Tang Zhuyun burst into laughter, amused. She truly is her daughter!
"I definitely won't be like Qiao Jiao in the future," Yanran said. "I have a younger sister, and I'll definitely discipline her if she does something wrong, making sure she doesn't go astray. But in front of outsiders, I'll never let anyone embarrass her."
Qiao Jiao is a bad example of what it means to be a good older sister.
Tang Zhuyun laughed loudly, "Little Tangyuan is counting on you!"
"That's definitely not the same. Although I'll treat her well too, I'm talking about my own sister."
Cousins always need to be mindful of the appropriate boundaries in their interactions.
But if they're sisters, then they'll be very close.
Tang Zhuyun: Okay, I got it. Here comes another round of creative ways to urge you to have children.
That night, the Prince of Jin, who climbed over the wall—oh no, he crawled through a hole—came again.
Did Yanran tell you about what happened during the day? If not, Xiu'er probably will.
"Feeling guilty?" Tang Zhuyun raised an eyebrow, ladled a bowl of chicken soup for him and pushed it towards him, while she herself took a bite of a crisp cucumber to eat with him.
The Prince of Jin picked up a chicken leg and took a bite. It was very tender and soft. He then picked up the bowl and tasted the chicken soup. It was very fresh and sweet, and he felt as if his internal organs were being soothed.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Tang Zhuyun asked.
I don't want to mention her.
This "she" is clearly Qiao Qiao.
"Today I took my uncle to see Nanny Rong. On the way, I told him that the capital is not where he used to live; no one will pamper him here anymore."
"Hmm, just a spoiled girl. Someone will deal with her eventually," Tang Zhuyun said. "How is Nanny Rong?"
"When Nanny Rong saw her uncle, she was terrified and huddled in the corner, trembling," said Prince of Jin.
Tang Zhuyun, resting her chin on her hand, slowly chewed on a cucumber and said, "That can't be right. Nanny Rong is clearly faking madness. Is she really scared or just pretending?"
She had a vague feeling in her heart...
However, she was considering how to bring it up.
Then Tang Zhuyun heard Prince of Jin say, "I think, whether she's genuinely scared or just pretending, Granny is trying to remind me to be wary of my uncle."
Tang Zhuyun was surprised. "You said it yourself. I didn't say anything."
Perhaps her expression was too obvious, for the Prince of Jin laughed, "Still hiding things from me?"
"No, it's just that I'm considering your feelings," Tang Zhuyun said honestly.
Seeing that he had finished the soup in the bowl in two gulps, she poured another bowl for the Prince of Jin.
The Prince of Jin picked up the bowl and brought it to her lips. "Take a sip."
"I don't want to drink it, it's too oily."
"You need to gain some weight; being as thin as a skeleton is such a downer."
"If you're going to spoil the fun, then get lost." Tang Zhuyun glared at him, but still took a small sip of chicken soup from his hand.
"I have actually considered it carefully," said Prince of Jin. "Nanny Rong is wrong. While I can't say the exact timing of my uncle's arrival in the capital matches perfectly, the difference isn't significant."
Tang Zhuyun was relieved that he hadn't let his emotions cloud his judgment.
"I think so too, but then I think, since Nanny Rong can love everything about me, why would my uncle hate me?" She honestly replied, "Am I getting in Qiao Jiao and Qiao Qiao's way?"
But Qiao Jiao is already engaged, at least everyone knows it, and it should remain so unless something unexpected happens.
Qiao Jiao also learned from her sisters' conversation that Qiao Geng had no intention of letting her marry the Prince of Jin.
"To be honest, why would I need to be harmed?"
Tang Zhuyun felt that she was as insignificant as a feather and not worth being framed.
The Prince of Jin said, "I've also been pondering this question. If it really was my uncle's doing, then it should be targeting me. But in the most difficult times before, my uncle always protected me, and things are much better now. Why would he do this?"
He desperately hoped that he had been petty and had wronged Qiao Geng.
But how can Nanny Rong's sudden change be explained without external force?
Tang Zhuyun was somewhat relieved that the Prince of Jin was sensible.
However, this clarity also means the possibility of being harmed.
Tang Zhuyun couldn't help but take his hand under the table and whisper, "I'm still here."
The Prince of Jin laughed, "Fool, I'm fine."
Over the years, he has experienced everything, and he can bear even the worst outcomes.
"Maybe we're wrong and have wronged Uncle!" Tang Zhuyun said, feigning ease. "It's true that he can't teach the child well, but it's not a heinous crime. Let's not talk about that anymore. Are you tired? How about something special for you tonight?"
The Prince of Jin's eyes lit up immediately.
The chicken soup no longer smelled good, and he didn't want to eat. Following Tang Zhuyun's instructions, Prince of Jin quickly took a bath, took off his clothes, and went to bed.
Then Tang Zhuyun arrived with her bottles and jars.
The Prince of Jin suddenly stopped laughing; he had a bad feeling.
This trick looks a bit scary.
Then he was ordered to lie face down, Tang Zhuyun began to apply cupping therapy to him.
"Does it feel good?"
He should have been the one asking that question.
The Prince of Jin said in a muffled voice, "Comfortable."
It was comfortable, but not the kind of comfort I had imagined; there was always a sense of unease.
Tang Zhuyun said smugly, "I know you've been stressed and overworked lately, this will help you relax."
After cupping, there's a massage. "How's the pressure? Do you want it stronger?"
The Prince of Jin no longer wished to speak.
He suspected that Tang Zhuyun did it on purpose.
Whether he was truly exhausted or too comfortable, Prince of Jin closed his eyes and actually fell asleep.
Tang Zhuyun covered him with the blanket, and suddenly felt a pang of emotion—this must be the first time she has ever covered Prince of Jin with a blanket.
The Prince of Jin had done this many times before.
She packed her things and quietly climbed into bed.
Then the Prince of Jin turned over, touched her, and habitually pulled her into his arms.
He didn't wake up; he had simply gotten used to it.
White hair feels like new acquaintances, a chance meeting feels like old friends.
Tang Zhuyun adjusted to a comfortable position in his arms and quickly fell asleep.
She got up early the next day, and Prince of Jin also got up.
Tang Zhuyun went to the small kitchen to cook, while Prince of Jin went to tend the fire.
Xiu'er yawned as she entered the kitchen, saw Prince of Jin there, and then yawned again as she left.
Sigh, I should have let her sleep a little longer.
While making scallion pancakes, Tang Zhuyun said, "The Xue Family is leaving today, and I plan to go out of the city to the Ten-Li Pavilion to see them off. Are you coming?"
Prince of Jin said, "I may not have time. After the court session ends today, my father may ask me to stay and speak with him."
"Huh? I told you in advance?"
"No, Wang Fu revealed a little bit to me."
"Did he reveal anything?" Tang Zhuyun smiled. "Madam Wang came to see me a couple of days ago, saying not to be angry with you and to make up as soon as possible. She meant it sincerely, which made me feel quite embarrassed."
"They didn't say that."
"Will it cause a fight between us?"
"Perhaps," said the Prince of Jin.
Tang Zhuyun suddenly asked curiously, "Are you planning to tell the Emperor the truth?"
Without a second thought, the Prince of Jin replied, "No."
He doesn't want to talk to anyone until this matter is thoroughly investigated.
"Alright, then I'll go see my grandmother and the others off. If you don't have time, that's fine. Focus on dealing with the Emperor."
That's the golden thigh they're clinging to.
(Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! May your family be filled with joy and happiness. Enjoy eating mooncakes! I've also made special arrangements for you tonight, so wait for me! Mwah!)