Chapter 20 Xiao Yan is coaxing her

Song Tangning looked up in bewilderment: "What?"

"I say, your brother may not be unaware that he is wrong."

Tang Ning was stunned by Xiao Yan's words. Seeing the little girl blinking in confusion, he said calmly, "Song Jinxiu is not a child, nor is he as young as Xie Yin. He prides himself on being a gentleman and always maintains strict self-discipline towards others. How could he not know that his behavior was inappropriate? He just refuses to admit it."

Song Tangning opened his mouth and wanted to ask why.

Xiao Yan had already spoken, "Because he can't admit his mistakes. Once he admits, he'll have to admit that he disregarded family affection. Once he admits, he'll have to admit that he hasn't cultivated himself. A gentleman should be strict with himself. Nowadays, the children of noble families are more concerned with self-cultivation. He has always prided himself on being a gentleman, but once he admits he was wrong, it means he has lost his moral integrity."

"Song Jinxiu entered the officialdom at a young age and has always been a prominent figure among the sons of the aristocratic families in the capital. He would never allow himself to be branded as immoral, so the only one who is wrong is you."

"But Song Tangning, this has nothing to do with you."

The man's voice was like gravel and ice, low and emotionless, but Tang Ning could hear the comfort in his words.

Obviously, he was the type who hated explaining and preferred to be quiet, but he seemed afraid that she wouldn't understand, so he told her word by word that it wasn't her fault.

When Tang Ning's nose was blocked, tears could not help but appear in her eyes. She hugged tightly the cloak wrapped around her that was filled with the cool fragrance of snow bamboo, as if her restless heart had found a place to rest, and she forced back the tears.

"Brother, does the house you gave me look good?"

“It’s beautiful.”

Xiao Yan's eyes moved slightly, and he leaned against the screen table with a casual look. "The previous owner of that house was a pleasure-loving person who knew how to enjoy life. Every corner of the house was filled with the best scenery. I remember that there were many flowers and plants planted in the front yard, and they even dug a piece of ground water in the backyard to make a hot spring. If I hadn't really been reluctant to move, I would have moved in long ago."

Tang Ning sniffed: "That's a bargain for me."

Xiao Yan indulged: "It's not cheap, take the money, and live here if you like."

Tang Ning tilted his head and said, "Brother, lend me a few guards. If the Song family comes, I can send them away."

"good."

"Thank you, brother."

Tang Ning held the cloak and smiled, her eyes and nose were still red, but her eyes were extremely bright.

Princess Cheng sat nearby and saw with her own eyes how Xiao Yan patiently coaxed Song Tangning. His expression was dull and his words showed no concern, but every word he said was easing Tangning's knot, silently soothing her depression and making the little girl smile.

She suddenly felt more favorable towards the notorious Governor Xiao.

So what if he is a eunuch? So what if he is cruel?

This Governor Xiao's heart is much cleaner than that of the eldest son of the Song family. Although he is a little impolite in his actions and has a sharp tongue, he is sincere to Tang Ning.

It is Tang Ning's blessing to have such a brother.

Xiao Yan's residence was in Jiyun Lane in the south of the city, quite far away from the west of the city where Prince Cheng's residence was located. When the carriage swayed all the way to the gate of Xiao's residence, someone was already waiting eagerly in front of the house next door to the Xiao family.

When the carriage stopped and Song Tangning was helped out by someone, the man rushed over crying.

"Girl!"

"Hua Wu?"

Tang Ning was shocked and couldn't help but look at Xiao Yan while being held by her personal maid.

Xiao Yan lifted her long cloak that had fallen to the ground behind her. "Your injuries are severe, so you need someone to take care of you. This maid had a fight with that concubine and was beaten with a few sticks. She managed to sneak out at night, but since she looked loyal, I had someone bring her here."

Hua Wu was only fourteen years old, with chubby cheeks and a slight limp when she walked.

She leaned forward and looked at the wounded Tang Ning with tears in her eyes: "I heard that you scared the horse and fell off the cliff, and that you almost couldn't come back. You scared me to death. Wuwuwu, how could you be injured like this? Does it hurt?..."

Seeing that Hua Wu's tears were about to drown her, Tang Ning vaguely remembered that Hua Wu was skinny and bony in her previous life, so she took a small bag of osmanthus cake to coax her.

"Girl, try this. This sweet-scented osmanthus cake is so delicious. It has filled my belly so much that it's almost round."

She deliberately burped, carefully broke up the pastry and fed it to her, but her eyes, which looked big and dark because she was too thin, stared at the pastry she swallowed without blinking, and she secretly licked her dry and chapped lips.

"It smells good, it's so sweet..."

The little girl smiled palely, "I have saved a few taels of silver. When you feel better, I will secretly find a chance to rescue you."

"I have found a way. The people in the front yard are watching closely, but there is a dog hole in the corner of the backyard wall. When my husband and his men are out, I will quietly carry you through it. After we escape, I will earn a lot of money and buy all kinds of cakes for you."

Hua Wu was full of longing and gently coaxed her even though her face was bruised.

But later, she saw the bloody Hua Wu beaten to death in the yard, just because she stole Song Shulan's bracelet.

She originally wanted to go back to the Song family to pick up Hua Wu after everything was settled, but she didn't expect Xiao Yan to bring her out first.

"Hua Wu..."

Tang Ning thought of Hua Wu lying in front of the door covered in blood in her previous life, and her heart ached so much that she couldn't help but want to reach out and touch her face, but revealing the wound on her hand made Hua Wu cry again.

"How did the girl's hands become like this? How will she write in the future? Wow!"

The little girl burst into tears and sobbed, almost out of breath.

Tang Ning ignored her sadness and quickly comforted her: "Don't cry, I'm fine, I just look a little embarrassed, I will be fine after some time."

"Really?"

"Really? If you don't believe me, ask your aunt."

Hua Wu looked at Princess Cheng eagerly, and Princess Cheng next to her was also amused by her crying face.

"What your girl said is true. Her injuries are not serious. She will be fine as long as she changes the dressing and rests well. But if you keep crying like this, she might not be able to stand. And doesn't your butt hurt?"

He's so lively after just being beaten.

"Go in first," Xiao Yan said. "I've already sent someone to tidy up the place. After you go in, you can stay in the main courtyard first. Uncle He is an elder in my mansion, so I'll let you use him for the time being. If you have any questions, just ask him, or send someone to look for me next door."

"Hello, young lady." Uncle He stepped forward and saluted.

Tang Ning looked at Xiao Yan: "Brother, aren't you going in?"

"No, it's late tonight. You and Princess Cheng should stay here first. I'll come back tomorrow."

Xiao Yan was not a talkative person, and it was not easy for him to coax Tang Ning with a few words. After he instructed He Bo to take care of Tang Ning, he nodded to Princess Cheng, turned around and went directly to the house next door.

After everyone left, the kind-looking Uncle He came forward with a smile and said, "It's cold outside. The girl and the princess can go in first. I'll have someone carry the things in the carriage."

Tang Ning nodded: "Thank you for troubling Uncle He."