Tangning was so embarrassed by Rong Yue’s words that she didn’t know what to do, her face flushed red, her wide eyes tinged with shy annoyance.
“Aunt!”
What kind of scandalous talk was this?!
Rong Yue, however, looked at her seriously. “I’m asking about something important. Be honest with Aunt, Is Xiao Yan really…”
Bang—
Before Rong Yue could finish, a loud noise came from outside, as if something had hit the doorframe. The tightly shut door was pushed open a crack.
Hua Wu stumbled, clutching the door to steady herself, meeting the two pairs of bright eyes inside. Her peripheral vision caught Xiao Yan’s expressionless face outside.
She stammered, “Uh… it’s windy outside. This servant lost her balance…”
Rong Yue: “??”
Hua Wu’s face flushed, not from embarrassment, but from the chilling gaze behind her. She gave an awkward smile. “My lady has been unconscious for days and hasn’t eaten properly. Qin Niangzi said that after waking, your stomach is weak, so you should only have ginseng soup and easily digestible food.”
“The Supervisor had the kitchen prepare it early this morning. My lady, please wash up, and this servant will bring it to you!”
With that, the young maid yanked the door shut with a creak, glanced at Xiao Yan standing there, and scurried off, shrinking her neck.
Xiao Yan heard Tangning’s soft, delicate voice from inside.
“Aunt, stop asking about such things. Look, even Hua Wu is laughing at me.”
“What’s there to laugh about? I’m concerned for you. He’s been pretending to be a eunuch for years and never got close to women. Who knows if he’s actually incapable…”
“Aunt!” Tangning felt her whole body heat up, both shy and flustered. “Brother isn’t incapable…”
Though they hadn’t gone all the way, she had clearly felt his desire.
Last night, her hand nearly gave out!
Seeing Rong Yue’s gossip-hungry look, Tangning pulled the blanket over her face. “Just stop asking!”
Outside, Xiao Yan: “…”
Separated by the door, the little girl’s shy voice carried through. Xiao Yan could almost see her blushing like she was drunk.
Recalling the sweetness of their intimacy last night, his throat tightened, his body heating up. But a gust of autumn wind cooled his mind, and he let out a soft, self-mocking chuckle.
Hearing that Rong Yue wasn’t making things difficult for Tangning, only showing concern as an elder, Xiao Yan didn’t linger to eavesdrop. He left as silently as he’d come.
After stepping out of the inner courtyard, he hadn’t gone far when he saw Gu Helian waiting, as if for him.
Xiao Yan didn’t avoid him, walking over and saying, “Master Gu.”
Gu Helian glanced at him. “You were calling me Uncle-in-law earlier, and now it’s Master Gu again?”
Xiao Yan smiled. “Though Tangning and I have made our feelings clear and gained Aunt’s approval, it seems Master Gu still has some way to go to join the Rong family. When Aunt formally introduces you and allows a proper marriage, I’ll naturally change how I address you.”
Gu Helian nearly laughed in exasperation. Was this brat burning bridges too quickly?!
And what was he showing off?
Xiao Haitang was just young and naive, swayed by his looks. Who was it earlier, shamelessly using his charm and playing pitiful to soften his Rong Yue?
If he’d known this brat would turn on him, he’d have urged Rong Yue to break all three of his legs!
Gu Helian sneered mockingly. “My business with Rong Yue doesn’t need your concern. But Xiao Haitang is still young and inexperienced, easily swayed by sweet words.”
“As her elder, even if I haven’t joined the Rong family, she still calls me Uncle. I recall that Zuozhou is known for its handsome men, and nearby Yanzhong produces refined scholars, elegant and dashing.”
“Since she calls me Uncle, I can’t let her down. I’ll make sure she sees the world’s finest men and admires its many flowers.”
“I’ll write a letter soon, using the Gu family’s resources to find a few charming, considerate young gentlemen to come to the capital and *serve* Tangning!”
“…”
Xiao Yan, always tactful, met Gu Helian’s sneer with a slight smile. “Master Gu, you’re too kind. Though Aunt hasn’t accepted you yet, Tangning and I both know your deep affection for her. Her hesitation is just caution, but I believe true love is never wasted.”
Gu Helian: Pfft!
Xiao Yan: “You and Aunt have faced many trials. Back then, it was a twist of fate. Now that you’ve rekindled your bond, it’s something to celebrate.”
Gu Helian, stone-faced: I’m not listening to this nonsense!
Did this smooth-talking dog think he was so easily swayed?!
Seeing Gu Helian glaring at him with a “what’s it to you” look, Xiao Yan sighed lightly. “Speaking of which, nothing in this world is certain. Just the other day, Xiao Haitang mentioned you and Aunt to me…”
Gu Helian’s eyes flickered. Xiao Haitang mentioned him?
He couldn’t help but look at Xiao Yan, waiting for him to continue, only to find the chatterbox suddenly silent.
Gu Helian stared.
Xiao Yan tilted his head, smiling.
Gu Helian glared.
Xiao Yan’s smile widened.
Gu Helian’s head throbbed with anger. He didn’t want to deal with Xiao Yan, but curiosity clawed at him.
Rong Yue’s refusal to give him a title stemmed from fear that Tangning wouldn’t accept it and worry that their relationship would embarrass her. He was dying to know what Tangning had said, but Xiao Yan, oblivious to his hints, just stood there with that infuriating face, smiling quietly.
Gu Helian’s frustration boiled over. “What did Xiao Haitang say?”
Xiao Yan’s eyes were lazy. “Zuozhou’s men are handsome, Yanzhong’s scholars refined. Though I’m charming, I’m not considerate enough. Master Gu should find those young gentlemen instead.”
Gu Helian choked.
The boomerang came back, hitting him hard and stabbing his gut.
…
After Xiao Yan and Gu Helian traded barbs, neither dug at the other’s weak spots further. Their ties to Rong Yue and Tangning made them wary of each other, unable to strike too hard or risk being undermined.
Gu Helian, with a fake smile, followed Xiao Yan to the study. A tea stove on the table heated fresh water, and once the room quieted, they dropped the banter.
Through the rising steam, Gu Helian looked at the man across from him. “You’ve hidden your identity for so many years, yet you suddenly told Rong Yue and me. It’s not just about Tangning, is it? When you left the capital secretly, you went to the northwest, didn’t you?”
Xiao Yan added tea to the pot with a spoon. “Yes.”
“Di Tao came back to the capital with you?”
“Mm. I went to see Di Shuangcheng,” Xiao Yan said calmly. “My father left some things tied to the northwest army. Since I couldn’t entrust it to others, and after so many years, I didn’t know how many would still be loyal to his old allies, I had to go myself.”
=======
T/N: Xiao Yan is rude as hell i can’t with him=======================
You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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