"Of course I'll go!" Currently, the most talked-about topic in the capital was the upcoming academy being planned by Song Tangning. Countless people in the city were looking forward to its completion. Qian Qiyue had been dying of curiosity, and even though there wasn't much to see yet, she couldn't pass up the chance to take a sneak peek. She momentarily forgot her argument with the Lu family and pulled Song Tangning along, saying, "I'll go with you later, and I’m not going back tonight. I’ll stay over at your place to annoy my father!"
Qian Qiyue, with her striking beauty, pouted and pleaded, "Tangning, you have to take me in. I hardly eat anything." Her phoenix eyes gleamed, and her face, as beautiful as a lotus, was full of a pitiful expression.
Song Tangning chuckled at her, "Alright, I’ll share half of my rations with Sister Ayue. You can stay at my place, and if Minister Qian doesn’t apologize, we’re not going back."
Qian Qiyue’s eyes lit up. "That sounds perfect!" The straightforward girl’s smile was cheerful and endearing. Even the men behind them, like Cao Dejiang, found the banter between the two young women amusing, laughing heartily and feeling an unexpected sense of sympathy for Qian Baokun.
With the books from the Lu family all packed up, and Qian Qiyue temporarily pacified, Song Tangning stepped forward to thank everyone. Cao Dejiang, now looking at the young lady from the Song family, felt even more favorable toward her. He said kindly, "These books from the Lu family are rare treasures; you must take good care of them. Once the academy is completed, I’ll come visit. I hope the Lord of Yiyang County won’t find me a bother."
Song Tangning's eyes curved as she smiled sweetly, "Cao Gong, you flatter me. It would be my honor to have you at the academy. I’m hoping you’ll inscribe the Wen De Stele that His Majesty has granted us. I plan to build a library, and I’ll need your guidance on how to classify and preserve these books. I hope you won’t find me troublesome."
Cao Dejiang laughed heartily, "How could I find that troublesome? You can always come to me if there’s anything you need help with." The other officials chimed in as well.
"Cao Gong is right. If the Lord of Yiyang County ever needs anything, feel free to seek us out."
"Indeed, we may not be as knowledgeable as Cao Gong, but we do know a thing or two about classifying books. When the academy is built, please reserve a reading room for us so we can occasionally visit and admire these books. We’re envious just thinking about them."
Song Tangning responded humbly, "Of course. Rest assured, Minister Wen, that I will serve the finest tea and eagerly await your visits."
The official whose name she had so accurately remembered was surprised but then felt a warmer disposition toward her, realizing how much the Lu family had missed out on a good match. Previously, there had been rumors that the Lord of Yiyang County was reckless, leading to the Lu family’s fallout with her. But now, seeing how she remembered even the smallest details and interacted with grace and respect, she was nothing like the rumors suggested.
Minister Wen smiled gently, "Thank you, Lord of Yiyang County."
The officials' perception of Song Tangning had markedly improved, and even their view of Xiao Yan, who stood behind her, softened somewhat. In the past, he had been seen as ruthless and sinister, but today he had done something commendable. Rumors had it that Xiao Yan had personally funded the site for the academy, and the Lu family's financial losses were also largely due to his involvement. Several officials from the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Works even took the initiative to engage him in conversation, offering their assistance if needed.
Since Xiao Yan took over the Privy Council, it was rare for people to treat him so warmly. Even those like Canglang and Jinyun, who stood by his side, couldn’t help but find it peculiar. Usually, officials would run at the sight of their master, but this was the first time they had seen him surrounded by enthusiastic ministers.
Canglang nudged Jinyun's arm, "Well, isn’t this rare? The boss is finally popular."
Jinyun glanced at Song Tangning, then murmured, "I underestimated the young lady from the Song family."
"Huh?" Canglang looked confused. "What do you mean by underestimated?"
Jinyun replied, "It’s nothing. I just think that having the young lady around might not be a bad thing for the boss."
"What? How?" Canglang didn’t quite get it.
Jinyun said, "Well, for a long time, the boss has been walking a tough road alone, not daring to rely on anyone. But now, perhaps he can try to rally some support from these officials and accomplish his goals more openly, rather than fighting the world by himself."
Canglang shrugged, still a bit puzzled. "I don’t see how that’s a bad thing. The boss used to be too cold and distant, but now he smiles sometimes. I think the young lady is pretty great."
Jinyun smiled, "She is."
In the crowd, Xiao Yan, surrounded by officials who used to avoid him like the plague, looked slightly uncomfortable. But when he turned and saw Song Tangning smiling at him with her crescent-shaped eyes, he softened his usual stern demeanor and accepted their goodwill, even going so far as to thank them—a rare sight.
In front of the Lu residence, the atmosphere was lively, but the Lu family members were seething with anger. Watching the crowd happily chatting away, even Xiao Yan, the eunuch, was being fawned over, Lu Qin’s face turned cold. He said icily, "The sun is setting. Are you all planning to stay for dinner?" They took our books, yet still won’t leave?!
Cao Dejiang glanced at Lu Qin’s stern expression and thought that the so-called noble etiquette of the Lu family was nothing more than a facade. If they had already lost face today, they might as well have admitted their faults gracefully. Considering their library and the fact they hadn’t been overly difficult, the public wouldn’t have said much more. But the Lu family’s petty, resentful attitude only made them a laughingstock.
Cao Dejiang shook his head, thinking that this once-glorious family had no one capable of living up to its legacy after Lu Chongyuan. He turned to Xiao Yan and Song Tangning, "Master Xiao, Lord of Yiyang County, now that everything is settled, I will take my leave."
The other officials also began to bid their farewells.
Xiao Yan nodded, "Take care, everyone."
As the ministers boarded their carriages, Fu Laiqing lingered behind. "Young Lady Song…" He had meant to say something, but as soon as he caught Xiao Yan’s gaze, he felt a chill. His legs, still weak from moving boxes, trembled, and he quickly changed his mind, stuttering, "I-I’ll take my leave, too."
"Take care, Young Master Fu." Tangning smiled politely.
Fu Laiqing blushed at her smile, but when he glanced over and saw Xiao Yan’s chiseled profile, his heart skipped a beat, and he scrambled into his carriage.
Cao Dejiang, having just settled in his carriage, felt it jolt as Fu Laiqing hopped in. He frowned, "Why are you in such a rush?"
Was there a ghost chasing him?
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You can read ahead to chapterr 234 here
You can read ahead to chapterr 234 here
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