Qiao Jiao doesn't trust anyone now.
In just one month, she felt she had experienced too much.
When her younger sister was forcibly put into a bridal sedan chair and married off to a minor official guarding the city, she felt a pang of regret, but since she wasn't the one being punished, she was secretly relieved at the same time.
--Indeed, vanity is no good; being down-to-earth is the best approach.
Little did he expect that disaster would soon befall him.
She was happily sewing her dowry, waiting to get married at the end of the year, when her father informed her that she had to marry Wei Xuan.
Yes, it wasn't a discussion; there was no room for argument. It was a firm and forceful notification to her.
Perhaps the father felt that whether it was embroidering the dowry or getting married at the end of the year, it didn't matter who she married.
But that was her life's happiness.
She pleaded desperately, and her father was initially unmoved, but every time he went out, he would return with a heart as hard as iron.
For the sake of her loved ones, Qiao Jiao summoned all her courage and determination to fight.
But what was the result?
However, Sun Jun and his father were transferred away from his father's side.
"I went to my father and asked him where Sun Jun had gone. But my father said that Sun Jun had broken off the engagement and returned to his hometown. I didn't believe it, I didn't believe a single word of it!"
"I'm terrified that they've already poisoned Sun Jun to end my hopes."
"I'll do anything you ask, I just want to find Sun Jun."
Even if we can't elope, I at least hope he's doing well.
After thinking for a moment, Tang Zhuyun said, "I can help you find someone. As for what I need your help with, I'll have to think about it some more."
"Alright, as long as Your Majesty helps me find him, my promise will remain valid at any time."
After Qiao Jiao left, Tang Zhuyun didn't linger and went straight back to the Prince's Mansion.
She asked Song Jingyang to find out Sun Jun's whereabouts.
Xiu'er muttered, "Your Majesty, do you think this is a scheme to pique your interest by giving you a little something sweet first, and then set a trap for you?"
Tang Zhuyun said, "It's hard to say; we can't completely trust her."
"So, are you saying you'll tell the Prince about this later?"
Tang Zhuyun hesitated.
If she confirms that Xiao Wu is indeed not the Prince of Prince of Jin's biological mother, she will naturally tell the Prince of Jin this joyous news.
But what if the information is wrong? Wouldn't that have made the Prince of Jin happy for nothing?
Having a mother like that is truly tragic.
After careful consideration, she decided to tell the Prince of Jin.
"Whether it's a false alarm or genuine joy, the Prince must know about this."
Some paths cannot be walked by others; you have to walk them yourself.
Everyone is an individual, and no matter how much you love someone, you cannot take away their pain from their past.
However, Tang Zhuyun wanted to tell the Prince of Jin in person.
She wanted to see the Prince of Jin.
Although it's not as if a day apart feels like three autumns, I still miss him dearly after a few days apart.
"Your Majesty, if you go to see him secretly, you'll probably be discovered."
"I didn't go secretly; I went openly and honestly. It was my husband who was imprisoned; shouldn't I go see him?"
"But you have to be able to get in first!"
"I can go in."
"Are you going to burrow underground?"
"I want to go to heaven," Tang Zhuyun said mischievously.
Xiu'er stamped her foot. "Your Majesty, please speak properly!"
"I wish to see the Emperor."
The most important thing in this matter is the Emperor's attitude.
"You want to go to the palace?" Xiu'er waved her hands repeatedly, "That won't do. Do you know what kind of trap that old witch has dug for you?"
"Don't go into the palace, find a way to get the Emperor out."
How can the Emperor leave the palace?
"Perhaps we could give it a try Master Hong'en or the great Great Confucian Scholar Kong."
Ordinary people would naturally not impress the emperor, but these two individuals might.
If all else fails, how about inviting them together?
Tang Zhuyun felt that the Emperor's attitude towards Xiao Wu was somewhat incongruous.
If it wasn't true love, then we couldn't risk public condemnation by bestowing upon her the title of Noble Consort Jia.
If it's true love, just imagine how the Prince of Jin would react if his daughter-in-law slapped him in the face.
What would Song Jingyang do if it Xiu'er instead?
Those are definitely the cases where they abandon their Zidu and kick them out of the house.
However, several days have passed since the incident, and the Emperor's attitude remains unclear.
What exactly are we supposed to do?
Not only Tang Zhuyun couldn't understand this matter, but her father, brothers, and sister-in-law also couldn't figure out what the emperor was trying to do.
However, Tang Zhuyun found it strange, while others felt that the emperor's unfathomable nature was the norm.
Xiu'er muttered to herself, "Then let's go find Master Hong'en, not Great Confucian Scholar Kong."
"Why?"
"Nanxing is already taken, and Xiyou... how dare she even ask for a girlfriend!"
Tang Zhuyun: "No. Xiyou is very open-minded; you don't understand him."
Xiyou annotations on the book reveal his wit, humor, sharp tongue, and open-mindedness; he has a particularly interesting soul.
Such a person will eventually become a great Confucian scholar, possessing a calm and composed demeanor that ordinary people lack.
It's certainly regrettable, but to speculate that love turned into hate is to belittle Xiyou too much.
"Then this servant will go to the temple and have Linlin consider how to proceed."
Xiu'er idolized Linlin and treated him like an adult.
Tang Zhuyun smiled and said, "You don't need to go. Let Song Jingyang make the trip."
Xiu'er agreed.
That evening, Xiu'er helped Tang Zhuyun lie down, and just as she returned to her own room, Nanny Jing arrived.
"Please have a seat." Xiu'er always acted very reliable in front of her future mother-in-law. "I'll boil some water and make you a pot of tea."
"No need to bother." Nanny Jing pulled Xiu'er down to sit.
Her hands were rough from years of hard work, and her knuckles were thick, but her nails were neatly trimmed and clean.
Xiu'er felt uneasy, vaguely guessing that she had come to discuss her marriage with Song Jingyang.
If Nanny Jing were an unreasonable person, Xiu'er might have argued with her without any hesitation.
But Nanny Jing was not like that; she was reasonable and kind to others.
Xiu'er felt very sorry for her.
She had ruined her only son's life.
"Xiu'er, Jingyang told me today that he wants to move your wedding date forward to three days from now. Are you aware of this?"
Xiu'er nodded.
"That's too unfair to you." Nanny Jing stroked Xiu'er's hand, her eyes filled with pity. "A woman only has one chance in her life to be in the spotlight..."
"Granny, it was my own choice." Xiu'er lowered her head, her face flushed red to the roots of her neck.
"What I mean is, you should get the marriage certificate officially registered first, thus establishing your legal status," said Nanny Jing. "Once the Prince's mansion has weathered this difficult period, then you can have a grand and solemn wedding."
"No need, Granny, I don't care about those things."
It's not that I don't care, it's just that Song Jingyang is more important than those things.
"Silly child, you'll spoil him rotten," said Nanny Jing. "Men are like children; you can't spoil them, or they'll take advantage of you."
"Grandma, Song Jingyang is very good."
Thank you for teaching him so well.
"What a silly girl," said Nanny Jing. "Jingyang is a fool with a fool's luck. Since you two are both willing, I'll go talk to your mother tomorrow."
Within our means, we should always give Xiu'er the best.