Xiu'er was standing under the eaves, whispering to Song Jingyang, when she saw a dark figure enter.
"Who?"
"I."
"Nanxing, you're finally back!"
Xiu'er wanted to shout, but Song Jingyang covered her mouth.
Prince of Jin has been imprisoned in the imperial prison, and many groups of people have come to the palace to search for and capture Nanxing.
Nanxing quickly stepped forward and asked softly, "Is Your Majesty asleep?"
"No."
This was Tang Zhuyun's voice.
"Come in and talk."
Nanxing lifted the curtain and went inside. Xiu'er pushed Song Jingyang, saying, "Go back quickly, I want to go in and listen too."
Song Jingyang: "... Tell Her Majesty not to worry, I will go to the Imperial Prison to deliver the goods tomorrow."
"Knew."
Yanran is sleeping in Tang Zhuyun's room today.
Knowing what had happened, she was very sensible. Despite her own panic, she was busy comforting Tang Zhuyun and refused to leave. Finally, she couldn't stay awake any longer and fell asleep.
Jiaojiao lay prone beside the footstool, diligently guarding her young master.
Upon seeing Nanxing enter, it lazily wagged its tail, then lay down again to continue sleeping.
Eighth Master: "Grandpa's here!"
Xiu'er: "Damn it! It's Nanxing!"
"Damn it! Nanxing is here!"
Xiu'er was furious.
Tang Zhuyun was amused, and she breathed a sigh of relief, especially seeing Nanxing return unharmed.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I'm fine."
Xiu'er suddenly exclaimed, "Nanxing, have you been bitten by a poisonous insect?"
She saw the red marks on Nanxing's neck.
Nanxing remained calm. "It's alright."
Xiu'er: "No, that won't do! It could be deadly! How poisonous must those insects be if they're still alive this month?"
"It's nothing." Nanxing reached up and covered her neck.
Xiu'er: "There are some over there too! They're almost forming a continuous stretch, you..."
Tang Zhuyun vaguely understood something, and could only clear her throat and say, "I think... the insect isn't poisonous, it'll be fine on its own in a few days."
"Oh, oh, oh," Xiu'er said, "Then we still need to be careful not to get bitten by bugs again."
Nanxing's face flushed slightly, but she forced herself to remain calm.
"Your Majesty, you need not worry about me," Nanxing said. "I will get out of here unscathed."
"Then for the next few days, whenever someone comes, you should hide in the tunnel." Tang Zhuyun saw that she didn't want to say more, so she didn't ask any further questions.
Nanxing agreed, "Your Highness, you should also get some rest. Don't worry too much about the Prince's affairs."
She can probably do her part too.
Pei Shen had always had her completely under his control, but this time, she wanted to learn from him and turn the tables on him.
Having followed him for so long, even someone as slow-witted as me could have learned a thing or two from him.
In the face of great calamity, everyone should contribute as much as they can.
They were all part of the Prince's household.
Tang Zhuyun smiled and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness has a good plan. Even if things go slightly astray, the overall direction won't be wrong."
She had the doctor come today, and it was confirmed that she had miscarried.
She accomplished the task that the Prince of Jin had entrusted to her.
Tomorrow, Song Jingyang is going to the imperial prison to deliver something to Prince of Jin; she has other plans.
Linlin's matter has been resolved, and Master Hong'en has agreed to temporarily take Linlin under his care, so Linlin did not return today.
However, Tang Zhuyun had someone tell him everything that happened in the manor.
We must avoid internal friction caused by information asymmetry as much as possible.
Tang Zhuyun had Xiu'er light some calming incense before lying down.
She needs to conserve her energy; a fierce battle awaits her.
Xiu'er tucked the blanket around her and lowered the curtains before leaving with Nanxing.
The lanterns under the eaves swayed in the wind, casting dappled light and shadow on the two people's faces.
Xiu'er tilted her head and said, "Want to come to my room for a cup of hot tea before you leave?"
Nanxing nodded.
"I know what kind of bug bit you on the neck." The two sat down, Xiu'er said with a smile, "Was that bug called a man?"
Nanxing smiled, "You and Song Jingyang have been together for so long, but you've kept your feelings within the bounds of propriety. That's good."
Xiu'er blushed. "We've secretly held hands, but not when we were eating radishes."
Nanxing chuckled to himself.
That description is quite apt.
Xiu'er asked, "Is your man pretty capable?"
Otherwise, Nanxing wouldn't have been able to go to him immediately after the incident.
Men of the past were like dried salted fish; unless you had a strong palate, nobody wanted to eat them.
Only when there's absolutely no other way will they think of cooking something to eat.
"Hmm," Nanxing said.
"Then be careful," Xiu'er said. "Don't try to steal a chicken and end up losing the bait. Clever men are all petty and calculating. That's why I chose the simple-minded Song Jingyang."
Nanxing said, "Song Jingyang is doing well."
"You've been with Huaishang for so many years, so naturally you'll speak up for him," Xiu'er said. "But I think he's a good person too."
However, she was not fortunate enough to have it.
Nanxing, holding his teacup, suddenly said, "Xiu'er, are you having something on your mind today?"
"Is it that obvious?" Xiu'er muttered.
"It's quite obvious," Nanxing honestly. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have invited me for tea so late."
Can't I just be curious about your affairs?
"You knew this before, but you never asked." Nanxing leaned back. "What do you want to tell me?"
"It's nothing really," Xiu'er said after a moment's hesitation, "It's just that there's something I don't know who to talk to about it."
"Worry?"
Xiu'er told Nanxing about Song Jingyang's plan to become the general of Qingzhou.
"Isn't that a good thing?" Nanxing said. "The prince has a good plan, and it's also a good thing for Song Jingyang, as he can now stand on his own."
"It's quite nice," Xiu'er said. "I won't go with them."
Nanxing was taken aback. "Why didn't you come along?"
"I want to stay with Your Highness," Xiu'er said. "This time, Your Highness's goal is to leave the capital, isn't it?"
The true purpose of the Prince of Jin of Jin was to investigate some matters and avoid others.
Xiu'er was very firm in her decision.
But the sadness in my heart did not lessen in the slightest because of this determination.
On this day, so many unexpected things happened, and people were like wound-up springs, uncontrollably being pushed along.
Only when the night is deep and quiet can Xiu'er think about her own things.
Nanxing understands her.
"Actually, even if you wanted to follow Her Majesty, she might not agree."
"If you want to, is there anything you can't do?" Xiu'er said. "If I don't follow Her Majesty just because she says I can't, then it means I'm not sincere."
Nanxing thought for a moment and then said, "But you have to understand, this time I'm leaving the capital, and I might not be back for two or three years, or it might be ten or eight years."
Xiu'er sat on the tatami, hugging her knees. "I know."
That's why I understand that I must make choices and not try to have it all.
The empress smiled and called her "General's Wife," but all she wanted to do was cry.
She doesn't have that blessing.
Nanxing, tongue-tied and unsure of what to say next, recalled the image of Song Jingyang clinging to Xiu'er like a loyal dog earlier, and whispered, "Does Song Jingyang understand?"
Xiu'er immediately welled up with tears.