The scene fell silent for a moment.
Seeing that Xiao Yan didn’t respond, Rong Yue couldn’t help but look at him, “Is Xiao Duzhu unwilling?”
As if she had thought of something, she continued, “I don’t mean anything else, but I feel that your care for Tang Ning is something we can never repay. If Xiao Duzhu and Tang Ning hold a formal recognition ceremony, everyone in the capital will know you are her elder brother, and you will be considered half a member of the Rong family.”
She was truly grateful for Xiao Yan’s support in recent days, and also deeply appreciated how well he treated Tang Ning. Without him, both she and Tang Ning might still be trapped in their predicaments.
Rong Yue was always clear about her gratitude and grievances, and naturally, she wanted to repay him. But with Xiao Yan's position, he lacked for nothing. The only thing Rong Yue could think of was to give him a “family bond.”
If he were considered half a member of the Rong family, then the Rong descendants would acknowledge him as an elder, and even if he were a eunuch, after a hundred years, he would still have a share of the family’s offerings.
Xiao Yan was sharp and naturally understood the deeper meaning in Rong Yue's words. Although he was somewhat helpless, there was a slight softening in his gaze.
“Thank you for your kind offer, Madam, but Tang Ning and I do not need to bother with these formalities. You are Tang Ning's elder, and as long as you acknowledge me, I will be a member of the Rong family.”
Rong Yue was moved, “But…”
She still felt that it wasn’t official enough.
Xiao Yan, seeing her genuine concern, felt a rare sense of guilt in his typically cold heart. “The capital is currently in turmoil, and the situation with the Lu family and Prince Cheng hasn’t been resolved. I am often caught in the whirlpool of court politics, and sometimes there are things I have to do reluctantly.”
“You already know the rumors about me. I don’t want to tarnish the reputation of the Grand Tutor or the Rong family with my current reputation. This is already good enough.”
He lowered his eyelids and finally drew a conclusion.
“My relationship with Tang Ning is based on mutual affection. Once the rumors die down, I will openly enter the Rong family. By then, as long as Madam does not find me objectionable, it will be fine.”
Xiao Yan's appearance was already striking. He usually exuded a fierce and cold aura, but now, with his head slightly lowered and his eyebrows relaxed, he appeared exceptionally docile. His handsome, noble features seemed to carry a youthful charm.
Rong Yue, in a daze, remembered that the man before her—so outstanding in strategy and authority—was just a young man in his twenties.
Seeing how he was always concerned about Tang Ning and the Rong family, Rong Yue was deeply touched. "What virtue or ability does Tang Ning have to deserve such a good elder brother like you?"
Xiao Yan's voice was soft. "It is I who am undeserving."
To have such a good little sea-bloom.
Rong Yue looked at him with a more affectionate gaze, her feelings growing closer.
As she did so, the newly appointed Madam Rong seemed to be on the verge of opening her heart, not realizing that the person before her was about to “claim” her little cabbage.
Qin Niangzi couldn't help but silently turn her head away, unable to watch Xiao Yan feign meekness.
Jin Yun discreetly clutched her chest. It seemed like her conscience was starting to hurt.
...
When Tang Ning came back after changing into a new dress, she noticed that her aunt was treating Xiao Yan with more warmth. It wasn’t that her aunt had treated him poorly before, but since they were both women, there had always been some distance when speaking to Xiao Yan. However, now, as she sat beside him, her aunt looked at him with a gaze full of intimacy.
"Tang Ning, you're here?" Seeing her, Rong Yue immediately smiled and asked, "What are you standing there for? Come over here."
"It’s nothing, Aunt, what are you and Brother talking about?" Tang Ning walked closer.
Xiao Yan spoke gently, "We were talking about the plans for going out later."
Rong Yue took Tang Ning’s hand, smiling, "Xiao Duzhu said that several merchant caravans from the south returned recently, bringing back many rare items. You’ve been busy worrying about our matters these days and haven’t had a moment to relax. It’s a good opportunity for you to go out with him and take a break."
Tang Ning blinked at Xiao Yan. He smiled and turned to her, saying gently, “Why don’t you join us, Madam?”
“I won’t go,” Rong Yue said, already feeling tired after a day’s trip to the palace. "You two go have fun. I'll stay and chat with Qin Niangzi."
Tang Ning said, "Then I'll bring Ah Ru along..."
Rong Yue laughed, "No need, Ah Ru wanted to watch Qin Niangzi prepare medicinal materials and went to the kitchen."
Earlier, while Tang Ning wasn’t around, Ah Ru had already stopped by. She seemed rather surprised to see Xiao Yan here, and her previously cheerful face immediately became restrained and awkward.
Rong Yue liked Ah Ru and had even suggested to Xiao Yan that Tang Ning should go out with her, but when Ah Ru heard this, she immediately shook her head, nearly turning her neck into a string of elm seeds.
Rong Yue knew that Ah Ru was shy and wouldn’t force her to go.
"You two go ahead. Don't be too late." Rong Yue reminded Xiao Yan, “The market is crowded, so be sure to keep an eye on Tang Ning. Don’t let anyone cause trouble for her.”
Xiao Yan nodded, "Madam, don’t worry, I will."
“It’s getting late, so go now.”
"We’ll leave now."
Tang Ning felt a bit dizzy as she followed Xiao Yan out of the house. She didn’t quite understand her aunt’s sudden shift in attitude. Once they were in the carriage and it began to rock gently, she couldn’t help but ask, “Brother, what did you and Aunt talk about?”
Why was her aunt suddenly so affectionate toward him?
Xiao Yan naturally wouldn’t mention the fact that her future aunt was planning to have her little sea-bloom take care of him in his old age. Instead, he said, “It’s nothing much. We just talked about some matters in the palace.”
“Really?” Tang Ning was suspicious.
“Really.”
Xiao Yan kept a straight face, “Today, Madam had a smooth trip to the palace, received an imperial edict allowing her to divorce Prince Cheng, and the emperor also gave her the property of the Prince Cheng’s residence. Additionally, she was granted a noble title. That’s why she feels particularly grateful to me.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
Although Tang Ning still found it strange, she didn’t think too much about it.
Her aunt was indeed the type to value gratitude, and it wasn’t surprising that after receiving Xiao Yan’s help, she treated him with special regard. Moreover, he had indeed been of great assistance today, and anyone in her aunt’s place would likely feel grateful.
Tang Ning still hadn’t decided how to explain her and Xiao Yan’s relationship to her aunt. She knew how much her aunt cared for her, and she understood that her aunt wouldn’t approve of her being with Xiao Yan. But as long as her aunt liked him, the more affection she showed, the less likely she would be to interfere later on.
“Well, that’s good. I was afraid Aunt wouldn’t like you.”
Tang Ning relaxed, murmuring, before turning to say, “I just hope the imperial edict will arrive soon, so the matter with Prince Cheng can be resolved, and Aunt can officially cut ties with him.”
Xiao Yan naturally heard her murmur. His eyes softened, feeling that this little sea-bloom knew exactly how to touch his heart.
Tang Ning didn’t notice his expression. She continued muttering, “But I think Aunt seems to have recovered quite a bit these days, her spirit seems much better.”
She still didn’t know where Uncle Gu had taken her aunt that night, but after coming back, her aunt seemed to have regained her energy so quickly.
Xiao Yan chuckled. “Madam is not an ordinary woman. How could she dwell on the past?”
“Of course!” Tang Ning nodded firmly. “That scoundrel Xie Tianyu doesn’t deserve to be on Aunt’s mind.”
==============
You can read ahead to chapterr 400 (100+ extra chapters) here
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