Tang Ning had heard of this Lord Wang before. His rank was a mere lower fifth grade, holding a minor post with little influence in court affairs. On the night of the palace banquet, the Wang family wouldn’t have qualified to attend based on rank alone.
It was only because her brother had relaxed the rank requirements for the banquet that Lord Wang could bring his daughter to Zichen Hall.
That night, Tang Ning had helped Wang Yuzhen simply because she was implicated and publicly slandered by people from Prince Ji’s mansion. Tang Ning also admired Wang Yuzhen’s passion for learning. She hadn’t expected the girl to remember her kindness and rush over to warn her about the rumors.
Seeing Wang Yuzhen’s sincerity, Tang Ning gently took her hand and said softly, “You meant well, and I’m truly grateful.”
Qian Qiyue chimed in, “Don’t overthink it. Tang Ning isn’t the type to misunderstand kindness or fail to see right from wrong. Besides, plenty of people know about this, but you’re the only one who thought to come warn her.”
“By the way, after the palace banquet, did Xie Yuyan cause you any more trouble? I slapped her twice that day. Did she bother you afterward?”
Tang Ning frowned immediately. “Xie Yuyan troubled Yuzhen? When did this happen?”
Qian Qiyue explained, “Not long ago, at Old Madam Yue’s birthday celebration. The Yue family kept it small, but when I went with my mother, I saw Xie Yuyan bullying Yuzhen and a few other young ladies.”
“It was a birthday banquet, and there she was, spewing vile nonsense about death and slandering the reputations of unmarried girls. She kept bringing you up too. I got so angry I slapped her twice. My mother scolded me fiercely for it afterward.”
Qian Qiyue spoke casually, but the incident had caused quite a stir.
After being slapped, Xie Yuyan was also kicked into a koi pond by Qian Qiyue. When Prince Ji’s mansion came to retrieve her, they made a big fuss.
But the Yue family was related to the Qian family by marriage, and Old Madam Yue was fair and protective. Since Xie Yuyan was in the wrong and had struck first, with Wang Yuzhen and the other girls as witnesses, Madam Qian stood her ground and confronted Prince Ji’s mansion head-on.
“When Xie Yuyan left, she was crying and swearing she’d settle the score with me,” Qian Qiyue continued. “But a couple of days later, Prince Ji’s mansion sent apology gifts, not just to us, but to the Yue family too. I reckon they’re too scared to come after me and might target softer targets like Yuzhen or Miss Qi instead.”
Wang Yuzhen looked surprised. “Sister Qian, didn’t you know? Xie Yuyan is no longer at Prince Ji’s mansion.”
“What?” Qian Qiyue blinked. “What do you mean, not at Prince Ji’s mansion?”
Zhou Yuchang spoke up, “I know about this. They say Xie Yuyan fell ill and went to Lingxin Temple to recuperate.”
Tang Ning and Qian Qiyue both raised their eyebrows.
Zhou Yuchang lowered her voice. “That’s what Prince Ji’s mansion says publicly, but my third aunt is connected to Consort An in their household. I heard Xie Yuyan wasn’t sent to recover. She caused too much trouble, so Prince Ji had her gagged and sent to the temple.”
“After the Mid-Autumn palace banquet, Princess Ji fell ill. Now Consort An manages the household. The first thing she did was send apology gifts to all the families Xie Yuyan had offended. Lingxin Temple is now guarded by Prince Ji’s people. They say Xie Yuyan tried to take her own life a few times but couldn’t escape. Princess Ji has been causing a scene in the mansion, but Prince Ji hasn’t relented. He’s grown colder toward her too. It seems he’s abandoned Xie Yuyan.”
“Serves her right!” Qian Qiyue exclaimed.
If it were someone else, she’d curse them as a “rotten father,” but with Xie Yuyan, she’d rather set off a basket of firecrackers in celebration.
“With her knack for stirring trouble, any other family would’ve exiled her to the wilderness long ago. But Prince Ji’s finally grown a spine. Before, when Xie Yuyan caused such havoc, even killing someone, it was just a matter of stripping her title and a few lashes. Now he’s sent her to Lingxin Temple.”
That temple was no pleasant place. Remote, surrounded by barren hills, it had only one path in and out. In winter, snow blocked the way, and the cliffs on either side were dizzying. Hardly anyone visited to offer incense.
Qian Qiyue had once passed through the area while hunting and found it desolate beyond measure.
For Prince Ji to send his precious daughter to such a place for “spiritual retreat” was truly astonishing.
“How did Prince Ji come to his senses and stop protecting his darling daughter?” Qian Qiyue wondered.
Zhou Yuchang and Wang Yuzhen glanced at Tang Ning.
Qian Qiyue, ever blunt, didn’t think much of it, but the other two vaguely understood why Prince Ji acted this way. At the palace banquet, Princess Ji had helped Cui Lin scheme against Tang Ning, and though Prince Ji later spoke in Xiao Yan’s defense, the enmity was inevitable.
If Xiao Yan had fallen from grace, Prince Ji wouldn’t care. But now, with Xiao Yan holding great power and newly titled Duke Dingguo, his influence was even greater than before.
Last time, when Xie Yuyan forced a man’s betrothed to death, it was just a commoner’s family, so Prince Ji could protect her. But now, facing someone even Prince Ji’s mansion couldn’t contend with, he likely saw Xie Yuyan’s actions as a threat to his entire household. Thus, he made the painful choice to cut her off.
Tang Ning suddenly recalled the gifts Prince Ji’s mansion had sent. Were they apologies?
She had wondered why Princess Ji, who despised her, would agree to send so many “fine things.”
Seeing Qian Qiyue muttering to herself, Tang Ning said, “Maybe Prince Ji’s come to his senses, realizing that spoiling a child is like harming them. Or perhaps he’s grown tired of Xie Yuyan.”
“True,” Qian Qiyue scoffed. “With Xie Yuyan’s talent for making enemies, she’s offended half the capital. Who could stand her? But it’s good she’s gone, saves her from causing more trouble for Yuzhen and the others with her petty grudges.”
Zhou Yuchang poked her. “I think she’d come after you, not them. You got into another fight, didn’t Madam Qian punish you?”
Qian Qiyue’s face fell, her mouth pouting. “How could she not? She’s making me copy the Diamond Sutra, one hundred times!!”
Her eyes welled up. “Do you know how much that is? I can’t even finish one copy in a day. Last time, with fifty copies, I paid my third brother to secretly help me. This time, a hundred copies, ugh, even if I empty my purse, I won’t finish.”
Her third brother was a miser, only taking and never giving.
Her second brother was stingy too, and sharp-tongued.
Her eldest brother…
He’d help, but his calligraphy was renowned in the Qian family. Even if he tried to write poorly, it wouldn’t match their sloppy scrawls. Her mother would see through it instantly, and she’d get scolded for sure.
Qian Qiyue wailed, “Tang Ning, can I stay at your place? Just say you’re nervous about your wedding and need me to keep you company.”
Zhou Yuchang teased, “Aren’t you afraid that man in Tang Ning’s house will strangle you?”
Qian Qiyue: “…”
Wahhh…
She didn’t want to live anymore…
Tang Ning burst out laughing at Qian Qiyue, who was now clinging to Zhou Yuchang, whimpering. Even Wang Yuzhen couldn’t help but cover her mouth, giggling quietly.============
You can read ahead to chapterr 770 (100+ extra chapters) here
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