Nanny Jiang couldn't help but say, "But you can't just keep staying at Jiyun Alley forever..."
"I know."
Princess Cheng gently held a peach blossom in her hand, her eyes downcast. She had left the mansion with Tang Ning in a fit of anger that day, and rumors about her situation had already spread outside. Her circumstances with Xie Tianyu were different from those of Tang Ning and the Lu family. If she continued to stay at Jiyun Alley, it would eventually bring trouble to Tang Ning.
"Let's wait a little longer. After the matters with the Lu family are settled, and the Song family's case is judged, I'll return."
Whether they would continue together or separate, it needed to be made clear.
Nanny Jiang was delighted to hear this. "Then I shall accompany you back when the time comes."
The Princess Consort Cheng nodded, discarding the peach blossom and gently touching her abdomen. "For now, don’t let Yiner know that I am pregnant."
Nanny Jiang quickly nodded, "Understood, I’ll be discreet."
…
Song Tang Ning had no idea that the Princess Consort Cheng had thoughts of returning to the mansion. She was simply leading Hua Wu, carrying the ginseng soup she had instructed the kitchen to brew early last night, over to the neighboring house.
The Tang residence and Xiao residence were separated by only a courtyard wall. The distance between the gates was significant, and it was the first time Song Tang Ning had come over since moving to Jiyun Alley.
Unlike the blooming splendor of the Tang residence, the Xiao residence was much simpler.
Beyond the crimson gates lay smooth stone walls, white stone steps, and a front hall furnished only with simple tables and chairs. The adjacent covered corridor led to the rear courtyard, opening to a large martial training ground filled with various weapons.
There were few intricate decorative beams, just white stone and wooden railings, connected by paths, with not a hint of red paint. The coldness of the place was apparent everywhere one went.
Occasionally, some servants crossed paths with her, but they would always step aside and bow.
"These are all the guards of the residence, just like Hang Li and the others, who have been protecting the Master for many years. Miss need not be afraid," Uncle He softly reassured Tang Ning, worried that she might be intimidated by the guards' stern armor.
Tang Ning asked quietly, "Do they also wear armor and carry swords inside the mansion?"
Uncle He hesitated briefly, "The Master has many enemies, so the mansion is guarded more tightly."
Tang Ning understood Uncle He's meaning. Though this was her brother's residence, there had been people with grudges against him who tried to sneak in and harm him. Thus, even inside the mansion, the guards were armored and armed, ready to defend Xiao Yan at any moment.
She pursed her lips, glancing at the guards, and suddenly understood why her brother had been so aggressive when they first met at the mountain.
Uncle He softly explained the places they passed, as the two of them walked deeper into the mansion. After a while, they arrived at a small building and happened to run into someone coming out.
Uncle He was surprised, "Mr. Yue, when did you return to the capital?"
"I came back last night, but I only entered the city this morning."
The middle-aged man, dressed in scholar's robes, snapped his folding fan shut with a crisp sound and smiled warmly at Uncle He, "I was just asking the Master about you, saying that your sweet rice dumplings are still my favorite. But I haven't seen you since I arrived and thought you were hiding away because I ate too much."
Uncle He was amused by his words. "Look at you talking! How much could you possibly eat, even if you ate to your heart's content? I was just outside earlier. Miss Song here came to visit the Master, and I was afraid the rough men in the mansion would frighten her, so I led her in."
Mr. Yue had already heard of the famous daughter of the Song family, so when he heard this, his gaze fell on Song Tang Ning. Seeing her veiled face, with only a pair of clear black-and-white eyes exposed, he was quite curious. "So, you are the one Master spoke of, his newly recognized sworn sister?"
Song Tang Ning bowed slightly, "Mr. Yue."
"Oh, please, no need."
Mr. Yue smiled and stepped aside, slightly lifting his fan in a gesture to gently support Song Tang Ning. "Your brother is quite protective and unreasonable. If he finds out you bowed to me, he’d probably skin me alive. I’m not strong enough to handle that."
His words were playful, yet there was no hint of malice.
Though Song Tang Ning blushed a little, she didn't feel uncomfortable, just a bit shy as she tugged at her sleeves.
Seeing her blush, even through the veil, Mr. Yue couldn't help but chuckle. Who would have thought that the same aloof and stern Master of his would take such a gentle, delicate girl as his sister? She seemed like someone who deserved to be cherished and protected.
He didn't continue teasing her, but instead, he told Uncle He, "I've been rushing to get back to the capital, and I've exhausted several horses. My bones are almost shaken to pieces. I'll go rest first. Uncle He, when you make the sweet rice dumplings, remember to call me. I want a big portion, a full bowl, with two poached eggs. I could eat a whole cow right now."
After Uncle He agreed with a smile, Mr. Yue waved and left.
Song Tang Ning watched his departing figure curiously, and Uncle He explained, "Mr. Yue was once a county magistrate in a remote part of the south. He was wrongly accused and imprisoned, but the Master discovered the truth and helped him escape. Since then, he’s been working for the Master, like Jingyun and the others, carrying out duties outside the capital."
Tang Ning tilted her head slightly. "So, he also serves at the Privy Council?"
"No, he hasn't returned to officialdom."
"Why not?" Tang Ning was puzzled.
"It was the noble families who wronged him. Mr. Yue is a capable man, but the noble families wouldn’t tolerate him."
Uncle He's words left Song Tang Ning in a daze. She couldn't help but glance in the direction Mr. Yue had left. He was someone who had seemed so polite and proper at first glance, but because he had offended noble families, he couldn’t hold an official position anymore?
And her brother...
"Miss Song, this way."
Uncle He smiled and led the way, and Song Tang Ning followed him. When they reached the small building, Uncle He said, "This is Crane’s Cry Hall, and the Master is inside. Please go in, Miss Song."
"No need to announce me?" Tang Ning hesitated.
Uncle He smiled, "Others would need it, but not you. The Master already instructed that if you come, you should go in directly."
He pointed to one side of the building, "The Master is likely at the Koi Terrace right now. Once you enter, follow the path inside, go around the library, and you will see him. However, the Master dislikes others entering Crane’s Cry Hall, so Miss Hua Wu cannot accompany you."
Song Tang Ning turned to Hua Wu, "Wait for me at the corridor. I'll come out after I meet my brother."
Hua Wu nodded obediently, "Yes."
…
Song Tang Ning took the food box, avoiding the injury on her hand, and entered Crane’s Cry Hall. She found that, although it looked small from the outside, it was very spacious inside.
It might have been her imagination, but the deeper she went, the warmer it felt. By the time she reached a green screen divider at the end of the long corridor, she was already sweating lightly, and even the occasional drafts felt warm.
"Who is it?" A cold voice echoed from within.
"Brother, it's me."
Song Tang Ning quickly responded, and the voice inside softened, "Tang Ning? Come in."
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You can read ahead to chapterr 200 here
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