"Thank you, young lady, for your life-saving grace." The Commandery Princess Yong'an disregarded her status and directly performed a big ceremony toward Tianmiao. Thank you for bringing my treasure back to my side.
Tianmiao nodded gently and then said, "The young marquis still has some scrapes and bruises. It's best to return quickly and have a doctor check him out."
"Thank you, young lady, for saving Ning'er. Please accompany us back to the mansion so that we can properly repay you," said an elder, who exuded an inherent authority without anger, stepping forward and cupping his hands toward Tianmiao. Though advanced in age, his aura of command was still overwhelming. This man was Xiao Anning's grandfather, the Duke of Dingguo.
Another richly dressed, corpulent elder came forward at this time, enveloped Xiao Anning in his arms, and cried out endearments. Xiao Anning gently patted the elder's back in consolation. This was Xiao Anning's maternal grandfather, the current King Ying.
With Xiao Anning safe and sound, the group of round-faced boys finally sighed in relief. Given their timely reporting, Xiao Anning's father offered them verbal comfort and promises before sending them home early.
The group of young men couldn't contain their joy. The Duke's promise would certainly come to fruition. They had long forgotten Tan Weizhi, who had been captured. No one cared about his fate, and they were eager to sever all ties with him, so why would they inquire further?
By the time the group returned to the Duke Dingguo Mansion, it was already late at night.
The Imperial Physician had been waiting, hurriedly attending to Xiao Anning. Once it was confirmed that Xiao Anning only had minor scrapes, everyone finally relaxed.
"I have yet to inquire about the young lady's surname," the Duke, with a voice like a booming bell, looked at the woman quietly sipping tea on the side. Her beauty was unmatched, her attire exceptional, and her aura of nobility was enough to make even him take notice.
When they brought Anning back earlier, the relief of seeing Anning safe distracted from other thoughts. Now, thinking back, it was quite unbelievable. How did they arrive from that place? How exactly did this young woman rescue Anning? Nonetheless, the fact remains that she saved Anning. Such a great favor must be repaid!
"My surname is Tian," Tianmiao set down her teacup and smiled slightly, "The tea from your manor is quite good." Only the tea-brewer's skill was lacking, wasting such fine tea leaves. She might as well bring some when she leaves and ask Kong Hou to brew them. Ideally, they should be paired with the seven-colored pastries collected from the previous world, likely enhancing the delicacy of the pastries and the fragrance of the tea leaves to perfection.
"Miss Tian, it is late. May you rest first, and we shall converse further tomorrow. Is that agreeable?" asked the Duke, "As for the tea leaves, if Miss Tian likes them, we shall find a way to procure some more for you." These tea leaves were a reward from the Emperor, who initially bestowed only three pounds and gave merely one pound to the mansion. Using them today to entertain Anning's savior was more than appropriate. However, obtaining more would certainly require appealing to the Emperor again.
"That's fine, thank you very much," Tianmiao agreed with a nod. The Duke was quite adept at reading the situation.
The Commandery Princess Yong'an summoned the housekeeper and instructed him to lead Tianmiao to the Ruqiu Courtyard, the finest guest quarters in the mansion.
Tianmiao nodded slightly to everyone before departing the hall with the housekeeper.
After Tianmiao left, the Duke signaled for all the servants to withdraw, then had someone close the door and stand guard outside before looking gravely at Xiao Anning: "Anning, tell me the details of what happened. Additionally, who exactly is this Miss Tian?"