"You're blinded by your own involvement," Song Jingyang said. "Your Highness, let's make this brief. I'm worried about Linlin's return. But we can all see that the Princess Consort was brought to your side by imperial decree, and she's somewhat unwilling."
"If you're unwilling, do you think you can disobey the imperial decree?" Prince of Jin's voice was icy.
"We can't disobey the imperial decree, so we're just making do for now!" Song Jingyang felt like his heart was about to break.
This master is smart in every other way, so why is he so slow to react when it comes to matters of the heart?
No wonder it's been so slow!
Who will compromise?
"Your Highness, please bear with me," Song Jingyang said. "Please don't be angry. Time is short, and I'm speaking from the bottom of my heart."
The Prince of Jin is about to have another heart attack.
To be frank, Your Highness, since you're not well-liked, shouldn't you thank him?
Song Jingyang said, "You have to think about what makes you different that the Princess Consort would choose you over others. Some women like status and position; if you have that status, people will naturally flock to you. But some women like companionship, like Xiu'er. I know I'm not good enough for that, so I pester her every day, so she doesn't have a chance to like anyone else... When pursuing a woman, you have to consider your own strengths and use only what you have."
So the question is now on the table: what is the Prince of Jin good at?
Prince of Jin pondered the question carefully. He was skilled in riding and archery, adept at planning, patient and resilient, and he was a prince... However, all of these qualities were utterly useless when it came to pursuing Tang Zhuyun.
He suddenly felt immense pressure.
"Think about how many people Your Highness knows! She knows at least the Four Young Masters of the Capital," Song Jingyang said. "In the past, naturally no one would have looked up to her, but now it's hard to say... Although she is now your princess, that can't be changed, but her heart is in Cao Cao's camp while her body is in Han's. Doesn't that make you feel bad?"
Prince of Jin: "Stop beating around the bush, just tell me what I should do!"
What are you good at?
"I... am good at nothing."
"Then there's only one way."
Prince of Jin: Fortunately, there is still one way; it's not hopeless.
"Speak quickly."
"Consummate the marriage," Song Jingyang said. "You should consummate the marriage with the Princess properly. Once you do, she'll be yours, and that's different."
The Prince of Jin's face instantly flushed red. "Nonsense!"
They didn't consummate their marriage, so why did Linlin come? And if they were together, how was that improper?
Does a prince like him really need to resort to despicable means to seduce women and gain favor in the process?
Seeing that the Prince of Jin was angry, Song Jingyang dared not say anything more.
"I was just saying, if you don't like it, just pretend I didn't say anything..."
The Prince of Jin was angry because he knew it was a terrible idea, but he still couldn't resist being tempted.
He is despising himself.
How did he end up in such a miserable state?!
That evening, Tang Zhuyun first put the two children to sleep, then tiptoed off the kang (heated brick bed), slipped on her shoes, and said, "Your Highness, you're not asleep, are you?"
"I'm not asleep," the Prince of Jin said in a muffled voice.
Song Jingyang's words were like a demonic chant, lingering in his mind for days.
"Who are you taking with you?" Tang Zhuyun asked. "I originally wanted to tell Song Jingyang what to bring, but he said he wasn't coming..."
The Prince of Jin felt uneasy at the mere mention of the name "Song Jingyang," but feigned composure and said, "He will stay to protect you."
"That's along the Huaishang?"
He's not going to the Huaishang either; he went to Jiangzhou and hasn't returned yet.
"Huh?" Tang Zhuyun exclaimed in surprise, "What is he doing in Jiangzhou? I always thought he was with Hongfu."
"I was worried that your father and brothers might not have handled the matter properly back then, and that it might be brought up again by someone with ulterior motives, so I asked him to deal with it," Prince of Jin said calmly.
Tang Zhuyun was somewhat moved.
That scoundrel of a man is actually quite good; he never takes credit for anything he does. If she hadn't asked, he probably wouldn't have told her.
"Is it okay if we don't bring either of them?" Tang Zhuyun asked.
"Those two used to accompany me in the Northwest, and many people know them. Having them around actually makes things more inconvenient."
"Oh. Your Highness, please be careful. There are probably many people who recognize you."
"There probably aren't many people who can recognize me..."
"Huh?" Tang Zhuyun was surprised. What did that mean?
"After the incident with the Xiao Family, I made some changes to my appearance."
Tang Zhuyun was dumbfounded. Plastic surgery already existed in this era?
"What has changed?" she asked curiously.
"Complexion, eyebrows..."
Tanning, eyebrow tattooing?
Tang Zhuyun couldn't help but chuckle. "No wonder I found it strange; the prince's body is white, only his face is black."
His body was white... Prince of Jin couldn't help but think of Song Jingyang's words, and blushed.
Who would have thought that when it comes to women, his only advantage would be his body?
"In any case, please be careful and prioritize your safety. Linlin and Yanran are waiting for you to come back safely," Tang Zhuyun said. "Oh, and also Nanny Rong. Before you leave tomorrow, go and say a few more words to her. She came several times today, and although she didn't say anything, she was clearly worried."
The Prince of Jin grunted in response.
"By the way, Yanran's birthday is in early March, have you prepared a gift?" Tang Zhuyun asked again.
Prince of Jin: "I've prepared one, but it might not suit her taste. Prepare another one later."
He had been so hurt that he felt inferior; he didn't understand women's thoughts, even at the age of six or seven.
For Yanran, this gift is simply wonderful as long as Tang Zhuyun endorses it!
This reminded the Prince of Jin of another matter.
"I also prepared a gift for you, but I was afraid you wouldn't like it, so I prepared another one for you."
Choose whichever you like.
Tang Zhuyun was amused. "Don't worry, I won't say anything even if I don't like it."
She possessed the basic courtesy expected of someone receiving a gift.
Prince of Jin: "..."
He picked up a square, carved rosewood box, larger than his palm, from the bedside table, stood up, placed it on the table, and pushed it towards her. "This is for you!"
"What is it?" Tang Zhuyun asked curiously as she spoke, then blinked, then blinked again.
The prince, a wealthy and powerful prince, actually gifted her a box full of round, plump pearls!
The large ones were as big as pigeon eggs, and the small ones were as big as a thumbnail. They were all almost perfectly round, and the box was full!
"Do you like it?" Prince of Jin looked at her blank stare and felt a little uneasy, so he asked tentatively.
Tang Zhuyun was stunned by this extravagant atmosphere and didn't hear anything.
The Prince of Jin became even more uneasy and explained, "When I said I would reward you, I was just teasing you; I didn't mean to insult you."
Tang Zhuyun: Who the hell cares if you insult me or not!
"Your Highness," she said sternly, "Please use such a gift to thoroughly humiliate me!"
If she doesn't go to hell, who will? Don't bother anyone else with this kind of thing, just go after her!
Prince of Jin: "..."