Take Me Along, Please

"Steward Roger, I'm here! Is today's jerky ready yet?"

Ning Rongrong's clear, lively voice arrived alongside the patter of footsteps as she excitedly ran toward the large kitchen in the rear courtyard.

Though she had only been at the Tang Estate for two days, Ning Rongrong had successfully become acquainted with Steward Roger through the force of her personality. Without fail, she came to the kitchen every day in search of his secret jerky.

"The first batch is ready to eat. It's by the window, Miss Ning. Go have a taste!" Roger called with a cheerful smile as he turned over the jerky in the basin.

Ning Rongrong unceremoniously picked up a strip and eagerly began eating it.

She looked around, then, upon spotting the three large basins on the counter, turned to Steward Roger in surprise. "Why are you making so much today?"

"Miss and the two young masters are heading out for training the day after tomorrow, so I thought I'd make more for them to take as rations!" Roger wore a gentle smile as he looked at Ning Rongrong, though his hands never stopped moving.

"Going out for training? Why didn't Sister Lingling tell me?" Ning Rongrong froze in shock and muttered to herself.

Then she swiftly turned and ran off, shouting as she went, "Steward Roger, prepare some more! I'm going too! I'm going to find Sister right now!"

"Slow down, there's no rush!" Roger called after her departing figure with a chuckle. Then he looked at the neglected oven and raised his brows smugly. "Good thing old Roger was prepared."

On Ning Rongrong's first night at the Tang Estate, Roger had noticed Miss's indulgence and fondness for her. So, even without being instructed to, he had prepared extra rations. Even if there was too much, dried food could be stored for a long time.

"Sister Lingling isn't in the study?" The anxious girl stopped a servant who was sweeping and asked her.

"Eldest Miss is in the front hall, but—" Before the servant could finish, Ning Rongrong had already dashed toward the front hall like the wind, with no intention of listening further.

The servant opened her mouth, sighed helplessly, and continued sweeping. In any case, the guest was Miss Ning's relative. Even if she barged in without knowing better, it should be fine.

Elsewhere.

Sword Douluo had just finished expressing his thanks and was about to tell Tang Ling what he had discovered when a girl's shout from outside interrupted him.

"Sister Lingling, I want to go train too. Can you take me along?" Ning Rongrong's voice reached the main hall before she did.

Sword Douluo gave Tang Ling an awkward look, and then both of them turned toward the doors of the main hall.

Moments later, the girl's charming face appeared before them. She peeked into the hall with a grin, but the instant she saw who was inside, her smile froze.

"Sister Lingling, I won't disturb your guest. I'm going to play with Brother Xue and Third Brother!"

Ignoring the sharp look from her own Sword Grandfather, Ning Rongrong hurriedly rattled off her words before turning and running away.

The two people in the hall were left smiling at each other.

"Boss Tang, please forgive her. Rongrong has a mischievous nature. She hasn't caused any trouble these past two days, has she?" Sword Douluo forced a polite smile, suppressing his embarrassment as he looked at the tall young woman across from him.

Tang Ling smiled and shook her head. "Rongrong is pure-hearted. We get along very well."

"That's good!" Sword Douluo watched the sincere smile on her face and smiled fondly. "When I came here, that old fellow Gu Rong even told me to bring more money, so I could compensate Boss Tang for the roof Rongrong might overturn."

"Mister Gu is simply worried because he cares. When a child leaves home, it is only natural to worry about them." Tang Ling replied with a chuckle, her expression understanding.

Then, seeing Sword Douluo's smile, she changed the subject. "What was Mister Chen about to say? Let's finish quickly. Otherwise, if Rongrong cannot find you at mealtime, she'll make a fuss, and then you really will have to pay for a roof."

"Very well. Then Chen will speak frankly." Sword Douluo nodded with a chuckle, then turned solemn as he looked at Tang Ling. "Does Boss Tang know Yu Xiaogang?"

Tang Ling raised her brows in mild surprise. "Of course. I arranged that farce involving the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan six years ago. What, did the Yu Clan release him again?"

"Just as expected, they did." Sword Douluo nodded gravely. "I had merely wanted to investigate why Shrek Academy was founded, but I unexpectedly discovered correspondence between Flender and Yu Xiaogang. The letters said they wanted to build a monster squad together and win the National Soul Master Academy Tournament in a few years to clear their names."

"So Rongrong was right. Someone really was trying to deceive her." Tang Ling's expression darkened, and her tone became stern.

Sword Douluo nodded seriously, then handed over a document with an incredulous expression. "And I discovered that among the academy's three students, one is actually a prince of the Star Luo Empire."

Tang Ling took the document and looked through the information within. Then she smiled at Sword Douluo. "Rest assured, Mister Chen. The Balak Kingdom will keep him under surveillance. Yu Xiaogang will also be imprisoned again."

"That is good. In that case, the Ning Clan will no longer interfere in Shrek Academy's affairs." Sword Douluo nodded with a sincere smile.

Then, somewhat embarrassed, he took a sip of tea and asked with a smile, "I wonder what Boss Tang thinks of Rongrong joining you on this training trip?"

After speaking, Sword Douluo looked at Tang Ling expectantly. All the nobles of Barak City and the sects cooperating with the Great Tang Merchant Guild knew that the young woman before them was extraordinary.

That was not merely because the Great Tang Merchant Guild had spread across the entire nation in such a short time. It was also because Kundera, King of Balak, had sent the prince most likely to inherit the throne to her side as her disciple.

And now, this woman seemed to like Rongrong very much, so Sword Douluo did not want to miss this opportunity.

"If the Ning Clan agrees, I will take Rongrong with us on this training trip." Tang Ling did not hesitate long before answering with a smile. "Rongrong is highly talented, and we are enrolling at Soto Soul Master Academy because we also intend to participate in the tournament. She gets along very well with us. So this is something I should be asking your opinion on."

Sword Douluo sighed inwardly after hearing that. What a pleasant way of putting it. Sure enough, smart children belonged to other families.

Then he nodded with a chuckle. "The Sect Master and I both hope Rongrong can learn from you."

"Good. Please reassure Sect Master Ning that Tang will do everything in my power." Tang Ling's smile faded as she looked solemnly at the old man across from her.

Then she reassured him with a smile. "Mister Chen need not worry either. We are not leaving until the day after tomorrow. Moreover, an eighty-ninth-ranked Soul Douluo and a seventy-first-ranked Soul Sage will be accompanying us on this training trip."

Since the Ning Clan had entrusted their child to her, Tang Ling would naturally ensure her safety, while also providing the service of reassuring worried parents.

Besides, Tang Ling was quite practiced at offering such reassurances. Her nominal uncle in distant Barak City sent her a letter home every month.

"Good!" Sword Douluo nodded repeatedly with a cheerful smile. Then he glanced at the sky, rose to his feet, and said, "I brought Rongrong a gift, but I left it in the carriage just now. I'll go get it. Otherwise, if that girl asks for it during dinner and I cannot produce it, she'll make a fuss with me again!"

"Then please hurry, Mister Chen. In a while, I'll have someone take you directly to the dining hall so you can properly sample the dishes Rongrong has praised so highly." Tang Ling rose with him and extended her right hand with a smile.

Seeing her gesture, Sword Douluo understood and reached out to shake her hand. After responding, he left the hall with a chuckle.

In the years to come, whenever this meeting was mentioned, Sword Douluo would always proudly marvel at his own wise decision.