Hearing Xiao Yan’s words, Song Tangning’s brows furrowed even tighter.
If it wasn’t an enemy, yet someone repeatedly sabotaged Prince Cheng’s marriages with increasingly ruthless methods toward the women involved…
That kind of approach…
A thought flashed through her mind, and she suddenly looked up. “Could it be someone who loves Prince Cheng?”
Xiao Yan chuckled softly, leaning lazily against the couch, his tone dismissive. “Whether it’s love or not, I don’t know. But it’s certainly someone connected to Prince Cheng. And, without a doubt, Prince Cheng is aware of what that person has done. Otherwise, considering how much he valued the engagement with the Huo family, it wouldn’t have been so easy for the culprit to evade investigation.”
“My investigation into Prince Cheng’s past revealed that after his third failed engagement, he didn’t discuss marriage for a long time. The Cheng Manor remained quiet until half a year later, when he met the Princess Consort of Cheng and became utterly infatuated with her. His relentless pursuit reignited interest in his marital affairs throughout the capital.”
Back then, the Rong family was highly prominent. Grand Tutor Rong had been the crown prince’s mentor, and Xiao Yan himself, though still young, had received guidance from the tutor. Even Aunt Xue and the others had often mentioned the rumors surrounding Prince Cheng and the second daughter of the Rong family. Xiao Yan vividly remembered how both his father and the late emperor had teased Prince Cheng, calling him a “blooming iron tree” for finally falling in love.
Their engagement stirred up the capital for quite some time. Initially, Grand Tutor Rong opposed the marriage, but eventually, the Princess Consort of Cheng softened and agreed to the proposal, marrying into the Cheng Manor.
Song Tangning’s face turned pale as she listened to Xiao Yan.
“Before Aunt and Prince Cheng got together, she also encountered an ‘accident’…”
She had grown up hearing countless stories about the love between Prince Cheng and his consort. The Princess Consort never hesitated to share tales of their romance. Even the maids often recounted how Prince Cheng won her heart with his “heroic rescue.”
In that incident, her aunt was nearly killed. Prince Cheng saved her, suffering severe injuries and being bedridden for half a month. Touched by his devotion, her aunt fell in love.
But what if the accident wasn’t an accident?
What if the hero wasn’t a hero?
What if that so-called perilous encounter had been orchestrated, and the one who nearly caused her aunt’s demise was the same person who sabotaged Prince Cheng’s prior engagements?
And what if Prince Cheng had known all along but used the incident to win her aunt’s heart, leveraging the “debt of saving her life” to secure her affections? Once the matter was set in stone, the schemer had no choice but to back down.
No…
No, that wasn’t right!!
Song Tangning’s fists clenched tightly. Perhaps that person never truly stopped.
She abruptly stood up. “Aunt mustn’t go back!”
Just as she was about to rush out, Xiao Yan reached out and grabbed her wrist.
“Big Brother, Aunt can’t return to the Cheng Manor…” she said anxiously.
“Can you stop her?”
Xiao Yan’s single question froze Song Tangning in place.
He gently pulled her back and said, “Everything we’ve discussed is merely conjecture. Without evidence, there’s no way to prove Prince Cheng knew about these events. The Princess Consort’s quarrel with him in the past was mostly about his deceit, but if she truly had no feelings for him, she wouldn’t hesitate so much about returning.”
“She cares not only for Xie Yin but also for Prince Cheng. Ten years of marriage isn’t something one can easily cast aside. Your aunt is smart—if you try to stop her, you’ll need a solid reason. And if you tell her all this, whether or not she believes you, her nature would drive her to confront Prince Cheng directly. Do you know how Prince Cheng would react?”
Prince Cheng would deny everything. Worse, he might accuse them of trying to sow discord between him and his wife.
Song Tangning’s face turned pale. “But Aunt…”
“Don’t panic.” Xiao Yan guided her to sit beside him, speaking in a calm tone. “Your aunt will inevitably return to the Cheng Manor. If we want to expose Prince Cheng and the person hiding in the shadows, we’ll need her to act as the key.”
“If you’re worried about her safety, have Lingyin take two shadow guards to protect her. They’ll ensure she stays unharmed. And we must inform Gu Helian.”
“Uncle Gu?” Song Tangning asked, bewildered.
Xiao Yan’s voice deepened. “Gu Helian has known Prince Cheng for years. He likely knows something about the events of that time. There’s also something strange about his falling out with the Rong family.”
Everyone knew Gu Helian had feelings for Rong Yue. He had stayed at the Rong estate for years and was clearly fond of Rong Yue. Prince Cheng’s sudden pursuit of her might not have escaped his notice. When Rong Yue married into the Cheng Manor, Gu Helian returned to the capital and had a fierce altercation with Prince Cheng, leading to a public reprimand from Rong Yue. Afterward, he left the capital and didn’t return for years.
Yet now, a single letter from Rong Yue had brought him rushing back, cursing and complaining as he went. But such unwavering loyalty couldn’t simply stem from an old favor owed to the Rong family.
“Don’t underestimate Gu Helian. Your uncle is someone who would risk his life for your aunt.”
Recalling Gu Helian’s actions over the past few days, Song Tangning hesitated but acknowledged the truth in Xiao Yan’s words. However, she wavered. “And Aunt? Should we really not tell her anything?”
“She needs to know.”
If the Princess Consort of Cheng returned completely unaware, there was no telling what might happen. Pregnant and vulnerable, she couldn’t afford any mishaps. If something did happen, his Little Tangning would cry herself into a wreck. But these truths weren’t for Song Tangning to deliver.
In the past, Xiao Yan might have stepped in himself, but now he had no desire to be the one to offend the Princess Consort.
“Let Gu Helian talk to her.”
Let the troublesome job fall to someone else.
Song Tangning opened her mouth. “Is that really okay?”
Her uncle and aunt’s relationship was already strained. Whenever they met, they argued. Gu Helian had even moved out to avoid constant bickering. If he confronted her again, wouldn’t her aunt think he was deliberately stirring up trouble with ulterior motives, only worsening their relationship?
Xiao Yan raised a brow and snorted. “What’s wrong with that?”
Better him than me, he thought smugly.
Seeing Song Tangning’s hesitation, he added, “Only someone like Gu Helian can handle this situation and stop her from questioning Prince Cheng recklessly. You and I are mere juniors; we can’t control her. Gu Helian is the right person. If you don’t believe me, I’ll summon him later, and you can ask if he’s willing to do it.”
If Gu Helian, knowing there’s a chance to reclaim his old love, refuses to act, then he’s not the man I thought he was.
Song Tangning furrowed her brows but reluctantly trusted Xiao Yan’s reasoning. However, she suddenly looked up. “Juniors?”
Xiao Yan paused briefly, then released her wrist, his expression unchanged. “She’s your aunt, and I’m your elder brother. Naturally, we’re her juniors.”
Song Tangning tilted her head, her almond-shaped eyes full of puzzlement. Is that so?
But didn’t Big Brother usually treat Aunt with indifference? Why was he acting so strange today?
Xiao Yan tensed under her gaze. His jaw tightened, and his sword-like eyes instinctively locked onto her, heat faintly rising within him. Just as he braced himself for her to question further, she suddenly leaned in close, her soft hands reaching toward him.
Could it be…
His heart raced wildly, and he stiffened as she approached. But instead of what he expected, Song Tangning’s fingers tugged at the edges of his disheveled robe and neatly pulled it closed.
“Big Brother, your wound isn’t healed yet. Be careful not to catch a cold.”
Xiao Yan: “…”
His heart stilled.
His vision darkened.
With a flick of his sleeve, he pushed her hand away, his voice tinged with rare frustration. “I know!”
============
You can read ahead to chapterr 300 (100+ extra chapters) here
Ooft, poor Xiao Yan
ReplyDeleteAlso, yay for good planing!
“If you’re worried about her safety, have Lingyin take two shadow guards to protect her. They’ll ensure she stays unharmed. And we must inform Gu Helian.”