Prince of Jin played with Yanran for a while, coaxed her to sleep, then went to check on Linlin, and then went directly to court.
Chang Zhi came to pick up Tang Mingfan for court, carrying two large food boxes and chuckling, "Why are you making so much today? Is there some for me?"
Tang Zhuyun handed him a stack of roujiamo (Chinese hamburgers), "These are for you."
Chang Zhi took a bite of three sheets and exclaimed, "Delicious! So, is the master treating us today?"
While others hosted banquets at Four Seas Tower, these adults were more refined and unconventional, hosting their own banquets in the palace, bringing their own food.
You have to admit it.
Tang Zhuyun mumbled, "Mmm-hmm."
Inviting a son-in-law is still inviting someone, isn't it?
Although this son-in-law didn't treat himself like an outsider at all, he secretly sneaked into his own yard as soon as he got back.
If his father and brothers found out, they'd probably want to break his legs.
But in reality, the Prince of Jin truly regarded himself as a son-in-law.
Just as Tang Zhuyun was catching up on sleep, Xiu'er shook Xiu'er awake. Still half-asleep, she said, "Xiu'er, stop it! I didn't sleep much last night!"
"Your Highness, wake up! The Prince is coming!"
Which prince?
"Of course it's the one who climbed the wall, our Prince!"
Which other could it be?
"No," Tang Zhuyun yawned, "Why are you so excited that the Prince is here? Doesn't this person come every day?"
"No, the prince sent a formal invitation today to pay his respects to my father-in-law."
"Oh? So solemn?" Tang Zhuyun was amused.
"I didn't expect the Prince to be so polite. He hasn't been back for a long time, shouldn't he come to pay his respects to the Master? Although, well, it's obvious that his real intention is not what he seems."
Tang Zhuyun chuckled to herself.
"Don't laugh. If you want to see me, then see me today. After that, don't see me again. It's already the eighth day of the month, and the wedding is in four days. After that, we'll see each other every day."
Your Highness is a treasure!
Tang Zhuyun: "Okay, I agree."
As long as Prince of Jin doesn't climb the wall, she'll definitely cooperate.
Xiu'er urged her to get up and get ready.
Tang Zhuyun scratched her messy head and said, "What are you dressing up for? Haven't you ever seen anything like this before?"
"No, those two heard the news and have already gone back to pack up. You can't let them outdo you, can you?"
"Who are the two?"
"Yingzhu and Wan'er!"
Tang Zhuyun blinked several times before she remembered who these two people were.
"You didn't scold them?" Tang Zhuyun asked with a grin.
"I won't scold them." Xiu'er held her head high. "Didn't Madam say that whatever they boast about, we should defeat them with that same thing? That's the only way to solve the problem once and for all?"
"So you want me to use my beauty to make them feel inferior?"
To be fair, it's not easy.
At best, they're evenly matched; how can anyone completely dominate?
"The prince likes you. As long as you can be equally matched, you've won."
Tang Zhuyun refused, "Stop bothering me. I'd rather sleep a little longer!"
"Your Majesty, you must prove me right!"
"No," Tang Zhuyun said, "I'm so ugly that even the heavens and men hate me, yet the prince still loves me deeply—that's real skill."
Her identity was that of a princess; what did she need to prove to the two maids?
boring.
Xiu'er was so anxious that she kept stamping her feet.
"No," she said anxiously, "I have to go out and check, lest those two really stop the prince."
"What's the rush? The Prince won't be back this early. My father and my elder brother aren't back yet; do you expect me to go out and see him?"
The Prince of Jin wanted to, but he didn't dare to go too far and invite criticism.
Xiu'er thought it made sense, so she wasn't in such a hurry.
After Tang Zhuyun finished washing up, she was eating soup dumplings and drinking porridge when she heard Xiu'er say, "He's here, Your Highness, the Prince has come in. I saw those two shameless bastards loitering outside waiting."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
"Where?"
"It's right there at the hanging flower gate."
"Let's go take a look."
Tang Zhuyun saw two people dressed in flamboyant attire lingering in front of the hanging flower gate from afar.
She came over from the side without being seen by either of them, nor by the Prince of Jin who had just arrived outside.
"This servant Wan'er, greets Your Highness."
"This servant Yingzhu, greets Your Highness."
Both of them had met Prince of Jin in the palace, so they recognized each other at a glance.
The Prince of Jin frowned so deeply that he could almost trap a fly, and in his heart he cursed Meng Yulan to the point of being furious.
Is this how housekeeping works?
Does she live up to her reputation?
He didn't intend to pay any attention to the two women, but when they introduced themselves, he stopped in his tracks.
The Prince of Jin turned around, narrowed his eyes, and stared down at Yingzhu: "What's your name?"
Yingzhu looked up at him timidly, and after confirming that he was asking about her, she suppressed her overwhelming joy and said, "This servant is Yingzhu."
"Change the name," Prince of Jin said coldly.
Yingzhu was overjoyed.
Letting her change her name means accepting her, right?
She said gently Xiaoyi, "This servant begs Your Highness to bestow a name upon me."
Tang Zhuyun seemed to be deep in thought.
Another pig?
Why was the Prince of Jin so interested in beads?
That Zhu'er, this Yingzhu... what on earth is Prince of Jin up to?
The Prince of Jin's voice was as cold as ice. "You are not worthy!"
Yingzhu was trembling with fear. "..."
Your Highness, do you favor her or not?
Prince of Jin had already noticed Tang Zhuyun, and his expression softened slightly.
Yingzhu, however, assumed that Prince of Jin had softened his attitude towards her, and mustered her courage to say, "This servant does not know Your Highness's preferences..."
"Any Tom, Dick, or Harry can wear it, but no one can wear a pearl," Prince of Jin said coldly, striding towards Tang Zhuyun.
Tang Zhuyun glanced at the two maids with a half-smile, then turned and walked back.
The Prince of Jin slowed his pace and walked alongside her.
"Did you get scolded?" Tang Zhuyun asked.
"Get scolded?"
"I heard you were impeached?"
"You found out so quickly?" The Prince of Jin was still somewhat surprised, then said, "Don't blame yourself, it has nothing to do with you."
Tang Zhuyun: "Of course it has nothing to do with me. I wasn't impeached for climbing over the wall."
Are you kidding me, bro? You were impeached for having an affair with another woman, what right does she have to feel guilty?
Feeling guilty for not managing him well?
Tang Zhuyun didn't mince words. "Tell me, what's your fascination with pigs? Why do you react differently to every pig in front of you?"
The Prince of Jin was stunned, then chuckled, "If you insist on saying that, then let me tell you, it's your side."
Tang Zhuyun rolled her eyes at him. "Don't make things up, are you really angry!"
She did not doubt the Prince of Jin.
Just like Xiu'er said, the two of them are currently deeply in love. If Prince of Jin can't control himself and falls in love at this time, what future do they have?
She couldn't help but wonder if the Xiao Family possessed some kind of Zhu'er that had a profound influence on the Prince of Jin.
The Prince of Jin laughed heartily, "It's you, Tang Zhuzi!"
Tang Zhuyun: "???!!!"
This is just like those cringey boys from back in school who wanted to give others nicknames!
He told Tang Zhuyun what had happened in Gannan.
Tang Zhuyun couldn't help but feel a little sweet inside, but she also resented him for being so meddlesome.
"You're at a huge disadvantage to be impeached for something like this."
The Prince of Jin said, "It's nothing."
Tang Zhuyun couldn't help but ask again, "They only gave us half an hour?"
"Actually, it takes about one or two hours."
"That's alright."
The Prince of Jin patted her head. "You've filled it with all sorts of nonsense."