Prince of Jin: "Although... but... no."
Tang Zhuyun: "Why not?"
"You want to become the Crown Princess?"
Tang Zhuyun: "I only thought about it a little bit."
"You've changed your mind?" The Prince of Jin asked with a smile.
He liked the unreserved honesty that Tang Zhuzi showed him.
She would tell him directly what she liked and disliked, never hiding anything from him. Her naivety made him both endearing and heartbreaking.
Tang Zhuyun: You've misunderstood, really.
I'm cunning!
I'm really, really serious about eating lotus root to nourish my heart and eyes!
"I've changed my mind," Tang Zhuyun said. "I even bowed to the Crown Princess today, but I'm still unhappy!"
"Don't mention her, it will frighten the child," said the Prince of Jin.
Tang Zhuyun: "... It's alright, courage is built up from the womb."
"You were frightened, weren't you?" the Prince of Jin said. "Don't you think I'm very cruel?"
"It is... very brutal," Tang Zhuyun quickly kissed him before his expression changed, "But I don't want us to be the ones losing our heads."
They were crossing a single-plank bridge.
It's a simple and brutal choice: you die, or I live.
Their benevolence can be reserved for the people of the world, but it must never be extended to their enemies.
"I can accept as much of you as you can accept of me," Tang Zhuyun said sincerely.
Look at me, look into my eyes, how sincere they are.
Don't worry that my actions will create any distance between us; absolutely not.
"Actually, I am a bit sentimental," Tang Zhuyun said honestly, "But that's enough for me."
I don't want to slow down your sword-drawing speed.
"I'll share the burden of your so-called bloodshed. We can atone for our enemies' tragic deaths together, but we can't let them sing on our graves."
The Prince of Jin rubbed his forehead against hers. "You're so naughty yet so self-righteous, Xiao Huai, how can you be so obedient?"
Tang Zhuyun: "... Stop fooling around, we're in the palace! Can we go home now?"
"Not yet," said the Prince of Jin.
"Are you going to lock us up?" Tang Zhuyun. "Can't we all be locked up together?"
Are there any humane provisions like couples' cells in prison?
The Prince of Jin was both amused and exasperated.
He stroked Tang Zhuyun's hand, his smile gradually fading, replaced by a resolute expression.
"A-Yun, the sky has already been pierced; what's a little bigger?"
Tang Zhuyun stared at him wide-eyed. "What are you going to do?"
"Noble Consort Jia." Prince of Jin uttered three words, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent.
Tang Zhuyun froze, unconsciously biting her lip—a small, unintentional gesture when she was conflicted.
Prince of Jin realized that his stern expression might have frightened her, so his expression softened slightly. He tightened his grip on her hand and said in a seemingly relaxed manner, "From now on, you'll have one less person to bow to."
With the Zong Family deposed, the empress will not have a good end.
After eliminating Noble Consort Jia, the other concubines in the harem would no longer dare to make things difficult for Tang Zhuyun.
After all, her man was the Prince of Jin, whom everyone feared.
Tang Zhuyun said, "Let's hold off on her for a while. The events of that year aren't entirely clear... What if, I mean, what if, she's your biological mother? I don't want you to be in that situation."
"No, the facts are already clear. Besides, someone like her will always be a hindrance to us, even if she doesn't die." The Prince of Jin's attitude was firm.
"Then let's wait three more days," Tang Zhuyun said. "We shouldn't make a decision in this excitement. Let's go back and discuss it properly before deciding."
"No, killing her was always within my decision."
Prince of Jin had already given it serious thought and had no intention of letting Noble Consort Jia off the hook.
"And in three days, we'll probably already be on our way out of the capital."
Tang Zhuyun, however, was determined not to let the Prince of Jin take action.
She lowered her eyes, her gaze flickered slightly, and when she looked up again, she was completely nonchalant. "Alright, what do you plan to do?"
"Wait a little longer, there's still a good show to come. After this show is over, I'll go and take Noble Consort Jia's life!"
What's the show?
" On the Huaishang."
Upon hearing the name Huaishang, Tang Zhuyun immediately thought of two words: tragic.
The task assigned to Huaishang is definitely not a good one.
Sure enough, the Prince of Jin said, "He's coming to rescue the Emperor; let Father Emperor know he's a good person."
"And then you'll abuse me?"
Prince of Jin: "Intelligent."
Tang Zhuyun: "... That's a bit much."
Huaishang is like a brick; you can put it wherever you need it.
"He should already be here," said the Prince of Jin. "There's no other way; I trust him the most to stay in the capital."
"And then what?"
The Prince of Jin explained, "As long as Father Emperor knows that he is loyal to the emperor, that's enough. I also want Father Emperor to know that it's not that I can't take this empire, but that I didn't want to."
"But didn't you say you couldn't sit still?" Tang Zhuyun said weakly.
Oh, she understands now, even the Prince of Jin has his pride!
"Alright, then go and beat up Huaishang, hit him a few more times, make it real."
The Prince of Jin of Jin chuckled and touched her face—this man, for some reason, just liked to touch her, and most of the time, he didn't actually have any lust; he simply wanted to be close to her.
"You stay here and don't go anywhere. I'll have someone protect you here," he told Tang Zhuyun worriedly. "I'll take you home after I'm done with my work, and we'll celebrate the New Year together."
"Okay, go ahead," Tang Zhuyun urged.
As soon as Prince of Jin left, Ren Yingying, who had been waiting outside, rushed in, followed by Nanxing. When the door was closed, Qu Nian also slipped in.
"Yingying, your dog," Nanxing said.
Ren Yingying: "This naughty Dog Meat is so disobedient, just leave it to its own."
Qu Nian: If we listened to you, wouldn't things be chaotic?
He was actually conflicted inside while he was outside.
Should he go with the Prince of Jin to see for himself, or stay and listen to what the women say?
In the end, he decided to stay.
Because the Prince of Prince of Jin is ruthless and doesn't talk much, even if he goes with him, he'll probably still find it difficult to know the whole story.
The women are a different story. Poisonous Woman Ren is a chatterbox, and she gets to the bottom of things; there's nothing she won't ask.
As expected, Ren Yingying did not disappoint him.
"Tangbao, are you about to become rich?" Ren Yingying cheered excitedly. "What am I?"
Qu Nian: You're nothing but bullshit!
But now, the thought of dogs makes him sad.
Ren Yingying: If you're so capable, let me go, you stupid dog!
Tang Zhuyun sat up, about to get out of bed, looking completely bewildered. "Who do you think you are?"
"That's right. For example, if you become the Empress, your brother will be the Emperor's brother-in-law. I'm your sister, so what am I? The Emperor's aunt?"
Tang Zhuyun: "... The nation's aunt!"
Ren Yingying: "It doesn't sound very nice, but it doesn't matter! As long as I have a powerful backer, everything will be fine."
"Be careful, or your entire family will be implicated," Tang Zhuyun said irritably.
"Pah, pah, pah! What are you saying during the New Year! I'm not afraid of being implicated in the execution of nine generations of my family; I'm all alone."
Qu Nian was so angry that his lungs exploded.
This woman is here to destroy the century-old foundation of the Prince of Min's Residence, isn't she?
Vicious! Poisonous woman!
"Tangbao, where are you going!" Ren Yingying grabbed Tang Zhuyun.