Next, Prince of Jin noticed that during their meal, Tang Zhuyun was as quiet as a chicken, and all that could be heard was Yanran's cheerful laughter in the courtyard and her voice asking questions.
Tang Zhuyun must have answered her countless questions, but her voice sounded so guilty that it could hardly be heard inside the room.
When has Tang Zhuyun, who is known for her outspokenness and defiance towards everyone and everything, ever felt so guilty and weak-willed?
The Prince of Jin became even more certain of his guess.
There's a problem, there must be a problem.
But looking at Huaishang, he remained calm and composed, showing no sign of anything amiss.
Although Huaishang had not been by the Prince of Jin's side for as long as Song Jingyang, he had still been there for ten years, enough for the Prince of Jin to know him very well.
Huaishang is loyal to him and will not betray him.
Could it be that Tang Zhuyun has her eye on Huaishang?
But she has a very direct personality; for example, if she sets her sights on someone, she'll directly plan to get into his bed... She can't pull off those coy tactics. Her actions today are really strange.
The Prince of Jin temporarily suppressed his doubts.
Huaishang was a polite person; when he finished eating the hot pot and was about to leave, he bowed to Tang Zhuyun through the curtain to thank her.
Tang Zhuyun couldn't pretend not to hear, so she said politely in a high-pitched voice, "Guard Huai, there's no need to be so polite."
When the Prince of Jin heard her voice, he was completely distraught.
That big, fluttering moth is up to something again.
That evening, Prince of Jin watched Yanran paint in her room—she was very interested in painting and, under Meng Yulan's guidance, was already able to create quite decent works. Then he heard Tang Zhuyun outside whispering to Song Jingyang.
"How long has Huaishang served the prince?"
"I forgot, it's been a long time anyway," Song Jingyang said, scratching his head.
Is he married?
"No, single, just like me, hehe."
We'll all stay single, and no one will laugh at anyone else.
How many children does he have?
"I already told you he's not married, so where would he get a child?"
"Even the Prince hasn't gotten married yet, has he?" Tang Zhuyun retorted.
Although she thought it unlikely that they would have illegitimate children before marriage, what if it happened? She really hoped that Huaishang already had several sons, so that even if he knew the truth, he wouldn't take Linlin away from her.
"No children."
We're so busy following the prince, who has time for all that?
Tang Zhuyun: "How many brothers does he have?"
Family pressure is also important. If you are an only child, Zidu can't let go of whoever gave birth to you; you'll definitely have to take them back.
"Seven or eight, I suppose," Song Jingyang said. Even with his carelessness, he began to sense something was amiss. "Madam, why are you asking such detailed questions? Could it be that you intend to betroth Xiu'er to him?"
Tang Zhuyun: "Yes, yes!"
Seven or eight is good; there's less pressure.
Song Jingyang: "That definitely won't work. Huaishang's grandfather is the Minister of Justice, and he's his father's only son."
"Huh? Didn't you say he had seven or eight brothers?"
"Cousins are still brothers, they haven't separated from the family," Song Jingyang said. "They only Huaishang one son, Huaishang, and his father passed away early, so his mother will definitely find him a noblewoman to marry. Unlike me, nobody cares, my mother doesn't care who I marry."
Tang Zhuyun replied absentmindedly, "Oh."
That's it. If there's a widowed mother who single-mindedly hopes her son will succeed, she's likely to be very demanding and obsessed with bloodlines. She'll probably choose to keep the son and leave the mother.
Song Jingyang: "Don't ask anymore. Xiu'er can't possibly be with Huaishang; she'd be more like me."
Tang Zhuyun: "Oh."
They're gone.
Song Jingyang: Something feels off.
The Prince of Jin had excellent hearing and overheard most of their conversation, which further confirmed one thing: Tang Zhuyun cared deeply about Huaishang.
He didn't believe a word of the nonsense Tang Zhuyun was spouting about asking Xiu'er. Xiu'er's loud and boisterous personality wouldn't even work with Song Jingyang, let alone Huaishang.
He didn't believe Tang Zhuyun was unaware; she was clearly asking on his behalf.
Without a doubt, she had fallen for Huaishang.
The Prince of Jin sneered. Did she really think that by becoming his woman, she could marry someone from Huaishang?
She's dreaming!
With a "snap," the writing brush in Prince of Jin's hand was broken in two.
Yanran looked at him in surprise.
"It's alright. This piece is poorly made; Father King will have someone replace it with a better one."
Yanran asked in surprise, "But Concubine Meng said this is the best Huzhou brush."
"That's because she's ignorant," the Prince of Jin said vaguely. "Alright, continue drawing."
"Father, I've finished painting. You'll have to inscribe it for me."
"Good."
As for Tang Zhuyun, she still felt it wasn't enough after getting all that information, but she dared not ask Song Jingyang any more questions, lest she arouse his suspicion.
She tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and decided that if Huaishang came again, she would still avoid him. If she couldn't avoid him, she would at least be polite to him and try to maintain a good relationship. She hoped that if things were to fall apart in the future, he would remember the good things she had done for him.
There are still some questions she plans to ask Tang Baixin tomorrow.
For example, what are the development prospects Huaishang? And what kind of official position is it to become a deputy military commander?
Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. That's the decision.
The next morning, after Prince of Jin went to court, Tang Zhuyun secretly went next door to ask Tang Baixin.
Tang Baixin's expression was indescribable.
His answer was vague, but he was probing Tang Zhuyun, asking her why she was asking these questions.
Tang Zhuyun: Brother, I came here to ask you a question, not for you to ask me one.
Everyone says that pregnancy makes women stupid for three years, so why does she feel that her older brother became stupid first after Meng Yulan got pregnant?
Sigh, failed at getting information. I'll have to ask Linlin instead.
The men around her, young and old, are all incredibly shrewd; she mustn't give away the slightest clue, or she'll suffer a terrible fate.
Unbeknownst to her, after she left, Tang Baixin said to Meng Yulan with great concern, "I suspect my sister has had another attack."
Meng Yulan didn't react immediately and asked in surprise, "Does A-Yun have any chronic illness?"
It's not just a pre-existing condition; it's a deadly obsession with infatuation!
After hearing his explanation, Meng Yulan shook her head repeatedly. "Impossible. How could A-Yun be so fickle?"
"I'm afraid she doesn't realize she's being fickle. Do you think she likes the prince?"
Meng Yulan: "... No, but I still think she wouldn't do something so foolish."
"I don't think it's that serious either, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Yulan, you're her sister-in-law, so you should advise her on some things. If she's right, she should correct it; if not, she should strive to do better."
"Alright. This is my duty anyway, don't worry, sir."
What did you call me?
"Baixin." Meng Yulan blushed, lowered her head, and smiled.
All the hardships of the past have now become the backdrop for sweetness.
Because she met Tang Baixin, all her past hardships were made up for, and she made peace with fate.
"Miss, Miss, do you know? Ruan Anruo gotten married!" Xiu'er rushed to Tang Zhuyun and said.
"Ah?"