When Tang Ning returned to Jiuxiao Courtyard, Xiao Yan had already washed off his sickly appearance. A tall figure was standing beside him, and as soon as Tang Ning entered, this figure immediately knelt before her.
"Tianqing greets the young lady."
Tang Ning glanced at him and was immediately surprised. "His face..."
"He used a disguise. What do you think? Do I look like him?" Xiao Yan stood to the side, allowing Tianqing to rise.
When they stood together, Tang Ning realized they were almost the same height, and now both were wearing similar clothing. From the back, it was almost impossible to tell who was who.
Tang Ning leaned in to take a closer look, then said with some astonishment, "Their figures are the same, and their faces are at least seventy to eighty percent similar. If I were farther away and they didn't speak, I might mistake them for each other."
Xiao Yan chuckled. "Don’t be afraid to speak Tianqing"
When Tianqing spoke again, his voice had changed "The governor has ordered that, after he leaves the capital, you, young lady, are to be my master."
Tang Ning widened her eyes.
That voice...
It was exactly the same as Xiao Yan's.
Xiao Yan waved his hand, and Tianqing faded into the shadows like a shadow. Then, he pulled Tang Ning’s hand and walked over to sit down.
"Tianqing and Jinyun, like the others, are secret guards who have followed me for many years. Though his martial skills aren't particularly high, he is very skilled in disguise and ventriloquism. Additionally, he has a natural instinct for sensing danger that's far superior to others."
These kinds of people may be at a disadvantage in physical combat, but they are born spies and scouts. After Xiao Yan leaves the capital, with Tianqing and Canglang staying by Tang Ning's side, he can rest easy.
"After I leave, Tianqing will stay by your side. While Canglang will be in the open and Tianqing will be in the shadows. If anyone tries to probe into my injuries or if there are people you cannot deal with, he will act in my stead."
"Now that Lu Qin has been discarded, and Lu Chongyuan is cautious of His Majesty, the Lu family will not dare make any bold moves for the time being. With Cao Dejiang and Qian Baokun helping at the academy and in the court, if you encounter any insurmountable problems, you can also seek the help of Lord Wenxin. Besides that, Tianqing is aware of all the hidden spies in the capital. If you are in danger, you can deploy them at any time."
Although Xiao Yan trusted Tang Ning, the situation in the capital was ever-changing. Whether it was the emperor or the noble families, no one could guarantee that accidents wouldn't happen.
He gave her all the details, and Tang Ning listened carefully, committing everything to memory.
"Don't worry, brother, I'll guard the capital well."
Xiao Yan gently stroked her face. "If I could, I would take you with me."
He had never been someone who cared much for romantic feelings. He hadn't known affection or desire before. He always felt that all his emotions had been burned away in the fire over a decade ago.
But after meeting Little Haitang, he realized that he too could care so much about someone. It was as though he had fallen for her completely the moment his heart softened on the snowy mountain all those years ago.
"The capital is not as important as you. If there is real danger, everything should be secondary to your safety."
Tang Ning could hear the seriousness in his voice. She smiled with a glint in her eyes. "Alright."
The young girl smiled brightly, her eyes filled with his reflection, as if light had fallen into her eyes, creating gentle ripples.
Xiao Yan couldn't help but lower his head and kiss her. They didn't have too much flirtation; in the moments their lips met, it was full of tenderness. Eventually, the young girl melted into his embrace like water.
When Xiao Yan finally pulled back, his voice was hoarse. "Keep an eye on Yue Fengcheng. He is His Majesty's eyes, and if used properly, he could be a great asset in unexpected situations."
Tang Ning gave a soft "mm," like a little kitten.
He tucked her hair behind her ear.
Tang Ning wrapped her arms around his neck, tilting her head back, her eyes flushed with pink.
"I'll wait for you to come back."
"Alright."
...
Xiao Yan's departure to the northwest was kept a secret from everyone, including Rong Yue and Gu Helian. The matter in the northwest was of great importance. It wasn't that he didn't trust Rong Yue and the others, but until everything was clarified and settled, the more people who knew, the greater the risk.
When it started to get dark outside and Canglang returned from the outside, he found that his lord had already left.
"Young lady, the governor is gone?" Canglang asked in a low voice.
Tang Ning nodded. She didn’t know how Xiao Yan had left the city or how he had avoided all the spies outside, but the fact that he had been gone for over an hour and the capital was still calm meant that he hadn’t alerted anyone.
Looking at the darkening sky, Tang Ning felt some worry but knew she couldn’t do anything about it. She could only suppress her thoughts and turn her gaze away.
"Is everything taken care of?"
Canglang immediately became more energetic. "It’s done."
After leaving Jiyun Alley, the Fourth Prince did not return directly to the Fourth Prince’s Manor. Perhaps the words of Xiao Yan had provoked him, but he immediately contacted several officials who were previously under his command, intending to build relationships. Canglang had used some tricks to lace their tea with drugs.
The Fourth Prince had only spoken to them for a few moments when he suddenly experienced excruciating stomach pains. He hastily had people push him in a cart to the toilet, but as he was holding onto the cart to relieve himself, the latrine’s boards suddenly broke, and the surrounding beams collapsed. The Fourth Prince, who had been leaning on the cart, fell along with it into the latrine.
"Unfortunately, Cheng Ping reacted quickly and pulled him back, but the Fourth Prince’s bare bottom was seen by many."
The latrine was just below the restaurant, and the sudden collapse of the structure was loud. The Fourth Prince's terrified screams drew attention from many people. He had fallen halfway down, and although his face wasn't clearly visible, his exposed, bare bottom was very much in sight. Cheng Ping's face, however, was recognizable to many.
The restaurant where the Fourth Prince had met with officials was a favorite spot for high-ranking officials. Several of the officials who had been with him on the visit were standing on the upper floors, and they saw him in his embarrassing situation.
Now, it wouldn't be long before the entire capital would know that the Fourth Prince had fallen into a latrine. Even though he hadn’t gotten covered in filth, the sight of his bare backside was enough to make him too embarrassed to show his face for some time.
Listening to Canglang excitedly recounting the Fourth Prince’s humiliation, Tang Ning’s mouth twitched, while Huawu and Tianqing, hidden in the shadows, were also silent.
"You..."
"Hmm?" Canglang looked up. "Young lady, what’s wrong? Do you think it wasn’t harsh enough?"
"Well, not really..."
He’s already fallen into a latrine. Isn't that enough?
The Fourth Prince probably would rather lose his legs than endure such embarrassment.
Seeing Tang Ning hesitate to speak, Canglang suddenly understood. "Ah, young lady is worried that the Fourth Prince might suspect something?"
"Don’t worry, no one saw me. Among the people the Fourth Prince saw, one has ties to the Second Prince. Even if the empress sends someone to investigate, they won’t trace it back to us. Even if they don’t suspect the Lu family, they’ll suspect the Second Prince."
Tang Ning, seeing how thoroughly Canglang had thought it through, didn’t say anything more.
"Oh, right," Canglang seemed to remember something. "Word from the palace is that Empress Lu has been scheming lately. She sent someone to visit Princess Leyang’s manor in secret, and today, when the Fourth Prince came to Jiyun Alley, he also met with the empress."
Tang Ning frowned slightly. "Do you know what they said?"
Canglang shook his head. "The empress is very cautious. Perhaps because of the previous incident with the Lu family, she has grown wary. Recently, she’s only allowing Jin Zhi to be close to her. Every time she meets with the Fourth Prince, Jin Zhi is kept outside. Our people can’t get close, so we couldn’t overhear their conversation."
Tang Ning couldn’t help but rub her brow at the news.
Whether Empress Lu knows about the Fourth Prince’s intentions toward her, Tang Ning wasn’t sure. If she does know, given the Fourth Prince’s current position, she would likely support it.
However, at the banquet, Princess Leyang had clearly shown interest in her and suggested a marriage arrangement between her young son and Tang Ning. She even brought up the absurd idea of a marriage exchange.
At the banquet, Princess Leyang had almost openly displayed her intentions, and Tang Ning had already rejected her. Everyone who was present could probably tell. Empress Lu should have received this information, so why did she send someone to visit Princess Leyang? What could she be trying to do?
Tang Ning felt that Empress Lu wouldn’t be making a move without reason. "Keep an eye on Fengxi Palace to see what Empress Lu is planning. Also, send someone to keep an eye on Princess Leyang."
Canglang nodded in agreement.
Tang Ning then spoke, "‘Brother’s’ injuries are severe. He’ll stay in Tang Manor to recover for the next few days. Tell everyone he can’t move for the time being. After three days, when his injuries improve slightly, Tianqing can impersonate him and move to the neighboring manor to continue his recovery. Remember to let Master Yue see ‘Brother’ in a weakened state."
"Understood." Tianqing responded.
Tang Ning turned to Huawu. "If I have to go out in the next few days, you’ll take care of ‘Brother’ here. No one is allowed to step foot in Jiuxiao Courtyard."
Huawu nodded quickly. "Young lady, don’t worry. I’ll guard the courtyard and make sure no one disturbs the governor."
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