After Tangning returned home, she made a brief visit to the Cheng Princess Consort's quarters, only to find that Gu Helian was no longer there.
She had wanted to check on her aunt, fearing that Gu's sharp tongue might have led to an argument that could hurt her aunt emotionally or otherwise. But to her surprise, Momo Jiang informed her that the princess consort had already retired for the night.
Tangning asked softly, “Aunt has gone to bed this early?”
Momo Jiang glanced back at the darkened room and replied, “The princess consort was fatigued and decided to rest early.”
Tangning knew this wasn’t the whole truth. After a moment’s hesitation, she asked directly, “Did Uncle Gu tell Aunt about the Cheng Manor’s situation?”
“You know about it too?”
Tangning nodded.
Seeing that Tangning was also aware of the Cheng Manor's troubles, Momo Jiang’s forced smile faltered, her eyes reddening as she lowered her voice.
“Master Gu came to see the princess consort after nightfall and told her everything about the prince’s affairs. At first, the princess consort refused to believe him, and they ended up arguing. Master Gu and the princess consort have a history of grievances, so their argument became quite heated. Eventually, Master Gu stormed out, slamming the door behind him.”
“And Aunt?”
“The princess consort was so distressed that it affected her pregnancy. Fortunately, Miss Qin left some medicine for calming the fetus, which she took to recover. But after Master Gu left, the princess consort cried non-stop. She wouldn’t let me in and forbade me from fetching you.”
The Cheng Princess Consort had locked herself in her room, refusing to see anyone.
Tangning’s worry deepened. She knew her aunt to be a proud and fiery woman, someone who had devoted herself wholeheartedly to what she believed was a loving husband. Yet that husband had deceived her from the very beginning—wooing her, bringing her into his manor, and earning her trust, all for a carefully crafted lie spanning nearly two decades.
How could her aunt endure such a betrayal?
But the princess consort’s pregnancy had already been fraught with complications, and her body was frail. Tangning wondered if she could survive the turmoil.
Tangning asked softly, “Will Aunt return to the Cheng Manor tomorrow?”
“She will,” Momo Jiang replied with downturned lips. “The princess consort said that whether Master Gu’s words are true or not, she has to go back to find out for herself.”
If the accusations were false, she would not allow Gu Helian to slander the prince. But if they were true, she would not forgive the prince.
Tangning had already expected this outcome. Her aunt was too stubborn to be dissuaded, just as her brother had predicted.
Taking Momo Jiang’s hand, Tangning said in a low voice, “Aunt is headstrong. If she returns to the Cheng Manor, she might not hold back for long. She won’t let me accompany her, but if the prince truly betrayed her, her visit could be dangerous.”
“I’ve borrowed Lingyin from my brother. She’ll accompany you tomorrow, along with two covert guards disguised as maids. Make sure they stay by Aunt’s side at all times. Watch over her meals, her lodgings, and any meetings. Be vigilant about everything.”
After a pause, she added, “Most things can be avoided with caution, but when it comes to Uncle Gu, you must be especially careful.”
Momo Jiang’s eyes widened in alarm. “You mean to say…”
Tangning’s expression darkened. “I’ve heard about the past between Uncle Gu and Aunt. While I can’t confirm whether the prince intentionally approached Aunt with ulterior motives, I’m certain Uncle Gu wasn’t the type to disgrace her or drug her as claimed.”
“If the prince truly has something to hide, then he likely played a part in framing Uncle Gu back then. I fear they may try the same trick again.”
“How could they? The princess consort is the prince’s wife—”
“If this wife is someone he schemed so hard to obtain, then tarnishing her reputation might be a small price to pay to save the Cheng Manor, force Uncle Gu into submission, or even pressure me and my brother into concessions.”
“They wouldn’t dare!”
Momo Jiang’s face darkened with anger. “The princess consort and Master Gu are innocent. How dare they defile her? If they try, I will defend her with my life!”
Tangning calmed the furious Momo Jiang, repeating her instructions with care. After lingering near the princess consort’s quarters for a while, she finally returned to her own room.
Tangning checked on Song Ru first. Though still unconscious, Song Ru’s complexion had improved, her lips showing a faint rosiness compared to their earlier pallor.
Xichun, the maid caring for Song Ru, reported, “She woke up briefly earlier, calling for her sister. She cried about her stomach hurting, but after I massaged her pressure points as Miss Qin instructed and used a warming pad, she felt better and fell asleep again.”
Tangning took Song Ru’s cold hand, tucking it back under the blanket and carefully adjusting the corners. “This is her first time experiencing her menses. She’s physically weak and has been through a lot. Don’t leave her unattended, and make sure to take shifts watching her at night.”
“Understood, my lady.”
Tangning touched Song Ru’s forehead gently and left once she was satisfied with the arrangements.
Back in her own quarters, after washing up, Tangning sat as Hua Wu undid her hair ornaments.
When her hair fell loose, Hua Wu hesitated and asked, “Has Uncle Gu gone back?”
Tangning shook her head. “No. The Gu family head is staying in the west courtyard tonight.”
Relieved, Tangning murmured, “Though Uncle Gu quarreled with Aunt, he clearly can’t let go of his concern for her. He’ll likely keep an eye on her affairs.”
She then added, “Go to him later and tell him to pay special attention to Momo Jiang after Aunt returns to the Cheng Manor. Whether he assigns someone to watch over her or takes other precautions, it’s crucial.”
Hua Wu’s hands stilled, her eyes wide with shock. “My lady?”
Tangning spoke softly, “I’m not doubting her loyalty. Momo Jiang has served Aunt faithfully for years. But Aunt’s safety must be guaranteed.”
Tangning had learned from her brother that trust should not replace vigilance.
Even the closest of bonds—between father and son, between brothers—could shatter under pressure, leading to betrayal.
“I hope I’m wrong,” Tangning continued. “That’s why I want you to speak to Uncle Gu, and only him. He’ll know how to handle this with discretion.”
Hua Wu nodded, her tone hushed. “I understand. I’ll go quietly and ensure no one else finds out. If Momo Jiang is trustworthy, this will remain between us. If not…”
Tangning smiled at her sharp-witted maid. “You’re clever.”
Hua Wu chuckled softly. “I learned it from you, my lady.”
As Hua Wu finished combing her hair, she noticed a bruise on Tangning’s shoulder and touched it lightly. “My lady, there’s a bruise here. The old madam took most things with her when she left, but the medicine Master Fu gave us is still here. Would you like to use it?”
Tangning declined. “No need. My brother already treated it.”
She glanced at a box on the table, remembering the old madam’s earlier hints, and instructed Hua Wu, “Send two ginseng roots to the old madam tomorrow as thanks for her support and the medicine she sent. Also, make it clear that while I’m grateful, I won’t accept further gifts from the Fu family.”
Hua Wu was surprised. “My lady, do you dislike Master Fu?”
Tangning raised an eyebrow. “Why would I?”
“It’s just... the Fu family seems like a good match.”
Tangning’s voice was firm. “That’s their business, not mine. I won’t string him along if I have no intention of marrying him. The old madam has been kind to me, and I won’t repay her by misleading her or her grandson.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Hua Wu asked, “Does my lady not want to marry at all?”
Tangning shook her head. “No, I have other dreams. I want to build an academy, perhaps even a school for women. I want to read, teach, and surround myself with like-minded people. I want to stay with my brother in Jiyun Alley.”
Her tone softened. “If I marry, my brother will be alone again.”
Her gaze sharpened. “If you ever meet someone you care for, don’t hesitate to tell me. I’ll ensure you have a grand wedding.”
Hua Wu pouted. “I won’t marry. I want to stay with you.”
Tangning laughed. “We’ll see. When you meet a handsome young man, you might cry and beg to leave me behind.”
Hua Wu huffed, her cheeks flushing. “Never!”
But Tangning teased, “What about that Black Armored Guard you were ogling the other day?”
“Lady Tangning!” Hua Wu’s embarrassment was palpable as she fled the room, leaving Tangning chuckling behind her.
Alone, Tangning’s gaze fell on her reflection in the mirror. She touched her cheek, marveling at how little remained of the scars. Yet, her eyes betrayed her changed heart.
Having seen the best of men, she doubted anyone could compare to her brother—his beauty, his intelligence, his strength.
She flushed as her thoughts wandered. “Tangning, stop it! That’s your brother!”
She drank a glass of water, blaming Qiyue for corrupting her thoughts with foolishness.
Far away, Qiyue sneezed violently, spilling crumbs on her mother’s face. “Who’s talking about me?”
Her mother smacked her head. "The devil is talking about you, isn't that dirty?!"
Qian Qiyue felt wronged.
…
Nothing happened that night. The next morning, Ayane brought two unfamiliar young women over.
After Tang Ning sent the person over, he saw Gu Helian also leading someone in Princess Cheng's room. There were dark circles under his eyes, and he looked extremely haggard, but he had not forgotten his dazzling and revealing wealth at all.
Apart from slightly swollen eyes, there was nothing unusual about Princess Chen. She did not reject Tang Ning and Gu Helian, and took all the people they sent with her. Then she took Nanny Jiang and got on the carriage back to Prince Chen's Palace.
"Uncle Gu, you're not going?"
"Why should I go? She's annoying me."
Gu Helian snorted coldly and glanced at Tang Ning: "I heard that you are going to the Song family to move the grave. Let someone tell me when the time comes, and I will go with you."
Tang Ning nodded: "Thank you, uncle."
Gu Helian nodded: "Okay, you go back, I'm leaving."
The Gu family's carriage was parked outside. After Gu Helian got on the carriage with a cold face, Mu Feng drove towards where they were staying in the capital. But after they got out of Jiyun Lane, Gu Helian lifted the curtain.
"Follow Rong Yue."
Mu Feng was stunned for a moment: "Master, I'm afraid the Prince Cheng's Mansion doesn't welcome us..."
It’s not that we are not welcome, but we are afraid that we will be beaten if we go there.
Gu Helian said expressionlessly, "Nonsense, I'm not going to the Prince Cheng's Palace. I'm going to find a house nearby that can see the palace. I'll move all the people I brought into the capital there."
Mu Feng said: "But I'm afraid there isn't such a large vacant house nearby..."
"You won't buy one if you don't have one? If there's no vacant house, you can pay someone to move it. If a thousand taels are not enough, you can buy ten thousand taels. If ten thousand taels are not enough, you can buy one hundred thousand. Isn't the Gu family's treasury enough for you to buy a house?"
Mu Feng: “…”
Gu Helian said in a deep voice: "Call everyone over here, bring your weapons with you. If that bastard Xie Tianyu dares to do anything, use your weapons to deal with him."
Get Rong Yue back again!
Mu Feng looked at Gu Helian, who was full of banditry, in silence for a moment, wondering whether he should ask Zuo Zhou for more people. He was afraid that the head of the family would go crazy and cause a big trouble.
Then I'll kidnap the princess and run away...
Will he be hunted down?
====================
You can read ahead to chapterr 234 (100+ extra chapters) here
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