The young girl’s soft, gentle “I like it” was like a feather brushing past his ear, making Xiao Yan’s heart stir with a tingling sensation.
Xiao Yan felt a sweetness spreading over his tongue, and with his teeth slightly clenched and his eyes lowered, he managed to conceal the joy that was almost too hard to hide in his gaze.
Tang Ning seemed unaware of how touching her words had been. She turned to Cao Dejiang and said, “There is another matter, and I might trouble Cao Gong.”
Cao Dejiang, who was already quite fond of the girl before him, smiled and said, “What is it? Go ahead and speak.”
Tang Ning spoke gently, “When we took the collection of books from the Lu family, Mr. Lu Zhongshu had promised to inscribe the name on the monument for the academy. Now that the academy's name has been decided, we need him to do the writing. Moreover, on the day the academy opens, Mr. Lu should also be present, so the students can express their gratitude for the books the Lu family has generously donated.”
Cao Dejiang was surprised by her sudden request. He couldn’t help but look at her.
Tang Ning, with her hands resting gently on her lap, ignored his gaze and looked especially obedient. “My brother and I have a grudge with the Lu family, so it’s likely difficult for us to personally approach their door. We would need to trouble Cao Gong to pay a visit to Mr. Lu Zhongshu on our behalf, inform him, and make sure the academy’s plaque is ready in time to avoid missing the auspicious day.”
Cao Dejiang replied with a stunned expression, “...You don’t mean to have him inscribe the plaque for you as well, do you?”
Tang Ning softly said, “Cao Gong is wise. On the opening day of the academy, I would like Mr. Lu Zhongshu and my brother to jointly unveil the plaque for the academy.”
Cao Dejiang was speechless for a moment. “...”
“If possible, it would be great if Mr. Lu could also give a speech to encourage the students to strive for excellence and not waste the Lu family’s precious books.”
“...”
Cao Dejiang’s lips twitched. This little girl might be trying to drive Lu Chongyuan mad.
Everyone knew how the books left the Lu family, and now that the Lu family had split with Empress Lu and her son, the efforts to cover up the Fourth Prince's scandals had become a joke. Lu Chongyuan must be regretting it, and Tang Ning was now poking at his sore spot.
On the other hand, it was well-known that the Lu family was almost destroyed by Xiao Yan’s machinations. The death of Guo Shi and the complete ruin of the Lu family’s reputation, with no good outcomes for the eldest son and grandson, were widely known.
The Lu family harbored a deep hatred toward Xiao Yan. Wouldn’t Lu Chongyuan spit blood if he had to unveil the plaque alongside Xiao Yan on the opening day of the academy with a beaming smile?
Furthermore, though it seemed that Tang Ning was humiliating the Lu family, there was actually a deeper meaning behind her actions.
If Cao Dejiang agreed to carry out this task for her, it would be clear to the public—especially to the Lu family—that Cao Dejiang and Xiao Yan were on the same side.
After Lu Chongyuan returned to court, Xiao Yan’s situation would not be favorable. Once Lu Zhaoxu’s case was settled, all the methods Xiao Yan used to deal with the Lu family would lose their effect.
With the Lu family’s hold over Xiao Yan gone and Xiao Yan slightly losing favor with the Emperor, Lu Chongyuan would definitely look for an opportunity to retaliate. This little girl clearly intended to help Xiao Yan find an “ally” and even assist in building momentum among the commoners and students.
Cao Dejiang narrowed his eyes at Tang Ning. “Little girl, you have quite the clever mind.”
Tang Ning looked up at him with soft, innocent eyes. “Cao Gong also wants the academy to succeed, doesn’t he?”
Cao Dejiang choked. He certainly wanted the academy to succeed, but he never intended to have Xiao Yan succeed along with it.
Yet this girl had just handed him the opportunity to make a name for himself and gave all the good reputation to the "clean" faction. Even though he knew she was scheming, he couldn’t reject it.
Seeing her look up at him with those clear, innocent eyes, Cao Dejiang found himself somewhat dumbfounded. How had he thought this girl was pure and good-hearted when she was clearly as cunning as Xiao Yan?
“Alright, stop looking at me like that. I’ll take care of it with the Lu family.”
“Thank you, Cao Gong.”
Tang Ning, as if performing a magic trick, pulled two books from her sleeve and handed them to Cao Dejiang. “These are left by my grandfather. I believe Cao Gong will like them, so please keep them here for now. After the academy opens, when Cao Gong has time, you can bring them over to the academy when you visit for tea.”
Cao Dejiang stared at the two rare books, his lips twitching.
“Keep them for now,” and “take them to the academy later,” clearly indicated that these “gifts” were never meant for him. This little girl was too stingy—she wanted the horse to run, but didn’t want to give it any grass!
Cao Dejiang expressionlessly waved his sleeve to collect the books, quietly taking back the tea that was originally meant for Xiao Yan and her.
What a waste of his fine tea cakes. He should have just served plain water.
...
After Tang Ning achieved her goal, she took her leave. Cao Dejiang didn’t keep them, and as they exited the Cao family residence, someone happened to be coming in. Upon seeing them, they quickly stepped aside to avoid them.
“Lord Xiao, Young Miss Yi Yang, take care.”
Once Xiao Yan and Tang Ning boarded the carriage, the person who had stepped aside finally lifted their head.
Uncle Xu looked at the curtain of the carriage, but just as he did, he caught sight of a pair of cold, indifferent eyes staring at him through the gap in the curtain.
How sharp.
Uncle Xu’s heart tightened, and he hurriedly lowered his head.
Inside the carriage, Xiao Yan’s gaze fell on the old man standing in front of Cao’s door, and he couldn’t help but frown.
That person...
“Brother?”
Tang Ning noticed the change in Xiao Yan’s expression and whispered, “What’s wrong?”
Xiao Yan shook his head. “Nothing.”
He withdrew his gaze, let go of the curtain, and then turned to Tang Ning. “Why were you provoking Cao Dejiang just now?”
The two rare books Tang Ning had prepared to give to Cao Dejiang earlier were just a formality, something that had been delayed until now. The so-called “temporary storage” was just an excuse.
Tang Ning answered seriously, “Cao Gong is a censor, and many people in court are watching him. It’s not appropriate to give him a gift openly.”
Xiao Yan smiled upon hearing this and clearly didn’t believe her reasoning.
Tang Ning, after being looked at for a moment, pouted. “Fine, I just thought Cao Gong liked those rare books. Even if it’s only for the future when he visits the academy for tea, it might be of some help to my brother. The clean faction and the noble families are naturally at odds. Even if they don’t form an alliance with my brother, they shouldn’t stand idly by while the Lu family tries to escape unscathed.”
Xiao Yan, hearing her puffed-up words, settled her comfortably in her seat.
“Cao Dejiang and the others haven’t been idle. The censorate has recently impeached the Lu family multiple times, and the clean faction has been relentlessly holding onto the issues with Guo Shi and Lu Zhao, causing quite a stir even at the Emperor’s court. If it weren’t for this, I wouldn’t have had it so easy.”
Tang Ning was stunned for a moment. “They haven’t just stood by?”
Xiao Yan replied, “Mm. I don’t have much to do with those clean faction officials, and they’ve always looked down on my reputation. They would never openly form an alliance with me, nor would they help me deal with the noble families. For Cao Dejiang to do this much is already not easy.”
Tang Ning immediately felt guilty. “Brother, why didn’t you say something earlier? If I had known, I wouldn’t have angered the old man just now...”
Xiao Yan chuckled lightly. “It’s fine. It was a mutual decision, and Cao Gong isn’t so petty.”
If he were truly angry, he wouldn’t have agreed to go to the Lu family in the first place.
Seeing Tang Ning muttering softly, her pinkish-white face scrunching up in a little frown, Xiao Yan took her hand, their fingers intertwined.
When she looked up at him, he spoke softly, “Tang Ning, I really enjoyed myself just now.”
He didn’t hide his joy, and as he gazed at her, his palm felt warm.
He liked seeing his little girl being cautious and clever, just like a cat that bared its claws to protect what was important to her—sharp, cunning, but also protective.
She wasn’t someone who always hid under his wing, but as she said earlier, stood by his side, sharing both the wind and rain with him.
“The name of the academy is beautiful. I like it very much.”
Tang Ning’s cheeks turned slightly pink, but she didn’t shrink back from his gaze, and instead tightened her fingers a little in his hand.
“I said I’d be with you, brother.”
“After the academy opens, you won’t be alone anymore.”
Xiao Yan felt his heart soften as he heard her words. He gently enveloped her delicate hand in his warm palm.
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You can read ahead to chapterr 400 (100+ extra chapters) here
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