Gu Helian was stunned by Xiao Yan’s words. Looking at the young man sitting casually across from him, his demeanor languid yet audacious, he let out a low sigh.
“You and your father are truly nothing alike. If he’d been as cunning and adaptable as you, he wouldn’t have ended up in such a state.”
Xiao Yan, unfazed by the jab, took it as a compliment. Holding his teacup, he looked at Gu Helian. “So, does Master Gu agree to the deal?”
Gu Hel babe, he raised an eyebrow. “Uncle-in-law.”
Tch!
Gu Helian rolled his eyes, knowing this shameless rogue had no sense of propriety. He picked up the tea Xiao Yan had poured, clinking his cup lightly against Xiao Yan’s.
“For the sake of that ‘Uncle-in-law,’ I agree. But one thing—if you ever betray Tangning, I won’t let you off.”
“The Gu family may lack the power of noble clans, but we don’t lack wealth. With mountains of gold and silver, I can always find someone to take your life!”
If Xiao Yan dared betray Tangning, he’d spend his fortune to have him killed.
Xiao Yan, unfazed by the threat, smiled. “Thank you, Uncle-in-law.”
Gu Helian took a sip of tea, grimacing. “Tastes awful.” Setting the cup down, he demanded boldly, “Pour more tea!”
Xiao Yan: “…”
Pinching his teacup, he thought, *Fine, let him have his moment.*
…
After Tangning tidied up and drank a large bowl of medicinal soup, Qian Qiyue and Xue Ru came to see her.
Seeing the color return to her face, no longer the terrifying pallor of the previous night, Qian Qiyue sighed heavily in relief, poking Tangning’s forehead. “You Estates, were you trying to scare me to death?”
“I didn’t mean to…”
“Don’t deny it! You don’t know how pale you looked when I rushed over last night. If you weren’t still breathing, I’d have thought something happened to you.”
Qian Qiyue’s voice trembled with lingering fear, about to scold Tangning, when Tangning hugged her arm and nuzzled it.
“What are you doing?” Qian Qiyue pushed Tangning’s head away with a finger.
Tangning’s almond-shaped eyes glistened as she said, “Sorry, I forgot about you, my dear Sister Yue.”
Qian Qiyue’s eyes reddened suddenly.
After recovering from her leg injury and hurrying back to the capital, she had been eager to share her joy with Tangning, only to be met with a stranger’s gaze.
She’d felt so wronged, trying to talk to Tangning several times but being rebuffed, watching her chase after Lu Zhinian like a different person.
Back then, the entire capital mocked the noble Rong family daughter for degrading herself, clinging to a man who never cared for her. Qian Qiyue had argued and fought with countless people over those insults, but Tangning seemed blind to it, her heart and eyes fixed on that Lu family third son who never saw her.
Qian Qiyue, exasperated, had resented her and refused to interact, but she never imagined Tangning’s memory loss was due to the Song family’s torment.
Tears welled in Qian Qiyue’s eyes, filled with guilt. “I should’ve noticed something was wrong when I returned. You were never so weak, letting people bully you. If I’d realized how the Song family treated you, you wouldn’t have suffered so much.”
“I was angry at you, upset that you forgot me, ignoring you on purpose. I…” She broke into tears. “How could I be so stupid?”
Tangning’s eyes curved with a smile as she nuzzled Qian Qiyue. “Sister Yue isn’t stupid. Even though you were mad at me for forgetting you, when I was in trouble and bullied, you stood by me without hesitation.”
“I still remember how you cursed out the Lu family. With so many people around, you were the only one who spoke up…”
Qian Qiyue cried harder.
Xue Ru’s eyes also reddened nearby.
Rong Yue, watching the girls cry together, felt her heart ache. Wiping her eyes, she forced a light tone. “Alright, alright, stop crying. If you go back to the capital with swollen eyes, people will think something’s wrong.”
Once they calmed down, Rong Yue turned to Tangning. “What do you want to do with the Song family?”
Tangning paused before asking, “What did Brother do with them?”
Rong Yue’s face turned cold. “A thousand cuts.”
Qian Qiyue, eyes still red, glared fiercely. “They killed Lady Rong, nearly destroyed you, and colluded with the Lu family to ruin your reputation. A thousand cuts is too good for them. Don’t you dare go soft on them!”
Tangning gave a faint smile. “How could I be soft?”
The Song family was her nightmare. She’d watched her mother die before her eyes, endured endless despair. How could she be soft on those monsters?
“They’re getting what they deserve. No amount of torment can bring Mother back. Since Brother’s already dealing with them, let them suffer. I don’t want to see them or say a word to them.”
Even being near them made her sick.
Rong Yue hadn’t expected this response. She thought Tangning would want to see the Song family’s misery or vent her grievances herself. But hearing Tangning’s cold refusal to engage with them, Rong Yue suddenly understood.
To the Song family, bound by blood, Tangning’s indifference and disgust would sting more than mockery or torture.
Xiao Yan, ever vengeful, wouldn’t let them off easily. Their days would be a living hell, but Tangning didn’t need to be trapped in the past with them.
Rong Yue stroked Tangning’s hair. “You’re right. You don’t need to see them.”
Qian Qiyue’s eyes gleamed with dissatisfaction. She felt an urge to whip the Song family herself.
Xue Ru, ever obedient to her sister, said softly, “As long as you’re happy, Sister.
Besides, I'll be busy after returning to Beijing. The results of the last academy exam are out."
Tang Ning was immediately curious: "Has he come down already?"
"Well, my sister is in the A-grade, and I just barely made it to the D-grade." Xue Ru blushed shyly and whispered, "I didn't do well in the exam. I'm embarrassed for my sister."
Tang Ning was delighted when he heard this: "What nonsense! How long have you learned to read and write? It's already great that you can be admitted to the academy's class."
Rongsheng Academy divides students into four levels based on assessment: A, B, C, and D. D is the lowest grade, which may be a humiliation and embarrassment to other students in the academy, but it is different for Xue Ru.
When she left the Song family and went to Jiyun Lane, she couldn't even recognize a few words. When she was in the Song family, no one taught her anything.
She started going to school when she arrived at Jiyun Lane. From the time she first learned to read, it has only been less than half a year and she has already learned enough to be placed in a class at the academy. This is already quite talented and surprising.
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You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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