Chapter 931: Waiting Quietly for Good News

The servant invited Prince Ning and his party into the main hall.

Song Jingxian entered the hall, exchanged a few pleasantries, and the host and guest took their seats.

The servant placed the tea and snacks on the table.

Before the tea aroma could spread, Tuan Tuan could not sit still, tugged at Xiao Yuanhang's sleeve and swayed, "Daddy, I want to go play with Sister Song and Brother Zhu Lin!"

Xiao Yuanhang smiled, looked up at Song Jingxian, and said, "Lord Song, may I?"

Song Jingxian sighed, "Tuan Tuan, if you could be like this with studying, I would not have to worry."

Tuan Tuan giggled, "I can recite all the poems Sister Song taught! Teacher! I learned them very well!"

Song Jingxian smiled and shook his head, "Go ahead, they are in the back courtyard."

Xiao Yuanhang reached out and ruffled his daughter's hair, "Xiao Er, you stay and watch over her."

Xiao Er clasped his fists and replied, "Yes, Prince."

He bowed slightly, "Lord Song, I take my leave."

Having said so, he led Tuan Tuan out of the main hall.

Xiao Tuanzi tugged at his large hand and hopped away toward the back courtyard.

Xiao Yuanhang lifted the tea cup, took a sip, and said, "Lord Song, the handwritten note you gave that day, I have read it over several times."

He set down the cup, "I have already understood its meaning."

"Thanks to Lord Song's favor, wishing to marry Miss Song into my Ning Prince's Mansion is truly a blessing for the Prince's Mansion."

Song Jingxian nodded slightly, lifted his cup, and showed no expression.

"However," Xiao Yuanhang's tone shifted, and he glanced at Cheng Ru'an.

Cheng Ru'an understood and took over, "Lord Song, this matter is indeed fortuitous."

"A few days ago I was chatting casually with Tuan Tuan, and inadvertently heard her speak of Miss Song's situation."

She paused, a smile appearing on her face, and repeated everything Tuan Tuan had said.

Song Jingxian's hand holding the cup froze.

Cheng Ru'an laughed, "Lord Song is Tuan Tuan's mentor, so of course he knows her. Though she is young, her insight into people is excellent."

"Xiao Er has fought alongside the Prince for many years, and now is a Loyal and Righteous Earl personally conferred by His Majesty, and has also entered the genealogy of my Ning Prince's Mansion."

"Although he comes from the military, he is a person of loyal bravery and sincere honesty."

She looked up at Song Jingxian, her tone very sincere, "Miss Song and Xiao Er are mutually affectionate; if they could be united in marriage, it would be a wonderful thing. May I ask, Lord Song, would you consent?"

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Song Jingxian slowly set down his cup, his brows slightly furrowed, clearly having not expected the matter to develop this way.

After a long silence he said, "This… I also did not foresee it."

"Shujun was raised single‑handedly by me, and I cherish her greatly. If she truly is willing, I would of course not stand in the way."

He glanced at the Ning Prince and his wife, "I will ask Shujun myself first, then return to you both."

Xiao Yuanhang nodded, "Then I will return to the mansion and await good news." Having said so, he rose to his feet.

"Hold on," Song Jingxian called out, "The court is in turmoil; His Majesty summoned me to the palace the other day, asking about successors for the three Ministers of the Department, Xiao Yuanhang, what is your view?"

Cheng Ru'an, seeing them discuss state affairs, hurriedly stood up, "I'll go check on Tuan Tuan."

Xiao Yuanhang nodded, "Very well."

Cheng Ru'an left the main hall and walked toward the back courtyard.

Xiao Yuanhang looked at Song Jingxian, "I only understand the battlefield; His Majesty has never asked me about this matter."

Song Jingxian let out a light sigh, "I have countless disciples, yet the more so, the less I can speak."

"I can barely avoid conflicts of interest, so even when His Majesty asks, I have never recommended anyone, nor dared to utter a single word."

Xiao Yuanhang nodded, "Lord Song's caution is appropriate."

"But I think a teacher knows best how a student's character is."

"His Majesty asks you for the same reason; what He wishes to hear must be your remarks as the mentor about the student."

"However," he smiled, "if His Majesty truly brings this up to me, I would say the matter should be asked of Lord Song."

Song Jingxian was stunned for a moment, then looked up and burst into laughter.

After laughing, he looked at Xiao Yuanhang, a hint of emotion in his eyes, "The battlefield may be perilous, blades and spears have no eyes, yet they are ultimately clear‑cut weapons."

"The position of Minister is a second‑rank high official; who can be appointed, who is capable, the family lineage, sect, and marital ties… it is an entangled and extremely complex matter."

He shook his head, "Xiao Yuanhang, the wars you fight are far simpler than mine."

Xiao Yuanhang laughed, "That is why I said this matter should be asked of Lord Song, and can only be asked of Lord Song."

He stood up, "I am returning to the mansion, awaiting good news."

Song Jingxian also rose, "Perhaps we should go together to check on Tuan Tuan."

"Very well."

The two arrived at the back courtyard and could already hear Tuan Tuan's and Song Zhu Lin's laughter echoing through the garden.

After walking a few more steps, Xiao Yuanhang stopped, pointing ahead, "Lord Song, look."

Song Jingxian looked up.

At the stone table, only Xiao Er and Song Shujun sat opposite each other, with a painted screen standing nearby.

Xiao Er was saying something when Song Shujun picked up the teapot, poured a cup of tea, and gently pushed it toward him.

Xiao Er's face flushed bright red; he took it, drank, and continued speaking.

Xiao Yuanhang laughed, "Lord Song, can you see? It seems Tuan Tuan's words were indeed accurate."

Song Jingxian nodded slightly.

Xiao Yuanhang did not see Cheng Ru'an; in his mind he understood that his wife must not wish to be disturbed and was waiting back in the carriage.

He smiled softly and said, "Lord Song, since Tuan Tuan is in a good mood, I, the Prince, will take my leave now; Xiao Er will surely bring her back to the Prince's Mansion."

"Please."

Xiao Yuanhang turned and walked back to the main hall, then walked out through the Song Residence gate and boarded the carriage.

Sure enough, Cheng Ru'an was sitting upright there.

She smiled and said, "I just went to the back courtyard and saw Xiao Er chatting happily with Miss Song, so I didn't go in."

Xiao Yuanhang couldn't help laughing, "Indeed, I also saw it with Lord Song."

Cheng Ru'an looked surprised, "Lord Song also saw it?"

"Saw it," Xiao Yuanhang said with a smiling face, "I suppose Xiao Er and Miss Song's happy affair is not far off."

Cheng Ru'an, however, tucked away the smile and sighed.

Xiao Yuanhang, puzzled, asked, "What's wrong?"

Cheng Ru'an replied, "When Lu Qi left the Prince's Mansion, Tuan Tuan was extremely reluctant."

"Xiao Er has been by Tuan Tuan's side the longest; if he moves out of the Prince's Mansion, Tuan Tuan will be heartbroken."

"I really hadn't thought of that," Xiao Yuanhang said after a moment, "Never mind, Xiao Er must also be reluctant to part with Tuan Tuan."

"If Lord Song consents, we can prepare the returning garden for them to live in."

"There, a private courtyard with a single gate against the outer wall; we can open a door on the wall so they can come and go independently."

"In that case, Xiao Er wouldn't need to move out, Miss Song could still stay in the Prince's Mansion, and teaching Tuan Tuan would be convenient—wouldn't that be a win‑win?"

Cheng Ru'an smiled, "The Prince really thought of everything."

Xiao Yuanhang said, "Return to the mansion!"

"Yes!"

Two days later, Song Jingxian personally arrived at the gate and entered the Flower Hall of the Ning Prince's Mansion.