Chapter 5: The Cowardly and Incompetent Little Tang Ning
If Song Shulan was not her father's daughter at all, Song Hong and the others had deceived her from the beginning to the end.
Not only did they tarnish their father's posthumous reputation and taint his relationship with their mother, but they also allowed that bastard to take over the title of second wife and seize everything that rightfully belonged to her!
Blood seeped from his lips, and Song Tangning shouted angrily: "I want to go back."
Xiao Yan said, "I can send you back, but what do you want to do after you go back? Expose her identity, or question Song Hong and the others?"
Song Tangning subconsciously opened his mouth to speak.
Xiao Yan said calmly, "You don't have any evidence, so what's the point of questioning?"
"The Song family holds the title of Duke, and prides themselves on being noble and clean, never mixing bloodlines. The fact that they're willing to let that concubine stay in the mansion proves that she has Song family blood in her."
In other words, Song Shulan belongs to either the eldest brother Song Hong or the third brother Song Qin.
"They dared to let that concubine's daughter pretend to be from the second wife because they were sure you wouldn't notice. You have no evidence to prove that she is not your father's daughter."
"You can certainly question Song Hong and the others, even start a scene with them, but if they flatly deny it and use filial piety to pressure you, saying you're making groundless assumptions about your elders and defiling their reputation, what will you do?"
"I……"
Song Tangning was confused by the question.
She was just a little girl who was brought up in pampered conditions. Even though she was trapped in the Song family for several years in her previous life and died with a heart full of resentment, she didn't understand much about intrigue and deception.
Seeing her expression, Xiao Yan said, "If Song Shulan was just Song Tan's bloodline, the Song family wouldn't have to go to such great lengths to cover her up, unless her existence would jeopardize the Song family's future or even destroy their support in the court. And you should know who this person is."
Song Tangning trembled: "It's Song Hong..."
Xiao Yan said "hmm".
"I know you're angry, but you have to understand that someone like Song Hong, who has been immersed in the court for many years, will never allow you to ruin his reputation."
"If you go back and confront them, if they're kind-hearted, they'll try to comfort you and convince you to sweep the matter under the rug so everyone can be safe."
"But if they were more ruthless, they would probably wipe out all the evidence and bite you back. Not only would it ruin your father's reputation, but it would also confirm that she was a concubine, making it impossible for you to get rid of her."
"They have the title of elder and can easily destroy you."
Song Tangning had died once, and the tragic price she paid had long made her realize how cruel the people in the Song family were.
Her heart trembled, and she couldn't help but look up: "Then what should I do?"
Seeing that she calmed down so quickly, Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with admiration: "Either you endure it, or if you want to move, you must kill it with one strike."
Song Tangning gritted his teeth.
She won't tolerate it, but if she wants to kill her with one strike...
"When facing an enemy, the most important thing is to act rashly without a strategy. Only by knowing yourself and the enemy can you achieve victory."
"You are inherently at a disadvantage compared to Song Hong and the Song family. Using your youth to challenge your elders is against etiquette and law. Therefore, you must first clearly see the weaknesses of others, know your own strengths, understand what they want and fear, and how you can balance them."
Xiao Yan placed his slender fingers on his knees and breathed lightly when he spoke.
Just like teaching a child, guiding them step by step.
"Think carefully before you act, and even when risking your life, leave a way out. Those who are good at fighting are brave, and those who conquer the heart are victorious. Do you understand?"
Upon hearing this, Song Tangning lowered his head in thought.
Song Hong and his friends care about their reputation, their face, and the reputation of the Song family. They are also afraid that Song Shulan's true identity will be exposed and ruin Song Hong's official career.
And her advantage...
Although she was born into a noble family, the fact that both her parents had passed away naturally earned her sympathy, and the persecution by the Song family made people feel even more sorry for her situation. Moreover, she had an aunt who was a princess and was extremely protective of her, and a grandfather who was a deceased Taifu who had taught the emperor and had close friendships with many old ministers in the court, and whose disciples had become the backbone of the court.
As long as she is right, she is fearless.
The confusion in Song Tangning's eyes dissipated, and her heart calmed down. When she looked at Xiao Yan again, she couldn't help biting her lip.
This person clearly wanted to kill her before, and he played a very cruel trick on her, forcing her into an extremely miserable state.
Now he is teaching her how to deal with the Song family. What does he mean?
"Why did Governor Xiao help me?"
After a pause, Tang Ning seemed to remember something. "You said earlier that you had harmed the interests of many people. I think you have a grudge against them. Are the Song family among them?"
Seeing her defensiveness, Xiao Yan couldn't help but laugh, "Don't overthink it. If I wanted to kill someone, I wouldn't have to use a child like you."
What happened back then was a secret and involved too many lives. It would not be a good thing to let her know, so he changed his explanation.
"The jade you wear around your neck is a relic left by my mother and sister. They gave me a new life."
"This jade was her favorite. It originally had two halves, a yin and a yang. She gave one half to my mother and the other half to her best friend."
He reached into his arms and took out the half dragon-patterned pendant, unfolding it and placing it in his palm.
Song Tangning widened her eyes in surprise, and subconsciously reached out to touch the half piece of broken jade that was hung back around her neck.
She had worn this jade since she was a child, so she naturally remembered it. She originally thought it was just a broken piece of jade, but she didn't expect that there was another half, and this half was still in Xiao Yan's hands.
"When I was little, Aunt Xue often told me that her good friend had a daughter. She also said that if you see her, you should call me brother and let me protect you, so you don't have to be afraid of me."
Brother?
Song Tangning froze suddenly as if his mind was struck by lightning.
She had seen Xiao Yan's coldness and ruthlessness, so she naturally knew that he had suddenly given in because of the broken jade.
Just because she was related to the "Aunt Xue" he mentioned, he could teach her how to deal with the Song family and stand up for her.
What if this jade is in Song Shulan's hands?
Song Tangning's vision went dark and he lowered his eyes with difficulty to avoid losing his composure on the spot.
In her previous life, she was sent back to the Song family. When she woke up, her clothes had been changed and the jade was nowhere to be found.
Song Jinxiu and the others only said that the thing was gone when the farmer sent her back, and she just thought it was lost in the mountains.
After she was disfigured and had a broken leg, Song Shulan had been subservient to her for nearly a year, and no one in the Song family had ever mentioned Xiao Yan. But then one day, she suddenly acknowledged Xiao Yan as her sworn brother.
Song Tangning asked in a trembling voice, "If it weren't for this jade, would the Governor recognize her as his sister?"
"It's not like this governor is idle."
Why would you recognize a sister when you have nothing to do?
After Xiao Yan finished speaking, he somehow scared the child again. Seeing her tears falling, he suddenly got a headache.
"Why are you crying again?"
When I was little, I could lift my kids up high and coax them, but now...
He stood up, his clothes fluttering as he walked to the bed. With that handsome face that could scare a child to tears, he patted her head with his big hand, "Don't cry, I'll kill the Song family for you."
Song Tangning was furious and slapped the claw off his head: "Who wants your help?!"
What a bastard.
“…”
Xiao Yan was stunned by the beating and looked at the child with wide eyes and angry expression.
Song Tangning was filled with anger, hatred and fear, and he held down his own bold hand.
"I'm going to Prince Cheng's Mansion..."
Perhaps he remembered Xiao Yan's words "brother", and took courage and raised his voice.
“Go now!!”
…
Canglang saw the governor carrying Miss Song out. The fox fur cloak covered her petite figure. As soon as she got into the carriage, Miss Song rolled into the corner.
The non-stop, cowardly and incompetent look made Canglang's mouth twitch and he chuckle, and Jinyun couldn't help laughing.
The uninjured side of Song Tangning's face turned red.
Xiao Yan found it a little funny to see her shrinking in the corner in despair. She was so aggressive just now, but now she seemed scared.
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