Song Tangning felt a moment of surprise upon hearing that Lu Zhinian had arrived. But she quickly remembered that today, the King of Cheng was under house arrest by Emperor An, and the Song family had all been imprisoned. Her elder brother had previously mentioned that the investigation into the Song family's affairs could lead back to the late Crown Prince, which might implicate the Lu family as well. She understood that Lu Zhinian was here for a reason.
Hua Wu said, “Director Xiao instructed me to ask you if you would like to meet Young Master Lu.”
“What’s there to see?” The Princess Consort of Cheng raised her eyebrows and interrupted, “Tangning has been injured for so long, yet that man Lu hasn’t even come to check on her once. Now that the Song family is in trouble, he’s suddenly here frequently. Someone like him, so cold and indifferent, I won’t let him taint our eyes. Go and tell him to get lost…” Before she could finish, Tangning suddenly reached out and grabbed the Princess Consort’s hand, turning to Hua Wu and saying, “Take him to the front hall.”
“Tangning!” The Princess Consort was confused.
Song Tangning spoke softly, “Aunt, I will have to clarify my marriage with the Lu family sooner or later. I can’t keep avoiding Lu Zhinian now that he has come to see me. If we don’t break off the engagement, I won’t be able to shake off the Lu family, and they will eventually use me to make trouble.”
“Before, I avoided the people from the Lu family because I was worried that Song Hong and the others would interfere. Now that we have severed ties with the Song family, the troubles are gone, and it’s time to resolve my marriage with the Lu family.” Hearing this, the Princess Consort furrowed her brow and stood up. “Then I will go with you…”
“No need.” Song Tangning pressed her back down onto the couch. After helping the Princess Consort sit comfortably, she continued, “Aunt, you’re not feeling well. Just stay here and rest. I will go see Lu Zhinian by myself.”
“But…”
“It’s fine,” Tangning reassured the Princess Consort. “I used to like Lu Zhinian, which is why the Lu family could manipulate me. Now that I don’t like him, the Lu family means nothing to me. Aunt, I need to do some things on my own. I can’t rely on you for everything.” The Princess Consort initially wanted to say more, but meeting Song Tangning’s clear and determined gaze, she pressed her lips together and held her hand, saying, “Then be careful. If that Lu person troubles you, just have someone throw him out.” Tangning smiled at this, “I know.” This is her Tang residence; she didn’t need to rely on anyone else.
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When Lu Zhinian was invited into the Tang residence, the tension he had felt began to ease a little.
Song Mo followed closely behind, observing the person leading the way and lowering his voice. “Young Master, I heard that the people from the Song family’s clan came to Jiyun Alley last night, but they were blocked at the door without even being allowed inside. Since Song Xiaoniang is willing to see you today, it seems the earlier words were said out of anger.” He glanced at Lu Zhinian’s expression and lowered his voice even more.
“I know you’re not happy, but Song Xiaoniang is after all a woman. She was deeply attached to you before, and this time she must have been hurt, which is why she’s cold towards you. When you see her later, be a bit gentler and help her calm down, and everything will be fine…” Lu Zhinian gripped the tassel hanging from the jade pendant at his waist, his face as cold as water.
The Tang residence was extraordinarily grand, with intricate carvings and paintings, pavilions, and water pavilions; the greenery flourished, and the corridors seemed endless.
It was unlike the rumors outside that Xiao Yan was simply sheltering Song Tangning to deal with the Duke of Song’s household and aristocracy. It seemed that he genuinely treasured her, as this residence could almost rival the Lu family’s estate. There were sturdy men at the entrance, and all the guards along the way walked steadily.
The more Lu Zhinian walked, the more apprehensive he became. Clenching the tassel, he heard Song Mo speak beside him, frowning slightly.
“When did my affairs need your advice?” Song Mo felt a shiver run down his spine and immediately held his breath, afraid to speak further.
Lu Zhinian shot him a cold glance and recalled what his grandfather had said to him earlier. His lips tightened, and he gripped the items in his hand. When he was led to the front hall and saw Song Tangning, who had been waiting there, he instinctively wanted to put on a stern face as before. However, when he met her equally cold gaze, his expression froze, and his lips pulled into a gentle smile. “Tangning.”
The little girl who used to rush over with surprise in her eyes did not move, merely raising her eyes to look at him coldly. “Young Master Lu.” Lu Zhinian’s smile stiffened.
He felt a bit annoyed in his heart, thinking that this little girl was being too much. Clearly, he had taken the initiative to find her, and anyone could see he was trying to lower his posture to appease her. He had indulged her little temper, yet she was still trying to cause trouble.
Lu Zhinian held back his irritation and softened his tone as much as possible. “Tangning, are you still angry with your brother Lu?”
“I know I shouldn’t have been angry with you that day and put you in a difficult position. Later, I was entangled in matters in the capital and didn’t come to find you. I was punished by my grandmother for a long time, and my grandfather scolded me several times. When I saw you at the city’s royal residence yesterday, you didn’t want to say a word to me, and you even said such hurtful things. Do you know I couldn’t sleep all night?”
“I know you’re angry with me, but I truly didn’t mean to hurt you. Can we just talk it out? Brother Lu will explain everything to you, okay…” He reached out to take Song Tangning’s hand, but unexpectedly, she took half a step back.
“Tangning?” Lu Zhinian’s face stiffened slightly.
Song Tangning quietly looked at him. She had never seen Lu Zhinian so humble before, and she found it somewhat amusing.
So, it wasn’t that he didn’t know how to talk to her or how to get along with her; he knew exactly how to make her happy, but he had never bothered to do so.
His current patience and attempt to please her did not evoke any sympathy; instead, it highlighted his previous indifference, making Tangning feel a growing disgust from the depths of her heart.
Perhaps it was because her cold demeanor was too obvious, but Lu Zhinian frowned, his tone tinged with dissatisfaction. “Do you really want to distance yourself from your brother Lu this much?”.
Song Tangning listened with a smirk, suddenly recalling what Xiao Yan had said when she confronted King Cheng. The situation that day was no different from today. Tilting her head, she said, "Lu Langjun, my brother is currently in the criminal department. You are so eager to replace him. Do you want to reunite with him in prison?" Standing behind the wall, Gu Helian’s mouth twitched.
Xiao Yan was stunned for a moment, a smile spreading in his eyes.
Lu Zhinian initially didn’t catch on, but once he understood that Tangning was mocking him with her “Lu Gege,” the smile on his face completely faded.
He had never had much patience for Song Tangning, and in the past, it was always this woman coaxing him. Now, even with a lowered attitude, he still received no response, and the warmth on his face faded entirely.
"Do you really want to talk to me like this?" Lu Zhinian said coldly, "Song Tangning, you should know when to stop."
"Langjun!" Song Mu, watching Lu Zhinian get angry, was startled and hurriedly stepped forward, speaking urgently, "Song Niangzi, the earlier matter at the mountain was a mistake on my part; it has nothing to do with Langjun."
"That day, Langjun asked me to stay at the mountain to escort you back to Lingyun Temple. It was my fault for being in a hurry and thinking that Song Langjun and Xie Shizi, your brothers, would surely leave someone to protect you. That's why I made a mistake. But Langjun truly didn't know; he always thought there were people staying in the mountain and believed you had safely returned to the temple," Song Mu explained anxiously, as if fearing Song Tangning would misunderstand her master.
"After you had the accident, Langjun was filled with regret and self-blame. The old madam and others in the house punished him for this; Langjun's knees are still swollen from kneeling, and yesterday, because of the matter with the City King's Mansion and the Song family, he spoke up for you in front of Langzhu and the old madam, and at night, he was whipped."
"You announced in front of so many people that you wanted to break off the engagement, which infuriated the old madam. Langjun had a hard time persuading the old madam to come and see you, so please don’t be angry with him; he’s still injured!"
Hearing this, Song Tangning frowned. "You’re injured?"
Lu Zhinian, seeing her take the initiative to inquire, felt his anger subside slightly and coldly replied, "Just a small injury."
"What do you mean by 'just a small injury'? Langjun, why must you show off in front of Song Xiaoniang?" Song Mu said, eyes red. "You don’t know, Niangzi; the old madam was furious about yesterday’s incident, especially when Langzhu learned you mentioned breaking off the engagement. He was so angry, and Langjun took some lashes to speak up for you. His back is all bloody."
"Niangzi, although Langjun made a mistake at the mountain, he truly cares about you. To prevent you from worrying, he specifically instructed me not to discuss anything from the mansion with you, let alone mention his injuries."
Song Tangning fell silent for a moment, then looked up at Lu Zhinian, who hadn’t refuted her, and asked with a furrowed brow, "Lu Gege, are you really hurt?"
"Don't listen to Song Mu's nonsense."
"Is what he said true?" Lu Zhinian pursed his lips and didn’t answer, only saying, "The Lu family’s rules are strict. My grandparents also have to consider the family’s reputation. But you are my fiancée, and no matter what, I will protect you."
"Lu Gege..." Song Tangning seemed moved by his words, and her expression softened.
Seeing this, Lu Zhinian felt at ease. He thought to himself that there was no way Song Tangning didn't care about him or that she could easily let go of so many years of habits and reliance.
Even if she pretended to be indifferent and heartless, it was just to annoy him. Deep down, she still cared about him; otherwise, how could she become unsettled upon hearing he was injured?
Just as the satisfaction in Lu Zhinian's heart began to rise, intending to take the opportunity to show weakness and control her, he suddenly heard the little woman in front of him, who had just appeared gentle and soft, say something shocking.
"I never realized that Lu Gege cared about me so much. Since you were hurt for me, I naturally cannot sit idly by."
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhinian wanted to feign gentleness and tell her not to worry, but he saw Song Tangning suddenly step forward, reaching for his collar.
In shock, he stepped back, exclaiming, "What are you doing?"
"Of course, I'm going to apply medicine for Lu Gege." Song Tangning's eyes sparkled with tenderness, as if she were speaking sweet words, but her intentions shocked Lu Zhinian.
"You were willing to suffer such serious injuries due to family rules for me; I naturally feel sorry for Lu Gege. You and I are engaged, and there are no outsiders here. Hua Wu, go fetch the medicine..." She pretended to want to help Lu Zhinian undress, and he was so startled that he kept retreating.
In the past, even when Song Tangning acted cute and flirted with him, it would just be tugging at his sleeves; every time they held hands, her face would turn red with shame. He never expected she would act so recklessly.
Lu Zhinian was both surprised and angry. "What are you doing in broad daylight? There are only servants here, and even if we are engaged, we still need to maintain proper boundaries between men and women." He seemed shocked by Song Tangning's boldness, and his anger erupted:
"Tangning, you are going to become the matriarch of the Lu family in the future; you must remember to be a gentlewoman, cautious in speech and action. If others see you acting recklessly, what will they say about you, and how will they talk about the Lu family? Where did all the rules you’ve learned these years go?"
Looking at Lu Zhinian, who was earnestly reprimanding her in such a righteous manner, Song Tangning felt as if she had returned to the past when he always used the rules and the dignity of the Lu family matriarch to criticize her.
Every time, she would carefully admit her mistakes, even if she wasn’t at fault, even if she knew they were making a fuss over nothing. She would desperately try to mold herself into the image of the Lu family matriarch they described, step by step transforming herself into someone unrecognizable from before.
Song Tangning laughed with mockery, "Lu Zhinian, are you afraid that I’ll cause trouble and ruin the Lu family's reputation, or are you more afraid that the honorable Third Master Lu will be exposed for being weak?"
Lu Zhinian's heart skipped a beat. "Tangning, what nonsense are you talking about?" Song Mo's expression also changed. "Miss Song, how can you misunderstand the Young Master like this? It’s true that he’s injured, and you know the family rules of the estate. He was supposed to stay home to recover, but he forced himself to come see you because he was worried about you…"
"Is that so?" Song Tangning sneered, not wanting to argue with the pair. She called out, "Guard Hang."
"Miss." Hang Li stepped inside from the door.
"Take off Young Master Lu's clothes and see just how serious his injury really is!"
"Song Tangning, are you crazy?!" Lu Zhinian's face turned pale with shock. He could no longer maintain his previous composure. Song Mo also looked at Song Tangning in disbelief. However, Song Tangning paid no heed to his anger and coldly ordered, "Take them off!"
Hang Li stepped forward and reached for Lu Zhinian.
Lu Zhinian was immediately furious. "What are you doing? Let go of me…"
"Song Tangning, have you lost your mind? Do you even know what you're doing… You… Ah!" Lu Zhinian's protests were cut off when his arm was suddenly twisted back, causing him to cry out in pain.
Song Mo was terrified, calling out "Young Master!" as he rushed forward to defend Lu Zhinian. But before he could get close, Hang Li kicked him away.
Hang Li seized Lu Zhinian’s collar, ignoring his struggles and protests, and yanked downward with force. The exquisite robe split open along the shoulder, revealing his pale, unblemished upper body.
Tall and slender, his skin as white as snow, his back was smoother than a woman's, showing not a single scar.
There were no bloodstains from the family rules’ punishment, nor were there any bruises or contusions.
Lu Zhinian had never encountered such brazen behavior and never imagined he would one day be stripped of his clothes and made to stand there exposed for others to see.
He quickly pulled his torn garment around him to cover his upper body, about to unleash his anger with a curse, but before he could speak, Song Tangning, standing not far away, tilted her head and mocked him.
"So this is how your Lu family’s rules are enforced. Young Master Lu, you really do seem to be badly injured."
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You can read ahead to chapterr 142 here
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