Chapter 21 The Crazy Mansion
Although Jiyun Lane is located in the south of the city, not the most prestigious west side of the capital, the south of the city has the largest market in the capital and is close to the wharf heading south to Fengjiang. In addition, many government offices in the capital are located in the south of the city. Some powerful people who like prosperity have their houses in the south of the city. Among them, Jiyun Lane, which is quiet in the bustling city like a paradise, is the most precious place in the entire south of the city.
The houses here are no cheaper than those in the west of the city, and because the powerful and wealthy gather here, houses are hard to come by.
When Xiao Yan said that he had an idle house, even Princess Cheng thought it must be an ordinary house. But after entering, everyone was stunned.
After walking through the Miaoshou Corridor, bypassing the huge garden, and passing a group of pavilions and towers, we entered the main courtyard.
Hua Wu opened her mouth wide: "Girl, this house is so big."
Tang Ning was also a little shocked. The house that Xiao Yan "sold" to her was almost half the size of the Duke of Song's Mansion.
Half is not an underestimation.
You have to know that the Duke of Song's Mansion has been run by the Song family for generations. In addition, because of the achievements made by the old Duke when he was alive, the late emperor specially rewarded him with an idle vacant land next to it. It was expanded three times before and after to the size of the Song family's residence today. The size of the mansion is one of the largest in Beijing. Who would have thought that the house Xiao Yan gave her was so big.
Princess Cheng swallowed guiltily, "This house cost 13,000 taels. Your governor has suffered a huge loss."
Given the size and location, she would feel guilty if the price were doubled.
Uncle He laughed when he heard this. "My Lord Governor has no shortage of money. Many people wanted this house before, but he found them an eyesore and was afraid that troublesome neighbors would move in and cause him constant noise and annoyance, so he kept it vacant."
"It's just right that the girl is here now. From now on, the two families will visit each other more frequently, and the Governor's Mansion will have more atmosphere of homeliness."
Princess Cheng was shocked when she heard this. This Governor Xiao had taken discriminatory treatment to the extreme.
When others make noise, it's an eyesore; when Tang Ning makes noise, it's just a nuisance.
Song Tangning also frowned slightly because of what Uncle He said. He hugged his cloak and was supported by Hua Wu to sit on the couch.
Uncle He called the people in the courtyard over and said, "These are the people the governor has left for you. His name is Hang Li, and he's the head of these guards. He's responsible for protecting you and the safety of the courtyard. If you have any instructions, please give them to him."
"These maids were previously employed by the Governor's residence. Some were in charge of the outer courtyard, and some worked in the kitchen. They're all tight-lipped and know the rules. The Governor said they'd be given to the young lady temporarily until she's settled in. If she finds them suitable, they can stay. If not, they can be sent back to the Governor's residence when they find someone suitable."
Hang Li and the others all stepped forward and saluted: "Hello, young lady."
Tang Ning subconsciously felt around and found that he had no silver. He said a little embarrassedly: "You keep it for now, and I'll reward you tomorrow."
"Thank you, girl."
After Hang Li led those people away, He Bocai smiled and said, "It's a little late today, young lady, please go to bed early. I saw that you brought some people with you when you came. I will hand over everything in this courtyard to them tomorrow. I will stay here for the next few days. If you have any instructions, please feel free to come to me."
Tang Ning said softly, "Okay."
After Uncle He left, Nanny Jiang, who had been outside to arrange things and servants, came in. When she saw Princess Cheng, she sighed:
"I originally thought that this house would become somewhat derelict after being unoccupied for a long time, but who would have thought that it lacks nothing. I just took a look, and the yard is in excellent repair, and the kitchen is ready for immediate use. Except for a few minor repairs on the roof and the treasury being tidied up, the young lady can live here with peace of mind."
Princess Cheng sighed, "Tang Ning, this brother you recognize behaves appropriately."
Although he was a eunuch and didn't have to care about worldly etiquette, Xiao Yan still observed the rules and did not enter the mansion at night to prevent Tang Ning from being gossiped about.
From the time Tang Ning decided to leave Prince Cheng's Mansion to the time he came to this house, it took less than an hour. Xiao Yan had already had people clean up the house inside and out, and sent servants and guards to patrol the courtyard, and took care of all the things they needed to take care of.
It's not something that ordinary people can do to be so thorough.
Princess Cheng sat beside Tang Ning and said jokingly with a smile: "If you weren't my elder sister's biological daughter, and I knew that my elder sister didn't give birth to another son as handsome as her, I would have suspected that you were the biological sister of Governor Xiao."
Upon hearing this, Tang Ning smiled while holding the cloak in his arms.
This new brother...
Really good.
Nanny Jiang talked to the two of them for a while. Seeing that Princess Cheng seemed to have something to say to Tang Ning alone, she took Hua Wu to arrange the bedding and bed clothes for the residence first.
When there were only two people left in the room, Princess Cheng poured some hot water and handed it to Tang Ning, then asked, "Tang Ning, what do you think about the situation at the Song family?"
Tang Ning pursed her lips: "I don't want to go back."
Princess Cheng didn't rush to ask her why, nor was she surprised by her thoughts. She had already had a premonition when Tang Ning questioned Song Jinxiu and the others in Prince Cheng's mansion. She simply asked, "Have you thought it through? Do you simply not want to live with the Song family, or do you have other ideas?"
Tang Ning's eyes narrowed slightly: "Aunt..."
Princess Cheng looked at her and said, "I have indeed been spoiled by your uncle over the years and I don't like to play tricks on others, but that doesn't mean I don't understand anything. What you said to Song Jinxiu today didn't seem to be just a vent of anger."
"If it was just about Song Shulan, you wouldn't have to act like you wanted to break off relations with the Song family. Furthermore, you even mentioned Lu Zhinian. Your aunt witnessed your infatuation with that Lu family kid. If they hadn't done something they shouldn't have done, you wouldn't have said you wanted to break off the engagement."
"Tang Ning, tell me honestly, did Song Jinxiu and the others do anything they shouldn't have done?"
Tang Ning looked at Princess Cheng in some surprise, but after a moment he was in a daze. Yes, my aunt's father was the late Taifu, so how could he really raise a daughter who had no prospects at all.
"Aunt, Song Shulan may not be my father's daughter."
"What did you say?" Princess Cheng widened her eyes.
Tang Ning pursed her lips and said, "When Third Uncle first brought Song Shulan back to the mansion, he sent her directly to the main house. Aunt and Uncle had a big fight the other day, and even Grandmother was extremely disgusted with Song Shulan and seemed unwilling to let her stay in the Song family."
"Song Jinxiu wasn't at the mansion at the time, and my aunt hadn't shown up for several days. I vaguely heard people in the mansion say she was ill, and I wanted to visit her but was turned away."
"A few days later, my third uncle suddenly brought Song Shulan to me and told me that she was the debt left by my father's affair. Song Shulan's mother was the mistress my father had when he was young."
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