The Emperor issued an edict ordering Prince of Jin to leave the capital for the Northwest before the eighth day of the month.
He ordered a grand funeral for the deceased crown prince.
However, the emperor made no comment regarding the complete extermination of the Zong Family overnight.
Inside and outside the court, people were filled with anxiety, and no one could fathom the emperor's intentions.
The dead were quickly overlooked and forgotten; what people were more concerned about was the Emperor's attitude towards Prince of Jin.
The Emperor's health is deteriorating rapidly. Should we now re-establish an heir apparent, and if so, who should we choose?
Is there still any chance for the Prince of Jin?
In most people's eyes, there are probably only two candidates to be the crown prince— the Prince of Jin and others.
Meanwhile, the Prince of Jin's Residence, which was at the center of the storm, remained calm and composed.
"They gave us eight more days, that's really something," Xiu'er said. "I thought we'd be leaving in two or three days!"
She had already packed everything efficiently and was ready to leave at any time.
She had said goodbye to all the people she needed to say goodbye to, such as Qin Sang, and now she felt strangely idle.
Tang Zhuyun smiled and said, "It's not much different, except I can go back to my parents' house for a few days."
Xiu'er asked in surprise, "You're going back to your parents' home?"
"Yes, I need to go back and keep my dad company."
"Did the prince agree?"
"Of course I agreed, so why are you stopping me?"
"Yeah, it's just a matter of yelling."
Tang Zhuyun: "... The Prince doesn't have a voice as loud as yours!"
The Prince of Jin has been exceptionally busy these past few days, constantly coming and going, though it's unclear what he's been up to.
When are you going back? I'll go with you.
"Go back tomorrow, on the third day of the lunar new year, and come back on the sixth," Tang Zhuyun said. "You stay at the manor. If anything happens, just let me know. It's nearby anyway. Make your own decisions if you can."
Xiu'er thought for a moment and then said, "Alright. My main concern is that after we leave, the people in the manor won't take us seriously."
She needs to give them a good talking-to.
Anyway, the Empress is with the Tang Family, so nothing will happen to her.
Linlin would go to Great Confucian Scholar Kong's place during the day, visit her maternal grandfather and uncle at the Tang Family in the evening, and also see Tang Zhuyun before returning to the Prince's Mansion.
Living nearby means you can do whatever you want.
Yanran didn't go, and she didn't care at all, because her daily routine consisted of going back and forth between the Wangfu and Tang Family a hundred times a day.
In recent days, Cui Xiaoqiu has been depressed because of the burning of the Heavenly Unity Pavilion, Yanran keeps talking to him.
She couldn't truly empathize, since a poor student might wish for a world without books; but since her friend was sad, she naturally wanted to comfort her.
When Meng Yulan heard about what happened in the palace, she naturally gave Tang Zhuyun a lecture.
"You stood up for the prince out of concern for him, and I'm speaking up for you today because I, as your family, care about you too."
"Don't you think about what would happen if something went wrong while you were pregnant?"
"That's too reckless! How can your master and elder brother feel at ease if you leave the capital like this?"
"Silly A-Yun."
Tang Zhuyun listened with a smile, nodding in agreement. "Yes, yes, sister-in-law is absolutely right."
She knows she was wrong, but she doesn't want to change.
She felt she had performed exceptionally well in this matter, and the more she thought about it, the more she felt it was a stroke of genius!
Tang Mingfan spoke with her and affirmed her approach.
Tang Zhuyun: Father, I understand. The one who dislikes Noble Consort Jia the most is definitely you!
It's alright, I'm very filial!
Now that Noble Consort Jia is gone, no one can affect the pure relationship between you and the Emperor.
Meng Yulan also reminded Tang Zhuyun to be careful of the remnants of the Zong Family and the remnants of Noble Consort Jia.
Two hornet nests were cleaned up in one day, but there were always some that slipped through the net.
Tang Zhuyun said, "Sister-in-law, I know. The Prince is on high alert and dares not be negligent."
Prince of Jin was particularly concerned about her, Linlin, and Yanran.
As they were talking, Sister Yuan crawled over, panting heavily, at a speed that was truly astonishing.
Tang Zhuyun was utterly smitten and reached out to hug her, but Meng Yulan was startled and quickly stopped her.
"Don't you know your own situation right now?"
Tang Zhuyun laughed and said, "I'll just sit here and hug her, it won't take any effort."
"No, she's too strong. If she touches your stomach, it could be terrible."
As she spoke, Meng Yulan pulled the wet nurse over, lifted her sleeve, and revealed the bruises on her arm. "This is from when she had a fever last time. When the wet nurse was giving her medicine, she accidentally pinched herself while struggling."
He didn't hurt anyone intentionally; he's just very strong.
Four people held her down before they managed to Little Tangyuan medicine.
Tang Zhuyun laughed heartily, "Our Sister Yuan is indeed exceptionally talented; she will become a female general and be remembered throughout history."
Meng Yulan said, "I only hope that she will meet a good man and have a smooth life."
After the jokes, Tang Zhuyun solemnly thanked Meng Yulan for taking care of the whole family.
Meng Yulan scolded, "Why are you talking nonsense again? Aren't those my responsibilities? You just take care of your own life. Your older brother and I will take care of everything at home."
Tang Zhuyun nodded, then suddenly whispered, "Sister-in-law, Sister Yuan is only seven months pregnant, there's no need to rush."
Meng Yulan blushed instantly, "Xiu'er told you?"
She doesn't hide anything from me, mainly because she's worried about your health.
When Meng Yulan heard that Xiu'er had successfully conceived with Tang Zhuyun's help, she subtly inquired about the Xiu'er.
Clearly, she's eager to get pregnant again.
"... Your older brother doesn't know, so don't tell her." Meng Yulan had someone carry Sister Yuan out, leaving only Lüzhu to serve her inside.
"My dad and my older brother, nobody dislikes Sister Yuan, so don't put so much pressure on yourself."
Meng Yulan replied, "It's precisely because no one puts pressure on me that I'm even more eager to have descendants for the Tang Family."
Just because their family thinks Sister Yuan good doesn't mean outsiders will think this girl is better than a boy.
All they'll say is that the Tang Family is about to end.
Tang Zhuyun: "Bullshit! You're still young, you can still have children, how can you be childless?"
"A-Yun, the old man is not young anymore. Others his age Zidu."
Tang Zhuyun: "That's not necessary... Sister-in-law, you're the most important. What's done is done, a year or two won't make a difference. I think my father can serve the court for another thirty years; he's not in a hurry to have a grandson."
Meng Yulan laughed and scolded, "How can you make up stories like that! I just thought that if others have it, we should have it too."
Tang Zhuyun: "Wait, after Sister Yuan turns one year old, I'll help you and your older brother improve your health, and I guarantee it will be a one-hit kill!"
Meng Yulan blushed. "Don't talk nonsense... Please don't tell your older brother, I'm afraid he'll be angry."
Tang Zhuyun rolled her eyes.
There was definitely enough dog food.
Meng Yulan asked with some uncertainty, "Then it seems that Qin Li and Madam Qin haven't had any good news yet?"
Tang Zhuyun: "The poisoning is too severe; it will take some time to recuperate. However, it should be almost healed by the middle of the year."
"Your Majesty—" Xiu'er's voice rang out from outside the house.
"Come in, Xiu'er," Meng Yulan said. "There are no outsiders here."
Xiu'er came in, lifting her skirt. "Your Highness, Nanxing is missing."