Chapter 103 The Little Girl of the Governor's Family
Nanny Jiang couldn't help but say, "But you can't just live in Jiyun Lane like this forever..."
"I know."
Princess Cheng held the peach blossom in her hand and lowered her eyes. She had left the house with Tang Ning in a fit of anger that day. People outside had already speculated about her affairs. Her situation with Xie Tianyu was different from that with Tang Ning and the Lu family. If she stayed in Jiyun Lane, it would sooner or later bring trouble to Tang Ning.
"Wait a little longer. After the Lu family's affairs are resolved and the Song family's case is judged, I will go back."
Whether you want to continue or separate, you have to make it clear.
Nanny Jiang was delighted to hear this: "Then this servant will accompany you back."
Princess Cheng hummed, threw away the peach blossom in her hand, and touched her belly: "I am pregnant, don't let Yin'er know for the time being."
Nanny Jiang nodded quickly: "Yes, I know."
…
Song Tangning had no idea that Princess Cheng was planning to return to the palace. She just took Hua Wu and went next door, carrying the ginseng soup that she had asked the kitchen to prepare last night.
The Tang Mansion and the Xiao Mansion are separated by only a courtyard wall, and the two mansions are clearly separated. The gates of the mansions are some distance apart. This is the first time Song Tangning has come here since moving to Jiyun Lane.
Unlike the lavishly decorated Tang Mansion, the Xiao Mansion appears much simpler.
After entering the vermilion gate, there are water-mill walls and white stone platforms. The three open halls in the front hall are only furnished with some simple tables and chairs. The corridor next to it connects to the backyard. After passing it, there is a large martial arts training ground with various weapons.
There are not many exquisite beams and paintings in the entire mansion, only white stone and wooden railings, and corridors connected to each other. There is no trace of rouge and powder in sight, making everywhere seem cold.
Occasionally, servants would pass by her and would avoid her and greet her when they saw her.
"These are the guards of the mansion. Like Hang Li and the others, they have followed the governor for many years and have been protecting him. There is no need to be afraid, young lady." He Bo was afraid that Tang Ning would be frightened by the cold and hard armor sheaths on them, so he spoke in a gentle voice to comfort her.
Tang Ning asked softly, "Do they also wear helmets and carry swords in the mansion?"
Uncle He paused and said, "The governor has grudges against many people, so the mansion is guarded more strictly."
Tang Ning understood what Uncle He meant. Although this was his brother's residence, those who had grudges against him had tried to sneak into the mansion and hurt him, so even the guards in the mansion wore helmets and carried swords so that they could protect Xiao Yan from fighting others at any time.
She pursed her lips and looked at the guards, and suddenly she understood why her brother wanted to kill her at first sight when they first met in the mountains.
Uncle He whispered to Song Tangning about the places they passed by, and the two walked towards the depths of the mansion. After walking for a while, they arrived in front of a small building and happened to see someone coming out of it.
Uncle He was surprised: "Mr. Yue, when did you return to Beijing?"
"I came back last night, but I just got into town this morning."
The middle-aged man in the scholar's robe snapped his folding fan shut and said to Uncle He with a smile, "I was just asking the governor about you. He said that the rice dumplings made with fermented glutinous rice are the best for me. But I haven't seen you since I got here, and I thought you were disgusted by me eating too much and went out to get some peace and quiet."
Uncle He was amused by his words: "Look at what you said. Even if you eat as much as you want, how much can you eat? I just went outside. Miss Song next door came to look for the governor. I was afraid that the rough people in the mansion would scare her, so I led the way for her."
The man known as Mr. Yue had long heard of the name of the Song family's daughter. Upon hearing this, he immediately set his sights on Song Tangning. Looking at the little girl covered with a veil, revealing only a pair of large, distinct black and white eyes, he was quite curious: "Are you the new sister of the governor that Canglang mentioned?"
Song Tangning bowed and said, "Mr. Yue."
"I dare not."
Mr. Yue smiled and stepped aside, gently waving his folding fan as he supported Song Tangning. "That brother of yours is a man who protects his own shortcomings and is unreasonable. If he knew you were bowing to me, he would skin me alive. I'm weak and can't stand his torment."
He spoke with a smile, and even though his words were full of ridicule, there was no sense of malice.
Although Song Tangning blushed a little, she was not uncomfortable. She just scratched her sleeves in embarrassment.
Mr. Yue couldn't help laughing when he saw that she couldn't hide her blush even through the veil. Who would have thought that his governor, who was so eccentric and cold, would actually take in such a soft and gentle girl? She looked like a little darling who deserved to be held in the palm of someone's hand and cared for.
He didn't continue teasing Tang Ning, but just said to Uncle He, "I've lost several horses in the last few days trying to get back to the capital. I'm almost exhausted. I'm going to rest first. Uncle He, remember to have someone call me when you've made the rice dumplings with fermented glutinous rice. I want a large portion, a large bowl with two poached eggs in it. I can eat a cow any time now."
After Uncle He responded with a smile, Mr. Yue waved goodbye and left.
Song Tangning looked at the man's back with curiosity, and then listened to He Bo's explanation: "Mr. Yue was originally the county magistrate of a remote prefecture in the south. He was wrongly imprisoned, but the governor found out the truth and helped him escape. Since then, he has been with the governor, and like Jinyun and others, he has been working for the governor."
Tang Ning tilted his head slightly: "So he is also on duty in the Privy Council?"
"No, he never served as an official again."
"Why?" Tang Ning was a little surprised.
"The one who wronged him earlier was a member of an aristocratic family. Mr. Yue is a capable person, but the aristocratic family cannot tolerate him."
Song Tangning was stunned by Uncle He's words. He couldn't help but look in the direction where Mr. Yue left. He was a man who seemed polite and considerate at first sight. How could he no longer enter the court just because he offended a noble family?
That brother...
"Miss Song, this way."
Uncle He smiled and led the way. Song Tangning withdrew her gaze and followed him. When they reached the small building, Uncle He said, "This is Heli Hall. The governor is inside. Miss Song, please go in."
"Don't you need to pass it on?" Tang Ning hesitated.
Uncle He smiled and said, "Others naturally want it, but my lady doesn't need it. The governor has already instructed us that if you come, you can just go in directly."
He pointed to the side of the small building and said, "The Governor should be at Yueli Terrace right now. If you go in from this side, follow the corridor inwards and go around the library, you will see the Governor. However, the Governor does not like others to enter Heli Hall, so it is not appropriate for Miss Hua Wu to enter."
Song Tangning turned to Hua Wu and said, "Then wait for me in the corridor for a while. I'll come out after I see my brother."
Hua Wu nodded obediently: "Yes."
…
Song Tangning took the food box in his hand, avoided the injured finger and carried it into Heli Hall. He found that the small building looked small from the outside, but was very spacious inside.
She didn't know if it was her illusion, but ever since she stepped into the room, the further she walked in, the warmer it became. By the time she reached a green gauze cabinet along the long corridor, some sweat had already appeared on her forehead, and even the occasional breeze blowing through the hall seemed to carry a hint of warmth.
"Who?" A cold voice came from the inner room.
"Brother, it's me."
Song Tangning quickly replied, and then heard the voice inside soften: "Tangning? Come in."
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