Xiao Yan's eyes lowered slightly. Did Cao Dejiang know?
Back then, the matter could easily have led to the calamity of an entire clan. Even Lady Rong of Rongqian'an had never spoken openly about it, outwardly appearing disheartened and withdrawing from the court.
Everyone thought the Eastern Palace lineage had long been eradicated. Would Rongqian'an tell Cao Dejiang the truth?
But given Cao Dejiang's cunning, since he agreed to play along with Rongqian'an in that act, helped cover up the traces of the Eastern Palace, and took away Eunuch Xu...
He managed to deceive everyone, remaining in the court and rising to the pinnacle of the upright faction, fooling Emperor An for so many years. How could he possibly know nothing?
If he did know, why did he keep Eunuch Xu?
And with the recent events, even the Empress and Feng Lai had grown suspicious of him, doubting his identity as "Xiao Yan." Cao Dejiang, as someone in the know, was aware that a child had escaped from the Eastern Palace back then—whether it was a child of the He family or Xie Chen'an. Could he truly not have noticed anything amiss about "Xiao Yan"?
Or perhaps, he had long noticed but pretended otherwise, acting as if he had been outmaneuvered by Xiao Yan, reluctantly "entering the game"?
Xiao Yan's expression was complex. "I overestimated myself, thinking that after years of scheming, I could manipulate everyone in the palm of my hand. But in the end, I underestimated others."
"This Lord Cao is the true master of deception."
Tang Ning's jaw tightened as she listened to Xiao Yan's words. She thought of Cao Dejiang, who seemed oblivious, lured step by step into their trap by her and her brother with the bait of rare ancient texts. She recalled how, after the Zhao family's setup last time, Cao Dejiang had stormed into the academy in a rage, questioning her about whether Xiao Yan had left the capital, leading her to mention the matter of Lu Jiu'an.
Grand Tutor Liang had abandoned the Lu family because of the Lu Jiu'an affair.
The noble families, in turn, had distanced themselves from the matter due to Grand Tutor Liang's actions.
It seemed as though she and her brother had set the trap to ensnare Cao Dejiang, but in reality, he knew everything. Thinking back to the vacant official positions in the court after the Lu family's downfall and who had filled them...
A chill ran up Tang Ning's spine from her tailbone, her fingers growing cold.
If Cao Dejiang harbored ill intentions toward them, she and her brother would likely have been long dead!
Xiao Yan, too, felt a rare pang of fear and grew even more wary of Cao Dejiang. Yet, after the wariness, he couldn't help but reflect.
No matter the time, one must never assume they are the smartest. Every step must be taken with utmost caution. He was not alone; behind him were countless people risking their lives alongside him.
Thinking of Cao Dejiang's exasperated demeanor every time they met, Xiao Yan could imagine that old fox secretly laughing at him.
He touched Tang Ning's slightly cold hand and said to her, "Tonight, I'll go to the Cao residence. Come with me."
Tang Ning nodded. "I'll let Aunt know."
"Good."
Some things, once known, must be clarified.
…
When Tang Ning returned to the Tang residence from Helü Hall, she learned from Yue Jian that Di Tao had visited, and Xue Ru had left the residence with him.
"Aru went with him?" Tang Ning was surprised.
Yue Jian said, "Miss Ru originally didn't want to go, but she couldn't resist Young General Di's persistent pestering. However, she took a maid with her when she left, and Hang Li went along too."
Tang Ning assumed Hang Li had gone with them and, feeling reassured, didn't ask further. She went to see Rong Yue.
With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, Rong Yue had been staying mostly at the Tang residence these days, preparing for the family banquet.
Though the household was small, Rong Yue always wanted it to be lively. Moreover, with her sister's vengeance achieved, she wished to honor the occasion with the festival, so everyone in the residence was bustling about.
When Tang Ning arrived, Rong Yue spotted her and quickly called out, "You're here just in time. Gu Helian's people sent over some new-flavored mooncakes. Come try them. Also, about the banquet menu, I'm not too familiar with Xiao Yan's preferences. Take a look and see what else we should add."
Tang Ning suddenly remembered that last night's events had happened abruptly, and the palace banquet was decided on short notice. She had been so preoccupied with worrying whether Xiao Yan could safely navigate the palace that she forgot to tell her aunt about the Mid-Autumn palace banquet.
Tang Ning stepped forward and said to Rong Yue, "Aunt, we might need to postpone the family banquet."
"What's wrong?" Rong Yue asked, puzzled.
Tang Ning explained, "The palace just issued a decree saying there will be a banquet on the Mid-Autumn Festival. Both my brother and I will have to attend, and with your noble title, Aunt, you'll likely need to join us at the palace banquet."
Rong Yue's face immediately darkened, and she set the mooncake in her hand down on the plate.
"In previous years, the palace banquet was planned well in advance. Why are they holding it at the last minute this year? The palace has had two fires this month alone, killing a slew of palace servants and even burning the Empress to death. I heard the Empress Dowager's health isn't great either. What is the Emperor thinking, hosting a banquet at a time like this?"
Wasn't he afraid people would call him callous?
More importantly, she had no desire to attend some tiresome palace banquet where she couldn't eat her fill, had to kowtow before taking a sip of wine, and had to deal with a bunch of insufferable, snide people.
Listening to her aunt's grumbling and seeing her pout like a young girl, Tang Ning couldn't help but smile. It seemed that ever since Rong Yue got together with Gu Helian, her temperament had changed a lot. She was no longer as tightly wound as before and had regained some of the carefree spontaneity of her youth.
Tang Ning said, "Our Emperor cares most about saving face. The death of an Empress who cuckolded him doesn't bother him. Besides, with all the rumors swirling outside, he'd think not holding a banquet would stir more gossip."
"Since time is tight, the palace has assigned this task to my brother. On the day of the banquet, we'll likely be so busy we won't return until late at night, so the family banquet might not happen. Aunt, don't trouble yourself with preparations."
Rong Yue immediately looked at her. Just attending a palace banquet—why wouldn't they return until late at night? Her heart tightened, and she lowered her voice. "Will something happen at the palace banquet?"
Tang Ning gave a soft "mm" but didn't elaborate, only saying, "Aunt, just remember to stay with me that day."
Rong Yue's expression grew serious. Knowing Xiao Yan's identity, she naturally understood what he was plotting. For Tang Ning to say this, it was likely Xiao Yan planned to make his move in the palace on the Mid-Autumn Festival.
With matters tied to imperial power and old grudges, once things erupted, the palace would surely descend into chaos.
Seeing her aunt's tension, Tang Ning reassured her, "Aunt, don't be afraid. My brother has everything prepared. Otherwise, he wouldn't let you or me enter the palace."
Rong Yue nodded. "True, he’s always been protective of you."
"It's not just about protecting me, but all of us. My brother has waited years for this opportunity, and no matter what, he won't let anything go wrong," Tang Ning said softly. "Tonight, I’m going out with my brother, and we might return late. Aunt, don’t worry."
"Is it dangerous?" Rong Yue asked quickly.
Tang Ning shook her head. "No, we’re just visiting an elder."
Rong Yue sighed in relief. "Then go, and be careful."
Tang Ning nodded.
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You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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