There was silence for a moment.
Seeing Xiao Yan didn't say anything, Rong Yue couldn't help but look at him: "Master Xiao, are you unwilling?"
As if she had thought of something, she said, "I don't have any other intentions. I just feel that you treat Tang Ning so well that we have no way to repay you. Governor Xiao and Tang Ning should hold a family recognition banquet. From now on, everyone in the capital will know that you are her brother, and you can be considered half a member of the Rong family."
She was truly grateful for Xiao Yan's protection during these days, and was also grateful for how well he treated Tang Ning. If it weren't for him, both she and Tang Ning would probably still be stuck in the quagmire.
Rong Yue knew clearly about gratitude and resentment, and naturally wanted to repay Xiao Yan, but with Xiao Yan's current status, he had everything he needed, and the only thing Rong Yue could think of was to retain a "kinship" for him.
If he were half a member of the Rong family, the descendants of the Rong family would recognize him as their elder in the future. Even if he was a eunuch, he would still be able to receive incense and worship after a hundred years.
Xiao Yan was very smart, so he naturally understood the deeper meaning of Rong Yue's words. Although he felt a little helpless, his eyes softened a little.
"Thank you for your kindness, ma'am. However, there is no such thing as empty formalities between Tang Ning and me. You are Tang Ning's elder. As long as you are willing to recognize me, I will be a member of the Rong family."
Rong Yue was moved: "But..."
She always felt that it was not formal enough.
Xiao Yan, who had always been a dark-hearted man, showed some guilt when he saw Rong Yue who was sincerely thinking about him. "The capital is in chaos right now, and the matter between the Lu family and Prince Cheng has not been resolved yet. I am in the vortex of the court, and there are many times when I have no choice."
"Madam, you know what people are saying about me. I don't want to tarnish the reputation of the Grand Tutor and the Rong family with my current reputation as a treacherous villain. This is good enough for now."
He lowered his eyes slightly, but finally made up his mind.
"What matters most between Tang Ning and I is our feelings. One day when there are no more dirty talk from outside, I will enter the Rong family openly. By then, it will be fine as long as Madam doesn't find me disgusting."
Xiao Yan's appearance was originally very good, but he used to be imposing, cruel and brutal. Now, with his head slightly lowered and his brows restrained, he seemed particularly obedient, and his face, which was mixed with dignity and coldness, suddenly had a youthful feeling.
Rong Yue vaguely recalled that the powerful official in front of him, who was showing off his unparalleled strategy in the court, was just a young man in his twenties.
Seeing that he was always concerned about Tang Ning and the Rong family, Rong Yue was touched: "How could Tang Ning be so worthy to have such a good brother like you."
Xiao Yan whispered, "How can I be so worthy of this?"
It's a great pleasure to have such a nice little crabapple.
Seeing how humble he was, Rong Yue looked at him with an increasingly intimate gaze.
Seeing the newly promoted Lady Rongguo beside her, looking as if she was about to pour out her heart to Xiao Yan, she had no idea that the man in front of her was about to take away her little cabbage.
Madam Qin couldn't help but turn her head away in silence, not wanting to see Xiao Yan pretending to be nice and clever.
Jinyun covered his chest inconspicuously: My conscience seems to hurt a little.
…
When Tang Ning changed her clothes and came over, she found that her aunt treated Xiao Yan better. It wasn't that she was not nice before, but her aunt was a female relative, and she usually kept some distance when talking to Xiao Yan in the past. But now, when she looked at Xiao Yan who was sitting next to her, her eyes were full of intimacy.
"Tang Ning is here?" Seeing her, Rong Yue immediately smiled and said, "What are you looking at? Why are you standing there and not coming over?"
"Nothing. What did my aunt and brother talk about?" Tang Ning came closer.
Xiao Yan said in a gentle voice: "Talk about going out later."
Rong Yue held Tang Ning's hand and said with a smile: "Superintendent Xiao said that several caravans from the south returned a few days ago and brought back many rare things. You have been worrying about our affairs during this period and have no free time. It's a good opportunity for you to go out with him and walk around to relax."
Tang Ning blinked and looked at Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan smiled, turned his head and said gently: "Why don't you come with us, Madam?"
"I won't go."
Rong Yue was not well to begin with, and she was tired after going to the palace today. She said, "You guys go and have fun. I'll talk to Madam Qin."
Tang Ning said: "Then I'll take A'ru with me..."
Rong Yue laughed and said, "Don't bring it. A'ru said she wanted to see how Madam Qin prepared the herbs, so she went to the kitchen."
When Tang Ning was not here just now, Xue Ru had already come here. She seemed very surprised to see Xiao Yan here. Her smiling face instantly froze and she looked extremely reserved.
Rong Yue liked Xue Ru's child, and she also mentioned that Xiao Yan was going to take Tang Ning out of the house and asked her to go with them to play, but the little girl waved her hands after hearing this, and her head shook as if it was a string of elm seeds.
Rong Yue also knew that Xue Ru used to be timid, so she naturally wouldn't force her since she didn't want to.
"Go by yourselves, don't come back too late." Rong Yue warned Xiao Yan, "There are many people in the market, keep an eye on Tang Ning, don't let anyone bump into her."
Xiao Yan nodded: "Don't worry, Madam, I will."
"It's getting late, go quickly."
"Then we'll go first."
Tang Ning followed Xiao Yan out of the house in a daze. She was confused about her aunt's attitude. After she got into the carriage and felt her body swaying slightly, she couldn't help but ask the person next to her, "Brother, what did you say to my aunt?"
Why did his aunt suddenly become so close to him?
Xiao Yan naturally wouldn't tell his future aunt about wanting his little Haitang to take care of him in his old age. He just said, "It's nothing. Just a few words about the palace."
"Really?" Tang Ning doubted.
"real."
Xiao Yan remained calm, "Madam entered the palace smoothly today, and received the decree from His Majesty to divorce Prince Cheng. In addition, His Majesty gave her the property of Prince Cheng's mansion, and she also received the imperial decree to be canonized, so Madam is quite grateful to me."
"That's all?"
"That's all."
Although Tang Ning still felt something was strange, he didn't think too much about it.
My aunt is indeed a person who values gratitude. It is not surprising that she treats him differently after getting help from Xiao Yan. Moreover, he really helped a lot today. Anyone would probably be grateful.
Tang Ning has never figured out how to confess to her aunt about her and Xiao Yan. She knows how much her aunt loves her, and she knows that her aunt will definitely not allow her to be with her brother.
It's a good thing that my brother is liked by my aunt. If he likes me more, maybe there will be less obstacles.
"That's good. I was afraid that my aunt would dislike you."
Tang Ning relaxed his brows and muttered something before changing his voice to say, "I just hope the imperial edict can come down soon, so that the affairs of Prince Cheng's Mansion can be dealt with as soon as possible, and my aunt can also make a clean break with the past as soon as possible."
Xiao Yan naturally heard her murmurs. There was extreme tenderness in his eyes, and he felt that the little girl knew how to tickle his heart.
Tang Ning didn't notice his expression, and only muttered: "But I think my aunt seems to have recovered in the past few days, and her energy and spirit have recovered a lot."
I don't know where Uncle Gu took my aunt that night, but he was able to cheer up my aunt so quickly after he came back.
Xiao Yan laughed: "Madam is not an ordinary woman, how could she dwell on the past?"
"Of course!" Tang Ning nodded heavily: "That bastard Xie Tianyu doesn't deserve to be missed by my aunt."