After seeing Meng Yulan off, Tang Zhuyun went inside to find Prince of Jin.
"Your Highness, there's something I need to confirm with you!" she said solemnly.
The Prince of Jin said, "Isn't this just a small matter like distributing porridge? I will allow you to make the decision!"
However, she knew that the Prince of Jin was still pleased to have her opinion sought.
--Tang Baixin was right about something: Tang Zhuyun still needed her maternal family's education; he couldn't educate her properly.
But Tang Zhuyun never played by the rules. She said, "Your Highness, are you sure the Emperor knows you faked your death?"
Prince of Jin: "... Confirmed!"
Absolutely!
He wanted to go to the Northwest, but the Emperor disagreed, so he made a bet with the Emperor.
After winning the bet, the emperor agreed to let him fake his death and leave the capital.
Originally, I planned to leave the capital after the New Year, but I was caught red-handed by Xiu'er wood sword worth ten coins, and many other things happened afterward, which delayed me until now.
"That's not right," Tang Zhuyun said, resting her chin on her hand and frowning in deep thought. "Since you're still alive, why would the Emperor want me to be your principal wife?"
For no apparent reason, she didn't die, and without having to remain a widow, she was promoted two ranks!
The Emperor knew perfectly well that she had actually given birth.
"He still wants you to be his concubine," Prince of Jin said. "It was Nanny Rong who said that my mother liked you, and he lost control and promised you to be his principal wife."
So, it's best to perform well, otherwise... well...
Tang Zhuyun said, "Oh, I see."
Why did you suddenly ask that?
"It's nothing. I just overheard my sister-in-law talking and it suddenly occurred to me that being a good mistress in the inner quarters might be a lifelong lesson for some people; why did the Emperor choose someone like me, an 'illiterate'?"
It was a wise choice to betroth Meng Yulan to the Prince of Jin in the first place.
Looking at her foolish expression, Prince of Jin couldn't help but say, "Do you think the Emperor doesn't know the merits your father and brothers have made over the years, and the merits you've made in saving the Emperor?"
Her core competitiveness doesn't lie in those trivial matters of daily life.
He had seen too many shrewd women like Meng Yulan. They were beautiful, but all the same. In the end, they were nothing more than scheming and taking advantage of others.
Tang Zhuyun is different.
"Oh, alright, I still think His Majesty's move was a bit impulsive."
"What, are you having second thoughts?" the Prince of Jin said sinisterly.
Tang Zhuyun: "Regret? No."
It wasn't even her choice, so what did she have to regret?
"It's good to be with Your Highness," she flattered the Prince of Jin, chuckling, "Your Highness doesn't force me, and we're having a pleasant working relationship. Now, let's get down to business. What do you think of this porridge distribution?"
"You decide what to do."
Seeing that he didn't object, Tang Zhuyun pressed her advantage and asked, "Your Highness, if I go, is that alright?"
The matter of her appearing in public still needs to be discussed with him. It's not that she can just act as an independent person because she thinks she is, but rather how others perceive her. She represents the dignity of the Prince of Prince of Jin, regardless of whether the Prince of Jin is alive or dead.
"You go?"
"Yes." Tang Zhuyun said earnestly, "What I understand from your words, sister-in-law, is that although some ladies don't personally guard the place, they occasionally go to check on things and receive the courtesy of others. At such times, no one will criticize the etiquette."
"You want to receive the gift?"
This is unlike Tang Zhuyun.
"No, I thought since they can go, I should be able to open a free clinic."
"Free medical clinic? You want to help disaster victims receive medical treatment?"
"Um."
The Prince of Jin did not want to agree because he felt that by treating patients, she would be draining herself.
"Many doctors in the capital, including the imperial physicians, will be providing free medical consultations there. We won't miss you," said the Prince of Jin.
"It's still not enough," Tang Zhuyun said calmly. "For me, it would be unsettling not to do my best when I could. For some disaster victims who don't receive treatment, even if it's just one person, it's a matter of life and death."
As Lu Xun said, those who can do things should do them, those who can speak out should speak out, and those who have a little warmth should give off a little light, just like fireflies, which can also emit a little light in the darkness... without paying attention to sneers and backstabbing.
"If no one really needs me, then I haven't lost anything. But what if someone does need me? They've already gone through so much hardship leaving their homes. I'll do whatever I can to help."
"I am not selfless; don't I also seek fame? While seeking fame, it is even more important to do good deeds."
The Prince of Jin was deeply shocked. Tang Zhuyun truly lived up to the words "a doctor with a benevolent heart".
He suddenly realized that she shouldn't be a foolish little mermaid; she was a person of clear mind and conscience.
--She's underwater, isn't she that witch doctor...?
Tang Zhuyun said, "Moreover, I want to take Linlin and Yanran with me."
Suffering is the best education for children.
They live well, so witnessing the suffering of others is a valuable lesson for them.
They should understand that everything they have now is not something they are entitled to; they should also understand that they have even heavier burdens on their shoulders.
"If Your Highness doesn't object, I'd like Yanran to study medicine with me."
Yanran was very interested, Linlin couldn't—he had too many things to learn, and studying medicine would only be a superficial experience.
"Can your body handle it?"
Tang Zhuyun was greatly surprised by what Prince of Jin said, and quickly nodded, saying, "I will naturally act according to my ability and will not force myself."
After pondering for a moment, the Prince of Jin said, "If it's for the sake of fame, there's really no need. I will protect you and your two children..."
He's not dead! He's sitting right in front of her, completely captivated and moved by her "bewitching words"!
After a brief silence, Tang Zhuyun suddenly asked him, "Your Highness, why is your reputation so bad?"
Prince of Jin: "..."
"I didn't mean anything by it, I'm just genuinely curious. For example, I did behave a bit excessively before, which is why... But you, why do so many people, well, turn pale at the mention of a tiger?"
The implication is that the Prince of Prince of Jin's reputation also needs to be salvaged...
However, when it comes to princes, especially important matters, many people are vague and dare not speak openly, so she never knew.
For example, she had only vaguely heard the Emperor mention the name "Qi'er" once, and she knew that Yanran would pronounce "qi" as "qin" to avoid the taboo, but she did not know what the Prince of Jin 'Prince of Jin real name was.
If the two of them had a normal marriage and exchanged birth charts, they would definitely have found out. However, from the time they met until now, they have always taken an unconventional path.
The Prince of Jin remained silent for a long time before saying, "Because on the execution ground, I snatched the executioner's blade and personally killed more than forty people."
Tang Zhuyun: "That knife wasn't dull?"
Her focus is always so strange!
The Prince of Jin looked into her eyes. "Don't you think I'm ruthless?"
He knew she had a kind heart, but he assumed she would criticize him like everyone else, seeing him as a monster.
Tang Zhuyun: "Weren't those people already at the execution ground? Did they go to heaven if their heads were chopped off by the executioner, but go to hell if they were chopped off by you?"
The points these people were attacking were rather strange; although she was also a little curious about what deep-seated hatred the Prince of Jin had for those people that made him want to take action himself.
But revenge is something you feel better doing yourself; since the officials have already decided those people deserved to die at the hands of the Prince of Jin, what's there to criticize, and why have they been arguing about it for so many years?
The Prince of Prince of Jin hadn't intended to explain, but upon hearing her words, he couldn't help but say, "They harmed me; my family was destroyed and my loved ones perished."
"That makes sense, Your Highness, I support you."