"So," Tang Zhuyun asked, "How was this matter ultimately resolved?"
She needs to study.
Madam Qin lowered her eyes and said, "The Marquis's mansion has split up."
"I see."
Unexpectedly, Madam Qin continued, "The second branch of the family has been separated."
Ah?!
"Madam Qin's methods are truly remarkable!" Tang Zhuyun exclaimed sincerely.
Aside from an exception like Madam Qin, the other women who could marry into the Marquis's household must have come from very powerful families.
Separating from the family is tantamount to breaking up. Officials value their reputation above all else, but this situation is a complete slap in the face to the second wife of the Marquis's mansion and her family.
"It was the young master who wouldn't let it go," Madam Qin laughed. "Of course, if the young master lets them go, then it will be me who's going to be the one making a scene."
Tang Zhuyun laughed heartily, "Madam Qin is indeed a straightforward person."
I'm giving you face, so you'd better take it and sort out your own family matters.
Qin Dagou, you're pretty savvy!
Madam Qin said, "However, this would probably only make my reputation for being unvirtuous even more prominent."
Tang Zhuyun laughed and said, "Speaking of reputation, you're nothing compared to me."
Madam Qin was also amused.
Tang Zhuyun continued, "Let's just go our own way and be as wicked as we want, so no one will dare to mess with us. I'm on good terms with Madam Wang, but I don't know Madam Yan yet. If we have the chance to meet in the future, and we get along well, maybe we can all get together for a lively gathering."
Madam Qin smiled and said, "I have dealt with Madam Yan a few times; she is cheerful and warm-hearted, and worth befriending."
"That's great, let's get together another day."
After seeing Madam Qin off, Tang Zhuyun took Yanran to see Little Tangyuan'er.
Little Tangyuan likes Yanran. Whenever she sees Yanran, she babbles and dances excitedly.
Yanran called Jiaojiao in, and Little Tangyuan was even happier.
Meng Yulan was sorting through old clothes when Tang Zhuyun went to help her.
"These clothes of the master are all old, but he still can't bear to throw them away," Meng Yulan said.
"If he won't throw it away, he won't. That's just how my dad is," Tang Zhuyun said dismissively. "You always make him new clothes, and he's still not happy about it."
Meng Yulan smiled and said, "Then I'll listen to you."
"Sister-in-law, you don't need to be so cautious. We're all family."
Meng Yulan smiled, and her words remained respectful to both Tang Mingfan and Tang Baixin.
"Mother, Aunt," Yanran ran in, "Cui Xiaoqiu is at the door. May I bring my sister to see him?"
Meng Yulan smiled and said, "Go ahead, go ahead."
The wet nurse, maids, and Zidu with us, and since we're right at the door, nothing will happen.
After a while, Yanran asked Cui Xiaoqiu triumphantly, "Isn't my little sister pretty?"
With her red lips, white teeth, big, watery eyes, and rosy cheeks, she was simply irresistible.
"It looks good," Cui Xiaoqiu, looking at Yanran.
Yanran: "... What do you mean by 'good-looking'? I'll show you my sister."
Cui Xiaoqiu: "Yanran, I'm eight years old."
"I'm six years old! No, I'm seven! What's wrong?"
To show that she's grown up, she always pretends to be older and says her age using the traditional Chinese age reckoning method.
"Do not look at what is improper."
Yanran: "... Are you stupid?!"
Cui Xiaoqiu: "Stunned."
Yanran: "..."
I wanted to show off my sister, but I failed. Humph.
Yanran had someone bring Little Tangyuan inside, while she talked to Cui Xiaoqiu outside.
Are you sick?
Cui Xiaoqiu pressed his fist to his lips and coughed twice. "No."
Yanran: "... Cui Xiaoqiu, how come you're so weak! Come on, I'll take you to see my mother."
After saying that, she grabbed Cui Xiaoqiu's sleeve and headed towards the Tang Family without waiting for a reply.
Cui Xiaoqiu instructed her maids and servants, "No one is allowed to follow."
These people were used to their young master's behavior and dared not follow him.
Those who didn't obey have all been taken away.
But after he went inside, the maid couldn't help but say to the old woman beside her, "Granny, didn't the Ninth Young Miss Yanran say that one should not look at what is improper? Why did he...?"
The old woman said, "It depends on the person."
The maid was about to speak when the old woman said, "If you want to stay by the Ninth Young Master's side for a long time, you'd better learn to shut up."
The master is always right.
The maidservant immediately fell silent.
This Ninth Young Master, though young and in poor health, possesses an immense and formidable reputation.
When Tang Zhuyun saw Cui Xiaoqiu come in, she joked, "So you felt you were cheated after showing our Sister Yuan to someone else, so you brought her back for us to see."
Cui Xiaoqiu bowed to Tang Zhuyun and Meng Yulan with impeccable manners.
Meng Yulan also quite liked him.
Tang Zhuyun took Cui Xiaoqiu's pulse and said, "He's just a little weak. More running and jumping, and more food will help."
Ultimately, it's because their family is too well-off and they can't bear to part with their child.
Yanran: "Are you really not sick?"
Tang Zhuyun: What, you're quite disappointed?
Cui Xiaoqiu thanked Tang Zhuyun.
Yanran patted Cui Xiaoqiu on the shoulder. "It's good that you're not sick. I used to be afraid to use my full strength when I fought with you, for fear of hurting you."
Tang Zhuyun: "You've studied martial arts and archery for so long, even if Cui... Cui Ling is fine, you can't use your full strength."
Yanran said with a grin, "I know, I know! Mother, I'm going to invite Cui Xiaoqiu to eat something delicious!"
I used to think he was sick, and I missed out on so much.
What's delicious?
"Stinky tofu, hehe." Yanran grabbed Cui Xiaoqiu's hand and ran off with a grin.
Meng Yulan smiled and said, "Childhood sweethearts, that sounds wonderful."
But not long after, Yanran returned in a huff.
"What's wrong?" Tang Zhuyun had already returned to her courtyard. "Didn't you like the stinky tofu?"
"Cui Xiaoqiu is infuriating!" Yanran said. "She only ate two bites before dragging me back, saying someone was peeping at me."
Tang Zhuyun felt a chill run down her spine.
Although Cui Xiaoqiu is young, she has plenty of energy.
Who did he see peeking at Yanran?
Yanran said, "It's those annoying twins, they're like ghosts, they're everywhere."
"Qiao Jiao and Qiao Qiao?"
"Exactly!" Yanran stamped her foot. "Why did I run away when I saw them? It's not like I'm afraid of them."
Tang Zhuyun smiled and comforted her, "If you like stinky tofu, I'll have someone go out and buy some for you. It's not that I'm afraid of them, it's that I'm afraid you'll suffer if the adults aren't around."
"I have guards following me," Yanran said indignantly. "Anyway, I feel it's humiliating; they're the ones who should be running away."
"What are they doing?" Tang Zhuyun asked calmly.
She always felt that the Qiao Family sisters' presence in the neighborhood was never a good thing.
"I don't know then," Yanran said. "It's definitely not good news. Mother, do you think Qiao Qiao still has feelings for my father?"
Tang Zhuyun thought to herself, "Now I'm just afraid she won't remember me!"
Just as he was thinking about how to get close to her, she unexpectedly came to him.
After luring Yanran out, Tang Zhuyun beckoned to Xiu'er with her finger. "Come on, want a chance to make a fortune?"
Xiu'er: "Seeing you like this, I have a feeling nothing good is coming."
Tang Zhuyun smiled and said, "Come here, it's definitely a good thing."
After hearing what she said, Xiu'er's eyes widened. "Your Majesty, are you crazy or am I crazy? You want Qiao Qiao to seduce the Prince?"