Tang Zhuyun suddenly wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into, and at the same time wanted to cast a spell on the brave man: You can't see me, you can't see me...
The valiant man, perhaps avoiding eye contact, dragged the half-dead assassin away while bowing his head and apologizing, "I'm sorry to have disturbed you, Madam."
Tang Zhuyun also lowered her head, her voice soft and gentle. "I should be thanking you."
It's not that she's being pretentious, but rather that the greater the contrast, the less likely the strong man would recognize her.
If it were any more disgusting, people would probably be too busy getting goosebumps to look at it.
The other people in the room looked at her strangely, including the two children.
But what the brave man said next startled Tang Zhuyun.
He said, "It's you?"
Tang Zhuyun's heart nearly jumped out of her throat. Oh no, he'd found out.
Is it a stubborn denial, or an act of bullying, coercion, and bribery?
She didn't know if he was fearless in the face of power or scheming... For a moment, countless thoughts flooded her mind, and just as she was about to deny it, she suddenly heard Nanxing say calmly, "Huaishang, long time no see."
At the same time, Linlin, who knew Tang Zhuyun best, sensed her nervousness and calmly took her hand. "Aunt, don't be afraid. Huaishang isn't a bad person. He... he knows the Prince."
He didn't know whether the relationship between the Prince of Jin and his subordinates on the Huaishang was public or secret, so the words that were on the tip of his tongue turned into "knowing each other."
There are some things that I don't want to deceive my aunt about, but knowing them would only be a burden to her.
The pressures of a man's world should not be borne by women.
So the brave warrior's name was Huai Shang? That name really has a birth-inducing effect, hence the perfect strike.
Compared to them, Zhao Di and Lai Di are both younger brothers.
"Madam, I am Huaishang, a bodyguard of the Prince."
"Aunt, Huaishang is a first-class imperial bodyguard," Linlin added.
Tang Zhuyun Zidu, thinking to herself, "Little thing, please, please stop talking to him."
Huaishang quickly led the assassins out, but showed no intention of leaving, instead instructing his men to help repair the roof.
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
Yanran tugged at her hand and whispered, "Sister, I'm not full yet."
Tang Zhuyun sighed, rubbing her forehead.
This child still has an appetite.
She wanted to tell the Prince of Jin, "Look, she's truly your daughter—so bold and able to eat a lot!"
Tang Zhuyun and a few others set up a pot in the side room. Except for her, who had little appetite, everyone else ate with great gusto.
But then Yanran stopped eating. "Sister, should we eat the portion we left for Father?"
Tang Zhuyun: "... No, there's more."
"That's good." Yanran happily resumed eating.
Tang Zhuyun felt so tired. Look at the little foodie she had raised.
While eating, Linlin explained to her, "Auntie, the Imperial Guards are very powerful; there are only thirty of them."
"Oh." So many? They're not that impressive.
For example, there was only one Prince of Jin, and the superior-subordinate relationship was a bit difficult to manage.
If the Prince of Jin knew that Linlin was Huaishang's son, would he use his power to bully her and keep Linlin, or would he be selfless and send Linlin away to win over his subordinates?
Tang Zhuyun's head ached more and more the more she thought about it.
"Huaishang is very capable," Linlin whispered. "He's very likely to become the deputy commander-in-chief."
Tang Zhuyun: The more powerful he is, the more dangerous you are, silly boy.
Fortunately, she was heavily made up back then, so much so that she couldn't even recognize herself, which is why she can still live a peaceful life now.
Huaishang was quite efficient; before the roof was even repaired, the assassin had already finished interrogating them and stood at the door telling Tang Zhuyun that this was the "consequence" of the examination cheating case—sure enough, someone had hired someone to harm the Tang Family.
However, the assassin's original target was the Tang Family, but he was discovered before he even reached Tang Family...
Tang Zhuyun thanked him again in a high-pitched voice, which drew the attention of the others in the room.
"Young lady, have you caught a cold? Take your medicine as soon as possible," Xiu'er said.
Yanran was immediately swayed. "Sister, you need to take medicine to get better when you're sick."
"I'm fine, go ahead and eat."
Tang Zhuyun wondered, since she was the only "master" in this courtyard, shouldn't she be more polite to Huai Huaishang?
"I heard the assassin has been captured?" Song Jingyang's voice rang out, making Tang Zhuyun feel as if she had been granted a pardon.
Never before had she so eagerly anticipated hearing the henchman's voice.
"Not bad on the Huaishang!" Song Jingyang laughed loudly. "Let's have a friendly spar another day, brothers."
Huaishang first respectfully bowed to the Prince of Jin, reported the matter to him, and concluded by saying, "I have only disturbed the lady and the young lady; please forgive me, Your Highness."
"What about them?" the Prince of Jin asked, vaguely worried that Yanran might have been frightened and suffered another attack.
Yanran exclaimed happily, running out at the same time, "Father, I'm here! Come and eat some mutton hot pot, it's so delicious!"
Tang Zhuyun didn't even have time to pull her back...
Seeing Yanran smiling, the Prince of Jin breathed a sigh of Yingying, his expression softening considerably. "It's good that you're alright."
"I'm fine, my sister is fine, my brother Linlin is fine, Xiu'er is fine, Nanxing is fine, we're all fine!" Yanran said crisply.
The Prince of Jin was somewhat pleased.
Putting everything else aside, Yanran's current speech is much more decisive than her previous timid and hesitant manner.
Prince of Jin instructed Tang Zhuyun to set up another table in the opposite room.
Tang Zhuyun kept Xiu'er busy running around, and did not appear in front of Huaishang herself.
The Prince of Jin was somewhat puzzled and asked Xiu'er, "Where is your daughter?"
"My daughter said that men and women shouldn't touch each other, and she couldn't show up in front of other men."
Prince of Jin: "..."
Song Jingyang stuffed his mouth full of meat, pointed to his nose, and mumbled, "And what about me? I haven't seen Madam avoiding any appearance of impropriety either! Aren't I more like family than Huaishang? Hahaha."
Xiu'er said irritably, "More like our own lackeys."
Song Jingyang: "..."
Huaishang couldn't help but chuckle.
However, he knew better than Song Jingyang how to conduct himself and wouldn't be so presumptuous in front of Prince of Jin, so he didn't say anything.
Prince of Jin: I always feel that Tang Zhuzi is up to something again; she's never been one to avoid suspicion.
Why is she so different towards Huaishang?
Could it be that she has taken a liking to Huaishang?
Huaishang was indeed outstanding in appearance, and possessed the refined elegance of a gentleman...
Thinking this, Prince of Jin said calmly, "It's alright, the Huaishang are not outsiders. Have your daughter send Linlin in."
Linlin is the best excuse.
Tang Zhuyun, upon hearing this, felt guilty.
Let her take Linlin inside? Does this mean Huaishang is suspicious?
No, that's not right. Even if he had doubts, he couldn't just say things like that in front of the Prince of Jin.
Is sleeping with one's master a sure path to success and fame?
Thinking this, Tang Zhuyun calmed down a bit, took Linlin's hand, and bowed her head to guide him inside.
She said she was being led in, but she only stepped one foot over the threshold, then nudged Linlin and said, "The Prince wants you to come in."
Then, without even glancing in the direction of Gan Huaishang, she turned and left.
Prince of Jin: If there's no problem, he'll twist his head off!