Qian Qi Yue was like a bundle of joy, wherever she was, there was always laughter and chatter
Qian Qing Ran, watching his little sister playfully teasing Xue Ru and a few other maids, turned to Tang Ning and said, "Father has already gone to visit the Dowager Princess of Lu regarding the matter of the Qixi night. The past few days have been difficult for the Long Princess's residence."
Fu Lai Qing, overhearing, added with glee, "I heard that Prince Consort Sun was caught by the royal family for lending money at high interest. Princess Le Yang almost emptied half of her residence's wealth to cover this up. She and Prince Consort Sun had quite the quarrel over it."
Tang Ning just smiled faintly at the words. It was true that Sun Fuma had been lending usurious money, and it was Qian Bao Kun who had handed the evidence to the Lu Wang residence. But this was not just his doing, Le Yang Princess had a hand in it too. If not, why would she empty her residence’s savings to help Prince Consort Sun resolve this matter?
The argument between her and Prince Consort Sun was due to him redeeming and keeping a courtesan, who was said to be pregnant.
Somehow, Dowager Princess Lu got wind of this, and had the information delivered straight to Princess Le Yang. In her fury, Le Yang went to confront the courtesan and killed her on the spot, along with the unborn child who was eight months along.
A life taken, and two lives lost.
It was said that Prince Consort Sun also received two slaps, which drew blood. Rather than calling it a quarrel, it was more of a one-sided release of Princess Leyang's fury.
This matter was kept under wraps by the Princess's residence, and even though outsiders knew that Princess Le Yang had "acted violently" against her husband, they all believed it was due to Prince Consort Sun’s involvement with usury. Tang Ning only knew the full details from the secret guards who had infiltrated the Princess's residence.
After the courtesan’s death, Prince Consort Sun apologized, trying every possible way to please Long Princess Le Yang to calm her anger. But having lost someone he loved, who could say if Prince Consort Sun was truly heartbroken, or if there was resentment on his part?
Tang Ning didn’t dwell on this, but simply said, “They dared to harm my sister A Yue. Losing a little money is already too lenient.”
Qian Qing Ran lowered his head. "When I came to the temple earlier, I saw the Princess's carriage had also arrived."
He looked at the petite girl beside him, his gaze falling on her face. "Princess Le Yang isn’t easy to deal with. After losing most of her family’s wealth, she is still eyeing the Rong Sheng Academy in your hands. With the events of Qixi night unresolved, she won’t let it go easily."
Tang Ning’s expression remained calm. "I know. But I can’t hide in Ji Yun Alley for the rest of my life because of her."
“The matter on Qixi night should have taught her a lesson. Dowager Princess Lu acted decisively. Le Yang should understand that her actions are exposed. She will probably tone it down a bit."
Qian Qing Ran frowned at her words, thinking Tang Ning was being too naive. Very few people in the royal family understood boundaries. They were born into nobility and never knew hardship. Moreover, Long Princess Le Yang was domineering. Just to get her hands on the academy, she was willing to frame Tang Ning and Qian Qi Yue, even risking lives to do so.
How could someone like her ever retreat?
Qian Qing Ran wanted to advise Tang Ning, but when he met her clear and innocent eyes, the words stuck in his throat. This young girl was pure-hearted and didn’t understand the darkness of the world, nor the deceitful hearts of men.
Forget it. He would just keep a closer watch.
They chatted for a while, and by the time night fell, they all went to their respective resting places. Tang Ning shared a bed with Xue Ru, and after Xue Ru fell asleep, she quietly got up and walked to the window.
"Lady, the identities of the people in the temple have been confirmed."
"Has Song Jin Xiu arrived?"
"No, but people from the Cui family and the Second Prince's residence have come."
Cang Lang stood outside, speaking in a low voice. "The person from the Cui family is a relative, named Pei, who works in the Ministry of Works. The Second Prince's residence sent a long historian, who is reportedly accompanying the Second Prince’s wife’s younger sister to pray. There are also over ten guards with them."
Tang Ning’s face showed a mocking smile. So, Song Jin Xiu was never truly foolish, and he wasn’t as innocent as he seemed.
While pretending to regret his earlier actions, claiming he wanted to protect her with all his heart, he was secretly using the Fourth Prince’s plot to curry favor with the Second Prince, paving the way for his own benefit.
He sent Song Shu Lan to the Yongshun Earl residence to be with Luo Qi Lang, using the Luo family to step on the Fourth Prince’s way to get before the Emperor then turned around to invest in the Second Prince and the Cui family.
Was Song Jin Xiu so certain that the Second Prince’s people would save her, rather than using the opportunity to solidify the Fourth Prince’s schemes and sacrificing her—a lowly woman—with no regard for her fate to gain favor with powerful officials like Xiao Yan and eliminate the Fourth Prince?
Tang Ning sneered. "What about Princess Leyang’s residence?"
"Princess Le Yang has brought in a male prostitute secretly into the temple. The Fourth Prince’s residence has sent people to keep an eye on the Princess Le Yang's young son, Sun Yi."
Tang Ning quickly understood the plans of both sides. Princess Le Yang was reluctant to lose face by having her son’s name ruined publicly, and thus, didn’t dare to throw Sun Yi into the water like she had done on Qixi night. Instead, she intended to use a male prostitute to ruin her reputation and then plot further. Meanwhile, the Fourth Prince’s residence aimed to expose Princess Le Yang’s plan, with the idea of having Sun Yi take the place of the male prostitute, insinuating he was involved with her.
These people were truly malicious.
Tang Ning touched the fragrance pouch hanging at her waist. "Keep an eye on them. Don't worry about anything else; let them do what they will."
The more chaotic tomorrow is, the better.
===============
After a good night’s sleep, when Tang Ning and the others woke up the next morning, they found that more people had arrived at the temple.
The few remaining rooms in the back of the temple were all occupied, and the sound of people talking and walking outside the semi-moon gate could occasionally be heard.
When Yue Jian and Hua Wu returned with the plain meals, they mentioned that even the dining hall was packed with people getting food. The temple’s head monk was busy preparing for the evening ceremony, so it was almost impossible to see any idle individuals.
After breakfast, Tang Ning and the others headed to the main hall. The temple’s morning class had just finished, and in another half-hour, the morning sermon would begin. The hall was already filled with many familiar faces.
As soon as the three of them entered, they saw Qian Qi Yue waving at them.
"Tang Ning, over here."
Many people in the hall turned to look at the door. The three of them entered together, with Rong Yue greeting people she knew, while Tang Ning led Xue Ru to Qian Qi Yue’s side.
"Ah Yue, why are you here so early?"
"I didn’t want to be, but my mother dragged me out of bed," Qian Qi Yue pouted and leaned against Tang Ning's shoulder, yawning. "My mother insisted I attend the morning class to show sincerity. I nearly fell asleep a few times from the sound of the wooden fish. She kept waking me up, and now my arm hurts from all the slapping."
Xue Ru whispered, "Hasn’t Qian's sister eaten yet?"
Qian Qi Yue replied, "I got up too early to eat."
Tang Ning patted her sympathetically. "Then sleep on my shoulder for a bit, the sermon hasn’t started yet."
Qian Qi Yue rubbed her shoulder, letting out another yawn as tears streamed from the corners of her eyes.
"I wish I could sleep, but I think I missed my chance. Now I can't fall asleep. You don’t know how hard my mother is on me. She slapped my arm so much, I’m sure it's bruised..."
Tang Ning and Xue Ru stood on either side of her, chatting quietly as the main hall gradually filled up with more people.
Tang Ning glanced around at the familiar and unfamiliar faces, listening to Qian Qi Yue quietly introducing their identities. Suddenly, she felt a sharp gaze on her.
Turning around, she saw that Princess Le Yang had also entered the hall, accompanied by the Fourth Prince's wife and several others
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You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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