Upon returning to the Prince's residence, Yanran led her little horse out to show off to Cui Xiaoqiu.
Tang Zhuyun urged Prince of Jin to change his clothes. Prince of Jin had only taken off half of his clothes when an imperial edict arrived from the palace, summoning him to the palace.
Oh no, has Prince of Yong gone to the palace to lodge a complaint?
The Prince of Jin put his clothes back on and deliberately teased Tang Zhuyun, saying, "Looks like you'll have to wait until tonight."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
"Think carefully about how to coax me so that I'll let you off easily," the Prince of Jin said, biting her earlobe.
Tang Zhuyun glared at him. "Behave yourself when you enter the palace. If the Emperor says you'll be fined, you'll have to accept it. I'll take good care of you when you get back tonight!"
Prince of Jin: "..."
He took two steps outside, and Tang Zhuyun suddenly said, "Why don't I go with you?"
Today's events started because of her, and she always felt that she deserved to be the head of the Four Great Wicked Women.
She's willing to go all out, pretend to be stupid, throw tantrums, do anything, as long as she can't suffer a loss.
But the Prince of Jin... is not so reassuring.
The main problem is that he doesn't explain himself and just has a deadpan expression. Won't people blame him for everything?
Tang Zhuyun now feels like she's raising a troublesome eldest son.
The Prince of Jin stepped one foot over the threshold, turned back and smiled at her, "No need, you just cook. It's hot and I don't feel like eating, so make something refreshing for dinner."
Tang Zhuyun: "How about we fine you by reducing your salary? Just eat less from now on!"
The Prince of Jin chuckled at her words: "Listen to me, I'm leaving now."
After he left, Tang Zhuyun became somewhat restless.
She asked Xiu'er, "Do you think the prince could be in trouble?"
Xiu'er countered, "What do you think?"
"It's alright, we were acting in self-defense."
"Whether it's proper or not is up to the Emperor's word," Xiu'er said. "You should burn incense and pray that the Emperor is in a good mood today."
Tang Zhuyun remained silent.
She listlessly slumped over the table, writing in her diary.
Day N of our marriage: If Your Highness returns safe and sound, I'm willing to spend a sleepless night blushing.
Xiu'er came over to wipe the table, glanced at her diary, and couldn't help but purse her lips.
Tang Zhuyun belatedly covered it up, only to catch a glimpse of her rolling her eyes.
"What's wrong?" Tang Zhuyun grumbled. "Can't I worry about the Prince for a second?"
"Nothing much," Xiu'er said, "It's just that if I were God, I'd definitely think, 'How can we let the Prince off the hook? All the good things happen to you guys!'"
Tang Zhuyun was speechless.
After waiting and waiting, Prince of Jin did not return, Linlin went back to her residence first.
Upon seeing her brother, Yanran naturally ignored Cui Xiaoqiu and instead showed off her new pony to Linlin, asking Linlin to help her name it.
"Let's call him 'Treading Snow '," Linlin said.
"Good, Treading Snow is good." Yanran clapped her hands, completely satisfied. "Mother, is there any more candy? I want a big piece to feed Treading Snow."
Tang Zhuyun smiled and said, "They'll definitely have some in the stables. Go ask them for some. You go first, I need to ask your brother about his studies."
Yanran was slightly taken aback, then nodded and went out.
Xiu'er whispered, "Your Highness, you could at least come up with another excuse. Do you understand Linlin's studies?"
After saying that, she went out.
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
You know what, it seems to be true.
She told Linlin about what had happened that day, and then asked, "Linlin, do you think the Emperor will punish your father?"
Linlin is now also involved in the imperial laws, and she certainly knows more about them than Linlin does.
Linlin remained silent, his eyes flickering slightly.
"Linlin?"
"Mother, I suspect the Emperor summoned my father to the palace not for this matter."
"Ah?"
"Since this matter has reached the Emperor's ears, the final result will likely be that both sides will be punished equally, and each will suffer losses."
"Won't they drag your father down with them?"
"No," Linlin said firmly. "Prince of Yong is close to the Crown Prince, and to some extent represents the Crown Prince. If this matter blows up, tell me, is a punishment of fifty strokes of the cane more severe for someone like the Crown Prince who dares not make any mistakes, or for someone like my father who is beaten every day?"
Tang Zhuyun was delighted.
That makes a lot of sense.
The Prince of Jin was never a virtuous man, and he didn't even pretend in front of the emperor, so what's so surprising about him doing such a thing?
But why did you, the Crown Prince and the Prince of Yong, offend the Prince of Jin?
Don't they know he's capable of anything?
Tang Zhuyun became happier the more she thought about it; bad was just the way things were.
"However, this is just speculation," Linlin said. "Perhaps someone reported us, or perhaps there are other things involved; it's all uncertain right now. Let's wait patiently!"
Tang Zhuyun nodded, then, recalling the guest's visit to the Great Confucian Scholar Kong, asked, "Why is your teacher suddenly receiving guests today?"
Linlin said coldly, "They are from the Wang Family of Langya."
"The Wang Family family?"
No wonder.
Previously, Great Confucian Scholar Kong and Xiyou had been living at the Wang Family.
Now that the Wang Family has come to Beijing, they should be treated differently.
"Then do you know why Master lived with your senior brother at the Wang Family's house?" Tang Zhuyun asked curiously.
"Because of my senior brother's illness," Linlin said. "It's said that the Wang Family of Langya has produced a renowned physician, but he rarely sees anyone."
"But I've heard that your teacher Wang Family for many years? Doesn't that mean he knew about your senior brother's illness a long time ago?"
"The Master's son, and my senior brother's father, died of this disease."
Tang Zhuyun seemed to be deep in thought.
Did the miracle doctor help later?
"I don't know," Linlin replied truthfully. "What I know is just bits and pieces that my senior brother casually mentioned. Since it involves other people's past, I shouldn't ask too much."
Tang Zhuyun: Fine, you all have a gentlemanly friendship that's as light as water, while I'm just a scoundrel who enjoys eating melons.
As the mother and son were talking, Yanran's cheerful voice came from outside.
"Mother, brother, Father is back!"
Tang Zhuyun quickly stood up. "How did you get back?"
If he returned on horseback, he certainly wasn't beaten; if he came by carriage... the Prince of Jin went there in the late afternoon when the sun was almost setting, so there was no need for him to come by carriage. If he came back by carriage, it means his backside was bruised.
Then she heard the Prince of Jin say, "In any case, he didn't crawl back."
His voice was strong and clear, with a hint of pleasure in it—had he won a resounding victory?
Tang Zhuyun's heart immediately soared.
During the meal, Prince of Jin said that the Emperor had indeed not sought him out for the events of the day, but for something else entirely.
Tang Zhuyun silently gave Linlin a thumbs up.
That's her intelligence, just like hers!
She's the most educated person in the family; if you disagree, come and argue with me.
"My uncle has returned to the capital," said the Prince of Jin.
Tang Zhuyun bit her chopsticks, sensing that something was wrong.
Does the Emperor know of Qiao Geng's deep affection for Xiao Wu, and his care for Prince of Jin?
Can he tolerate it?
Not only do they fail to eliminate their romantic rivals completely, but they also indirectly encourage them?
This doesn't make sense.