When Xiu'er returned in the afternoon, Tang Zhuyun asked her and Song Jingyang to go to Great Xiangguo Temple to see Nanny Rong.
The main purpose was to probe why she wanted to stay there and whether she wanted to come back.
Nanny Rong was an old servant in the mansion and held considerable respect in front of Prince of Jin.
Tang Zhuyun reflected on her actions and realized that she hadn't been attentive enough; when she went to find Nanny Rong, she discovered that the latter was not there.
When the two returned, they said that Nanny Rong said that since the Princess Consort was now in charge of the household, she no longer needed to manage things, and she decided to stay at the temple to guard the master's memorial tablet.
Tang Zhuyun didn't know what to say.
She waited for the Prince of Jin to return that night, but he didn't return until almost midnight, reeking of alcohol.
"A-Yun, I've had too much to drink," the Prince of Jin said, putting his arm around her.
Tang Zhuyun: "... You went to see your uncle?"
Aside from Qiao Geng, she couldn't think of anyone else who could make the Prince of Jin so happy right now.
Just as I expected.
"... My uncle is unmarried, but he has two younger sisters. I'll have them come to see you later," said the Prince of Jin. "My uncle looks a bit older than when I last saw him."
Tang Zhuyun asked instinctively, "When was the last time we met?"
"About two or three years ago, I went on a business trip and took some time to visit my uncle privately."
The Prince of Jin, who had drunk too much, rubbed against Tang Zhuyun like a clingy big dog.
Tang Zhuyun urged him to take a bath, but he insisted on dragging Tang Zhuyun into the bathtub as well.
The two joked around for a while, but Tang Zhuyun was exhausted. However, she did not forget her business and tried to open her eyes to tell Prince of Jin about Nanny Rong.
"Then," Prince of Jin said, his eyes filled with an indescribable complexity, "Let her be. I'll take some time these next few days to visit Master Hong'en and ask him to be understanding and supportive."
"Alright, I'll go see Nanny Rong too, and ask her about Mid-Autumn Festival gifts while I'm at it."
"Then let's go together later." Prince of Jin rubbed her head. "Go to sleep."
Tang Zhuyun almost immediately fell asleep after closing Duke of Zhou eyes, but Prince of Jin waited a long time before finally managing to drift off.
During the morning court session, Tang Mingfan, eating food that was clearly not his daughter's cooking, blushed slightly, but still reminded Prince of Jin, "Your Highness, youth is good, but you should also exercise restraint."
If it weren't for tiring her daughter out, wouldn't a dutiful daughter get up early to prepare meals?
Prince of Jin: "... Yes."
In all honesty, he has already exercised great restraint.
Being exposed by his father-in-law and summoned for a talk was incredibly embarrassing for Prince of Jin, so he could only bury his head in his food.
After finishing his meal, he thought to himself, "That's good, it's time to go to court. At least it won't be so awkward anymore."
However, Wang Fu, with his men, hurried toward their table.
Prince of Jin: Does the Emperor intend to summon him alone?
I don't seem to have made any mistakes these past few days.
Could it be that Prince of Yong, that fool, has revealed that previous matter to the Emperor?
As his mind raced, Wang Fu stepped forward and said to Tang Mingfan, "Lord Tang, the Emperor summons you to discuss an urgent matter."
Tang Mingfan dared not delay, put down his chopsticks, and followed Wang Fu away.
The ministers at the dinner table were each lost in their own thoughts.
What urgent matter could have caused the Emperor to skip court and request a private audience with Tang Mingfan?
The Crown Prince and all the princes were present, but the Emperor did not summon them; he only met with Tang Mingfan...
Tang Mingfan was indeed the emperor's most favored minister.
Is there any hope for the Prince of Jin?
All eyes were on him, but the Prince of Jin seemed oblivious, calmly sipping his tea.
After a while, Wang Fu came to deliver an imperial edict, saying that the emperor had other matters to attend to today and would not be attending court.
Everyone speculated for a while longer.
The Prince of Jin was decisive; upon hearing that he would not be attending court, he was the first to leave.
Everyone: Bah, shameless! You knew your father-in-law was inside, you knew the news before anyone else.
The Prince of Jin, however, was thinking of skipping court and going home to be with his wife as soon as possible.
She probably hasn't gotten up yet. I'll hold her and let her take a nap, then have dinner with her, and finally solve her headache about Mid-Autumn Festival gifts. Who knows, if my wife is in a good mood, she might even throw herself into my arms...
He's newly married and doesn't want to think about anything else.
Tang Zhuyun once said something that he was unhappy about at the time, but the more he thought about it afterward, the more correct it seemed.
That's -- being brainwashed by parasites.
How could there be such a fitting description? No wonder it's his Little Yellow Bead.
As a result, the Prince of Jin returned in high spirits, only to find that Tang Zhuyun was nowhere to be found.
The young maidservant sweeping the outer courtyard, who had never spoken to Prince of Jin before, trembled with fear at his cold, stern expression. "Your Highness, Your Highness..."
The Prince of Jin, in a fit of rage, said, "If you can't even speak clearly, just pull out your tongue."
"The Empress has entered the palace. She says that Lord Tang has suddenly fainted and requests Your Majesty to come and see him."
Has Tang Zhuyun entered the palace?
The Prince of Jin immediately rode his horse to the palace.
Countless thoughts raced through his mind on the way, and finally he wondered if the Emperor's heart condition had flared up again, but he didn't want anyone to know, so he could only use Tang Mingfan's name to send Tang Zhuyun into the palace?
Once this idea took hold, it crushed all other thoughts.
Tang Mingfan had been in poor health, so Tang Zhuyun took great care of him.
The possibility of Tang Mingfan suddenly falling ill is extremely small.
This morning, the father-in-law and son-in-law ate together. He ate with great relish, had a good appetite, and looked radiant. He didn't look sick at all.
The Emperor, on the other hand, has always been diligent and hardworking; when has he ever suddenly announced that he would not attend court?
Thinking of this, the Prince of Jin of Jin, who was urging his horse forward, couldn't help but slow down.
There are some things the emperor doesn't want him to know, so he won't know.
It must be said that the Prince of Jin was very clever.
It was indeed the Emperor who had suffered a heart ailment. Tang Zhuyun was currently administering acupuncture to the Emperor in the palace, with the anxious Wang Fu and Tang Mingfan standing beside him.
"A-Yun?" Tang Mingfan couldn't help but ask when he saw that his daughter's forehead and nose were covered in sweat, "Is His Majesty alright?"
Tang Zhuyun removed the last silver needle and let out a long sigh of relief. "It's alright now. But next time, don't waste time; just send someone to find me directly."
If it had been any later, even a miracle worker wouldn't have been able to save him.
The emperor looked weak and was still in a coma.
Tang Zhuyun then looked at Wang Fu and said calmly, "His Majesty is suffering from a sudden surge of anger; he must have been stimulated. People with heart conditions are most vulnerable to strong stimuli. He should be more careful in the future."
As for what triggered the Emperor's reaction, that was not her concern.
Wang Fu bowed and said, "Thank you very much, Your Highness. I have a favor to ask. Could you please stay in the palace a little longer so that I can examine the Emperor again after he has regained consciousness?"
Tang Zhuyun nodded. "Alright. Please have Eunuch Wang send someone to tell the Prince that I'm in the palace, my father is fine, and I'll return soon."
Prince of Jin, please don't rush into the palace.
Wang Fu hurriedly replied, "This servant will arrange it immediately."
As soon as the Prince of Jin arrived at the palace gate, he encountered the messenger who had come to deliver the message to him.
"In that case," he said calmly, "I will wait for the Princess here. Go in and tell her not to worry, I will wait for her here."
Tang Zhuyun didn't expect to receive a reply so quickly, especially when she heard Prince of Jin say that he would always wait for her, she felt a faint sweetness and reassurance in her heart.
After more than half an hour, the emperor's fingers twitched, and he finally slowly opened his eyes...