Inside the room, a bamboo pipe was connected, leading from the flowing waters by the lake outside and extending all the way to the edge of the Koi Leaping Pavilion. Song Tangning squatted at the edge of the waterside pavilion, playing with the fish in the lake for a while, before washing her hands and returning to the desk. She then picked up a peach blossom cake and began eating.
The desserts from Xijue Tower were famous throughout the capital, known for their soft, fragrant, and sweet taste, with every bite filled with the delicate aroma of spring peach blossoms.
Tangning was thoroughly enjoying her treat and offered a piece to Xiao Yan, "Brother, have some too."
"You eat it," he replied. He wasn't particularly fond of overly sweet desserts, but seeing how delighted she was, Xiao Yan poured some hot tea and placed it in front of Tangning, saying gently, "Take your time."
With a piece of cake in her mouth, Tangning gestured to the ginseng soup, indicating that Xiao Yan should drink some too. Xiao Yan chuckled and picked up the spoon, accompanying her in drinking more than half of the soup. The warm liquid flowed down his throat, bringing warmth to his stomach and adding a faint flush to his previously pale face. His thin lips also took on a bit more color.
Noticing that she was slowing down, Xiao Yan leaned back and asked, "Have you heard about what happened with the Lu family?"
Tangning nodded. "Yes, I have."
Xiao Yan continued, "Lu Zhinian suddenly broke into the Song Duke’s residence at night, catching the entire Lu family off guard. Today, after the morning court session, Lu Chongyuan went to see the Empress and even requested an audience with His Majesty. It’s likely they’re going to soften their stance regarding the matter between you and Lu Zhinian."
He added, "Most of the things you sent to the Lu family earlier probably can’t be retrieved, and the Lu family won’t force the Fourth Prince to return them. What do you plan to do?"
Song Tangning held the half-eaten piece of peach blossom cake. "Do you think I should keep pushing this matter with them?"
Xiao Yan seemed indifferent. "That's up to you." His expression was casual but carried an air of subtle authority.
"Those items were left to you by Grand Tutor Rong. If you wish to reclaim them, no one can say you’re wrong. It was the Lu family who acted wrongly first. Even if the Empress intervenes, she won’t be able to do anything. As for His Majesty, as long as you don’t directly target the Empress and the Fourth Prince, publicly shaming the royal family, he won’t take their side. He might even support you."
Song Tangning understood Xiao Yan's implication. It would please Emperor An if she had conflicts with the noble families, as the Emperor’s favor would naturally lean toward her. But after a moment of silence, she said softly, "But I don’t want it anymore."
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, surprised, but he didn't interrupt and gestured for her to continue.
Tangning carefully chose her words. "Grandfather’s relics are, of course, precious, and if they were still in the Lu family’s possession, I wouldn’t easily let the matter go. But most of those things have already ended up in other people's hands."
Her long lashes drooped slightly, showing a hint of helplessness.
"Those who received gifts through the Fourth Prince must have significant status. If I insist on demanding their return, I could force the Lu family to lose face, but I would also risk offending those people and making them hold a grudge. Besides, given the positions of the Fourth Prince and the Empress, the Lu family would never truly fall over such a trivial matter."
"If I publicly expose their actions, the best outcome would be forcing them to pay me back and lose some face. But it would also mean they have no reason to hold back."
Tangning had experienced the ruthlessness of noble families and was well aware of the Empress’s cunning tactics.
At present, they dared not touch her because Xiao Yan was protecting her, and Lu Zhinian had repeatedly caused trouble, pushing the Lu family into the spotlight.
Furthermore, the Fourth Prince's "bribery" was a private matter. Those court officials might not necessarily side with the central palace over a few rare books. For now, they might just be observing, and it was possible that not all of them had close ties with the Lu family.
If they learned that the Fourth Prince was using others' belongings as gifts, dragging them into trouble, they would likely feel displeased and distance themselves. The Lu family and the Fourth Prince would suffer a great loss.
But if she insisted on reclaiming the items and brought the Fourth Prince's secret dealings to light, she would be forcing these people to pick a side.
Although they might still be upset with the Fourth Prince and the Lu family, they would be more angered by her for exposing the matter. It could even backfire, pushing these individuals to align with the Lu family and the Fourth Prince, thus aiding them instead.
Song Tangning was not particularly adept at scheming, but she had learned much about court politics from Xiao Yan. Though her words were somewhat naïve, she did her best to think through everything thoroughly.
"Without a family to shield me, forcing this issue would only make you and others become enemies. It’s better to take advantage of my current position and gain as much as possible, then generously let the Lu family off this time."
"Those who enter court to seek power are not fools. They will remember this favor, and the Lu family will still be disgraced. Eventually, everyone will know that the Lu family wronged me, and it was my magnanimity that let them off. This way, they won’t dare to trouble me over the marriage, and they’ll be less likely to provoke me afterward, fearing I might bring it up again."
This plan would not only teach the Lu family a lesson but also earn her a good reputation while keeping leverage over them.
Tangning toyed with the remaining piece of peach blossom cake. "Besides, I’m not planning to let the Lu family pay me back in gold and silver."
Xiao Yan looked at her. "Then what do you want?"
"The Lu family’s collection of books."
Xiao Yan couldn’t help but sit up straight, listening to her speak softly.
"The strength of noble families lies not only in their power, status, and wealth, but also in their heritage, including access to books that many humble scholars outside could never even touch. Just the books in the Lu family’s possession could match, if not exceed, those found in all the academies in the capital."
"The selection of talents in the court has always favored the sons of noble families, leaving few chances for scholars from humble backgrounds. The noble families have almost monopolized the academies, making it hard for children from poor families to rise."
"I want to use my grandfather's name to establish an academy in the capital. At that time, I will put all the books returned by the Lu family, along with some of my grandfather’s rare books, in the academy’s library, where all the students can access them."
Xiao Yan looked at the girl beside him in amazement. He had not expected her to think this way. "Do you know that if the Lu family compensates you with money, it would be no less than tens of thousands?"
"I know. To silence the gossip, they would give me even more. But that kind of money would burn in my hands."
She had no support from the Duke’s household now and had offended both the Empress and the Lu family. Even with Xiao Yan's protection, holding onto such a large sum of money would only attract trouble. Besides, the Lu family would never give up after suffering such a loss.
If she settled their disputes with money, the Lu family would no longer owe her, and once enough time had passed, the Lu family and the Empress would certainly seek revenge. Moreover, appearing too greedy would undermine her image of innocence and vulnerability, diminishing others’ sympathy toward her.
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You can read ahead to chapterr 200 here
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