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 big and full of confusion.
Lady Qin, who was standing next to Princess Chen, said with a smile, "Little girl, you don't understand. This crabapple flower is a good thing. It can be used to make perfume and scented dew, and it 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, including grass and trees, can be used as medicine. Soil, rocks, and hair can all be used as medicine. The crabapple is very useful."
She raised her chin, looked at the courtyard and said, "The weeping crabapple tree in front of you, its flowers can regulate menstruation and blood, clear away heat and detoxify after being used as medicine. The fruits of the crabapple over there can soothe the liver and stomach, astringe the intestines and stop diarrhea. The flower roots of the begonia can dissolve blood stasis and stop bleeding. The tea made from the crabapple leaves can stop itching and stop diarrhea."
The little girl's eyes widened in shock, she looked up at the gorgeous sea of flowers on the tree in front of her and opened her mouth wide. 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 wither, so why not pick some and bring them back. In addition to using them as medicine, Sister Qin also taught me how to make scented water. Let's try it later."
She had used peach, plum and orchid scented dews before, but had never tried crabapple blossoms. The prepared scented dew could be added to tea or used as incense.
Hearing Tang Ning want it, 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 helped her sister in any way. It was rare that she could get what she wanted. Although it was "borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha", the little girl still couldn't hide her eagerness. She said with sparkling eyes: "Don't worry, sister, I'm fine. I'll pick 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 family residence. There are 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 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."
Tang Ning thought about it and it made sense. Since Madam Qin had already spoken, she thought A'ru's body would be able to bear it. She glanced at the sun and said, "It's too hot here. Aunt and Sister Qin, please go to the pavilion over there to take shelter."
"It's a little sunny."
Rong Yue's body had not recovered from her miscarriage, and she felt dizzy after being in the sun for too long. She stretched out her hand to block the light and said, "Then let's go over and sit for a while. Tang Ning should come with us, so we don't get sunburned."
"Auntie, go first. I'll go get some water."
In order to pick flowers, Hua Wu prepared some herbal tea in advance and placed it under the tree over there.
Tang Ning was worried about her aunt's health and urged her, "Aunt, please 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 place where the water was released in the forest.
Looking for a place to drain water, 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!
There was a gleam of surprise in Tang Ning's eyes. It was a branch of the crabapple tree not far away that was blooming particularly luxuriantly. A large cluster of pink flowers piled up and fell on the branching tips like a ready-made hairpin.
No need for carving, it is formed naturally.
Tang Ning walked over quickly 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 the person, 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, put her foot on it and hugged the trunk to prepare to climb up, when she suddenly heard a "puff" sound behind her. She was so scared that she loosened her hands and stumbled backwards.
"Be careful."
Someone supported my waist 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 frightened 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 wanted to take the branch and lost my balance..."
"Which one?"
"ah?"
Seeing Xiao Yan looking upwards, Tang Ning suddenly realized and quickly pointed at the one she had just set her eyes on. Xiao Yan lightly tapped his feet and flew up into the air. 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 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, and took her up again.
Tang Ning almost cried out in shock: "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.
When the flower branches trembled slightly, Jinyun below was shocked and widened his eyes, but Xiao Yan seemed not to notice it. He just held Tang Ning with one hand and said, "Pick whichever one you like."
Tang Ning clung to his shoulders in a panic. Seeing that she didn't move, Xiao Yan said, "You don't like any of them? Then change another one..."
"Need not!"
Tang Ning spoke in a hurry, blushing and saying: "I like it!"
Xiao Yan was stunned for a moment, looking at the little girl who was so close to him, and his hands holding her waist suddenly tightened.
Tang Ning saw the smile in his eyes and realized what she had said. Her face suddenly turned red. She quickly picked two branches and patted him on the shoulder and whispered, "I've picked them..."
When she fell to the ground holding the branch, Tang Ning's face was even more beautiful 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 on the tree just now, and the heat on her face finally subsided a little. She hugged Huazhi 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 his aunt was going to the palace today, so he should be busy with the following matters.
Tang Ning raised his head quickly: "Brother, why are you back now? Is there something wrong in the palace?"
Xiao Yan comforted her, "No, everything is going smoothly. The imperial edict conferring the title of Lady Rongguo by His Majesty will be delivered tomorrow at the latest."
"That's good." Tang Ning breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing Xiao Yan taking off his official robe, he said, "Brother, are you off duty? Have you eaten? If not, I'll ask someone to 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 where King Huan lived, and blinked. What were they going there for?
"Take me to see the fun."
Seeing the little girl looking at him blankly with confusion in her almond-shaped eyes, Xiao Yan raised his lips and said, "Don't worry, you will know when you get there. This excitement will definitely satisfy you."
Tang Ning was aroused by his mysterious words. Anyway, there was nothing to do in the mansion, so she thought for a while and said, "Then, brother, wait for me for a while. I will go tell my aunt and the others. I also need to wash up and change clothes. I can't go out with dirty clothes."
Xiao Yan's eyes fell on her face: "Not dirty, beautiful."
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 held the flowers to cover her face and muttered in dissatisfaction: "Brother is also a smooth talker."
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 go 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 when they saw 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. They had also seen him being unkind, cold and distant. But this was the first time they saw him so open about his emotions, and his good mood seemed to be written all over his face.
"Governor Xiao, are you in a good mood today?" Rong Yue asked with a smile.
Xiao Yan said in a gentle voice: "Everything went smoothly in the palace today. His Majesty did not raise any suspicion. Madam Rongguo can draw a clear line with Prince Cheng and no longer be disturbed by the royal family. The Lu family's affairs have also made progress, so it is naturally worth being happy."
When Rong Yue heard him mention the palace, her eyes softened: "I have to thank Governor Xiao for his 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 she used the same method, Rong Yue knew that if she did it herself, even if she could still divorce Prince Chen in the end, she would definitely offend Emperor An and all members of the royal family. How could she get "compensation" from the royal family, or even get back a royal consecration as a lady to ensure that she and Tang Ning could live safely in the capital in the future?
Rong Yue had never been prejudiced against Xiao Yan because of his identity. Now she found him more attractive: "Although my Tang Ning had a hard life before, she had no parents to protect her. My aunt was also confused and almost got her into trouble. Fortunately, she met Governor Xiao, otherwise she would have been..."
Seeing her feeling guilty, 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 bond."
Rong Yue looked at Xiao Yan with some affection, looking at him as if he were a younger generation of her own family: "Although Tang Ning and you have only known each other for a short time, you are more than blood relatives. She also loves you as if you were her own brother. If Governor Xiao doesn't mind, why don't you 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. 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 your life."
Xiao Yan: "…"
Jinyun: "!!!"
When Madam Qin heard what Rong Yue said, she was shocked at first, then the corner 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 shook.
"Madam Rongguo's suggestion is a good one. It will not only save the governor from having no children, but also save him from having no one to see him off in the future." Madam Qin smiled evilly: "Governor Xiao, what do you think?"
Xiao Yan gave her an expressionless look.
He thinks shit.
Do you want to see what this barefoot doctor is talking about? !