Tang Ning.
Xiao Yan's lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but just as the words were on the tip of his tongue, he caught a glimpse of Gu Helian in the carriage. He immediately closed his mouth. He remained stiffly seated, allowing Tang Ning to lean on his shoulder, burying her head against him.
The faint breath against his neck stirred a chaotic, confused feeling in his heart.
The carriage traveled through the city in silence. After entering, the Song family hurried to the western part of the city, while Xiao Yan and the others headed straight for the southern academy with the coffin. When they reached the secluded "back mountain" of the academy, the carriage finally stopped.
"Tang..." Gu Helian was about to speak, but Tang Ning opened her eyes first. Gu Helian quickly lowered his voice: "You're awake, just in time. We've arrived at the academy."
Tang Ning sat up and softly responded with a "hmm": "Uncle, I'm a bit disheveled. I want to tidy myself up."
Seeing her tired appearance, Gu Helian didn't think much of it and gently said, "Then let them move the coffin over first. Take your time, there's no rush."
Noticing her pale complexion, Gu Helian expressed concern and said to Xiao Yan: "I'll go ahead, you stay with Xiao Haitang."
Xiao Yan lowered his gaze: "Alright."
After Gu Helian exited the carriage, he motioned for Mu Feng and the Black Armored Guards to carry the coffin forward, while Cang Lang, seeing the quiet carriage, discreetly stepped back.
When everything around was completely quiet, and only the two of them remained in the carriage, Xiao Yan finally pulled his arm free from Tang Ning's tight hold.
His voice, deeper than usual, was laced with an unusual intensity: "I will get to the bottom of what happened to Lady Rong and the others. No matter who tampered with their coffins, I will seek justice for them. You..." Xiao Yan paused, his gaze fixed on the girl in front of him, his voice hoarse. "You don't need to act like this."
Tang Ning stared at him, confused: "Brother..."
"I know you only see me as an older brother. It was my own feelings that went astray." For the first time, Xiao Yan looked away when speaking to her: "You don’t need to fear that I’ll change my attitude just because you rejected me. Even if you don't feel the same, I will continue to protect you."
"The bond between us isn't just about romantic love, so you don't need to force yourself..."
His words suddenly stopped, and Xiao Yan was taken aback when the girl suddenly leaned forward, her soft hands wrapping around his waist and pulling him closer.
"It's not because of my parents." She whispered softly as she leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Tang Ning..."
"It’s because of you, elder brother."
"Do you even know what you're saying?"
Xiao Yan's throat tightened, his heart a wild beast breaking free, struggling to maintain control. His arm hung in mid-air, clenched into a fist.
But in the next moment, all his reason shattered under her words.
"I know," Tang Ning said softly, "Elder brother, I know you like me."
Her jaw rested against his neck as she spoke in a low voice: "That night in the prison, I heard your words. I thought I would be scared and considered distancing myself from you, but I realized I didn't want that. I was afraid that if I distanced myself, you'd be sad, and I’d never find someone like you again."
She carefully avoided his injured side, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in his neck, murmuring.
"No one has ever been this good to me, and no one remembers me like you do. I want you to treat me well, and only me. I don't know how much I like you, but if it’s you, older brother, I’m not afraid."
When Lu Zhi Nian approached that day, she only felt disgusted and panicked. When Old Madam Fu proposed a marriage, she thought only of rejecting it immediately.
But if it’s you, older brother...
"With you, it's alright."
Xiao Yan's heart thudded violently. Every word she said felt like honey melting in his veins, igniting the beast within him to break free of his rationality. His hand, still hovering in the air, showed the bulging veins from the force of his grip.
His expression darkened, as though he was trying to suppress something. His voice, husky and deep, was barely audible: "Little Haitang, do you know what your words mean?"
Tang Ning responded softly, "I know."
Xiao Yan's eyes darkened even further: "I'm not a good person. Even if I’m only using you, think it through. Even if you don't say these things, I will protect you. But if you agree to me today, no matter what else you may think, I will never give you a chance to regret it..."
Tang Ning recognized the harshness in his tone, yet she was unafraid. She nudged him lightly, her face pressing against his: "I want to stay with you, Elder brother."
Xiao Yan's expression grew darker. His arm, previously suspended, suddenly tightened, lifting the girl in front of him. The sudden sensation of weightlessness made Tang Ning gasp, and in the next moment, Xiao Yan's tall figure leaned over her. His sharp, chiseled face was almost in front of hers.
Tang Ning, frightened, instinctively pushed against his chest.
"Are you regretting it?" Xiao Yan's voice was hoarse.
Tang Ning's face tensed, her long lashes trembling: "It’s... too fast..."
Feeling his hands around her waist, pulling her against him, the dark, intense gaze in his eyes overwhelmed her. Tang Ning stammered, "But... but eunuchs can’t... can’t... Uncle, Uncle Gu and the others are still outside."
Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned, then looked at her flushed face. Her hands were clutching his clothes tightly, and her eyes were anxiously looking at him. Suddenly, he couldn’t help but laugh, his body shaking with the sound of cold, clear laughter.
"What are you thinking?" He kissed her burning cheek lightly. "So, Little Haitang has been thinking about all this..."
Tang Ning’s eyes widened, her ears turning crimson. The deep blush spread down her neck, making her look like she might sink into the earth from the shame.
Xiao Yan laughed even louder.
"Don’t laugh!"
Tang Ning kicked him lightly on the shin, embarrassed and angry.
...
When Gu Helian saw Xiao Yan and Tang Ning approaching, he noticed that they seemed to be arguing. Tang Ning was walking ahead with her head lowered, while Xiao Yan leisurely followed, with a casual look in his eyes.
"Did they have a fight?" Gu Helian asked Cang Lang.
Cang Lang hesitated.
How could he explain to the wealthy Gu family’s patriarch that after their leader, the "eunuch," had involved their daughter, he wasn’t going to beat them up?
When Tang Ning neared the coffin, the warmth from earlier faded, and she grew cold at the thought of what had happened to her parents after their deaths. Her gaze grew colder as she looked at the prepared grave site. She gently touched the coffin for a moment before speaking.
"Let’s bury them."
Mu Feng and the others moved the coffin into the deep pit. Tang Ning watched as the earth was piled layer by layer over the coffin, her emotions stirred.
Xiao Yan stood beside her and softly said, "May uncle and aunt rest in peace. Tang Ning and I will find out who harmed you."
Gu Helian also spoke: "Sister, don’t worry. We’ll make sure those scoundrels join you soon."
As the earth covered the coffin completely, and the burial was finished, Tang Ning knelt before the grave and bowed three times. Gu Helian was about to speak when he saw Xiao Yan also kneel, bowing three times with Tang Ning. He was momentarily stunned: "Why are you bowing?"
Xiao Yan stood up with a calm expression: "I am a younger generation."
Gu Helian rolled his eyes. According to Rong Yue’s generation, Xiao Yan was actually an elder, but he never saw this "eunuch" show any respect for him.
Xiao Yan looked at the sky: "Let’s go."
Gu Helian frowned: "What about the things the two people said earlier? Should we bring the Song family back and interrogate them to find out who in the palace was involved in disturbing Rong family's grave?"
"No need. I have a good idea of who it is."
"Who?"
"Empress Lu."
Gu Helian's face showed shock: "How could it be her? Why would she disturb Rong family's grave?" He was full of questions, but when he turned to look at Tang Ning, he saw no surprise on her face. He quickly calmed down: "You know?"
Tang Ning nodded softly: "It’s related to her and King Cheng, as well as my aunt."
Xiao Yan said: "Although I don’t have proof yet, I’ll have it soon. Someone from the Song family will act, and as for the palace, I’ll visit Fengxi Palace tomorrow."
It’s time to deal with that person.
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T/N: Tangning is in for a surprise when they finally get married
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You can read ahead to chapterr 234 (100+ extra chapters) here
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