Cang Lang entered with his people, reaching out to escort the Lu father and son out, but Lu Chongyuan avoided them, his face turning livid as he looked at Xiao Yan and Song Tangning. "You want the Lu family's collection of books to establish an academy?"
"And if we are?" Xiao Yan raised his eyes.
Lu Chongyuan's face twisted, his lips trembling. He had long known Xiao Yan to be malicious, but he hadn't expected such shamelessness. If it were just Song Tangning wanting the Lu family's books for herself, he could have refused outright. Even if it meant a falling out, the Lu family would not be afraid. But she wasn’t acting out of self-interest; she intended to use the Lu family's collection to set up an academy, even willing to bring out the relics left by Rong Qian'an for public use.
He could almost see the scenario: if he rejected Song Tangning now, the next morning, the Lu family would become a byword for infamy. The court officials who prided themselves on integrity, along with the scholars who had long been discontent with the aristocratic families, would curse the Lu family bitterly. Furthermore, the matter had already passed before the emperor, with his approval. Once the monument was erected, the literati of the court, eager for fame, would seize the opportunity to make the academy and its books a part of their legacy. In such a situation, Song Tangning exchanging Rong Qian'an's relics for the Lu family's collection would be seen as a noble act.
If the Lu family refused her, she could take them to court or appeal directly to the emperor, and it would be more than just the Lu family being accused of hoarding the Rong family's relics. The Fourth Prince and the Empress would be scorned, and the Lu family would be nailed to a pillar of shame, condemned by scholars across the land.
Lu Chongyuan's face went from blue to pale, and Lu Zhao trembled with rage. Xiao Yan tilted his head slightly and said, "Are you not leaving, Minister Lu?"
"This old man did not know Miss Song was acting for a noble cause..." Lu Chongyuan's body stiffened as he forced the metallic taste in his throat down. "Two-tenths. The Lu family is willing to offer two-tenths of our collection to Miss Song."
"Offer?" Xiao Yan's eyes were cold.
Lu Chongyuan gritted his teeth. "I misspoke. The Lu family is willing to repay Miss Song with two-tenths of our collection..."
Song Tangning responded, "Five-tenths."
"Three-tenths..." Lu Chongyuan's voice shook.
Song Tangning sneered, "Six-tenths."
"Miss Song..." Lu Chongyuan tried to speak, but Song Tangning's face darkened. "I am not negotiating with you, Minister Lu. This is a debt the Lu family owes me. Originally, I would have been willing to accept three-tenths or four-tenths of your collection, but since you insulted my elder brother, I want six-tenths, and I want you to personally inscribe the stele for the academy. If you refuse, then please leave. Tomorrow morning, I will sound the Qinglong Bell and ask the emperor to deliver justice."
Lu Zhao's face turned black with fury, and he was about to berate Song Tangning for her audacity when Lu Chongyuan raised his hand to stop him.
Lu Chongyuan fixed his gaze on Song Tangning. "Is there really no room for negotiation?" Song Tangning remained silent.
Lu Chongyuan choked on his own blood. "Fine, five-tenths." Seeing that Song Tangning was about to say more, he cut her off decisively. "Only five-tenths. If Miss Song wants them, we will give them to you, and this matter will be settled. If not, consider my words as unsaid, and I will see you tomorrow morning in court!"
Song Tangning heard the icy finality in his voice and turned to Xiao Yan, who gave her a nod, signaling that it was enough. Reluctantly, she said, "Fine, out of respect for the Empress, five-tenths. But I will personally select the books. After all, I have been to the Lu family's library and helped organize the scrolls with Lu Zhiyannian. I trust Minister Lu will not stoop to trickery by handing over some subpar volumes, right?"
Lu Chongyuan suddenly regretted it deeply. Why had the Lu family agreed to this engagement in the first place? Song Tangning had been a frequent visitor to the Lu family, familiarizing herself with their collection. The library, which was once a means for the old matriarch to make Song Tangning copy and organize volumes as a form of tempering, had now become a pitfall. He could not even preemptively tamper with the selection.
Though his heart bled, Lu Chongyuan forced himself to maintain composure. "Since I have agreed, I will not go back on my word."
Only then did Song Tangning relent. "Then, on behalf of scholars across the land, I thank you for your generosity, Minister Lu." Having achieved her goal, she felt a touch of warmth towards the Lu family. "Minister Lu, why are you still standing? Please, take a seat. I'll have someone bring tea."
Lu Chongyuan felt a bitter ache in his chest. He had always found Xiao Yan detestable, but now he realized that the little lady from the Song family was no less formidable. He could not bear to stay in Jiyun Alley a moment longer. Giving up five-tenths of their library was more painful than cutting off flesh, and he suppressed the urge to spit blood. "No need. It is late, and I dare not impose any longer. I shall take my leave."
"Oh, in that case, I won't keep you. Farewell, Minister Lu," Xiao Yan said coolly. "See Minister Lu out." Neither he nor Song Tangning even bothered to pretend otherwise, and Lu Chongyuan, seething, flicked his sleeve forcefully and left.
Lu Zhao gave Song Tangning a deep, meaningful look. "Miss Song, I meant what I said earlier. As for Commander Xiao... you would do well to be cautious. Do not let your sincere heart be betrayed, or you might lose your life."
He glanced at the nine-tailed phoenix hairpin lying on the ground, snorted, and turned to leave.
Song Tangning was furious. "The Lu family is so infuriating! I should have demanded six-tenths!"
"If you had, Lu Chongyuan might have turned hostile," Xiao Yan explained. "The Lu family's collection has been accumulated over generations. Taking half is already enough to make Lu Chongyuan's heart bleed, but anything less than half wouldn’t push him to desperation. I’ve dealt with him for years; I could tell he was on the verge of snapping. If you pushed further, he might have acted recklessly."
Xiao Yan looked at the displeased girl and said softly, "Lu Zhao wasn't entirely wrong. It's wise to be wary, even of me."
Song Tangning pouted. "Brother!"
"I'm serious. I'm not known for kindness. If you trust others too easily, you could suffer if something happens to me..."
"Xiao Yan!" It was the first time she called him by name, and her voice carried a hint of anger. She looked at him, her expression dark, as if daring him to say another word.
The admonishments died on Xiao Yan's lips, and he sighed quietly. This girl—so trusting, even after getting hurt. But that same lack of caution made his heart ache with tenderness.
Seeing her sulking, he reached out and gently smoothed her hair. "Alright, I won’t say any more. Don’t be mad."
Song Tangning let out a huff, swatting his hand away, but inwardly, she was still irritated by how Lu Zhao had tried to sour things before leaving. Her eyes brightened with mischief. "Cang Lang..."
"Miss?"
"Come here." Song Tangning's eyes glimmered with mischief.
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You can read ahead to chapterr 200 here
Thank you translator so much for all the work that must have gone into this! The book is awesome, and nearly every chapter there’s something I want to highlight, quotes I want as wall art, screenshots I’ve taken…
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