"Chang Zhi?" The Prince of Jin frowned slightly.
"That's right!" Song Jingyang promoted him with all his might. "Haven't you and he been getting along well lately, Your Highness?"
"And think about it: he's been with Lord Tang for so long that Lord Tang trusts him, too..."
Song Jingyang did his utmost to recommend Chang Zhi.
The Prince of Jin actually went straight to ask Chang Zhi.
Whoever it was, if he could make Tang Zhuyun settle down and dutifully look after Yanran for him until she fully recovered, he was willing to give him a try.
But as soon as Chang Zhi heard him, he shook his head vigorously. "How could that work? I've got a sweetheart!"
Chang Zhi had been carrying on with a madam in the Eight Great Hutongs for years.
He chuckled. "I don't want to get married. I used to be a bandit myself. Could I raise a child properly? Wouldn't I be ruining them?"
"You wouldn't consider Tang Zhuyun?"
"Your Highness, you must be joking. Who do I think I am? How could I presume to consider Lord Tang's beloved daughter?"
In short, the Prince of Jin had gotten the door slammed in his face.
That night, just as the Prince of Jin was getting ready for bed, he suddenly heard Xiu'er pounding on the door, bawling at the top of her lungs, "Your Highness, wake up! Miss Yanran has a fever!"
The Prince of Jin went to see Yanran.
Yanran was burning with fever and babbling deliriously, crying, "Sister, I'm not leaving."
Tang Zhuyun shoved past the Prince of Jin, who was blocking the bed, and placed a cold cloth on Yanran's forehead. "Are you satisfied now?"
How could a man like this deserve to be a father?
Shouldn't he think of his child before doing anything?
The Prince of Jin said nothing, watching her curse him while tenderly tending to Yanran.
Linlin came in, rubbing his sleepy eyes. "Auntie, what's wrong with Yanran?"
"It's all right. Go back to bed," Tang Zhuyun said. "She was frightened during the day, and now she has a bit of a fever."
Linlin refused to leave. He sat down on a small stool and quietly watched Yanran.
"Auntie, will Yanran be better tomorrow?"
"She'll need to rest for a few days," Tang Zhuyun said.
"Then can she go out to watch the dragon boat races for the Dragon Boat Festival? I promised I'd take her with me," Linlin said.
The Dragon Boat Festival was only five days away. Tang Zhuyun had been helping them make colorful braided cords and zongzi these past few days. Linlin had seen the dragon boats before and had described the festival's grand dragon boat races to Yanran, telling her that the emperor would bring the imperial harem and all his civil and military officials to celebrate with the whole realm.
Yanran was looking forward to it.
She hadn't met many people and had an instinctive longing for lively festivities.
"She'll be fine by the festival." Tang Zhuyun patted his head. "Hurry back to bed. Don't wear yourself out staying up."
"Then I'll sleep here." Linlin looked at the large kang bed. "Yanran must feel awful being sick. I'll keep her company."
"All right."
The bed was large, so Tang Zhuyun had him lie down on the inner side and tucked him in.
Both children fell fast asleep. Tang Zhuyun sat on the footstool, propping her head up on her elbow as she dozed, her head nodding.
The Prince of Jin sat in a chair watching, his eyes deep and bright, without a trace of sleepiness.
What he found strange was that, although Tang Zhuyun dozed, she kept track of things. Every so often, she woke to check the temperature of Yanran's forehead, give her some water, or wipe her down, never tiring of the work or uttering a single complaint.
Tang Zhuyun was actually exhausted, but she had often worked hospital shifts in her previous life, so it wasn't too hard on her.
She was simply angry. She was playing both doctor and nurse, while the girl's own father had his backside glued to the chair?
What a bastard!
"Will she have another episode this time?" The Prince of Jin was very worried that Yanran would have another seizure.
"No." Tang Zhuyun knew what to expect and said irritably, "Don't you see who's here taking care of her?"
Yanran had only been frightened. Two days later, she was bouncing around again, counting on her fingers as she waited for the Dragon Boat Festival.
Qingfeng didn't dare come again, but he sent his personal attendant instead. The attendant gave Tang Zhuyun five taels of silver, saying it was her share of the proceeds from selling the medicine.
Tang Zhuyun was thrilled. This really was a quick way to make money!
She gave the attendant a handful of coins, then handed him the medicine she'd prepared. "Tell your young master I wish him a thriving business!"
Hahaha, only if he keeps going at it until he can't close his legs will the money come rolling in for me.
The attendant left cheerfully after telling her to make more, as demand was outstripping supply. Tang Zhuyun agreed.
Tang Zhuyun asked the Prince of Jin for something. "The Dragon Boat Festival is almost here. I'm planning to make each of the children an outfit. You'll have to pay for the fabric and labor."
The Prince of Jin sneered. "Why don't you ask your lover for it?"
He had investigated. The male courtesan called Qingfeng was not only the top entertainer but also a part owner. He loved money as much as life itself and had accumulated many shops and fertile fields.
Tang Zhuyun shot back, "Aren't I asking him right now?"
The Prince of Jin said, "You!"
"So you're allowed to slander other people, but they aren't allowed to slander you?" Tang Zhuyun said bluntly. "You're asking for a beating!"
"Have you no shame? If you can't afford to raise your daughter, give her to me. Look at you, acting so stingy!"
The Prince of Jin's face turned livid from her verbal assault. He immediately had Song Jingyang return to his residence and fetch more than ten bolts of satin, wishing he could throw them straight at Tang Zhuyun.
Tang Zhuyun looked at the precious satin, making no attempt to conceal how dazzled she was, and couldn't bear to put it down.
Oh my, this is exquisite-prettier than anything I've seen in a museum.
Song Jingyang said, "A cow chewing on peonies."
Then he saw Tang Zhuyun turn to him with a beaming smile, and a bad feeling immediately came over him.
Sure enough, Tang Zhuyun smiled without mirth and said, "A dog catching mice."
Tang Zhuyun had no qualms about making new clothes for the whole family.
Old Madam He and Xiu'er worked for two or three days and finally had the whole family dressed in new clothes on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival.
Tang Mingfan asked, "This fabric must be very expensive, isn't it?"
Tang Zhuyun replied without changing expression, "His Highness the Prince of Jin insisted on giving it to us. Yanran is staying here, after all."
Tang Mingfan remarked, "The prince really does take after the emperor. They're both so thoughtful and considerate. His Majesty summoned me yesterday and said that the Dragon Boat Festival gifts he gave others were things like sachets and zongzi. He thought I had no use for those, so he gave me five hundred taels of silver instead."
What a good emperor!
Tang Zhuyun's eyes lit up. "Then, Father, where's the silver?"
She was in charge of the household finances, after all.
Tang Mingfan said, "I thought we had enough money for food and drink at home, so I distributed it among my impoverished subordinates at the Court of Judicial Review, so everyone could enjoy the festival."
Tang Zhuyun nearly had a heart attack.
Help the whole world when you're prosperous-but we're this poor, and you're helping other people?
"Then what about the silver you owe the Prince of Jin?" Tang Zhuyun asked.
Tang Mingfan said, "...Well, the Prince of Jin probably won't press me for repayment. We'll talk about it later. His Majesty gives me plenty of rewards."
Tang Zhuyun was speechless. No wonder Tang Baixin had repeatedly warned her that their father squandered the family fortune.
But she couldn't really say anything about it. There was no helping it: her father was a man destined for the history books, so it was only natural that a commoner like her couldn't understand him.
Tang Mingfan turned to complimenting Tang Zhuyun. "A-Yun, that outfit looks lovely on you, and these five-bat clasps are a clever touch... You should dress beautifully today. It's just, just..."
Tang Zhuyun said, "If you have something to say, say it."
She was pained over the silver and not in a good mood, so she had no patience for his hemming and hawing.
"Today the emperor will be celebrating with the people, along with the imperial harem and all his civil and military officials... Even if you see someone you like, tell Father privately after we get back. Whatever you do, don't..."
He was afraid she would have an episode. Tang Zhuyun said helplessly, "I know."
"Also, a lot of people will try to strike up a conversation with you. You don't have to pay them any mind. Too many people are watching the position I hold now. Don't take advantage of anyone, either, and keep a close eye on the two children..."
"Oh my, isn't this the capital's famously lovesick woman?"
Tang Zhuyun had just found a place to sit with Linlin and Yanran when she heard a sarcastic voice behind her.
Oh, did they think she hadn't brought a knife with her today?
But she had brought her mouth!