"Your aunt's status is too low; we cannot keep you here."
Yanran was terrified, her big eyes filled with fear, and she clung tightly to Linlin's sleeve. "Brother Linlin, don't leave me! I want my sister! I want you!"
"We want you too," Linlin said resolutely, "But the most important thing is still yourself, you understand?"
Yanran nodded blankly, "I'll do whatever you tell me to do, brother."
She unconditionally trusted Tang Zhuyun and Linlin; these two people were just as important to her as her father.
"No matter what others say in your ear, whether they say good things about your aunt or bad things, and no matter if they say it's for your own good or for your aunt's good, you must remember that if they ask you to leave your aunt, you should cry and pretend to be sick. Can you do that?" Linlin asked seriously.
Yanran somewhat confused.
"For example, someone might tell you that you'd be better off going to the palace..."
"I'm not leaving. It's best for me to stay by my sister's side!"
"But what if someone says, 'Your following her will harm her?'"
Yanran: "This..."
If that were the case, she would definitely hesitate.
"Don't hesitate, it's best for your aunt if you stay," Linlin said. "From now on, don't trust anyone except your aunt and me, understand?"
Yanran nodded.
She wasn't as smart as her brother Linlin, so she would listen to him.
Tang Zhuyun once told her that if you're unsure what to do, look at how smart people around you handle things; that's often the best option.
Say it to me again.
Yanran said slowly, "Don't believe anything others say, and never leave your sister and brother Linlin no matter what."
Linlin nodded. "Very good."
But that was clearly not enough, so he presented her with several scenarios and taught her how to deal with them one by one.
Yanran studied very diligently.
With her father gone, she sensed a crisis.
Perhaps this is what Tang Zhuyun meant when she said that relying on mountains is unreliable, and relying on water is unreliable; in critical moments, you can only rely on yourself.
"Yanran, does the Emperor like you?" Linlin asked again.
Yanran thought for a moment before nodding, "He must like me. My grandfather always rewards me with things, and he always smiles when he sees me. I think it's not fake affection."
Although she is young, it is generally possible to discern whether someone is being genuine or feigning sincerity.
"Why does the Emperor like you? Is it because you are the Emperor's granddaughter?"
"I don't know either. Everyone says I'm my grandfather's favorite granddaughter."
But you are not a princess.
"Yes, my father said that because I am too young, I will be given a title when I grow up and get married."
Does it really take that long? Clearly, the Emperor doesn't want to give it to us.
Linlin asked again, "Do you know about your maternal family?"
If the Prince of Jin could find some help, that would be the best outcome.
Yanran shook her head. "I don't know. I've never met my mother, and my father never mentions her. I only know, I know..."
"What do you know?"
"Hongxiu knows who my mother is..." Yanran lowered her head, recalling the past, clearly somewhat frightened.
Linlin hugged her tightly. "Yanran, don't be afraid. Your aunt has already driven away the bad guys for you. They'll never come back."
"Brother Linlin, what if I don't do well this time, and I accidentally fall into the hands of those bad people again?" Yanran's small body was trembling.
"It's possible; but Yanran, remember this: no matter what happens, no matter what situation you're in, your aunt and I will do everything in our power to save you; you must hold on, understand?"
Yanran nodded vigorously.
She believed it; she knew they would!
"If you fall into the hands of bad people, don't act rashly. For you right now, pretending to compromise is better than resisting. Use your brain more, don't act impulsively, understand?"
Tears Yanran.
She understood that she no longer had her father's protection, and she couldn't cause trouble for her sister and brother Linlin; they had already done everything they could to protect her.
"I will. Brother, you have to teach me how!"
"Good."
A few days later, as December arrived, more and more people began shopping in preparation for the New Year, and the streets were bustling with activity.
Apart from the Prince's Mansion and the Tang Family.
The next day, Xiu'er came to find Tang Zhuyun.
"Last night, the old man and Concubine Meng had a fight. I overheard a few words; the old man was angry, and Concubine Meng went out without talking to him."
Could it be? No, it's probably because the elder brother knows that his sister-in-law dragged her pregnant body to the palace to plead for mercy, and he's angry that she disregarded her own well-being.
Both are my flesh and blood, and I love both of them dearly.
"When the old man came out this morning, I noticed he looked like he had been crying." Xiu'er was very puzzled.
Tang Zhuyun: "My brother is worried about me."
My heart aches for my loved ones, my sister, and I feel utterly helpless...
She worried her family.
However, Meng Yulan came to see her again later and talked to her about other things.
"Consort De scolded me because she wanted me to marry Prince of Jin, a matter she went to great lengths to resolve. She has no children and no one to rely on..."
"Then why was the prince chosen?" Tang Zhuyun asked, puzzled.
Meng Yulan said, "I don't know, and I didn't dare to ask, but I've been thinking about this ever since I got back. I wanted to tell you quickly, it might be helpful to you. You know, Consort De has been favored for so many years despite having no children; she must have had foresight, shrewdness, and skill."
Tang Zhuyun seemed to have all sorts of thoughts.
At least, the Prince of Jin was not dispensable to the Emperor.
That day, Tang Mingfan returned from the palace and came to find Tang Zhuyun.
"A-Yun, the Emperor says he wants you to bring Yanran to the palace tomorrow."
Tang Zhuyun looked up at him, her gaze clear and calm. "Father, the Emperor has made a decision, hasn't he?"
Tang Mingfan dared not meet her gaze, and sighed deeply, saying, "A-Yun, I know you still hold onto hope, but it's been half a month, and there's still no news... This... Now is the most difficult time for the Emperor, and I can't bring it up. You will stay for the Prince for a year, and then I will beg the Emperor to let you return home... After that, you can marry if you want, or stay by my side if you don't want to."
At least Tang Zhuyun has Linlin to rely on, so she won't be left destitute in her old age.
"Father knows that once you've seen the ocean, you can't be satisfied with a river; he knows that the Prince doted on you, and you can't bear to part with him; but no matter how much you can't bear to part with him, he's gone now. A-Yun, you have to look forward."
"Father, what should we do about Yanran?" Tang Zhuyun asked.
Her evaluation of the Prince of Jin went from negative to positive, but she wouldn't discuss feelings; they were both ancient demons, so there was no need to talk about anything from Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio.
They were originally people forcibly placed together by the emperor; their relationship was fraught with difficulties and they had to work things out with each other, nothing more.
She felt sorry for the death of the Prince of Jin; however, it was unnecessary to amplify their relationship because of Prince of Jin death.
He's dead, but the rest of us have to live.
All she can think about now is the living.
Tang Mingfan was surprised that she would ask this question, "Yanran? Yanran will naturally be brought back to the palace to be raised. If you want to see her, I can find a way."
"Father, I want to keep Yanran by my side, legitimately."