When Prince of Jin went out, he saw Tang Zhuyun, Yanran, Xiu'er, Old Madam He, Nanxing, and Song Jingyang guarding six large baskets. Yanran was standing on a small stool, throwing money out like she was on steroids. His guards were blocking the way, preventing anyone from getting close, so they could only pick it up from a distance...
The scene was filled with the deafening sounds of gongs and drums, the crackling of firecrackers, and a sea of people, which deeply shocked the Prince of Jin, who had never seen anything like it before.
How can there be so many people?
Tang Zhuyun: Sigh, I even spent ten taels of silver in advance to ask the beggars to spread the word, and the poor bystanders in the vicinity started reserving the best spots last night.
The crowds thronged the area, making it incredibly lively – a scene unlike any other.
Tang Zhuyun was exhausted when she got home; she really can't handle throwing money around!
But occasionally doing something as lavish as throwing money around makes me feel so happy, like I'm bubbling with joy.
"I handled this brilliantly," Tang Zhuyun said smugly. "I repaid evil with kindness. She spread rumors about me, and I wish her a long and happy life together."
The Prince of Jin didn't believe her nonsense. "What are you planning?"
He vaguely sensed that Tang Zhuyun really wanted to make this marriage happen, but was it a form of punishment to make Ruan Anruo marry a man who frequented brothels?
This punishment is far too lenient.
Tang Zhuyun: "Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed, Your Highness, just you wait and see!"
Xiu'er: "Girl, please wash your hands more often, copper coins are so dirty!"
Tang Zhuyun: "... Coming, coming."
Just as Song Jingyang was about to wipe his hands, he silently put them back into the basin.
However, even so, Xiu'er still retorted, "If you don't change the dirty water, how many times do you wash? It'll make a difference! Go change the water!"
Song Jingyang went to change the water without getting angry.
There was no other way; he hadn't been returning to the Prince's residence lately, and he couldn't find anyone to help with things like washing clothes, so he had to pay Xiu'er for help.
But Xiu'er has such a temper; if she angers someone, she won't even want the gold ingots, and she'll still have to yell at them.
Like master, like servant; he dared not offend him.
Linlin asked Yanran, "Are you so happy?"
"I'm so happy! It's so much fun! I want Brother Linlin to come next time too. When I get married in the future, I'll sit in the bridal sedan chair and scatter money. That will be even more interesting."
Tang Zhuyun: "That would exhaust the sedan chair carriers to death."
Prince of Jin: "..."
Isn't the main point that Yanran's idea is wrong? What do you mean, "exhausting the sedan chair carriers to death"?!
Five days later, Tang Mingfan submitted a memorial to the emperor, thus beginning the investigation into the "examination cheating case" that shocked later generations.
No, to be precise, Tang Mingfan had already investigated almost everything and delivered a groundbreaking answer.
The cheating scandal involved hundreds of officials, hundreds of candidates from various regions, and many others.
The emperor was furious.
Everyone was terrified.
However, Tang Mingfan added fuel to the fire, demanding that the emperor severely punish him.
Decades of hard work by students from poor families are wasted on cheating, which not only buries their efforts and chills their hearts but also undermines the very foundation of the nation!
The Emperor entrusted the case to Tang Mingfan for judgment.
Tang Mingfan ordered the execution of over a hundred people, the exile of several hundred, and the additional punishment of nearly a thousand others, shocking the court and the public.
No one expected that Tang Mingfan, a civil official, would have such an iron-fisted approach.
Tang Zhuyun was not surprised at all.
"My father himself came from a poor family, so he knows the hardships of students from impoverished backgrounds."
Thinking of how many impoverished scholars and their families had their fates altered because of the cheating scandal, and how the court had lost so much talent, who could know the pain in Tang Mingfan's heart?
The Prince of Jin asked, "Aren't you afraid?"
With such a wide-ranging involvement, there's bound to be someone among them seeking revenge.
"I'm afraid... afraid that justice won't be served, afraid that the world will be plunged into darkness," Tang Zhuyun said. "Yes, I'm also afraid that my father will be retaliated against... but my father is Tang Mingfan."
Having already pledged her life to the country, all she could do was support him.
Some people are destined to be admired from afar.
She herself could not reach that level, but that did not affect her support and admiration for Tang Mingfan's selfless dedication to public service, his pure conscience, and his unyielding integrity.
"Auntie, when I grow up, I want to be an upright official like Grandpa, unafraid of powerful figures!" Linlin said with a determined look in her eyes.
"Okay." Tang Zhuyun patted his head. "Auntie doesn't really want you to choose a difficult path, but if that's what your heart desires, Auntie won't hold you back."
"It's good to live a life of ease and comfort, but most people only have the opportunity to do so because someone is paving the way for them."
"If you want to be the one who paves the way, then your aunt will be proud of you."
"No matter how difficult things get, your aunt hopes you live well; but if one day you choose to sacrifice yourself for righteousness, you don't need to worry about me."
I will take good care of myself and my family.
She is not great, but she supports greatness.
Linlin nodded.
These words stunned the Prince of Jin.
Is this something Tang Zhuyun would actually say?
Yanran ran in carrying a small basket. "Sister, look, Xiu'er knitted this for me, isn't it pretty?"
"It looks great! I'll draw another doll later and have Xiu'er make it for you and tie it on; it'll look even better then."
"Then let's go draw it now."
"OK."
Prince of Jin finally realized once again that Tang Zhuyun had not hindered Linlin at all; on the contrary, she had greatly contributed to his growth. However, Yanran... was just an ordinary little girl who matched her age.
Perhaps all we can do now is comfort ourselves by thinking she's still young, and maybe things will change later.
"Song Jingyang," said the Prince of Jin, "Send more men to protect the people of the two prefectures."
Song Jingyang understood immediately and agreed, then went to make the arrangements.
The Prince of Jin also told Tang Zhuyun, "You should stay home as much as possible these days."
Tang Zhuyun: "Then... then I'll go out to buy some things tomorrow, and then I won't go out for a while."
She was afraid of death and valued her life above all else. After a shopping trip, she would stay put. Since the weather was getting cold, she asked Xiu'er to help with the grocery shopping, since it was easy to do so by climbing over the wall anyway.
Xiu'er had previously suggested opening a gate between the two families, but Tang Zhuyun scolded her, "How can you expect Sister Meng to face the Prince?"
Thus, this idea was nipped in the bud.
Tang Zhuyun was bitten by a dog when she went out.
--She encountered the hysterical Ruan Anruo.
Ruan Anruo came over disheveled and like a mad dog, repeatedly saying that she had been harmed by Tang Zhuyun...
Tang Zhuyun: "Wasn't your cousin exiled? What, he died on the way, and you're left a widow? It's alright, just keep it up, and later apply for a chastity arch. I'll ask my father to help you out."
Ruan Anruo lunged forward to tear her apart, but Nanxing kicked her away a great distance.
Tang Zhuyun: "Go back and change your shoes, don't catch canine distemper."
In this cannibalistic era where "losing one's integrity is a small matter, but reputation is a great one," Ruan Anruo, having repeatedly framed her predecessor and herself, should have long since tasted the bitter fruit of her actions.
This retribution came far too late.
"Grandma, are you going out?" Lüzhu asked as she came out of the Tang Family carrying a basket. "This servant will go with you."
The Tang Family always had Xiu'er going out, Lüzhu rarely showed her face. Tang Zhuyun was certain that they needed to find her for something.