Before Tang Zhuyun even reached the second gate, she saw Huaishang confronting Qin Li with his men from afar.
"I want to see the Prince." Qin Li's face was ashen, his eyes blazing with fury.
Huaishang patiently explained, "The Prince is not in the residence today. Please come another day, Your Highness."
"Then bring out the Princess!" Qin Li said through gritted teeth.
Huaishang said, "Your Highness, this is against etiquette. If you have something to discuss, please come to see me after the Prince returns."
"Improperly against propriety?" Qin Li sneered repeatedly. "If Your Highness were knowledgeable in propriety, you wouldn't be so shameless as to engage in such clandestine exchanges!"
Xiu'er retorted angrily, "What cesspool did Heir Qin crawl out of? He's so disgusting! You can't have children, and you're blaming the Empress? Sure enough, there are gods watching over us; those who don't behave like human beings will be childless!"
It's not like he's all talk; she's never been convinced by anyone in a verbal battle!
Qin Li saw Tang Zhuyun and her servant, his anger intensified, and he pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve and threw it out.
The handkerchief gently fell to the ground.
Tang Zhuyun recognized it at a glance; it was the very same one she had left for Nanny Rong to wipe her tears that day.
For some reason, she didn't panic; instead, she felt a sense of relief, as if the shoe had finally dropped.
It turned out that it had ended up in Qin Li's hands.
She didn't speak, but waited for Qin Li to speak.
Qin Li said coldly, "I've never seen such a shameless woman as you. You're already married to the prince, yet you still have your eyes on me..."
Tang Zhuyun interrupted him, "Heir Qin, it's windy, don't talk big. In my eyes, you're not even worth a hair on the Prince's head. Some people always think they're going to be harmed, but you're so clever, always thinking you're loved. What, are you so desperate for love that you're trying to scam me?"
"You sent me a handkerchief and then threatened my wife, saying she couldn't have children and wanted her to beg for her own life. Your intentions are malicious!"
"You're overthinking it. You're not my son, so what does it matter to me if you die childless?"
Wen Dai is perfectly normal; why did she get so carried away and marry such a foolish man?
Xiu'er said, "I'm afraid she won't be able to give birth, and no one can deny it."
Just then, Wen Dai arrived in a hurry.
"Your Highness, please stop this nonsense." Her face flushed crimson. "Today's events weren't caused by Her Highness the Princess seeking my help; I was the one who proactively asked for her assistance. As for the handkerchief matter, it's even less plausible..."
Wen Dai apologized to Tang Zhuyun again. "The young master misunderstood something he overheard, which is why he offended Your Highness."
Qin Li was about to speak when Wen Dai coldly said, "If the young master continues to cause trouble, I will pack my things and go home today. I dare not delay the young master any longer."
Qin Li flicked his sleeve, his eyes filled with anger, but ultimately remained silent.
"Your Highness," Wen Dai said earnestly, "Although the Prince acted impulsively, there were indeed reasons for it. Someone impersonated you, sent him a handkerchief, and asked to meet him; moreover, they slandered me... The Prince had some misunderstandings about you before, so this is why... Let's work together to find the culprit; that's the most important thing."
Tang Zhuyun said with a half-smile, "I really don't know who's climbing the social ladder by marrying whom."
Wen Dai blushed, but said firmly, "I will definitely give Your Highness an explanation for this matter. Although I am ignorant, I know that Your Highness is certainly not such a frivolous person."
Qin Li was furious. "Don't be fooled by her!"
She is, she is!
Seeing his angry expression, which seemed to be filled with unspeakable suffering, Tang Zhuyun suddenly felt less angry.
Yes, that's me, but your wife doesn't believe you, does she?
Wen Dai bowed to Tang Zhuyun, then walked out with an indifferent expression.
Qin Li chased after him.
Xiu'er said, "It's like a beautiful flower stuck in cow dung."
As she spoke, she bent down to pick up the handkerchief and said, "Isn't this the best-selling handkerchief at Brocade Workshop? Did he buy one and deliberately cause trouble to cover up his cowardice?"
She deliberately told the servants in the Prince's mansion who were secretly eavesdropping, emphasizing the words "cowardly."
--If there are sweeter melons, no one will eat the old ones anymore.
Huaishang bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, I will have someone inform the Prince about this matter."
"No need," Tang Zhuyun said. "His Highness is busy with important matters; there's no need to bother him with such trivialities."
Back in her room, before she could even react, Xiu'er exploded.
"Your Highness, it's Nanny Rong, it must be Nanny Rong!"
Tang Zhuyun said calmly, "I bought more than a dozen of those handkerchiefs. As you know, they're the best-selling Brocade Workshop, and many others have plenty too. How can you prove that she was the one who leaked my handkerchiefs?"
"No, I have to confront her," Xiu'er said angrily. "Even if she doesn't admit it, I have to let her know that these people aren't fools."
Tang Zhuyun said, "No, I'll wait for her to come to me."
What if she doesn't come?
"Then we'll wait for the prince to return."
"Your Highness, don't be silly. Didn't you yourself say that without solid evidence, how can the Prince believe it? If he tries to exonerate Nanny Rong, it will only make you furious."
The only way to bring down Nanny Rong is for them to investigate this matter thoroughly and obtain irrefutable evidence.
Tang Zhuyun waved her hand, stopping her from saying anything more.
She needs to think this over carefully; it just feels so out of place.
Nanny Rong's methods were truly clumsy; they were almost on par with the foolish Ruan Anruo from before.
Tang Zhuyun had only been pondering for a moment when a maidservant reported that Nanny Rong had arrived.
"This old servant heard that Heir Qin came to our door carrying your handkerchief. Is it the one you gave me before?"
Tang Zhuyun calmly replied, "Yes."
Xiu'er stared wide-eyed at Nanny Rong —let's see how she explains herself now!
"Your Highness, this old servant didn't give the handkerchief to anyone else; it's truly lost." Nanny Rong's eyes reddened.
"Is that so?" Tang Zhuyun said, "Then it's possible that someone with ulterior motives picked it up and did it on purpose. We'll investigate this matter thoroughly when the Prince returns."
"Yes, thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty." Nanny Rong suddenly knelt down and kowtowed deeply to Tang Zhuyun.
Tang Zhuyun looked at the bruise on her forehead and said with a half-smile, "Granny, get up quickly. If you really kowtow until your head is swollen, people will think that I've been mistreating you while the Prince is away."
Nanny Rong, it seems she's planning to completely break ties with her.
The case is unsolved, yet she puts on such a wronged act, clearly for the Prince of Jin's benefit.
"Actually, you didn't have to be like this." Tang Zhuyun slowly stood up. "I was thinking of getting along well with you."
But since you don't want to settle things and refuse to explain, I'll just have to deal with whatever comes my way.
Nanny Rong rose and stared intently at Tang Zhuyun, as if she had aged more than ten years. "Your Highness, this old servant..."
However, she ultimately did not utter a word.
After she left, Tang Zhuyun said, "Xiu'er, go tell Nanxing that she doesn't need to follow Linlin these next few days. Tell her to keep a close eye on Nanny Rong's every move and not let anything slip by!"
"Yes."
Tang Zhuyun wanted to see what Nanny Rong was up to.
Yanran came in carrying her pillow, smiling sweetly, and said, "Mother, I want to sleep with you tonight!"
The coldness on Tang Zhuyun's face faded, and she smiled, "You're quite well-informed; you knew your father wasn't here today."
After the two finished washing up, they lay down. Tang Zhuyun was thinking about the events of the day and was somewhat absent-minded.
Yanran whispered, "Mother, are you still angry with Heir Qin? When Father returns, he will definitely get revenge for you."
"Little vixen, your grandpa loves you." Eighth Master suddenly spoke up.
Tang Zhuyun was extremely embarrassed and repeatedly called for Xiu'er to take it out.
Don't corrupt the children!
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!" Nanxing's voice suddenly rang out.
Tang Zhuyun's heart skipped a beat, and she jumped up. "What's wrong?"
"Nanny Rong, she's been poisoned."