Tang Ning stared at Xiao Yan, momentarily stunned. Go with him?
She had originally planned to stay in Prince Cheng's residence because her aunt was there. With her aunt around, Tang Ning felt she could be protected. But she had forgotten that Xie Yin was also there.
Xie Yin was the heir to Prince Cheng's estate, and he could move freely through any part of the residence. No one dared to stop him, nor did they dare to stop the members of the Song family he brought with him.
Now, just seeing Xie Yin and his people made her feel disgusted and repulsed. She hated how they repeatedly pretended to be ignorant, using the same words and the same tactics to stab at her.
Most importantly, she needed to figure out what was really going on with Prince Cheng.
In her previous life, her aunt had suddenly fallen ill and died within six months of Tang Ning's incident. Her aunt had always been healthy, so why had she suddenly fallen ill, and why had she died so quickly, within a month of getting sick? Tang Ning hadn't even gotten to see her aunt's body.
Staying in Prince Cheng's residence would allow her to protect her aunt, but it would also make it difficult to act under Prince Cheng's watchful eyes.
"Tang Ning, don't be stubborn!" Seeing Tang Ning waver, Prince Cheng sternly rebuked her. He then turned to Xiao Yan, his face darkening, "Governor Xiao, Tang Ning has her aunt and me here to take care of her. There's no need to trouble you..."
But Xiao Yan ignored him, looking only at Tang Ning.
"I have a house in the southern part of the city, in Jiyun Alley, right next to my own residence, but it has its own separate entrance. If you want to move there, I'll have someone guard it for you. Without your permission, no one will be allowed to enter."
"The house used to belong to a minister who was executed for treason. After his property was confiscated, His Majesty granted the house to me. Everything inside is already set up."
"Once you move in, you can choose new servants and replace all the furnishings. If you're worried about rumors, you can buy the house from me with silver and put your name on it. From then on, the house will be yours."
"So, will you come with me?" Tang Ning was instantly tempted.
If Xiao Yan had asked her to move into his residence, she would have refused—not because she feared gossip, but because she didn’t want to live under someone else’s roof where she wouldn’t have control over her own space.
But if she could buy the house with her own money, she would have a place that completely belonged to her, and it would be right next to her newly recognized brother...
"I'll go with Brother," she said.
A smile appeared in Xiao Yan's eyes. He looked up and ordered Cang Lang, "Prepare the carriage."
"Governor Xiao!" Prince Cheng became anxious, taking a quick step forward, barely concealing his anger. "How can Tang Ning go with you? She hasn't yet married. How can she impose on you? Moreover, she's an unmarried young lady—how can she own a house alone?" He couldn't help but scold her, "Tang Ning, how can you be so thoughtless? You barely know Governor Xiao, and even if you feel a connection, you can't impose on others. Besides, your aunt and I are here to take care of you."
"If you're upset and don't want to return to the Song family, you can stay at the residence. But moving out will make others think poorly of your aunt. What if something happens?"
Tang Ning bit her lip and whispered, "Nothing will happen. Jiyun Alley is full of nobles, and my brother will protect me."
What kind of brother is he to you?! Prince Cheng held back from saying these words, though he was furious. "Are you not going to listen to your uncle anymore?" he asked, his voice tense.
Tang Ning avoided his gaze. "I know you care for me, but the prince's residence is not my home."
"The Song family refuses to take no for an answer, and I can't drag the residence into their affairs. After I move out, I can still visit you and my aunt. If the Song family causes trouble, it won't involve the residence or the Grand Princess Dowager..."
"Nonsense!" Prince Cheng was about to scold her severely, but Princess Cheng suddenly spoke up, "I think it's a good idea for Tang Ning to move out."
"Yue Niang?!" Prince Cheng couldn't believe his ears.
Princess Cheng frowned slightly, looking at Xie Yin and the others with some annoyance.
She had originally thought that bringing Tang Ning back to the residence would protect her, but Xie Yin was so foolish that he had been completely manipulated by Song Shulan. The Song family, knowing full well that Tang Ning detested that woman, still allowed her to accompany Song Jin Xiu to the residence. They clearly had no regard for Tang Ning. That entire family was shameless.
One Song Jin Xiu could already cause enough trouble. If the old lady of the Song family showed up at the door, could she really keep her out?
After all, the Song family was still a Marquess's household, and although Song Hong had not inherited the title, his position as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites was not to be underestimated.
Prince Cheng also had the Grand Princess Dowager and the imperial relatives behind him. If he turned against the Song family because of Tang Ning, he might not be willing, and the Grand Princess Dowager might even resent Tang Ning for it.
Princess Cheng had never thought about this before because she had a good relationship with Prince Cheng and felt she could run the household. But tonight, after Song Jin Xiu's commotion and Prince Cheng's attempt to mediate, with a peacemaker's stance, she suddenly realized the truth.
If Tang Ning stayed in the residence and the Song family came to harass her, Prince Cheng would certainly try to make peace.
If Tang Ning refused, she would become a target for everyone. But if she agreed, she would only wrong herself. It would be better for her to move out.
That house is next to Xiao Yan's residence, and this Governor Xiao has been protecting Tang Ning all along.
His fearsome reputation would at least ensure that Tang Ning could recover in peace.
Ignoring Prince Cheng's shock, Princess Cheng asked, "How much is the house, Governor Xiao? I'll buy it for Tang Ning."
"Thirteen thousand taels."
"Very well, I'll have the silver sent to you. But Tang Ning is still young, so I'll go with her to help her settle in."
"Feel free," Xiao Yan replied.
Princess Cheng finally felt reassured. She turned to the people standing outside and ordered, "*Nanny Jiang, go prepare the carriage and select a few maids and servants to bring along."
Nanny Jiang was one of Princess Cheng's oldest servants, having been personally chosen by Lady Rong to accompany her when she married into the Prince's household. She had watched over Princess Cheng and her sisters since childhood and was deeply fond of Tang Ning.
"Right away, madam," Nanny Jiang replied.
"Mother, are you crazy? How can you let Tang Ning go with Xiao Yan? He's just a..." Xie Yin nearly called him a eunuch, but when he caught sight of the Black Armored Guards standing nearby, he remembered the blow he had received earlier and swallowed the word.
"Tang Ning is an unmarried woman, and her engagement to the Lu family is still in place. If people find out she's too close to Xiao Yan, the Lu family will definitely become suspicious of her."
"Xie Shizi can be overly familiar with a mistress without anyone saying a word, yet my relationship with my brother is pure, and you find it objectionable?" Tang Ning retorted coldly.
"Song Tang Ning!" Xie Yin was furious, thinking she didn't appreciate his concern.
He was only worried about her and felt that Xiao Yan was not a good person—someone so quick to kill and unpredictable was not easy to deal with.
Song Tang Ning was just a young girl who knew nothing. What good could come from being with him? She might end up being devoured, with nothing left but bones. Yet here she was, like a hedgehog, attacking him with all her might.
Xie Yin angrily said, "Aren't you afraid the Lu family will find out and be upset if you go with him?"
"Why should I be afraid of them?" Tang Ning replied coldly. "I never planned to marry into the Lu family. I don't care what they think of me."
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T/N: Nanny/Mama/Momo/Mammy - An older female servant, usually a wet nurse who has cared for the child of a noble since birth. They usually follow their Master to their new family after marriage and are in charge of the child’s courtyard. Often the most trusted confidant of their master, sometimes even more trusted than biological parents. Not all Mamas are wet nurses. Most times, they are just an older female servant used for rough work.
You can read ahead to chapterr 50 here
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