The next morning, just as Tang Zhuyun was about to take her two children out, Prince of Jin arrived.
Tang Zhuyun was confused. "Why is Your Highness here? Don't you have court today?"
Linlin and Yanran rushed forward and grabbed Prince of Jin's legs on either side.
Linlin: "Your Highness, I want to ride a horse."
Yanran: "Father, I want to ride a horse too."
The Prince of Jin's gaze was gentle and clear. He reached out and patted the two men on the head, saying, "Go on, Song Jingyang is outside with his guards, and there are also some fine horses I recently acquired. Go and choose for yourselves."
Tang Zhuyun's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "Your Highness, can I go too?"
Horse riding is like driving a car in modern times; having more skills is never a bad thing, and it can make you faster when it really matters!
She's wanted to learn to ride a horse for a long time!
The Prince of Jin glanced at her, a slight smile playing on his lips, "No."
Tang Zhuyun: I @#￥%...
Yanran: "Father, please let my sister come along!"
The Prince of Jin smiled and said, "I have something to say to her. You may go ahead."
Hearing that the adults had something to say, Yanran sensibly followed Linlin out the door.
Tang Zhuyun felt a chill run down her spine as she looked at the Prince of Jin's ambiguous smile.
"Are you waiting for me to invite you in?" Prince of Jin sneered.
Tang Zhuyun steeled her resolve. "There's no one home, Your Highness, just tell me, what do you intend to do today!"
Madam Song took Song Cui'er and Old Madam He and her daughter to buy groceries. Ever since the old witch took control of the money, she had been very meticulous and worried that Old Madam He and Xiu'er would embezzle her money, so she had to go herself.
But she's so "noble" that it's impossible for her to carry her own things.
The Prince of Jin said, "Having nothing better to do, I'd like to inquire about my concubine. Guards!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Tang Zhuyun saw a woman in her forties, wearing a dark brown jacket, walking in with a serious and stern face and a straight back.
The old woman walked up to Prince of Jin and gave a curtsy, her movements so precise it was as if she had measured him with a ruler.
Tang Zhuyun immediately widened her eyes and looked at Prince of Jin —this fellow had actually brought a teaching nanny with him.
"This old servant greets Your Highness and Miss Tang."
Prince of Jin said, "Nanny Rong, you may rise."
Tang Zhuyun almost bit her tongue. "Granny, what is your surname?"
Nanny Rong lowered her eyes and said solemnly, "This old servant's maiden name is Rong."
Tang Zhuyun: "Nanny Rong, did you bring your needles?"
Nanny Rong seemed a little taken aback, and after a pause, she said, "This old servant has it in my purse."
Tang Zhuyun: So it turns out the TV dramas weren't lying after all!
But sitting and waiting for death was out of the question. Before she could be pricked with needles, she had to scratch Prince of Jin's face first!
Prince of Jin said, "Nanny Rong is the nanny who taught you to read and write. You must study hard from now on and not bring shame to the Prince's mansion or to me."
Nani?
It was actually a female teacher?
Tang Zhuyun withdrew her outstretched hand and said with a smile, "Then please give me your guidance, Nanny Rong."
She does have the ability to learn, although she's easily crushed by Linlin.
The Prince of Jin called out, "Someone come here!" and guards, old women, and maids entered in single file, carrying various items, and quickly set everything up in the flower hall.
A rose-rose official's hat chair, covered with a thick, soft cushion, sat in the center; that was the seat of the Prince of Jin of Jin.
A bamboo mat was laid on the ground in front of them, and a carved table was placed horizontally on it. On it were the Four Treasures of the Study, a copy of "Li Weng's Rhyming Couplets," and a ruler.
"Please, Miss Tang."
Nanny Rong bowed in an inviting gesture.
Tang Zhuyun rolled her eyes and sat down cross-legged.
Prince of Jin sipped his tea, a half-smile playing on his lips, and said, "Nanny Rong, I'm entrusting her to you. You will now represent me in instructing her!"
Tang Zhuyun flipped the table.
It can't be moved?!
What the hell is this?!
No wonder it took seven or eight guards to carry him in... Prince of Jin did it on purpose!
Tang Zhuyun glared at her angrily.
You think you're so great?! You really think you're the boss?
Nanny Rong chuckled and said, "This old servant wouldn't dare. Before you enter the household, there will naturally be an instructor to teach you manners. I've only come today to pay my respects and acknowledge my mistress."
Tang Zhuyun was stunned. "Nanny Rong, you're not playing by the rules!"
The Prince of Jin probably hadn't expected his reinforcements to turn against him at the last minute, and frowned, saying, "Let her sit properly first."
Tang Zhuyun: "The nanny didn't say anything, why are you talking so much? Nanny, let's begin."
Nanny Rong knelt down beside her, her voice soft yet firm, and began to teach her, word by word.
Tang Zhuyun felt a little embarrassed after being compared to her like that.
However, seeing the Prince of Prince of Jin sitting down and looking down at her like a high-ranking official, she couldn't possibly kneel.
That's exhausting!
Let alone kneeling, even just sitting on the ground for a while made her feel sore and her back ached, so she couldn't help but move around.
Before she could speak, Nanny Rong said, "Your Highness, Miss Tang is learning very quickly. Let her rest for a while."
Prince of Jin glanced at Tang Zhuyun, meeting her smug look, and said calmly, "Since you don't want to sit, get up and learn how to serve tea."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
If he weren't still useful, she would have splashed a bowl of hot tea on that annoying face.
She wanted to protest, but when the Prince of Jin said, "It seems you don't need me to intimidate your grandmother anymore," she chickened out.
Fine, she'll endure it, and only turn against her after she's beaten the old hag back to her hometown.
When Madam Song returned, she saw Tang Zhuyun being led by Nanny Rong to be served tea repeatedly. She was so frightened that she dared not make a sound. She greeted her and then slunk away to the kitchen, peeking through the crack in the door.
The Prince of Jin seemed finally satisfied and said, "Shang Ke. Serve him from the side."
If looks could kill, Prince of Jin would have been torn to pieces by Tang Zhuyun.
The Prince of Jin flipped through the book "Li Weng's Rhyming Couplets" as if it contained a treasure map.
Tang Zhuyun stood there for a long time, trying to hold back, but a small volcano in her heart was about to erupt.
As noon approached, Prince of Jin ordered her to cook again, and after cooking, she had to serve him his meal. In short, he made Tang Zhuyun run around like a headless chicken, and if she resisted even slightly, he would suppress her with his eyes.
Tang Zhuyun: Fine, she'll just pretend the prince is disabled today, and that she's taking care of a disabled person—that's an honor for her!
"Help me change my clothes." Prince of Jin stood up.
Tang Zhuyun was bewildered. Changing clothes? Right here? What could she possibly give him to change with?
Noticing her confusion, Nanny Rong whispered in her ear, "His Highness needs to relieve himself."
Tang Zhuyun's eyes widened: What do you mean by serving him when he relieves himself?
Does she really have to wipe his butt?!
Linlin doesn't need anyone else anymore, okay!
"Go and help the prince carry his belt and handkerchief," Nanny Rong reminded her.
That's outrageous! Doesn't he have hands?
She didn't want to see how far he peed.
"Tang Zhuyun!" The Prince of Jin's voice was tinged with impatience.
Madam Song jumped out. "A-Yun, the Prince is calling you! What are you doing? Your Highness, please don't be angry. My granddaughter is just not very bright. My grandniece is much brighter."
As she spoke, she gave Song Cui'er a push. "Aren't you going to serve the Prince?"
Although it would be good for her granddaughter to be a concubine, she couldn't expect to benefit from it, so she still had to arrange for someone of her own to be chosen. Thus, Madam Song changed her mind.
Tang Zhuyun: "Quickly, Cui'er, come quickly, help the prince take off his pants!"