He spoke as if recounting someone else’s story, but the meaning beneath his words sent a chill through the air.
“My father thought there were too many parasites within the clan. To make the family stronger, he believed it necessary to purge them first. He assumed my grandfather supported him, but he forgot—parasites don’t survive without sustenance. When his plan failed, my grandfather sacrificed him to appease the uncles and elders of the family.”
That one sacrifice cost him his life.
Tangning was deeply shaken, anger flashing in her voice. “How could he do that?”
Xiao Yan lowered his gaze, his tone chillingly indifferent. “Why not? When driven by self-interest, everyone is nothing more than an ant. My grandfather, having sat atop his pedestal for so long, would never tolerate anyone challenging his authority.”
“He wasn’t particularly capable, barely able to keep the disloyal members of the family in check. His intention was to let my father clash with them until both sides were exhausted. But when it nearly jeopardized his own position, he had no choice but to sacrifice a son he never really cared for.”
Tangning felt her bones grow cold—not just from the apathy of Xiao Yan’s grandfather, but from the bleakness in his words: everyone is an ant.
She opened her mouth, wanting to ask why, if his father was not the cruel man the rumors claimed, Xiao Yan had ended up on this path. He clearly had other choices, better ones, and was no less talented than anyone else in the court. Why had he chosen to enter the palace as a eunuch, becoming a man despised as a treacherous villain?
And what about the allegations of him killing his father and brother?
But when she saw the aloof expression on his face, her courage faltered.
She was afraid of touching a raw wound. Afraid that the truth might be even uglier than she imagined.
Tangning quickly changed the subject, her voice softening. “I don’t think you’re right, Brother. While self-interest is important, there are still things in this world that matter more.”
“Oh?” he asked with a hint of mockery. “Like what?”
“Of course!” Tangning declared firmly. “No matter what happens, I would never sacrifice the people I care about.”
Xiao Yan tilted his head slightly, his sharp eyes narrowing. “The people you care about?”
Tangning nodded emphatically. “I care about you, about Aunt, about Ah Ru, Hua Wu, Sister Ayue, Sister Qin...”
At first, his eyes softened, and the words I care about you melted something in him. But as the list of names grew longer, the warmth in his chest was smothered by a rising tide of irritation.
That warmth turned to sludge, heavy and suffocating. His face darkened as he glanced at her, his sharp phoenix eyes narrowing. Without a word, he reached out and snatched the cup from her hand.
“So many people to care about. Your heart must be vast.”
Tangning blinked, startled. “Brother?”
What was he talking about?
Xiao Yan saw the confusion in her eyes, and the frustration in his chest churned even more violently. He slammed the cup onto the table with a loud clang. “It’s late. You should go home.”
Tangning: “???”
Xiao Yan called out, “Someone, escort the young lady home.”
Tangning: “...”
When Jin Yun entered with an umbrella, she was still dazed.
Weren’t they having a heartfelt conversation?
Why was her brother suddenly angry and chasing her away?
=====================
Leaving He Li Hall, Tangning was accompanied by Jin Yun under an umbrella. By the time they reached the gates of the Tang estate, Hua Wu was already waiting for her, having received word of her return.
After ensuring Tangning was safely handed over to Hua Wu, Jin Yun delivered a message from Xiao Yan:
“The Duke asked me to inform you that the Song family case will be concluded in the next two days. Song Hong, the old madam, and the third branch of the family, including Song Qin, will be exiled to the frontier. Song Shulan and the siblings from the third branch will be spared thanks to Song Jinxi’s contributions in exposing the Lu family’s corruption.”
“The Song family’s property will be confiscated, except for the second branch’s holdings. The clan elders paid a hefty sum to cover damages and formally expelled Song Hong’s lineage from the Song family.”
“The Duke also advised that if you no longer wish to have ties with the Song family, this would be a good time to have your parents’ remains moved from the family grave. You may decide whether to inter them elsewhere or return them to the Rong family plot.”
After a pause, he added, “And about your surname—whether to take the Rong name or another.”
Tangning, who had been preoccupied with Xiao Yan’s sudden anger, finally returned to the present as she processed Jin Yun’s words. “Brother asked you to take care of this?”
Jin Yun nodded. “Naturally.”
Tangning exhaled in relief. She had worried she might have done something to upset her brother. Now reassured, she thought for a moment and said, “The Rong family only has my maternal grandfather’s line left. When he passed, he chose a quiet spot outside the city for his burial to avoid troubling others. There’s no need to move Mother and Father there.”
“I want a secluded spot in the hills behind the academy to create a private burial ground, separate from the main grounds. We can place my parents there, and later, my grandfather’s remains can be moved as well.”
The Rong family might be in decline, but the academy was flourishing. So long as the academy stood, there would always be people to honor their memory, something that would bring her grandfather peace.
“As for my surname... I’ll discard the Song name.”
She would simply be Tangning.
Jin Yun nodded. “Very well. Once you’ve chosen a location, let Han Li inform me, and I’ll arrange for the relocation.”
Seeing him about to leave, Tangning called out, “Jin Commander.”
“Is there anything else, my lady?”
“Brother’s injury hasn’t fully healed, and he’s been exerting himself today. When you return, make sure to check his wound and reapply the medicine if it’s reopened. I also noticed he might have been caught in the rain earlier—tell the kitchen to prepare ginger tea to ward off the cold.”
Her brows knitted slightly as she recalled the sight of Xiao Yan’s bloodied waist. She couldn’t help but add, “Brother is stubborn and hates showing weakness. You must keep an eye on him. If his condition worsens, make sure to find Sister Qin. And remind him to rest early tonight; no matter how much work he has, it can wait.”
Jin Yun listened to her gentle nagging, her concern evident in her every word. Her almond-shaped eyes shone with worry when she spoke of Xiao Yan’s injury. Feigning a sigh, Jin Yun teased, “The Duke has a cold temperament. I doubt he’ll let me meddle. If I say too much, I might even get punished.”
Seeing Tangning frown, he added, “But he listens to you. He treats you differently.”
Tangning thought of her brother’s indulgence toward her and pursed her lips. “Then if anything happens, tell me.”
Jin Yun bowed. “Understood.”
As Hua Wu helped Tangning into the estate, Jin Yun lingered, a faint smile playing on his lips. He had thought the Duke’s feelings were one-sided, but the young lady’s care and concern betrayed her true emotions, perhaps even unknown to herself.
For a mere sibling, knowing the exact status of an injury or fussing over minor ailments seemed... excessive.
Returning to the Duke’s residence, Jin Yun made his way to He Li Hall. Xiao Yan sat at his desk, flipping through documents with a frosty expression, an air of discontent surrounding him.
“Is she home?” Xiao Yan asked without looking up.
“Yes, safely delivered,” Jin Yun replied.
Xiao Yan’s fingers tightened around the document. “Did she say anything?”
“All the matters you instructed have been conveyed,” Jin Yun replied with deliberate vagueness.
Xiao Yan’s mood worsened. That heartless girl hadn’t even thanked him, let alone shown any concern for his earlier mood.
The document in his hand crumpled slightly under his grip, his simmering frustration threatening to boil over.
Jin Yun noticed and, after a pause, coughed lightly. “Oh, and the young lady did have a few instructions. She said your injury hasn’t healed and reminded me to ensure you apply medicine. She also asked me to have ginger tea prepared since you were caught in the rain. She worried you’d ignore the pain or worsen the wound and specifically told me to report any issues to her.”
Xiao Yan froze mid-motion, the dark haze of irritation lifting instantly. “She said that?”
Jin Yun nodded, barely suppressing a grin. The Duke’s sudden delight was almost comical.
Caught between embarrassment and joy, Xiao Yan’s ears flushed crimson. “You’re tired of living, aren’t you?” he growled, though his tone lacked any real menace.
Feigning seriousness, Jin Yun replied, “Your Grace, I wouldn’t dare. Do you feel unwell anywhere?”
Without a word, Xiao Yan flung the crumpled document at him.
Dodging swiftly, Jin Yun retreated to the doorway with a laugh. “Rest early, Your Grace. If you feel unwell in the night, don’t hold it in—lest the young lady worry...”
Clang!
A heavy inkstone flew through the door, shattering outside.
Jin Yun narrowly dodged it and wisely chose not to provoke further, quickly making his escape.
Inside, Xiao Yan sat rigid, his jade-like complexion tinged red. His sharp eyes burned with a mixture of exasperation and helpless amusement. The flickering candlelight revealed a faint blush spreading from his ears to his neck.
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T/N: Adorable
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You can read ahead to chapterr 234 (100+ extra chapters) here
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