The bright moon hung high in the sky, and Tang Ning, with a flushed face, led Hua Wu back to the backyard. After walking for a while in the night wind, the warmth on her face finally began to fade.
She lightly patted her cheeks and turned to Hua Wu beside her, asking, "How is Aunt today? Did she have dinner tonight?"
Hua Wu quietly replied, "Master Gu took the princess out of the manor."
Tang Ning froze for a moment. "When did this happen?"
Hua Wu continued, "It was just before dusk. The young lady went to the Supervisor's residence, and Master Gu brought food to the princess. When he saw she wasn’t eating or drinking, he kicked the maidservants out of the room. Afterward, he spoke with the princess, and she started crying. Then, Master Gu had people carry the princess out in a soft sedan."
"Why didn’t anyone tell me? Was anyone with Aunt?" Tang Ning turned to ask.
Hua Wu answered, "The princess didn’t allow the maidservants to tell the young lady, and when she left, no one followed her. However, Master Gu brought Mu Feng and others with him when he left."
"Master Gu also said he would bring the princess back later and would also escort Doctor Sun back to the manor, so the young lady doesn’t need to worry."
Upon hearing this, Tang Ning felt a bit relieved. Gu He Lian wouldn’t harm Aunt, and since Doctor Sun was being sent back "on the way," it meant Aunt’s health was likely stable.
She had planned to visit the Princess of Cheng, but now that she knew the princess had left the manor with Gu He Lian, she turned and walked toward her own courtyard.
"Did Doctor Sun receive the consultation fee I prepared for him?" Tang Ning asked.
Hua Wu nodded, "He did. Doctor Sun was quite happy after seeing it."
Tang Ning smiled when she heard this, "Of course he would be happy."
The money didn’t matter much—Doctor Sun came from a respectable family and didn’t lack for money when treating patients. Anyone could offer those silver coins, but the "Medical Questions Volume Three" that Qin Niangzi had organized could not be bought with any amount of money.
Moreover, every time Qin Niangzi came, she didn’t hold back in teaching him everything about acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
At first, Doctor Sun had been reluctant to stay in the manor, but after a while, he couldn’t bear to leave. Even though the Princess of Cheng no longer needed constant care, he still never mentioned leaving.
During the day, he would go to the Medical Department as usual, but once he finished his shift, he would rush straight to Jiyun Alley, grinning like he had found a gold ingot whenever he saw her. One might think he had taken the place as his own.
As the two of them chatted about Doctor Sun’s amusing antics, they returned to the courtyard, where they saw Song Ru sitting in the room flipping through a book.
"Big sister," Song Ru immediately smiled when she saw Tang Ning return.
"Why are you still reading so late?" Tang Ning asked.
As soon as she spoke the word "reading," the teasing from Xiao Yan earlier that day resurfaced in her mind, and the heat that had faded began to return, making her feel uncomfortable. She muttered under her breath, cursing Xiao Yan for being so improper.
Seeing Song Ru’s confused expression, Tang Ning quickly cleared her throat and said, "If you’re going to read, let someone light the lamps. Be careful not to hurt your eyes."
Song Ru obediently replied, "I haven’t been reading for long. I wanted to review the things you taught me earlier so that I won’t forget them after not practicing for a while."
Tang Ning, naturally, wouldn’t stop her from being diligent. She sat beside her and asked, "Is there something you don’t understand?"
"Yes," Song Ru quickly brought the book over, pointing to a page, "Big sister, I found this part. It says a gentleman often reflects on nine thoughts and contemplates three aspects of himself. What are those nine thoughts?"
Tang Ning leaned over, looking at the page she was pointing to, and softly explained, "A gentleman has nine thoughts: 'To see, think clearly; to listen, think carefully; to regard appearance, think of kindness; to regard behavior, think of respect; to speak, think of loyalty; to act, think of reverence; when in doubt, think to ask; when angry, think of difficulty; when seeing, think of righteousness.' In simpler terms, it’s about being warm, kind, respectful, humble, loyal, filial, benevolent, righteous, and polite."
Song Ru carefully listened and then quietly asked, "What about this one?"
"This quote comes from Mencius's Li Lou Zhi Ming—'Gongshu Zi's craft cannot be accomplished without rules…'" Tang Ning explained, and after finishing, she realized something was odd. She looked at the book and couldn’t help but laugh, "Did you finish reading the books I gave you earlier? Now you’re reading this notebook?"
Song Ru had never been taught to read since childhood. She only started learning after coming to the Tang Manor. She was exceptionally intelligent and quickly learned to read, almost mastering in a few short days what others might take a year to learn. However, despite her quick progress, she wasn’t yet ready to read these personal notes.
These notes were part of a collection from the Lu family, containing the reflections of past scholars on Confucian teachings and philosophies. The first half discussed the differences between Confucius and Mencius, while the second half extended into topics of governance and managing the state.
Tang Ning had been reading them in her spare time and found them insightful, but for Song Ru, these were not appropriate yet.
Song Ru, feeling a bit embarrassed, said, "I’ve already finished the books you gave me. I saw this notebook on the table and just picked it up."
Tang Ning closed the notebook and placed it aside, "You don’t need to worry about this now. I’ll bring you some other books tomorrow."
Song Ru nodded eagerly, "Okay."
After deciding on the books, Tang Ning gestured for Song Ru to stand up from the small table. They moved to the side and sat down on a chaise. Then Tang Ning said, "Do you know about my visit to the Song family?"
Song Ru nodded, "Nianxia sister told me about it."
Tang Ning didn’t mention that Song Tan hadn’t included her in the family register but instead said, "I’ve removed your name from the Song family’s genealogy. From now on, you will no longer be a Song. You once said you wanted to take your mother’s surname. Do you still feel that way, or have you changed your mind?"
Song Ru immediately replied, "No, I want to take the surname Xue."
Tang Ning looked at her seriously, "You need to think carefully. I was originally planning to have you take the Rong surname, as it would be better for your future…"
"I know, big sister is thinking of me," Song Ru smiled gently, "I cut ties with my biological father to leave the Song family, and then Master Xiao used that as a reason to protect me. Many people have said that I’m heartless. Now that I’ve lost my connection with the family, I know there will be plenty of rumors and mockery. I know you want to protect me by having me take the Rong surname, but big sister, I don’t care about any of that."
"Ah Ru..."
"Big sister, please listen to me."
Song Ru grabbed Tang Ning’s hand. Her wrist was slender, her fingertips slightly pointed, but when she smiled, there was a vitality in her expression. Her bright eyes were particularly serious.
"I never imagined that I would have such a good life. I never thought I’d be able to leave the Song family one day. I’m very content with what I have now."
"I could never be the daughter of a noble family, nor do I want to climb to some high branch. Even if I get married someday, I hope I’ll meet someone who doesn’t mind my background, who likes me because I’m Xue Ru, not because I took the Rong surname."
She showed a small smile, her youthful face carrying an unexpected maturity for her age.
"Big sister wants me to take the Rong surname to protect me. But if someone would make me suffer just because I don’t carry the Rong surname, why would I want to be with him?"
"I have you, big sister. Even if I don’t carry the Rong surname, you won’t let anyone bully me, right?"
Tang Ning was stunned by her words. After a moment, a smile spread across her face. She reached out and pinched Song Ru’s cheek, "Of course, I will protect you."
Seeing the little girl smile and show her dimples, Tang Ning chuckled.
"Since you’ve made up your mind, from now on, you’ll be Xue Ru."
Xue Ru… no, it should be Xue Ru. The girl with her new name smiled brightly, nudging Tang Ning’s shoulder, "Thank you, big sister."
Tang Ning ruffled her hair, "In a few days, I’ll take you to the Jingzhao Prefecture to officially change your registration."
Xue Ru nodded, "Okay."
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You can read ahead to chapterr 370 (100+ extra chapters) here
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