Then Tang Zhuyun saw her father and brothers come out of the inner room, and a tall figure stood up from behind the screen.
It's the Prince of Jin! This scoundrel actually...
Tang Baixin said excitedly, "Your Highness, I've said it before, A-Yun wouldn't do such a thing. You see—although there's a difference in status, A-Yun is law-abiding, yet Your Highness has unfairly labeled her with such a serious accusation... Your Highness, what do you intend to do about this?"
Judging from his demeanor, he wouldn't give up until the Prince of Jin gave in.
Before he could finish speaking, Tang Mingfan said, "Baixin is right. Your Highness, my daughter is uncouth, but sending her to your side was not our original intention. Although both sides were making do, my daughter has done her duty, yet Your Highness is constantly suspicious! Since Your Highness is so displeased, please come with me to the Emperor and implore him to rescind his decree."
My father and brother are really angry...
Tang Zhuyun was moved but also felt guilty, and said, "Father, elder brother, please don't get so excited..."
After only a few days of peace, if you go to see the Emperor again, there's no guarantee he won't turn on you.
Moreover, she wanted to resolve Linlin's matter first.
Her family protects her, and she also needs to think about her family.
The Prince of Jin said expressionlessly, "It seems this was just a misunderstanding. I was being presumptuous, and I hope Lord Tang will not take offense."
Tang Zhuyun: You misunderstood me. Apologize to my father? Concubines have no rights.
Prince of Jin didn't believe Tang Zhuyun's nonsense at all; it seemed she didn't tell the truth to her family either.
"I'll go back first. You stay home a little longer and spend time with your family." With that, Prince of Jin turned and left.
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
However, after the Prince of Jin left, his father and brother changed their attitude.
Tang Mingfan said, "A-Yun, the Prince of Jin is more responsive to gentle persuasion than force. Don't go against him. You've really made things complicated for him."
Tang Baixin: "You're so good at sweet-talking people, you could easily win him over with just a little effort; and Huaishang, you wouldn't actually have fallen for him, would you? Let me tell you, absolutely not."
Tang Zhuyun: Why should I stay?
Fortunately, Meng Yulan spoke up for her, which eased the atmosphere somewhat.
Tang Mingfan sighed and said, "I know it's unfair to make you a concubine for the prince, but what happened before... well, if you really don't want to, then I'll just have to swallow my pride..."
"No, Father, I'm not unwilling," Tang Zhuyun said. "The Prince has been good to me, so you don't need to worry about me. You and my elder brother weren't busy today because of my affairs, right? That's fine then. Since everyone is here, there's something I'd like to say."
The other three people tensed up.
"It's about Linlin," Tang Zhuyun said seriously.
"A-Yun!" Tang Baixin was the first to react when she saw her gaze fall on Meng Yulan's lower abdomen. "Go away! Go back to serve the Prince! The Tang Family's affairs are none of your concern! Linlin is my son!"
Meng Yulan looked shocked.
She had never seen Tang Baixin so angry before, and didn't know how to persuade him, so she could only awkwardly say, "Sir, let's talk this out."
"Brother, that's enough," Tang Zhuyun said. "It's been over five years, and Linlin will be six years old this New Year. You've ruined your future for me, and I can't change that; I can't bear to see you have a falling out with your sister-in-law because of me. You care about her so much, you even gave up your future for her, you must not want to see her sad."
Tang Baixin: "None of your business, just leave!"
After saying that, he pushed Tang Zhuyun away, preventing her from continuing.
Tang Zhuyun gripped the corner of the table tightly, her fingertips turning white from the force. Her gaze was unwavering as she said, each word deliberate and deliberate, "Big brother, Linlin is my son, not yours!"
Meng Yulan was shocked.
Tang Mingfan sighed, "Forget it, forget it. This messy situation, even if we don't expose it to outsiders, Yulan should at least know about it, otherwise it's too unfair to her."
Meng Yulan quickly shook her head. "Master, Yulan not wronged. It's my blessing to be able to follow you and serve you."
Who wouldn't say that her life was given to her by the Tang Family?
The happiness I once thought I had lost forever is now something I'm still immersed in.
But how did Linlin become Tang Zhuyun's son?
Tang Zhuyun recounted the whole story herself, earnestly saying, "Sister-in-law, you know that although you lack a formal title, I still consider you my sister-in-law. The child you're carrying is my eldest brother's first and only child so far... Please don't misunderstand my brother."
Meng Yulan patted her back lightly twice, tears welling in her eyes, and scolded, "A-Yun, how could you be so foolish!"
Why would a perfectly good girl choose such a path?
If it weren't for those past events, she, the eldest daughter of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, would have been an honor for an unfavored prince like Prince of Jin Prince of Jin to become his principal wife!
She had always had a vague feeling that there must be something else besides reputation, otherwise the Tang Family father and son wouldn't be so humble.
She never imagined the truth would be like this.
"Sister-in-law, it's too late to regret what's past. And looking at Linlin, I don't really regret it," Tang Zhuyun said with a smile, her eyes moist. "I just don't want you and my brother to have any misunderstandings. Actually, the Prince and Linlin both know about this. Right now, I need to find a way to acknowledge Linlin as my brother... Although it might not work, I will do my best."
Even if it doesn't work, she has to show some attitude.
She couldn't accept her older brother's sacrifices with a clear conscience.
"A-Yun, since you acknowledge me as your sister-in-law, then I'll boldly tell you in that capacity today: Linlin is a child of the Tang Family, the eldest son of the eldest master, and that won't change." Meng Yulan rubbed Tang Zhuyun's hand, which had been pinched so hard, and said softly but firmly, "From now on, just focus on living your own life. We'll take care of Linlin. Just don't let this cause any more trouble."
It was no easy feat for Tang Zhuyun to achieve what she has today.
Meng Yulan didn't feel that Linlin's presence would affect her relationship with Tang Zhuyun at all. On the contrary, after learning the truth, she felt that he was a responsible and upright man. It was precisely this kind of character that made him stand up for her.
As someone who has already benefited from the system, what is there for her to care about?
She was proud of her man.
"Look at our Tang Family, we're dirt poor," Meng Yulan said. "What's the point of fighting between brothers and sisters in the future? But our Tang Family has a tradition Linlin scholarship and integrity. Even if we had a hundred sons, we would all raise them to be pillars of the court. Are they destined to be confined to their own family feuds and unable to look to the world?"
Tang Zhuyun said, moved, "Sister-in-law..."
"Yulan is right," Tang Baixin to himself, "Linlin doesn't need your concern! Linlin is a child of the Tang Family!"
With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?
Tang Mingfan stood to the side, stroking his beard, beaming with joy.
Shulan, can you see? How wonderful our children are.