Tang Ning had just returned from Rongsheng Academy when she saw Cang Lang standing at the door.
Beside her, Xue Ru, whose features had matured and who was quite beautiful said, "Sister, the exams are in a few days. I'll go back to review my studies."
Tang Ning gently replied, "Go ahead."
Xue Ru smiled at Cang Lang, then hugged the books in her arms and left. After she departed, Tang Ning led Yue Jian and Hua Wu into the house, with Cang Lang following behind them.
Once inside, Hua Wu busily began brewing tea. She first served Tang Ning, then poured another cup and brought it to Cang Lang.
Cang Lang glanced at the tea presented by the young girl and faintly detected a fragrance. "What did you add to this tea?"
"Do you have a dog's nose?" Hua Wu muttered. "I added osmanthus."
The lady had a slight cough yesterday. Dr. Sun next door said osmanthus can dispel cold, break up masses, transform phlegm, and stop coughing. Since osmanthus is in bloom these days, she went to the yard to pick some, dried it, and put a few flowers in the tea. That's how Cang Lang ended up sharing a cup with the lady.
As the young girl turned to leave, the little tuft on her head bobbed.
Cang Lang couldn't help but look at it a few more times, finding it quite amusing.
Tang Ning took a sip of tea to calm her mind before speaking, "Why are you here so early today? Is everything stable at the Privy Council?"
"Rest assured, my lady, all is well in the office." Speaking of business, Cang Lang quickly composed herself. "The Fourth Prince is still in prison. The Zhao family has been coming to the palace daily, crying and pleading to take the Fourth Prince's consort back. However, His Majesty has not agreed. On the other hand, Madam Bai and Madam Pei have been released."
Tang Ning wasn't surprised. "They didn't do anything wrong. It's already remarkable they've been detained this long."
Cang Lang continued, "However, the Second Prince has had some misfortune. Although no evidence was found to prove he framed the Fourth Prince, His Majesty seems to have grown weary of him. He removed him from his position in the Ministry of Personnel. Moreover, because he acted independently without informing the aristocratic families, Cui Lin has also been freezing him out recently."
The Second Prince had only recently gained power and didn't have much trust from the aristocratic families.
Cui Lin and the others wanted to support him but also feared he might turn out like Emperor An, ruthless and ungrateful. They tried to keep the Second Prince in check.
The Second Prince feared the aristocratic families might use him and worried about following in the Fourth Prince's footsteps. He both wanted to use and guard against them.
With both sides harboring their own intentions, actions were kept secret. The closeness the Lu family once had with the Fourth Prince was no longer there. Now, with the Second Prince causing trouble behind their backs, how could Cui Lin and the others not be annoyed? Since the incident, they froze him out, and the already fragile trust is now even more precarious.
Tang Ning stroked the bracelet on her wrist, her fingers fiddling with the red gold bell attached to it. "What about the Lu family? Any recent movements?"
Cang Lang replied, "The Lu family has been very quiet. Since Lu Chongyuan's demotion, he seems to have lost his spirit. After Lu Zhao's execution a few days ago, he fell ill. The Lu family has been marginalized by the aristocratic families and hasn't paid attention since the incidents involving Empress Lu and the Fourth Prince."
"What about Lu Jiu'an?"
"He has always been well-behaved."
Tang Ning played with the bell but felt something was amiss. Lu Chongyuan didn't seem like someone who would easily admit defeat. In his eyes, the Lu family was paramount. How could he be content with the Lu family withdrawing from the aristocratic families' leadership and being ostracized by others?
And that Lu Jiu'an...
This illegitimate son of the Lu family was always low-key, rarely showing himself. Even when Tang Ning visited the Lu family numerous times, she hardly noticed him. Even Lu Zhinian looked down on this half-brother.
Yet, during the last incident with the Lu family, Lu Jiu'an's decisive actions, his ruthlessness during the elimination, and his subtle relationship with Lu Chongyuan all indicated he was no ordinary illegitimate son.
Tang Ning said to Cang Lang, "Keep a close eye on Lu Jiu'an. Find out what he's been up to lately. And Lu Chongyuan—don't be careless."
Cang Lang nodded. "Understood."
The tea in the cup was warm, and the taste was filled with the fragrance of osmanthus.
Tang Ning asked, "By the way, has Shi Chang'an been found?"
Cang Lang became frustrated upon mentioning this. "My lady, don't mention it. This Shi Chang'an is too elusive. Earlier, Lord Cao sent word that he had entered the capital. I led people to investigate secretly, but he seemed to have used some method and vanished without a trace."
"A few days ago, we finally learned he went to Lingyun Temple. I led people there, but by the time we arrived, he had already left."
"What did he go to Lingyun Temple for?"
"Unknown."
Cang Lang shook her head. "The monks at Lingyun Temple said Shi Chang'an met with Master Xin Deng and stayed in the temple for half a day before leaving. Oh, and he was accompanied by a man in his thirties. After leaving the temple, they disappeared without a trace."
Tang Ning was surprised by Cang Lang's complaints. She knew Xiao Yan's capabilities, especially with the Black Armored Guards and the pervasive Owl Guards of the Privy Council.
For Shi Chang'an to evade their search was no small feat. No wonder he had previously caused such turmoil in Beiling and lived to tell the tale.
"Forget it. Lord Cao must have told him about my invitation to become the academy's headmaster. Since he refuses to appear, he probably has no interest in Rongsheng Academy."
Although Tang Ning felt regretful, she couldn't force him. Moreover, Shi Chang'an was a person of true skill and ruthless methods. Just look at the unrest he caused in Beiling to know his capabilities.
Tang Ning didn't want to offend such a person unnecessarily.
"Tell the subordinates to stop searching. If he doesn't want to show himself, so be it."
She would consider it a missed connection with Rongsheng Academy.
After discussing matters in the capital with Cang Lang and settling other affairs, Cang Lang finally brought up the news from the palace.
"You say the Empress has developed murderous intentions toward Jin Zhi?" Tang Ning was surprised. "Why?"
The Empress currently had few people by her side. Logically, she shouldn't act against Jin Zhi at this time.
Cang Lang explained, "I'm not sure. De Shun only said the Empress has developed murderous intentions toward Jin Zhi."
"She sent people to the Fengxi Palace's storehouse in the name of preparing dowry for Jinzhi's marriage, but she also asked Deshun to claim the things taken away as stolen items, in order to accuse Jinzhi of stealing. In addition, the queen also asked Deshun to prepare some things for the fourth prince, and no one knew what she was doing."
Tang Ning was thoughtful. It was unnecessary to go through so much trouble to kill Jin Zhi. With the Queen's means, she could just casually accuse Jin Zhi of a crime and kill her. But now she had to go through so much trouble...
She paused to figure out the trick, and suddenly felt disgusted:
"Our queen is as vicious as ever. She even uses her closest confidants to silence them first."
Canglang was puzzled: "What did the girl say?"
"The Queen probably wants Jinzhi to take care of the Lingyun Temple affairs and remove herself from it. As for the excuse."
Tang Ning sneered, "The head aunt who has lived in the deep palace for a long time and is full of loneliness fell in love with the young and strong prince with a promising future. She planned for him but was jealous that he already had a wife, so she secretly framed her and betrayed her master and falsely conveyed the queen's oral order. How about this excuse?"
Cang Lang: “…”
What should I do if I suddenly feel a little nauseous?
Tang Ning saw that he was at a loss for words and laughed, "Don't worry about them. Let Eunuch Deshun do what the Queen ordered. Just save Jinzhi's life at the critical moment."
She was too lazy to care about the Queen. As long as she gave the Queen some hope, someone like her who cared about power and status and was ambitious would not do anything desperate.
As for the rest, as long as she doesn't ruin my brother's business, she can do whatever she wants in Fengxi Palace.
"Has there been any news from the northwest?"
"not yet."
Tang Ning was worried. Half a month had passed since the last letter, and her brother hadn't sent any news back yet. He didn't know whether things were going well in the northwest.
Tang Ning frowned and said, "Tell the people below to be more careful and pay more attention to all parties to avoid any mistakes."
I just hope I can wait for my brother to come back safely without any trouble.
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You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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