Though Tang Ning was a bit surprised, she didn’t overthink it. She reached up to her neck, took off the half dragon-patterned pendant she wore, and handed it to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan looked at her: "Aren't you going to ask why I want this?"
Tang Ning chuckled: "What’s there to ask? Since Brother wants it, you must have your reasons."
She handed the dragon-patterned pendant to Xiao Yan, glanced at the people who had walked far off, and said, "I need to watch over them for a bit, so there’s no more trouble."
"There won't be anything delicious at the banquet later, and they're all women, so I won't keep you, brother. But I've asked the kitchen to prepare roast meat and pig's trotters, as well as your favorite fish soup. Remember to come over later, brother. I'll save some food for you. I'm leaving now."
Xiao Yan watched as the young lady hurriedly walked away, holding up her skirt. The dragon-patterned pendant in his hand felt warm to the touch.
He glanced over at the pavilion: "Why is Princess Leyang here?"
Jinyun whispered, "It seems she’s here regarding the property of the Cheng Wangfu. Cheng Wang previously had some business dealings with Princess Leyang, and she was originally planning to arrange a marriage between the daughter of her brother-in-law and Xie Yin. I heard that the marriage contract has been exchanged."
Although Princess Leyang was titled as a princess, she didn’t wield much power and was even less influential than Prince Huan.
When Emperor An ascended the throne, there weren’t many surviving princesses from the late emperor’s line, and since the emperor found Princess Leyang somewhat agreeable, she was granted the title of "Long Princess (Le Yang)." However, compared to other princesses, her influence was far weaker, holding only the superficial respect of others.
When Cheng Wang's house fell into difficulties, her brother-in-law’s family wanted to break off the engagement, but Cheng Wang confined Princess Leyang, and she chose to wait it out. However, that waiting cost Cheng Wang his life. He thought that Princess Leyang came here to ask for the engagement letter back.
Xiao Yan, hearing this, withdrew his gaze: "Go tell Lady Rong that if Princess Leyang keeps pestering, have her inform Princess Leyang that Xie Yin is now part of the Lu family and has been sent back to them. As for the marriage contract, let her discuss it with the Lu family."
Cheng Wang's rebellion was a capital offense, but Emperor An pardoned the Lu family, and the matter with the Guo family was resolved once and for all. Though Xie Yin had no royal blood, there was the matter of the exchanged children, and Xiao Yan made a special "concession" by sending him to the Lu family.
Jinyun, recalling the commotion at the Lu family, chuckled softly: "I’ll go now."
Meanwhile, Rong Yue was getting increasingly annoyed with Princess Leyang’s persistence.
Rong Yue had never agreed to the marriage between Xie Yin and the Prince Consort’s family. It was something Xie Tianyu decided on. Though the two families had exchanged marriage contracts, they were still only in the "naming" stage and hadn’t officially become engaged. If both sides didn’t bring it up, the matter could simply be left behind.
But now, Princess Leyang kept insisting on taking back the marriage contract and implied in her words that it was Rong Yue’s family that wanted the marriage. Rong Yue could hear very clearly that Princess Leyang had her sights set on Tang Ning and wanted to use this opportunity to take back the business dealings between Xie Tianyu and her family.
Rong Yue politely refused, but Princess Leyang pretended not to understand. As the situation became more frustrating, Nianxia entered.
"Greetings, Long Princess."
"What is it?" Rong Yue frowned.
Nianxia whispered in her ear, and after hearing her message, Rong Yue was initially surprised, but soon a small smile appeared on her face.
When she turned to face Princess Leyang, her tone had become much firmer than before.
"I appreciate your good intentions, Princess Leyang, but I have already divorced Cheng Wang, and His Majesty has allowed me to return to the Rong family. Naturally, the matters of the Cheng Wangfu have nothing to do with me. As for the business you mentioned earlier, I will return what is recorded in the account books to you at the proper price. As for what’s not recorded, since I know nothing about it, I can’t help you with that."
"And about Xie Yin, he is not my son but the Lu family’s bloodline. He was sent back to the Lu family yesterday. The marriage matter with the Prince Consort’s family was not something I agreed to, so if Princess Leyang wants to discuss it, you can go to the elders of the Lu family."
"Xie Yin... no, he should now be called Lu Yin, and his marriage will be decided by the Lu family’s elders. As an outsider, I cannot interfere."
Princess Leyang had never expected that Xie Yin had been returned to the Lu family. Her smile immediately faltered: "Rong Yue, you should know I didn’t mean it this way. What I’ve always wanted is a child from the Rong family…"
"Thank you for your consideration, but unfortunately, my father didn’t leave a son. The child I had back then didn’t survive. It’s difficult for me to fulfill your wish, Princess."
Rong Yue only pretended not to understand, sighing regretfully to block Princess Leyang’s further words.
"Today there’s a banquet in the manor, and several important guests are visiting. There was a disturbance earlier, and Tang Ning is still young and inexperienced. I need to go and make sure nothing else happens."
"Since it’s rare for Princess Leyang to visit, please rest here for a while. When the banquet begins, I will have someone come to invite you."
After saying this, Rong Yue curtsied to Princess Leyang and got up to leave.
Princess Leyang watched Rong Yue walk away, feeling both angry and frustrated.
"That Rong Yue, she’s simply asking for too much!!"
She had set her sights on that academy, which had reportedly been named "Rong Sheng," and she had heard that Cao Dejiang and others would personally go to help with the naming. Plus, with Tang Ning being so close to Xiao Yan, and Rong Yue inheriting so much of the Cheng Wangfu’s wealth, when Tang Ning married, her dowry would surely be substantial.
Princess Leyang’s household wasn’t as impressive as it appeared from the outside, and she was planning her next move. Her second son hadn’t yet arranged an engagement, and she thought to settle Tang Ning for him, using this excuse to come over. But she never expected Rong Yue to be so difficult.
Princess Leyang seethed: "My son can’t be good enough for that Tang Ning?!"
The woman next to Princess Leyang quickly said, "Your Highness, what are you saying? That Tang Ning has a terrible reputation, and she’s even said to have harmed her father and mother. If you can see value in her, that’s her luck. Who else would even think of her?"
"Our young master is handsome and talented, and so many people admire him. If she could see him, it would be her good fortune. But instead, she’s so ungrateful. Your Highness, let’s go back..."
"Go back?!"
Princess Leyang slammed her teacup down. She was determined to claim Tang Ning.
She knew just how many assets the Cheng Wangfu had, and with the academy, there were even more opportunities. Originally, she wanted to bring Tang Ning back to her household, but since Rong Yue refused to cooperate, she wouldn’t let it go.
"Let’s go to the front hall!"
She wanted to see if Rong Yue could stop her!
When Rong Yue saw Princess Leyang coming to the flower hall, she frowned. She thought that she had made her stance clear, and Princess Leyang would surely leave in anger, but she didn’t expect her to follow.
Now that she had come and with so many eyes on them, Rong Yue couldn’t afford to ignore it.
Seeing Princess Leyang talking to Tang Ning, Rong Yue furrowed her brows, but she couldn’t stop her. She had to walk over to ensure Tang Ning wasn’t being misled.
Tang Ning actually didn’t like people getting too close, but since Princess Leyang was holding her, she couldn’t refuse. The constant compliments in her ears made her uncomfortable, and she felt that Princess Leyang’s enthusiasm was a bit excessive. As she went on, the Princess even started talking about her own son.
The ladies from the noble families in the capital, hearing Princess Leyang’s words, couldn’t help but have some thoughts.
Rong Yue’s expression darkened; this Princess Leyang was truly despicable!
"Tang Ning!"
Just as Rong Yue was about to call Tang Ning over, a message came from outside, saying that someone from Fengxi Palace had arrived.
"The Empress?" Why had she come?
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T/N: STN is a hot commodity
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You can read ahead to chapterr 400 (100+ extra chapters) here
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