His story

Her mother stare at her as if she have gone mad. Tang An's parent then look at each other. Her father sigh loudly and put his hands behind his back. 

"I will just stay there to observe. That is all."

"Do you think old lady Song will agree?"

The three of them look at matchmaker Mei. This time she perspire even thou it's snowing outside. She smile awkwardly.

"Well... all due respect, this is highly unusual request. However if you are just visiting for a day to see the old lady and master Song, this might be better."

Tang An's parents look at each other and sigh.

"Well the sounds more... polite. Base on social standards. Matchmaker Mei, please inform the Song family on this. I will visit along with my daughter."

"Yes i will dispatch a letter to Old lady Song on this matter. I think she will be delighted to see Miss Tang."

That night Tang An couldn't sleep well. She is too excited to see master Song in person. She waited for days and the snow gets heavier and heavier. Matchmaker Mei informed the Tang family that the Song family is looking forward to see them after the Lunar New Year due to the heavy snow and approaching of the Lunar New Year. Tang An have to hold her excitement in her about meeting master Song for three months. When the snow melt away, their carriage make their way to the Song family in HanYang. It is the next county so its is three hours drive away. Tang An who is in the carriage with her father is excited while he is sighing away. Xiao En is sitting in the front with the driver watch the change of scenery. 

They arrived in the county with busy streets. The Song mansion is on the main street thus is easy to find. Matchmaker Mei is standing in front of the mansion waiting for the Tang family. Finally they arrived at the main door and Tang An look at the wooden tablet which is hanging on the main door. It was painted in black and gold words 'House of Song' and with gold frame around it. On the corner there is a royal stamp on it. It means that this family is somehow related to the royal family. The butler show them in with curtsey. Inside, everywhere is spotless and beautified by vase of flowers. Trees with green leaves are found everywhere in the mansion. As they walk, they are bought to a large hall. An old lady is siting, she stand up without the help of her maid. Everyone in the hall bow to each other. 

"Please take a seat." 

She smile sweetly and look at Tang An. 

"You must be Miss Tang! So pretty! Same as the portrait! My grandson will have the fortune to marry her!"

"Ahh but we are not sure if they..."

"Father! Drink the tea, it's sweet. Also did you say you are thirsty?! Drink it."

"Madame Ker, That is Mr Tang, the father of Tang An."

"How fortunate to meet you Mr Tang!"

He bow to old lady Song. When he hear the surname Ker, he realised that she is from a long line of family that have been sending their daughters into the palace to raise as concubines and empress. He then realised that why General Song is the study partner of the emperor when they are young. It is because of his mother, they are close to the royal family. 

"My grandson will be returning from the government office shortly. Do stay till .."

Before Mr Tang can disrupt old lady Song, Tang An jump in first. 

"Old lady Song, please excuse me if i ask anything rude."

She bow and look at the old lady. The old lady Song just smile and ask her to go ahead and speak what is in her mind. 

"I would like to ask... if ... master Song is unwell as other said? However if he unwell how did he hold a post in the movement?"

Old lady Song couldn't smile at this point. She looks sad and upset. 

"He was born in a time of peace. He was normal just like every child. However there was an upraising in the east. All army personals are deploy to suppress the rebels. My little tiger was only six when he watch his parents put on their armors and walk out of the mansion. We waited for them a long time. At the age of eight, news came that everything have ended but they are missing. Two months later, news came that only the sword of the general and his corpse was found with multiple wounds. My daughter-in-law is missing and the little one soon falls sick. During the funeral, i was in daze and did not realised that my little tiger is sick. He developed fever and the servant boy on his side take care of him. The fever did not subside. By the time i come to know about it, his fever is very high. In the mids of burial, he got better but later after the funeral he is unwell again. When he fully recover, he lost his ability to speak. He was nine at that time and my nephew came to stay with us. He encourage him to play with him. My little tiger gets better and better each day but he doesn't talk. However one day, at the age of twelve he greet me and start to talk. He only talk to his cousin and me. Soon he start to talk to other servants in the house. He ignore strangers as if they do not exist. Why and how he got a job in the government house was through examinations. He is not an idiot. He is a smart and genius person. He knows a lot of things but never talk to others. He doesn't know how to cheat. He is an honest boy."

The Tang father and daughter keep quiet. They did not realised that the young master Song have suffer as a child. Asking this is like digging a deep wound in the old lady's heart. 

"If he is a genius, why did you clear his name to the public."

"Mr Tang, i am sure you know. When a rumour starts, it just goes on. there is no way to clear his name. Just because he doesn't associate with outsiders, people will talk. It's endless. However i feel that he have not done anything to cheat to get his job in the government. That is enough for this family."