"Brother!" Song Jinxiu hurriedly stepped outside and was just about to climb into the carriage when he saw Song Shulan stumbling out, lifting her skirt to keep up with him. He quickly let go of the reins and stopped, "Why did you come out?"
Song Shulan bumped into him, and he steadied her. "Brother, I want to go with you." The girl's face was pale, her eyes red from recent tears.
"It's my fault for following you to Lingyun Temple. I'm the one who caused Tang Ning to misunderstand you. I know you care for Tang Ning. Yesterday's incident was my fault. I shouldn't have argued with her and dragged you into it, making you angry, which almost led to Tang Ning getting hurt. This is all my fault." She gently tugged at Song Jinxiu's sleeve, softly crying.
"Tang Ning is mad at me. It's me she doesn't like. I... I shouldn't have come to the capital..." Song Jinxiu looked at the frail Song Shulan and felt his heart soften completely.
"You're talking nonsense. Tang Ning's issues have nothing to do with you. You're a daughter of the Song family. If you don't return to the Song family, where else can you go? It was my carelessness that led to Tang Ning getting hurt. She's naturally impatient and doesn't like you. If you go, she'll only make things difficult for you."
"I'm not afraid. As long as I can help you, I would even kneel and beg Tang Ning." Song Shulan bit her lip softly, looking delicate and weak, but her lowered lashes hid a shadow of gloom.
The accident at the Qian family wiped out all the goodwill she had painstakingly earned. Xie Yin was tired of her today, and she couldn't let her brother be swayed by Song Tangning as well.
She knew too well the minds of these young noblemen and knew Xie Yin's personality even better. Youthful pride, pity for the weak, and naive idealism. Only by being bullied and humiliated by Song Tangning could she evoke their sympathy.
"Brother, please let me go. I'll beg Tang Ning..."
"If she doesn't return, Grandmother... Grandmother won't forgive me..." Seeing her fear and anxiety, Song Jinxiu remembered how coldly the old madam treated her earlier, and his heart ached.
"Alright, I'll take you with me." He held Song Shulan's hand and helped her into the carriage.
"Don't worry, Brother will protect you."
...
After Tang Ning followed Princess Cheng back to the palace, the imperial physician was immediately summoned.
Upon learning that most of Tang Ning's injuries were bruises, that the injury to her leg, though severe, hadn't harmed the bone, and that the wounds on her face, treated with the best medicine, wouldn't leave scars, but that the injury to her hand was the most serious, Princess Cheng felt both heartache and a deep sense of relief. A young girl's appearance was of utmost importance.
After personally seeing the imperial physician out, Princess Cheng encountered the hurriedly returning Prince Cheng.
Prince Cheng, nearing forty, still had a commanding presence, and Xie Yin bore a five or six-part resemblance to him.
"How is Tang Ning?"
"Her injuries are severe, but fortunately, the people around Chief Eunuch Xiao applied medicine to her. Otherwise, her face..." Princess Cheng's eyes were still red.
Prince Cheng put his arm around her. "Don't worry. Tang Ning has great fortune and will be fine." Princess Cheng, her eyes still red, softly hummed in response.
When Prince Cheng entered the room with Princess Cheng, they found the young girl curled up on a soft couch, wrapped in a thick, fine wool blanket.
Although the room was heated, Princess Cheng still feared she might catch a chill after spending the night in the mountains. She had the doors and windows closed, a brazier lit, and even provided a bed warmer for her to hold.
Tang Ning, her face nestled in the fluffy fox fur, felt hot all over, her nose and cheeks slightly flushed.
"Auntie, I'm so hot..."
"Better to be hot and dispel the cold. The physician said your body has been chilled, and you can't afford to catch any more drafts." Tang Ning's eyes were watery, and her lips, warmed, had regained some color.
Prince Cheng, standing nearby, said, "Listen to your aunt. You have no idea how much you scared her this time. She was just outside crying secretly; her eyes are all swollen. Take care of yourself and get well soon, so she can be at ease." Only then did Tang Ning notice the tall man who had entered behind Princess Cheng. Her expression softened, and she quietly called out, "Uncle."
"Does it still hurt?" Prince Cheng stepped forward to check her forehead, but she instinctively pulled away.
"Tang Ning?" Prince Cheng paused, surprised.
Song Tang Ning curled her fingers, and Princess Cheng, noticing this, gently scolded him. "What are you doing? Tang Ning is of age now, not a little girl of three or five. You're a grown man; don't you know you might scare her?" Prince Cheng laughed heartily, "I forgot. When she was little, she used to cling to my arm, making me carry her around the estate while she acted spoiled. Now that she's grown up, she's shy." He spoke with the affection of an elder, concerned.
"Stay in the palace for the next few days and recover well. I'll take care of the Song family. If Song Hong and the others don't give a reasonable explanation, they shouldn't think of taking our little Tang Ning back. As for your brother and cousin, I'll make sure they are properly dealt with!" Song Tang Ning's eyelashes fluttered. "Thank you, Uncle."
"Silly girl, what are you thanking me for?" He ruffled her hair, then turned to Princess Cheng, "I have some official matters to attend to. You stay with Tang Ning. I heard you haven't eaten since you returned. I had the kitchen prepare some of your and Tang Ning's favorite dishes. Eat something soon; don't go hungry."
Princess Cheng affectionately chided, "I know, I'm not a child."
"You'll always be a little girl in my eyes." Prince Cheng received a playful punch, laughed heartily, then squeezed Princess Cheng's hand before leaving.
After he left, Princess Cheng, suppressing a smile, gently chided, "Shameless old man," then turned to see Tang Ning watching her. Her cheeks flushed. "What are you looking at?"
Tang Ning bit her lip. "Auntie, you and Uncle have a wonderful relationship."
"Don't say such childish things." Princess Cheng lightly tapped her forehead, but couldn't hide her smile.
She and Prince Cheng had fallen in love at first sight. When she and her elder sister were releasing lanterns during the Qixi Festival, Prince Cheng spotted her and insisted on marrying her.
He was handsome, noble, and deeply in love with her, so her father, Grand Tutor Rong, agreed to the marriage.
Since they married, she had been the only mistress in the Prince Cheng Mansion. Over the years, Prince Cheng had never taken a concubine and had always treated her with the utmost care and devotion. Even when people outside mocked him for being afraid of his wife, he never cared. She continued to live as freely and happily as she had before marriage.
Remembering Prince Cheng made Princess Cheng's cheeks blush, her beautiful face full of happiness.
She patted the staring Song Tang Ning. "You've had a long day. Aren't you tired? Do you want to rest for a while?"
Tang Ning lowered her eyes. "I'm a bit sleepy."
"Then sleep for a while. I'll go check what the kitchen has prepared."
"Alright." Tang Ning closed her eyes and pretended to sleep. After a while, her breathing became steady, and Princess Cheng carefully tucked the blanket around her before quietly leaving.
Once the room was silent, Tang Ning opened her eyes and stared blankly at the door, lost in thought.
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T/N: Tangning’s brother makes me speechless
You can read ahead to chapterr 100 here
Loving this uncle cheng, such a cute couple!
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