Chapter 19 Song Tangning will be under my supervision from today onwards
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Xie Yin was stunned and speechless, her eyes full of disbelief. How could she not marry into the Lu family?
Song Jinxiu also suddenly looked up at Tang Ning. The marriage between the Song and Lu families was decided by the Queen herself, and the wedding date was set for next year. Tang Ning has been extremely dependent on Lu Zhinian over the years. Since she was sensible, she has said that she wants to marry her brother Lu, and has always regarded herself as the daughter-in-law of the Lu family and interacted with the Lu family.
But now she actually said that she would not marry into the Lu family. How could she be so angry?
Not to mention Song Jinxiu and the others, even Princess Cheng and Xiao Yan couldn't help but look at Tang Ning.
Song Jinxiu suppressed his anger and said patiently, "Tang Ning, don't say anything irritating. Your marriage with the Lu family has been agreed upon for many years, and the Queen has always treated you very well. I know you're angry about Shan, but no matter what, your engagement cannot be treated lightly."
"Be obedient and stop making trouble. It's not okay if my brother is wrong."
He was full of helplessness, as if he was facing a naughty and willful child.
Song Tangning's stomach suddenly churned, and he felt both nauseous and sick.
She had clearly said so much, and her face was almost filled with disgust, but Song Jinxiu still acted like an elder brother and lectured her.
He thought that she was of higher status than him and that she should just stop when she said "he was wrong", but it was obviously they who were wrong, so why did he still have to act aggrieved?
Song Tangning didn't know whether he didn't understand what people were saying or was too self-centered and never took her seriously. Even now, he still felt that she was just angry with them and joking with them.
He didn't care at all how serious she was when she said these words, nor did he feel that what they did hurt her too deeply.
He just thought that she would come back if they admitted their mistakes, so he just kept telling her that she was ignorant and asked her to stop making trouble, as if he treated her as a willful child who could be coaxed into obedience.
Song Tangning suddenly lost interest in talking to them.
"Master, the carriage is ready."
"Princess, everyone is here."
Canglang and Nanny Jiang came in almost at the same time.
"Help Madam Song out."
Nanny Jiang came over quickly and carefully held Tang Ning's hand, letting her lean most of her body on her.
Xiao Yan followed them with a cold expression, and only stopped when he passed by Song Jinxiu and the others.
"Mr. Song is indeed a recorder who finds fault with others. He is very eloquent, but it makes people feel disgusted."
His eyes were cold and full of sarcasm.
"Song Tangning will be under my control from today onwards. I prefer a quiet environment, and my residence is no less spacious than Prince Cheng's. From now on, anyone who enters the house in Jiyun Lane without my permission will have their legs broken."
With his sleeves fluttering, Xiao Yan approached, and after a moment, the cloak with a dragon pattern covered Tang Ning.
"It's late, let's go."
Tang Ning hid his entire face in the fox fur: "Okay."
When Princess Cheng saw Xiao Yan taking Tang Ning away, she turned around and wanted to walk out, but was stopped by Prince Cheng after just a few steps.
"Niang Yue, you're confused. How could you let Tang Ning really go with Xiao Yan? Do you know who he is? Do you know how many people have died at his hands? What good can Tang Ning expect from following him?"
Princess Cheng stumbled as she was pulled: "You're hurting me."
Prince Cheng subconsciously loosened his grip, a look of apology and concern flashing across his brows. Princess Cheng saw this expression, and she softened her tone.
"You're overthinking it. No matter how many people Xiao Yan killed, they were all corrupt officials or those who were against him. Tang Ning had no grudge against him. He even saved Tang Ning's life. Why would he hurt Tang Ning for no reason..."
"You know what."
Prince Cheng thought she was naive. "Tang Ning has no grudge against him, but she still has the Duke of Song's Mansion behind her, and she is also engaged to the Lu family."
He suppressed his anger and tried to persuade her.
"Xiao Yan has been investigating the grain tax issue for a while now. All those involved are from the aristocratic families. He wants to help his brother, the emperor, fight against the aristocratic families. However, the aristocratic families are powerful, headed by the Cui and Lu families. The Duke of Song has close ties with both families. If Tang Ning hangs out with Xiao Yan, what will happen if they find out?"
Princess Cheng's expression changed slightly. She had forgotten about this, but in the next moment she became dissatisfied with what Prince Cheng said: "What do you mean by 'playing around'? Do you think the same of Tang Ning?"
"That's not what I meant. I'm just worried that she'll ruin her reputation..."
"What's there to be afraid of?"
Princess Cheng frowned. "Everyone in the capital knows Xiao Yan's identity. He goes in and out of the palace every day, and no one talks about him even when he's with the concubines. Even if he were to stay in the same room with Tang Ning, who would misunderstand him? If you have the time to criticize Tang Ning, you might as well take care of your good son and stop him from hanging out with people who are not worthy of public attention, so as to avoid embarrassing him!"
"Mother Yue..."
"alright."
Princess Cheng was a little unhappy. "I will tell Tang Ning about Xiao Yan's matter. At least he saved her and is willing to protect her. He doesn't seem like someone from the Song family."
He didn't understand what others said but was still self-righteous. When she glanced at Song Jinxiu coldly, she almost spat in his face.
"Our house is not suitable for Tang Ning to recuperate, and your son is confused. I will ask Tang Ning to pay more attention to Xiao Yan and not to get too close to him. As for other matters, we can discuss them later."
"I'll stay with Tang Ning tonight and come back after she's settled."
After she finished speaking, she turned around and left in a hurry, her skirt fluttering and her feet moving very fast.
King Cheng called out to her a few times but she didn't stop, and he became so angry that his face turned blue.
"Look at the trouble you've caused!"
He turned around and vented his anger on Xie Yin.
Prince Cheng didn't think that what Xie Yin and the others did yesterday was anything serious. At most, it was just a young man who got into trouble in a fit of anger. He found an opportunity to explain things to Tang Ning and coax the girl, and the matter was resolved.
But Xie Yin was so stupid as to bring Song Jinxiu and Song Shulan in, and even provoked Xiao Yan, causing Song Tangning to leave Prince Cheng's Mansion.
Thinking about what Tang Ning said before she left, she wanted to cancel the engagement, Prince Cheng was so angry that his head hurt. Then the Lu family's marriage must not be canceled.
He angrily scolded Xie Yin in a cold voice, and even looked at Song Jinxiu and his sister with disdain: "It's late at night, why don't you go back, Mr. Song?"
Song Jinxiu's face was as red as a dyeing workshop: "...Sorry to bother you, Your Highness. I'll leave now."
The spring nights in February are extremely cold, and the night wind is biting.
Before Song Jinxiu left, he heard Prince Cheng grabbing Xie Yin, who was about to escort them out of the palace, and scolding him in the backyard.
She mercilessly mocked and belittled him, and after she was done, she angrily shouted to the servants beside her, "From now on, don't allow Song Shulan to set foot in Prince Cheng's mansion!"
Song Shulan's face turned pale as paper and her body swayed.
Song Jinxiu hurriedly supported her.
"Brother."
When Song Shulan raised her face slightly, there was no trace of blood on her face. She looked so pitiful as if she was crying, but Song Jinxiu did not comfort her immediately as he did in the past.
Song Shulan's face turned even paler. It was obvious that Song Tangning was very easy to manipulate before. It was obvious that if she provoked her a little, she would lose her temper at her and beat and scold her. If she seduced her a little, she would step into the trap she set like a brainless idiot, humiliate her background in front of Song Jinxiu and others, and degrade her to the dust.
She was obsessed with Song Jinxiu, Lu Zhinian and others, like an ignorant child, trying to monopolize their attention and gaze by crying.
But the more she made a fuss, the more disgusted Song Jinxiu and the others became.
The more she bullies and bullies her, the more Song Jinxiu and the others will side with her.
Song Shulan knew Tang Ning's character too well, and she gradually tempted her to lose the attention of Song Jinxiu and the others.
Just now, she wanted to provoke Song Tangning's anger as before and make her tear her apart like a madman, but she seemed to have become a completely different person and ignored her from beginning to end.
She simply directed all her dissatisfaction towards Song Jinxiu and the others, and her rationality and clarity were frightening.
Seeing Song Jinxiu's dazed expression that seemed to be filled with regret, Song Shulan pinched her palm hard and tears instantly welled up in her eyes.
She pushed Song Jinxiu away and her body softened as she knelt on the ground. Song Jinxiu quickly came to his senses and asked, "What are you doing?"
"I begged Tang Ning. She just said that as long as I kneel and kowtow every step of the way to Lingyun Temple, she will forgive my brother." As she spoke, she kowtowed to the ground. The blow was so heavy that blood appeared on her forehead. "I kneel, I kowtow, I will go to Lingyun Temple and kneel to beg Madam for forgiveness..."
Song Shulan stood up, took a step, and knelt down again. This time, she knocked her head to the ground as before.
"I shouldn't have accidentally knocked over Madam's eternal lamp. I shouldn't have come to the capital. It's all my fault. It has nothing to do with my brother..."
The bluestone ground was stained with a touch of crimson, and the halo of light in front of Prince Cheng's mansion made Song Shulan look shaky.
Song Jinxiu was shocked and quickly grabbed her: "What are you doing? You hurt your forehead, do you not want your appearance anymore?"
"So what? What can I do?"
Song Shulan fell to her knees weakly, tears streaming down her face. "Tang Ning refused to go back. Grandmother and the others will never forgive me. She has Governor Xiao to protect her, and she doesn't even want my brother anymore..."
"I don't want to implicate my brother. I just want her to go back. I can kowtow and apologize to her, but why doesn't Tang Ning forgive me? Does she really want me to pay her with my life? Then I will give it to her, okay? I will go back and strangle myself to death with a white silk..."
"Don't talk nonsense!" Song Jinxiu was furious. "Is this how you treat yourself?!"
"Then what should I do...what can I do?"
She was crying out of breath, looking miserable.
"Brother, tell me, what should I do...what should I do..."
Song Jinxiu was originally dazed by Tang Ning's indifference and was shaken by those hurtful words, but he couldn't bear to see Song Shulan so pitiful.
He pursed his lips and half-held her in his arms: "Don't be afraid, I will find a way. Tang Ning is not that cruel. She is just angry with me. Don't think too much. I will find a way..."
…
“Tsk.”
In the shadows of the alley not far away, Canglang sat on the shaft of a cart, watching the two people hugging each other, and suddenly said, "Miss Song, is your Song family's tradition so unrestrained and uninhibited?"
In the dead of night, in front of the palace gate, the gatekeeper of Prince Cheng's palace was still watching, and the brother and sister were crying, hugging each other and kneeling on the long street. At first glance, people who didn't know the situation might have thought they were some infatuated man and woman, and they would have set up a stage with some gongs and drums to sing a song.
Song Tangning remained silent and hadn't said anything yet. Xiao Yan grabbed something nearby and hit Canglang on the back of his head: "If you can't speak, shut up."
"a shame!"
Princess Cheng's face darkened as she slammed the curtains beside the window, hiding the two annoying people outside.
"I used to think Song Jinxiu was a man of etiquette and manners, but today I finally understand. He's nothing but a piece of shit. All shiny on the outside, but a filthy wretch on the inside!"
She was so angry that she cursed and said to the outside,
"Hurry up and leave. I feel disgusted just looking at them. Don't let them dirty Tang Ning's eyes."
Outside, Canglang covered the back of his head and grimaced, thinking that the kick he had given Song Jia Dalang was not light enough. He silently made a note of it and pulled the reins to drive the carriage towards the south of the city. Nanny Jiang and the others followed behind in a small carriage with servants and other belongings.
The wheels of the carriage made a noise as they rolled over the bluestone ground. It was almost curfew and there were few pedestrians on the streets.
Occasionally, a traveling merchant would pass by in his carriage on his way home, and the rustling night wind made people feel cold.
Song Tangning was wrapped in Xiao Yan's cloak and huddled in the corner of the carriage. Her entire face was covered by the thick fur, and her thick eyelashes covered her red eyes. She was thinking about the scene where Song Jinxiu coaxed Song Shulan just now.
Even though she had told herself not to care and had already seen through the true faces of those people, when she saw that he could teach her a lesson with a clear conscience, completely ignored her sadness, turned around and carefully cared for Song Shulan, she still felt depressed.
It was obvious that they had been siblings for more than ten years, and it was obvious that he loved her so much back then.
She always remembered that when Song Jinxiu was young, he would secretly take her out to see the lanterns to cheer her up, and he would make kites in the middle of the night to make her happy and surprise her the next morning.
When she was sick, he would coax her to take medicine, and on the way to school, he would remember to buy her the sweetest cakes. He used to be the best brother in the world and loved her so much, but why did he change so easily?
In fact, Song Tangning didn't care that much about Xie Yin and Lu Zhinian. Xie Yin was young and gullible, and Lu Zhinian was conceited and proud. It was normal for men like them who were born in powerful and noble families to feel pity and even fall in love with delicate and pitiful women.
She could understand why they were obsessed with colors, forgot their old love, and abandoned an insignificant cousin and fiancée for the one they loved.
But Song Jinxiu is different, Song Shulan is just his sister.
A man who once shared the same hatred with her and vowed that he would never let her take her place, a man who once told her in person that she was his only sister and he would never let anyone hurt her, could change so completely in less than half a year, as if he had completely forgotten the brotherly love of more than ten years.
Is it that Song Jinxiu is cold-hearted, or is she really that unworthy...
"Don't overthink it."
A cold voice suddenly rang out. Xiao Yan placed his hands on his knees and looked up at the huddled little girl opposite him. "Not everyone has a conscience, and not everyone can face up to their own biases."
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