The father and daughter talked for an hour, Tang Mingfan burst into tears. "A-Yun, why are you doing this? You are still young, you will have a future..."
"Father, I'm telling you the truth. I'm not doing this for the Prince, but for myself and Yanran."
Tang Mingfan shook his head. "Shulan, I'm so sorry, I've ruined A-Yun!"
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
Forget it, her father has already decided that she is deeply in love with Prince of Jin and cannot extricate herself from it.
Let's just assume that's how it is. Anyway, she'll live a good life from now on and not let her father worry anymore.
Let it be a short, sharp pain. If everyone believes this, she'll have a better chance of keeping Yanran.
"Father, how's the investigation going on the Huaishang?"
If the real culprit can be found and the Prince of Jin can die in peace, then Yanran won't have to keep worrying about him in the future.
There's also Linlin, Linlin has repeatedly expressed her desire to avenge the Prince of Jin, Tang Zhuyun feeling quite distressed.
He was a precocious child who always kept his word. Bearing hatred too early would not do him any good in his development.
However, in the eyes of Tang Mingfan and others, this incident became evidence of Tang Zhuyun's unwavering devotion—she was determined to find the true culprit for Prince of Jin no matter what. If this wasn't true love, what else in the world could there be?
Tang Zhuyun even suspected that, in a few years, under their brainwashing, she might mistakenly believe that she truly loved Prince of Jin.
Forget it, he's already dead. Whether he loved her or not, let them think what they want.
"There is no evidence yet to suggest that Huaishang was actually involved; however, I have heard that the Seventh Prince has been getting very close to him recently."
Tang Zhuyun's hands clenched tightly inside her sleeves.
If it's just a matter of the family falling apart and everyone scattering to another master, that's one thing; but if it really was an inside job, colluding with outsiders to murder the Prince of Jin, then...
"Don't worry, your father also suspects him, this lead won't be lost," Tang Mingfan reassured her.
Tang Zhuyun: "Father, this matter is of great importance. If Linlin asks, please don't tell him."
Even if Huaishang is a traitor, even if he deserves to be torn to pieces, she cannot let Linlin bear the guilt of patricide.
"I know he's still a child, and it's understandable that he might act impulsively. A-Yun- Jun, think it over carefully. When you see the Emperor tomorrow, are you really going to say that?" Tang Mingfan's eyes pleaded. "A-Yun, think it over again. This is a lifelong matter; you can't be hasty!"
"Father, I was born to be the prince's person, and I will die to be the prince's ghost."
"A-Yun, are you worried about your father's reputation? If your father's reputation is earned by sacrificing his children, then your father would rather take off this official robe and go back to farming!"
"Father," Tang Zhuyun tugged at the Lovely old man's sleeve, "Having a father like you is a blessing I've accumulated over many lifetimes."
Tang Mingfan made up for the fatherly love she lacked in both her past and present lives.
In her past life, she spent most of her time growing up with her maternal grandmother. After her grandmother passed away, she wandered the world like a lonely ghost, without any ties.
She once thought that transmigrating into the body of such a disgraced infatuated woman was fate's punishment for her unfinished two lifetimes, but later she discovered that it was actually a profound form of compensation.
She had long regarded Tang Mingfan as her own father.
This old man, who lived a life of integrity and unwavering courage, gave her such selfless and profound fatherly love.
"I did this voluntarily; it was my own choice, and it has nothing to do with you. From now on, my widow and I will still need my father's support. You shouldn't keep threatening to take off this official robe to frighten the Emperor! An honest official like you should be working for the well-being of the people for a long, long time to come."
After a pause, Tang Zhuyun continued, "From now on, I will raise my two children well and be filial to my father."
After Tang Mingfan left, Tang Zhuyun calmed herself down, called Yanran over, and gave her the instructions again.
Seeing the fear in the little one's eyes, Tang Zhuyun felt extremely distressed.
"Don't be nervous. If you really can't, just don't talk, and keep holding on to me."
"Okay, I'm here with you, I'm not afraid."
Brother Linlin said that after entering the palace, she would have more face in front of the Emperor than her sister, so she had to protect her sister.
As it was time to leave, Nanny Rong had barely left her room these past few days due to excessive grief, came out dressed neatly. "This old servant will accompany the young lady and madam to the palace!"
Seeing how much thinner she had become, Tang Zhuyun gently advised, "Granny, you should stay home."
"No," Nanny Rong said resolutely, "This old servant knows what Madam wants to do, this old servant will help you."
Tang Zhuyun: Sigh, it's so painful. Nanny Rong is a white-haired person who has sent off a black-haired person. Her suffering is a million times greater than this.
Nanny Rong looked at Yanran and said, "This is... the last of your children. I refuse to believe that the Emperor would mistreat the young lady! If the Emperor paid even a little attention, he would know your heart for the young lady. You should be allowed to watch over her as she grows up!"
Although she was petite, her eyes shone with light when she spoke, and she exuded confidence and an aura of unapproachability.
Tang Zhuyun took an old man and a child to see the emperor.
The Emperor met them in Consort De's palace.
His gaze was, of course, fixed on Yanran.
"Yanran, come to your grandfather's side," he said.
Yanran didn't move, holding onto Tang Zhuyun's sleeve tightly and refusing to let go.
Tang Zhuyun sensed that the Emperor didn't seem particularly sad—perhaps this was the heart of a monarch?
She spoke slowly, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Since the prince's accident, the young lady has been frightened and has stayed by my side constantly. Young lady, that is the Emperor's grandfather; he would not harm you like Hongxiu did before."
Yanran buried her head in her shoulder and refused to look up.
"Your Majesty, this..." Tang Zhuyun was in a very difficult position.
The Emperor glanced at Consort De.
Consort De is in her thirties this year. She is well-maintained and looks much younger than her actual age. She has bright and beautiful eyes, and most remarkably, her expression is very peaceful.
No wonder she has won the emperor's heart.
When Consort De spoke, her voice was gentle. "Your Majesty, I was terrified when you said you would entrust Yanran to my care, fearing I wouldn't be able to raise her well; now, seeing how inseparable she and Zhuyun, I'm even less willing to be the bad guy."
She paused, then continued, "Yanran's health wasn't good to begin with, and now after this incident, I'm afraid... Besides, Zhuyun is a doctor you highly praise, so it's best to let her stay by Yanran's side."
"Then let her enter the palace?"
Tang Zhuyun: Holy crap! What did she do to deserve this?!
Fortunately, Consort De is just as reliable as Meng Yulan — the Meng Family family girls are truly wonderful.
Consort De, knelt before the Emperor, and earnestly said, "Your Majesty, I have mustered the courage to speak today, solely for the sake of Prince of Jin's life-saving grace..."
Meng Yulan had told Tang Zhuyun that when the Emperor was watching a tiger show with many concubines, the tiger suddenly went berserk and attacked Consort De. Prince of Jin killed the tiger and saved her.
Perhaps because of that incident, the Prince of Jin's reputation for ruthlessness grew even stronger.
Good heavens! Wu Song needed eighteen bowls of fine wine to fight the tiger; yet the Prince of Jin didn't even need a single peanut. He's truly a god descended to earth.
"Your Majesty, do you really think the palace is a good place for Yanran?"