Deliberately Approaching
Chapter 153 The Secret of Mei Garden

Chapter 153: Chapter 153 The Secret of Mei Garden

"They must have come for this, hmm, very likely, absolutely!"

Tang Xiaowan got more and more excited as she thought about it and hurriedly noted the switch’s location before carefully moving the full-length portrait of Tang Mei.

Her movements were incredibly light, as if she were a thief.

The background of the portrait was set before a rockery with a huge Lingxiao Flower in full bloom, its flowers climbing up the rocks, particularly dazzling.

Soon, the secret door opened.

It didn’t require a key; just pushing hard on one of the bricks behind the painting would do.

The real entrance was behind the secret door.

There weren’t any traps here, but there was a very fine crack on the utmost left side of the door.

On her previous visits, Tang Xiaowan had tried many ways to open it but had failed until just now, when having an epiphany.

There was still one thing she couldn’t figure out, though.

Who could have been so capable as to bypass the surveillance she personally set up and silently place the item on the dressing table?

She’d need to investigate thoroughly when she got back to Jin City.

Thinking this, Tang Xiaowan gently inserted the brass key, and following its turn, she soon heard a clicking sound.

"Wow, it’s opened, it really opened!"

She exclaimed in surprise and, after a moment of secret delight, quickly covered her mouth and entered.

My goodness, this secret chamber is quite big!

Bathed in the dim yellow light, she peered inside and vaguely noticed several smaller compartments, each door left half-open, made of solid wood.

Suddenly, a creak.

Although the noise was soft, it was exceptionally clear in the somewhat enclosed space.

"Who’s there?"

Tang Xiaowan’s heart tightened with fear, regretting her rash entry, especially at past two in the morning; she should have waited to have Cheng Shi by her side, which would have been safer.

The night attack was still vivid in her memory; covering her mouth and holding her breath was the immediate priority.

"Did you find this place so quickly?"

An elderly man with white-flecked hair slowly emerged from the innermost compartment, his voice not loud but forceful.

With a gaunt face and profound eyes, his resolute mouth twitched slightly as if he were smiling.

This person looks so familiar!

He looks like the person in the painting... and the one in the photo frame too, but no, definitely impossible, how could it be?

The old man came closer, his smile growing deeper.

Tang Xiaowan suddenly felt as if her mind had exploded, with chaotic thoughts rushing in.

"Are you Granny? No, not Granny, Granny has already... who are you, why are you hiding here, why do you look like my Granny, could it be that you are..."

"Tangtang, I am Granny."

"But, it’s not, my Granny..."

Before Tang Xiaowan could finish her sentence, she had already thrown herself into the open arms of the elderly person, crying loudly and profusely.

The violent impact, releasing all the pent-up emotions.

Tears welled up in the elderly person’s profound eyes, which soon shimmered with tears.

"Granny, are you really Granny?"

"Yes, I am Granny, I am the Tang Mei who was supposed to die in July."

"They said you were dead, that I had buried you with my own hands, right over there by the bamboo forest. Turns out they were all lying to me."

"No one lied to you, they were just like you, unaware that grandma was still alive."

"Why, did something happen?"

The question clearly troubled Tang Mei, her brows furrowing slightly before she quickly masked it with a smile on her lips.

"It was necessary for work, there was no way around it. If I told you... that grandma is a secret agent, would you believe me?"

"I would, I believe, I believe. Are you really my grandma? No, grandma, let’s run away, to someplace very remote, so we never have to worry... about someone trying to kill you again."

Tang Xiaowan spoke the word "trying to kill" with extreme caution, and after saying it, she quickly looked around.

She was truly scared, not wanting to go through that experience again!

Tang Mei: "?"

"How did you know someone is trying to kill me?"

"It was a guess. Otherwise, why fake your death and keep even me in the dark, not telling me, bringing me here nearly two months later."

Tang Mei smiled faintly and patted Tang Xiaowan’s head, "Silly child, how could grandma possibly be a secret agent? I just joined an... organization in my youth, learned some secrets I shouldn’t have, and they refused to let me go. I’ve been on the run for decades, so I had to put on a show for them."

Her tone was light, more like she was teasing!

Tang Xiaowan wiped her tears, asking bewilderedly, "Then who is the person that died, Granny Cai?"

Tang Mei: "?"

Actually, in Mei Garden, there were originally two cooks, one specialized in meat dishes, and the other in vegetarian dishes, because Tang Xiaowan had a preference for meat, whereas Tang Mei was a vegetarian.

Tang Xiaowan had heard about this from the butler, Li Fugui, who mentioned it inadvertently, saying that Granny Cai and Tang Mei were close in age and bore a slight resemblance to each other in appearance, but their personalities differed as Granny Cai was more gentle compared to the resolute Tang Mei.

She had asked again later, but Li Fugui evaded her questions, unwilling to say anything.

Seeing her grandmother’s surprised expression, Tang Xiaowan touched her nose and asked in return, "If it’s not Granny Cai, then who is it? Could it be the legendary disguise technique?"

"That’s right, it’s Granny Cai. Our Tangtang is indeed sharp and clever, guessing correctly straight away. Remember to visit her more on my behalf later, and bring a couple of radishes, the juicy kind—she really likes those."

"I like them too. Oh, does Granny Yu also love them? You wouldn’t believe it, every time I come back she prepares so many dishes, it’s like she wants to put radishes in every dish, it’s so exaggerated!"

Tang Mei gave a slight smile and gently straightened Tang Xiaowan’s fringe, her eyes seeming to hold endless words that couldn’t be spoken.

"Grandma, did I say something wrong?"

"They were sisters, biological sisters. It’s normal for some dietary habits to be similar."

"Granny Yu and Granny Cai?"

What’s going on? One became a stand-in for grandma, and the other specifically went to Jin City to cook for me; do their lives revolve around Grandma and me?

"No one must know about this matter."

As soon as she finished speaking, Tang Xiaowan immediately bit her lower lip and nodded vigorously, as if she had been entrusted with a critical mission.

"Let’s not talk about this now. Quickly tell grandma how you found this secret room."

Tang Xiaowan immediately covered her mouth and giggled foolishly.

To know, this was something she was most proud of. She had fallen in love with exploring the place right from the first time she went to Li Garden.

"When I came back after school started and stayed in your room, I thought the spot above the bed with the painting was strange, like a map. Then I knew, but I didn’t have the key and couldn’t get in... Until today, no, to be accurate, it was yesterday. But don’t worry, Grandma, I haven’t told anyone, not even Cheng Shi."

Tang Mei nodded repeatedly after listening.

"Leng Lingxiao was right after all, our Tangtang is a bright child. Now grandma can rest easy. You’ve grown up, you have the ability to take care of yourself. Hmm, very good!"

Tang Xiaowan frowned and pouted.

What does it mean she can rest easy? Is she looking for an excuse to run away again and leave me behind?