Princess Cheng didn’t expect Tangning to say not to go to the Song family. She frowned and asked, "But the Song family—aren’t we just letting this matter go like this?"
"No."
"Then you…"
"Song Jinxiu and the others will come looking for me."
Tangning looked at her injured hand. The ones who were anxious were Song Hong and his family; the ones who were embarrassed were the Song family.
As long as she stayed away from the Song family, the public would continue to remember what the Song family had done. If she remained steady, the Song family would be the first to get upset.
Princess Cheng knew how attached Tangning had been to the Song family's eldest son. In the past, she would always refer to him as "my brother," and spoke of Song Jinxiu with affection. But now she addressed him directly by name and was indifferent toward the Song family, making it clear that they had hurt her niece.
"Alright, Aunt will listen to Tangning."
"You’re the best, Aunt."
Tangning leaned on Princess Cheng’s shoulder, giving it a slight nudge. Princess Cheng’s heart softened at the young girl’s affection and she gently stroked Tangning’s hair, saying, "What’s the deal with Xiao Yan? Why did he suddenly acknowledge you as his adopted sister?"
Tangning instinctively touched the dragon-patterned jade pendant around her neck. On the way back to the capital, Xiao Yan had told her that the woman who gifted her the pendant, Aunt Xue, had passed away.
He said that Aunt Xue had come from a prominent family, once one of the most illustrious in the capital, but had been destroyed by enemies due to her family’s involvement in a conspiracy. The Xue family had been accused of treason and annihilated.
This dragon-patterned pendant was a family heirloom from the Xue family, recognized by many powerful figures in the capital. Many of those who had grievances with the Xue family were now high-ranking officials in the court. If anyone saw her wearing Xue family artifacts, it would easily bring trouble.
Xiao Yan had advised her to keep the pendant safe and not to mention Aunt Xue to anyone. Tangning wasn’t worried about her aunt mentioning it, but as for Prince Cheng… She lowered her lashes slightly and said, "I don’t really know."
"When Xiao Yan saved me, I was injured and passed out from the pain. By the time I woke up, I was already at his villa. He looked at me strangely and said something odd, something about me resembling someone he used to know. I didn’t quite catch all of it."
"Later, when he found out about my situation with the Song family, he told me to call him ‘brother’ and even took me to the Qian family."
Princess Cheng didn’t question Tangning’s vague explanation, as Xiao Yan’s reputation in the capital was too well-known. Even if Princess Cheng had little interaction with court officials, she knew of Xiao Yan’s formidable status.
Even King Cheng spoke cautiously about Xiao Yan, and such a person was not someone who would scheme against a young girl who had lost her parents.
"Perhaps you resemble his old acquaintance?"
Princess Cheng pondered, "I’ve heard that Xiao Yan had a difficult childhood, with unkind parents and a cruel elder brother."
"He was nearly schemed to death by his elder brother, who sent him to die to protect his own position. As a result, Xiao Yan later massacred his entire household."
Such a situation was somewhat similar to Tangning’s own.
"Perhaps he sympathizes with you, seeing your plight and remembering his own hardships. That’s why he made an exception to help you."
As for acknowledging you as a relative, it might have just been a casual remark.
Tangning curled her lip. That person was sharp-tongued and cruel; he would never be moved by pity. Seeing that Princess Cheng had come up with her own explanation, Tangning vaguely said, "Maybe."
Princess Cheng was reassured, "That’s good. After all, he is a member of the inner court. Although his condition is not ideal, he doesn’t harm your reputation. Still, it’s best to keep interactions to a minimum. Despite his harshness, he did save your life. Once you’re healed, I’ll take you to thank him properly."
A life-saving grace should be repaid.
Tangning had no desire to see Xiao Yan. His eyes were too sharp, and he seemed to see right through her every time. She didn’t want to see him but couldn’t find a good reason not to.
After a moment of silence, Tangning reluctantly lowered her head and said, "Okay."
…
Tangning followed Princess Cheng back to the Cheng residence. The situation at the Qian family’s was already impossible to hide.
When Song Jinxiu came out of the palace after his shift, he vaguely sensed that people around him were looking at him strangely. However, whenever he looked their way, they would subtly avert their gaze, and the low murmurs that had been going on stopped.
Although people still greeted him as usual, they seemed to have drawn a circle around him, excluding him from their company.
Song Jinxiu had been renowned for his talents since youth, passing the imperial examinations before twenty and gaining favor from the emperor to enter the Ministry of Appointments. Although his official rank was low, everyone could see his bright future.
He had always been the favored one in the government, but today, for the first time, he felt a sense of subtle rejection and disdain.
"Young Master Song, are you off duty?"
A young official who had just come out of the palace waved at him with a smile, "There’s a banquet at Fenglou tonight to celebrate Master An’s promotion. Will you join us?"
Just as Song Jinxiu was about to decline, someone interjected.
"Why are you calling him? He’s a noble young master; how could he be interested in us? He has no time to drink with us."
"Fu Laqing, if you don’t stop talking, no one will think you’re mute."
Fu Laqing, who was of similar age to Song Jinxiu, had a face that was quite lively compared to Song Jinxiu’s stern expression. The animosity between them was longstanding. They were both young talents, attended the same imperial academy, took the exams in the same year, and entered service in the same year—one to the Ministry of Appointments, the other to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Song Jinxiu had always overshadowed him and was known for his serious demeanor and lectures, which Fu Laqing had long resented.
"I’m not mute, but I can’t match your noble young master’s eloquence."
Fu Laqing sneered, "You can turn black into white and foul into fragrant. I once thought you were a person of integrity, but now it seems you’ve sullied the noble title."
"What do you mean?"
"Still pretending? The Song family takes an illegitimate daughter and forces her into the second branch as a legitimate daughter, letting her bully the legitimate daughter of the second branch. Do you dare say you don’t know?"
"How dare you say such things!"
"How can I be wrong? The whole city knows about Song Shulan’s background."
Seeing Song Jinxiu’s face change drastically, Fu Laqing couldn’t help but laugh.
"I heard you personally escorted that illegitimate daughter to the Qian family this morning, treating her with the utmost care and affection, not allowing her to suffer even a little. I wonder if you still remember your own sister who you left on the mountain yesterday, nearly falling to her death."
"Of course, it’s understandable. You, Song Jinxiu, could abandon someone in the wilderness; why would you care about her life or death? It’s just a pity for that Song girl—she broke her leg and ruined her face…"
Song Jinxiu was so shaken that he lost his composure and abruptly grabbed Fu Laqing by the collar.
"What did you say? What happened to Tangning?"
—--
T/N: I wish Princess Cheng was here to slap him
You can read ahead to chapterr 100 here
Same translator, saaaaame
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