The hidden silver under the pear tree, the dog hole in the backyard, and the suddenly opened door of the woodshed that day, each was one of the few glimmers of light in Tangning’s days filled with despair, as if she were trapped in the abyss of hell.
Though she ultimately couldn’t escape her fate, the little girl before her still deserved the very best of everything.
Tangning gently patted Xue Ru’s head. “Your elder sister hopes you find happiness and never have to compromise yourself for anyone or anything.”
Xue Ru met Tangning’s gaze, her eyes reflecting nothing but care and sincerity. Her eyes reddened, and she hugged Tangning’s arm, burying her face against her shoulder. Her voice was muffled as she said, “Why is Elder Sister so good to me?”
She had nothing to offer.
They had never been particularly close in the past.
From a young age, Xue Ru had understood that the world offered no kindness without reason, not even among blood relatives. Yet, her elder sister had pulled her out of the quagmire that was the Song family, cared for her meticulously, sought doctors and medicine for her, helped her break free from her past, taught her to read and study, and transformed her into someone she never dared dream she could become.
“Sometimes I feel like I’m dreaming. Out of all the people in this world, why is Elder Sister so good to me alone?”
Tangning said, “Perhaps because in our last life, you were kind to me.”
Xue Ru let out a surprised “Ah?” and looked up, her eyes red like a rabbit’s.
Tangning said earnestly, “This is what I owe you.”
Xue Ru froze for a moment, then pouted. “Elder Sister is teasing me again! If you owe me, then I’ll cling to you for the rest of my life until you’re sick of seeing me!”
Tangning didn’t argue, only pinched her cheek lightly and let out a laugh.
Xue Ru, thinking Tangning was just joking, didn’t press further. She tilted her head, resting it on Tangning’s shoulder, nuzzling and acting spoiled. No matter what, she would always remember her elder sister’s kindness. She loved her elder sister the most and would do anything to help her!
…
When the carriage leisurely arrived at Jiyun Lane, the two sisters had already put the matter of the Cui family’s marriage proposal behind them. As they returned to the Tang residence, they noticed a carriage parked at the gate and several boxes placed in the courtyard.
“What’s going on here?” Tangning asked, puzzled, as she stepped inside.
“My lady, you’re back!” Hua Wu, standing in front of the flower hall, saw them and hurried over, giving a quick bow to Xue Ru. “Miss Ru.”
Xue Ru nodded, her eyes fixed curiously on the boxes. “Hua Wu, why are there so many things in the residence?”
Hua Wu shook her head. “This servant doesn’t know. It seems someone sent them specifically for you, my lady. Master Gu received them.”
Xue Ru turned to Tangning. “Elder Sister, could it be that the Cui family sent their book collection to the residence?”
“Probably not.”
Tangning shook her head. The collections from those families amounted to far more than just a few boxes. Besides, the aristocratic families had only “donated” their books under pressure.
Reluctant and begrudging, they wouldn’t miss the chance to gain some good reputation. She and her brother had agreed with Liang Guangyi to let those families deliver the books directly to the academy, publicly claiming it was out of pity for struggling students. The books would surely go straight to the academy, likely with much fanfare along the way to ensure everyone knew. If they were sent to Jiyun Lane, where only a few would notice, wouldn’t that waste their chance for fame?
“Uncle!”
Spotting Gu Helian’s figure in the flower hall, Tangning called out.
Gu Helian turned and saw them, saying, “You’re back? Come over here.”
When Tangning and Xue Ru approached, Gu Helian pointed to the boxes on the ground. “I was just wondering where to put all this stuff. The jade, ceramics, and jewelry can go straight to the storehouse, but these ancient paintings and rare books can’t be stored carelessly. You’d better figure out where to put them.”
Tangning said, “Why did you bring more things here? The residence isn’t lacking…”
“What are you thinking? If I were to give you something, it wouldn’t be this stuff.”
Gu Helian scoffed dismissively. “These jade and ceramic pieces can’t be eaten or used properly. The jewelry is all outdated, fancy-looking, sure, but with your pretty face, you can’t wear those old-fashioned styles. If I were to give you something, I’d rather send you a few boxes of gold. Buy whatever you like.”
“Of all this stuff, only the two boxes of rare books and ancient paintings are worth anything. The rest is no different from junk, takes up space just sitting here.”
Tangning: “…”
His quintessential nouveau riche tone was enough to make anyone jealous.
She stepped forward and inspected the boxes. “Who sent these, then?”
Gu Helian: “The Ji Wang Mansion.”
Tangning was surprised. “What are they sending things here for?”
“Who knows?”
“…”
Tangning glared at him. “You don’t know? And you still accepted them?!”
They had no real connection with the Ji Wang Mansion, except perhaps some bad blood from the past. For the Ji Wang Mansion to suddenly send so many things, and for Gu Helian to just accept them without question, was he not afraid of some ulterior motive?
What was he thinking?!
Tangning was speechless. “You didn’t ask before accepting them? The Ji Wang Mansion can’t be so unreliable as to send things without a reason, can they?”
Gu Helian said, “How would I know? When I got here, their people were already crowded at the gate. With no one in charge at the residence, Hua Wu was muttering about how you had a grudge with some lady from the Ji Wang Mansion and was keeping them out.”
“When I arrived, I casually asked what they were doing. The Ji Wang Mansion’s people latched onto me like I was their lifeline, saying they were here to congratulate you and Xiao Yan, claiming it was their prince’s apology gift on behalf of his wife and daughter. Then, as if afraid someone would refuse, they dropped the stuff and ran.”
He’d been completely baffled at the time. He tried to send someone after them, but the Ji Wang Mansion’s people were already gone. It took him and Mufeng a ton of effort just to get the things moved inside.
Seeing Tangning frown, Gu Helian pursed his lips. “It’s just a bit of junk. Accept it and be done with it. It’s probably just the Ji Wang trying to curry favor with your Xiao Yan now that he’s in power.”
“There’s not much useful stuff here. I checked, and only a few rare books are decent. The ancient paintings are from notable artists, so they’d look good hanging on the academy’s walls. If the Ji Wang Mansion makes a fuss about it, just toss them a couple of boxes of gold as compensation. It’s not like any of this is worth much.”
Tangning: “…”
Xue Ru: “…”
Xiao Yan, who had just entered from outside, caught the tail end of this conversation. Hearing Gu Helian talk about tossing out two boxes of gold as casually as if they were pebbles, his expression twisted for a moment.
Unaware of the new arrivals, Gu Helian kicked a nearby box, still grumbling under his breath. “The Ji Wang is royalty, after all. Isn’t this a bit too stingy? Doesn’t he know your Xiao Yan is scrounging for silver everywhere? If he really wanted to apologize, why send this pile of junk? Send silver, seven or eight hundred thousand taels! Xiao Yan would definitely let bygones be bygones.”
“What a useless heap. They’re not even embarrassed.”
Gu Helian pursed his lips, visibly displeased.
Xiao Yan, staring at the courtyard full of dazzling “junk,” felt his face twist even further. Nearby, Di Tao and General Fu, who had followed him in, were practically reaching for their swords.
Cao Dejiang ground his teeth: Nouveau riche!
How has this Gu fellow not been beaten to death?!
===============
You can read ahead to chapterr 770 (100+ extra chapters) here
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