share such news.
Tang Yue's brow furrowed. “So, which princess proposed retracting the marriage after Wang Zizhao broke his leg?”
“Indeed, if Wang Zizhao hadn't been crippled, who'd be willing to relinquish the throne?” She was the future queen. What woman in the world could resist such allure?
Tang Yue shook his head, a sneer touching his lips. “Truly… a world of fickleness!” He couldn't fathom how much remorse the duke and princess must feel now. Did they rue their decisions intensely?
“Such is human nature,” the butler offered consolation. “Luckily, Wang Zizhao encountered someone of importance. You're the talk of the town now. You're hailed as a divine healer worldwide. If it weren't for the Marquis's Mansion's dignity, people would be battering down the doors.”
“Someone came seeking medical aid?”
The housekeeper grinned, saying, “Certainly. From princes to ministers, they've all come knocking. Our gates have seen a continuous stream of visitors from dawn to dusk.”
Even Marquis Yueyang would be intercepted and entreated for mercy each time he ventured out of the estate. While his reputation filled him with pride, in truth, the elderly duke was growing increasingly exasperated and rarely left home.
Tang Yue had been residing with him, striving to temper his future brother-in-law's temper. They were inseparable, though it had an expiration date of about a month. Prolonging this arrangement would likely lead to undesirable consequences.
“In a few days, the apothecary on East Street will open. When the time comes, direct those seeking treatment to the apothecary. Disturbing the household wouldn't be proper.”
The butler assented and went to prepare for Tang Yue's departure.
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