Yue Lin and Xu Shuo accompanied Xie Jiang to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.
The Duke of Qian's mansion and the Marquis of Yongchang's mansion had always been close to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion. After the incident at the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, they had not deliberately distanced themselves. The Duke of Qian, in particular, had always openly supported the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.
The two of them shared a childhood friendship with Song Ze.
It was only right for them to accompany Xie Jiang to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.
Yue Lin had wanted to subtly remind Xie Jiang a few things. The Duke of Dingguo's mansion was in a special situation, and Xie Jiang's identity was even more special. If Xie Jiang got too close to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, it might...
It would not be good for either Xie Jiang or the Duke of Dingguo's mansion if it aroused the suspicion and jealousy of the person in the Yuanyou Palace.
Xu Shuo knew what he was worried about, but merely smiled and shook her head at him.
Yue Lin felt that he was indeed being a bit too cautious.
Xie Jiang and the Lan Yong envoy delegation had only recently arrived, but to say they were completely ignorant of matters in the capital would be underestimating Xie Jiang and the Lan Yong envoy delegation too much.
What was there to hide if Xie Jiang interacted with Song Ze so openly?
The Duke of Dingguo's mansion had not fallen due to a crime back then.
The Duke of Dingguo's mansion was not the home of a criminal.
If they interacted with Song Ze openly and honestly, would anyone dare to fabricate charges?
Thinking of this, Yue Lin's gaze turned a bit sharper.
With Duke Song and the Song brothers dead on the northern frontier, it was inevitable that some would want to smear their reputation, attempting to uproot the Duke of Dingguo's mansion completely.
However, the old comrades who had gone through life and death with Duke Song for so many years were not to be trifled with.
Since Duke Song and the Song brothers had died fighting for the country, the Duke of Qian and Marquis Yongxin, these sworn brothers, would never tolerate anyone tarnishing their posthumous reputations.
Not even the Emperor!
But there was little else they could do.
The Emperor viewed the Duke of Dingguo's mansion as a thorn in his side.
The Emperor had also begun to subtly remove the teeth of these old veterans who had followed the late Emperor into battle.
The Dukes had not led troops for many years, and the younger generation like Yue Lin... were now obediently studying at the Imperial Academy.
Xie Jiang gazed at the Duke of Dingguo's mansion that came into view. The past glory and honor of the entire family had long since vanished.
Now, only the widowed Second Madam Song, and the siblings Song Ze and Song Xun, remained in the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.
The lame gatekeeper of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, seeing that Xie Jiang had arrived with Xu Shuo and Yue Lin, directly invited all three of them in. Another gatekeeper quickly went inside to announce their arrival.
These two gatekeepers were tall and strong, but one walked with a limp, and the one who ran inside to announce their arrival was missing an arm.
Qin Jian, who was missing an arm, was very familiar with Xu Shuo and Yue Lin. As he led the three into the mansion, he specifically informed Xu Shuo that the Third Young Lady Xu was currently in their Third Miss's courtyard.
"That's perfect, my siblings and I can return home together," Xu Shuo said.
Seeing Xie Jiang observing Qin Jian, who was leading the way, Yue Lin took the initiative to say, "There aren't many people left in the Duke of Dingguo's mansion now. Those who remain are those who were injured in the army back then and have nowhere else to go..."
Xu Shuo nodded in agreement, "Our mansion is the same."
Xie Jiang said as they walked, "No wonder they look so exceptionally capable."
Yue Lin said, "They were all elite soldiers who could fight ten men back then. Even with physical disabilities, they are not comparable to ordinary weaklings."
Xie Jiang nodded in strong agreement.
Ever since they learned that Xie Jiang was the relative they had been searching for for many years, Song Ze and Song Xun had been eagerly anticipating Xie Jiang's return to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion. Second Madam Song also hoped to meet Xie Jiang someday.
Xie Jiang had returned to the capital under a different name, and it was only a matter of time before she returned to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.
Especially after Xie Jiang publicly asked Song Ze for the twin-colored lotus at the palace banquet, Song Ze had a vague premonition that Xie Jiang might use the twin-colored lotus as an excuse to return.
He just hadn't expected it to be on such an evening.
So sudden.
The fluttering hem of his robes and his hurried footsteps revealed Song Ze's current agitated state.
No matter how much he appeared like an immortal detached from worldly affairs in the eyes of outsiders, he was, after all, just a brother who longed for his sister's return.
Li Chi, who was following closely behind, wanted to remind the young master that the Second Young Lady was not visiting alone today.
He saw the eagerness and hurried pace of the young master gradually calm down.
The person who appeared before Xie Jiang and the other two was still the gentle and refined Young Master Song, like a clear breeze and bright moon, showing no sign of abnormality.
Li Chi also tried his best to act as usual, not revealing any flaws.
Yue Lin smiled and said, "Young Master Song Ze actually came to greet us personally. As expected, Marquis Xie has great influence."
Song Ze looked in the direction of the three, smiled slightly, and said, "This is Marquis Xie's first visit, unlike you."
Xie Jiang couldn't help but smile, "Young Master Song, I've come to collect the twin-colored lotus."
Song Ze was like a beam of light, a bright moonlight.
Not dazzling, but gentle.
Making one incredibly fond of him.
Song Ze said, "I have been waiting for Marquis Xie for a long time."
As he spoke, Xie Jiang and the other two had already reached him. Song Ze's nostrils twitched slightly, "Did you three go out hunting together today?"
"Are the three of us that pungent?" Xie Jiang raised her hand to smell her arm.
Song Ze could not see, so he had to rely on his sense of smell.
Xu Shuo smiled as they walked and said, "We just returned from outside the city. On the way, we met a woman selling osmanthus hair ornaments, and Marquis Xie bought them to share with us. Seeing the osmanthus reminded me of your twin-colored lotus, and I was afraid it would wither if we delayed further, so I couldn't wait to come and collect it."
This also served as an explanation for why they were visiting so late in the evening.
Song Ze smiled at Xie Jiang, "There are still four pots of twin-colored lotus in bloom."
Xie Jiang said happily, "That's wonderful."
Song Ze did not bring the three of them to his courtyard. Since Xie Jiang was visiting to collect flowers, Song Ze led them to the garden near the flower room.
The four of them sat in a pavilion, and Song Ze personally brewed tea.
It was already late, and Xie Jiang would most likely not have dinner at the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, but she could have a cup of tea.
Seeing Xie Jiang gazing intently at the surrounding flowers and trees, Yue Lin took a sip of the perfectly warm tea and said, "Do you find this garden particularly special? The flowers and trees in the mansion are all personally tended by Young Master Song Ze."
"No wonder it feels like the essence of the sun and moon is gathered in this garden..."
Xie Jiang appeared very amazed and impressed, but inwardly, she felt a bit uncomfortable. Could the young master of the dignified Duke of Dingguo's mansion only be accompanied by flowers, birds, and insects?
Fortunately, although the Duke of Dingguo's mansion was sparsely populated, it was filled with lush greenery and thriving life, filling one's heart with hope and dispelling any sense of desolation or decay.
The tea in her mouth, after a moment of bitterness, began to have a lasting sweet aftertaste.
After drinking and savoring it, Xie Jiang pushed the teacup back to Song Ze and said, "This tea is quite flavorful. Please be so kind as to brew another cup, Young Master Song."
"Alright..."
Song Ze was naturally delighted.
The pavilion they were in was situated on higher ground. Yue Lin looked out and nodded in agreement.
"I always felt this way. Today, seeing Marquis Xie and Young Master Song Ze together, this feeling is even stronger."
It seemed as if all the spiritual essence of heaven and earth had been absorbed by these two.