The next day, Tang Zhuyun was watching Yanran write when Xiu'er lifted the curtain, stamping her feet and saying, "It's so cold outside today! I've been watching, and there isn't a single sparrow."
Tang Zhuyun laughed and said, "I told you not to come over, so why did you come again?"
She has her own small kitchen in the yard, which is like her own private home, and she rarely goes out.
Whatever you need will be delivered, so you don't need anyone to take care of you.
Xiu'er said, "I don't have anything else to do, so I came to wash up."
Yanran: "Mother, it's mainly because you wipe it; she thinks it's not clean enough."
Tang Zhuyun burst into laughter.
The room was warm and cozy with the underfloor heating on. Xiu'er took off her coat, poured hot water from the small stove, mixed it, washed the rag, and began to diligently wipe the table.
"Xiu'er," Tang Zhuyun said calmly, "Is Song Jingyang in the manor?"
"Yes. When I came, he was talking to Grandma. You're looking for him, do you need something? I'll go and fetch him!"
"Good."
Xiu'er wiped her hands and was about to leave.
Tang Zhuyun: "Put your clothes on!"
Yanran: "You also need to apply perfume to your hands, otherwise they'll get chapped."
This little guy is so delicate!
"It's just a matter of shouting." Xiu'er spoke, she had already lifted the curtain and stepped out of the door, standing on the veranda and calling out, "Song Jingyang, the Empress wants to speak with you!"
The voice was like a demonic chant, and the guards who heard it all forced themselves to suppress their laughter.
Then they saw Song Jingyang walking hurriedly towards the main courtyard, and they all teased him.
Song Jingyang: "Go away, you bunch of little brats, what do you know!"
Listen to your wife, and you'll have a bright future!
If you don't believe me, look at him; if you don't believe me, look at the prince.
Everyone: Your Highness? Isn't Your Highness about to rot in jail?
Prince of Jin:...
Song Jingyang stood under the eaves, grinning, and said, "Your Majesty, your subordinate has arrived."
Tang Zhuyun asked Xiu'er to lift the cotton curtain and said, "You're leaving the day after tomorrow. Are you going to the Heavenly Prison before you leave?"
"Yes, I will go tomorrow, and I will also visit His Highness the day after tomorrow before leaving," Song Jingyang replied respectfully.
Xiu'er asked, "Then why didn't you go today?"
Her Highness must be missing the Prince.
"Not today," Song Jingyang said. "The Xia Kingdom delegation has arrived in the capital. In about an hour, they should be coming out of the palace. I need to go and greet them on behalf of the Prince."
After all, their relationship is "special"—this is a partner who's here to stage a fake battle, so naturally they have to show their appreciation.
Tang Zhuyun said she understood.
There's still an hour left, so I'll have to go out soon.
Thinking of this, Tang Zhuyun said, "Xiu'er, I suddenly remembered yesterday that Sangsang said a couple of days ago that she wanted to come?"
"Yes."
Qin Sang is now Old Lord Xu's concubine, and she has no say in what she does when she goes out.
But when Tang Zhuyun sent someone to pick her up, that was naturally different.
"Go and bring her here quickly, I need her help with something."
"Alright, I'll go right away."
Xiu'er put on her coat and left in a hurry.
Song Jingyang: "Why don't I go with you? I still have time! Grandma, slow down, be careful not to slip!"
Xiu'er waved her hand and went out the door, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Tang Zhuyun then said to Song Jingyang, "I have something I'd like to discuss with you privately."
Song Jingyang was startled. "Your Majesty, what's wrong with Xiu'er?"
When he had to speak behind Xiu'er's back, his first thought was that it was related to Xiu'er.
Sure enough, he guessed right.
"Song Jingyang, is it really dangerous for you to go to Qingzhou?"
"I'm alright." Song Jingyang scratched his head. "I'm not afraid."
Having served the prince for so many years, even if I haven't been in charge of anything independently, haven't I at least seen how things work out?
"Since you're alright, then you should take Xiu'er with you," Tang Zhuyun said.
"Huh?" Song Jingyang was stunned, then waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no."
"Is it dangerous?"
"It's not a matter of danger or not. Xiu'er herself doesn't want to; she wants to stay by Her Majesty's side," Song Jingyang said honestly.
He always knew that in Xiu'er's heart, the Empress was number one.
There was nothing to fuss about; on the contrary, he found Xiu'er's loyalty Lovely and admirable.
"She wants to stay, and I can't bear to let her go."
Tang Zhuyun had been through it all; she knew the bitterness of parting with the Prince of Jin.
Xiu'er and Song Jingyang were still newlyweds; how painful it must have been for them to separate.
"Take her with you; you can look out for each other."
It would be hard for Song Jingyang not to be tempted by this proposal.
However, after a moment's thought, he quickly forced himself to calm down and firmly shook his head in refusal.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, but I will obey your orders."
No matter which choice you make, Xiu'er will be upset.
But he would rather be cared for than be blamed.
"She won't want to leave you either. We'll lie to her, let her sleep, and when she wakes up on the way, she'll go with you."
"No, no," Song Jingyang waved his hands repeatedly. "Your Majesty, I cannot bear this responsibility. Besides, given Xiu'er's temperament, even if she leaves, she will come back to find you."
Now that the decision has been made, let's not create any further complications.
"If you truly understand your subordinate's feelings, then assist the Prince, and we'll all return to the capital as soon as possible. Xiu'er will follow you then, and I'll follow the Prince..."
Feeling great.
Tang Zhuyun sighed, "How could I bear to Xiu'er like this?"
Xiu'er was so worried; didn't she feel sorry for her?
"Your Majesty, it's better to follow you. She'll be happier with you," Song Jingyang said. "This general position of mine sounds impressive, but even if I go there, I'll face exclusion and it won't be easy to make a breakthrough."
He paused, then continued, "I don't want Xiu'er to have to compromise and be subservient to others."
She should be that carefree, fearless, and energetic little maid.
"Your Majesty," Song Jingyang knelt down, lifting his robe, "This subordinate thanks you for your kindness on behalf of Xiu'er. Please take good care of her while I am away. She is devoted to you, though sometimes she is impulsive; please be patient with her..."
He was talking for a while, but then he couldn't continue.
I'm really worried about him not being around.
However, this is the only way.
No matter how difficult things are, he can't let Xiu'er feel bad, so he pretends to be upset.
"Get up quickly," Tang Zhuyun said. "Do you think my own people are waiting for you to beg them?"
Why are her eyes burning?
"Song Jingyang, remember this, these words weren't spoken by the Prince, they were spoken by me." Tang Zhuyun pursed her lips, her expression very serious. "No matter what happens, I hope that no matter how bitter or difficult it is, you can come back alive."
Even if I lose everything, Xiu'er will still have you.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand. Even if I'm left with only one breath, I'll crawl back!"
"Remember what you said today, Xiu'er is waiting for you."
Perhaps, their children as well.
"Go ahead." Tang Zhuyun waved her hand and picked up a handkerchief to wipe the corner of her eye.
Song Jingyang kowtowed solemnly again before getting up and leaving.