Xiu'er said, "She definitely wants to be the principal wife, but she'll have to think it over..."
"Why not me?" Tang Zhuyun said happily.
"It's not as good as you, not as good as you having a good father."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
"Isn't a woman's marriage based on family background?" Xiu'er said. "Although the governor-general's official rank is comparable to yours, our master is the emperor's most trusted advisor. Who can compare?"
Tang Zhuyun: "I'm doing fine too."
Is she inferior to other women?
"You are very good, but there are some women who aren't as beautiful as you, yet are more beautiful than you imagine."
Tang Zhuyun was amused by her.
"Really, there are only two kinds of women you can openly and publicly announce as becoming a concubine to the prince."
Xiu'er held up two fingers and waved them in front of Tang Zhuyun.
Tang Zhuyun looked eager to hear more details and humbly sought advice.
Ms. Xiu'er, please begin your lecture!
"First, she's ignorant and fearless, completely clueless. You need to be wary of this kind of person; she doesn't follow any set pattern, and might just overpower a master with her random punches."
Tang Zhuyun nodded. "You're right, I'm afraid of encountering someone who doesn't value their life."
"Second," Xiu'er said, "Is to play dumb to fool others. First, lower your guard, then take advantage of the situation; the kind of person who's full of bad intentions."
After thinking for a moment, Tang Zhuyun said, "The Governor's Office wouldn't produce the first type of person; I think it's more likely the second type."
"It's hard to say, things can be outrageous anywhere," Xiu'er said. "But anyway, since she's made those remarks, we should take it to heart. Didn't His Highness meet with Zhou Jiyin today? You should remind His Highness about it later."
Although the Prince of Jin would certainly not agree, it would be good to have a reason for refusing in advance.
Even if Zhou Jiyin is unreliable at the beginning, you can't just break off relations all at once... right?
The Prince of Jin wants to completely seize military power in the Northwest, and he needs assistance.
Tang Zhuyun nodded in agreement.
The two had just returned when they heard that a visiting card had been sent from the Zhou Residence.
They arrived quickly.
Tang Zhuyun reached out to grab it, but Xiu'er quickly said, "Wait a minute, let me rub it a bit, maybe there's something dirty inside!"
She thoroughly examined the post, flipping through it repeatedly before handing it to Tang Zhuyun.
Tang Zhuyun glanced at it, then casually tossed it aside. "Not here."
Xiu'er was stunned. "Not here?"
Your Majesty, you can't run away!
This isn't the capital city, where there are so many women in the palace of higher status than you.
Here, you're the boss, what are you afraid of!
Tang Zhuyun said, "Here's what you'll do: go find Linlin first and ask him who the important people are in the border town."
"Then what?"
"Then you make a list, find out the general situation of each house's backyard, and then draft a guest list to invite them all together at a banquet."
Xiu'er: "Your Majesty, that's a great idea! These ladies certainly don't all get along well; they certainly won't be all smiles in front of you."
It's best if they undermine each other; that way, they'll learn more.
Tang Zhuyun nodded. "That's exactly what I mean. Oh, and by the way, Governor's Office, don't forget to give Zhou Xu a separate copy."
Zhou Xu dared to make such a statement; Old Madam Zhou must have known about it.
She wanted to see what kind of person this woman who wanted to be her "sister" was.
Once the matter was settled, Xiu'er rushed off to find Linlin.
Tang Zhuyun looked at her back; there wasn't a trace of pregnancy.
That's great.
Yanran brought Jiang'er in and took the chicken soup from Jiang'er's hands to Tang Zhuyun.
"Mother, please have a taste."
Tang Zhuyun took a sip. "Delicious, very fresh."
Yanran shook her head and said, "Books cannot be read unless borrowed, and chickens cannot be cooked unless stolen."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
"Haha, Mother, I was just teasing you. I won't steal our own chickens anymore."
Once you've learned everything, it loses its appeal.
Tang Zhuyun's eyes widened. "You can't steal from others either!"
"I know, I know." Yanran stuck out her tongue.
"I'm hosting a dinner party at my residence these next few days, could you please help me out?"
Tang Zhuyun now feels that she doesn't have enough people around her, Xiu'er is pregnant and she can't let her get too tired.
But where can I find a reliable person? That's a real headache.
"A treat? That's great, it'll be so lively!" Yanran clapped her hands.
Tang Zhuyun laughed and scolded, "You're such a show-off. But you also have to think about what you'll do when others are reciting poetry, singing, playing instruments, and performing."
Yanran: "I'm watching and listening!"
"Has someone asked you to perform?"
"Then... I'll let Jiaojiao come out and go through the hoops, and I'll hold the hoops!"
Tang Zhuyun: "So, is it your performance or Jiaojiao's performance? I think you might as well perform breaking a boulder on your chest."
Yanran: "Thank you, Mother, I think it's a good idea!"
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
How did she gradually transform a quiet and reserved girl into a free-spirited and unconventional young woman?
Seeing Tang Zhuyun's face turn red, Yanran said with a grin, "I was just teasing you. You're so easily amused."
Tang Zhuyun breathed a sigh of relief, "No matter what, we should still prepare. Whether it's taking shortcuts or resorting to deception, you can't let your conscience crumble when others praise you."
Yanran smiled smugly, "Don't worry, I don't need to fake it. It's not like I can't do it."
"OK."
To protect her heart, Tang Zhuyun decisively ended the conversation.
Linlin was very reliable, and Xiu'er was also very reliable, so the next day, all the invitations were sent out like snowflakes.
Meanwhile, the people in the manor began preparations.
"Your Highness, you know what? The girls we brought back from Yangqu are all quite perceptive and hardworking."
Tang Zhuyun said, "They lack tact and are lazy, so life will be difficult for them."
They were all forced into this situation.
"With the Empress by my side, life will be good from now on."
As they were talking, the Prince of Jin lifted the curtain and came in.
Seeing this, Xiu'er was about to leave, but Prince of Jin stopped her and said, "Go and write a letter to Song Jingyang."
Xiu'er was stunned. "I just wrote it yesterday."
Tell him that even if he turns into a toad, you won't mind!
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
It seems that Song Jingyang's anxiety about his appearance is all being used to torment Prince of Jin.
Xiu'er: "I'm going right now. I've told him so many times, what man cares about looks!"
She strode out.
Tang Zhuyun asked Prince of Jin, "Are you done with your work?"
"There's never a time when I'm done." Prince of Jin took off his shoes, sat cross-legged on the couch opposite her, and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Annoying."
What's bothering you?
"Zhou Jiyin is being hypocritical and difficult to deal with," said the Prince of Jin. "The Xue Family is now isolated by him; they've been here for so long, yet they haven't really established a foothold..."
In short, the situation was more difficult than he had imagined.
Tang Zhuyun said, "Actually, weren't you already mentally prepared?"
If the northwest were strong enough, would the Prince of Jin have given up that position?
"Take it slow," Tang Zhuyun advised him. "It takes ten years of perseverance to achieve our goal! We're still young; we can outlast those old guys."
The Prince of Jin was amused by her.
"A-Yun, I have a favor to ask of you."