Although this wasn't the answer of deep love, Prince of Jin was still quite content.
She finally admitted that he was different from other men to her.
Xue Lie said, "You don't know who to marry, so you marry the Prince of Jin? Then why don't you marry me, sister!"
Regardless of what others might say, my grandparents certainly hoped that my older sister would stay in the Xue Family for a long time.
Prince of Jin: Thought of killing someone +1 time.
Look at your pig-like face, you think you deserve Tang Zhuzi?
He went too lightly.
Tang Zhuyun laughed and said, "Do you think marriage is like playing house?"
"No, before you came, I heard my grandparents discuss it. They said it doesn't matter who you like, whether it's me or my fifth brother."
He looked earnest, hoping that Tang Zhuyun would stay.
"Thank you for your consideration, but firstly, the Emperor's decree of marriage is difficult to change; secondly, Prince of Jin has indeed treated me well. Fourth Son, I have no complaints about this marriage."
"No, no, the engagement can be called off!"
When even the Prince of Jin could no longer tolerate it, Tang Zhuyun said, "I have already made it very clear that marriage must be handled with care. Do we want to repeat the same mistakes?"
The lessons learned from past failures where things were ruined under the guise of "for your own good" are still fresh in our minds.
Xue Lie scratched his head. "So you're really willing?"
"Um."
Rather than an arranged marriage, it's better to live a good life with Prince of Jin if our values align, or even if they don't... we still have to live a good life together, it's just a matter of how much effort we put in.
Tang Zhuyun tilted her head slightly, gazing at the Milky Way in the sky, and remained silent for a long time.
The Prince of Jin is probably putting his two children to sleep now. I wonder if he, being tongue-tied, can tell a story...
Nanxing stood behind them the whole time while they were talking, his expression completely unchanged.
Xue Lie stood up and said, "Sister, are you really not considering marrying me and staying in the Xue Family? You'll definitely be more comfortable in the Xue Family, isn't that better than being a stepmother?"
"Not considering it."
Nanxing suddenly said, "Give birth to an idiot."
Tang Zhuyun was taken aback, then burst into laughter.
She had mentioned to Xiu'er once about the possibility of children with birth defects if cousins married, and she didn't expect Nanxing to remember it as well.
Xue Lie: "This is none of your business! Don't think I don't know you're one of Prince of Jin's men. I won't hold back my words; I'll tell him everything when we get back!"
Prince of Jin: Hehe, I heard you. You're very good.
"Isn't the Prince of Jin just a bit good-looking and a bit better at martial arts? What other advantages does he have!" Xue Lie retorted.
Prince of Jin: Thank you for the compliment.
Incompetent, ugly, all he has left is that big, ugly mouth?
He can't compare to that.
Tang Zhuyun: That's her son's biological father... and he can tolerate her slow-to-warm-up nature, her lapses in judgment, and all sorts of other issues...
She sometimes lacked patience even with herself, but the Prince of Jin did.
Xue Lie shook his head. "It's over, sister. You've jumped into the fire pit; there's no stopping you. I have to go tell Grandmother!"
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
He sold out the old lady; he's definitely not a reliable person.
Xue Lie gave her a look of exasperation before walking out.
However, as he reached the door, he turned back and said, "Sister, make me a purse when you have time, so they won't keep showing off the purses their sisters made to me."
Tang Zhuyun: "Alright."
They didn't say when they would do it, but anyway, with Xiu'er around, there's nothing to worry about.
Watching Xue Lie walk out, Tang Zhuyun rested her chin on her hand and leaned against the stone table, saying, "What a lively fellow. Youth is truly wonderful."
She didn't feel that Xue Lie was forcing her to do anything; she just found his childlike innocence both amusing and touching.
Nanxing: "Xiaoying, you may leave. Her Majesty is not used to having someone serve her when she sleeps."
Xiaoying looked at Tang Zhuyun.
Tang Zhuyun smiled and said, "That's right, please come again early tomorrow morning. Thank you for your hard work today."
Seeing that she didn't seem dissatisfied with her, Xiaoying breathed a sigh of relief, bowed, and withdrew.
Tang Zhuyun stretched and asked Nanxing, "Are you full?"
"This servant has eaten and may leave."
Tang Zhuyun: "... Going to bed so early?"
A smile appeared on Nanxing's face.
Tang Zhuyun:???
"I haven't eaten enough. I'll go find some more food. I won't be back for a while."
Tang Zhuyun: What's wrong?
"Youth is wonderful, but am I old?" The Prince of Jin's gloomy voice rang out, and then he jumped down from the wall, his robes fluttering, his posture graceful.
However beautiful it may be, it's still climbing a wall!
Tang Zhuyun: "... Didn't I say I'd be going back in a couple of days, my dear!"
She stood up to close the door.
If the Xue Family family finds out, won't they gang up on him?
This person is incredibly audacious.
Nanxing had already closed the courtyard gate for her.
"Ancestors?" The Prince of Jin frowned. "Am I that old?"
Tang Zhuyun tugged at his sleeve, guiltily trying to hide inside the house. "We agreed not to come. It'll be terrible if the Xue Family family finds out."
The Prince of Jin replied matter-of-factly, "I haven't eaten. I can't eat food prepared by others."
Tang Zhuyun: You're like a baby who's still nursing, yet you still want to recognize your mother!
How come you didn't starve to death?
She said irritably, "I'll go see what's in the small kitchen and make you whatever I can find."
Prince of Jin: "I want to eat roast meat."
He arrived long ago... because the Xue Family was heavily guarded, it was actually easier during the day.
He had been smelling the aroma of meat outside for a long time.
As he spoke, he picked up the teacup in front of Tang Zhuyun —he was dying of thirst.
It's a pity she doesn't use lip balm, so I could only drink from the side closest to her, and I don't know if she had drunk from it before...
The Prince of Jin's earlobes were slightly red.
Tang Zhuyun muttered, "There's no roast meat left, only the deer head, deer blood, four hooves, and um, deer penis..."
The Prince of Jin spat out a mouthful of tea.
Tang Zhuyun, what's all the excitement about! She hasn't even mentioned the other pair... you know!
She rummaged through the small kitchen and found it was quite well-prepared.
The Prince of Jin said, "You don't need to do anything else, just make me a bowl of noodles."
Tang Zhuyun deftly prepared the noodles, then poached two eggs for him, sprinkled on some chopped green onions, and served them to him.
"Let me cook you something else, deer blood stir-fried with eggs, how about that?"
Prince of Jin blushed. "Deer blood... is it alright? This isn't the Prince's residence after all."
He was about to lose control of himself, which would be inconvenient at the Xue Family.
Tang Zhuyun: "... What's going on in your head! This is cooked deer blood, just like pig's blood!"
Prince of Jin: "Then you do it."
Watching her busy herself, tiny beads of sweat appearing on her nose, as she inquired about his children at home, Prince of Jin suddenly felt incredibly at peace.
It was as if she had rehearsed her return to her parents' home in advance.
After eating in the small kitchen, Prince of Jin shamelessly followed Tang Zhuyun into the house.
Tang Zhuyun: "Don't pretend! Deer blood is useless, deer penis is useless too!"
Don't try to take advantage of others.
The Prince of Jin was speechless. "I've been hiding outside for almost two hours, and I was nearly devoured by mosquitoes. Get me some medicine to apply."
He was indeed badly bitten, especially his exposed neck, which had five or six large welts.
Tang Zhuyun found some ointment and applied it to him, saying, "It stings a little, just bear with it, the itching will stop soon."
She was very close to him, her warm breath tickling the back of his ear, a sensation that traveled deep into his heart...
The Prince of Jin turned into a steamed crab—completely red!
He couldn't resist wanting to hold her in his arms, but outside, a clamoring voice came again. "Sister, help!"
Xue Lie, this king is not finished with you!
Tang Zhuyun, feeling guilty, nervously looked around. "Your Highness, please hide!"
Whenever Prince of Jin and Xue Lie meet, it's like a clash of titans, sparks flying everywhere.
The Prince of Jin sat Mount Tai: "I'm not afraid..."
"You're not afraid, but I am!"
Tang Zhuyun lowered her voice and said, then called out loudly, "Wait, I'll get dressed and open the door."
She ran her fingers through her hair, trying to make herself look more like she had just woken up.
However, with her hair still disheveled and the flush on her face from the stove fire not yet completely faded... Tang Zhuyun looked incredibly alluring.
Before the Prince of Jin could object, Xue Lie's loud voice was already approaching.
What kind of scum is this, actually jumping over the wall!
Hearing Xue Lie push open the inner door, Tang Zhuyun pointed under the bed and stamped her foot, saying, "Quick!"
Her eyes glared fiercely, the threat obvious.
The Prince of Jin stated that he, a true man, does not fight with a woman; a great man can bend and stretch...
He hugged Tang Zhuyun and kissed her, then with lightning speed, he slipped inside her!
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
As soon as Xue Lie entered, he asked, "What's that smell in this room?"
Tang Zhuyun: Does it smell like an affair?
She waved the small medicine bottle in her hand. "I just got bitten by a mosquito, so I put some medicine on it. What happened to you?"
Xue Lie looked disheveled; his hair was messy, and there seemed to be several footprints on his white robe. He was covered in sweat from running.
"My mother! My mother is chasing me and kicking me!" Xue Lie looked around. "No, I need to find a place to hide."
Seeing his gaze fixed on the underside of the bed, Tang Zhuyun reached out to stop him. "No, no, wait a minute, explain yourself clearly. What are you panicking about, Auntie's words!"
"There's no time to explain, my mother's gotta catch me, that's going to be the death of me!"
He grabbed the teacup on the table and drank it all in one gulp.
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
That was the Prince of Prince of Jin's teacup...
She bent over.
"A-Yun, are you asleep?" Lady Deng's voice came from the courtyard.
Xue Lie made a gesture of begging for mercy, then lowered his body and crawled under the bed.