On the fourteenth day of the seventh month, Song TangNing had assumed Rong Yue wouldn’t go to Lingyun Temple. But just as she was about to set off with Xue Ru in the afternoon, Gu Helian unexpectedly arrived with Rong Yue in tow.
At first glance, the two seemed perfectly normal. Gu Helian maintained a respectful distance from Rong Yue, his words and actions measured and proper, even his usual sharp tongue had mellowed. But it was precisely this uncharacteristic restraint that made Song TangNing immediately sense something was off.
"What are you looking at?" Gu Helian asked.
Song TangNing averted her gaze. "Nothing. I just haven’t seen you in a while, Uncle."
Gu Helian cleared his throat. "There were some issues with the Gu family’s business. It was troublesome having people run back and forth, so I’ve been staying near Longevity Lane recently."
Rong Residence was also on Longevity Lane.
Had TangNing not noticed the subtle tension in her aunt’s rigid posture, she might have believed Gu Helian’s flimsy excuse. But she didn’t call him out, pretending instead to take his words at face value.
"No wonder I haven’t seen you lately," she said gently. "I didn’t realize Aunt had moved back to Rong Residence. I’ve been so preoccupied with Brother’s injuries. But since Rong Residence is also on Longevity Lane, it’s good that Uncle can keep an eye on her."
She left it at that before asking, "Aunt is coming to Lingyun Temple with me. Will you be joining us, Uncle?"
Gu Helian shook his head. "I won’t. The Gu family has too many matters to handle. But I heard about your incident at the Qixi Festival. With all the recent chaos, who knows what scoundrels might be plotting against you? You and your aunt should bring extra guards. Or better yet, take Mu Feng with you."
Song TangNing smiled. "No need. Mu Feng should stay to protect you."
Compared to her, a newly risen figure of interest among the nobility, Gu Helian was a walking treasure trove, a golden target for opportunists. His flamboyant personality, sharp tongue, and habit of making enemies only made him more conspicuous.
The capital was full of people eyeing his wealth, openly or in secret. She wouldn’t dare take his personal guard away.
"Brother has already arranged for Cang Lang to accompany me, along with Hang Li, Yue Jian, and thirty Black Armor Guards in civilian attire. We’ll be safe."
Gu Helian knew how fiercely protective Xiao Yan was. With so many guards, there was little risk. Besides, Lingyun Temple was practically a state-sanctioned monastery. During the Yulan Festival, it would be crowded with nobles. No one would be foolish enough to cause trouble.
By the time they finished speaking, it was already past noon. Gu Helian didn’t linger, asking briefly about Xiao Yan’s injuries before taking his leave.
Song TangNing, Rong Yue, and Xue Ru boarded their carriage and set off for the outskirts of the city. Their maids, Hua Wu and Xi Chun, followed in a smaller carriage behind them.
The journey from the capital to Lingyun Temple wasn’t short, and the road out of the city was crowded with carriages. Once they passed the city gates, the path widened, but the summer heat grew oppressive.
Even with ice basins in the carriage and thin gauze replacing the curtains, the wind blowing in was stifling. Song TangNing fanned herself rapidly.
"This heat is unbearable," Rong Yue complained, waving her own fan. "It wasn’t this bad in previous years."
"True," Song TangNing agreed. "We’ve had plenty of rain lately, but it hasn’t cooled things down at all."
Xue Ru, noticing Song TangNing sweating, began fanning her diligently. Song TangNing glanced outside. "We should have left in the evening instead."
Rong Yue chuckled. "Traveling at night is out of the question. Not only would the road be pitch black, but we might also run into unsavory characters."
While the outskirts of the capital were safer than remote areas, with regular patrols, there was always the risk of encountering reckless bandits. And with so many nobles heading to Lingyun Temple for the festival, some might see an opportunity for mischief.
Rong Yue peered out. "The heat is worst on this stretch of the main road where there’s no shade. Once we reach the mountain path near Lingyun Temple, the trees will block the sun, and it’ll be cooler."
As the ice in the basin visibly melted, Rong Yue fanned Song TangNing. "What really happened on Qixi Festival? You never told me about falling into the water. If Lady Wen hadn’t sent me a letter saying you’d been targeted, I wouldn’t have known such a big incident occurred."
Song TangNing knew Rong Yue was close with the Marquess of Wenxin’s wife and replied, "It was just some fools coveting Rongsheng Academy. A-Yue and I were fine, so I didn’t want to worry you. Besides, Minister Qian already helped us restore our dignity."
Rong Yue tapped her forehead lightly. "You… Don’t try to shoulder everything alone. Your aunt isn’t that useless."
"I know. You spoil me the most. I just didn’t want to trouble you."
Song TangNing nuzzled against Rong Yue affectionately, earning a fond head pat. Seeing her aunt in good spirits, she hesitated before asking, "Aunt…"
"Hmm?"
"About Uncle Gu…"
Rong Yue’s expression instantly tensed, her body stiffening. Song TangNing swallowed her original question and changed tack.
"Uncle Gu has been in the capital for a while now. Will the Gu family in Zhou be alright without him?"
Rong Yue’s racing heart settled. "I’m not sure. But the Gu family is vast, he probably doesn’t need to oversee everything personally."
She paused, then added somewhat guiltily,
"I asked him before. He said the Gu family had previously focused on Zhou, avoiding the capital because of King Cheng’s influence. But since you’ll be staying in the capital long-term, he plans to expand his business here. So he likely won’t return to Zhou for now…"
Song TangNing suppressed a smile at Rong Yue’s evasive demeanor.
If the Gu family wanted a foothold in the capital, sending a steward would suffice. The capital’s market was minuscule compared to Zhou and the rest of Wei, hardly worth Gu Helian’s personal attention.
Moreover, while Gu Helian treated her well, it was mostly out of love for her mother and grandfather and, more importantly, for Rong Yue. His affection for her was that of an elder’s fondness for a younger relative, but staying in the capital solely for her sake? Unlikely.
After Xue Ru’s revelation the previous night, Song TangNing had pieced things together. Seeing them today, she could guess they’d made progress in their relationship.
She was happy for Rong Yue. She was glad she had moved on from King Cheng’s betrayal and found someone who had waited for her all these years. But since her aunt seemed hesitant to discuss it, Song TangNing didn’t press further.
"That’s good," she said lightly. "I was worried that if Uncle left for Zhou, it’d just be you and me."
Rong Yue fanned herself, testing the waters. "Do you… like Gu Helian?"
"Of course," Song TangNing replied. "He might seem prickly and sharp-tongued, but he’s fiercely loyal. If he hadn’t been framed and driven out of the Rong family back then, he would’ve protected us from ever being wronged."
Rong Yue relaxed slightly, her fan moving more easily. "It was a misunderstanding in the past. From now on, he’ll look after you."
"I know. Uncle is a good man."
Rong Yue’s expression softened further. It seemed Song TangNing didn’t dislike Gu Helian…
Xue Ru, watching the usually composed Rong Yue cautiously probe Song TangNing’s feelings, bit her lip to stifle a laugh. She fanned herself vigorously to hide her amusement, exchanging a mischievous glance with Song TangNing before quickly lowering her head when Rong Yue looked her way.
The carriage continued through the open fields. As they neared Lingyun Temple’s foothills, more carriages appeared on the road.
Before they could ascend the mountain, their path was abruptly blocked.
"Miss," the coachman called. "It’s the Fourth Prince’s consort’s carriage."
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