Tang Ning thought for a moment and then asked, "Brother means to use the First Madam of the Lu family to make Lu Zhao speak?"
She paused and soon realized this plan could work. Lu Chongyuan had always prioritized family interests, and if he could abandon Lu Zhi-nian and his eldest son, Lu Zhao, who he had been cultivating for years, he could probably also abandon a daughter-in-law who was not from the Lu family's direct line.
If Lu Chongyuan could deal with others in the Lu family, he might not hesitate, but with the First Madam of the Lu family, even if he was angry at the Empress’s actions and decided to break ties with her, he wouldn’t completely destroy their relationship. He wouldn't expose the affair between the Empress and King Cheng, nor drag the Empress and her son down with the Lu family.
In the end, the only one who would suffer would be the First Madam.
Xiao Yan looked at Tang Ning, who had figured out the key point, and then fell silent. "Do you think I'm heartless?"
"No," Tang Ning shook her head. "If one day the Lu family gets out of trouble and decides to deal with you, they won't care about who is innocent."
In the past, she might have felt some reluctance, but now that she understood Xiao Yan's situation, she knew that the struggle with the aristocratic families was a matter of life and death. There was no room for retreat; a misstep could lead to disaster. She no longer naively thought anyone in the Lu family was innocent.
She hadn’t blamed the First Madam for Lu Zhi-nian’s matter, even though she had once remained indifferent to the Lu family’s actions. Likewise, she wouldn’t blame Xiao Yan for being ruthless just because of one outsider.
Because she knew, once Xiao Yan was in trouble, the Lu family wouldn’t spare her, her aunt, or anyone in the Governor’s Mansion or the Tang family.
Even if some people were innocent, the Lu family would still eliminate all threats, leaving no survivors.
"What Brother does is for self-preservation. In the struggle with the aristocratic families, mercy cannot be shown."
Xiao Yan looked at the determined young girl, and a softness stirred in his heart.
Cang Lang and Jin Yun exchanged a glance, both relieved. They liked the future mistress and were pleased with the changes she brought to their master, making him more human. However, they also didn’t want her to be overly soft and kind, too upright to understand the need for flexibility. That could one day harm their master.
Xiao Yan turned to Cang Lang. "Make arrangements. Once Empress Lu sends the clues, go to the Lu family and take them."
Cang Lang nodded. "Yes."
"You may go now." Xiao Yan said calmly.
To his surprise, Jin Yun spoke up, "Master, there's one more thing."
Xiao Yan glanced at the young girl sitting beside him. Her delicate hands rested on her lap, her fair face seemingly lost in thought. He was still thinking about how to coax her into staying a little longer, remembering the "embrace" at the academy earlier. He replied casually, "What is it?"
"It's about Song Jin-xiu."
Tang Ning looked up in surprise, and Xiao Yan, rarely distracted, paid attention.
Jin Yun continued, "This afternoon, Song Jin-xiu took Song Shu-lan to Tongyue Lake in the western suburbs. He returned alone to the city afterward."
Tang Ning gasped, "He left Song Shu-lan at Tongyue Lake? What for?"
Jin Yun hesitated and glanced at Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan frowned. "What are you looking at me for?"
Jin Yun cleared his throat. "Today, Lord Luo Yunping, the Seventh Lord of the Yongshun Duke's Mansion, invited several other influential families from the capital to go boating on Tongyue Lake to admire the lotus flowers. Lord Luo had met Song Shu-lan a few times before and had even saved her life. It seems he has a high opinion of her..."
Tang Ning’s eyes widened in realization, her expression turning shocked.
Jin Yun carefully continued, "Song Shu-lan dressed in a distressed, delicate manner, attracting pity. She then pretended to be despondent, drinking wine on the boat, and eventually 'accidentally' fell into the water. Just so happened, Lord Luo was nearby and saved her."
"It’s said that they were both soaked. Song Shu-lan's gauzy clothes were lost in the lake, and she was carried into Lord Luo's boat. They stayed there until dark and didn’t come out."
Tang Ning was stunned, "Song Jin-xiu just left?"
Jin Yun nodded. "He returned to the capital alone. Later, Song Jin-xiu was found by Song Wen-li from the Song family. Although Song family had removed Song Hong's name from their registry, they kept Song Jin-xiu’s, likely because they thought he still had a future. However, this time, not only was he removed from their family registry, but he was also severely beaten."
Tang Ning was in disbelief. "That’s Song Jin-xiu! He kept saying he cherished Song Shu-lan, that he would do anything for her. In the last life, he gave everything to Song Shu-lan. In this life, he ruined his family for her. And now, he sent her to another man’s bed?"
What a noble gentleman, what a prince on the jade pedestal!
Thinking about the things Song Jin-xiu had said to her and A’ru, Tang Ning's face darkened, and she said coldly, "How could he not get beaten to death?"
Jin Yun paused. "He nearly did."
"Ah?" Tang Ning looked up.
Jin Yun continued, "The Song family took back everything they had given him, even stripping him of his clothes. After they left, Song Jin-xiu had the worst luck—he was suddenly kicked out of a house he had rented. His carriage broke down, and when he finally found a place to stay, he ran into some thugs who tried to make trouble. He got hit on the head with a club and passed out on the spot."
"With all that blood, he’s lucky not to be dead."
Tang Ning sneered. "Well, it seems heaven was watching."
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow. Whether heaven was watching, he didn’t know, but with such bad luck, it seemed like someone was acting on behalf of heaven.
He wasn’t interested in Song Jin-xiu’s affairs. Since the Lu family’s matter didn’t require him, and the Song family had already arranged for their "fake death," Song Jin-xiu was no longer useful. He had more important things to focus on with his little lady and couldn’t waste time on someone who was no longer relevant.
Xiao Yan said, "Alright, we know about this. If Song Jin-xiu dies, we’ll deal with it then. As for Song Shu-lan, have someone keep an eye on the Yongshun Duke's Mansion and see what she plans to do."
"Yes."
"Go ahead."
Cang Lang and Jin Yun finally left.
Tang Ning, kneeling at the table, couldn’t help but say, "Song Jin-xiu has no shame at all. No matter what, Song Shu-lan is his sister. He was willing to do anything for her, treating her like a treasure. Now, he’s sending her off to do such things?"
She was filled with disbelief and contempt, muttering on and on.
"Lord Luo is from the Yongshun Duke's Mansion. Song Shu-lan so directly submits to him—doesn’t Song Jin-xiu know what that means?"
"Marrying someone as a wife or becoming a concubine—she can’t even be a concubine now. She’s lost her purity, and in public, she’s seducing Lord Luo. If he has a conscience, he might keep her as a mistress, but if he’s ruthless, he’ll just use her and throw her away. Is Song Jin-xiu out of his mind?"
As Tang Ning spoke, she suddenly felt a warmth in her hand.
Xiao Yan took her hand, his voice thick with something almost seductive. "What are we, hmm?"
Tang Ning froze, her face reddening under his gaze. She quickly tried to pull her hand away. "What do you mean? We’re just—"
She couldn’t hold his gaze for long, her cheeks flushed, and she murmured, "It’s getting late. I should go back, or Auntie will worry..."
She stood up to leave but was suddenly tugged back by his grip on her wrist. She stumbled forward and collided with Xiao Yan, unable to stop herself from gasping.
Before she could struggle, he wrapped his long arms around her, trapping her in his embrace.
"What are we, hmm?"
Xiao Yan’s voice was thick with a playful, intoxicating smile. "Little Haitang, talk to me."
============
You can read ahead to chapterr 370 (100+ extra chapters) here
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