Seeing Xie Yin run away, Song Tangning was momentarily stunned before coming to her senses—she had actually driven him off with her scolding.
Her palms trembled slightly. She instinctively looked up at the man at the head of the room, who was leaning on his hand with a gentle, relaxed smile. His dark eyes, like blades, seemed to absorb the shifting light and shadows around him.
Xiao Yan was smiling.
Tangning’s racing heart suddenly calmed down, and for some reason, she felt a surge of confidence. "Aunt, I don’t like Cousin."
The Princess of Cheng, being inherently biased, didn’t think for a moment that her niece had embarrassed the family. Instead, she felt distressed and said:
“If you don’t like him, then don’t. Your cousin is so indiscriminate, unable to distinguish right from wrong. He was fooled by a wretch and bullied you; he’s just brainless.”
“And the Song family—how dare Song Hong use an illegitimate daughter to pose as a concubine-born daughter and force you to accept her as kin? They’ve wronged you so badly, I won’t let this go with the Song family!”
Seeing that the Princess was unwaveringly protecting her, Song Tangning’s eyes turned red, and she nearly cried.
In her previous life, after she had been disfigured and had her leg broken, her aunt had gone mad and caused trouble for the Song family, almost killing Song Jinxiu and even nearly killing Xie Yin. Despite her aunt’s love and protection, when her aunt suddenly passed away, Tangning was locked up in the abandoned courtyard and didn’t even get to see her one last time.
Seeing Tangning suddenly shed tears, the Princess became flustered. “Why are you crying?”
Tangning leaned into her embrace, choking on her sobs. Her cries were not loud, but her soft sobbing was heartbreaking.
The Princess’s heart twisted with pain as she comforted Tangning. “Be good, don’t cry. Aunt will stand up for you. No one can bully you…”
Xiao Yan watched Tangning, who was nestled in the Princess’s arms, his once relaxed gaze now shadowed.
When he straightened up and spoke, his voice was cold and chilling:
“I remember that this illegitimate daughter is of private association. Her children are illegitimate and not to be accepted by the family. The Qian family’s threshold is set too low, letting anyone in for a feast. Aren’t you afraid of bringing misfortune?”
Qian Baokun, caught off guard, looked dark and displeased. Mrs. Qian was also furious. She had originally invited Lady Song, but since the Old Lady Song was unwell, Lady Song had to stay behind to attend to her, leaving this concubine-born daughter to come instead.
Mrs. Qian was already displeased with the arrival of a concubine-born daughter, but seeing how much Song Jinxiu valued this sister and personally sent her before leaving for duty, she had reluctantly tolerated it. Who could have expected that this person wasn’t even a proper concubine-born daughter?
The Song family sent an illegitimate daughter to congratulate her son’s wedding—what were they thinking?!
Mrs. Qian, suppressing her anger, said, “My invitation was for the Song family’s main branch, not for any stray individuals. Someone, please escort this Miss Song out.”
“Mrs. Qian…”
Song Shulan’s face turned pale. Seeing she wasn’t being answered, she turned to Tangning. “Sister, are you really going to be so heartless?”
“Spit!”
Tangning, about to raise her head, was pressed down by the Princess.
“My Tangning would never have such an uncaring sister like you!”
“Get back to the Song family and don’t make a scene here. I’ll personally go to the Song family and discuss your matters with them. I want to see just how bold they are to let you come here and offend my niece!”
As the Princess spoke, Song Shulan seemed to be deeply aggrieved, tears streaming down her face like a rain-soaked pear blossom.
Mrs. Qian, filled with displeasure and anger, shouted, “Where are the servants? Are they all dead? Get her out of here!”
Servants quickly swarmed in and surrounded Song Shulan.
Everyone looked at her, their disdainful gazes making her tremble all over.
It was over.
Her reputation was ruined.
All because of Song Tangning!!
She clearly had such a good background, clearly enjoyed the best of everything for so many years—why couldn’t they just let her be?
Why did she have to destroy her?
Song Shulan’s lips were bleeding from biting them so hard. She glared at Song Tangning with uncontrollable hatred.
She wished she could kill Song Tangning, but the next moment, she felt a sharp pain in her face as a teacup flew toward her forehead, accompanied by a cold and chilling voice.
“Keep looking at her like that, and I’ll gouge out your eyes.”
Song Shulan looked up in panic, meeting the man’s dark eyes. A single glance sent chills down her spine from head to toe.
She suddenly recalled the rumors about Xiao Yan in the capital—said to be ruthless and cold, killing without mercy, with no one ever seeing the next sunrise once he had them in his grasp.
In a state of extreme panic, Song Shulan hurriedly covered her bleeding head and ran outside. The others in the wedding hall tensed up at Xiao Yan’s sudden fury.
Xiao Yan looked up, his expression somber. “What are you looking at? Do I have a painting on my face?”
Everyone promptly looked away.
He stood up and walked toward Tangning, his towering figure prompting the Princess to instinctively protect her.
Xiao Yan, however, paid no attention. As he passed by the door, his dark cloak stopped abruptly at Tangning’s feet.
“Do what you want with the Song family. Anything I said to you at the other residence still stands. If you’re wronged and the Cheng Prince’s residence can’t protect you, come find me in Jiyun Alley in the south of the city.”
Tangning kept her head down, silent.
“Song Tangning.”
He called her name softly.
Despite the lack of anger in his voice, Tangning felt a tightening in her scalp.
“I understand…”
“Hmm?”
“I said I understand!”
“Understand what?”
Tangning’s cheeks flushed. “...Elder Brother.”
“Good.”
Xiao Yan’s gaze softened as he reached out to gently pat the top of her head.
"Did everyone hear that?"
He turned to look inside the hall. “From today onwards, Song Tangning of the Song family will be considered my sworn sister. I am a protective person and not very reasonable. From now on, esteemed guests and madams, please remind your household members to be a bit more accommodating towards my little sister.”
“If she is unhappy, I would prefer not to have everyone else too cheerful.”
Everyone: “……”
Xiao Yan didn’t pay any attention to the expressions of the crowd. Instead, he turned to Qian Baokun. “Sorry for the disturbance today, Minister Qian.”
“Not at all. Since Lord Xiao is here, why don’t you stay and have a cup of celebratory wine?”
“Since you are so hospitable, then I’ll stay.”
Those who had been relieved to see the fearsome figure preparing to leave now glared at Qian Baokun. Even Mrs. Qian looked as though she wanted to pull out her hair in frustration.
Qian Baokun was distressed. He had only said that out of politeness, a mere courteous invitation, but who knew that Lord Xiao would be so unyielding!
Seeing the smile fade from Qian Baokun’s face, Xiao Yan chuckled softly.
“I won’t stay for the wine. I’ve already dampened the festive mood. Later, I’ll have someone send over a congratulatory gift along with something for my sworn sister, as an apology for interrupting your son’s big day.”
“No need, no need. The fact that you came is already a great honor…”
“Then should I stay for a bit of the joy?”
“……”
Song Tangning stole a glance at the momentarily stiff face of Minister Qian. Despite her efforts to suppress her laughter, she nearly burst into giggles.
She had just begun to smile when she caught Xiao Yan’s gaze.
He seemed to be smiling, his eyes gentle and warm, his eyebrows arched, and he gave her a teasing smile.
Tangning quickly straightened her face.
Xiao Yan’s smile lingered, a bit amused.
“Alright, I was just joking with you. I’ve already delayed enough here and need to go see His Majesty in the palace, so I’ll take my leave.”
“I’ll see you off, Lord.”
This time, Qian Baokun dared not say another word. He followed Xiao Yan closely and personally saw him out.
As Xiao Yan’s dark cloak fluttered, he and his entourage descended the steps. A spring breeze suddenly rose, making the red silk hanging outside the door gently sway.
Song Tangning stared absently at the direction he had gone, reflecting on his smile from earlier.
Xiao Yan…
It seemed like he was trying to cheer her up?
—------
T/N: ST: Gege ( ◡‿◡ *)
XY: If anything happens to Song Tangning i will kill everyone in this room
You can read ahead to chapterr 100 here
Shulan is really selfish and greedy. It's seems she stole so much from Little Haitang in the previous life, even her beloved "older brother." I hope Little Haitang's father can be cleared of having a mistress soon.
ReplyDeleteThe simping is strong with this one!
ReplyDelete