Tang Zhuyun said, "Xiu'er, please invite Nanny Rong to the tea room for tea first, and try to subtly get some information out of her. I'll get ready and get up."
Xiu'er agreed and went out quickly.
What is Nanny Rong planning to do?
Tang Zhuyun sat down at the dressing table, combing her hair as she made her guesses.
Having met yesterday, and with Nanny Rong returning today, it's hard not to connect Nanny Rong with Qiao Geng's family.
Lost in thought, her gaze fell on the small celadon medicine bottle on the table.
She always forgot to take her contraceptive pills, so to remind herself, she placed them in a conspicuous spot.
Tang Zhuyun simply combed her hair into a bun at the back of her head, casually clipped a gold hairpin to it, then poured herself some water, took her medicine, and after washing up, called Xiu'er in.
Xiu'er came in to "inform" them.
"Your Highness, Nanny Rong said she's back to deliver your Mid-Autumn Festival gifts."
Tang Zhuyun's eyes widened. "But haven't all the holiday gifts already been given out?"
Xiu'er had consulted with Nanny Rong before, and the latter had already given her some guidance.
That excuse isn't exactly clever, is it?
Xiu'er said, "I don't know, but that's what she said. I think she might still be here to speak on behalf of the Qiao Family sisters."
Tang Zhuyun: "Are you sure your intuition is accurate?"
Xiu'er stamped her foot. "Cheer up!"
Tang Zhuyun smiled and said, "I understand. Please invite Nanny Rong in."
Nanny Rong came in and bowed to Tang Zhuyun.
Today she was wearing a sandalwood-colored jacket, which was ironed neatly, and her hair was combed perfectly and had been smeared with osmanthus oil, but her face looked somewhat haggard.
"Nanny Rong, please don't stand on ceremony." Tang Zhuyun smiled and helped her up. "We're family, there's no need for such formalities. Please sit down, Xiu'er, bring some tea."
Nanny Rong said, "Your Highness, etiquette cannot be disregarded."
Tang Zhuyun sensed that her tone was different today, and alarm bells immediately went off in her mind.
But clearly, she couldn't figure out Nanny Rong's tricks.
Nanny Rong then respectfully inquired about her condition these past few days, adding that she seemed somewhat anemic and should take better care of herself.
Tang Zhuyun stated that she is a doctor and can take good care of herself.
Nanny Rong then said meaningfully, "Your Highness, men are trees, and women are vines. Only by clinging to trees can vines grow taller and taller."
Tang Zhuyun thought to herself, "So this is how it begins?"
Okay, no problem, she's ready.
Listen to what Nanny Rong tells her to do, and then she'll decide how to criticize.
If a couple lives in perfect harmony and respect, that's one thing; but if she has three wives and four concubines, then don't blame her for being sharp-tongued.
She looked at Nanny Rong with a half-smile.
Nanny Rong's next words carried a greater sincerity. "Your Highness, only when the Prince is well can you be well. So no matter what happens, please stand by the Prince's side."
Tang Zhuyun felt that the style of the painting had become inexplicable.
"That's natural," she said calmly. "Although I'm not virtuous, I can still tell the difference between good and bad. The prince treats me well, so naturally I won't let him down."
Nanny Rong seemed to sigh, as if sensing Tang Zhuyun's displeasure, and muttered to herself, "Honest advice is hard to swallow... Your Highness, the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts?"
Tang Zhuyun said, "Everything has been arranged, thanks to Granny's guidance."
Nanny Rong nodded. "That's good. By the way, Your Highness, I took your handkerchief yesterday. I meant to wash it clean and return it to you, but it got washed away by the river while I was washing it..."
Tang Zhuyun waved her hand and said, "It's just a handkerchief, Granny, you don't need to worry about it."
Although she was Xiaobai, she had seen it all and knew where people were likely to tamper with things.
Therefore, Tang Zhuyun bought everyday items such as handkerchiefs from outside without any special markings.
It's a common item; if it gets lost, it's lost. Nobody can claim it as hers.
Therefore, when she heard from Nanny Rong that the handkerchief was lost, she wasn't nervous, but she already had some doubts in her heart.
Because she knew that Nanny Rong was not alone at the Great Xiangguo Temple; she had two maids serving her.
Why did she have to do the washing of the handkerchiefs herself?
Does she have exceptional self-respect?
Even if the truth is indeed so, judging from Nanny Rong's behavior today, Tang Zhuyun couldn't help but feel a bit of malice.
Nanny Rong then mentioned Qiao Geng and the Qiao Family sisters.
"... Should we invite the two young ladies to visit the Prince's residence another day?"
Tang Zhuyun didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "I don't have that idea for the time being."
Nanny Rong was surprised.
"Qiao Qiao wanted my Buddhist beads yesterday, but I refused, and she seemed quite unhappy," Tang Zhuyun said. "As you know, I'm not the type to appease people. If things get worse, it will only embarrass the Prince."
After pondering for a moment, Nanny Rong said, "That was her fault."
Tang Zhuyun said, "I think so too, but I told the prince that since she didn't have a mother to teach her, I won't hold it against her."
Nanny Rong suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with intense emotion.
Although it was fleeting and quickly returned to calm, Tang Zhuyun saw it clearly.
Nanny Rong grew restless and rose to take her leave. "This old servant Zidu. If Your Highness has any orders, please feel free to have someone summon this old servant."
Tang Zhuyun exchanged a few polite words and saw her to the door.
Xiu'er couldn't help but mutter, "Your Majesty, I almost thought that Nanny Rong was going to speak up for the Qiao Family sisters. How did she manage to hold back in the end? Was it because you directly said you didn't like it?"
"I don't know." Tang Zhuyun rested her chin on her hand, leaning against the table thoughtfully. "Xiu'er, don't you think Nanny Rong a little strange today?"
"Yes, it's strange," Xiu'er said. "It's like someone's bewitched; why am I suddenly saying such annoying things to you?"
"That's how it is." Tang Zhuyun didn't speak.
Xiu'er said, "Do you think she accepted gifts from the Qiao Family sisters? With Qiao Qiao's shallow eye, who knows how many good things she's swindled from others."
"Since she's so short-sighted, do you think she'd be willing to give Nanny Rong a gift?" Tang Zhuyun asked with a smile.
"You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub."
Tang Zhuyun was amused by her, but after laughing, she said seriously, "What I find most strange is that, with Nanny Rong's experience and skills, she could have said these things more tactfully."
Today, it seems that Nanny Rong is deliberately pushing her limits, making her waver between having an outburst and not having one.
Today, Nanny Rong's fighting ability was far too weak.
This is not her true level at all.
"You know, if Nanny Rong wanted to make me uncomfortable, she would do it more subtly and with greater power."
Xiu'er pouted. "So, according to you, we should thank her?"
Tang Zhuyun bit her lip thoughtfully. "No, I at least need to figure out what she's trying to say to me with such ambiguity and hesitation."
"How do you plan to find out? You're not going to go directly to ask the Prince, are you?"