Chapter 340: Family Matters Grow Murky, Relationships Questioned
…
Inside the inn.
About half an hour had passed since the conflict at the prefect’s mansion, and Lin Tianlu and his group had returned to the inn to rest.
As Madam Tan had said, although the commotion had attracted some attention, with people taking care of the aftermath, there was no need to worry too much.
But inside their room, a strange silence lingered.
“—How could this be?”
Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi, after hearing Lin Tianlu’s account, looked bewildered.
Their husband had suddenly gained a godmother they had never heard of? And this newly acquainted godmother was actually an imperial princess?!
They had never heard of such a thing, it was truly unbelievable!
“It was indeed quite sudden, even I was surprised.”
Lin Tianlu poured himself a cup of warm tea and said with a helpless expression: “Unfortunately, Madam Tan didn’t have time to explain in detail before she left the mansion with her maids and returned to the inn. She seemed to be bathing and changing, so it wasn’t convenient for me to ask further.
And the way her maids looked at me was quite strange, perhaps, like us, they had also just learned about this. I probably wouldn’t be able to get any information from them.”
Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi exchanged glances, their hearts filled with confusion.
Thinking about it carefully, there were too many strange and suspicious points.
Leaving aside whether Madam Tan was truly their husband’s godmother, just her identity as an “imperial princess”…
…was hard to believe.
After all, the current emperor’s surname was Luo, so even his daughters and granddaughters should have the surname Luo. Even if they married into another family, there was no need to change their imperial surname.
But this woman’s surname was Tan.
Recalling the current empress and the other concubines in the imperial harem, none of them seemed to have the surname Tan.
Could it be that this “Madam Tan” was a fake identity used for deception?
“We’ll be able to ask Madam Tan clearly after she comes out, there’s no need to be so impatient.”
Yun Yue quietly walked over and chuckled: “At least, we’ve cleared Shuya’s name tonight, so she won’t be falsely accused of murder.”
“That’s true.”
Mao Ruoyu finally smiled faintly.
But she quickly frowned slightly, puzzled: “But what exactly happened in the Zhengyang Prince’s Mansion that made those villains plot and scheme, even framing others? And who is behind that demon who committed those murders in Shuya’s name?”
“Perhaps it’s a power struggle within the imperial court.”
Lin Tianlu took a sip of tea and mused: “The power dynamics involved are probably quite complex.”
As for the true culprit behind it…
It seemed that unless they showed themselves, it would be difficult to find them.
Even the Luo Xing had been kept in the dark and dragged into the conflict. It was a bit much to expect them to figure out the whole story after just getting involved.
“Where is Miss Youluo now?”
Yun Yue said softly: “She went out alone a while ago.”
“She disappeared again without a trace?”
Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but laugh wryly.
If she wanted to take action, why couldn’t she tell them properly?
“Don’t worry.”
Yun Yue leaned closer, pressing her shoulder against his, and whispered with a smile: “Although Miss Youluo’s actions are strange and unpredictable, after chatting with her tonight, I feel that she doesn’t have any malicious intentions, she has a good heart. Perhaps she just went to gather some information.”
The fox woman narrowed her eyes and said sweetly: “If you like, Tianlu, I’ll find an opportunity for you to be alone with Miss Youluo later, and I’ll talk to Ruoyu and Yishi for you.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly and rubbed her head: “Please spare me, Yue’er.”
Yun Yue smiled faintly, her lips curving upwards.
But her fox ears twitched slightly as she heard a noise from inside the room, and she instantly transformed into a streak of light, landing on Mao Ruoyu’s shoulder in her fox form, quietly curling up.
Knock, knock, knock
A soft knock came from the door.
Lin Tianlu quickly stood up and opened the door.
A beautiful young lady appeared before him, her skin fair and delicate, her features refined and pretty.
Judging by her appearance, she was the maid Madam Tan had called “Lan’er,” but she had taken off her simple martial attire and was now wearing an elegant high-waisted skirt and a white velvet vest, looking quite charming and otherworldly. And beneath her skirt, one could see the toned and agile figure of a martial artist, quite alluring.
“Miss Lan’er?”
“Greetings, Young Master.”
Lan’er placed her hand on her waist and curtsied gracefully, her voice as clear and melodious as a songbird.
Lin Tianlu quickly cupped his hands and chuckled: “There’s no need for such formalities, Miss, Madam Tan’s words before shouldn’t be taken seriously…”
“Her Highness never jokes about such things.”
Lan’er lowered her eyes and said softly: “Since Her Highness wants me to address you as Young Master, then you are naturally my master, and I will follow your orders without hesitation. These courtesies are only natural.”
Lin Tianlu felt helpless.
Before he even had a chance to explain, these maids had become so “enthusiastic,” it was a bit overwhelming.
However—
“Let’s put aside the matter of my identity for now.”
Lin Tianlu frowned slightly and whispered: “You were punished because of me, Miss Lan’er, is your cheek still hurting?”
A faint red mark was still visible on her fair cheek, clearly from the slap earlier.
“Thank you for your concern, Young Master, it doesn’t hurt.”
Lan’er lowered her head respectfully: “I spoke out of turn before and offended you, Young Master, a grave offense. Her Highness only gave me a slap, it was an act of mercy, I’m grateful… uh?”
Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly froze, feeling a comfortable warmth spreading across her cheek.
As she reacted, she realized in astonishment that Lin Tianlu had touched her face.
“Y-Young Master?!”
She quickly took a step back, about to speak, but her eyes blinked slightly.
“You should be feeling better now.”
Lin Tianlu shook the handkerchief he had been holding, chuckling: “I understand the principle of propriety between men and women. But healing your injury through a handkerchief shouldn’t be considered offensive, right?”
Lan’er paused slightly, instinctively touching her cheek, and realized that the burning pain was gone.
Her heart stirring, she couldn’t help but purse her lips and curtsy again: “Thank you for your kindness, Young Master, I will always remember it!”
“Ah… ha…”
Lin Tianlu could only chuckle awkwardly: “I just hope you won’t dislike me in the future, Miss.”
Lan’er was silent for a moment, then coughed lightly as if trying to change the subject: “Young Master, Her Highness needs a moment to change. I came here to invite you to wait in another room. If you have any requests, I will do my best to fulfill them.”
“Thank you for the invitation, Miss Lan’er.”
Lin Tianlu cupped his hands and looked back at Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi, who had also stood up: “But I wonder, my two wives…”
“Her Highness instructed us to let the two Madams wait in the room and not worry.”
Lan’er’s voice had become calm and steady: “We will send someone to escort them when it’s time to meet.”
“Alright.”
Lin Tianlu nodded slightly and spread his hands: “Lead the way, Miss Lan’er.”
“Please follow me, Young Master.”
Lan’er quickly turned and left.
But to Lin Tianlu’s surprise…
They didn’t go to the room opposite his, but instead walked along the corridor, leaving the inn, and onto the quiet and deserted street.
“Where are we going, Miss Lan’er?”
“We have prepared a mansion nearby for Her Highness. She deliberately disguised herself as a martial artist and stayed at the inn to avoid attention. And we, her servants, also dressed as martial artists, are spread throughout the town and county, interacting with people from various factions and gathering information.”
Lan’er explained softly: “Now that Niu Yunjun and those villains have been punished, there’s no need for Her Highness to stay in that simple and damp guest room any longer. Besides, there’s no proper place to wash up there, she naturally couldn’t stay long.”
Lin Tianlu suddenly understood.
It was indeed inconvenient to properly wash up in that room, at most, one could just wipe their body with a basin of hot water.
But for a princess, that simple room was indeed too inappropriate.
“However, I’m a bit curious… why did Madam Tan, Her Highness, come here alone?”
Lin Tianlu asked, puzzled: “A princess, of such noble birth, why would she personally come here and put herself in danger?”
“Her Highness possesses profound cultivation and extraordinary martial arts skills, she should be able to handle any situation.” Lan’er bit her lip lightly and said with guilt and unease: “But we didn’t expect such an incident to happen, Her Highness was almost harmed by those villains… It’s our fault, we should have advised her against it.
If Her Highness had truly been harmed, we would be eternally guilty!”
“Uh… there’s no need to be so upset, Miss Lan’er, it’s all in the past now, just be more careful in the future.” Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly and tried to comfort her.
Thinking about it carefully, it wasn’t really the maids’ fault.
That princess’s martial arts skills were indeed extraordinary. To have reached the grandmaster realm at such a young age was beyond imagination.
…It was just a pity that she had encountered those powerful Crimson Demon Realm demons and ghosts.
Even Chen Jiyang was a Crimson Demon Realm practitioner. It was incredibly difficult for a mortal martial artist to fight against him directly.
“Thank you for your comfort, Young Master.”
Lan’er sighed softly, her expression calming down.
Seeing her reaction, Lin Tianlu asked curiously: “You seem to be very concerned about and respectful of Her Highness, Miss?”
“We all came from poor families, orphans without parents, wandering and begging on the streets. It was Her Highness’s kindness that changed our lives and gave us a new beginning.”
Lan’er’s voice was filled with conviction: “Her Highness is our savior, we would even give up our lives for her.”
Then, she added in a low voice: “Although Her Highness slapped me just now, Young Master, she treats us very well, providing us with martial arts training and education, even preparing new clothes for us and showing concern for our well-being. She has never forced us to do anything degrading or evil, she has a heart of gold.”
Lin Tianlu’s heart stirred, and he listened silently.
Although this Miss Lan’er’s words might be somewhat subjective, at least from her perspective, Madam Tan’s character was quite good for someone from the imperial family.
…
After a while, Lin Tianlu and Lan’er arrived at their destination, a spacious and luxurious mansion with an ancient and elegant style coming into view.
“This is…”
“This mansion used to belong to a wealthy merchant, but a few years ago, his family and servants all died mysteriously. The man was driven mad by fright and sold all his property before fleeing Wuxing City.” Lan’er stepped forward and slowly pushed open the closed gate: “Seeing this mansion abandoned and unoccupied, Her Highness instructed me to buy it secretly, just in case.”
“I see.”
He followed Lan’er into the courtyard and casually looked around. Besides the meticulously maintained garden, he also saw several young maids walking along the corridor, all bowing respectfully as their eyes met: “Good evening, Young Master.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and cupped his hands in return, then entered the brightly lit main hall.
“Young Master, please have a seat and wait for a moment.”
Lan’er poured tea, glancing sideways, and the two maids who had followed them immediately understood, stepping forward and gently massaging his shoulders.
Lin Tianlu’s expression stiffened slightly.
He had never experienced such attentive service before.
“Cough, there’s no need for such formalities, ladies…”
“Her Highness has arrived!”
A clear voice echoed from outside the hall.
The two maids behind him immediately stopped, their hands clasped in front of them, their heads lowered respectfully.
Lin Tianlu breathed a sigh of relief, straightened his clothes, and stood up, preparing to ask for an explanation. This feeling was truly a bit uncomfortable.
“…”
But as Madam Tan entered the hall, supported by Lan’er, Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but pause slightly.
Her delicate face was lightly adorned with makeup, her hair styled in a high bun with a gold and jade phoenix hairpin, and she was dressed in a light and elegant turquoise gauze robe, her voluptuous and mature figure faintly visible, even more beautiful than a flower. Her eyes seemed to be filled with gentleness, and the hair by her temples, brushing against her face, made her even more alluring and charming.
A shimmering turquoise dress with a silk sash around her waist, its hem swaying like tassels, her every step graceful and elegant, completely different from her previous martial artist attire, her noble and dignified aura fully displayed, truly a breathtaking beauty.
“What’s wrong? We just talked not long ago, and now you’re stunned?”
A mature voice, laced with a hint of laughter, came from her seductive lips.
Madam Tan, her waist as slender as a willow, her every step like a blooming lotus, entered the hall with a faint smile: “Is it because I’m dressed too flamboyantly that you don’t recognize me?”
Lin Tianlu quickly came back to his senses and cupped his hands, chuckling awkwardly: “It’s just that your appearance is truly stunning, Madam… Your Highness, I didn’t expect it.”
Unlike his wives at home, although they were beautiful and elegant, they still had a girlish innocence and softness.
But seeing Madam Tan’s demeanor now, he finally understood what true grace, elegance, and nobility meant. Just a glance was enough to tell that her status was far beyond that of ordinary women.
Not to mention her graceful figure, slender waist, and full hips, even more alluring in her elegant dress, her mature sensuality truly captivating.
Madam Tan walked towards him gracefully and said indifferently: “It seems my maids’ makeup skills are quite good.”
But her expression didn’t show much emotion as she raised her bright eyes and reached out towards him with interest.
Lin Tianlu instinctively tilted his head back, but then he realized that Madam Tan was just touching his cheekbone with her fingertip, examining his face carefully, and sighing softly: “Shuya has good taste, no matter how extraordinary your cultivation is, at least your face is quite handsome, truly a rare sight.”
“Cough… Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness.”
Lin Tianlu took two steps back, calming himself, and said steadily: “You do know Miss Hua, Your Highness?”
“You must have guessed, I have a deep connection with the Zhengyang Prince’s Mansion.”
Madam Tan slightly turned her wrist and gestured towards a nearby chair: “Let’s sit down and talk.”
…
After they sat down, several maids stood respectfully beside them, a subtle fragrance filling the hall.
Madam Tan brushed her hair and continued:
“I married Hua Jianfeng, the second son of the Zhengyang Prince, many years ago. Although he died on the battlefield before our wedding, I’m still considered part of the Hua family. And Shuya is the daughter of the fifth son, Hua Qinyue. In terms of seniority, I’m Shuya’s aunt, so naturally, I know her quite well.”
Lin Tianlu’s face showed a look of understanding.
It was reasonable for an imperial princess to marry the son of a prince, despite her noble birth.
So, that was their connection.
“However, I truly didn’t guess correctly just now.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly: “I didn’t expect you to be Shuya’s aunt, you look far too young.”
Judging by her mature yet youthful appearance, she looked more like a sister or a close friend.
Madam Tan smiled faintly: “Even with your compliments, I’m already over forty, a middle-aged woman. It’s just that I’ve been diligently practicing martial arts and have some internal energy cultivation, that’s why I look younger than other women my age.”
She gracefully picked up her teacup, exhaled softly, and said clearly: “I know you have many questions, just ask, and I will explain everything to you.”
“Your Highness…”
“That title is too formal.”
She suddenly interrupted him, raising an eyebrow slightly, a gentle smile on her face: “Since you’re my godson, just call me ‘Mother Tan’ from now on.”
Mother Tan?
Lin Tianlu felt a headache coming on and said awkwardly: “Although you have a close relationship with Miss Hua, Your Highness, wouldn’t it be too… presumptuous of me to address you like this?”
“Hu~”
Madam Tan chuckled softly, covering her mouth with her hand, took a sip of tea, and said calmly: “Do you think that I’m tacitly approving of your relationship with Shuya by letting you call me Mother Tan?”
“Uh?”
Lin Tianlu was stunned.
Was that not the case?
“Your relationship with Shuya is quite intriguing, I’ve known about it for a while. But with or without Shuya, you can’t avoid calling me godmother.”
She glanced at him sideways and said softly: “Do you remember a sword in your house when you were young?”
“Sword?”
Lin Tianlu frowned, quickly recalling vague memories from his childhood.
There did seem to be a sheathed sword hanging in the side room of their old house.
But although that sword was cleaned and polished every year, it was still old and rusty, even the blade inside the sheath was covered in rust. Forget about practicing martial arts with it, it probably couldn’t even cut vegetables properly, it was just a decorative item hanging on the wall.
“Was there a small jade bead embedded in the pommel of that sword?”
“…There was indeed a bead.”
Lin Tianlu pondered and said truthfully: “But it looked like an ordinary jade bead, I didn’t pay much attention to it at the time.”
“And were there any strange patterns carved on the guard?”
“There were indeed some patterns…”
Lin Tianlu gradually fell silent.
Could this sword be—
“That sword is a token of the bond between our ancestors.” Madam Tan nodded slightly: “Not from my father’s side, but from my mother’s, Consort Xian.”
“But Consort Xian’s surname wasn’t Tan, was it?”
“Do you know my mother’s identity before she entered the palace and became Consort Xian?”
Madam Tan said frankly: “She was just a commoner.
She had no official background or great wealth. Becoming a palace maid was a coincidence, a blessing from heaven, and she eventually caught my father’s attention and became Consort Xian. To avoid any issues, she changed her name to Xiao Tanxue.”
Lin Tianlu was surprised and murmured: “Then your surname, Madam Tan…”
“As a princess, I naturally use the surname Luo in public. But in private, I use the surname Tan.”
Madam Tan took out a jade pendant with tassels from her sleeve and handed it to Lan’er, who then presented it to Lin Tianlu: “Our connection comes from my mother’s side of the family. They left this jade pendant, and also a two-hundred-year-old promise.”
Lin Tianlu carefully took the pendant and examined it closely, quickly recognizing the familiar patterns carved on it.
“Your Lin family ancestor and my Tan family ancestor met hundreds of years ago, a pair of star-crossed lovers. They fell in love, overcoming many difficulties, but ultimately parted ways, going their separate ways.”
Madam Tan explained slowly and softly: “But before parting, they made a promise, using that sword and the jade pendant on its hilt as family heirlooms, waiting for their descendants to meet again through these tokens.
If their descendants were of the same gender and similar age, they would become siblings. If their ages were significantly different, they would become parent and child.
And if they were of the opposite gender, they would continue the previous generation’s love story and become husband and wife. If their ages were significantly different, they would become mother and son, or father and daughter.”
She gently brushed her hair and smiled faintly: “Now, we are fated to meet, and I am much older than you, so I’ll take you as my godson. Just call me Mother Tan, fulfilling our ancestors’ wishes.”
“This matter…”
Lin Tianlu was speechless.
Although there was indeed such a sword in his family, he had never heard his parents mention this.
“It’s normal that you don’t know.” Madam Tan said calmly: “After all, it happened so long ago, I only learned about it by chance when I got married. You’re still young, your parents naturally wouldn’t mention such things for no reason.”
“And besides—”
She tilted her head slightly, a graceful and elegant posture, and chuckled: “It’s because of Shuya that I intentionally investigated your background and learned about our connection.
Although your Lin family’s movements have been erratic these past few years, your family tree is a mess, and the information I gathered is fragmented, I still managed to confirm that you’re a descendant of the Lin family, which is already quite fortunate.”
Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment, then carefully returned the jade pendant, and said cautiously:
“Although this is true, and Your Highness has put in a lot of effort, it seems a bit unfair to you. After all, this is a two-hundred-year-old matter, and you’re the one fulfilling it…”
“It’s fine.”
But Madam Tan waved her sleeve casually: “You saved my life today, I should reward you handsomely. Taking you as my godson is just a small gesture.”
Her eyes flickered, and a calm smile appeared on her face: “If you’re not used to suddenly calling a woman you just met ‘godmother,’ just think of Shuya, and call me Mother Tan… Does that feel more comfortable and natural?”
Lin Tianlu fell silent, his expression stiff.
He had come here specifically to clarify their relationship and make a promise. If their relationship with Shuya progressed, calling her aunt “Mother Tan” would indeed be appropriate, both emotionally and logically.
Or rather…
Besides “Mother Tan,” he couldn’t think of any other way to address her.
