"Why doesn't it make sense?"
"What Nanny Jing means," Xiu'er said, "Is that Nanny Rong is utterly loyal to the Old Madam; she would do anything for her, even go through fire and water."
Is it really that exaggerated?
"Yes. The man she loved died on the battlefield, and when she returned, she kept vigil over his body, vowing never to marry. But when she heard that the old lady was ill, she immediately went back to take care of her, regardless of how others were moved by her actions or how they would later call her heartless."
Tang Zhuyun felt that it was indeed a loyal servant.
Xiu'er continued, "Think about it, if she's sincere towards the old lady, then she can't be fake towards the prince; unless the prince isn't the old lady's biological son."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
She had no doubt that the Prince of Jin was Xiao Wu's biological son.
After all, the Xiao Family approves, and the Emperor approves; these are the most elite circles and figures. To completely deceive them would require them to be blind at the same time, which is extremely difficult.
Most importantly, the Prince of Jin's features resemble the Emperor's.
Linlin didn't look much like her when she was little, but she looks more and more like her as she grows up.
"Yes, that's why she's truly good to the Prince," Xiu'er said. "The Prince hasn't had a woman in so many years, finding you is like an iron tree blossoming. How could she not love you because of you? If she harmed you, how could the Prince live?"
Tang Zhuyun: No, no, that's not the case.
Even if they have a good relationship, it's not to the point of being willing to die for each other.
"Besides, Nanny Rong has always been very good to you," Xiu'er said. "Wasn't it she who fought for your position as a princess? And at that time, she knew that the prince had faked his death, even before you did."
Alright, no need to sow discord between her and Prince of Jin anymore. Prince of Jin has been providing good service lately, and she's physically attached to him, so she doesn't want to kick him out for now.
But thinking about it still makes me angry. If I tell Nanny Rong, am I afraid of hurting her feelings, but not afraid of hurting myself?
Thinking of this, Tang Zhuyun felt a little guilty.
At the time, she seemed to be happily preparing to enjoy her widowhood life, and wasn't sad at all.
Forget it, let's move on from the past and not settle old scores.
Xiu'er continued, "... If you're saying Nanny Rong has become strange, it's only recently. The day you married into the Prince's mansion, she was so excited that she wiped away tears. I saw it clearly; it wasn't fake."
So, when exactly did the change begin?
Xiu'er added, "Actually, I'm starting to have some doubts now. Could it be that we've misunderstood someone and thought they were a good person?"
However, Nanny Rong's speech and actions were very different from before.
Tang Zhuyun also pondered this question, but ultimately couldn't come up with a solution.
"You should try to win over Nanny Jing first," she waved her hand and said, "We'll talk about the rest later."
"Your Highness, please have someone keep an eye on Nanny Rong," Xiu'er said. "But after thinking it over, I realize that besides me, you have no one else you can rely on."
Although Nanxing is doing well now, she is, after all, from the Xiao Family, so it's hard to say whose heart she's leaning towards.
"Your Highness, you need to develop your own people in the future; you can't always rely on the Prince."
Tang Zhuyun said she had learned a lot.
She does want to develop her career, but where should she develop it?
"Yanran and I will keep a close eye on things," Xiu'er said helplessly at the end. "Oh, and we also need to tell Linlin. He needs to know if anything happens!"
"Okay, okay, you busybody, hurry up and take good care of your future mother-in-law," Tang Zhuyun teased.
Xiu'er left, feeling both embarrassed and happy.
If Tang Zhuyun were her, she would be happy too.
Although it's a marriage of convenience, the man is loyal and the mother-in-law is kind. What could be more blissful than this future?
When the Prince of Jin returned, he was also happy to see Nanny Jing.
Although he wasn't good with words, Tang Zhuyun could easily tell from his eyes that he was happy.
Nanny Jing, upon seeing Prince of Jin, couldn't stop weeping, too overjoyed to speak.
Tang Zhuyun smiled and said, "I'll cook a few dishes to welcome you back, Granny."
Nanny Jing hurriedly declined.
Prince of Jin laughed and said, "You're worthy of having her cook you a meal. Please sit down, Granny, I'll go and start the fire for her."
Nanny Jing was stunned.
Tang Zhuyun laughed, "I don't need you. I'm afraid you'll set the kitchen on fire again. You keep the old woman company for a while, Xiu'er can help me."
The Prince of Jin insisted on going with him.
How could Nanny Jing sit still?
She was about to go help when Xiu'er pulled her outside, saying, "I'll show you around the manor. It's your first time here too... The Prince wants to spend more time with the Empress, so let's let them be."
"Very well, that's wonderful!" Nanny Jing, watching Prince of Jin loving couple, was deeply moved. "I shouldn't have disturbed them. I never expected..."
As Prince of Jin tended the fire, he spoke with Tang Zhuyun, his face flushed red from the firelight in the stove.
"Nanny Jing isn't good with words; she's quite different from Nanny Rong, so let's not put them together."
Tang Zhuyun was making fish stew in an iron pot and sticking flatbreads to the side of the pot when she heard this and said, "It is quite different."
Nanny Rong kept talking about how her daughter was back then, but Nanny Jing only had eyes for Prince of Jin, the child she had personally raised.
Xiao Wu was capricious and impatient with Prince of Jin; most of the maternal love Prince of Jin received came from Nanny Jing.
So he reciprocated by treating Song Jingyang so well.
He was always silent, yet he devoted himself quietly to his work.
"Granny wanted to come and see my wedding, but due to unforeseen circumstances, she missed it. Whatever gift she gives you, just accept it and make it up to Song Jingyang later; if you don't accept it, she will be sad," Prince of Jin instructed.
Tang Zhuyun looked at him.
"What's wrong?" Prince of Jin raised his hand to touch his face. "Did you get something dirty?"
"No," Tang Zhuyun said, "I just feel that I was wrong."
The Prince of Jin was surprised and nervous. "A-Yun?"
"I never knew you were such a thoughtful person," Tang Zhuyun said. "Even better than I imagined, so wonderful!"
The Prince of Jin was pleased by her praise. He reached out and pulled her to sit on his lap, pressing his face against her back. After a while, he said, "A-Yun, you must always love me like this."
Because she loved him, even though he was despised by millions, her eyes always shone with starlight when she looked at him.
Was he afraid, afraid of being abandoned by himself?
Even though they had done the most intimate things and opened their hearts to each other, he still felt a sense of insecurity.
I fear that it's all just a beautiful dream.
Tang Zhuyun remained silent for a long time before saying, "It's time to go to the palace tomorrow."
The Prince of Jin did not understand her intention in suddenly bringing this up, and remained silent for a moment.
"Do you know how much I hate intrigue and backstabbing?" Tang Zhuyun said calmly, "But I still stepped in here myself; not because of the imperial decree, but because of you."
So tell me, how much does this affection amount to?
Even knowing I might get hurt, even knowing I might be completely changed, even with inner turmoil and hesitation, when I'm with you, I still silently agree in my heart: I do.
Silently and devoutly, I like you.