Tang Zhuyun recounted her encounter with the boy, then continued, "... Later, the guards investigated and found out that the boy's surname was Xue, his given name was Lie, and he was the grandson of the newly arrived General Xue Shanting. He was the fourth son in the Xue Family and was known as the Xue Silang, the Silver Spear Little Overlord."
Judging from the boy's temper, he was indeed extremely violent, living up to his name.
"I've thought about it a lot since I got back, and the Tang Family and the Xue Family have absolutely no connection. But Your Highness..." Tang Zhuyun looked at Prince of Jin suspiciously, "You also come from a military background. Could it be that you had some kind of grudge with the Xue Family before, and now you're just an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire?"
She was such a poor little fish.
Prince of Jin: I've always known that, there's no need to emphasize it.
Tang Zhuyun felt that although Xue Lie was emphasizing that she looked like his aunt, it might not just be an excuse.
Her mother has been dead for so many years; at Xue Lie's age, it's impossible for him to have ever seen her.
Moreover, her mother was a child bride who came to the Tang Family at a very young age, so even Xue Lie's parents certainly hadn't seen what her mother looked like when she grew up.
Therefore, this matter can only be described as Xue Lie making a false claim of kinship.
What is the purpose of making unfounded marriage alliances? This is something worth pondering.
"The people I've offended are all in the capital," the Prince of Jin said irritably. "My influence doesn't extend to Liaodong."
The Xue Family was stationed in Liaodong, and many years later, they were also in the capital. Later, Xue Shanting's father was punished for his words, and the whole family was exiled to Liaodong.
Later, due to border conflicts, Xue Shanting's branch of the family struggled for more than 20 years, finally restoring its reputation through military achievements, and now it has become the emperor's new favorite.
The Prince of Jin and the Xue Family had no dealings whatsoever.
Tang Zhuyun: "Could it be that you've offended someone without realizing it?"
The Prince of Jin was furious. "Why must it be someone I offended?"
Hasn't your father offended enough people?
When it comes to offending people, the father-in-law and son-in-law are equally adept at it, one gentle and the other forceful, complementing each other perfectly and showing no clear superiority.
Tang Zhuyun muttered under her breath, "You're like someone who has too many lice and they don't bite... Alright, alright, if it wasn't you, then why did Xue Lie suddenly go crazy?"
The Prince of Jin was also thinking about this matter.
He had a clearer understanding of the court's situation than Tang Zhuyun, so he thought more deeply and fell silent for a moment.
Xiu'er sensed that he was feeling guilty, so she subtly pulled Tang Zhuyun away from him.
Being close to the prince never brings good things!
A little while later, Tang Mingfan and Linlin returned, and Tang Zhuyun had Xiu'er recount the incident.
When it comes to learning to speak, she admires Xiu'er.
Xiu'er vividly recounted the events of that time.
As everyone gathered around the table to chat, Tang Mingfan stated that he had never had any dealings with the Xue Family.
The Prince of Jin said, "Father-in-law, I have just thought about it carefully, and Xue Shanting's attitude towards you was not good."
Tang Mingfan frowned and said, "I haven't spoken to him before, and we have no past grudges. How could I have offended him?"
Tang Zhuyun looked at Prince of Jin, somewhat suspicious that he was trying to shift the blame.
Why didn't he say this before? Humph, hindsight is 20/20!
Prince of Jin continued, "Since Xue Lie said that A-Yun resembles his family, could it be related to your or your mother-in-law's background?"
He had already connected the conversation between his father-in-law and son-in-law a few days ago.
Tang Zhuyun was bewildered. If it had anything to do with her mother's background, that would be understandable, since Xue Lie was referring to her as her aunt. But what did it have to do with her father's background?
Could it be that her father wasn't Madam Song's biological son?
Although she had wondered before how someone as sharp-tongued and mean Madam Song could raise such an upright person as her own father, she later realized that education and understanding make all the difference.
But now that I think about it, why was her father able to go to school? Education costs a lot of money.
Tang Mingfan said, "There's no need for wild guesses. I'll just go and ask Old General Xue directly tomorrow and make everything clear."
The Prince of Jin looked grave.
If Tang Mingfan truly has a grudge against Xue Shanting, then Xue Shanting is currently a favorite of the Emperor, Tang Mingfan is likely to suffer a loss.
Even just now, after they all left the palace, the Emperor kept Xue Shanting alone in the palace for a meal.
His father-in-law was supposed to be invincible because he had no desires, but in reality, he was still too well protected by the emperor.
Between Xue Shanting and him, at least for now, the Emperor's heart is not necessarily tipped towards either one.
Xiu'er brought out the food and said, "Dinner's ready! Dinner's ready! It'll get cold if we don't serve it soon. We're recognizing relatives, not making enemies, so what's there to be afraid of? Right, Your Highness?"
"Yes," Tang Zhuyun said with a smile. "Let's eat, let's eat. Today is the Dragon Boat Festival, let's celebrate properly, we can talk about the rest later."
Overall, Xue Lie didn't treat her like an enemy.
Even if things really escalate to a major point, her father was the emperor's "white moonlight," and she was the emperor's physician and daughter-in-law... Although this last identity seems a bit like filler, her other identities are still quite important.
"Try the rice dumplings that Yanran and I made together." Tang Zhuyun first unwrapped a meat rice dumpling and put it in Tang Mingfan's bowl.
Tang Mingfan chuckled and picked up his chopsticks, saying, "Quickly, let the Prince have a taste."
The Prince of Jin looked at Tang Zhuyun.
Tang Zhuyun: "Yanran, peel a zongzi for Father."
Please be considerate and each find their own daughter.
Yanran said with a grin, "Mother, Father is looking at you so expectantly!"
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
The Xiao Huai also came to laugh at her.
She peeled a zongzi for the Prince of Jin as well, is that alright now?
Unexpectedly, the Prince of Jin followed her example and peeled a zongzi and put it in her bowl.
Everyone laughed when they saw this, but Tang Zhuyun was so embarrassed that she wanted to dig her toes into the ground.
Fortunately, her son was her own flesh and blood. Linlin spoke up to help her out, changing the subject, "Today, the teacher and my senior brother ate the meat dumplings and salted egg yolk dumplings that Auntie made, and they all praised them highly, saying that Auntie's cooking skills are excellent."
Tang Zhuyun was pleased to be praised. "Then I'll make some more for you another day."
A humble parent, trying to please online.
Yanran finished eating, the adults were still eating, so she didn't feel comfortable leaving the table and idly fiddled with the colorful ribbon on her wrist.
Tang Zhuyun laughed and said, "You can only throw it on a rainy day, so you don't break it."
Yanran: "Do we have to throw it away on rainy days? Mother made it so beautifully, I'm afraid I won't be able to bear to part with it."
Tang Zhuyun stretched out the colorful rope on her wrist and shook it. "You're willing to throw it all away?"
"Mother, you have one too!"
Tang Zhuyun smiled and said, "Who isn't a child at heart? I'm also Grandpa's child, right?"
"Right!"
The mother and daughter's conversation amused the others. Tang Mingfan, seeing the family's harmony, felt extremely gratified. He stroked his beard and said to Prince of Jin, "Your Highness, I hope you will continue to be tolerant of A-Yun in the future."
The Prince of Jin said, "Father-in-law, rest assured, A-Yun... is very well."
She lived a fulfilling and joyful life, and watching her work and live filled me with hope for the future.
Prince of Jin also wondered why he was attracted to Tang Zhuyun —it was because of her vibrant energy and love for life that allowed him, who was disillusioned with the world, to see bright colors again.
The Prince of Jin noticed that Linlin also had an identical one on her wrist, and his heart stirred slightly.
He wanted to join them, very much so.