Tang Zhuyun was pondering Zhou Yanhui's matter when she heard this and casually asked, "What 'shit pot'?"
"You're the one who advised the Prince! The Prince likes you, that's clear in his mind; the Emperor likes Noble Consort Jia, that's blind in his eyes and heart. How can Xiao Wu be compared to you?"
Her mistress is a beacon of justice, while Noble Consort Jia is nothing but a flea in the darkness—bah!
Nanxing said, "If only the Empress's cunning could surpass hers."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
He was also implied to be naive.
"Let the Prince handle his own family matters. I'll just make sure he's not troubled or upset," Tang Zhuyun said. "Quickly help me think of something about Zhou Yanhui!"
Xiu'er volunteered, "Let me go!"
Tang Zhuyun: "Forget it, aren't you representing me?"
Sending Xiu'er would only make Zhou Yanhui more likely to misunderstand—who does she think she is! This is the Crown Prince's family!
Xiu'er: "Then let Nanxing go."
If negotiations break down, then let's fight.
Nanxing, however, was self-aware enough to say, "This servant is not capable."
Xiu'er was so angry that she glared at her.
Just then Linlin came in to pay her respects and, upon hearing this, volunteered, "Mother, let me go."
He was his father's son and could represent his father's position; moreover, he was young, so even if there were some faults to be found, Zhou Yanhui wouldn't take them to heart.
Tang Zhuyun pondered the feasibility.
Xiu'er said, "I wouldn't dare let you go. What if she takes a liking to you?"
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
Linlin smiled but didn't speak, waiting for Tang Zhuyun's reply.
"Then why don't you give it a try?"
Linlin nodded. "I'll give it a try."
He didn't boast, but he was confident in his abilities.
I don't know how Linlin talked to Zhou Yanhui, but anyway, he made it happen.
Before leaving, Zhou Yanhui visited Tang Zhuyun to express her gratitude.
Tang Zhuyun also displayed the proper demeanor, ensuring that both host and guests had a pleasant time, and then saw them off.
Oh my god, dealing with a love rival is so difficult!
Fortunately, so far, this is the only one.
Xiu'er said, "How dare you call her a love rival?"
If rivals in love were this weak, the world would have been at peace long ago.
Tang Zhuyun said weakly, "I guess so."
At least we managed to exchange a couple of blows, right?
Look at Ren Yingying, now that she feels she's found her backer, she's let loose and gone back to playing mahjong with her four concubines.
It's said that the battle has been so fierce these past two days that everyone has forgotten about her.
Look at those people with wives and concubines, living happily together; it's not like they're in a difficult situation.
"Hehe, you can take a look when Heir to the Prince of Min returns."
"You're only good at theoretical discussions," Tang Zhuyun retorted, unconvinced. "You don't even have a rival in love. Nanxing, what are you laughing at?"
"Your Majesty is right."
"You don't have any either." Xiu'er glared at her.
"I have," Nanxing gestured with her chest expressionlessly, "Like here, even if it's small, it can't be ignored."
Tang Zhuyun laughed until her stomach hurt.
Nanxing is really good at making fun of herself now.
She thought the metaphor was very apt.
Unlike Prince of Jin, who appears to be seriously ill and unpleasant to outsiders, Pei Shen is a high-quality, eligible bachelor.
Therefore, Nanxing must have a lot of rivals in love.
Pei Shen simply didn't take them seriously, so they weren't a threat.
Thinking of this, Tang Zhuyun suddenly remembered the matter of the imperial decree and asked, "Has your imperial decree been issued yet?"
Nanxing said, "They came to deliver the imperial decree yesterday."
Only then can things be considered settled.
"Your Highness, you've already asked the Prince for help, haven't you?"
Tang Zhuyun: "Sigh, not worth mentioning."
Pei Shen: Bah! I was the one who found these people, and you guys took the credit.
As expected, the Prince of Jin couldn't gain any advantage; he got it back so quickly.
Xiu'er said, "Oh my, congratulations to the Crown Princess!"
Tang Zhuyun: "That's right!"
"I can accompany Her Majesty to the palace during the banquet," Nanxing said.
This is what matters most to her.
"I'll stay home and look after the kids," Xiu'er retorted, not to be outdone. "Linlin and Yanran definitely won't be going; I'll stay with them."
Tang Zhuyun thought that should be the case too.
Before they knew it, it was the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month, the day of the palace banquet, which was also Ren Yingying's birthday.
Tang Zhuyun went to the Prince of Min's Residence to celebrate her birthday.
"You're going to the palace banquet too?" Tang Zhuyun was surprised to Ren Yingying say that she was also going to the palace banquet.
Qu Nian, leaning against the wall, was too exhausted to even complain: Your husband's fate is unknown, yet you've got a lot on your mind!
However, he also sensed an impending storm today and wanted to go to the palace to take a look.
With the Crown Prince and the Prince of Jin having reached this point, it's entirely possible that the two of them will launch an attack tonight.
He didn't want to miss out on such a lively event.
"Of course," Ren Yingying said. "Since we're already here, how can we not broaden our horizons? I've never seen a real palace banquet before!"
Tang Zhuyun: "You'd better not go; there are too many rules."
"As long as I'm not embarrassed, it's others who are embarrassed."
Qu Nian: You're shameless, you're invincible.
What terrible things did he do to deserve marrying a woman like that?
The only reason he can console himself right now is that he and the Prince of Jin are in the same boat—both are being targeted by evil spirits.
Good brothers, we'll die together.
Ren Yingying said, "Anyway, we've already gained an extra lifetime, so let's broaden our horizons. Maybe we can go back after we die!"
Qu Nian: Look, the demon race chose such a useless thing, they must be heartbroken.
Tang Zhuyun glared at her. "Be serious. You may not be afraid of death, but others are! The Prince of Min's Residence hasn't offended you, don't drag them down with you!"
Qu Nian: Even now, you're still pretending to be a good person? Tang Zhuyun is too cunning.
Comparatively speaking, if he had to choose, he would still Ren Yingying.
Ren Yingying: "That's right, if I'm going to pull someone along, it'll be those bastards in the Ren family who don't treat their daughters like human beings!"
She touched her chin, her eyes darting around.
Qu Nian could tell with her paws that she was definitely up to no good.
"Protect yourself first," Tang Zhuyun said irritably. "You fake, don't you know your place? Don't mess with the Ren family. If you do, do it when I can clean up your mess."
"Hehe, got it, you're the golden thigh!"
Tang Zhuyun said, "Alright, I can't talk to you anymore, I need to go back and pack. Happy birthday again!"
"Happy, happy, I love you." Ren Yingying hugged her. "Oh, wait, I have something for you."
"Um?"
Ren Yingying pulled a small box, about the size of a palm, out of the trunk.
Qu Nian was completely stunned.
That's not...