As the carriages gradually dispersed in front of the Lu Residence and the court officials each went their own way, only Marquis Wenxin remained. "Director Xiao, where shall these books be delivered?"
"Take them to Jiyun Alley first. Apologies for the trouble, Marquis."
Marquis Wenxin laughed, "What trouble? If I could enjoy such work daily, I'd be more than happy to serve as your humble messenger." Anything that could embarrass these aristocratic families was a service he was only too willing to render.
Xiao Yan chuckled, but the Lu family members, who understood the underlying jab, glared at him in anger.
This Marquis Wenxin, a military man—how dare he mock them!
Marquis Wenxin remained indifferent to the Lu family's fury. When he was on the battlefield, charging into the fray, these pampered Lu children were still being sheltered, crying over minor scrapes.
With a sly smile, he turned to leave, adding, "Alright, I'll take the books to Jiyun Alley then. Princess of Yiyang, should you find yourself free, feel welcome to visit Lady Jun at my residence."
Song Tangning replied with a gentle laugh, "Of course."
Marquis Wenxin turned to his men, "You lot, keep a close watch on the carriages. Take care with those crates of books."
"Yes, Marquis."
The city patrol troops took charge, ensuring the lead carriage moved smoothly, while Canglang gestured for the Black Armored Guards to secure the remaining carriages as they followed.
Xiao Yan turned to Tangning, "I’ll head back to the manor with Marquis Wenxin first. You and Lady Qian can go survey the land marked for the academy. See where the entrance should be built. If you have any thoughts, note them down, and I’ll pass them to the Capital Construction Office later."
Tangning nodded, "Got it, Brother. You're still recovering, so go rest soon."
Xiao Yan chuckled, "Will do." He then instructed Hang Li by his side, "Protect the young lady carefully. Let no one disturb her."
"Understood, Director."
After Xiao Yan had issued his instructions, he finally turned to leave.
As he mounted his carriage, the line of carriages stretching from the Lu residence, carrying crates packed to the brim, slowly made their way down the street. The Lu family, having lost such prized possessions, watched with reddened eyes, glaring daggers at Song Tangning, who remained standing nearby as though she were a mortal enemy.
Lu Qin spat venomously, "The future is long, Princess of Yiyang. You'd best take care."
With a light smile, Song Tangning responded, "Not as much as I worry for Assistant Minister Lu. He looked so pale, standing unsteadily in the courtyard. It would be wise for young Master Lu to look after him, as he is getting on in years. I have many more years ahead of me, but for Assistant Minister Lu... he should indeed take care—lest he suffers an unfortunate mishap and leaves young Master Lu grieving."
Lu Qin hadn't expected this girl to have such a sharp tongue, virtually cursing Lu Chongyuan. His eyes flashed with rage as he sneered, "Song Tangning, do you think that just because Xiao Yan is protecting you, you can do as you please?"
"Xiao Yan is nothing but a rootless creature who has climbed over countless bodies to reach his current position. To him, you're only a tool of convenience. When you’ve outlived your usefulness, I look forward to seeing your fall."
Qian Qiyue burst out angrily, "How dare you speak like that?"
"I'm just stating facts." Lu Qin smirked, his gaze icy. "The entire capital knows Xiao Yan killed his own kin with his own hands. A cold, ruthless eunuch, a man without family—how could the Princess of Yiyang dare associate with him?"
"And when Xiao Yan eventually discards you, don't come running to the Lu family."
He scoffed mockingly, then turned and slammed the door of the Lu residence behind him.
"Who would ever go to you!" Qian Qiyue, furious, rushed forward, intending to kick the door, but Tangning held her back. Even as Qian Qiyue continued her tirade, she shouted toward the closed door, "What do you Lu people even amount to? With all your wrongdoings, you still have the nerve to curse Tangning. And you call yourselves a noble family with such decorum? Ha!"
To the onlookers gathering around, Qian Qiyue was seething, her eyes practically ablaze.
Though Tangning, too, was angered by Lu Qin’s words, she did not wish to create more of a scene. She pulled Qian Qiyue back to their carriage and whispered, "That's just the Lu family. Don't waste your energy on them."
"Why ignore them? What gives them the right to speak about you like that?" Qian Qiyue fumed. "They only act this way because they think you're easy to bully!"
If it were her, she'd scratch the faces off every Lu family member!
Tangning, too, had been angry, but hearing Qian Qiyue's indignation now brought a smile to her face. "Easy to bully, am I? Did you not see the expressions on their faces? Their dignity was thoroughly trampled today."
"That may be, but Lu Qin dared to say those things about you..."
"Let him speak," Tangning said with a calm smile. "Anyone can wag their tongue. The Lu family was already humiliated today; if Lu Qin had simply conceded, perhaps people might still think better of them. But the way he stooped to bully two girls just shows how low they truly are."
She reassured Qian Qiyue, "I took away a treasure trove of books from them today, practically skinned them alive. Let him have his words—we needn’t stoop to their level."
Qian Qiyue, recalling the stacks of books carted away and the dark, furious looks on the Lu family’s faces, finally felt a bit appeased. "Serves them right! Half their library in exchange for peace; I'd say it was a bargain for them."
But remembering Lu Qin's words, she grew concerned again. "That Lu Qin is no good. I’ve heard my father say before that he’s always played by his own rules. Even among the Lu family, he’s known to resort to anything necessary to get his way."
"People who have crossed him before have all met with misfortune afterward," Qian Qiyue said with a sigh, "but his methods are so clean that it’s impossible to catch him. You’d best be careful—I'm sure he’s grown to hate you, and who knows what dirty tricks he might use to harm you."
Looking at Song Tangning’s gentle demeanor, Qian Qiyue exhaled, "But you don’t have to be too worried. Director Xiao is protecting you, and ignore anything the Lu family says. That Lu Qin is nothing but a useless scoundrel, too afraid to confront Director Xiao himself, so he resorts to sowing discord. He’s clearly up to no good."
"A eunuch is still a person, you know. Besides, Director Xiao is very handsome. Don’t let anyone drive a wedge between you two—that would only give pleasure to your enemies."
Song Tangning blinked in surprise; this was the first time she'd heard anyone praise Xiao Yan's appearance. She hadn't paid much attention to the rest of Qian Qiyue’s words, but she couldn't help but ask, "Sister Yue, do you really think my brother is handsome?"
"Of course!"
Qian Qiyue looked at her in shock. "Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed?"
"Let me tell you, although there are many noble young men in the capital, there’s hardly anyone who can rival your brother in looks. And he's also powerful—my own father even fears him. Compared to Director Xiao, that Jade Terrace Gentleman and the Lu family’s third son aren’t even worthy of carrying his shoes."
Qian Qiyue didn’t socialize much with the other ladies, but she was well aware of the gossip circulating among them.
The capital’s most handsome young men were well-known, with Xiao Yan firmly at the top. If not for his “infamous reputation” and the fact that he was a eunuch, his good looks, figure, and commanding presence would have stirred countless women to desire the position of Lady Xiao.
Qian Qiyue swallowed involuntarily at the thought of Xiao Yan’s handsome face. "I’m telling you, you’re sitting on a blessing without realizing it. Just one more look at Director Xiao's face, and you could practically finish a meal without any food! It's a crime that you see him every day and haven’t gained any weight!"
She spoke animatedly, her almond-shaped eyes flashing with envy as she gazed at Song Tangning with a look that almost suggested she’d trade places in an instant.
“Pfft!”
Song Tangning laughed, leaning against Qian Qiyue’s shoulder. “How could you exaggerate so much?”
Qian Qiyue turned to glare at her. "Hand to heart—can you really say he isn’t handsome? Have you seen anyone in the entire capital better looking than him?”
One more look at that face would add years to your life!
Song Tangning’s laughter grew, her cheeks flushed from her mirth. Leaning against Qian Qiyue’s shoulder, she reached up to touch the dragon-pattern pendant around her neck, her mind drifting to Xiao Yan's usual cold and distant manner with others, his gentle murmur of “Little Haitang” when he spoke to her, and the warmth in his gaze—a softness reserved just for her.
Her elder brother… he really was quite handsome.
More so than Lu Zhinian, more so than Song Jin Xiu or Xie Yin, more handsome even than any man she had ever seen.
Despite his fierce and aloof demeanor when they first met, with eyes sharp enough to chill anyone, his face was shaped like a mountain spring with snow-dusted jade. His features, striking beneath fair skin, gave him an otherworldly elegance, veiled in an aura of mystery.
Had it not been for that near brush with death or the terror of her past life that made her afraid to look, she might have fallen for that face the very first time she saw it…
“!!”
Suddenly, Song Tangning jolted out of her thoughts, realizing with embarrassment just where her mind had wandered. She quickly blushed and gave herself a small slap.
That was her brother! What was she even thinking?
Qian Qiyue hadn’t noticed her reddened cheeks and continued with her chatter. “So, don’t pay any mind to the Lu family’s nonsense. With such a handsome older brother, a few extra glances every day can only bring happiness. Besides, you’re his only sister—unlike certain people with a constant parade of ‘sisters’ who’ve stolen all his affection to the point it’s sickening.”
After the Song family’s fall, Song Tangning had not spared a single thought for Song Jin Xiu. Hearing Qian Qiyue mention him now, she was briefly taken aback before understanding who she meant.
Her smile faded slightly. “How could he ever compare to my brother?”
Qian Qiyue was curious. “How’s the Song family’s case going, by the way?”
“It’s nearly resolved,” Song Tangning replied coolly. The investigation into Song Hong and Xu Zhen had uncovered everything, and Gu Helian had long since exposed the truth of Song Shulan’s identity. With Xiao Yan’s men on the trail and the Criminal Bureau’s interrogation methods, all of the Song family’s secrets had been brought to light.
Originally, Song Hong’s case wasn’t significant enough to warrant such attention, but his connection to the Lu family proved fatal. From what her brother had told her, Emperor An intended to make an example of Song Hong, who was likely to lose his life. Although the rest of the Song family might escape with theirs, their noble titles and wealth were as good as gone. Even if some survived, they wouldn’t live comfortably.
The Duke of Song’s household was effectively finished.
Song Tangning shared only the essential details with Qian Qiyue, who scoffed, “Serves them right! And just as well. Now they can dote on that concubine-born daughter of theirs as much as they like. They can have their perfect little family, without you in their way.”
Song Tangning chuckled at her words, thinking that given the Song family’s temperament, they would sooner hate Song Shulan than dote on her.
As for Song Jin Xiu, he had wronged her, ruined her life.
And now, she was returning the favor. Whatever happened to Song Jin Xiu henceforth was no longer any concern of hers.
As their carriage slowly rolled toward the southern part of the city, Song Tangning and Qian Qiyue idly chatted about the goings-on in the capital.
Qian Qiyue, ever the connoisseur of high-society gossip, shared tidbits ranging from the quiet liaisons of high-ranking nobles to the dirty secrets behind the polished exteriors of elite families, sprinkled with a few surprising bits of juicy humor.
As Song Tangning listened, she was alternately wide-eyed with shock and laughing uncontrollably. Hiding outside, Hang Li, who was riding alongside the carriage, couldn't help but overhear snippets of the two girls' chatter as they discussed one scandalous tale after another. At that moment, Miss Qian was excitedly sharing a story about the youngest son of the Minister of Personnel. Apparently, he had a notorious penchant for men and was once caught sneaking into a male bathhouse, only to be dragged out bare-bottomed by his enraged father. He’d then slipped and fallen into a lotus pond on the way home, and when they fished him out, two fish were still stuck to his behind.
“You have no idea, he—"
"Really? Oh my goodness…”
“Yes, really! I’m telling you, so many people saw it…”
“Hahaha…”
The giggles and whispers from the two young ladies inside grew louder as they delved deeper into the gossip, causing Hang Li’s temples to throb. He couldn’t shake the feeling that, should the Director find out what Miss Qian had been sharing with his young lady, he’d be the one paying for it with his hide.
“We’re here, my lady,” he announced loudly, drawing close to the carriage to cut off the conversation.
In the midst of her animated story, Qian Qiyue instantly fell silent, while Song Tangning, who had been utterly engrossed in her revelations, suddenly remembered that Hang Li had been outside the whole time. Not knowing how much he might have overheard, her cheeks grew hot, and she quickly cleared her throat before asking, “Guard Hang, has Ah-Ru arrived yet?”
“Yes, my lady,” Hang Li replied. “Per your instructions, I sent someone to fetch her earlier. She should already be here.”
Since Jiyun Alley was in the southern part of the city, Song Ru would naturally have arrived at the academy site before they did, given they had set off from the Lu residence.
Realizing that her attempt at changing the subject was rather transparent, Song Tangning stopped herself from saying anything more and simply instructed, “Then let’s hurry over so Ah-Ru doesn’t have to wait too long.”
Hang Li acknowledged her order, and the carriage picked up speed.
As Qian Qiyue leaned back against the carriage wall, she realized Hang Li must have overheard something and only interrupted to spare them any embarrassment. Despite her thick-skinned reputation—proudly declared by her own father—she couldn't help but feel her cheeks heat up. She gave a sheepish chuckle to Song Tangning, whose face was equally flushed.
Seeing her friend’s expression, Song Tangning couldn’t hold back a laugh either, and before long, the two of them were laughing together, thoroughly amused by the unexpected turn of events.
You can read ahead to chapterr 234 here
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