Qin Sang said, "I have never served anyone like this before. But how can it be the same for Lord Tang? He is a truly honest and good official who works for the well-being of the people! Should I serve him better than those corrupt officials?"
"That's right!" Xiu'er exclaimed passionately.
Tang Zhuyun: "... Actually, my dad isn't that old. He just looks older than his age..."
Tang Mingfan's deep affection for his deceased wife is touching; however, a person can only live once (except for her, who is an exception). He lost his wife in his early twenties and has already lived a lonely life for twenty years. He will have to endure decades of loneliness in the future, which is really too cruel.
Even setting aside the awe-inspiring title of "Tang the Blue Sky" (Tang the Upright Official), Tang Mingfan was still a mortal with desires and emotions... From a modern perspective, this restraint is actually heartbreaking.
From Tang Zhuyun's perspective, she really hoped that someone would care about her father and stay by his side.
However, firstly, Tang Mingfan's own thoughts were very important, and secondly, Qin Sang's identity was also awkward, so she dared not show any sign of encouraging this matter.
This idea didn't just come to her now; she had thought about Tang Mingfan and Nanny Rong before... but just like now, it was just something she thought about on her own and hadn't mentioned to anyone.
She couldn't interfere in other people's lives, nor could she give Qin Sang hope; she could only offer silent hope and blessings, nothing more.
Qin Sang said, "What does it matter if he's old or not? He's still Lord Tang."
Tang the Blue Sky is a unique figure in the world.
Even being a maidservant serving him tea and water would be a blessing.
Tang Zhuyun told Xiu'er to take Qin Sang to rest, but Qin Sang pleaded with Xiu'er, "Sister Xiu'er, let's stay and take care of Lord Tang Lord Tang. What if he needs someone to serve him tonight?"
"Then let's just call out," Xiu'er said, yawning. "Let's go, let's go, it's alright."
Qin Sang didn't leave; she and Xiao Ran slept on the floor together.
Tang Zhuyun: Sigh.
Silly girl!
Although she hoped Tang Mingfan could have a companion, objectively speaking, Tang Mingfan was really not a good choice for a husband.
--He probably really doesn't understand some things that happen in the backyard.
For example, the awful grandmother, Madam Song, was so ruthless towards Tang Zhuyun; one can only imagine how harshly she treated her daughter-in-law back then...
No man is innocent when his woman is abused by her mother-in-law.
Although this is a hallmark of our times, ignoring it is ignoring it.
Well, if taking care of Tang Mingfan for one night can satisfy Qin Sang's secret love, then let her be.
Tang Zhuyun didn't sleep much; she kept thinking about the whole story, so she heard Qin Sang Sang's movements and voices as she served Tang Mingfan in the outer room.
"Lord Tang, please have some hangover soup and take your time..."
"Lord Tang, have some water..."
Sigh, Tang Zhuyun really admires these women, like Meng Yulan and Qin Sang, who can be so patient and meticulous for the men they love.
It's probably impossible for her in this lifetime.
Against the Prince of Jin? Impossible.
As for the others? The Prince of Jin will not let her succeed.
Oh dear, the Prince of Jin is practically occupying a position of power... Ugh, what nonsense is she spouting!
Tang Mingfan woke up just as dawn was breaking—he had to go to court.
He opened his eyes, looked at the unfamiliar surroundings, and then at Qin Sang standing beside him, serving him. He was startled. "Where... where am I?"
Tang Zhuyun came out of the inner room and said irritably, "Where do you want to be?"
Upon seeing Tang Zhuyun, Tang Mingfan immediately breathed a sigh of relief, "A-Yun, what's Father doing here? He drank too much last night, and Chang Zhi brought me here?"
Tang Zhuyun: "Father, please think carefully about what exactly happened yesterday."
Tang Mingfan: "Yesterday? Nothing happened. I drank a few more cups with the Great Confucian Scholar Kong. After seeing him off, I was a bit tipsy and wanted to rest for a while before going home. I asked the waiter to bring me a bowl of hangover soup... but I don't know what happened after that."
Tang Zhuyun recounted what had happened last night.
Tang Mingfan's expression changed, and he stood up and bowed to Qin Sang: "Sangsang, Miss Sang Sang."
Qin Sang stepped aside, her face flushed red. "Lord Tang, you're too kind. It's my honor to be able to help you."
Tang Zhuyun: Just as I thought.
Tang Mingfan said, "I'll go to court first, and then we'll get to the bottom of this matter."
Qin Sang asked anxiously, "My lord, is this alright?"
Tang Zhuyun: "It's alright, but it's unacceptable for my father to skip court. We'll investigate slowly; it won't be clear immediately. I didn't prepare any food today, Father, please bring you some snacks."
"No need, Father can eat at the palace."
Tang Zhuyun still wrapped up a few pastries and gave them to him, then had the guards escort him to court.
After Tang Mingfan left Qin Sang said, "In the future, we can have someone prepare in advance, so that if there's not enough time the next day, Lord Tang won't go hungry."
After saying this, she realized it was inappropriate and lowered her head, saying, "I'm not very knowledgeable either, so please don't take offense if I'm wrong, Your Majesty."
Tang Zhuyun smiled and said, "That's too formal. Alright, I'll have someone take you home."
She had Xiu'er take out five hundred taels of silver and give it to Qin Sang to redeem her friend from servitude. She also told her, with some concern, that she should contact her if anything happened, before letting her go.
"Your Highness, who is this? They're utterly despicable, trying to frame Master!" Xiu'er whispered to Tang Zhuyun after returning. "Song Jingyang disappeared without a trace, and hasn't come back yet..."
"Zong Heng," Tang Zhuyun said with a cold smile, "Is almost certainly him."
"Hasn't he already been kicked out of the capital?"
After Hongfu suffered a miscarriage, Zong Heng left the capital.
Tang Zhuyun said, "How can we let our guard down if he doesn't leave?"
Dealing with Hongfu was just a pretext; the real trump card was revealed here.
As expected, the results of Chang Zhi and the Golden Scale Guard's investigations pointed to Zong Heng —and this pointing was even intentional on Zong Heng's part; he wanted Tang Zhuyun to know that it was he who had taken action.
Tang Zhuyun: Okay, Zong Heng, I'll remember this! We'll talk about it when you get back!
"Song Jingyang, write a letter to the Prince, telling him to be wary of Zong Heng," Tang Zhuyun said.
Song Jingyang scratched his head. "This shouldn't be necessary..."
"What, are you going to betray your master?" Xiu'er glared at him. "If you find another master, I won't follow you anymore! Even after I get married, I can't leave the Princess Consort."
Song Jingyang grew anxious. "So, do you want to marry Huaishang?"
Xiu'er: "What's wrong with that?"
"No, Huaishang is no good, he's stingy!"
Tang Zhuyun: "Don't worry, not everyone has your keen eye... Hurry up and tell me about the Prince."
Few can withstand Xiu'er's stubbornness.
"The prince deliberately lured Zong Heng to the Northwest... to help you avenge yourself."
Tang Zhuyun: "Is he crazy?! It's not like I can't handle Zong Heng. He's just making trouble for himself, not only is it dangerous, but he's also wasting his time!"
Yanran and Linlin are eagerly awaiting the return of the Prince of Jin!