"What's wrong with Dad?" Tang Zhuyun asked softly, suspecting she was experiencing pregnancy-related brain damage without realizing it.
Meng Yulan said, "Father has been loyal to the emperor and loved his country all his life, and he has always been sincere towards you. But after what happened to the prince... do you think my father will ever be able to come to terms with it?"
Tang Zhuyun finally understood.
Meng Yulan meant that if the Prince of Jin seized the throne through dishonorable means, how could Tang Mingfan bear it?
Given his integrity and incorruptibility, he might very well become enemies with the Prince of Jin.
Believe it or not, this possibility does exist, and it's not insignificant.
However, the only consolation Tang Zhuyun could find was that Prince of Jin probably didn't have that kind of idea... right?
Meng Yulan replied, "Your brother and I both believe that, given the current situation, it was only a matter of time. Don't worry, we'll handle things."
The implication is that if something needs to be opposed, then oppose it; don't let personal feelings cloud your judgment and hesitate when you should make a decision.
It was a kind gesture, and Tang Zhuyun agreed in a daze.
It seems that the Prince of Jin has no choice but to take action.
When everyone thinks he has ulterior motives, even if he didn't originally have them, then he does.
Moreover, the Prince of Jin already possessed it.
Meng Yulan added, "Noble Consort Jia... you should be extra careful during the palace banquet. I don't know if the Emperor made any promises to the Prince or to you, but don't listen to those things. Just see how he treats Noble Consort Jia."
Tang Zhuyun felt depressed whenever the matter was brought up, saying, "I really don't know what charm Noble Consort Jia has that has captivated the Emperor like this."
"Everything has its counter," Meng Yulan. "There's no need to delve into the reasons; just look at the results. Just like before, no one could have imagined that Old Lord Xu would be so infatuated with Sangsang."
Tang Zhuyun: That's true. It's not uncommon for older men to be blinded by lust.
"The important thing is to be careful," Meng Yulan added worriedly, "Especially now that you're pregnant, you absolutely must protect yourself."
After seeing Meng Yulan off, Tang Zhuyun rested her chin on her hand and leaned against the small table, lost in thought for a while.
I hope that the father-in-law and son-in-law will never become enemies.
Prince of Jin, out of consideration for her, wouldn't argue with Tang Mingfan, but she was genuinely worried that her father might do something rash.
Now is not the time to rush over and try to prepare Tang Mingfan psychologically, otherwise he might just turn around and report him, even at the cost of family ties.
After checking the things to be taken, Xiu'er came in and said, "Prepare some dry rations too, so we can leave whenever we want... I wonder if His Highness can leave the capital ahead of schedule. One thing after another every day, it's so frustrating."
Leaving sooner is actually a good thing.
"We'll have to wait until after the New Year to leave," Tang Zhuyun said. "It might even be past the first month of the lunar calendar! Whatever, let's just be prepared."
The Prince of Jin returned very late at night, not until the early hours of the morning.
Seeing that Tang Zhuyun had been awakened, he sat down by the bed and said, "Go back to sleep. It's nothing. I just came back from the palace."
Tang Zhuyun rubbed her eyes and asked, "How is the Emperor?"
"I feel much better, all thanks to you."
"Then you still have to go to the palace to care for the ailing patient?"
"I must go and check on them every day," said the Prince of Jin. "They are all there."
Tang Zhuyun understood that this referred to the Crown Prince and Prince of Yong, but the problem was that Prince of Jin was not one to follow the crowd.
She turned to face him, clutching her pillow, and asked, "What exactly happened? Have you figured it out?"
"Hmm." Prince of Jin said expressionlessly, "Noble Consort Jia and the Daoist priest were getting very close. When Father found out, he was angry and went to find her, and the two had an argument."
Tang Zhuyun was speechless.
Does the Emperor harbor some kind of unspeakable complex?
He was so jealous, almost to the point of death, yet he still had to protect Noble Consort Jia?
He claimed to be so clear-headed before, but what does that make him now?
Brainless love.
What could she say?
Not only could she not say anything, she also had to comfort the Prince of Jin of Jin, who was clearly very bothered by the matter.
"Think of it this way," Tang Zhuyun sighed, "If I did something wrong, you might find it hard to be resolute either."
Don't punish yourself for other people's mistakes. If you can't stand something, just do it.
The Emperor is clearly no longer as trustworthy as he once was.
"A-Yun," Prince of Jin lay down next to Tang Zhuyun, staring at the ceiling, his gaze tinged with hurt, "I once thought about that position, but I never imagined replacing Father Emperor."
Tang Zhuyun: "I know you used to want to clear the Xiao Family's name..."
Who knew that those people in the Xiao Family weren't wronged at all?
"Even if I wanted to clear the Xiao Family's name, I never intended to replace my father."
His biggest thought was to inherit the throne after the emperor passed away.
What he didn't say was that now, he actually had such a disrespectful thought and wanted to put it into practice.
Tang Zhuyun hugged his arm, "I know you're disappointed in the Emperor, but..."
Can you sever ties with your own father?
Just as they were considering how to phrase it, the Prince of Jin said, "The cold season lasts a long time in the northwest. By the time we arrive, we'll probably be wearing winter clothes."
Tang Zhuyun: "I know, everything is ready."
It seems that the Prince of Jin has decided to withdraw from these chaotic matters.
Tang Zhuyun supported him unconditionally.
"I also had thick deerskin boots made for the journey, and charcoal stoves and hand warmers for the carriage were also prepared..."
"Hmm." The Prince of Jin smiled. "There's one more thing I need your help with."
"Um?"
"Zhou Yanhui," said the Prince of Jin. "She's probably going back to her country and won't be able to wait until the New Year."
But if you do the math, there are only four or five days left until Chinese New Year!
Can't we even wait this long?
"Has something happened to the Xia Kingdom?"
"Um."
"What should we do then?" Tang Zhuyun asked nervously.
She didn't want anything to happen to Zhou Yanhui, especially since Zhou Yanhui had come to help Prince of Jin this time.
If something were to happen, wouldn't he become someone the Prince of Jin would never forget?
Now the Crown Prince is watching us like a mad dog, ready to lash out at any moment, and the situation with Zhou Yanhui is unstable... Beset by internal and external troubles, it's a real headache.
The Prince of Jin said, "I must help, but it's not appropriate for me to do it myself. To avoid any misunderstanding, you should speak to her."
Any gesture of goodwill he Zhou Yanhui is easily misinterpreted as affection by her.
"... Just tell her that I'll provide her with people to protect her this time."
Tang Zhuyun replied, "It wouldn't be appropriate for me to go."
What's the point of her showing up? Is it some kind of handout from her arrogant rival?
Even if you don't have the intention, you're bound to be misunderstood.
"She can take it or leave it," said the Prince of Jin. "So fragile, what kind of crown prince is she?"
Even if it's charity, you have to accept it even if it hurts; that's what Zhou Yanhui should do.
We can't indulge her bad habits.
Tang Zhuyun: "Then leave it to me."
She needs to think about it some more.
But the Prince of Jin is right; it is not appropriate for him to step forward.
"Your Majesty, you can't put the blame on yourself!"
The next day, after hearing Tang Zhuyun's account of the Emperor's affairs, Xiu'er couldn't help but ask.