Chapter 244: An elder brother is like a father, Tang Ning will definitely take care of Governor Xiao until his death
The crabapple blossoms in the backyard of the Tang Mansion have all bloomed. Tang Ning took advantage of the last blooming period and led several maids in the mansion to pick the relatively intact flowers.
"Sister, why are we picking flowers?" Xue Ru's eyes were wide and full of confusion.
Lady Qin, who was standing beside Princess Cheng, said with a smile, "Little girl, you don't understand, right? These crabapple flowers are a good thing. They can be used to make perfume and scented water, and they can also be dried and used as medicine."
Xue Ru was surprised: "Flowers can be used as medicine?"
Madam Qin smiled and said, "Of course. Everything in this world, from grass to tree, can be used as medicine. Soil, rocks, and even hair can be used as a medicine. This crabapple is very useful."
She raised her chin, looked at the courtyard and said, "The flowers of the weeping crabapple tree in front of you can be used as medicine to regulate menstruation and blood circulation, clear away heat and detoxify. The fruits of the Western Crabapple over there can soothe the liver and stomach, astringe the intestines and stop diarrhea. The roots of the Begonia flower can dissolve blood stasis and stop bleeding. The tea made from the crabapple leaves can relieve itching and stop diarrhea."
The little girl's eyes widened in shock, and she looked up at the gorgeous sea of flowers on the tree in front of her with her mouth wide open. She only knew that these flowers were beautiful, but she didn't expect that they were so useful. She couldn't help but look around with curiosity.
Tang Ning smiled and said, "These flowers will be useless after they bloom and fade, so why not pick some and bring them back? Besides using them as medicine, Sister Qin also taught me how to make fragrant water. Let's try that later."
She had used peach blossom, plum blossom, and orchid scented water, but had never tried crabapple blossom scented water. The prepared scented water could be added to tea or used as incense.
Hearing Tang Ning wanted some, Xue Ru immediately said, "Then I'll go pick it for my sister."
Tang Ning smiled: "You are not well yet, let Xichun and the others go..."
"I'm fine now."
Xue Ru felt that she had never done anything to help her sister. It was rare for her to get what she wanted. Although it was "borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha", the little girl still couldn't hide her eagerness. Her eyes sparkled as she said, "Don't worry, sister, I'm fine. I'll pick some more flowers and help you make perfume!"
Without waiting for Tang Ning to say anything, she picked up the small basket beside her and ran into the crabapple forest.
Rong Yue couldn't help but laugh and said, "This child is much more lively than before." Seeing Tang Ning's helplessness, she said, "This is our own house. We have guards and maids outside. Let her do whatever she wants. It's better for a child to make some noise than to be quiet."
Xue Ru had been a bit too obedient before, looking like a pitiful little thing, but now it’s just right.
Madam Qin also smiled and said, "Your aunt is right. A'ru is weak, so it would be good for her to run more. I'm still here, so nothing will happen to her."
Tang Ning thought about it and realized that since Madam Qin had spoken, she thought A'ru's body could handle it. She glanced at the sun and said, "It's too hot here. Auntie and Sister Qin, why don't you go to the pavilion over there to take shelter?"
“It’s a bit sunny.”
Rong Yue hadn't recovered from her miscarriage yet, and she felt dizzy after being in the sun for too long. She stretched out her hand to block the sun and said, "Then let's go over there and sit for a while. Tang Ning should come too, so you don't get sunburned."
"Auntie, go first. I'll get some water."
When you come to pick flowers, Hua Wu has prepared some cold tea in advance and placed it under the tree over there.
Tang Ning was worried about her aunt's health and urged her, "Aunt, go quickly. I'll be there soon."
Knowing that her niece cared about her, Rong Yue did not refuse and followed Madam Qin to the pavilion. After they left, Tang Ning walked towards the water source in the forest.
Looking for the place where the water was released, Tang Ning left two pots there, intending to take one pot to find her aunt and the others, but at this moment, her eyes suddenly stopped and fell on the blazing sea of flowers in front of her.
So beautiful!
Tang Ning's eyes sparkled with surprise. It was because there was a branch of crabapple tree not far away that was blooming particularly luxuriantly. The large clusters of pink flowers piled up and fell on the branch tips like ready-made hairpins.
No need for carving, it is formed naturally.
Tang Ning hurried over and stood on tiptoe to pick the branch, but he couldn't reach it at all. He raised his head and jumped on the spot, but he was still a long way from it.
The branch was so beautiful that Tang Ning was reluctant to part with it. She was also afraid that after she came back from looking for it, she would not be able to find it in the vast sea of flowers.
Seeing that there was no one around, she lifted her skirt and moved closer to the tree. She tried the relatively thick trunk, stepped on it, hugged the trunk and was about to climb up when she suddenly heard a "puff" sound behind her. She was so scared that she loosened her grip and stumbled backwards.
"Be careful."
Someone supported my waist lightly, and I heard a familiar voice.
"Brother?" Tang Ning bumped into him.
After Xiao Yan helped the man to stand steadily, he glanced at Jinyun.
Jinyun's scalp tingled, and he lowered his head quickly: "It's my fault, I scared the girl."
Tang Ning breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a little embarrassed to be seen climbing a tree. Seeing Xiao Yan blaming her, she quickly waved her hands and said, "It has nothing to do with Jinyun. I was trying to get that branch, and I lost my balance..."
"Which one?"
"ah?"
Seeing Xiao Yan looking upwards, Tang Ning suddenly realized and quickly pointed at the one she had just taken a fancy to. Xiao Yan lightly tapped his feet and jumped up. In the blink of an eye, he was back on the ground. The Begonia that she had been longing for was already in Xiao Yan's hand.
Xiao Yan handed Haitang to Tang Ning, and saw the little girl looking at him with sparkling eyes, with a hint of eagerness and envy in her eyes. He paused and suddenly said, "Which one do you want?"
"Need not……"
Tang Ning was about to speak and say that this one was enough, but before she could finish her words, Xiao Yan suddenly reached out and took her, taking her up again.
Tang Ning almost cried out in surprise: "Brother, what are you doing?"
"defloration."
The branches of the crabapple tree were not thick, and they were about to fall down under the weight of two people.
As the flower branches trembled slightly, Jinyun's eyes widened in shock. However, Xiao Yan seemed not to notice anything. He simply held Tang Ning in one hand and said, "Pick whichever one you like."
Tang Ning clung to his shoulders, feeling a bit flustered. Seeing that she didn't move, Xiao Yan said, "You don't like any of them? Then try another one..."
"Need not!"
Tang Ning spoke hurriedly, blushing, "I like it!"
Xiao Yan was stunned for a moment, looking at the little girl so close to him, and his hand holding her waist suddenly tightened.
Tang Ning saw the smile in his eyes and realized what she had said. Her face suddenly flushed. She quickly picked two branches and patted his shoulder, whispering, "I've picked them..."
When Tang Ning fell to the ground with the branch in her arms, her face was even more radiant than the crabapple in her arms.
Xiao Yan's eyes were filled with laughter, but he didn't tease her. He just asked, "Why do you want to pick flowers?"
"It was Sister Qin who said she wanted to get some crabapples for medicinal use."
"Madam Qin is here?"
"Yeah." Tang Ning saw that Xiao Yan didn't mention what happened in the tree just now, and the heat on her face finally subsided a little. She hugged the flower branch and said, "My aunt came back from the palace, and Sister Qin came. She checked on my aunt and A'ru. Seeing that it was getting late, I kept her at the mansion for dinner."
Speaking of this, she remembered that Xiao Yan should be in the yamen at this time, and since her aunt was going to the palace today, he should be busy with the subsequent matters.
Tang Ning raised his head quickly: "Brother, you came back now, is there something wrong in the palace?"
Xiao Yan comforted him, "No, everything is going smoothly. His Majesty's imperial edict conferring the title of Lady Rongguo will be delivered tomorrow at the latest."
"That's good." Tang Ning breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing Xiao Yan take off his official robe, he said, "Brother, are you off duty? Have you eaten? If not, I'll have someone prepare it for you..."
Xiao Yan grabbed her wrist and said, "Not yet, but don't prepare. I came back to pick you up."
"Go out?" Tang Ning was puzzled: "Where to?"
"Hengting Pavilion."
Tang Ning knew that Hengting Pavilion was King Huan's place, and blinked. What were they going there for?
"Take you to see the fun."
Seeing the little girl looking at him blankly, her almond-shaped eyes filled with confusion, Xiao Yan raised his lips and said, "Don't worry, you'll know when you get there. This excitement will surely satisfy you."
Tang Ning was piqued by his mysterious words. Since there was nothing else going on in the mansion, she thought for a moment and said, "Then, brother, wait for me for a moment. I'll go tell my aunt and the others. I also need to go wash up and change clothes. I can't go out with dirty clothes."
Xiao Yan's eyes fell on her face: "It's not dirty, it looks good."
Tang Ning's face became hot again. She felt that his serious and intimate words made her blush more than when he was teasing her before.
She covered her face with flowers and muttered in dissatisfaction, "Brother is also very smooth-talking."
Xiao Yan laughed: "Not as sweet as Xiao Haitang's words."
Seeing the little girl blushing and glaring, he gently rubbed her forehead and said, "Go change your clothes. I'll talk to your aunt."
Tang Ning's face turned even redder: "Brother!!"
What aunt? That’s her aunt!
…
Rong Yue and Madam Qin were both quite surprised to see Xiao Yan, not only because he came to Tang Mansion at this time, but also because of his eyes filled with a faint smile.
It was not the first time that the two men had met him. They had seen him being cold, ruthless, and decisive in killing people, as well as unkind, cold, and distant. However, this was the first time they saw him so openly expressing his emotions, as if his good mood was written all over his face.
"Is Governor Xiao in a good mood today?" Rong Yue asked with a smile.
Xiao Yan said gently, "Everything went smoothly in the palace today. His Majesty hasn't raised any suspicions. Madam Rongguo can now draw a clear line between herself and Prince Cheng and no longer be disturbed by the royal family. The Lu family's affairs have also made progress, so naturally there's reason to be happy."
When Rong Yue heard him mention the palace, her eyes softened. "I'd like to thank Governor Xiao for your help with the divorce."
She did have this idea before, and had already prepared to fight to the death with the Xie family if Emperor An did not agree. It was Xiao Yan who found her and taught her how to deal with Emperor An and how to step on his bottom line to gain the greatest benefit.
Although the same method was used, Rong Yue knew that if she did it herself, even if she could still divorce Prince Cheng in the end, she would definitely offend Emperor An and the entire royal family. How could she get "compensation" from the royal family, or even get back the title of Lady of the State to ensure that she and Tang Ning would live safely in the capital in the future?
Rong Yue had never been prejudiced against Xiao Yan because of his identity. Now, the more she looked at him, the more she found him pleasing to the eye. "My Tang Ning had a hard life before, without the protection of her parents. My aunt was also confused and almost got her into trouble. Fortunately, she met Governor Xiao, otherwise she would have been..."
Seeing her guilty conscience, Xiao Yan comforted her: "Madam, there is no need to be like this. Tang Ning and I get along well."
"Yes, you two have a deep connection."
Rong Yue looked at Xiao Yan with a touch of affection, looking at him as if he were her own junior. "Though Tang Ning and you have only known each other for a short time, we are more than blood relatives. She also loves you as if you were her own brother. If Governor Xiao doesn't mind, why not find a day to let Tang Ning officially recognize you as her brother?"
"She is younger than you. An elder brother is like a father to you. No matter who Tang Ning marries and has children with in the future, she will definitely take good care of you until the end of her life."
Xiao Yan: “…”
Jinyun: “!!!”
When Madam Qin heard what Rong Yue said, she was stunned at first, then the corners of her mouth twitched. She turned to look at Xiao Yanshi, whose face was stiff as if struck by lightning. It was rare to see helplessness, panic, and a momentary doubt about life on his face. Her shoulders suddenly trembled.
"Madam Rongguo's suggestion is a good one. It will not only save the governor from having no children, but also prevent him from having no one to see him off in his later years." Madam Qin smirked, "Governor Xiao, what do you think?"
Xiao Yan gave her an expressionless look.
He thinks shit.
This barefoot doctor, do you want to see what the hell she said?!
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