Song Tangning's face showed signs of worry as she hurried over, fearing the princess consort might be unwell. Cheng Wangfei sighed helplessly, "You ask about my health morning and night. How could anything be wrong? I was just chatting with Madam Fu."
Noticing the flush on Tangning’s face and her slightly labored breathing, she quickly poured her a cup of plum juice from a nearby teapot. "Why did you rush over like this? You’ll overheat yourself. Here, drink some water and catch your breath."
Tangning relaxed upon confirming her aunt’s well-being, accepting the porcelain cup and sitting beside her to sip the tart drink in small, dainty gulps. After finishing the cup, the sour flavor brought her a slight shiver, cooling her down instantly.
Tangning set the cup down and said, “Steamed Granny’s plum juice really hits the spot.”
Steamed Granny chuckled, “If you like it, take a couple of jugs with you when you go.”
“Don’t let her fool you,” Cheng Wangfei chided lightly, patting Tangning’s shoulder, unknowingly causing Tangning to stiffen. The princess consort turned to Steamed Granny with a smile, “She’s never liked sour things. She only drinks a little for novelty. If you give her two full jugs, who knows whose stomach they’ll end up in?”
Tangning, lowering her head, mumbled, “I wouldn’t…”
The princess consort shot her a look. “Oh, really? And who did you give that sour medicinal soup Qin Nanny made to?”
Tangning instantly felt guilty.
“The flowers in your room are practically marinated in that soup by now,” the princess consort remarked. “It’s lucky Qin Nanny didn’t see, or she’d be adding more Coptis root to it and making sure you drink it in front of her.”
Tangning quickly clung to her aunt’s arm. “Auntie, you’re the best; please don’t tell Sister Qin. That sour soup is just awful…”
She did value her health and followed medical advice, but that sour, bitter, and astringent soup was simply unbearable. She’d only poured it out once, but her aunt had caught her red-handed.
Tangning hugged her aunt’s arm, pleading sweetly for mercy.
The princess consort shot her an indulgent look. “Bitter medicine works best.”
“I know. I promise not to pour it out again.”
Eager to appease, Tangning cuddled her aunt’s arm like a kitten, her dark hair cascading over her shoulder, her large, round eyes looking up at her pitifully, as if she could wag a little tail in her plea for forgiveness.
“Auntie~~”
Her affectionate nuzzling softened the princess consort’s heart, and though she’d planned to tease her more, she couldn’t resist relenting, “Just this once. You need to take care of yourself properly.”
Tangning’s eyes sparkled as she leaned in and gave her aunt a quick kiss on the cheek, her smile bright and pure.
The princess consort tapped her forehead. “Stop acting so spoiled. Madam Fu is still here; aren’t you worried she’ll laugh at you?”
Watching this display, Madam Fu chuckled, “It’s a blessing to see the princess consort and Miss Song so close. I’m only envious. None of the little monkeys in my family are as endearing as Miss Song. If I had such a well-behaved granddaughter, I’d treasure her just as much.”
The princess consort, catching Madam Fu’s implication, offered a modest smile. “The Fu family’s young ladies are wonderful as well.”
She paused before continuing, “I’ve heard they’re lively and spirited. Tangning spends so much time at home that it’d be nice if she could spend more time around such bright company.”
Madam Fu felt a surge of joy. Though the princess consort hadn’t directly accepted a match, she was clearly not opposed to Tangning spending time with the Fu family.
Now wasn’t the right time to arrange a marriage, so Madam Fu was satisfied. Getting to know each other was enough for now; she was confident that with her grandson’s straightforward nature and sincerity, he’d eventually win Tangning over. They would never treat her poorly, as the Lu family had.
Her smile grew even warmer. “You’re right, Your Highness. Miss Song is welcome to visit our family anytime—no need for formalities.”
Feeling a bit flustered under Madam Fu’s enthusiastic gaze, Tangning looked away, nodding awkwardly, but her thoughts drifted to her brother.
If she’d known it would be like this, she wouldn’t have come. Madam Fu’s eagerness was overwhelming; she would have been far more comfortable spending time with her brother instead.
…
"It seems Madam Fu is quite taken with our young lady," said Jingyun from a shaded corridor nearby. "Cheng Wangfei doesn’t seem opposed to the idea either; she may even approve of Fu Langjun as a match."
Standing a distance from the princess consort’s quarters, hidden behind a scenic rock garden, they were out of sight but close enough to glimpse the gathering inside. Although they couldn’t hear the conversation, they could see the warm, harmonious atmosphere. Madam Fu’s satisfaction was evident, nearly overflowing.
Inside, Tangning, with her neatly styled hair and bright eyes, looked endearingly shy, her cheeks flushed and her eyelashes fluttering bashfully. She radiated a coy charm that weighed heavily on Xiao Yan’s already unsettled heart.
He tightened his fingers and turned with a frown. “Since when did you become so talkative?”
Jingyun continued in a low voice, “I just think Canglang had a point earlier. Fu Langjun is a respectable young man in court, without any attachments or entanglements, and the Fu family’s values are sound. If the young lady were to take a liking to him, he’d make an excellent match.”
Xiao Yan’s expression grew darker and colder, though Jingyun, seemingly oblivious to the danger, continued to prod.
“Young men and women are the quickest to fall in love. The young lady was hurt by Lu Zhiyuan; now is the perfect time to take advantage of her vulnerable heart. This kind of youthful affection is often the most intense—like green plums simmering in wine, sour yet subtly fragrant and intoxicating. Before long, Lord Governor, you may find yourself reluctantly preparing to send her off in marriage…”
“Fu Laiqing? A perfect match?” Xiao Yan's gaze turned icy. “The Fu family may look respectable on the outside, but it’s chaotic inside. Aside from the old master enshrined in the imperial temple, there’s no one worth admiring among them.”
He scowled, irritation clear in his expression as he nitpicked the Fu family’s flaws, displeased with Jingyun’s words.
“Fu Laiqing may have started his career early, but even Song Jinxi outshone him, keeping him overshadowed and inferior. What makes him ‘promising’?” Xiao Yan’s voice grew colder. “And tailing Tangning in secret—hardly the conduct of a gentleman. If he hadn’t happened to help her today, I’d have broken his legs myself. And don’t get me started on his parents—they’re just using their son to secure a powerful alliance. Fu Laiqing has no mistresses not because he’s principled, but because his parents have high ambitions.”
The more Xiao Yan spoke, the more convinced he became that Fu Laiqing was unworthy of his Little Haitang. His voice took on a frosty tone. “Tangning barely escaped the Lu family’s misery. Why should she enter a household so chaotic?”
“Then, Lord Governor,” Jingyun dared to ask, “who do you think is worthy of the young lady?”
Xiao Yan frowned deeply.
Jingyun, undeterred, continued, “The young lady is of age. Sooner or later, she’ll marry. She can’t stay in Jiyun Lane forever, here with you…”
“Why not?”
The words escaped Xiao Yan before he could think, and he saw the knowing look in Jingyun’s eyes, full of understanding.
After speaking, Xiao Yan fell silent, feeling as if something veiled in mist had just come into sharp focus. He couldn’t help but look back toward the window where Tangning sat, cheeks flushed as she spoke softly. His gaze lingered on her lips, delicate like rose petals, parting with each word she spoke. That faint, dull ache in his heart now had a reason.
Jingyun quietly retreated, saying nothing more.
But Xiao Yan kept his eyes on Tangning, his gaze as solid as mountain rock. To keep her here…?
His heart felt a prickling mixture of sourness and longing.
You can read ahead to chapterr 300 (100+ extra chapters) here
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