Fortunate Young Gentleman

"The one you just met was Prince Kang, and the one over there was Prince Huai. Prince Duan didn't come today, but you're in the Hanlin Academy, so you'll have many opportunities to see him in the future."

Beside their table, many people lined up to get them drunk. Xiao Jue and him didn't go back, but stood there to introduce them.

"Prince Huai's power is not as strong as theirs, and he doesn't usually fight for anything. Prince Duan and Prince Kang often fight to the death over a small matter. You see, Prince Kang won't miss this opportunity. Even if this matter really has nothing to do with the Tang family, he will find a way to get involved with the Tang family. They fight back and forth, and in the end, no one knows who will get the position."

"Hey, I've been looking for you for a long time. So you're here!"

Xiao Jue was analyzing the situation for Tang Ning, when suddenly a figure walked out from behind the pillar.

Prince Run was holding a box in his hand and putting something into his mouth. Tang Ning rarely saw the box in his hand leave his body.

Xiao Jue looked down at Zhao Yuan and asked, "Why is His Royal Highness Prince Run here?"

"I came to see if there is anything delicious here." Prince Run looked around and said, "It's a pity that there is not even a mixed hotpot here."

He looked at Tang Ning, held up the box in his hand, and said, "I'll give these to you. How about you treat me to a mixed hotpot next time?"

Zhao Yuan's box contained the palace's secret pastries, which are hard to find outside. It would be good to take it back for Qing'er and the others to taste. Even if he doesn't exchange, he will come next time.

Tang Ning nodded and said, "Deal."

"I'll fill your box now!" Zhao Yuan said happily, and ran out happily.

"But it's Prince Run..." Xiao Jue looked at Zhao Yuan's back as he ran away, shook his head and sighed.

The royal family attaches great importance to seniority and respect for the young. The early death of the crown prince led to the scene of the three dragons competing for the throne, namely, Prince Duan, Prince Kang, and Prince Huai. Although Prince Run is the son of Concubine Shu and has a noble status, he is still young. Unless Prince Duan and Prince Kang have an accident, the throne will not be his.

Given Prince Run's kindness to Tang Ning, if he can succeed to the throne, the Tang family will have to think twice before doing anything else.

Before the end of the Qionglin Banquet, Zhao Yuan actually filled a box of cakes and stuffed the wooden box into Tang Ning's hand, saying, "It's settled. I'll come to you in a few days."

Thinking of the little beggar, Tang Ning couldn't wait any longer. As soon as the banquet ended, he rushed to the county government's home as fast as possible.

Qing'er paced in the yard. Tang Ning stepped into the yard and asked, "Is she awake?"

"She woke up an hour ago." Qing'er walked to his side and pouted, "She ran away several times, but was caught by Sister Yaoyao every time."

Tang Ning strode into the room and saw the little beggar sitting on the bed. When she saw someone coming in, she obviously shrank to the corner of the bed.

When she saw that the person coming in was Tang Ning, the vigilance on her face relaxed a little.

"I'm back." Tang Ning walked to the bed, looked at her, and asked, "Are you hungry?"

The little beggar didn't say anything, but her stomach growled a few times.

Tang Ning opened the box that King Run had given her and put it on the bed.

She looked at the box but didn't reach out until Tang Ning took a piece of cake and handed it to her.

Watching her eat in small bites, Tang Ning asked, "Do you still remember where your home is and who else is there?"

She paused for a long time before she said in a very low voice, "My parents are dead, and my brother and sister are dead too."

Tang Ning took a deep breath, looked at her, and said, "You will live here from now on. This is your home."

She looked at Tang Ning and murmured, "Home..."

Tang Ning nodded, stretched out his hand, and said, "I'll take you out."

The little beggar looked up at him, her clear eyes met his. After a long time, she finally stretched out her hand and held Tang Ning's hand.

"This is Sister Xiaoyi, this is Sister Xiaoru, this is Sister Yaoyao, this is Sister Qing'er..."

Tang Ning introduced them to her one by one. It was not easy to eliminate her vigilance against outsiders. Even towards Xiaoyi and the others, she still had a slight vigilance and resistance.

He could understand this slight resistance and vigilance. If she was not vigilant enough, it would be difficult for her, a girl, to survive outside.

After introducing them to each other, Tang Ning stepped aside to let them get to know each other.

Qing'er looked down at her and asked with a smile: "Xiao Xiao, how old are you this year?"

She looked at Qing'er and whispered: "Thirteen..."

At the age of thirteen, she looked less than ten years old due to long-term malnutrition. She was extremely thin, her face was sallow, and her hair was dull.

Su Ru touched her hair with some pity and said: "You must eat well in the future to grow well."

The woman's sympathy overflowed and she couldn't hold it back.

Qing'er simply helped her wash her body during the day, and immediately ran to prepare hot water for her to take a thorough hot bath. Xiaoyi found her beautiful clothes when she was a child, and Tang Yaojing took out her jewelry and helped her try them one by one...

After tossing for half an hour, the girl who appeared in front of Tang Ning again was already a girl with picturesque eyebrows, red lips and white teeth.

Her little face was no longer so dirty, and her messy hair was combed into a dovetail bun by Qing'er. She wore a pink long dress, and she no longer looked like a beggar. Instead, she looked like a daughter of a wealthy family.

Qing'er couldn't help but exclaimed: "Xiaoxiao is so beautiful!"

The girl stood there in a daze, looking at Tang Ning with a slightly nervous look, as if she was not used to the current state and seemed a little at a loss.

She had experienced too many things in this day. When Tang Ning brought her back to the room and brought in some fruits, she had already fallen asleep leaning against the bed.

Tang Ning gently carried her to the bed and covered her with the quilt, and found two buns hidden at the foot of the bed.

He looked at the two buns, and then looked at her frowning brows in her sleep. He did not move the two buns and gently covered the quilt.

He left the room, and Zhong Yi stood at the door and looked at him, asking: "Is Xiao Xiao asleep?"

Tang Ning nodded and said: "She has fallen asleep."

She looked at Tang Ning and smiled: "My husband finally found her."

Tang Ning did not expect that happiness would come so suddenly, and his greatest wish was actually realized like this. Thinking about it now, it still feels like a dream.

Zhong Yi looked at him and said with some distress: "My husband must be exhausted these days, go to bed early today."

After today, all the matters concerning the imperial examination are finally over.

After experiencing ups and downs, especially after finding Xiao Xiao, his mind was up and down several times. He was indeed a little tired, and now he just wanted to have a good sleep.

However, Xiaoxiao slept in his room, Xiaoru had always shared a room with Xiaoyi, and he couldn't share with Qing'er and Tang Yaoyao. Tang Ning thought for a while and said, "I'll sleep in Hongxiu Pavilion these days. When the house is finished in a few days, I can move in."

Zhongyi looked at his room and said, "That's the only way."

Hongxiu Pavilion was not far from the county government office. It could be seen from the gate of the county government office. When Tang Ning walked over, it was almost curfew time. Manager Xu was about to close the door. When he saw Tang Ning, he was startled at first, and then he was overjoyed and said, "Young Master, why are you here!"

Tang Ning smiled and said, "There's no room at home. I'm going to sleep here for a few nights these days."

Manager Xu hurriedly said, "Young Master, come in quickly. The girls were just talking about you."

When Tang Ning walked into Hongxiu Pavilion, several figures walked over quickly.

"Sir, we saw you on the street today. You were riding a horse, so majestic!"

"I knew a long time ago that you would definitely pass the imperial examination!"

"Sir, why didn't you come to see us these days?"

"Go away, you are the top scholar. You must be busy studying during this period. How can you have time to see you!"

...

"Miss Chuchu, Miss Yingying, Miss Yanyan... Long time no see." Tang Ning was surrounded by them and heard their laughter. He finally got some free time and fled back to his room with the excuse of being tired.

He closed the door and breathed a sigh of relief. He sat back at the table and poured a glass of water.

Everything in the room was exactly the same as before he left. The window was also kept the same. It seemed that Su Huli had not returned to Beijing yet.

I don't know what she did outside Beijing. Two months have passed and there is no news at all. I hope she is safe.

He was really tired today. After drinking a glass of water, he took off his clothes and went to bed. He closed his eyes and soon his breathing became steady.

At this time, it was late at night in the capital.

In Tianranju, a maid named Xiaotao yawned. When she came to a room, she saw a figure sitting at the table. She was stunned at first, and then said in surprise: "Miss, you are back!"