Seeing Gu Helian's face, which had been as radiant as the sun, droop down, Cang Lang drove him, the Princess of Cheng, and the previously loaded Granny Jiang away together.
Tang Ning and Xiao Yan took their seats in the following carriage, and she quietly said, “Brother, Uncle Gu and Auntie...” She had initially thought Gu Helian had a good relationship with the Rong family, which was why Auntie sought his help. However, she had just witnessed their tense confrontation, and their conversation had been quite strange.
Xiao Yan adjusted his robes as he sat. “Gu Helian is over forty and still unmarried.”
Tang Ning was momentarily stunned, her eyes widening in realization. “Are you saying Uncle Gu… no, Gu Helian and Auntie…?”
“It's just a guess,” Xiao Yan replied nonchalantly. “I don’t know much about the Rong family, but Gu Helian left the capital because he did something wrong and was expelled by your maternal grandfather.”
“I heard that when he left the Rong family, he was covered in whip marks, as if he had suffered under the family’s punishment*. At that time, Auntie had just gotten engaged to the Princess of Cheng. Later, Gu Helian disappeared without a trace. By the time he returned to the capital years later, he was already the head of the Gu family, and Auntie had married into the Princess of Cheng’s household and given birth to Xie Yin.”
“When Gu Helian returned, Rong Taifu was still alive. He didn’t go back to the Rong family but went directly to the Princess of Cheng’s residence. For some reason, he ended up fighting with the Princess, and they drew blood. Gu Helian even accidentally injured the young Xie Yin, which fainted Rong Taifu.”
“I only heard that back then, Auntie slapped Gu Helian hard and scolded him. After he left the capital, he never returned. He went to Zuozhou and regarded the capital as a forbidden land, not stepping foot there for many years.” The carriage swayed slightly as it moved forward, with people on the street quickly retreating upon seeing the armored guards ahead. Even the bustling noise from the market nearby seemed to quiet down.
A breeze brushed against the carriage curtains. Xiao Yan’s posture was relaxed, resting his fingers on his knees while fiddling with the black ring on his finger.
“Auntie had someone send a message to Zuozhou before, and Gu Helian immediately rushed to Anzhou and Yanghua without pausing. He managed to uncover things that usually take more than ten days to clarify within just two or three days.” Of course, this was partly due to him intentionally letting some things slide, but if Gu Helian hadn’t cared and spent a lot of money, he wouldn’t have been able to return to the capital so quickly.
The Gu family was the largest clan in Zuozhou, and they were not inferior to the Lu family in the capital. Their wealth was so abundant that even the emperor coveted it. They had always stayed in Zuozhou, avoiding interactions with the powerful in the capital. Gu Helian had been disdainful of court officials for years, yet Xiao Yan only mentioned the Princess of Cheng, and the head of the Gu family chose to “collaborate” without hesitation.
Even knowing he was being used as a pawn, he still stepped into the Princess of Cheng’s residence.
Song Tangning’s eyes widened slightly. “Were those pieces of evidence regarding Song Hong and Xu Zhen provided by Brother?”
Xiao Yan responded with a simple “Mm.” “I was originally just investigating Song Shulan's background, but unexpectedly, there was a windfall.” Noticing the girl tilting her head, her eyes round, the makeup on her cheeks had smudged slightly with sweat, but the delicate red markings on her forehead remained intact, making her look charmingly alluring.
The faint blush under her eyes, combined with the intertwining red marks, seemed like exquisite artistry. A few drops of blood that had splattered earlier appeared like red plum blossoms against her fair skin, the vibrant red creeping down her slender neck, adding an extra touch of allure.
Xiao Yan averted his gaze after just one glance. He curled his fingers slightly backward, keeping his eyes downcast to avoid her slightly disheveled collar, and murmured, “I was worried that after your break with the Song family, you might be affected in terms of reputation. However, with Song Hong harboring rebels and the Song Duke’s residence facing imminent danger, no one will blame you for being unfilial, no matter how much enmity arises between you.”
Those associated with the ruthless former Crown Prince had always been the Emperor's Achilles' heel, given what Xiao Yan knew about him. The Song Duke’s residence was doomed.
Tang Ning whispered, “What about Third Sister…”
“Song Ru can be the first to report the Song family.” Upon hearing this, Tang Ning was taken aback before quickly grasping Xiao Yan’s intention. “Are you suggesting Third Sister bear the name of justice and sever ties with the Song family?”
Xiao Yan nodded, his tone casual. “The Emperor greatly despises the Crown Prince’s old acquaintances. If she reports Song Hong first, she can sever ties with the Song family, and I can also secure a favor from the Emperor for her.” Noticing Tang Ning frowning slightly, seeming hesitant, he added, “You don’t need to rush into a decision. After meeting with Song Ru, ask her thoughts. If she wants to stay in the capital, she must completely break away from the Song family. If she is unwilling to take on the reputation of severing family ties, fearing public ridicule, I can find another way to send her out of the capital. But from then on, she will no longer be a Song family daughter.”
He was willing to put in some effort for the people he cared about, and seeing Tang Ning’s surprised expression, it seemed she had something to say.
Xiao Yan’s gaze swept over her lightly. “Don’t worry about things you shouldn’t be concerned about. Since I can speak up, I can ensure Song Ru’s safety without leaving any handle for others to exploit.” Sending someone out of the Song family would attract too much attention, but for an inconspicuous illegitimate daughter, the Song family likely wouldn’t even remember her, let alone anyone else.
If he couldn’t even manage this, he might as well take his own life.
Tang Ning swallowed hard, seeing Xiao Yan’s knowing look as he glanced at her. Her cheeks flushed slightly. “I’m not doubting Brother’s intentions. You’re the most capable.”
“Rephrase that.”
“Huh?”
“That’s a completely unoriginal compliment.” Seeing her stunned expression was amusing, Xiao Yan relaxed his demeanor, sitting upright and reaching out through his sleeve to wipe the blood from her cheek.
“I’m used to hearing sweet words; my ears have grown sharp. I’ll have someone teach you how to flatter people, so you can come and sweet-talk me next time.” His movements were gentle, and after he wiped away the bloodstain with his sleeve, he withdrew his hand and resumed his nonchalant demeanor.
“If you can’t sweet-talk me, you won’t get any food.” Tang Ning choked, all her worries dissipating. Embarrassed and annoyed, she shot a glare at him.
“Brother!” She wasn’t a child!
Why did he always tease her like this?!
...
In the Song Duke’s residence, the frail old lady was making a fuss with the servants around her.
Ever since being incapacitated by Xiao Yan in Jiyun Alley last time, the old lady first fainted in shock and later became distressed over Song Jinxiu’s demotion. Coupled with the recent rumors circulating outside, the atmosphere in the residence was restless.
She had been bedridden for more than half a month, and her entire being seemed drained of energy. Her eyes had become murky, with high cheekbones casting deep shadows under her eyes, making her face appear especially severe when she was angry.
“Do you want to scald me to death with such hot soup?” The old lady waved her hand and knocked over the soup bowl in front of her, the scalding liquid instantly splattering onto the maid nearby.
The young maid shrieked from the burn, only to be met with a slap from the old lady.
“What's all the shouting for? It’s just a few drops of hot soup. Do you think you’re some precious item?”
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T/N: Family punishment - Also known as family rules or family law is a type of punishment reserved for the worst offenders in a noble family. Usually represented by a whip
You can read ahead to chapterr 132 here
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