Tang Zhuyun said, "Your Highness, Yanran, Xiao Pang, Qiao Geng... Last year, Your Highness's maternal grandmother passed away... Oh dear!"
She suddenly remembered that the entire Xiao Family family was dead.
Why was Old Madam Xiao able to live until last year?
Could it be someone else?
But why would the Prince of Jin address someone as his maternal grandmother?
With Xiao Pang added to the mix, Tang Zhuyun now has some suspicions that a group of people from the Xiao Family actually survived back then.
Some of the Prince of Jin knew about it, while others were scattered among the masses.
The sudden "betrayal" by Nanny Rong is likely related to the Xiao Family.
Prince of Jin doted on her, but Nanny Rong refused to extend that favor to her as well. This level of magnanimity is probably only found among the Xiao Family.
Moreover, this person should be very familiar with Xiao Wu, since Nanny Rong is Xiao Wu's person.
Could it be Qiao Geng?
After all, he spent the longest time by Xiao Wu's side.
Tang Mingfan stroked his gray beard and said, "That's what Father thinks too."
No wonder he served as the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review for many years.
"But Old Madam Xiao," Tang Mingfan said, "If I remember correctly, had already passed away before the Xiao Family's downfall."
ah?
What an incredible plot twist!
Was he faking his death back then?
Or is there another hidden story?
Tang Zhuyun's mind went blank again.
But then Tang Zhuyun asked, "Father, when the Xiao Family had their troubles, you were already the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, weren't you?"
Tang Mingfan nodded.
"I'm not saying I'm favoring the Xiao Family, nor am I criticizing you," Tang Zhuyun said, laying the groundwork before continuing, "I'm just curious, did you speak up for the Xiao Family back then?"
The once grand royal palace, renowned for its military exploits, was utterly destroyed simply because of a fabricated charge.
Could someone as loyal and upright as Tang Mingfan accept this?
Tang Mingfan said, "Unfounded accusations? Who told you that?"
Tang Zhuyun asked in surprise, "Isn't that right?"
"While the Xiao Family's affair is surprising, the evidence of their collusion with foreign enemies is irrefutable."
"Ah?"
Tang Zhuyun was stunned.
That's not what the Prince of Jin said!
Before she could speak, Xiu'er had been listening intently without missing a single word, grew anxious.
"Master, why didn't you say so sooner? Didn't you always know that Prince of Jin was a child of the Xiao Family? This is... this is a marriage of convenience!"
If I knew his family was so complicated and utterly wicked, who would marry him?
Are we waiting to be beheaded together?
Tang Zhuyun: "Marriage fraud? Not really."
They got married through an arranged marriage.
Even if her maternal family isn't good, she still has a good father.
Xiu'er's eyes widened. "You've boarded the prince's pirate ship!"
Tang Zhuyun felt guilty.
Thank goodness, Xiu'er didn't mention that she had slept with the Prince of Prince of Jin.
Tang Mingfan said, "The Prince of Jin is the Emperor's own flesh and blood. As long as he doesn't rebel, his life will be safe. But given his family's situation, it's destined that he can't become Emperor."
Tang Baixin to himself, "I've discussed this matter with my father. The prince only has one princess, and it's normal for Prince of Jin to act a little out of line, especially since he's always been aloof. He can just stay home and live his own life."
Tang Zhuyun: I don't like hearing that. How is our prince aloof? We're just aloof and have few admirers!
Besides, are kings and nobles born with a special destiny?
Even by lineage, he is the emperor's son!
Why can't the Prince of Jin become emperor, and instead be at the mercy of others in the future?
"But now it seems," Tang Mingfan said, "That remnants of the Xiao Family may still be around."
"Father, then why are they targeting my sister?"
"Perhaps they think that the Prince and A-Yun are so deeply in love that they're neglecting their duties." Tang Mingfan sighed deeply, "Foolish, foolish indeed!"
If anyone from the Xiao Family is still alive, shouldn't they be grateful to Tang Zhuyun?
What kind of life did the Prince of Jin lead in his first twenty-odd years?
Now that he's with A-Yun, he's become so much more normal!
A-Yun gave the prince a normal life!
In Tang Mingfan's eyes, even without Tang Zhuyun, Prince of Jin was still the same unpopular and disgraced prince he always was.
If Tang Zhuyun knew that her biological father thought this way, she would definitely feel guilty.
--The Prince of Jin's reputation isn't great these days either.
Xiu'er chimed in, "Isn't that just being muddle-headed? If they weren't, would they have dared to plot against Her Majesty? Luckily, Her Majesty is capable."
After pondering for a moment, Tang Mingfan said, "Fortunately, Your Highness is not confused."
Xiu'er thought to herself, "How can she not be confused?"
If she weren't confused, would Nanny Rong have been able to fool her for so long?
And what about the Xiao Family? Are they human or ghosts?
After everyone finished speaking, Tang Mingfan said, "A-Yun, just stay at home without worry. Once this matter has been thoroughly investigated, the Prince will take you back."
Xiu'er asked, "Master, if it's found out that the Prince is still on the Xiao Family's side, you must decide to bring the Empress back."
If the Xiao Family wants to rebel, and the prince is still following them, then it's better to leave sooner rather than later.
Tang Mingfan stroked his beard. "It's not that bad. Knowing the Prince as I do, it's not that bad. Alright, A-Yun, go back and rest."
Meng Yulan stepped forward and said with a smile, "A-Yun, shall we go to my courtyard to see Sister Yuan?"
"Good."
Yanran followed, and when they reached the door, she said to Jiaojiao, "Wait for me outside, my little sister is scared."
Jiaojiao lay obediently under the shade of the tree.
But Sister Yuan, held by her wet nurse, saw Jiaojiao through the window and was overjoyed.
Yanran remained silent until Meng Yulan said, "It seems our Sister Yuan also likes Jiaojiao. In that case, let's take her out for a look."
Yanran immediately said, "I'll go too. I'll keep an eye on things. Jiaojiao won't hurt anyone, Auntie, don't worry."
The little guy skipped and hopped outside.
Watching their retreating figures, Meng Yulan couldn't help but sigh, "What an endearing child A-Yun, you've taught her well."
Tang Zhuyun said, "She's just naturally well-behaved."
Meng Yulan offered her tea, took a small sip herself, and then asked, "What do you plan to do about the Xiao Family's affairs?"
"What do we do?"
"How do you plan to speak to the prince?"
Tang Zhuyun: "I didn't intend to tell the Prince about this."
Between husband and wife, secrets should not be kept from each other, as this will create estrangement; however, there are some things that should not be easily said.
The Xiao Family was to Prince of Jin what the Tang Family was to her.
If Prince of Jin were to tell her now, "I suspect your father is plotting a rebellion, and that he wants to harm me," Tang Zhuyun would be doing a disservice to the Tang Family if she didn't slap him across the face.
The Xiao Family was a family that Prince of Jin was willing to give anything to protect.
Meng Yulan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and said, "That's right. You can present the evidence, even if the conclusion is as obvious as a louse on a monk's head, you shouldn't be the one to pick at it."
Xiu'er said, "This servant will go and catch it!"
She is bold; she is not afraid.
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
Meng Yulan smiled and said, "That's right. But not now. We have to wait until the evidence is conclusive. There will always be a time when we can use you."
"When will the evidence be conclusive?" Xiu'er was impatient.
Tang Zhuyun said softly, "Maybe it will have to wait until you get married."
Xiu'er's wedding date is set for the end of the year.
"I'm not getting married," Xiu'er said. "We don't even know what happened yet! We'll talk about it after we find out."
Tang Zhuyun silently sympathized with Song Jingyang.