It was Nanxing's voice.
Tang Zhuyun quickly moved away from Prince of Jin, creating some distance, and said, "Come in and talk."
Nanxing came in with her head down.
Tang Zhuyun blushed for no apparent reason, even though she was now about two meters away from Prince of Jin.
Nanxing said, "May I ask Your Highness to speak with me in private?"
The Prince of Jin said, "I have nothing I cannot say to the Princess. Speak."
Nanxing looked troubled.
Not wanting to put Nanxing in a difficult position, Tang Zhuyun stood up naturally and said, "I'm making soup for the Prince. Go check to make sure Chang Zhi and the others don't drink it."
As she spoke, she nodded to Nanxing and then went out.
The Prince of Jin stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly, "You've been doing well lately."
Compared to their previous cold attitude, this is much better now.
Nanxing knew that this was a reward for her "choice".
"This servant did it for the Princess."
She subtly criticized the Prince of Jin —but it wasn't for his sake, anyway.
She wouldn't have dared to do that before; it was probably Xiu'er gave her the courage.
The Prince of Jin was not angry, but his attitude remained aloof. "Speak."
"This servant has gone to find Pei Shen."
The Prince of Jin knew that her man was Pei Shen.
Nanxing lowered her eyes. "This servant does not know how I can help you, Your Highness. Please tell me."
"The limit is to avoid making the princess uncomfortable."
Nanxing was stunned.
She never expected the Prince of Jin to respond in this way.
The Prince of Prince of Jin meant that he didn't care how much help Nanxing could give him; but he wanted Nanxing to act in a way that would consider Tang Zhuyun's feelings.
Clearly, if this assistance came at the cost of Nanxing, Tang Zhuyun would be heartbroken.
The Prince of Jin said, "That's unnecessary."
He didn't want Tang Zhuyun to be sad.
He succeeded through his own efforts and never thought of taking advantage of marriage.
Especially considering the few people close to Tang Zhuyun —you could count them on one hand—why would he specifically target them?
"Don't be so presumptuous," said the Prince of Jin. "There's not that much you can do."
Nanxing looked down at her toes. "This servant knows her place."
Therefore, she worked very hard.
Pei Shen was obsessed with her body, so she diligently allowed herself to be kissed.
These things come at a price.
Nanxing thought, "Diligence can make up for lack of talent."
"If you can keep Pei Shen neutral, then you've done me a favor."
Nanxing asked instinctively, "Does Your Highness and Pei Shen have a grudge?"
"No."
Back then, the Prince of Jin investigated Pei Shen, and if he had found even the slightest clue, Pei Shen wouldn't be alive today.
Nanxing didn't quite believe this.
Is there anyone the Prince of Jin hasn't offended?
However, if there is truly no prior conflict, then the Prince of Jin's demand for neutrality is actually quite low.
"From now on, you will still have to protect the Princess," Prince of Jin said. "Therefore, I don't expect you to get anything from Pei Shen. Remember your mission."
They couldn't take many people with them when they left the capital.
Xiu'er and Nanxing are Tang Zhuyun's most capable people. They will still be useful in the future, so there's no need for Nanxing to betray her.
Nanxing remained silent.
"Or rather, do you want to follow Pei Shen?" Prince of Jin's eyes were sharp.
Nanxing bit her lip and said, "Your Highness, please allow me to try. If I can truly influence Pei Shen, then please let me stay."
What are you going to do if you stay?
"A cunning rabbit has three burrows. Pei Shen is talented and useful to the prince," Nanxing said. "He can influence the emperor."
"You think you can influence his affairs outside?" Prince of Jin sneered. "Don't overestimate yourself."
"This servant is willing to give it a try."
Seeing her resolute determination, the Prince of Jin said, "Go as you please. Just remember, don't let the Princess clean up your mess, and don't let her worry about you."
"Yes!"
It doesn't matter if the Prince of Jin looks down on her; she doesn't actually like the Prince of Jin either.
But now we still have to consider the princess's feelings, don't we?
"Protect the Empress well."
This is the most important thing. Don't overthink things and get yourself involved, causing Tang Zhuyun distress as well.
In the eyes of the Prince of Jin, Pei Shen was a man of clarity, wisdom, and a calmness that ran deep to the core.
Nanxing was no match for him at all.
The Prince of Jin's trip home was very rushed; after having a meal, he was taken back to the imperial prison.
However, Tang Zhuyun's mood suddenly brightened.
--The world belongs to the emperor. If the emperor doesn't want to exterminate them, they will be fine.
Tang Zhuyun was naturally happy that she could now leave the capital and stay away from the troubles of the city.
Take a trip to Northwest China, no need to work, travel for two or three years, how wonderful!
"Nanxing, what did you say to the Prince?" Tang Zhuyun asked with a smile, her head propped up on her hand as she leaned on the carved table, her right hand holding a calligraphy brush but not moving.
She was trying to think of a better remedy for Xiu'er.
Oh, right, this matter needs to be addressed on two fronts; we also need to make up for Song Jingyang's shortcomings.
Tang Zhuyun picked up her pen and began to write quickly.
Nanxing said, "This servant would like to help Your Highness, but it seems I cannot."
As Tang Zhuyun wrote, she said, "His Highness has already made plans, so let's just wait patiently. Oh, and could you go to the Great Xiangguo Temple later to bring Linlin back for me?"
Now that it's confirmed the Emperor wasn't bewitched by Xiao Wu, he wouldn't do something like handing his own grandson over to Xiao Wu.
The Emperor now knows Linlin's background, but he is moved by the fact that he and Tang Mingfan were already in-laws so long ago.
Originally, he wanted Tang Baixin to marry the princess or Tang Zhuyun to his son.
Unexpectedly, Tang Baixin, who was pregnant out of wedlock, registered the child under her own name.
This way, they've "killed two birds with one stone," meaning Zidu possible.
But after many twists and turns, their fate was too deep, and they still became in-laws.
Nanxing agreed, saying, "I'll go later. Linlin is probably still studying with Great Confucian Scholar Kong during the day."
For a diligent and hardworking child, stopping him from studying is almost like punishing him.
Tang Zhuyun smiled and agreed.
She wanted to share the good news from home with Linlin as soon as possible.
As for Yanran, she was hesitant to speak, fearing it might cause further complications.
Cui Xiaoqiu is clearly more precocious than Yanran; if I accidentally let something slip, I'm afraid Cui Xiaoqiu might guess something.
Xiu'er returned from Nanny Jing's place, changed into her usual clothes, rolled up her sleeves, and began wiping the table.
Tang Zhuyun: "Just calm down."
"No, if this table isn't wiped for a day, look at all this dust."
Nanxing said calmly, "Aren't you tired?"
Xiu'er: "Not tired."
She's capable!
She disliked it when others cleaned it.
Nanxing: "Your Majesty, it seems that Song Jingyang really needs to take tonics."
Tang Zhuyun burst into laughter.
Xiu'er realized what was happening and blushed instantly. "Angry and embarrassed," she retorted, "Then every time you come back from eating radishes, don't you still have to come to me? Pei Shen should be eating them!"
Tang Zhuyun: "... Eat them all, I won't favor one over the other."
As they spoke, they all laughed.
Tang Zhuyun shook her head. Topics about married women, no, newly married women, are easily censored.
"Your Highness, Madam Qin has arrived," a maidservant reported.