Tang Zhuyun gave a long explanation, finally convincing the two children that she wasn't pregnant.
"After we eat, shall I take you two to the lake to spin tops?" she asked during the meal.
Linlin shook her head. "You should take Yanran with you. Father is coming to teach me today."
As the year draws to a close, Tang Baixin is on vacation.
At this point, probably only Linlin could still persist in reading.
"I also want to study with my uncle," Yanran said.
Now that the Tang Family is a legitimate relative of the Prince's Mansion, Yanran has changed her way of addressing them.
Tang Zhuyun: "You... never mind, go if you want."
Perhaps reading can help her temporarily forget the sadness that has nowhere to go.
Tang Baixin arrived quickly as expected, her gaze towards Tang Zhuyun filled with pity.
Tang Zhuyun, who was initially quite happy about "losing her husband," is now truly heartbroken.
Brother, we're all on a sinking ship now!
Tang Baixin hesitated, then silently led the two children to the study.
Tang Zhuyun lay face down on the table, pretending to be dead.
"Miss?" Xiu'er called out.
"You're awake?" Tang Zhuyun got up to go see her.
"No, you're the Princess Consort now," Xiu'er muttered to herself, "Ah, the Prince has come back to life! Are you alright!"
Tang Zhuyun turned her head away. "What nonsense are you talking about!"
"You didn't see him? You didn't see the Prince?"
"No," Tang Zhuyun said guiltily.
Xiu'er: "Your Highness has such a deadpan face, didn't you see it?"
Tang Zhuyun: "Alright, alright, it must be because you're too tired and hallucinating, and then you accidentally tripped and knocked yourself out."
Xiu'er expressed strong doubt.
Tang Zhuyun said, "Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Do you want to go home and spend the New Year with your mother?"
"I'm not going back. My mother told me to stay with you." Xiu'er rubbed the back of her head, which was throbbing slightly. "You really didn't see it?"
"No," Tang Zhuyun replied firmly.
"Oh, it seems I'm possessed. No, I need to go out and get a few more talismans! Where's my peach wood sword? Where's my peach wood sword? I need to get my money back, you liar!"
Tang Zhuyun: "You fell down, get some rest."
"Don't worry, I'm fine now. If I don't go ask for the money soon, the shop might close tomorrow." Xiu'er got up. "I'll go find my sword first!"
Tang Zhuyun watched her stride out with great pride and silently thought to herself, "Your Highness, may you have good fortune."
Why aren't you cooking?
Tang Zhuyun, who was lost in thought with her chin in her hand, was startled when she heard the Prince of Prince of Jin's voice.
Looking in the direction of the sound, I saw him standing by the window, which was wide open, indicating that he had climbed in through the window.
"Your Highness, this is terrifying! It's enough to scare you to death!"
This guy isn't afraid of being discovered, so ostentatious!
"I am hungry."
Now that she has shown herself, he can openly eat what she makes, which pleases the Prince of Jin.
Tang Zhuyun said, "After I finish talking, I'll go fry some meatballs, but I'll only have vegetarian ones."
They make radish balls and tofu balls, but never meat balls. Even if they do, they won't let him eat them!
The Prince of Jin frowned upon hearing this. "Didn't you send Xiu'er out secretly to buy ten catties of meat?"
Tang Zhuyun: "!"
Where is your privacy?!
"I want to eat meatballs."
Tang Zhuyun: "Alright... I'll ask the Prince first about my river lanterns, my dumplings, my books..."
"It's all mine, it's all mine." The Prince of Jin was so hungry he felt a little anxious and just wanted to get her to cook as soon as possible.
Tang Zhuyun stood with her hands on her hips, glaring angrily.
How dare you admit this so brazenly? Have you no shame?!
"What's wrong? What do you want to say?" the Prince of Jin asked, feigning ignorance.
"Your Highness is excellent!" Tang Zhuyun said through gritted teeth.
If looks could kill, the Prince of Jin would be nothing but bones by now.
Prince of Jin narrowed his eyes. "So you want to settle scores with me? Come, let me ask you, what do the scribbled symbols on the river lanterns mean? What do you mean by telling Xiu'er that being a widow is better than serving men? And..."
"Your Highness, I've also hidden five catties of mutton and a set of offal. Would you like some mutton soup? I'll make it right now!"
The Prince of Jin snorted coldly, thinking, "She knows what's good for her!"
Tang Zhuyun moved quickly and soon brought in a large bowl of fragrant mutton soup, brimming with ingredients and sprinkled with cilantro and scallions.
"This flavor is absolutely overpowering," Tang Zhuyun said. "If I hadn't been so fierce earlier, someone would probably be coming to investigate by now. You should eat quickly, lest the two children come back and think I ate it!"
The Prince of Jin devoured a large bowl of steaming hot mutton soup in a whirlwind, feeling as if his internal organs had been thoroughly soothed.
"Why aren't you surprised to see me?" the Prince of Jin asked after putting down his chopsticks.
Tang Zhuyun sat on a chair nearby, fiddling with the jade pendant at her waist, and said listlessly, "Actually, I've suspected it for a long time..."
"Where is the flaw?" the Prince of Jin asked with great interest.
He wouldn't say the scheme was flawless, but it was meticulously planned. Could she possibly spot the flaws?
He eagerly awaited her answer.
"The stables," Tang Zhuyun said. "I've been observing the Prince's residence for a few days and found everything to be in disarray, but the horses in the stables are being taken exceptionally well."
"I love horses, could it be that Song Jingyang instructed people to take extra care of them?"
"With everyone gone, who can look after the horses?"
Song Jingyang initially cried uncontrollably, and she had to remind him about things outside the home. Then one day, he suddenly calmed down...
Once suspicion arises, someone as centrally positioned as her would not find it difficult to spot the suspicious points.
besides
"It's rare to see you being smart for once."
Tang Zhuyun: "Your Highness, can you tell me whether the Emperor knows the truth or not?"
"Know."
Tang Zhuyun instantly felt relieved, and her relieved expression amused the Prince of Jin.
"That's not right," Tang Zhuyun suddenly said, "If the Emperor knew, why would he promote me to the rank of Princess?"
Does the Emperor not know all about the messy affairs of his predecessor?
Why make a woman who has given birth a princess? Is Prince of Jin the emperor's biological son, or is she the emperor's biological son?
Why does this situation seem so strange and incomprehensible?
The Prince of Jin said, "Then you'll have to ask the Emperor."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
She knew it; she'd be better off asking his knees!
"Nanny Rong will go to the Great Xiangguo Temple tomorrow and return the day after. If she tells you this, don't ask any more questions; just grant her permission," Prince of Jin added.
Fine, fine, you're all masters.
What's the point of her stopping her?
"There are some things I didn't tell you before because I didn't understand you," the Prince of Jin said truthfully.
"You don't really understand me now," Tang Zhuyun said sincerely. "So you don't need to tell me anymore, really, I'm not curious at all."
Prince of Jin: "... Even if you want to distance yourself, it's probably too late now."
"Could you please have some compassion and release me when you come back to life? You can even divorce me."
We should still have hope; what if it works?
"I'm still waiting to entrust my children to you after I die, how can I let you go?"
Tang Zhuyun: "Pah, pah, pah! It's the New Year, why are you talking about dying!"