Tang Zhuyun took Xiu'er out, and Song Jingyang had already prepared a carriage and was waiting for them outside the second gate.
As soon as she was discharged from the hospital, she was stopped by Wang Fu.
Wang Fu, carrying an inconspicuous blue and white floral bundle, bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, this is a small token of my appreciation; please accept it."
Tang Zhuyun declined, saying, "Eunuch Wang, you flatter me. Over the years, you have taken great care of my father, and I am deeply grateful."
"To my shame, how could this old servant be worthy to take care of Lord Tang? It was all at the Emperor's behest."
"I should thank you anyway," Tang Zhuyun said. "I won't accept the things; please take them back."
"If it were something vulgar like gold or silver, this old servant would not dare to present it before you," Wang Fu said. "This is a piece of gold-threaded soft armor from a previous dynasty, impervious to swords and spears. This old servant has no use for it, so I am presenting it to Your Majesty."
Actually, it was a gift for the Prince of Jin, as he knew the Prince of Jin was not dead.
Wang Fu felt that Tang Zhuyun might not accept the gift, but since it was useful to the person she loved, she would definitely accept it.
He had served the emperor for many years and was well-versed in how to please people.
Tang Zhuyun hesitated for a moment as expected.
Taking the opportunity, Wang Fu stuffed the bundle into Xiu'er's hands, saying, "This meager gift is insufficient to express this old servant's gratitude to Your Highness."
After saying that, he left.
Tang Zhuyun: "Oh, Eunuch Wang, well, thank you very much."
The Prince of Jin sat on the large kang (heated brick bed) by the window in the room, and could hear the commotion outside clearly.
The golden silk armor was a lost art, and I never expected Wang Fu to possess it. He truly is the most favored eunuch by my father's side.
He gave this gift clearly for himself.
And this was Tang Zhuyun's; she gave it to herself...
The Prince of Jin was somewhat expectant.
However, after waiting for a long time, Tang Zhuyun did not return to deliver the soft armor.
The Prince of Jin was annoyed, but he quickly consoled himself, explaining that she was eager to return to her parents' home and that he could understand if she went and returned sooner.
Tang Zhuyun gave Meng Yulan the prepared items and her own two hundred Zidu, saying to her, "Sister-in-law, please keep this silver. Then give some more silver to your elder brother, and tell him it's your private savings."
Meng Yulan refused to accept the money, saying, "I'll keep the things, but you can keep the money. Have you dealt with Hongfu yet?"
Feeling guilty, Tang Zhuyun said, "It's being dealt with, it's being dealt with."
She didn't want Meng Yulan to get involved.
Tang Mingfan has moved to the Court of Judicial Review office, but it's not safe to live without any men in the house. Tang Zhuyun said, "I'll send a few guards to watch over the house next door tonight. That way, we won't be criticized, and we can protect the house."
Meng Yulan accepted this kindness.
"Oh, and this too!" Tang Zhuyun handed her the golden silk armor. "I saved Madam Wang, Eunuch Wang thanked me for the golden silk armor. I don't know if it's as magical as the legends say, but brother, you should wear it while you're out and about."
This gift brought Meng Yulan immense joy.
Although I hesitated at first, I thought again that since there was no male master in the palace, no one would fight over this thing.
Wang Fu probably knew this, yet he still sent such a gift. Could it be that he deliberately gave it to his husband?
With that in mind, Meng Yulan accepted the golden silk armor.
Poor Prince of Jin, he was still waiting anxiously at home.
The two children were still at the Tang family's Tang Family. Because the matter of Madam Wang had not yet been resolved, Tang Zhuyun asked them to stay there for a few more days.
Linlin said coldly, "We'll go back after my father leaves."
He also missed the Prince of Jin. After the Prince of Jin recovered from his injuries, he was about to leave again...
"Alright."
After leaving her parents' home, Tang Zhuyun did not go out for a stroll because she was observing mourning for her parents; she went straight back to the Prince's Mansion.
The Prince of Jin of Jin, who had been waiting anxiously, looked at her empty-handed state and couldn't help but glance at Xiu'er and Song Jingyang behind her.
Song Jingyang was leaning over and whispering in Xiu'er's ear, his smile so irritating that it made Prince of Jin furious.
The Prince of Jin suddenly regretted that he should have sent Song Jingyang to keep an eye on Hongfu. That miser on the Huaishang not only pocketed his own money but also his own.
If Huaishang were here, he would never have overlooked something as important as the Golden Silk Armor!
Tang Zhuyun was still thinking about Madam Wang's matter, and said, "Your Highness, Eunuch Wang's people should have been brought here by now. I'll go and see who it is."
The Prince of Jin finally couldn't help but speak up, "Wait!"
"Um?"
"Didn't Wang Fu give you anything to thank you?"
Tang Zhuyun: "I've already sent it..."
Then, seeing the Prince of Jin's furious expression, she suddenly realized. "But Your Highness, that was a gift for me. What, you want it?"
How could the Prince of Jin possibly say he wanted it?
Besides, is what he really wants something?
Isn't it because she got it?
"I don't want it!" he spat out through gritted teeth, almost grinding them to powder.
Tang Zhuyun: "Haha, that's right, I guessed so. I gave it to my elder brother. Your Highness, if you have nothing else to do, I'll go see Madam Wang first."
After saying that, she left... leaving Prince of Jin alone, gritting his teeth.
Xiu'er followed along eagerly, but Song Jingyang, seeing his master's displeased expression, didn't immediately leave. He cautiously asked, "Your Highness, are you angry?"
The Prince of Jin ignored him.
"Actually, it's not that Her Highness doesn't care about you. Tell me, have you never given Her Highness anything?"
Prince of Jin: "..."
Is he still going to send her things?
"Really, you have to send her something. Look how capable my mother is. Every time my father goes out drinking, he brings her something back. Sometimes it's just something cheap like lilacs, and she's happy about it."
"Did you give Xiu'er anything?" the Prince of Jin couldn't help but ask.
For him, this is a blind spot.
He had never seen his parents interact, because as far back as he could remember, they had been separated and had never met.
Although he grew up in an environment where he had no shortage of love, money, or guidance, he lacked the subtle influence of such intimate affection.
He didn't know how normally loving couples get along.
Prince of Jin was very clear-headed, so he never sought out women— Tang Zhuyun's antics were just an accident.
His mother told him that if he couldn't be responsible for a woman, then he shouldn't flirt with her, just like his irresponsible father.
He knew his mother's sorrow, and later he bore the blood debt of more than 800 members of the Xiao Family. His future path was fraught with bloodshed. How could he be responsible for a woman? He didn't deserve it.
Unexpectedly, fate played a cruel trick on him. Tang Zhuyun stumbled into his life and was gradually pushed to his side.
He had no choice, and seemed... happy to accept this arrangement, at least for now.
"Of course!" Song Jingyang said, "I even gave her the Zidu. Am I that stupid? How could she trust me to marry someone else? And as for gifts, needless to say, I've given her so many. When she sees them, she naturally thinks of me! But you, instead of giving gifts to the Empress, are expecting her to give you gifts..."
Prince of Jin: So, it was all his fault?